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.

Louis E. Kemp, Alpha Iota of Phi Epsilon Pi (University of Miami)

Louie Kemp was born in Duluth, Minnesota. Shortly before graduating college, he left school to take over his father’s Lake Superior fish business, expanding it into Alaska and making it one of the most successful seafood operations in the country.

His 350-foot mothership, the M/V Bering Trader, was the largest-capacity seafood processor in Alaskan waters in its day. An ancillary enterprise, the Louis Kemp Seafood Company, helped create the thriving market for imitation King Crab in the United States.

Louie produced Bob Dylan’s legendary Rolling Thunder Revue tours and traveled with him all over the world as a trusted ally and friend. As a respected and devout member of the Jewish community, Louie is the “father” of Aish Ha Torah’s Discovery Program, attended by more than 500,000 people worldwide, and the founder of Chabad of Pacific Palisades, California.

Most meaningful to him of all, he is the proud father of six great children and five grandchildren…and counting. He lives in Los Angeles, California.

Zeta Beta Tau Fraternity joins the North American Interfraternity Conference in honoring Matthew R. Myers  with an Undergraduate Award of Distinction.

The Undergraduate Award of Distinction seeks to recognize fraternity men who have found in their experience an outlet for developing as both a leader and a better man. The recipients are those who embody the values of their fraternity and expect the same from those with whom they associate.

Matthew R. Myers,  Alpha Omicron (University of Arizona) 2022

He is a forward-thinking, responsible, focused student and leader. Matthew Myers not only served as chapter president of Zeta Beta Tau, he also actively participated in and served as president of the Bobcats Senior Honorary, the oldest organization at Arizona, as well as many other roles on campus and within ZBT internationally. A participant in weekly advisory calls with ZBT International Headquarters, he aided in discussions determining how to best serve brothers and chapters navigating shutdowns due to COVID-19. Myers leaves each place better than he finds it, with ZBT accomplishments including oversight of a 180-member chapter with an annual budget of $1M; representing the chapter to university faculty and leadership, including the Presidential Leadership Council; inspiring the chapter to focus on academic achievement resulting in the most improved chapter GPA on a university and national level; and more.

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. This award is to be presented occasionally, but no more than once per year.

Robert M. Rosenberg, Kappa (Cornell University) 1959

Former Dunkin’ Donuts Chief Executive Officer Brother Rosenberg, Kappa (Cornell University) 1959,  led Dunkin’ Donuts (now Dunkin’) for 35 years
Brother Rosenberg joined his family’s company, which consisted of several small businesses, in 1963. He stepped into the role of CEO and President at the age of 25 and focused solely on the Dunkin’ Donuts brand. By the time Rosenberg retired in 1998, he had grown the company from 100 locations in the United States to about 6,500 locations around the world, taking sales from $10 million to $2.6 billion.

The Man of the Year award honors those brothers who stand forth above other brothers and fellow citizens in living the Credo and honoring ZBT’s Ritual from a position of leadership and service. These brothers serve as role models for brothers of Zeta Beta Tau and American society in general.

Dr. Eli I. Capilouto, Psi (University of Alabama) 1971

Dr. Eli Capilouto became the 12th President of the University of Kentucky on July 1, 2011. Under his leadership, the Commonwealth’s flagship and land grant research university has grown from $2.7 billion to $5.6 billion in total operations and has gained significant momentum in advancing Kentucky – the institution’s singular yet multifaceted mission.

President Capilouto has led a more than $3 billion transformation of the campus, aimed at enriching the living-learning experience of UK’s students, ensuring their success; strengthening the university’s research infrastructure dedicated to solving Kentucky’s most intractable health and economic challenges; and expanding UK HealthCare’s capacity to teach, heal and serve. Through partnerships with the private sector, increased philanthropy and effective financial management, UK is self-financing much of this aggressive infrastructure development with the purpose of equipping the next generation of leaders who will impact our world for the better.

Under his leadership, the priorities outlined in the strategic plan and the innovation of the campus has resulted in historic student success; improved care of our people; unrivaled ingenuity; greater trust, transparency and accountability; and a more inclusive community. The progress on campus is resulting in a high-quality workforce, greater diversity and improved well-being for the Commonwealth UK has served for more than 150 years—all essential to advancing Kentucky.

A native of Montgomery, Alabama, Dr. Capilouto previously served as provost of the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) and dean of the UAB School of Public Health — a period of remarkable growth and transformation at one of the leading academic and health sciences institutions in the South. Dr. Capilouto holds several undergraduate and graduate degrees from schools within the University of Alabama system, a Doctorate of Dental Medicine from UAB and a Doctorate in Health Policy and Management from Harvard University. He and his wife, Dr. Mary Lynne Capilouto (D.M.D.) a former Dean of the UAB School of Dentistry, have one daughter.

Presented from time to time to a ZBT alumnus for “Selfless Dedication to the Ideals of Zeta Beta Tau Fraternity.” Named in honor of Brother Edwin N. Sommer, a 1934 alumnus of the Alpha Theta Chapter at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, who served as Vice President of the Fraternity during the World War II era, shepherding the safety of Fraternity assets during a turbulent time.

Gregg Witt, Iota (University of Denver) 1977

He is a past president and director of Zeta Beta Tau National Housing. He is a former director of the Zeta Beta Tau Foundation and current president of the Rho Chapter House Corporation at University of Illinois. He is a Principal with the global real estate services firm, Cresa Global, Inc., specializing in the representation of tenants seeking office space. He resides in Deerfield, Illinois, with his wife Bruni.

INTERNATIONAL PRESIDENT

The Honorable Jonathan D. Frieden, Phi Epsilon (University of Virginia) 1994

A 1994 alumnus and past President of the Phi Epsilon Chapter at the University of Virginia. He has been a long-time advisor to Phi Epsilon and is currently the International President. He is a judge in the Washington, D.C. Metropolitan Area. He and his wife, Jennifer, have two daughters.

Past International President

Norman M. Waas, Esq., Alpha Omega (University of Miami) 1982

A Miami native, Norman M. Waas, Esq., is a 1982 alumnus of the Alpha Omega Chapter at the University of Miami. He served as Chapter Advisor and Executive Trustee to the chapter from 2007-2016 and has served on the Supreme Council since 2010.

Brother Waas earned his law degree with honors from the University of Miami in 1986 and immediately joined the firm which is now known as Falk, Waas, Hernandez, Cortina, Solomon and Bonner, P.A. For the past 12 years, he has served his firm as its Managing Shareholder and has helped expand the firm to Coral Gables, Plantation, Boca Raton and Orlando. Brother Waas, who has received a Martindale-Hubbell AV Peer Review Rating, has tried over 75 cases to verdict and also has over 25 reported appellate decisions. He lectures extensively throughout the state of Florida on matters related to tort litigation and medical negligence and he has been recognized by his peers as a “Florida Legal Elite” and a “Florida Super Lawyer”. He is also a past president of the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA) in Florida.

Brother Waas and his wife, Deborah, live in Palmetto Bay, Florida. Together, they have six children: Vanessa, Jessica, David, Jonathan, Michael and Benjamin. Benjamin is a brother of the Alpha Omega Chapter, Class of 2014.