By Laura Miscowski
A few weeks ago, a panel of three judges had to ask, who will be the last man standing? After three grueling rounds of question and answer, talent and finally truth or dare, Jeff Barbero from the Kappa Sigma Fraternity proved the answer to that question was him. The Panhellenic Council sponsored Barbero at this year’s Big Man on Campus event, on March 6, run by the Delta Phi Epsilon Sorority – where all proceeds were donated to benefit cystic fibrosis.
Big Man on Campus is an annual event to benefit Delta Phi Epsilon’s philanthropies in a fun and different way that invites all student organizations to participate.
“This year we raised $955 for cystic fibrosis, which is very good considering the poor weather conditions,” said Morrisa Holub, the Big Man on Campus chairperson. “Last year, we were able to raise a little over $1,000 to benefit anorexia nervosa and associated disorders, which is another one of our [other] philanthropies. We alternate our philanthropies each year.”
The show started with the masters of ceremonies, Sarah Allinder and Keri Fagel, introducing the contestants, who were each sponsored by a different student group.
The contestants were: Jeff Barbero, Neil Miller, Scott Levinson, Chris Porter, Eugene Rubinchuk, Peter Giannitti, Craig Shames, Mike Sheehan, Dave Eidelson, Jeffrey Sheldon, Jonathan Ulman and Richard Hunt.
After each round, there was an elimination.
The talent round proved that there are many men on this campus with a flair for music, from rapping to Eminem’s “Lose Yourself” by Miller from Pi Kappa Alpha, to an original composition played on the guitar by Porter who was sponsored by Delta Phi Epsilon, and even a special rendition of “Mary Had a Little Lamb” by Ulman, sponsored by Sigma Delta Tau.
The judges for this year’s show were Dean of Student Life Ron Martel, Jane Sanders, a graduate assistant for Greek life, and Ken Sawada, the complex coordinator for Res-Life.
“I’m participating in this event for the education of cystic fibrosis and because this increases the spirit in the Northeastern Community,” Sawada said.
Although there needed to be just one person to go home with a title, all those that participated went home with an assortment of donated prizes. For Barbero and Porter, the final two contestants, a prize of sky diving or a biplane thrill ride was awarded.
