The awards were presented on Thursday, June 29.

“The best part of working with Greek students is seeing what they can accomplish when they work together,” said Skinner. “Individual students can accomplish wonderful things, but when you take a group of students who share a common vision and who are willing to work together towards a common goal, this is when transformative things take place.”

The Campus Advisor of the Year Award is given to the administrator who has demonstrated exceptional service and performance in the areas of fraternity advisement, innovative programming, professional contributions, collegiate leadership development, and research or publication in fraternity affairs.

Skinner was nominated by the collegiate chapter and alumni volunteers of Mu Kappa Chapter.

“One of the things I enjoy about SEMO students is they a are a mix of dreamers and doers,” Skinner said. “SEMO students in my experience are eager to begin their education and often have aspirational goals for themselves, however, when you speak with them these goals are rooted in a work ethic where they do not expect things to be handed to them. I enjoy working with these types of students because they are optimistic about their futures without being weighed down by the thought of the hard work that is in front of them.”

The Man of the Year award recognizes an individual student who demonstrates all-around excellence as a leader, in chapter and campus involvement, and in scholarship. Elliot Siekmann served at Southeast as the president of Iota Chi and vice president of Order of Omega, and president of Sigma Nu.

“What drove me to Sigma Nu specifically had to be how welcoming and talkative all Sigma Nu brothers were and the philanthropy specific to the chapter, which is Suicide Prevention and Awareness,” Siekmann said. “These two factors stuck with me as I wanted to join a fraternity comprised of good men with the intention of making a difference in life.”

 Siekmann majored in business administration and marketing management at Southeast, graduating
May 13. He earned a number of awards for his leadership in Greek life, including North American Interfraternity Conference Undergraduate Award of Distinction in 2023, Interfraternity Council New Member of the Year in 2020, and Southeast Missouri State Man of the Year in 2022. 

“This recognition means that I had a great group of people at Southeast Missouri State University supporting me and helping me become who I am today,” Siekmann said. “It means that my chapter of Sigma Nu did a successful job in guiding me to be a gentleman who lives honorably in life through actions.”

2023 Sigma Nu Merit Award Recipients from Southeast:

Man of the Year – Elliot C. Siekmann

Campus Advisor of the Year – Bruce Skinner

Alpha Alumni Chapter Affiliates – Logan T. Phillips

Alpha Alumni Chapter Affiliates – Joel M. Philpott

Alpha Alumni Chapter Affiliates – Elliot C. Siekmanm