Members holding excellence awards at convention 2022

Achievementscelebrating success

2025 Awards

Each year, Sigma Kappa alumnae and collegiate chapters and corporations are presented with awards based on the success and reporting of their activities. Collegiate chapters work to earn a Standard of Excellence one star, two star or three star rating, alumnae chapters strive to earn awards centered on programming, recruitment and public relations (to name a few), and corporations strive to reach excellence through the benchmarks set for operations and management. A listing of collegiate, alumnae and Foundation award winners can be found below.

Kappa Zeta, 2024's Founders' Award Winners

2024 Star Award Winners

Founders' Award Winner

Kappa Zeta, Elon University

3 Star Awards

Alpha Chi, Georgetown College

Alpha Delta, The University of Tennessee

Beta Epsilon, Louisiana Tech University

Beta Tau, University of Florida

Delta Alpha, Eastern Michigan University

Epsilon Eta, The University of Findlay

Kappa Alpha, Northwest Missouri State University

Kappa Phi, Florida Atlantic University

Lambda Beta, Coastal Carolina University

Mu, University of Washington

Theta Eta, University of Nevada, Las Vegas

Theta Phi, The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga

Xi, The University of Kansas

2 Star Awards

Gamma Alpha, University of Northern Colorado

Delta Iota, California State University, Chico

Lambda Eta, American University

Delta Chi, University of Central Oklahoma

Kappa Psi, Indiana University Indianapolis

Zeta Omicron, University of Arizona

Kappa Lambda, University of North Georgia

Alpha Tau, Michigan State University

Beta Sigma, Purdue University

Theta Xi, Auburn University

Zeta Sigma, University of Alabama at Birmingham

Kappa Pi, Clemson University

Kappa Upsilon, The College of New Jersey

Gamma Mu, Eastern Illinois University

Eta, Illinois Wesleyan University

Gamma Lambda, East Tennessee State University

Gamma Theta, California State University, Long Beach

Gamma Kappa, Southern Illinois University

Epsilon Epsilon, University of Georgia

Theta Iota, State University of New York at Fredonia

Upsilon, Oregon State University

Kappa Omicron, Florida International University

Theta Delta, University of Delaware

Delta Eta, University of Central Missouri

Epsilon Omega, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo

Delta Upsilon, Missouri State University

Alpha Theta, University of Louisville

Kappa Nu, Marquette University

Gamma Upsilon, California University of Pennsylvania

Lambda Zeta, University of South Florida

Zeta Upsilon, California Polytechnic University, Pomona

Zeta Alpha, Indiana University Southeast

Alpha Epsilon, Iowa State University

Alpha Gamma, Washington State University

1 Star Awards

Theta Omicron, Arizona State University

Gamma Phi, North Carolina State University

Kappa Omega, Northeastern University

Kappa Gamma, University of Dayton

Gamma Gamma, Indiana State University

Lambda Epsilon, College of Charleston

Epsilon Mu, University of Missouri

Beta Zeta, University of Maryland

Lambda Kappa, Embry Riddle Aeronautical University

Delta Rho, James Madison University

Zeta Mu, University of California, San Diego

Theta Epsilon, University of California, Riverside

Epsilon Lambda, California State University, Sacramento

Tau, Indiana University

Zeta, George Washington University

Gamma Eta, Ball State University

Beta Nu, Bradley University

Epsilon Beta, University of New Orleans

Epsilon Delta, Susquehanna University

Lambda Theta, University of Tampa

Gamma Beta, Western Michigan University

Beta Omega, University of Nebraska, Omaha

Phi, University of Rhode Island

Delta Chi, University of Central Oklahoma

Epsilon Zeta, Western Kentucky University

Zeta Pi, Colorado School of Mines

Alpha Phi, University of Oregon

35 Under 35

Sigma Kappa's 35 Under 35 list shines a light on young members who are making a difference on their campuses, in their careers and in their communities. The members on this year’s list are entrepreneurs, executives, chapter and community leaders, mentors, creatives and more. In addition to their impressive accomplishments in their field of study or occupation, they also demonstrate Sigma Kappa's values every day.

