Awards of Distinction: Current Recipients

Although his stint as Chapter Advisor has been brief thus far, Tate Allen has already made an immense impact on the Augusta Chapter of Delta Chi. Tate has helped the chapter create a strategic plan with measurable outcomes, timelines, and accountability structures. He also emphasizes personal mentorship via his “fireside chats,” where he addresses issues outside of chapter operations. He’s committed himself to all of this while also pursuing both a Doctor of Dental Medicine and a Master of Business Administration, and as a commissioned officer in the United States Army. 

Preston Briggs’ involvement has remained steady across multiple Delta Sigma Phi volunteer roles, most notably as Lead Advisor for the Beta Gamma Chapter, where he has provided continuity, guidance, and structure to the undergraduate experience. Over time, Preston has contributed to the chapter’s stability and growth by supporting leadership transitions, reinforcing expectations, and helping undergraduate officers navigate challenges and opportunities. His approach emphasizes accountability and long-term sustainability, ensuring that the chapter is positioned for continued success beyond any single leadership team. 

Kevin Kedzior has served as a volunteer for Sigma Nu’s Theta Eta Chapter at Northern Illinois University for more than 30 years, in roles on the Alumni Advisory Board and Alumni Chapter, including the past five years as Chapter Advisor. Beyond his advisory role, Kevin has been a pivotal figure in the establishment of Theta Eta Chapter standing at NIU  and in the revitalization of the fraternity/sorority community at Northern Illinois. His efforts with the University and City of DeKalb have been instrumental in a half million-dollar streetscape improvement on Greek row and a proposed $18 million Center for Greek Life. 

For more than three decades, Victor E. “Gene” Pregeant has demonstrated what it truly means to be a fraternity advisor. His impact is not defined by titles or accolades, but by the generations of young men he has guided, challenged, and supported at the Epsilon Phi Chapter of Delta Tau Delta since the 1990s. Gene’s approach to advising is deeply personal, values-driven, and rooted in an unwavering belief that investing in young men can change the trajectory of their lives. 

As an advisor for the San Diego Chapter of Beta Theta Pi for more than 15 years, Justin Rutherford has been a dedicated volunteer for decades. Justin served two terms on the Fraternity’s Board of Trustees and continued to serve as a chapter counselor prior to, during, and after his national service with the General Fraternity. Justin has ensured the success of the San Diego Chapter by providing sound advisement, continued support, challenge when necessary, and ensuring they are represented positively on campus and in the general fraternity.

Bill Stephens has had a regular advising presence since his graduation in 1972 with Chi Psi undergraduates at the University of Oregon.  He started his career at Chi Psi’s Central Office, after which moved on to a career in property management. During his time as a volunteer, he won the Fraternity’s 155th Distinguished Service Award in 2015 for his service. Bill is currently spearheading the local effort to organize a Centennial Anniversary celebration in Oregon coinciding with Chi Psi’s annual Convention. 

For more than 30 years, Paul Szczesny has continuously supported the Michigan Tech Chapter of Sigma Tau Gamma. Paul’s impact has also been recognized at the national level with his induction into the Society of Seventeen, the highest honor in Sigma Tau Gamma. He has created scholarships to support members academically and financially, rewarding those who demonstrate strong character and helping those in need. 

Jeff Johnson has been involved with Iowa State’s Beta Theta Pi Chapter for more than 25 years. Since his involvement, the Chapter has seen major improvements in membership, morale, and housing. Despite Jeff not being a member of Beta Theta Pi when he undertook his role as advisor (he was later initiated in 2019), his leadership has been transformational to the chapter. His approach is rooted in community and understanding, knowing that a strong fraternity is built on the relationships it fosters beyond its walls. Jeff is the past CEO of the Iowa State University Alumni Association. He lives in Ames and still remains committed to supporting the Beta house. 

Rich Kauffeld serves as the chair of Cornell’s Chi Psi Alumni Corporation and has served Chi Psi and the Cornell Greek Community in various leadership roles over the last 30 years. Throughout his advisor tenure, he has touched the lives of hundreds of brothers at Cornell and the broader community. Rich does not just believe in Chi Psi, he believes in the fraternity experience. Rich played a crucial role in reestablishing Chi Psi’s Cornell University Chapter. For his ongoing dedication, he was awarded the Fraternity’s 168^th Distinguished Service Award. 

