Illinois State business fraternity earns high honors at national conference

• COB Newsletter

• Author By Maya Wilson
• April 20, 2026

The Delta Omega Chapter of Pi Sigma Epsilon (PSE), national professional fraternity in sales, marketing, and management, at Illinois State University made history by earning third place in the Lewis F. Gordon Top Gold Chapter award. This makes it the third best PSE chapter in the nation following the 2025 operating year - its highest ranking ever. The College of Business was represented by 27 members of Delta Omega at the fraternity's annual National Convention, held March 25-27, 2026, in Norfolk, VA.

PSE uses a points-based reporting system to measure chapter activity and awards a respective color category - Gold, Silver, Amethyst, Bronze (in descending order). The Delta Omega Chapter achieved Gold status for only its fourth time since chartering in 1992 (2008, 2022, 2024, 2025).

In addition to the third-place finish, the chapter brought several more titles back home to Normal. Chapter awards included:

• 1st place - Top Social Media Strategy category, recognizing Delta Omega for having the most well-defined online presence of any other chapter in 2025.
• 1st place - Top Sales/Marketing Project - Not for Profit award, recognizing the chapter's initiative and planning to host Reggie Games in collaboration with Alpha Gamma Delta sorority for the Illinois State community in Spring 2025.
• Finalist in eight other categories, including Top Professional Development Program, Top Recruitment Strategy, and Top New Member Development Program.

Individual Delta Omega members also won awards and scholarships.

• Dennis Papafotopoulos, an M.S. Information Systems student, was awarded the President's Award for Special Merit - Inspiration, for his work to uplift and support PSE students both at ISU and nationally.
• Luke Read, a senior marketing student, won the President's Award for Special Merit - Alumni Engagement, for his work revitalizing Delta Omega's outreach towards its alumni.

Papafotopoulos' and Read's member awards were directly selected by Pi Sigma Epsilon's National President.

• Emily Stanley, a junior business administration student, received the Trenton Haack Memorial Scholarship, highlighting her dedication to PSE.
• Angeline Manalo, a sophomore film & digital media double-major, and Giavana Escobedo, a sophomore public relations & mass media double-major, were awarded the Future Leaders award and scholarship.
• Andrew Hummel, a junior business analytics student, was installed to the Pi Sigma Epsilon National Council as the Collegiate Vice President for the 2026-2027 term. In this role, he will serve as the voice of more than 3,000 collegiate members across 50+ chapters nationally.
• Papafotopoulos and Manalo were each also chosen by the PSE National Headquarters to lead professional development sessions as 2 out of 3 students nationally. These sessions were open to all attendees to teach members a new skillset. Manalo led a session titled "Understanding Your Work Environment Through MBTI: A Guide to Personality Types and Preferences". Papafotopoulos' session was titled "Google Yourself: The Version of You Everyone Meets First".

Pi Sigma Epsilon is the nation's only co-ed professional business fraternity specializing in marketing, sales, and management. Since 1992, the Delta Omega Chapter at Illinois State University has provided beneficial and impactful experiences for its members and the campus community including professional development, networking, and volunteer opportunities.