The 19th annual Big Man on Campus (BMOC), sponsored by Trine University’s Theta Phi Alpha
sorority, raised $5,932.37 for the Vera Bradley Foundation for Breast Cancer.
The funds were raised through a week of activities that culminated with a pageant
on Feb. 8 in the T. Furth Center for Performing Arts.
Eight male students competed in this year’s BMOC event. Austin Nault, a senior from
Rochester, Indiana, majoring in design engineering technology, came in first and was
named Big Man on Campus. Caleb Herber, a junior from Fort Wayne, Indiana, majoring
in design engineering technology, was named Mr. Pink Ribbon, which recognizes the
contestant chosen by the other competitors for showing the most enthusiasm and sportsmanship.
The other contestants included: Andrew Barrett, a junior from Huntertown, Indiana,
majoring in mechanical engineering; Logan Bowling, a senior from Vallonia, Indiana,
majoring in computer engineering; Brody Dyer, a junior from Eaton Rapids, Michigan,
majoring in design engineering technology; Zachary McKee, a senior from Syracuse,
Indiana, majoring in exercise science; David Gaff, a senior from Bristol, Indiana,
majoring in civil engineering; and Scott Beckmann, a senior from Auburn, Indiana,
majoring in civil engineering.
The contestants’ total scores were compiled from three separate categories; Penny
Wars, War Night and the pageant.
Penny Wars made up 20 percent of contestants’ overall scores and took place during
the week leading up the pageant. For this event, each contestant decorated a jug and
tried to get it filled with as much money as possible.
War Night also counted for 20 percent of the final score. This event required contestants
to gather four friends and participate in a series of games and obstacles, including
an obstacle course, a dizzy bat race, a three-legged race, team jump rope and tug
of war.
Pageant Night made up the final 60 percent of the scores. This event included talent,
What BMOC Means to Me, pick-up line, dress like your hero, and Q&A.
At the beginning of the pageant, Lynda Houk, executive director of the Vera Bradley
Foundation, gave a short speech, sharing where money donated to the foundation goes.
The foundation supports a current project at the Melvin and Bren IU Simon Cancer Center
to create a targeted treatment using a monogram medicine that looks at the DNA of
the cancer and patient.
Throughout the week, Theta Phi Alpha sold BMOC T-shirts. The sorority also received
door prizes and monetary donations from Angola-area businesses.
Top photo: From left, Andrew Barrett, Logan Bowling, Brody Dyer, Zachary McKee, David Gaff, Scott
Beckmann, Caleb Herber and Austin Nault. (Photos by Lacie Piekarski)