Former Grand President Phil Cox told us often, “Behind every great chapter is a group of dedicated volunteers.”

These men and women make a difference in our chapters and campus communities every day. And, they don’t do it for the recognition. They do it because they love SigEp and believe in SigEp’s ability to bring out the best in young men.

Last year, Brother Cox and SigEp’s National Board of Directors charged a group of volunteers and your Headquarters staff with creating an alumni and volunteer awards and recognition plan that expresses SigEp’s immense appreciation for the time these volunteers invest in SigEp and the impact they’ve made as a result.

This group proposed, among other things, that SigEp recognize volunteers who have tirelessly served SigEp and modeled the way for others for more than 20 years. Our National Board of Directors responded with the creation of the Exemplary Service Award.

I am honored to share with you our inaugural Exemplary Service Award recipients, who will be recognized at this year’s Carlson Leadership Academies.

Scott Carr, California-Santa Barbara ’86 
Scott Carr has been a driving force behind California Gamma’s success for over 20 years. Undergraduates and volunteers alike credit Scott’s “relentless leadership” for their achievements. As president of the AVC since 2005, he has worked diligently with his board to provide chapter members opportunities to attend Carlsons and Conclaves where, under Scott’s leadership, California Gamma has always been well represented. He recently worked with chapter leaders who spearheaded a successful transition to the Balanced Man Program, setting themselves up for future success. During his years of tireless service, Scott has facilitated at Carlson Leadership Academy and Life After College events, and attended 14 Conclaves. SigEp honored Brother Carr with the Distinguished Alumnus Award in 2011.

Shawn Dalgleish, Illinois ’81

Shawn Dalgleish’s heroic service to SigEp began with his home chapter, Illinois Alpha, in 1981. Since that time, he has held numerous positions on the AVC, including president, fundraising chairman and vice president of housing. He is the current chapter counselor and has served on two other AVCs, Illinois Zeta and Illinois Mu. Shawn is known for his ability to inspire SigEps—at Illinois Alpha and nationally—to lead positive change in their chapters and in their own lives. Since 2008, he has provided transformative experiences to countless scholars at the Ruck Leadership Institute and has also made a lasting impact on numerous regional directors in the summer development program since 2004. Brother Dalgleish was honored as a Distinguished Alumnus in 2003.

Arthur J. Hurt III, Davidson ’88 
Jay Hurt’s extraordinary impact on SigEp began during his undergraduate years at North Carolina Epsilon. He was elected to serve as a Student Director on the National Board in 1987, and in 2001 he became the first former Student Director to be elected to the National Board as an alumnus. He has been a member of the Texas Delta, Texas Kappa and Texas Upsilon AVCs, where he used his experience as a successful businessman to execute successful housing campaigns. He is a lifetime trustee and former president of the Sigma Phi Epsilon Educational Foundation as well as a former director of SigEp National Housing and a former district governor. In 1998, Jay worked with past Grand President John Hartman to found the Ruck Leadership Institute and has facilitated at Ruck or the Tragos Quest to Greece 13 years out of the past 15. Brother Hurt was recognized as a Distinguished Alumnus in 2001, and in 2015 he received the Silver Medal from the North American Interfraternity Conference for his leadership in advancing the fraternal movement.

Joe Langella, Connecticut ’83

For 30 years, Joe Langella has been a bedrock for SigEp volunteers in Pennsylvania and around the country. Joe joined the SigEp Headquarters staff to travel as as regional director after graduating from the University of Connecticut in 1983. He then served as alumni director and SigEp Journal editor as well as director of the 1987 and 1989 Grand Chapter Conclaves. He followed up his time on staff by immediately diving into volunteering. Joe took on the role of chapter counselor for Pennsylvania Rho at Villanova University before becoming district governor for eastern Pennsylvania in 2002, where he continues to serve today. Joe has had a far-reaching impact while on several committees and task forces related to membership, fundraising and accountability. He also played an instrumental role in helping his home chapter, Connecticut Alpha, successfully return to campus in 2014. Brother Langella was honored as a Distinguished Alumnus in 2008.

Phillip McKnight, Arkansas ’81

Phillip McKnight’s service to SigEp and Arkansas Alpha has been immeasurable. During his many years of faithful service, Phillip has provided steady leadership and support—helping the chapter overcome obstacles and always guiding them back to success. He has served as chapter counselor, balanced man steward and AVC vice president, and was crucial to the chapter’s successful re-chartering in 2000. He led a $100,000 campaign to provide the brothers with a chapter home that suited their needs and currently serves as the vice president of housing for the AVC. Phillip has also served SigEp as district governor and Carlson Leadership Academy faculty. In 2008, he was awarded the Arkansas Alpha Lifetime Service Award, and in 2003 Brother McKnight was honored as a Distinguished Alumnus.