National Awards 

Deadline to apply for National Awards is October 9, 2023. Awards will be announced and presented at the 2023 National Convention in Indianapolis.

Phyllis Churchill Tenney Excellence in Advising Award

This award recognizes service for exemplary advising to an individual chapter over a substantial period of time. Recipients are presented with the award at the biennially National Conventions by the Awards and Appreciation Reference Committee. Nominations can be submitted by active or alumni members of the advisor’s chapter and multiply awards may be presented.

Earle M. Herbert National Friendship Award

The Earle M. Herbert National Friendship Award is presented every two years at the National Convention to the chapter which has the best overall membership program. The criteria for the award will include training activities, as well as fellowship activities, conducted by the chapter for pledge and active members. Named in honor of Past National President Earle M. Herbert, the award is intended to honor chapters whose program best meets the needs of the members in maintaining their affiliation with the Fraternity.

Josiah Frank Historians Award

The Josiah Frank Historian’s Award is a plaque presented every two years at the National Convention to the chapter compiling and maintaining the best chapter history, which records and perpetuates the principles and traditions of Alpha Phi Omega.

Howard R. Patton National Leadership Award

The Howard R. Patton National Leadership Award is presented to the chapter with the best overall leadership program as determined by the Leadership Development Reference Committee.

M. R. Disborough Scouting Service Award

The M.R. Disborough National Service to Scouting Award recognizes the chapter with an exceptional service to scouting as a part of their service program.

Dean Arno Nowotny National Service Award

The Dean Arno Nowotny National Service Award is a plaque presented every two years at the National Convention to the chapter with the best overall, most well-balanced service program.

Herbert G. Horton Service to Youth Award

Awarded by the National Scouting and Youth Service Committee to an active, alumni, advisory or honorary brother who has made a significant contribution to the youth of their community through scouting and/or another youth service organization and who has worked to strengthen the relationship between Alpha Phi Omega and the youth service organization at a local, regional, state and/or national level. This award is a neck medallion, lapel pin and certificate presented at a regional conference or at the National Convention.

Each year, Alpha Phi Omega selects an honoree after whom to name the fall pledge class, someone who reflects the Fraternity’s Cardinal Principles of Leadership, Friendship and Service.

 

The criteria used in considering nominations are:

  • For nominees whose accomplishments are within the Fraternity (including chapter advisors), we are looking for those who have had a significant and positive impact at the regional level, at minimum, over a sustained period of time.
  • For those nominated for work outside of Alpha Phi Omega, we are looking for persons who have had a comparable impact at the national level over a sustained period of time.

 

While deceased individuals and groups of people or organizations may be nominated, preference is given to living and individual nominees.

 

Complete nominations must be received no later than May 15 of each year and should be submitted electronically to [email protected].

 

Nominations may be made by any Alpha Phi Omega brother or group (chapter, recognized alumni association, etc.). To be complete, a nomination must include the following information presented in this order:

