National Awards & Recognition Program
The National Awards & Recognition nominations are now available. All award nominations are due by MAY 26th.
Individual Awards
The Charles S. Rising Outstanding Chapter President Award
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Charles S. Rising was the first National President of Phi Mu Delta. Through his leadership, the National Fraternity laid the foundation for our success over the past 88 years. The Charles S. Rising Outstanding Chapter President Award recognizes the contributions and leadership of a chapter president.
This year’s award winner helped his colony excel to chartering. When discussing the chapter’s successes, one nominator wrote that, “it would not have been possible without his outstanding leadership and motivation and we would not be where we are today without him.” His leadership allowed the colony to strive for excellence through hardships and doubt. Another nominator continues, “The amount of hard work, time, and effort he put into keep this chapter moving forward was monumental. He made sacrifices for the greater good of the chapter. His leadership is well-known on campus and a role model for all students.” The 2018 Charles S. Rising Award recipient is Zachary Kaiser of the Mu Upsilon chapter at Robert Morris University. |
The David T. Smittle Emerging Leader Award
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David T. Smittle is a longtime volunteer of Phi Mu Delta and a member of the Mu Beta Chapter at Ohio Northern University. Dave served on the National Council for over 30 years in many capacities, including as National Treasurer, National Secretary, and as National President. His dedication and service to the National Fraternity and to his chapter have provided enormous opportunities for emerging leaders to develop into their role. The David T. Smittle Emerging Leader Award recognizes the continued development of an undergraduate member in all aspect of fraternity life.
This year’s award recipient has been described as one that has seen strong personal and leadership growth over the last year. One nominator stated, “he has truly developed as a servant leader and helped his chapter rise from the ashes.” In his officer role, he has created new initiatives for his chapter and provided ongoing support to the new advisors that were added to the Chapter Advisory Board throughout the year. His nominator continues, “At a time when our chapter has been struggling, he has emerged as a leader and helped the chapter rebound.” The inaugural David T. Smittle Emerging Leader Award recipient is Edward Rothe from the Mu Omicron chapter at Frostburg State University. |
The Robert C. Lomison Outstanding Undergraduate Member Award
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Brother Robert C. Lomison served as National President from 1982 until 1990. He joined the National Council as the Undergraduate Representative in 1976. At that time, the National Fraternity was facing many challenges and Brother Lomison was part of a team of brothers who saved the organization. The Robert C. Lomison Award recognizes the outstanding contributions of any undergraduate member to his chapter, campus, or greater community.
This year’s award winner is a proud example of Phi Mu Delta Fraternity. He has shown the greatest dedication to his academics, family, and his chapter throughout his entire membership. He lives by the pillars of Phi Mu Delta every day and leads by action, through role modeling for younger members and potential new members with his confidence and pride of being a PMD. His nominator wrote, “he encourages the chapter to accept men that promote our three pillars and shows great leadership qualities. He has challenged the fraternity to serve the college and create events with other organizations, overall creating a better relationship with these groups and Greek life. New members strive live up to his example that PMD accepts all men of all cultures and diversities, making every man feel included and valued as a brother of Phi Mu Delta.” The 2018 Robert C. Lominson Outstanding Undergraduate Member Award recipient is Benjamin Johns from the Mu Beta chapter at Ohio Northern University. |
The Dr. Albert D. Nutting Outstanding Chapter Advisor Award
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The Dr. Albert D. Nutting Outstanding Advisor Award is named in honor of the longtime advisor to the Nu Epsilon Chapter at the University of Maine. Dr. Nutting was a founding member of the chapter and returned to the University as a Professor of Forestry. He served the Nu Epsilon Chapter for over 30 years as its faculty and alumni advisor. Chapters and host institutions are asked to submit a nomination using the form provided. Nominees may serve in any advisory capacity to the chapter.
The first award winner has been serving on the chapter’s advisory board for many years. During his time as advisor, the chapter has gone through many intense situations and this advisor was always here to help. His nominator explained, “Every time a new issue arose, he was always available to give advice. Whether that be meeting with him once a week to discuss issues, coming to our executive board meetings at night or always available for a phone call, our advisor has always been ready to help out. He tells brothers that his office is always open, and he follows through with this by reaching out to brothers if he sees them struggling.” While he is stepping down from the Chapter Advisor role, he will still be involved with the chapter. The first 2018 Dr. Albert D. Nutting Outstanding Chapter Advisor Award recipient is Louie Land of the Mu Alpha chapter at Susquehanna University. The second award winner is newer to his role as chapter advisor and at the start of his time as advisor, was the only advisor supporting the chapter at a local level. His nominator described him as compassionate and a great role model.” He went on to say that “he has done a great job supporting our brothers this year and offering us advice on how to better our chapter. He created a retreat for us, which allowed us to realize what we are doing and what we can do better as a brotherhood. He has always been very helpful when we are having internal issues with other brothers as well as giving us advice and ideas for recruitment and I don't think our chapter would have succeeded as well as it did last semester.” The second Dr. Albert D. Nutting Outstanding Chapter Advisor Award was presented to Ryan Grogan, advisor to the Nu Xi chapter at the University of Southern Maine. |
The James A. Vitale Outstanding Volunteer Award
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Mr. James A. Vitale was named a Distinguished Service Chapter Member in 1999. Brother Vitale served as Executive Secretary of the Fraternity in 1964 and was able to open the very first National Headquarters in 1966. This award recognizes the outstanding contributions of a member of the National Council. Anyone may nominate a current volunteer for work done throughout the year.
