With outstanding academic achievement, involvement in extracurricular activities and a strong connection with Ball State University, Phi Gamma Delta Fraternity, also known as FIJI, has been awarded the Zerman Trophy from their national chapter.
The Zerman Trophy is awarded to the undergraduate chapter that excels in promoting the involvement of brothers throughout the university. The award, named in honor of Executive Director and Editor Emeritus William Zerman, was created in 1970. This is the first time FIJI has achieved the honor.
But, it's definitely not the first time FIJI has won an award.
Brandon Cutler, assistant director of Student Life, said the Office of Student Life is excited anytime a fraternity or sorority is recognized as a top performer across the country, and Fiji has a great opportunity to build upon their current success and continue to perform at a high level.
Austin Gerber, interfraternity council president, said over the years FIJI has been a successful part of Greek life.
"The Beta Sigma chapter of FIJI has been on campus for the last 10 years, this marks the third year that they have won a national award," he said. "This shows that they are on a good pace and their efforts are being rewarded."
Gerber said with the recent awards won by FIJI and by fostering success throughout Greek life, allows all chapters to raise their goals to a higher set of standards and attract quality recruits.
Paul Desmond, FIJI member and current interim recruitment chair, said FIJI began at Ball State in 1998, making them one of the youngest chapters of Phi Gamma Delta to win the Zerman Trophy.
Desmond highlighted the various organizations FIJI members are involved with such as Campus Crusade for Christ, Student Life Office, Ball State University Dance Marathon, American Institute of Architecture Students and others.
FIJI brother Michael Niezer also was awarded by the national chapter for the Wilkinson Award which honored him as Phi Gamma Delta's most outstanding senior.
Niezer was one of two undergraduate members of the fraternity's board of directors and was the former president of the Beta Sigma Chapter at Ball State.
"After knowing him since my freshman year seeing his maturity level grow as semesters have past," Desmond said. "Michael grew as a person because he always went out of his way to help a fellow FIJI brother."
With two awards under belt this year, Desmond said FIJI's next step is to move forward, always improving the chapter each semester.
"We always strive to improve our GPA, service hours and get more involved on campus," Desmond said.
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