Dr. Emmett Ellis, Central Missouri ’20, was a mathematics professor and perhaps the greatest academic among the extraordinary scholars that comprised the Founders. Ellis recruited the first chapter advisor, professor of physics Dr. Wilson C. Morris, to be the Sponsor of the Founders at the time. Dr. Wilson C. Morris was the unequaled intellect among the faculty at their campus.

Ellis believed that a true fraternal gentleman must be an intellectual as well as a social creature.

This award recognizes chapters that strive for intellectual excellence and show an emphasis on scholarship as reflected by their chapter GPA as well as academic programming initiatives.

Appalachian State University, Zeta Epsilon [2007]
Arizona State University, Zeta Alpha [2016]
Baylor University, Gamma Omega [1988]
Black Hills State University, Lambda [2004]
California University of Pennsylvania, Beta Iota [2011]
Carnegie Mellon University, Delta Xi [1990, 1993, 2001, 2003, 2005, 2007]
Carroll University, Zeta Phi [2020]
Cleveland State University, Beta Upsilon [2007]
Duquesne University, Delta Beta [2003, 2005]
East Central University, Tau [2005]
Embry–Riddle Aeronautical University, Epsilon Zeta [2004, 2007, 2018]
Emporia State University, Delta [1982]
Henderson State University, Alpha Epsilon [2007]
Illinois State University, Gamma Psi [1981]
Kent State University, Iota [1996]
Lindenwood University–Belleville, Zeta Nu [2016]
Miami University, Delta Rho [1992, 2007]
Michigan State University, Zeta Omicron [2024]
Michigan Technological University, Gamma Chi [1988, 2017, 2021]
Millersville University of Pennsylvania, Gamma Tau [2006, 2007]
Minnesota State University Moorhead, Beta Rho [1977]
Missouri University of Science and Technology, Alpha Omega [2007]
Monmouth University, Epsilon Omicron [2005, 2006, 2021, 2022]
Northeastern State University, Zeta [1967, 1971, 2023]
Northwest Missouri State University, Theta [2020]
Oklahoma State University, Beta Zeta [2018]
Penn State Erie, The Behrend College, Delta Upsilon [2004]
Pennsylvania State University, Alpha Psi [2004, 2006, 2007]
Point Park University, Gamma Upsilon [1986]
Plymouth State University, Epsilon Theta [2007]
Purdue University, Beta Theta [2019]
Saint Louis University, Epsilon Xi [2004, 2005]
Seton Hall University, Gamma Eta [1972]
Southeast Missouri State University, Alpha Phi [2000, 2007, 2025]
Southeastern Louisiana University, Phi [1968]
Southern Illinois University, Alpha Sigma [1974]
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, Epsilon Sigma [2012]
State University of New York at Buffalo, Epsilon Pi [2007]
State University of New York at Plattsburgh, Epsilon Lambda [2005, 2006]
Truman State University, Beta [1973, 1976, 1979, 2006, 2024]
University of Alabama, Epsilon Phi [2014, 2016, 2017, 2018]
University of Arizona, Zeta Pi [2023]
University of Central Arkansas, Sigma [1969, 1994, 2007]
University of Central Missouri, Alpha [2005, 2013]
University of Central Oklahoma, Beta Zeta [1964, 2005, 2006, 2007]
University of Colorado Boulder, Zeta Psi [2020, 2023]
University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign, Alpha Chi [1978, 1980, 1985, 1987, 1999, 2005, 2007]
University of Maryland, Eta Lambda [2021]
University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, Epsilon Kappa [2007]
University of Massachusetts Lowell, Epsilon Delta [1995]
University of Missouri, Beta Alpha [2006, 2017, 2025]
University of Missouri–Kansas City, Gamma Mu [1983]
University of Nebraska at Kearney, Beta Chi [2004, 2022, 2024]
University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Epsilon Tau [2025]
University of Wisconsin – Platteville, Gamma Xi [2005, 2006]
University of Wisconsin – Stevens Point, Gamma Beta [2004]
Valparaiso University, Beta Lambda [1963, 1984, 1991, 1997]
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Epsilon Upsilon [2019, 2022]
Youngstown State University, Beta Gamma [2002, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2009, 2010, 2015, 2016, 2019]