AND I WILL STRIVE TO MAKE REAL THE FRATERNITY'S IDEALS...
SIGMA PI UPSILON CHAPTER SCHOLARSHIPS AND AWARDS 2023
Celebrating success and helping others find their path forward is foundational to building a fellowship of kindred minds.
The following is a complete list of the scholarships and awards that honor Sigma Pi Upsilon Chapter brothers' achievements.
Take a moment to read these awards descriptions and consider how they are helping to ensure that Sigma Pi at UCLA enjoys a bright future as we head into our second century.
We thank Sigma Pi Upsilon chapter alumni everywhere for the financial support that has made these honors a success.
I. AWARDS AND SCHOLARSHIPS FUNDED BY THE
JOSEPH MARSALEK UPSILON CHAPTER EDUCATION FOUNDATION ENDOWMENT
A. Pledge Scholarship Awards
With honorees identified by a committee comprised of UAA members, these scholarships award the pledge with the highest GPA from the winter, spring, and fall quarters since the previous year’s Founders’ Day.
B. Upsilon Perpetual Scholarship Awards
With winners identified by a committee comprised of UAA members, these scholarships award individuals based on their overall contributions to the house, academics, leadership, athletic, and artistic pursuits, as well as on their professional and community service-related accomplishments.
Ranked as first, second, and third place awards, the Upsilon Perpetual Scholarship Awards represent the most prestigious Sigma Pi Upsilon chapter awards with the highest dollar value.
B1. First Place Upsilon Perpetual Scholarship Award
This award is given in honor of Brother Joseph Marsalek (Y1954), the long-time chapter advisor for 25 years from 1983 to 2007 and winner of the Lyle H. Smith Chapter Advisor of the Biennium from National in 1994 and the first recipient of the Joseph Marsalek Award from National for service to the fraternity in 2007.
B2. Second Place Upsilon Perpetual Scholarship Award
This award is given in honor of Brother Gary Gross (Y1991). Brother Gross died suddenly in 2011 at the young age of 41, leaving behind a loving wife and daughter. He served as scholarship chair while in the house, and he went on to graduate from the Georgetown University’s prestigious Georgetown Law.
Brother Gross maintained a lifelong commitment to public service. His first public-interest law job was as a volunteer summer intern in the DA’s office in Keane, New Hampshire, a small, mostly rural community. He was sad that there was no financial aid available for him to take this volunteer position, but he did it anyway, because he believed in public service.
Soon after graduation, he embarked on a career in serving the public, and worked for two decades for the County of Los Angeles, helping to protect the most vulnerable citizens of our county -- abused and neglected kids.
Our Creed encourages that we live our lives in the service of God and man. Brother Gross did that, and this award in his memory is given each year to one of our brothers who embodies this high ideal.
B3. Third Place Upsilon Perpetual Scholarship Award
This honor is unnamed.
B4. Place Upsilon Perpetual Scholarship Award
This honor is unnamed.
C. Princeton Kim Community Service Award
Awarded by Upsilon brother Princeton Kim (Y1998), this honor recognizes a brother who has demonstrated a significant commitment to community service.
D. Charles Osterlund Memorial Athletic Award
With the winner nominated by the Upsilon undergraduates, this honor is awarded to the brother who has demonstrated leadership within UCLA athletics at any level, as well outstanding athletic performance, and sportsmanship.
Brother Osterlund (Y1957) cherished his years at Upsilon chapter during the 1950s, and he stayed active with the alumni until his death in 2015.
Chuck grew up in a broken family in Venice but found a home at Sigma Pi, bunking in the dungeon and working in the kitchen to pay his way through UCLA. When times were tough, the brotherhood was always there to carry him.
Brother Osterlund lived the Creed to promote scholarship by working as a teacher and serving on the school board in Huntington Beach. He also served in the military after college.
Every year,
Brother Osterlund donated to the Upsilon Alumni Assn. and the Upsilon Chapter Educational Foundation, and his last gift was to renovate the dungeon into a library, and to establish a scholarship to the active brother who participated in athletics.
E. Adrian Edwards Memorial Award
With the winner identified jointly by the Upsilon undergraduates and a committee comprised of UAA members, this honor is awarded to the brother who represents Brother Edwards’ (Y1991) sense of friendship,
dignity, compassion, and brotherhood.
Born in New Jersey, Brother Edwards grew up in the San Fernando Valley, and studied political science and history at UCLA.
F. Jay Ross President’s Award
Determined by the UAA President in consultation with the Active Chapter’s executive committee, this honor is awarded to a brother initiated subsequent to the preceding Founders’ Day who has made a significant contribution to the life of the Fraternity.
II. AWARDS FUNDED BY UCLA FROM AN
ENDOWMENT ESTABLISHED BY THE ARAKELIAN FAMILY
A. Garni Arakelian Memorial Award
With the winner identified by a committee comprised of UAA members, this honor is awarded to the brother who embodies Garni Arakelian’s (Y2005) zest for life and optimistic outlook on life that filled him until the day he died.
Brother Arakelian was ambitious and genuinely sought to change the world, with a special interest in health, good living, and exercise. Moreso, he sought to be friends and a brother to everyone, always willing to strike up a conversation with a stranger and create links among men.
If he could create stronger bonds between persons and create friendships, he believed this was the first step to creating understanding, peace, and a better world.
III. UNENDOWED AWARDS FUNDED BY THE
UPSILON ALUMNI ASSOCIATION
A. William Meyer Award
With the winner nominated by the Upsilon undergraduates, this honor recognizes the brother who is recognized by his peers who has made the most contributions to the active chapter.
Formerly known as the Robert Hixon Award, the William Meyer Award is presented to the brother who has made the most contributions to the chapter, as selected by the brothers.
Brother Meyer (Y1949) died in 2005 and left a fine legacy. He helped with expansion of the fraternity in California and served on the national Sigma Pi Educational Foundation.
He was a regular at Founders Day for 50 years, and always made time to talk to the brothers and younger alumni and impart his wisdom.
B. Julien D'Avanzo Award
With the winner nominated by the Upsilon undergraduates, this honor recognizes the brother who has best demonstrated the spirit of Sigma Pi.
Formerly known as the William Vestey Award, the Julien D’Avanzo Award is presented to the brother who best demonstrates the Spirit of Sigma Pi, as selected by the brothers.
Brother D’Avanzo (Y2006) died accidentally in 2006, leaving a void in the fraternity. Julien was truly loved by all brothers, and he is remembered for his positive and all-inclusive attitude and making the house a better place.
His purple pledge brick can still be found over the front door, with his spirit inspiring the newer generations of brothers with hope to carry on his zest for life.
C. Robert Webster / Tim Howell Academic Award
With the winner nominated by a committee comprised of Upsilon Alumni Association (UAA) members, this honor is presented to the brother with the highest GPA with the most competitive major.
Brother Webster (Y1983) was extraordinarily successful in the business world before recently retiring. He’s an extraordinary father and loving husband, and he gives generously to many philanthropic causes, including research seeking cures for MS and Autism.
In the same way, Brother Howell (Y2000) has done well in business and has traveled all over the country to build strong networks and be successful in all aspects of his work. A dedicated and loving husband, Tim puts his family first.
Both Rob and Tim have attained national donor recognition at the level of the Sigma Pi National Emerald Society.