Pictured: 2006 International Convention in Los Angeles

Each year the Fraternity is proud to recognize achievements in the interfraternal world and greater community.

ZBT will celebrate the contributions of five brothers and two friends, including three Past International Presidents and a past Zeta Beta Tau Foundation president, at 2025 International Convention in New Orleans this summer. These people have had an incredible impact on the Fraternity, our Mission, the New Orleans and Baton Rouge communities, and many individual brothers.

We hope you will consider joining us as we pay tribute to the impact and legacy of these brothers and friends in August.

Man of the Year

Created to honor those Brothers who reach the apex of their various involvements. These men, through their life’s work, exemplify the teachings of Zeta Beta Tau’s Ritual and the commitment we make, as Brothers of ZBT, to better the communities in which we live.

Harold R. Oseff, Esq.

Eta (University of Michigan) 1968, Past International President

Brother Oseff has served the Fraternity for many years, including a term as International President from 2004-2006; as a member of the Board of Directors of the Zeta Beta Tau Foundation for 11 years, including seven as its president; and as a trustee and chapter advisor to ZBT at Michigan for many years. He is a partner in a Detroit law firm, where he specializes in taxation, employee benefits, corporate, probate and estate planning law.

Man of Distinction

The Man of Distinction Award was created to honor those brothers who reach the apex of their various involvements. Through their life’s work, these men exemplify the Brotherhood of Zeta Beta Tau.

Richard Lipsey

Pi (Louisiana State University) 1961

Brother Lipsey is a Baton Rouge businessman known for his family’s highly successful wholesale firearms and sporting goods retail business. He has a passion for education and has served in several prominent leadership roles including, most recently, Chair of Louisiana’s Board of Regents. As a young Army Lieutenant, he was among the Honor Guard escorting the body of President Kennedy at his funeral in 1963.

Edwin N. Sommer Award

The Sommer Award is presented to a ZBT alumnus for selfless dedication to the ideals of Zeta Beta Tau Fraternity.

Bruce H. Weinstein

Psi (University of Alabama) 1970

Brother Weinstein served as Chapter President as an undergraduate. After a year working for the national Fraternity, he moved to Atlanta where he began a career in the financial services industry. Bruce has enjoyed more than 50 years of success providing financial planning services in estate, retirement, and legacy planning. He served the Zeta Beta Tau Foundation in several capacities, including a term as Board President from 2014-2017, and is a respected leader in the Atlanta and Georgia Jewish communities. He is a previous winner (2019) of ZBT’s Stephen P. Ehrlich Award.

Stephen P. Ehrlich Award

The Ehrlich Award is presented to those alumni who make significant contributions to the operations of the International Fraternity and those who give of themselves to make ZBT a better fraternity.

Harold A. Davidson, Ph.D.

Alpha Delta (University of Southern California) 1965

This brother is President of a Los Angeles based investment-counseling firm founded more than 45 years ago. His firm provides portfolio management services for individual and institutional clients, in stocks, bonds, and real estate investments. He earned his doctoral degree in Finance and Urban Economics from USC and has taught at both USC and UCLA.

Brother Davidson has been Executive Trustee of the Alpha Delta Chapter for more than 30 years, and recently has been a guiding force in the creation of the University Park IFC and stability of the chapter through recent campus turmoil. Throughout this time, he has continued to lead ZBT at the national level, including a term as International President of the Fraternity from 2006-2008.

Heritage Award

The Heritage Award was created in 2005 to be presented occasionally, but no more than once per year, to a member of the Jewish community who distinguishes himself or herself in a communal, philanthropic, artistic, or professional endeavor.

Irving M. Chase, Esq.

Alpha Rho (UCLA) 1974

Nancy Chase

Friend of ZBT

Past International President Chase and Mrs. Nancy Chase are deeply rooted in the Jewish community in the Los Angeles area, champions of social responsibility and diversity causes, especially Holocaust education and survivor advocacy. The Chase family’s generosity extends to Zeta Beta Tau’s heritage initiatives.

Brother Chase has served as a key volunteer for Zeta Beta Tau for decades, culminating in two terms as International President in 1994-1998. After serving as Chapter President at Alpha Rho and graduating in 1974, he became involved as an advisor, and continued to serve the Fraternity and Supreme Council, as well as in the President’s chair for ZBT National Housing and Zeta Beta Tau Foundation President. In 2015, he was recognized by the North American Interfraternity Conference with an Alumnus of Distinction honor.

Brother Chase is a portfolio manager for S&A Management, LLC, a real estate company that owns and manages properties in 17 states. Irv has been a member of the California Bar Association since 1978 and previously held executive positions with the General Mills subsidiary Wild West Shores.

Harold Riegelman/Maurice Jacobs Award

This award is to commemorate two outstanding brothers of ZBT, Harold Riegelman, Kappa (Cornell) 1914, and Maurice Jacobs, Pi of Phi Epsilon Pi (Maine)1917. Brother Riegelman was the first Jewish man to serve as President of the North American Interfraternity Conference. Brother Jacobs, later NIC President, received the Conference’s highest award, the Gold Medal. It is fitting for the Fraternity to memorialize Brothers Riegelman and Jacobs with an award honoring outstanding service to the interfraternity community.

Liz Schafer

Tulane University

Ms. Shafer served as Director of Fraternity and Sorority Programs at Tulane University for many years, assisting and encouraging ZBT’s Sigma Chapter and its brothers. She now continues to support the Tulane community as Senior Development Officer Major Gifts. She previously worked in student affairs positions and earned a master’s degree at the University of New Orleans. She is a member of Alpha Chi Omega.

Interested in joining ZBT in honoring these brothers and friends? Register now and join us in New Orleans on Aug. 1. Table purchases for the Grand Awards Banquet are available upon request; email us.

Gifts in honor of these awards may be made to the Zeta Beta Tau Foundation at zbtfoundation.org.