Following exceptional leadership and sustained service at the local, regional, and national levels, Jon Sattler spearheaded the creation of the Delta Chi Atlanta Area Alumni Chapter Endowment for Leadership and Scholarship, ensuring long-term support for collegiate leadership development and academic achievement. As founding President of Delta Chi’s flagship Atlanta Area Alumni Chapter and Chair of the Alumni Engagement Taskforce, Jon has transformed alumni engagement through award-winning chapter programming, meaningful community service, and initiatives that strengthen alumni collegiate connections. Jon has been a driving force behind Atlanta’s involvement with the Fly High Max 5K benefiting the Max Gruver Foundation. 

Tom Tillar has served Virginia Tech for more than 50 years, both in professional and volunteer roles. He helped found the campus’ Pi Kappa Alpha Chapter in 1971 and has continued to serve in a variety of capacities to help the undergraduates thrive, including as the group’s Chapter Advisor on several occasions. Additionally, Tom has served as a Regional President, Alumni Commissioner, Scholarship Administrator, Foundation Trustee, and two-time President of the PIKE Foundation. His contributions to Pi Kappa Alpha were recognized in 2014 with the Fraternity’s highest honor: the Loyalty Award.  

The Kappa Lambda Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. has been a stalwart of leadership, achievement and impact this academic year. Its members have a far-reaching presence across campus, with many serving in high profile leadership roles in several clubs. Additionally, the group’s commitment to service and philanthropy stand out at Clemson. This past year, they raised more than $105,000 for Students Helping Students, an organization addressing student food insecurity by providing students with meal plans. 

The Alpha Iota Chapter of Pi Kappa Phi represents a comprehensive model of chapter success. Philanthropically, they raised more than $215,000 in support of The Ability Experience, Phi Kappa Phi’s cornerstone philanthropy that benefits athletes with disabilities. Operationally, Alpha Iota has implemented a highly effective model for membership experience and retention, achieving a 100% retention rate from the associate member period through initiation over the past two years. 

The Psi Epsilon Chapter of Zeta Psi distinguished itself through a holistic commitment to excellence. Its members are engaged meaningfully across campus, holding leadership roles in several campus organizations. Additionally, the group excels academically, achieving a 3.76 GPA this past year. The group has institutionalized excellence—creating systems, leadership pipelines, and a culture that ensures success is repeatable and sustainable. 

John Blalock has a phenomenal record of leadership, service, and integrity that created a meaningful impact within his chapter and broader community. He has served as IFC President and Student Body President. As Student Body President, John represents more than 10,000 students, serving as a critical liaison between the students and institutional leadership. As Interfraternity Council President, he oversaw council-wide policy development, compliance, and judicial processes that affect hundreds of students. He is studying Political Science and Government and is currently a Congressional Liaison Intern for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. 

Will Brewster led his chapter through significant milestones Theta Xi’s Chapter President at the University of Alabama. He restructured the chapter’s recruitment approach, which resulted in the group’s largest ever new member class. Additionally, Will’s commitment to scholarship helped develop systems for his chapter to succeed in the classroom. He graduated Summa Cum Laude with a degree in Civil Engineering and is now pursuing a Master of Business Administration. 

During Andrew Davis’ term as Pi Kappa Phi’s Chapter President, the chapter experienced meaningful growth both in organizational strength and member development. The chapter achieved the highest GPA of all Pi Kappa Phi chapters nationwide while maintaining operational excellence in financial stewardship and overall member experience. Andrew helped shape the undergraduate experience on a national level, serving on Pi Kappa Phi’s National Council of Archons. He is a recent graduate of the UNC Hussman School of Journalism and Media. 

Carter Jasper exemplified leadership in and out of the chapter house this past year. In addition to serving as his chapter’s President, Carter completed his term as Student Regent to the Montana Board of Regents of Higher Education. Under Carter’s leadership, his chapter raised $20,000 for the Huntsman Cancer Foundation. He is pursuing a degree in Political Science and Government, and is currently a Staff Assistant in the U.S. Senate for the Office of Senator Steve Daines. 

Kenneth “Coe” Leavengood stands out among Delta Chi’s chapter presidents. Under his leadership, the University of Florida chapter was awarded the organization’s Most Improved Chapter award. Coe is a former UF Student Government Senator and a proud member of Florida Blue Key, the oldest and most prestigious honorary society in the state. He is studying Spanish, Literature and Political Science on a Pre-Law track. 

