Top awards received by Iowa State’s Panhellenic and Interfraternity Councils at the Mid-American Greek Council Association Conference in Chicago have given greek-system members something to smile about.

“I couldn’t believe it,” said Liz Sandstrom, Panhellenic Council president. “I was so incredibly excited, I screamed.”

Assistant Dean of Students/Director of Greek Affairs Brian Tenclinger admitted to having a similar reaction.

“I remember jumping out of my seat, standing and screaming,” he said. “It is such an amazing honor.”

The excitement stems from the ISU Panhellenic Council taking first place in the Sutherland Award and the ISU Interfraternity Council winning runner-up with the Jellison Award.

Sandstrom, junior in elementary education, said the ISU Panhellenic Council is deserving of the award.

“We are the best in terms of programs we offer and the overall functioning of the council,” Sandstrom said. “It is verification of the outstanding leadership the 1999 council provided.”

In order to qualify as finalists for the award, the ISU Panhellenic Council won eight individual programming awards, including academic achievement, leadership and educational development, self-governance and judicial affairs, risk reduction and management, membership recruitment, council management, public relations and community service.

IFC President Tom Duncan said the councils applied for the awards by turning in a binder of information for each category and one binder to summarize their overall activities.

Although IFC was named outstanding in six of the eight areas pertaining to programming in the greek community and a runner-up in another category, members already have plans to win it all next year, said Duncan, senior in mechanical engineering.

“[Executive council] wants to build off of past successes,” Duncan said. “Our goal is to win next year.”

The Jellison Award is the most prestigious award for a council to receive. Tenclinger said the ISU councils were up against about 12 other universities. He said the council members thought they would do well, but they were surprised at how many categories they won.

“This is a tribute to last year’s exec board, their hard work and dedication to their positions,” Duncan said. “We are fortunate to follow in the footsteps of a council that did a lot of great things.”

Tenclinger attributed the councils’ successes to their independence.

“They truly are a council that is self-governing,” he said. “As an adviser I advise and guide, but never decide.”

The conference was held Feb. 17 to Feb. 20, and about 2,100 students attended.