The Alabama Interfraternity Council recently endowed a scholarship in honor of University of Alabama System Chancellor Robert Witt.
“Through his efforts, our greek community has grown exponentially into the largest greek system in the nation,” said IFC President Drew Smyth. “It is because of his endless support that the Alabama Interfraternity greek system unanimously voted to honor Dr. Witt with this endowment.”
On March 22, IFC announced the creation of a scholarship in honor of the former president of the University. Witt served nearly nine years as president and was recently appointed as chancellor of the University of Alabama System.
“We are excited to see his passion and drive for the success of Alabama continue as he takes on the responsibilities of chancellor,” Smyth said.
In commemoration of Witt, the scholarship will benefit active members in the IFC, which is the governing body of 27 fraternities at the Capstone that serves 2,500 men campus-wide. The IFC seeks to unite the fraternities and foster relationships by hosting educational programs and community service events for its members.
In addition, the organization works in collaboration with the Panhellenic Association and National Pan-Hellenic Council throughout the year.
“During his time as president, Dr. Witt has shown great support for our greek community and has served as an advocate for greeks across campus,” Smyth said.
A $1,000 reward will be given to the selected recipient of the Dr. Robert E. Witt Endowed Scholarship.
Early in his career as president, Witt was named as an honorary member of the Alabama Alpha chapter of Phi Delta Theta fraternity — the same fraternity as IFC’s current president.
Since being named president of the University in 2003, Witt has been instrumental in the growth of the University.
According to the Registrar’s Office, enrollment has increased by roughly 12,000 to a total of approximately 32,000 students since Witt’s arrival.
As Smyth mentioned, the greek community has risen in numbers to become the largest greek system in the United States. In the last 10 years, the greek population has nearly doubled.
Because of Witt’s great strides at the University and his latest accomplishment of being named chancellor, the IFC felt the need to pay tribute to the honorary member of Phi Delta Theta fraternity and endow the scholarship in Witt’s name, said Ross Boardman, public relations chair for the IFC.
