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Gamma Gamma takes top chapter spot at PSE Nationals for fourth straight year

PSE leaders and faculty advisors pose with trophy

The Farmer School’s chapter of Pi Sigma Epsilon has once again been named the best chapter in the nation at the business fraternity’s virtual national convention. The Gamma Gamma chapter has now earned the Lewis F. Gordon Top Gold Chapter award in 16 of the last 23 years.

"I am very proud of Kelsey Sullivan for leading this team to victory in so many categories.  No matter the PSE legacy, winning is never guaranteed.  The Top Gold Chapter award is earned through a variety of activities, every week, over the entire year, including summer and winters.  Planning, executing, adjusting, creating... and all of the 140 members contributing in some way, large or small.  This is truly a team effort and team victory,” faculty advisor Patrick Lindsay said. “We put in many, many hours of preparation and practice to achieve these results.  In the end, like most things in life, you win by doing more in the six P's: Preparation, Planning, Practice, Persistence, Perseverance and Passion.  This truly defines the Miami University Gamma Gamma chapter of PSE.”

“Gamma Gamma has exemplified sustained excellence in every aspect of our chapter. Our members and their commitment to developing each other professionally and personally paved the way for us to win the Lewis F. Gordon top gold chapter award for the 4th year in a row,” Sullivan said. “We are truly building a future generation of leaders with integrity, grit, and passion. I could not be more proud and thankful to the leadership team, advisors, and PSE nationals for giving us this opportunity to showcase our effort.”

Among the other awards won by the Gamma Gamma chapter are:

Arno Kleimenhagen Award for Sustained Excellence

The Arno Kleimenhagen Award for Sustained Excellence is given to chapters that have attained Gold Standing in the Chapter Operations Guide. The award is one of the single most prestigious awards a PSE chapter can earn. Gamma Gamma earned an Arno Kleimenhagen Award for achieving Gold Status for the 24th consecutive year, PSE’s longest current active streak.

Case Study Competition

The Case Study Competition was developed to provide our chapters with an opportunity to critically analyze a business scenario taken from the real world. This year, the teams were tasked with creating and presenting an idea for a benefit corporation for a post-pandemic market. Each team was attempting to persuade a mock investor to invest $100,000 in the concept and marketing strategy for their benefit corporation. Gamma Gamma’s team was awarded 1st Place in the competition.

President’s Award for Special Merit – Interchapter Development

The President’s Award for Interchapter Development recognizes those who have furthered the development of PSE as a fraternity through work with other chapters. Arnav Damodhar won this award for his exemplary work in assisting PSE chapters and prospective chapters.

Top For-Profit Sales and Marketing Project

The Top Sales and Marketing Project (Profit) is presented to the chapter that most successfully created and implemented a promotional or sales project for an outside client in a structured and analytical manner through effective planning, marketing research, performance, and evaluation. Gamma Gamma was recognized as a Finalist for their work done assist the City of Oxford assist businesses struggling to stay afloat due to COVID-19 restrictions imposed.

Top Management Team

The Top Management Team recognizes the chapter whose officer team excelled in process and performance management while handing out significant daily tasks, overcoming obstacles, and maintaining chapter motivation. Miami’s executive team earned 1st Place in PSE’s Top Management Team award category.

Top New Member Development Process

The Top New Member Development Process award is given to the chapter who has most effectively and wholesomely developed potential new members to be upstanding, lifelong members of Pi Sigma Epsilon. Gamma Gamma’s new member development process earned 2nd Place honors at the 2021 National Convention.

Top Not-For Profit Sales and Marketing Project

The Top Sales and Marketing Project (Not for Profit) is presented to a chapter that most successfully implemented a promotional or sales project in a structured and analytical manner without the intent or option of generating profit for the chapter itself. Gamma Gamma earned 2nd Place in this category for its Kids Coats project.

Top Professional Development Program

The Top Professional Development Program is given to the chapter who has most clearly, accurately, and effectively planned and executed a variety of professional programming that provided their chapter members an experience that connected them to the professional world. Professional development activities include guest speakers, workshops, or seminars focusing on business, networking events, professional competitions, alumni events, awards banquets, chapter retreats, company tours, etc. Gamma Gamma’s 2020-2021 professional development program earned 1st Place at the National Convention after the chapter conducted 35 workshops over the course of the year, landing 100% of graduating seniors in jobs.

Top Project Manager

The Top Project Manager is presented to a collegian who has managed a significant project successfully during the past year. The winner represents excellence in the area of managing a chapter project by employing best practices in project management. Maddy Triplett was named PSE’s Top Project Manager for her work with Gamma Gamma’s Hummix project.

Top PSE Salesperson

This individual has best demonstrated the ability to sell through PSE activities on campus and in the local community. Being well-versed in selling and sales management with significant project organization and participation while maintaining a high standard of ethics and professionalism. The Top PSE Salesperson is truly the best example of someone having used PSE as a training ground for future sales career success. Shriya Patel of Gamma Gamma finished in 2nd Place overall in this category for her work in promoting Gamma Gamma on campus and helping facilitate the chapter sales competition that featured 80 competitors.

Top Social Media Strategy

Presented to the chapter that most successfully developed and executed a social media campaign to promote the chapter and its events throughout the year. Gamma Gamma’s effective advertising of chapter operations and programming on social media was very effective, and it played a key role in several of their awards and programs winning awards at the Virtual National Convention. Total chapter online following increased by 15% over the course of the year, going from 2458 to 2868 followers. Gamma Gamma earned a 1st place finish at the 2021 National Convention in this category.

Whan Challenger Award

The Whan Challenger award is presented to the collegiate member who has best demonstrated the ability to provide leadership to fellow students by serving as a role model. This person upholds all the principles of Pi Sigma Epsilon in his/her interaction with their chapter, other chapters, and in pursuit of academic goals. He/she exhibits outstanding qualities in leadership, motivation, guidance, initiative, and humility. In recognition of his extraordinary efforts throughout this past year, PSE is proud to recognize Connor Moreton as 2021 PSE Whan Challenger.

National Speaker’s Competition

The Top Speakers Competition showcases the top speaking talent in the Fraternity. It is an opportunity for PSE members to use and develop their public speaking skills. The competition recognizes outstanding student members who have mastered skills in the areas of self-presentation and verbal communication by making a public speaking presentation in a competitive setting. Gamma Gamma’s Anthony Patrick, the 2020 PSE North Central Regional Speakers Competition Champion, placed 2nd overall in the competition.

“Though the playing field was 'leveled' for all universities by the challenges of the pandemic and operating in a virtual world, the Miami PSE members embraced it, made the most of it, rather than using it as an excuse.  Life gives you lemons, you make the finest lemonade you can.  Success in spite of the obstacles,” Lindsay noted. “The Top Management Team of Kelsey, Connor Moreton, Lily Thaler and Arnav Damodhar each led other award winning projects as well as each earning individual honors.  They end their time at Miami on the highest note and take their exemplary characters and leadership skills into their careers.  Their respective companies are lucky to have them."