FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
THETA CHI FRATERNITY ANNOUNCES 2014/2015 SIDNEY ANN GILPIN LEWIS AWARD RECIPIENT
AUGUST 27TH, 2014 - Carmel, IN - Theta Chi Fraternity is proud to announce our Alpha Phi Chapter at the University of Alabama as the 2014/2015 recipient of the Sidney Ann Gilpin Lewis Memorial Trophy.
Following the sudden death of a member, the Alpha Phi Chapter took steps to organize a memorial service for the entire campus community, since the vast majority were not able to travel the several hundred miles to attend his funeral.
The chapter also rallied and played a leading role in the “Out of the Darkness Community Walk” that was held in support of suicide prevention. Members of Alpha Phi Chapter helped raise more than $18,000, surpassing the fundraising goal of $10,000 for the walk, and making up a mjaority of the $33,000 that was raised in total. Brothers and new members from Alpha Phi Chapter participated in memory of their brother, leading approximately 600 people around their campus and community.
Our brothers did all of this in the week following their heartbreaking loss.
Mike Mayer expressed that one of his proudest moment as Executive Director was when the Chapter President and the men of the chapter were recognized for their outstanding support for the family and community during the funeral. Mike stated, “While the occasion was sad, I left with a sense of pride that our brothers played such a significant role in comforting the family and community in their time of need.”
Alpha Phi Chapter brothers accepting the Lewis Award during the Initiative Academy.
The Lewis Award, represented by the Lewis Memorial Trophy, is based on the account of past National Vice President James G. Lewis of Alpha Xi Chapter at the University of Delaware (left). In 1930, his daughter, Sidney Ann, was stricken with spinal meningitis, which developed from an infection following a serious operation. Lewis gave blood transfusions but when doctors refused to use his blood again, it was essential that others be found whose blood would match Sidney Ann’s. Fellow Grand Chapter officer Dr. Robert L. Irish, of Alpha Chapter at Norwich University, was in constant contact with the situation and informed the officers of Upsilon Chapter at New York University. The next day several of Upsilon’s members arrived at the hospital offering to donate their blood. Two more transfusions were made, but tragically, Sidney Ann passed away at midnight. Later that year, Brother Lewis presented a trophy to the Grand Chapter in memory of his daughter. He did not specify a purpose, but merely wanted to thank the Fraternity for its assistance during the period of his daughter’s illness.
Today, the Lewis Award recognizes Theta Chi members and chapters that most exemplify lending a helping hand to their campus and community, matching the true Theta Chi spirit demonstrated by Dr. Irish and Upsilon Chapter’s desire to help Brother Lewis in his time of need.
Founded in 1856, Theta Chi Fraternity is a men’s collegiate fraternity with more than 175,000 initiated members and has established 230 chapters. Leadership development, personal development, and service to alma mater are fundamental to Theta Chi Fraternity’s mission.
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