The Honor of Philias was established in 1989, by Past Grand President and Order of the Golden Heart recipient Jack D. Wheeler, North Texas ’61, and his wife Kate. Chapters or individuals may receive the Honor of Philias as recognition of their special expression of the Fraternity’s cardinal principle of brotherly love. 

This year the award was given to the brothers of Southeast Missouri State for their service to the family of chapter brother Bobby Christman, who lost his life this winter. 

On Jan. 11, 2015, SigEp undergraduate Bobby Christman of the Southeast Missouri State RLC gave his life defending his girlfriend and brother during an attempted armed robbery in St. Louis, Mo. when a man entered Christman’s parked vehicle  and tried to steal his girlfriend’s purse, Christman intervened and was fatally wounded during the struggle.

Christman was rushed to the hospital, and later died surrounded by friends, family and his vigilant chapter brothers. Even in death, however, Christman continued to give life. He was a registered organ donor, and as he passed away, he was able to donate five organs to individuals across the country who were also fighting for life.

In the days that followed, the brothers of Southeast Missouri State did everything they could to continue supporting Christman and his family. More than 100 SigEps from around the state attended Christman’s burial, and the brothers organized a vigil that evening for students to attend. 

In the weeks that followed, Christman’s chapter brothers could not forget the legacy, impact and unfailing love he had shown in life and death. To honor his selfless example, they created an endowment that would support future brothers of the Southeast Missouri State RLC and preserve Christman’s memory. Working with his family, friends and the university, the brothers raised more than $40,000 in his honor. 

At the 2015 Conclave in Nashville, Tenn., Past Grand President Steve Shanklin, Murray State ’70, recognized the chapter’s service by awarding them SigEp’s Honor of the Philias. He then announced that SigEp would donate an additional $5,000 to the Bobby Christman Memorial Fund.