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The Delta Tau Delta Educational Foundation is pleased to celebrate the 2021 Foundation award recipients for the Norval and Diane Stephens Outstanding Philanthropist, Outstanding Young Philanthropist, and Outstanding Foundation Volunteer designations. In 2020, the Foundation established these awards to pay tribute to those who have demonstrated meritorious commitment to the Foundation. Nominations are collected on a rolling basis through the Delt website at Delts.org/foundation-awards.

Norval & Diane Stephens Outstanding Philanthropist

Wayne A. Sinclair (West Virginia University, 1968) and John N. DiNapoli (George Washington University, 2010) are honored with the 2021 Norval & Diane Stephens Outstanding Philanthropists recognition thanks to their longstanding generosity and devotion to the Fraternity. Through their enduring charitable and volunteer support, Sinclair and DiNapoli have modeled the many ways that others can give back to the Fraternity for decades.

Sinclair’s dedication to Delta Tau Delta extends far beyond his undergraduate years at West Virginia University. Starting as a division vice president, he served in many roles, including as president of the Eastern Division, secretary, second vice president, first vice president and finally, international president. Sinclair later became adviser to the Beta Pi chapter upon concluding his term as president. He has served in an advisory capacity for multiple chapters in the interim. Upon taking office as international president in 1986 at age 40, he was the youngest person to do so in more than 50 years.

The Educational Foundation would not be what it is today without Wayne; in 1980, he was a member of the Foundation’s inaugural board. Making his first donation prior to the formation of the Foundation, Wayne has been generously impacting the lives of young Delts for 46 years. DiNapoli began his Delt journey in 2010 at George Washington University as an alumni initiate, making his first contribution the very next year. DiNapoli has given every year since. DiNapoli is an ardent supporter of Delt and a stalwart at Delt programs, mentoring young Delts, and serves as an advising capacity for the Gamma Eta chapter at George Washington University.

Both Sinclair and DiNapoli hold Al Sheriff Associate status for lifetime giving, and are members of the Bethany Society, the Heritage Society, and the Order of the C–.

Outstanding Young Philanthropist

Evan R. Finkelstein (Carnegie Mellon University, 2014) is recognized as the 2021 Outstanding Young Philanthropist for his exceptional commitment to supporting the Foundation by volunteering his time, talent, and treasure while setting an example to do the same.

Proving his devotion to impacting others’ lives, Evan eagerly donates his time and talents throughout the Pittsburgh community in numerous volunteer roles. He is the current co-chair of stewardship and mission engagement for Family House, a Pittsburgh organization that strives to provide a special “home away from home” environment for patients and/or their families seeking medical treatment. Finding the perfect ways to combine his passions for healthcare and lending a helping hand, he also acts as treasurer for the Early Careerist Network, American College of Healthcare Executives and is a member on the board of advisors for Carnegie Mellon University Emergency Medical Service.

Finkelstein previously spent three years with the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center as an administrative resident and fellow where he coordinated his efforts as committee chair to raise over $130,000 for local charities through fundraising events. No stranger to earning philanthropic recognition, Evan attained the Carnegie Mellon Greek Award of Distinction in Community Service honor in 2014.

Designating his first gift to the Delta Tau Delta Educational Foundation in 2011, Finkelstein has given every year since. He has achieved 1858 Society status for his lifetime giving, holds membership in the Delta Alpha Kappa Society, and is a member of the Order of the C–. Professionally serving as a consultant for ProsHire, Evan helps ensure that more than 300,000 lives are covered.

Outstanding Foundation Volunteer

Richard T. Tyner (University of Maryland – College Park, 1966) is recognized as the 2021 Outstanding Foundation Volunteer. The brotherhood is forever grateful for his years of insightful leadership and devotion to furthering the Foundation’s purpose and mission. As evidenced by his service of more than 20 years, Tyner’s commitment to Delta Tau Delta, the members and its values is unmatched.

One nominator commented, “There is no way the investment committee, comprised of volunteers, could have achieved the success we did without Rick. It is my privilege to nominate him.”

For years, Tyner aided the Foundation as a volunteer by lending his knowledge and skills as the de facto chief investment officer, providing investment and finance committees with requested information and research on funds, benchmarks, allocations and targets. In 2004, he received the Distinguished Service Chapter award for remaining loyal to the Fraternity for over two decades as an alumnus and exhibiting characteristics and habits deemed “worthy of all acceptance” by the Fraternity and society at large.

Thanks to his knowledge of and expertise within the industry, Tyner was able to help the Foundation meet its investment objectives year after year and provided continued growth of the portfolio. A donor to the Foundation for 36 years, Rick is recognized with Chairman’s Council giving status.

Past Recipients

In 2020, the inaugural year, the Foundation named Norval B. Stephens (DePauw University, 1951) and Diane Stephens the Foundation’s Outstanding Philanthropists. Additionally, the Foundation adopted them as the award’s namesake moving forward.

Justin A. Williamson (Southeastern Louisiana University, 2015) was named the Outstanding Young Philanthropist and Ashley J. Wollam (Marietta College, 2008) the Outstanding Foundation Volunteer in the inaugural crowing of these honors.