Student Spotlight: Leading with Purpose and Compassion

As the Philanthropy Chair for her Chapter, Ava Gatewood (Beta Rho Chapter ‘24), turned a personal connection into meaningful impact in her community.  This past semester, she led fundraising and awareness efforts for the Beta Rho Chapter’s local philanthropy, the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. She was honored with the Chapter’s Service Key Award in recognition of her dedication to serving Phi Sigma Pi and her fellow Members.

Ava, a senior studying elementary education at James Madison University, developed a passion for the cause long before she stepped into her Phi Sigma Pi role. Her grandmother lives with Multiple Sclerosis (MS), a chronic disease that affects the central nervous system and can impact movement, vision, and daily life. There is currently no cure, making research and community support especially important. Seeing both her strength and the challenges that disease brings shaped Ava’s commitment to supporting MS awareness and research. She credits her Chapter’s focus on supporting causes like the National MS Society as the reason she chose to join the Fraternity.

“When I first went through Phi Sigma Pi recruitment and learned that our local philanthropy was the National MS Society, it was honestly the entire reason I joined,” Ava shares. “MS has had a really big impact on my family, and raising money and awareness for it means so much to me.”

She secured a sponsorship from Celsius, which donated 15 cases of energy drinks for participants. She also coordinated custom event T-shirts with support from a Chapter connection to the National MS Society that helped cover costs. Ava planned an on-campus course and brought together Members, friends, and family to take part. On the morning of the race, she woke up before dawn to mark the course by hand.

The 5K welcomed 65 participants and raised over $450 for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, with funds donated on behalf of the Beta Rho Chapter. For Ava, the event meant more than fundraising. It was a chance to unite her Chapter around a cause that has been central to her Phi Sigma Pi experience.

“To be able to rally together with my Chapter and friends and family to support this cause was truly a dream,” she says. “I would do it again a million times if I could.”

Outside of her role as Philanthropy Chair, Ava is a dedicated Member of the Beta Rho Chapter of Phi Sigma Pi, where she continues to embody the values of Scholarship, Leadership, and Fellowship through her service and compassion for others.