2024 Collegiate Merit Award Winners
Dating back to 1961, the Fraternity’s Collegiate Merit Awards recognize members of Sigma Nu’s collegiate chapters who represent the highest achievement and demonstrated excellence within each category of distinction.
Man of the Year & Scholar of the Year
(Brother Ferrara has been selected as both the 2024 Man of the Year and Scholar of the Year)
Emilio D. Ferrara, IV (Georgia)
Emilio Ferrara graduated from the University of Georgia with a 3.99 GPA, majoring in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. He served Mu Chapter as Lieutenant Commander and was instrumental in organizing the chapter’s 150th anniversary celebration. Emilio was also deeply involved in the chapter’s community service initiatives, serving as an afterschool volunteer coordinator for the chapter’s work with Extra Special People and helping secure $180,000 in funding for melanoma research through the Jam for Cam philanthropy as the chapter’s Fundraising & Corporate Sponsorships Chairman.
Emilio held numerous leadership positions within the fraternity and sorority community, both locally and nationally, including President of UGA’s Interfraternity Council, where he represented 3,000 fraternity members, and he was one of four collegiate members appointed to serve as a Collegiate Advisor to Sigma Nu’s High Council. Emilio's performance in the classroom is equally as impressive as his leadership within his community. He held two of UGA’s highest undergraduate scholarships, the Foundation Fellowship and the Stamps Scholarship. As a Foundation Fellow, he was one of fewer than 100 students granted this premier scholarship in their first year out of an undergraduate student body numbering close to 30,000. In 2023, he was named a national Barry Goldwater Scholar, and in 2024, he was a national finalist for the Rhodes Scholarship. Emilio will enter a PhD program in Bioengineering at UC Berkeley – UCSF this fall.
“I would place Emilio firmly in the top 1% of all students I have engaged with through undergraduate teaching and research. Society needs more intersectional individuals like Emilio to make big changes and breakthroughs in established sectors that have been doing the same old thing with incremental success.” - Dr. Kimberly Klonowski, Associate Professor of Cellular Biology, University of Georgia
“He is an extremely mature, articulate, personable, and highly motivated individual, and, simply put, he is an exceptional student.” - Dr. Michael Adams, Professor of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, and Microbiology, University of Georgia
Athlete of the Year
J. Addison Beam (Appalachian State)
Addison Beam is a recent graduate of Appalachian State University, where he was a student-athlete on the Men’s Golf Team. He served Kappa Epsilon Chapter notably as the Alumni Chairman, where he was instrumental in enhancing alumni engagement and was a vital member of several chapter committees. He graduated with a 3.22 GPA in Marketing.
On the golf course, Addison was a high-level competitor. He maintained one of the lowest stroke averages in App State’s Men’s Golf history. His win at the Surf Club Invitational was the first individual victory in two years for an App State golfer and he became only one of four players to have an individual win within the past eleven years. He also became the only player in school history to be named the Sun Belt Player of the Week twice within a five-week span. To top off his senior year, he was named to the All-Sun Belt team, an honor only three other App State golfers have accomplished.
Off the course, Addison was known for his servant leadership. He frequently assisted the university with appearances with children, alumni, and donors and served as a Mental Health Ambassador. On his team, he was known to be the first to arrive to practice, the last to leave, and to hold himself and his teammates to a high standard.
“Addison shows the true skills of a great leader. He always had encouraging words for his teammates, and he had the maturity to do the “right thing” when no one was looking. After every trip, Addison was always the last player to leave the parking lot as he wanted to make sure all the players had everything they needed and to make sure that I was okay. Addison truly exhibits the characteristics of a true champion.” - Alan Cress, Head Men’s Golf Coach, Appalachian State University
2024 Alumni, Advisor, and Volunteer Awards
Chapter Advisor of the Year
The Chapter Advisor of the Year award recognizes a Chapter Advisor who demonstrates a genuine commitment to Sigma Nu's principles 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.
Dr. Michael E. Hiller (Louisiana State)
Dr. Michael E. Hiller has faithfully served as an advisor of Phi Chapter at Louisiana State University since joining the Alumni Advisory Board as a part of the chapter’s rechartering effort in 2007. Beyond his advisory role, Dr. Hiller has been a pivotal figure in the chapter's resurgence since its rechartering, leveraging his profound understanding of Sigma Nu's values from his own collegiate days at Phi over 40 years ago.
Throughout his tenure, Dr. Hiller has overseen the stabilization and strategic redirection of the chapter through rough patches and its recommitment to the pursuit of excellence. His efforts have been crucial in re-establishing a strong alumni network and enhancing the chapter's operational effectiveness through consistent leadership and mentorship.
His steadfast commitment to the chapter was demonstrated through his significant influence on the chapter's numerous achievements, including the prestigious LSU Greek Chapter of the Year Award and the Rock Chapter Award, which the chapter recently achieved.
