Phi Kappa Theta, a longstanding fraternity at Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI), has won first-place awards in 13 of 15 categories at a recognition banquet sponsored by the national fraternity, marking the most awards the chapter has ever received at the event.
"The awards represent the development these men go through as members of Phi Kappa Theta," said Nicholas Pelletier '09, president of the Aquinas Association, the alumni board that advises the chapter. "These awards are a testament to the strength of the WPI Greek system as these chapters challenge each other to continue to innovate."
The fraternity won the following Phi Kappa Theta National Fraternity Accreditation Awards: Chapter Mentor Award, which was given to Pelletier; George Uihlein Alumni Engagement Award, John F. Kennedy Associate Member Education Award, Member Development Programming Award, Growth and Stability Award, Chapter Servant Leadership Award, and Individual Servant Leadership Award, which was given to Marco Villar.
Additionally, Phi Kappa Theta received the Fraternal Development Excellence Award, the Intellectual Development Excellence Award, the Michael T. McSweeney Leadership Development Award, the Social Development Excellence Award, and Cardinal W. Wuerl Spiritual Development Excellence Award.
Phi Kappa Theta was also the recipient of the prestigious Founders' Cup.
During the ceremony, the Phi Kappa Theta Foundation honored William Grogan '46, longtime chapter advisor to Phi Kappa Theta, as the fraternity's "Man of Achievement." He follows Ronald Zarrella '71, who won the award several years ago.
"We're very grateful for the ongoing support Mr. Grogan has provided Phi Kappa Theta for more than six decades," added Pelletier. "His vision, encouragement and guidance are unparalleled and he continues to be a major force for the fraternity."
Fraternity leaders say the awards are emblematic of the larger successes shared by fraternities and sororities across WPI. Last fall, WPI was named by web site Best Colleges Online to its list of "10 Colleges That Get Greek Life Right."
"I am very proud of all of the fraternities and sororities at WPI because they continue to serve the university and community in so many positive ways," said Emily Perlow, director of Student Activities at WPI.
