Announcing the 2019 McKee Scholarship Recipients

First awarded in 2009, the McKee Scholarship program is available thanks to the generosity of the late Hensel McKee, Washington ’30 and his wife Jeanette McKee. The Scholarship is available to undergraduate members and alumni members who are pursuing graduate degrees. To be eligible, applicants must have a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale, be initiated members of Delta Sigma Phi Fraternity in good standing, and be enrolled at a college or university during the academic term.

We are please to announce this year’s recipients:

The Better Man

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

Quinton Berkompas, Washington State University ‘17

Tristan Ott, Missouri University of Science and Technology ‘17

Brett Seidl, Kansas State University10

Men of Courage

$2,500 each for men who exhibit exceptional leadership.

David Adams, Albion College ‘19

Elliott Beach, Thiel College ‘12

Paul Chung, The University of California, Los Angeles ‘18

Elias Hanna, Transylvania University ‘14

Szymon Kamiński, The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign ‘16

Mason Lovell, The Ohio State University ‘19

Jeffrey Marshall, The University of Texas at Austin ‘19 

Jake Moore, Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University ‘18

Joel Revo, The University of Michigan ‘17

Garrett Riou, The University of Texas at Austin ‘10

Christian Suero, Michigan State University ‘10

Michael Woller, Utah State University ‘18

Men of Action

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

Adam Boro, University of Maryland ‘17

Daniel Cooper, Transylvania University ‘16

Neal Eller, Kansas State University ‘17

Jacob Forbes, Washington State University ‘17

Noah Huehnergarth, The Pennsylvania State University ‘18

Kyle Huffman, The Ohio State University ‘18

David McGrath, Case Western Reserve University ‘17

Ethan Santoni-Colvin, The University of Texas at Austin ‘19

Jason Semaya, The University of Michigan ‘18

Ravi Shastri, Missouri University of Science and Technology ‘18

Jonathan Staley, Indiana State University ‘17

Alberto Tueme, The University of Texas at Austin ‘14

Max Vorcheimer, The University of Michigan ‘17

Men of Excellence

$2,500 each for men who have demonstrated exceptional academic performance.

Harrison Fields, University of Kentucky ‘18

Scott Fletcher, Utah State University ‘08

Gavin Husted, Shorter University ‘18

Nicholas Killian, Eastern Michigan University ‘18

Austin Lamb, Transylvania University ‘18

Reed Marquardt, The Ohio State University ‘19

Rishabh Mazmudar, Case Western Reserve University ‘14

Luke Prohaska, Kansas State University ‘18

Trevor South, University of Kentucky ‘18

Franklin Wang, The Ohio State University ‘17

Tommy Weinstein, University of Michigan ‘18

Yanshuo Zhang, Missouri University of Science and Technology ‘18

Sphinx Scholarship

$2,500 each for graduate students of distinction.

Samuel Finn, University of Michigan ‘15

Michael Fritz, University of Kentucky ‘14

Tom Gallery, Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology ‘16

J.T. Henderson, Transylvania University ‘15

Kollin Michels, University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire ‘13

Justin Miller, New Mexico State University ‘94

Brenton Novit, The University of Texas at Austin ’15

Michael Rafo, Eastern Michigan University ‘15

Suraj Rama, University of Kentucky ‘13

Christian Soares, University of Kentucky ‘13

Mark Solinski, Loyola University Chicago ‘13

Lloyd Taylor, The Ohio State University ‘12

Nile Scholarship

$500 each for undergraduate men exhibiting exceptional leadership and values.

James Barr, The University of Texas at Austin ‘18

Matthew Benge, The Ohio State University ‘18

Adam Brzyski, Missouri University of Science and Technology ‘18

Cody Dorman, University of Northern Colorado ‘16

Allen Fooks, University of Pittsburgh ‘18

Matthew Greenway, The University of Georgia ‘18

Justin Groshek, Gannon University ‘18

Victor Guardiola, The University of Texas at Austin ‘19

Curtis Harryman, Iowa State University ‘16

Zachary Lewis, Missouri University of Science and Technology ‘16

Isaac Narrett, The University of Michigan ‘17

Jacob O’Rourke, University of Central Florida ‘16

Sahil Prabhudesai, South Dakota School of Mines and Technology ‘16

Ari Rand, Loyola University Chicago ‘19

John Sykes, University of Florida ‘18

Charlie Story, Chapman University ‘18

Matthew Waigand, Shorter University ‘18

Cole Walter, Duke University ‘18

Kawai’ola Wong, Millikin University ‘18

Alexander Wood, University of Missouri of Science and Technology ‘18

Beta Kappa Chapter Named American Red Cross Partner of the Year

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.”

