SAN ANTONIO (July 13, 2026) — Theta Chi Fraternity is proud to recognize the 2025 recipients of the Sidney Ann Gilpin Lewis Memorial Trophy. This year, four brothers and four chapters were recognized during Theta Chi’s 170th Anniversary Convention.
Individual recipients include Alex McManus (2026) and Brian von Suskil (2027) of Gamma Delta/Florida Southern, Keegan Sobczak (Omega/Penn State 2025), and Cole Hanson (Beta Kappa/Hamline 2013). Chapter recipients were Psi/Wisconsin, Gamma Tau/Drake, Eta Gamma/Morehead, and Theta Omega/Appalachian State.
Brothers McManus and von Suskil were recognized for extending the Helping Hand during a medical emergency at a McDonald’s restaurant. When 71-year-old Terry Dennis collapsed, the two brothers quickly responded. One called 911 and relayed information to the dispatcher while the other checked Dennis’ pulse, breathing, and responsiveness. Both brothers were CPR and First Aid certified and worked together to provide care until emergency responders arrived. Their quick action helped revive Dennis and provided critical assistance during a life-threatening moment.
Over at Penn State, Brother Sobczak was recognized for his leadership as executive director of THON—the university’s annual dance marathon supporting families impacted by childhood cancer. In 2025, more than 16,500 volunteers participated in the effort, raising awareness, collecting funds, and supporting families. As executive director, Sobczak helped guide the yearlong planning, logistics, and vision of the world’s largest student-run philanthropic effort. For Sobczak, whose own family has experienced the impact of cancer diagnoses, the mission was deeply personal. Under Brother Sobczak’s leadership, Penn State’s THON raised a record-breaking grand total of $17,737,040.93 for the Four Diamonds charity to support pediatric cancer care and research.
Cole Hanson was recognized for donating stem cells through Gift of Life. After swabbing his cheek during a Be the Match presentation in 2017 while visiting Israel, Hanson remained ready to extend an Assisting Hand if called. In 2025, he matched with a woman in her 50s who was diagnosed with leukemia. Without hesitation, he traveled from Minnesota to Gift of Life’s Adelson Collection Center in Boca Raton, FL, to donate his stem cells.
Psi/Wisconsin was recognized for its long-running Ski for Cancer philanthropy event, which raises funds for pediatric cancer research foundations and is the largest student-run philanthropy in Wisconsin. In 2025, Psi Chapter raised nearly $132,000 for the St. Baldrick’s Foundation, setting the national record for the most money raised by a student organization. The chapter continued its success in 2026, raising nearly $150,000 for the Midwest Athletes Against Childhood Cancer Fund. Since Ski for Cancer began in 1969, Psi Chapter has raised more than $1 million in support of the MACC Fund and St. Baldrick’s Foundation.
Gamma Tau/Drake was recognized for their prompt response to a car accident that occurred by their chapter house in September 2025. Brothers checked on the physical condition of both drivers, called police, directed traffic around the crash, and cleaned glass and debris from the roadway to help keep others safe. One driver later shared her appreciation, writing that the brothers helped her move her car, offered their restroom, stayed with her during the police report process, and truly embodied the Helping Hand.
Eta Gamma/Morehead was recognized for helping communities in Kentucky recover from two major natural disasters. In February 2025, after severe flooding devastated parts of Eastern Kentucky, the chapter collected non-perishable food, bottled water, baby formula, diapers, blankets, towels, hygiene items, socks, shoes, coats, and other needed supplies. Brothers also traveled to Hazard, KY, and other affected areas to shovel dirt and assist with cleanup efforts. A few months later, after an EF4 tornado destroyed areas of London and Somerset, KY, Eta Gamma again collected donations and traveled to affected communities to help with cleanup and recovery.
Theta Omega/Appalachian State was recognized for the chapter’s service after Hurricane Helene devastated Watauga County in western North Carolina in October 2024. Brothers helped cut and move fallen trees, shovel debris, open roads, and assist with cleanup in areas severely impacted by the storm. The chapter also organized a fundraiser to support the USO’s Hurricane Helene relief efforts in western North Carolina.
Each Lewis Award recipient demonstrated the Helping Hand through generosity, service, and action. Whether responding to emergencies, supporting families impacted by cancer, helping communities recover from natural disasters, or giving personally to save a life, these brothers and chapters reflected the enduring spirit of Resolute Men.
Theta Chi congratulates all Lewis Award recipients and thanks them for their extraordinary example of service.
About the Lewis Award:
James G. Lewis (Alpha Xi/Delaware 1912) served three terms on the Grand Chapter. During that time, his 10-year-old daughter Sidney Ann contracted spinal meningitis. Desperate measures were deemed necessary to fight the disease, and Lewis twice gave blood for transfusions. 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 (Alpha/Norwich 1889) 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, despite their selfless efforts, Sidney Ann passed away.
In memory of his daughter, and to express his gratefulness to the Fraternity, Brother Lewis presented the Sidney Ann Gilpin Lewis Memorial Trophy to the Grand Chapter. Lewis left it to the Grand Chapter to determine how the trophy would be used, and it was awarded to the chapter that had made the most progress during the previous year.
In 2008, the award was repurposed to be a more fitting tribute to the memory of Sidney Ann and Brother Lewis by recognizing chapters and/or individual brothers that/who exemplify our motto of An Assisting Hand, as demonstrated by Dr. Irish and Upsilon Chapter’s desire to help Brother Lewis in his time of need.