Laurel
the
FALL 2012
O F P H I K A P PA
P A TA
TAU
AU
FOUNDATION UPDATE
NATIONAL CONVENTION IN REVIEW
FOUNDERS MONTH OF SERVICE RECAP
HOW TO HOST A SUCCESSFUL, MILESTONE CHAPTER EVENT
ADAM MONSON, CHAPMAN ’09, LOOKS
ON AS TREVOR SULLIVAN, CHAPMAN ’09,
HOISTS THE MAXWELL TROPHY ABOVE
2
HIS
HEAD
AT
THE
60TH
NATIONAL
CONVENTION BROTHERHOOD BANQUET
AT
THE
SCHERMERHORN
SYMPHONY
CENTER IN NASHVILLE, TENN. LEARN MORE
ABOUT EPSILON SIGMA CHAPTER’S WIN
AND THE ENTIRE EVENT ON PAGES 14-19.
LEARNING. LEADING. SERVING.
THE LAUREL | www.phikappatau.org
Contents
The Laurel
3
FALL 2012 VOL. 100, NO. 1
Editor-in-Chief
Lane S Baldwin
Copy Editor
John Sayers, Bethany ’78
Graphic Designer
Stacey Castle
About The Laurel
The Laurel is the exoteric publication of the Phi Kappa Tau Foundation.
Published prior to 1919 as SIDELIGHTS, a journal devoted to topics
related to higher education involving college and alumni interests, The
Laurel is now published each year under the direction and authority of
the Board of Trustees of the Phi Kappa Tau Foundation.
The next issue of The Laurel will be Vol. 101, No. 1 and will be
published in the winter of 2013.
Printed in the USA | ISSN Number: 0023-8996
Printed by The Watkins Printing Company, Columbus, Ohio.
FEATURES
14
Phi Kappa Tau Hosts 60th National Convention
A look at the Fraternity’s historic event
20
Address Changes
Visit www.phikappatau.org and choose “Update Your Information”
or call (800) PKT-1906 or mail changes to: Phi Kappa Tau, 5221
Morning Sun Road, Oxford OH 45056 or e-mail Cindy Morgan at
cmorgan@phikappatau.org
Member
Fraternity Communications Association
So You’re Planning a Reunion
How to host a successful, milestone chapter event
23
Founders Month of Service Recap
A look at the Fraternity’s fourth annual month of service
DEPARTMENTS
4
Directory
5
Perspectives
6
News & Noteworthy
8
Foundation Update
10
We Are PKT
24
Chapter Eternal
28
Our Chapters
30
Laurels
THE LAUREL | www.phikappatau.org
This Laurel is printed on 100-percent recycled paper
and fits the Forest Stewardship Council’s requirements
for environmentally mindful publications.
Cover photo taken at the Gamma chapter (Ohio State) Centennial
by Evan Williams Roharik Productions. (From left to right) Mike
Hablitzel ‘72, Dan McKee ‘71, John Stacy ’71, Jack Wallack ‘73,
Curt Rubinstein ‘74 and Frank Giannola ‘75.
LEARNING. LEADING. SERVING.
Phi Kappa Tau
4
The mission of Phi Kappa Tau
is to champion a lifelong
commitment to brotherhood,
learning, ethical leadership and
exemplary character.
The vision of Phi Kappa Tau is to be
recognized as a leadership
organization that binds men together
and challenges them to improve their
campuses and the world.
FRATERNITY
NATIONAL COUNCIL
NATIONAL PRESIDENT
Stephan M Nelson, Southern Mississippi ’73
NATIONAL VICE PRESIDENT
Rick A Keltner, Sacramento State ’76
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
*C Steven Hartman, Muskingum ’89
Joshua J Bleidt, Eastern Kentucky ’96
William F Brasch, Louisville ’67
Michael D Dovilla, Baldwin-Wallace ’94
Sean J McManus, East Carolina ’94
David A Ruckman, Ohio State ’62
Thomas C Skena, Bethany ’81
Scott G Stewart, Nebraska-Kearney ’69
Cliff D Unger, Arizona ’98
UNDERGRADUATE
ADVISORY BOARD
PRESIDENT: Tyler T Vienot, Saginaw Valley State ’09
AJ Broderick, RIT ’11
Ryan Bruchey, Belmont ’10
Manuel A Davila-Molina, Cornell ’09
Jamison R Heard, Evansville ’12
Ken Johnson, Georgia ’11
Nathan A Shuler, Centre ’12
Trevor T Sullivan, Chapman ’09
Jack Van Bibber, Mount Union ’10
NATIONAL ADVISORS
CHIEF ALUMNI OFFICER: Mark A Scher, Rider ’85
CHIEF LEARNING OFFICER: Wesley R Fugate, Centre ’99
HOUSING/ΦKT PROPERTIES: Jeff T Baird, Muhlenberg ’01
RECRUITMENT/RETENTION: Michael T Gabhart, Georgetown ’95
RITUALIST/CHAPLAIN: Fr. Nicholas R A Rachford, Cincinnati ’64
SERVICE: Jordan M Loeb, Indiana ’06
TREASURER: J Kenneth Loewen, Colorado ’80
National Advisors are ex-officio, non-voting members of the National Council.
