BMS Banquet
On June 8th the LA Beta chapter of Sigma Phi Epsilon at LSU hosted our annual Balanced Man Scholarship banquet for incoming freshman attending LSU in Fall of 2019. Scholarship finalists and their families were invited to attend the event held in the LSU Student Union’s Cotillion Ballroom in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
Finalist for the scholarship were selected because they exemplify the four pillars of being a balanced man: Scholar, Leader, Athlete and Gentleman. From well over 100 applicants, the committee selected 49 finalists, five of whom went on to win scholarships. The winners are listed at the bottom of this article, along with their high school and which scholarship they received.
The brothers of SigEp have held the Balanced Man Banquet annually for the past several years and it is one of the most respected events put on by a fraternity at LSU. It is a way for the chapter to give back to the community and reward some of the finest men coming into LSU. The banquet is hosted by the Vice President of Recruitment for our chapter, Peyton Wilhite, and his Balanced Man committee led by rising junior chapter member Philip Marr.
When asked his thoughts on the banquet, Wilhite stated, “The 2019 Balanced Man Scholarship was one for the books. With a record setting 49 scholarship finalist we met some of the most outstanding future leaders in the LSU Class of 2023.”
The finalists and their families enjoy a delicious three-course meal prepared by LSU’s dining staff. Guest speakers then take turns offering advice, stories, and lessons to the crowd. They consist of university staff as well as some of the most prominent alumni that LA Beta has to offer. The keynote speaker for the evening was Stacia Haynie, the Executive Vice President and Provost of Louisiana State University. Throughout the event, finalists are publicly recognized for their achievements during high school and receive a certificate commemorating their status as a Balanced Man Scholarship finalist.
The work the brothers of SigEp put into the planning and execution of this event is evident in the success and atmosphere of the proceedings. Nearly 200 candidates apply every year, many of them later deciding to join SigEp during their years at LSU. Members of the chapter work together with previous alumni and the chapter’s advisor, John Allen, to make sure the event goes off without a hitch and that it is the best it can be.
Peyton added, “Thank you to the 2019 BMS Committee Chair, Philip Marr, and all committee members for their hard work. None of this would have been possible without y’all.”
Not only is the Balaced Man Scholarship banquet a way for SigEp to give back, but also for SigEp to show the qualities that make this fraternity different. Brothers from all over the state drive to attend the banquet in order to meet and show support for the finalists as well as their families. SigEp is proud to be able to invest annually in the next class of great leaders at LSU and further enable them in their journeys towards successes.
The Balanced Man Scholarship applications for next year open in the Spring. All incoming freshmen males are encouraged to apply!
The LA Beta chapter of SigEp relies on the donations of alumni, friends, and family to financially support the Balanced Man Scholarship. If you are interested in helping to continue the tradition and changing the lives of future leaders at LSU, please consider donating to the scholarship endowment.
Scholarship Winners:
$2000 – John Trapp (Vanderbilt Catholic High School)
$1000 – James Tate (Catholic High School – Baton Rouge)
$1000 – Trevor Babcock (Episcopal High School – Baton Rouge)
$500 – Sayer Sauviac (Catholic High School – Baton Rouge)
$500 – Devin Pounds (Covington High School)