Sigma Alpha Mu chapter picks up national award

IU's Sigma Zeta chapter of the Sigma Alpha Mu fraternity recently placed its biggest prize yet in its already-impressive trophy case.\nSigma Zeta was named the top chapter of Sigma Alpha Mu among its 75 chapters across the country at its national convention in mid-August.\n"I was overwhelmed with emotion," said chapter president and junior Michael Stern. Stern and the chapter's treasurer, sophomore Adam Kessler, attended the conference in New Orleans that was host to more than 250 delegates, alumni and national officers of Sigma Alpha Mu.\nThe Founder's Trophy, which they received at the gathering, is awarded yearly, largely on the basis of philanthropy, rush participation, campus involvement and alumni support. Three-year Sigma Alpha Mu member and former rush chair senior Adam Cohen said being so highly recognized for these qualities is quite an achievement and just to be nominated is also exciting.\n"It's huge for us to actually win," he said.\nThe facts suggest he's right. Sigma Alpha Mu was initiated just four years ago after being removed from campus in 1999 following a hazing incident. Stern said the new chapter started with only six members but by the end of last year, it was up to 78. \n"We've made extraordinary strides during our first years on campus," he said.\nJeremiah Shinn, associate director of student activities, including greek life, said in an e-mail message having the title of top chapter "elevated standards both for Sigma Alpha Mu and for the Indiana University Greek Community." \n"This award is a wonderful affirmation of the chapter's hard work and dedication," he said. \nStern can attest to the chapter's commitment. He prides himself both on Sigma Alpha Mu's current members -- calling them "a bunch of nice guys" -- and on their achievements on campus, the primary reasons for which IU's chapter was honored with the Founder's Trophy.\nSigma Alpha Mu proved to be the third best among all greek houses last year with regards to grade point average, said Stern. In addition, the fraternity accumulated more than $3,000 last year during its "Bounce for Beats" basketball tournament that benefited pediatric AIDS patients and more than $1,000 for college funding for Israeli soldiers.\nMoreover, Sigma Alpha Mu took the top spot at last April's IU Sing and competes every spring in Little 500, with what Cohen calls experienced riders. \nCohen said he hopes Sigma Zeta will be Sigma Alpha Mu's top chapter once again next year as well as the year after that because then the Founder's Trophy would belong to IU permanently. Otherwise, it would be passed on next August. \n"All we're going to do is try to do it again," he said.\nMore specifically, Stern said to maintain top honors in the upcoming year, he and his brothers plan to continue to partake in campus activities and proactively attempt to increase members during rush. Overall, he attributes the success of IU's chapter to the hard work of each and every Sigma Zeta brother.