2017 Awards Winners
Merit Awards
Man of the Year & Scholar of the Year
As a High School freshman James Markos worked for a janitorial company removing trash, mopping floors, and cleaning bathrooms daily at a local high school. His early employment was a result of his father suffering from congestive heart failure and no longer being able to support the Markos family financially. His first steps onto the University of Mississippi campus were due to a Pell Grant and academic scholarships.
His aspirations didn’t stop when he arrived in Oxford, Miss. “He is one of the most remarkable young men I have known in my fifty-two-year affiliation with the Chapter,” wrote faculty advisor Dr. James Davis. He departs Oxford with a bevy of University accolades and will be pursuing a career in medicine at the Mayo Clinic School of Medicine.
Alpha Affiliates
Bradley P. Bocketti, Alpha #630 (Butler)
Bradley Bocketti double majored at Butler University in Finance and Economics, earning a 3.65 cumulative GPA. During his tenure as an undergraduate member of Epsilon Mu Chapter, he served as Commander and Alumni Relations Chairman. He also served as President of IFC and Order of Omega. During his tenure of chapter leadership, the chapter was recognized as an NIC Chapter of Distinction and received its 8th consecutive Rock Chapter award.
Within his campus community he was President of the Butler Investment Group where he worked to coordinate guest speakers with Indianapolis-area wealth managers and investment firms. Bradley also held several internships during his collegiate career with groups such as UBS, Eli Lilly, and Butler Business Consulting Group.
Adam F. Clay, Alpha #631 (Georgia Southern)
Adam Clay is a graduate of Georgia Southern University with an impressive 3.75 GPA in Marketing and Logistics. Despite his heavy academic workload, he remained engaged in Theta Kappa Chapter by serving as Commander, Marshal, Recruitment Chairman, and representative on the chapter’s Alumni Advisory Board. Additionally, he served on several chapter committees. In these roles, he helped to return the chapter back to prominence which included earning its first Rock Chapter award.
Outside of his excellent academic performance and chapter involvement, Adam was also an active member of Student Government Association, the orientation program SOAR, Campus Crusades, and Southern Leaders. Adam was also recognized as one of five graduating seniors who left a significant impact on the University during their tenure with induction into the John D. Nolan Hall of Leaders.
Austin T. Finley, Alpha #632 (Alabama in Huntsville)
Austin Finley graduated with a 3.30 GPA in Aerospace Engineering. His chapter involvement includes terms as Mu Beta Chapter’s Commander, Chaplain, Social Chairman, and House Manager. Additionally, he served within the campus’ IFC as Vice President, Treasurer, and Risk Reduction Chairman.
Outside of his fraternal leadership, Austin was also heavily involved on campus. He held several positions in the Student Government Association, including President, Speaker of the Senate, and Public Relations Committee Chairman. He was also a member of the Board of Directors for the UAH Alumni Association and Vice Chairman of the Higher Education Partnership of Alabama – University Presidents Council.
Alexander R. Foy, Alpha #633 (Cal State Fullerton)
While earning a 3.53 GPA in History and American Studies at California State University, Fullerton, Alexander Foy served as Lambda Upsilon Chapter’s Lt. Commander, Marshal, and Risk Reduction Chairman. He was recognized by California State University, Fullerton in 2014 as their Greek Man of the Year and as their Greek Leader of the Year.
Alexander also served in several prominent positions with Associated Students, Inc. including Vice Chair of the Lobby Corps Commission and Board of Directors representative for the Finance Committee as well as a student representative for the It’s on US campaign’s Title IX Task Force Committee.
Casey J. Kolbeck, Alpha #634 (Oklahoma State)
Casey Kolbeck is a graduate of Oklahoma State University with a 4.0 GPA in Economics. He served Epsilon Epsilon Chapter as Commander and member of Brotherhood, Sustainability, and Bedlam Bike Philanthropy committees. Interfraternally, Casey was also a recruitment coordinator, Greek Discovery Day tour guide, and Junior Greek Life member.
On campus, he was heavily involved as Vice President of Finance for the American Marketing Association and was a member of the Economics Society of Oklahoma State, Business Student Council of the Spears School of Business, Golden Key National Honor Society, and Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society. He was recognized by the Spears School of Business as one of their top 15 graduating seniors.
James R. Markos, Alpha #635 (Mississippi)
James Markos majored in Biology, Public Policy, and Biochemistry at the University of Mississippi, graduating with a 3.96 GPA. Within the Epsilon Xi Chapter he served as Commander and Treasurer. He was also a member of the Charity Bowl and Alumni Involvement committees. On a national scale, James served in 2016 as a collegiate representative on Sigma Nu Educational Foundation’s Board of Directors.
James was heavily involved in several campus organizations including as Editor-in-Chief of the UM Undergraduate Research Journal, Deputy Attorney General and Director of Athletics for the Associated Student Body Government, Student Director for the Honors College Senate, and Director of Campus Outreach for the Ole Miss Chapter of Coaching for Literacy. He’s been recognized for his achievements several times as Greek Man of the Year, UM Hall of Fame inductee, and recipient of University of Mississippi’s highest academic award, the Marcus E. Taylor Medal.
William D. Oldham, Alpha #636 (Case Western Reserve)
William Oldham graduated from Case Western Reserve University with a 3.36 GPA majoring in English and Sociology. He served Delta Alpha Chapter as Commander in 2015 and Alumni Chairman in 2016. He also served as the IFC President in 2016 and worked with IFC committees in 2016 and 2015 to reform recruitment and revise bylaws.
