While Cornell University this year took the title of best overall Greek system in the northeast region, Penn State's Greek community took home a surprise special recognition award for this year's Interfraternity/Panhellenic Council Dance Marathon.

The University's Greek community received several awards for some of its achievements throughout the past year at the Northeast Panhellenic/Northeast Interfraternity Conference held last month in Stamford, Conn.

Panhel received scholarship and leadership awards and IFC received a membership award and the Gary H. Bonas Award for Educational Programs, said Rick Funk, IFC adviser.

This year marked the first time in three years that the University did not win the best overall system award, Funk said.

Universities in West Virginia, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Maryland, Delaware and New England were involved in the convention that was held on Feb. 22-25, Funk said.

Both groups received a special recognition award for the Dance Marathon and a standing ovation, Funk said.

Due to convention regulations the Dance Marathon could not win a special achievement award in consecutive years. So this year, for the first time ever, the convention gave a special recognition award for the event, said Stephanie Redish, Panhel president.

Both of the University's Greek leaders were surprised at winning the new award, said Redish and IFC president Scott Stephan.

The awards show everyone that Penn State has an outstanding Greek community, Redish said.

The main purpose of NEIFC is to run the annual northeastern conference, as well as other regional conventions. The conventions give recognition to the most outstanding Greek organizations and hold workshops to educate Greek leaders, Funk said.

Stephan was elected executive vice president of the NEIFC, after serving one year as president of Western Pennsylvania's NEIFC, Funk said.

His duties will include planning next year's convention, Funk said.

Stephan said he hopes to increase his involvement with the various regional presidents during his term.

The last time a University member was elected president of the conference was two years ago, Funk said.

The Greek community's 18-member delegation was made up of new and old IFC and Panhel executives, said Funk, the assistant executive director of the convention.

Greek advisers and local professionals ran workshops to help Greek leaders acquire new ideas and ways of dealing with concerns of the Greek community on everything from management to the removal of pledging.