Missouri State Universitys Scott A. Turk has been named the 2011/2012 recipient of Theta Chi Fraternitys Reginald E.F. Colley Memorial Trophy, Theta Chis most prestigious undergraduate honor for distinguished service to alma mater, Fraternity and chapter. Brother Turk was nominated by his chapter and was recognized at the Fraternitys recently concluded 156th Anniversary Convention in Palm Springs, CA.
The Colley Award is presented annually by a committee of past award recipients. The winner and two runners-up each receive academic scholarships furnished by The Foundation Chapter of Theta Chi.
Originally from Springfield, MO, Scott majored in socio-political communication and earned a 3.5 GPA. Brother Turk was a Student Senator from 2009-2011 and Student Body President from 2011-2012, where he was involved in the Executive Budget Committee, Executive Enrollment Management Committee, and Public Affairs Committee. He lobbied on behalf of the North-American Interfraternity Conference in 2012. Scott was a Student Orientation Advisement and Registration (SOAR) Leader, member of the Lambda Pi Eta Communications Honor Fraternity, and Phi Alpha Delta Pre-Law Fraternity. He was named MSUs Junior of the Year in 2011.
In his chapter at MSU, Scott served as Vice President in 2010 and also worked on the chapters Public Relations, Standards, Brotherhood and Campus Involvement committees. In 2011, he was the main event coordinator for the Lower Plains Region Mid-Year Leadership Conference, Theta Chis regional leadership program. In that role, he served as the main point of contact, booked meeting spaces, organized a regional retreat for event participants, and acquired a grant from MSU to help fund the event.
In his community, Brother Turk participated in Songs for Joplin, which raised over $5,000 in aid for the Joplin, MO, tornado relief. He independently raised $300 in supplies and donations for tornado survivors and gave 20 hours of service working at donation collection locations. In 2010, he was selected to participate in the Missouri Governors Leadership Forum, a gathering of Missouris top collegiate student leaders hosted by Governor Jay Nixon. Scott has also volunteered with or worked for the Ozarks Literacy Council, the Community Foundation of the Ozarks Civility Movement, and Alternative Spring Break.
It was an honor to Chair the Colley Award Committee, serving with distinguished alumni and academicians from University of Alabama, MIT, the University of Illinois, and other top educational institutions, Colley Committee Chairman William W. Palmer said from his home in Sacramento, CA. The problem comes down to trying to select the Colley Award winner from the best of the best. The final vote really does come down to splitting hairs or counting angels on the head of a pin, because these young men are truly outstanding.
First runner-up: Brian Kelinson
This years First Runner-Up is Brian Kelinson, a former chapter President.
Originally from Skokie, IL, Brother Kelinson double-majored in accounting and finance and earned a 3.52 GPA. He was very involved in his campuss Interfraternity Council (IFC), participated in the IFC Presidents Council and Leadership Council, and was a Risk Management Observer, assigned to reduce risk to students on campus. Brian is a member of the Alpha Kappa Psi Professional Business Fraternity, Order of Omega, Phi Eta Sigma Honor Fraternity, the National Society of Collegiate Scholars, the Pre-Law Honor Society, the Finance Club and the James Scholar Program.
In addition to his term as chapter President, Brother Kelinson has also served as Rho Chapters Recruitment Chairman, Secretary and Historian and worked on the Recruitment, Philanthropy, Scholarship, Social, Alumni Relations, Brotherhood and Standards committees.
Second runner-up: Matthew Richter
Matthew Richter is this years Second Runner-Up. A computer science major minoring in economics from Beta Nu Chapter at Case Western Reserve University, Brother Richter graduated with a 3.33 GPA.
Matt is the 2011 David E. Michael Greek Man of the Year and was nominated for Chapter President of the Year. In 2009 he served as IFC Vice President of Membership and was a Greek Life Ambassador. In 2010, he was invited to join the Student Turning Point Society, a prestigious campus organization composed of the top 1 percent of Case Westerns undergraduate leaders. He is also a member of the Lambda Eta Mu Greek Service Honor Society, a former president of the Case Western chapter of Order of Omega, and a member of both the Welcome Days Committee and the Student Center Committee.
Matt served his chapter as a two-term President, as well as Marshal, Public Relations Chairman, Chaplain, Awards Chairman, Alumni Relations Chairman and Standards Board Justice. He was also the main undergraduate contact for the Midwest Mid-Year Leadership Conference in 2011.
About the Colley Award
The Colley Award is named in memory of Reginald E.F. Colley, a 1915 graduate of Phi Chapter at North Dakota State University. Born in London, England, Brother Colley fought for the United States in World War I as an officer in the 1st North Dakota Infantry. After the war, he served one term on the Fraternitys board of directors. Although he died at the young age of 39 to injuries sustained during the War, Colley is remembered as an outstanding student, civic leader, and friend.