Dominic Mancini has made a lasting impact on Boise State’s IFC as President. He created partnerships with multiple campus entities during his term, most notably with the Boise Police Department (BPD). The IFC and BPD meet regularly to collaborate on strategies for health and safety initiatives. Additionally, Dominic helped improve the IFC’s relationship with the campus’ Panhellenic Council and Multi-Cultural Greek Council. He is pursuing a degree in Finance and Entrepreneurship. 

Jaxon Naviaux excels athletically, academically, and fraternally. He is a two-time captain of the Rose-Hulman football team and has been twice named to the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference’s All-Academic Team. Off the field, Jaxon served as President of his Sigma Nu chapter. He is credited with developing a positive relationship with the student affairs office and improving his chapter’s standing within the Greek community. Jaxon is graduating in the Class of 2026, studying Computer Engineering. 

Shawn Powers’ two years as Chapter President transformed Delta Tau Delta’s University of Georgia Chapter from a rebuilding project into a high-performing organization. Shawn led substantial membership growth and received multiple national and campus recognitions within his chapter. Additionally, Shawn created long-term infrastructure, reinforced accountability, and fostered a successful culture. On the national level, he served as a Student Director of Delta Tau Delta’s Governing Board. He recently graduated with degrees in Business Administration and a Master of Science in Business Analytics.

Isaiah Robinson’s leadership not only positively influenced his chapter, but Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. chapters across the country. He currently serves as an Undergraduate Grand Board member, a national role in which he helps guide operational decisions, supports chapter development, and represents undergraduate interests across the entire fraternity. Additionally, Isaiah’s involvement in student leadership, mentorship initiatives, and community engagement reflects a deep commitment to the values of fraternity life and the betterment of the broader fraternity community. Isaiah is a standout scholar, pursuing a B.S. in Biomedical Health Science on the Pre-Med track with aspirations of becoming an oncologist. 

Hutch Sprayberry represented his chapter, international organization, and university during his time as an undergraduate. He served as both the IFC’s Vice President of Administration and as Phi Gamma Delta’s Chapter President. He represented the IFC on the University’s Stop Campus Hazing Task Force, where he successfully lobbied the University to retain its IFC judicial self-governance mode. As Chapter President, he is credited with creating an environment where members felt challenged to grow. Hutch maintains a 4.0 GPA studying Finance and Accounting. 

Owen Wright helped his IFC community through a significant transition during his term as President. Under his leadership, the council instituted a Brotherhood Grant Program, which serves as a financial incentive for chapters hosting events in university spaces to receive funds to help support the continued development of brotherhood. Self-governance is a passion area for Owen. He strived to ensure that member fraternities were positioned to make decisions intentional to their operations while also having the support, advocacy, and accountability measures from the IFC. He recently graduated with a degree in Computer Science, with additional focus in Operations Management and Strategy/Entrepreneurship. 

The Winter Leadership Conclave is Beta Theta Pi’s reimagined, in-person leadership program that brings together key chapter officers and volunteers for a high-impact weekend of training and development. Combining three major leadership programs into one unified event, it offers chapter officers, chapter counselors, and general fraternity officers with structured, role-specific tracks that build skills through interactive sessions, informative general sessions, real-world scenarios, and collaborative learning. Held each January (coinciding with officer transitions), Conclave focuses on leadership development that builds competence, reinforces the fraternity’s values, and provides opportunities for networking, mentorship, and strategic planning at the chapter level. Participants leave the event more confident and equipped to lead and support stronger, values-driven chapters aligned with Beta’s purpose and strategic priorities.  

Chi Psi’s Outdoor Leadership Program is an annual beginner-friendly outdoor excursion that takes place in various locations around the United States over 3-4 days, and is available for any active Chi Psi undergraduate member. Participants experience the wellness benefits taking a much-needed break in an extended social retreat in the wilderness without technology. Chi Psi staff and volunteer alumni facilitate discussions around this effect as well as about mental health, leadership, the value of offering substance-free activities, and how to take these ideas back to the participants’ own chapters. 

Sigma Nu’s Lexington Institute exists to develop future leaders for the fraternity, campus, and society. The experience provides rising second and third-year members with critical leadership development skills; valuable personal development insights; and leadership knowledge, tools, and experiences that will empower them to excel within the fraternity and in their academic, personal, and professional lives. The program features interactive workshops, guest speakers, team building activities, and networking opportunities to prepare and unlock the potential of rising leaders by enhancing their leadership skills and knowledge.