Until 1972, the Secretary-Treasurer annually appointed a committee of alumni as judges. Since then the judging has been done by a committee of student delegates at the annual Convention, where winners are announced. In 1978, the Executive Council re-named the award as the R.C. Matthews Outstanding Chapter Award. The award is a bronze plaque and is also displayed on the master bronze plaque at Headquarters.
R.C. Matthews Outstanding Chapter Award
The 1956 Convention established an annual Outstanding Chapter Award to encourage and recognize high-grade work by the chapters in both routine and special affairs. The award is based on how well chapter service projects fulfill the objectives of Tau Beta Pi and on the quality and promptness of chapter reports to the Headquarters. Winners have been:
| Year | Winning Chapter | Honorable Mention |
|---|---|---|
| 2019-20 | Alabama Epsilon | IA A |
| 2018-19 | Alabama Epsilon | IA A, TN A |
| 2017-18 | Ohio Iota | AL E, MI G |
| 2016-17 | Alabama Epsilon | FL A, IA A |
| 2015-16 | District of Columbia Alpha | AL E |
| 2014-15 | Alabama Epsilon | OH I |
| 2013-14 | Michigan Gamma | AL E, CA A |
| 2012-13 | Kentucky Alpha | AL E, OH I |
| 2011-12 | Florida Alpha | AL E, MI K |
| 2010-11 | Michigan Epsilon | CA A |
| 2009-10 | California Psi | CA A & OH I |
| 2008-09 | Florida Alpha | MI G |
| 2007-08 | Florida Gamma | CA A & TX A |
| 2006-07 | California Psi | None |
| 2005-06 | Maryland Beta | AL E & MI G |
| 2004-05 | Vermont Beta | NY N & OH I |
| 2003-04 | Wyoming Alpha | CA A, IA A, & VT B |
| 2002-03 | Ohio Iota | MD B & NM G |
| 2001-02 | Maryland Beta | WY A |
| 2000-01 | Wyoming Alpha | IA A & MI Q |
| 1999-00 | Vermont Beta | MD B |
| 1998-99 | Michigan Epsilon | OH G, OH I, & VT B |
| 1997-98 | Maryland Beta | NH A |
| 1996-97 | New Hampshire Alpha | IA A |
| 1995-96 | West Virginia Alpha | MI G & MI Q |
| 1994-95 | Florida Alpha | NY S |
| 1993-94 | Michigan Theta | IA A & MD B |
| 1992-93 | New York Tau | AL A & IA A |