Within his campus community he served as a member of IMPROVment, CWRU Ultimate Frisbee Club Team, Players Theater Group, Student Executive Council, and Diversity 360 Peer Facilitator group. William was also the recipient of the CWRU President’s Award, Delta Alpha Bowman Award, IFC Fraternal Legacy Award, and IFC Outstanding New Member Award.
Juan S. Patino, Alpha #637 (Georgia State)
Graduating with a 3.80 GPA in Political Science from Georgia State University, Juan Patino served Eta Gamma Chapter as Commander, Marshal, Recruitment Chairman, and Greek Week Chairman. He also served within IFC as Vice President of External Affairs and as a Senior Delegate.
On campus Juan was an active member of Georgia State Honors College. He has been recognized as a GSU Greek Person of the Year, Dr. Kenneth M. England Scholar, and Goizueta Scholar Finalist. Juan was also the recipient of the Emory Law Merit Scholarship.
Nathaniel J. Smith, Alpha #638 (DePauw)
Nathaniel Smith graduated from DePauw University with a 3.97 GPA, majoring in Physics and Mathematics. His involvement with the Beta Beta Chapter included terms as Lt. Commander, Treasurer, Sentinel, Historian, Scholarship Chairman, and Intramural Chairman. During this time, he also served on the chapter’s Social, LEAD, Philanthropy, Scholarship, Risk Reduction, Finance, Alumni, and Brotherhood committees.
He was heavily involved on campus as President and Treasurer of DePauw Society of Physics Students, President and Treasurer of DePauw Soccer Club, President of the National Society of Collegiate Scholars, and Treasurer of Mortar Board. Nathaniel was also a member of Order of Omega, Phi Beta Kappa, Sigma Pi Sigma, and DePauw Peer Tutoring. He was also a recipient of an Indiana University Research Fellowship.
John T. Walker, Alpha #639 (Illinois)
Taylor Walker graduated with a 3.83 GPA in Civil Engineering from the University of Illinois. He served Gamma Mu Chapter as Commander in 2016 and Recruitment Chairman in 2015. He also served on the chapter’s Philanthropy, Recruitment, and Finance committees.
Taylor was also a member of the Illini Boxing Club, American Society of Civil Engineers, and Illini Pride. He was a recipient of the Ivan and Barbara Viest Scholarship in recognition of academic excellence in his first semester as well as recipient of the William C. Ackerman Award, William John Mackay Award, and Shell Incentive Fund Scholarship.
Alumni & Volunteer Awards
Chapter Advisor of the Year – Scott Vik (Washington State)
Sigma Nu’s Chapter Advisor of the Year Award is presented to a Chapter Advisor whose efforts go well beyond the job description and include attending officer and chapter meetings, supporting chapter goal-setting and achievement, assisting in the development of special chapter events and programs and supporting the chapter’s use of our Ritual as the foundation for all we do.
Scott Vik has been the chapter advisor for Delta Iota Chapter (Washington State) since its re-chartering in 2012. In his recommendation for Vik, President of the Delta Iota Alumni Association Dick Mitchell wrote, “While I live five hours from the chapter, Scott is a local and has been a godsend to the overall governance of our chapter. He and I interact often on an array of issues and having him as ‘boots on the ground’ really benefits the chapter.” Vik was also recently recognized as Chapter Advisor of the Year by the Washington State Interfraternity Council. “Scott is a man who believes in the life of love, walks in the way of honor, and serves in the light of truth,” said Commander Zach Goodpaster of Vik. “His dedication to what the Fraternity stands for has never wavered, and he enjoys seeing the positive changes he has influenced in our community.”
Division Commander of the Year – Chris Graham (Lamar/Stephen F. Austin/Houston)
The Division Commander of the Year, awarded annually, goes to the Division Commander who has demonstrated a genuine commitment to the Legion of Honor and whose pattern of performance is a worthy example for others to follow.
- As the Division Commander for the South Central Division, Chris Graham has played a significant role in supporting the collegiate and alumni efforts in his Division. Recently, this includes spending over 600 hours volunteering in various roles such as Zeta Psi’s (Lamar) 60th Anniversary, Mu Upsilon’s (Stephen F. Austin) 15th Anniversary, assisting recolonization efforts at Zeta Chi (Houston), and facilitating LEAD sessions. Graham’s fondness for in-person interaction with the alumni and collegians of his Division means that many of these hours are spent commuting from his home in the Houston-area. “Brother Graham has been a friend and mentor of mine for a long time now,” said Mu Upsilon Chapter Advisor Josh Kesterson. “There is no better man I would recommend for Divison Commander of the Year.”
Greek Advisor of the Year - Alyson Garrison
The Greek Advisor of the Year Award recognizes a university administrator who has demonstrated exceptional service and performance in the areas of fraternity advisement and related responsibilities.
Alyson Garrison is the Director of Greek Life at The University of Tulsa. She has spent nearly a decade working in Fraternity & Sorority Life at Tulsa. Her duties include oversite and advisement of the university’s Interfraternity Council, Panhellenic, National-Pan-Hellenic Council, Independent Council, and Order of Omega organizations. “As some know, the Zeta Lambda (Tulsa) alumni have been on a recolonization mission for the past eight years,” wrote Zeta Lambda Alumni Advisory Board Chairman Dr. Jeremy Edwards. “Ms. Garrison has shown nothing but full support of that mission, and has gone above and beyond her duties to help make it a reality.” Alyson holds a bachelors of art’s degree in Psychology from Northeastern State University and a master’s degree in Human Relations with an emphasis in Organizational Development from the University of Oklahoma.