Scholarships, Academics, and Awards

Academics is at the heart of being a brother of Mu Chapter. If you have any questions about the role of academics, please contact our academic advisor, John Haggerty ’78: jjh56@cornell.edu.

David Harrop Memorial Scholarship

Provided by the Mu Chapter of Sigma Pi Educational Foundation

David John Harrop was born in Houston, Texas, on June 25, 1969, and passed away in Ft. Worth, Texas, on December 21, 2000. David was a swimmer, a runner, but most of all a musician and songwriter, so the Harrop house was always filled with music. David attended Stephen F. Austin in Nacogdoches, Texas, and then went to Ft. Worth, where he became a partner in a home-repair business. He was the owner of that business when he passed away. David was a generous spirit, a devoted son, a brother, and a friend who is missed by everyone who knew him.

A scholarship of $2,000 for educational purposes will be awarded by the Mu Chapter of Sigma Pi Educational Foundation annually to the junior brother who best demonstrates academic excellence and service to Sigma Pi and the greater Cornell and Ithaca communities.

The Board has established the following weighting criteria:

  • Academic excellence, driven by GPA: 40%
  • Sigma Pi leadership and participation: 35%
  • Community participation: 25%

To apply for the scholarship brothers must have lived in the fraternity house their junior year and are required to submit the following:

  1. A description of their extra-curricular activities, including positions held in Sigma Pi
  2. An essay (no more than 500 words) describing how they meet the above criteria and what their membership in Mu Chapter has meant to them.

Applicants must then submit a copy of their academic transcript that includes the fall and spring of their junior year to the Educational Foundation by May 30, 2025. The recipient of the scholarship will be determined by the Educational Foundation board, and the winner will be announced and receive the award by the start of the 2025–2026 academic year.

To apply for the scholarship click here.

David Harrop Memorial Scholarship Recipients

2024 – TJ Hamilton
2023 – Robert De Jesus
2021 – Barron Brown
2020 – Chris Cavanaugh
2019 – Joseph Brogan
2018 – Sam Barnum
2017 – Jake Howell
2016 – Andrew Walsh
2015 – Nicholas Ornitz

 

Mu Chapter of Sigma Pi Greek Affordability Fund

Provided by the Mu Chapter of Sigma Pi Educational Foundation

The purpose of the Mu Chapter Educational Foundation Greek Affordability program is to limit financial barriers faced by new members and existing brothers. This fund is intended to broaden the chapter’s pool of recruits whose values align with the organization but are facing barriers due to finances, lack of connection with the Greek system, financial instability or recent economic uncertainty.

Who can apply?

  • New members rushing in the Fall and Spring who have a financial barrier that prevents them from joining the fraternity.
  • Existing brothers who fulfill the requirements listed below.

Requirements for Applicants:

  • Full-time student in good standing with Cornell University.
  • Must be receiving financial aid or demonstrate financial need. 
  • Must submit a brief essay explaining financial situation and summarizing ways in which the you intend to make positive contributions to the Mu Chapter Brotherhood beyond mere membership, such as, for example, serving in a leadership capacity within the Fraternity, a designated Cornell student organization or an organization serving the Ithaca community, and/or completing volunteer service hours/projects that are aligned with the values of the Fraternity. 
  • Award will be credited to the recipient’s House bill 

Applications are opened in the fall and spring and all Brothers will receive an email announcing the application is open with deadlines for submitting their completed application.

 

The Class of 1980 Adolphus C. Hailstork Prize for Brother of the Year Award

Every pledge class includes a member whose selfless contributions to the fraternity demand exceptional recognition. The Class of 1980 Aldophus C. Hailstork Prize is designed to honor a brother who has demonstrated his unwavering commitment and unparalleled leadership throughout his time as an active member of the fraternity. The Prize is awarded at the end of each spring semester. Learn More >>

James H Keene, III Award

The James H. Keene III Sage Endowment Fund initiative was formally established at the January 2012 New York City dinner, held in Jim Keene’s honor. The purpose of the fund is to raise a permanent endowment to subsidize the living expenses for senior Sages while they reside in the chapter house. The award is meant to encourage senior chapter members to seek the office. To qualify, the recipient must be elected to serve as the Mu Chapter’s Sage and live in the chapter house during his senior year.

