Delta Zeta sorority will be hosting their annual all-male pageant to find the “biggest man on campus” Sunday. Thirteen Ohio State students will be competing for the title of Big Man on Campus by showing off their fashion, talent and school spirit.
Contestants are from a variety of student organizations, including the Men’s Glee Club, residence halls and several fraternities.
Han Jang, co-coordinator of the event and treasure of Delta Zeta, said judges will be looking for someone with leadership qualities to win this year’s competition.
“The overall winner of Big Man on Campus will be known as a leader on campus,” Jang said. “The judges will be looking for character, leadership, intellect and confidence.”
The panel of judges consists of several OSU officials that will judge the men’s performance in the four rounds of the pageant. The categories include school spirit, swimwear, talent and evening wear.
Contestants will also have to illustrate their sense of humor and charm by performing Buckeye cheers, presenting pick-up lines and answering interview questions for the competition, Jang said.
“Talent contestants will each display their individual abilities,” she said. “These range from playing instruments to lip-synching.”
In addition to the Big Man on Campus, the men will be competing for other titles also. Participants will have “penny wars” where they will collect change from the audience. Whoever collects the most money from supporters will win the title of Mr. Congeniality.
Big Man on Campus is a philanthropy event and all proceeds will be donated to charity. The sorority started having the event after other Delta Zeta chapters across the country hosted the pageants, Jang said.
“The idea was actually given to us last year by an advisor from Delta Zeta national headquarters,” she said. “Big Man on Campus is a huge tradition for philanthropy events at many large universities, so she was surprised that it did not yet exist at Ohio State.”
Co-coordinator of the event Ariana Sanders said proceeds from the pageant will be donated to several charities.
“Delta Zeta’s philanthropy is speech and hearing, so we locally support Columbus Speech and Hearing,” Sanders said.
Proceeds will also be given to the Delta Zeta Foundation and The Painted Turtle Camp, a summer camp for terminally ill children. The sorority expects a large turnout, Sanders said.
Elaine Howard, a second-year in humanities, said she plans to attend the event this weekend.
“My friends went last year and had a lot of fun, so I think I’m going with this time,” Howard said. “It involves good-looking guys, and it’s for a good cause, so I’m definitely there.”
Sanders said the winner of the competition will be the perfect package, but will also have a sense of humor.
“To be Big Man on Campus is to the perfect Buckeye,” Sanders said. “Judges will look for confidence, creativity, and for someone who can’t be embarrassed too easily.”
The event will start at 1 p.m. in Independence Hall. Admission price is $3.
