69th Grand Chapter // Virtual Convention, June 23 - 27, 2021 2020 Collegiate Merit Award Winners Man of the Year Paul C Markos (Mississippi) Epsilon Xi #2948 / Alpha #665 ▪ 3.80 GPA in Public Policy Leadership ▪ Epsilon Xi Chapter Risk Reduction Chairman in 2019 ▪ Epsilon Xi Chapter House Manager, 2018 ▪ Collegiate Grand Councilman, 2019 ▪ Charity Bowl Committee, 2017-2019 ▪ IFC President, 2019 ▪ IFC Vice President of Standards, 2018 ▪ Chief of Special Projects, Ole Miss Center for Open Source Analysis, 2019 ▪ President and co-founder, Center for Intelligence and Security Studies’ Society for Future Intelligent Leaders, an honors society whose purpose was to bring defense and policy professionals from all backgrounds to the University of Mississippi ▪ Mississippi Competition Corps, 2016-2020 ▪ Phi Kappa Phi honor society ▪ Office of the Director of National Intelligence National Security Analysis and Intelligence Seminar – of 50 students selected nationwide among under/graduate ▪ “He is an outstanding young man, highly intelligent, dependable, and focused on his future.” – Jimmy Davis, Peery Professor of Accountancy Emeritus 2020 Collegiate Merit Award Winners Page of 69th Grand Chapter // Virtual Convention, June 23 - 27, 2021 Scholar of the Year Stephen Jerod Sharp (Jacksonville State) Iota Lambda #472 ▪ 4.0 GPA in Biology ▪ Iota Lambda Chapter Treasurer, 2019-2021 ▪ Iota Lambda Chapter Recorder, 2018 & 2019 ▪ Sylvania Town Council, years ▪ Student Government Association’s Vice President of the Student Senate ▪ Student Body President, 2020 ▪ Parliamentarian, Organizational Council ▪ Large Entertainment Committee Head, Student Activities Council ▪ Alpha Phi Sigma ▪ “In a single semester, Jerod proved himself as a diligent, hardworking, and very bright young researcher who has exceptionally high potential.” – Dr Roger Sauterer, Associate Professor of Biology Athlete of the Year John C Staton, IV (Samford) Iota #1723 ▪ 3.34 GPA in Marketing and Management ▪ Chairman of the Samford University Student Athlete Advisory Committee ▪ Iota Chapter Philanthropy Committee member ▪ Linebacker on Samford University Football Team ▪ Team Captain, 2019 ▪ Southern Conference First Team Defense, 2019 ▪ Samford Defensive MVP, 2019 ▪ NCAA FCS All-American Honorable Mention, 2019 ▪ NCAA Defensive Player of the Week – Honorable Mention, 2019 ▪ Samford Special Teams Player of the Year, 2018 ▪ “I will be hard pressed to find someone with the character, honesty, and integrity that John has, much less somebody that went from a walk-on to a starter, allconference, team captain on a division one football team.” – Ross Newton, Samford Head Football Coach 2020 Collegiate Merit Award Winners Page of 69th Grand Chapter // Virtual Convention, June 23 - 27, 2021 Alpha Affiliates William C DeLaney (Presbyterian) Zeta Theta #841 / Alpha #660 ▪ 3.86 GPA in Religion-Christian Education ▪ Zeta Theta Chapter Recorder, 2019 ▪ Zeta Theta Chapter Chaplain, 2018 ▪ Zeta Theta Chapter Candidate Service and Philanthropy Chairman, 2017 ▪ Director of the 4th Tuesday Soup Kitchen, 2015-2020 ▪ Ministerial and Youth Ministry internships ▪ Omicron Delta Kappa leadership honor society ▪ Class of 2020 Senator, Student Government Association ▪ “In the fall of 2019, we were pleased to have Will complete a semester internship with First Presbyterian Church and during that time I came to see and deeply admire his character and work ethic.” – Rev Dr McCracken, Pastor and Head of Staff at First Presbyterian Church of Laurens