Blake Gibney of South Dakota State University was recently selected for a prestigious study abroad program to Greece through the Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity. The Tragos Quest to Greece program is a 10-day journey with a select group of undergraduate members of Sigma Phi Epsilon from across the country, accompanied by alumni mentors and university faculty. The experience changes the way students view the world, their Fraternity, and themselves through the study of how Greek philosophy, governance, and the arts continues to influence everyday life. Quest Scholars receive an unmatched experience in the fraternity world as they visit ancient historical sites such as Athens, Delphi, Nauplion and Olympia and walk the same streets where the great minds of Socrates and Aristotle taught.
Gibney was selected as one of 17 undergraduate members of the fraternity from a pool of over 13,000 members. Gibney, a current junior at SDSU and graduate of Lennox High School, is studying military science, leadership, and communications at SDSU where he’s managed to maintain a 3.8 cumulative GPA with frequent appearances on the dean’s list and even the president’s list.
Gibney is the current chapter president, a senator on the Student’s Association, a member of the honors college, an Army ROTC cadet 2nd Lieutenant, the former IFC president, and the first SD-Alpha brother to become a member of the fraternity’s National Board of Directors. He’ll be following in the footsteps of the chapter’s first Tragos scholar, 2023 graduate and SigEp alumnus Paul Schlotman.
“Its such an honor to be selected as a Tragos scholar. It’s truly the pinnacle of the SigEp undergraduate experience. I’m profoundly grateful to the gifts made by all our generous alumni who continue to give back, William and Lilli Tragos especially,” said Gibney. “I’ve had the pleasure of meeting a handful of my fellow scholars at our Carlson leadership academies and to say that I’m excited to study and learn with and from them in Greece would be an understatement; I am ecstatic.”
The learning continues in Greece with daily discussions based on scholarly readings and personal experiences. Discussions are designed to challenge each scholar along his journey of introspection and transformation.
“The program provides an opportunity for self-discovery,” said SigEp CEO Brian Warren. “It challenges participants to see the world through a different lens and return to their respective campuses ready to leave a lasting and positive legacy.”
The trip is funded by a grant from the SigEp Educational Foundation, which raises money for SigEp’s industry-leading local and national leadership programs. This experience is made possible through the generosity of SigEp alumnus William G. Tragos and his wife Lilli, and all of SigEp’s donors. Tragos is co-founder of the TBWA worldwide advertising agency and a former Grand Chapter President of the