30 Buchanan Cup chapters raise the bar of excellence

At the 58th Grand Chapter Conclave in San Antonio, 30 chapters were awarded the Buchanan Outstanding Chapter Award. Chapters that receive the coveted Buchanan Cup are among the top fraternity chapters in the country. Striving for excellence, the winning chapters showcase their accomplishments over the past two years by implementing high-quality Balanced Man Programs and recruiting the right members to join SigEp — year-round.

Gold Buchanan Cups

Seven chapters were recognized with Gold Buchanan Cups in 2023. These chapters have achieved excellence in every area of chapter operations and have been awarded a Buchanan Cup for at least five straight Conclaves. They’ve put together impressive records of sustained success through a longstanding high-quality chapter culture.

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Iowa Delta SigEp Learning Community - Drake University This chapter is made up of a large quantity of high-quality men. Potential new members are drawn to their Balanced Man Program, which brings in volunteers, alumni and faculty as content experts. Brothers are motivated to succeed, with over 60 taking advantage of SigEp’s career coaching. It’s clear students want their experience, which is why they’re the largest chapter on campus with over 70 men. Members are leaders in so many areas — from IFC to Intervarsity, from the Actuarial Society to student senate. Their impact on their campus community is obvious — which is why the Dean of Students recommended them for a Buc Cup! This chapter won a silver Cup in 2021, and now it’s time to recognize 10 years of success with a gold Buchanan Cup…congratulations to Iowa Delta at Drake University!
Maine Alpha SigEp Learning Community - University of Maine With a seven-year streak of highest fraternity GPA on campus, it’s no surprise that this chapter received Fraternity Chapter of the Year the past two years. This chapter’s brothers exemplify balance with 100 percent of members involved in at least one other student organization while maintaining a GPA of 3.74 and dominating intramurals. Executive officers and key chair positions have successfully led the chapter with the support of a volunteer mentor for every single role. Thanks to this strong leadership, this chapter continues to expand its experiential learning opportunities through their member development program, “the Quest,” which exceeds Balanced Man Program expectations. For their success, and their vigilance in maintaining it, we present this Gold Buchanan Cup to Maine Alpha SigEp Learning Community at the University of Maine!
Michigan Theta SigEp Learning Community - Lawrence Technological University This chapter has expanded their Balanced Man Program by incorporating even more content experts to impart knowledge to brothers — faculty, community members, parents and alumni. What’s more impressive, though, is the influence and reach of these brothers. More than twice the size of any other fraternity, over 25% of the incoming freshman class applied to their Balanced Man Scholarship! The scholarship is so important to the sustainability of the chapter that alumni are endowing it, in addition to providing funds for brothers to attend leadership programs. Over and over again, the brothers have been recognized with the Chapter of Excellence award given to the top fraternity OR sorority chapter. For their sustained success for more than a decade, we present this Gold Buchanan Cup to Michigan Theta at Lawrence Tech!
Nebraska Alpha SigEp Learning Community - University of Nebraska-Lincoln Uncompromising standards and a massive reach on campus are what characterizes this chapter. With rigorous membership requirements, the chapter maintains a size over 130. 15 members are in student government, 8 on the IFC, and 4 brothers are varsity athletes. More than half of these high-quality men were recruited from the Balanced Man Scholarship, and they benefit from a Balanced Man Program experience that incorporates content experts such as the university chancellor, FBI agents, and business owners. Strong alumni involvement has led to career mentorship programs and learning community spaces that include hands-on resources such as MCAT study materials and engineering and science kits. This will be their 24th Buchanan Cup, and we’re excited to recognize their sustained success with this Gold Buchanan Cup for Nebraska Alpha at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln!
New Jersey Alpha SigEp Learning Community - Stevens Institute of Technology This recipient’s accomplishments can be summed up best by a fraternity and sorority life staff member who said, “I believe our chapter of Sigma Phi Epsilon is a role model for what fraternity means and can accomplish.” This chapter runs study sessions with other student organizations to boost the overall campus academic culture, and it shows with a 3.75 GPA. They also have their eye on the future. With volunteer support, this chapter hosts career preparedness events such as mock interviews and etiquette dinners. 69 members have participated in SigEp’s career coaching! For their commitment to raising the bar for fraternity life during and after college, we present this Gold Buchanan Cup to New Jersey Alpha at Stevens Institute of Technology.
