With lights dimmed and the catwalk lit, male contestants strutted down the runway in hopes of winning the grand prize this past Friday at Delta Phi Epsilon’s annual event; Deepher Dude.
Every fall, the sisters of Delta Phi Epsilon raise money in hopes to aid the battle against Cystic Fibrosis by hosting the male pageant show. The contestants are male students from Pace University who compete in different rounds that range from formal wear to superhero, creating an event that provides entertainment and raises awareness on Cystic Fibrosis.
“A lot of work goes into planning Deepher Dude. You have to get all the contestants, create a theme for the event, decorations, food and so on,” said junior applied psychology major Emma Katz, who is also Coordinator of Philanthropy for Delta Phi Epsilon. “Every little detail is thought out, so it takes a lot of time and effort. UPC was involved in this event, and Delta Phi Epsilon would like to thank them for everything that they did.”
The philanthropy of Delta Phi Epsilon is Cystic Fibrosis; an inherited chronic disease affecting that affects the lungs and digestive system of thousands of children and adults in the United States and 70,000 worldwide. The defective gene and its product protein result in the creation of mucus that clogs the lungs, leading to deadly lung infections.
“Cystic Fibrosis means a lot to all of the sisters in Delta Phi Epsilon; it is our main philanthropy,” Katz said. “The life expectancy for someone with cystic fibrosis is very short and there is no cure for this awful disease. The sister of Delta Phi Epsilon want to do everything they can to support the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.”
With the mission in mind, Delta Phi Epsilon hosted Deeper Dude with a new theme for this year; Once Upon A Deepher Dude.
“This year the event went really well, we had participants from almost every organization in IFC and had performers from NALFO and other noted SDCA clubs such as the 808’s,” said senior business management and finance major Laureen Georges. “The turnout was really good this year. With all the people and additional donations, we rose over $600 and are continuing to still get donations for Cystic Fibrosis.”
Georges, who is also Delta Phi Epsilon Coordinator of Social Events, sees Deepher Dude as more than just an event, but as a tradition geared towards a needed cause.
“Delta Phi Epsilon has hosted this event since 2008 at Pace University but this is a national event done by various chapters in Delta Phi Epsilon,” Georges said. “Ever since 2008, Deepher Dude has been Delta Phi Epsilon’s tradition and every year it gets better and better. Deepher Dude is important to us because it’s our biggest fundraiser in the fall to raise money for Cystic Fibrosis.”
Providing entertainment and a variety of performances, the event had a large turn out with students in support for the philanthropy and organizations involved. Based off the success of this year’s Deepher Dude, Delta Phi Epsilon hopes to continue strutting towards success with future events.
“They are a lot of fun; at least I think they are. People get to come out for a few hours, get some dinner, and laugh. Plus it is all for a great cause,” Ketz said. “Deepher Dude is a non-profit event, meaning that every penny made is donated to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.”
The next planned Delta Phi Epsilon event is “Real Men Can Cook” on Nov. 23 at 6pm in Gottesman Room. The competition aims to raise funds for the organizations other philanthropy, Anorexia Nervosa & Associated Disorders (ANAD). Participants, which will be Pace Male students, cook various meals and the attendees will decide holds the title of master chef.
“This is a new event for us and we are really excited to hopefully add this to one of our traditions,” Georges said. “In the spring, we are hosting a 65 Roses Gala in April to raise money for Cystic Fibrosis again; this event is more of a formal dinner and to educate people about the disease.”
First place and winner of the Deepher Dude pageant was Ryan Shields from Alpha Phi Delta Fraternity. Griffin Timoney came in second and Ryan Houlihan came in third.
“I want other DphiE events to be just as successful as Deepher Dude. Please keep an eye about for out upcoming events,” Katz said. “Over all it was successful event and sister of Delta Phi Epsilon would like to thank everyone involved and everyone who came to support us.”
With the support from students and organizations alike, Delta Phi Epsilon was able to showcase Pace’s knights in shining armor and helped raise funding in support of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.