Sponsored Programs

Academic Excellence

The Academic Excellence Fund promotes academic achievement in women’s fraternities. Collegiate scholarship is promoted through publication of a newsletter called The Scholar, Week and Month of the Scholar events, manuals and materials related to academic forums. Recognition is given at regional meetings and in the newsletter to College Panhellenics that attain Academic Honor Roll status. They can achieve this level of excellence with an all-sorority grade point average meeting or exceeding the all-women’s average and/or raising their overall GPA by .1 to meet the NPC challenge. Gifts to the Academic Excellence Fund help further the Conference’s support of collegiate scholarship.

Distinguished Lecturer Program

Created to provide a forum in which local Alumnae and College Panhellenics can promote and exemplify the spirit and mission of the National Panhellenic Conference, the Distinguished Lecturer Program was established through an initial grant from the NPC’s Centennial Endowment Fund from generous gifts celebrating 100 years of NPC. The program was subsequently endowed by Alpha Gamma Delta, with a supplemental grant from Delta Gamma and other contributions. Funds from the Distinguished Lecturer Program provide a means for Alumnae and College Panhellenics to host high-profile women speakers who embody the spirit of NPC and serve as an inspiration to women. The first presentation of the Distinguished Lecturer Program was held at George Washington University in Washington, DC in 2004, and a second presentation is slated for spring 2007.

Educational Speakers’ Fund

The Educational Speakers’ Fund underwrites professional speakers and presentations at annual sessions of the National Panhellenic Conference. Grants from this fund provide professional programming on such topics as substance abuse, legal issues, academic achievement, and women in higher education.

Something of Value

The Something of Value program is a values-based approach to risk management education for collegians. The day-long program is led by a traveling team of NPC representatives and an attorney with NPC affiliation. Program format includes group discussions of values, a mock trial, and teaching confrontation skills. Participants identify risky behaviors such as abusive relationships, substance abuse, academic dishonesty, eating disorders, financial mismanagement, hazing, harassment, personal safety concerns, and other issues specific to their campus environment. Action plans are developed and collegians are empowered to follow through. Contributions to Something of Value support annual presentations on college and university campuses with Panhellenic Associations.

Women in Higher Education Achievement Award (WHEA)

The Women in Higher Education Achievement Award of the National Panhellenic Conference Foundation, Inc. was established to recognize outstanding women who are making a significant difference in higher education through leadership and positive support of the Greek experience. A recipient’s contributions may be in the area of faculty, staff, or administration at a college, university, or community college, or may be through association with a professional education association or government entity promoting higher education. She may provide leadership for a humanitarian effort, be an author, or a researcher. The award is presented biennially.

The 2007 recipient of the Women in Higher Education Achievement Award is Nancy Lusk Zimpher, Ph.D., president of the University of Cincinnati and a member of Kappa Alpha Theta Fraternity. She received her B.S. in English, education and speech, followed by an M.A. in English literature and a Ph.D. in teacher education and administration in higher education from The Ohio State University. After serving as chancellor of the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Dr. Lusk Zimpher was named president of the University of Cincinnati in 2003, the first woman to hold the post.  She has published extensively, has worldwide speaking experience, is the recipient of numerous honors and awards and is deeply involoved in community and philanthropic endeavors. Dr. Lusk Zimpher is committed to expanding leadership roles for women and serves as an inspirational role model.

 Women in Higher Education Achievement Award Recipients

• 2007 - Dr. Nancy Lusk Zimpher (Kappa Alpha Theta), Chancellor of the State University of New York
• 2005 – Dr. Karen A. Holbrook (Gamma Phi Beta), President, The Ohio State University
• 2003 - Dr. Marsha Guenzler-Stevens (Alpha Omicron Pi), Director of Activities and Associate Director of the Stamp Student Union, University of Maryland, College Park
• 2001 - Dr. Joy Garrison Cauffman (Kappa Delta), Professor Emerita, University of Southern California
• 1999 - Dr. Deborah Floyd (Gamma Phi Beta), President Emerita, Prestonsburg Community College, Kentucky