WKU’s Phi Sigma Pi chapter honors Joplin tornado victim Will Norton

Will Norton, whose story inspired a WKU history instructor to organize relief trips to Joplin, Mo., has been selected as an honorary member of WKU’s Beta Phi Chapter of the Phi Sigma Pi National Honor Fraternity.

Participants in the WKU fall break trip to Joplin, Mo., were: (front row, from left) Usman Hussain, Chris Storath, Patrick Webb, Sara Calvert, Courtney Carter, D.J. McDonald, Isaac Bosse, David Serafini, Brittni Wienecke, Mykayla Harris; (back row, from left) Adam Rzeszowski, Harrison Carter, Amanda Adams, Anna Bewley.

Norton had just graduated from Joplin High School on May 22 and was returning home with his father when the tornado struck their vehicle. His body was found several days later.

“Will’s story is the whole reason we do these Joplin trips,” said chapter advisor David Serafini. “His story has really touched the students and we’ve all adopted him in a sense.”

Serafini and seven students traveled to Joplin in late June; he and 13 students returned for Joplin Run II during WKU’s fall break last week. The WKU chapter is making plans for three more relief trips in 2012.

“Since we make these runs in his honor, it seemed only fitting that we make him an honorary brother of the chapter,” Serafini said. “Phi Sigma Pi’s tripod of ideals are leadership, fellowship and scholarship. Will was a leader at Joplin High School, was a friend to so many and upheld the value of scholarship. After our unanimous vote on Thursday night, the brothers said they are proud to call Will their brother. He fits our ideals for brotherhood.”

Norton will be initiated as an honorary brother in late November as part of the fall 2011 class of 14 initiates.

The WKU groups have been working with Relief Spark in Joplin and have gotten to know Norton’s aunt Tracey Presslor.

Presslor accompanied the WKU group on a trip to Norton’s gravesite last week. “It was the hardest part of the weekend emotionally but in so many ways it was the best part of the weekend,” Serafini said.

Serafini is looking forward to next year’s trips and is hoping more students join the Joplin relief efforts. “We’ll do what they need us to do there, but we have a real desire now to build something,” he said.

Participants in Joplin Run II were chapter members Sara Calvert, a sophomore elementary education major from Scottsville; Chris Storath, a sophomore history/social studies major from Hendersonville, Tenn.; Usman Hussain, an alumni member of the chapter; Isaac Bosse, a junior accounting major from Harrodsburg; Patrick Webb, a junior biology major from Harrodsburg; Anna Bewley, a senior elementary education major from Bowling Green; D.J. McDonald, a freshman history/social studies major from Nashville, Tenn.; Adam Rzeszowski, a sophomore English/photojournalism major from Bowling Green; Brittni Wienecke, a sophomore middle school education major from Chester, Va.; Harrison Carter, a junior design, merchandising and textiles major from Memphis, Tenn.; Amanda Adams, a senior English/pop culture major from Richmond; and WKU students Courtney Carter, a sophomore social work major from Elizabethtown, and Mykayla Harris, a nursing major from Burkesville.

For information about Joplin Run II or the upcoming trips, contact David Serafini at (270) 745-3841, (270) 303-1306 or david.serafini@wku.edu.