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Awards 

Each year, Sigma Kappa alumnae and collegiate chapters and corporations are presented with awards based on the success and reporting of their activities. Collegiate chapters work to earn a Standard of Excellence one star, two star or three star rating, alumnae chapters strive to earn awards centered on programming, recruitment and public relations (to name a few), and corporations strive to reach excellence through the benchmarks set for operations and management. A listing of collegiate, alumnae and corporation award winners can be found below.

 

Alumnae Awards

The following awards were presented in July 2016 at Sigma Kappa's 87th national convention in Chicago, Illinois.

 

AWARD
DESCRIPTION
Alumnae chapters who double and maintain paid membership over the two-year award period.
Alumnae Panhellenic Award Given to the alumnae chapter with the most outstanding participation in Alumnae Panhellenic.
Alumnae chapter with the greatest percentage increase in per capita and dues paying membership in the two year award period.
Ethel Hayward Weston Award
Recognizes an alumna who has served an Alumnae Panhellenic Association as an Alumnae Panhellenic officer, chairman or delegate who has served in a distinguished manner in the performance of her duties and has implemented changes or improvements in the Alumnae Panhellenic.
Given to the alumnae chapter with the most outstanding public relations program that utilizes an on-going, active public relations program in the areas of collegiate chapter relations, alumnae panhellenic relations, recognition of outstanding achievements of individual members, and local media coverage for special projects or events.
Anne Weaver Booske Award Presented to the alumnae chapter who is most outstanding in their reporting to the Sigma Kappa Triangle. Criteria for judging include prompt and legible reports submitted in a timely fashion with newsworthy material, quality photos, and extra features.
Alumnae Communication Award The Alumnae Communication award recognizes the alumnae chapter with the most outstanding communication program. All communication should include news of the national organization, alumnae chapter, assigned collegiate chapter, other alumnae chapters, philanthropic and inspirational items, visual identity to enhance effectiveness, personal news of area alumnae and collegians, and information presented in a professional manner.
Recognizes an alumnae chapter that has worked beyond the call of duty for or with collegians.
Given to the most improved alumnae chapter in a college community.
This award recognizes the most improved alumnae chapter not in a college community.
Recognizes the most outstanding alumnae chapter in a college community.
Recognizes the most outstanding alumnae chapter not in a college community.
Reorganized or New Alumnae Chapters Reorganized or new alumnae chapters established during the 2010-2012 biennium.
Collegiate Awards

The following awards were presented in July 2017.

 

AWARD
DESCRIPTION
Recognizes those chapters who have a record of high academic achievement including obtaining a gpa of 3.3 or above for both initiated members and new members.
Awarded to the chapter with the highest performance in scholarship.
Presented to any chapter, large or small, on any sized campus that tried to cooperate in every way with any national officer, project, etc. All reports must be on time to national headquarters and national officers, and the chapter must support all national projects, as well as have a strong recruitment effort.
Donna Crain King Award
Recognizes a Sigma Kappa sister who has served on her College Panhellenic Association as an executive officer, chairman or delegate and served in a distinguished manner in the performance of her duties, implementing changes or improvements in the College Panhellenic.
Awarded to the chapter exemplifying excellence in all aspects of recruitment including planning, motivation, implementation, reporting, and results.
Given to the chapter who is most outstanding in their reporting to the Sigma Kappa Triangle.
Founders Award The Sigma Kappa Founders Award, established in 2011, will be presented to the collegiate chapter who has not only achieved a three-star standards of excellence rating, but also has been recognized through other Sigma Kappa awards, and, in a fitting tribute to our five founders, has duly honored our Sigma Kappa ritual.
Awarded to the chapter with the best implementation of the Promise program during the designated new member period and new initiate period.
Recognizing one collegiate chapter and honorable mentions for excellence in alumnae programming.
Awarded for excellence in advising a collegiate chapter.
Presented to the chapter who exhibits the most outstanding on-going active public relations program in the following areas: alumnae relations, campus involvement, continued education as to the importance of positive public relations, community activities, participation in both local and national philanthropies, faculty relations, Panhellenic support, parent relations, and alumnae newsletters.
Recognizes chapters for excellence in service to their college Panhellenic during the calendar year.
Recognizes those chapters demonstrating service to another collegiate chapter or chapters during the award period.
Recognizes chapters for excellence in maintaining consistent member development programming, encompassing all areas of collegiate programming.
Standards of Excellence  
Sigma Kappa's most prestigious award. Presented to those chapters who meet all of the Sigma Kappa minimum standards and above. These standards include high performance in areas such as: membership, financial management, philanthropy, scholarship, public relations, ritual, leadership, new member education, alumnae relations, and campus involvement.
 
