Below are the brothers, chapters, alumni and volunteers recognized throughout the 2020-21 school year. SigEp is proud to support and encourage members and volunteers for demonstrating the values of the Fraternity in their chapter experiences, volunteer involvement and personal lives. View descriptions of the awards here.
Exemplary Service Award
These volunteers have devoted more than twenty years of service to SigEp. They have made a significant and lasting impact for the betterment of the Fraternity and we are indebted to them. View the award presentation ceremony here.
| Recipient | Description |
|---|---|
| Joe Christian, Austin Peay State ’77 & Joe Winn, Austin Peay State ’76 | Without Brother Christian and Brother Winn, one of SigEp’s most inspiring success stories may not have happened. Long before Tennessee Eta was recharted at Austin Peay State, these men took steps to ensure that when that day came, the chapter would thrive. When the chapter was closed a few years after they joined SigEp, they meticulously stored key documents and other items important to the chapter’s history for safe keeping — ensuring that these treasured items would be waiting for their future chapter brothers. What they didn’t know was that the wait would be 20 long years. But Joe Christian and Joe Winn were undeterred. A true study in diligence, they attended multiple Conclaves, soaking up all the knowledge they could about how to operate a successful chapter. Their years of preparation paid off in 1995 when SigEp returned to Austin Peay State. Thanks to the Joes’ guidance and wisdom, the newly initiated brothers surpassed all expectations, and Tennessee Eta was presented its charter just 14 months after returning to campus! Joe Christian and Joe Winn have continued to volunteer with the chapter, serving as AVC treasurer and chapter counselor, respectively. Special thanks to their steadfast sweethearts. Christy and Janet have been by their side through it all and their love and support is a huge part of why Tennessee Eta has seen 26 years of success. |
| Don Heard, Houston ’93 | Brother Heard is fondly remembered as a humble volunteer who lived by SigEp’s cardinal principles. First and foremost, he cared about helping others. He volunteered with his home chapter of Texas Delta for more than 20 years, 15 of which he spent mentoring brothers at the University of Houston as chapter counselor. During the 1990s, Don was also a member of the Texas Eta Alumni and Volunteer Corporation for our Sam Houston State University chapter. Don was deeply committed to helping brothers in the chapter succeed academically and in life. He actively fundraised for Texas Delta scholarships and even established a scholarship endowment in his name. A long-time donor to the national Fraternity and member of the NUTS! McAuliffe Society, he was also passionate about fostering undergrads’ personal and professional development through SigEp’s leadership programs. Don was equally generous when it came to sharing his professional skills with SigEp. A highly respected expert in occupational safety, he worked on projects with several Houston-area manufacturing and engineering firms. True to his natural instinct to look out for others, Don used his knowledge to educate undergrads and volunteers about potential safety and liability issues and the need to be proactive regarding risk management. Don was recognized for his contributions to Texas Delta with the Volunteer of the Year Award in 2017 and while he passed in 2020, we are forever grateful for his generous spirit and will remember him always. |
| Columbus Johnson, Sacramento State ’85 | Having made his mark on his undergraduate chapter as a two-time recipient of the Brother of the Year Award, Brother Johnson was eager to continue his involvement as an alumnus. Right after graduation, he joined his home chapter’s alumni and volunteer corporation, serving as secretary. This was the first of many roles in a volunteer career that saw him share his time and talent with chapters throughout California and Hawaii. In 1999, he became a lieutenant district governor for California. He was all in, approaching the position with his patented enthusiasm. Columbus spent countless hours meeting undergrads and alumni from various chapters, recruiting volunteers, and speaking at events. He also organized numerous dinners, retreats and other events for undergraduates and alumni throughout Southern California. He was passionate about SigEp, and wherever he went, brothers were impressed by Columbus’ humility and boundless love for the Fraternity. An attendee of 17 consecutive Conclaves, he co-founded the NUTS! McAuliffe Society, raising thousands of dollars to support scholarships for undergraduates to attend Conclave. In 2001, Columbus was honored with the Distinguished Alumnus Award. While he passed in 2018, we are forever grateful for the impact he made and will remember him always. |
| Keith Boatright, Tennessee-Martin ’98 | Keith Boatright understands what it takes to build an award-winning chapter. Each year, he facilitates two chapter retreats. He sets high standards for chapter leaders — and his high expectations are routinely rewarded. Since he began serving in the role in 2013, the chapter has won two Buchanan Cups and multiple campus awards in recognition of its sustained growth in every area. So much of SigEp’s success at Missouri State is due to his guiding hand. Boatright has built a trusted relationship with the FSL staff, resulting in huge buy-in to the Balanced Man Program across the entire Greek community. He’s also been a steady, invaluable asset to the AVC. He has personally recruited many active volunteers and advises them on the fundamentals of the BMP. |
| Rick Bennet, Central Missouri ’74 | Because of Brother Bennet, many have become better thinkers, better leader, better fathers and spouses, and better brothers. He is a former chapter president and, upon his graduation, he joined the Headquarters Staff as a part of SigEp’s inaugural class of regional directors. Today, he is still highly engaged with his home chapter. He’s been integral to engaging members of the university faculty and administration, and over the years has communicated regularly with them about the chapter’s activities on campus and potential to lead. He has volunteered on numerous national task forces and committees and has attended nearly every SigEp leadership program as a keynote speaker or facilitator. A Citation recipient, he is currently sharing his invaluable business acumen and passion for SigEp’s mission as President of our Educational Foundation, a position he assumed just this week. And for over a decade before that, he diligently served as a member of the National Board of Directors, including terms as our Grand Secretary and Grand President. Under his leadership as Grand President we embraced the Balanced Man Program and made it the development model for all SigEp chapters. We also began our work on substance free facilities and committed to making all of our chapters a SigEp Learning Community. He’s committed to seeing SigEp chapters recognized as the top student organization on campus — not just the best fraternity. Everything he’s done for SigEp has been framed in that same mindset of excellence. |
Distinguished Alumnus Award
This award was first given in 1978 and recognizes volunteers with a decade or more of service at the chapter, district, regional and national level. Since this award’s inception, less than one percent of alumni and volunteers have been recognized with this honor. View the award presentation ceremony here.
