HATTIESBURG - For more than 20 years, the National Pan-Hellenic Council at the University of Southern Mississippi has been a vital part of the campus, and its hard work has not gone unnoticed. In October, the council received five of the six awards given at the national conference in Chicago. 

These awards include Outstanding Collegiate President of the Year, Collegiate Frater of the Year, Collegiate Soror of the Year, Advisor of the Year and Collegiate Council of the Year. 

Valencia Walls, a Zeta Phi Beta alumna, serves as Greek Life administrative assistant as well as the NPHC advisor at Southern Miss. She was awarded Advisor of the Year. 

“Valencia shows her dedication to both the office of Greek Life and USM with her consistent leadership and supervision of the National Pan-Hellenic Council,” said John Burks, assistant dean of students for Greek Life. 

Collegiate Council of the Year is given to the council that works together effectively to plan events that entertain and educate the NPHC sororities and fraternities.  This past year, a “NPHC Greek Week” was held that included a step show at the Hattiesburg Saenger Theater.  Members of last year’s council were Grace Allen, Teneicia Cole, Fallon Flowers, Robert Houston, Pamela Scott, Deante Smith, Steven Smith and Catrice Stribling. 

Steven Smith was named Outstanding Collegiate President of the Year, given to the president of a university’s NPHC Council that has gone above and beyond the call of duty.  Smith is a member of Omega Psi Phi, as well as the Student Government Association and Order of Omega.

Robert Houston and Teneicia Cole were awarded Collegiate Frater and Soror of the Year, respectively.  They were recognized for their contributions to the Greek community.  Houston is a member of Omega Psi Phi, and Cole is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha.