Lexington, Va. – Sigma Nu Fraternity was recently honored as runner-up for the 2008 HRH Fellow Award in recognition of its innovative LEAD (Leadership, Ethics, Achievement, Development) Program. The award was announced in July at the 78th annual Fraternity Executives Association conference held in Miami, Fla.
"We are honored to be recognized by our peers through the HRH Fellow Award," said Brad Beacham, Executive Director of Sigma Nu Fraternity. "We believe in investing in the leadership potential of all of our student members in pursuit of the Fraternity’s mission to develop ethical leaders for society. This award is further affirmation of the value of the LEAD Program"
As the flagship leadership development program of Sigma Nu Fraternity, the purpose of the LEAD Program is to develop ethical leaders for society by fostering the growth of the mind, heart, and character of Sigma Nu members. Each component of the four-year, four-phase LEAD curriculum is designed to uniquely match the student’s developmental needs, based on his year in the chapter. The program has undergone two curriculum and design overhauls since its origination 20 years ago. Today, LEAD sessions are interactive and allow participants to learn by doing. Experiential learning exercises, simulations, case studies and discussions highlight the leadership issues students currently face in their chapters and will face after graduation.
The HRH Fellow Award was created by HRH/Kiklin and Co., LLC, a property and casualty insurance brokerage, to celebrate exceptional educational programs that encourage education and leadership and promote better citizens within the Greek community. Initiatives are evaluated on innovation, focus, impact, adaptability and breadth of the program. A record-setting number of nominations from the Greek community were received for this year’s award. Sigma Nu’s LEAD Program received a $1000 prize and was selected runner-up to Gamma Phi Beta’s submission of its advisor development and volunteer training initiatives.
The LEAD Program is funded by alumni contributions to the Sigma Nu Educational Foundation. This fall, Sigma Nu will debut a new online program format that will be available to all new student members. This format will allow students access to a self-paced program component that complements chapter-based activities. To ensure the LEAD Program’s ongoing effectiveness, the Fraternity will also continue an independent, scientific evaluation of the program.
Headquartered in Lexington, Va., Sigma Nu Fraternity was founded in 1869 at Virginia Military Institute in Lexington. Sigma Nu is one of the largest men’s Greek-letter fraternities in North America with more than 8,000 student members at 184 active chapters and colonies on college campuses throughout North America.
