Theta Chi Fraternity Announces the 2015/2016 David L. Westol Sacred Purpose Award Recipient
Carmel, IN - Theta Chi Fraternity is proud to announce Alpha Mu Chapter at Iowa State as the third recipient of the annual David L. Westol Sacred Purpose Award. The award was presented on July 25, 2016 at the 160th Anniversary Convention and 37th School of Fraternity Practices in Atlanta, GA.
The men of Alpha Mu illustrated how to integrate Sacred Purpose into a chapter. It was not from one large event or initiative, but through a consistent and regular series of programs over the entire academic year. A total of seven “dinner speakers” were hosted throughout the spring and fall semesters, an event in which a community resource comes to speak to the men about a pressing topic over dinner. Some of the subjects included alcohol and drug awareness, mental health, motivation, sexual misconduct and prevention, hazing prevention, and fire/life safety. In the spring, a candle light vigil to honor the survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence was co-hosted with Pi Beta Phi Sorority on campus. Several guest speakers spoke on the subject and a diverse range of the campus community was in attendance. This was the second year of the event, and the men hope to continue the vigil as a regular tradition.
“The [Theta Chi] chapter at Iowa State takes their role of assisting the community and making the community a better place very seriously,” remarks Bobby Dennis of the Iowa State Assault Care Center Extending Shelter & Support (ACCESS). “At ACCESS our mission is ‘to address the roots and impact of domestic and sexual violence through services that enhance safety, empower survivors, and promote understanding and social justice within our community.’ During the course of the past year, Theta Chi has been a key partner in helping us reach our mission.”
Later in the spring semester the chapter partnered with ACCESS and KURE (a local radio station) to host a free concert, raising awareness for male victims of sexual assault. As a symbolic gesture, the guitarists for each band had one blue string on each guitar to represent the 1/6 men that experience unwanted sexual experiences before turning 18.
“I am proud to say that the Alpha Mu Chapter has adopted Sacred Purpose as the culture of our Fraternity,” says Vice President of Health and Safety, Thomas Payzant (2016). “The brotherhood of Theta Chi has never been stronger.”
Presented annually, the David L. Westol Sacred Purpose Award goes to the chapter that most exemplifies the spirit of our Sacred Purpose movement. Launched in the fall of 2013, the Sacred Purpose movement is the modern expression of our motto— the Assisting Hand. The Sacred Purpose offers programmatic support at the chapter and international levels that concentrates specifically on health and safety related topics. The movement called for the creation of new leadership positions that help us better care for and understand one another.
The award is named in honor of past Executive Director David L. Westol (Beta Zeta/Michigan State 1973) whose volunteer and professional career have been devoted to the health, safety, and protection of fraternity and sorority members.
Dave has become a ubiquitous figure at fraternity and sorority leadership development events. He has performed his signature anti-hazing presentation “Hazing on Trial” over 1,800 times since 1981 and has spoken on more than 350 campuses and at over 200 Greek leadership events. Dave has served as a faculty member for AFLV, the Northeast Greek Leadership Association, the Southeast Interfraternity Conference and the Fraternal Risk Management Trust, (FRMT) Inc. From its first session in the early 1990s through 2010, he was a faculty member for “Risk Management on the Road,” an annual traveling consultants’ workshop for women’s national fraternities and sororities.
In 2012, Dave was named a recipient of the North American Interfraternity Conference’s Gold Medal, the most prestigious honor in the interfraternal world. Brother Westol is one of only four Theta Chi members to have received the Gold Medal.
The Dave Westol Sacred Purpose Award consists of an engraved crystal trophy bearing the chapter’s designation and the university or college name. The award handsomely displays the Sacred Purpose logo as its primary visual element.
The award also prominently features one of Brother Westol’s favorite quotes. Authored by Edwin Markham, the quote eloquently captures the spirit of the Sacred Purpose movement.
“There is a destiny that makes us brothers
None goes his way alone.
All that we send into the lives of others
Comes back into our very own”
Edwin Markham 1852-1940
All active chapters and colonies were eligible to apply for the award. Applicants are nominated by the International Headquarters staff. Final approval of the award winner was confirmed by the National Health and Safety Committee.
Founded in 1856, Theta Chi Fraternity is a men’s collegiate fraternity with more than 180,000 initiated members and has established 235 chapters. Leadership development, personal development, and service to alma mater are fundamental to Theta Chi Fraternity’s mission.
