CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA – A weekend of brotherhood in Charlotte gave Sigma Tau Gamma members, alumni, volunteers, families, and friends an opportunity to gather for the 51st Grand Conclave, celebrate the Fraternity’s 106th Anniversary, and look ahead to the next chapter of Sig Tau’s future. 

From the opening welcome at the UNC Charlotte Marriott Hotel & Conference Center to the final moments of the Chain of Honor Banquet, Grand Conclave Charlotte brought together generations of Sig Taus for business, brotherhood, education, recognition, remembrance, and fun. 

Welcome to Charlotte 

Grand Conclave opened Thursday evening with the Welcome to Charlotte Expo & Reception, where brothers reconnected, first-time attendees met Sig Tau leaders from across the country, and the weekend began with the energy of a national gathering. Attendees were welcomed to Charlotte by the host chapters, Epsilon Tau Chapter and Delta Alpha Chapter, whose hospitality helped set the tone for the weekend. 

The weekend also included the Ritual of Initiation, where we welcomed two new brothers; opportunities for undergraduate members to set personal and chapter goals; and alumni volunteer conversations that reinforced the lifelong nature of membership in Sigma Tau Gamma. 

Support the Host Chapters: Attendees and friends of the Fraternity are encouraged to contribute in honor of Epsilon Tau Chapter and Delta Alpha Chapter through the host chapter giving page here.

The 51st House of Delegates 

Friday and Saturday were centered on the work of the 51st House of Delegates. Delegates participated in opening ceremonies, roll call, credential reports, review of standing rules and procedures, and the State of the Fraternity presentation. The House also heard committee reports, considered proposed legislation, reviewed financial matters, and used electronic voting throughout the business sessions. Video of the State of the Fraternity presentation will be available here.

The business of the Fraternity included candidate speeches, candidate forums, and elections for President-Elect and members of the Board of Directors. Delegates also thanked the 42nd National President, Mike Van Camp, Indiana State, as he concluded his term of service and reflected on the work accomplished during his presidency. As always, the House of Delegates served as the supreme governing body of Sigma Tau Gamma, giving undergraduate and alumni delegates a voice in the future direction of the Fraternity. 

Among the actions taken, the House passed an updated dues and fees schedule designed to fuel the Fraternity’s strategic plan while creating new opportunities to “reduce the financial burden on students.” The update also simplified the alumni association registration fee. 

The House also clarified the Fraternity’s Vision and Purpose. The updated Vision is: “To be a Fraternity of Courageous and Noble Men who Always Endeavor Forward.” The updated Purpose is: “Building Generations of Noble Men.” 

Other proposals related to the process, eligibility, and timing of Board of Directors elections were debated. All changes to the Fraternity Constitution and Laws are being updated and are expected to be posted to the Fraternity website in August. 

The BLUEprint for Sig Tau’s Future 

One of the defining moments of Grand Conclave Charlotte was the launch of the Fraternity’s new strategic vision, The BLUEprint. Introduced during the weekend’s State of the Fraternity programming, The BLUEprint offered members a look at where Sigma Tau Gamma stands today and where the organization is headed next. Video of the strategic plan presentation will be available here.

The conversation around the future of Sig Tau connected directly to the Fraternity’s ongoing work: growing the Fraternity, building stable finances, strengthening the member experience, and supporting great chapters. Grand Conclave gave members and leaders the chance to see those priorities not only as ideas on paper, but as a shared call to continue building generations of Noble Men. 

The Brotherhood Track 

A new Brotherhood Track invited students and alumni alike to spend intentional time discussing dreams, mentorship, and habits. The conversations encouraged members to think beyond the weekend and consider the daily commitments that shape stronger chapters, stronger leaders, and stronger relationships. 

During the track, Sig Tau introduced its definition of mentorship, centered on a mentor who provides experience, inspiration, and accountability. That framework gave undergraduates and alumni a shared language for building meaningful mentoring relationships rooted in practical guidance, personal example, and follow-through. 

Brotherhood, Recognition, and Remembrance 

Grand Conclave is never only about business. Throughout the weekend, attendees shared meals, stories, and moments of reflection. Friday included a Recognition Lunch and an evening experience at the NASCAR Hall of Fame, giving brothers and guests time away from the meeting room to enjoy Charlotte together. 

Grand Conclave also included the Fraternity’s first wellness activities in a while with the creation of the Sig Tau Run Club and Sig Tau Yoga Club. Run Club members completed a 5K around the UNCC campus, while Yoga Club participants started the day with sunrise warrior power yoga. These informal gatherings gave attendees another way to connect, start the day with intention, and make wellness part of the brotherhood experience. 

