Drew Wilson's hard work has paid off.
A senior in biomedical sciences, Wilson is the recipient of the $2,000 Phi Delta Theta Joe Tonsmeire Leadership Award.
Wilson was also awarded a Phi Delta Theta General Headquarters Scholarship this fall, beating out other Phi Delt undergraduate applicants from across the country.
Wilson is the vice president of his fraternity and the public relations director for the Interfraternity Council.
"I was so shocked that they selected me," Wilson said. "It's such a huge honor. I couldn't be more proud to receive it."
Wilson said the award will help pay his student loans if he's accepted into the medical program at the University of Alabama at Birmingham.
The scholarship is in memory of Auburn alumnus Joe Tonsmeire, a former president of Phi Delta Theta.
"He marched to the beat of a different drum," said Dan Tonsmeire, Joe's brother. "He was very enthusiastic and motivated."
Joe attended the University beginning in 1967, and he passed away in March 2007 from bone cancer.
"When he came into the chapter, Mike described (Joe) as a diamond in the rough," Dan said. "He was kind of wild and unmanageable, and once he adopted the fraternity as a big part of his life he turned around in a positive way."
Mike Parker, one of Joe's fraternity brothers, had the idea to set up a memorial leadership fund in Joe's name. It is awarded to a current Phi Delt brother who exhibits the same leadership qualities as the award's namesake.
"They raised about $50,000 and gave the money to the national Phi Delta Theta headquarters," Dan said. "We take the interest off that investment, and that's what the award constitutes."
Both Dan and Parker agree that Wilson is deserving of the leadership award because of his commitment to academics and the fraternity.
"Drew is just an exceptional guy," Dan said. "He's going on to med school and really knocking everything out of the park. The point is, you don't have to be a stellar student, athlete, scholar or anything to receive this award, but you do have to do things that benefit society and the fraternity and have motivation."
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