Statement on the 2025 Sigma Phi Epsilon Citation Award

The Sigma Phi Epsilon Citation Award recognizes a select group of alumni who have achieved exceptional success in their professional careers and brought honor to themselves and the fraternity.

The SigEp Chicago Society acknowledges the complexity of evaluating public figures whose careers intersect with politics and policy. However, our organization's commitment to supporting GBTQ+ brothers, alumni, and volunteers compels us to address the selection of Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen as a 2025 Citation Award recipient.

Governor Pillen has actively supported legislation that restricts gender-affirming healthcare for transgender youth and has opposed expanding civil rights protections based on sexual orientation and gender identity. These positions directly contradict the values that define our Chicago Society and undermine the welfare of the GBTQ+ community we serve.

We cannot reconcile honoring a leader whose policies target vulnerable members of our community with Sigma Phi Epsilon's foundational commitment to respecting "the dignity of all persons." Our Creed reminds us that we "believe that in any organized society group rights and privileges are based on individual rights and privileges." When individual rights are undermined, the integrity of our fraternal bonds and mission suffers.

Grand President McCleary's 1987 vision remains our guiding principle: "This fraternity must take an active role in appreciating the equality of all people." The Chicago Society stands firmly with our GBTQ+ members and reaffirms our dedication to fostering an inclusive fraternity that honors the dignity and worth of all individuals.