Gentlemanliness, scholarship, leadership and athleticism are being rewarded by a new Sigma Phi Epsilon scholarship open to all male freshmen at the University of Colorado at Boulder.
The national Balanced Man Scholar Program was brought to life at CU-Boulder this fall, with awards totaling $1,750. Winners are rewarded for living by the principles Sigma Phi Epsilon espouses, but are not obligated to join the fraternity, according to chapter vice president of communications Jacob Vanderslice.
"The scholarship has become an extremely sought after and prestigious reward at college campuses across the country for those who believe they have exemplified the characteristics of the balanced man," Vanderslice said.
The Balanced Man scholarship program is run by dozens of Sigma Phi Epsilon chapters across the nation. Organizers look for men who have embodied the principles of sound mind and body in their lives.Ìý
"We believe firmly that the key to a well-rounded college experience and life experience is the maintenance of equilibrium and balance in every facet of one's life," Vanderslice said.ÌýÌý
After an initial screening of applicants and an extensive interview process, 2002 finalists and their families were invited to a scholarship banquet at the University Memorial Center where winners were announced. Clark Berngard and Jeff Allinson won $500 and $250 for second and third place, respectively, and first-place winner Patrick Smith received $1,000.
"I was very honored to be part of the Balanced Man scholarship program," Smith said. "All the guys who ended up being finalists were simply phenomenal individuals with every credential you could imagine. I was truly shocked to take home the prize."
Smith is studying finance at CU-Boulder's Leeds School of Business and hopes to eventually own a hedge firm on Wall Street.
In summer 2003, Sigma Phi Epsilon will send out more than a thousand scholarship applications to incoming freshmen with high grade-point averages. Vanderslice said the 2003 scholarships could be worth substantially more than this year's awards.
Applications are usually due in late July. Interviews are held from July to mid-August, including during freshman orientation programs.Ìý
For more information about the scholarship, write to Sigma Phi Epsilon, Colorado Alpha/SEC Chapter, 1005 Broadway, Boulder, CO, 80302.