Every year several thousand members of the greek community unite for an evening to reflect on the past year, celebrate accomplishments and kickoff Greek Week in a three-hour program called Vespers.

Vespers is an awards ceremony for fraternal excellence, said Ryan Kruger, Greek Central general co-chairman.

While Vespers is an important awards ceremony within the greek community, there is more than awards presented during the evening.

David Coleman, more commonly known as the “Dating Doctor,” will be speaking at Vespers, said Jon McClure, special events co-chairman.

“He was one of the speakers suggested by other universities,” said McClure, junior in agricultural studies. “We try to get motivational speakers who will relate to the greek system. Relationships aren’t only in college, but other places as well.”

Coleman was named the 2001 Speaker of the Year in “Campus Activities Magazine” as well as through the National Association for Campus Activities. He was nominated again this year.

“He puts an interesting spin on dating and relationships,” said Katelyn Thrall, who has seen Coleman speak. “His talk is going to be about creative dating. I’m not quite sure what he’ll do with it, but it’ll be something fun.”

Traditionally, Vespers has been the Sunday before Greek Week, but due to Easter this year, it will be 6 p.m. Monday in Stephens Auditorium.

“We are awarding outstanding people and chapters within the greek community,” Kruger said. “This night is supposed to be about accomplishments over the past year from Greek Week to Greek Week.”

There is a variety of awards that chapters and individuals can apply for or be recommended for, said Thrall, Greek Week special events co-chairwoman.

There is a range of awards given to fraternity and sorority members and chapters, including awards for excellence, Thrall said. There are awards for greek man and greek woman of the year as well as greek president and greek adviser of the year.