"Dr. Hiller gives autonomy and guidance to those in chapter leadership to allow them to become the most excellent version of themselves. He provides each executive council the ability to create what they want to create without restriction. He fosters creativity and believes in the leaders of Phi. He is a role model from which we can learn quite a bit. I would not be the man I am today without Dr. Hiller’s impact." – Harper Doerr (Louisiana State), Chapter Advisor to the Phi Chapter
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.
Jason C. Winbolt (Missouri Valley)
Jason Winbolt serves as Commander of the Beta Gamma Alumni Chapter (Missouri Valley), demonstrating a deep commitment to the Fraternity and its principles. As a past Division Commander for the Fraternity, Jason is familiar with working to advance the honorable Mission of the Legion of Honor and has dedicated his focus to his alumni chapter and helping to foster a robust network of Beta Gamma alumni.
In 2021, Jason assisted in the formation of the Beta Gamma Alumni Chapter, working with fellow alumni to fill out the board of officers. As Alumni Chapter Commander, he worked alongside Alumni Chapter Lt. Commander Kyle Kovach to organize the first alumni chapter board meeting this past year. A highlight of Jason’s service was his recent effort to attract over 100 Beta Gamma alumni and family members to return to Missouri Valley College to support a well-respected brother’s induction into the MVC Athletic Hall of Fame and attendance at the alumni chapter’s annual meeting during the college’s homecoming.
Jason’s fellow alumni describe him as an embodiment of Sigma Nu's principles of Love, Honor, and Truth. He is a leader who has significantly enhanced the alumni experience through consistent communication and the organization of alumni gatherings.
"From the first day of joining Sigma Nu, Jason has been a staple in aiding in the success and growth of the Beta Gamma Chapter. Through my eyes, he succeeds in doing so and continues to help grow the presence of the Beta Gamma alumni by communicating with the brothers via phone, email, social media platforms, and regional get-togethers.” - Andrew Logue (Missouri Valley), Officer of the Beta Gamma Alumni Chapter.
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.
Mark M. Mustoe (Kansas)
Brother Mark Mustoe has devoted several years of exemplary service and leadership to the Nu Chapter's House Corporation at the University of Kansas. Mark joined the House Corporation in 2020 and has served as President for the past two years.
One of Mark’s first orders of business as president was to re-envision the role of house director. Mark helped reenvision the position, ensuring a close relationship with the board and improving the director’s capacity to manage the physical structure and upkeep of the house.
Focused on the future of Nu Chapter and its home, the historic Stubb’s Manions, Mark has led the efforts to facilitate a major capital campaign to renovate and enhance the facility. With renovations and construction beginning this summer, the chapter has almost met its $4 million campaign goal in pledged gifts.
In addition to his work as president of the house corporation, Brother Mustoe is also a dedicated leader for the collegiate and alumni chapter. Last year, Mark helped launch Nu Chatper’s inaugural Commander’s Dinner, which attracted over 20 alumni and previous chapter Commanders.
“Mark has done an outstanding job of reaching out and engaging on an ongoing basis all stakeholders in Nu Chapter…He is truly outstanding in including others. So, while he is improving things across the board, he is also engaging others to ensure the improvements are sustainable over a long period of time. Through this process, Mark is ensuring the foundation he is setting will result in ongoing excellence, even after that sad day comes when he steps aside.” – Rodney Beeler (Kansas), Nu Chapter House Corporation Board Member.
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.
Dr. Sean P. Killion (Jefferson)
Dr. Sean Killion is a marketing and finance graduate of the Philadelphia College of Textiles and Science (now Thomas Jefferson University), where he obtained his B.S. in 1998. He later earned an MBA from La Salle University in 2005 and an Ed.D in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies from Temple University in 2015. He is currently the Director of Residence Life at Rider University in Lawrenceville, New Jersey.
Brother Killion, a founding father and charter member of the Mu Pi Chapter and an Alpha Affiliate Award recipient, has a distinguished record of volunteer service to his local chapter and the General Fraternity. Following his graduation in 1998, he became the Mu Pi Chapter Advisor and Alumni Chapter President and held those positions until 2001, when he assumed the position of Division Commander for the Northeast Beta Division. Sean remains a volunteer in this role and is currently the longest-tenured Division Commander.
As the Division Commander for the Northeast Beta Division, Sean Killion organized a meeting with the chapters in his division, giving each chapter the opportunity to see what others do well and help develop connections between each other for future events and activities. Sean’s dedication, extensive involvement, and profound impact on the chapters in his division make him exceptionally deserving of the recognition of Division Commander of the Year. – Nicholas Vincent II, Alumnus and Former Commander of Mu Pi Chapter