During the Fraternity’s 2025 Conclave in Tampa, Florida, the Chicago Society announced the inaugural recipients of its Donald C. McCleary Memorial Leadership Endowment Fund Scholarship.

The scholarship honors the legacy of Donald C. McCleary, Texas-Austin ’71, a Past Grand President of the Fraternity and Order of the Golden Heart recipient who dedicated his life to education and social justice.

The scholarship recognizes brothers who exemplify McCleary’s ethos while embodying the Fraternity’s cardinal principles of Virtue, Diligence and Brotherly Love and emphasizes supporting and promoting inclusivity within the LGBTQ+ community. Each recipient was awarded $500 to help cover the cost of his undergraduate education.

Josiah Peters: nursing student and mental health champion

Josiah Peters, Moravian ’27, is a junior majoring in nursing. His commitment to healthcare isn’t just academic: Peters provides direct patient support as a patient care partner at Lehigh Valley Health Network, a regional healthcare provider.

Currently chapter president, Peters also served as Pennsylvania Beta Alpha’s vice president of programming and on the risk management committee while maintaining a 3.66 GPA. As an openly gay brother, Peters is especially invested in promoting inclusivity and safety. Peters shared, “I do my best to educate my brothers and others around me about understanding topics and adversities members of my community face, and also by showing them how my community can actually benefit others.”

William Soteria: advocate for social justice and community health

Recent alumnus William Soteria, Lynchburg ’25 (pictured on the left), triple majored in criminal philosophy, intelligence studies and political science. Soteria also spearheaded critical public health initiatives, including advocating for Narcan access across Lynchburg, Va., and working with state legislators to advocate for social service reforms.

While a member of the Virginia Omicron chapter, Soteria served as vice president of membership development and vice president of programming and maintained a 3.44 GPA. He also educated brothers and the campus community on misconceptions about the LGBTQ+ community and mentored younger GBTQ+ members.

Speaking of his commitment to helping others, Soteria said, “I have been through many challenges but have remained positive and strong for the bigger goal of ending human suffering.”

About the Chicago Society

Through social and professional events, fundraising, community service, and mentorship programs, the Sigma Phi Epsilon Chicago Society sustains a supportive GBTQ+ network that advances individual members and the broader mission of Sigma Phi Epsilon.

The McCleary Memorial Scholarship represents the society’s ongoing commitment to supporting the next generation of leaders within the Fraternity and ensuring that all brothers have the resources and support they need to succeed academically and personally.

Email sigepchicagosociety@gmail.com or visit the Sigma Phi Epsilon Chicago Society online for more information about the Donald J. McCleary Memorial Leadership Endowment Fund Scholarship.

An extended version of this article can be found on the Chicago Society website.