2023 Alumni, Advisor, and Volunteer Awards
Campus Advisor of the Year
This award is given to the university administrator who, through years of service, has demonstrated exceptional service and performance in fraternity advisement and related responsibilities, including advisement, innovative programming, professional contributions, collegiate leadership development, and research or publication in fraternity affairs.
Dr. Bruce Skinner (Brother of Delta Chi Fraternity)
Dr. Bruce Skinner is an alumnus of Southeast Missouri State University and the University of Missouri. He holds degrees in Political Science and Economics, a Master’s in Public Administration, and a Doctorate of Education in Education Policy Analysis.
He has served his alma mater, Southeast Missouri State, for more than 20 years and for the last six academic years as Associate Vice President for Student Life, where he oversees housing, dining, vending, campus life, student activities, student government, and all aspects of Greek life.
Dr. Skinner has been a fierce advocate for fraternities and sororities at SEMO throughout his tenure. He championed the construction of a new Greek Village on campus and has been a constant mentor to Mu Kappa Chapter and its student leaders. During his time as Associate Vice President for Student Life, Mu Kappa Chapter has won three consecutive Rock Chapter awards, back-to-back NIC Chapter Awards of Distinction, and several NIC and Sigma Nu individual merit awards.
“Dr. Skinner and the campus had tried for years to bring the dream of a Greek Housing village to fruition. Through his tireless efforts and the relationships forged over the years with four different fraternities on campus, the Greek Village at Southeast Missouri State became a reality in 2016. Bruce played an integral part working within the University administration and as an advocate for Greek Life to help see this through to completion.” – Chris Foeste (Southeast Missouri State), Division Commander – Central Plains Beta
Chapter Advisor of the Year
The Chapter Advisor of the Year award recognizes a Chapter Advisor who demonstrates a genuine commitment to the ideals of Sigma Nu and has modeled them through attendance at officer and chapter meetings, support for chapter goal-setting and achievement, assistance in the development of special chapter events and programs, and support for The Ritual and its values.
Bruce M. Armstrong (Arkansas)
Brother Bruce Armstrong has faithfully served as Chapter Advisor of the Gamma Upsilon Chapter at the University of Arkansas since 2015. In addition to his service to the collegiate chapter, Brother Armstrong has also served as an officer of the Alumni Chapter since 2014 and, within the past year, also took on the role of House Corporation President.
In his tenure, Bruce has overseen the development of the chapter’s local Hall of Fame, annual alumni recognition weekend, and reform of the chapter’s recruitment and candidate programs.
His steadfast commitment to the chapter was recognized earlier this year through campus recognition as the University of Arkansas’ 2023 IFC Advisor of the Year.
“I have found Bruce to be one of the most caring and dedicated chapter advisors I’ve encountered. He works tirelessly to ensure that students are mastering very difficult concepts and achieving excellence as fraternity men. Bruce is always eager and willing to offer his assistance to support initiatives and efforts to advance the Greek community at large.” – Parice Bowser, Assistant Vice Chancellor for Greek Life & Associate Dean of Students
Alumni Chapter Officer of the Year
The major emphasis in selecting a recipient for the Alumni Chapter Officer of the Year award is an alumni chapter officer whose active participation in the affairs of the alumni chapter and the General Fraternity has been a noteworthy example and who has demonstrated leadership, involvement, and overall achievement. The Alumni Chapter Officer of the Year demonstrates a genuine commitment to the ideals of Sigma Nu and has modeled them through his efforts with the chapter’s Alumni Chapter.
Timothy L. Sipe (Oregon State)
Brother Tim Sipe has served as Commander of the Delta Tau Alumni Chapter for the past four years and as a volunteer on the House Corporation for fifteen years.
During his tenure as Commander of the Alumni Chapter, he developed working relationships and established a collaborative structure between the Alumni Chapter, House Corporation, Alumni Advisory Board, and Collegiate Chapter. This ideal structure has created transparency, efficient communications, and synergistic action.
His recent volunteer efforts include overseeing the development of a new graduate congratulatory program, establishing chapter scholarship awards, creating a local alumni awards program, consistent fundraising and alumni fellowship through twice-annual golf events, and supporting the chapter’s capital campaign committee.
His fellow alumni describe him as an inspiration to others to volunteer and the epitome of Sigma Nu’s principles of Love, Honor, and Truth.
