KALAMAZOO, Mich.—The Western Michigan University chapter of the Delta Sigma Pi professional business fraternity, Epsilon Omicron, won several awards during the October 2021 Virtual LEAD School. The chapter’s accomplishment of receiving not one but three awards speaks to its commitment to excellence in promoting the ideals of the fraternity through consistent, focused actions and activities.
Delta Sigma Pi is the nation’s largest and first co-ed professional business fraternity that encourages personal and professional development for those pursuing careers in business. The WMU chapter is made up of 94 students from the Haworth College of Business with majors ranging from accountancy to integrated supply management.
Epsilon Omicron received two provincial awards—the Outstanding Collegiate Chapter Award and Outstanding Alumni Relations award. To win these awards, Epsilon Omicron stood out from among 40 to 50 chapters in its province with quality activities that promoted the ideals of the fraternity and also involved alumni.
“This is a great honor for us, and it displays the hard work every student put in. Despite the challenges the COVID-19 pandemic presented our chapter, we created engaging online programming that enabled us to support each other during the tough times and grow as a family,” says Quinlan Lewis, the chapter's president.
Epsilon Omicron also won the regional Outstanding Professional Activities Award, which is given to chapters that develop an effective program of professional development for their members. Reed Smith, vice president of professional activities, explains that chapter events in the last year have included employer panel presentations, company tours and assistance with job searches. All of these activities are strategically planned to offer students networking opportunities and inside exposure to multiple industries, giving members a significant advantage in today’s competitive job market.
“These awards are validation that these talented students are building the leadership skills they’ll need to be successful in their careers,” says Tim Palmer, advisor to Delta Sigma Pi and director of the Center for Sustainable Business Practices. “They could pat themselves on the back after a successful year, but it says a lot when the national organization recognizes their accomplishments.”
Epsilon Omicron continues to work diligently on campus this year with a variety of activities and programs that carry out the fraternity’s pillars focused on professional, service and social development.
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