Watkins Christian Scholarship Fund

WATKINS CHRISTIAN SCHOLAR AWARD FOUNDERS DAY OF GIVING CAMPAIGN

Our Phi Kappa Psi Fraternity Founders Letterman & Moore purposely created a “space for faith” in our creed when they co-created the fraternal community of Phi Kappa Psi in the 19^th Century. We wonder if the founders suspected that after so many years, Bible studies, all-nighters and brotherhood events would become the platform wherein Phi Psi Christians would have a uniquely-timed impact among our 18-22-year-old peers seeking life’s real purpose and meaning.

As we have all learned since our college days, beyond fraternity is eternity; and beyond the brotherhood events, is real life. And real life requires an informed Biblical faith integrating all of life. Just after 9/11/2001, a few reflecting Christian Phi Psi’s determined that urging young Phi Psi men to share their faith stories (with national Phi Psi encouragement) might be a way to “make space for faith” anew for the next generations of Phi Psi in a culture of increasing non-belief. So, in 2006, the Phi Kappa Psi National Watkins Christian Scholar Award endowment fund was launched with a $57,000 gift to honor one such story from a faithful brother, John Watkins Ohio Lambda ’79.

The big idea was to generate hundreds, if not thousands of new stories of Christian faith being lived out by committed Phi Psi’s across the nation. The endowment is held and facilitated by the Phi Kappa Psi Foundation and provides a national annual $2,500 scholarship to a graduate or undergraduate Phi Psi who inspires his peers to fulfill all aspects of the Phi Psi Creed by demonstrating the character of Jesus Christ and is committed to advancing the Gospel within their chosen vocation, be it medical, legal, enterprise, governance, the arts, education, non-profit or pastoral. The donor intent of the national award is to recognize and uplift servant-leading brothers, like Brother Watkins, who: 1) integrate their devotion to the Gospel of Jesus Christ into their Phi Psi experience on campus, and 2) are committed to integrating their faith & work wherever they find their future lifework calling.

Since its creation, the impact the Scholarship has had on its recipients has been immeasurable. Moreover, we were unable to make awards to many qualified and deserving applicants, thus the opportunity to expand the impact and need for additional funding is evident. Will you celebrate Phi Psi Founders day by investing in the Watkins Scholar award with a gift today?