| Recipient | Description |
|---|---|
| Matt Dube, Maine ’07 | Brother Dube has served in a wide range of volunteer roles, contributing to nearly every aspect of the undergraduate experience at this home chapter. As chapter counselor, he is much admired for the time he puts into getting to know and supporting members of the chapter. Whether he’s engaging with a group or having a one-on-one conversation, brothers always feel they have his full attention. They’ve come to rely on his steady presence and frequently seek his advice. Known for his commitment to SigEp’s Ritual, Dube has attended nearly every performance by his chapter over the past 10 years and actively engages undergraduates in discussions of what it means to live the Ritual. His values-based approach to life and fraternity has had a huge influence on the chapter and is a major reason it’s a frequent Buc Cup recipient. |
| Chris Gassman, Colorado ’04 | Brother Gassman is to be commended for his astounding body of service: He’s not only remained involved with his home chapter, he currently volunteers with three others as well. After relocating to the East Coast for grad school, he began volunteering with SigEp as resident scholar and balanced man steward. Over the next decade, he started to give his time to several other chapters in the Northeast. Always eager to learn and assist any chapter, Gassman has held nearly every volunteer role and mentored countless brothers around the country. He’s played a vital role in re-establishing chapters, the adoption of the Balanced Man Program App and elevating the role of resident scholar. Along the way, he’s modeled accountability and brotherly love while sharing his time and talent. |
| Bill Gunn, Connecticut ’88 | For 26 years, Brother Gunn has united brothers through the power of song. He first sang in the Conclave Choir in 1987 and by 1995, he was leading it. He also edited the most recent edition of the SigEp Songbook. As a member of the SigEp Sings Scholarship Award committee in 2015 and 2017, he’s also combined his love of music and commitment to academic achievement. The happiness and enthusiasm he brings to the role of choir director has had a direct impact on the group, which continues to grow in size, quality and pride. At each successive Conclave, the fun and camaraderie of the choir draws in new members and brings old members back. It is truly hard to tell who enjoys the choir more, the participants or the Conclave attendees who are entertained as the choir sings our Fraternity songs while we gather during meals. |
| Eric Wilson, Colorado School of Mines ’94 | For more than a decade, Brother Wilson has steered volunteer engagement for his home chapter as alumni and volunteer corporation president. He stepped into the role at a time when the chapter was undergoing some difficult transitions, successfully navigating a membership review, closure of the chapter home and rebuilding the chapter. A resourceful leader, he tapped into professional and fraternal connections to coordinate renovations to the chapter facility and worked with alumni to finance these upgrades so that chapter finances wouldn’t be affected. But his commitment goes far beyond the administrative aspects of the role. He is the first alumnus to ever serve as a balanced man steward and is equally dedicated to mentoring and getting to know the undergraduates, whether through conducting resume writing workshops or hosting cookouts for the chapter. |
University Partner of the Year
Recognizes campus partners who have played an outstanding role in the development of a chapter and, in turn, the fraternal movement. Click the recipient name to view their award presentation video.
| Recipient | Description |
|---|---|
| Stephanie Baldwin University of Colorado | Since 2017, Stephanie Baldwin has worked tirelessly to reestablish the Interfraternity Council as a university-recognized organization at the University of Colorado. Throughout the process, the assistant director for fraternity and sorority life has met with leaders of national fraternities, including SigEp, maintaining an open line of communication about the requirements to bring chapters back with university affiliation. She’s been equally transparent with the undergraduates, understanding that their buy-in would be essential to the success of the new IFC. She was considerate of the fact that Colorado Alpha’s experience with the independent IFC had not been a positive one, and gave the chapter space to think through their decision about joining the new university-sponsored IFC. Stephanie spent countless hours talking with chapter members about the benefits and responsibilities that would come with membership in the new IFC. Whenever questions or concerns came up, she made time to address them, putting members and volunteers at ease about affiliating with the IFC. Once Colorado Alpha decided to join, Stephanie proved to be a tireless advocate. She worked with the dean of students to ensure the chapter received support prior to the IFC’s vote to accept the chapter’s petition and connected SigEp’s Headquarters staff with the university’s communications team. In Stephanie, Colorado’s entire Greek community has found a trusted partner who recognizes the value of open and honest communication. |
| Andrea Niemi Loyola Marymount University | As California Chi navigates a period of transition, Andrea Niemi has been a major force in the chapter’s efforts to rebuild at Loyola Marymount University. In her position as director of student leadership and development, she advocates for fraternities on campus and has connected SigEp’s California Chi chapter with the critical resources, even in the midst of the pandemic. Her consistent presence has proven to be a steadying force, helping brothers remain focused as they continue to rebuild. She’s been not only an advisor, but also a mighty advocate, reaching out to other university officials to garner support for the chapter as it completes sanctions and works toward being fully operational again. Communicating and setting expectations is yet another task Andrea has embraced. Her value as a liaison cannot be understated, as she’s shared crucial insight with brothers about the university’s benchmarks for success going forward. She even sacrificed her personal time to do so when she spent part of a weekend attending the chapter’s rebuilding retreat. Thanks to Andrea’s guidance,California Chi is well on its way to regaining its status as one of the leading organizations at Loyola Marymount. The chapter and volunteers are now operating with confidence that a resurgence is in the chapter’s future. |
| Dan Welter Washington State University | In his position as director of fraternity and sorority life at Washington State University, Dan Welter exemplifies the true spirit of collaboration. He’s spent years fostering excellent relationships with the chapter, volunteers and SigEp’s Headquarters staff. He’s always ready with a listening ear, but also doesn’t hesitate to share useful information. He even makes an effort to ensure our staff members are aware of current campus policies and developments by inviting them to leadership events facilitated by his department. But his involvement extends far beyond his role as a university administrator. In his role as advisor to Washington Alpha, he’s built a genuine rapport with the chapter. Thanks to the relationship of trust and openness he’s created, brothers know they can turn to him as a mentor and a friend. Dan’s concern for always doing the right thing is evident in the way he seeks to help the chapter learn from mistakes. And while he’s always quick to celebrate the chapter’s wins, he doesn’t shy away from challenging brothers to grow and become even better men. Despite the party-centric mindset exhibited by many Greek organizations on campus, Dan sets high expectations for our brothers at Washington State. He seeks the best for and from them. |