This year’s award recipient has served as a volunteer at the local chapter level and the national level. He has worked with many chapters through his roles and provided ongoing support and held individuals and chapters accountable to the oath taken during initiation. He reinvented the committee that he led by recruiting and training his committee members of alumni and undergraduates and helped hold chapters accountable. In addition, he served as a chapter advisor when the group was in need. His nominator wrote, “He expects all members to do their best and challenges them when they weren’t doing the right things. He has given his all to this fraternity and I honestly can’t think of someone more deserving.” The 2018 James A. Vitale Outstanding Volunteer Award was presented to the National Vice President, Joseph Doiron, of the Nu Theta Eta chapter at New England College. |
Chapter Awards
The Commons Club Outstanding Alumni Association Award
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.In 1899, a new generation of men at Wesleyan University sought to break the power on campus held by the older, well established fraternities. These fraternities were undemocratic, elitist and discriminatory in terms of race, religion and social status. Their answer was to form the Commons Club; an organization that welcomed any man of good character regardless of his race, religion, or background. The National Federation of Commons Clubs grew to an impressive 19 chapters, when three broke away to form Phi Mu Delta in 1918. Recognizing the spirit and ongoing commitment of our alumni, the Commons Club Outstanding Alumni Association recognizes the outstanding efforts of our alumni to continue the journey of brotherhood for members of Phi Mu Delta. This year Phi Mu Delta Fraternity honored two outstanding groups. Phi Mu Delta Fraternity celebrated the centennial in Burlington, Vermont. None of the event planning or coordination would have been possible without the tremendous support of our first award recipient. This Alumni Association has worked hand-in-hand with the National Council, Headquarters and staff to ensure that we had an outstanding Conclave celebration. They served as a Platinum level sponsor and gave served as gracious hosts in Burlington. The first Commons Club Outstanding Alumni Association Award was presented to the Nu Gamma Alumni Association from the University of Vermont. The second recipient was nominated by the undergraduate membership. Over the past year, this Alumni Association facilitated a positive and beneficial relationship between active members and alumni. By reaching out to our wide network of alumni, the Alumni Board was able to raise over $100,000 for chapter house improvement projects. The projects have included installing Fiber Optic internet, purchasing new furniture for communal areas, and stabilizing the foundation of the chapter house itself. These projects not only improved the house for the benefit of active brothers, but they also help during recruitment. The improvements made the house safer and more enjoyable for the membership. The second Commons Club Outstanding Alumni Association Award recipient was the Nu Theta Holding Corps. from the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute! |
The Perce R. Appleyard Award for Outstanding Community Service
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Perce R. Appleyard served as National President from 1948 until 1950. Perce was a member of the Alpha Sigma Omega Fraternity that became the Mu Alpha Chapter at Susquehanna University in 1924. From the moment Mu Alpha was chartered, Brother Appleyard dedicated himself and the Fraternity to community service and philanthropy programming. This award recognizes the chapter or colony with the greatest contribution of community service and/or philanthropy programming from the academic year.
This chapter truly demonstrates the value of service. Through their individual contributions, the members averaged 24 hours of service, each semester. Additionally, the chapter regularly volunteers with their local philanthropy by helping a local family in need. The impact this chapter has on their local community does not go unnoticed and is demonstrative of their passion for service to the college, service to every group organized for the common good, and service to the individual. The 2018 Perce R. Appleyard Award for Outstanding Community Service was awarded to the Sigma Alpha chapter at Longwood University. |
The Robert G. LeBlanc Academic Achievement Award
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Dr. Robert G. LeBlanc was a member of the Nu Beta Chapter at the University of New Hampshire. After his graduation, Brother LeBlanc pursued a Ph.D. in Geography and returned to UNH as a professor. In 2001, Brother LeBlanc was traveling to a conference in Los Angeles when the flight he was aboard was one of the planes to strike the Twin Towers. In 2002, the Academic Achievement Award was named in his honor. The award recognizes the chapter/colony with the highest annual Grade Point Average. This chapter achieved 3.39 in the fall and 3.32 in the spring semester.
