NIC Press Release
KState Greeks Win National Recognition
Two national awards were presented to Kansas State University Greeks at their recent Spring Awards Program. The Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity Chapter and Jeff Rundle, a member of Beta Theta Pi Fraternity received the North-American Interfraternity Conference's Award of Distinction. The award is the top award that undergraduate members of fraternities can receive from the NIC.
The award was established to recognize people and groups who make a difference for fraternities across North-America. This is the first time that two awards have been presented by the NIC to a group or individual from the same school.
The Alpha Tau Omega chapter was recognized for their consistency of excellence in scholarship, chapter operations, community service, and strong alumni involvement. The group was nominated by the Alpha Tau Omega National Fraternity headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana.
The chapter has received the top award from its fraternity four of the last five years and has been recognized for its outstanding efforts by the fraternity 23 times dating back to 1971. They have also received numerous other awards for Public relations, recruitment, and community service.
Wynn Smiley, Chief Executive Officer of Alpha Tau Omega, said in his letter of nomination that "these men are consistently the best chapter of Alpha Tau Omega and clearly deserving of a NIC Award of Distinction."
"We are pleased to recognize the outstanding and consistent efforts of these fine young men. Everyone connected to the chapter including the undergraduates, alumni, parents, and friends, should be congratulated," said Jon Williamson, Executive Vice President of the NIC.
Only two other chapters in the United States received the 2003 NIC Award of Distinction. Alpha Tau Omega at Kansas State University joins the Pi Kappa Phi chapter at Texas Christian University and the Zeta Psi chapter at Nebraska Wesleyan University as the top chapters in the nation.
Jeff Rundle joined an exclusive club of winners when he received his Award of Distinction at the same event. Rundle is president of the Interfraternity Council at K-State. Only four other undergraduate men will receive the award this year.
He was recognized for his outstanding leadership in his fraternity and for the K-State Greek community. Rundle has previously received recognition by his National Fraternity located in Oxford, Ohio as the group's top chapter president.
Stephen Becker, executive director of Beta Theta Pi, wrote in his nomination that in his ten years of working for the fraternity, he has "rarely encountered an undergraduate whose talents, dedication, and personal skill equal those" of our winner.
Becker continued that "Jeff's commitment to values and in helping others brightly shines. It is rare to find that kind of dedication and heart."
Barb Robel, K-State's Greek Advisor said "He continues to amaze me with his ability to juggle many responsibilities and maintain a high GPA."
Upon presented the award to Jeff, NIC Vice President for community relations commented that "there are few fraternity men who reflect the qualities and humility that this man represents. Clearly Jeff Rundle exceeds the criteria of the Award of Distinction."
Both the Alpha Tau Omega chapter and Rundle received a custom designed crystal and brushed stainless steel trophy known as the Iron Man Trophy. The Iron Man trophy was presented by the NIC from 1942 through 1971 and again beginning in 2002.