LEARNING. LEADING. SERVING.
FOUNDATION
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
EXECUTIVE OFFICES STAFF
(800) PKT-1906
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Steve Hartman, Muskingum ’89
shartman@phikappatau.org
x239
DIRECTOR OF CHAPTER SERVICES
Tim Hudson, Truman State ’97
thudson@phikappatau.org
x231
DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT
Tyler Wash, Georgetown ’06
twash@phikappatau.org
x271
DIRECTOR OF EDUCATIONAL INITIATIVES
Sarah Rochford
srochford@phikappatau.org
x236
FINANCE COORDINATOR
Lisa Adams
ladams@phikappatau.org
x232
COMMUNICATION COORDINATOR
Lane S Baldwin
lbaldwin@phikappatau.org
x234
COMMUNICATION ASSOCIATE
Cole Yearwood, Oklahoma State ’09
cyearwood@phikappatau.org
x248
MULTIMEDIA ASSOCIATE
Marty Dunning, Kentucky ’07
mdunning@phikappatau.org
x228
PROGRAMMING COORDINATOR
Dustin Brown, Georgetown ’05
dbrown@phikappatau.org
x222
EXPANSION COORDINATOR
Alex Koehler, Mount Union ’07
akoehler@phikappatau.org
x233
EXPANSION CONSULTANT
Michael Lunkins, Washington ’08
mlukins@phikappatau.org
x240
RESOURCE AND DEVELOPMENT COORDINATOR
Ray Sophie, Southern Illinois ’08
rsophie@phikappatau.org
x223
DEVELOPMENT COORDINATOR
Julia McMurry
jmcmurray@phikappatau.org
x225
EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT
Cindy Morgan
cmorgan@phikappatau.org
x237
ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT-CHAPTER SERVICES
Lori Foister
lfoister@phikappatau.org
x226
ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT-FOUNDATION
Angie Van Winkle
avanwinkle@phikappatau.org
x224
CHAIRMAN
David A Ruckman, Ohio State ’62
FIRST VICE CHAIRMAN
Scott G Stewart, Nebraska-Kearney ’69
SECOND VICE CHAIRMAN
Bill Fisher, Miami ’80
TREASURER
Brian T Hardy, Westminster ’93
SECRETARY
James S Hamilton, Ohio State ’63
Steve W Chaddick, Georgia Tech ’70
John M Green, Nebraska Wesleyan ’60
*Steve Hartman, Muskingum ’89
Reza Hashampour, Georgetown ’82
Gregory M Heilmeier, Bethany ’86
Rick A Keltner, Sacrameto State ’76
Richard F Michael, Michigan Tech ’70
Stephan M Nelson, Southern Mississippi ’73
Jeffrey L Rivard, Central Michigan ’65
Brent W Vickery, Texas-Austin ’81
*non-voting
DISTINGUISHED TRUSTEES
Jack L Bartholomew, Ohio State ’55
Raymond A Bichimer, Ohio State ’53
Mark M Boyd, Miami ’71
William G Braund, Westminster ’54
Norman W Brown, Ohio State ’50
Gerald G Carlton Jr, Ohio ’58
Melvin Dettra, Ohio State ’45
F Fred Fether, Bowling Green ’51
Lawrence L Fisher, Ohio State ’60
Hugh C Fowler, Colorado ’45
John D Good, Ohio ’47
Jim K Heilmeier, Kent State ’47
Theodore A Hendricks, Bowling Green ’59
Gregory M Hollen, Maryland ’75
Dan L Huffer, Ohio State ’57
David W Lawrence, Miami ’61
Robert Leatherman, Akron ’60
James C McAtee, Ohio ’65
F L Mac McKinley, Oklahoma State ’51
Frederick E Mills, Ohio State ’66
Donald J Phillips II, Texas-Austin ’82
Fr. Nicholas R A Rachford, Cincinnati ’64
Joel S Rudy, Bethany ’60
Timothy F Smith, Bowling Green ’62
Donald E Snyder Sr, Cornell ’49
Carl D Vance, Miami ’67
Graydon D Webb, Ohio State ’69
THE LAUREL | www.phikappatau.org
Perspectives
55
Like Madness Is the Glory of This Life
On a conference call in the spring of 2011, Bob Mintz, Ohio State ’71, abandoned good judgment and agreed to
chair Gamma chapter’s Centennial committee (page 22).
