Several longboard enthusiasts cruised down the center of Glenn Terrell Mall, trying to catch the sunset cresting behind the Murrow East building. Senior media production and journalism major Madi Phillips crouched behind a light post to capture footage of the ride for a class related documentary on one of the men.

She was captivated by the people framed in her camera lens and determined to produce a reel that would highlight the character of these men. Phillips, who on April 11 won the 2015 Marilyn Fordham Fraternal Values Award, had no interest in talking about her own achievements in the midst of this.

“She has been passionate about capturing moments some of us don’t even see,” Madi’s mother Jan Phillips said. “This has been the case since she was a senior at Newport High School studying videography.”

This same passion is also what has earned Madi her past leadership positions and secured an award, Jan said. But Madi is very humble, too, and didn’t even nominate herself.

Jami Slaton, Phillips’ adviser and the former assistant director for the Center for Fraternity and Sorority Life, was the individual who sent Madi’s name in for consideration. Unlike Madi, Slaton doesn’t mind talking about her student’s achievements.

“Anyone who has met Madi Phillips or watched her for a day would understand why I nominated her,” Slaton said. “She genuinely cares about the wellbeing of others, the environments they live in, and how they are positively influencing those around them.”

The Marilyn Fordham Fraternal Values Award supports these characteristics and is given to only one fraternity and sorority council leader each year.

It is awarded to a nominee who has excelled in their position by affecting the intellectual development, instilling values, encouraging leadership, and working to build positive relationships within their community.

From 2011 to 2013 Madi tackled various roles in her sorority Kappa Kappa Gamma before becoming president of WSU’s Panhellenic Council in 2014.

She utilized the strengths of others in her community to develop initiatives like Project 13, #ReleaseTheYak, and smaller civic service events during her term. She said she worked to ensure every member of her community was represented in some way, shape, or form.

“I’m blessed to have parents that give me the opportunity to do these things,” Madi said. “My heart breaks for kids who can’t be involved in these sorts of things because they are making their own way through college.”

Stan Phillips, Madi’s father, echoed Slaton’s statement. He said he has always been impressed by how well she connects with people and changes their world view.

“Madi spent all of her time in high school helping other people,” he said. “Neither I or her mother asked her to do this. It was all on her own.”

During her sophomore year at Newport High School she joined a student group titled ASPEN that raised awareness about AIDS and began pursing leadership positions within the group, Stan said. Here, he said, she advocated for a cause she believed in and worked to positively influence everyone she came in contact with.

Her father said that constantly learning more about people and using it to change the world has always been one of her greatest priorities. He said as soon as she stopped shying away from confrontation and pursued leadership, it became her only priority.

“I don’t understand how she has so much time to help so many people and always put herself last,” he said. “She is unique in this way.”

Outside of ASPEN, Madi continued to pursue various sorts of media. Stan said she tried to find ways to get behind the scenes and give her audience a perspective they’ve never had before.

Of all students, staff and faculty who interacted with Madi during her four years in college, Slaton believes she is one of many who have been impacted the most.

“It is rare, as a student affairs professional, to have a student that makes a profound impact on your life,” Slaton said. “I learned a lot about myself as professional, a friend, a sister, a mentor, and as a woman.”

Away from Pullman, her parents said they share a love for their daughter that stretches beyond their biological position.

“Our relationship is unique and something I cherish,” Stan said. “She is definitely my best friend.”

Jan, who was able to be present during the award ceremony alongside Madi’s brother, Brandon Rampani, is amazed by her daughter’s ability to continue finding new ways to make their bond deeper.

“We’ve always been close but in all honesty she continues to blow me away,” Jan said. “She is a wonderful young woman whose spirit is going to touch so many people.”

Madi acknowledged she doesn’t always recognize how many people she impacts. But when something reminds her, like the award did earlier this month, she always attributes her success to someone else.

“It freaks me out to be recognized,” she said. “It was really, really humbling. But this award is not my award. This award is everyone’s.”

The award is her parents’. The award is Slaton’s. The award is the Panhellenic Council’s. Madi said the award belongs to the people who have supported Madi.

“Those three are where I have rejuvenated my soul when I need to look for challenge or when I need to be pushed,” she said.

For the rest of the semester Madi plans on continuing to be a good student and complete everything she needs to graduate in May. She plans on continuing to strengthen the relationships she has built.

“I’m a student, a friend and a daughter,” she said. “I can’t forget about that.”

Once she graduates, she plans on using her degree to broaden perspectives through documentary film making and, potentially, public speaking on a motivational platform.

The sunset in her current story is only leading to the dawn of her next.