Statement Regarding Death at Fresno State

Posted on by Micah Christensen

STATEMENT FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

INDIANAPOLIS, IN – JANUARY 4, 2018 – As has been confirmed by local authorities, Delta Sigma Phi has learned that Omar Nemeth, a friend of a member of Delta Sigma Phi’s Beta Nu Chapter at Fresno State, was transported from the chapter’s house to the hospital on January 3, and died of an apparent drug overdose.

While Mr. Nemeth was not a member of Delta Sigma Phi, we join with the entire Fresno State community to mourn the loss of this young man and send our deepest condolences to his family and friends during this difficult time. At this time, our primary focus remains on supporting the family and friends of this young man, and we will continue to work closely with the university and law enforcement during its review.

Contact

For more information or media inquiries, please contact Adam Lowe, Director of Communications at lowe@deltasig.org or 317.634.1899 ext. 469.
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Update Regarding Theta Upsilon at Texas A&M

Posted on by Micah Christensen

On December 9, 2017, Delta Sigma Phi revoked the charter for Theta Upsilon Chapter at Texas A&M University.

Delta Sigma Phi Fraternity is committed to upholding our standards and fostering meaningful Fraternity experience. These standards include recruitment standards. Unfortunately, Theta Upsilon has been unable to meet a threshold for these standards, which led to the chapter ceasing to be operationally viable in the near future. The chapter’s numbers have steadily declined from a high of 36 in the spring 2015, to only ten members and one new member in the spring of 2017, and currently the chapter has less than 10 members. The chapter’s failure to uphold and meet the expectations of recruitment standards of the Fraternity have led to the decision by the Grand Council to withdraw the chapter’s charter.

The news of the chapter’s closure is—without a doubt—upsetting for all Theta Upsilon undergraduate members, Fraternity alumni and other supporters. While difficult in the short-term, the National Fraternity is committed to working diligently with our alumni and Texas A&M University community to restore Theta Upsilon Chapter with Men of Courage, Action and Excellence. If you have further questions, please contact Amber Huston, Chief Operations Officer, at the Delta Sigma Phi National Fraternity Headquarters.

Kristin Fouts Joins Delta Sigma Phi

Posted on by Micah Christensen

Delta Sigma Phi is pleased to share that Kristin Fouts will be joining the National Headquarters team on November 30, as Director of Educational Initiatives.

Kristin has a wealth of experience with assessment and curriculum development. Kristin will be transitioning from the North American Interfraternity Conference, where she has lead the Coalition Assessment Project and assisted with the trade association’s educational programs. Prior to the NIC, Kristin worked in Student Leadership Engagement and F/S Life at Wichita State and Western Michigan University.

Kristin joined the NIC staff in 2011 as the Director of the Fraternity & Sorority Coalition Assessment Project. Over three years she tripled the number of campus visits for the Project’s program review service. With the NIC’s transition in 2015, she assumed responsibility for educational program logistics, including recruiting, training and placing volunteers/Lead Facilitators and supporting campus hosts, coordinating the Annual Meeting and annual awards process, and collecting and managing industry-wide academic data and NIC member survey information.

As Director of Educational Initiatives, Kristin will be overseeing the execution of the Fraternity’s educational framework, developing an organization wide strategy on data and assessment, and leading the Fraternity’s Transition Experience.

 

Updates on Hurricanes Harvey & Irma

Posted on by Micah Christensen

Updated 9.8.17

In as many weeks, a second historic hurricane will soon impact the southeast. Irma is set to make landfall early the morning of September 10, at Florida’s southern and southeast coasts. Irma has already caused catastrophic damage throughout the Caribbean region. Many Floridians are in the process of evacuating, while a large swath of the remainder of the south also makes preparations. Our own chapters – Alpha Chi at Stetson, Iota Epsilon at the University of Central Florida, Florida International University, and Theta Omega at Georgia Southern are doing what they can to get away from the path of the storm of otherwise prepare for this extreme weather.

As we continue to learn more, and share updates such as those from J.T. Thompson below, we invite Delta Sigs to use the hashtags #DSPHarvey and #DSPIrma to connect with one another, share resources or needs, and otherwise stay connected with one another throughout these storms and their aftermath. Additionally, we are sharing this info sheet from the American Red Cross on how to stay safe during the hurricane and aftermath.

Updated 8.31.17

Today, we’re sharing an update from J.T. Thompson, University of Alabama at Birmingham ’96, who lives in the Houston Metro area. We want you to hear from a fellow Delta Sig brother.

