Scholarships

The Sigma Alpha Epsilon Foundation helps to further the mission of the Fraternity by encouraging academic excellence, leadership, and community involvment.  To support and advance the education of young undergraduate and gradute men, the Foundation has established national scholarship funds with the financial support of generous alumni.

The Foundation welcomes donations to create new scholarships or donations designated for existing scholarship funds.  To create a new national scholarship fund a minimum $25,000 donation is required.  To learn more about establishing a national scholarship fund or making a donation to an existing national scholarship contact Nanci Gasiel, Manager of Advancement Services & Archivist, at (847) 475-1856 ext. 209 or ngasiel@sae.net.

The Foundation is now accepting applications for the 2010 SAE Foundation National Scholarships.  Applications must be post marked by February 1, 2010.  Click Here to learn how to apply for scholarships.

About our National Scholarships and their Donors

The national scholarships awarded by the SAE Foundation recognize excellence in undergraduate and graduate men.  While the founders of these scholarships were all SAE alumni, they reflect a wide range of professions, skills, and fraternity  involvment.  However, they all felt a strong connection to their fraternity and chose to leave a legacy that benefits students today and for generations to come.

Archibald Leadership Award
This scholarship was founded by Baltimore newspapermen Fred I. Archibald and his son Fred J. Archibald through bequests in their wills.  In his will, Fred I. instructed that, pending no heirs were alive at the time of his death, 15% of the remainder of his estate (after all other bequests were made and bills settled) be given to Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity “… to be used for the establishment of a scholarship fund memorial in memory of Fred I. Archibald and Fred J. Archibald.”  Fred J. passed away without any heirs and remembered his father’s wish in his will and reiterated the bequest of 15% of the proceeds of his estate.  In 2002 the Sigma Alpha Epsilon Foundation received over $700,000 from the estate to establish this memorial scholarship fund.   This scholarship recognizes students who have a strong GPA and have demonstrated outstanding leadership in their chapter, community and school. 

Fred I. Archibald (University of Nebraska, 1914) entered the Nebraska Lambda Pi chapter of SAE at the University of Nebraska where he pursued an engineering degree.  After graduation Archibald immediately entered the newspaper field, being advertising manager of the Star of Lincoln, Nebraska.  During World War I he served overseas as a Lieutenant in the 346 F.A. 91st Division.  Upon his return he became the business and advertising manager and secretary treasurer of the Star and held these positions until 1927 when he became the advertising director of the World Herald in Omaha.  In 1931 he was general manager of the Bee-News in Omaha. He then moved his family to New York where he served one year as advertising director and assistant to the publisher of the New York American.  He returned to Omaha in 1935 for a short time and then moved back to New York to serve as the president and publisher of the Times Union of Albany.

Fred J. Archibald (Cornell University, 1945) followed in his father’s footsteps by entering the military and later had a career in publishing.  Born in Lincoln, Nebraska, as a teenager Archibald moved with his family to New York where he attended Cornell University for one year.  There he joined the New York Alpha chapter of SAE.  The following year, Archibald entered West Point where he graduated in 1945 with a degree in engineering.  His military career lasted ten years, earning an Army Commendation Ribbon and the Bronze Star Medal.  While in the Army, Archibald served in combat, public relations and publishing roles.  Notably he was selected to head the honor guard which returned the “Salt Mine” paintings to Germany and was a White House Aid in the Truman administration. Upon reentering civilian life, Archibald went to work for General Motors where he served primarily in media relations positions in Detroit, Cleveland, New York, and Washington.  In 1978 he joined the full time staff as managing editor of The Frederick News-Post and was promoted to associate publisher and managing editor in 1982.  

Archibald enjoyed experimental gardening, raising cattle, horses and dogs.  He was a member of the American Legion, Overseas Press Club in New York, the National Press Club in Washington, Military Order of the Caribou, Army Navy Georgetown Club, Sigma Delta Chi and Sigma Alpha Epsilon. 

