Frank N. Martino Academic Scholarship Recognizing “Virtue”
It didn’t take long for Texas Beta Hall of Famer Frank Martino to earmark Phi Alpha Tau Fraternity in 1952 as the next Sig Ep chapter in the big state of Texas. Thanks to close work with Phi Alpha Tau President Curtis Ramsey, Martino made it happen in stride, securing a new house and along with a larger Conclave attendance that would forever transform fraternity life with Sig Ep and the University of North Texas.
Frank Martino loved to give to his Sig Ep brotherhood, so much so, he was elected as the Sig Ep national grand president during the mid-fifties. Later in the years, he would be awarded Sig Ep’s highest honor which is the “Order of the Golden Heart”.
Martino had an extroverted, Type A personality. He always had a task, was on his way to an activity, or was planning something big. Most of the time, he would likely be planning all three of those objectives simultaneously. Martino was a forceful, dynamic man whose large stature was only a physical expression of an expansive personality. He took his work seriously, his family seriously, and his God seriously, but he never took himself too seriously which is what made Frank Martino so special to those who met the man.
Over 2000 Sig Ep members now have walked the halls at the University of North Texas and the multiple Sig Ep houses thanks to Frank Martino. He knew exactly what he was doing back in 1952 and the impact of his decision continues to change thousands of lives today. The networking abilities continue to separate Texas Beta from the rest of the pack at UNT. Thanks to Frank, Sig Ep will always be diverse in history and culture, and ALWAYS true to itself.
Martino was always there for his fraternity until the day he passed in 2007 and for that reason, he will always be recognized annually through this very unique academic scholarship recognizing VIRTUE.