| Dr. Jeff Zeilenga University of Missouri | From the moment SigEp returned to the University of Missouri, the founding members and the new chapter development team have enjoyed the full support of Dr. Jeff Zeilenga. As dean of students, Jeff has demonstrated an ongoing commitment to SigEp’s success at Mizzou, meeting with the chapter, volunteers and members of SigEp’s Headquarters staff on multiple occasions. He greatly admires SigEp’s mission and has put tremendous support behind helping the chapter realize its full potential. Jeff has made a point of letting brothers know that if they ever need anything, they can reach out to him, and they feel confident knowing he will be there to help them navigate any challenges they may face. In addition, his unwavering belief in what SigEp stands for has inspired his staff in the department of student affairs. Impressed by SigEp’s mission and leadership, the department has challenged the university’s entire fraternal community to meet higher standards in regard to risk management and community service. It is evident that Jeff’s determination to make fraternity life a high-quality and life-changing experience — not just for our brothers, but for all men at the University of Missouri — is already making a positive impact. |
Undergraduate & Chapter Awards
| Award | Recipient | Description |
|---|---|---|
| J. Edward Zollinger Outstanding Senior Award | Jared Allen, Utah | As chapter president, Brother Allen had to do a lot of rebuilding — of manpower, of volunteer support and of the overall SigEp experience on the Utah campus. Not afraid to have tough conversations, JC relied on volunteer support to keep brothers accountable and worked to help members understand the expectations of being a SigEp -- leading to a far more engaged chapter. He was a strong source of leadership through the pandemic and modeled the way for his Utah Beta brothers, working a part-time job while in school and maintaining his academic and physical health throughout. |
| J. Edward Zollinger Outstanding Senior Award | Joshua Andree, Lawrence Tech | Because of his own life-changing experiences through SigEp’s leadership programs, Brother Andree has taken an active role in providing them to his brothers, whether it’s reviewing applications or working with alumni to sponsor more brothers to attend. He positively impacted Michigan Theta brothers in a life-changing way, and inspired the next generation of SigEp leaders to get and stay involved. Josh wears his heart on his sleeve, never hesitating to drop anything to rush to the aid of a brother and model the way for the chapter. He brought new meaning and impact to the Epsilon and Brother Mentor challenges and worked to provide meaningful development for upperclassmen brothers by living and leading with heart |
| J. Edward Zollinger Outstanding Senior Award | Andrew Arsenault, Maine | As a voice of reason and a pillar of strength, Andrew guided his brothers through the trying months of 2020 and stands as the bedrock for Maine Alpha. Volunteer and university leadership turn to him and value his opinion as a leader of the IFC and a partner at the University of Maine. |
| J. Edward Zollinger Outstanding Senior Award | Andrius Burnelis, Westminster | Against the backdrop of a global pandemic, Brother Burnelis’ leadership and hard work led to major improvement in the relationship between the undergraduates of Pennsylvania Lambda and their AVC. He’s maintained a high GPA as a physics major while serving in several other organizations as a leader in the mathematics club, student government and the curriculum committee. Westminster has recognized him as a member of both the physics and math honor societies and he plans to study astrophysics as a graduate student this upcoming year. |
| J. Edward Zollinger Outstanding Senior Award | Scott Campbell, Georgia Tech | As vice president of communications for Georgia Alpha, Brother Campbell is not just a leader, but a role model for his brothers. His work has paid dividends in engaging stakeholders in the chapter’s activities and on campus. He is on the investments committee and IFC judiciary board, and has served freshmen as a mentor through the Lead Fellows program. He takes great price in the care of his community, too — fundraising for 100 Black Men of Atlanta as well as St. Baldrick’s, even using his senior project to study gentrification through a community partnership. |
| J. Edward Zollinger Outstanding Senior Award | Griffin Drum, Baylor | As Chaplain, Brother Drum prioritized the academic success and the mental health of his brothers, equipping them to succeed and encouraging them to utilize the available resources on the Baylor campus. Serving as a Baylor Family Group Leader, he volunteered his time by responding to the challenges of the pandemic, working to welcome first-year students during a challenging time to acclimate. He’s continually dedicated to providing an inclusive and comforting environment for his brothers in Texas Rho and on campus, modeling the way for a safe, enriching and beneficial experience. |
| J. Edward Zollinger Outstanding Senior Award | Blake Eddington, Central Arkansas | Brother Eddington has been recognized among the top students on campus as a presidential scholar, with a 3.94 GPA and a member of the Purple Society at UCA. In the Greek community, he’s served the IFC as president, helping the organization turn around its standing on campus and help chapters while holding them accountable. Additionally, Blake has been a leader on the student orientation staff, investing in the lives of incoming freshmen as well as other orientation leaders. |
| J. Edward Zollinger Outstanding Senior Award | Logan Evans, Monmouth | Brother Evans is an outstanding leader for Illinois Gamma who was instrumental in rebuilding the chapter after its membership review several years ago — leading with virtue to re-implement a strong Balanced Man Program and align the chapter with SigEp’s values. Despite recruitment sanctions from the university, Logan empowered the recruitment team to build relationships with high-quality men, so that as soon as the restrictions were lifted, dozens of men joined. When his term as president ended, he took on the role of chaplain, leading by example to help brothers succeed and improving the chapter GPA. |
| J. Edward Zollinger Outstanding Senior Award | James Fisher, St. Joseph's | By serving as a campus ambassador, Brother Fisher helped incoming students to St. Joseph’s feel at home in their campus community, including brothers of Pennsylvania Psi. He’s consistently served as a guiding light within the chapter, serving as VP of Programming while being an active mentor to countless brothers in the chapter. Jimmy leads with intentional feedback and transparency, coming from a genuine place of care and love, with the ultimate goal to build brothers up. |
| J. Edward Zollinger Outstanding Senior Award | Calvin Foss, Loyola Marymount | Brother Foss is the reason California Chi is a chapter today. He was the first member to courageously step up and restart his chapter from the ground up in early 2020. As a man of action, he led with humility and integrity in one of the hardest years at Loyola Marymount. |
