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Awards & Recognition

Each year, Delta Chi recognizes our chapters, members, and friends for the amazing things they do on campus, in the Fraternity, in their careers, and in society at large. Delta Chi has three award categories:

  • Collegiate Awards (Core Competency, Composite, Collegiate Programming, and Collegiate Individual Awards)
  • Alumni Chapter Awards
  • Individual & Friends of the Fraternity Awards

2023-2024 Awards Application Available April 1st - 30th, 2024

Awards are presented during the International Convention on even years and announced virtually in non-Convention years. Each award category has different submission requirements. Award descriptions, details, and submission processes can be found below.

All award applications are accepted from April 1st to 11:59PM ET on April 30th.

Collegiate Awards

What are Collegiate Awards: Collegiate Awards recognize Delta Chi chapters for their operational excellence, improvements throughout the academic year, scholastic excellence, programming success, and living Delta Chi values.

Divisions: Delta Chi awards core competency, composite awards, and programming awards based on operational, academic, and personal excellence within two divisions, Red and Buff, based on the number of chapters and the percentage of the fraternity population on their campus. The Red Division includes campuses with 15 or more fraternity chapters or her than a 30% fraternity population. The Buff Division consists of campuses with less than 15 chapters or below 30% fraternity membership. Divisions are reevaluated each year.

  • What they are: Core Competency awards recognize chapter performance in Delta Chi’s four core values.
  • Eligibility: Chapters in debt to the International Fraternity for more than $150.00 for more than 60 days will not be eligible for Core Competency or Composite Awards.
  • How to Apply: No application is needed! In April, every chapter must complete its Chapter Operations Assessment (COA) with their chapter coach. Completion of the COA automatically makes a chapter eligible for Core Competency Awards.
  • What they are: Composite awards recognize chapters for their exemplary performance in their operations, in their contributions to the International Fraternity, and in their initiative to impact their campus and local communities. Composite award applications are submitted through a single narrative for the President’s Cup, Award of Excellence, Raymond D. Galbreth Certificate of Achievement, and the President’s Most Improved Trophy.
  • Eligibility: Chapters on Corrective Action must be released from Corrective Action as of May 31st of that calendar year to be eligible. Chapters in debt to the International Fraternity for more than $150.00 for more than 60 days will not be eligible for Core Competency or Composite Awards. Chapters must complete their Chapter Operations Assessment with their chapter coach, in April, to be eligible.
  • How to Apply: All chapters and provisional chapters are eligible by submitting an application to include a 500+ word narrative.
  • What they are: Collegiate programming awards recognize Delta Chi chapters that implemented impactful programming both within the chapter and in the local community, enhanced their growth initiatives, and excelled academically. Chapters can apply for any of the following individual awards: Outstanding Growth, Most Improved Growth, Academic Excellence, Outstanding Program, and Community Impact awards.
  • Eligibility: All chapters are eligible for programming awards. 
  • How to Apply: All chapters and provisional chapters are eligible by submitting an application for each award: a 200+ word narrative.
  • What they are: Collegiate individual Awards recognize outstanding undergraduates for exemplifying the ideals of the Delta Chi Fraternity and for their leadership and service to the brotherhood. Collegiate individual awards include: Chapter Luminary, Marge Lee Outstanding “C”, “E” Key, and Outstanding Leadership awards
  • Eligibility: All active and associate members of the Fraternity are eligible.
  • How To Apply: Chapter Luminary, Marge Lee Outstanding “C”, and “E” Key nominations must be submitted through a chapter’s CMR, while the Outstanding Leadership, Advisor of the Year, and Alumni Board of Trustees of the Year award nominations can be found in the Individual & Friends of the Fraternity Award section of this webpage or by clicking here.

Collegiate chapters are eligible for Core Competency awards through completion of the Chapter Operations Assessment with their chapter coach. Through this process, chapters are evaluated upon their standard operating procedures and can be awarded a certificate of “Achievement,” a certificate of “Excellence,” or a certificate of “Excellence with Distinction” in each of these qualifying areas:

  • Promote Friendship (Recruitment & Retention, Brotherhood, Alumni & Family Engagement)
  • Develop Character (Philanthropy, Service, Community Engagement & Public Relations, International Fraternity Involvement & Ritual)
  • Advance Justice (Health & Safety, Operations & Financial Management, Housing (if applicable))
  • Assisting in the Acquisition of a Sound Education (Scholarship, Associate Member & Active Member Development)

The Achievement category recognizes chapters that have made significant improvements and are approaching standards in fraternity operations.

The Excellence category denotes chapters that are meeting the fraternity’s standards of operational excellence.

The Excellence with Distinction category recognizes chapters in each core competency that exceed standards and demonstrate mastery of the Fraternity’s standards of operational excellence.