The 2018 Robert G. LeBlanc Academic Achievement Award was presented to Nu Gamma chapter at the University of Vermont. |
The Outstanding Membership Growth Award
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The Outstanding Membership Growth Award is presented to the chapter that has the highest percent growth from starting the fall 2017 semester to starting the fall 2018 semester.
This chapter started the fall 2017 semester with 16 members and finished this semester with 31 members, growing 94% over this academic year! This year’s Outstanding Membership Growth Award is presented to the Mu Upsilon chapter at Robert Morris University. |
The Outstanding Recruitment Award
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The Outstanding Recruitment Award is presented to the chapter that initiates the highest number of new members during the entire academic year. This year’s winner initiated 10 new members in the fall 2017 semester and 15 in the spring semester, totaling 25 total initiates this academic year.
This year’s Outstanding Recruitment Award is presented to the Mu Alpha chapter at Susquehanna University. |
The Outstanding Chapter Programming Award
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This award is presented to the chapter that hosts an outstanding program for its members during this academic year. This could be an educational program, philanthropy event, or chapter function.
During the fall semester, this chapter hosted 3, 3-hour long workshops about job searching. Job Jam was hosted by the scholarship chair and the first was general job search advice for members, the second was a workshop to assist members in applying for jobs, the third was designed to help members prepare for interviews. The 2018 Outstanding Chapter Programming Award is presented to the Nu Theta Chapter at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. |
The Eli C. Henry Most Improved Chapter Award
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Eli C. Henry was National President during the difficult times in the late 1970’s. Together with a small band of dedicated alumni, Brother Henry is credited with saving the National Fraternity and putting the organization back on track for success. Unfortunately, Brother Henry suddenly passed in the early 1990’s and the Most Improved Chapter Award was named in his honor. The chapter that has demonstrated the greatest improvement during the academic year in the areas of chapter management, scholarship, and recruitment will be considered for this award.
Over the last year, the National Fraternity has watched this chapter grow and show strength through adversity. This time last year, the chapter face risk management issues, low recruitment numbers, and had lost their sense of purpose. In the fall semester, the leadership came together and recognized their issues, removed members that were no longer positive contributions to the group, recruited a complete six-person advisory board, and used their campus and national resources to develop a plan for success. In the spring semester, the new leadership began implementing this mission, specifically focusing on recruitment. They communicated with their advisors and National Office consistently and never feared asking for help. While they did not reach their ideal recruitment goal, they still initiated the largest new member class in over 3 years and found confidence in the recruitment process. The personal growth I’ve seen in the officers is inspiring and I am proud to call these men Phi Mu Delta brothers. They haven’t reached all the goals they set out to achieve but deserve so much recognition for the progress that they have made. The 2018 Eli C. Henry Most Improved Chapter is the Mu Omicron Chapter at Frostburg State University. |
The Chapter of Excellence Award
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Clarence Dexter Pierce, the founder of Phi Mu Delta, stood for the strongest of ideals for the remainder of his life. He went on to be a successful doctor in Batavia, New York and was committed to serving others throughout his life. The Chapter of Excellence Award honors those chapters who have committed themselves to our highest ideals and have created an environment where our members can thrive. Chapters must be strong in all areas of chapter management, scholarship, recruitment, and service to the community. These chapters are then asked to make a formal presentation before the Undergraduate membership at Conclave or Sapphire Leadership Institute. These chapters compete for the Clarence Dexter Pierce Cup, the highest honor awarded to a chapter, as selected by their peers.
This year, there were 4 chapters of excellence. In alphabetical order, they are:
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Special Recognition Awards
The Ronald H. Jury Interfraternal Friendship Award
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The Ronald H. Jury Interfraternal Friendship Award was created to honor Past National President, Ronald H. Jury in 2002. Initiated into the Mu Zeta Chapter at Lock Haven University in 1970, Ron was a champion for Phi Mu Delta since his undergraduate years. He joined the National Council in 1982 when he was asked to serve by his close friend and chapter brother, Bob Lomison. Ron would be elected National President in 1990, succeeding his friend. In 1994, Ron was the first Phi Mu Delta to be elected to the Board of Director of the North-American Interfraternity Conference. There he was mentored by men like Dru Bagwell of Phi Sigma Kappa and Sigma Phi Epsilon's Frank Ruck. Ron was a tireless advocate for the strength of inter-fraternalism and understanding that a strong Greek community meant a strong Phi Mu Delta. Unfortunately, Ron passed away in 2008. Today, we honor his memory by recognizing the support and efforts of our inter-fraternal friends. There is no nomination form for this award. The award is given at Conclave every two years, when applicable, and the recipient is selected by the National Council.