  • An introductory cover letter signed by the individual or authorized representative of the group making the nomination
  • A brief biographical sketch of the individual or description of the organization being nominated and its work
  • Current contact information for the nominee, including address, telephone number(s) and email address (if applicable), and contact name if nominee is a group or organization
  • A listing of the nominee’s actions, accomplishments and life experiences that reflect the Fraternity’s Cardinal Principles, and how those items indicate or demonstrate that the criteria have been met
  • Any additional information or comments the nominator wishes the committee to consider
  • Current contact information for the nominator, including telephone number(s) and email address. For nominations submitted by chapters or other groups of people, names and contact information must be included for at least two representatives.
1946          H. Roe Bartle1984          Irwin Gerst
1947          J. Edgar Hoover1985          Phyllis Tenney
1948          World War II Memorial1986          James Dean
1949          James West1987          Paul Arend
1950          Founders1988          Warren Luzadder
1951          Ray Wyland1989          Carl Long
1952          Arno Nowotny1990          Lorin Jurvis
1953          James Leedom1991          Kenneth McDiffett
1954          Daniel Uyl1992          Joseph Scanlon
1955          Dwight Eisenhower1993          Earle Herbert
1956          Carlos Romulo1994          Alex Lewandowski
1957          Robert Baden-Powell1995          Philip Prince
1958          Albert Schweitzer1996          Thomas Kean
1959          Arthur Schuck1997          William Cunningham
1960          Joseph Bruton, Jr.1998          Joseph Kuchta
1961          John Kennedy1999          Stan Carpenter
1962          H. Roe Bartle2000          Bob Barkhurst
1963          Arno Nowotny2001          Robert Hilliard
1964          Herbert Horton2002          George Dacy
1965          Lester Steig2003          Ray Hancock
1966          Frank Horton2004          Togo West
1967          James Lovell2005          Jerry Schroeder
1968          Tom Galt2006          Kate Westlake
1969          E. Ross Forman2007          John C. "Jack" Jadel
1970          Sidney North2008          Wilfred M. Krenek
1971          Glen Nygreen2009          Jack A. McKenzie
1972          Aubrey Hamilton2010          James C. Chandler
1973          J. Franklin McMullan2011          C.P. Zlatkovitch
1974          H. Roe Bartle2012          Maura Harty
1975          Joseph Scanlon2013          David A. Emery
1976          Lucius Young2014          Kay Hairgrove Krenek
1977          Life Members2015          Philip M. Pfeffer
1978          Lewis Jones2016          Dr. Fred C. Heismeyer
1979          Howard Patton2017          Dale Penny
1980          Marion Disborough2018          Paul Louie
1981          Lawrence Hirsch2019          Dr. Allen Wong
1982          George Cahill2020          Dr. Jamie Conover Stewart
1983          R. Brittain2021          Maggie Katz
2022          William "Damani" Keene

National Distinguished Service Key

The Fraternity’s highest level of distinction, the National Distinguished Service Award, established in 1956, recognizes brothers for outstanding service to the Fraternity above and beyond. A blue key with diamonds and a certificate are awarded at National Conventions to those who have distinguished themselves through outstanding service to the National Fraternity.  A National Committee composed of past recipients is appointed by the National President to accept and consider nominations to determine recipients.

  • Distinguished service on a national basis; that is, making an outstanding and unique contribution to the welfare of the entire fraternity.
  • Exemplifying and furthering in demonstrable ways the principles of Leadership, Friendship and Service.
  • Making a sustained contribution in a leadership role over a period of time.

Other Distinguished Service Key Awards

The National Alumni Distinguished Service Key recognizes those alumni who have continued to further the principles of Leadership, Friendship and Service beyond their college years in exceptional ways. The award is a gold key that displays the Greek letters of the Fraternity in gold and is given in recognition to brothers for outstanding service to their region. Brothers are presented with the award at the National Convention on the recommendation of the Alumni Relations Committee.

To nominate a brother for this award, complete the application, and provide any supplemental material as required for review by the Alumni Relations Committee to [email protected]

The Regional Distinguished Service Key Award is a region’s highest level of distinction. The award is a red key that displays the Greek letters of the Fraternity in gold and is given in recognition to brothers for outstanding service to their region. Brothers are presented with the award at regional conferences on the recommendation of an awards committee.

 

Criteria

Distinguished service on a regional basis; that is, making an outstanding and unique contribution to the region as a whole.

Exemplifying and furthering in demonstrable ways the principals of Leadership, Friendship and Service.

Making a sustained contribution in a leadership role over a period of time.

 

E-mail your regional chair to nominate a brother for the Regional Distinguished Service Key.

The Sectional Distinguished Service Key Award is a section’s highest level of distinction. The award is a green key that displays the Greek letters of the Fraternity in gold and is given in recognition to brothers for outstanding service to their section. Brothers are presented the award at sectional conferences on the recommendation of an awards committee.

 

Criteria

Distinguished service on a sectional basis; that is, making an outstanding and unique contribution to the region as a whole.

Exemplifying and furthering in demonstrable ways the principals of Leadership, Friendship and Service.

Making a sustained contribution in a leadership role over a period of time.

 

Email your section chair to nominate a brother for the Sectional Distinguished Service Key. (section.#[email protected] i.e. [email protected])

The Chapter Distinguished Service Key Award is a chapter’s highest level of distinction. The award is a black key that displays the Greek letters of the Fraternity in gold and is given in recognition to brothers for outstanding service to their chapter. Brothers are presented the award at a chapter event or banquet on the recommendation of a special chapter committee.

