Theta Chi Fraternity Announces 2016/2017 James Ralph ‘Shug’ Jordan Award Recipient
Carmel, IN - Theta Chi Fraternity is proud to announce Dan Novinski (Gamma Phi/Nebraska Wesleyan University 2019) as the 2016/2017 recipient of the James Ralph ‘Shug’ Jordan Award. This distinction honors a brother who demonstrates excellence as a scholar-athlete.
Brother Novinski is a two time letterman and about to start his junior year as a member of the Men’s Swimming Team for the Nebraska Wesleyan Prairie Wolves. He currently holds individual school records in the 200 meter Freestyle and 1000 meter freestyle, and the 200 meter Backstroke. He is a member of several relay teams that hold school records, including the 400 meter (m) medley Relay, the 400 m freestyle relay, and the 800 m freestyle relay. Dan has made the Liberal Arts Swimming Championship “All Champion Team” two years in a row. In 2015 and 2016, he was named to the College Swimming Coaches Association of America Scholastic (CSCAA) All-America Team. He was honored by the Nebraska Wesleyan Athletic Department as the Men’s Swimming Team Student-Athlete of the Year for the 2015/2016 school year. During the conference championship in 2017, he won gold medals in the 200 m freestyle, 200 m backstroke, 400 m medley relay, 400 m freestyle, and the 800 m freestyle relay.
Dan, a pre-med student, is pursuing his Bachelors of Science in Biology, with a minor in Chemistry. He currently holds a cumulative grade point average of 4.0 (on a 4.0 scale). He is a member and current lab and teaching assistant for the SEA-PHAGES Virus Research Program, which is a two-semester, discovery-based undergraduate research course that aims to increase undergraduate interest and retention in the biological sciences. Dan is also a member of the Tri-Beta National Biological Honor Society and the Society of Scholars. During his freshman year he was recognized with the CRC Press Award as the most outstanding first-year chemistry student.
As a member of the Gamma Phi Chapter, Dan first got involved as Chapter Secretary in 2016. Upon the completion of his term as Secretary, he was elected Chapter President for 2017, which included attending Sasser Presidents Conference. Under his leadership and that of the previous president, Gamma Phi won the Chapter of the Year award at Nebraska Wesleyan for the 2016-2017 school year. This past semester, he was recognized by the NWU Greek community as the Most Values-Oriented Member.
Brother Novinski has been heavily involved in the Nebraska Wesleyan and Lincoln, Nebraska communities as well. He has been a member of the Student Affairs Senate Executive Council, of which he served as secretary. He has also been involved with the Pre-Health Club since his freshman year and is a member of the Huge Society of Scholars and Leaders, which prepares future leaders with an appreciation for cultural diversity across national borders, through active stewardship and community building. As a member of the Lincoln community, Dan has been involved with the Grand Island Literacy Council, which assists immigrants from various cultures study the English language and help obtain jobs. He has also become involved with the First Baptist Church, where he mentors young students from the Karen culture of Thailand.
“Dan is without a doubt the face of Theta Chi Fraternity at Nebraska Wesleyan”, stated Gamma Phi Vice President Dallas Burright (2019). “Without him, the chapter may not be where it is today. He has been able to make a good fraternity better. His commitment to the recruitment of ideal brothers, as well as pushing everyone to excel in their academics and be involved on campus, represents all that a Theta Chi should strive to become.”
The Shug Jordan Award is named in honor and memory of Brother James Ralph “Shug” Jordan, of Chi Chapter at Auburn University, who served as Auburn’s head football coach from 1951 to 1975. Brother Jordan’s team went undefeated in the 1957 season and won that year’s National Championship.
The Grand Chapter created the Shug Jordan Award in 1996 to honor the scholar-athlete who best exemplifies the qualities of leadership, citizenship, academics, brotherhood, loyalty to alma mater, and commitment to excellence in intercollegiate athletics.
Founded in 1856, Theta Chi Fraternity is a men’s collegiate fraternity with more than 185,000 initiated members and has established 235 chapters. Leadership development, personal development, and service to alma mater are fundamental to Theta Chi Fraternity’s mission.
