What are the common attributes that define an outstanding SigEp volunteer? Dedication, perseverance and a desire to give back even more than they have received from the Fraternity.

Throughout Sigma Phi Epsilon’s history, a small number of volunteers who embody these qualities have shaped the Fraternity, not through titles or recognition, but through an unwavering belief in people. They develop leaders, spearhead a winning culture and connect generations of brothers around a shared purpose.

Brothers like these have been the foundation on which SigEp has stood for nearly 125 years. In 2025, five brothers who have given decades of their time, energy and heart to SigEp were awarded the Fraternity’s highest honor, the Order of the Golden Heart.

Tom Barton, Loras ’89

For over three decades, Tom Barton’s service as a SigEp volunteer has resonated far beyond any single chapter, district or role. His legacy is defined not only by longevity, but by an uncommon ability to inspire others, build community and elevate everyone around him. Wherever brothers gather to serve, to lead or to share a laugh in the name of SigEp, chances are they were influenced by Barton in some way.

Reaching beyond his roots at Iowa Eta, in 1997, Barton helped launch what began as a small, tight-knit group of committed volunteers and quickly became a movement that reshaped alumni engagement Fraternity-wide. Built on equal parts purpose, camaraderie and goodnatured mischief, the group united around a simple but powerful goal: ensuring more undergraduates could experience the life-changing impact of Conclave. Through creative fundraising, shared sacrifice and a deep belief in the SigEp experience, Barton and his fellow founders transformed that idea into the NUTS! McAuliffe Society. It is now a permanent and beloved part of SigEp culture.

His love for fundraising also extends to the national Fraternity. Long a tireless advocate for the Board of Governors, Barton has been key to the growth of Founders Day of Giving into the seven-figure engine it has become for the SigEp experience.

Barton’s leadership extends well beyond the playfully-named NUTS!. As a district governor, he challenged chapters to aim higher and believe more deeply in their potential. Under his influence, Buchanan Cups became not just aspirations, but expectations.

Barton not only personally encouraged undergraduate brothers in his district, he also laid the foundation for their success by recruiting and mentoring the volunteers tasked with developing them as leaders. Following his example, friendly rivalries among district governors evolved, driving excellence and pushing chapters across the country to new heights. Barton’s ability to connect with people — whether through late-night phone calls, spirited debates or well-timed humor — has turned solid volunteer relationships into lasting progress for the Fraternity.

Barton has chaired impactful boards, led retreats, served as auctioneer during Conclaves and Board of Governors weekends, launched chapters, mentored countless undergraduates, championed advancement efforts, and in 1993, worked with Frank Ruck, Michigan ’46; Jay Hurt, Davidson ’88; and other volunteers to launch the Balanced Man Program.

Through it all, his motivation has remained: to leave Sigma Phi Epsilon better than he found it. Because of his service, generations of volunteers have been inspired to give more of themselves, just as Barton’s mentor, Order of the Golden Heart recipient Bob McCune, Bradley ’50, inspired him. That is the true definition of a volunteer: giving selflessly with no expectation of personal gain.

Jeff Gates, Wichita State ’89

Within SigEp, Jeff Gates is highly respected for his ability to turn vision into reality. His steady influence and never-give-up attitude have strengthened chapters and elevated the entire Fraternity. He has been there for chapters as a trusted advisor, helping brothers build the skills they need to become balanced leaders and balanced men.

For many years, Kansas Eta needed a new facility. Consensus among the chapter’s alumni was that a project of that magnitude wasn’t viable. However, Gates was determined to make it happen. He rallied alumni and co-chaired a capital campaign that generated more than $2 million in donations to make it possible. The chapter home borne of that effort is more than bricks and mortar; it’s a symbol of persistence, collaboration and belief in what SigEp can be when brothers commit to a common goal.

As impressive as that achievement is, it only tells a small part of Gates’ story. At the heart of his service is a deep commitment to people. Among volunteers, Gates is known as the “chief communicator” because he maintains an open line of communication with alumni, volunteers, undergraduate members and their parents. It’s a philosophy that’s served him well while volunteering with his home chapter, Kansas Eta, as well as Kansas Epsilon at Emporia State, and while serving as a district governor for over a decade. Whether offering heartfelt advice or providing difficult feedback, Gates relies on his trademark humor to connect with others. As seen during his speech after receiving the Order of the Golden Heart, Gates enjoys making fun of himself and his close friends. However, he takes the work of the Fraternity very seriously.

Whether in boardrooms or chapter meeting rooms, he’s consistently stepped forward to strengthen volunteer teams, unite brothers with differing opinions, and build alumni and volunteer corporations rooted in both strategy and a common goal.

Above all, Gates exudes integrity, and his passion for excellence is unmatched. He asks the hard questions, challenges complacency and insists that chapters live up to the values they profess. His leadership has helped create healthier, safer chapters, earning both trust from university officials and confidence from the Fraternity’s national leadership. Yet his greatest loyalty remains with the undergraduate brother seeking guidance. Known for listening deeply and leading with care, Jeff Gates is the kind of trusted mentor and connector every young man deserves.

Brad Nahrstadt, Monmouth ’89

Brad Nahrstadt’s legacy wasn’t built through a single role or in a single moment, but over decades of consistent and dedicated service. As a mentor and volunteer, he spent 15 years strengthening alumni and volunteer support for his home chapter, Illinois Gamma. His involvement played a major role in the chapter’s development, resulting in multiple Buchanan Cups for excellence in chapter operations.

Later, as a district governor, Nahrstadt worked tirelessly to recruit volunteers. He visited every alumni and volunteer corporation in his district multiple times, developed an annual retreat that brings volunteers and alumni across the entire state together, and set a standard for engagement and accountability that became a model for others serving in the role.

