SIGMA ALPHA EPSILON
Resources
Fraternity Awards Competition
The annual awards program for chapters, individuals and alumni associations is designed to provide our members with an easier application method and greater recognition for our chapters’ hard work. Both alumni awards and individual award applications and their criteria are listed below.
Visit The Record Online to review the full awards listing. Read more.
Instructions
NominationsProvince Archons and Chapter Development Team members have been contacted to complete a form to nominate chapters for awards, an effort that should encourage additional chapters to apply for recognition.
Chapters will be notified of the awards for which they were nominated via an e-mail to the Eminent Archon. The e-mail will include a link to the Chapter Awards Applications, which will consist of several short-answer questions for chapters to complete and submit. In addition, chapters may apply for any “Core Area Award” without a nomination from the Province Archon or Chapter Development Team Member. All submissions will be reviewed by the awards committee.
Chapters will have the opportunity to upload supporting materials as part of their application for a particular award. Submissions must be brief and either supplement or enhance answers to award questions. Examples include, but are not limited to, letters of recommendation, news articles and written plans or programs. Examples of materials that will not be considered include numerous photos, additional essays about why the chapter should receive the award, or additional letters of recommendation outside of those that are required. If there are no boxes to upload materials, supporting materials are not permitted as part of that application.
All awards application submissions will be handled through our online application system. This will require an e-mail login, which you create when applying. We strongly encourage chapters to use the same e-mail address for all submissions. This will allow the basic information (chapter name, contact information, etc.) to automatically fill in the next application you are completing. Individual awards and alumni awards also require an e-mail login, which you create when applying. Submissions in these categories may come from different e-mail logins.
John O. Moseley Award for Fraternity Zeal
For chapters to be considered for the John O. Moseley Award for Fraternity Zeal, the following criteria must be met:
- Complete the appropriate Zeal Award application.
- Complete the Chapter Achievement Award application.
Submit letters of recommendation from:
- Greek Life advisor
- Chapter advisor
- Letter of support from community
- Receive a supporting nomination from either the Province Archon or Chapter Development Team Member.
Chapter Achievement Award
For chapters to be considered for a Chapter Achievement Award, the following criteria must be met:
- Complete the appropriate Chapter Achievement Award application.
- Receive a supporting nomination from either the Province Archon or Chapter Development Team Member.
Harry S. Bunting Outstanding Colony of the Year
For colonies to be considered for the Harry S. Bunting Outstanding Colony of the Year, the following criteria must be met:
- Complete the appropriate Bunting Outstanding Colony of the Year application.
- Must not have been chartered prior to January 1, 2019.
- Receive a supporting nomination from either the Province Archon or Chapter Development Team Member.
Most Improved Chapter
For chapters to be considered for a Most Improved Chapter, the following criteria must be met:
- Complete the appropriate Most Improved Chapter Award application.
- Receive a supporting nomination from either the Province Archon or Chapter Development Team Member.
Core Area Awards
For chapters to be considered one of our other Core Area Awards (those not listed above), the following criteria must be met:
- Complete the appropriate Core Area Award application.
Winners of most awards will be announced at a later date. The winner of the John O. Moseley Award for Fraternity Zeal will receive a $5,000 donation to its Chapter Education Fund, courtesy of the Warren Paul Poslusny Award for Outstanding Achievement. In addition, nominees will receive tuition scholarships for the Executives from the same fund.
Alumni Awards
Alumni communication awards recognize groups that excel in communicating their messages to specific audiences. Certificates for these awards are given to winning groups in each communications category, including:
- Printed newsletters
- Electronic newsletters
- Websites
Awards are given for content, design and layout; effectiveness of message; and production quality. All activities and materials should be in compliance with Fraternity policies. Applicants will be required to submit PDF copies of printed and/or electronic newsletters.
Click HERE for the award application.
This award recognizes the chapter alumni association that has made an outstanding contribution of time and energy to its respective chapter or colony. The winning association will exemplify consistent dedication in enhancing the fraternal experience for the undergraduates of the chapter or colony, as well as for its alumni, as set forth in the Fraternity Laws. Its activities should also include events and efforts to keep and enhance friendships among alumni. A key factor will be its ability to increase participation of members as alumni in the Fraternity.
This award recognizes the house corporation that has demonstrated a level of organization and activity that exceeds the requirements of the Fraternity Laws. The recipient of this award generally utilizes experts in finance, maintenance, construction, law, insurance and other fields related to the management of a chapter house or lodge. The house corporation holds regular meetings throughout the year and is in frequent contact with the chapter leadership and alumni. The house corporation plans, researches and implements both short-term and long-term goals and has great concern for the financial structure and well-being of the chapter as is integral to its success in housing initiatives.