Dakota D Fletcher (Montana State) Zeta Nu #900 / Alpha #661 ▪ 3.68 GPA in Biochemistry ▪ Zeta Nu Scholarship Chairman, 2020 ▪ Zeta Nu Recruitment Chairman, 2019 ▪ Zeta Nu LEAD Chairman, 2019 ▪ MSU Miracle Network Dance Marathon Team, 2019 & 2020 ▪ Vice President and Treasurer, Montana State University Undergraduate Chemistry Society, 2017 ▪ Resident Counselor Coordinator, Camp Columbia Middle Level Leadership Camp ▪ Worship Team Leader, Cru Campus Ministry ▪ “There is no one who is more deserving of this award than Dakota, for he has taken the founding values of our fraternity and shaped them into mechanisms of success.” – Ethan Turner, Zeta Nu Commander 2020 Collegiate Merit Award Winners Page of 69th Grand Chapter // Virtual Convention, June 23 - 27, 2021 Nicholas G Girardi (Colorado) Gamma Kappa #2295 / Alpha #662 ▪ 3.96 GPA in Neuroscience ▪ Gamma Kappa Scholarship Chairman, 2019 ▪ Gamma Kappa Service and Philanthropy Committee member, 2019 ▪ IFC Academic Excellence Award, 2018 & 2019 ▪ Basketball team, Drake University, 2016 ▪ Volunteer, Global Down Syndrome Association ▪ Teacher’s Assistant, Introduction to Anatomy ▪ Nu Rho Psi Neuroscience honors society ▪ Research Assistant, Spine and Nerve Center of the Virginias, 2019 ▪ “Nick is the consummate brother who genuinely cares about the well-being of the chapter and its members He leads by example and genuinely wants every brother in the house to succeed in their lives by pushing brothers to pursue scholastic excellence and make good life choices.” – Randy Rowland, Gamma Kappa Alumni Advisory Board Chairman William E Hensley (Tennessee) Epsilon Eta #1695 / Alpha #663 ▪ 3.73 GPA in Business Analytics ▪ Epsilon Eta Commander, 2019 ▪ Epsilon Eta Treasurer, 2017 ▪ Candidate Class President, 2016 ▪ Volunteer, Junior Achievement ▪ Dean of Students’ Advisory Council ▪ Eagle Scout ▪ Ambassador, Haslam College of Business ▪ Business Analytics Society ▪ “Not only was it incredible to work with him last year, I consider him a great friend and someone who will make it far in life I’ve never met someone who better embodied what it meant to be a leader and a fraternity man.” – Caden Throneberry, 2019 IFC President 2020 Collegiate Merit Award Winners Page of 69th Grand Chapter // Virtual Convention, June 23 - 27, 2021 Michael C Lay (Arkansas-Fort Smith) Nu Alpha #160 / Alpha #664 ▪ 2.80 GPA in Media Communication ▪ Nu Alpha LEAD, Alumni Relations, and PEP Chairman, 2020 ▪ Nu Alpha Lt Commander, LEAD Chairman, Alumni Relations Chairman, 2019 ▪ Nu Alpha Chaplain, Philanthropy Chairman, and Social Chairman, 2018 ▪ IFC Vice Chairman, 2019 ▪ Chief of Staff, Secretary, and Campus Affairs Chairman of the Student Government Association ▪ Greek Man of the Year, 2020 ▪ Helped in LionHeart and Alternative Spring Break Programs ▪ “Michael persevered, he is the best example of a dutiful leader and a strong follower Even now, without any specific officer roles, Michael is looked upon by his peers as a mentor and advisor to help them be as successful as possible.” – Shannon Garcia, Coordinator of Greek Life and Leadership Programs Paul C Markos (Mississippi) Epsilon Xi #2948 / Alpha #665 ▪ 3.80 GPA in Public Policy Leadership ▪ Epsilon Xi Chapter Risk Reduction Chairman in 2019 ▪ Epsilon Xi Chapter House Manager, 2018 ▪ Collegiate Grand Councilman, 2019 ▪ Charity Bowl Committee, 2017-2019 ▪ IFC President, 2019 ▪ IFC Vice President of Standards, 2018 ▪ Chief of Special Projects, Ole Miss Center for Open Source Analysis, 2019 ▪ President and