Jones-Laurence Award for Scholastic Achievement  
The Jones-Laurence Scholarship Award was created by merging the Walter B. Jones Scholarship Fund and a generous donation from Philip J. Laurence in 1986.  The Jones Fund was created in memory of past Eminent Supreme Archon Walter B. Jones with the intention of “improving the scholarship of the active members of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity.” The Walter B. Jones Award for Scholastic Achievement was first offered in 1981 and offered a single $500 scholarship, an amount smaller than some chapter or province scholarships.  In January 1986 the Trustees voted to add the recently acquired Lawrence Bequest of almost $60,000 to the fund.  This allowed the newly created Jones-Laurence Award to give a larger cash award, at that time allowed it to be called “the greatest scholarship award offered by the fraternity.”  This award is given to the brothers who display the most outstanding academic achievement. 

Walter B. Jones (Auburn 1910) was born in Montgomery in 1888 and later attended Auburn and the University of Alabama, receiving his LL.B. degree in 1909.  He was admitted to the bar in 1909, served as a member of the State Highway Commission, vice-president of the Board of Commissioners of the City of Montgomery, and as a member of the state legislature.  Jones was elected as judge in the 15th Alabama Judicial Circuit, a position he held for eight consecutive terms. 

In 1928 Jones founded, owned, was an instructor, and served as president of the Thomas Goode Jones School of Law, named after his father.  The Jones School was unique in that it allowed students to complete a degree at night while also retaining a full time job.  The school is now a part of Faulkner University. 

Jones added further credits to his prolific list of accomplishments.  He was Archon of Province Epsilon, served as Eminent Supreme Archon from 1932 to 1934, was a Fellow of the American Bar Association, was editor of The Alabama Lawyer, was a published author, general chairman of the War Chest Fund of Montgomery during WWII, the Boys Club of Montgomery, the Alabama Bible Society, was a member of the Alabama Arts Commission, the Carnegie Library Association, and a 33rd degree Mason.  In a 1948 article columnist Allen Rankin counted 60 clubs, boards, organizations, and jobs in which Jones was involved.  Notably, Jones also received one vote for President of the United States in 1956.  The vote was cast in the Electoral College by an Alabama elector.  

Along with his many accomplishments, Jones can be credited with greatly influencing the key principles of the Fraternity today.  Many years ago Jones came upon the “True Gentleman” and printed it in the Alabama Baptist Quarterly, which he edited.  He sent a copy to John O. Moseley, who was powerfully struck by the elegant words that accorded with his own philosophy of gentlemanliness.  Moseley started using the “True Gentleman” at Leadership School during the 1930s, and the text caught on quickly in chapters across the Realm.  At the time the author of the “True Gentleman” was not known.  In the 1970s Dr. Joseph Walt (Tennessee-Knoxville 1947), Fraternity Historian and editor of The Phoenix, discovered that the author was John Walter Wayland (Virginia 1899) after seeing the “True Gentleman” in a manual from the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis.

Philip J. Laurence (Minnesota 1915) was a native of Minneapolis, Minnesota.  He graduated from the University of Minnesota with a degree in engineering and became a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon.  Laurence moved to Florida in 1925 where he founded the Florida Builders Service in 1934 and served as its president until it merged with First Federal Savings and Loan Association in 1964.  Laurence served as a director of First Federal for almost 30 years until 1972 when he retired. 

Laurence was a member of two Coral Gables, Florida country clubs, Theta Tau National Professional Engineering Fraternity, the Blue Masonic Lodge, and the Scottish Rite Masonic Order.  Laurence was not involved with Sigma Alpha Epsilon as a national officer, but he did remember his fraternity in his estate plans, donating amost $60,000 to the organization.

Dr. Charles A. Preuss Medical Award
Throughout his life, Dr. Charles A. Preuss was dedicated to scholarship.  He felt that SAE should embrace the value of scholarship among its undergraduate members and did his best to support those efforts.  At the Fraternity’s 131st national convention in 1988, Pruess announced the establishment of the Fraternity’s second national scholarship.  He was the first donor to endow a scholarship while alive.  Pruess’s scholarship has helped many brothers pursue careers in the medical profession.