Over the 12 months that followed, Bob and his team assembled a plan that culminated in 300 brothers and guests
descending on The Ohio State University campus this past April. The attendees enjoyed a variety of events that were
designed with a simple elegance—to give brothers and guests a chance to ‘reunion,’ to celebrate the spirit of brotherhood, and to rejoice in their collective Ohio State and Gamma chapter experiences.
The weekend was filled with excited chatter and bursts of rollicking laughter. The guests were a modern cast of
a Shakespearean play. Seated in one corner, I noted
a stately gent in a grey suit holding court among a
I was reminded of the lyrics of an old camphandful of peers. This same scene was surely depicted with the same characters decades earlier where fire song, “Make new friends but keep the old,
he undoubtedly challenged his fellow brethren “to
one is silver and the other’s gold.” The simplicity
thine own self be true.”
On the other side of the room, I noticed a
of that verse so aptly describes what Phi Kappa
40-something free spirit burst into the reception to
the excited cries of long-lost friends, a bowler hat Tau can bring to life, and why reunions are so
thrown rakishly over a sheepish smile. Undoubtedly
this was the Puck in our mid-spring night’s dream. important to our fraternal mission.
The crowd around him would spontaneously burst
with laughter for the next two hours as he told tales of travel and adventure.
Talking to Bob after the event, he felt a sense of awe considering the life experiences and history that was being
captured at that moment. Through all of the frustrations of planning such an event—deadlines, budgets, communication—Bob and the committee had provided the attendees the great gift of joy that can only come from genuine,
organic friendship.
Having attended the Gamma Centennial as a guest, and then having attended our National Convention two
months later (page 14), I was reminded of the lyrics of an old campfire song, “Make new friends but keep the old,
one is silver and the other’s gold.” The simplicity of that verse so aptly describes what Phi Kappa Tau can bring to
life, and why reunions are so important to our fraternal mission.
If you’re planning a milestone chapter reunion this year or in the coming years, I encourage you to turn to page
20 and learn from those who have “been there, done that.” They’ll admit that it’s not an easy job, but that it sure is
rewarding.
“
”
Steve Hartman, Muskingum ’89, is chief executive officer.
THE LAUREL | www.phikappatau.org
LEARNING. LEADING. SERVING.
News & Noteworthy
6
PHI TAU HOSTS LEADERSHIP ACADEMY 2012
This summer, Phi Kappa Tau Fraternity held its two annual Leadership
Academy sessions—the first at Camp Rock Eagle in Eatonton, Ga., and
the second at Pilgrim Pines in Yucaipa, Calif. Nearly 100 undergraduates
participated in this year’s program.
Leadership Academy is Phi Tau’s premier, individualized leadershipdevelopment event. The curriculum guides students to think critically
about important issues facing individuals, chapters and the Fraternity,
while preparing them to be ethical leaders on their campuses and in their
chosen fields.
“Leadership Academy is designed to help Phi Tau leaders focus on their
strengths,” said Leadership Academy Dean Don Stansberry, Ohio ’87.
“For many participants, Leadership Academy was their first Phi Tau event
beyond their chapters. The curriculum allows the men to meet brothers
from around the country and to learn from each other.”
Participants uncovered their strengths and learned how to use them
in leadership roles and created personal visions for their chapters. The
men participated in a brother-to-brother session, challenge course and Phi
Kappa Tau’s traditional Candlelight Ceremony. There was also free time
scheduled into each day, allowing participants the time to play basketball,
swim, play football or just relax with new friends.
“Leadership Academy, to me, is a chance for brothers from all across the
nation to come together and build bonds with one another, and also to
develop our leadership skills and then take them back to our chapters to
help the group develop and grow,” said William Erskine, Shepherd ’12.
One Leadership Academy tradition is to recognize a brother at each
session with the Cosgrove Spirit and Leadership Award. The award recognizes participants who most clearly demonstrate the spirit of Leadership
Academy. Ryan Johnson, Purdue ’12, and Brandon Peterson, Nebraska
LEADERSHIP ACADEMY ATTENDEES PARTICIPATE IN THE CHALLENGE COURSE.
