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Pictured, from left, are chapter members Zander Doan, Trevor Swop (chapter president), Jacob Foldy, Travis Swope and Joshua Olesen.
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WIU Delta Upsilon Fraternity Receives Highest Honor Given to Undergraduate Chapter

August 25, 2022

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MACOMB, IL -- The Delta Upsilon International Fraternity recently announced its Western Illinois University chapter was the recipient of its 2022 Sweepstakes Trophy, the highest honor bestowed upon a DU undergraduate chapter. This is the first time in the WIU chapter's history it has received the honor.

The award was presented during Delta Upsilon's annual Leadership Institute, held Aug. 4-7 in Orlando, FL.

The Delta Upsilon Sweepstakes Trophy has been awarded annually since 1953, to acknowledge chapters whose achievements surpass all expectations. Each year, seven finalists are selected, as well as a top chapter(s). This year marks the third time the Western Illinois Chapter has been named a Sweepstakes Finalist, also earning the honor in 1994 and 2010.

During the 2021-2022 academic year, the Western Illinois Chapter had 26 members, which is above the average fraternity chapter size at WIU, and initiated 10 new members on the year. The chapter ranked first among campus fraternities in grade point average, boasting a chapter average of 3.22. Service and philanthropy were highlights of the chapter calendar, with brothers averaging 36 service hours each for the year. The chapter also raised $2,500 for the
Global Service Initiative, Delta Upsilon's international service project and philanthropy, and $850 for the Humane Society of McDonough County for its New Shelter Building Fund.

In addition to the Sweepstakes Trophy, the Western Illinois Chapter received additional awards during the Leadership Institute. The chapter was the 2022 recipient of the Innovative Member Development Award, which recognizes chapters that are educating, mentoring and developing members throughout their collegiate experience. In 2021-2022, the Western Illinois Chapter hosted a guest speaker at almost all of its chapter meetings, with topics including toxic
masculinity, resumé building and study tips. This included a speaker from the campus Multicultural Center, to talk about Dia De Los Muertos, and the different events brothers could take part in to learn more, as well as a panel of professors and other experts via Zoom to discuss the ongoing crisis in Ukraine.

Delta Upsilon's Chapter Excellence Plan (CEP) is a program to guide chapters toward success. CEP is broken into seven categories, with required and optional criteria that help chapters become well-rounded and operationally-sound.

The Western Illinois Chapter completed all CEP criteria — 75 different items — in 2021-2022, and was recognized for completing the most criteria in each category, as well as with the Overall CEP Excellence Award.

"The continued success of our Western Illinois chapter is remarkable," said DU Executive Director Justin Kirk. "These men have made a commitment to become one of the top chapters on campus and within the Fraternity. By utilizing programs like the Chapter Excellence Plan, these men have built a strong foundation and culture of success. Recipients of our Most Improved Chapter Award just three years ago, the Western Illinois Chapter is a testament to hard work. We could not be prouder."

Established in 1834, Delta Upsilon is an international men's college fraternity with 68 chapters and colonies across the United States and Canada. The Fraternity, founded at Williams College in Williamstown, MA, is the oldest, non-secret, Greek-letter society, and is committed to Building Better Men for a global society through its four founding principles: friendship, character, culture and justice.

More than 145,000 men have joined the Delta Upsilon Fraternity since its founding more than 187 years ago.

Posted By: University Communications (U-Communications@wiu.edu)
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