Dr. Charles A. Preuss (Idaho 1924) graduated from the University of Idaho in 1924, and went on to medical school at the Oregon Medical School in Portland, where he was a student instructor in anatomy.  He became an incredibly successful physician, helping countless individuals through the years until his retirement at the age of 95.  In 1985 he was awarded the Doctor of the Year Award by the Academy of Family Physicians in California.  Preuss was awarded the Distinguished Service Award – SAE’s highest honor – in 1982 and was a T.H.E. award winner in medicine in 1992.  

G. Robert Hamrdla Award 
Inspired by national scholarship founder Warren Poslusny, this award was established by past Eminent Supreme Recorder, G. Robert Hamrdla in 1998 with an initial gift of $37,000.  The fund has grown with successive gifts and now awards an annual scholarship to a junior, senior, or graduate student member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon whose course of study reflects a considerable interest in history, emphasis placed on German, WWI or WWII history. 

G. Robert Hamrdla (Stanford 1960) has a life-long commitment to education.  In 1960 he received a B.S. in mathematics and 1964 received a M.A. in history from Stanford University.  In 1960, after turning down a position at IBM as a systems analyst, he went to work for Stanford’s campus in Germany where he became fluent in German.  In 1966 Hamrdla returned to the United States and Stanford’s California campus.  While he did serve as an instructor in modern German history, most of Hamrdla’s career centered on educational administration culminating with his appointment as Assistant to the President of Stanford and Secretary of the Board of Trustees in 1977. 

Hamrdla was initiated into SAE nine years after graduating from Stanford and immediately became involved with the Fraternity.  He extended his commitment to education as a faculty member of SAE 's John O. Moseley Leadership School and administering the Tutor-in-Residence Program.  He also served as a chapter advisor, was a member of the San Francisco Alumni Association, and was Treasurer of Province Kappa.  In 1972 Hamrdla became the National Educational Advisor and later served as Eminent Supreme Recorder from 1992 to 1993.  In 1987 SAE presented him with the Distinguished Service Award. Hamrdla has studied German language, 20th Century German history and also has an interest in French and Russian and other languages.  He is also an ardent follower of developments in commercial aviation and earned a private pilot’s license in 1977.

Warren Paul Poslusny Award for Outstanding Achievement
The Poslusny Award was originally established in 1991 as a scholarship for engineering students with an initial donation of $50,000.  In 2000 the scholarship was opened to all majors.  Due to continued generous contributions to the fund, the amount of scholarships granted (13 in 2006) and the total value ($20,000 in 2006) has increased substantially from the initial endowment.  After two separate committees selected in 2003 and 2005 selected the same men to receive the largest of the Poslusny scholarships (a $5,000 award) and the True Gentleman of the Year, Mr. Poslusny asked that part of the annual scholarship be awarded to the True Gentleman of the Year.  Starting in 2007, the True Gentleman of the Year award winner will receive a $10,000 scholarship.  The remaining $15,000 will be granted in multiple scholarships to recipients who show high academic standing and a commitment to the high ideals of "The True Gentleman."  Poslusny has not forgotten his chapter either.  In 1999 he began a Chapter Education Fund for Michigan Epsilon with an innitial gift of $50,000.

Warren P. Poslusny (Kettering 1969) ranks as one of the SAE Foundation’s most generous donors having donated a half-million dollars to the Foundation.  Poslusny majored in mechanical engineering and minored in electrical engineering at Kettering University.  While at Kettering, Poslusny was also a member of Tau Beta Pi and Alpha Tau Iota honorary societies.  He then attended MIT and received a Master Degree in mechanical engineering.  

After graduation Poslusny worked for Detroit Diesel Allison in Indianapolis in its Research and Development division.  He received a US patent for a “Parabola Tracing Apparatus.”  He then worked for a year at Hayes Albion Corp. in Jackson, MI in its R&D division and received patents in the US and Canada for the “Labyrinthian Fan.” 

In 1973 Poslusny decided to immigrate to Australia.  While in transit he had a three day layover in Waikiki, which lasted for the next thirty years.  He worked in Honolulu for a mechanical contracting company for three years as a sales engineer and another three years as a sales manager.  In 1979 Poslusny founded Unitek Environmental Services in Honolulu, and served as its president for fourteen years.  The company, which had only two original employees, grew to over 150 employees and had offices in all of the major Hawaiian Islands and Guam when he sold his interest in the company in 1993.  Despite having plans to retire, Poslusny consulted with Unitek until 1997 when he officially retired.  In 2002 Poslusny returned to the mainland and now lives in Las Vegas. He enjoys traveling the world and working with philanthropies such as the Shriners Hospital for Crippled Children.  He is also a 32nd Degree Mason (Scottish Rite) and a Shriner.

