Sigma Chi awards annual scholarships

More than $25,000 in scholarships were given Saturday to 54 Sigma Chi fraternity members at the fraternity's scholarship banquet in the Indiana Memorial Union's Tudor Room. \nSigma Chi Foundation Chairman John D. Peterson, a 1955 alumnus and former Sigma Chi Grand Chapter president, spoke at the banquet on the benefits of the greek system and alumni support. An annual award is given to an outstanding Sigma Chi chapter in Peterson's honor. IU's chapter has been a recipient of the award 12 times.\nSigma Chi President Brian Vraciu, a senior, said the annual scholarship banquet is an incentive for brothers to do well academically.\n"It's a big morale builder and a huge inspiration to get good grades," Vraciu said. "We're consistently in the top 10 for grades for fraternities. Part of that comes from alumni support and the scholarship banquet."\nThe largest scholarship award given was the Carl D. Scering Memorial scholarships. The scholarship was started by former member Carl Scering's mother. After recovering from a near fatal illness while he was in school, Scering died in a car accident in 1960. \n Vraciu said Scering's mother had about $30,000 in her estate after Carl's death and the death of his father, who passed away shortly after Carl. She saved nearly $140,000 for the scholarship fund before her death, he said. \n Two awards of $4,000 and one $2,000 scholarship were given to juniors Brad Dollens, Brian Whiteley and Geoff Martin, respectively. The scholarship is given on the basis of scholarship, leadership, high ideals and financial need. More than $100,000 worth of Scering scholarships have been awarded, and Vraciu said donations have allowed the fund to grown to more than $200,000.\nThe Jay Cosgrove Memorial scholarship, honoring the memory of Cosgrove, a 1994 alumnus, was given to freshman Max Donaldson. The $500 award is given to a pledge who "exemplifies an unassuming attitude, is helpful and sensitive to others, and a friend to all." \nThe Randell Spell Memorial scholarship, honoring the memory of Spell, a 1984 graduate, was given to senior Richard Pines. Spell didn't hold an official leadership position, Vraciu said, but was "one of those brothers who kind of held the house together," Vraciu said. \nThe $500 award is given to a brother who does not hold an office in the house, but contributes significantly to the welfare of the house and campus. Pines is on the IU Student Foundation steering committee, the Board of Aeons and is the president of the undergraduate finance club. \nScholarships were also given to all brothers whose last two semesters' grade point average was above the all men's average. These scholarships were split into five grade point average ranges, with corresponding awards from $100-$500. Pledges with the three highest grade point averages were given scholarships of $75, $100 and $150.