This award is designed to recognize a particular event or special project conceived, planned and implemented that has a direct impact on the association’s goals and enhances the reputation of the Fraternity. Examples might include golf tournaments, philanthropic events or fundraising campaigns.
This award recognizes the advisory board that has given outstanding assistance and guidance to a chapter or colony. The nominated advisory board should be diligent and enthusiastic in handling responsibilities and assisting chapters to become as self-sufficient as possible. Additionally, advisory boards should attend both Executive Council and regular chapter meetings on a consistent basis and advise the chapter on the 12 core areas of the Chapter Operations. If a house corporation exists, the advisory board should collaborate with it.
Individual Awards
- Maintain a 3.0 or higher cumulative grade point average
- Participate on a collegiate sports team above the intramural level
- Have held chapter and/or campus leadership positions
- Be a senior in academic standing
M. Todd Buchanan (Southern Mississippi ’90) established the Recruitment Chairman Scholarship in 2006 to recognize our most outstanding undergraduate Recruitment Chairman. Each candidate should display an unwavering commitment to improving his chapter’s recruitment efforts and organizing the entire chapter to take part in that effort. The candidate should demonstrate his success by showing that his chapter set and reached a goal for new members during the 2018-2019 academic year. Furthermore, his leadership should result in overall membership gains for his chapter. The $1,000 scholarship is earmarked for undergraduate tuition for the 2019-2020 academic year.
The Outstanding Chapter Advisors Award recognizes chapter and colony advisors who demonstrate peer leadership and who excel in serving as a role model and mentor. Applicants should be well-versed in their respective groups’ overall
activities, providing guidance and making sure collegiate members uphold the Fraternity’s policies and procedures.
Applicants for the Outstanding Chapter Advisor must meet the following criteria for consideration:
- Served as chapter advisor during the 2018-2019 academic year
- Be nominated by a member of the group he/she served, an alumni advisor or Province Archon. (Self nominations will not be accepted.)
- Must have gone above and beyond the call of duty as chapter advisor
The Outstanding Eminent Archon Award recognizes chapter and colony presidents who excel in their leadership as the head of their respective groups. Applicants should possess dynamic personalities, good communication skills with members and external audiences and an ability to exceed core operational areas and meet goals.
In turn, applicants for the Outstanding Eminent Archon Award and Scholarship automatically will be considered for the Bradley M. Cohen Eminent Archon of the Year Scholarship Award. The successful candidate will demonstrate service to the chapter and Sigma Alpha Epsilon above and beyond the call of duty, having made measurable improvements in the welfare, culture and spirit of the chapter. The winner will receive a $1,500 scholarship, endowed by Bradley M. Cohen (Arizona ’85) and earmarked for undergraduate tuition for the 2018-19 academic year.
For the Outstanding Eminent Archon Award, candidates must meet the following criteria:
- Served as Eminent Archon during the 2018-19 academic year
- Nominated by a member of the chapter he served, an alumni advisor or Province Archon (Self nominations will not be accepted.)
- Must have made a difference in the overall welfare, culture and spirit of the chapter
- Must be an initiated brother.
The Outstanding Eminent Treasurer Award recognizes chapter and colony treasurers who demonstrate proficiency and leadership in financial oversight and budgeting. Applicants should excel at managing a budget, collecting revenue, paying expenses and providing oversight to ensure the group’s financial stability.
Applicants for the Outstanding Eminent Treasurer must meet the following criteria for consideration:
- Served as Eminent Treasurer during the 2018-19 academic year
- Be nominated by a member of the group he served, an alumni advisor or Province Archon. (Self nominations will not be accepted.)
- Must have gone above and beyond the call of duty as Eminent Treasurer
- Must be an initiated brother
The Ken Tracey Award and Scholarship for Interfraternal Leadership was established in 2013 to honor past Eminent Supreme Archon Ken Tracey (Eastern New Mexico ’70) for his service and lifetime commitment not only to Sigma Alpha Epsilon but to the Greek-letter world. The award recognizes the brother involved in the Greek community who has gone above and beyond the call of duty to promote and enhance the system. Each candidate should display a sincere desire for the strongest of interfraternal relations between all Greek-letter organizations. The $1,000 scholarship is earmarked for undergraduate tuition for the 2018-2019 academic year.
