The Delta Sigma Phi Fraternity has announced chapter-level awards for the 2015-2016 academic year. Chapter awards for 2016 include the Pyramid of Excellence, Chapter of Distinction, Blood Sweat & Cash Award, Harris Award for Excellence in Recruitment, the Service Award, the Philanthropy Award, the Leadership Award and the Ritual Award.

Awards are determined by committees after reviewing each chapter’s performance in The Pyramid Program, Delta Sigma Phi’s annual assessment and accreditation process. Chapters also had the option to submit award applications with additional information and documentation to improve their chances at being recognized for an achievement.

Listed below are a breakdown of each award, followed by a list of recipients and honorable mentions:

Harris Recruitment Award: This award is given to chapters based on their recruitment efforts and alignment with the Fraternity’s recruitment education provided at Summit. The growth of a chapter, its size relative to the average chapter size on campus and within Delta Sigma Phi, and a chapter’s alignment with the 365 Year-Round Recruitment/Marketing practices taught at the Bruce J. Lowenberg Summit were taken into account to determine the recipient and honorable mentions.

  • The 2015-2016 winner, the Gamma Rho Chapter at Gannon University, grew by 48.65% year-over-year, nearly doubles the average chapter size for fraternities on their campus and markets to potential members year-round.

Blood, Sweat & Cash Award: The Blood, Sweat & Cash Award is given to a chapter with an exceptional and well-rounded commitment to the Fraternity’s national philanthropic focus: The American Red Cross. Chapters eligible for this award provided documentation to confirm their contributions to the Red Cross.

  • This year’s winner, the Iota Delta Chapter at James Madison University, raised $5,700 for their chapter of the Red Cross’ local disaster response fund and prepared 350 home fire preparedness kits for local families. Additionally, the winning chapter collected 141 pints of blood, which can save up to 423 lives! The winning chapter also became the first since the Fraternity’s alignment with the American Red Cross to partner with another chapter for a competitive fundraising event, and seeks to grow this event in the years to come.

Philanthropy Award: The Philanthropy Award recognizes a chapter that has dedicated significant effort to raising funds for non-profits including, but not limited to, The American Red Cross.

  • The Theta Chi Chapter at The University of Georgia has been awarded the Philanthropy Award for 2015-2016. The chapter raised $21,000 through their annual Miss Sorority Row Contest and an additional $19,000 for UGA Miracle for Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta.

Service Award: The Service Award recognizes a culture of volunteerism built into the day-to-day experiences of members of Delta Sigma Phi. The total number of hours, hours per man, and effect of service are all considered in determining the recipient.

  • The Beta Mu Chapter at Transylvania University is the recipient of the Service Award in 2016. The brothers of Beta Mu Chapter averaged 53.7 hours of service per member and 94.62% of brothers volunteered 20 or more hours to local partners. The chapter worked with Habitat for Humanity about every two weeks to assist in home builds, restore shifts and street clean ups.

Ritual Award: The Ritual Award is new for 2016, and recognizes a chapter that best implements the values and founding principles of the Fraternity into its daily, weekly and monthly activities.

  • The Beta Mu Chapter at Transylvania University receives the Ritual Award for their commitment to incorporating the values of the Fraternity into weekly meetings, the orientation of new members, and by incorporating it into the planning processes of the chapter. The chapter also hosted two ritual education meetings and included members from the Theta Mu chapter and alumni members.

Leadership Award: The Leadership Award is given to the chapter with the highest level of involvement of its membership in campus or local organizations other than Delta Sigma Phi, the percentage of men with leadership positions in those organizations as well as the reach and diversity of organizations with which the members are involved.

  • The Beta Mu Chapter at Transylvania University engaged 98% of their 93 members in organizations other than Delta Sigma Phi. Additionally, 63.5% of those members hold leadership positions in organizations including student government, admissions ambassadors, residential life, writing consulting, on-campus tutoring, and the theatre guild. The Inter-Fraternity Council President is also a member of the chapter. This is in addition to exceptional performances academically and with regard to community service.

Pyramid of Excellence & Chapter of Distinction: These awards are given to chapters with a high completion rate in the Pyramid Program. The chapter’s submissions and documentation are reviewed and those that have made exceptional contributions to their communities in addition to a well-rounded overall performance were considered for the award. For the 2015-2016 academic year, the Fraternity is awarding 5 Pyramids of Excellence and 2 Chapter of Distinction awards.

