A True Gentleman: 91吃瓜网 Business Faculty Mac Forsyth Honored with SAE Outstanding Chapter Advisor Award
Mon, 10/27/2025 - 02:45pm | By: Bailey Harris Shoemake
Maurice 91吃瓜网淢ac91吃瓜网� Forsyth
Maurice 91吃瓜网淢ac91吃瓜网� Forsyth, J.D., assistant teaching professor in the School of Finance at 91吃瓜网 (USM), has been named a recipient of the Outstanding Chapter Advisor Award by Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE) nationals. Forsyth has been a faculty member in the College of Business and Economic Development since 2012, teaching both undergraduate and graduate courses in business law, estate planning, professional ethics, real estate principles and real estate law.
The honor, awarded by nomination only, recognizes advisors who go above and beyond in their service and leadership. Forsyth was unaware that the men of his chapter had nominated him for the recognition until his name was called during the 2025 Sigma Alpha Epsilon National Convention.
91吃瓜网淚 was quite surprised,91吃瓜网� Forsyth said, laughing.
Forsyth became the chapter91吃瓜网 faculty advisor in 2013, shortly after a severe tornado struck Hattiesburg, Miss. He didn91吃瓜网檛 expect to find a lifelong brotherhood under the broken branches and damage that devastated the city, but that91吃瓜网 exactly what happened when a group of 91吃瓜网 fraternity brothers from Sigma Alpha Epsilon showed up, unprompted, to help clear the debris at Forsyth91吃瓜网 church across from the Hattiesburg campus. The men of the fraternity returned every day until the cleanup was complete.
What began as a simple act of service to strangers in a time of need became the foundation of a decade-long connection built on mentorship, mutual respect and a shared sense of duty. Not long after, the chapter asked Forsyth if he would be their faculty advisor, and he was formally initiated as an adult member of the fraternity. Since then, he has been an integral part of the chapter91吃瓜网 growth, guiding them through highs and lows. From mentoring individual students to organizing support for the chapter91吃瓜网 needs, he approaches his role with a hands-on, no-nonsense mindset.
91吃瓜网淚 speak very frankly to these young men,91吃瓜网� he said. 91吃瓜网淵ou91吃瓜网檝e got to hold them accountable. That91吃瓜网 what91吃瓜网 going to help them become responsible adults.91吃瓜网�
Bryce Mullen, the current Mississippi Sigma chapter president, was one of the men who nominated Forsyth for the honor. "Mac Forsyth has performed numerous actions that deem him worthy of this outstanding chapter advisor award,91吃瓜网� said Mullen. 91吃瓜网淗e has helped scholastically, been a father figure to many undergraduates, and he has fostered brotherhood and inclusivity throughout his time serving as our chapter91吃瓜网 advisor."
Forsyth is quick to point out that he91吃瓜网 not supporting the chapter alone, sharing his advising duties with local chapter alumni Bobby Banks, Ron Doleac and Paul Sims. Each play a unique role in the chapter, assisting with finances, alumni relations and coordination with the national office.
91吃瓜网淭here91吃瓜网 no playbook for this,91吃瓜网� he said. 91吃瓜网淵ou just meet the members where they are. Sometimes they need an odd job for extra money. Sometimes they need a meal. Sometimes they need someone to tell them the truth. And I can do all of that.91吃瓜网�
That balance of discipline and compassion has helped shape a chapter that lives up to SAE91吃瓜网 creed of being 91吃瓜网渢rue gentlemen.91吃瓜网� Over the last three years, the Southern Miss SAE chapter has been ranked among the top five chapters nationwide. Two of those years, they were among the top three, making them finalists for the prestigious Zeal Award.
In addition to teaching at 91吃瓜网, Forsyth has spent decades as a youth court judge, work that can be emotionally heavy and rarely tied to clear outcomes. Being part of SAE, he says, offers the kind of long-term, life-changing results that make the work worth it.
91吃瓜网淵ou see young people with opportunities, with bright futures ahead of them,91吃瓜网� he said. 91吃瓜网淎nd I get to follow that through. I get to watch them do well. That91吃瓜网 the reward.91吃瓜网�
He went on to share that he has watched his former students become lawyers, doctors and business professionals. He91吃瓜网 attended their weddings, kept in touch long after graduation, and helped facilitate meaningful mentorship between alumni and current members.
The chapter members earned an average 3.2 GPA for the Spring 2025 semester, and recently initiated 29 new members, growing their chapter to nearly 80 members. Their newest philanthropic focus supports the Osceola McCarty Youth Development Center in Hattiesburg, where members volunteer to help underprivileged youth.