 

Criteria

Distinguished service on a chapter level; that is, making an outstanding and unique contribution to the chapter as a whole.

Exemplifying and furthering in demonstrable ways the principals of Leadership, Friendship and Service.

Making a sustained contribution in a leadership role over a period of time.

 

Email your chapter president to nominate a brother for the Chapter Distinguished Service Key.

The Alumni Association Distinguished Service Key is the highest honor that a recognized Alumni Association of Alpha Phi Omega may receive. The award is an orange key that displays the Greek letters of the Fraternity in gold.  This key is given to members in recognition of their service to their local alumni association.  You may contact the president of the local alumni association to learn how to nominate a brother for this honor.

Chapter Awards 

Chapter of Excellence 

The purpose of the Chapter of Excellence (COE) awards is to recognize chapters whose programs of Leadership, Friendship and Service promote growth, retention and stability for the active chapter, while providing a positive, inviting and educational environment for prospective and new members. This award is designed to promote better communication between the chapter, sectional, regional and national leadership through regular and timely reporting of chapter activities.

Pledge Performance of Excellence

The Pledge Program of Excellence award is to recognize chapters whose programs of Leadership, Friendship and Service promote growth, retention and stability for the active chapter, while providing a positive, inviting and educational environment for prospective and new members. This award is designed to promote better communication between the chapter, sectional, regional and national leadership through regular and timely reporting of chapter activities.

At the close of each fiscal year, Alpha Phi Omega presents the Joseph Scanlon National Certificate of Merit to active chapters who have experienced total membership growth. Recipients must have reported membership growth in one of the following categories between the last fiscal year and the year prior:

 

• Category A – Report 15 or more active brothers after having reported fewer than 15 the year prior

• Category B – Report a net growth of at least five active brothers after having reported a total membership between 15 and 50 the year prior

• Category C – Report a net growth of 15% after having reported an active membership of 51 or more the year prior

 

A chapter bestowed this award is committed to the development and expansion of the Fraternity and plays an active role in supporting the Fraternity’s Strategic Plan.

 Grants & Scholarships

Jamie Conover Stewart Chapter Growth Grant

Jamie Conover Stewart Chapter Growth Grant funds (up to $500) may be used for activities promoting membership development and recruitment for APO extension groups going through the chartering or re-chartering process, or chapters struggling with membership.

 

Applications for the Jamie Conover Stewart Chapter Growth Grant can be filled out and submitted by chapter officers through the Officer Portal .

John Mack Scholarship

The John Mack Scholarship is a financial award for members that exhibit leadership and participation in extracurricular activities to benefit charitable or humanitarian organizations, or more simply – organizations in need. Recipients of the John Mack Scholarship are awarded funding to put toward their educational expenses at their current university.

Service Innovation Grant

The goal of the Service Innovation Grant (SIG) is to provide funding for chapter service projects that address a particular area of need in an innovative way. Proposed projects will focus on a new innovative project, or approach to a project, or an existing project that is innovative in the manner it is delivered. The project must be able to be duplicated by other chapters.

 

To learn more about applying for the Service Innovation Grant, click here!

 

Applications for the SIG can be filled out and submitted by chapter officers through the Officer Portal.

Youth Service Grant

The Youth Service Grant program provides funds for Alpha Phi Omega chapters that are seeking assistance for Spring Youth Service Day projects, which are socially positive service projects for pre-college age youth. The chapters submit applications and project ideas for review and are then selected based on the impact their projects will have on the youth in their community.

 

To learn more about applying for the Youth Service Grant, click here!

 

Applications for the Youth Service Grant can be filled out and submitted by chapter officers through the Officer Portal.

Eagle Scout Scholarship

APO Eagles the Eagle Scout Alumni Association of Alpha Phi Omega, National Service Fraternity (APO), and National Affiliate of the National Eagle Scout Association (NESA) is proud to sponsor a Scholarship for college-bound scouts. The program seeks to recognize Scouts who have demonstrated they are leaders, are friends with all, and are of service to the communities in which they live.

 

A scholarship between $2,000 and $5,000 will be awarded to an Eagle Scout who has shown active participation in school, Scouting activities, and community service. In addition, they will have demonstrated a commitment to Leadership Friendship & Service.

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