| J. Edward Zollinger Outstanding Senior Award | Adrian Galera, Cal State-Northridge | Brother Galera seems to always find a way of solving and identifying solutions without creating conflict. He’s held several executive officer roles over the past three years — guiding California Sigma to SigEp Learning Community accreditation, and the potential for a Buchanan Cup this summer. Andrian also empowered Greek life leaders at Cal State Northridge to understand and commit to diversity, equity and inclusion and volunteered his time and expertise to the national Fraternity as a member of the Diversity and Inclusion task force. |
| J. Edward Zollinger Outstanding Senior Award | Zachary Harris, Cleveland State | Shortly after becoming a member of SigEp, Brother Harris was asked to fill the vacant VP of Recruitment role. Zachary gained buy-in from chapter members to align the chapter’s recruitment philosophy more clearly with SigEp’s values and recruit high-quality new members and was so successful he was re-elected the following year. Beyond the immediate needs of the chapter, though, he intentionally looked for the leaders of tomorrow, mentoring them and setting them up for success in their roles. Through this investment, he not only served Ohio Nu during his time in college, but has set it up for sustained success into the future. |
| J. Edward Zollinger Outstanding Senior Award | Yordon Journey, Sam Houston State | Brother Journey has served Texas Eta as one of its first members, its longstanding vice president of recruitment and as a trusted member of the recruitment committee. His fellow brothers and volunteers speak highly of Yordon’s enthusiasm for our beloved Fraternity and consistent and unfailing determination to recruit the right men, the right way for SigEp. He’s also received high honors in the police explorers program, and successfully managed programming and funding for the city council police program - gearing himself up to become a police officer after graduation. |
| J. Edward Zollinger Outstanding Senior Award | Jacob Krickhahn, Missouri State | Inspired by how his own SigEp experience shaped him, Brother Krickhan works tirelessly to deliver positive opportunities to all his chapter brothers and students on the Missouri State campus. He served as VP of Member Development and as the IFC’s Vice President of Academics, working to uplift the Greek community and most recently established mentoring relationships with Missouri Eta’s newest members and leading the Brother Mentor challenge meetings and programming. |
| J. Edward Zollinger Outstanding Senior Award | Deven Kumar, Maryland | Brother Kumar is an accomplished student while also juggling work through his college career. He’s been a Software Engineer at Capital One, a Data and Machine Learning Intern in Maryland’s Applied Research Laboratory for Intelligence & Security, and a Software Developer at Gabb Global. He’s also a trusted chapter leader, elected as Maryland Beta’s Chaplain, VP of Member Development, and most recently, chapter President through one of the hardest years in our history. He’s an outspoken advocate for his brothers whether it be about finances, recruitment, philanthropy or how to manage fraternal life through a pandemic. |
| J. Edward Zollinger Outstanding Senior Award | Ian Locke, Nevada | Brother Locke committed to revitalizing the structure of the Nevada Alpha executive board with the help of alumni and volunteers and took on the role of chapter president of the largest Greek organization on campus. During a global pandemic, he stood as a pillar of accountability and strength and his unwavering determination kept his brothers connected, engaged and mobilized while also leading the AVC to make significant renovations and life safety improvements to the chapter home. |
| J. Edward Zollinger Outstanding Senior Award | Tanner Mecham, American | Brother Mecham has held many chapter leadership positions as the vice president of communication, programming and ultimately as chapter president. He showed a unique ability to elevate those around him and display genuine brotherly love during trying times. Through the Abolish Greek Life movement on campus and significant opposition on campus, Tanner held the chapter together, persisting through more than 20 members disaffiliating, including executive officers, to keep D.C. Delta open. In response to the movement and its legitimate concerns, he helped implement reforms in the chapter and Greek system and defended the value of a healthy, safe SigEp experience. He worked to increase funding for D.C. Delta’s Balanced Man Scholarship, doubling the number of awards granted to increase the chapter’s positive presence on campus through recruitment - all during the pandemic. |
| J. Edward Zollinger Outstanding Senior Award | Noah Moore, Western Kentucky | As vice president of member development, Brother Moore has been instrumental in building a fraternity experience that enriches the lives of each brother - encouraging the inclusion of diversity and equity to the BMP, bringing in speakers to improve the chapter’s operations during Covid-19 and adding a new member retreat. With a GPA over 3.8 while studying Arabic, Spanish and public relations, Noah demonstrated outstanding commitment to his studies while balancing his campus involvement as the executive director of the largest fundraiser on campus for St. Jude’s, chair of Greek Week, leader in the public relations society and an orientation leader. |
| J. Edward Zollinger Outstanding Senior Award | Matthew Nigh, Wisconsin-Platteville | Brother Nigh is a dedicated leader on the Wisconsin-Platteville campus and in the Wisconsin Theta chapter. In his five years in SigEp, he served as VP of Finance, Chaplain and most recently as chapter president. Outside of his chapter, Matthew served three years on the Student Senate, including two years as Director of Finance where he inherited a $2,000 budget deficit and left the position with a $10,000 surplus. |
| J. Edward Zollinger Outstanding Senior Award | Patrick Penfield, Syracuse | Brother Penfield was selected by his peers to voice their opinions, thoughts and concerns to the decision-makers in the university administration as the undergraduate representative to the Syracuse University Board of Trustees. He’s prioritized mental health, working diligently to ensure a positive experience for his fellow students, and brothers at New York Alpha. Additionally, throughout the pandemic, he worked with the Onondaga County leaders to increase access to learning materials for the community’s youth. |
| J. Edward Zollinger Outstanding Senior Award | Daniel Raleigh, Stevens | Brother Raleigh held countless leadership positions at New Jersey Alpha, most recently as the chapter president, tasked with leading the chapter and being a proactive mentor through the pandemic. He actively seeks out relationships with every brother in the chapter, making lasting relationships that will transcend his time at Stevens. Beyond New Jersey Alpha, he’s given tirelessly to several organizations, including StevensTHON and Gear & Triangle. All his efforts and actions trace back to the values he personally holds and has brought to his time in SigEp. |
| J. Edward Zollinger Outstanding Senior Award | Andres Salas, Florida State | Brother Salas, was the glue that has held Florida Epsilon together. He prioritized partnership with the university and headquarters staff, and steered the executive board to be resilient, determined and goal-oriented. He was the main driver in Florida Epsilon’s SigEp Learning Community accreditation, and in achieving adoption of our substance free facility policy. He values relationships and take the time to menor brothers and provide the support and guidance he knows it takes to build strong Fraternity men. |
