Every year, Phi Kappa Psi recognizes the hard work, dedication, and innovation of its members. Across the country, brothers and chapters not only meet expectations, but exceed them. The Grand Chapter, Chapter Excellence, and Most Improved Chapter are presented each summer during District Council Meetings + the Grand Arch Council, while all other Phi Kappa Psi Awards are presented each biennium at the Grand Arch Council.

PHI KAPPA PSI AWARDS PRESENTED AT THE UPCOMING

DISTRICT COUNCIL MEETINGS

The following lists are Phi Kappa Psi awards presented during odd years during the Fraternity’s District Council Meetings. These include awards for chapters, alumni associations, house corporations, and individuals.

Grand Chapter

Excellence is clearly an expectation within the Fraternity. The Grand Chapter Award recognizes the foremost chapter within Phi Kappa Psi. The awarded chapter embodies the Fraternity’s values and exceeds expectations across all operations.

All chapters who apply for the Chapter Excellence Awards will be considered for the Grand Chapter Award.

Chapter must meet minimum standards to qualify for this award

Chapter Excellence Awards

The Chapter Excellence Awards are given to six chapters that exemplify the Fraternity’s ideals, above and beyond. The winners of the Chapter Excellence Awards will vie for the Fraternity’s top honor, the Grand Chapter Award.

Chapter Excellence Award recipients will be determined based on applications for individual area group awards listed below. The chapter should submit any additional information that should be considered as an application for the Chapter Excellence Award.

Chapters must meet minimum standards to qualify for this award

Most Improved Chapter

The Most Improved Chapter award acknowledges the chapter that’s recommitted to excellence, making significant operational improvements over the past two years. All areas of operation will be considered.

The Most Improved Chapter Award recipient will be determined based on applications for individual group awards listed below. The chapter should submit any information regarding improvements that have been made as an application for most improved chapter.

Chapter must meet minimum standards to qualify for this award

APPLICATIONS NOW OPEN!

Think your chapter has what it takes to win one of these awards? Applying is simple: there is one application for all three awards. Your submission will be considered for all three awards!

PHI KAPPA PSI AWARDS PRESENTED AT THE 2026

GRAND ARCH COUNCIL

The following lists are Phi Kappa Psi awards presented during even years during the Fraternity’s Grand Arch Council (GAC). These include awards for chapters, alumni associations, house corporations, and individuals. Applications for all of these awards will be available in 2026!

CHAPTER AWARDS

Grand Chapter

Excellence is clearly an expectation within the Fraternity. The Grand Chapter Award recognizes the foremost chapter within Phi Kappa Psi. The awarded chapter embodies the Fraternity’s values and exceeds expectations across all operations.

All chapters who apply for the Chapter Excellence Awards will be considered for the Grand Chapter Award.

Chapter must meet minimum standards to qualify for this award

2024 Recipient: Minnesota Beta (University of Minnesota)

Chapter Excellence Awards

The Chapter Excellence Awards are given to six chapters that exemplify the Fraternity’s ideals, above and beyond. The winners of the Chapter Excellence Awards will vie for the Fraternity’s top honor, the Grand Chapter Award.

Chapter Excellence Award recipients will be determined based on applications for individual area group awards listed below. The chapter should submit any additional information that should be considered as an application for the Chapter Excellence Award.

Chapters must meet minimum standards to qualify for this award

2024 Recipients: Ohio Theta (Ashland University), Tennessee Epsilon (University of Tennessee), Indiana Epsilon (Valparaiso University), and Iowa Beta (Iowa State University)

Most Improved Chapter

The Most Improved Chapter award acknowledges the chapter that’s recommitted to excellence, making significant operational improvements over the past two years. All areas of operation will be considered.

The Most Improved Chapter Award recipient will be determined based on applications for individual group awards listed below. The chapter should submit any information regarding improvements that have been made as an application for most improved chapter.

