Fraternity and Sorority Life Awards

The Outstanding Harm Prevention and Reduction Initiative Award recognizes an exceptional effort within a fraternity or sorority chapter to promote safety, well-being, and responsible behavior among its members. This award celebrates initiatives that demonstrate innovative approaches to addressing issues such as substance abuse, mental health, sexual assault prevention, and overall risk management. Nominees for this award exhibit a commitment to educating members, fostering a culture of respect and accountability, and implementing effective harm reduction strategies. The recipient of this award serves as a model for proactive and impactful measures aimed at ensuring the health and safety of fraternity or sorority members and contributes to creating a positive and supportive environment within the fraternity and sorority community at DU.

The Excellence in Intake/Recruitment Award celebrates a fraternity or sorority chapter's outstanding efforts in attracting new members and fostering a diverse and inclusive community. This award recognizes chapters that have implemented innovative intake/recruitment strategies, upheld high standards of integrity, and demonstrated a commitment to promoting the values of their organization. Nominees for this award exhibit excellence in cultivating relationships with potential new members, providing meaningful recruitment experiences, and maintaining transparency throughout the intake process. The recipient of this award serves as a model for excellence in intake/recruitment practices, contributing to the growth and vitality of their chapter and enhancing the overall fraternity and sorority community at DU.

The Outstanding New Member Education Program & Retention Award honors a fraternity or sorority chapter's exemplary efforts in welcoming, educating, and retaining new members. This award celebrates a chapter that has developed a comprehensive and impactful new member education program, fostering a strong sense of belonging, and a commitment among their newest members. Nominees for this award demonstrate innovative approaches to orientation, education, and mentorship, ensuring that new members are equipped with the knowledge, skills, and values necessary for success within the organization. Additionally, these chapters exhibit effective strategies for engaging and retaining new members beyond initiation, fostering long-term connections and contributing to the chapter's overall sustainability. The recipient of this award serves as a beacon of excellence in new member education and retention, embodying the principles of leadership, inclusivity, and siblinghood within the fraternity and sorority community at DU.

The Excellence in Chapter PR and Marketing Award recognizes a fraternity or sorority chapter's exceptional efforts in effectively promoting its brand, values, and activities both within the fraternity and sorority community as well as to the broader campus and/or local community. This award celebrates chapters that have demonstrated creativity, innovation, and strategic thinking in their public relations and marketing initiatives. Nominees for this award exhibit proficiency in leveraging various communication channels, such as social media, newsletters, events, and partnerships, to raise awareness, engage members, and attract prospective members. Additionally, the winning chapter showcases a cohesive and compelling brand identity, aligning their messaging and visuals with the values and mission of their organization. The recipient of this award serves as a role model for excellence in PR and marketing, enhancing the visibility, reputation, and impact of their chapter within the fraternity and sorority community and beyond.

The Outstanding Community Engagement/Philanthropy Initiative Award celebrates a fraternity or sorority chapter's exceptional dedication to serving their community and making a positive impact through philanthropic efforts. This award recognizes a chapter that has demonstrated creativity, passion, and effectiveness in organizing and executing meaningful community service projects and philanthropic events. Nominees for this award exhibit a strong commitment to addressing pressing social issues, supporting local charities, and engaging members in service opportunities that align with the values of their organization. Additionally, the winner demonstrates leadership in mobilizing resources, rallying support, and fostering collaboration to maximize their impact. The recipient of this award serves as an inspiration to others, embodying the spirit of giving back and making a difference in the lives of those in need, both within the fraternity and sorority community and the broader community.

The Outstanding Academic Achievement Initiative Award honors a fraternity or sorority chapter that has demonstrated exceptional commitment to promoting academic excellence among its members. This award recognizes initiatives that effectively support and enhance the scholarly pursuits of chapter members, fostering a culture of learning, achievement, and intellectual growth. Nominees for this award exhibit innovative programs, resources, and strategies designed to improve academic performance, such as study groups, tutoring, mentorship, and recognition of academic accomplishments. The recipient of the Outstanding Academic Achievement Initiative Award serves as a model for integrating academic success with the values of our community while contributing to the holistic development and success of its members.

The Inclusive Excellence Program or Educational Initiative Award recognizes a fraternity or sorority chapter's outstanding commitment to fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion within their organization and the broader fraternity and sorority community. This award celebrates chapters that have implemented innovative programs or initiatives aimed at promoting understanding, respect, and belonging among members of diverse backgrounds. Nominees for this award demonstrate a dedication to creating safe and inclusive spaces, challenging biases, and advocating for underrepresented voices within their organization. Additionally, these chapters exhibit leadership in educating members about issues of diversity, equity and inclusion by facilitating meaningful dialogue and promoting cultural competency and allyship. The recipient of this award serves as a trailblazer for inclusive excellence, inspiring others to embrace diversity as a source of strength and to actively work towards building a more inclusive fraternity or sorority community.