Dear brothers,

I am reaching out to you as someone who went through the recent tropical system that moved through the Houston Metro area. I wanted to provide you with a personal perspective of what has transpired. I also want to encourage you to get involved, either through financial contributions or hands-on volunteering.

As you know, the city of Houston was devastated by Hurricane/Tropical Storm Harvey, which flooded the city with over 9 TRILLION gallons of water in a 48-72 hour period. A city, which covers over 2,200 sq miles was almost completely flooded. To put it into perspective, this area received enough water in that time period to fill the Great Salt Lake twice!

As of Tuesday night, 15,000 people were in shelters; more than 13,000 had to be rescued; and 18 people lost their lives. I had a chance to see the devastation that the flooding caused as I went out to see who needed help. Places as close as three miles from me were destroyed by the flood waters.

My family and I were lucky. We were spared the flooding, but I will tell you that it came extremely close. The flood control ravine that sits roughly 50 yards from my house came within a foot of cresting. Had it done so, we would have had water all throughout our house. Sunday evening was one of little sleep and angst as we watched the rising water and moved items to our second floor. Now, the sun is out, and hope begins. We as a city will rebuild. However, we can’t do this alone. Our fraternity has always been willing to step up when called upon. Forever repaying the debt to both our organization, our members, and our communities.

Now is that time. I ask each of you to dig down and find whatever you can donate to help those who have lost everything. If you would rather donate to local organizations, I have provided the HQ that will posted on social media. Every little bit helps!

Thank you in advance for your help!

YITBOS,
J.T. Thompson, University of Alabama at Birmingham ’96

Continue Below to See How to Help

hurricaneharvey02.jpg?r=1504198624016

J.T. has included a list of organizations in the region that are providing aid to those impacted by this disaster. You can view that list here. Delta Sig has multiple chapters in Texas, undergraduate and alumni brothers and their family members in and from this region. The Red Cross has upgraded their need for assistance in the region as Urgent, and we encourage all members to help. Alternatively, you may also click this link to donate directly to the Red Cross, you can even choose to have your donation go specifically to Hurricane Harvey assistance. You may notice this link is a Delta Sigma Phi affiliate link – this is solely to track the number and value of donations from our members; we do not receive any compensation for donations made through our link.

Updated 8.28.17

As you have seen in the news, the Gulf Coast of Texas and parts of Louisiana were hit by Hurricane Harvey – a Category 4 storm. With storm surges upwards of 6-8 feet, the initial hurricane was already life threatening. But as the storm has stalled over the region, the people of southeast Texas are facing a week of torrential rain that is predicted to bring in upwards of 36 inches in some areas. This is still a dangerous situation, many thousands have been evacuated, and by the time this event is over, millions will be affected. In Huston, experts are suggesting this may be the worst flood experienced in their city’s recorded history.

Harvey Rescue 1

In 2005, at the height of recovery efforts after Hurricane Katrina, Delta Sigma Phi named the American Red Cross as its national philanthropy. Chapters maintain close relationships with local Red Cross operations to create awareness, donate blood, and raise much needed funds for the organization. Our men take pride in having the courage to get involved, taking action to make an impact, and pursuing excellence in service to their communities.

Delta Sig has multiple chapters in Texas, with undergraduate and alumni brothers from this region, and their family members. The Red Cross has upgraded their need for assistance in the region as Urgent, and we encourage all members to help. You can click this link to donate directly to the Red Cross, you can even choose to have your donation go specifically to Hurricane Harvey assistance. You may notice this link is a Delta Sigma Phi affiliate link – this is solely to track the number and value of donations from our members; we do not receive any compensation for donations made through our link.

We urge you to help today. From our Delta Sigma Phi brothers in the region to all those who have been affected, we wish you Godspeed in the days ahead and during the long recovery process as you weather the storm.

2017-2018 McKee Scholarship Recipients

Posted on by Micah Christensen

This fall, 64 Delta Sigs will receive a helping hand from the Delta Sigma Phi Foundation when it comes to paying for their education. In July 2016, Delta Sigma Phi Foundation announced its 2016-2017 McKee Scholarship recipients.

Since 2009, these scholarships have provided much-needed resources for brothers seeking either undergraduate or post-graduate degrees. These funds are made possible through will bequest to the Foundation from brother Hensel McKee, University of Washington ’30, which provided just over $4.3 million to the Foundation.

This year, the Foundation created new scholarship levels with differing dispersement amounts and tying the scholarships to Delta Sig’s ideals of being men of Courage, Action and Excellence.

Congratulations to these men!

The Better Man Scholarship

$10,000 each for men who for well-rounded embodiment of Delta Sigma Phi values.

