The Daily Orange

Media Credit: Max Nepstad

Eddie Banks-Crosson watches Saturday morning cartoons. He calls his mother most days before work. He sat on a stage in 2006 and let his students throw pies in his face to raise money for a local Alabama charity.

Syracuse University, meet your new director of fraternity and sorority affairs.

"I'm a big kid," the 29-year-old said. "My students jumped at the opportunity to pie me in the face several times."

After three years as the assistant director of student life at Jacksonville State University in Alabama, Banks-Crosson accepted SU's opening in April. He replaced Juanita Williams, former associate dean of students who served as interim director of fraternity and sorority affairs after Roy Baker stepped down from the position last August.

Banks-Crosson wasn't planning to leave JSU, but he was heavily recruited by Syracuse, he said.

He officially began his tenure April 28.

As a dedicated member of greek life for nine years, Banks-Crosson is looking to contribute his expertise to a school rich in fraternity and sorority traditions.

"I was very impressed with the students here," Banks-Crosson said. "I'm a relatively young director, so obviously that's a great opportunity."

Jessica Janssen, Panhellenic Association president at JSU, said she developed a friendship with Banks-Crosson while the two were together at the university.

"It's nice to work with someone who is willing to have fun and be our friend instead of just an authority figure," Janssen said.

Since Banks-Crosson is not much older than current college students, Janssen said he is able to relate to students in a way older administrators cannot.

Although Banks-Crosson prefers a friendly work relationship with his students, he still commands a certain level of respect from the undergraduates, according to former colleagues.

André Early, director of undergraduate and university affairs for the Kappa Alpha Psi national fraternity, said that although Banks-Crosson might occasionally act like a kid, he has a level of maturity about him that students respect. Early said another reason why Banks-Crosson gets along so well with students is because he genuinely cares about working with young people.

"Eddie has always believed that students come first," Early said. "Seeing all students succeed and be the best that they can be is what truly drives him."

Continued...

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