Pyramid Program: Delta Sigma Phi’s New Assessment Model

 

Delta Sigma Phi has launched a new assessment model for the 2015-2015 academic year called the Pyramid Program.

The new model is designed to incorporate suggestions taken from students, staff, volunteers, and professionals working with fraternities and sororities, and works to streamline the collection and organization of information in a manner that will enable more relevant coaching for all chapters of Delta Sig.

The 20 components are organized into a pyramid, with the most foundational elements in the base and a new opportunity for chapters to tailor their coaching, called Elevation, at the top. Chapters that come closest to completing 20 components will be considered for a Pyramid of Excellence, the Fraternity’s top honor for an undergraduate chapter.

However, there is more to this new assessment than how the components are organized. Here are some changes that will make the Fraternity’s assessment process simpler and more dynamic than in years past:

Information Collection: As opposed to chapters submitting a comprehensive Accreditation report at the end of the school year, with the Pyramid Program, Fraternity Chapter Support Specialists (CSS) and New Chapter Support Specialists (NCSS) will mark off and collect documentation for as many components as possible while visiting each chapter. Chapters may also submit documentation to their CSS or NCSS throughout the year. Then, at the end of each academic year, chapters will have the opportunity to submit any missing documentation. Most importantly, Delta Sig will be able to better give chapters credit for what they do, rather than for just what is reported.

Awards: In addition to submitting additional documentation at the end of the year, chapters will also have the option to apply for any of the Fraternity’s awards. More information on our award application and new awards will be announced this fall. The award packet will be available for download and from our staff on Sept. 25, 2015.

Assessment: In our old model, two chapters with a 70% score could be at completely different performances levels simply based on which points they missed.

The work of each chapter’s Chapter Support Specialist or New Chapter Support Specialist will be to help the chapter complete all of the components of the program. As such, our focus is to work from the base of the pyramid to the top, ensuring that each chapter works off of a solid foundation, is a solid contributor to the community and has a solid support system for its members.

New Components: Most of the components in the Pyramid Program were transferred from the prior assessment tool with minor changes for clarity. Three new components outside of the Elevation Section were added to the new model and include:

  • Chapter Advisor Component – The value of volunteers is incomparable. The new assessment includes some simple expectations regarding communication between a chapter and its advisor(s).
  • Ritual Education/Training Component – The Ritual is a defining quality of the Delta Sig experience. The Pyramid Program includes expectations on regular education regarding the Ritual and the rehearsal of ceremonies.
  • Officer Transition Component – The key to consistent success for any chapter is a strong annual transition between officers. A component has been added with guidelines to encourage better, more consistent officer transitions.

Elevation: The top section of the Pyramid is called Elevation. This section is composed entirely of new components that have been regularly requested or demonstrated by chapters of Delta Sigma Phi. Chapters choose four of the seven components in this section to complete based on the chapter’s personality and goals. More components may be added to this section in the future to allow for even greater choice in the coaching and assessment each chapter receives.

Resources: The following will be made available to all chapters, volunteers and fraternity/sorority professionals:

  • A PDF with a visual display of the Pyramid Program and a list of the components
  • A packet with one page dedicated to each component. These one-pagers will include the required documentation, notes about the component and some best practices from chapters across the country. They will be available online or through the Chapter Support and New Chapter Support Specialists on Sept. 21, 2015.
  • Nik Koulogeorge, Director of Fraternity Growth & Support, hosted a webinar on Sept. 21, 2015 at 7  to walk through the program and answer questions. Couldn’t make it to the webinar? Watch a recoding of the webinar here.

