CHAPTER AWARDS
All chapter award recipients are selected based on applications and letters of recommendation. Applicants can share the link for additional letters of recommendation with others. Individuals submitting a letter of recommendation only needs to submit one letter per chapter, regardless of the number of awards the chapter is applying for.
Grand Chapter
Excellence is clearly an expectation within the Fraternity. The Grand Chapter Award recognizes the foremost chapter within Phi Kappa Psi. The awarded chapter embodies the Fraternity’s values and exceeds expectations across all operations.
All chapters who apply for the Chapter Excellence Awards will be considered for the Grand Chapter Award.
Chapter must meet minimum standards to qualify for this award
Chapter Excellence Awards
The Chapter Excellence Awards are given to six chapters that exemplify the Fraternity’s ideals, above and beyond. The winners of the Chapter Excellence Awards will vie for the Fraternity’s top honor, the Grand Chapter Award.
Chapter Excellence Award recipients will be determined based on applications for individual area group awards listed below. The chapter should submit any additional information that should be considered as an application for the Chapter Excellence Award.
Chapters must meet minimum standards to qualify for this award
Most Improved Chapter
The Most Improved Chapter award acknowledges the chapter that’s recommitted to excellence, making significant operational improvements over the past two years. All areas of operation will be considered.
The Most Improved Chapter Award recipient will be determined based on applications for individual group awards listed below. The chapter should submit any information regarding improvements that have been made as an application for most improved chapter.
Chapter must meet minimum standards to qualify for this award
Dr. Gordon Sparks Letterman Men’s Health Award
Dr. Gordon Sparks Letterman Mizzou ‘38 was not only the grandson of our founder, William Henry Letterman, but also served the Fraternity as Surgeon General and Surgeon General Emeritus. The Dr. Gordon Sparks Letterman Award is presented to the chapter that successfully orchestrates an outstanding health event or program throughout the academic year. This initiative should prioritize the ongoing health and well-being of the chapter’s members and/or the local community. Events and programs centered around support of mental, physical, or emotional health will be considered.
Ralph D. Daniel Award for Excellence in Chapter Management
The Ralph D. Daniel Award for Excellence in Chapter Management celebrates a chapter’s organizational prowess. A adept leadership, strategic planning, and effective administration are practiced by the awarded chapter, who’s inclusive environment and commitment to operational efficiency result in positive outcomes. Additional consideration will be given to those chapters whose officers have completed all Ascend (Officer) Training modules. Chapters should consider submitting sample meeting minutes, officer retreat documentation, and any other information that displays the chapter’s excellence in chapter management.
Member Excellence Award for Recruitment
The Membership Excellence Award for recruitment will recognize a chapter whose strategies lead to new member retention and education, effective recruitment planning, recruitment training and adherence to membership standards. Recruitment plans, training, membership standards for recruitment, events, published recruitment materials, and social media initiatives will all be considered when determining the recipient of this award.
Ralph Haney Award for Financial Management
The Ralph Haney Award for Financial Management will recognize a chapter who’s treasury is budgeted, pays bills on time, educates its members on financial literacy, and creatively encourages member payment. Chapter financial records will be reviewed in consideration for this award. The chapter should submit any additional information regarding financial management, including finance education programs and operating practices.
Hyatt Patt Eby Award for Community Service
The Hyatt Patt Eby Award for Community Service is presented to the chapter that most notably serves its college, an organization, an individual, and/or local community. Community service hours, community service events and partnerships with community groups will be considered.
Public Relations Award
The Public Relations Award recognizes a chapter for their efforts to engage with the greater community such as parents, alumni, HQ staff, administrators, neighbors, or groups different than their own. Social media presence, chapter website and activity on campus (or in the community) will be considered. Chapters should include in the application links to social media accounts and websites, along with additional information the chapter would like to provide.
Griffing-Tate Award for Fraternity Education
The Griffing-Tate Award for Fraternity Education recognizes a chapter for their implementation of an educational program or process. This program or process should be for current undergraduate members and/or new members that is separate from participation in Embark.
Thomas Cochran Campbell Award for Ritual Exemplification
The Thomas Cochran Campbell Award for Ritual Exemplification celebrates a chapter for keeping to Phi Kappa Psi’s rituals. They perform each of the Fraternity’s ceremonies and share the wisdom they impart. Understanding and explaining the mysteries make our values accessible, and the winner of this award exemplifies the spirit of the Fraternity. Chapters should consider submitting any information or documentation regarding ritual reviews, ritual practice, or other events related to the rituals and values of the Fraternity.