co-founder, Center for Intelligence and Security Studies’ Society for Future Intelligent Leaders, an honors society whose purpose was to bring defense and policy professionals from all backgrounds to the University of Mississippi ▪ Mississippi Competition Corps, 2016-2020 ▪ Phi Kappa Phi honor society ▪ Office of the Director of National Intelligence National Security Analysis and Intelligence Seminar – of 50 students selected nationwide among under/graduate ▪ “He is an outstanding young man, highly intelligent, dependable, and focused on his future.” – Jimmy Davis, Peery Professor of Accountancy Emeritus 2020 Collegiate Merit Award Winners Page of 69th Grand Chapter // Virtual Convention, June 23 - 27, 2021 Javier E Ramirez (Oklahoma) Delta Epsilon #2122 / Alpha #666 ▪ 3.74 GPA in Human Relations ▪ Homecoming Chairman, 2017, 2018, 2019 ▪ Philanthropy Chairman, 2018 ▪ Chapter award for campus involvement named in his honor ▪ Habitat for Humanity ▪ President, Aspiring Student Affairs Professionals ▪ NASPA Undergraduate Fellows Program ▪ Orientation Leader, Camp Crimson Orientation Camp ▪ Ronald E McNair Scholar Program, 2018-2020 ▪ “[Javier] has proven to be a very determined student and was passionate about seeking endeavors to enrich his undergraduate experience Javier possesses resilience and perseverance and uses these strengths to his advantage to achieve success in anything he puts his mind to.” – Sara Mata, Ph.D., Research Associate for the Corix Plains Institute – University of Oklahoma Noah P Rogers (East Carolina) Eta Beta #488 / Alpha #667 ▪ 3.84 GPA in Engineering ▪ Eta Beta Chapter Historian, 2020 ▪ Eta Beta Chapter Marshal, 2019 ▪ IFC Vice President of Diversity ▪ Order of Omega ▪ Inductee, ECU Greek Life Hall of Fame, 2019 ▪ Recruitment Ambassador, Honors College, 2017 ▪ Pirates for Down Syndrome Awareness Fashion Show ▪ Representative, Student Safety Committee ▪ “Noah is intelligent, committed, confident, team-oriented, thoughtful, ambitious, and innovative.” – Brandon W Carta, Assistant Director of Central Reservations 2020 Collegiate Merit Award Winners Page of 69th Grand Chapter // Virtual Convention, June 23 - 27, 2021 Daniel C Smith (Illinois) Gamma Mu #1827 / Alpha #668 ▪ 3.05 GPA in Chemical Engineering ▪ Gamma Mu Social Chairman, 2019 ▪ Gamma Mu Commander, 2018 ▪ Gamma Mu Chaplain, 2017 ▪ IFC President, 2019 ▪ Board of Fraternity Affairs, 2019 & 2020 ▪ American Institute of Chemical Engineers, 2016-2020 ▪ Lunch Bunch Student Advisory Committee ▪ Engineering Intern, CP Engineers, 2017 & 2018 ▪ University of Illinois Jazz Band, 2016 & 2017 ▪ University of Illinois Club Lacrosse Team, 2018 &2019 ▪ “Dan is not a leader because of the things he does – he is a leader because he sees his role in the bigger picture and helps others find theirs – he is a sounds advicegiver and seeker.” – Amanda Wahba, Assistant Director of Fraternity and Sorority Affairs Kyle R Svoboda (Kansas) Nu #2444 / Alpha #669 ▪ 3.40 GPA in Architectural Engineering ▪ Nu Chapter LEAD Chairman, 2019 ▪ Nu Chapter Commander, 2018 ▪ Nu Chapter Recorder, 2017 ▪ IFC President, 2019 ▪ IFC Judicial Board, 2018 ▪ Collegiate Grand Councilman, 2019 ▪ Five-year staff member, American Legion Missouri Boys State Program ▪ Engineers Without Borders ▪ “I have seen Kyle step up to the plate to share his thoughts and challenge others in their thinking He seemed to be one to always speak what was on his mind and in his heart.” – Al Wurster, Grand Treasurer 2020 Collegiate Merit Award Winners Page of