In 2005, Delta Sigma Phi launched Vision 2025, a bold plan to become America’s Leading Fraternity. The Fraternity’s assessment model has gradually adjusted to the metrics laid out in Vision 2025, and the Pyramid Program continues that trend and offers new ways to simplify and personalize how chapters are assessed and coached.

In the coming years, components may be adjusted, added or replaced, and new options will be added to the Elevation section to provide chapters with even more choice!

As the Fraternity builds upon partnerships such as utilization of GreekLifeEDU, the participation in the Sexual Assault Coalition and the development of the Transition Experience, and as the Fraternity continues its aim to become America’s Leading Fraternity, The Pyramid Program will grow and adapt to fit new expectations for an ever growing fraternity.

If you are an undergraduate chapter member and have questions about the Pyramid Program, please contact your Chapter Support Specialist or New Chapter Support Specialist.

If you are a volunteer, alumnus or fraternity/sorority professional and have questions about the Pyramid Program, please contact Nik Koulogeorge, Director of Fraternity Growth & Services, at koulogeorge@deltasig.org.

Delta Sigma Phi Launches Mentoring Platform

For Immediate Release
August 3, 2015

Contact: Ashley Martin, Director of Communications
Email: martin@deltasig.org

 

In an effort to harness the power of its network of brothers, Delta Sigma Phi Fraternity is proud to announce the launch of its online mentoring platform. This tool—the first of its kind in the fraternity/sorority world—will facilitate relationship building between alumni and undergraduate brothers from across the globe.

Click here to create your account on the mentoring platform.

In a partnership with Indianapolis-based company Integrated Mentoring Solutions, Delta Sigma Phi members can create profiles on the online platform, then search for brothers to connect with based on shared interests, career goals, geographic location and more. Once connected on the site, the men will be provided with resources on how to foster a positive mentoring relationship, as well as find templates for how to best structure the initial three meetings with his mentor/mentee. While men can connect with many brothers at one time, it is suggested that no more than three mentoring relationships be cultivated by a person at a time. The platform will also feature a jobs and internship board for members to further share career opportunities with brothers. In-person training workshops will also be available for both mentors and mentees to focus on skill building.

“For years, every fraternity and sorority has touted the power of their alumni network, but they all admittedly struggle with how to truly connect their members together. Delta Sig has found a solution,” said Delta Sigma Phi Executive Director & CEO Patrick Jessee when the platform was announced July 11 at the Fraternity’s 59th & Biennial Convention in New Orleans. “This is a major step in Delta Sigma Phi engaging our members and providing a valuable, lifelong resource.”

Prior to Convention 2015, a select group of alumni and undergraduate members were asked to pilot the mentoring platform. More than 60 brothers from that group created profiles and began mentoring relationships. Today, all brothers has access to the platform.

The mentoring platform is part of a larger umbrella initiative the Fraternity calls The Transition Experience. Also launched at Convention 2015, The Transition Experience is a four-pronged, holistic approach to engage members for a lifetime of brotherhood and growth in the Fraternity. It will focus on providing education to undergraduate men on career planning and professional and personal development, as well as ongoing professional development for our alumni; congratulating and recognizing our men when they graduate and leveraging this outreach to improve data collection (contact information, career focus, areas of volunteer interest, location); connecting brothers together as volunteers, through social engagements, via the mentoring program, and career placement; and instilling a passion for continued involvement in the Delta Sigma Phi Fraternity and Foundation.

“Through The Transition Experience and mentoring platform, we are truly developing the idea of lifelong fraternity,” said Delta Sigma Phi Grand Council President Tom Cycyota. “Our mission is Building Better Men, and we must make sure do build our members up throughout their lives, not just while in college. Delta Sig is proud to be at the forefront of developing programs that promote lifelong member development.”

Delta Sigma Phi was founded on Dec. 10, 1899 at the City College of New York. Delta Sigma Phi currently has initiated more than 120,000 men since its founding. The Delta Sigma Phi Foundation was established in 1953 and is a 501(c)(3) registered nonprofit organization. To learn more, visit www.deltasig.org.

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He Went to Play

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