For the 20th time in Fraternity history, Phi Kappa Psi honored one of its best with the Eddie Knight Award of Merit during the closing banquet of the 2012 Grand Arch Council in San Antonio, Texas. Bob Marchesani Butler '94 (IUP '79) became the 21st member of the Fraternity to receive one of the highest individual honors in all of Phi Psi. Bob's dedication not just to his Fraternity, but to the entire Greek movement was a driving force in receiving this high honor.

Not only was Brother Marchesani (right) involved locally in his chapter and on his campus as an undergraduate, he also was elected by his district as Archon, sitting on Phi Kappa Psi's Executive Council from 1981-1983. Upon graduation, he moved to Indianapolis and began working for the North American Interfraternity Conference (NIC) as the assistant executive director. In 1986, he was appointed the first full-time administrator to Phi Kappa Psi’s Foundation. After serving in that role, and while pursuing his masters in business administration, he made a career move and began work for Lilly Pharmaceuticals in 1989, where he has worked ever since in a successful marketing career on some of the company's most noteworthy products. 

His departure from the Headquarters staff in the late 1980's, however, did not stop his involvement in the fraternal movement. He continued to be involved, including holding nationally appointed positions such as Director of Public Relations, Coordinator of Accreditation, NIC Representative, Director of Extension, Outreach Advisor, Regional Coordinator and Member of the Sesquicentennial Commission.

He also served as the chapter advisor for 10 years to the Indiana Zeta chapter at Butler University, guiding them to be named Grand Chapter of the Fraternity in 1996. He is a member of the Fraternity's secret Order of the S.C., attending every national biennial governing convention since 1980, which is 17 in total. 

Most recently, he concluded a two-year term as chairman of the NIC, becoming one of only two Phi Psis to ever have had the distinction of serving in that role.

"It would be incredibly difficult to imagine anybody more deserving of this award than Bob Marchesani," said Shawn Collinsworth Indiana State '91, Executive Director of Phi Kappa Psi. "He has committed much of his life to the betterment of Phi Kappa Psi and Greek life, and we all owe him thanks for that tireless and selfless work."

The Eddie Knight Award of Merit is named after Edward H. Knight Wabash 1893, one of the Fraternity’s most loyal and dedicated alumni. In addition to attending a record 38 Grand Arch Councils, an astonishing number between 1894 and 1970, Knight was a co-founder of the Order of the S.C., stalwart of the Indianapolis Alumni Association and champion to Indiana Gamma at Wabash College. The award is presented to an alumnus, like Eddie, who contributed his time and talents to the initiatives of the National Fraternity, a chapter, colony and/or alumni association.