The Beta Omicron Chapter of Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity and the Pi Kappa Phi Foundation has announced the 2020 recipients of the David D. Morgan ‘Extra Mile’ Scholarship.

A scholarship banquet, which was originally scheduled for March 19 on the Northwestern State University campus, was canceled due to the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic. The event is hosted by Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity and Sigma Sigma Sigma Sorority at NSU to recognize promising student leaders.

This year’s recipients will be formally recognized at a more fitting time, according to Beta Omicron Chapter Advisor Doug Ireland.

Eight NSU Pi Kappa Phi students were selected as recipients of this year’s ‘Extra Mile’ scholarship funded by NSU alumni David and Sherry Morgan that totaled nearly $6,000 in awards for high-achieving students.

Recipients of the Morgan First Generation Scholarship are also typically announced at the annual scholarship banquet. Students receiving this scholarship are: Char’Tarian Wilson, Javier Garcia, Jonathan Castillo, and Allen Ashley. Each will be awarded a $1,500 grant for the Spring and Fall semesters.

Long-time NSU supporters, Mr. and Mrs. Morgan created the scholarships to recognize members of Pi Kappa Phi and Sigma Sigma Sigma who are committed to going the “Extra Mile” to achieve success. Recipients of First Generation Scholarships are the first in their immediate families to attend college. Members participate in an application process that is reviewed by chapter alumni before selections are made.

David Morgan, a 1973 NSU graduate and alumnus of NSU’s Beta Omicron Chapter of Pi Kappa Phi, established the Extra Mile Scholarship in 2008 to recognize members of Pi Kappa Phi who distinguish themselves through academic success, chapter leadership, campus involvement and part-time employment. The scholarship has since grown and is awarded at the national level as well as in the local chapter.

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

Bios for each of the recipients:

Congratulations to Pi Kappa Phi brother Trace Anthon, a recipient of a David D. Morgan ‘Extra Mile’ Scholarship grant totaling $600!

Year: Freshman
Hometown: Hammond, LA
GPA: 3.61
Major: Liberal Arts, concentration in philosophy, politics and economics
Aspirations: Plans to commission in the U.S. Army as an intelligence officer
Involvement: Pi Kappa Phi New Member Committee Chair; Scholars’ Forum freshman representative; Mock Trial vice president

“Success is the continuous striving for what you want, what you value, and what you’re willing to give to get closer to that. I have put in late nights and early mornings toward goals to further my chapter, my school and my department, as well as my own journey for education and commission. Once I graduate, I won’t have succeeded. I will have left behind milestones and stories of glory, failure and fraternity, all of which I will look upon fondly as I continue to strive for success.”

Congratulations to Pi Kappa Phi brother Andrew Dubriske, another recipient of a David D. Morgan ‘Extra Mile’ Scholarship grant totaling $600!

Year: Freshman
Hometown: Shreveport, LA
GPA: 3.69
Major: Psychology, Honors
Involvement: Ability Experience Chairman, Pi Kappa Phi; Louisiana Scholars College

Aspirations: Plans to pursue a doctoral degree and teach in higher education

“Success is trying to make the most out of ourselves no matter the situation. It is not based on some external standard. Instead, it is completely internal. Success is the satisfaction of knowing that I have given a task or goal all of my effort no matter the results. An area where I have found success is in my position as the Philanthropy Chairman for my chapter. While this might not be one of the powerful positions within the chapter and much of my efforts are behind the scenes, I know that I am finding success in this position because I am dedicating everything I have to making my chapter and the local community a better place. While it is nice to meet the standards and goals of others, I am meeting and exceeding my own personal standards.”

Congratulations to Pi Kappa Phi brother Daniel Larin, another recipient of a David D. Morgan ‘Extra Mile’ Scholarship grant totaling $600!

Year: Senior
Hometown: Dallas, TX
GPA: 3.76
Major: Music-Business
Involvement: Treasurer, Pi Kappa Phi; Fundraising Committee Chair, Pi Kappa Phi; Section Leader, Spirit of Northwestern Marching Band; Recital sponsor, NSU Dept. of Music;

Aspirations: Attend law school

“The reason many people join fraternities are for the social activities and networking post-graduation, but the reason they stay is for the family that find through the process. Anytime I feel stressed out about the world, I think of our great fraternity, knowing that at any given moment more than thirty brothers have my back and push me to become the man I was supposed to be. When it comes to helping your brothers, it’s never a chore; it’s an honor.”

