Two Chapters Receive 2019/2020 Lewis Award
Carmel, IN – Theta Chi Fraternity is proud to announce Tau/Florida and Alpha Delta/Purdue as the recipients of the 2019/2020 Sidney Ann Gilpin Lewis Memorial Trophy. These chapters were recognized during the online chapter awards ceremony as part of the modified 164th Anniversary Convention schedule.
The Tau Chapter at the University of Florida supported a brother and his family in the wake of a tragedy. This past January, Mitch Capps (2020) fell out of a 6-story parking garage and was rushed to the hospital.
Immediately upon hearing the news, his chapter brothers sped to the hospital and supported his mother, as well as his older brother and his father, who are both alumni of their chapter. Brothers came to visit Mitch and provided meals for his family while they stayed close to Mitch during his hospital stay. They also held a Mitchfest at the chapter house and sold Mitch’s artwork on t-shirts to raise money to help support him and his family. Miracles do happen - Mitch is currently recuperating at home. This truly is an example of our motto.
During the past year, the Alpha Delta Chapter at Purdue University experienced a surge in its philanthropic and community service-oriented initiatives, including instating a requirement that each brother complete at least 12 service hours per year and raise at least $25 per semester for philanthropy events.
A major service project developed by a brother was a winterization event where the chapter partnered with other students to assist in preparing the yards of the elderly and disabled throughout their local community and county for the winter season. In addition, many brothers volunteered with the Boys and Girls Club to interact with the youth of the local community. They had eight members volunteer during freshmen orientation; one brother serves on the campus relations committee; and another as Vice President of Finance for their university's Dance Marathon, which raises over $1 million each year for the Riley Children's Foundation.
Through all of their efforts, Alpha Delta tallied 2,000 community service hours.
The chapter increased both the success and frequency of its philanthropy events including a volleyball tournament, Pie-a-Chi, a pancake breakfast, and a burrito sale.
In total, they raised more than $25,000 for various organizations and causes, including over $3,000 for the USO.
The Lewis Award, represented by the Lewis Memorial Trophy, is based on the account of past National Vice President James G. Lewis. In 1930, his daughter, Sidney Ann, was stricken with spinal meningitis, which developed from an infection following a serious operation. Lewis gave blood transfusions but 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, of Alpha Chapter at Norwich University, 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, Sidney Ann passed away at midnight. Later that year, Brother Lewis presented a trophy to the Grand Chapter in memory of his daughter. He did not specify a purpose, but merely wanted to thank the Fraternity for its assistance during the period of his daughter’s illness.
Today, the Lewis Award recognizes Theta Chi members and chapters that most exemplify lending a helping hand to their campus and community, matching the true Theta Chi spirit demonstrated by Dr. Irish and Upsilon Chapter’s desire to help Brother Lewis in his time of need.
Founded in 1856, Theta Chi Fraternity is a men’s collegiate fraternity with more than 196,000 initiated members and has established 243 chapters. Leadership development, personal development, and service to alma mater are fundamental to Theta Chi Fraternity’s mission.