Iota Pi Brother Graduates Top of Class at USMC OCS
Chapter & Alumni News
Ezekiel C. Johnston (Kennesaw State) enrolled at Kennesaw State University during the Fall of 2014 to pursue an education in Industrial Engineering. He would go on to become the 539th brother of the Iota Pi Chapter during the Spring of 2015.
Throughout his fraternal career, Johnston has consistently worked to assist in the Iota Pi chapter’s pursuit of excellence. His involvement includes membership on the recruitment, athletic, and public relations committees. His greatest influence on the chapter was delivered during his term as Chaplain. While serving in this position, Johnston assisted in creating an environment in which chapter members were able to thrive and in return, brotherhood prospered. He placed a strong emphasis on promoting the routine devotion to our fraternal values and reinforced the importance of our ritual.
Brother Johnston’s involvement would extend beyond the confines of the Iota Pi chapter. In 2016, Johnston was elected to serve as Vice President of Communications for the Interfraternity Council. During his time in this capacity, he was able to provide important feedback to the IFC board regarding the changes brought upon the community due to the consolidation. His involvement also assisted the chapter by allowing for clear lines of communication to be established between Iota Pi members and the department advisors. Due to his dedication to Iota Pi and the KSU Greek Community, Johnston was recognized in April of 2016 as the Department of Fraternity and Sorority Life’s Emerging Leader of the Year. At the chapter level, Johnston has been recognized as the Athlete of the Year and served as a mentor for younger brothers.
Johnston’s ability to impact the Iota Pi chapter and university has been impressive, but what allows him to stand out is his selfless desire to serve the community. His dedication to something larger than himself. From an early age, he has aspired to seek training to become a helicopter pilot for the United State Marine Corps. In recent years, he has taken steps of excellence towards achieving this goal.
During the Fall of 2016, Johnston was selected by a board executive military officers to attend the United State Marine Corps Officer Candidate School in Quantico, Virginia. Although it is a desired program many wish to experience, around only 300 are chosen each year. To be selected, several tests are administered, and candidates are expected to meet certain criteria. Johnston’s scores were very impressive. Not only did he score in the top percentile for the Aviation Selection Test Battery, but he managed to make a perfect score on the personal fitness test. These factors afforded him a well-deserved spot.
The program has two available layouts for college students. Based on their undergraduate standing, they may attend one 10-week or 2, 6-week periods held over the summer. During these terms, participants are placed in high stress situations, exposed to physical and mental challenges, and tested in a classroom setting. The purpose, as advertised by the program, best describes the experience, “Officer Candidates School (OCS) is where mind, body and character are screened, evaluated and honed to a razor-sharp point. These are the battles that forge leadership potential into Marine Officer material”. As a result, the OCS attrition rate is approximately 30 – 50%.
Brother Johnston would go on to complete the 2, 6-week sessions during the summers of 2016 and 2017. This past July he graduated, and his excellence was once again witnessed. During the formal graduation ceremony, Brother Johnston was recognized as the recipient of the Commandant’s Award. This esteemed honor is presented to the top performing graduate of the over 300 individuals attending. Johnston’s graduating class consisted of 292 courageous young men. Due to the significance of this award, at KSU’s Veteran’s Day football game, Johnston was recognized. As a token of this achievement, President Sam Olens of KSU was presented with the Commandant’s Trophy.
Over the last year, Brother Johnston has returned his focus to his academic endeavors. This past semester, he received a 4.0 GPA while taking 18 hours. With a current cumulative GPA of 3.62, Johnston plans to complete his Industrial Engineering degree next fall. After graduation, he will be commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant and return to Quantico, Virginia. There, he will receive further training at The Basic School, a 6-month long combat training program where he will learn the skills necessary to lead a provisional rifle platoon. Following this, he then will be sent to flight school to continue his service to the United States.
A brother goes on to add “As a Greek Community we aim to recruit members like Johnston to join our organizations. He takes time to think about the values Sigma Nu was founded upon and embraces them in everyday life. He strives to have a positive impact not only within the chapter but in society; a true role model for his peers.”