ESU Student Named Greek Leader of Distinction

Posted by: admin on March 19, 2015, No Comments

Robert Rinehart was recognized as one of the Northeast Greek Leadership Association’s Greek Leaders of Distinction at their annual conference held February 26 – 28 in Hartford, CT.

The Northeast Greek Leadership Association strives to build community among students from a variety of social fraternity and sorority experiences, challenges members to align their actions with chapter values, and empowers advocates to transform and improve their communities. The Association is made up of colleges and universities running from Maine to Maryland, also including West Virginia and the District of Columbia. Greek Leaders of Distinction are selected by the Association based on the nominee’s leadership, service to the University, service to their fraternity or sorority, service to the governing council and larger fraternity/sorority community, interest, ability and achievement in scholastic activities and character and ideals exemplified through fraternity/sorority membership.

Rinehart currently served as the President of the ESU Interfraternity Council and President of Order of Omega, social Greek Leadership Honorary. In these positions, he has been instrumental in ensuring that each organization raises the bar in regards to running informative and efficient meetings; as well as activities to support the local chapters in their efforts and programs that bring awareness to Greek Life at ESU.

He took the lead in coordinating a community clean-up on the day following Homecoming and wrote an article for the campus newspaper highlighting the activity and bringing positive light to the contributions of Greek Life. Robert took the initiative to reach out to our University President in order to get her perspective on Greek Life at ESU and what the fraternity and sorority members could do to enhance their value and perception. This effort lead to the President hosting a social with Council and chapter presidents and senior leadership of the University to begin a conversation on those topics. This was first such meeting between University officials and fraternity and sorority leaders on how each group can better support areas of mutual interest.

John Robinson, Ed. D., Director of the University Center and Student Activities for the ESU Student Activity Association stated, “Serving in an interim capacity working with the ESU Greek Life Program, Robert has been my “go-to” person when I needed assistance or support to aid the chapters or Councils to achieve their goals. “

A brother of Delta Chi Fraternity, Rinehart has held a number of leadership positions including, Public Relations Chair, By-Laws Chair, Alumni Relations Chair, Secretary and Vice President. As the Philanthropy Chair for the Interfraternity Council, he lead the effort to collect more than 500 teddy bears to be distributed to children receiving emergency assistance in order to help reduce their stress level. As the Fundraising Chair for Order of Omega, Robert led a number of fundraisers and served a significant role in the organization’s partnership with our Upward Bound program.