Daily Pioneer News

PLATTEVILLE - Five new University of Wisconsin-Platteville students have been chosen to receive Sigma Phi Epsilon's Balanced Man Scholarship for 2005. Eugene Whorle, Joshua Melby, Cody Camacho, Conor Harris and Steven Kittel all show the qualities of 'balanced men': they are leaders, scholars, athletes and gentlemen.

The Balanced Man Scholarship is held nationwide: the Sigma Phi Epsilon chapter at each university holds the scholarship for the incoming freshmen of that particular university. The scholarship is unique at UW-Platteville because the members of Sigma Phi Epsilon fund the scholarship themselves. To raise money this year, local community members gathered to bid on approximately 40 of the fraternity's members, who were auctioned off individually or in groups of three to four. Auction winners could use the students for up to six hours of community service work, which could include helping local farmers with farm work, gardening, construction, trimming trees or landscaping.

This year, the students' combined efforts earned them $1,400 altogether. While most of it was spent on awards and the awards banquet, some of the funds went to other odds and ends, such as payment for enough postage to send applications out. Sigma Phi Epsilon is considering investing any remaining money into the Sigma Phi Epsilon Educational Endowment.

The applicants are meticulously chosen after numerous debates. "In the summer, everyone who turns in an application is reviewed, and we take the top percentile, which is around 70 or 80 students," explains Chuck Meoska, member of Sigma Phi Epsilon. "A couple older members will grab some applications and in their spare time at the end of the summer go to the homes of the students." These older members will then interview the students for 30 minutes. The members spend this time not only to meet the families of the students, but also to put to rest any of the negative connotations that belonging in a fraternity can sometimes have. The selection committee returns to discuss the applicants, and narrows the group down to a handful of finalists. This year, the 14 finalists competing for the scholarship were given a second interview on campus before five students were picked as winners.

The Balanced Man Scholarship was awarded to the following incoming freshmen this year: in first place, earning a $500 scholarship, was Whorle; in second place, earning a $300 scholarship, was Melby; and tying for third place, each earning $150, were Camacho, Harris and Kittel. The remaining nine finalists received a $25 gift certificate to Steve's Pizza for their time and effort. They were Aaron Troxel, Peter Loehr, Zachary Role, Ryan Schutte, Ryan Hutchison, Jay Emmerich, Josh Kalsow, Richard Jackson and Chue Yang.

The awards banquet for the Balanced Man Scholarship was held in the University North and South Rooms on parents' weekend, so that parents could be present to honor their sons' achievements. Sigma Phi Epsilon hosted a catered meal, while two guest speakers, Derek Dachelet, the director of Charitable Friendships for UWP and Sigma Phi Epsilon alumnus, and Tim Zauche, UWP professor, were invited to discuss the importance of having a balanced lifestyle. In addition to the Balanced Man Scholarship, University of Wisconsin-Platteville's Sigma Phi Epsilon is contemplating on starting a continuing scholarship in the future, for students that have been studying here at least a year.

Contact: Chuck Meoska, UWP student/Sigma Phi Epsilon member, (608) 732-4765,chuckee_41@hotmail.com