Ohio Iota SigEp Learning Community – Toledo With 58 brothers, this chapter is the largest fraternity on its campus. It’s also one of the most engaged organizations and received awards at the university’s biggest events last year. These brothers like to have fun together, but they also make a huge impact on the fraternity community: The IFC was so impressed with the event planning and risk management policy this chapter developed, the council incorporated it into its own bylaws. These academic superstars have earned the highest GPA among fraternities an astounding 41 times! Since adding a vice president of learning community, the chapter has been more engaged with alumni and university partners. A model of consistency, this chapter has already earned this coveted award 14 times, and tonight, we present Buchanan Cup number 15 to Ohio Iota at the University of Toledo!
Washington Alpha SigEp Learning Community – Washington State Their commitment to year-round recruitment has resulted in a chapter that is almost twice the size of the average fraternity. They seek out the best men on campus and held 170 Balanced Man Scholarship interviews last fall. They consistently hold the highest GPA among fraternities and sororities. These brothers are highly engaged, holding leadership positions in the IFC, student government and a variety of other campus clubs. The chapter has also established partnerships with the parks and recreation department, the chamber of commerce and Meals on Wheels. Since redesigning its Brother Mentor challenge, the chapter has seen a significant rise in completion rates and more upperclassmen serving as role models for younger brothers. It’s their 5th in a row…let’s turn their Buc Cup gold…congratulations to this Gold Buchanan Cup recipient, Washington Alpha at Washington State!

Silver Buchanan Cups

Twenty-three chapters earned Silver Buchanan Cups for their excellence in every area of chapter operations.

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Colorado Delta SigEp Learning Community - Colorado School of Mines This Buchanan Cup recipient is over 80 members strong, and has maintained a positive growth trend through high-quality recruitment efforts and a strong Balanced Man Scholarship. Brothers have taken a leadership role in organizing important campuswide events, and they’ve paired this involvement with a robust Balanced Man Program that engages members in every area of development. This level of excellence led to the university recognizing them as Chapter of the Year. Guided by multiple faculty fellows, brothers have invested in their lives after college, with 23 participating in SigEp’s career coaching. For their impact on campus and excellence in all areas, we present this Buchanan Cup to Colorado Delta at Colorado School of Mines!
Connecticut Alpha SigEp Learning Community - University of Connecticut 100 members. 1000 Balanced Man Scholarship applications. This chapter has what it takes to win at recruitment. They’ve increased applications to the Balanced Man Scholarship each of the last 4 cycles by improving their advertising. Bouncing back from the pandemic, they’re among the largest chapters on campus, and their positive culture has been recognized by the university. By managing their chapter investment fund well, they’ve got plenty of resources to support a healthy chapter lifestyle, with a strong culture of substance-free facility buy-in. With plenty of volunteer support, including faculty fellows, this chapter is set up to succeed for the long run. Congratulations to this chapter on their 7th-ever Buchanan Cup, Connecticut Alpha at the University of Connecticut!
Florida Alpha SigEp Learning Community - University of Florida This chapter has exceeded their recruitment goal in each of the past two years. Their Balanced Man Scholarship garners applications from incoming freshmen before they even set foot on campus due to their excellent promotion efforts. Chapter members hold leadership positions across campus, they have the highest fraternity GPA, and they’ve been named Chapter of the Year for six consecutive years! With strong support from alumni, including networking and mentorship, the chapter leans on a faculty fellow who specializes in mental health. They’ve also invested in a remodel of their study facilities to support their learning community vision. We’re excited to present Buchanan Cup number 10 to Florida Alpha at the University of Florida!
Florida Epsilon SigEp Learning Community - Florida State University The demographics on college campuses are rapidly changing. This chapter directly markets their Balanced Man Scholarship to first-generation students and has grown their diversity and inclusion efforts each year. This has worked very well — they’ve recruited 40 members from the BMS and exceeded their recruitment goal in 2021 and 2022. With over 200 chapter members, they were recognized as Chapter of the Year on campus. Their Balanced Man Program incorporates “Real World Wednesdays” that teach practical skills like changing a tire. They have eight brothers in student government and their facility is the first substance-free chapter home on campus. For their success in delivering a relevant SigEp experience to a large number of students, we present this Buchanan Cup to Florida Epsilon at Florida State University!