The first honoree is Eugene “Buddy” Cote. Buddy has been a dedicated fraternity man since joining Phi Gamma Delta Fraternity at the University of Maine. Perhaps it was in his blood, as Buddy’s father was alumnus from Phi Mu Delta’s own Nu Beta Chapter at the University of New Hampshire. He was elected Archon of Fiji in 2006, and later he served as the Chairman of the NIC from 2014 until the re-organization of the NIC at the end of 2015. He continues to represent Phi Gamma Delta on the NIC Governing Council. If you are wearing your badge today…you have Buddy to thank! As the Director, Fraternal Division & Special Markets for Herff Jones, Buddy leads the team that crafts many of the fraternity and sorority jewelry we wear today. The next two recipients are Matthew Mattson and Joshua Orendi. Matt was initiated into the Delta Phi Chapter of Alpha Sigma Phi Fraternity at Grand Valley State University. After graduation, he went to work for Alpha Sigma Phi where he collaborated with Josh on expansion projects. Josh was initiated into the Beta Gamma Chapter of Alpha Sigma Phi Fraternity at Bethany College. He continues to serve Alpha Sigma Phi as a member of their Board of Directors. Together, they would revolutionize fraternity recruitment using age old sales methods and incorporating them with social excellence practices. Phired Up became the premier fraternity growth company starting in 2002. Since 2006, Phi Mu Delta and Phired Up has worked together to recruit the best men at the best campuses in the country. Without Phired Up Phi Mu Delta would not have experienced the growth and overall success that it has achieved in the last ten years! |
The Dr. Paul R. Kittle, Jr. Outstanding Professional Award
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Dr. Paul R. Kittle was initiated into the Mu Pi Chapter of Phi Mu Delta at California University of Pennsylvania. He remained at Cal U for his Master’s Degree and then pursued his career in Higher Education. First at St. Francis College in Pennsylvania, then Clemson, Auburn and now he serves as Assistant Vice President for Student Life at High Point University in North Carolina. Paul has always been committed to excellence in the Greek Life profession and this award seeks to recognize those who are exemplary in the field of Higher Education.
This year’s recipient has been a strong supporter of Phi Mu Delta. In 2004, he began working with our National Council on strategic initiatives. Later, in 2016, he was once again called upon to help the Fraternity with its four-year strategic plan and goals for the Centennial year of celebration. In addition, he has served as an outside voice willing to provide honest feedback to the Council and staff. Phi Mu Delta Fraternity was pleased to award John Mountz of East Carolina University and a proud member of Phi Kappa Tau Fraternity with the Dr. Paul R. Kittle, Jr. Outstanding Professional Award. |
The Distinguished Alumni AwarD
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In 1967, The Distinguished Alumni and Service Chapters were created The Distinguished Alumni Chapter shall consist of alumni who have contributed greatly to the advancement of their community and/or profession.
Election to these chapters shall be considered the highest honor which may be bestowed upon a member of Phi Mu Delta. Our newest initiate into Distinguished Alumni Chapter was first welcomed into Phi Mu Delta by the Mu Zeta Chapter at Lock Haven University in 1988. After graduation, he entered the pioneering field of internet communications at Global Internet Associates. In 2001 he founded Seisan, a global leader in providing customized web, mobile and geospatial solutions. He has mentored and hired many Phi Mu Delta alumni over the years and was recognized by Lock Haven University as an outstanding young professional. Phi Mu Delta Fraternity is pleased to welcome Charles Durham, Mu Zeta ’93, into the Distinguished Alumni Chapter of Phi Mu Delta! |
The Distinguished Service AwarD
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The newest initiate into Distinguished Service Chapter was also welcomed into Phi Mu Delta by the Mu Zeta Chapter at Lock Haven University. After many years as a software engineer, he followed fellow Brother Chuck Durham to Seisan in 2003. He attended his first National Conclave in 1998 at the University of New Hampshire. Soon after, he was elected to the National Council of Phi Mu Delta then an all-volunteer board, He originally began as a chapter services representative – supporting chapters at Lycoming College and Susquehanna University. Eric also held several positions throughout the years, including serving two terms as National Vice President to conclude 15 years as a member of the National Council. He was awarded the James A. Vitale award, presented for the outstanding contribution after leaving the Council in 2016.
Phi Mu Delta Fraternity is pleased to welcome Eric Etkin, Mu Zeta ’99, into the Distinguished Service Chapter of Phi Mu Delta! |