On April 18, 2010, Pi Kappa Phi was honored as a leader in the fraternity movement by its interfraternal peers. T.J. Sullivan, Alpha Psi (Indiana), and Push America’s Build America program were recognized at the North-American Interfraternity Conference (NIC) Annual Meeting for their contribution to the Greek community.
Sullivan was recognized with the NIC’s Alumni Award of Distinction as a fraternity man who “has given specifically of his time, talents and service to the betterment of the fraternity—at the local, regional or national level.” T.J. is a re-founding father of his chapter, former national staff member and long-serving volunteer of Pi Kappa Phi. He was recognized by the NIC for his work with more than 2 million college students across the country as the CEO and co-founder of CAMPUSPEAK, an organization that provides educational speakers and interactive workshops to college students and Greek communities.
Sullivan was the only alumni recipient of the NIC Award of Distinction and the only award winner invited to speak. While accepting the award, Sullivan moved those in the audience with a stirring speech about the importance of family, and of how fraternity allows us, as friends, to become family. Click Here to view a transcript of the speech at T.J.’s blog.
The NIC also awarded the Laurel Wreath to Push America for the Build America program—Push America’s summer construction team that travels to summer camps to build accessible amenities and friendships across the country. The Laurel Wreath Award recognizes outstanding educational projects that bring distinction to the Greek movement and honored Push America specifically for efforts to motivate students to build accessible amenities and become involved in disability communities around the country.
“Push America is honored to receive this award from the NIC.” said Chad Coltrane, CEO of Push America. “Build America is all about friendships. There is no Push America program that better exemplifies the mission of ‘Building leaders of tomorrow by serving people with disabilities today.’ The impact on the member participants and people with disabilities will last a lifetime.”
Click Here to view photos from the event on Flickr.
Founded in 1909, the NIC is the trade association representing 73 international and national men’s fraternities.