Congratulations to Pi Kappa Phi brother Aron Stephens, another recipient of a David D. Morgan ‘Extra Mile’ Scholarship grant totaling $700!

Year: Senior
Hometown: Franklinton, LA
GPA: 3.49
Major: Liberal Arts with concentration scientific inquiry and biology
Involvement:  Scholarship Chairman, Pi Kappa Phi; Lead student recruiter, Louisiana Scholars College; President, Blue Key Honor Society; NSU Student Safety Committee

Aspirations: Plans to pursue a Masters in Zoology, then a doctorate to become a professor

“You must help your brother no matter what. He isn’t a nuisance or an inconvenience, he is a man that you are proud to call your brother and you would do anything for him. You ignore the weight bearing down on your shoulders and carry him through anything and everything because you know that when your legs fail you, he will be there for you just as you were there for him.”

Another brother said this about Aron, “Aron initiated a semester before me, as a junior. In his semester as an active he revamped the scholarship committee, bringing the fraternity GPA to 3.0, and he was always there to support our initiation class. He did this while being president of Blue Key and being an active member in multiple honor societies and groups. He has a love for learning and is the first to buck up into any challenge, in or out of his comfort zone. He personifies the Extra Mile to me.”

Congratulations to Pi Kappa Phi brother Nicholas Olivares, another recipient of a David D. Morgan ‘Extra Mile’ Scholarship grant totaling $750!

Year: Senior
Hometown: Oak Point, TX
GPA: 2.75
Major: Psychology
Involvement: Archon, Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity; Order of Omega; University Programming Council

Aspirations: Plans to apply to be a Pi Kappa Phi leadership consultant, then attend law school

“Success is not measured by material things and shouldn’t be quantified as physical — rather the work, effort, the intangible things you had to put into your actions rather than words, in order to get the results you wanted.”

Congratulations to Pi Kappa Phi brother Jacob Norris, another recipient of a David D. Morgan ‘Extra Mile’ Scholarship grant totaling $750!

Year: Sophomore
Hometown: Jonesville, LA
GPA: 3.52
Major: Nursing
Involvement: Vice Archon, Pi Kappa Phi; Presidential Leadership Program

Aspirations: Plans to work in the mental health sector

“Although we might envision a perfect image of something, not achieving this perfect image doesn’t mean failure. Success comes from the small accomplishments and the effort that you put into your work. Everyone will fall short, but that doesn’t mean that all your work was failure in the end. One can still accomplish many things without achieving all the things. I find success in my studies. I know going into a test or a class that I will not pass everything, however, I know that if I give it my all that I can still succeed in the end.”

Congratulations to Pi Kappa Phi brother Steve Gardner, another recipient of a David D. Morgan ‘Extra Mile’ Scholarship grant totaling $800!

Year: Sophomore
Hometown: Benton, LA
GPA: 3.54
Major: Criminal Justice
Involvement: Standards Board Chairman, Pi Kappa Phi

Aspirations: Considering becoming a team doctor for a pro sports franchise or working for the FBI or CIA

“Success is not always about the destination but the journey. The road to success — the work, the trying — is what makes the success worth it. It means that succeeding brings out the best in us and the work that we take to get there is how we achieve. Working hard for a victory is the best part of the victory.”

Congratulations to Pi Kappa Phi brother Colton Campbell, another recipient of a David D. Morgan ‘Extra Mile’ Scholarship grant totaling $1,000!

Year: Senior
Hometown: Coushatta, LA
GPA: 3.5
Major: Accounting
Involvement: Archon, Pi Kappa Phi; Student Government Association; University Programming Council; Order of Omega; Freshman Connector; Conference Committee, Leadership NSU

Aspirations: Plans to become a CPA and work at a “Big 4” company

“‘Do it now’ means striving to put your goals and visions into your present. Over my years of studies, obstacles or deferring responsibilities did not develop me into a successful man. Due diligence, persistence, and execution have helped me achieve my goals. Two of the laws of inertia are — an object still tends to remain still but an object in motion tends to stay in motion. Having that state of mind that’s is focused on ‘do it now’ keeps you moving toward your goals and visions.”

Another brother said of Colton, “The brother that best personifies going “the extra mile’ is Colton Campbell our current president. Colton is the type of brother that would give you the shirt off his back if it meant helping you out. Colton goes the extra mile by not only exemplifying our student creed, but by also holding the chapter accountable for all our actions. Brother Colton is the reason I have the strength to keep going in our chapter when my Pi Kapp fire has dwindled down. His good vibes and energy he puts out is more than enough to reignite the fire in all of our chapter brother’s hearts.”