Annually Zeta Beta Tau Fraternity is honored to recognize top-performing chapters with International Awards.

These groups excel in areas from operations and community service to intellectual awareness and social responsibility and more.

Learn more about what it takes to be among the best in today’s ZBT.

About the 2017 Brummer Cup chapter

The brothers of the Alpha Alpha Chapter at Purdue University place a strong emphasis on community service and philanthropy, as well as relationship building with parents, campus officials and guests. The chapter has more than 100 brothers and a strong connection to Jewish campus life.

With strong brother-created programming, sustainable academic programs and commitment to the international fraternal movement, the Alpha Alpha Chapter stands out among ZBT chapters. Their programming in the areas of risk management, health and wellness, dating abuse and general safety have created a reputation for integrity and brotherly love in their chapter house, across campus and beyond.

Despite being a younger chapter, they have a strong alumni base and engaged advisors.

“There is more to Alpha Alpha’s success than what is just reported on paper — there are the qualities of positive attitude, dedication and determination. While the abundance of senior leadership is the starting point, this year Alpha Alpha, as a whole brotherhood, showed those qualities in a way that I haven’t seen in any year before,” said Chapter Advisor Michael F. Easton, Alpha Alpha (Purdue University) 2012. “The Executive Board created a theme for (last) year of ‘Doing the right thing, even if no one else is watching.’ The Chapter President would say that at the end of every chapter meeting. It was a way for brothers to remember things like doing tasks around the house even if it’s not their job, helping a brother in need without be asked and living the Credo of ZBT through their actions all the time. It is simply knowing the right thing to do, and doing it.”

The Brummer Cup takes its name from the highest honor given to a chapter of antecedent group Phi Sigma Delta Fraternity. Annually it is presented to the ZBT chapter that excels in all areas that are the hallmark of a great organization.

How to become a top chapter

The Alpha Alpha Chapter and other repeat Brummer Cup contenders share common traits.

These groups show they live the values, Mission, Credo and Ritual of Zeta Beta Tau in obvious ways. They are innovative in their programing and charitable contributions, and they are committed to the growth and safety of the group, the campus community and of the individual brother.

Any chapter can dedicate itself to being better, and every chapter should dedicate itself to being the best it can be.

Alumni can help boost the groups in their area by volunteering in an advisory role.

How to win more awards

A key function of recognizing the work of our chapters is the Standards of Excellence program. Each spring, all ZBT chapters and colonies are required to submit information about their group to ZBT International Headquarters about the major areas of fraternal operations such as Ritual, recruitment, finance, alumni relations, campus involvement and others.

The annual International Awards are scored and, ultimately, chosen through the Standards of Excellence applications.

It benefits chapters and colonies to submit a thorough, thoughtful and complete Standards of Excellence application before the deadline. Through careful reporting of the positive attributes and activities of the chapter, any chapter or colony can be a contender of a variety of international awards.

The Standards of Excellence applications are how the chapter report cards given to each group at International Convention are compiled. Oftentimes when a group has a lower-than-expected score on the report card, it can be attributed to an incomplete Standards of Excellence application.

Get new ideas

It’s easy to check out the social media or webpages of some recent Brummer Cup winners for ideas.

Recent past recipients include Alpha Alpha in 2017 and 2015 (website, Facebook, Instagram), the Iota Chapter at the University of Denver in 2016 (website, Facebook, Instagram), Gamma Mu at the University of Memphis in 2014 (Facebook, Instagram) and Delta Iota at University of Central Florida in 2013 (website, Facebook, Instagram). Iota and Delta Iota were the runners-up for the 2017 Cup.

ZBT International Headquarters also is happy to work with any chapter or colony directly on improvements or Standards of Excellence. Contact your staff liaison or the office for assistance.

Standards of Excellence applications for 2018 will open in spring.