The Association of Fraternity and Sorority Advisors has honored Dr. Charles G. “Doc” Eberly, Bowling Green State ’63, Order of the Golden Heart, with the naming of the Dr. Charles Eberly Oracle Award. Eberly is a renowned scholar on the study of fraternities and sororities and a lifelong SigEp volunteer.

The award recognizes outstanding contributions to Oracle, AFA’s peer-reviewed research journal. Eberly helped create the publication and currently serves on its peer review board. Each award recipient will now receive a scholarship to further their research on fraternities and sororities, endowed by the Sigma Phi Epsilon Educational Foundation and the AFA Foundation.

Speaking to Eberly from the AFA stage, Dr. Ed Hammond, Emporia State ’66, president of the SigEp Educational Foundation, said, “It is no coincidence that we celebrate you at this annual meeting and on the 10th anniversary of Oracle, a publication you helped create and shape over the last 10 years.”

The award endowment was made to honor Eberly’s years of service and commitment to Oracle, continuing his passion and the legacy he built. Donors from SigEp and AFA were quick to acknowledge his contributions in a tangible way. One of the many people Eberly impacted is Jim Barber, Grand Valley State ’95, an assistant professor of education at the College of William & Mary and associate editor of the Oracle.

“I am grateful for Chuck’s leadership and SigEp’s support of our work,” said Barber. “I’m very lucky to count Chuck as a brother and mentor.”

Eberly is an emeritus professor at Eastern Illinois University, where he served actively for 24 years beginning in 1987 — although he certainly isn’t retired in the traditional sense. He was lead professor of a master of science program in college student affairs and still helps graduate students prepare their dissertations. Greek life professionals who earned master’s degrees under Eberly’s direction currently advise more than 100,000 undergraduates on campuses across the country.

“No one has done more to advance research in the fraternal industry than Dr. Eberly, and we both look up to him as a role model,” said Dr. Gentry McCreary, who received the 2015 Oracle Award along with Joshua Schutts. “He has left a tremendous legacy, and we were honored to accept an award that bears his name.” Eberly has been a local and national volunteer for SigEp for decades, receiving the Order of the Golden Heart for a lifetime of service in 2003. He has served as chapter counselor, faculty fellow and balanced man steward for Illinois Nu at Eastern Illinois since the early ’90s. In fact, the chapter was founded in Eberly’s living room in 1990. He is also a facilitator at Carlson Leadership Academy and has served on several SigEp national task forces and committees.

In addition to Eberly’s honor, two other SigEps were recognized at the AFA’s annual meeting in Fort Worth. National Director Dr. Tom Jelke, Florida International ’90, received the Jack L. Anson Award, AFA’s highest honor. Additionally, Tim Wilkinson, West Chester ’96, associate dean of student engagement at Wake Forest University, received the Sue Kraft Fussell Distinguished Service Award.