Georgia Alpha SigEp Learning Community - Georgia Institute of Technology This chapter knows how to find the men on their campus who should be SigEps. In 2022, they reached their largest membership in their 115-year history with 98 men. They achieved this goal by winning during recruitment and doubling the number of applicants to their Balanced Man Scholarship. And they deliver a relevant, high-quality experience to these men, led by a 10-member development committee that focuses on mentorship, accountability and engagement in the Balanced Man Program. It’s clear that their members want the environment the chapter provides — they reached 100% occupancy of their facility without a live-in requirement. For their excellence in every area, we present this Buchanan Cup, the chapter’s third in its history, to Georgia Alpha at Georgia Tech!
Georgia Delta SigEp Learning Community - University of Georgia This chapter is among the top chapters in every area on their large campus. Proactive in seeking out members from varying backgrounds in their recruitment efforts, the chapter’s membership is over one hundred thirty. They take advantage of access provided by the admissions office to market their Balanced Man Scholarship to a wide audience, and utilize both in-person and virtual recruitment events to succeed during rush. The brothers do an excellent job of engaging parents and faculty members, and, thanks to generosity from alumni, have made over a million dollars in improvements to their chapter home. For their excellence in recruitment and chapter culture, we present this, their 8th Buchanan Cup, to Georgia Delta at the University of Georgia!
Indiana Zeta SigEp Learning Community - Valparaiso University This chapter is the largest at their school with 57 members. They excel in recruiting brothers who reflect the diversity of their campus, reaching new audiences with the SigEp experience. With a robust Balanced Man Program, the chapter conducts an in-depth review of their programming each year to keep challenge content fresh and relevant. The brothers maintain a GPA over 3.5, which has been aided by a recent renovation of their learning community spaces. They’ve been named fraternity of the year on campus for over TWENTY years, and they consistently set the bar for the entire student experience at their university. We’re here to present them with their 12th Buchanan Cup — Indiana Zeta at Valparaiso University!
Kansas Alpha SigEp Learning Community - Baker University This Buchanan Cup recipient is an integral, visible part of their campus and community, which has helped them succeed in year-round recruitment. Over the past two years, this chapter raised a total of $22,000 for their local Big Brothers Big Sisters through their philanthropy event. They received the Five Star Chapter award two years in a row with 85 percent of brothers involved in another campus organization or an athletic team. Their involvement does not stop after college — they continue to engage at their Staying Together After Graduation alumni weekend and through unique skills training hosted by alumni and faculty fellows. For their impact on campus and excellence in all areas, we present this Buchanan Cup to Kansas Alpha at Baker University!
Kansas Gamma SigEp Learning Community - University of Kansas This recipient has won Chapter of the Year on its campus for the past four years — and for good reason. Within this 160-man chapter, they’ve significantly increased member participation in and completion of the Balanced Man Program, and just celebrated their centennial anniversary by welcoming over 500 alumni back to campus. This chapter has created three designated learning community spaces tailored toward group study, individual study, and interviewing to better support its members. In addition to their great work on campus, they are also engaged in several philanthropic and service efforts in their community. For their commitment to bettering their brothers and their community, we present this Buchanan Cup to Kansas Gamma at the University of Kansas.
Kentucky Beta SigEp Learning Community - University of Louisville The next recipient of the Buchanan Cup is committed to bettering its members and campus. On top of sending 24 members to Life After College and having 27 Career Coaching participants, two brothers from this Buchanan Cup recipient have made the journey to Greece as Tragos Quest scholars. They have transformed their Balanced Man Program experience by integrating diversity, equity and inclusion-related workshops, and held the first joint IFC and NPHC event in university history. Members play a key role in campus programs that provide confidential advocacy to individuals impacted by interpersonal violence and sexual assault. Congratulations to this Buchanan Cup Chapter, Kentucky Beta at the University of Louisville.
Kentucky Epsilon SigEp Learning Community - Murray State University Brotherly love and increased engagement are at the heart of this next recipient’s revamped Brother Mentor challenge. They prioritize their chapter facility as a SigEp Learning Community first and foremost with multiple 24-hour quiet study rooms — and it shows. For 39 straight semesters, this chapter has boasted the highest fraternity GPA. They’ve also demonstrated their commitment to Sound Body by dominating intramural sports and winning the All Campus Cup in 2022. Finally, this recipient created a chapter volunteer cabinet with participation from one third of the chapter to engage in volunteerism, service and philanthropy in their community. We present this Buchanan Cup, their SIXTH, to Kentucky Epsilon at Murray State University.
