Pi Beta Phi and Delta Sigma Phi were named the greenest sorority and fraternity, respectively, and crowned champions of Ecolympics at the competition's closing ceremony Saturday at Sunset Zoological Park.
Ecolympics is a point-based competition between Greek houses at K-State to become more sustainable by saving water and energy, recycling and bringing in guest speakers about sustainability.
The ceremony drew about 100 Greeks and residents to the park for an afternoon of fun and celebration, as Willie the Wildcat and Z-96.3 radio station teamed up with park employees to entertain park guests with free t-shirts, music and animals to pet.
The ceremony started with a speech from K-State President-Select Schultz, who couldn't be at the park but left an audio recording praising everyone involved in the competition. Schultz said he is optimistic about the campus's eagerness to become more sustainable.
Michael Bell, student director of sustainability, then thanked his judging committee, the Student Governing Association and the sponsors of the Ecolympics for helping make K-State's inaugural Ecolympics competition a success.
Bell, senior in architectural engineering, announced to the crowd that the average Greek house saved 7 percent of its energy in the month of March, with one house, Sigma Kappa sorority, saving an outstanding 24 percent of its power.
One hundred percent recyclable trophies made of used soda cans and old sink faucets were handed out to houses for excellence in recycling, energy conservation and innovative ideas along with the trophy for the Greenest Sorority and Fraternity on Campus.
"It was really exciting to hear that we had won," said Danielle Quigley, environmental chair for Pi Beta Phi and sophomore in chemical engineering.
Quigley said she was happy to see her house was being more sustainable.
"By the end of the month, I wasn't the only one turning off the lights at night," she said.
Ryan Dietrich, president of the Student Sustainability Coalition, said he was pleased with the turnout of both the competition and the closing ceremony. Dietrich, senior in landscape architecture, also said he would like to the see the competition expand next year to residence halls and possibly change the timing to coincide with K-State's Greek Week.
"I hope to see the small changes turn into habits," Dietrich said. "These houses have the ball rolling."
KSU Recycling Award: Fraternity: Phi Kappa Theta, Sorority: Alpha Chi Omega The Westar Energy Conservation Award: F- Sigma Nu, S- Sigma Kappa The Sunset Zoo Innovative Idea Award: F- Delta Upsilon, S- Chi Omega
Ecolympics Greenest Sorority/Fraternity on Campus:
Fraternity:
1) Delta Sigma Phi 2) Delta Upsilon 3) Phi Kappa Theta
Sorority:
1) Pi Beta Phi 2) Chi Omega 3) Alpha Delta Pi
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