OU student named 2013 TKE International Sweetheart
By Eric Reikowski, media relations assistant
Maria Willett with Rodney Talbot of the TKE Grand Council. Willett has been named the 2013 TKE International Sweetheart.
Oakland University student Maria Willett has been named the 2013 Tau Kappa Epsilon (TKE) International Sweetheart, a title that comes with a $500 scholarship award.
Willett, who was chosen from a field of six finalists nationwide, graduated this spring with a bachelor's degree in political science and will pursue a Master of Public Administration degree at OU this fall.
The award and scholarship announcement came as welcome news to Willett, a representative of OU's TKE chapter, Upsilon-Xi. Willett belongs to Oakland's Delta Omega chapter of the Gamma Phi Beta sorority.
"I was in complete shock," she said. "Words cannot explain the amazing moment when I read my letter and saw that I had been chosen. It is such a huge honor to be the International Sweetheart, and I truly feel blessed to have been given this opportunity."
During her Oakland career, Willett has been active in a number of campus organizations, including the OU Student Congress, OU College Democrats, Meadow Brook Ball Committee, Student Activities Funding Board, Phi Alpha Delta, Circle K, Panhellenic Council, Alpha Lambda Delta, University Housing, and the Oakland University Center for Autism Research Education and Support.
Additionally, she has served as an intern in the office of U.S. Senator Carl Levin and helped Upsilon-Xi with fundraising, philanthropy, recruitment and planning the chapter’s annual Red Carnation Ball.
She is currently interning in the Macomb County Executive Office and will serve as a graduate assistant for student outreach in the OU Alumni Engagement Office this fall. Willett has also won the Promising Young Alumni Award for 2013.
In August, Willett will be officially recognized as International Sweetheart at the Tau Kappa Epsilon Biennial Conclave in Washington D.C.
The Upsilon-Xi chapter of TKE is one of 15 fraternities and sororities at Oakland. To get involved or learn more about Greek life at OU, including policies, recruitment and upcoming events, view the website.
Oakland University is a vibrant academic community with nearly 20,000 students and more than 260 degree and certificate programs. To learn more about academics, achievements, and events at OU, visit the news site at oakland.edu/newsatou and follow the news team on Twitter at @OaklandU_News.
OU alumna and graduate student Maria Willett has been named the 2013 Tau Kappa Epsilon International Sweetheart, a title that comes with a scholarship.
Created by Katherine Land - Deleted (land@oakland.edu) on Tuesday, June 18, 2013 Modified by Katherine Land - Deleted (land@oakland.edu) on Friday, June 21, 2013 Article Start Date: Wednesday, June 19, 2013
