Sacred Purpose Receives The NIC's 2016 Laurel Wreath Award
Theta Chi’s Sacred Purpose was selected as a recipient of the North American Interfraternity Conference (NIC) 2016 Laurel Wreath Award.
The award is presented to organizations who have executed an impactful program, community outreach, or directed influence within the fraternal world. This is the first time that Theta Chi Fraternity has received the award.
Launched in October 2013, Theta Chi’s Sacred Purpose set out to improve the overall health, safety, and wellbeing of its members. The goal was something more than just a risk management program, however. It was, and is, about creating a heightened awareness, understanding, and ability to address the multitude of health and safety-related issues facing college students today.
In the early development stages, a task force of undergraduate leaders, alumni, and experts in the field were brought together to examine how Theta Chi could better promote health and safety. The task force recognized that many excellent programs existed on campuses across North America, and that an enhanced delivery mechanism would do much to advance those programs.
As a result of the work of the task force, the Vice President of Health and Safety was created as the third highest ranking officer at the chapter level, serving as the liaison to the campus health center, counseling services, public safety, fire department, and other similar entities. The Vice President of Health and Safety is charged with introducing programming and practices into our chapters aimed at improving the well-being of Theta Chi’s members and the entire campus. The position was felt to be so critical to Theta Chi’s continued success, that it was integrated into our Ritual, forever changing our organization.
Chapters elected their first Vice Presidents of Health and Safety in November 2013. In July 2014, at the 158th Anniversary Convention and 36th School of Fraternity Practices, the first ever David L. Westol Sacred Purpose Award was presented, named after our former Executive Director and NIC Gold Medalist. The award honors the chapter that best exemplifies the spirit of our Sacred Purpose movement.
This past year, over 400 health and safety events have been held on campuses across North America. Additionally, over 127 health and safety advisers have been recruited to mentor our men. The Sacred Purpose movement has made an incredible impact on our chapters and campus communities, and will remain an integral part of Theta Chi forever.
On behalf of everyone who has played a role in the development, launch, and continued growth of Sacred Purpose, Theta Chi Fraternity is extremely proud to accept the NIC’s Laurel Wreath Award. While Sacred Purpose remains a young program, the foundation laid in its early years will no doubt yield much success in the years ahead. More information on Sacred Purpose can be found at sacredpurpose.thetachi.org.
Founded in 1909, the North-American Interfraternity Conference, Inc. is the trade association representing 70 International and National Men's Fraternities. The NIC serves to advocate the needs of its member fraternities through enrichment of the fraternity experience; advancement and growth of the fraternity community; and enhancement of the educational mission of the host institutions.
Founded in 1856, Theta Chi Fraternity is a men’s collegiate fraternity with more than 175,000 initiated members and has established over 230 chapters. Leadership development, personal development, and service to alma mater are fundamental to Theta Chi Fraternity’s mission.