Washburn fraternity and sorority earn honors
Topeka, Kan. – Washburn University is proud to announce that its chapters of Kappa Sigma and Zeta Tau Alpha have earned prestigious honors.
Kappa Sigma Fraternity Earns Three Awards at National Meeting
The brothers of the Gamma-Nu Chapter brought home new hardware from the Kappa Sigma 75th Biennial Grand Conclave held in Las Vegas, Nev., in late July. The chapter was recognized with three awards: Silver Bowl, 100 Percent Ritual Proficiency and Champion Quest.
- Silver Bowl: Awarded for academic excellence, given to chapters with a high grade point average (GPA) that is above the all-men's average at Washburn.
- 100 Percent Ritual Proficiency: Recognizes that all initiates have acquired at least one of the six rituals available for proficiency testing, which requires deep understanding and commitment to the fraternity's ceremonies and traditions.
- Champion Quest: Designates that Kappa Sigma was the largest fraternity at Washburn during the 2024-25 academic year.
In addition, Guilherme Puerta, a senior business and forensic chemistry major from Sao Paulo, Brazil, earned individual awards: Outstanding Grand Master Award for his leadership as president and the Grand Master of Ceremonies Award for his service in that role during the 2023-24 academic year. Puerta was also awarded the Donald C. Dilly Jr. Leadership-Scholarship, which recognizes members nationwide who excel in leadership.
“I am honored and humbled to have received these awards from Kappa Sigma International Headquarters. I am deeply grateful for the trust placed in me to serve as president of Kappa Sigma Gamma-Nu, a responsibility I do not take lightly. These recognitions reflect the chapter’s shared dedication, brotherhood and hard work. I am proud of everything my brothers and I have accomplished together and even more proud of what lies ahead,” Puerta said. “With continued commitment and focus, Kappa Sigma Gamma-Nu is on track to achieve the Founders' Award of Chapter Excellence (FACE) this coming year, and I am excited for what we will build together.”
Joseph Marr, a Topeka native who graduated in May with a bachelor’s degree in actuarial science and a minor in business, was selected to the Class of 2024 of the John W. Ryan Leadership Circle. Since 2016, the top 25 applicants for the annual Donald C. Dilly Jr. Leadership-Scholarship have been inducted into the Leadership Circle. Marr is the fourth Kappa Sigma Gamma-Nu member to be inducted.
Zeta Tau Alpha Demonstrates Excellence
The sisters of the Alpha Mu Chapter of Zeta Tau Alpha earned the Crown Chapter Award, which recognizes collegiate chapters demonstrating outstanding excellence in leadership, academics, philanthropy, service and sisterhood. Zeta Tau Alpha previously received the award in 2012.
“We could not have reached this milestone without the unwavering commitment, time and genuine care of every member in our chapter. Their dedication to Zeta Tau Alpha’s values and to each other is what made this incredible accomplishment possible. We are beyond proud to represent what it means to be Crown Chapter strong,” said Belle Burghart, president of Zeta Tau Alpha Alpha Mu and a senior elementary education major from Lawrence, Kan.
“The history and importance of fraternity and sorority life at Washburn cannot be overstated. The chapters have provided connections for students, mentoring and academic excellence for years. We are excited to see Kappa Sigma and Zeta Tau Alpha be recognized and how well they represent fraternity and sorority life at Washburn,” said Dr. Eric Grospitch, vice president for student life, Washburn University.
About Kappa Sigma Gamma-Nu
Kappa Sigma Gamma-Nu is one of four chartered fraternities at Washburn. All fraternities are part of the Interfraternity Council (IFC) and participate in continuous open recruitment, allowing students to explore membership opportunities year-round.
“We are proud of the notable accomplishments the brotherhood of Kappa Sigma has achieved over the years at Washburn. For the last decade, we have been the largest and top recruiting fraternity, and most recently were awarded the Homecoming 2024 trophy after earning the most points among student organizations,” Puerta said.
Kappa Sigma focuses on upholding the Four Pillars — fellowship, leadership, scholarship and service — set forth by Kappa Sigma International Headquarters. Headquarters has registered more than 1,600 all-time initiates for Kappa Sigma.
About Zeta Tau Alpha Alpha Mu
Zeta Tau Alpha Alpha Mu is one of seven chartered sorority chapters at Washburn. They are members of the Panhellenic Council and participate in a formal recruitment process every fall semester.
Zeta Tau Alpha was established in 1922 as the 37th chapter of Zeta Tau Alpha. Its mission is to make a difference in the lives of its members by developing the potential of each individual through innovative programming emphasizing leadership development, service to others, academic achievement and continued personal growth for women, with a commitment to friendship and the future based on the sisterhood, values and traditions of the past.
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