Members of the Psi chapter of Delta Kappa Epsilon at the University earned the honor of “Best DKE Chapter” for the 2010-2011 academic year and have been awarded the Lion Trophy for their efforts, according to a press release.

The Lion Trophy is given to the top DKE chapter from July 2010-July 2011 and is the highest honor a DKE chapter can receive, said DKE representative Jake Gray.

“We believe our commitment to service with UA Greek Relief, which sent over 52,000 meals and 100,000 non-perishable items to the city of Tuscaloosa in the weeks following the tornado, is what put us over the edge,” Gray said.

According to a press release, following the disastrous events of April 27, the members of the Psi chapter founded and organized UA Greek Relief.

“With the help of 400 volunteers per day, who were coordinated largely by DKEs at the Psi chapter house, UA Greek Relief made an enormous impact on the city of Tuscaloosa through its relief efforts,” said Thomas Hudson, the chapter consultant of the DKE International Fraternity, in a press release.

According to the press release, the Alabama DKEs’ efforts proved their chapter to be the best of them all and have become leaders among all fraternity men.

The Lion’s Trophy will be presented to the UA DKEs from DKE International during homecoming week, Gray said.

“The award is a testament to the hard work of many leaders in DKE over the past several years,” Gray said. “The chapter has seen great improvement in both scholarship and service over the past several years, and the credit for that cannot go to a single person.”

In 1894, an award, now known as the Lion’s Trophy, was presented as a gift to the last surviving founder of DKE, according to a press release. Following his death in 1905, the trophy was returned to the fraternity and is now symbolically presented each year to the group excelling in chapter operations.

“A 40-page application was judged off of three categories: philanthropy, scholarship and alumni relations,” Gray said.

According to the press release, the Alabama DKEs excelled in each area and surpassed all others in excellence in alumni relations and community service.

“This is a team award, and the DKEs are very proud to bring the Lion’s Trophy back to the Psi chapter for the first time since 2007,” Gray said.

There are over 90 DKE chapters in the United States and Canada. This year, the North Carolina and Penn State chapters came in second and third places, respectively.