Poslusny served as Honorary Eminent Supreme Archon from 2007 to 2009, an SAE Foundation Trustee from 1999 to 2005, and was chairman of both the Scholarship and Finance Committees.  In 1997 he received the Highest Effort Award for Philanthropy, and in 2005 he received the Merit Key Award.

In a Winter 2003 The Record article Poslusny spoke about why he chose to fund this scholarship while still alive.  In the article he stated:

“One of the wisest choices that I have made is to endow the scholarship while I am still alive, though there are provisions in my will to leave additional money.  Originally when it started off as an engineering scholarship that was going to be the limit of it.  But I was so happy with the results of that scholarship I cranked it up a notch.   And I’m very, very, thankful I did because I get to see the benefits while I am alive.  I know there are a lot of SAE Brothers who have named the Fraternity in their will or their estate plan, and while the Foundation certainly appreciates receiving money in the form of bequests, for the brothers that are donating money I would suggest they donate at least a portion of it while they are still alive so they can appreciate some of the benefits of it.

“One of the things that happen is that each of the recipients sends a thank you note to the donor of the scholarship.  Dr. Preuss’ [the first member of SAE to endow a scholarship while still alive] heirs still get letters.  It is amazing to read what a strong impact these scholarships make on the brothers’ lives.  It isn’t only the monetary benefit, which certainly helps, but also the recognition from Sigma Alpha Epsilon for their accomplishments, their talents and dedication at such a tender age.  When you read the applications, it is incredible what they have done in their lives academically, in their chapter, school and community.  Brothers that are interested in giving money to the Foundation, I sincerely recommend they do it while they are still alive so they can enjoy it.”

Richard Generelly Leadership Award
Generally’s widow, Nancy, established this scholarship by contributing the remaining interest in their Washington D.C. home to the Sigma Alpha Epsilon Foundation.   In exchange she received a monthly annuity for life.  It is Nancy’s generosity that allowed for the creation of this scholarship in memory of her late husband for students who demonstrate outstanding leadership in their chapter, community and school.

Richard Fleury Generelly (George Washington 1947) grew up on the campus the University of the South in Sewanee, Tennessee where he was familiar with a number of national fraternities.  As an Alpha Tau Omega legacy, Generelly gave much thought to joining a fraternity while attending George Washington University.  Convinced by a friend, he joined SAE and became a member of the Washington City Rho chapter in which he held several chapter offices.  He became a partner in the law firm of Morley, Caskin & Genrerelly, where he started working as a clerk to put himself through college and law school. 

After graduation Generelly became involved in the Washington City Rho House Corporation, and helped the chapter through some very troubled times in the 1960s and 1970s.  Campus unrest during this period spurred Generally to become involved in SAE on a national level.  In 1969 he became a Province Archon, and 1973 was elected as Eminent Supreme Herald.  He then progressed “through the chairs” and was elected Eminent Supreme Archon serving from 1979 to 1981.  After completing his term Generally remained active in SAE at both the national and chapter levels.  His involvement in SAE on a national level not only aided his local chapter to rebuild after the campus unrest of the 1960s and 1970s but also helped to rebuild and shape the entire Greek system. 

Generelly was awarded the Merit Key and a Citation for Distinguished Service by the Fraternity in 1985.  In 1987 the Washington City Rho chapter dedicated their newly completed library to Generelly in recognition of his efforts. 

W. Emil Forman Award For Community Service
This scholarship was established in 2004 from the W. Emil Forman Charitable Trust for students who have have demonstrated extraordinary commitment to their community and fellow man as demonstrated by community service work.  Established with an initial endowment of $300,000, the fund will receive a total of $600,000 by 2012.

