The Dave MacDowell, P’59 Armed Forces Service Award is given annually in honor of Dave MacDowell, P’59, who served as President of the Alpha Rho Alumni Association and Trustee of the Alpha Rho Memorial Foundation following his graduation from Rutgers College and proud service in the United States Navy, serving in the Pacific from 1960 to 1963. The members of the Alpha may nominate a senior member for the award based on "scholarship, fraternal service, Chi Psi conduct, and leadership in their respective armed forces officer training program." Preference is given to participation in Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) followed by admission to the Army, Marine Corps, Navy, or Cost Guard’s Officer Candidate School (OCS), or the Air Force’s Officer Training School (OTS).

An application recommended by the Trustees of the Alpha Rho Alumni Association will be considered by the Trustees of the Foundation. An award of $200 is available. Multiple awards in a single year may be given at the sole discretion of the Trustees of the Foundation.