Louisiana Beta SigEp Learning Community - Louisiana State University This Buchanan Cup recipient has steadily grown their chapter over the past 5 years through their successful Balanced Man Scholarship and retention of members. To provide transparency and accountability, this chapter not only engages incoming freshmen with the scholarship process but also their parents. With the support of three faculty fellows, the chapter boosted retention in the Epsilon and Brother Mentor Challenges. In addition to growing membership, this chapter has focused on improving their fiscal health. They partnered with alumni to implement a new financial accounting system, and the chapter worked with the alumni board to begin a capital expenditure project to improve their academic facilities. For their commitment to sustainable growth, we present this Buchanan Cup, their SEVENTH, to Louisiana Beta at Louisiana State University!
Mississippi Beta SigEp Learning Community - Mississippi State University What does it take to succeed at recruitment? This chapter has a great answer — recruiting brothers year-round. Their Balanced Man Scholarship has averaged 500 applications a year, and that’s where 25 percent of this chapter’s membership came from. A full third of the chapter was recruited outside of rush. They’ve built a culture of engagement in the Balanced Man Program, with multiple coordinators per challenge. 89 brothers have participated in career coaching. They’re aided by engaged mentors, faculty members and SigEp Learning Community spaces in their home. They’re over 120 members strong, and they’re doing all this in the SEC. Congratulations to this Buchanan Cup Chapter, Mississippi Beta at Mississippi State University!
Missouri Alpha SigEp Learning Community - University of Missouri-Columbia “I wish all fraternities on this campus would follow the example of SigEp.” That’s what this chapter’s Dean of Students said about them, and it’s easy to see why. They have a GPA over 3.6, the highest among fraternities, and they’re the only organization on campus with 100% of the membership completing anti-hazing training. More than half of their Balanced Man Program challenges are facilitated by outside content experts! Since rechartering, they’ve been on a massive growth trajectory, largely due to their effectiveness throughout the Balanced Man Scholarship process — the majority of last year’s new members came from the scholarship. They’re over 80 brothers strong, and we’re excited to award this Buchanan Cup to Missouri Alpha at the University of Missouri!
Missouri Eta SigEp Learning Community - Missouri State University This chapter recruits great men, and a lot of them. For the past two years, they’ve been the largest chapter on campus, and their recruitment standards are the highest. They’ve built a relationship with the university registrar to reach incoming male students with the Balanced Man Scholarship, and those men are drawn to the quality of their member development. Their BMP includes fun experiential learning opportunities like rock climbing, kayaking and yoga. Their excellent volunteer base has equipped them with mentorship and a chapter facility with five designated SigEp Learning Community spaces. They’ve been chapter of the year on campus for three years in a row, and it’s time to add to their trophy case — this Buchanan Cup goes to Missouri Eta at Missouri State University!
Missouri Zeta SigEp Learning Community - Southeast Missouri State University This chapter excels at member development and makes an appreciable impact on campus. Brothers hold significant leadership roles — on the IFC, in the honors program, student activities and honor societies. Chapter leaders engage the university to provide mental health and career preparedness programming, and they’ve been recognized on campus over and over again for their success. Despite declining enrollment at their university, the chapter continues to recruit well, leveraging an excellent Balanced Man Scholarship plan that includes physical mail and communication with parents. Their brothers benefit from alumni support for their chapter facility, which is at 100% occupancy. This chapter believes in building a legacy, not resting on one…and we award this Buchanan Cup to Missouri Zeta at Southeast Missouri State University!
Nebraska Gamma SigEp Learning Community - University of Nebraska-Kearney With a dorm-to-dorm marketing campaign to recruit Balanced Man Scholarship applicants, it’s no surprise that this Buchanan Cup recipient has maintained the largest manpower on campus for 10 years. Members also serve as campus leaders — in more than just chapter size. For the past two years, members have held over half the positions for the Chancellor's Ambassadors, including the Student Body President and Vice President. In addition, they hold half the positions on their IFC board. Their involvement is met with campus support, as they are the only chapter that hosts a university co-sponsored philanthropy event. For their leadership and commitment to growth, we present this Buchanan Cup to Nebraska Gamma SigEp Learning Community at the University of Nebraska-Kearney.