“Tim has been an inspiration to others to voluntarily serve and epitomizes the Sigma Nu Fraternity creed for Love, Truth, and Honor. Tim has given on many occasions his time, labor, and treasurer. The Delta Tau Alumni Chapter has been fortunate to have a volunteer brother like Tim Sipe.” – Daniel Hearn (Oregon State), Delta Tau House Corporation Secretary
House Corporation Officer of the Year
The major emphasis in selecting a recipient for the House Corporation Officer of the Year award is a housing corporation officer whose active participation in the affairs of the chapter and the General Fraternity has been a noteworthy example and who has demonstrated leadership, involvement, and overall achievement. The House Corporation Officer of the Year demonstrates a genuine commitment to the ideals of Sigma Nu and has modeled them through his efforts with the chapter’s House Corporation.
Thomas F. Hart (Western Kentucky)
Brother Tom Hart has dedicated over 50 years of service and leadership to Eta Rho Chapter’s House Corporation and Alumni Chapter. His fellow volunteers describe him as the lifeblood of the chapter’s home association. He has served in every leadership role, negotiated the purchase and sale of property with the campus for a new chapter home, organized and managed a capital campaign in excess of half a million dollars to build the new house in 2010, and helped coordinate $50,000 in renovations during the pandemic.
Brother Hart has mentored some 70 Commanders and numerous alumni volunteers. His nominators for this award span from the most recent Commander to Brothers initiated in the 1970s.
“Tom exemplifies what a true Man of the Legion Honor does for his Sigma Nu chapter and the legacy of the House Corporation. We are all indebted to Tom for his time and lifelong efforts to keep the brothers of Sigma Nu proud of the old house at 1311 College Street and now the new house at 311 Alumni Drive.” – Robert Huffman (Western Kentucky), Eta Rho Chapter Advisor
Division Commander of the Year
The Division Commander of the Year award recognizes those regional volunteers who have provided years of service to the Fraternity and have had special achievements noted during the past twelve months.
Dr. Jeremy K. Edwards (Tulsa)
Dr. Jeremy Edwards is a mechanical engineering graduate of the University of Tulsa, obtaining his B.S. in 1995, M.S. in 1998, and Ph.D. in 2000. He currently works as a flight science engineering specialist for NORDAM and as an adjunct professor at the University of Tulsa, teaching physics, chemical engineering, and mechanical engineering.
Brother Edwards serves as Alumni Advisory Board Chairman to his home chapter – a role he’s held the past six years as he supported their return to campus and re-chartering last year.
In addition to his home chapter, Brother Edwards supports the volunteers and students of seven other chapters across three states as the Division Commander for the Central Plains Alpha Division. He goes out of his way to connect with each chapter in his Division, gets to know its members and volunteers, and learns how to best support them.
“In his short tenure, he is already making an impact in serving the chapters of his Division by getting to know all of his chapter Commanders so he can find out what they think they need from the perspective of alumni support, and he is working on getting to know the alumni of those chapters to help make sure the chapters have dedicated alumni serving on the Alumni Advisory Boards for each chapter.” – Chris Graham (Lamar), Division Commander – South Central
Alumnus of the Biennium
This award is given to an alumnus whose active participation in the affairs of the General Fraternity has been a noteworthy example and whose personal traits, demonstrated leadership, involvement, and overall achievement, mark him as one who has contributed to the excellence of Sigma Nu.
Stanley A. Bugh (Oklahoma State)
Stanley A. Bugh is a 1983 graduate of Oklahoma State University and alumnus of Sigma Nu Fraternity’s Epsilon Epsilon Chapter (Oklahoma State). His alumni service includes engagement as a member of the Alumni Advisory Board from 1997 to the present and service as House Corporation President, a position he has held since 2017. During his tenure as President of the Epsilon Epsilon Building Corporation of Sigma Nu Fraternity, he has led the fundraising, project design, and construction oversight for a new $11 million chapter home to replace Epsilon Epsilon Chapter’s 90-year-old facility. Brother Bugh was recognized in 2022 with Sigma Nu’s House Corporation Officer of the Year Award and received a 2023 NIC Alumnus of Distinction Award from the North American Interfraternity Conference.
“As I reflect on all that Stan has done, the one quality that stands out is his character. Stan has a selfless attitude which is exemplified by his desire to lead by example and share his time and talents with others. Whether serving in a leadership role or as a participant, Stan always sets an example of how to treat others with dignity and respect. He is truly a role model not only for Sigma Nu brothers but for all who have the privilege of crossing paths with him. Stan is a man of honor.” – Neil Gilpin (Oklahoma State), Epsilon Epsilon Chapter Advisor