INDIANAPOLIS–The National Panhellenic Conference (NPC), the umbrella group for 26 inter/national women’s-only sororities and one of the largest organizations advocating for women, is recognizing Beth Newell, associate director of Greek Life at Louisiana State University (LSU), with the 2019 Outstanding Panhellenic Advisor Award.
At LSU, Newell advises the Panhellenic Council that includes 13 NPC sororities and is one of the largest sorority communities in the U.S.
“We are pleased to recognize Beth Newell with the Outstanding Panhellenic Advisor Award for her support of the sorority experience and her dedication to Panhellenic excellence at LSU,” said Carole Jones, NPC Chairman. “Many who work with Beth – from students to her peers to NPC volunteers – have noted she epitomizes the best qualities of a professional who specializes in College Panhellenic advising and support.”
The students who nominated Newell shared that she hosts an annual Panhellenic Executive Board retreat to set goals and expectations and delivers other workshops and trainings throughout the year. She also works closely with the College Panhellenic officer in charge of Panhellenic recruitment as well as the recruitment officers for each NPC sorority chapter at LSU to ensure a smooth formal recruitment process in which nearly 1,000 women participate each year.
Jones said, “Beth is proactive in her approach and has influenced positive changes in behaviors across the larger LSU fraternity and sorority community through encouragement, education and action.”
The students who nominated Newell also said she continually assesses the needs of the sorority community at LSU to facilitate trainings and programs designed to educate sorority women about topics of most importance to them. Past trainings have addressed topics including leadership development, diversity, safety, sexual assault, hazing and drug and alcohol use.
She also regularly collaborates with many other offices on campus, such as the Wellness Department, University Recreation, Residential Life and the Counseling Center. She is well-respected by those she works with for her follow-through and attention to detail.
“Beth exemplifies the values and morals that are promoted within the Panhellenic community,” said Angela Guillory, associate dean of students and director of Greek Life at LSU, who was among those who supported Newell’s nomination for this award. “She is a true professional who upholds the integrity of the Greek Life staff and ensures all are treated with fairness and respect. Because of this and more, chapter members, sorority alumnae and member organization headquarters personnel know they can turn to her with questions, concerns, and problems and she will be able to provide guidance and support as well resources.”
Newell is a member of Kappa Delta. She has been a facilitator for a number of educational sessions for organizations such as Alpha Delta Pi and the Coalition for Collegiate Women’s Leadership (CCWL).
Outside of work, she is an active member of her church where she serves as a board member on the Children’s Council and teaches Sunday school along with her husband. She and her husband are the president and vice president of the University of Southern Mississippi Baton Rouge Alumni Chapter.
Newell will be formally honored as the Outstanding Panhellenic Advisor during the “State of the Conference” luncheon, Saturday, Oct. 5, 2019, during the 2019 NPC Annual Educational Conference. The award is sponsored by Alpha Chi Omega.
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About the National Panhellenic Conference (NPC)
NPC, one of the largest organizations advocating for women, is the umbrella group for 26 national and international sororities. NPC sororities are located on more than 670 campuses with over 400,000 undergraduate members in more than 3,350 chapters. Alumnae are represented in more than 3,650 associations throughout the world. For more information, including a complete list of NPC sororities, visit npcwomen.org or find NPC on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
