August 30, 2011

By Cathryn Westra

(l-r) Sigma Phi Epsilon officers Paul Britton '12 and Max Shaw '12 with the Buchanan Cup.

Two Davidson fraternities were recently recognized by their national organizations for well-rounded achievement by their members. Phi Delta Theta is runner-up for the 2011 Kansas City Trophy, and Sigma Phi Epsilon has won its second consecutive Buchanan Cup.

The Kansas City Trophy is one of Phi Delta Theta's most prestigious awards. The Davidson chapter was national runner-up among 60 chapters for demonstrating outstanding involvement on a small campus. According to the fraternity's Web site, the Davidson chapter is "a force to be reckoned with." During the 2009-10 school year, Davidson's Phi Delta Theta chapter received the national Gold Star award, and the chapter has won the campus-wide Greek Week award for three years in a row.

"To fully understand the fraternity's accomplishments you have to know the chapter's history," commented chapter adviser and Davidson athletic director Jim Murphy '78. "Fifteen years ago Davidson Phi Delts had no relationship with the national fraternity and were scrambling for leadership. Now they've become successful on campus and in the community, and have gained recognition from the national organization. As a Phi Delt, I am proud of their exceptional effort."

As of May 2011, 94 of the 105 Phi Delta Theta members were varsity athletes, seven were team captains and one was an All-American. Ten members were presidents or executives of student organizations.

Sherrod Davis '13, Nate Larsen'14 and Mark Brannan'14 attended the national Phi Delta Theta "Emerging Leaders Institute" in Oxford, Ohio, where the award was presented.

Sigma Phi Epsilon earned similar recognition in receiving its national organization's second consecutive Buchanan, or "Buc," Cup. The award recognizes high achievement in categories such as membership development, leadership, participation in service learning and academics. In its 40-page award application, Sig Ep highlighted accomplishments of brothers like Will Myers'14, a Bonner Scholar whose community service project involved helping orphanages in Vietnam.

According to Sig Ep Vice President Paul Britton '12 and Vice President of Communications Max Shaw '12, the most difficult part of the application process was deciding which of the brothers' achievements to submit.
"Having so many examples of leadership that you can't include them all is a great problem to have," stated Shaw.
Davidson's Sig Ep was among 47 chapters out of 240 nationwide to have received a Buc Cup, which was presented at the fraternity's semi-annual "Conclave" convention in Phoenix, Ariz. Marcus Carson '13, Mike Brown '13 and Peter Varney '96 accepted the award.

Davidson's Sig Ep is recognized as a "Buc Cup chapter" among members of the national organization. To obtain the highest standing of "Gold Buc Cup chapter" they must win five consecutive cups. The chapter already has two. The Buchanan Cup is Sigma Phi Epsilon's highest recognition of national achievement.

Davidson is a highly selective independent liberal arts college for 1,900 students located 20 minutes north of Charlotte in Davidson, N.C. Since its establishment in 1837 by Presbyterians, the college has graduated 23 Rhodes Scholars and is consistently regarded as one of the top liberal arts colleges in the country. Through The Davidson Trust, the college became the first liberal arts institution in the nation to replace loans with grants in all financial aid packages, giving all students the opportunity to graduate debt-free. Davidson competes in NCAA athletics at the Division I level, and a longstanding Honor Code is central to student life at the college.

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