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2024 Universal Award Winners

Excellence in Academics Award

Olivia Sullivan, Beta Sigma, Purdue University

Excellence in Collegiate and Alumnae Relations Award

Megan Wilson, Theta Iota, The State University of New York at Fredonia

DEIA Excellence Award

Kappa Zeta, Elon University

Excellence in Leadership Award

Collegiate Chapter: Theta Phi, The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga

Individual Member: Nicole Cooke, Delta Eta, University of Central Missouri

Excellence in Member Development Programming Award

Lambda Beta, Coastal Carolina University

Excellence in New Member Experience Award

Beta Epsilon, Louisiana Tech University

Excellence in Recruitment and COB Award

Collegiate Chapter: Xi, The University of Kansas

Individual Member: Tessa Branham, Gamma Lambda, East Tennessee State University

Excellence in Ritual Appreciation Award

Alpha Chi, Georgetown College

Excellence in Sisterhood and Belonging Award

Giulia Padoan, Epsilon Omega, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo

2024 Honor Initiates

Jennifer Kempthorne

Jennifer Kempthorne currently serves as the Housing Improvement Program Director at Maine Seacoast Mission where she leads volunteer groups in home repair projects for underserved people of Washington and Hancock Counties. A proud resident of Downeast Maine, Jennifer has lived in and loved her community-the land, the people, the heart- for over 22 years. Over the years she has served in various roles, including as a construction contractor, schoolteacher and as a healthcare professional. Jennifer attended Berea College and earned her degree from Excelsior University. When not working on home repairs she enjoys spending time with family, hiking, kayaking and reading.

Stevie V. Tran

Stevie V. Tran, Esq. (she/her) is a practicing attorney dedicated to serving the fraternity/sorority community, focusing on the unique needs of culturally based fraternal organizations. She authored one of the first articles on transgender inclusion within fraternal organizations, and she provides guidance on all matters related to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Stevie is humbled and inspired to be selected as an Honor Initiate of Sigma Kappa. When she stepped onto campus at age 18, she was clueless about how fraternal values would forever change her life. Now at 37, Stevie believes that joining a Sisterhood will only further empower her in life, and she is more serious than ever about committing to the values of Sigma Kappa. She lives in Madrid, Spain, with her cat, GoGoCatty.

2024 Colby Award Winners

The Colby Award, named in honor of Colby College where Sigma Kappa was founded in 1874, is presented at each national convention to Sigma Kappa alumnae in recognition of their career achievements. Nominees for this award must be nationally known in their area of expertise. For this reason, the Colby Award is the highest honor bestowed upon alumnae members by the national organization. Fields considered include but are not limited to arts, literature, public service, business, industry, education, science and athletics.

Leslie Claybrook

A native of Luverne, Alabama, Leslie Claybrook is a graduate of the University of Alabama where she was a four-year letter winner for the women's basketball team and a three-time selection to the SEC Academic Honor Roll. Claybrook received a master's degree from Mercer University while serving as an assistant women's basketball coach.

Leslie Claybrook currently is the General Manager for the Birmingham Squadron, the G League affiliate to the NBA New Orleans Pelicans. In her current role, she manages all aspects of business operations including corporate partnerships, ticket sales, marketing, promotion and public relations. Prior to The Birmingham Squadron, she served as the President of CrossRoads331, a consulting business for the athletics industry. She previously was an Assistant Commissioner at the Southeastern Conference from September 2011 to October 2020. At the SEC, she was responsible for the oversight of women’s basketball, soccer and softball, including ticket sales and corporate sponsor engagement. She collaborated with major television networks on contractual obligations, schedules, talent, and tactical execution of coverage for the regular season and SEC Tournaments and events. Claybrook also collaborated strategically with athletic administrators, coaches, SEC staff and outside constituents in developing a COVID-19 Return to Competition Plan and teamed with the SEC Council on Racial Equity and Social Justice to develop the “TOGETHER. It Just Means More” campaign on racial equity and social justice developing resources and strategies for campuses, national engagement, and change.

Prior to arriving at the SEC office, Claybrook served as Senior Associate Athletics Director/ Senior Woman Administrator at Rice University, the Associate Athletics Director for Compliance at Samford University, and in a similar role at Birmingham Southern College in Alabama.

In her spare time, she has been actively involved in refereeing basketball at the high school, collegiate, WNBA, G League and international levels. Her expertise allowed her to represent USA Basketball as a referee at the 2007 Pan American Games in Rio de Janeiro. She is also a member of the Pat Summitt Foundation Board, Women’s Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) and Women Leaders in Sports. Claybrook participated in Rice University Leader’s Program and Birmingham’s Project Corporate Leadership Program.

