Program Overview

2023 marked the last year of Judy and Larry Garatoni’s generous donations. Monetary awards will be made thereafter with specific amounts determined annually.

Chapters will be judged on the five Better Men Program standards: Scholarship, Leadership, Perseverance, Citizenship, and Character as measured by the Pyramid chapter assessment. Below is a breakdown of what each standard considers.

• Scholarship: Shown by a commitment to academic success through high academic standards and consistent improvement.
• Leadership: Shown by high involvement in both on and off campus organizations.
• Perseverance: Shown through a commitment to marketing the strengths and benefits of Triangle to ensure chapter growth and retention.
• Citizenship: Shown through a commitment to philanthropy and service to the National Organization or campus/community to alleviate critical issues in society.
• Character: Exhibited by the behavior of active and new members through the education and support around current issues and trends facing fraternity members and college students

Through the Pyramid process, chapters must maintain a basic standard of performance, but each is encouraged to set goals for National Awards and the potential to win the Building Better Men national award recognition.

Awards Availible

• Outstanding Chapter Operations
• Outstanding Recruitment & Retention by a Chapter
• Outstanding Risk Reduction & Education
• Outstanding Philanthropy & Service by a Chapter
• Outstanding National Involvement by a Chapter
• Outstanding Campus Involvement
• Chapter of the Year
• Most Improved Chapter of the Year

Application & Evaluation Process

Scoring for the Building Better Men Program is based on a combination of quantitative and qualitative data.

• 80% of a chapter’s score will be determined by quantitative metrics, including Pyramid chapter assessment data submitted through Triangle Portal and information collected by Chapter Services staff.
• 20% of a chapter’s score will be determined by qualitative materials submitted by the chapter as part of the application process.

Application materials are due by May 17. Chapters can submit their application via the link at the bottom of this page.

To apply, chapters will need the following:

Video Reflection

Chapters can submit a video reflection (maximum of 8 minutes) that provides an overview of their chapter’s performance and experiences during the past year. 

The video should highlight:

• The chapter’s major accomplishments and successes
• Challenges faced during the year
• Areas of improvement and growth
• The impact the chapter made on campus, within the fraternity, and in the community
• Lessons learned
• Why the chapter believes it is deserving of recognition

This reflection is intended to offer a meaningful narrative of the chapter’s work and growth, allowing chapters to share their story in an authentic and engaging format. Videos may include remarks from chapter leaders or members and should clearly demonstrate the chapter’s engagement, effectiveness, and contributions to their community.

Written essays will no longer be accepted in place of the video reflection. Submissions that exceed the time limit or do not meet the video requirement may be considered incomplete.

Letter(s) of Recommendation / Support

Chapters can submit at least one letter of recommendation or support from an individual who can speak directly to the chapter’s work and impact.

Letters may come from a variety of sources, including:

• Alumni volunteers or chapter advisors
• Nonprofit organizations supported through service or philanthropy efforts
• Businesses or community partners connected to chapter initiatives
• Individuals who benefited from the chapter’s service efforts
• Faculty members or professors
• Other campus or community stakeholders who can speak to the chapter’s work

Applicants will submit the recommender’s contact information, and the recommender will receive a link to upload their letter directly.

Triangle Portal Submissions

The following information must be submitted and up to date in Triangle Portal:

• Chapter academic plan/programs, chapter GPA, all-men’s GPA, and all-Greek GPA
• Member attendance at Triangle national programs (LTW, Convention, etc.)
• Record of member involvement and leadership in campus organizations
• Marketing and recruitment plan
• Campus fraternity average membership
• New Member Education plan
• Philanthropy events and dollars raised
• Community service events and hours completed
• Record of chapter-hosted events
• Record of campus-hosted trainings/events attended by the chapter
• Standards board operating procedures
• Crisis management plan

(For a full checklist of data reviewed in the evaluation process, see the Pyramid Manual.)

Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible for Building Better Men Program awards, chapters must:

• Be recognized and in good standing with both their campus and the National Fraternity.

• Chapters who have conducted an illegal initiation in the last year, or that have a past-due outstanding financial balances with Triangle HQ may be disqualified from the awards process.

Award Announcement

Winners will be announced via social media during Triangle’s National Convention in July and will be added to the roster of winners below.Past winners must continue to submit their video reflection and recommendation letter(s) and maintain up-to-date Triangle Portal submissions to remain eligible for future recognition.

Winners will be announced via social media during Triangle’s National Convention in July and will be added to our roster of winners below.

• 2024/2025 Winners: Iowa State (1st Place), Rose-Hulman (2nd Place), Denver (Rattle Award)
• 2023/2024 Winners: Louisville (1st Place), Iowa State (2nd Place), Washington State (Rattle Award)
• 2022/2023 Winners: MSOE (1st Place – $100,000), Wisconsin (2nd Place – $25,000), Virginia Tech (Rattle Award – $25,000)
• 2021/2022 Winners: Rose-Hulman (1st Place – $100,000), Ohio State (2nd Place – $25,000), Virginia Tech (Rattle Award – $25,000)
• 2020/2021 Winners: Michigan State (1st Place – $100,000), Wisconsin (2nd Place – $25,000), Washington (Rattle Award – $25,000)
• 2019/2020 Winners: Iowa State (1st Place – $100,000), Michigan State (2nd Place – $25,000), Washington (Rattle Award – $25,000)
• 2018/2019 Winners: Louisville (1st Place – $100,000), Cal Poly-Pomona (2nd Place – $25,000), Washington (Rattle Award – $25,000)
• 2017/2018 Winners: Penn State Behrend (1st Place – $100,000), Michigan (2nd Place – $25,000)
• 2016/2017 Winners: Michigan (1st Place – $100,000), Michigan Tech (2nd Place – $25,000)

For a full list of award winners, please visit our National Awards Page.

For Individual Awards

Please use Google Chrome to open and complete the application.