Awards and Recognitions

Fraternal Laurel Society

Throughout Greek mythology and world history, the laurel wreath has sybolized different things. For some, it sybolizes victory; for others, it symbolizes the graduation of a scholar. While these differ, the commonality lies in the recognition of a person's achievement.

Each year, at the Student Affairs Awards banquet, USC Upstate's sorority/fraternity community recognizes our members who have achieved the academic feat of graduating magna cum laude (at least a 3.8 cumulative GPA). Through it's name, the Laurel Society pays homage to the Greek origins of the laurel wreath.

While the Laurel Society first started in 2016, the first person was not inducted until 2019.

Laurel Society Members

Laurel Society Member	Fraternal Organization	Graduating Semester and Year
Alexis McAllister	Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.	May 2019
Lennah Farr	Delta Zeta Sorority	December 2019
Jada Leonard	Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.	May 2020
Anna Vick	Delta Zeta Sorority	May 2021
DerChe' Mosby	Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.	May 2021
Samantha Roberts	Zeta Tau Alpha Women's Fraternity	May 2022
Brianna Geddis	Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc	December 2022
Stephinee Roper	Delta Zeta Sorority	May 2023
Jacqulyn Danko	Delta Zeta Sorority	May 2023
Delaney Suarez	Delta Zeta Sorority	May 2023
Emily Hancock	Delta Zeta Sorority	May 2023

University, Fraternity/Sorority, Organization awards and recognitions

2021 - 2022 Academic Year

University Awards and recognitions

Award	Individual and/or Organization	Award or Recognition Description
Student Government Association	Gregory Castillo (SGA Vice President) — Alpha Sigma Phi Fraternity Jamie Mejia (SGA Secretary) — Chi Upsilon Sigma Sorority, Inc.	Elected Student Government Association representatives.
Orientation, Advisement and Registration (OAR) Leaders	Laney Bonds — Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. Jamie Mejia — Chi Upsilon Sigma Sorority, Inc. Bryson Mozone — Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.	OAR Leaders serve the University by guiding incoming students through the summer Orientation, Advisement and Registration process.

2020 - 2021 Academic Year

University Awards and recognitions

Award	Individual and/or Organization	Award or Recognition Description
Upstate 7	Madisyn Hughes — Phi Mu Women's Fraternity DerChe' Mosby — Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.	The “USC Upstate 7” is the highest honor bestowed upon a graduating student by the Division of Student Affairs and the Student Government Association. Only seven (7) graduating students from any undergraduate divisions may be enshrined each year. The USC-Upstate 7 are designated on the basis of scholarship, leadership, campus involvement, service, and other achievements.
Student Government Association	Adib Kapasi (SGA President) — Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.	Elected Student Government Association representatives.

Fraternity sorority life awards

Award	Individual and/or Organization	Award or Recognition Description
Spirit of Fraternal Exellence Award	O.W.L.S. in C.U.S.	The Spirit of Fraternal Excellence Award recognizes the social fraternal organization that rises to the top. The recipient of this award lives up to the values and purposes of fraternal organizations by excelling in all categories of the USC Upstate Standards of Fraternal Excellence program during the previous calendar year.
Most Improved Chapter of the Year	Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.	Most Improved Chapter of the Year is awarded to the chapter that has improved the most over the past academic year.
Outstanding Fraternity Academic Achievement	Alpha Sigma Phi Fraternity	Outstanding Fraternity Academic Achievement is awarded to the men's fraternal organization that has achieved the highest cumulative GPA at the end of the calendar year.
Outstanding Sorority Academic Achievement	O.W.L.S. in C.U.S.	Outstanding Sorority Academic Achievement is awarded to the women's fraternal organization that has achieved the highest cumulative GPA at the end of the calendar year.

National/Regional Organization Awards

Award	Organization	Award or Recognition Description
Z Excellence Award for Elder Care	Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. — Pi Rho Chapter	Excellence in Zeta Phi Beta's Elder Care Initiative which strives to provide education and awareness about preparing for your senior years. It is a comprehensive program that also focuses on elder abuse awareness, financial peace, supporting the caregiver and volunteering at senior care facilities.

2019 - 2020 Academic Year

University Awards and recognitions

Award	Organization	Award or Recognition Description
Spirit of Upstate	Kenyatta Jeffcoat — Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.	The Spirit of Upstate Award signifies a student who embodies the greater Upstate community and is engaged throughout campus. 2020 was the inaugural Spirit of Upstate award as USC Upstate moved away from the previously celebrated Homecoming King and Queen into a new tradition that better aligns with the mission of the institution.
Orientation, Advisement and Registration (OAR) Leaders	Laney Bonds — Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. Lennah Farr — Delta Zeta Sorority Taylor Keeter — Delta Zeta Sorority Andrew Tate — Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.	OAR Leaders serve the University by guiding incoming students through the summer Orientation, Advisement and Registration process.
John C. Stockwell Chancellor's Cup	Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.	The John C. Stockwell Chancellor's Cup recognizes a registered student organization that has demonstrated consistent activity, creativity, and initiative; has made meaningful contributions to the campus community; and has had a significant impact on the quality of the student experience at USC Upstate throughout the academic year.
Spartan Spirit of Service Award	Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc.	The Spartan Spirit of Service Award is designed to recognize student organizations that have demonstrated excellence in serving the greater community through the performance of volunteer hours.

