The Order of the Golden Heart is the Fraternity’s highest honor, recognizing excellence among long-serving volunteers. These men represent the best of the best in our brotherhood. They have given their time and talent to make our Fraternity great and are role models for what we can achieve as volunteers.

The Order of the Golden Heart is awarded to selected volunteers who have served the Fraternity for 30 years or more, making a significant impact on SigEp locally, regionally or nationally. The Fraternity bestows the gold medallion to honorees at Grand Chapter Conclave, symbolizing the esteem with which brothers hold these dedicated volunteers and immense appreciation for the sacrifices they’ve made over the decades. At the 2021 Alumni Awards Dinner, this prestigious award was presented to four volunteers who have gone above and beyond to serve our Fraternity.

With nearly two centuries of combined service to SigEp, this impressive group includes a Past Grand President, a brother who led the successful rechartering of his chapter, a national chaplain and a longtime mentor who also guides the Fraternity’s national fundraising efforts.

The Order of the Golden Heart is the Fraternity’s highest honor, recognizing excellence among long-serving volunteers. These men represent the best of the best in our brotherhood. They have given their time and talent to make our Fraternity great and are role models for what we can achieve as volunteers.

The Order of the Golden Heart is awarded to selected volunteers who have served the Fraternity for 30 years or more, making a significant impact on SigEp locally, regionally or nationally. The Fraternity bestows the gold medallion to honorees at Grand Chapter Conclave, symbolizing the esteem with which brothers hold these dedicated volunteers and immense appreciation for the sacrifices they’ve made over the decades. At the 2021 Alumni Awards Dinner, this prestigious award was presented to four volunteers who have gone above and beyond to serve our Fraternity.

With nearly two centuries of combined service to SigEp, this impressive group includes a Past Grand President, a brother who led the successful rechartering of his chapter, a national chaplain and a longtime mentor who also guides the Fraternity’s national fundraising efforts.

Chris Bittman, Colorado ’85
As an undergrad, Chris Bittman served as a chapter officer, then joined SigEp’s Headquarters staff as a regional director following graduation. He went on to start 21 new chapters as expansion director and manage the traveling staff as the director of chapter services before launching a career in financial services.

For more than a decade, Bittman has shared his financial skills with SigEp, working to manage and grow the Fraternity’s assets as a member of the investment committee. 

Over the past 20 years, he has dutifully given his time and talent, serving on the National Board of Directors and Educational Foundation Board of Trustees. He was elected Grand Treasurer for eight consecutive terms before serving as Grand President from 2017 to 2019.

As the fraternity movement has evolved, his skills as a consensus builder have helped SigEp facilitate some of the most revolutionary changes in Greek life, including the adoption of the Balanced Man Program across all our chapters and establishing substance-free chapter homes. Bittman has brought his combination of empathy, professional savvy, humility, humor and heart to every role, all to ensure that every undergraduate brother can receive and enjoy a rich and rewarding SigEp experience.

As co-emcee of the Alumni Awards Dinner, Bittman was stunned when Past Grand President and Order of the Golden Heart recipient Garry Kief, Southern California ’70, presented the evening’s final award to him. “Tonight, I get to tell you that you’ve been a SigEp hero to me … and to all of us … for a long, long time,” Kief said. “Tonight, we get to place your name where it belongs: next to Dubach, Freeark and Zollinger … Wheeler, Hasenkamp, Kerr and Doud,” Kief said. “And yes, next to Shawn McKenna and Phil Cox. 

“You’ve been there through wins … and losses. Personal triumphs and the depths of despair. You eased those times with your humor. Helped us lighten the burdens. Always knowing that your humor comes from your heart. And your heart beats pure SigEp.”

Mike Duggan, Missouri State ’74
Mike Duggan’s promise as a leader and a mighty force for good was evident early on when he was elected to serve on his campus’ Interfraternity Council as a freshman. That promise was further realized when he became a student member of SigEp’s National Board of Directors. 

He embarked on his journey as a volunteer immediately after graduating and has been actively engaged with his home chapter for more than 40 years. Intent on bringing the chapter back after losing its charter over 20 years ago, Duggan took on the role of alumni and volunteer corporation (AVC) president. His passion and enthusiasm soon had other alumni believing the chapter could return stronger than ever. When it did return, he recruited additional volunteers to support the chapter and mentor the undergraduate brothers.