Wesleyan ’12, were each honored with the award.
Overall, participants had the opportunity to develop themselves as Phi
Taus, as men and as leaders.
Stansberry said he is excited to continue to help Academy develop as a
national program and to aid in the development of Phi Tau’s future legacy
through the men that attend Academy.
“Academy,” he said, “continues to be a great opportunity for Phi Taus
to come together to become better leaders and better men.”
PHI KAPPA TAU UPDATES BRAND
Since the beginning of 2011, Phi Kappa Tau has worked with Power
Creative, an advertising and design firm in Louisville, Ky. (owned and
managed by Phi Kappa Tau alumnus David Power, Louisville ’90), to refresh all aspects of its current brand. At the 60th National Convention in
Nashville, Tenn., the official Phi Kappa Tau Style Guide and phase one
of the branding process was unveiled.
Notable updates include a modernized coat of arms; new “informal
brand,” which includes the greek letters; new Foundation lockup, or
logo; and the style guide, which specifies font and color use, among
other things.
“Consistency is key for good brand management,” said Communication Coordinator Lane S. Baldwin. “With so many constituents in and
around Phi Kappa Tau, consistency will always be a challenge, but that
doesn’t mean we shouldn’t equip members with the best possible resources to help them succeed. The Fraternity’s updated brand and style guide,
which outlines how the new branded resources should be used, will give
Phi Kappa Tau better brand recognition, increased success at every level,
and an overall cohesive look and feel.”
LEARNING. LEADING. SERVING.
PHI KAPPA TAU
AE
I Oe
N
Ee TI H THN
N
IK H
LEARNING . LEADING . SERVING .
The style guide is intended to ensure that members, associate members,
volunteers, and Executive Offices staff are able to appropriately and accurately represent the Fraternity through internal and external communications, both printed and electronic.
A digital version of the style guide and downloadable brand elements
can be found at www.phikappatau.org under “About PKT,” “The Phi
Kappa Tau Brand.”
If you have questions about Phi Kappa Tau’s brand, please contact
communications@phikappatau.org.
THE LAUREL | www.phikappatau.org
FOUR PHI KAPPA TAU CHAPTERS CHARTER
7
“This group has worked hard to fulfill the requirements to be installed as a chapter, but even more importantly, they are building a
A GAMMA UNDERGRADUATE
chapter that all Phi Tau alumni would be impressed with,” Reese said.
SIGNS THE CHAPTER’S CHARTER.
“These men took the worst possible situation—losing a charter—and
used it to form a truly worthy brotherhood. They have each achieved
something unique and worth celebrating.”
GAMMA CHAPTER originally joined Phrenocon in 1912. More than 100 years after Phi Tau’s
third chapter originally formed, the Fraternity celebrated the group’s re-chartering in June 2012.
Expansion Coordinator Alex Koehler, Mount
Union ’07, said the re-chartering was not only a major accomplishment for the new initiates, but the
alumni as well.
“For me, seeing the alumni who have put forth a
tireless effort advising these men is unforgettable,”
Koehler said. “Their reactions when the men signed
the charter signified what Phi Kappa Tau is all about.”
The signing of the charter may be the end of the
Phi Kappa Tau celebrated the re-charcolonization process for the newly initiated brothers,
tering of four chapters since last year.
but their work isn’t over.
National officers, undergraduates and
“Our goal this year was to put ourselves in the
alumni of the Fraternity attended the
best position for the start of next year, which meant
installation and chartering weekends for CEO STEVE HARTMAN, MUSKINGUM ’89, AND recruiting as many quality guys as possible,” said Past
each colony.
NATIONAL PRESIDENT STEVE NELSON, SOUTH- Colony President Sean Hicks, Ohio State ’12. “That
DELTA CHI CHAPTER held its ERN MISSISSIPPI ’73, DISPLAY LAMBDA CHAP- was always our goal, and if we were able to charter, so
chartering on Founders Day, March TER’S CHARTERS.
be it. We did it, and it definitely was satisfying. But it
17, 2012. The Fraternity’s 118th
is only the beginning of what we will be accomplishchapter, Delta Chi originally charing at Ohio State.”
tered in 1985.
