Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity: Buchanan Cup Reception | Photo by Diana Jaber | The Wright State Guardian
This summer Wright State University’s (WSU) Sigma Phi Epsilon Ohio Pi Chapter was honored with the Buchanan Outstanding Chapter Award at the national fraternity’s summer conference in Denver.
This award, known as the Buchanan Cup, is the highest award a Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity can win. It recognizes the best chapters nationwide for excelling in all areas.
Years of work in the making
“That award means everything to our chapter and that’s a culmination of hard work from not just the people in my time in chapter but people who came before who laid the groundwork for it,” Jacob O’Connor, WSU’s Sigma Phi Epsilon’s president, said.
Chapter advisor and alumni Jeremy Keller echoed this sentiment. For Keller, realizing they had won the award was a surreal moment. It was also a proud one.
The Buchanan Cup is awarded every two years, and its application process can take up to three weeks. The submission process was a long one that involved sleepless nights and prepping to ensure everyone was trained.
As chapter advisor, Keller gave his support and WSU President Sue Edwards was also there. Recruited as a Faculty Fellow, one way she assisted was telling members what they could do for students on campus and how to engage with them.
With members involved in all aspects of campus life, winning the award was a tangible manifestation of the work to continue moving forward and improving over the span of several years.
“For me it was like the past several years of hard work and dedication and putting in all this effort has made it worth it,” Keller said.
Living up to the pillar of brotherly love
Founded on the principles of virtue, diligence, and brotherly love, Sigma Phi Epsilon was recognized for how the members stayed connected during the pandemic.
“Sig Ep is something that provided a home for me when I first came into chapter and it’s provided a home to a lot of other guys who have come before me and will come after me,” O’Connor said.
According to Keller, the fraternity was also a home for him. He joined in 2011 and after graduating three years later has continued to stay active with the chapter.
“It gave me a support system that I didn’t necessarily always have in school, but for me it was very much a second family in a way that I knew that they would have my back,” Keller said.
Now he returns the support he received by guiding the chapter throughout the year. When they began the application for the Buchanan Cup, he acted as their mentor by giving feedback on their application.
He is also there to guide them with decision making and any issues that arise.
Reception and support
Sigma Phi Epsilon had a reception for their award on Aug. 29. Several members of Advocates for Cultural Diversity and Excellence (ACE), an Asian interest sorority group, attended to show their support, including Emilia Ranalli.
“I thought it was really impressive. And I could tell they were all really proud of themselves, which was cool to witness and it was really well deserved,” Ranalli said.
