book of records - Kansas State University

Book of Records 7.35
13. THE TRUE MERIT CHAPTER
(1970-1995)
During the years between the 50th and 75th Anniversaries of the chapter, there were many distinguished
accomplishments by the chapter as a whole, as well as by individual brothers. It was these accomplishments on a year-in
and year-out basis that led to the chapter receiving the Fraternity=s coveted ATrue Merit Award@ almost every year;
and in most years that they didn=t win the top award, they were honorable mention. The Award is given to a select few
chapters each year, based on chapter accomplishments: from good grades to administration to chapter achievements and
activities. The Award was first established by the Fraternity in 1970 and was first named AChapter Efficiency Award@.
The name was changed to AChapter Excellence Award@ in 1976; and further changed to the ATrue Merit Award@ in
1979.
Delta Theta won the True Merit Award in 1971, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1979, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1987, 1988,
1989, 1991, 1993, 1994 and 1995; and received Honorable Mention in 1972, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1986, 1990 and 1992.
Delta Theta received the True Merit Award more times than any chapter of the Fraternity during this period: 16 times.
The chapter was dominant in receiving national awards at the ΑΤΩ Congress during this period. In addition to
the True Merit Awards, the chapter won the Joseph Reid Anderson Award on numerous occasions for the publication
of the chapter=s alumni news magazine The Vintage. Nine times during this period, the chapter received the top
publications award: 1974, 1975, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1979, 1989, 1992 and 1993; received National Runner-Up on seven
other occasions: 1980, 1981, 1982, 1986, 1988, 1991 and 1994; and received National Honorable Mention five other
years: 1983, 1985, 1987, 1990 and 1995.
The Harry L. Bird National Public Relations Officer Award was received by Delta Theta PROs three times
during this period: Mike Cormaci in 1988, Dennis O=Keefe in 1989 and Jim Persinger in 1991. Dennis O=Keefe made
ΑΤΩ history in 1989 when he received both the Anderson Publication Award and the Bird PRO Award: the first time
these two awards had gone to the same person.
In the social service area, the chapter has received nine National Honorable Mentions and two National Runner-
Up Awards for the Community Awareness Award during this period.
Individual National honors were bestowed on Delta Theta brothers during this 25-year period. Steve Patton was
National Runner-Up for the Thomas Arkle Clark Award in 1992. National Honorable Mentions for this Award were
received by Ed Nickel in 1988, Jim Persinger in 1993 and Dave Saunders in 1995. Province TAC winners during this
period were Steve Mudrey (1971), Mike Brown (1982) and Tim Congrove (1987).
Steve Patton and Todd Lakin received the National Richard A. Ports Public Affairs Award. Steve won in
1991, the year previous to his TAC Award; and Todd in 1995, the year after he received the National ΑΤΩ Foundation
Scholarship. Ed Nickel (1987) and Kyle Rolfing (1988) were National Runner-Up Award recipients.
Delta Theta members won numerous ΑΤΩ Foundation National Awards during this time. The Undergraduate
Scholarship Award saw nine National At-Large recipients who were Delta Theta members: Mike Mines (1979 and
1980), Mike Brown (1981), Jeff Gates (1982), Phil Grosdidier (1983), Mike Widrig (1984), Ed Nickel (1987) and Bob
Reichenberger (1987 and 1988). Todd Lakin received the National Runner-Up in 1993 and the National Undergraduate
Scholarship in 1994. The Graduate Scholarship National Runner-Up in 1994 was Bryan Nolt.