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Chicago Alumni Chapter
Thomas M. Mocella Scholarship
The establishment of a scholarship funded by the Chicago Alumni Chapter had been discussed at various times during the decade of the 1990’s, but the first serious discussions occurred in 1999 and 2000 between then CAC president Pete Bjelan, CAC treasurer Jim Prescott and Leadership Foundation trustee Nick Steinkrauss. The formal agreement establishing a scholarship was signed at the Great Lakes Regional Conference in the fall of 2000 and was named after Thomas M. Mocella. Signing on behalf of the Chicago Alumni Chapter was then alumni chapter president Joe Ward. This was also the occasion of the first presentation of the award. This first award was handled through the Chicago Alumni Chapter, whereas all future presentations would be handled through the Leadership Foundation. The very first recipient of the Thomas M. Mocella Scholarship was Sanjay Gupta, a collegiate member from Gamma Pi Chapter at Loyola University of Chicago.
The Thomas M. Mocella Scholarship is named in memory of Past Grand President Thomas M. Mocella. Tom was initiated at Beta Chapter at Northwestern University (Chicago Campus), and joined the national Board of Directors in 1963 as director of the Central Region (now called the Great Lakes Region). He was elected Grand President at the twenty-eighth Grand Chapter Congress in 1971 at Pocono Manor, Pa. Prior to his service on the national Board of Directors Tom held the positions of president, vice-president, treasurer and director of the Chicago Alumni Chapter. The Chicago Alumni Chapter is pleased to establish this scholarship in recognition of his service to Delta Sigma Pi at both the national and local levels.
The Thomas M. Mocella Scholarship is available to collegiate members of Delta Sigma Pi who are in good standing from chapters within 75 miles of downtown Chicago and where the chapter is also located within the same Region as the Chicago Alumni Chapter. The selection criteria includes GPA, fraternity involvement, community service, a written essay and letters of recommendation. Greater weight is given to fraternity involvement in the selection process.
The award is presented once a year and is generally in the amount of $500 or more. Application is made during the spring via an application and supporting information. The award is presented each year in the fall. The application and other information is available on-line via the link below.
This award is now fully endowed through the generosity of the members and friends of the Chicago Alumni Chapter. It is hoped that this will be the first in a series of endowed awards from the Chicago Alumni Chapter.
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