One Star - First level of excellence.
Two Star - Second level of excellence.
Three Star - Highest level of excellence.
Foundation Awards

The following awards were presented in July 2017.

 

AWARD

DESCRIPTION
Edna Brown Drefus Award Recognizes one collegiate chapter and one honorable mention for contributing to the Sigma Kappa Foundation’s Alzheimer’s/Gerontology and Maine Seacoast Mission funds.
Gerontology Service Award Recognizes one alumnae chapter or club and up to six honorable mentions (one from each district) that develop an outstanding community philanthropy project that reflects Sigma Kappa’s interest in Alzheimer’s disease and gerontology. 
Lillian Peterson Budd Award Recognizes one chapter and up to six honorable mentions (one from each district) for participation in both national and local gerontology activities during the calendar year. 
Ultra Violet Campaign Award Recognizes one collegiate chapter and up to six honorable mentions (one from each district) for excellence in participation in the Sigma Kappa Foundation Ultra Violet Campaign.
Walk to End Alzheimer's Award Recognizes one alumnae or collegiate chapter for excellence in participation in the local Alzheimer’s Association’s Walk to End Alzheimer’s event.
Housing Awards

It is the goal of the National Housing Corporation and Sorority housing team that each local corporation board provides a quality living experience for its chapter members. This goal can only be reached if each corporation board’s performance is outstanding. We have developed the Award of Excellence to track the activities that are necessary and desired in order to achieve such a high standard.

The criteria for the Award of Excellence align with the mission and values of the National Housing Corporation.

  • Fiscal responsibility
  • Safe & attractive accommodations
  • Volunteer participation and development
  • Communication

The Award of Excellence has three point levels – gold, silver, and bronze - and is assessed on a matrix tool similar to that for the collegiate Standards of Excellence. In order to be eligible for an award, there are also several minimum requirements that must be met.

The following awards were presented in July 2017 at NHC's Housing Conference in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

 

AWARD DESCRIPTION
Barbara Fenters Outstanding Corporation Board Award The Barbara Fenters Outstanding Corporation Board award pays tribute to one of the leading founders of the National Housing Corporation and honors the one corporation board that best exemplifies the mission, vision, and values of the National Housing Corporation.
Gold Level The Gold Level award is presented to corporation boards who met both the minimum requirements and achieved over 90% of the award criteria.
Silver Level The Silver Level award is presented to corporation boards who met both the minimum requirements and achieved 80-89% of the award criteria.
Bronze Level The Bronze Level award is presented to corporation boards who met both the minimum requirements and achieved 70-79% of the award criteria.
Colby Award

The Colby Award, named in honor of Colby College where Sigma Kappa was founded in 1874, is presented at each national convention to Sigma Kappa alumnae in recognition of their career achievements. Nominees for this award must be nationally known in their area of expertise. For this reason, the Colby Award is the highest honor bestowed upon alumnae members by the national organization. Fields considered include but are not limited to: arts, literature, public service, business, industry, education, science and athletics.

View a list of past Colby Award winners here.

 

2016 RECIPIENT

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Corinne Brinkerhoff

Delta Theta, Truman State University

Field of Entertainment and Television

Corinne Brinkerhoff is a television writer and producer who began her career on ABC's BOSTON LEGAL Her first episode, "Smile," won a Planned Parenthood Maggie Award for television highlighting reproductive rights and health care issues. During her time on THE GOOD WIFE, she and the writing/producing team received two Writers' Guild of America nominations and one Emmy nomination. An episode she wrote focusing on prescription drug abuse was nominated for a PRISM Award, an honor recognizing television that accurately depicts social issues.
 
She has also worked on CBS's ELEMENTARY and the CW's Peabody-Award winning comedy JANE THE VIRGIN. She is the creator and executive producer of AMERICAN GOTHIC, a new mystery thriller airing on CBS, and NO TOMORROW, premiering October 4th on the CW.
Dr. Cynda Crawford, DVM, Ph.D.

