Pi Kappa Alpha Educational Foundation
Robertson Most Outstanding
Undergraduate Award
Joe O'Shea (Florida State, Delta Lambda '04) Recognized As 2008 Recipient
During the 2008 International Convention, the Pi Kappa Alpha Educational
Foundation recognized Joe O'Shea (Florida State, Delta Lambda '04) as the recipient of the
2008 Robertson Most Outstanding Undergraduate Award. This prestigious award is given
annually to the Fraternity's most outstanding graduating senior who is chosen from a pool
of very accomplished and successful undergraduate members.
O'Shea graduated from Florida State University in 2008, earning a degree in Philosophy while carrying a perfect 4.0 GPA. While a student at Florida State, O'Shea built a strong resume that included the following awards and activities:
- USA Today All Academic First Team as one of the Top 20 students in America
- 2008 Rhodes Scholar
- Phi Beta Kappa Honor Society
- Garnet and Gold Key
- Phi Kappa Phi
- 2006 Tylenol National Scholarship
- Phi Eta Sigma
- 2007 Truman Scholarship
Because of his work on the Florida State campus, in 2007, O'Shea was elected student body president. He won the office with an unprecedented 71 percent of the vote. During his tenure as SGA president, O'Shea oversaw a budget of $10 million and was instrumental in the construction of a new health and wellness center on campus.
Two of 'Shea's biggest concerns are inadequate healthcare and social injustice. It should come as no surprise then that the hallmark of O'Shea's undergraduate days was his service to others in these very areas. He has been active in many state and community efforts in Florida and started a free health clinic in the Katrina-ravaged Ninth Ward of New Orleans. Michelle Shin, Director of Common Ground's Lower Ninth Ward Project stated, "I've seen young volunteers come to the Ninth Ward with lofty dreams of rebuilding the city after Katrina. But, I've never met one like Joe O'Shea."
In 2008, O'Shea was selected as a Rhodes Scholar, which is awarded internationally to fund an academic degree at Oxford University in England and will be enrolling in that program this fall. O'Shea stated that: "Over the next few years I will head to Oxford for a doctorate in social policy on the Rhodes Scholarship. I have dedicated my life to public service and to creating greater opportunities for others to flourish."
In describing the impact Pi Kappa Alpha has on his life and the value that it continues to bring to him today, Brother O'Shea commented, "Throughout all of my college years, I could not have asked for a better group of guys to surround myself with, a group who challenged, supported, and cared for me through my entire college experience."
Educational Foundation Trustee Tom Tillar (Virginia Tech, Epsilon '71) and Endowment Fund Commissioner Tom Clark (Virginia Tech, Epsilon '73) presented this year's award to Brother O'Shea. Before presenting the award, Tillar and Clark spoke about the dedication and respect they each had for the Robertson Award's namesake, Jenks Robertson (Clemson, Eta Alpha '71). Robertson, a long time advisor to Epsilon Chapter, was killed by a drunk driver in 1986 while walking to the Epsilon Chapter house. Tillar and Clark spoke of the great affinity held by members of Epsilon Chapter and their pride that his legacy lives on through this coveted award.
Brother O'Shea received a $2,500 scholarship and plaque, funded through the Robertson Award endowment at the Pi Kappa Alpha Educational Foundation.
The Pi Kappa Alpha Educational Foundation also congratulates the four other finalists for the Robertson Award for their exemplary accomplishments as student members of Pi Kappa Alpha. The following brothers each received a $250 scholarship from the Robertson Award Endowment at the Pi Kappa Alpha Educational Foundation:
Jared Averbuch Joshua Foster Frank Leibfarth James Radley |
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 Jared M. Averbuch(Michigan, Beta Tau '04) Robertson Award Finalist Pi Kappa Alpha has been my most loyal friend in college. The fraternity is reliable and predictable, in the best way possible. Everyone has moments in their life where they struggle for an answer to a problem or simply long for some directions. During those moments, we often close our eyes seeking answers that bring personal comfort and guidance. Fortunately for me in college, nearly every time I opened my eyes I saw shades of garnet and old gold. From a brother helping me get elected to campus leadership to an alumnus brother inspiring me to become a lawyer, the wonderful brothers of PiKA have supported me in the most generous ways. Now, it is only fitting that as I prepare for my next journey to Michigan Law School, the generous donors to the Educational Foundation have provided me a scholarship that will directly go to helping me pay for law school case books. I am grateful for this scholarship and for the brothers, both known and unknown, who continue to give me faith and support when my eyes are shut.
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For more information about the Robertson Most Outstanding Undergraduate Award, please contact Foundation Director of Development George Miller at 901-748-1948, ext 103 or gmiller@pikes.org.