More than 150 awards were received by 80 chapters and individuals at the 186th General Convention, a true testament of success across Beta’s Broad Domain this past year. Among them, 32 chapters received the newly redesigned Francis H. Sisson Award and 23 the coveted John Reily Knox Award for chapter excellence. Check the full list of award winners below — and some photos too!
John Reily Knox Award
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
19th Time
University of San Diego
16th Time
Truman State University
15th Time
Miami University
13th Time
Georgia Institute of Technology
11th Time
Centre College
11th Time
University of Idaho
11th Time
Case Western Reserve University
9th Time
Creighton University
8th Time
The College of New Jersey
7th Time
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
6th Time
University of Kentucky
5th Time
University of Cincinnati
5th Time
The University of Texas at Austin
5th Time
John Carroll University
4th Time
Elon University
3rd Time
University of Iowa
2nd Time
California Polytechnic State University
2nd Time
University of the Pacific
2nd Time
Denison University
1st Time
High Point University
1st Time
University of Miami
1st Time
Washington State University
1st Time
Francis H. Sisson Award
Georgia Institute of Technology
38th Time
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
26th Time
University of Georgia
24th Time
Truman State University
23rd Time
University of Idaho
22nd Time
University of Kansas
22nd Time
University of Cincinnati
20th Time
Miami University
19th Time
University of San Diego
18th Time
Centre College
18th Time
Case Western Reserve University
17th Time
University of Iowa
12th Time
The University of Texas at Austin
10th Time
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
10th Time
Oklahoma State University
10th Time
Creighton University
9th Time
Saint Louis University
9th Time
University of Kentucky
8th Time
Iowa State University
8th Time
John Carroll University
8th Time
The College of New Jersey
7th Time
California Polytechnic State University
7th Time
High Point University
6th Time
Bethany College
6th Time
Washington State University
6th Time
University of South Carolina
6th Time
Elon University
5th Time
University of the Pacific
4th Time
Furman University
4th Time
Denison University
3rd Time
University of Miami
2nd Time
Worcester Polytechnic Institute
1st Time
Individual Awards
Francis W. Shepardson Award
Paul B. Swartz, Kansas State ’64
Paul has left a lasting mark on countless lawyers, Betas and Kansas State students over his career, providing sound leadership to organizations and serving as a moral compass to others. In 2000, he was elected to the Fraternity Board of Trustees, a role he returned to for two additional terms in 2007 and 2010. Paul has been a loyal supporter of and volunteer for his chapter, the Gamma Epsilon house corporation board and alumni association.
Jerry M. Blesch General Secretary Leadership Award
Henry D. Jonas, Appalachian State ’25
The vision and leadership of Henry has had a tremendous impact on Beta’s Broad Domain, his campus and his community. As a founding father and chapter president, Brother Jonas led his chapter through the journey from founding to chartering — and did so in a spectacular fashion and a rare two-year timeline. Today, the chapter is widely known across campus for their devotion to service and philanthropy, safe and inclusive events, a strong brotherhood built on trust, and men devoted to intellectual pursuits in their collegiate careers and beyond.
Jonathan J. Brant
Interfraternalism Award
Dr. Jeremiah Shinn, Lambda Chi Alpha
Charles W. Warner
Fraternity/Sorority Advisor of the Year
McKenzie Pendry, Alpha Chi Omega
Dr. Edward B. Taylor
Chapter Counselor of the Year
Katie Seuntjens, Delta Gamma
Regional Chief of the Year
John A. Smid, Toronto ’99
District Chief of the Year
Ian H. Ross, Michigan ’21
House Corporation Volunteer of the Year
L. Martin Cobb, Eastern Kentucky ’96
Advisor of the Year
Thomas W. Schoelerman, Iowa State ’73
Chapter President of the Year
Grant Coulson, Pennsylvania ’27
Exemplary Campus Leadership Award
Rithvik Y. Lee Pack, South Florida ’26
Rookie District Chief of the Year
Kevin M. Levy, American ’16
Outstanding Chapter Executive
Agastya A. Goel, Pennsylvania ’26
House Director of the Year
Connie Moore, Friend of Beta (Iowa State)
NIC Awards of Distinction
Chapter of Distinction
University of Iowa
Alumnus of Distinction
L. Martin Cobb, Eastern Kentucky ’96
Chapter Awards
John Holt Duncan Community Service Award
University of Denver
Charles Henry Hardin Leadership Development Award
University of Iowa (Total Attendees – 24)
University of Texas at Arlington (Highest Chapter Participation – 100%)
North Dakota Award for Excellence in Chapter Publications
University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Iowa State University, University of Missouri
H.H. Stephenson Jr. Award for Excellence in Historical Preservation and Research
Centre College
Excellence in Risk Management
University of South Florida
Most Improved Chapter of the Year
University of Texas at Austin
Advisory Team of the Year
University of Colorado Boulder
Outstanding Alumni Relations
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Outstanding Alumni Association
John Carroll University
Outstanding Campus Involvement
Oklahoma State University
Outstanding New Member Education
John Carroll University
Outstanding Recruitment Program
University of Illinois
Singing Awards
Whitman Choral Cup
Oklahoma State University
Best New Song Competition
University of Kentucky
“Dear Old Wooglin’s Crew” by Jackson Martin ’26
Virginia Tech Awards for Academic Excellence
University of Kansas
Highest GPA (3.75)
Kennesaw State University
Most Improved GPA (3.20 to 3.50)
Region Leaders
George Washington University
Mid-Atlantic Region
University of Kansas
South Central Region
Kennesaw State University
South Region
Miami University
East Great Lakes Region
University of Miami
Southeast Region
Saint Louis University
North Central Region
University of San Diego
Southwest Region
Washington State University
Northwest Region
University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh
West Great Lakes Region
Worcester Polytechnic Institute
Northeast Region
No. 1 Fraternity on Campus
University of Arkansas
Bethany College
California Polytechnic State University
Centre College
Eastern Kentucky University
Elon University
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
George Washington University
High Point University
University of Iowa
James Madison University
John Carroll University
University of Kansas
Kennesaw State University
Lawrence University
University of Maryland
Miami University
University of Nebraska at Omaha
The Ohio State University
University of the Pacific
Quinnipiac University
Sacred Heart University
Saint Louis University
University of San Diego
San Diego State University
University of South Florida
Texas Christian University
The University of Texas at Arlington
Truman State University
University of Utah
University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh
