Awards - Beta Theta Pi

Beta Theta Pi Chapter Awards

The General Fraternity recognizes chapter success and achievement at the General Convention each summer. Awards applications open each spring and must be submitted by April 15. If you have any questions, please review the FAQ document below or contact the awards committee at awards@archive.beta.org.

DOWNLOAD

Download a PDF description of all chapter awards listed below

Sisson Award Criteria

There is no application for this award. The Sisson Award is calculated based on historical chapter performance and information submitted by your chapter. Chapters that don’t submit needed data could be disqualified for the award. The SCOE report on MyBeta > your chapter homepage shows how your chapter is performing against most Sisson Award criteria.

Criteria: Cultivation of the Intellect
Achieve a minimum chapter GPA at or above the campus All-Men’s Average (AMA). For campuses that do not provide an All-Men’s Average, chapter must be at or above a 2.8 GPA, as required by the Code of Beta Theta Pi. Chapters can track their historical performance at MyBeta > your chapter homepage > Chapter Reports > GPA Graphs.

Criteria: Advisor Support
Work with an advisory team consisting of the five core advisors: chapter counselor, recruitment advisor, pledge education advisor, risk management advisor and financial advisor.

Criteria: Membership Education: New Member Education
Complete PPEA Certification by the deadlines established by the Board of Trustees (September 1 for fall; December 15 for spring, or 2 weeks before bid day / induction). Certifications are reported by the district chief.

Criteria: Membership Education: New Member Retention
Maintain a three-year initiation rate of 85% or higher. Chapters can track their historical performance at MyBeta > your chapter homepage > Chapter Reports > Pledge to Initiation.

Criteria: Membership Education: Cultural Assessment
At least 85% of members participate in the Beta Brotherhood Assessment. Chapter presidents will receive ongoing participation reports while the assessment is open in October.

Criteria: Leadership Development
Send 10 attendees to the core leadership events annually (one CPLA attendee, one Convention Delegate, eight Keystone attendees) and send 3 attendees to other leadership development experiences (Leadership College, Wooden Institute or UIFI). Chapters can track their historical attendance at MyBeta > your chapter homepage > Chapter Reports > Leadership Development.

Criteria: Chapter Standing and Operations
Have good standing status with both the host campus and the General Fraternity during one semester or two quarters prior to the award application process and submit competitive applications for at least one award in two different categories:

Service: John Holt Duncan Service Award or Campus Involvement Award

Alumni: Outstanding Alumni Relations Award or Stephenson Historical Preservation Award

Communications: North Dakota Communication Award

Singing: Whitman Choral Cup, Best New Song or Shelby Molter Song Competition Award

Criteria: Financial Health
Compliant with Chapter Accounting Standards and no financial suspension for a 90-day balance with the General Fraternity during previous academic year.

Knox Award Criteria

There is no application for this award. The Knox Award is calculated based on historical chapter performance and information submitted by your chapter. Chapters that don’t submit needed data could be disqualified for the award. The SCOE report on MyBeta > your chapter homepage shows how your chapter is performing against most Knox Award criteria.

Criteria: Cultivation of the Intellect
Achieve a minimum chapter GPA at or above the All-Campus Average (ACA). Chapters can track their historical performance at MyBeta > your chapter homepage > Chapter Reports > GPA Graphs.

Criteria: Chapter Size
Maintain a chapter size at or above the average chapter size for all fraternities on campus. For chapters where the campus does not report the average chapter size for fraternities, the Beta chapter must have at least 40 members. In addition, chapter must utilize the Men of Principle Grant Program in its entirety, including apply for, receiving, and disbursing the grant in the academic year immediately prior to Convention.

Criteria: Membership Education: New Member Retention
Maintain a three-year initiation rate of 90% or higher. Chapters can track their historical performance at MyBeta > your chapter homepage > Chapter Reports > Pledge to Initiation.

Criteria: Membership Education: Cultural Assessment
At least 90% of members participate in the Beta Brotherhood Assessment. Chapter presidents will receive ongoing participation reports while the assessment is open in October.

Criteria: Leadership Development
Send 10 attendees to the core leadership events annually (one CPLA attendee, one Convention Delegate, eight Keystone attendees) and send 6 attendees to other leadership development experiences (Leadership College, Wooden Institute or UIFI). Chapters can track their historical attendance at MyBeta > your chapter homepage > Chapter Reports > Leadership Development.

Criteria: Chapter Standing and Operations
Have good standing status with both the host campus and the General Fraternity during the entire academic year prior to the award application process and submit competitive applications for at least one award in each of these four categories:

Service: John Holt Duncan Service Award or Campus Involvement Award

Alumni: Outstanding Alumni Relations Award or Stephenson Historical Preservation Award

Communications: North Dakota Communication Award

Singing: Whitman Choral Cup, Best New Song or Shelby Molter Song Competition Award

Criteria: Financial Health
Compliant with Chapter Accounting Standards and no financial suspension for a 90-day balance with the General Fraternity during previous academic year.

CHAPTER AWARDS

Advisory Team of the Year

This award is given to the Chapter Advising Team that distinguishes themselves through their coaching and support of an undergraduate chapter or colony. Nominations typically come from chapter officers, district chiefs, regional chiefs or Administrative Office staff (although advisory teams are welcome to nominate themselves).

