By Brian Shawn, North Dakota ‘02
Originally printed in the Spring, 2011 SigEp Journal

Jeremy Howard, Trine ’11, doesn’t have any regrets as he wraps up his college career. The two-sport athlete has succeeded at just about everything he’s set his mind to.

On the gridiron, Howard will go down as one of the most successful special teams players in Trine history. He is third all-time on the school’s scoring list and set a record for most consecutive extra points in the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletics Association. Howard was also part of a Thunder program than won back-to-back conference titles. The kicker doesn’t always get a lot of praise, but Howard says he’s earned a lot of respect from his teammates. “I think that the guys in my Fraternity and on my football team see what a strong work ethic I have and the passion I have for my goals and others.” Howard said. “There are the occasional jokes from time to time about how lazy my position is, but someone has got to do it.” Howard also played baseball for Trine and was voted Rookie of the Year by his team in 2007.

Although Howard has received a number of accolades for this hard work on the field, he receives more recognition for what he does off of it. He is graduating with the school’s highest cumulative grade-point at 3.9 and was named an ESPN Academic All-American. He was named a 2010 Zollinger Senior. Howard will receive his bachelor’s degree in elementary education and hopes to teach and coach in Indiana.

Howard has also been an active member of Sigma Phi Epsilon. He’s a former chapter president, vice president of recruitment, and IFC representative of the Indiana Theta Chapter and has been involved with a number of community service programs. “There is absolutely nothing I can say about SigEp that will do it any justice for what it has rally meant for me as an athlete, a scholar, and a human being,’ Howard said. “I have gotten the chance to grow mentally, physically, and spiritually thanks in large part to Sigma Phil Epsilon.”

Maybe the most important accomplishment of all is that Howard will be the first member of his family to graduate from college. “I know that I have been blessed with the best family support system in this world, especially my mother Cindy, who has raised be by herself due to the unfortunate loss of my father in 1995.” Howard said. “I know that my family is proud of me and knowing that makes me extremely humble and forever grateful.”