An early proponent of the Balanced Man Program, Duggan served as balanced man steward for several years before leading a campaign to build a new chapter home. That effort has resulted in a top-notch facility that supports brothers’ academic, personal and professional growth.

Much in part because of Duggan’s leadership, today, the consistent Buchanan Cup-winning chapter is the envy of other fraternities at Missouri State and is considered an honor and privilege to join.

Beyond Missouri State, Duggan is often willing to lend a hand. When the home chapter of longtime friend and fellow Missourian John Hartman, Missouri ’61, went through a difficult transition, Duggan was there to support brothers. He also recently took on the role of district governor, recruiting and supporting volunteers for several chapters in Illinois and Missouri.

“You live out SigEp ideals every day of your life. You’ve volunteered your time and talents on the local level and in too many national roles to count,” Past Grand President Chris Bittman, Colorado ’85, stated when presenting the award. “Brother, today we say thank you for your nearly 50 years of service to Sigma Phi Epsilon. We consider it an honor and a privilege to call you our brother. We will strive to be worthy of your dedication.”

Ray Ackerman, Oklahoma ’77
Impressed by his character, brothers elected Ray Ackerman president of his undergraduate chapter. He inspired the recently reorganized group to focus and set goals, and in the process, helped the chapter become the campus leader in philanthropy and earn several Buc Cups in the years to come.

From then until now, brothers have looked to him as “a barometer for honor, character and truthfulness which mirrors our cardinal principles.” His early leadership set the tone for Ackerman’s alumni journey. After graduation, he served as a regional director on the Fraternity’s Headquarters staff, further solidifying his reputation as a wise and empathetic advisor.

After working several years as a popular radio personality, Ackerman’s faith and desire to help others led him to join the priesthood. He also began volunteering with his home chapter, serving on the AVC for more than 30 years.

A longtime chapter counselor, Rev. Ackerman is a model of integrity and brotherly love, sharing life lessons and providing a listening ear to anyone who needs him. Since 1997, Ackerman has also served as the Fraternity’s national chaplain, creating moving tributes to brothers who have passed away and presiding over the Grand Chapter Conclave necrology ceremony.

In each role, he has embodied what it means to show brotherly love to all and played a key role in furthering the Fraternity’s mission to develop values-based leaders. As chair of SigEp’s Ritual and Values Task Force, he also has provided invaluable insight on how the Fraternity can remain true to its cardinal principles while keeping pace with cultural shifts.

“For the brothers of Sigma Phi Epsilon, you have been a faithful shepherd,” Bittman said as he presented the award. “Your voice has been loving and inspiring. Firm and dedicated. It’s been a source of joy and of consolation. And through it all, you have pointed us toward the pursuit of life’s highest ideals.”

Scott Carr, California-Santa Barbara ’86
Since 1986, Scott Carr has served as a member of the AVC for his home chapter, a chapter he says helped him mature and develop skills during a pivotal time in his life. Although the distance between his home and campus has made volunteering a challenge, it’s never deterred Carr. Even when he was just getting his career started and beginning his family, he faithfully made the three-hour drive often and without complaint. More than 35 years later, he still continues to travel extensively to provide life-changing experiences for undergraduates.

The opportunity to impact young brothers’ lives in the same way his was as an undergraduate makes it all worth it. When he stepped into the role of AVC president in 2006, Carr took the helm for a brother diagnosed with brain cancer. The chapter has continued to thrive 16 years later, upgrading its facilities and transitioning to the Balanced Man Program. Through his patient and heartfelt guidance, California Gamma has consistently won Buchanan Cups for chapter excellence and produced high-quality young men who are leaders in their communities.

A longtime Board of Governors member, Carr has also shared his talents with SigEp on a national level. He’s facilitated at Carlson Leadership Academy and served as a Tragos Quest to Greece mentor. As chairman of the SigEp National Advancement Council, Carr has played a vital role in the Fraternity’s fundraising efforts.

“You have spent a lifetime repaying a debt of gratitude to Sigma Phi Epsilon,” Kief said when presenting the award to Carr. “But, tonight, dear brother, we hope you see that we are the ones who are indebted to you. “Your diligence, love and leadership have not merely changed one life … but thousands.”