Charles Henry Hardin Leadership Development

This award is given to chapters that exemplify outstanding participation in Beta-provided and sponsored leadership experiences, honoring the leadership displayed by Founder Charles Henry Hardin. The award is given to chapters that have:

• The highest percentage of members who attend leadership programs
• Highest total number of members who attend leadership programs

Excellence in Risk Management

This award recognizes chapters with outstanding risk management programs that best reflect the mission, vision and values of Beta Theta Pi.

H.H. Stephenson Jr. Award for Historical Research & Preservation

This award recognizes a chapter’s commitment to historical education and preservation, exemplifying the passion displayed by former archivist, H.H. Stephenson Jr., Miami ’39.

John Holt Duncan Community Service Award

The Duncan Service awards are presented to chapters that best exemplify, through their hands-on service and philanthropy, the commitment of Beta Theta Pi Fraternity to our members, our campuses, our communities and the world.

Most Improved Chapter Award

This award is given to the chapter that demonstrates significant improvement in a variety of areas, including recruitment, member education and development, risk management, and building positive chapter culture.

New Song Writing Competition

Beta is known as the “Singing Fraternity” for a reason – and our collection of songs continues to grow! This award recognizes the best original song submission that exemplifies the Beta Spirit and the values of the Fraternity.

North Dakota Award for Alumni Communication

The Fraternity presents up to three awards for excellence in chapter or alumni communications. The competition is based on creative and engaging content that (1) demonstrates the chapter and their alumni’s understanding and communication of how their members live Beta’s core values and (2) communicates general alumni news.

Outstanding Alumni Relations Program Award

Membership in Beta Theta Pi is for a lifetime. Our members and chapters deserve – and need – the network of support provided through their Fraternity experience and the lifelong friendships made through Beta. The Outstanding Alumni Relations Program Award recognizes chapters and alumni relations committees that work diligently to keep their alumni connected to Beta Theta Pi and to each other.

Outstanding Campus Involvement Award

Betas are expected to be leaders in their chapters, on campus, and in the greater community. The Campus Involvement Award is given annually to chapters with outstanding and sustained involvement in campus organizations and student leadership positions.

Outstanding New Member Education Award

This award recognizes chapters that plan and implement an outstanding new member program that reflects the mission, vision, and values of Beta Theta Pi.

Outstanding Recruitment Award

This award recognizes chapters and colonies with recruitment programs that reflect the mission, vision and values of Beta Theta Pi and incorporate recruitment best practices.

Shelby Molter Song Competition

Beta Theta Pi has been a singing fraternity almost from its birth and has emphasized the idea contained in the words, “a singing chapter is a good chapter.” Because of this deep-seated feeling, members are encouraged to perform on campus and within the community. Therefore, the Fraternity offers the opportunity for groups to perform live each year at the General Convention, with the selection of one overall winner. Chapters typically perform a traditional Beta song.

Virginia Tech Award for Excellence in Academics

The Virginia Tech Award recognizes scholastic achievement across multiple categories. First, by honoring one chapter within 10 specified regions that had the highest differential between the chapter average GPA and the all-campus average GPA. Second, in recognition of the chapter with the most improved GPA in the last year. Third, with an award for the highest GPA across all Beta chapters. Finally, by honoring all chapters that rank first on their campuses in GPA for at least one term in the previous calendar year.

*There is no application for this award. It is awarded based on each chapter’s submitted Grade Reports. Check MyBeta to ensure that your chapter has submitted all required Grade Reports.

Whitman Choral Cup

Beta Theta Pi has been a singing fraternity almost from its birth and has emphasized the idea contained in the words, “a singing chapter is a good chapter.” Because of this deep-seated feeling, members are encouraged to perform on campus and within the community. The Whitman Chapter has a historical reputation for its choral abilities, so this award is named in its honor. It is presented to the best recorded performance by a chapter. Chapters typically perform a traditional Beta song.

INDIVIDUAL AWARDS

Dr. Edward B. Taylor Outstanding Chapter Counselor Award

Named in honor of Dr. Taylor, Davidson '42, for his dedication and service to Beta Theta Pi, this award recognizes chapter counselors who have performed their responsibilities during the academic year in an exceptional way.

Charles W. Warner Fraternity/Sorority Advisor of the Year

This award recognizes the crucial role that campus-based professionals play in achieving Beta’s mission and vision. Across Beta’s Broad Domain, Greek professionals are an invaluable resource.

General Fraternity Officer Awards

Awarded annually to the regional chief, district chief and rookie district chief who distinguish themselves through their coaching, support and accountability with their advisors, chapters and colonies.

House Corporation Excellence Award

Awarded annually to a house corporation volunteer or board who distinguishes themselves through outstanding service and overall support of the undergraduate chapter or colony.

House Director of the Year Award

Presented to the house director who has best performed his/her responsibilities during the academic year.

Jonathan J. Brant Interfraternalism Award

Beta Theta Pi has benefited greatly by the support and assistance of many interfraternal brothers and sisters in the Greek community and publicly recognizes these individuals through this award.

Jerry M. Blesch General Secretary's Leadership Award

Presented in honor of former General Secretary Blesch, Centre '60, this award recognizes an undergraduate chapter leader whose vision, leadership and execution have significantly improved his chapter, his campus, or his community.

Outstanding Advisor of the Year

Awarded annually in recognition of exceptional leadership and achievement by a chapter advisor, excluding chapter counselors, in support of a Beta Theta Pi chapter.