Phi Sigs bring home 5 national awards from Vegas

The Sigma Triton chapter of Phi Sigma Kappa returned to IU this summer from the PSK National Convention in Las Vegas with five out of nine national awards, including chapter of the year.\nMore than 300 alumni, undergraduates and guests attended at the convention held Aug. 3 to Aug. 6. Sigma Triton, IU's Phi Sigma Kappa chapter, led the national organization consisting of 83 chapters, and was honored with awards in scholarship, community service, philanthropy and Web site development. Most importantly, the IU Phi Sigs were granted the Outstanding Chapter of the Year award.\nMatt Beaulieu, secretary for Sigma Triton, represented the IU chapter at the ceremony. \n"Five different times our name got called to the stage to receive our awards," Beaulieu said. "Having nearly 300 people give you a round of applause is an amazing experience. After our name was called, I let out a huge sigh of relief and I couldn't wait to call everyone and let them know what we just accomplished."\nThe national chapter's mission statement stresses service to others, and Sigma Triton was honored for doing just that. The recognition for community service and philanthropy especially pleased the chapter and its president, Brennan Boland. \n"We did a lot of work around the Bloomington community," Boland said. "We helped plant the trees in the park between Walnut and College Avenue, raised money for big events like the Dance Marathon and Relay for Life and participated in many different greek-hosted philanthropies, including one we co-hosted, Teter-tot-a-thon. We also had a brother who went to Thailand to help with the tsunami relief effort. We feel that we have a responsibility to the community to give back."\nThe Sigma Triton chapter has only been on campus since December 2001. In the past four years, the chapter has grown to 90 members. No strangers to award ceremonies, Sigma Triton took home four awards at last year's banquet, including one for most improved. \n"Chapter of the Year was the goal for my term as president," Boland said. "We had an amazing year with many firsts including having our all-rookie Little 500 team finish 12th and averaging over 20 hours of community service per brother."\nBeaulieu, for one, takes pride in being a Phi Sig. \n"It's really tough to describe how proud I am of this house," he said. "It's a feeling of knowing that I am part of a group of guys that truly (represents) the concept of brotherhood. I am damn proud of what we have done and that we are continuing to do it. One of my mentors in the house once told me, 'Consider it an honor to be joining this brotherhood,' and I definitely hold that true"