Sigma Pi International has a number of scholarships available to Mu Chapter brothers.

The Christopher E. Tredennick Memorial Scholarship Fund will award a scholarship(s) to an active full-time member(s) in good standing of the Beta-Gamma Chapter of Sigma Pi Fraternity at Eastern Illinois University. This award will recognize the person(s) who most exemplifies the ideals of Sigma Pi through leadership, academics, and service through involvement in activities in the chapter, on campus, and in the community of Charleston, Illinois.

The Kody B. Cranney Memorial Scholarship Fund will award a scholarship(s) to an active full-time member(s) in good standing of the Zeta-Delta Chapter of Sigma Pi Fraternity at Colorado University. This award will recognize the person(s) who most exemplifies the ideals of Sigma Pi through leadership, academics, and service through involvement in activities in the chapter, on campus, and in the community of Boulder, Colorado.

The Jack C. Fields Scholarship Fund will award a scholarship(s) to an active full-time member(s) in good standing of the Sigma Pi Fraternity. This award will recognize the person(s) who most exemplifies the ideals of Sigma Pi through leadership and service through involvement in leadership activities on campus (any university or college).

Information on how to apply to scholarships from Sigma Pi International is here.

Awards

Cletus Broecker Award is given in recognition of the undergraduate whose efforts have provided the greatest contribution to a philanthropy and/or community-service project sponsored by the chapter or another organization.

Curtis Shake Award is given in recognition of the most outstanding Province Archon.

Harold Jacobsen Award is presented in recognition of the outstanding leadership an undergraduate brother provides on campus at his college or university

Lyle Smith Award is presented in recognition of the most outstanding chapter director

Michael Carey Award is presented in recognition of the outstanding leadership of an undergraduate brother within the chapter.

Guy “Red” Mackey Outstanding Sportsman Award is given as merited in recognition of a brother who has made outstanding contributions in the field of athletics.

To apply for awards, please visit Sigma Pi International.

Cornell University Greek Awards and Scholarships

Cornell Tradition Fellowships are awarded to undergraduates who demonstrate a commitment to work and service. Approximately 500 fellowships are awarded each year. Fellowships include the possibility of a $4,000 loan replacement, $3,500 support account, wage subsidy, and other financial benefits. Current Cornell students, who were not chosen as entering freshmen to be in the Tradition program, may apply in the spring of their freshman/sophomore/junior year to be admitted into the program at the beginning of the next academic year. Specific fraternity or sorority Tradition Fellowships may already be filled by current house members. However, Greek affiliated students are still eligible to receive other open Tradition fellowships.

Fraternity and Sorority Scholarship Awards were established in 1998 through Cornell’s Scholarship Challenge Campaign by John S. Dyson ’65. The awards are need based and intended for Greek undergraduates who demonstrate leadership qualities or hold a leadership position in their respective chapter. Students who qualify for grant and work-study through the Cornell Financial Aid Office and demonstrate a significant leadership role in their chapter are eligible. In the event a student meeting the financial-aid criteria cannot be identified in the group of nominees, another deserving member of the chapter who meets the necessary requirements may be selected to receive the scholarship. Awards are for the following year and graduating seniors are not eligible to apply.

The John S. Dyson Citizenship Award was established in 2001 in honor of Trustee Emeritus John S. Dyson ’65, a distinguished Cornell University alumnus of Alpha Delta Phi Fraternity, who has shown an outstanding commitment to the fraternity and sorority system. Since his undergraduate years, John has demonstrated true dedication and tremendous generosity toward fostering a fraternity and sorority experience that continues to enrich students’ lives. The award is given annually as a part of the A.D. White Leadership Conference to a student within the Cornell University fraternity and sorority community who has exemplified exceptional leadership within the Greek community, and who has demonstrated a strong commitment to community service, philanthropy, scholarship, and citizenship.

Information on how to apply for the Cornell Greek awards and scholarships can be found here.