The Theta Tau Awards for the 2025-2026 academic year are in! Below you will find our award winners in every category, starting with chapter awards, and wrapping with individual awards, including the Robert E. Pope Outstanding Student Member Award, Theta Tau’s highest honor for a student member. You can read more about the awards we distribute, the criteria for each category, and past award winners by checking out our Theta Tau Awards Manual. You can submit awards in the spring by visiting our awards page!

Chapter Awards:

Outstanding Website – Delta Gamma, Arizona State University 

The Outstanding Website Award is presented to Delta Gamma Chapter whose website presents informative material, streamlines chapter operations, and organizes useful content. Their design features a unique members-only backend to track committee work and member participtation. You can see the front end by visiting thetatau-dg.org

Outstanding Video – Mu, University of Alabama 

The Outstanding Video Award is presented to Mu Chapter with the best videography submission for recruitment, rush, or other chapter related content. You can check that video out on our Instagram by clicking this link: Mu Chapter Recruitment Video

Outstanding Photography – Iota Delta, Vanderbilt University and Lambda Gamma, Clemson University 

The Outstanding Photography Award goes to Iota Delta Chapter at Vanderbilt University (left photo) and Lambda Gamma Chapter at Clemson University (right photo). Both chapters submitted excellent pictures representing our values and who we are as Theta Taus – serving the local community, growing professionally and bonding as brothers.

Outstanding Newsletter – Phi Delta, Florida A&M and Florida State University

The Outstanding Newsletter Award goes to Phi Delta chapter at FAMU & FSU’s joint chapter. Their newsletters this academic year have exemplified our core values and have successfully connected active and graduate members as a chapter. 

Outstanding Social Media – Phi Delta, Florida A&M and Florida State University, and Iota Delta, Vanderbilt University 

The Outstanding Social Media Award goes to both the Iota Delta Chapter at Vanderbilt University and Phi Delta Chapter at our FAMU/FSU joint chpter. Their marketing strategies highlight the exceptional work they have been doing across media platforms, representing Theta Tau and our key principles. Check them out on Instagram at @phideltathetatau and @vandythetatau

Outstanding DEI Program – Zeta Delta, University of South Carolina 

The Outstanding DEI Program Award goes to Zeta Delta Chapter, whose intentional cultural and wellness events have made an impact on their chapter and their larger campus community.

At Zeta Delta, DEI programming is woven into how they build brotherhood. Over the past year they’ve hosted nine DEI focused events covering cultural celebrations, mental health awareness, and heritage recognition, reflecting the diverse backgrounds of their chapter and the broader engineering community at USC.

Here are some details from their submission:

  • Cultural Nights – We covered Diwali, Holi, Latin, Italian, Jamaican, and Hispanic cultures, and each one is led by brothers, sharing their own heritage with the chapter through food, music, history, and even dance.
  • Mental Health Programming – Events including a Color and Study session and a group walk at the Riverwalk, comes from recognizing that wellbeing is a DEI issue. Engineering programs are high stress, and we’ve been intentional about having mental health conversations in the chapter.

“We think representation and belonging in engineering start with small, consistent moments, and we’re committed to making those happen every semester.”

Outstanding Professional Development Program – Iota Delta, Vanderbilt University 

The Professional Development Program Award goes to Iota Delta Chapter for their series of professional development events tackling a variety of topics from career growth to company culture. They sourced six companies and organizations through a combination of channels, including graduated members, internship connections, cold outreach, and the Vanderbilt Career Center to connect over 184 attendees with professional development opportunities.

Each event gave members direct access to professionals in different areas and created a safe space for conversations about career growth, company culture, recruiting and different types of engineering work.

Outstanding Philanthropy Event – Zeta Delta, University of South Carolina  

The Outstanding Philanthropy Event Award goes to Zeta Delta Chapter, who partnered with their university’s mental health services to raise money for the department’s mental health fund. Read more about their event by catching up on our previous post – South Carolina Rivalry Week – Clemson Car Smash.

