Recognizing a lifetime of service and loyalty to the Fraternity, the Distinguished Service Award is the highest individual award a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon may receive. Their actions exhibit their understanding of the Fraternity’s teachings, adherence to Fraternity Laws, attention to the promotion of its welfare, and exemplary conduct that guards its honor and high standing.
The Fraternity has 345,000+ initiated members; only 162 have been recognized with the Distinguished Service Award. Richard L. “Rick” Shipley (Evansville ‘79), one of the most recent recipients, presented to him during the 2024 Ritual Academy of Sigma Alpha Epsilon in Evanston, Illinois, on August 3, 2024.
For more than 40 years, Richard L. “Rick” Shipley (Evansville ’79) has served the Indiana Epsilon Chapter and has continuously ushered in generation after generation of True Gentlemen. By way of his leadership and guidance, Indiana Epsilon has transformed into one of the most exemplary Chapters in the Realm, recognized by it being a three-time recipient of the John O. Moseley Award for Fraternity Zeal.
Most impressively, Brother Shipley has had an unwavering commitment to share his wisdom and knowledge as a Leadership School and Executives Academy facilitator, as well as co-editor of the 2024 edition of The Phoenix.
The history of Sigma Alpha Epsilon is a deep passion of Brother Shipley, and his collective of artifacts, jewelry and other ΣΑΕ memorabilia is second to none. Honoring that passion, he is chairman of the Fraternity’s History and Heritage Committee.
Brother Shipley never strayed far from the Fraternity after graduation, immediately becoming a Chapter Advisor and joining the Indiana Epsilon House Corporation Board. He still serves as both, in addition to being the Chapter’s Alumni Association president and co-chairman of its Alumni Advisory Board. Indiana Epsilon’s success is so resounding that it has been also honored twice with the NIC Chapter Award of Distinction from the North American Interfraternity Conference.
Congratulations to Brother Shipley, the 162nd Sigma Alpha Epsilon’s Distinguished Service Award recipient.
