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Monday, April 24, 2008 Contact: Brittany Dunn Summers
Development Officer & Assoc. Editor
Bernier Receives NIC Gold Medal
Warrensburg, MO. - William P. (Bill) Bernier was honored with the Gold Medal awarded by the North-American Interfraternity Conference (NIC) on April 14, 2008. The award was presented to Bernier at the NIC Awards Banquet during its annual meeting at the Wardman Park Marriott Hotel in Washington, D. C.
Bernier is Executive Vice President &CEO of Sigma Tau Gamma Fraternity. He is a Certified Association Executive and a Past President of both the Kansas City Society of Association Executives and the Fraternity Executives Association. With 35 years tenure, he is the senior CEO serving in the college fraternity and sorority movement.
The NIC, founded in 1909, is the association of the leading men's college fraternities in North America, which serve students on more than 3,000 campuses in Canada and the United States. The Gold Medal is the NIC's highest award. It was first presented in 1940. It honors an individual for distinguished lifetime service to youth and the fraternal movement.
Upon receiving the award, Bernier said: "The Greek movement finds its roots at its founding in 1776 among collegiate patriots determined to protect and preserve the democratic ideal. I am privileged to serve the extraordinary young men of Sigma Tau Gamma and all college fraternities who, as graduates, continue to serve at every level in the democratic fabric of our society from park boards to the halls of Congress."
Bernier became the chief staff executive of Sigma Tau Gamma on April 7 1973. He oversaw the construction of the Fraternity's permanent headquarters at its founding site in Warrensburg. The building is named in honor of Marvin Millsap, a 1926 graduate of UCM. He also oversaw the construction of the White Rose Pavilion and Courtyard, which completed the Sigma Tau Gamma headquarters campus. The Pavilion is dedicated to Dr. Maurine Achauer, Treasurer and Trustee of the Sigma Tau Gamma Foundation, Inc.
In 2004 he launched the Fraternity's Path of Principles Program. This program eliminates traditional pledging and guards against hazing. At the same time it offers a process for meaningful life-long involvement in the Fraternity.
Bernier founded the Depot Renovation Corp., which restored the historic Missouri Pacific Railroad Depot at the heart of Warrensburg in 1985. He has also served as president of the University of Central Missouri Board of Regents (now Governors) and chairman of the Warrensburg Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Center. He is currently chairman of the Missouri Hwy 13 Committee.
Sigma Tau Gamma is a national college fraternity that was founded at the University of Central Missouri in 1920 to promote the highest ideals of manhood, brotherhood and citizenship. It has more than 45,000 collegiate and alumni members.
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