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.

University of Arizona, Zeta Pi [2023]
Carroll University, Zeta Phi [2020]
University of Colorado Boulder, Zeta Psi [2023, 2020]
Northwest Missouri State University, Theta [2020]
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Epsilon Upsilon [2019]
Purdue University, Beta Theta [2019]
Embry–Riddle Aeronautical University, Epsilon Zeta [2018, 2007, 2004]
Oklahoma State University, Beta Zeta [2018]
University of Alabama, Epsilon Phi [2018, 2017, 2016, 2014]
University of Missouri, Beta Alpha [2017, 2006]
Michigan Technological University, Gamma Chi [2017, 1988]
Lindenwood University–Belleville, Zeta Nu [2016]
Arizona State University, Zeta Alpha [2016]
Youngstown State University, Beta Gamma [2019, 2016, 2015, 2010, 2009, 2006, 2005, 2003, 2002]
University of Central Missouri, Alpha [2013, 2005]
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, Epsilon Sigma [2012]
California University of Pennsylvania, Beta Iota [2011]
Appalachian State University, Zeta Epsilon [2007]
Cleveland State University, Beta Upsilon [2007]
Henderson State University, Alpha Epsilon [2007]
Missouri University of Science and Technology, Alpha Omega [2007]
Plymouth State University, Epsilon Theta [2007]
State University of New York at Buffalo, Epsilon Pi [2007]
University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, Epsilon Kappa [2007]
Millersville University of Pennsylvania, Gamma Tau [2007, 2006]
University of Central Oklahoma, Beta Zeta [2007, 2006, 2005, 1964]
Pennsylvania State University, Alpha Psi [2007, 2006, 2004]
Carnegie Mellon University, Delta Xi [2007, 2005, 2003, 2001, 1993, 1990, 1989]
University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign, Alpha Chi [2007, 2005, 1999, 1987, 1985, 1980, 1978]
Southeast Missouri State University, Alpha Phi [2007, 2000]
University of Central Arkansas, Sigma [2007, 1994, 1969]
Miami University, Delta Rho [2007, 1992]
Monmouth University, Epsilon Omicron [2006, 2005]
State University of New York at Plattsburgh, Epsilon Lambda [2006, 2005]
University of Wisconsin – Platteville, Gamma Xi [2006, 2005]
Truman State University, Beta [2006, 1979, 1976, 1973]
East Central University, Tau [2005]
Saint Louis University, Epsilon Xi [2005]
Duquesne University, Delta Beta [2005, 2003]
Black Hills State University, Lambda [2004]
Penn State Erie, The Behrend College, Delta Upsilon [2004]
Saint Louis University, Epsilon Xi [2004]
University of Nebraska at Kearney, Beta Chi [2004]
University of Wisconsin – Stevens Point, Gamma Beta [2004]
Valparaiso University, Beta Lambda [1997, 1991, 1984, 1963]
Kent State University, Iota [1996]
University of Massachusetts Lowell, Epsilon Delta [1995]
Baylor University, Gamma Omega [1988]
Point Park University, Gamma Upsilon [1986]
University of Missouri–Kansas City, Gamma Mu [1983]
Emporia State University, Delta [1982]
Illinois State University, Gamma Psi [1981]
Minnesota State University Moorhead, Beta Rho [1977]
Southern Illinois University, Alpha Sigma [1974]
Seton Hall University, Gamma Eta [1972]
Northeastern State University, Zeta [2023, 1971, 1967]
Southeastern Louisiana University, Phi [1968]