Frosh win fraternity scholarship

In an effort to recognize and promote a broad spectrum of leadership qualities, Sigma Epsilon Phi honored three freshman last night with the Balanced Man Scholarships -- awarding over $1,100 in grant money. The Scholarship committee awarded the third place prize of $250 to Engineering freshman David O'Conner, the second place award of $300 to College freshman Michael Dinger, and a first prize of $600 to Wharton freshman Richard Riley. According to Scholarship Chairman Peter Belk, a College senior, Sig Ep offers the scholarship annually to demonstrate the fraternity's positive role in the community. "Balance and leadership characterize Sig Ep," Belk said. "We wanted to encourage those qualities by reaching out into the University community and commending individuals who posess these characteristics." The scholarship applicant pool, according to Belk, consisted of 230 freshman men, composing 20 percent of the freshmen male population. Of the pool of applicants, a committee then chose thirty finalists to be interviewed, and ultimately narrowed the pool down to three scholarship recipients. The scholarship is unrelated to the upcoming fraternity rush events. The Scholarship committee based their decisions on the applicants' roles in extra-curricular activities through high school, athletics, community service and overall leadership qualities. "It was a near impossible decision to make," said College sophomore Rob Belk. "The candidates were all so well qualified, and we were really pleased with the response." Associate Dean of the College Norman Adler, who spoke at the ceremony, told the finalists and Sig Ep brothers that "the meaning of true leadership is what we can become in our futures." Stepping away from the podium to create an informal setting, Adler compared a true leader to "one who can be transparent enough to let light through, but opaque enough to be firm." While the Balanced Man Scholarship is a national program that began in 1986, the University's chapter of Sig Ep began the program last year. According to Peter Belk, the fraternity is looking to broaden the scope of the scholarship by openeing it up to both men and women next year. The money for the scholarships comes from alumni of the fraternity and from the brothers. "Penn represents the beginning of all opportunity," said Sig Ep alumnus Conrad Eberstein. "Ben Franklin was the ultimate balancd man, and all of us are Ben Franklins."