He’s always been a source of steady and bold leadership — substance-free housing and a Ritual that gives every brother equal rights from day one are just some of the initiatives he’s advocated for. His impact stretched even further when he joined the Fraternity’s National Board of Directors, where he served for eight years before becoming Grand President. As Grand President, he launched Raise Your Bar: A Strategic Plan for Every SigEp — setting a courageous vision for SigEp to reclaim our title as the largest and best fraternity everywhere we plant our flag.

His leadership goes far beyond the big moments when votes are cast or resolutions passed. It can be observed in the socalled little things: the call returned to a struggling undergraduate, the coffee shared with a young volunteer seeking direction, the advice given freely without agenda or expectation. Whether it was as a faculty member at Ruck Leadership Institute, an emcee at Carlson Leadership Academy, a mentor on the Tragos Quest to Greece or a guest speaker at a chapter retreat, Nahrstadt has poured himself into the development of SigEp’s young men. Countless brothers have felt the impact of his insight, wit and humility and benefitted from his integrity, empathy and consistent leadership.

His life outside of SigEp has been just as extraordinary. A successful attorney and managing partner, he founded and led one of the top litigation firms in his city, all while volunteering tirelessly for SigEp and his alma mater. He has been a dedicated university trustee, a speaker on risk management, a mentor to pre-law students, and a philanthropic force behind numerous leadership programming and housing initiatives. And in all of this, Brad Nahrstadt has led with compassion and a deep belief in the power of brotherhood to change lives.

Carlton Schooley, Bowling Green State ’63

For more than six decades, Carlton Schooley has embodied the very best of what it means to be a SigEp volunteer. After graduating in 1963, he was elected to Ohio Kappa’s alumni and volunteer corporation as the first new member since the chapter was chartered in 1948. Most were charter members of the chapter, and Schooley understood that joining the AVC as a recent graduate was a serious honor.

From that humble start, he’s shaped the experience of generations of brothers at Bowling Green State, with many Ohio Kappa brothers saying Schooley’s influence helped them become values-driven leaders.

When asked why he’s given so much of himself for so many years, his answer reflects both humility and joy: “Some people golf. Some people play tennis. Ohio Kappa and helping the undergrads is my hobby.” It is a simple explanation for an extraordinary commitment.

That commitment shows itself in countless ways. Schooley has attended almost every chapter meeting, along with dozens of Carlson Leadership Academies and Conclaves, since he began volunteering. He has driven vans, made travel arrangements and often paid expenses out of his own pocket, motivated solely by the belief that every young brother deserves the full SigEp experience.

His involvement hasn’t just been limited to moments of celebration; he’s also been there to guide the chapter through difficult times. The closure of a chapter home that stood for more than four decades stands out as one the more emotional and challenging moments. But Schooley chose to face that loss head-on. The farewell ceremony he helped organize brought together more than 600 alumni, a testament to the bonds he helped nurture at Ohio Kappa.

Schooley has never sought acknowledgment or praise. But those who know him recognize what an exceptional leader he is. His opinions are valued by fellow alumni as well as university officials. Undergraduates routinely stand when he is introduced, a reflection of genuine respect and affection. This admiration was evident when Schooley was presented the Order of the Golden Heart at Ohio Kappa’s 75th anniversary celebration. Because he was unable to attend Conclave, volunteers ensured that Schooley not only received his award, but that he did so in a room filled with brothers who have been inspired by him.

A voice of wisdom, a reassuring presence in moments of uncertainty and a living example of the balanced man ideal long before it had a name: Carlton Schooley hasn’t just built a lifetime of service, he’s built a legacy that is irreplaceable.

Steve Young, Kansas ’80

Steve Young’s involvement in Sigma Phi Epsilon has never been about visibility; humble stewardship has always been his trademark. For more than 30 years, he’s answered the Fraternity’s call with modesty, wisdom and an unwavering commitment to serve wherever the need was greatest. Young has worked quietly behind the scenes, guided by a deep love for the brotherhood and a belief that lasting progress built through thoughtful, consistent service is more important than receiving credit or applause.

Over his decades of volunteer leadership, his influence has shaped the very framework that sustains Sigma Phi Epsilon today. Young has offered his expertise in law and governance to help craft critical bylaws, strengthen financial structures, and ensure compliance for alumni and volunteer corporations nationwide.

From guiding chapters through complex nonprofit regulations to safeguarding housing corporations and stabilizing chapters facing dormancy, he has provided a steady, guiding hand in the moments that mattered most. His work with California chapters set a standard for compliance that’s become a roadmap others now follow. His focused approach has helped protect chapter legacies as well as the Fraternity’s long-term interests.

Yet, his work developing policies and procedures only tells part of the story. Time and time again, he’s stepped up to fill volunteer roles for various chapters in the Golden State. It’s his way with people that truly makes Young stand out as a volunteer. Known for his dry humor, deep empathy and ability to listen attentively, he has mentored undergraduates, supported fellow volunteers through conflict and change, and built bridges across generations. Often described as a “volunteer whisperer,” he leads with great care — giving his time and encouragement to help others develop into leaders as well.

Perhaps his greatest impact has been the way he’s expertly steered the Fraternity’s housing strategy as president of SigEp National Housing. Young’s commitment has grown the Fraternity’s property management program into a resource volunteers rely on to create high-quality living and learning environments that produce balanced men.

From serving as a district governor, to bringing a dynamic energy to virtual Ruck Leadership Institute sessions during the pandemic, to giving our brothers a home away from home, Young has been a constant, calming, upbeat presence in both times of challenge and periods of growth. As one of his many admirers noted, Steve Young demonstrates the profound individual impact that can be made through kindness, care and attention.