Sophomore Chris Ambuul won last year. Courtesy | Lucy Jansen

Men of campus will present their style, charm, and talent next week to compete for the title of “Mr. Hillsdale” at one of Pi Beta Phi’s annual philanthropic events.

“Mr. Hillsdale” will return Friday, Oct. 3, at 6:30 p.m. in Plaster Auditorium. Proceeds from the beauty-pageant-style event will benefit Pi Beta Phi’s national charity, which promotes children’s literacy according to junior Samantha Otting, Pi Beta Phi vice president of community relations. 

“Mr. Hillsdale is definitely a big part of campus lore and campus culture,” Otting said. “It’s also a good way to support something that’s really important and affects everyone, because if none of us knew how to read, none of us would be here at Hillsdale.” 

Men from dorms and fraternities across campus will be judged based on four categories: dress, a pickup line, a Q&A segment, and a talent showcase, according to junior Gia Coulthard, Pi Beta Phi chapter president. This year’s judges include Cameron Moore, assistant professor of English, Dennis “Gate Guy” Cook, and a third judge who has not yet been finalized.

“It’s so entertaining because you don’t know what the guys are going to say, or what their talent is, or what pickup line they’re going to throw at us, so it’s very exciting to see everyone’s anticipation,” Coulthard said.

Proceeds from ticket sales, which are $5 in advance and $7 at the door, will go directly toward putting books in classrooms and providing grants to schools in need, Coulthard said. 

Pi Beta Phi will also fundraise in the week leading up to the event through “Penny Wars” as they table in the Grewcock Student Union. During tabling, people across campus can vote for their favorite contender by donating cash or detract votes by donating pennies, Otting said. 

Sophomore Chris Ambuul, last year’s “Mr. Hillsdale” winner, said contenders should leave their nerves behind and just have fun.

“If you go up there to have fun, it’ll be a lot more enjoyable for you and other people,” Ambuul said. “I was smiling the whole time, I was geeking out, and the guys were cheering me on. It was so fun.”

Coulthard said the support of the community is one of her favorite things about the event. 

“It’s really special seeing how the guy’s dorms and communities come to support them,” Coulthard said. “It really shows the strong sense of friendship and community across campus.”