Applicants for the Ken Tracey Award for Interfraternal Leadership must meet the following criteria for consideration:
- Must have been in an undergraduate chapter during the 2018-19 academic year.
- Be nominated by a member of the group he served, an alumni advisor or Province Archon. (Self nominations will not be accepted.)
- Must be an initiated brother
- Must be a member in good-standing
The True Gentleman of the Year Award is the highest honor the Fraternity can bestow on an undergraduate brother. The award, first given in 2000, is presented annually to an undergraduate who has been determined to be the most outstanding collegiate in Sigma Alpha Epsilon, considering scholastic achievement, fraternity involvement, university leadership and community service. Each chapter in good standing is encouraged to nominate a brother deserving of this honor.
The 2018 True Gentleman of the Year will receive a $5,000 scholarship award, endowed by Warren P. Poslusny (Kettering ’69) to recognize brothers who have demonstrated outstanding leadership and service in the Fraternity.
To be considered, candidates must be active brothers from chapters in good standing with the Fraternity and their college or university, be a junior, senior, or graduated in December 2018. Although the chapter must endorse the candidate, the candidate may complete the application and gather the supporting documents on his own. Therefore, the chapter should select the brother most deserving of this honor and encourage him to apply or for a selected brother to complete the application on his behalf.
Chapter Awards
The 2019 John O. Moseley Award for Fraternity Zeal winning chapter will receive a $5,000 donation to its Chapter Education Fund, endowed by Warren P. Poslusny (Kettering ’69) to recognize brothers who have demonstrated outstanding leadership and service in the Fraternity. Runners-up to for the Zeal Award will receive a tuition scholarship to the Executives Academy in January 2020, also courtesy of Warren P. Poslusny (Kettering ’69).
The Chapter Achievement Award is the award earned by the best chapters in the Fraternity that excel in the core, fundamental areas of chapter operations.
The Most Improved Chapter Award is the award that compares a then-and-now scenario and how the chapter took a less-than-optimal situation to turn its problems into progress.
The Harry S. Bunting Outstanding Colony of the Year recognizes the best colony in the Realm. The application is the same as the chapter awards application in order for the colony to become familiar with the process.
The Alumni Relations Award is given to the chapter that, at a minimum, invites alumni to participate in the various Ritual ceremonies and uses an alumni advisory board to keep its alumni informed of opportunities to help the chapter.
The Brandon Weghorst Outstanding Communication Award recognizes the chapter that excels in its communication with members, alumni and others through various mediums, such as printed, electronic or social-media vehicles.
The Member Education Award recognizes those chapters who have excelled in implementing the Member Education component of the True Gentleman Experience and provides comprehensive member education as described by the True Gentleman Experience.
The Outstanding Financial Management Award recognizes chapters that demonstrate proficiency in successful budgeting and financial matters. They serve as role models for fiscal responsibility and budget oversight.
The Outstanding Health & Safety Award is awarded to chapters that both follow and enhance our health-and-safety policies. These groups not only foresee risk factors but work proactively to avoid them and to ensure the well-being of their members and guests.
The Outstanding Chapter House Award is earned by chapters that demonstrate the advancement of housing, regardless of who owns the property. Applications are judged on the successful management of the property and life-safety issues that help protect its occupants.
The Joseph A. Mancini Outstanding Chapter Service and Philanthropy Award has been given to chapters both large and small. The overall idea is not always about the amount of money raised, it’s about contributing to the greater good and giving back to the surrounding community.
The Kimball-Phelps Award for Outstanding Chapter Singing provides recognition to the chapter that uses the songs of the Fraternity as an integral part of its operations and brotherhood-building events.
OPTIONAL: Include a sample of the chapter’s singing (.mp3 files, movies, etc.).
The Noble Leslie DeVotie Excellence in Ritual Award is judged by the Ritual Committee and takes into consideration applicants who not only perform the Ritual but perform it often and well.
The Robert C. Cousins Award for Outstanding Recruitment is given to the chapter that recruits on values and needs of the chapter. This chapter also realizes that quantity and quality are both attainable goals.
The Outstanding Chapter Scholarship is given to chapters that not only sustain an above-average grade-point average but that also use innovative ways to keep members on track academically. Winning chapters have a vast knowledge of resources on their campus as well as within their chapter.
The Smith-Huffman Outstanding Chapter Management recognizes the chapter that displays the best overall control and interrelationships of chapter activities.
The University Relations Award looks at chapter awards given by colleges and universities as well as IFCs and other organizations on campus. This award also takes into consideration how often the chapter meets and plans with its campus-based professionals and the rapport it has established with those individuals.
