A Pi Kappa Phi alumnus and business executive is investing in the future of emerging leaders at Northwestern State University.

Four members of Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity were awarded scholarships at the 7th annual David D. Morgan ‘Extra Mile’ Scholarship Banquet on Saturday, April 26, 2014.

Morgan created the program to inspire students to pursue excellence in academics, campus and chapter leadership, service, and employment. Manton Capers, Zack Cockerham, Kolt Kays and Kyler Halbert were awarded $3,000 in scholarships at the event, held in historic Russell Hall on the Northwestern State University campus.

The Morgan “Extra Mile” Scholarship Program is funded by and named for Beta Omicron alumnus David D. Morgan. An entrepreneur, an insurance executive, and a leader within his industry and his fraternity, Morgan has spent a considerable portion of his life helping others to be successful.

Whether through the offering of insurance products to association members across the country that help provide a greater peace of mind, or through his volunteer work with several Pi Kappa Phi chapters, Brother Morgan’s commitment to helping people (especially his Pi Kappa Phi brothers) is a trademark of his personality.

Instilling the lessons he learned growing up in Louisiana – lessons of hard work, industriousness, and self-determination – into the heart of this initiative, the Pi Kappa Phi Foundation created the scholarship program in 2008. In the time since, the program has furthered the academic pursuits of more than 40 students in awards upwards of $30,000. It remains the only program of its kind among Pi Kappa Phi’s 179 chapters.

Recipients are selected through a rigorous application process that awards points for campus and chapter leadership, grades, employment, and a series of essay questions. This program seeks to recognize the effort and seriousness that a student displays in pursuit of academic excellence. But just as important as a student’s scholastic prowess, however, is their commitment to applying themselves in the classroom and in life outside of the classroom by going the “extra mile.”

Sophomore Zack Cockerham credits leadership programs like the “Extra Mile” for inspiring him to define success for himself.

“Each person has abilities and characteristics that are unique to them, and success is taking these abilities and stretching them as far as they can go. There is no universal meaning to the word ‘success.” Instead, it is something determined by each individual and is achieved when they have given their all and seized every day, utilizing every ability they possess.”

Underscoring the purpose and mission of the program, friend of the Fraternity and Director of the NSU School of Business, Dr. Margaret Kilcoyne delivered the keynote address. She has been at Northwestern State for 26 years as a faculty and administrator and has been director of the School of Business since July 2012. Last year she was named Louisiana’s Technology Educator of the Year by Governor Bobby Jindal. Kilcoyne shared a list of 11 life lessons that students will not hear in a classroom. The tidbits of wisdom included everything from “life is not fair” and ” your school may have done away with winners and losers, but life has not.” Kilcoyne added a few of her own tips to help students along their journey in life.

• Learn to retool yourself, enhancing your skill set and embracing personal change.
• When you help other people be successful, then you will be successful.
• Trust the people you hire. Let others learn and surprise you with their results.
• Be humble and don’t be afraid to ask for help.
• It’s better to give than to receive. Somewhere along the way someone helped you out, so you should give back too.

Beta Omicron Alumni Chapter president Lane Luckie presented the scholarships on behalf of Morgan.

“David has helped launch the career of countless NSU students and Pi Kappa Phi members. His story of humble beginnings is truly the American Dream,” Luckie said. “I know he finds joy in helping others find success for themselves.”

Dozens of active members, alumni, and representatives from Northwestern State University were in attendance for the catered dinner.

For information on how to apply for the scholarship, click here.

To view pictures from this event, click here.