2022 Fiji Academy

2022 Fiji Academy

The 2022 Fiji Academy was held January 7-9, 2022, bringing undergraduate and graduate leaders back in-person to the historic St. Louis Union Station Hotel in St. Louis, Missouri. This annual leadership training aims to prepare our brothers to “lead with courage” to make a positive impact on their campus and community.

By the Numbers

Despite a spike in COVID-19 cases causing several attendees to cancel, this year's event had a strong showing, with 498 brothers and guests in attendance. This included:

Undergraduates: 392 (From 116 chapters and colonies)

Chapters/Colonies with 3+ Delegates: 37, including: 11 from Kansas State & 9 from Rose-Hulman

Graduates: 72, including: 34 Purple Legionnaires & 16 Section Chiefs

Pursuing Excellence

The 2022 Fiji Academy kicked off with the Pursuing Excellence sessions, providing early arrivals with an opportunity to do a two-hour deep dive into important topics facing our chapters across North America. Brothers attended these sessions on topics such as hazing prevention; sexual assault prevention; mental health; diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging; relearning the Ritual, and supporting brothers’ academics. Concurrent with these sessions, new Purple Legionnaires gathered to learn about their new role from Section Chiefs and experienced Purple Legionnaires.

Pursuing Excellence Session

Opening Banquet

The event’s first large group opportunity was the Opening Banquet on Friday evening. First-time Academy emcee Jade Metcalf (Washington State 1992) opened the evening recounting Fiji Academy history. The main event was the President’s Perspective keynote by Archon President Nic Loiacano (Illinois 1974). Nic provided an update to brothers on the Fraternity’s strategic initiatives.

Archon President Nic Loiacono, President's Perspective

Hazing Prevention

The Fiji Academy included several guest speakers and presenters. One of the most powerful presentations was Saturday’s opening session, led by parents from the Anti-Hazing Coalition and Dr. Gentry McCreary, CEO of Dyad Strategies. Rae Ann and Steve Gruver, Max Gruver's parents, and Evelyn and Jim Piazza, Tim Piazza's parents, shared the stories of their sons’ deaths due to alcohol-related hazing and educated brothers on the need to end hazing. Dr. McCreary shared data and research around hazing prevention and reasons why hazing occurs. The session included a Q&A segment facilitated by Executive Director Rob Caudill (Akron 2004) in which the Gruvers, the Piazzas and Dr. McCreary focused on how chapter officers can eliminate hazing in their chapters. The two-hour session ended with a standing ovation for the parents for courageously sharing their stories.

The Gruvers and Dr. Gentry McCreary, Opening Session

Foundation Luncheon

Saturday's luncheon was sponsored by the Phi Gamma Delta Educational Foundation. It began with highlighting the Ed Gulewitz (Texas Christian 1989) Award for the Promotion of Organ Donation, which recognizes a chapter/colony that excels in encouraging people to register as organ, eye and tissue donors. Due to COVD-19, there were not enough chapters that were able to conduct on-campus donor drives to be able to present the award. We look forward to presenting the award again at the 2023 Fiji Academy.

The luncheon program focused on updates from the Educational Foundation, which included the announcement of a new scholarship opportunity for brothers, the Persistence Scholarship, which will provide financial aid to members with demonstrable financial need.

Pig Dinner

The 2022 Fiji Academy concluded with a model Frank Norris Pig Dinner. Brothers from our newest chapter, Kappa Upsilon at the Kent State University, had the honor of bringing in the pig. Longtime Ritualist and former Archon President Bill Miller (Indiana 1962, Purdue Graduate Affiliate 1996) was the eldest brother in attendance, and Anthony Moncman (Wayne State 2025) was the youngest. These brothers shared the honor of kissing the pig. Former Archon Councilor Jeff Downey (UCLA 1983) concluded the Norris-related activities with a rendition of An Exile’s Toast.

The evening concluded with the recognition of the chapter and individual award winners for the 2020 calendar year. This included presentation of the Wilkinson Award to Liam Bettez (Purdue 2021) as Phi Gamma Delta’s most outstanding senior. Liam gave an inspirational speech about his fraternity experience.

Liam Bettez, Wilkinson Award winner

COVID-19 Precautions

The 2022 Fiji Academy returned to an in-person event after the 2021 Academy was held virtually. To return to the in-person setting, the Fraternity took several precautions. Prior to arriving, all attendees provided proof of vaccination or a negative COVID test through a secure text platform. While at the event, attendees completed a daily health screening and wore a face covering, regardless of vaccination status, unless actively eating or drinking.

The Fraternity was flexible on attendance requirements for those brothers that did not feel comfortable attending an in-person event or could not attend due to campus policy, and the chapter services staff followed up with those chapters to provide supplemental education.

We look forward to returning to the Union Station Hotel in January 2023 as the Fraternity continues to Build Courageous Leaders.