Delta Sigma Phi Executive Director and CEO, Patrick Jessee, has been recognized by the Indiana Commission for Higher Education in its inaugural 21st Century Scholar Awards.

Jessee was recognized Distinguished Alumni Award winner at the 21st Century Scholars Anniversary Awards Reception and Ceremony on December 2, 2015. The award recognizes individuals for their professional achievements, contributions to society and continued support of the 21st Century Scholars Program.

Previously an attorney in Washington, D.C., Patrick Jessee joined the Delta Sigma Phi Fraternity team as Executive Director and CEO on January 15, 2013. Jessee is the eleventh executive director of the Fraternity. He is a 2001 initiate of the Delta Delta Chapter of Delta Sigma Phi, at Purdue University, and holds a juris doctorate from George Washington University.

An Indiana native, Jessee comes from a humble beginning, spending his childhood with his family in poverty, dependent on food stamps, food kitchens, and Section-8 housing. In the 8th grade, Jessee suffered a catastrophic loss in the death of his mother; he and his sister Sarah were left in the care of an abusive father and an incredibly difficult environment to thrive. In his 8th grade year, Patrick was enrolled in the 21st Century Scholars program by his school’s guidance counselor. He credits the program for giving him hope and turning his outlook around.

Jessee graduated high school with a 4.0 GPA and went on to attend Purdue University, where he met members of Delta Sig’s Delta Delta Chapter, drawn in by their earnest commitment to values. “I had been going to recruitment events at various fraternities, and none of them were talking to me about the things the men at Delta Sigma Phi at Purdue were talking about – leadership, chivalry, a commitment to uplifting our communities through services, and a mission of Building Better Men.”

Tom Cycyota, National President of Delta Sigma Phi, said of Jessee: “Patrick embodies Delta Sigma Phi’s mission of Building Better Men, both in how the Fraternity impacted his life, and how, in turn, he has gone on to positively impact the lives of so many young men through his leadership at Delta Sigma Phi. His authenticity and sincere belief in our mission, strengthened by his wealth of knowledge and strong leadership, continue to push Delta Sigma Phi toward its vision of becoming America’s Leading Fraternity.”