For questions about completing your Chapter Operations Assessment, contact your chapter coach or email awards@deltachi.org. 

Composite Awards recognize chapters focusing beyond the day-to-day of operations, and thinking big picture about culture and the member experience they provide. To be considered for composite awards, chapters must complete their Chapter Operations Assessment with their chapter coach and submit (upload) one 500+ word narrative using the following prompt: 

Composite Narrative Prompt: Composite award-winning organizations should be highly functioning, maintaining a healthy relationship with the campus community and international headquarters, and exemplifying and seeking to educate others about a values-based fraternity experience. Please outline how your chapter has fulfilled the above criteria and made a measurable impact on the well-being of members, the community, and/or campus. Finally, describe your chapter’s role within the international organization and your community within the last year.

Composite Awards include:

  • Award of Excellence 
  • President’s Cup
  • Raymond D. Galbreth Certificate of Achievement
  • President’s Most Improved Trophy 

The Award of Excellence objectively recognizes a chapter for overall outstanding performance in a majority of Delta Chi’s core competencies.

The most esteemed and prestigious of the Chapter Composite Awards, The President’s Cup is awarded to the top chapters in each of the two divisions for overall superior performance and programming. The “AA” selects up to four chapters from the Award of Excellence category in each division.

The Raymond D. Galbreth Certificate of Achievement objectively recognizes a chapter for demonstrating improvement in operation through attention to Delta Chi’s core competencies. A worthy recipient chapter may receive achievement in four or more core competencies. 

The President’s Most Improved Trophy subjectively recognizes significant improvement during the academic year. The “AA” may select up to one recipient per division based on two consecutive years of core competency scores.

Composite Narrative Prompt: Composite award-winning organizations should be highly functioning, maintaining a healthy relationship with the campus community and international headquarters, and exemplifying and seeking to educate others about a values-based fraternity experience. Please outline how your chapter has fulfilled the above criteria and made a measurable impact on the well-being of members, the community, and/or campus. Finally, describe your chapter’s role within the international organization and your community within the last year.

CLICK HERE TO APPLY!

Collegiate programming awards recognize Delta Chi chapters that have implemented a program that enhances the fraternal experience and positive image of the Delta Chi International Fraternity. Additionally, these awards recognize academic excellence and operational growth. Collegiate programming awards include:

  • Academic Excellence Award (No application necessary)
  • Most Improved Growth Award (No application necessary)
  • Outstanding Growth Award (200+ word narrative application)
  • Outstanding Program Award (200+ word narrative application)
  • Community Impact Award (200+ word narrative application)

ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE AWARD: This award recognizes the highest-performing chapters in all nine regions that have demonstrated academic excellence. Recipients are selected based on academic reports submitted for the last two academic semesters. 

MOST IMPROVED GROWTH AWARD: This award recognizes the exceptional recruitment efforts created and implemented by our undergraduate chapters. Recipients are selected based on overall recruitment improvements. These chapters may not reflect large membership sizes but should reflect improvement with their recruitment efforts from previous years. 

OUTSTANDING GROWTH AWARD: This award recognizes the exceptional recruitment efforts created and implemented by our undergraduate chapters. To be considered, chapters must submit a 200+ word narrative submitted through this form. Recipients are selected based on narrative responses and membership size increase over the academic year. 

OUTSTANDING PROGRAM AWARD (Safety & Wellness, and Member Education): This award recognizes the exceptional programming created and implemented by our undergraduate chapters in two areas: Member Safety & Wellness and Member Education. A “program” can be any singular or series of events planned by the chapter but must demonstrate a strong connection to safety & wellness or member education. Recipients are selected based on a 200+ word narrative. Narratives should explain the program, how it aligned with the values of Delta Chi, and how the programming made a positive impact on Delta Chi members and the campus community. 

COMMUNITY IMPACT AWARD, (Philanthropy & Service): This award recognizes chapters that have gone above and beyond for their philanthropic initiatives or community service engagement. Recipients are selected based on a 200+ word narrative. Narratives should explain a chapter’s efforts and how they have made an impact in their community, detailing their service and/or philanthropic initiatives, and how those events or contributions enhanced the Fraternity experience.

Chapters may apply for any of the awards described above, be that only one award or all of the programming awards.

  • Academic Excellence Award (No application necessary)
  • Most Improved Growth Award (No application necessary)
  • Outstanding Growth Award (200+ word narrative application)
  • Outstanding Program Award (200+ word narrative application)
  • Community Impact Award (200+ word narrative application)

CLICK HERE TO APPLY

Collegiate individual Awards recognize outstanding undergraduates for exemplifying the ideals of the Delta Chi Fraternity and for their leadership and service to the brotherhood. Collegiate individual awards include:

CHAPTER LUMINARY: Each chapter selects one Chapter Luminary every year to be recognized in the Quarterly. The chapter chooses the recipient because they best exemplify the ideals of Delta Chi and for their overall involvement with the chapter, campus, and community. Chapters may nominate a candidate by a vote during a business meeting, which will be verified through the CMR (Chapter Meeting Report).

