Founders' Award

Tottleben accepts his Founders' Award at Convocation

The Founders' Award

Recognizing the Recipients from the 2020-22 Biennium

Sigma Pi Fraternity is proud to announce the three recipients of the Founders’ Award for the 2020-2022 biennium.

The Founders’ Award is the highest and most prestigious honor which Sigma Pi Fraternity bestows upon an individual brother. Since 1962, the Fraternity has recognized its most outstanding alumni brothers through the presentation of the Founders’ Award.

The selection is based upon outstanding contributions or exceptional service in the business, a profession, education, or humanitarianism, including service to Sigma Pi or the fraternity industry overall.

Jarett Wait (Cornell '77)

Jarett Wait serves as the President of the Mu Chapter Alumni Board. He has been president since 2013 and a member of the board since 2002. In addition, Wait was a past president and board member for the Mu Chapter of Sigma Pi Educational Foundation. Professionally, Wait is the managing principal of JF Wait Advisors, a consulting firm based in New York City. He is a senior advisor and board member at CoVenture. Prior to this, Wait was a managing director, member of the executive committee, and global head of the Capital Formation Group at Fortress Investment Group. Jarett spent the vast majority of his career at Lehman Brothers in various senior executive roles working in locations such as New York, London, Tokyo, and Hong Kong. Additionally, he is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations, an advisory board member for the Center on Law and Security NYU School of Law, and a member of the executive committee of the board for CityLax. Wait previously served on the Cornell University Council, the College of Arts and Sciences Advisory Council, and the Cornell Athletic Advisory Board. Said Wait: “I’m very proud of my lifelong involvement with the brothers of Sigma Pi, which isn’t defined based on graduation year or age etc, but rather shared values and a shared DNA that creates a unique bond that is lasting and important in my life.”

Jarett Wait (Cornell ‘77)

Dr. Jay Morgan (Murrary State '91)

Dr. Jay Morgan has served as the 14th president of Morehead State University since 2017. Prior to service at MSU, Dr. Morgan served as the statewide chief academic officer and vice president for academic affairs and student success for the Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education in Frankfort. Before statewide service at the Council, Dr. Morgan served as provost and vice president for academic affairs at Murray State University, as well as associate provost, university faculty regent, leadership program director, graduate program coordinator, and professor. Dr. Morgan holds a Ph.D. from Oklahoma State University, a B.S. and an M.S. from Murray State University, as well as a certificate in management from Vanderbilt University. Since joining MSU, the University has broken records for private fundraising for scholarships, student retention, U.S. News and World Report rankings, as well as logged several athletic championships. He has also led the way for major facility upgrades and a new building for science and engineering. Dr. Morgan notes that MSU is striving to become a Top 10 Regional University in the South and to stay focused on student success, and they are well on our way. “I am honored and humbled that my name would even be mentioned for the Founders' Award” said Morgan. “I credit the fraternity for providing me with many opportunities and great experiences, and I want to accept this award hand-in-hand with all the lifelong fraternity members that I have had. The current [undergraduates] should remember that Sigma Pi is the tie that binds, and it lives on past graduation for the rest of your life.”

Dr. Jay Morgan (Murrary State '91)

Jeff Tottleben (Missouri S&T '88)

Jeff Tottleben — who has remained a dedicated alumni for over 30 years — served as the Capital Campaign Chairman for AlphaIota’s drive to build a new 19,000 square foot Chapter House, completed in August of 2019. His efforts to mobilize key donors, organize fundraising activities, and lead the campaign through groundbreaking and completion were instrumental in Alpha-Iota achieving a decades long goal of completing a new chapter house that is best-in-class on the campus of Missouri S&T. Jeff continues to stay involved by mentoring the active chapter on issues such as Marketing, Public Relations, and Recruitment. Tottleben founded Red Skye Wireless in November of 2000, which built through acquisitions and organic growth a 200-store chain of AT&T Wireless Retail locations before selling the entire operation in 2017. He is currently involved with several companies as both an investor and mentor, including Main and Main Properties, a retail real estate development firm, and local food manufacturing companies Dogtown Pizza and Marcoot Jersey Creamery. “I am very humbled and honored that my brothers would nominate me for this award,” said Tottleben. “I met some of my best friends for life when I pledged 35 years ago and staying involved has allowed me to develop deep and meaningful relationships with other alumni from our chapter throughout the years. So much of my personal development is due to the fraternity and my brothers. Staying connected to the fraternity has made me a better friend, husband, father, businessperson, and mentor. I look forward to continuing to develop my lifelong relationship with Sigma Pi”

Jeff Tottleben (Missouri S&T '88)

CONVOCATION EDITION

5

6

7

8

13

As Sigma Pi men, we share a sense of affinity and dedication to our Fraternity. To show your Sigma Pi Pride, share your photos with us at photos@sigmapi.org.

1 Brothers and their significant others enjoyed the special track including a riverboat and wine tour 2 Executive Office staff members gather for a photo at the Alamo 3 PGS John Merino (Cal State Long Beach '55), PGS Ed Panconi (Loyola Marymount '82), and others converse 4-7 Opening procession, business sessions, and other events are showcased 8 The Grand Chapter Awards Banquet begins 9 Members from chapters in California gather for a group photo 10 The outgoing Grand Council joins together for a group photo during the Banquet 11 2020 Founder's Award Recipient Fr. Mike Hobson (Worcester Polytechnic '81) offers the benediction during the Banquet 12 PGS Larry Rovira (Cal State Fullerton '80) poses with a newly-intiated brother — his son, Jacob Rovira (Cal State Fullerton '22) 13-14 Convocation wraps up with a trip to Six Flags Fiesta

14