| J. Edward Zollinger Outstanding Senior Award | William Stukaloff, Montana State | Serving as Montana Beta’s chapter president during the global pandemic, Brother Stukaloff kept his brothers connected, engaged and mobilized. He volunteers for Habitat for Humanity and Eagle Mount and is active with his church and numerous campus organizations - all while staying academically driven with over a 3.9 GPA in chemical engineering. |
| J. Edward Zollinger Outstanding Senior Award | Desmond Worrell, Western Carolina | Brother Worrell was the first VP of Member Development at North Carolina Pi in 2018 and is a true role model for his brothers. He exemplifies compassion, care and a constant drive to make his campus a more diverse and inclusive place and SigEp a better Fraternity. |
| Excelsior Award: Academics | Virginia Xi - Old Dominion | After being on the brink of academic turmoil, the Virginia Xi chapter at Old Dominion University implemented a new accountability system requiring brothers to attend library hours, meet with professors and pre-plan their workload. Over the past 2 years, their chapter GPA has increased by over 1 full point and they were recently awarded the “Excellence in Scholarship” award by Old Dominion’s Fraternity and Sorority Life office. |
| Excelsior Award: Recruitment | Missouri SEC | One of SigEp’s newest chapters, the Missouri SEC at the University of Missouri continued to innovate and remain focused on recruitment despite the setbacks caused by COVID-19. They used the BMS as a lead generation tool and interacted with potential new members through Zoom, recruiting new members before the school year began. |
| Frank J. Ruck Leadership Award | Danny Thirakul, Cal-State Sacramento | A young leader with an extensive background in local government and higher education policy, Danny Thiraku honed his skills to pivot California Theta’s Balanced Man Scholarship and recruitment plan to entirely virtual. Engaging the entire chapter and local alumni, he led the chapter to exceed their BMS applicant goal and recruit stellar men to California Theta within just 6 months of becoming a brother. |
| Frank J. Ruck Leadership Award | Ohio Pi - Wright State | With the university president as their faculty fellow, this chapter takes community relationships seriously. Holding top roles and in nearly every campus organization, these brothers embody outstanding leadership on their campus and in their university’s community. |
| Excelsior Award: Chapter Leadership | D.C. Delta - American | In reflecting on the state of the world, campus and Greek Life at American University, the chapter instituted a series of reforms including changes to recruitment, internal operations and member education. Because of these improvements and their ability to better serve their members and campus community, D.C. Delta’s leadership is now in a position to accomplish their goals with motivated members. |
| Talent Power Award | Kentucky Beta - Louisville | Breaking down the barriers holding them back, Kentucky Beta acknowledged and addressed sensitive issues and devised a plan to increase inclusivity and recruit a group of young men that reflects the diversity of their campus. Leaning on the Balanced Man Scholarship to carry their recruitment through the pandemic, the chapter is offering more members an amazing SigEp experience at Louisville. |
| Talent Power Award | Tennessee Epsilon - Tennessee Tech | Throughout 2020, the chapter has pivoted their recruitment plan and planned safe activities to engage potential new members and conduct a successful BMS. Their dedication led them to surpass their recruitment goal this fall and set a new standard for year round recruitment. |
| Frank J. Ruck Leadership Award | Blaine Smith, Memphis | This brother is devoted to the betterment of Tennessee Beta and the Greek community at Memphis. Bringing the Order of Omega back to campus and leading the chapter, alongside serving on the IFC and other campus organizations, he’s committed to continuously improving his leadership and creating opportunities for the men in his chapter and students around the campus community. |
| Excelsior Award: Chapter Leadership | Indiana Zeta - Valparaiso | Indiana Zeta expanded its leadership from 8 to 20 men resulting in a noticeable, positive change in how effectively and efficiently events are planned and tasks completed — all while providing a high-quality experience for members. When brothers expressed concern around mental health during COVID as well as a need to focus on diversity and inclusion, the chapter adapted by identifying leaders who could provide applicable programming and resources to members. |
| Excelsior Award: Recruitment | Wisconsin Theta - Wisconsin-Platteville | Wisconsin Theta found creative ways to show potential new members the value that SigEp can provide. They effectively used the BMS, emailed all students on the Dean’s List, sold how the SigEp network can lead to professional connections, and actively sought non-traditional students. All of these efforts led to the highest recruitment in their chapter’s history, yielding a 100% growth while holding a chapter GPA of 3.53. |
| Excelsior Award: Finances | Tennessee Kappa - Tennessee-Martin | In the spring of 2019, this chapter facing financial difficulties, accruing over $8,000 in debt. Through aggressive savings and cost management, a renewed focus on recruitment, and a new agreement with GreekBill, they were able to pay off that debt. Additionally, the chapter built better standards for financial controls to ensure that future chapter leaders remain good stewards of the chapter’s money. |
| Frank J. Ruck Leadership Award | Arkansas Epsilon - Arkansas Tech | Always stepping up to help out, this chapter has made both a physical and intangible impact on their campus and in the Russellville community. These brothers are mentors to the younger generation in town, eager to work with residents with disabilities at a local nonprofit, and tirelessly devoted to the upkeep of their campus and community’s environment. |
| Excelsior Award: Academics | Mississippi State SEC | Mississippi State SEC instituted a new Vice President of Scholarship position to help brothers academically. He discussed study methods and recommended outside academic resources at chapter meetings, even creating major-specific group chats so younger members could learn from older brothers in their major. As a result, the chapter’s GPA rose from 3.01 to 3.53 in just one semester and the new member GPA increased by over a full point in that same time, from a 2.83 to a 3.87. |
| Excelsior Award: Member Development | Ohio Nu - Cleveland State | Ohio Nu at Cleveland State revamped their BMP, providing multiple activity options for each of the development areas, to better cater to the specific needs of their members. They also continued to innovate throughout the pandemic, ensuring that all activities within the app could be completed virtually. In fact, they never missed a week of challenge meetings, continued hosting development events and engaged highly successful content experts. With their focus on improvement, they saw a 30% increase in members using the BMP app. |
