Phi Kappa Psi honors Valpo senior as Undergraduate of the Year
Jesse Fosheim, a senior at Valparaiso University, was honored as the National Undergraduate of the Year at Phi Kappa Psi’s Grand Arch Council, held in July in San Antonio, Texas.
“I am extremely privileged and humbled by the fact that I was chosen as the Phi Kappa Psi Undergraduate of the Year,” Fosheim said. “Receiving this honor has motivated me to get involved with Phi Kappa Psi on a national level and to stay involved even after I graduate from Valpo.”
The Undergraduate of the Year Award is selected by the national executive council and staff of the Phi Kappa Psi fraternity and is awarded at the Grand Arch Council, the fraternity’s national convention that is held every two years. To be nominated, the individual must have letters of recommendation submitted by an alumnus of the fraternity and by a staff member at his respective university. Fosheim received recommendation from Kevin Jessen ’01, as well as former Greek Life Coordinator Jennifer Jones-Hall, and Interim Greek Life Coordinator Allison Cath.
“I am very proud of Jesse for winning the Phi Kappa Psi Undergraduate of the Year award. He certainly deserves it,” Jessen said. “He’s proven to be a great leader for our chapter and has set an excellent example for the Phi Kappa Psi fraternity as a whole, as well as the entire Greek community and all men and women at Valparaiso University.”
Fosheim was chosen as the recipient of this award out of more than 5,000 current undergraduate members of the fraternity. The award recognizes the engagement of the individual in his fraternity and university, and takes into consideration leadership roles, academic achievements, and philanthropic efforts.
In his recommendation, Jessen pointed to Fosheim’s “sincerity, intelligence, and excellence,” as well as his rigorous academic course load and considerable campus involvement.
Fosheim is a Christ College student who is majoring in mechanical engineering and minoring in math and electrical engineering. He is currently the president of the Phi Kappa Psi chapter at Valpo; the vice president of Tau Beta Pi, the national engineering honor society; and an executive board member of the Valpo chapter of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers. Fosheim is also a member of Order of Omega, the Greek leadership honor society, and Gamma Sigma Alpha, the Greek academic honor society. During his time at Valpo, Fosheim has also been involved with the Valparaiso University men’s choir, Campus Crusade, and was an orientation assistant.
“Attending Valpo has allowed me to get involved in many organizations I would not have normally been able to, and these leadership positions have shaped me into the man I am today,” Fosheim said. “Valpo has given me the knowledge, skills, and confidence that I need to succeed in life.”
After graduation, Fosheim plans to pursue a PhD in mechanical engineering with a focus on thermal sciences.
About Valparaiso University
Valparaiso University is a comprehensive independent Lutheran university with more than 4,000 students on its campus located in Northwest Indiana, an hour from Chicago. Valpo is a community of purpose-driven, service-minded and ethical individuals who embrace the pursuit of truth with freedom, humility and compassion. Valpo has been identified as one of the top master’s-level institutions in the Midwest by U.S. News & World Report magazine for the past 22 years. Valparaiso University offers 110 undergraduate academic programs through the colleges of Arts and Sciences, Business Administration, Engineering and Nursing. Valpo also has a distinguished honors college, a School of Law and more than 40 degree and certificate programs in its Graduate School and Continuing Education Division. Valpo has been recognized for its commitment to outstanding teaching, preparing thoughtful leaders with strong cross-cultural skills and global awareness, and dedication to serving others.
