Bill "Suitcase" Muse honored by NIC

[hoosier]

(I think Muse is now Chancellor at NC State?)

Interfraternity Conference awarded Muse high honor
Chancellor Muse receives the Gold Medal for service
Michelle Sizelove, Staff Writer
February 11, 2003


Chancellor William Muse was recently awarded the Gold Medal by the North American Interfraternity Conference at their annual meeting, in Columbus, Ohio. The North American Interfraternity Conference represents all national fraternities within the United States and Canada. The award is given to those who have distinguished themselves by a lifetime of service.

According to Chancellor Muse, he has been involved with the fraternity system for the last 46 years. Muse became involved with the Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity in Louisiana during his undergraduate years. Though he thought his experiences with Tau Kappa Epsilon ended when he graduated, he again became involved with the fraternity while working on his graduate degree by helping new chapters become established at the University of Arkansas.

After Muse began teaching, he was elected to the Grand Council and the International Board of Directors for 12 years including two years as the president. Muse also served on the Educational Foundation Board and the North American Interfraternity Conference Board of Directors.

"This is the highest honor bestowed by the fraternity system and Dr. Muse is one of the youngest men to be given this," said Laura Sweet, assistant vice chancellor for student life as well as the college Panhellenic chairman in charge of the 630 sororities around the country.

Muse is the fourth member of his fraternity to receive this award along with former President Ronald Reagan. President George Bush received the award last year.

Sweet was present when Chancellor Muse received his award.

"It was a complete surprise and joy and brought a lot of recognition to the university," Sweet said.

Muse is pleased with his award.

"The kinds of things that we do over a long period of time are not always recognized, but when that service is recognized, it is very gratifying," said Muse.

Though not as active in the North America Interfraternity Conference Board, Muse

still takes time to speak at fraternity and sorority conventions, keeping in contact with the friends he has made.

Chancellor Muse also looks to help fraternities benefit in the same ways his did.

"Two things that kept me involved in fraternities were, one, I just had a marvelous experience as an undergraduate, and also that membership at the fraternity benefited me tremendously, helping me to develop my leadership skills and working in a team to get things done," Muse said. "Because of this, I have always been interested in the potential fraternities have in helping young men develop their leadership abilities. The fraternities are more than just fun and the valuable part of any fraternity or sorority is the leadership skills helping them become a team, and the friendships."