| Excelsior Award: Academics | Colorado State SEC | Colorado State SEC created academic teams to hold each other accountable and provide healthy competition. They also recruited a live-in resident scholar who holds study hours and helps reinforce an academics-focused chapter culture. As a result, they’ve seen their new member GPA increase by a staggering 1.13 points and their chapter GPA go back above the all-campus average. Additionally, they now only have 1 member on academic restrictions, a dramatic decrease from over half the chapter a semester ago. |
| Excelsior Award: Chapter Leadership | Georgia Alpha - Georgia Tech | Georgia Tech was thrust into the national spotlight after a large outbreak of COVID-19 cases. The chapter led the way in the Greek community to get students tested, resulting in a 90% weekly testing rate for the community. They also set up a plasma donation event for students who had been infected to help with research efforts. Their work to overcome the challenges of COVID-19 has been recognized by campus administration, including their university president. |
| Excelsior Award: Chapter Leadership | Indiana Zeta - Valparaiso | Indiana Zeta expanded its leadership from 8 to 20 men resulting in a noticeable, positive change in how effectively and efficiently events are planned and tasks completed — all while providing a high-quality experience for members. When brothers expressed concern around mental health during COVID as well as a need to focus on diversity and inclusion, the chapter adapted by identifying leaders who could provide applicable programming and resources to members. |
| Excelsior Award: Academics | Tennessee Eta - Austin Peay | Austin Peay wanted to change the environment of their chapter to reflect academic excellence. Chapter leaders began holding chapter-wide study sessions and providing academic mentors to those who were struggling. As a result of their diligence in pursuing this goal, for the past three semestersTennessee Eta has achieved the highest GPA of all fraternities on campus and has far surpassed the all campus and all Greek averages. |
| Excelsior Award: Member Safety | New Jersey Alpha - Stevens | Brothers at Stevens Tech worked with their AVC to develop a plan which allowed them to live safely together in their chapter home. Rules and regulations were created to ensure their safety including a quarantine floor in case of exposure, a maximum of two members on each floor and a COVID safety officer to ensure everyone is following the outlined protocols. They also created engaging virtual events to continue providing a valuable development experience for all brothers. |
| Frank J. Ruck Leadership Award | Greg Pierson, Missouri Alpha SEC - Missouri SEC | Missouri SEC would not be the chapter it is without the guidance, leadership and care of Brother Pierson. As the second member of the re-established chapter, he’s been instrumental in the chapter’s development through the BMP, the balanced man scholarship process, and year-round recruitment. |
| Frank J. Ruck Leadership Award | Logan Daniels, Missouri Lambda - Northwest Missouri | As IFC vice president of communications and programming, Logan holds his ear to the ground and is involved in bettering the communication, promotion and transparency of all Greek organizations at Northwest Missouri. He’s a trusted mentor and brother with his chapter, providing valuable insight and strong leadership after the chapter’s membership review. |
| Excelsior Award: Chapter Leadership | Mississippi Gamma - Southern Mississippi | This executive board focused on overhauling their BMS process, engaging alumni advisors, utilizing the BMP app and truly committing to being balanced leaders in their local community. They’ve seen success in recruitment numbers, member development and chapter finances with this newfound energy and encouragement from alumni. |
| Excelsior Award: Academics | Kansas Epsilon - Emporia State | After struggling with academics in the past, Kansas Epsilon acknowledged what wasn’t working and ignited a shift in chapter accountability and academics. Recruiting academically driven new members and rewarding academic achievement has led the chapter to lead all Greeks on campus in GPA and increase their own GPA goal for this coming year. |
| Excelsior Award: Finances | Iowa Theta - Northern Iowa | This past year, the VP of Finance launched “Budgeting with the Brothers,” a project aimed at helping brothers understand their financial situation, maintain a budget and save for their future. After only one year of the program, brothers are better equipped to navigate their finances and the chapter has improved their dues collection and decreased the number of brothers on payment plans. |
| Frank J. Ruck Leadership Award | Noah Limbach, Nebraska Gamma - Nebraska-Kearney | An impactful campus leader at Nebraska-Kearney, Brother Limbach is a model representative of his student body and a devoted SigEp. He’s recruitment chair for the chapter and holds a number of elite positions in prestigious campus organizations such as the Thompson Scholars Learning Community and the Chancellor’s Ambassador program. |
| Frank J. Ruck Leadership Award | Colton Taylor, Tennessee-Martin | On the front line of the campus’s response to the global pandemic, Colton is a confident and reliable leader in his residence hall and in the chapter. He helps everyone implement masking, necessary quarantines and virtual meetings within the chapter and isn’t afraid to stand up for what is right and safe for his SigEp family. |
| Frank J. Ruck Leadership Award | Samuel Shannon, Clarion | After significant turnover on his chapter’s executive board, this brother embraced the opportunity to lead as chapter president. He worked closely with his brothers, headquarters staff and chapter counselor to rebuild the chapter and implement a “return to normalcy” plan. He has been a catalyst for change at Pennsylvania Upsilon — facilitating a renewed sense of brotherhood and a commitment to growing and sustaining a strong SigEp chapter |
| Frank J. Ruck Leadership Award | Josue Pastrana, Lawrence Tech | A passionate architecture student and a leader within his chapter, Josh is involved in a number of design and architecture organizations in his community. He volunteers his time with an organization that helps children in the hospital, and he created the Pieknik Picnic on campus to honor the legacy of a SigEp brother lost to suicide. |
| Excelsior Award: Housing | Michigan Theta - Lawrence Tech | Inspired to provide a better environment for their brothers, alumni and undergraduates embarked on a development-focused approach to improving their chapter home, on a limited budget. Through this renovation, the chapter has seen increased demand for in-house living, more brothers using the home as a gathering place, and more enthusiasm in SigEp Learning Community program. |
| Frank J. Ruck Leadership Award | Richard Beck, SIU-Edwardsville | Brother Beck serves his chapter as vice president of finance and sigma coordinator. When the pandemic hit, he adapted immediately to bring BMP programming online so his brothers could develop through the challenging circumstances. President of two honor societies on campus, he’s also a member of student government and a dedicated volunteer in his community and has made an impact despite the pandemic. |
| Excelsior Award: Chapter Leadership | Florida Alpha - Florida | After the tragic loss of a brother last spring, chapter leaders realized how important it was for brothers to come together. They began creating environments and experiences to improve the chapter’s mental health, creating small groups where brothers can support each other. These groups have created a strong foundation for improved morale, increased connection in a virtual world and a consistent reaffirmation to equal rights for all members. |
