Wright State sorority Delta Zeta cancelled its Mr. WSU competition for 2013-14. The organization has not yet released the reason for the cancellation.
Delta Zeta has held the annual pageant as a fundraiser for various charities, most notably Painted Turtle Camp, one of Paul Newman’s Hole in the Wall Camps for seriously ill children.
During the pageant, male students from Wright State would compete for a scholarship during several rounds of pageantry including formal wear, athletic wear, interviews and a talent competition. Each year the winner was awarded a scholarship; last year it was worth $1,200.
“I’m sure the Delta Zetas have a good reason [for canceling], but I hope they know how much it meant to others,” said Andrew Robbins, a student at WSU and a member of the fraternity Sigma Phi Epsilon.
WSU student Matthew Wyen said he felt the event no longer lived up to its intentions.
“Mr. WSU was a popularity contest and whoever knew the most people beforehand won,” Wyen said.
Gina Keucher, assistant director of student activities for fraternity & sorority life, said the cancellation was not one of permanence.
“It’s not cancelled for good, but it’s cancelled this year,” Keucher said. “It was a lot of work and getting men to participate was difficult.”
