Academic Excellence

For many, you do not hear these words often enough:
I am proud of you!

Academic Excellence is one of our Core Values... And, one that I am so proud of our community for demonstrating this on a regular basis.  A few weeks ago, the Spring 2011 Grade Report was released.  I am proud of you!  The All-Fraternity and All-Sorority Averages were higher than the All-Student Average.  We are a community that expects high academic achievement.  And, we meet that expectation regularly.

Here are a couple of quick facts about the Spring 2011 Grade Report:

• Kappa Alpha Theta and Beta Theta Pi were the top achieving chapters - both overall and active members.
• Gamma Phi Beta and Beta Theta Pi had the Highest New Member GPA.
• All 12 of our chapters were above the All-Undergraduate Average.
• Every Fraternity had a 4.0 Scholar.  Lambda Chi Alpha had 3 members earn a 4.0 semester GPA.
• Our sororities had 25 4.0 Scholars.  Kappa Kappa Gamma had the largest number with 6 members earning a 4.0 semester GPA.

This summer I have been meeting with national sororities that are considering applying to join our community.  Over and over these groups comment on the fantastic GPA the community earns.  Today, I was asked if this was a major University initiative.  I was able to honestly share that the recruitment of men and women with high GPAs is a commitment that comes from our chapters.  We recruit students who take Academic Excellence seriously.

Take a moment to breathe in this success.  Take a moment to celebrate how well we are doing.  Take a moment to feel the pride.  Congratulations on this great work.  Truly, I am proud of you!