Beta Theta Pi Chapter Awards
The General Fraternity recognizes chapter/colony success and achievement at the General Convention each summer. All applications are due April 15. If you have any questions, please contact the awards committee at awards@beta.org.
Download a PDF description of all chapter awards listed below.
Sisson Award Criteria
There is no application for this award. The Sisson Award is calculated based on historical chapter performance and information submitted by your chapter. Chapters that don’t submit needed data could be disqualified for the award. The SCOE report on MyBeta > your chapter homepage shows how your chapter is performing against most Sisson Award criteria.
Criteria: Cultivation of the Intellect
Achieve a minimum chapter GPA at or above the campus All-Men’s Average (AMA). For campuses that do not provide an All-Men’s Average, chapter must be at or above a 2.8 GPA, as required by the Code of Beta Theta Pi. Chapters can track their historical performance at MyBeta > your chapter homepage > Chapter Reports > GPA Graphs.
Criteria: Advisor Support
Work with an advisory team consisting of the five core advisors: chapter counselor, recruitment advisor, pledge education advisor, risk management advisor and financial advisor.
Criteria: Chapter Size
Maintain a chapter size at or above the average chapter size for all fraternities on campus. For chapters where the campus does not report the average chapter size for fraternities, the Beta chapter must have at least 40 members.
Criteria: Membership Education: New Member Education
Complete PPEA Certification by the deadlines established by the Board of Trustees (September 1 for fall; December 15 for spring, or 2 weeks before bid day / induction). Certifications are reported by the district chief.
Criteria: Membership Education: New Member Retention
Maintain a three-year initiation rate of 85% or higher. Chapters can track their historical performance at MyBeta > your chapter homepage > Chapter Reports > Pledge to Initiation.
Criteria: Membership Education: Cultural Assessment
At least 85% of members participate in the Beta Brotherhood Assessment. Chapter presidents will receive ongoing participation reports while the assessment is open in October.
Criteria: Leadership Development
Send 10 attendees to the core leadership events annually (one CPLA attendee, one Convention Delegate, eight Keystone attendees) and send 3 attendees to other leadership development experiences (Leadership College, Wooden Institute or UIFI). Chapters can track their historical attendance at MyBeta > your chapter homepage > Chapter Reports > Leadership Development.
Criteria: Chapter Standing and Operations
Have good standing status with both the host campus and the General Fraternity during one semester or two quarters prior to the award application process and submit competitive applications for at least one award in two different categories:
Service: John Holt Duncan Service Award or Campus Involvement Award
Alumni: Outstanding Alumni Relations Award or Stephenson Historical Preservation Award
Communications: North Dakota Communication Award
Singing: Whitman Choral Cup, Best New Song or Shelby Molter Song Competition Award
Criteria: Financial Health
Compliant with Chapter Accounting Standards and no financial suspension for a 90-day balance with the General Fraternity during previous academic year.
Knox Award Criteria
There is no application for this award. The Knox Award is calculated based on historical chapter performance and information submitted by your chapter. Chapters that don’t submit needed data could be disqualified for the award. The SCOE report on MyBeta > your chapter homepage shows how your chapter is performing against most Knox Award criteria.
Criteria: Cultivation of the Intellect
Achieve a minimum chapter GPA at or above the All-Campus Average (ACA). Chapters can track their historical performance at MyBeta > your chapter homepage > Chapter Reports > GPA Graphs.
Criteria: Advisor Support
Work with an advisory team consisting of the five core advisors: chapter counselor, recruitment advisor, pledge education advisor, risk management advisor and financial advisor.
Criteria: Chapter Size
Maintain a chapter size at or above the average chapter size for all fraternities on campus. For chapters where the campus does not report the average chapter size for fraternities, the Beta chapter must have at least 40 members. In addition, chapter must utilize the Men of Principle Grant Program in its entirety, including apply for, receiving, and disbursing the grant in the academic year immediately prior to Convention.
Criteria: Membership Education: New Member Education
Complete PPEA Certification by the deadlines established by the Board of Trustees (September 1 for fall; December 15 for spring, or 2 weeks before bid day / induction). Certifications are reported by the district chief.
Criteria: Membership Education: New Member Retention
Maintain a three-year initiation rate of 90% or higher. Chapters can track their historical performance at MyBeta > your chapter homepage > Chapter Reports > Pledge to Initiation.
Criteria: Membership Education: Cultural Assessment
At least 90% of members participate in the Beta Brotherhood Assessment. Chapter presidents will receive ongoing participation reports while the assessment is open in October.
Criteria: Leadership Development
Send 10 attendees to the core leadership events annually (one CPLA attendee, one Convention Delegate, eight Keystone attendees) and send 6 attendees to other leadership development experiences (Leadership College, Wooden Institute or UIFI). Chapters can track their historical attendance at MyBeta > your chapter homepage > Chapter Reports > Leadership Development.
