As we pass the one-year mark of COVID-19 and reflect on the academic, operational, and personal adjustments it has required, we continue to celebrate and acknowledge how resilient and adaptive Sigma Tau Gamma brothers have been. One way our chapters have adapted is through renewed use of Chapter Funds through the Sigma Tau Gamma Foundation. 

These restricted funds are often earmarked to support brothers’ attendance at national programs like Noble Man Institute, the Earl A. Webb Academy of Principled Leaders, or Grand Conclave. With uncertainty and inability surrounding large gatherings, our chapters have given these funds a new purpose – scholarships and direct financial support to our undergraduate brothers. 

This fall, the Beta Xi Chapter at Winona State used their Chapter Fund to create a recruitment scholarship. Former director of recruitment, Tristan Bauer explained, “our plan was to implement a scholarship for freshmen gentlemen last semester. We wanted to give an opportunity for guys to get their foot in the door academically and financially and potentially create a connection between our chapter and the scholarship winner. We saw this as a good opportunity to get our name around campus and to give back to the students at our university.” 

Truman Lauck, former president of the Beta Chi Chapter at Nebraska Kearney, had a similar idea but took it one step further, adding tuition assistance scholarships for current brothers. 

“After the summer, a lot of brothers were worried about returning to school and staying involved with Sig Tau and how they could afford it. We started asking how we could help; we could use our Chapter Fund.”

Beta Chi awarded 12 scholarships to active members and incoming freshmen, providing much-needed financial support to undergraduates. 

In total, more than $9,000 was awarded in Chapter Fund grants and scholarships through the Sigma Tau Gamma Foundation during fall 2020. We continue to encourage our chapters to make use of these resources and find ways to help grow their funds. Show your support of our undergraduate brothers and increasing Chapter Funds by donating to the Noble Knight Chapter Challenge now.

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ABOUT SIGMA TAU GAMMA FRATERNITY

Founded at the University of Central Missouri on June 28, 1920, Sigma Tau Gamma Fraternity celebrated 100 years of brotherhood in 2020. In the last 100 years, the organization has called 197 campuses home and has more than 73,000 initiated members. With a current presence on 75 campuses from coast to coast, our membership includes more than 2,700 undergraduate men. The Headquarters, which is home to the Fraternity, Foundation, and WPN Housing Company, is located in Indianapolis, Indiana. Visit https://sigtau.org for additional information.