Emily Oswalt, newly elected PHC president. Photo courtesy of Emily Oswalt

The Interfraternity Council (IFC) and Panhellenic Council (PHC) recently chose new presidents for the 2012 term.

Sophomore political science major Emily Oswalt was elected PHC president Nov. 16 and junior business management major Jonathan Sommer was elected IFC president Nov. 23.

The National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) operates under a different schedule and will elect a new president in April, said Kyle Jordan, assistant director for fraternity and sorority life.

Oswalt, who replaced 2011 President Emily Young, said her new position is “bigger than” her involvement in her own organization, Alpha Omicron Pi.

“It’s the love for the community and the love for the fraternity and if PHC doesn’t work correctly, my fraternity can’t work correctly,” Oswalt said. “So I feel like I’ve been called to a greater service.”

Oswalt is the first member of Appalachian’s Alpha Omicron Pi chapter to be elected PHC president and served as her organization’s delegate to the PHC in 2011.

She said her main goal is to educate the PHC as a whole.

“That will bring empowerment, because if every member is educated, that will help educate those that are not within our community,” she said.

As IFC president, Sommer said he hopes to bridge the gap between the fraternity and sorority and community and the rest of campus.

“We’re trying to definitely improve community relations,” said Sommer, a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon. “We expect to have at least two IFC-led community service projects next year.”

The IFC’s 2011 president, Stuart Moore, worked with Sommer on the council this year.

“He is very well qualified and is one of the most intellectual guys I have been around, when it comes to the organization and running of meetings,” Moore said. “He knows what has been done and what is on the plate of the organization as a whole.”

The IFC completed its election process Dec. 7 and expects to hold its transitional meeting Saturday.

The PHC held its transitional meeting, an opportunity for outgoing officers to brief incoming officials of their duties and obligations, Dec. 6.

Both councils are required to uphold the national guidelines of the North American Interfraternity Council and the National Panhellenic Council.
Presidents will hold their positions until December 2012, at which time they can run for re-election.

Story: CATHERINE HAITHCOCK, News Reporter