Ohio Gamma SigEp Learning Community - Ohio State University Over the past two years, this next Buchanan Cup recipient has tripled in size. They communicate directly with high school guidance counselors throughout the state to drive Balanced Man Scholarship applications. This recipient has put in the work to redefine their chapter experience and received the Most Improved Chapter award. Over the past 4 years, this chapter transformed their Balanced Man Program to fully utilize all four challenge levels, with buy-in and motivation to participate across the chapter. Because of the quality of their SigEp Learning Community, the university recognizes it as a housing option for the live-on-campus requirement. For their commitment to continuous growth, we present this Buchanan Cup to Ohio Gamma at the Ohio State University.
Oklahoma Alpha SigEp Learning Community – Oklahoma State Members of this highly engaged chapter serve as officers in more than 100 campus organizations. These phenomenal brothers are consistently recognized on the university’s Top 10 Freshmen and Seniors of Significance lists. And the group was named a “gold tier” chapter in spring 2022, a distinction earned only by those meeting the IFC’s criteria for high-performing chapters. They recently became the largest chapter on campus, marking the first time they’ve achieved this milestone in decades. Recent improvements to their development program and positive accountability measures have led to higher retention and increased GPAs, and they’ve marketed the Balanced Man Scholarship to over 2,000 potential new members! In recognition of their overall excellence, we present this Buchanan Cup to Oklahoma Alpha at Oklahoma State!
Pennsylvania Beta Beta SigEp Learning Community – Drexel University This chapter hosts top-notch Balanced Man Scholarship banquets, with leading university officials serving as keynote speakers. They know how to win at recruitment — gaining potential new member leads at tabling events and interest fairs and leveraging strong relationships with professors to make presentations to classes with a high number of freshmen. This chapter’s GPA, consistently above 3.5, is the highest in the fraternity and sorority community. Mental health is emphasized through sound mind hours and other brotherhood events. This chapter also promotes sexual assault awareness and has raised more than $90,000 for St. Baldrick’s in the past two years. We present this Buchanan Cup to Pennsylvania Beta Beta at Drexel!
South Dakota Alpha SigEp Learning Community – South Dakota State With more than 60 brothers, this chapter is at its highest manpower ever and is the largest fraternity on campus. The Balanced Man Scholarship drives recruitment, with a high percentage of applicants becoming brothers. Academics are a priority, as demonstrated by their record of earning the highest GPA of any organization on campus for 12 straight semesters! It’s no wonder they took home the Outstanding Scholarship award at the most recent Fraternity and Sorority Life awards. They also earned top honors in philanthropy and the Outstanding Chapter Trophy. This chapter presents a campuswide sexual assault awareness week each year with guest speakers and other events to highlight the importance of this topic. This Buchanan Cup is presented to South Dakota Alpha at South Dakota State!
Virginia Kappa SigEp Learning Community – Virginia Tech This chapter boasts more than 130 members and regularly exceeds its recruitment goals. With more than half of its members making the dean’s list — a distinction no other fraternity on campus can claim — these brothers have clearly set themselves apart academically. Thanks to a revamped Brother Mentor challenge, the chapter has increased engagement among upperclassmen. At the most recent Fraternity and Sorority Life awards ceremony, this group received the Chapter of the Year, Excellence in Scholarship, Excellence in Campus Engagement and Collaboration awards. Alumni are fully invested in the chapter’s success and show their support through donations for brothers to attend the Carlson Leadership Academy Rising Leaders track. For setting and meeting high standards, we present this Buchanan Cup to Virginia Kappa at Virginia Tech!
Wisconsin Theta SigEp Learning Community – Wisconsin-Platteville Following reduced engagement during the pandemic, this chapter rebounded in a big way by making its Balanced Man Program more engaging and interactive. With the most brothers involved in student government, this group is the most engaged fraternity on campus and also the largest. Since turning two areas in its facility into dedicated learning community spaces, the chapter earned its highest GPA ever! They have made this commitment to academics a pillar of recruitment, bringing in nearly 700 Balanced Man Scholarship applications over the past two years. The chapter also regularly participates in service learning programs in the community. This chapter is supported by a volunteer base of more than 40 alumni, parents, mentors and faculty fellows. We present this Buchanan Cup to Wisconsin Theta at Wisconsin-Platteville!