CHAPTER OF DISTINCTION – Alpha Pi Chapter – Michigan State University

The Alpha Pi Chapter achieved an average 3.06 GPA among their 114 members and gave just under $22,000 to non-profits, including $1,750 to the American Red Cross. 98 members volunteered 20 hours or more over the course of the year.

CHAPTER OF DISTINCTION – Iota Lambda Chapter – Appalachian State University

The Iota Lambda Chapter maintained a 3.197 average GPA among their 55 members and raised $852 for disaster relief funds. Members volunteered 1,094 hours of service and dedicated another $2,050 to Hunter’s Heroes and PKU (Phenylketonuria) awareness. 100% of members are involved in another campus organization.

PYRAMID OF EXCELLENCE – Epsilon Kappa Chapter – Loyola University Chicago

The Epsilon Kappa Chapter finished the spring 2016 academic term with a 3.23 average GPA and a chapter size of 79 men. Of those 79 men, nearly 50% maintain leadership positions in organizations across campus and the chapter collected 73 pints of blood on behalf of the American Red Cross. Epsilon Kappa completed 19 out of a possible 20 components in the Pyramid Program, and organized efforts for local philanthropic partners, personal and career development programs for chapter members and a health and wellness program.

PYRAMID OF EXCELLENCE – Alpha Iota Chapter – The Ohio State University

The Alpha Iota Chapter maintained a 3.42 average GPA compared to a campus average of 3.19. The chapter organized several events for parents of members throughout the year and provides high levels of personal development training, including strengths assessments and professional branding. Alpha Iota grew by 30.3% year-over-year and incorporates year-round marketing and recruitment efforts including one-on-one meetings throughout the year, interest presentations and values based selection criteria. The chapter raised more than $2,150 for the Red Cross and collected 142 pints of blood, saving more than 400 lives!

PYRAMID OF EXCELLENCE – Theta Psi Chapter – Shorter University

The Theta Psi chapter collected 101 pints of blood for the American Red Cross this year, saving up to 303 lives, and dedicated 130 hours of service to the Red Cross, the most reported by any chapter. 95% of Theta Psi members are involved in another campus organization and 29% maintain leadership roles within those organizations. Chapter members dedicated more than 1,100 hours to service and above a 3.0 average GPA. As the only fraternity chapter at Shorter University, Theta Psi maintains a commitment to excellence that can be challenging without immediate competition.

PYRAMID OF EXCELLENCE – Delta Epsilon Chapter – Missouri University of Science & Technology

The Delta Epsilon Chapter completed 3,330 hours of service, averaging 40 hours per member and with 98% of members completing 20 hours or more of service. The chapter also raised $3,000 for the American Red Cross through an annual Burgers, Shakes and Fries event and was recognized for their “unwavering support” of their local chapter of the Red Cross throughout the year. In addition to these efforts, the chapter members maintained an average GPA of a 3.298 compared to a 3.048 campus average.

PYRAMID OF EXCELLENCE – Beta Mu Chapter – Transylvania University

The Beta Mu Chapter completed 20 out of a possible 20 components in their Pyramid Program submission (the first and only chapter to do so). During the past year, the chapter volunteered nearly 5,000 hours of service, averaging 53 hours per member. There are 93 men in the Beta Mu chapter, the largest on campus and a significant accomplishment at an institution with an enrollment of fewer than 600 men.

Listed below are the recipients and honorable mentions for each award:

Pyramid of Excellence

Beta Mu – Transylvania University

Delta Epsilon – Missouri University of Science & Technology

Theta Psi – Shorter University

Alpha Iota – The Ohio State University

Epsilon Kappa – Loyola University Chicago

Chapter of Distinction

Alpha Pi – Michigan State University

Iota Lambda – Appalachian State University

Harris Recruitment Award

Winner: Gamma Rho – Gannon University

Honorable Mentions: Alpha Iota (Ohio State), Alpha Pi (Michigan State)

Blood Sweat & Cash Award

Winner: Iota Delta – James Madison University

Honorable Mention: Zeta Upsilon (Eureka College)

Philanthropy Award

Winner: Theta Chi – University of Georgia

Honorable Mention: Alpha Pi (Michigan State)

Service Award

Winner: Beta Mu – Transylvania University

Honorable Mentions – Delta Epsilon (Missouri S&T), Alpha Lambda (Appalachian State)

Ritual Award

Winner: Beta Mu – Transylvania University

Leadership Award

Winner: Beta Mu – Transylvania University

Honorable Mentions: Zeta Upsilon (Eureka College), Alpha Iota (Ohio State)