Spring Break
The Daily OrangeStarting a new chapter
By Sean Herlihy
Posted: 8/27/08, 2:28 AM EST Section: News
Not only can Banks-Crosson relate to his students, he also has the ability to inspire.
Early said Banks-Crosson has a knack for getting the best out of his students by promoting an "education first" philosophy. While Banks-Crosson was the undergraduate advisor of Kappa Alpha Psi, the fraternity had the highest grade point average of any fraternity on campus.
Patricia Watkins, director of membership for the Alpha Kappa Alpha national sorority, said Banks-Crosson is a perfect fit for this career path because of his desire to help students.
"I've worked with a lot of people, and nobody is a stronger believer in students than Eddie," Watkins said.
The most telling example of Banks-Crosson's influence on his job is the JSU success story. JSU Dean of Students Terry Casey said greek involvement was at an all time low in 2005 - Banks-Crosson's first year as the director of greek life. After making recruitment a bigger priority, greek participation increased 125 percent the following year.
"Eddie succeeded in changing the students' mentality about greek life," Casey said. "His passion and overall commitment to the cause helped him accomplish what we all thought could not be done."
Banks-Crosson had a modest take on the story.
"One of my greatest strengths is my listening ear," he said. "Sometimes students just want someone to listen, and I was able to put their ideas into action."
Banks-Crosson has become renowned throughout the greek community by participating in numerous volunteer affiliations such as the Association of Fraternity Advisors, the Greek Advisory Council and the Interfraternity Institute.
"To be honest, my fraternity changed my life," Banks-Crosson said. "I'm a better man, a better professional, and a better leader because of my involvement in fraternity life."
For as much of an effect as Banks-Crosson has made in greek life, it took some convincing to get him to follow this career path.
Early said Banks-Crosson has a knack for getting the best out of his students by promoting an "education first" philosophy. While Banks-Crosson was the undergraduate advisor of Kappa Alpha Psi, the fraternity had the highest grade point average of any fraternity on campus.
Patricia Watkins, director of membership for the Alpha Kappa Alpha national sorority, said Banks-Crosson is a perfect fit for this career path because of his desire to help students.
"I've worked with a lot of people, and nobody is a stronger believer in students than Eddie," Watkins said.
The most telling example of Banks-Crosson's influence on his job is the JSU success story. JSU Dean of Students Terry Casey said greek involvement was at an all time low in 2005 - Banks-Crosson's first year as the director of greek life. After making recruitment a bigger priority, greek participation increased 125 percent the following year.
"Eddie succeeded in changing the students' mentality about greek life," Casey said. "His passion and overall commitment to the cause helped him accomplish what we all thought could not be done."
Banks-Crosson had a modest take on the story.
"One of my greatest strengths is my listening ear," he said. "Sometimes students just want someone to listen, and I was able to put their ideas into action."
Banks-Crosson has become renowned throughout the greek community by participating in numerous volunteer affiliations such as the Association of Fraternity Advisors, the Greek Advisory Council and the Interfraternity Institute.
"To be honest, my fraternity changed my life," Banks-Crosson said. "I'm a better man, a better professional, and a better leader because of my involvement in fraternity life."
For as much of an effect as Banks-Crosson has made in greek life, it took some convincing to get him to follow this career path.
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