Gamma Phi, North Carolina State University

Field of Veterinary Medicine

Dr. Crawford is the Director of the Maddie’s® Shelter Medicine Program and Maddie’s® Clinical Assistant Professor of Shelter Medicine at the University of Florida. Her interests include diagnosis, treatment, management, and prevention of infectious diseases in dogs and cats in sheltering facilities. Her current focus is the diagnosis of viruses and bacteria that cause acute respiratory infections in dogs in shelters. Dr. Crawford’s accomplishments include discovery of canine influenza virus and evaluation of diagnostic assays for common canine pathogens in animal shelters. Dr. Crawford received her Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in veterinary medicine from North Carolina State University and her Ph.D. in Immunology/Infectious Disease and DVM from The University of Florida. She has won the Pfizer Award for Research Excellence; Superior Accomplishment Award for the discovery of canine influenza virus from the University of Florida; and the Florida Association of Kennel Clubs Award for Outstanding Clinical Investigation.
Dr. Tisa Johnson Mason, Ed.D.

Epsilon Kappa, Transylvania University

Field of Higher Education

Dr. Tisa A. Mason has been president of Valley City State University since December 2014. Dr. Mason earned a doctor of education from the College of William and Mary, a master’s degree from Eastern Illinois University, and a bachelor’s degree from Transylvania University. Her more than 30 years of experience includes service at Fort Hays University (Hays, KS), the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, Sigma Kappa Sorority and Foundation (Indianapolis, IN), Christopher Newport University (Newport News, VA), and Hanover College (Hanover, IN). She was recently recognized as a 2016 Top 25 Women in Business by Prairie Business magazine, NASPA Pillar of the Profession and is a recipient of the Robert H. Shaffer and Sue Kraft Fussell Distinguished Service Awards from the Association of Fraternity/Sorority Advisors, the Distinguished Service Award from the Fraternity Executives Association, and the Excellence in Service to Students Award from the National Society of Leadership and Success.
Dr. Lou Anna K. Simon, Ph.D.

Gamma Gamma, Indiana State University

Field of Higher Education

Lou Anna K. Simon, the 20th president of Michigan State University, leads the university’s work to advance the common good in Michigan and around the world. She began her career at MSU after earning her doctorate here in 1974. Prior to her appointment as president in 2005, Simon held a variety of administrative roles, including assistant provost for general academic administration, associate provost, and provost and vice president for academic affairs. As president, Dr. Simon has engaged MSU in a strategic and transformative journey to adapt the principles of the land-grant tradition to 21st-century challenges. She has expanded MSU’s reach in the state and around the world by focusing the university’s strengths on solutions that enhance and protect quality of life: clean and affordable energy, access to education, safe and plentiful food, and health care.
Dr. Lori S. White, Ph.D.

Lambda, University of California-Berkeley

Field of Higher Education

Lori S. White is the Vice Chancellor for Students at Washington University in St. Louis. Dr. White has spent over 30 years working in higher education. Prior to her arrival at Washington University she served as the Vice President for Student Affairs and clinical professor of education at Southern Methodist University, and has also worked at the University of Southern California, Stanford, Georgetown and San Diego State Universities, and University of California, Irvine. At Washington University, Dr. White and her colleagues are responsible for a range of student life programs. She earned an undergraduate degree in psychology and English from the University of California, Berkeley and a Ph.D.. from Stanford University in education administration and policy analysis with emphasis in higher education. She also participated in Harvard University’s Management and Leadership in Education Program. Dr. White is active nationally in several higher education organizations and has served on the Board of Directors for the Association for Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE) and for the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA) Foundation. In 2009 she was named a Pillar of the Profession by NASPA. Dr. White was elected chair of the NASPA Board of Directors for 2016-2017.
Angela C. Guillory Outstanding Fraternity/Sorority Advisor Award

The Angela C. Guillory Outstanding Fraternity/Sorority Advisor Award was established in 2012 in honor of Angela C. Guillory, past national president, long-time Sigma Kappa volunteer, and leader in the national community of fraternity/sorority professionals.  The purpose of the award is to annually recognize an individual in the field of higher education who has demonstrated a commitment to fraternities and sororities. This individual should exhibit high professional standards and have worked with Sigma Kappa to strengthen and/or foster change in a local collegiate chapter and/or the Greek community. This person will demonstrate a commitment to fraternities and sororities on their campus while promoting the interfraternal community. This award is intended to recognize any fraternity/sorority advisor regardless of his/her affiliation.

Click here to see past recipients.