On Sunday, Feb. 14 the Greek community gathered in the McIntosh Ballroom for the annual Greek Awards banquet. While Greek chapters received their awards, at the end of the ceremony, Ohio Northern University President, Daniel DiBiasio, also received the Distinguished Phi Gamma Delta (FIJI) Award.
In order to receive the Distinguished FIJI Award, the recipient must be deserving based off of their accomplishments and their continuing service and representation of the Phi Gamma Delta Fraternity. The Executive Director for FIJI, William Martin, had the privilege of welcoming and presenting the award to President DiBiasio that night.
“Phi Gamma Delta has always had a special appreciation for our brothers who are leaders in their high education. It is a privilege for me to present this award to President DiBiasio,” he said.
DiBiasio has held leadership positions for not only universities, but communities and towns as well. He has served as a board member for the Liberty National Bank in Ada, Ohio, and was even president of Wilmington College from the years 1995-2011. In 2011 he was elected as president of Ohio Northern University.
Not only was it a proud moment for all of Greek life, but for other very special people as well. Chris Burns-DiBiasio said she is proud of her husband and all that he has accomplished in his life.
“I admire what he does, and I love the connection he has with the Greek community,” she said after hearing his speech for the first time that night.
DiBiasio has been an active member of Greek life and has stayed in good relations with Phi Gamma Delta. From attending their first ever FIJI’s Fajitas this past year, he has gone out and supported many other events from both Greek and non-Greek organizations.
The crowds rose in applause as he took the podium that evening, ready to give his speech. During the speech, DiBiasio gave inspiring advice and anecdotes that are to be remembered. He recalled his own life as a FIJI and the great brothers he had.
“Getting this type of recognition causes you to reflect back on your own Greek experience in college. In my case that reflection goes back 49 years ago to the fall of 1967 where I began my association with the fraternity as a pledge. My memories of that time and beyond were mostly happy; a few were sad. Like life itself, you learn from both.”
DiBiasio also shared with the Greek audience stories of his two close fraternity brothers, whom he dedicated the award to: Alan Burdge and Dan Biello. DiBiasio talked about how Alan was a classmate and a good fraternity brother.
“He was an accomplished track athlete and a natural leader,” he stated.
Alan passed away in October of DiBiasio’s senior year.
Dan Biello passed away from Hodgkins disease in 1986. Both Alan and Dan contributed to shaping President DiBiasio’s own personal life as a leader and person. Both men have truly made an impact on DiBiasio’s life when it comes to being a leader and always keeping the Greek Life members in consideration.
“Alan Burdge and Dan Biello continue to inspire me today, and I dedicate this recognition from Phi Gamma Delta to them.” he said.
One famous Greek quote says, “Fraternities and Sororities symbolize all that we wish to accomplish in our lives. They represent the struggles we all face as we grow. Why we cling to them no one can explain, but in the end, we are all stronger for it.”
DiBiasio pointed out that Greek life is not only a place for friendships, but for memories as well.
“Greek organizations are the crucibles of life- they can soar when the whole is greater than the sum of its parts, when friendships form and flourish over the arc of time, and when we are inspired by how our sisters and brothers live life fully regardless of how short or long those lives last,” he said.