Jeff Russo and Tom Harris Join the Society of the Seventeen
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA – During the 51st Grand Conclave in Charlotte, North Carolina, Brother Jeff Russo, Delta Xi ’85, was inducted as the 46th member of the Society of the Seventeen, while Brother Tom Harris, Epsilon ’79, was inducted as the 47th member. Sigma Tau Gamma’s highest honor, the Society of the Seventeen recognizes brothers whose lifelong commitment, distinguished service, and exceptional leadership have made a lasting impact on the Fraternity through decades of living its Principles.
Brother Jeff Russo
Brother Jeff Russo was initiated into the Delta Xi Chapter at Carnegie Mellon University, where he also served as a Founding Father. His decades of service have included serving on the Sigma Tau Gamma Board of Directors from 2000 to 2014, including serving as the Fraternity’s 35th National President from 2008 to 2010. Jeff has also invested in developing future leaders as a longtime volunteer facilitator for the Presidents Track at Webb Academy. His dedication to the Sigma Tau Gamma Foundation includes serving as a Trustee from 2017 to 2026, including serving as Foundation Chairman from 2022 to 2026. Jeff has also been recognized as a member of the Noble Man Hall of Fame, the Winebrenner Distinguished Service Award, and the Marvin Millsap Distinguished Foundation Service Award.
Reflecting on his induction, Brother Russo shared, “it’s an affirmation of whatever it is that I’ve been able to do for the fraternity, and a polite request to keep doing it. Actually, it sets the bar a little higher. I looked up at the six principles on the banners during my speech at the banquet, and thought to myself, “It’s one thing to live by these guideposts, it’s another thing to actively encourage others likewise as they walk the path of principles.” It’s a challenge to live up to; I accept that challenge with gusto.”
Brother Tom Harris
Brother Tom Harris was initiated into the Epsilon Chapter at Pittsburg State University and has faithfully served Sigma Tau Gamma for many decades. Brother Harris served as Epsilon Chapter President, led the Epsilon Alumni Association, advises the chapter as Safety and Standards Advisor, facilitated the Standards Board Track at Webb Academy, and serves as General Counsel for the WPN Housing Company since 2017. His service has been recognized by his selection into the Noble Man Hall of Fame, the Ellsworth C. Dent Man of the Year Award, the Winebrenner Distinguished Fraternity Service Award, the Professor O. F. Grubbs Advisor of the Year Award, and the W. P. “Buz” Barlow WPN Distinguished Service Medal.
Reflecting on this honor, Brother Harris said, “I am somewhat surprised by the impact that selection to the Society of the Seventeen has on me. A large component of selection to the society is ‘service’ to Sigma Tau Gamma Fraternity, but much of my history of completing tasks that benefit the Fraternity was simply applying my particular resources, whether training, experience or earnings, to solve a particular problem at a particular time, that is, I tried to do what I said I would do. Throughout those years, I was privileged to get to know and work with many men and women who are dear to me. I can’t view membership into the Society as a reward for doing something for which I have already received great benefit. I assumed that if a brother receives the highest honor that can be bestowed on a brother of Sigma Tau Gamma, he has hit the summit, that it’s all coasting and downhill from there. But as the initial elation wore off, I thought back to my first close observation of the members of the Society of the Seventeen, at the funeral of Connie Hembree, wife of Bill Hembree for more that 70 years. I was amazed at how many of the members of the Society of the Seventeen were there to give comfort to Bill in his time of grief and it was apparent that many of these brothers had traveled through great personal difficulty. I now realize that there is no taking it easy. As long as I am relevant, I will continue to try to do what is called of me. Now my obligation to the brothers of Sigma Tau Gamma is greater: to be present in time of need of a brother, to be present to enjoy and invigorate the companionship we share as brothers, and to do my best to live nobly to give honor to the Society of the Seventeen and its members.”
The induction of Brother Russo and Brother Harris reflects the purpose of the Society of the Seventeen; to recognize brothers whose lifelong dedication has strengthened Sigma Tau Gamma for generations. Their examples of servant leadership, generosity, and unwavering commitment continue to inspire brothers across the Fraternity.
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ABOUT SIGMA TAU GAMMA FRATERNITY
Founded at the University of Central Missouri on June 28, 1920. Since its Founding, the organization has called 197 campuses home and has more than 77,000 initiated Members. The Headquarters, which is home to the Fraternity, Foundation and WPN National Housing Company, is located in Carmel, Indiana. Visit https://sigtau.org for additional information.