Fraternities and Sororities Return to Campus
By Sara Mayer, Assistant Director for Student Activities

Fraternity and sorority members were among the first to arrive back on the Florida Tech campus for the fall semester. As part of their yearly volunteer efforts, the fraternity and sorority members awakened early on new student move-in day to help incoming students get situated in the residence halls. On Aug. 15, 118 members came to aid the new students and their parents.

The fraternity-sorority community wrapped up its recruitment events in October, welcoming almost 130 new members. Events included sports day, an outdoor carnival and trips to the local bowling alley. The fraternities recruited 98 men, while sororities recruited 31 women.

On Oct. 16, the Fraternity and Sorority Life (FSL) Housing Committee made a presentation of its accomplishments so far this semester to President Anthony J. Catanese.?

In February 2008, Panhellenic will host the annual Big Man on Campus fundraiser. Men will compete in areas such as congeniality, talent and appearance. All proceeds will go to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence. Sorority women will be matched up with the contestants to serve as their coaches and teach them how to be “gentlemen.” The test will come when faculty members judge them.

Stay updated with the fraternity-sorority community by visiting our Web site at www.fit.edu/fsl. You will find monthly newsletters, semester reports and links to the chapters.

Haddad ’87 Receives Outstanding Achievement Award

Comments from Wassim Haddad, B.S. ’83, M.S. ’84, Ph.D. ’87 mechanical engineering, delivered at the Homecoming Banquet, Oct. 20, 2007, upon receiving the alumni association’s Outstanding Achievement Award:

“President Catanese, Florida Tech faculty and distinguished guests, I am honored that the Florida Tech Alumni Association board of directors has chosen me as one of the recipients for the 2007 Outstanding Achievement Award.

As many of you know, I have a great attachment to Florida Tech. I received my bachelor’s, master’s and Ph.D. degrees here. I spent the formative years of my young adulthood here. And, as a young assistant professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering, I had the opportunity to start my academic career here. I have always felt that with the right leadership and vision Florida Tech has the potential to reach a level of perfection in education and research excellence that is second to none.

While the faculty are the pillars of an institution, the alumni are its souls. They emerge from a university with a sense of responsibility and a fearless attitude to confront and solve global problems. In my case, I emerged from Florida Tech with a passion for research and education—a passion that seems to thrive with time.

My first and most important teachers were my parents: Michael and Sofia Haddad. Through their actions, they inspired me to passionately pursue knowledge throughout my life because it is a more lasting possession than anything else. And for this, I would like to thank them from the bottom of my heart. I would also like to thank my teachers, some of whom are in this hall today. Professors Frank Stasa and Fred Ham’s teaching excellence made me fall in love with the field of dynamic systems and control. Dr. Billy Thrasher, my first department head at Florida Tech, gave me my first chance to develop my skills as an educator; whereas Dr. Paavo Sepri realized my potential as a researcher and allowed me to hone my research skills during my tenure at Florida Tech. I also see Professor Lakshmikantham in the audience. Though not a teacher of mine in the classical sense, I have always enjoyed my conversations with him over the years. He is arguably, the best scholar this institution has had the privilege of having.

Finally, and most importantly, I would like to thank my wife Lydia. She is the true grace, wisdom and balance in my life.”