  • Cameron Cruz, Texas State University
  • Bryant Hovest, The Ohio State University
  • Charlie Tancula, Transylvania University

Nile Scholarships

$500 for undergraduates exhibiting exceptional leadership and values.

  • Taylor Brimer , Texas State University
  • Brandon Evanich , Stetson University
  • Abraham Ramirez , University of Los Angeles
  • Daniel Roth , University of Michigan- Ann Arbor
  • Nathan Wofford, Texas State University
  • Nanhao Chen, Transylvania University
  • Ryan Gallus, Iowa State University
  • Ronald Geho, University of North Carolina Wilmington
  • Alex Lambert, Miami University
  • Samuel Anderson, University of Utah
  • Brandon Fulwiler, University of California, Irvine
  • John Henderson, Transylvania University
  • Alex Horowitz, The University of Alabama
  • Luke Bakies , Miami University
  • Daniel Cooper , Transylvania University

Sphinx Scholarships

$2,500 for graduate students.

  • Suraj Rama, University of Kentucky
  • Joseph Becker, University of Virginia
  • Joseph Lindsey, Transylvania University
  • Daniel Martin, Transylvania University
  • Gurvikram Boparai, University of Virginia
  • Matthew Coleman, Binghamton University
  • Carl Agner, Transylvania University
  • Eric Joseph de Lara, Loyola Marymount University
  • Fernando Gonzalez Lesniak, Saint Cloud State University
  • John Hann, University of Georgia
  • Peter Trombly, University of Virginia
  • Justin Kiesel, Indiana University Purdue University of Indianapolis
  • Zamin Raza, The George Washington University
  • Bryan Stinson, University of North Carolina Wilmington
  • Nick Johnston , Duke University

Men of Courage Scholarships

$2,500 for men who exhibit exceptional leadership.

  • Chanslor Gallenstein, Transylvania University
  • Scott McCormick, University of Michigan
  • Garrett Wilkinson, Kansas State University
  • Spencer Stucky, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obipso
  • Daryl Swartzentruber, Transylvania University
  • Brendan Collins, Indiana
  • Sam Finn, University of Michigan – Ann Arbor
  • William Janousek, University of Georgia
  • Braxton Palmer, Arizona State University
  • Daniel Dunn, University of Missouri

Men of Action Scholarships

$2,500 for those who have committed themselves to outstanding service to their communities.

  • Michael Rafo, Eastern Michigan University
  • Christian Soares, University of Kentucky
  • Nick Bouzianis, Kansas State University
  • Andrew Talamantes, San Jose State University
  • Stephen Johnson, Oglethorpe University
  • Michael Leonard, The Ohio State University
  • Brenton Novit, The University of Texas at Austin
  • Simen Omholt-Jensen, Duke University
  • Ethan Perkins, The University of Georgia
  • Vincenzo Volpe, Case Western Reserve University

Men of Excellence Scholarships

$2,500 for men with exceptional academic performance.

  • Cam Mosleey, Duke University
  • Mason Rodriguez, Texas Wesleyan University
  • George Winsten, Stetson University
  • Tommy McRae, University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB)
  • Nikhil Patil, Georgia Institute of Technology
  • Jordan Potter, University of Kentucky
  • Mateo Villa, Oglethorpe University
  • Michael Filips, Missouri University of Science and Technology
  • Ryan Gilbert, University of Pittsburgh
  • Thomas Brewer , Eureka College

Beta Kappa Chapter Named American Red Cross Partner of the Year

Posted on by Micah Christensen

Beakie Powell of the West Alabama Chapter of the American Red Cross works closely with the men of the Beta Kappa chapter. The chapter was recently named the 2016 Corporate Partner of the Year.
“The chapter at The University of Alabama has been a huge asset to the West Alabama
Chapter of the American Red Cross. They have support the Home Fire Campaign over the last two years, installing hundreds of smoke alarms into at risk home and providing important fire safety information to residents.

Through their fundraising efforts they have donated over $20,000 to the local Red Cross chapter. Those funds support the mission of the Red Cross to help individuals in the face of disaster.

The young men of Delta Sigma Phi have been wonderful to work with, each one is a gentleman with high moral character. Their group has given back to the community of Tuscaloosa with their time and respect.

Delta Sigma Phi has been chosen as the Corporate Partner for 2016.”

The Pilgrim Degree

Posted on by Micah Christensen

This article was original run in the spring 2015 issue of the Carnation. It has been updated to reflect the 2017 Convention.

The Pilgrim Degree – It’s For You!

