Huntingdon College
News Release
September 1, 2020 For more information, contact: Su Ofe, (334) 833-4515; news@hawks.huntingdon.edu
Huntingdon Sigma Nu Fraternity Achieves Rock Chapter Status
Montgomery, Ala.—The Huntingdon College Nu Beta chapter of Sigma Nu fraternity has been honored with the national fraternity’s Rock Chapter Award for the 2018–2020 biennium. Huntingdon’s chapter was among 24 exceptional chapters to receive the recognition for having “overall chapter operations [that] have sustained a level of excellence for the past two or more academic years,” according to the General Fraternity, headquartered in Lexington, Virginia.
Mac McNeilly, Class of 2021, who serves as commander of the chapter for the 2020–2021 academic year, said, “Each year our chapter is responsible for filling out a packet called Pursuit of Excellence that monitors and grades us in Values-Based Leadership, Personal Development and Membership Value, and Operational Excellence. If a chapter averages a score of very good or excellent in all categories during a biennium they are rewarded with the distinction of Rock Chapter.”
Huntingdon’s Nu Beta chapter is among the nation’s youngest, marking its tenth anniversary on campus in April 2020. This is the Greek organization’s first Rock Chapter Award. Comprised of 25 members who earned a collective 3.11 GPA and averaged 49 hours of community service individually during the past year, 100 percent of chapter members are involved in other campus organizations, with 80 percent holding leadership roles. Nu Beta has been honored by the General Fraternity with the Excellence in Personal Development and Membership Value Award and has been recognized by Huntingdon Greek Life with awards in sports, academic programming, service commitment, alumni relations, campus leadership, and as Chapter of the Year in spring 2020.
“Nu Beta should be very proud of its service and philanthropy efforts this past academic year,” said McNeilly. “The chapter’s activities [were] in partnership with other campus organizations and were deeply rooted in causes important to the Huntingdon community. Last year we hosted our second annual Carter Softball Tournament. Our LEAD program places emphasis on servant leadership development. We have internalized campus involvement as a core value, and we have undertaken numerous initiatives to educate members on matters related to risk reduction, health, and wellness, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.”
Sigma Nu fraternity was founded in 1869 at Virginia Military Institute, and has 160 active chapters and colonies on college campuses throughout the United States. At the helm of the Nu Beta chapter for the 2019–2020 academic year were Pierce Erhardt, Class of 2020, commander; Mac McNeilly, Class of 2021, lieutenant commander; Chase McKoon, Class of 2020, treasurer; John Buford, Class of 2022, recorder; Gavin McNeill, Class of 2022, marshal; Cody Dixon, Class of 2019, chaplain; Chris Bishop, Class of 2021, LEAD Chair; and Jordan Turner, Class of 2021, sentinel. Officers for 2020–2021, in addition to McNeilly, are Gavin McNeill, lieutenant commander; John Buford, treasurer; Jacob Holston, Class of 2023, recorder; Lot Turner, Class of 2021, marshal; Jordan Turner, chaplain; Connor Higbe, Class of 2023, LEAD Chair; Jay Spencer, Class of 2023, social chair; Will Bearden, Class of 2022, recruitment chair; and Parker Alwan, Class of 2023, sentinel.
Huntingdon College continues a legacy of faith, wisdom, and service through a residential liberal arts academic tradition grounded in the Judeo-Christian heritage of the United Methodist Church.
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