Midwestern State University’s Epsilon Zeta Chapter of Delta Sigma Pi recently received the regional R. Nelson Mitchell Outstanding Collegiate Chapter Award. The award is given to the chapter that best promotes the aims and ideals stated in the fraternity’s purpose through its actions and activities.

Current president Megan Widner said that the chapter has worked hard all year to become community leaders through professional development, community service fundraising, and social events. “Our chapter’s success speaks volumes about its members and the effort and commitment they have to better themselves and the chapter as a whole,” she said.

Widner said that the chapter has succeeded because of the support it has from Dillard personnel, starting at the top with Dillard Dean Jeff Stambaugh; faculty adviser and Associate Professor of Management Niyati Kataria, who has invested in members through weekly professional development training sessions, advice, direction, and donation; faculty initiates and other DCOBA professors who have given lectures on real-world advice and development; along with support from Amanda Clawson and Marilyn Brown in the Dean's office.

The award was earned under the leadership of past president Amanda Threlkeld. “Under Amanda’s strong leadership, the chapter has made huge progress and has become one of Dillard’s greatest assets,” said Kataria. “The members conduct themselves very professionally and assist hands-on in several important Dillard events like career fair, international week, sophomore rising, etc.”

The chapter held professional events touring the Better Business Bureau and conducted professional workshops for Excel, networking, and testing and grad school preparations. For community service they volunteered at the Wichita Falls Area Food Bank, Make a Difference Day, the Humane Society of Wichita County, Adopt-A-Highway, collected food for the Mustangs Pantry, and ran a campaign to collect pop tabs for Ronald McDonald House Charities. They also held fundraisers through T-shirt and donut sales, proceeds from Heff’s Burgers, and gift wrapping at Dillard’s Department Store.

Widner also said that alumni offer a lifelong commitment to donating so that members can attend leadership conferences. “Given the great team available at DCOBA, success-driven chapter members, support from alumni, and the lifelong resources and goals given by Delta Sigma Pi help shape our chapter's success and create the leaders of tomorrow.”

Kataria said members have taken advantage of many opportunities provided by Delta Sigma Pi’s national administration to undergo advanced leadership training.

Threlkeld was named Collegian of the Year by the Tornado Alley region of Delta Sigma Pi earlier this year. “We at DCOBA are very proud of her and the MSU chapter of Delta Sigma Pi is very fortunate to have had her leadership,” Kataria said. 

Regional winners progress to a provincial award selection committee. Provinces include: Northeastern, North Central, Southern, South Central and Western with each province with 40 to 50 chapters. The national winner is selected from the five provincial winners by Delta Sigma Pi’s National Scholastic Development and Awards Committee.

Delta Sigma Pi is the nation’s largest and first co-ed, professional business fraternity that encourages personal and professional development of men and women pursuing careers in business. Delta Sigma Pi has grown from its founding at New York University in 1907 by four men of diverse backgrounds to a network of more than 285,000 members. To learn more about Delta Sigma Pi, visit its website.