Current News

Ryan Taneja (Central Arkansas 2024) is the first Indian and college student to be named in AY Magazine's "Best of 2021" list for the Nonprofit, Fundraiser and Person of the Year categories. He was chosen for these awards because of his activism and the Alpha Rho Chapter's support of his domestic survivor initiative called the Mini Taneja Purple Initiative.

Ryan is also the first Indian and teen finalist for Arkansas Time Magazine's Best Arkansan, Best Philanthropist and Best Celebrity award. He will learn if he wins that award in the August issue of the magazine. 

The Archons are pleased to announce the appointment of James “J.C.” Neilson (Akron 1991) as Archon Councilor. He was appointed on July 2, 2021 to a vacant position on the Archonate. 

J.C. has previously served Phi Gamma Delta as a Section Chief, member of the Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee and Field Secretary. Professionally, J.C. has more than 25 years experience in human resources and human capital experience in a variety of industries. Today, he serves as the Managing Partner, Owner and Founder of Driving People Operations (DPO), a boutique business coaching and human capital management (HCM) consulting firm. He is also passionate about serving his community, including as a board member of The Plus Collective – a giving program and foundation that awards grants to organizations that support the LGBTQ+ community while also cultivating partnerships with community allies.

On June 29, Roger Crossland (Columbia 1970) released his third book, The Abalone Ukulele: A Tale of Far Eastern Intrigue. It is a historical novel set in 1913 Shanghai, where four cultures are about to collide. China, Korea, Japan and the US. The point of collision is three tons of Japanese gold ingots meant to undermine an already collapsing China. Roger has 35 years of service, active and reserve, as a U.S. Navy SEAL officer (two hot wars, one cold). Captain Crossland has written internationally on the subject of maritime unconventional warfare and includes U.S. Naval Institute Proceedings and the New York Times among his credits. His first book, Red Ice, was well received, and his historical crime novel, Jade Rooster, received the Admiral David Glasgow Farragut Book Award in 2008. 

For more information about Roger and his books, click here.

Peter Hanscom (Evansville 2010) was named to Indianapolis Business Journal's "2021 Forty Under 40" List. Peter is the Vice President, Marketing & Digital Engagement at the United Way of Central Indiana.

For more information, click here.

Caleb Hearon (Missouri State 2017) was cast as a series regular in TBS's Pilot Space, a romantic-comedy. Filming will begin in June in Portland, Oregon. Caleb is a comedian, writer and actor, who is currently writing for Netflix's animated series Human Resources.

Jack Still (2021) won William Jewell College's Faculty Award, which is the college's highest academic award. Finalists must hold a GPA of 3.7 or higher to be considered, and the winner is selected by a faculty committee on the basis of academic achievement and exemplification of the ideals of a liberal arts education. Jack also won the Colonel Alexander Doniphan Award, which is awarded to the senior man voted most likely to succeed by their classmates.

As an undergraduate, Jack served his chapter as Recording Secretary (2018-19), President (2019-20) and New Member Educator (2020-21).

^ Pictured: William Jewell President Dr. Elizabeth MacLeod Walls presented Jack Still with the Faculty Award. 

Sigma Eta at Sam Houston State received the Most Philanthropic Award and the Bearkat Cup, for outstanding performance in the intramural league, at The Pantheon 2021: Greek Awards showcase.

Douglas E. Nelson's (Colorado 1949) daughter, Sarah, submitted this photo of her father proudly holding his Diamond Owl Certificate, which celebrate 75 years of membership.