Alumni Relations Award
The Alumni Relations Award will recognize the chapter that engages with alumni from their chapter and local community. Winners of this award regularly communicate with alumni about the ongoings of the chapter, and encourage alumni participation in chapter events. Chapters should include alumni newsletters, communications, or explanation of programs involving alumni for consideration.
Member Safety Award
The Member Safety Award will be presented to a chapter that shows the greatest commitment to the safety of its members and guests. A chapter’s risk management process, a specific event, program, or unique practice that the chapter has implemented will be considered. Submitted material must align with the Phi Kappa Psi Risk Management Policy.
ALUMNI ASSOCIATION & HOUSE CORPORATION AWARDS
All Alumni Association and House Corporation award recipients are selected based on applications and letters of recommendation. Applicants can share the link for additional letters of recommendation with others.
Outstanding Alumni Association
The Outstanding Alumni Association Award recognizes an alumni association that has demonstrated exceptional dedication, innovation, and impact in fostering connections, providing valuable resources, and nurturing a vibrant community among alumni in their area.
House Corporation Award for Continuing Excellence
The House Corporation Award for Continuing Excellence recognizes a house corporation that has completed a project or event that contributes to the success and growth of the chapter.
Outstanding Alumni/House Corporation
The Outstanding Alumni/House Corporation award recognizes a corporation that has gone above and beyond to maintain contact with alumni of the chapter through communication and events, and/or an ongoing commitment to providing a property suitable for the success of a chapter.
INDIVIDUAL AWARDS
All individual award recipients are selected based on nominations and letters of recommendation. Nominators can share the link for additional letters of recommendation with others.
The Edgar Fahs Smith Award
The Edgar Fahs Smith Award recognizes the outstanding work of a member in his contributions to our Fraternity’s publications.
1964 – Mike Barton Nebraska ’62
1966 – Alan B. Grosbach Indiana ’65
1972 – Richard Huchek
1974 – Frank Coenraad Creighton ’71
1976 – Nestor Barrero UCLA ’75
1978 – P. Slade Hanson Jr. Oklahoma ’76
1980 – Timothy S. Kincaid Oklahoma ’77
1982 – Ronald H. Vlaskamp Beloit ’78 & Bob Marchesani Butler ’94 (IUP ’79)
1984 – Richard H. Johnson Alabama ’82 & James Vincent Poma Michigan ’83
1986 – Terry Harper Oklahoma State ’77
1988 – Jay Casini Iowa ’87
1990 – Russell Dombrow Buffalo ’87
1992 – Bradley Hoover Arizona State ’88
1994 – Mark Baskin TCNJ ’90
2000 – Patrick R. Durst SIUE ’99
2002 – Wes Schaub Toledo ’80
2004 – William Blanke Creighton ’83
2006 – Joseph Natale Rhode Island ’81
2008 – Kent Christopher Owen Indiana ’58
2010 – Mike McCoy Indiana ’58
2012 – Robert J. Parada RIT ’92
2014 – Brand Newland Iowa ’00 & John Greenwood Iowa ’00
2016 – Will Haskett Butler ’00
2022 – Micah Kleid F&M ’00
Eddie Knight Award of Merit
The Eddie Knight Award of Merit is presented to an alumnus who has contributed his time and talents to the initiatives of the national fraternity, a chapter, colony and/or alumni association.
1974 – Phil M. Cornelius Indiana 1925
1976 – Frank Crist Johns Hopkins ’35
1978 – Carl J. Stoney Cal ’65
1980 – Dr. Robert Mouser Wabash ’49
1982 – Samuel D. Rife Ohio State ’55
1984 – George M. Kurey Oklahoma ’66
1986 – Warner E. Mills Jr. Beloit ’78 & Theodore J. Urban Northwestern ’46
1988 – Dr. Bryan Foulk Arizona ’79
1990 – Norm Spain Ohio State ’33
1992 – William A. Bowers III Rhode Island ’66
1994 – John V. Ciccarelli Northridge ’72
1996 – Dick Ong Oregon State ’55
1998 – Stephen R. O’Rourke Missouri ’74
2000 – Terrence G. Harper Oklahoma State ’85
2002 – Michael H. McCoy Indiana ’58
2004 – J. Tryon Hubbard Alabama ’64
2006 – John J. Ziegelmeyer, Jr. Kansas ’70
2008 – William J. Good Iowa State ’69
2010 – Robert J. Parada RIT ’92
2012 – Bob Marchesani Butler ’94 (IUP ’79)
2014 – Jason Pierce Ashland ’95, Ron Ransom Butler ’00 & Kyle Jordan Valpo ’97
2016 – Richard “Dick” Starr Ohio State ’65
2018 – E. Wade Shows Louisiana Alpha ’69 & John Greenwood Iowa ’00
2022 – Matt Anglin Washington ’90
Advisor to Fraternities
The Advisor to Fraternities Award recognizes a campus professional who has given of their time and talent to ensure the betterment of the Phi Kappa Psi chapter on their campus, as well as the rest of the fraternity and sorority community.