W. Emil Forman (Pennsylvania 1929) was raised in Kansas City, Missouri.  He left to attend the University of Pennsylvania and completed coursework in architecture.  After graduation he became an architect and relocated to Port Washington, New York.  After retirement he moved back to Kansas City, Missouri where he became active in the Ararat Shrine Temple and was a member of several clubs within the Shrine.  Forman did not participate in national Fraternity activities or hold any national or province offices; but, he did feel fondly for his Fraternity and remembered SAE generously in his estate plans. 

Ivan Allen Jr. Leadership Award
In honor of Allen’s contributions to ΣAE, the Greater Atlanta Alumni Association and the SAE Foundation formally established a scholarship in Allen’s honor at the Annual Ivan Allen Jr. Rush Party on June 6, 2003.  Over $35,000 was raised for the initial creation of this scholarship.  The scholarship award is presented to an upcoming senior who best exemplifies the leadership qualities demonstrated by Allen.

Ivan Allen Jr. (Georgia Tech 1933) graduated from the Georgia Institute of Technology with a degree in business administration.  After graduation Allen went to work for his father’s office supply company, The Ivan Allen Company, in Atlanta, Georgia.  Allen served in the U.S. Army Quartermaster Corps during WWII entering as a second lieutenant and progressing to the rank of major.  After the war he took over the family business when his father retired in 1946.  Allen became involved in the Atlanta community and headed Atlanta’s Community Chest drive in 1947.  He was elected president of the Chamber of Commerce in 1960 and launched the “Forward Atlanta” campaign to improve Atlanta’s image and cultivate new business.  He served as mayor of Atlanta from 1962-1970 and was known for his stewardship of the city during the Civil Rights Movement.  Under his stewardship, Atlanta became one of the fastest growing cities in the country.  He was a good friend of Martin Luther King, Jr. and assisted with arranging King’s funeral after his assassination in 1968.  As mayor, Allen did much to improve race relations, rejuvenate Atlanta’s economy, and improve the city’s image.  He brought the Braves baseball team to Atlanta and was instrumental in the founding of the Falcon football team and the Hawks basketball team.  In 1981 Allen received the Martin Luther King, Jr. Nonviolent Peace Prize, presented to him by Coretta Scott King. 

Allen was a leader of his chapter at the Georgia Institute of Technology serving as Rush Chairman and Eminent Archon.  As an alumnus, Allen continued to serve his Fraternity, and the national Greek system as a whole, by generously opening the gates of his family’s estate each summer for an event geared toward preparing Atlanta area high school seniors for college life.  While the location has changed over the years, the tradition known as the “Ivan Allen Jr. Rush Event” still thrives today, impacting many from Province Epsilon.  Allen served as Honorary Eminent Supreme Archon (1963-1965), and was recognized with the Distinguished Service Award.

Joseph Mancini Leadership Award
This scholarship was established in memory of Joseph Mancini with funds bequeathed  from his estate to the SAE Foundation.  The scholarship recognizes those who have demonstrated outstanding leadership to their chapter, community and school. 

Joseph A. Mancini (Cincinnati 1935) didn’t let the Great Depression interfere with his education or commitment to SAE .  While at school, Mancini held two jobs, but they did not cover all of his expenses.  While many brothers left the chapter when they could not afford to pay their dues, the leaders at Ohio Epsilon allowed Mancini to go “inactive.”  He was allowed to visit the house, but was not allowed to have a vote.  Houseman Hank Neloms befriended Mancini and hid leftovers from evening meals in the laundry room for Mancini.  He never forgot Neloms’s kindness and believed that giving and sharing with one another is what makes ΣAE, and life, rewarding.  

After graduation Mancini moved to the San Francisco Bay Area.  In the late 1940s he founded the Brookman Company which engaged in construction ranging from office buildings and town homes to office warehouses and automotive facilities.  Later the B.T. Mancini Company was created and both companies were later organized under the umbrella of Mancini Enterprises, Inc.  This corporation allowed Mancini the leeway to make creative financing arrangements for the facility needs of firms of all sizes and gave him a reputation for business creativity and savvy.  Mancini was also known for his philanthropic interests.  He supported the San Francisco Boys and Girls Clubs, the University of Cincinnati, Christian Brothers High School and the University of San Francisco. 