By Loren Mall, Historian

 

If you ask previous Convention delegates about their favorite part of a National Convention, some of them will say it is the Pilgrim Degree. This ceremony will be presented again at the Baltimore Convention to bring you a fast-paced and fun-filled evening. If you are part of it, you will gain additional best friends and new enlightenment by the time it finishes.

The first Pilgrim Degree was conducted at the 1923 convention in Dallas. It was conceived and presented by Charles Tonsor, the co-founder of our Fraternity. It is awarded only at national conventions, and you will want to be in Baltimore to discover its revelations.

The original program of 1923 was not specific to the Fraternity, and it was not presented again. A revision in 1937 did not generate much enthusiasm either. Twenty-six years passed before the degree was conferred once more. That occurred in 1963 when the witty Harold Pete Winter, destined to become President of the Delta Sigma Phi Foundation a few years later, decided to add activity to the Convention agenda. He introduced his distinctive version of the event for that purpose.

In 1979, then National President Loren Mall accepted the challenge to provide both fun and meaning as a route to a fuller understanding of our Fraternity. This Pilgrim Degree is now presented at each Convention, orchestrated in recent years by former National President Christopher Northern. Judging by the chortles of laughter and smiling faces that pervade the great hall where the event occurs, along with the knowledgeable expressions that emerge when it has ended, it meets both tests. You may have noticed a few members of your chapter wearing a fez at official Fraternity occasions. It is a safe bet they have not told you what it represents.

Whatever your age and Fraternity record, you can show off your own odd hat and make members  regard you with wonder if you take the Pilgrim Degree in 2017. This will be the 20th time the current degree has startled our Convention delegates. Through it, you can master the third sequence in the meaningful enigmas of our Fraternity. You will become one of the more than 5,000 Delta Sigs who have laughed and learned as they made this special journey into the deeper riddles of Delta Sigma Phi.

Interested? Sign up for the class when you register for Convention!

Convention 2017 Chapter and Member Awards

Posted on by Micah Christensen

One of the oldest traditions of the Fraternity is recognizing members and chapters for high achievement and excellence in specific areas of chapter operation. Chapters and members receiving these awards represent an ideal that all members of the Fraternity should strive for.

A select number of awards are given on an annual basis, while the remaining are only awarded during Convention years. These Convention awards will be given out during a special ceremony on Saturday, July 8th.

To receive these awards, the member must first be nominated. However, you may fill out the form for yourself for the Outstanding Undergraduate award:

 

Order of the Sphinx

Nominate an Undergraduate

Recipients will be recognized at our 2017 Convention. Deadline: June 1

The Order of the Sphinx Award recognizes undergraduate leaders of Delta Sigma Phi who have contributed significantly to their campus, chapter and to the Fraternity on a national level.  Chapters, Alumni Corporation Boards and Advisors should determine those members most deserving of this high undergraduate award through nomination and vote.  Candidates must have been a member for at least four terms/semesters.

 

Outstanding Chapter Advisor

Nominate an Advisor

Recipient will be recognized at our 2017 Convention. Deadline: June 1

First awarded at the 1985 Convention, the Charles G. Bartell Outstanding Chapter Advisor Award recognizes a Chapter Advisor or ACB member for exceptional service in advising or service to one of the Fraternity’s chapters or colonies. The award was named after the first recipient, Charles G. Bartell, University of Idaho ‘54, who served as Chapter Advisor to the Gamma Iota Chapter (University of Idaho) for more than three decades.

 

Outstanding Undergraduate

Submit your Application

Recipient will be recognized at our 2017 Convention. Deadline: June 1

The highest award the Fraternity bestow to an undergraduate brother is the E. Allen James Outstanding Undergraduate Award. The award is given annually to one undergraduate brother who contributed the most to his chapter and the Fraternity. Selection is based on an application that is submitted to the Fraternity Headquarters and is reviewed by a committee.

The award is named in honor of E. Allen James, North Carolina State University ‘65, whose service to the Fraternity has included the position of Executive Director, member of the Grand Council and president of the Delta Sigma Phi Foundation.

The E. Allen James Outstanding Undergraduate award is either a self-nominated recognition or can be nominated by another brother; please submit the form to apply.

 

The following awards are also given during the awards ceremony, but are not open for member nominations:

 

Career Achievement

Recipient will be recognized at our 2017 Convention. Deadline: June 1

The Career Achievement Award is presented to members of the Fraternity who have achieved outstanding success within their chosen professions. First given in 1985, the list of recipients includes two Pulitzer Prize winners, a U.S. Presidential candidate, a member of the U.S. House of Representatives, and U.S. President Ronald Reagan’s deputy chief of staff, among others.

