Theta Chi Announces Runners-up for 2025 Colley Award
CARMEL, IN - Theta Chi Fraternity is proud to announce the two runners-up for the 2025 Reginald E.F. Colley Award, the highest honor the Fraternity can bestow upon a collegiate member. The award is presented annually to the collegiate member who best demonstrates distinguished service to alma mater, Fraternity, and chapter.
1st Runner-up - Jacob Nelson (Delta Omega/Ripon 2025)
2nd Runner-up - George Forsmann (Epsilon Kappa/Idaho 2025)
First Runner-up
Jacob M. Nelson (Delta Omega/Ripon 2025)
Brother Nelson joined Delta Omega Chapter as a freshman at Ripon College, where he graduated in May 2025 with a degree in neuroscience and minors in chemistry and pre-medical professions with a 3.64 GPA. Nelson is also a member of both the Laurel Society and the Eka Francian Chemistry Honor Society. He also served as a member on the Ripon College alumni board of directors as well as on his Senior Class , as an orientation committee leader, and as a Heinz-Franzen academic success tutor.
Throughout his time as a collegiate brother, Nelson has served as Delta Omega’s Secretary, Philanthropy Chair, and most recently, Chapter President. He was also selected to serve on the Fraternity’s Chapter Presidents Council during the 2024/2025 academic year, and provided input to the Grand Chapter.
Outside of Theta Chi, Brother Nelson distinguished himself through Ripon College’s Momentum Leadership Fellowship, earning the Momentum Academic Leadership Award in 2021 and leading a successful fundraising initiative for the Ripon Public Library which earned his team a place on its Wall of Recognition. A longtime member of Big Brothers Big Sisters, he was awarded two scholarships for academic excellence and community engagement. As a pre-health student, he was also the sole recipient of a $4,000 Kaplan MCAT Prep Scholarship from Ripon’s Pre-Health Advisory Board for his outstanding academic and professional dedication.
In a letter of recommendation, Ripon College president Dr. Victoria N. Folse wrote, "Jacob’s ability to balance an academically rigorous program of study with immersion in co-curricular leadership roles is evidenced by an undergraduate GPA of 3.64/4.0. Specifically, he has emerged as a fierce and visible student leader and is one of the most sought-after student ambassadors across campus, including as a Student Orientation Leader and as an Academic Success Tutor. Jacob is a model for a Greek member being immersed throughout campus life. His uncompromising integrity and spirit of inquiry draw students and alumni to him, and he his lasting impact will amplify the Ripon College experience for generations of Theta Chi members.”
Second Runner-up
George Forsmann (Epsilon Kappa/Idaho 2025)
Brother Forsmann graduated from the University of Idaho, where he completed a bachelor’s degree in finance with a minor in statistics and certificates in business analytics and trading & capital management. He earned a 3.90 GPA.
Within Epsilon Kappa Chapter, Forsmann served as Chapter President, Awards Chairman, and Fundraising Chairman. Under his leadership, Epsilon Kappa Chapter earned two back-to-back Howard R. Alter Jr. Awards for Chapter Excellence, the Grand Chapter Scholarship Award, and the Phil S. Randall Success in Recruitment Award. On campus, he was named both Epsilon Kappa’s Brother of the Year and the University of Idaho’s IFC Chapter President of the Year. He also earned Theta Chi Fraternity’s Resolute Man distinction.
Outside of Theta Chi, Forsmann served two terms as executive vice president of the IFC, where he played a leading role in reviving Greek Week as a campus-wide service and philanthropy initiative. He was also vice president of the Graue Scholars Program—an academic honors cohort for the top 1–2% of business students—and served on the dean’s student advisory board. In addition, he held key positions in both the Davis Investment Group and Barker Capital Management Group, managing a $950,000 student-run investment portfolio and university endowment funds.
Alongside these achievements, Forsmann is also a recipient of the University of Idaho’s Alumni Award for Excellence and the College of Business and Economics’ Unstoppable Award for Excellence in Student Engagement.
Erick J. Larson, Student Engagement Director for the University of Idaho, wrote, “George’s leadership within the University of Idaho and the Greek community is exemplary. As President of Theta Chi Fraternity, he led with vision, integrity, and a deep commitment to service, earning the Chapter President of the Year award. As executive vice president and treasurer of the Interfraternity Council, he revitalized Greek Week as a campus-wide philanthropic initiative, strengthening community ties and supporting local causes. His leadership style is inclusive, strategic, and deeply values-driven. George has been more than a student to me—he has been a mentee, a campus leader, and a young man of remarkable character. His gratitude, humility, and emotional intelligence are qualities that will serve him—and those around him—for a lifetime.”