LAMBDA CHAPTER grew from two to 39 men by the time it char“It is fitting that we celebrated Delta Chi’s chartering on Phi Kappa tered in August 2012. The Fraternity’s 11th chapter, Lambda originally
Tau’s Founders Day,” said Past National President Greg Heilmeier, Beth- chartered in 1920.
any ’86, who presided over the chatering. “On March 17 we remembered
“Signing the charter for us all was a culmination of all of our hard
the Fraternity’s founders and what they gave us. These men of Delta Chi work coming to fruition,” said Past Colony President James Douglas
are founders too, and just like Shideler, Boyd, Borradaile and Douglass, “Nalu” Camanse, Purdue ’12. “It was an amazing opportunity that I
they will give their chapter more than anyone can imagine.”
will forever remember. The chartering document itself is a very special
Nicholas Benjamin, Rochester ’12, said the most memorable part of piece of parchment for our chapter’s history. It gains that honor as it
the chartering was the Candlelight Ceremony that closed the day.
serves as a physical representation of the strong foundation that the
“With it brought an overwhelming sense of pride and joy, to which men of Lambda have crafted over the past year. To share the lines with
the ambiance only added,” he said. “Seeing current brothers and dis- these men, for me, was a very humbling experience.”
tinguished alumni coming together in such a ceremony solidified all
Topher Endress, Purdue ’12, said the initiation ceremony was the
of the other events of the day. In a greater sense, we further realized start of a new chapter for the men.
that we were not only becoming a chapter, but we were adding to a
“Being in the last group to go through the Ritual, it was easy to see
group that I can only describe as brothers.”
a clear difference in excitement before and after we were done,” EndBETA MU CHAPTER initiated 34 new members in April 2012. ness said. “While my brothers were naturally very excited to see [us]
The Fraternity’s 60th chapter, Beta Mu originally chartered in 1949.
finally become brothers, there was also an implicit understanding that
Beta Mu Founding Father Jim Heilmeier, Kent State ’49, attended now that all of us had taken care of the individualistic parts, we could,
the weekend events and spoke at the charter-signing ceremony on be- as a group, finally charter. In this moment of palpable excitement, I
half of the original founding group. He told the new initiates that he could clearly see how important chartering was to this group.”
was proud of all their hard work and knew that the rest of the 1949
In the fall of 2012, the Fraternity chartered chapters at San Jose,
chartering class would also be proud.
Nebraska Wesleyan, Charleston and Texas-Austin. The next Laurel
Alumni Advisor Rob Reese, Kent State ’87, said he is impressed
will include a story about these events.
with the undergraduates too.
THE LAUREL | www.phikappatau.org
LEARNING. LEADING. SERVING.
8
FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIPS
The Phi Kappa Tau Foundation
awarded $26,500 in scholarships for
the 2012-13 academic year.
There was an increase in applications this year compared to the previous year.
Scholarship recipients were carefully chosen based on their academic
success, commitment to the ideals of
Phi Kappa Tau, and service to their
campus, community and Fraternity.
Financial assistance is provided to
qualifying students pursuing bachelor’s, master’s and doctorate degrees.
“It really is an impressive group
across the board in terms of excellence,” Scholarship Chairman Rick
Harrison, Ohio ’79, said. “They are
excelling in the classroom, excelling
outside the classroom, participating
in a myriad of community-service initiatives and providing leadership to
their chapters and colonies. We definitely had to make some very difficult
decisions based on the quality of the
applicants.”
Harrison said the scholarships are
an import aspect of Phi Kappa Tau’s
dedication to academics.
“They can be used as a recruitment
tool and as a way to let parents, faculty, colleges and universities know
that we appreciate good scholarship
and academics,” he said. “Too often
greek organizations get labeled with
taking grades down, and I think with
the kind of quality we saw in the applicants, it is the exact opposite.
The complete list of recipients of
this year’s Foundation scholarships
can be found at www.phikappatau.org
and will be published in the 2012 Annual Report.
LEARNING. LEADING. SERVING.
FOUNDATION BOARD ANNOUNCES
TWO NEW TRUSTEES
Phi Kappa Tau Foundation Chairman David Ruckman, Ohio State ’62,
announces that the Foundation Board of Trustees elected Jeff Rivard, Central Michigan ’65, and Greg Heilmeier, Bethany ’86, as trustees. The election of Rivard and Heilmeier took place during the May 11 meeting in
Louisville, Ky.
JEFF RIVARD, CENTRAL MICHIGAN ’65
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, WESTERN PENNSYLVANIA
GOLF ASSOCIATION
GREG HEILMEIER, BETHANY ’86
OWNER, TASTY PURE FOOD CO.
THE LAUREL | www.phikappatau.org
PHI KAPPA TAU
REKINDLES ALUMNI CLUBS
In accordance with the Phi Kappa
Tau strategic plan, the Fraternity is
currently revitalizing and re-launching
its alumni club initiative with a more
efficient structure that can be replicated in major alumni areas throughout
the country.
