FCA Awards of Distinction

Marilyn Simpson Ford Award of Distinction
To formally recognize an individual’s commitment to the Association and their time, service, and dedication to the vision and its purpose, the Association created the Marilyn Simpson Ford Award of Distinction recognizing an FCA member for their voluntary contributions. The award was established in 1989 by Pi Beta Phi Fraternity to honor its
former editor Marilyn Simpson Ford and is presented each year at the annual conference.

What to Submit 

• Describe the individual’s commitment to the Association and how they have helped advance the Association’s vision and purpose. Please include a list of positions held and contributions made to Association projects. 
• No more than two letters of recommendation will be accepted for each applicant. 
• All materials must be submitted electronically. No mailed materials will be accepted. 

Evin C. Varner, Jr. Award of Distinction 
As the Grand Senior President of Alpha Sigma Phi Fraternity and President of College Fraternity Editors Association (CFEA), now the Fraternity Communications Association, Evin Varner led both organizations to enhanced programs. He was a leader and speaker in many interfraternal programs and won many awards as editor of his fraternity’s magazine, “The Tomahawk.” He achieved all this while compiling a distinguished career in communications, marketing and public relations. He was the first recipient of the award, shortly before his death in 1985. 

Evin always had time for individuals who sought his counsel, and he easily shared his sense of mission. He was an innovator, a doer and above all, a friend. He influenced others’ appreciation of the role of the fraternal communicator and the effectiveness of interfraternal cooperation. It is this spirit—the outreach of caring and sharing, as well as communicating and achieving—that the Evin C. Varner, Jr. Award memorializes, recognizes and inspires others. 

The nominee must be a member of an FCA member organization but need not be a member of the nominating organization. Over a period of years with notable efforts and results, the Varner Award nominee should have communicated the meaning of “fraternity” through working for their fraternity. The nominee should also have demonstrated sincere and credible leadership and service to the Greek letter system. 

What to Submit 

• Submit a resume of the nominee (limit two pages). Please include the following: service to fraternity or sorority; service to the Greek system, including interfraternal groups and colleagues; contributions to outstanding projects and accomplishments. 
• Describe how the nominee has communicated the meaning of “fraternity” through writing, public speaking or other form of expression; and describe the personal characteristics that make your nominee an exemplary role model for other individuals in the Greek community (limit one page). 
• Articles written by or about the nominee that best represent his or her thoughts and beliefs about “fraternity” (limit three). 
• Letters of recommendations, including one from a top-ranking official of the nomineeʼs or nominatorʼs organization (limit three).
• All materials must be submitted electronically. No mailed materials will be accepted. 

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