1. To: International Balfour Award Committee
Subj: Recommendation for Jon McGuff
From: George Gale, Xi Xi '54, Order of Constantine
Gentlemen:
Rather than following others in the listing of Jon's accomplishments and
contributions to our fraternity, our university and community, I would like
to take a more focused look at Jon as a human being and how he contrasts
with so many young men of his age in today's culture. Hopefully, this will
help you understand how his personal standards and characteristics have
driven him to the more specific and measureable attainments in his life.
Jon is a young man of good manners. He is natural, pleasant and always
respectful, both in verbal and written communication. I have no idea if this
is inate or if Jon was raised in an unusual family circumstance, but it is a
quality which I see in too few men of his age.
Jon is a Sigma Chi who I know I can trust to support the right leadership for
the chapter and the right care of the chapter house. Because he respects
himself due to his deportment, he respects our Ritual and the rules of the
chapter and the university. Jon somehow is that rarity who can be active in
all the positive aspects of chapter life while never infringing on the
standards he sets for himself.
One always wonders how certain young men with the high involement of
Jon can spread themselves in so many directions yet excel in everything
they touch. Obviously, this type of performance is the result of maturity
reflected in having a sense of time management and setting priorities
rather than blindly stumbling through college as so many do. It is my sense
that Jon has a certain inate moral compass that guides him.
I was chapter advisor for a decade and can count all too quickly the young

2. men who it was truly my pleasure to deal with during that time. Although I
haven't known Jon until recently, he would be on that rather short list.
I highly recommend him due to his qualities as a human being, even more
that the mere recognition of his accomplishments.