Fraternity sorority life awards

Award	Individual and/or Organization	Award or Recognition Description
Spirit of Fraternal Exellence Award	Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.	The Spirit of Fraternal Excellence Award recognizes the social fraternal organization that rises to the top. The recipient of this award lives up to the values and purposes of fraternal organizations by excelling in all categories of the USC Upstate Standards of Fraternal Excellence program during the previous calendar year.
Most Improved Chapter of the Year	Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.	Most Improved Chapter of the Year is awarded to the chapter that has improved the most over the past academic year.
Outstanding Fraternity Academic Achievement	Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc.	Outstanding Fraternity Academic Achievement is awarded to the men's fraternal organization that has achieved the highest cumulative GPA at the end of the calendar year.
Outstanding Sorority Academic Achievement	Phi Mu Women's Fraternity	Outstanding Sorority Academic Achievement is awarded to the women's fraternal organization that has achieved the highest cumulative GPA at the end of the calendar year.

2018 - 2019 Academic Year

University Awards and recognitions

Award	Organization	Award or Recognition Description
Earl Gordon Award	Alexis McAllister — Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.	Earl Gordon Medal, our university’s highest student award for unselfish servant leadership. The title honors the university’s first Dean of Students and has been conferred since 1981. The Medal is annually presented to two graduating seniors based upon the qualities that undergirded Dean Gordon’s life -- volunteer service to the university and its students, involvement in campus activities, volunteer service to the surrounding community and nobility of character.
Orientation, Advisement and Registration (OAR) Leaders	Lennah Farr — Delta Zeta Sorority Taylor Keeter — Delta Zeta Sorority Rebecca Liles — Phi Mu Women's Fraternity Cheyanne Murray — Delta Zeta Sorority	OAR Leaders serve the University by guiding incoming students through the summer Orientation, Advisement and Registration process.
Homecoming Queen	Tevonae Brown — Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.	USC Upstate Homecoming Royalty
Homecoming King	Charles Mallory — Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.	USC Upstate Homecoming Royalty
John C. Stockwell Chancellor's Cup	Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.	The John C. Stockwell Chancellor's Cup recognizes a registered student organization that has demonstrated consistent activity, creativity, and initiative; has made meaningful contributions to the campus community; and has had a significant impact on the quality of the student experience at USC Upstate throughout the academic year.
Leon E. Wiles Humanitarian Award	Sariel Harmon	The Leon E. Wiles Humanitarian Award is awarded to an Upstate student who advocates for diversity and inclusion through participation in campus activities or organizations, community groups, volunteer work or other forms of involvement or action.
Student Organization Officer of the Year	Sherrina Black — Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.	The Student Organization Officer of the Year Award is recognizes an officer in a registered student organization who exemplifies service, commitment, and strong leadership qualities while supporting their organization. The student recognized will have made significant contributions to their student organization, by way of enriching the strengths of their student members through integrity and enthusiasm while taking initiative towards carrying their organization to new heights.
Emerging Leader of the Year	Garrett Black (of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc.) — IMPACT	The Emerging Leader of the Year Award recognizes an undergraduate student who has established themselves as an invaluable member of the Upstate community and, sometimes, as part of a student organization. This student will have served the Upstate community with intense passion and infectious enthusiasm while creating a positive impact on USC Upstate’s campus community.
Spartan Spirit of Service Award	Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc.	The Spartan Spirit of Service Award is designed to recognize student organizations that have demonstrated excellence in serving the greater community through the performance of volunteer hours.

Fraternity sorority life awards

Award	Individual and/or Organization	Award or Recognition Description
Spirit of Fraternal Exellence Award	Zeta Tau Alpha Women's Fraternity	The Spirit of Fraternal Excellence Award recognizes the social fraternal organization that rises to the top. The recipient of this award lives up to the values and purposes of fraternal organizations by excelling in all categories of the USC Upstate Standards of Fraternal Excellence program during the previous calendar year.
Most Improved Chapter of the Year	Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity	Most Improved Chapter of the Year is awarded to the chapter that has improved the most over the past academic year.
Outstanding Fraternity Academic Achievement	Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc.	Outstanding Fraternity Academic Achievement is awarded to the men's fraternal organization that has achieved the highest cumulative GPA at the end of the calendar year.
Outstanding Sorority Academic Achievement	Phi Mu Women's Fraternity	Outstanding Sorority Academic Achievement is awarded to the women's fraternal organization that has achieved the highest cumulative GPA at the end of the calendar year.
Panhellenic Woman of the Year	Taylor Keeter — Delta Zeta Sorority	Panhellenic Woman of the Year award recognizes a collegiate Panhellenic woman that has shown particular support and advocation for the Panhellenic sorority experience during the academic year.
Recruitment Counselor of the Year	Meghan Greene — Zeta Tau Alpha Women's Fraternity	Recruitment Counselor of the Year recognizes a Panhellenic Recruitment Counselor that has been an exceptional role model and representatitve of the Panhellenic Council during the academic year.

National/Regional Organization Awards

Award	Individual and/or Organization	Award or Recognition Description
Outstanding Member of the Year	Charlotte Tucker — Zeta Tau Alpha Women's Fraternity	Outstanding Member of the Year in the state of South Carolina.
Vertelle M. Middleton “Most Promising Undergraduate Award”	Alexis McAllister — Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.	Most promising undergraduate within the national organization during the academic year.