The crowd waited with bated breath as the winner of Zeta Tau Alpha’s 23rd Big Man on Campus, Christian Smith, was announced last night.
Big Man on Campus is Zeta Tau Alpha’s annual philanthropy event benefiting breast cancer education and awareness. It is a male pageant for which each Panhellenic sorority, excluding Zeta Tau Alpha, on campus nominates one man to participate.
The contestants were:
Ransom Creech representing Alpha Chi Omega
Charlie Shorey representing Alpha Delta Pi
Chase Dannebaum representing Alpha Gamma Delta
Anthony Marino representing Alpha Omicron Pi
Harrison Summerour representing Alpha Xi Delta
Davis Casadaban representing Chi Omega
Andrew Short representing Delta Delta Delta
Hunter Hendricks representing Delta Gamma
Christian Smith representing Delta Zeta
Peter Taliaferro representing Gamma Phi Beta
Colin O’Brien representing Kappa Alpha Theta
Trent Anderson representing Kappa Delta
Devin Reich representing Kappa Kappa Gamma
Sam Jenkins representing Sigma Kappa
Julius Hammond representing Phi Mu
Peter Hussey representing Pi Beta Phi
Each of these men participated in an opening dance, showcased one of his talents, suited up for the formal wear section and answered one on-stage question.
From more expected talents such as singing and dancing to more unorthodox skills like magic tricks and yodeling, a wide variety of talents were showcased. Ultimately, though, Christian Smith representing Delta Zeta dazzled the judges with his voice and took the crown.
The judges were Sadye Ball, current Panhellenic president; Neal Starling, owner of Auburn’s local Five Guys; Brian Snyder, chairman of the Auburn Chamber of Commerce; Ross Beitzel, the 2008 Big Man on Campus and Curry Cates, the 2017 Big Man on Campus.
Peter Hussey was chosen as Zeta’s Favorite, an award chosen before the pageant by the Zeta Tau Alpha chapter when contestants talk to the chapter and attempt to earn the spot. Hussey, whose talent was lip-syncing, also won second runner-up.
Colin O’Brien, who sang and played guitar, was chosen as first runner-up.
Anthony Marino was selected as Mr. Sexy Legs. For this award, pictures of the contestants' legs are displayed on Haley Concourse, and students vote for their pick of the best-looking limbs by donating funds for breast cancer awareness in the legs’ honor.
The event succeeded in its mission to raise funds for breast cancer awareness while having a fun time doing it.
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