The Sig Tau Store was also set up during Grand Conclave, giving attendees a chance to purchase official Fraternity apparel and merchandise. Shop Sig Tau merchandise here. 

The Fraternity also paused to remember brothers who entered Chapter Eternal through the Eternal Light Ceremony. That time of remembrance honored the lives and legacies of Sig Taus whose influence continues through the brothers, chapters, and communities they helped shape. Families of past-CEO Bill Bernier and Past President Richard Harguindeguy joined for the ceremony. 

The weekend also included national recognition from the North American Interfraternity Conference, as NIC President and CEO Jud Horras joined Grand Conclave to present Paul Szczesny with an NIC Advisor Award of Distinction. 

During the weekend, individual and chapter accomplishments were celebrated through awards and recognitions, including moments during the House of Delegates and the Saturday Special Olympics and Awards Lunch. Zeta Chapter earned the McCune Distinguished Chapter Award, one of the Fraternity’s highest chapter honors. These recognitions highlighted the service, leadership, and dedication of members and chapters who continue to move Sigma Tau Gamma forward. 

A complete list of Grand Conclave award winners will be featured in a separate recap blog post here.

The Foundation’s Impact 

The Sigma Tau Gamma Foundation’s presence was felt throughout Grand Conclave Charlotte. Foundation leaders, donors, and volunteers gathered with undergraduate members and alumni to celebrate generosity, leadership development, scholarships, and the programs made possible through charitable support. 

Grand Conclave also arrived as the Foundation celebrated its 60th anniversary and announced raising $360,000 toward its $300,000 goal. The Foundation recognized donors who achieved new giving levels, including eight men who received rings signifying $100,000 in lifetime giving. The celebration underscored the growing momentum behind the Sig Tau Leadership Fund, the Annual Appeal, and the resources that help undergraduates attend transformational leadership experiences like the Noble Man Institute and Webb Academy. 

Celebrating the Chain of Honor 

Saturday evening concluded with the Chain of Honor Banquet, one of the weekend’s signature gatherings. Brothers and guests came together to celebrate Sig Tau’s highest ideals, recognize outstanding service and achievement, and mark the transition from one era of leadership to the next. 

Joey Sawtelle was named the Ellsworth C. Dent Man of the Year during the banquet, continuing one of Sigma Tau Gamma’s most meaningful traditions of recognizing distinguished lifetime service. An article recognizing all this year’s Hall of Fame recipients can be found here.

More than 30 previous Dent Men joined Grand Conclave and celebrated the program with a reception. Included in that celebration was Sigma Tau Gamma’s first-ever Dent Man, Jim Benedict. 

The banquet also included the induction of Jeff Russo and Tom Harris into the Society of the Seventeen, honoring their extraordinary lifetime commitment to Sigma Tau Gamma. Both men had family present as they were recognized during the banquet. A feature article about their induction will be posted here. 

The evening also included the installation of the new Board of Directors, led by the 43rd National President, Christian Ely. The Board includes Jeremy Daus, Mike Van Camp, David Hidinger, John Barger, Paul Philips, and President-Elect Jason Fanning. Board biographies are available here.

In keeping with the new strategic plan goal of recreating the regional volunteer network, Andrew Banks, Epsilon Phi, was appointed to the new role of Southern Regional Director; Brett Hays, Epsilon Tau, as Mid-Atlantic Regional Director; and Jacob Johnson, Epsilon, as Great Plains Regional Director. These volunteers will help chapters recruit and train advisors. More information on other available volunteer positions is forthcoming. 

Zeta Chapter’s recognition as the McCune Distinguished Chapter Award recipient provided a fitting close to the evening’s celebration of excellence. The banquet concluded, just hours before Founders Day, with all brothers standing for a toast: 

Together we rise under shield and blade, 
United as one in the bonds we’ve made, 
Knights of the Rose, the Chain, and the Light, 
Raise your glass to the blue and the white. 

Endeavoring Forward 

Grand Conclave Charlotte reminded attendees that Sigma Tau Gamma’s strength comes from generations of brothers who continue to show up for one another. Undergraduate leaders, alumni volunteers, Foundation supporters, Fraternity officers, staff members, families, and guests all played a part in making the weekend meaningful. 

In the Queen City, Sig Tau conducted important business, honored its past, celebrated its present, and prepared for its future. As members returned home, the charge was clear: continue the work, strengthen the brotherhood, and endeavor forward in building Generations of Noble Men.

Access to all Grand Conclave 2026 photos can be viewed and downloaded here.

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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.