A True Gentleman: Southern Miss Business Faculty Mac Forsyth Honored with SAE Outstanding Chapter Advisor Award
Mon, 10/27/2025 - 02:45pm | By: Bailey Harris Shoemake
Maurice 鈥淢ac鈥� Forsyth
Maurice 鈥淢ac鈥� Forsyth, J.D., assistant teaching professor in the School of Finance at 91少女集中营 (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.
鈥淚 was quite surprised,鈥� Forsyth said, laughing.
Forsyth became the chapter鈥檚 faculty advisor in 2013, shortly after a severe tornado struck Hattiesburg, Miss. He didn鈥檛 expect to find a lifelong brotherhood under the broken branches and damage that devastated the city, but that鈥檚 exactly what happened when a group of Southern Miss fraternity brothers from Sigma Alpha Epsilon showed up, unprompted, to help clear the debris at Forsyth鈥檚 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 chapter鈥檚 growth, guiding them through highs and lows. From mentoring individual students to organizing support for the chapter鈥檚 needs, he approaches his role with a hands-on, no-nonsense mindset.
鈥淚 speak very frankly to these young men,鈥� he said. 鈥淵ou鈥檝e got to hold them accountable. That鈥檚 what鈥檚 going to help them become responsible adults.鈥�
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,鈥� said Mullen. 鈥淗e has helped scholastically, been a father figure to many undergraduates, and he has fostered brotherhood and inclusivity throughout his time serving as our chapter鈥檚 advisor."
Forsyth is quick to point out that he鈥檚 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.
鈥淭here鈥檚 no playbook for this,鈥� he said. 鈥淵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.鈥�
That balance of discipline and compassion has helped shape a chapter that lives up to SAE鈥檚 creed of being 鈥渢rue gentlemen.鈥� 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 Southern Miss, 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.
鈥淵ou see young people with opportunities, with bright futures ahead of them,鈥� he said. 鈥淎nd I get to follow that through. I get to watch them do well. That鈥檚 the reward.鈥�
He went on to share that he has watched his former students become lawyers, doctors and business professionals. He鈥檚 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.