Twice a year, Phi Kappa Tau highlights an Undergraduate of Distinction in the Laurel, a young man we believe deserves recognition based on his dedication to leadership, philanthropy, or service. This spring, we featured Dylan Tinz, Chapman ‘18, who helped lead Epsilon Sigma through the COVID-19 pandemic.
Dylan Tinz
Chapman ‘18
Orange County, CA
Epsilon Sigma Chapter President
“Where to even start? It was a tough year for everybody. I don’t think any chapter had it easy,” said Dylan Tinz, Chapman ‘18, the Epsilon Sigma President.
Along with the rest of the country, Tinz and the Epsilon Sigma chapter brothers faced massive uncertainties last spring. “In March 2020 we were all sent home,” Tinz said. “We had to cancel everything, we lost some of our down payments. Initially, it was very discouraging. We just told brothers that we’re operating on a very low level.” They faced big, long-term problems like recruitment, retention, and finances. But Epsilon Sigma wasn’t down for long. Shortly after being sent home, the chapter adapted to life virtually. They hosted Call of Duty tournaments, Zoom hangouts – they even rallied the entire chapter to submit videos for a Chapman dance contest. “We wanted to give guys the same experience they would have had during a normal semester,” Tinz explained.
Now that a return to normalcy is on the horizon, Epsilon Sigma is looking forward to the future. “It’s been a long year and very difficult, but we’re ready to come back on top,” Tinz said. “Our last President Cameron Graylee did a really good job at keeping the chapter alive,” Tinz said. Now as sitting President himself, Tinz is ready to lead. “Last term we focused on survival, now we’re trying to adapt and grow.”