Alumni clubs are composed of
graduate members from all chapters
in a specific geographic area with a
key alumnus or alumni to coordinate
its activities. There are four main purposes that drive the inception of an
alumni club:
• Career networking or development
• Social or leisure opportunities
• Civic or philanthropic desires
• Expansion support
The goal of an alumni club is to create a number of events to attract members from all cross sections of interest.
“Our mission calls for a lifelong
commitment,” said Director of Development Tyler C. Wash, Georgetown
’06. “Membership does not end when
you walk across the stage at graduation. An alumni club is a vehicle for
alumni to connect in meaningful ways.
The values of Phi, Kappa, and Tau remain true at every stage of life and it
is important for the overall strength of
this Fraternity for alumni to celebrate
MICHAEL LUMMUS JOINS
THE HERITAGE SOCIETY
Michael Lummus, Belmont ’06, the 2007 Shideler
Award winner, has been loyal to not only his chapter,
but also the National Fraternity. Along with serving as
the Mississippi Valley Domain Director since spring
2009, he has attended and facilitated numerous Fraternity events and Men of Character Programs, such as
Leadership Academy. Lummus has also served as the
chairman of the Borradaile Challenge committee, and
in addition to giving his time, he has donated to the Foundation since 2008.
His Phi Kappa Tau résumé became even more impressive when he was introduced as
the newest member of the Heritage Society at the Recognition Reception during the 60th
National Convention in Nashville, Tenn.
“I believe in what we are doing as an organization and wanted to be a part of moving that
forward,” Lummus said. “On top of that, I have developed a lot of great relationships over
the years with people I have interacted with at the national scale. My involvement with
Phi Kappa Tau has helped me not only help others, but also maintain those relationships.
So it is a fun thing too.”
A bequest to Phi Kappa Tau may be made through a will or living trust in the form of
cash, securities, real estate, or other property. You should specify that the Phi Kappa
Tau Foundation is to receive a certain amount or percentage of your estate or
particular assets, or the remainder of your estate after providing for heirs. Please
contact foundation@phikappatau.org if we can assist you and your attorney or financial
advisor in establishing a bequest for the Phi Kappa Tau Foundation.
their lifelong bonds of brotherhood.”
If you are interested in starting an
alumni club in your area, contact Development Coordinator Julia McMurray at jmcmurray@phikappatau.org.
SUPPORT THE LEADERS
OF TOMORROW
A gift to the Phi Kappa Tau Foundation supports national, regional, and chapter educational- and character-building programs; undergraduate and graduate academic scholarships; and philanthropic gifts
and volunteer stipends for the Fraternity’s national
philanthropy—SeriousFun Children’s Network.
The Foundation depends on gifts of any size to move
Phi Kappa Tau, and its members, forward.
Give today by visiting:
www.phikappatau.org/givenow
The leaders of tomorrow are counting on you!
DELTA THETA BROTHERS FROM GEORGETOWN MINGLE DURING THE FOUNDATION-SPONSORED RECOGNITION
RECEPTION AT CONVENTION. (FROM LEFT TO RIGHT) FOUNDATION TRUSTEE REZA HASHAMPOUR ‘80, DIRECTOR
OF DEVELOPMENT TYLER WASH ‘06, PROGRAMMING COORDINATOR DUSTIN BROWN ‘05, NATIONAL RECRUITMENT ADVISOR MIKE GABHART ‘95.
THE LAUREL | www.phikappatau.org
LEARNING. LEADING. SERVING.
9
10
10
We
Are

OU R I DENT IT Y
Three Phi Taus are making a name for
themselves, and they haven’t forgotten
their Fraternity roots.
The Singer-Songwriter
Chad Warrix
Singer-Songwriter
Nashville,Tenn.
LEARNING. LEADING. SERVING.
Chad Warrix, Eastern Kentucky ’12, has
been making music for as long as he
can remember. The country singer, who
recently started a solo gig after enjoying
success as half of the duo Halfway to
Hazard, believes you’ve got to follow your
heart, and he strives to do just that with
his music. His mantra was also the reason
he decided to join Phi Kappa Tau as an
initiate at the Fraternity’s 60th National
Convention in Nashville.
“I’d heard about Phi Kappa Tau for
awhile because my manager Josh Bleidt
(Eastern Kentucky ’96) has been involved
since he joined. He would talk about
the great things Phi Taus were involved
in, and at Convention, I heard about
those things—philanthropy, learning,
leadership, community. These are things
I believe in, and if I didn’t know before,
I knew then that my values aligned with
this Fraternity’s. As a father, a husband, a
musician, a philanthropist, I try to apply
all these things to my family and my work.
