JUNE 26, 2023 | EVANSTON, ILLINOIS — Sigma Chi International Fraternity and its members received several recognitions this summer from the North American Interfraternity Conference [NIC], the leading trade association representing the interests of the men’s fraternal movement.
The NIC’s annual awards program acknowledges excellence in the fraternal experience by recognizing individuals and groups who exemplify leadership, service and fraternal values. These honors convey the importance of innovation, courage and commitment to a positive fraternal experience.
“We are honored to have been recognized by the North American Interfraternity Conference through its annual awards program. These honors are affirmation of the incredible work that our members are doing to contribute to the interfraternal community — and make sure that Sigma Chi maintains its place as a leader in that space,” says 72nd Grand Consul (international president) Tim Sanderson, WESTERN 1985. “I offer my sincere congratulations to brothers Mike Greenberg, ILIINOIS WESLEYAN 1982; Andy Nunemaker, VALPARAISO 1991; Reed Ofsthun, IDAHO 2024; and the volunteer and professional staff teams who earned these prestigious recognitions.”
The NIC awards Sigma Chi and its members received are below:
NIC Gold Medal
The Gold Medal, first awarded in 1940, is the highest honor the conference can bestow and recognizes lifelong service to the interfraternal community and/or the NIC.
Sixty-eighth Grand Consul and Sigma Chi Leadership Institute Chairman Michael Greenberg, ILLINOIS WESLEYAN 1982, is the recipient of the 2023 Gold Medal, which is the highest honor the NIC can bestow and recognizes lifelong service to the interfraternal community. Greenberg is only the sixth Sigma Chi to receive this award, joining 29th Grand Consul L.G. Balfour, INDIANA 1907; 38th Grand Consul J. Dwight Peterson, INDIANA 1919; Significant Sig Barry Goldwater, ARIZONA 1932; Order of Constantine Sig and Significant Sig Bill Bringham Sr., ILLINOIS WESLEYAN 1946; and Order of Constantine Sig and Significant Sig Ed King, BRADLEY 1954, who was the Fraternity’s most recent recipient back in 1995.
NIC Alumnus Award of Distinction
The NIC Alumnus Award of Distinction recognizes accomplished leadership and service at the local, regional or national level. The alumnus provides exceptional and sustained service to their fraternity and/or campus community and/or extended interfraternal world; exhibits a strong belief in interfraternalism and has committed actions that support interfraternal values; and fosters positive change that advances the fraternal movement.
Order of Constantine Sig and Significant Sig Andy Nunemaker, VALPARAISO 1991, has been named the 2023 Alumnus of Distinction. Nunemaker has been a servant to Sigma Chi in many ways, including serving on the New Chapter Development Committee, Governmental Affairs Committee, and Fraternity and Sorority Political Action Committee; as a Grand Praetor; as a chapter advisor for Loyola University Chicago, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Tarleton State University and Marquette University; as house corporation president for Valparaiso University; and as a member of the Journey Facilitators and Krach Transformational Leaders Workshop Faculty.
NIC Undergraduate Award of Distinction
The NIC Undergraduate Award of Distinction recognizes fraternity men who, throughout their collegiate experience, have found an outlet for development both as a leader and a better man. They are exemplary members of their organizations and serve their brothers, campuses and fraternity/sorority communities with humble confidence.
Reed Ofsthun, IDAHO 2024, has been named a recipient of the 2023 Undergraduate Award of Distinction. Ofsthun was Consul of the Gamma Eta chapter during the tragic murder of Brother Ethan Chapin, IDAHO 2025, in November 2022. Ofsthun demonstrated remarkable leadership and maturity as he guided the chapter through this difficult time.
NIC Laurel Wreath Award
The Laurel Wreath Award is presented to individuals or groups in recognition of their unique programs, community outreach or influence within the fraternal world.
Sigma Chi’s Robert E. Reifschneider Values-Based Leadership Certificate, designed and implemented by the accredited Sigma Chi Leadership Institute, is a 2023 Laurel Wreath Award winner. In this certificate within the Transformational Leader program, students learn to apply principled beliefs and values to the various decisions and obstacles they encounter. This honor represents the Fraternity’s third successive Laurel Wreath Award.
Sigma Chi International Fraternity recipients will receive their awards and be honored during the 2023 Krach Transformational Leaders Workshop taking place Aug. 1 to Aug. 5 at Bowling Green State University in Bowling Green, Ohio.
