As Grand President Bert Harris, Florida ’74, took the stage at this Conclave, he directed his first words to the 111 chapters who applied for the prestigious Buchanan Cup.

“By participating in the Buchanan Cup process, you have added value to your chapter and our Fraternity,” he said. “So should you win or lose, stay in the hunt. Stay in the hunt to build a better brotherhood.”

The Buchanan Cup was named after Edwin “Buc” Buchanan, Ohio State 1911, in 1967, who served as Grand Treasurer from 1932-1967. The Buchanan Cup recognizes the best-of-the-best Sigma Phi Epsilon chapters. Chapters are measured in relation to the accomplishments of their peers on campuses across the country. Only the chapters that excel in every area of operations and further the Grand Chapter’s strategic plan qualify for this high honor. The record-breaking number of applicant chapters was a testament to the progress of the Fraternity over the past two years, he said, adding that SigEp’s Founding Fathers would be proud.

“They would be stunned to see SigEp’s might at 231 chapters today,” he said. “They would be stunned to see over 300,000 lifetime members. They would be amazed that 15,000 SigEp undergraduates maintain a 3.15 GPA.”

As Harris told the story of the Balanced Man Program over the years, he reminded attendees of the importance of continual progress, the critical role of national fundraising and the strength of the BMP.

“I am very proud to be associated with a fraternity which is based upon mentoring and positive development,” he said. “And I firmly believe our methods are the best way to build friendships which last forever.”

Gold Cup recipients:

Cincinnati RLC
Illinois RLC
Loyola Marymount RLC
Nebraska RLC
Ohio State RLC
Oregon State RLC
Southeast Missouri State RLC
Toledo RLC

Silver Cup recipients:

American
Christopher Newport
Delaware
Drexel RLC
Elon RLC
Georgetown
Georgia RLC
Indiana RLC
Lawrence Tech RLC
Louisiana State
Maine RLC
Maryland-College Park RLC
Minnesota RLC
Missouri State RLC
Monmouth RLC
Murray State
Nebraska–Omaha
North Dakota
Oklahoma RLC
Oklahoma State RLC
Pepperdine RLC
Rider RLC
Saint Louis
San Diego State RLC
Stanford
Stevens Tech RLC
Tampa
Texas Christian RLC
Valparaiso RLC
Washington
West Chester
Western Michigan