In 1960 Mancini founded the SAE Leadership Foundation.  The foundation, now a part of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon Foundation, was initially founded so that Mancini could support college students while they were getting an education.  This lead to the development of the Summer Intern Program.  Later the foundation gave financial support to the Alcohol Abuse Prevention Program, the Community Service Award and Leadership School tuition scholarships. 

Mancini served as Eminent Supreme Archon from 1973-1975.  He also served as Chairman of the Board Emeritus of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon Foundation and as president of the Board of Trustees of the National Endowment Fund for the fraternity, which oversees the investments of the fraternity’s assets, and makes loans to local house corporations.  Mancini also served as honorary chairman of The Campaign for SAE in the 1980s and contributed $1.1 million to the campaign.  For his dedication to the Fraternity, Mancini received the first Order of the True Gentleman Award, and was awarded the Merit Key, the Distinguished Service Award and The Highest Effort Award in Philanthropy.  Mancini also made the Sigma Alpha Epsilon Foundation a beneficiary in his estate. 

Charles Collins Award for Outstanding Achievement
The scholarship was created from the Charles F. Collins Loan Fund by the SAE Foundation Board of Trustees.  Since fewer and fewer students had requested loans from the Foundation and the original donation did not specify the use of the funds, the Trustees decided that the funds would most effectively be used for scholarships.  Today the fund issues several academic scholarships each year and helps to fund The Phoenix Insitute.

Charles F. Collins (Boston 1912) graduated from Boston University in 1912 and then received his MBA from Harvard in1914. Upon graduation he joined the New England Life Insurance Company at Boston where he was promoted within the company and received recognition for his work.  

Outside of work, Collins was active in his community.  He was a trustee of Boston University and served as president of the BU and Harvard Business School Alumni Associations.  He was very active in Rotary International in Boston and Rockland, Maine.  His home town, Port Clyde, honored him before his death by placing his name on the community’s welcome sign.

Collins served his fraternity on the chapter, province and national levels.  He served as Honorary Archon of Massachusetts Beta-Upsilon, chairman of its board of trustees, chairman of the building committee, and alumni advisor.  He served as director, secretary-treasurer, and president of the Boston Alumni Association.  He was Recorder-Treasurer of Province Alpha and in his this third term as Province Archon when he was elected Eminent Supreme Herald.  He was later elected Eminent Supreme Archon, serving from 1937 to 1939.  

Collins assisted John O. Mosley in organizing the first Leadership School and served on the faculty for five consecutive years.  He was a speaker at many Leadership Schools including the 1958 school, a year and a half before his death in 1960.  For all of his contributions to SAE, in 1957 Collins received the fraternity’s highest honor, the Distinguished Service Medal and Citation. 

Merit Key Society Leadership School Scholarship Fund
For many years, Merit Key Society members have made donations to the SAE Foundation to serve the purposes of the Society and Sigma Alpha Epsilon, particularly in support of the John O. Moseley Leadership School.  In 2007, The Merit Key Society Leadership School Scholarship Fund was established by the Board of Trustees of the Foundation to formally define the practices and uses of the accumulated contributions of members of the Merit Key Society.  The full balance of funds given by members of Merit Key was transferred to an endowed scholarship account at the Foundation.  The balance will be permanently retained and invested and the annual income will be distributed to provide full tuition scholarships to the John O. Moseley Leadership School.  

The Merit Key Society is the second highest honorary society of the Fraternity.  All members are recipients of the Merit Key Award.  This award is presented by the Fraternity’s Supreme Council and recognizes alumni who have demonstrated significant service and loyalty to the Fraternity.  Recipients of this award have served at least ten years of sustained leadership in multiple alumni positions in the Fraternity (e.g. chapter advisor, alumni association officer, province officer, and national committee member or Leadership School faculty).  However, if the service has been truly extraordinary, the ten year requirement may be waived.  Recipients have also made significant contributions of their time and services to the Fraternity on national, regional, and local levels.  Nominations for Merit Key Award recipients are made by written recommendation by an individual member or any governing body to the Province Archon.  Upon endorsement of the Province Archon, recommendation is made to Supreme Council liaison for his province.  A Supreme Council Member, or designated appointee, presents Award recipients with a badge in a key design, which is customarily worn on a tie chain and a lapel pin.