March 7, 2007

Five Awards — But Who’s Counting?

Pictured (left to right): Mike Fielding ’09, Sam Duplessis ’08, and Matt Greene ’08.

Not only was Ohio Wesleyan’s Delta Tau Delta fraternity recognized as the “Most Improved Chapter for 2006” at the winter Northern Division conference, the organization also garnered four other awards! And Sam Duplessis ’08, is one very proud OWU chapter president.

“There were 37 chapters represented at the conference, and ours was selected based on 17 basic areas for which we submitted evidence of involvement and improvement,” he says. Ed Heminger ’48, Distinguished Alumnus of Ohio Wesleyan and the MU chapter of Delta Tau Delta, presented the award.

“The 17 categories on which we were evaluated included such areas as academic improvement, recruitment, and community service,” explains Duplessis. The other awards presented to the Delts were for academic improvement, recruitment, retention rates of the pledge class, and presidential strength.

“I’ve seen growth within this chapter, and I look forward to yet other achievements,” says Debbie Lamp, director of student involvement.

Duplessis will be attending a leadership academy in Washington, D.C. at the end of spring break. During the four-day seminar, he and other selected Greek chapter officers will attend discussions and other activities designed to build leadership skills.

“It’s interesting that when I first came to Ohio Wesleyan, I had decided not to join a fraternity, but now, I believe strongly in what Greek life can do for the community,” he says. As a music education major, Duplessis also spends time as a member of the Men’s Ensemble, Opera Theatre, and the Choral Art Society, and performs with the Central Ohio Symphony Orchestra. In addition, he is the staff accompanist for musical theatre productions at OWU, and a musician (pianist, organist, singer, and conductor) at two area churches.

“I’ve had eight years of practice to successfully find the balance between academics, social life, and community service, and it can be done!”

— Pam Besel