Chapman’s Delta Tau Delta chapter was ranked first among the national organization’s 139 chapters at the fraternity’s Western Pacific Division Conference in February.

The chapter also received the Hugh Shields Award for Chapter Excellence, which honors the top 10 chapters of the fraternity nationally, for the eighth year in a row, among other awards.

“It was extremely rewarding to see the work that we put in was acknowledged,” said Lijah Vann Gardner, Delta Tau Delta’s former chapter president. “(Delta Tau Delta is) definitely (most proud of) the Hugh Shields Award, especially this year with being ranked No. 1. But a week later, it was very rewarding to see that we won No. 1 fraternity on campus as well.”

Andrew Primavera, Delta Tau Delta’s current president, is also most proud of the No. 1 ranking.

“It took a lot of tireless work from our chapter and from Lijah, our former president,” he said. “(The award) really separates us from so many other different chapters.”

Eager to continue the trend of achievement, members emphasize that recognitions like these encourage motivation, not complacency.

“We’re not perfect, but it’s a motivation for us to stay at No. 1 and improve our chapter,” said Aurelio De Anda, a junior screen acting major and member of Delta Tau Delta.

De Anda explained that the awards will also help to continue attracting driven and committed students to join Delta Tau Delta.

“These awards are attracting people who are committed to lives of excellence,” De Anda said. “They speak to our character, and we’re drawing in the right people.”