Individual Award Winners

About our Awards

Excellence cannot be replicated until it is recognized, so Theta Tau is proud to recognize the extraordinary achievements of our most distinguished members.

Individual awards fall into two categories – major and minor. Major awards are those given to individuals for making an extraordinary impact on the Fraternity, the field of engineering or both. Minor awards are those given to recognize certain milestones that are significant but do not rise to the same level of achievement as those recognized with major awards.

Below is a listing of the major awards given by the Fraternity since the inception of the modern awards program in 2020.

NameChapterGraduation YearAwardAward DateCitation
Frank VenturaChi2012Distinguished Service Commendation10/20/2020For having rendered disitnguished service to the Fraternity through his development of the Chapter Management Tool
Pooja JainRho Epsilon2024Special Award for Service10/20/2020For having rendered special service to her community and, in so doing, bringing great credit upon herself, the Rho Epsilon Chapter and the Theta Tau Fraternity.
Daniel JensenTheta Gamma2001Distinguished Service Commendation12/20/2021For having rendered distinguished service to the Fraternity through his work as a Candidate Chapter Director.
Donald NewmanChi1971Distinguished Service Commendation12/20/2021For having rendered distinguished service to the Fraternity throgh his work as trustee for Chi Chapter.
Robert CummingsChi1976Distinguished Service Commendation12/20/2021For having rendered distinguished service to the Fraternity throgh his work as trustee for Chi Chapter.
Stefan EmpleoOmicron Gamma2012Commendation1/13/2023For having rendered significant service to the Fraternity in his capacity as National Operations Manager for Chapter Support.
Brynn HeitmeyerIota Gamma2024Distinguished Service Commendation7/20/2023For having rendered distinguished service to the Fraternity in her capacity as the Chair of the Student Advisory Committee while still a student member of Theta Tau.
Stefan EmpleoOmicron Gamma2012Volunteer of the Year7/20/2023--
Sarah MentePi Gamma2020Meritorious Service Commendation7/21/2023For having rendered meritorious service to the Fraternity in her capacity as Editor-in-Chief of The Gear.
Vincent ChaoSigma Delta2017Commendation2/4/2024For having rendered significant service to the Fraternity in his capacity as Southwest Regional Director.
Curtis BargerKappa Gamma2014Meritorious Service Commendation2/2/2024For having rendered meritorious service to the Fraternity in his capacity as trustee of the Upsilon Chapter.

About our Awards

Read about each of the major awards below, listed in descending order of precedence. Note that the Fraternity’s highest honor, the Alumni Hall of Fame, is recognized on it’s own page on this website.

This award recognizes a member or members who have rendered singular and highly significant service to the Fraternity that far exceeds the line of duty.  Awards are given periodically at the pleasure of the Executive Council.

This award recognized the National Officer or National Volunteer whose service best exemplifies the expectations and ideals of the Fraternity.  This award is given annually by the Executive Council.

This award recognizes a member or members who have rendered noteworthy service to the Fraternity that goes above and beyond the call of duty.  Awards are given periodically at the pleasure of the Executive Council.

This award recognizes a member or members who have rendered significant service to the Fraternity. Awards are given periodically at the pleasure of the Executive Council.

This award recognizes a member or members who have performed some special or significant action that has brought credit to the Fraternity, but the nature of the service does not need to have been related to, or in benefit of, the Fraternity.  This is award is given periodically and at the pleasure of the Executive Council.

This award recognizes a member of the interfraternal community for their service to the cause of interfraternalism and, by extension, Theta Tau.  This award is given periodically by the Executive Council upon the recommendation of the Executive Director.