1986 – Warren A. “Bud” Richey – Louisiana State University
1988 – Mike Palm – University of Kentucky
1992 – Kenneth Taylor – University of Southern California
1994 – Mary Peterson – University of Iowa
1996 – Mary L. Peterson – University of Iowa
2002 – Gerry Stebbins and Keith Flick – Washington & Jefferson College
2004 – Jason Pierce (OH Theta), University of Iowa
2006 – Jennifer Jones-Hall, Valparaiso University
2008 – Melissa Williams, Northern Illinois University
2010 – Caitlin Roberts, California State University, Long Beach
2012 – Carol Preston, Wittenberg University
2014 – Kristin Torrey, Vanderbilt University
2016 – Jennifer Doebler, University of Minnesota, Duluth
2018 – Marilyn Russell, University of Texas
2022 – Dr. Carolyn Whittier, Valparaiso University
Outstanding Chapter Advisor
The Outstanding Chapter Advisor Award is presented to a chapter advisor who has made an outstanding commitment to the success and life of a chapter.
1990 – Jay Masingill Alabama ’68
1992 – W. Robert Goldman Jr. W&J ’64
1994 – Steve O’Rourke Missouri ’74
1996 – Bob Marchesani Jr. Butler ’94 (IUP ’79)
1998 – Ron Dinino Buffalo ’85
2000 – Donald K. Cadley Ashland ’66
2002 – Rico Hernandez Stanford ’78
2004 – Larry Zaiser Michigan State ’62
2006 – Michael Hauck Ohio State ’89
2008 – Todd Salen Illinois ’77
2010 – Mark Wong UC – Davis ’88
2012 – Gordon Carter Alabama ’75
2014 – Blake Yeaman UC – Berkeley ’78
2016 – Marc Dumas DePaul ’93
2018 – Bill Good Iowa State ’69 & Marc Robins Alabama ’84
2022 – Andrew Zoebel Minnesota ’14
Emerging Volunteer Award
The Emerging Volunteer Award is given to a member who’s been volunteering as an alumni less than five years. Although they have not held their position long, they’ve taken great strides in advancing the Fraternity forward.
Anna Ritchie Letterman Ladies Silver Bowl
The Ladies Silver Bowl honors the contributions of a special phi psi sweetheart.
1970 – Elizabeth Elliott
1972 – Virginia Mize
1974 – Dorothy Meserve
1976 – Alma Letterman
1978 – Mrs. Dana “Mom” Voght
1980 – Mrs. Phillip M. Cornelius
1982 – Miss Carol J. Klima
1984 – Mrs. Cynthia Whitting
1986 – Jean Jones
1988 – Miss Urilla Moore Bland (posthumously)
1990 – Joyce Yowell
1992 – Lucille Lazzell
2000 – Florence Nelson
2002 – Suzann Mitten Owen
2004 – Dorothy “Mom” Brown
2006 – Esther “Mom” Wolfe
2008 – Christina Silas
2010 – Lee Ann Harper
2012 – Lindy Good
2014 – Ellen Collinsworth
2016 – Janie Keller
2018 – Laura Kooy
2022 – Amanda Baldwin
Undergraduate of the Year
The Undergraduate of the Year Awards recognizes an undergraduate who goes above and beyond the standard call to achieve greatness and fulfill the needs of their community, their campus, and themselves.
2006 – Scott Shorten Kansas ’03
2008 – Barrett J. Anderson Iowa ’05
2010 – Justin Solomon Stanford ’08
2012 – Jesse Fosheim Valpo ’10
2014 – Zac Brantley Purdue ’12
2016 – Taylor Reed UA Huntsville ’15 & Kevin Paternostro Oregon State ’12
2018 – Chris Dupree Louisiana Alpha ’14
2022 – Maxwell Nelson Minnesota ’19