The principle of Scholarship comes at the forefront of the foundation of Phi Gamma Delta. This foundation stresses Scholarship, Fraternity, Self as the principles that guide the lives of both brothers and pledges in their present and future as FIJIs. At Georgia Tech, the Gamma Tau Chapter of Phi Gamma Delta consistently has one of the highest Grade Point Averages in the Greek system. FIJI illustrates the importance of education through its emphasis on hard work and dedication to its members' studies.

The 2009 scholarship program aims to reinforce the continuous success of FIJI academics by integrating principles of academic excellence into the pledge program. Pledges are required to meet twice a week for study hall. The goals of study hall are to instill good study habits and time management skills, to keep a record of pledge performance, and to encourage the bonding of pledges through conquering academic endeavors. The International Fraternity of Phi Gamma Delta provides the Academic Achievement Award for all newly initiated members: a $250 scholarship given to each individual that attains a 3.0 term GPA during his pledge semester. As another incentive, if the entire pledge class makes the required 2.25 grade point average for initiation, they are taken to dinner as a pledge class courtesy of the fraternity for their hard work.

While pledges are provided with many opportunities to excel as new members of our chapter, the academic excellence of brothers also reflects the founding principles of the fraternity. In an attempt to encourage a competitive and fun attitude towards academic excellence and take away the unwanted pressures of scholarship, our scholarship chairs have developed a system that promotes excellence and brotherhood in academics. Our academic incentive plan for 2009 rewards the five top achievers of the chapter in two different categories: most improved and highest Grade Point Average. The ten winners will each receive a monetary gift for their commitment to excellence. In addition to our incentive to the chapter, the International Fraternity of Phi Gamma Delta also provides awards and scholarships to hard-working individuals.

Also, this year marks the beginning of a new scholarship program: brother required study hall. As of January 2009, all brothers of the Gamma Tau chapter of Phi Gamma Delta who for the previous semester had a GPA of 2.75 or less are required to attend 2 hours of study hall each week. The program had several purposes, first and foremost to encourage those brothers struggling in scholarship to buckle down and give that added effort to get above the 2.75 mark. The program was also designed to increase brother attendance at study hall, in order to show the pledges that scholarship is an important asset of the fraternity and not just another requirement of pledgeship. The program has achieved great success; study hall is now comprised with more brothers than pledges, the majority of which are not required to be there, and the overall GPA for Gamma Tau has increased by half a point in just one semester since the program was implemented.

By constantly placing emphasis on academics we hope to continue to have one of the best GPA's on campus. Our incentives aim to promote the academic qualities of FIJIs here at Georgia Tech that are expected of former, present, and future members. By promoting and rewarding work ethic, our scholarship program exemplifies the values needed to excel at Georgia Tech and in the future.

Sincerely,
Blake Bernard & Kip Johnson
Scholarship Chairmen

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