If an unsuspecting student were to pass by Christy Dowling and notice her colorful yarn bracelet, the student might think Dowling’s accessory is merely a fashion statement.
    However, the bracelet that Dowling, freshman in biology, and many other new sorority members are wearing shows their unity and potential membership in a nationally ranked panhellenic council.
    The K-State PHC holds the National Panhellenic Conference’s Biennial Award for Overall Excellence as the top school in the nation, among schools that have more than 10 sorority chapters. This award was presented last in 2007.
    The award is given on a rubric of excellence in different aspects such as leadership, recruitment, training and adherence to National Panhellenic guidelines.
    “This will give a stamp of approval for students looking to join the greek program,” said Scott Jones, director of Greek Affairs and assistant dean of students. “It will enable students to find themselves at KSU. Students looking for opportunities will be able to make the experience of greek life their own.”
    Allie Ryan, senior in mass communications, is president of K-State’s chapter of Alpha Xi Delta and said she is proud of the greek community’s accomplishments.
    “I believe that the high expectations of the Panhellenic Council as well as the strong leadership within individual chapters contributed to this high honor,” Ryan said.
    “The Panhellenic adviser and council tried a lot of new things this year to further the community for the better, and this success is shown through high numbers throughout all of the greek sororities.”
    K-State’s greek system as a whole continues to thrive, having also received prestigious Midwest honors. K-State’s PHC received the Sutherland Award for Division III in 2007 from the Mid-American Greek Council Association.
    The award recognizes the K-State PHC for excellence in academic achievement, council management, leadership and educational development, membership recruitment, philanthropy and community service, public relations, risk reduction and management and self-governance and judicial affairs.
    It is the seventh time in the past 12 years K-State sororities have received this honor.
    K-State’s Interfraternity Council was named runner-up for the 2007 Jellison Award for Division IV. This award recognizes excellence in academic achievement, council management, membership recruitment, philanthropy and community service, public relations and self-governance and judicial affairs.
    Shawn Eagleburger, assistant director of Greek Affairs and primary sorority adviser, said the combined efforts of every person involved in the acceptance of these awards was key.
    “The greek system strives to meet standards,” Eagleburger said. “Our success hasn’t been intermittent - it’s continued. The system is willing to accept high expectations and are willing to strive for their goals with help of advisers, staff and other students.”
    However, greek students and directors are not the only people on campus who recognize K-State’s achievements in the greek system.
    “Our record of student accomplishment in the greek community is incredible,” said Pat Bosco, dean of student life. “Fraternities and sororities at K-State represent a very special experience to our students.”
    Macy Wendler, president of the PHC and senior in apparel and textiles, knows this ranking will put a focus and expectation on K-State.
    “It means that other Panhellenic communities will now look to us to see how to improve their campuses and to generate new ideas,” Wendler said. “The Panhellenic Council has recognized the need to continuously work towards new goals and push new ideas on the community to live up to the expectations that are associated with such an honor.”
    Whether talking to an excited new member sporting her vibrant bracelet or the academic dean, most will agree there is something to be said about the greek life experience at K-State.
    “When you join the greek system,” Eagleburger said, “you agree to be something different.”