The Exemplary Service Award recognizes SigEp volunteers who have tirelessly served the Fraternity and modeled the way for others for more than 20 years. It’s not just about giving their time, although they certainly give plenty of it. They are the ones who roll up their sleeves when there is work to be done. When a speaker or facilitator is needed, they are there. They can always be counted on for sound advice. They are models for their peers and represent the best of what SigEp offers its members. Five inaugural recipients were celebrated at this year’s Carlson Leadership Academies and spoke to those in attendance about how SigEp has enriched their lives.

Scott Carr, California-Santa Barbara ’86

Scott Carr has been a driving force behind his chapter’s success for over 20 years. For the last 11 years, he has led the group as Alumni and Volunteer Corporation president. Carr has emphasized leadership education and worked to provide large contingents of brothers with opportunities to attend SigEp’s leadership events. In 2015, he helped guide chapter leaders through a successful transition to the Balanced Man Program. Carr has attended 14 Conclaves and facilitated at Carlson Leadership Academy and Life After College. SigEp honored him with the Distinguished Alumnus Award in 2011.

While reflecting on the many alumni who inspired him to give back, Carr credited Order of the Golden Heart recipient John Hofmann, California- Santa Barbara ’70, with recognizing his potential and providing life-changing encouragement and career advice.

Hofmann’s influence moved Carr to pay forward his experience and impact someone else’s life as Hoffman had his. He challenged the undergraduates present at the Southern California Carlson to ask themselves, “What can I do as an alumnus to positively impact at least one life through service as a volunteer to Sigma Phi Epsilon?” | Watch

Shawn Dalgleish, Illinois ’81

Since graduating and joining SigEp’s volunteer ranks, Shawn Dalgleish has held numerous positions on his chapter’s AVC, including president, fundraising chairman and vice president of housing. A 2003 Distinguished Alumnus Award recipient, he is Illinois’ current chapter counselor and has served on AVCs at Illinois State and Chicago. Dalgleish is known for his ability to inspire brothers to lead positive change in their chapters and in their own lives. Since 2008, he has guided brothers through transformative experiences at the Ruck Leadership Institute as a program facilitator. And since 2004, he has been a mentor and facilitator for SigEp’s regional directors during their summer development training program.

Accepting his award at the Chicago Carlson, Dalgleish told the crowd, “You have provided me with the opportunity to do what I was born to do … to provide opportunities to others to place themselves in motion, to confidently swing that bat without fear, to lead themselves and their teams from good to great and from great to exceptional. Please know I am forever grateful.” | Watch

Arthur J. Hurt III. Davidson ’88

In 2001, Jay Hurt became the first former Student Director to return to SigEp’s National Board as an alumnus. He has volunteered with SigEp at Houston, Texas-Arlington, and Southern Methodist, helping each chapter lead successful fundraising campaigns. Hurt is a lifetime trustee and former president of the Sigma Phi Epsilon Educational Foundation as well as a former district governor and director of SigEp National Housing’s board. A co-founder of the Ruck Leadership Institute, Hurt has been a perennial facilitator at the program. He was recognized as a Distinguished Alumnus in 2001. In 2015, he received the North American Interfraternity Conference’s prestigious Silver Medal for his leadership in advancing the fraternal experience.

In accepting the Exemplary Service Award, Hurt recalled how Past Grand President and Order of the Golden Heart recipient Frank Ruck, Michigan ’46, had inspired him to volunteer. “Frank signed my membership card when he was Grand President. I never thought I’d have an opportunity to meet him personally, much less get to know and love him … He made a comment once that stuck with me. He said, ‘In life, all I ask is that you be useful, simply useful.’” | Watch

Joe Langella, Connecticut ’83

After graduating from the University of Connecticut, Joe Langella joined the Fraternity’s staff, where he served as regional director, alumni director, Journal editor, and director of the 1987 and 1989 Conclaves. After leaving the staff, he volunteered as chapter counselor at Villanova before becoming district governor for eastern Pennsylvania in 2002, where he continues to serve today. Langella’s service has extended to include tenure on several national committees and task forces related to membership, fundraising and accountability. In 2014, he helped guide recolonization efforts at his alma mater. Langella was honored as a Distinguished Alumnus in 2008 and has been a bedrock for SigEp volunteers in Pennsylvania for three decades.

Langella shared that many wonderful things, including meeting his wife Donna, had happened to him as a result of joining SigEp and giving his time to others. He reflected on the model of volunteerism set by the recently departed Phillip A. Cox, Indiana ’84, and encouraged brothers to answer the call of service. “We can’t go it alone in this world,” Langella said. “Everyone needs help. SigEp has, on more than one occasion, been my help. My competitive edge. My ace in the hole.” | Watch

Phillip McKnight, Arkansas ’81

Phillip McKnight has provided consistent leadership and support to his chapter as balanced man steward, chapter counselor, and vice president of its Alumni and Volunteer Corporation. In 2000, McKnight played a crucial role in his chapter’s successful re-chartering. He led a $100,000 campaign to provide the brothers with a chapter home and currently serves as the AVC’s vice president of housing. McKnight has also served as a SigEp district governor and Carlson Leadership Academy faculty. A recipient of the Arkansas Alpha Lifetime Service Award, he was honored as a Distinguished Alumnus in 2003.

McKnight shared that his wife Angela’s support has been critical to balancing work, family and Fraternity. “She convinced me that it would be ok; that she was behind me 100 percent,” he said.

Reflecting on his years of service, McKnight told the Carlson crowd, “I can tell you that probably the most rewarding part of being a volunteer is sitting with brothers through their trials and tribulations, their losses of family members, their joys of becoming engaged, having children—and just being there for them.” | Watch