Nick Bement was one of two students selected to speak at the 2025 FSPAC 20th Anniversary Gala Dinner. Below is his speech.
Good evening, everyone.
First and foremost, I want to express my sincere gratitude for the opportunity to stand before you today, representing Pi Kappa Alpha, the NIC, and the broader Greek-affiliated community.
My name is Nick Bement, and I am a Spring 2022 initiate of the Indiana State chapter of the Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity. It is truly an honor to be here in Washington, D.C., our nation’s capital, advocating for student success. This is a responsibility that I do not take lightly, and while the opportunity to network and connect with leaders from across the country has been incredible, it is essential that we remain focused on the reason that we are here; to see the impact that we can make as student leaders and allies of Fraternity & Sorority Life.
Tonight, I want to take a few moments to share some of the successes my chapter of Pi Kappa Alpha and the Indiana State Student Government Association have achieved over the past year in addressing an issue that affects all college students: our health and safety. To enhance student well-being, we have taken both legislative and practical approaches.
Over the past academic year, the Indiana State Student Government Association, led by my chapter brother Jaxson Zeis, has played a pivotal role in the Indiana Student Government Coalition’s efforts to amend Indiana’s Lifeline Law. This law, which addresses underage drinking on and off campus, is of particular importance to legislators representing university districts. As it currently stands, if an individual under the age of 21 experiences a medical emergency due to alcohol consumption and someone calls for medical assistance, only the caller and those assisting receive immunity from lower-level alcohol-related charges. The Indiana Student Government Coalition is working to expand this protection to the individual experiencing the medical emergency as well.
This amendment is critical for the health and safety of college students because the current law discourages individuals from seeking medical help, due to fear of legal consequences. Often times, students are more concerned about the consequences they may face, rather than getting the treatment they may need to save their life. I am proud to announce that this amendment, Indiana Senate Bill 74, has passed the Senate with bipartisan support and is now advancing to the Indiana House of Representatives.
Beyond legislative efforts, during my tenure as Student Government Association President, we placed a significant emphasis on mental health awareness and advocacy. While the impact of these initiatives may not always be measurable, we continue to witness their lasting effects more than a year after my term has ended. One of our key initiatives was advocating for increased mental health resources. Recognizing the need for widespread access, we collaborated with campus parking services to print the phone numbers of the Indiana State Student Counseling Center and the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline on the back of every student ID. The class of 2027 was the first to receive these updated IDs, and within two years, every student on campus will have immediate access to these critical resources. This seemingly small change has had a profound impact, reinforcing the role that student government can play in enhancing campus life.
Finally, if there is one thing I have learned from college students, is that we love things that are FREE! It’s even better if that thing is an article of clothing with a fantastic message on it. We have sought to engage students in mental health advocacy through a campus-wide initiative. By partnering with various departments, we distributed over 1,000 T-shirts, crewnecks, bracelets, stickers, and more, all featuring the mantra “Mental Health Matters: Tell Your Friends.” Over a year later, I still see students wearing these items daily, serving as a reminder of the importance of mental health conversations.
A common barrier to discussing mental health is the fear of facing that struggle alone. Within the Theta Omicron chapter of Pi Kappa Alpha, we have implemented multiple programming initiatives to foster open discussions about the challenges we face as fraternity men and as men in general. These conversations are essential in breaking down the stigma surrounding mental health.
While we have made significant progress in promoting health and safety at Indiana State, I am always reminded of an important principle: “Being just acceptable is not acceptable.” We must continue striving for excellence in every endeavor we undertake.
Thank you, and God bless.
Nick Bement is a member of Pi Kappa Alpha and a senior at Indiana State University.
