Sigs award four scholarships, grow endowed fund with major HOCO event

During Homecoming Weekend, the Sigma Tau Nu Alumni Association helped students complete their Heidelberg education by awarding four scholarships, including three new ones, at the festive Big Sig Pig Roast attended by over 140 alumni and students. Awardees included Cole Miller, Caleb Silvia, Rylan Clarkson, and Bradyn Frankart.

“We’re proud of these young men,” said Alumni Association President Jeff Sellers. “We’re also very grateful to our alumni who support academic success so strongly.”

Rylan, the current Sigma Tau Nu President, thanked the alumni. “We’re blessed to have such an active alumni association that supports us in so many ways. This fraternity demonstrates what it means to have a lifelong love for the university and this brotherhood.”

Honoring a legacy

2025 marks the third year of the fraternity awarding scholarships.

Named for Jack Bertolino, a 1949 Sigma Tau Nu founder and former educator, the scholarships honors him and the vision he described of an inclusive fraternity uniting scholars, athletes, artists, and leaders. Inspired by Jack’s 2019 campus speech, the alumni established the endowed fund now exceeding $90,000 — the only Greek scholarship program at Heidelberg. This year’s $10,000 contribution includes $4750 in awards and $5250 in endowment contributions funded through alumni donations, association dues, and pig roast ticket sales.

Building the future

By supporting students like Cole, Caleb, Rylan and Bradyn, the Bertolino Scholarships advance individual dreams and strengthen Heidelberg’s legacy of developing engaged, principled leaders.

Heidelberg Alumni Council President Ken Fruscella added, “The Bertolino Scholarship has truly energized the Sig alumni to do well by our students. We’re eager for these men to graduate, succeed, and become lifetime supporters of the university and fraternity. We encourage our alumni strongly to support both Heidelberg directly and the Bertolino endowed fund.”