The Fraternity has named the following finalists for the 2020 International Balfour Award (IBA): Wesley Middleton, PURDUE 2020; Samuel Romes, LOUISVILLE 2020; and Joseph Shaver, GEORGIA TECH 2020. The honor is presented annually to the person who is believed to be the Fraternity's most outstanding senior, based upon his success in academics and campus, community and Sigma Chi involvement.
The finalists will be interviewed by a selection committee during the virtual Grand Council session in early fall, and the winner will be announced at the conclusion of the event.
Middleton graduated from Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana, with a degree in management and finance. At Purdue, Middleton was active in several organizations, such as the Barbara Cook chapter of Mortar Board, one of Purdue’s most prestigious senior honor societies; Old Masters, which connects distinguished professionals with the student body; the School of Management Employers Forum; Society of Minority Managers; and the Dr. Cornell A. Bell Business Opportunity Program. He served his Fraternity chapter as Consul, Quaestor, house manager, Derby Days philanthropic event chairman and alumni relations chairman. As both Derby Days chairman and Consul, Middleton helped the Purdue chapter meet the Huntsman Cancer Institute’s $20K Club in consecutive years.
Romes graduated from the University of Louisville in Louisville, Kentucky, with a degree in chemical engineering. He was involved in several organizations on campus, including raiseRED, the university’s largest student-run philanthropic organization where he served as both team leader and programming director and helped raise more than $690,000 for pediatric oncology and hematology. While a member of the Fraternity’s Iota Lambda chapter, Romes held the position of Consul and helped his chapter attain top organization and top fraternity awards from raiseRED with $77,000 raised.
Shaver graduated from Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta with a double major in chemistry and applied language and intercultural studies. He will be attending the Medical College of Georgia as part of the Air Force’s Health Professions Scholarship program. On campus, he served as a teaching assistant and worked within the school’s bioengineering laboratory. Volunteer efforts included mission work in both Honduras and Guatemala as a translator, as well as with the emergency department of Northside Hospital in Sandy Springs, Georgia. During his time within the Beta Psi chapter, he served as Magister, risk manager and Pro Consul, earning Shaver the “Most Dedicated Officer” award.
Before being named IBA finalists, Middleton, Romes and Shaver were province and chapter Balfour Award winners.
The 2020 IBA winner will join the previous year’s honoree and two undergraduate representatives to serve on the Fraternity’s Executive Committee. The IBA winner will serve on the committee for two years as an advocate for undergraduates.
