From left: Sigma Phi Epsilon members Lou Venturelli '11, James Ford '08, Mark Oshry '10, Mario Bencivenga '09 and Mike Bivona '10

The award was presented in August in Orlando, Fla., at the fraternity's bi-annual national conference. The chapters are critiqued on their on-campus involvement, manpower, scholastic achievement, recruitment, philanthropy efforts, athletics as well as exceptional chapter functions.

"It's incredible to receive this distinction," said Mark Oshry '10, president of the fraternity. "It's something we've been working towards since receiving our charter just a few years ago. It speaks volumes of the hard work and effort the brothers have been putting forward as well as the impact we've made on this campus."

Although it was only its first year of eligibility for the award, Quinnipiac's Sigma Phi Epsilon chapter has been making an impact since 2004. Thanks to its annual fall event Hall Wars, the chapter has raised more than $40,000 over the past four years for its philanthropy, YouthAids. The brothers also donate their time at the Brooksvale Fall Festival, Aids Project New Haven, food drives and many on-campus fundraisers.

The Sigma Phi Epsilon members collectively belong to more than 30 organizations on campus, including the Student Government Association, Quinnipiac University After Dark, Orientation Leaders, Relay for Life, WQAQ and Q30. They are also active in the intramural sports program and are the defending 5-on-5 intramural basketball champions.

At the time of the application for the Buchanan Cup, the chapter had an active roster of 85 men and a 3.33 grade point average, ranking first in both categories among men's fraternities on campus.