2020 Collegiate Award Winners
Man of the Year
The Man of the Year award is presented to the most outstanding leader each year and Paul was chosen through a competitive process.
Paul C. Markos (Mississippi)
Paul graduated from the University of Mississippi with a 3.80 GPA majoring in Public Policy Leadership. He served Epsilon Xi Chapter (Mississippi) as Risk Reduction Chairman in 2019 and House Manager in 2018. Markos also served on the Fraternity’s High Council as a Collegiate Grand Councilman in 2019.
Within his campus community he was a founding member of the Center for Intelligence and Security Studies’ Society for Future Intelligence Leaders, an honors society whose purpose was to bring defense and policy professionals from all backgrounds to the University of Mississippi.
“I have known Paul for years and have had the opportunity to observe his academic and personal progress,” said Peery Professor of Accountancy Emeritus, James W. Davis. “He is an outstanding young man, highly intelligent, dependable, and focused on his future.”
Scholar of the Year
The Scholar of the Year award is presented to the most academically excellent member each year and Stephen Jerod Sharp was chosen through a competitive process.
Stephen Jerod Sharp (Jacksonville State)
Jerod is currently studying Biology at Jacksonville State University and carries a 4.0 GPA. He served Iota Lambda Chapter (Jacksonville State) as Treasurer and Recorder. Within his campus community he was elected to the Sylvania Town Council where he served for three years. He has also served as the Student Government Association’s Vice President of the Student Senate and will serve the 2020-2021 academic year as Student Body President. Associate Professor of Biology, Dr. Roger Sauterer, has seen Stephen thrive in the Biology department and said, “In a single semester, Jerod proved himself as a diligent, hardworking and very bright young researcher who has exceptionally high potential.”
Athlete of the Year
The major emphasis in the selection ofAthlete of the Year Award recipient is evidence of the member living an honorable life by upholding the ideals of Sigma Nu and influencing others to do the same. Additional evaluation is based on the applicant’s athletic performance, sportsmanship, collegiate chapter involvement, and academic performance.
John C. Staton IV (Samford)
John is currently studying Marketing & Management at Samford University and carries a 3.34 GPA. He serves Iota Chapter (Samford) on the Philanthropy Committee and is a member of the chapter’s book club. Staton is a member of Samford University Football Team, where he was awarded a scholarship after his Sophomore year. John was recognized asthe2019Team Captain for his leadership ability, 2019 Defensive MVP, 2019 Southern Conference First Team Defense, 2019NCAA FCS All-American Honorable Mention,2019 NCAA Defensive Player of the week-Honorable Mention, and 2018 Special Teams Player of the Year. Within his campus community he volunteers for Habitat for Humanity and the Metro Atlanta Project. John also serves as Chairman of the Samford University Student Athlete Advisory Committee. “I will be hard pressed to find someone with the character, honesty, and integrity that John has, much less somebody that went from a walk-on to a starter, all-conference, team captain on a division one football team,” said Stamford Head Football Coach Ross Newton