Kathan Ruja
2024 District III Scholarship Recipient
Indiana Beta President and IU Junior Biology major Kathan Raju was awarded one of four 2024 District III scholarships as part of the Phi Kappa Psi Foundation’s National Scholar- ship program. Four scholarships are awarded in each of Phi Kappa Psi’s six districts to undergraduate and graduate Phi Psi members who demonstrate excellence in academics, leadership, and service to their communities.
According to Chapter Advisor Ed Hawes, Raju has served as GP with an “outstanding attitude and passion for serving PKP.” Throughout the challenges that often accompany the office of President, Raju has served with integrity, humility,
and a team spirit. The Phi Psi National Scholarship Reviewers recognized these traits as well as his academic excellence and desire to help others through volunteering and his pursuit of medicine and awarded him the District Scholarship.
Raju cites the portion of the Phi Psi Creed that states that brothers will “pledge throughout their lives to be generous, compassionate, and loyal comrades” as being a powerfully simple guide in his daily life. He applies this mantra to day-to-day interactions such as giving a brother a ride to class or helping the IN Beta chef clean the house’s kitchen as well as major life decisions such as following in his parents’ footsteps by pursuing a life in healthcare in order to “advance and communicate science in a way that improves the health of others.”
Raju has set himself apart as the one Indiana Betan that was awarded a National Scholar- ship and has set an example for all Phi Psi brothers to follow.
Caden Ambrose
Scholarship Recipient
Through its chapter scholarship program, Indiana Beta celebrates brothers’ achievements of obtaining and maintaining a GPA of 3.5 or higher. One of these outstand- ing scholars is Caden Ambrose ’22.
Hailing from California and not familiar with IU’s fraterni- ties, Caden went through recruitment with an open mind and not knowing what he would find. In Phi Kappa Psi, Caden found connection and people of similar interests. In Phi Kappa Psi he found opportunities for growth and he found brotherhood.
Caden believes that Phi Psi has challenged him to grow academically and as a leader through its programs and through leadership opportunities. Serving as Phi Psi Vice Presi- dent beginning his sophomore year, Caden had to communicate many messages – some fun and easy, but many hard. He stated that he had to learn about different communi- cations styles and how to adapt his style to others in order to effectively get his message across. According to former President Kathan Raju, Caden was pretty good at his role. “Caden was the pillar I leaned on when I faced tough decisions; his strong morals and unwavering commitment to his brothers was outstanding and was highly trusted by the brotherhood and advisors.”
This semester at IU, he has been part of the Commercial Real Estate Workshop, a compet- itive program where enrollment in the course is subject to an application and interview process. A cumulative GPA of 3.5 or more is required. Students are given case studies of actual real estate deals and must present how they would have worked each deal. This course, participation in the Phi Psi Explore program on Finance, and a summer internship with CBRE all have reinforced his path to a career in private equities or in a brokerage firm.
Caden and others listed are examples of how Indiana Betans are getting “Ready for Life.”