| Excelsior Award: Recruitment | Florida Epsilon - Florida State | Florida Epsilon’s VP of recruitment Will Proctor was a diligent leader who inspired the recruitment committee and delegated tasks for a strategic and efficient recruitment process. As one of the largest chapters on campus, they root their work in SigEp’s values and the BMS, and take pride in finding motivated, academically successful and outstanding men to join their diverse chapter. |
| Excelsior Award: Chapter Leadership | South Dakota Alpha -South Dakota State | South Dakota Alpha brothers created and elected their first Vice President of Community Learning and prioritized programming that builds balanced leaders on their campus and in their community. They refined their recruitment process and have engaged more brothers to work to market their BMS, build relationships with potential new members, and streamline their efforts. Their focus has led to better productivity, record-breaking recruitment and increased engagement among chapter members. |
| Excelsior Award: Academics | California Eta - California-Davis | After struggling with academics in the past, California Eta acknowledged what wasn’t working and ignited a shift in chapter accountability and academics. Chapter leadership re-focused their accountability standards and worked to reward good academic behavior and bring all members up to that standard, by providing academic mentors and peer accountability. The chapter has now seen 3 consecutive quarters with a chapter GPA over 3.0, putting them above the all-IFC and all-campus averages. |
| Donald C. McCleary Excellence in Member Development Award | California Sigma - Cal State-Northridge | Understanding that their academic year was going to be entirely virtual, California Sigma adapted by revamping their BMP challenges to be deliverable within the landscape of the pandemic. They expanded their speaker series to include alumni and university partners while also pivoting to high-quality online brotherhood events. By committing to accountability through membership lapsing and use of the BMP App, the chapter is poised for continued success. |
| Frank J. Ruck Leadership Award | Alexander Hauck, Rensselaer | Alex is a strong communicator and liaison with the university and his campus’s Greek community. He has readily adapted to the new virtual landscape in his leadership positions within the IFC, the Student Union’s Executive Board and in his chapter. He’s trustworthy and honest, taking his firsthand experience and lessons learned to a number of other organizations on campus as they refine their communications. |
| Frank J. Ruck Leadership Award | New Jersey Zeta - Rider | These brothers support seven philanthropic organizations, are active volunteers for a number of nonprofits and hold a number of leadership positions on campus. They’re not afraid to tackle tough conversations, they learn from their peers and make a real impact on the community through programming partnerships with other organizations . |
| Donald C. McCleary Excellence in Member Development Award | Louisiana Beta - Louisiana State | Determined to captivate and engage their older brothers, Louisiana Beta made substantial improvements to the Brother Mentor challenge of their BMP over the last few years. Prioritizing honest communication and mentorship from those in the Brother Mentor challenge, these men are eager to lead discussion-based programming centered on recruitment, standards & accountability and effective leadership. |
Alumni & Volunteer Awards
| Award | Recipient | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Outstanding New Volunteer Award | Jorge Rivera-Gonzalez | Eagerly stepping up to help during a complicated move-in process, Jorge proved he was a reliable, insightful and proactive resident scholar and newly elected AVC Director. Bridging the gap between undergraduates and alumni with a positive and proactive attitude, he’s a catalyst of change that shifted the SigEp experience from an idea to reality at Colorado State this semester. |
| Outstanding New Volunteer Award | Scott Van Vooren, North Carolina-Charlotte ’94 | As the chapter counselor of Pennsylvania Tau, Brother Van Vooren is a valued leader, dependable mentor and vital liaison with university administration at West Chester and volunteers in the AVC. He’s devoted to timely and thorough communication with all stakeholders and has been extremely informative and reliable during the pandemic. |
| Outstanding New Volunteer Award | Stephen Crowe, Westminster ’14 | Stephen steered the finances of Pennsylvania Lambda AVC back on track in just a year’s time, allowing the chapter to fund improvements to the their home and provide an enriching experience to the men of Westminster. He’s a strong mentor and collaborator who’s not afraid to jump in, solve problems and set the chapter and AVC up for great success. |
| Outstanding New Volunteer Award | David Denner, Missouri S&T ’76 | Passionate about the chapter’s officer retreats and scholarship program, this AVC President has successfully guided the men of Missouri Gamma through the substance free facility transition and has helped the chapter operate safely during a global pandemic. He’s devoted to volunteer recruitment and retention and his efforts have made a crucial impact on the undergraduates and the AVC. |
| Outstanding New Volunteer Award | Nolan Spaenhower, SIU-Edwardsville ’19 | This new volunteer knows the impact SigEp can make on a brother and has modeled the way for the rising leaders and executives in his home chapter at Illinois Eta. He helps young chapter leaders understand their roles and establish effective operations and ambitious initiatives while devoting time to continuing his leadership development with the AVC and the national organization. |
| Benjamin Hobson Frayser Award for Connection through Communication | Colorado Gamma AVC | In addition to their long-running newsletter and focus on engaging social media posts, the Colorado Gamma AVC at Colorado State has created a YouTube channel containing mini documentaries of prominent alumni and playlists tailored to BMP challenges, self-motivation and mental health. These efforts helped them raise over 2 million dollars for their chapter home and they are fully utilizing mySigEp to further enhance their communications. |
| Outstanding New Volunteer Award | Andrew Sharp, Ball State '14 | Engaging, recruiting and training a stellar mentor team, Brother Sharp has sparked enthusiasm and connection in less than two years of volunteer service. The mentorship he provides and inspires from other volunteers in Indiana has been a catalyst for positive change and excellence at Ball State. |
| Outstanding New Volunteer Award | Connor Smith, Western Michigan ’16 | A young volunteer and university partner, Brother Smith prioritizes relationships and has provided meaningful connection, impact and mentorship for the undergraduate men at NC State. He challenges our undergraduates to seek to improve and be the best chapter leaders on their campus. |
| Alumni & Volunteer Corporation (AVC) Operational Excellence Award | Missouri Gamma AVC | Faced with the financial burdens and uncertain future in the wake of COVID-19, these volunteers banded together to conserve their assets and maintain their chapter home in the spring of 2020. They safely organized an inspection, inventory and vital repairs to the chapter home in time for undergraduates to return to a “like new” chapter facilities this fall – a promise they follow through on each year for Missouri Gamma. |
