Chancellor Alexander Heard Awards

The Chancellor Alexander Heard Awards were established in 1982 in honor of the retirement of Chancellor Heard. Chancellor Heard served as Vanderbilt University’s fifth Chancellor from 1963-1982 and oversaw many changes in the campus. Under his tenure, Peabody College, Blair School of Music, and Owen School of Management became part of the University. He led Vanderbilt through the turbulence of the 60′s and named the first woman to the Board of Trust as well as created the position of Young Alumni Trustee on the Board of Trust.

The Chancellor Heard Awards seek to reward fraternities and sororities for outstanding work in the areas of Community Service, Philanthropy, Educational Programming, Faculty Relations, Alumni/ae Relations and Campus Involvement. Awards are also given for Outstanding Academic Achievement and to the Chapter of the Year. Individual recognition is also given to Outstanding Community Servants, New Members, a Greek Man and a Greek Woman. We also honor our Outstanding Chapter Advisors and House Directors.

The Dene Donald Outstanding House Director award is given in honor of long time Pi Beta Phi House Director Dene Donald who passed away in 2004. She was a gracious and generous presence in the Pi Phi house who mentored her “girls” as she would have her own daughters. A gourmet cook and former restaurant owner, an invitation to dinner at Pi Phi was a much sought after treat. Never seen without bright red lipstick, she set the standard for lady-like behavior and good manners for the members of Pi Phi.

Each spring semester, chapters are asked to submit applications detailing their achievements in the categories above as well to nominate outstanding members, advisors and house directors. A committee of Vanderbilt faculty and staff review the applications and choose the recipients of each award.

2018-2019 Award Winners