At the SigEp Educational Foundation Gala & Board of Governors Dinner, brothers and guests gathered to celebrate the Fraternity’s highest individual honor — the Sigma Phi Epsilon Citation.

The SigEp Citation is awarded every two years at Grand Chapter Conclave to alumni who have achieved exceptional success and stature in their careers. Fewer than 300 brothers have received this prestigious honor, joining a legacy of industry leaders, government officials, military commanders, artists, and entrepreneurs.

An Evening of Recognition and Reflection

This year’s Citation was presented amid the celebration and energy of the Gala. After receiving their awards, recipients participated in a casual conversation with emcee Jay Hurt, Davidson ’88, a 2023 Citation recipient.

Brothers also received touching messages of appreciation from chapter members and those who’ve been impacted by their leadership.

Meet the 2025 Citation Recipients

Charles McNeil, Colorado School of Mines ’71

CEO and founder of NexGen Resources, McNeil is a pioneer in energy and environmental innovation. A Distinguished Eagle Scout and youth development advocate, he spoke about the importance of building a strong community.

Jim Pillen, Nebraska ’75

A veterinarian, entrepreneur, and governor of Nebraska, Pillen has built a thriving family business while serving the public. He emphasized the value of surrounding yourself with the right people and building others up.

Kelcy Warren, Texas-Arlington ’77

Executive chairman and co-founder of Energy Transfer, one of the nation’s largest energy infrastructure firms. Warren is also a philanthropist and education advocate. He reflected on the challenges of scaling a business and the confidence gained through SigEp.

Kevin O’Connor, Loras ’79

A longtime executive in sports management, O’Connor has represented stars like Derek Jeter and Pete Sampras. He shared insights on team chemistry and the importance of creating lasting value for clients.

Larry Connor, Ohio ’72

Real estate entrepreneur, philanthropist, and adventurer, Connor leads The Connor Group, a $5 billion firm funding bold initiatives — including an $800 million commitment to underserved youth. As the first person to travel to space and the ocean’s deepest point in one year, Connor spoke about the power of building a strong culture.

Mike Lincoln, Southeast Missouri State ’84

Vice chair of Cooley LLP and one of the nation’s leading venture capital attorneys, Lincoln has helped companies like Zoom and Uber go public. A former SigEp staff member, he highlighted the lifelong impact of relationship-building and persuasion.

Learn more about this year’s Citation recipients and their remarkable careers, success, and impact.