2022 Collegiate and Alumni Merit Award Winners
2022 Collegiate Awards
Coleman L. Warren (Arkansas) – Man of the Year & Scholar of the Year
Coleman Warren graduated from the University of Arkansas with a 4.0 GPA double majoring in Industrial Engineering (B.S., Honors Fellow) and Political Science (B.A.). He served Gamma Upsilon Chapter (Arkansas) as Risk Reduction Chairman and member of the Executive Committee (top 5 officers).
Within his campus community, he served as the 100th Student Body President, Director of Policy, and Director of Open Education Resources of the University of Arkansas Associated Student Government.
Coleman is passionate about addressing food insecurity. To help in combatting this issue he served as Partner Coordinator for the Volunteer Action Center Razorback Food Recovery, Founder and President of Simply Feeding, Child Hunger AmeriCorps VISTA summer associate for Food Bank of the Heartland, and as Founder and CEO of Simple + Sweet Creamery.
Coleman was selected in 2021 as one of sixty Truman Scholars and in 2022 as one of thirty-two Rhodes Scholars from the United States – only the 11th Arkansan in history to receive this honor. This fall he begins his studies in Oxford, U.K. as part of the Rhodes Scholar program.
In nominating him for the award, Angela Oxford, Director of the Center for Community Engagement for the University of Arkansas said, “Rhodes Scholar, Truman Scholar, Entrepreneur, Student Body President, and Sigma Nu are all titles that describe Coleman, but the title that best fits is he is the ‘genuine article.’ Coleman is accomplished in so many ways, he is intelligent and personable, he is also kind, generous, and approachable. While a dreamer with goals beyond my imagination, he is also a man possessed with impeccable ethics and humility.”
2022 Alumni Awards
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.
Christopher W. Graham (Lamar)
Christopher W. Graham is a 1990 graduate of Lamar University and an alumnus of Sigma Nu Fraternity’s Zeta Psi Chapter (Lamar). His volunteer service to Sigma Nu Fraternity includes turns as Chapter Advisor, Alumni Chapter Commander (President), and House Corporation President to his home chapter at Lamar University. Chris has never ceased in his tireless devotion to Sigma Nu, and his commitment to serving in key volunteer roles for the Fraternity and for his home and area chapters has shined for more than three decades. His dedication to Love, Truth, and Honor is more than exemplified through his actions as he continues to lead the young men of the Fraternity to excellence.
His nominators describe his dedication as follows, “Brother Graham knows every Commander in his division and without skipping a beat, can tell you how each chapter is doing in the various areas of operations. He regularly communicates with chapter officers – checking the pulse of the chapter and sharing a best practice, idea, or inspirational message. Chris is sincere in his request of, ‘How can I help you?’ and he serves the role of Division Commander faithfully and honorably.”
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.
J. Craig Frazier (Oklahoma State)
Craig Frazier is a graduate of Oklahoma State University and an alumnus of Sigma Nu Fraternity’s Epsilon Epsilon Chapter (Oklahoma State). He is also a graduate of Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis where he received a master’s degree in healthcare administration. Amidst his work in healthcare, he has remained committed to Sigma Nu Fraternity and has served as a volunteer for Gamma Beta Chapter (Northwestern) since the Chapter’s refounding in 2013. Craig served Gamma Beta Chapter (Northwestern) as Alumni Advisory Board Chairman through 2022 and as Chapter Advisor from 2018-2022. Throughout the pandemic, Craig guided the Gamma Beta Chapter’s reorganization effort of recruiting, conducting new member education, and initiating nearly 30 new collegiate brothers. This effort was led by Craig and a committed alumni group following a large disaffiliation of the Chapter’s collegiate membership.
In nominating Craig for this award, fellow alumnus volunteer and Northwestern alumnus Matthew Kan remarked, “As Chapter Advisor, Craig has been instrumental in helping streamline the operations of the Chapter, leading the charge to recruit new members, coordinating alumni involvement, and organizing volunteers to support the Chapter’s ‘reboot.’ Craig has gone above and beyond the role of simply advising the Chapter, but in laying the foundation for the future.”
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.
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 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.
In nominating Stan for this award, Neil Gilpin, fellow Epsilon Epsilon volunteer and Oklahoma State alumnus said, “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 in 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.”
Frank W. Potts (Louisiana Tech)
Frank W. Potts is a 1986 graduate of Louisiana Tech University and alumnus of Sigma Nu Fraternity’s Eta Zeta Chapter (Louisiana Tech). He has served on the Eta Zeta House Corporation since 2018, assuming the role of President in 2019. In that role, he has led the fundraising, financing, project design, and construction oversight of a new $2.5 million chapter home for Eta Zeta Chapter. This new home replaces the old chapter home which was destroyed by a tornado in 2019.
In nominating Frank for this award, Jason Smith, fellow Eta Zeta Chapter volunteer and Louisiana Tech alumnus remarked, “In addition to serving as our House Corporation’s President, Frank has dedicated himself to the fundraising effort, coordinating financing, project design, and construction oversight. He has worked tirelessly and made unimaginable personal sacrifice to complete the project. He has accomplished all this will living over 500 miles away from Ruston, Louisiana. Frank’s passion for the Chapter and project’s success have been contagious and his indefatigable zeal undeniable. While it would have been easy to let our former house being destroyed by a tornado or the COVID pandemic be an excuse for not finishing, Frank used these events to motivate our team and see the project through.”
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.
David G. Schmidt (UCLA)
David G. Schmidt is a 1969 (B.A.) and 1971 (MBA) graduate of the University of California, Los Angeles, and an alumnus of Sigma Nu Fraternity’s Epsilon Pi Chapter (UCLA). His volunteer service to Sigma Nu Fraternity and Epsilon Pi Chapter (UCLA) includes turns as Chapter Advisor (2015-2017), Alumni Advisory Board Chairman (2015-present), House Corporation President (2016-present), and Alumni Chapter Commander (President, 2019-present). Among Dave’s responsibilities and accomplishments, this year included implementing the UCLA Sigma Nu Scholarship Fund, which increased payouts to Epsilon Pi Chapter members by 35% over the prior year in the amount of $290,817 in direct financial aid to collegiate brothers. This included 47 brothers receiving spring scholarships in excess of $1,000 and 29 members awarded a $750 credit for maintaining a GPA greater than 3.75. His leadership has also resulted in increased upperclassmen residence in the chapter facility, with more than 50% of tenants of junior or senior class standing. Under Dave’s volunteer leadership, the Epsilon Pi Chapter (UCLA) has also been recognized twice with Sigma Nu Fraternity’s highest chapter honors, the Rock Chapter Award.
In nominating Dave for this award, fellow alumnus volunteer and UCLA alumnus Brian Zirbel remarked, “Dave has been a consistent and passionate member of our alumni board for the better part of the last three decades. During his leadership, we have rebounded from being placed on alumni receivership in 20014 to become a health Rock Chapter with over 100 brothers who represent Love, Honor, and Truth in everything they do. Dave’s charity of spirit and pocketbook have fostered a level of trust between brothers and alumni that is unprecedented in my 20 years of experience with the fraternity. He attends every meeting, hosts off-campus gatherings in his home, sponsors each event in some way or another, and makes himself available for every aspect of our operation.”