The Fraternity Chapter of the Year Award honors a fraternity chapter that exemplifies excellence, leadership, and positive impact within their community. This recognition acknowledges a chapter's commitment to brotherhood/siblinghood, academic success, diversity and inclusion, service, and engagement on campus and beyond. Chapters competing for this award demonstrate creativity in their initiatives, dedication to upholding fraternity values, and a strong sense of camaraderie among their members. The recipient of the Fraternity Chapter of the Year Award serves as a model for others, inspiring a culture of leadership, integrity, and service within the fraternity community.

The Sorority Chapter of the Year Award recognizes outstanding excellence, leadership, and community impact within a sorority chapter. This award celebrates a chapter's dedication to fostering sisterhood/siblinghood, academic achievement, philanthropy, and campus involvement. Chapters competing for this award showcase innovation in programming, commitment to diversity and inclusion, and a strong sense of sisterhood/siblinghood that extends beyond their chapter. The recipient of the Sorority Chapter of the Year Award embodies the values of their sorority and serves as a beacon of inspiration for others in the DU Fraternity and Sorority Life community.

Our New Members and Neos are the most recent additions to our chapters and the next group of leaders ready to grow our organizations. As we have welcomed them into our chapters and taught them our history, values, and traditions, these nominees have stood out for the way they display leadership, connection, resilience, and navigate challenge and difference. They represent the values of our chapters and FSL community and embody the future we are striving towards. We will select two winners: one from a fraternity and one from a sorority.

This award goes to the member who has significantly impacted the DU Community as a whole, either through their work within our FSL community or through the work they do outside of it while still representing our FSL values. We will select two winners: one from a fraternity and one from a sorority.

The Chapter Executive Board Member of the Year Award celebrates an individual within a fraternity or sorority chapter who has demonstrated exceptional leadership, dedication, and impact in their role on the executive board. This award recognizes the contributions of a board member who has gone above and beyond to enhance the chapter's success, foster unity among members, and uphold the organization's values. Nominees for this award exhibit strong communication skills, strategic thinking, and a commitment to serving their chapter with integrity and passion. The recipient of the Chapter Executive Board Member of the Year Award is an inspiration to their peers, setting a high standard for leadership and making a lasting positive difference within their fraternity or sorority community. One winner will be chosen.

Our Chapter Advisors navigate the ups and downs of our chapters year in and year out. They support us through our learning and development and challenge our perspectives and processes to push us to grow and better our chapters. These nominees help us find balance in leading our chapters and being students, promote leadership across all members, and exceed expectations for their position. One winner will be chosen.

The Council Executive of the Year Award acknowledges an outstanding leader within a fraternity or sorority council who has demonstrated exceptional dedication, innovation, and impact in their role. This award celebrates a council executive who has effectively managed council affairs, fostered collaboration among member organizations, and advocated for the collective interests of the fraternity and sorority life community at DU. Nominees for this award demonstrate strong leadership qualities, strategic vision, and a commitment to promoting unity and growth within the council and across councils. The recipient of the Council Executive of the Year Award serves as an inspiration to their peers, embodying the highest standards of leadership and making significant contributions to the advancement of the entire fraternity and sorority community.

The Emerging Leader of the Year Award celebrates a promising individual within a fraternity or sorority chapter who has shown exceptional potential, initiative, and dedication to their organization. This award recognizes a member who has demonstrated remarkable growth, enthusiasm, and commitment to the values of their fraternity or sorority. Nominees for this award exhibit a strong willingness to learn, take on new challenges, and contribute positively to their chapter’s success. The recipient of the Emerging Leader of the Year Award serves as an inspiring example of leadership and is poised to make significant contributions to their fraternity or sorority community in the future. We will choose one winner.

This award celebrates the "unsung heroes" in our chapters. A nominee embodies the chapter's purpose and ideals, as well as positively contribute to both the chapter and the FSL community as a whole and do not need to hold any formalized leadership positions in the chapter or on campus to be eligible for the award. We will choose one winner.

The Chapter President of the Year Award celebrates an exemplary leader within a fraternity or sorority chapter who has demonstrated outstanding dedication, vision, and effectiveness in their role as president. This award recognizes a president who has led with integrity, inspired their members, and achieved notable success in advancing the chapter’s mission and goals. Nominees for this award exhibit strong leadership skills, strategic thinking, and a deep commitment to the values of their fraternity or sorority. The recipient of the Chapter President of the Year Award serves as a role model for leadership excellence, setting a high standard for future presidents and making a lasting positive impact on their chapter and the broader DU Fraternity and Sorority Life community.

The Fraternity and Sorority Advisor's Student Leadership Award recognizes an exceptional student who has demonstrated outstanding leadership within the fraternity and sorority community. This award celebrates a student who has shown exemplary dedication, initiative, and impact in their involvement with fraternity and sorority life. The recipient of this award exhibits strong leadership qualities, including the ability to inspire others, foster collaboration, and uphold the values of their organization and the fraternity and sorority community. Additionally, this student actively contributes to the growth and success of their fraternity or sorority through their involvement in various activities, events, and initiatives both inside and outside of the fraternity and sorority life. The recipient of this award serves as a role model for leadership excellence, making significant contributions to the fraternity and sorority community and leaving a lasting positive impact on their peers. Please note that this award is given as the discretion of the Associate Director of Fraternity and Sorority Life and may not be awarded every year.