Chapter must meet minimum standards to qualify for this award

2024 Recipient: Indiana Epsilon (Valparaiso University)

Dr. Gordon Sparks Letterman Men’s Health Award

Dr. Gordon Sparks Letterman Mizzou ‘38 was not only the grandson of our founder, William Henry Letterman, but also served the Fraternity as Surgeon General and Surgeon General Emeritus. The Dr. Gordon Sparks Letterman Award is presented to the chapter that successfully orchestrates an outstanding health event or program throughout the academic year. This initiative should prioritize the ongoing health and well-being of the chapter’s members and/or the local community. Events and programs centered around support of mental, physical, or emotional health will be considered.
2024 Recipient: Minnesota Beta (University of Minnesota)

Ralph D. Daniel Award for Excellence in Chapter Management

The Ralph D. Daniel Award for Excellence in Chapter Management celebrates a chapter’s organizational prowess. A adept leadership, strategic planning, and effective administration are practiced by the awarded chapter, who’s inclusive environment and commitment to operational efficiency result in positive outcomes. Additional consideration will be given to those chapters whose officers have completed all Ascend (Officer) Training modules. Chapters should consider submitting sample meeting minutes, officer retreat documentation, and any other information that displays the chapter’s excellence in chapter management.
2024 Recipient: Iowa Beta (Iowa State University)

Member Excellence Award for Recruitment

The Membership Excellence Award for recruitment will recognize a chapter whose strategies lead to new member retention and education, effective recruitment planning, recruitment training and adherence to membership standards. Recruitment plans, training, membership standards for recruitment, events, published recruitment materials, and social media initiatives will all be considered when determining the recipient of this award.

Ralph Haney Award for Financial Management

The Ralph Haney Award for Financial Management will recognize a chapter who’s treasury is budgeted, pays bills on time, educates its members on financial literacy, and creatively encourages member payment. Chapter financial records will be reviewed in consideration for this award. The chapter should submit any additional information regarding financial management, including finance education programs and operating practices.

Hyatt Patt Eby Award for Community Service

The Hyatt Patt Eby Award for Community Service is presented to the chapter that most notably serves its college, an organization, an individual, and/or local community. Community service hours, community service events and partnerships with community groups will be considered.
2024 Recipient: Texas Beta (Texas Tech University)

Public Relations Award

The Public Relations Award recognizes a chapter for their efforts to engage with the greater community such as parents, alumni, HQ staff, administrators, neighbors, or groups different than their own. Social media presence, chapter website and activity on campus (or in the community) will be considered. Chapters should include in the application links to social media accounts and websites, along with additional information the chapter would like to provide.
2024 Recipient: Ohio Theta (Ashland University)

Griffing-Tate Award for Fraternity Education

The Griffing-Tate Award for Fraternity Education recognizes a chapter for their implementation of an educational program or process. This program or process should be for current undergraduate members and/or new members that is separate from participation in Embark.
2024 Recipient: Indiana Epsilon (Valparaiso University)

Thomas Cochran Campbell Award for Ritual Exemplification

The Thomas Cochran Campbell Award for Ritual Exemplification celebrates a chapter for keeping to Phi Kappa Psi’s rituals. They perform each of the Fraternity’s ceremonies and share the wisdom they impart. Understanding and explaining the mysteries make our values accessible, and the winner of this award exemplifies the spirit of the Fraternity. Chapters should consider submitting any information or documentation regarding ritual reviews, ritual practice, or other events related to the rituals and values of the Fraternity.
2024 Recipient: Indiana Epsilon (Valparaiso University)

Alumni Relations Award

The Alumni Relations Award will recognize the chapter that engages with alumni from their chapter and local community. Winners of this award regularly communicate with alumni about the ongoings of the chapter, and encourage alumni participation in chapter events. Chapters should include alumni newsletters, communications, or explanation of programs involving alumni for consideration.
2024 Recipient: Kansas Alpha (University of Kansas)

Member Safety Award

The Member Safety Award will be presented to a chapter that shows the greatest commitment to the safety of its members and guests. A chapter’s risk management process, a specific event, program, or unique practice that the chapter has implemented will be considered. Submitted material must align with the Phi Kappa Psi Risk Management Policy.