Outstanding Philanthropy Program – Phi Delta, Florida A&M and Florida State University 

The Outstanding Philanthropy Program Award goes to Phi Delta for an exceptional program across the semester. This chapter hosted and participated in 12 events, totaling 1100 philanthropic hours and raising $1565.52 for Children’s Miracle Network and the American Cancer Society! Their service to their community has made a tremendous impact and they embody the spirit of service that Theta Tau’s endeavor towards.

Check out their recent post highlighting some of their service events: Phi Delta Instagram Highlight

Outstanding Brotherhood Program – Nu Epsilon, Tulane University 

The Outstanding Brotherhood Program Award goes to Nu Epsilon Chapter at Tulane University for their expansive program, bringing potential new members, active members, and alumni together for a variety of fellowship opportunities, including tailgates, study nights, recreational sports, major-specific hangouts, formals, picnics, and finals goodie bags.

 

Individual Awards:

Outstanding Officers

Our outstanding officers were nominated by national leadership, volunteers and staff who have worked with them on a variety of projects, then selected by members of the Executive Council. The following student members have demonstrated exceptional performance in their roles, leading the next generation of engineers towards success.

Regent – Ryan Showalter, Omicron Chapter

Vice Regent – Lukas Ping, Kappa Chapter

Treasurer – Julia Yasenchak, Chi Gamma Chapter

Scribe – Ella Barsness, Xi Chapter

Corresponding Secretary – Hope Mickey, Omicron Chapter

National Awards

Volunteer Rookie of the Year

The Executive Council is pleased to recognize Colby Stevens as Rookie of the Year. In his capacity as Gulf Regional Director, and in his new capacity as Atlantic Regional Director, Stevens has distinguished himself with his work ethic, his creativity, and his generosity of spirit. We look forward to many great things from him, and the chapters in his care, in the future.

Commendation

Elizabeth Bender has recieved a national commendation for having rendered significant service to the Fraternity as a member of the Gear Committee. She has been an invaluable long-time member of our editorial committee, playing an instrumental role in the publication. Her positive brotherly attitude and consistent work ethic has been a joy to work with.

Meritorious Service Commendation

Kathryn Carter has recieved a Meritorious Service Commendation for having rendered meritorious service to the Fraternity in her capacity as National Operations Manager. From advising chapters to mentoring fellow National Officers, Katie always wears a positive and constructive spirit, ever ready to make Theta Tau a better place.

Volunteer of the Year

Daniel Jensen has been recognized as Volunteer of the Year for his exceptional work supporting candidate chapters, and for going above and beyond his position to help with investigations, the Gear, and supporting other national volunteers. “Danno”, as he is known among his brothers, has volunteered with us for several years, continuously supporting every facet of our membership, stepping up wherever there has been need. His spirit exemplifies the characteristics of our organization, reflecting the values of fraternal fellowship, service to our community, and professional growth. His continued efforts in the expansion space will positively impact the Fraternity, and engineering at-large, for generations to come. 

Outstanding Student Member

The Executive Council is pleased to recognize Roen Wainscoat (Delta Gamma, ’26) as the 2026 Robert E Pope Outstanding Student Member. Brother Wainscoat led his chapter with grace and dedication during his time as Regent, managing unusual challenges while working with National Officers and Central Office Staff. Read more about Brother Wainscoat on our most recent blog post – 5Q&A: Roen Wainscoat, Outstanding Student Member

Named for the Fraternity’s long-term executive director, this is our Fraternity’s highest honor for a student member. Each year, in order to recognize a deserving Brother, each chapter is to choose an Outstanding Student Member. While the choice honors the Brother, more importantly, it promotes the welfare of the chapter by holding up a model for other chapter members. In selecting their OSM and recording their selection to the National Fraternity, they are also nominating their chapter OSM for the Robert E. Pope Outstanding Student Member Award.