 

Francis Pete Wacker Interfraternal

Recipient will be recognized at our 2017 Convention. Deadline: June 1

The Francis “Pete” Wacker Award for Interfraternal Service is presented to either a member or a non-member of the Fraternity who has made a significant contribution to the advancement of interfraternal cooperation or the improvement of his or her own fraternity, sorority or the Greek world in general.

The award is named for past Delta Sigma Phi Executive Director Francis “Pete” Wacker, Penn State University ‘33. He was well known in the interfraternity world and served as president of the Fraternity Executives Association and the College Fraternity Editors Association.

 

Outstanding Alumni Association

Receiving Association/Chapter will be recognized at our 2017 Convention. Deadline: June 1

The Hugh “Cap” Ryan Outstanding Alumni Association Award is presented to an alumni association or alumni chapter that has shown excellence in support of a local chapter or in strengthening the bonds of brotherhood in a particular geographic region.

The award is named in honor of Dr. Hugh “Cap” Ryan, University of Pittsburgh ’16, whose extensive service to the Fraternity included being National President, Editor of The Carnation and National Historian.

 

Outstanding National Volunteer

Recipient will be recognized at our 2017 Convention. Deadline: June 1

Given previously to District Governors and Leadership Advisors, the Russell T. Roebuck Outstanding National Volunteer Award is now presented to a national volunteer who has performed exceptional service to the chapters he has advised. The effectiveness the volunteer has shown in working with undergraduate chapters, alumni chapter and alumni associations are the primary criterion for receiving this award.

The award is named for Russell T. Roebuck, Barton College ‘58, who served the fraternity as a member of the Grand Council and as national president.

Announcing New Partnership with Legacy Financial

Posted on by Micah Christensen

Indianapolis, Indiana – Delta Sigma Phi is excited to announce a fraternal partnership with Legacy Financial (LegFi) as the preferred provider of billing, accounting, and tax filing services for all of their chapters and new chapters.

Benefits provided to the chapters by LegFi.com include:

  • Creating budgets and tracking cash flow
  • Invoicing to members and parents electronically
  • Collecting membership agreements
  • Quick and easy online bill payments
  • Electronic invoices to members and parents
  • Phone calls to past due members
  • Collections process management when necessary
  • Easy, online filing of annual tax reports – forms 990N and 990EZ

To sign up for an online demonstration of LegFi’s services, click on this link: https://calendly.com/legfi

For other questions or information regarding the LegFi partnership, please feel free to contact
J. B. Goll, Director of National Accounts at jb@legfi.com or 859-309-3640.

“Legacy Financial will be a tremendous resource for our chapters to assist with their overall financial management. The services Legacy Financial provides are easy to use, affordable, and exactly what Delta Sigma Phi needs to better serve our undergraduate membership. We are excited about this partnership.”
– Amber Huston, COO, Delta Sigma Phi
“LegFi is excited to build our partnership with Delta Sigma Phi. Our mission is to work with chapters and headquarters staff to help efficiently manage collections, reporting, and tax filing at the local level.”
– Michael Bollinger, President of Legacy Financial

Recognizing Cameron Carey

Posted on by Micah Christensen

Cameron Carey, 2012 initiate of the Epsilon Iota chapter of Delta Sigma Phi at University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, has been recognized with the E. Allen James Outstanding Undergraduate Award.

The E. Allen James Award is the highest award the Fraternity can give to an undergraduate brother. On  the award, Tom Cycyota, National President of Delta Sigma Phi, shared “Only one undergraduate brother will receive the E. Allen James Award each year. The honor goes to an individual who truly embodies the mission and values of Delta Sigma Phi, and has consistently gone above and beyond in their service within the Fraternity and their local college community.”

The award is named in honor of E. Allen James, North Carolina State ’65, whose service to the Fraternity has included executive director, member of the Grand Council, and president of the Delta Sigma Phi Foundation. Mr. James was present to bestow his namesake award to Carey.

“I am amazed at the accomplishments of Cam Carey during his undergraduate career at University of Wisconsin, Lacrosse. It is clear Cam put into action the many leadership techniques he learned from participating in Delta Sig training events. His chapter, Epsilon Iota, benefitted, as did his University. It was an honor to present the E. Allen James Outstanding Undergraduate Award to Cam and to know he is currently working for the national fraternity. More brothers across the country will now learn from him.”

Carey graduated from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse in 2016, and now serves as a chapter support specialist for Delta Sigma Phi’s national headquarters.