2024 Recipient: Texas Alpha (University of Texas)

ALUMNI ASSOCIATION & HOUSE CORPORATION AWARDS

Outstanding Alumni Association

The Outstanding Alumni Association Award recognizes an alumni association that has demonstrated exceptional dedication, innovation, and impact in fostering connections, providing valuable resources, and nurturing a vibrant community among alumni in their area.

2024 Recipient: Garden State AA

House Corporation Award for Continuing Excellence

The House Corporation Award for Continuing Excellence recognizes a house corporation that has completed a project or event that contributes to the success and growth of the chapter.

2024 Recipient: Friars Corporation

Outstanding Alumni/House Corporation

The Outstanding Alumni/House Corporation award recognizes a corporation that has gone above and beyond to maintain contact with alumni of the chapter through communication and events, and/or an ongoing commitment to providing a property suitable for the success of a chapter.
2024 Recipient: Rhode Island Beta

INDIVIDUAL AWARDS

The Edgar Fahs Smith Award

The Edgar Fahs Smith Award recognizes the outstanding work of a member in his contributions to our Fraternity’s publications.

2024 Recipient: Carlos Hernandez (Stanford ’78)

Eddie Knight Award of Merit

The Eddie Knight Award of Merit is presented to an alumnus who has contributed his time and talents to the initiatives of the national fraternity, a chapter, colony and/or alumni association. 

2024 Recipient: Ben Kessler (Wabash ’71)

Advisor to Fraternities

The Advisor to Fraternities Award recognizes a campus professional who has given of their time and talent to ensure the betterment of the Phi Kappa Psi chapter on their campus, as well as the rest of the fraternity and sorority community.

2024 Recipient: Matthew Richardson, Director of the Center for Fraternal Values and Leadership – West Virginia University

Outstanding Chapter Advisor

The Outstanding Chapter Advisor Award is presented to a chapter advisor who has made an outstanding commitment to the success and life of a chapter.

2024 Recipient: Matt Kifle (Ohio ’12)

Emerging Volunteer Award

The Emerging Volunteer Award is given to a member who’s been volunteering as an alumni less than five years. Although they have not held their position long, they’ve taken great strides in advancing the Fraternity forward.

2024 Recipient: Brock Wagehoft (RIT ’15)

Anna Ritchie Letterman Ladies Silver Bowl

The Ladies Silver Bowl honors the contributions of a special phi psi sweetheart.

2024 Recipient: Linda Ley

Undergraduate of the Year

The Undergraduate of the Year Awards recognizes an undergraduate who goes above and beyond the standard call to achieve greatness and fulfill the needs of their community, their campus, and themselves.

2024 Recipient: Dylan Conyers (Tennessee ’21)

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Apply for one, apply for all! Your submission will be considered for all open awards.

The process is easy. Click on the link to the application. Fill it out and attach any documents (written narratives and explanations of all the great things you’ve done, pictures, programs, plans, etc.) and hit submit. You can submit more than one document for each award.

Letters of recommendation are great. You can send anyone the link to write a letter of recommendation and they can submit it. You can find the link to the “Letter of Recommendation” form on the Awards page. You will also receive a link in your confirmation email when you submit the application.

If you have your documentation ready, applying should only take you a few minutes. But if you realize you need more time, you can always save the application and come back to it later.

When you submit your application, you will get an email with a link to edit your application. If you realize you’ve made a mistake or you forgot to submit a document, click on the email in the link and correct it.

If you decide to apply for additional awards, you can submit an additional application, or use the link in the email to go back and edit the application you’ve already submitted.

The deadline to submit applications for the available chapter awards is April 20, 2025.

All award recipients will be announced at the 2025 District Council Meetings. Make sure your chapter has delegates registered!