The Fraternity has named the following finalists for the 2022 International Balfour Award (IBA): Grant Franko, R.I.T. 2021; Louis Langen, CINCINNATI 2022; and Jack Palla, OKLAHOMA STATE 2022. 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 2022 Krach Transformational Leaders Workshop at Bowling Green State University in Bowling Green, Ohio, and the winner will be announced at the conclusion of the event on Aug. 5.
Franko graduated from Rochester Institute of Technology in Rochester, New York, with a degree in business administration. On campus, he held many leadership roles. Franko was vice president for his school’s business club and a campus tour guide. As a sophomore he was elected Interfraternity Council vice president of recruitment and later elected Interfraternity Council president. In his chapter, Franko held the roles of Consul, during which time he had to navigate the start of the pandemic and ensuring the continuation of brotherhood and chapter operations, and also Quaestor. Franko was selected as Rochester’s Greek Man of the Year his sophomore year. He has been working in finance since graduating a semester early in December 2021.
Langen will graduate in December 2022 from the University of Cincinnati in Ohio with a degree in economics. He is active in several organizations on and off campus. In Sigma Chi, Langen has held the roles of recruitment chairman, Consul, scholarship chairman and justice board member, and he has been an undergraduate representative to the Fraternity’s Ritual Education Committee and Grand Quaestor’s Commission. Other campus leadership roles include being a student government senator, economics tutor, president of the Warren Bennis Leadership Experience and general body member of the economics society, Lindner Student Association and Lindner Honors-PLUS Association. In addition to holding several internships throughout college, has received several honors, including the Kautz-Uible Economics Prize and being a member of the Phi Rho Chi men’s honorary.
Palla graduated from Oklahoma State University in Stillwater, Oklahoma, with a degree in agricultural science and natural resources. While in Sigma Chi, he held the roles of Consul, Pro Consul, risk manager and Homecoming director and was involved with the chapter judicial boards committee, chapter pledgeship committee and chapter risk management committee. Palla was a mentor in the McKnight Scholars Leadership Program, a freshman student academic mentor, member of the Oklahoma Ag Credit Student Board of Directors, treasurer in the Junior Greek Leadership and Ferguson College of Agriculture ambassador and member of its student council. In additional to community volunteer activities and internships, Palla also has been recognized with several honors, including the Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society, Order of Omega and being named a top senior in the College of Agriculture and Department of Agricultural Economics.
Before being named IBA finalists, Franko, Langen and Palla were province and chapter Balfour Award winners.
The 2022 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.
The winner and runners up also will receive a scholarship from Sigma Chi for their postgraduate education thanks to support from In Hoc Napa Valley and Significant Sig Brandon Chaney, INDIANA 1993.