She is married to Perry Robinson who is the varsity volleyball coach at Pelham High School. They have one daughter, Lillian who is an eight grader at Vestavia Pizitz Middle School.

Jamie Valvano

Jamie Valvano is an ordinary person transformed by extraordinary circumstances. She witnessed a remarkable victory when her beloved father, legendary basketball coach Jim Valvano, realized his lifelong dream of winning the National Championship in 1983. Years later, however, her family was devastated when Jim was diagnosed with terminal cancer.

Jamie was in the audience during his famous 1993 ESPY speech when he announced the establishment of the V Foundation. After graduating from North Carolina State University, Jamie proudly worked as an educator for over a decade. She also was a fundraiser at the V Foundation for Cancer Research in its formative years. She helped establish the organization that has now awarded over $330 million to cancer facilities nationwide. Jamie continues to share personal insights with audiences as a public speaker, drawing from her experiences as an 18 year cancer survivor, educator, and mother. She constantly pushes others to embrace their unique vision and discover their own extraordinary lives.

Jen Kiggans

Congresswoman Jen Kiggans is proudly serving Virginia’s Second Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives, which includes Virginia Beach, the Eastern Shore, part of Chesapeake and Southampton, Isle of Wight, Suffolk, and Franklin City.

Jen is a proud Navy Wife to her husband Steve, a retired F-18 pilot, and mom to their four amazing children who motivate her every day to fight for a stronger future for Virginia and our nation as a whole.

After serving in the U.S. Navy, Jen used her GI Bill benefits to go back to school and become a board-certified Adult-Geriatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner. A graduate of Old Dominion University’s Nursing School and Vanderbilt University’s Nurse Practitioner program, Jen has worked in several long-term care and nursing facilities in Virginia Beach and Norfolk in addition to serving as a primary care provider for a small private practice in Virginia Beach.

After years of growing frustration listening to politicians on the evening news and watching as division and negative rhetoric derailed legislative progress on issues important to her family and her community, Jen took her experience of working with a team to accomplish the mission at hand to Richmond. She served three sessions in the Virginia State Senate, where she successfully championed legislation to establish a Military Spouse Liaison and advocated for patients, families, and caregivers in long-term care facilities.

Lindsay Czarniak

Lindsay Czarniak is an Emmy award and Gracie award-winning broadcaster known for her work across the sports industry including FOX NFL and NASCAR, CBS’s Superstar Racing Experience (SRX), and NBC’s coverage of the Summer and Winter Olympic Games. Previously she spent six years at ESPN anchoring SportsCenter and other programs.

Lindsay’s podcast “Lunch with Lindsay” dives deep into the stories that connect us all through conversations with high-profile guests and pairings of athletes, musicians and newsmakers including country music star Eric Church, NASCAR standout Chase Elliott and NBA all-star Chris Paul. Her recent work includes hosting partnerships with events like the Indy500 and horse racing’s Triple Crown through America’s Best Racing.

Prior to joining FOX sports, Czarniak worked at ESPN from 2011 to 2017, anchoring “SportsCenter” and contributing to Sunday NFL Countdown as a reporter and host in the field. During this time, she became the first woman to host the network’s coverage of the Indianapolis 500 on ABC.

Czarniak began her career in Atlanta, GA at CNN. She began her career as an on-air news reporter for WAWS/ WTEV-TV in Jacksonville, Florida, before transitioning to cover sports at WTVJ in Miami and FOX Sports’ Speed Channel as an ARCA RACING SERIES pit reporter. From Miami she moved to WRC, the NBC affiliate in Washington, DC where she worked for the legendary George Michael as a sports reporter/anchor and fill-in host of “the George Michael Sports Machine”.

Czarniak grew up learning about horse racing from her father, Chet Czarniak, who began covering the sport for USA Today in the early 1980s.

Czarniak graduated from James Madison University in 2000 with a major in journalism and a minor in studio art. She lives in Connecticut with her husband and two children.

Notable Sigma Kappas

View all notable sigma kappas

Dr. Lori S. White

Lambda, University of California, Berkeley

Dr. Lori S. White is the 21st President of DePauw University. She is the first woman and the first person of color to serve as DePauw's president. Dr. White has spent 30 years working in higher education.

Sarah Weddington

Zeta Nu, University of Texas-San Antonio

Sarah Weddington was an attorney, law professor and former member of the Texas House of Representatives best known for representing "Jane Roe" in the landmark Roe v. Wade case before the United States Supreme Court.

Glennon Doyle