Thank you for making me a part of your
family, and thank you for including me in
your work.”
THE LAUREL | www.phikappatau.org
We
Are

Rob Bironas
Placekicker,Tennessee Titans
Nashville,Tenn.
The Athlete
Though Rob Bironas, Eastern Kentucky ’12,
heard about Phi Kappa Tau in college, he was
too focused on football to join a Fraternity.
That focus paid off. Today, Bironas is known
for his precision as a placekicker for the
Tennessee Titans, a trait that came with much
perseverance and hard work. And years later,
that fraternity he’d heard about around the
Auburn campus was still interested in recruiting
him. At Phi Kappa Tau’s 60th National
Convention in Nashville, Bironas joined Chad
Warrix, Eastern Kentucky ’12, as an initiate.
“Phi Tau does a lot of great things and has
strong name recognition for the work it does
in the community. That’s what originally drew
me to the organization, because I do a lot of
philanthropy with my own charity, the Bironas
Fund. I didn’t really understand philanthropy
when I first got into the league, but as I keep
getting involved, I find more and more passion
in helping others. Getting out and giving back
to the community is a huge thing in my eyes
because one autograph, one picture, one hour
of my time is not a big deal to me, but it makes
a big impact in the lives of those who really need
it. Collectively, we can all make an even bigger
difference.”
THE LAUREL | www.phikappatau.org
LEARNING. LEADING. SERVING.
1
1
11
We
12
12
Are

The Entrepreneur
After being unexpectedly laid off at the end of 2008, Shaun Walker, Southern Mississippi
’03, (left) and business partner Reid Stone founded HERO|farm, a marketing strategy and
design agency. Having been named one of YFS Magazine’s Top 20 Young Entrepreneurs
of 2011 and to a local publication’s 40-under-40 list, among other accolades, Walker
and Reid really just have one goal: Do great work for good people.
“It’s a simple philosophy, but one that we live by every day at HERO|farm. We’ve come
to realize how beneficial advertising can be for the viewer when it is paired with clients
who have good missions of their own. When you add value to a person’s everyday life,
you do more than just sell a product; you create a lasting relationship of goodwill and
a connection that goes far beyond sell-buy-consume. Our goal with HERO|farm is to
help evolve advertising into something people don’t run from, but applaud.
“Being a Phi Tau, I got to be a part of something bigger than myself and I try to
incorporate that same mindset into everything I do, especially with HERO|farm. Through
my experiences with the Fraternity, like fundraising for SeriousFun, I learned that in
seeking happiness for others, I could easily find it for myself. What people genuinely
remember most at the end of the day is how you made them feel, not how much money
you have or how famous you are. If you’re not trying to change the world for the better
or having some kind of positive impact on it, all you’re doing is taking up space. Phi Tau
taught me the value of truly connecting with people, for which I am forever grateful.”
Shaun Walker, Southern Mississippi ’03
Creative Director, HERO|farm
New Orleans, La.
Get in touch with Shaun via
shaun@hero-farm.com or
facebook.com/herofarm.
LEARNING. LEADING. SERVING.
THE LAUREL | www.phikappatau.org
The journey.
Starting from the ground up.
Helping to nurture continued growth.
This is the unique experience
of a founding father.
146 chapters in our history.
More than 90,000 initiated members.
It all began with an idea.
Hopes. Dreams. Perseverance. Dedication.
For the honored founders,
reaching their goal was only the beginning.
You can help us continue upward.
Help create the future of Phi Kappa Tau by…
…referring a potential founding father
on a campus without an active chapter.
…referring a potential member to an existing chapter.
…volunteering to help coordinate an expansion.
Find out more at
www.phikappatau.org/createthefuture
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M
ore than 400 undergraduates,
alumni and friends of Phi
Tau traveled from across
the country to attend
the Fraternity’s 60th National
Convention July 25-29, 2012,
at the Hilton Downtown in
Nashville, Tenn. Attendees spent
the week in brotherhood, moving
the Fraternity forward.
Business on the Convention floor
included electing national officers, determining National Constitution and Statutes
changes, and making recommendations on
the policies
and operation of the Fraternity.
