University of Kansas - Jayhawker Yearbook (Lawrence, KS)

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W0 Receive Leadership Award uring Habftime LHUICH Pierson and Scott Ferguson were selected from more than 35 applicants as E.X.C.E.L. Award winners during halftime of the football game on Saturday, October 7th. The E.X.C.E.L., or Excellence in Community and Leadership, awards are given annually during Homecoming to honor two outstanding senior students who have demonstrated achievement in the areas of community service, education and leadership. Applicants were required to have an overall grade-point average of 3.0 or higher. They were nominated by faculty members, organizations and fellow students, and then completed an application process. Pierson, Prairie Village senior, doesn't know who nominated her for the award, but said that the experience was exciting. I was very flattered that someone would think of me for this award, she said. 'fAl1 of the finalists have been amazing leaders throughout campus, and it was an honor to be among these finalists. A selection committee with members from Student Union Activities, the Board of Class Officers and the Homecoming steering committee, selected 10 finalists from the applicants to participate in an interview. They then chose a male and a female winner. Alyssa George, Minneapolis, Kan., senior and E.X.C.E.L. committee chairwoman for the Homecoming steering committee, said choosing two winners was difficult because all of the finalists were well qualilied. f'They were all dynamitej, she said. UDK lO!9 HKU has outstanding individuals. Ferguson, Leawood senior, is president of the Interfratemity Council and member of Mortar Board and Beta Theta Pi fratemity. Pierson intemed with U.S. Rep. Dennis Moore CD-Kansasj last spring in Washington D.C. She is currently an intem with the office of Gov. Kathleen Sebelius. She has also been involved with Student Senate and is a member of Chi Omega sorority. Pierson and Ferguson each received a S500 scholarship. As winners, they are also required to help the Student Involvement and Leadership Center plan the annual Blueprints Leadership Conference in Febniary that is open to all students. The award is given in lieu of selecting a Homecoming king and queen. The last Homecoming queen was selected in 1969. KL Ha Mem raitllm tinted Alumni tortlllllllll atttlt Sill tdentotgi lhtillll Mitten! 'lntt tthndff Delhiw. N tlilwftivti lenourbig lnlhep ll ' cl t t lo l Page O16 The J ayhawke

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U Greeks onate to Habitatfor Humanity Members ofthe KU Greek community raised more than 33,000 dollars for Habitat for Humanity during Homecoming weekend. Alumni, students and members of the Lawrence community all contributed funds during a silent auction Saturday at the football game, held by the student organization The House That Greeks Built. The group plans to begin building a house sometime this November. This is the closest thing the Greek community has found for a large fundraiserf' said Danae DeShazer, vice president of community service and philanthropy for the Panhellenic Association. ffIt's been our biggest effort. In the past, the organization has built three l UDK l0!9 Habitat for Humanityf houses from funds raised exclusively by the Greek community, but this year the organization will combined the 53,000 it raised with the KU Habitat for Humanity's fundraising dollars. Deshazer said that after Hurricane Katrina, the cost of building materials have increased, forcing the Greek community to look for help with fundraising. 'fWe didn't want to wait long enough to say 'this is a house that Greeks built, ' Deshazer said. We really need to focus on what we're raising money for: a family in needf' The House That Greeks Built organization has raised more than 3330.000 since completing its last house three years ago. Once funds have been combined with the KU Habitat for Humanity chapter, the groups will begin construction. Laura Bauer, program director for fraternity and sorority life, said that The House that Greeks Built philanthropy is the largest conglomerate of all the KU chapters' combined efforts. Bauer said that the University was one of the first college campuses to become involved With the Habitat for Humanity project and that it has gained momentum since. 'fWe have 40 fraternities and sororitiesf' Bauer said. l'Whether they're involved with fundraising or building, all the chapters get involved. The organization also has done fundraisers for students, like selling the Our basketball team is better than yours,' shirts at the KU bookstores.