| Alumni & Volunteer Corporation (AVC) Operational Excellence Award | Massachusetts Eta AVC | With alumni and volunteer engagement at a standstill, this AVC took swift action to coordinate virtual transition retreats, networking receptions and an alumni career panel. They prioritized interaction, networking and mentorship in a time of uncertainty and isolation and encouraged their undergraduate brothers to be safe, smart and accountable in their actions on campus. |
| Benjamin Hobson Frayser Award for Connection through Communication | Tennessee Alpha AVC | The Tennessee Alpha AVC has focused on creating connections through communication since the 1970s. Through their diligence, they have marketed and awarded over $1 million in scholarships and raised funds to improve their chapter facility. They also maintain a website that is not only attractive but useful, where undergraduates can apply for scholarships, potential new members can submit a BMS application and alumni can update their contact information. |
| Outstanding New Volunteer Award | Ryan Tranby, North Dakota '06 | A dedicated collaborator and mentor, Brother Trandby has made a significant difference for the undergraduates and AVC at North Dakota. He facilitates connection and mentor relationships between brothers in the chapter and alumni, university partners and headquarters staff, helping them achieve their goals and foster growth |
| Volunteer of the Year Award | Jared Canada, Memphis-Lambuth '07 | A longtime, dedicated volunteer, this chapter counselor stands as a constant and reliable source of mentorship, guidance and friendship for Colorado Delta. His hard work and dedication helped the chapter to win the chapter of the year award on campus and the re-accreditation as a SigEp Learning Community. |
| Volunteer of the Year Award | Darrell Pulliam, Oklahoma State '84 | With his expertise in construction and contract management, Brother Pulliam is devoted to the maintenance and upkeep of the Oklahoma Alpha chapter home. He invests significant time to ensure the home is an ideal living and learning environment for the brothers and volunteers at Oklahoma State. |
| Outstanding New Volunteer Award | Scott Greenspan, Washington University in St Louis '88 | A natural communicator, Brother Greenspan provides guidance and motivation to the men of Washington University in St. Louis SEC. Establishing and managing a mentorship program that connects undergraduates and alumni, this brother’s work instills support and brotherhood for SigEps during and after their undergraduate years. |
| Outstanding New Volunteer Award | Rajeev Dugal, Marquette '93 | Raj is a volunteer who is guiding the men of Wisconsin Alpha at Lawrence to great academic success and community engagement. He’s dependable, passionate and dedicated to seeing our members succeed and our alumni engaged |
| Outstanding New Volunteer Award | Greg Raeman, Missouri '91 | Greg brings enthusiasm and energy to MIssouri, helping wherever he can with the new chapter’s growth and development over the last three years. He’s focused on alumni communications and led the charge to provide a chapter home that fosters a safe and enriching environment for the brothers of Missouri SEC. |
| Outstanding New Volunteer Award | Kyle Dvoracek, South Dakota State '10 | Kyle manages every aspect of the current South Dakota housing program while also being the project manager for a new chapter facility — bringing a decade long dream to fruition this summer. He is committed to providing brothers with the optimal environment for learning and development, all while working as a front-line emergency medicine pharmacist. |
| Alumni & Volunteer Corporation (AVC) Operational Excellence Award | New Jersey Alpha AVC | When faced with a need for more consistent guidance and a large cashflow deficit, New Jersey Alpha responded. Thanks to increased support from alumni through a growing mentor committee and significant fundraising efforts, the chapter weathered the storm. This swift action afforded peace of mind for the undergraduates and more flexibility when navigating the challenges of the pandemic. |
| Outstanding New Volunteer Award | William Oldach, Connecticut '16 | Bill is a volunteer bringing much-needed accountability and innovation to Connecticut Alpha’s BMP by empowering challenge coordinators to lead and challenging development committee members to think outside the box on how to deliver value to members. A recent graduate, he’s already engaging longtime alumni in the chapter’s mission through his drive and enthusiasm. |
| Volunteer of the Year Award | Jeffrey Saltiel, Stevens '88 | Jeff’s confident leadership, adaptability and perseverance over the last year guided and reassured New Jersey Alpha through a shift to remote learning, limited occupancy in the chapter home and a successful fundraising campaign to support the AVC and chapter members. |
| Alumni & Volunteer Corporation (AVC) Operational Excellence Award | Florida Epsilon AVC | Florida Epsilon AVC raised funds and managed the construction of a new chapter facility to create a positive environment for the undergraduate experience. These efforts yielded tangible recognition in short order, as Florida Epsilon became an accredited SigEp Learning Community this past year. |
| Volunteer of the Year Award | Sterling Powell, Stetson '13 | Sterling is a steady and enthusiastic volunteer for Florida Beta. Promoting year round recruitment of the right men, ensuring personal and professional development of his brothers, and providing an environment that celebrates brotherly love, responsibility, and fortitude — he succeeds at it all. |
| Volunteer of the Year Award | Ralph Herz, South Florida '17 | Over the past 12 months, Ralph’s herculean efforts to organize volunteers at South Florida has led to the installation of a full board, a full mentor committee and the reinstatement of a fully-functioning AVC. He successfully mobilized chapter volunteers to promote a culture of excellence and provide a safe and enriching environment for our young men in Florida Iota. |
| Outstanding New Volunteer | Ryan Steffes, Pittsburgh '17 | Ryan saw a need for organization and direction from the AVC and took that effort upon himself. Through codifying standard operating procedures and leading discussions to determine Pennsylvania Gamma’s short- and long-term directions, and ensuring those directions are in-line with national fraternity objectives, Ryan has allowed alumni and volunteers to give their time more efficiently and effectively, showing positive and tangible impact on the undergraduate members. |
| Volunteer of the Year | Kevin Kwoka, San Diego State '11 | Brother Kwoka, already a volunteer, invested even more time in SigEp when the pandemic hit. He took on a volunteer role at an additional chapter, coaching and advising the brothers on recruitment and sales skills. Through his efforts, the chapter saw a 30% rise in BMS applications and has a strong foundation for growth. |
| Outstanding New Volunteer | CJ Markum, Rensselaer '18 | CJ has stepped up to aid the brothers of VA Omicron through the difficulties of 2020. He was instrumental in establishing consistent and effective chapter meetings, creating a structured budget and building the chapter’s manpower through an effective Balanced Man Scholarship program |
| Volunteer of the Year | Jon Berger, Rider ’97 | Brother Berger stepped up in a time of need as New Jersey Zeta AVC’s President and went above and beyond the call of duty for the AVC, the chapter, and for the legacy of brother Tony Whalen and his family. |