MARGE LEE OUTSTANDING “C” AWARD: The Marge Lee Outstanding “C” Award recognizes chapter “C”s who exhibit exceptional performance in all their required and recommended duties. Chapters nominate candidate(s) by a vote during a business meeting, which will be verified through the CMR. A nominee must have held office for at least one full semester/quarter (by the close of this academic year) and be in good standing with the chapter. This award was named after Marge Lee at the 2004 Convention to honor her service to the Fraternity and her relationship with Chapter “C”s.

“E” KEY AWARD: The “E” Key Award is the oldest award given by the Fraternity and seeks to recognize chapter “E”s for their exceptional performance of all communicative duties. Chapters may nominate candidate(s) by a vote during a business meeting, which will be verified through the CMR. Nominees will be evaluated based on their Quarterly submissions, including “Campus Scene”, narratives, Farewell/Parting material, Keeping in Touch material, and contact information updates with the International Headquarters. Both timeliness and quality of content are weighted in consideration for this award.

OUTSTANDING COLLEGIATE LEADERSHIP AWARD: The Outstanding Leadership Award recognizes any officer or chairman (cannot be the “E” or “C”) who has gone above and beyond to not only deliver on their required position responsibilities but has also demonstrated proactive leadership while exceeding expectations. Nominees must have held their position within the academic year. The chapter may nominate no more than two officers/chairmen. A detailed explanation as to why these officers should be recognized must be provided. See Individual & Friends of the Fraternity Awards.

Collegiate members are encouraged to submit nominations for Individual & Friends of the Fraternity Awards. Chapters should heavily consider submitting nominations for:

  • Outstanding Chapter Advisor Award
  • Outstanding Alumni Board of Trustees Award
  • Richard N. McKaig Outstanding Greek Professional Award
  • Meritorious Service Award
  • Humanitarian Award

Click here to submit your nominations: Individual & Friends of the Fraternity Awards.

Alumni Chapter Awards

What are Alumni Chapter Awards: Alumni Chapter Awards recognize Delta Chi Alumni Chapters who have demonstrated operational excellence during the academic year. Alumni Chapters must be in good standing with Delta Chi Headquarters to be eligible to receive any award. Eligibility is based upon an Alumni Chapter’s submission of fees and annual reports. 

To Apply: Alumni Chapters can submit an application for all award categories through the application link below.

CLICK HERE TO APPLY FOR ALUMNI CHAPTER AWARDS

The Chicago Cup recognizes an alumni chapter with excellence in programming, communication, and meeting the needs of its members. This award was named in honor of the very first alumni chapter chartered by Delta Chi at its Eighth International Convention in Chicago in 1902.

Award recipients are selected based on a 350+ word narrative explaining how the alumni chapter has excelled in overall operations, programming, communication, recruitment & retention, and creating a positive Delta Chi experience for members. The narrative should also detail how the alumni chapter has maintained positive relationships with nearby collegiate chapters and the International Headquarters while making a measurable impact on the greater Fraternity.

The Outstanding Alumni Chapter Communication Award recognizes an alumni chapter with exceptional communication with its members. The award recipient is selected based on a narrative explaining how the alumni chapter has communicated with its members, how this communication has increased brother engagement, and what are the alumni chapter’s future plans to continue communicating and making a positive impact on Delta Chi.

The Outstanding Alumni Chapter Program Award recognizes an alumni chapter for an exceptional program or event that makes a positive image of themselves while being looked upon by the community, nearby college campuses, and Delta Chi chapters and colonies. The award recipient is selected based on a narrative explaining their efforts and how they have made an impact in their community, detailing their program or event, and how it enhanced the Fraternity experience.

The Outstanding Alumni Chapter Member Award recognizes an outstanding member of an alumni chapter who best exemplifies the ideals of a Delta Chi. Award recipients are selected based on a narrative explaining how the alumni chapter member goes above and beyond within the Alumni Chapter, how they exemplify the values of a Delta Chi, and how they make an impact to the greater International Fraternity. 

Alumni Chapter members are encouraged to submit nominations for Individual Alumni & Friends of the Fraternity Awards. Alumni Chapters should heavily consider submitting nominations for:

  • Outstanding Leadership Award
  • Outstanding Chapter Advisor Award
  • Outstanding Alumni Board of Trustees Award
  • Richard N. McKaig Outstanding Greek Professional Award
  • Meritorious Service Award
  • Humanitarian Award
  • Valor Award
  • John J. Kuhn Award
  • Distinguished Delta Chi Award
  • Delta Chi of the Year Award

To submit nominations for these awards use this form: Individual & Friends of the Fraternity Awards.