Criteria: Chapter Standing and Operations
Have good standing status with both the host campus and the General Fraternity during the entire academic year prior to the award application process and submit competitive applications for at least one award in each of these four categories:
Service: John Holt Duncan Service Award or Campus Involvement Award
Alumni: Outstanding Alumni Relations Award or Stephenson Historical Preservation Award
Communications: North Dakota Communication Award
Singing: Whitman Choral Cup, Best New Song or Shelby Molter Song Competition Award
Criteria: Financial Health
Compliant with Chapter Accounting Standards and no financial suspension for a 90-day balance with the General Fraternity during previous academic year.
Campus Involvement Award
Betas are expected to be leaders in their chapters, on campus, and in the greater community. The Campus Involvement Award is given annually to chapters with outstanding and sustained involvement in campus organizations and student leadership positions.
Charles Henry Hardin Leadership Development
This award is given to chapters that exemplify outstanding participation in Beta-provided and sponsored leadership experiences, honoring the leadership displayed by Founder Charles Henry Hardin. The award is given to chapters that have:
• The highest percentage of members who attend leadership programs
• Highest total number of members who attend leadership programs
Excellence in Risk Management
This award recognizes chapters with outstanding risk management programs that best reflect the mission, vision and values of Beta Theta Pi.
H.H. Stephenson Jr. Award for Historical Research & Preservation
This award recognizes a chapter’s commitment to historical education and preservation, exemplifying the passion displayed by former archivist, H.H. Stephenson Jr., Miami ’39.
John Holt Duncan Community Service Award
The Duncan Service awards are presented to chapters that best exemplify, through their hands-on service and philanthropy, the commitment of Beta Theta Pi Fraternity to our members, our campuses, our communities and the world.
Individual Awards
Beta Theta Pi has developed several awards for individuals, including undergraduates, General Fraternity Officers, advisors and campus professionals.
Most Improved Chapter Award
This award is given to the chapter that demonstrates significant improvement in a variety of areas, including recruitment, member education and development, risk management, and building positive chapter culture.
New Song Writing Competition
Beta is known as the “Singing Fraternity” for a reason – and our collection of songs continues to grow! This award recognizes the best original song submission that exemplifies the Beta Spirit and the values of the Fraternity.
North Dakota Award for Alumni Communication
The Fraternity presents up to three awards for excellence in chapter or alumni communications. The competition is based on creative and engaging content that (1) demonstrates the chapter and their alumni’s understanding and communication of how their members live Beta’s core values and (2) communicates general alumni news.
Outstanding Alumni Relations Program Award
Membership in Beta Theta Pi is for a lifetime. Our members and chapters deserve – and need – the network of support provided through their Fraternity experience and the lifelong friendships made through Beta. The Outstanding Alumni Relations Program Award recognizes chapters and alumni relations committees that work diligently to keep their alumni connected to Beta Theta Pi and to each other.
Outstanding New Member Education Program Award
This award recognizes chapters that plan and implement an outstanding new member program that reflects the mission, vision, and values of Beta Theta Pi.
Outstanding Recruitment Program Award
This award recognizes chapters and colonies with recruitment programs that reflect the mission, vision and values of Beta Theta Pi and incorporate recruitment best practices.
Shelby Molter Song Competition
Beta Theta Pi has been a singing fraternity almost from its birth and has emphasized the idea contained in the words, “a singing chapter is a good chapter.” Because of this deep-seated feeling, members are encouraged to perform on campus and within the community. Therefore, the Fraternity offers the opportunity for groups to perform live each year at the General Convention, with the selection of one overall winner. Chapters typically perform a traditional Beta song.
Outstanding Advisory Team Award
This award is given to the Chapter Advising Team that distinguishes themselves through their coaching and support of an undergraduate chapter or colony. Nominations typically come from chapter officers, district chiefs, regional chiefs or Administrative Office staff (although advisory teams are welcome to nominate themselves).
Whitman Choral Cup
Beta Theta Pi has been a singing fraternity almost from its birth and has emphasized the idea contained in the words, “a singing chapter is a good chapter.” Because of this deep-seated feeling, members are encouraged to perform on campus and within the community. The Whitman Chapter has a historical reputation for its choral abilities, so this award is named in its honor. It is presented to the best recorded performance by a chapter. Chapters typically perform a traditional Beta song.
Virginia Tech Award for Excellence in Academics
The Virginia Tech Award recognizes scholastic achievement by honoring one chapter within 10 specified regions that had the highest differential between the chapter average GPA and the all campus average GPA. An award is also presented to the chapter with the most improved GPA in the last year, as well as an award for the highest GPA across all Beta chapters.
*There is no application for this award. It is awarded based on each chapter’s submitted grade reports. Check MyBeta to ensure that your chapter has submitted all required grade reports.