Chancellor White Receives National Award From Sigma Nu Fraternity

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Chancellor John A. White - Photo Courtesy of Sigma Nu Fraternity

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — University of Arkansas Chancellor John A. White has been named the 2005 Regent’s Medallion of Merit award winner by the Sigma Nu Fraternity. The award presentation took place at the fraternity’s biennial leadership development conference, the College of Chapters, Wednesday, June 15, in Lexington, Va.

“What an unexpected honor it is to be named the Regent’s Medallion of Merit award recipient,” White said. “I want to convey my heartfelt gratitude to my fellow brothers of the Sigma Nu fraternity for bestowing me with such a wonderful distinction.

“The Sigma Nu creed is one of love, honor, and truth. Like so many of my brothers who have pledged themselves to that creed, I have lived my life under these steadfast principles. I am grateful for my years at the University and cherish memories created with my Sigma Nu fraternity brothers.  I am proud to see that tradition carrying on with today’s membership.”

The Medallion of Merit was created in 2000 as a means of honoring an individual who “exemplifies eminence in his daily life as expressed by the Creed of Sigma Nu Fraternity, who demonstrates a genuine commitment to the ideals of the Legion of Honor and whose pattern of performance is a worthy example or model for others to follow.”

Prior to this year, the award has been given three times. The first was awarded to John Elrod, now deceased, then-president of Washington and Lee University. The second was awarded to John Bitove, a Toronto entrepreneur and philanthropist. The third was awarded to Joe Alexander, founder of the College Charity Bowl Foundation, which supports paralysis research and care for paralysis victims.

White’s nomination process was initiated by long-time colleague and close friend, Dr. Ken Case, Regents professor in the School of Industrial Engineering and Management at Oklahoma State University-Stillwater. To assist with the nomination, Case enlisted the support of colleagues and fellow Sigma Nu brothers at the University of Arkansas — Dr. C. Gary Standridge, John Tolleson and Chuck Dicus.

“I have had the pleasure of knowing and working with John for more than 30 years,” Case said. “He is such a remarkable individual, and I am delighted that we had the opportunity to nominate him for an award so befitting his character.

“Although I am not a member of Sigma Nu, when I read the fraternity’s creed, I was so impressed with the standards it instills within its membership. Moreover, I was impressed with how many of those characteristics are exhibited in John’s daily life. He is truly a man of honor and esteem.”

White joined the Sigma Nu fraternity in 1957 as a freshman at the University of Missouri-Rolla. Upon transferring to the University of Arkansas one year later, he joined the Gamma Upsilon chapter of the fraternity.

Headquartered in Lexington, Sigma Nu Fraternity was founded in 1869 at Virginia Military Institute in Lexington. Sigma Nu currently has 186 active chapters and colonies across campuses in North America.