Individual & Friends of the Fraternity Awards

Individual & Friends of the Fraternity awards recognize outstanding Delta Chi members, alumni, volunteers, and friends of the Fraternity. Please use the following form to submit one individual for consideration for an award. Please feel free to submit this form multiple times if you have multiple nominations. Award descriptions are below.

Service to the Fraternal Movement

 The Outstanding Collegiate Leadership Award recognizes any officer or chairman (cannot be the “E” or “C”) who has gone above and beyond to not only deliver on their required position responsibilities, but has also demonstrated proactive leadership while exceeding expectations. Nominees must have held their position within the academic year. 

The Outstanding Chapter Advisor award is designed to recognize an outstanding advisor for a chapter for a specific, exceptional act of service during the previous academic year. The award will recognize individuals for their ability to strategically impact an undergraduate chapter or colony. Faculty Advisors, “BB”s, live-in advisors, ABTs, or Housing Corporation members are eligible.

The Outstanding Alumni Board of Trustees award is designed to recognize a chapter advisory board that has gone above and beyond to guide and support a chapter during the academic year.

A Meritorious Service Award (MSA) is given to an alumnus who makes significant contributions to Delta Chi as a “BB”, ABT member, House Corporation member, general Fraternity committee member, Regent, Vice-Regent, or staff member. Recipients must be a member of Delta Chi. Services rendered as an undergraduate do not qualify a member for this award. An alumnus who has received this award within the last five years is not eligible to be considered for it again in the same position. However, an alumnus who holds multiple positions in Delta Chi may be eligible for service in different capacities. (i.e. Someone who received an MSA in 2008 for service to the North/South Chapter could receive an award in 2009 for service to the East/West Chapter, but could not receive an award to the North/South Chapter for five years).

The Richard N. McKaig Outstanding Greek Professional Award recognizes one student affairs professional each year for their exceptional service to the Greek Community. Nominees must be a student affairs professional who have given exceptional service to an institute. Recipients are typically campus-based professionals. Richard McKaig’s (Ball State ’66) devotion and commitment to the college Fraternity is acknowledged by all. A graduate of Ball State University and a loyal member of Delta Chi, Dick is known by his contemporaries as the “Fraternal Dean.”  This award was renamed for him in 2009 to coincide with his retirement from Indiana University and to honor his exceptional service.

The John J. Kuhn Award is designed to recognize individuals who have dedicated their lives to the betterment of the fraternity community.

  • It recognizes accomplishments and contributions of individuals within the fraternity and sorority world regardless of affiliation. 
  • Qualified candidates will have served the Fraternity/Sorority community at large.
  • Involvement on national/international level preferred. For example: involvement with a Fraternity or Sorority HQ, AFA, speaker/researcher/trendsetter, Umbrella Organizations (NIC, NPHC).

The John J. Kuhn Award was created in 1992 by the Delta Chi Board of Regents to recognize individuals who have dedicated their lives to the betterment of the fraternity community.  The award is one of the most prestigious awards that the Fraternity offers.  The award is named after Delta Chi’s first North-American Interfraternity Conference (NIC) President, a past “AA” of the Fraternity, and dedicated contributor to the efforts and endeavors of the fraternity movement within and beyond Delta Chi.

For Service to Society at Large

The Valor Award recognizes special acts of heroism on the part of any member of Delta Chi who puts his own life in peril. To qualify for this award, an individual must have rendered heroic service, well documented, above and beyond simply membership in a uniformed and structured organization (i.e. state troopers, police officers, firefighters and military personnel), where his actions place his own life in peril or potential peril while attempting to save the life of another.
The Humanitarian Award is presented to a Delta Chi (undergraduate or alumnus) who, through his actions, exemplifies the ideals of Delta Chi and promotes the welfare of another person or persons.
The Distinguished Delta Chi award recognizes significant achievement in a alumnus’ profession or outstanding civic service while upholding the values and ideals of the Fraternity.

The Delta Chi of the Year designation recognizes alumni who have distinguished themselves in such a manner that their peers recognize them across the United States, Canada and/or the world. Their contributions to Delta Chi are not a criteria of this award.

An eligible nominee for Delta Chi of the Year is an alumnus who has made a significant contribution to:

  • Medicine, humanities, law or science; or
  • Exceptional and publicly recognized service to mankind in a civic or humanitarian manner; or
  • Exemplary success in business or industry at the senior executive level; or
  • Outstanding achievement as a military officer; or
  • Great achievement in the executive, legislative or judicial branch of government; or
  • Outstanding accomplishment in amateur or professional sports.

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