Robert Marias, director of Greek Life and Community Service at Kettering University, was recently recognized as Greek Advisor of the Year for the National Pan-Hellenic Council, Inc., at their 80th Anniversary Conference in Washington, D.C., held in May of this year, and as Greek Advisor of the Year from Sigma Nu Fraternity, Inc. during their 64th Grand Chapter (international convention) in Boston.

“Robert has shown a passion for working with the UC-Flint chapter of NPHC, from assisting with community service organizing committees and seeking sponsors for our Annual Scholarship Ball, to providing funding for travel to and from functions,” said Jenae Moore, NPHC -UC-Flint President, in her nomination of Marias for the award.

Marias was nominated for the NPHC award by the students he serves.  The undergraduate council of the National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) was chartered in 2008 as a city-wide governing council for fraternities and sororities at Mott Community College, Baker College of Flint, the University of Michigan-Flint and Kettering. Students at the four campuses asked Marias to serve as their advisor.

“I am very proud that within a year and a half, our council was able to attend the national conference where they were nominated for five awards and received one (the award for Advisor of the Year),” said Marias.  The Flint-area NPHC council has initiated city-wide projects, with Kettering students working hand-in-hand with UM-Flint on Greek Life issues and concerns, he added.

The National Pan-Hellenic Council, Incorporated (NPHC) is currently composed of nine international Greek letter sororities and fraternities. Its mission is to promote interaction and cooperative programming and initiatives among the traditionally African American fraternities and sororities. For more information about NPHC visit http://www.nphchq.org/

The Sigma Nu award recognized Marias’ many contributions to the Kettering Greek Community, and held special significance for him as he has been an active member of Sigma Nu Fraternity since 1996, when he joined as a student at Villanova University. Marias currently serves as faculty advisor for the Kettering chapters (both A and B section) and assists with the Kettering chapters’ housing corporation and alumni board.

In addition, Marias was nominated for the Alpha Sigma Alpha Outstanding Sorority Advisor of the Year for 2009-10. A letter from Cindy Kelly, National President of Alpha Sigma Alpha Sorority, stated “The chapter feels that you exemplify the core values of Alpha Sigma Alpha, serve as a role model for students and have made an outstanding contribution to Greek Life.”

“I am proud that our students feel my leadership and service as Director of Greek Life has been of value to them,” Marias said of the multiple nominations and awards. Robert has served as Director of Greek Life for the past six years, during which the Greek Community at Kettering has grown over 12 percent and now comprises over 40 percent of the total student population.

Of the recent successes, Marias said, “I am humbled and deeply honored by these awards, because I see them as affirmations of all the great things which we have achieved as a Greek Community at Kettering. I see a bright future for this Greek Community, so long as we stay true to the values and principles which we have in common.”