Phi Kappa Tau also unveiled
new programs, including a
revitalized alumni club program
and a brand restructuring (see
The following members were elected to,
page 6).
or changed positions on, the National
Other Convention activities
Council:
included a Recognition
• Steve Nelson, Southern Mississippi
’73, National President
Reception at the Hard Rock
• Rick Keltner, Sacramento State ’76,
Café, a service project at a
National Vice President
community garden, and alumni
• Bill Brasch, Louisville ’67
excursions to the Country Music
• Tom Skena, Bethany ’81
Hall of Fame and other local
attractions.
The following members completed
Downloadable Convention
their National Council term:
pictures are available under
• Greg Heilmeier, Bethany ’86
“Programs,” “National
• Wes Fugate, Centre ’99
Convention” on the national
• Ken Loewen, Colorado ’81
website.
The following members were elected to
Convention videos,
the Undergraduate Advisory Board:
including the full Brotherhood
• Jamison Heard, Evansville ’12
Banquet, can be viewed on
• Ken Johnson, Georgia ’11
the Phi Kappa Tau’s YouTube
• Nathan Shuler, Centre ’12
channel at youtube.com/
• Ryan Bruchey, Belmont ’10
phikappatauhq.
• Trevor Sullivan, Chapman ’09
FRATERNITY ELECTS
NEW OFFICERS
The following members completed
their Undergraduate Advisory Board
term:
• Steven Binzel, Case Western ’08
• Mike Disotell, Westminster ’08
• Phil Frandina, RIT ’08
• Jason Lustig, Cornell ’08
• Matt Marone, Florida State ’08
• Trey Pippin, Louisville ’09
Learning. Leading. Serving.
FOUNDATION ACTIVE AT CONVENTION
This year, the Phi Kappa Tau Foundation played a big
role in the Fraternity’s National Convention. Along with
having a Foundation information booth set up outside
the Convention floor, the Foundation sponsored the
Recognition Reception at the Hard Rock Café, hosted
the Foundation Donor Reception at the Schermerhorn
Symphony Center prior to the Brotherhood Banquet and
ran a silent auction.
“The Fraternity and the Foundation have always enjoyed
a wonderful partnership,” said Foundation Director of
Development Tyler C. Wash, Georgetown ’06. “The stronger
the Foundation is, the stronger the Fraternity is, and vice versa.
It was great to see the Foundation play a more visible part in the 60th
National Convention. A majority of the members of the Foundation
Board of Trustees were present and a lot of interest was driven by the
Foundation booth and the interaction that members had with trustees
and staff.”
The silent auction,
which was held from
July 25-28, featured past
Convention memorabilia,
a custom guitar with a
60th National Convention design, and various autographed sports and
music memorabilia donated by National Councilor Josh Bleidt, Eastern
Kentucky ’96.
“This was the first year for a silent auction at Convention and it could
not have gone better,” said Foundation Development Coordinator Julia
McMurray. “We were able to generate nearly $2,000 for the Foundation
from this auction alone, which will go a long way in supporting the leaders
for tomorrow.”
Beyond the silent auction, Bleidt had another fundraising idea: offering
a limited number of commemorative footballs with the Convention
logo, which were signed by Tennessee Titans placekicker Rob Bironas,
Eastern Kentucky ’12. The Foundation raised an additional $2,500 from
the footballs that also benefited The Bironas Foundation, which is a
children’s charity.
McMurray, the Foundation staff’s newest addition, said she was
impressed with how passionate Phi Tau alumni are.
“Phi Tau has a lot of dedicated, creative and hardworking alumni,”
McMurray said. “They are truly passionate about getting back to the roots
of Phi Tau and what this Fraternity stands for. They know that Phi Tau
shouldn’t have to end after four undergraduate years. They want to keep
this legacy and tradition alive, and I cannot wait to help them with that.”
“I PLEDGE TO YOU TO CONTINUE TO STEER DOWN THE NARROW PATH
THAT LIES AHEAD, AND AS YOUR PRESIDENT, I WILL CONTINUE TO STEER
THE SHIP ON THE PATH LAID OUT FOR US BY OUR STRATEGIC PLAN,”
—STEVE NELSON, SOUTHERN MISSISSIPPI ’73
THE LAUREL | www.phikappatau.org
15
SIX ALUMNI JOIN HALL OF FAME
Phi Kappa Tau inducted six alumni who are distinguished in their fields of endeavor into the Hall of Fame
at the National Convention’s Brotherhood Banquet. This ever-growing program demonstrates the
dedication of distinctive Phi Tau professionals and stewards. The newest inductees are:
• Ken Buzbee, Southern Illinois ’56, retired lieutenant colonel in the United States
Marine Corps and a former Illinois state senator
• Joe Goulden, Texas-Austin ’53, award-winning journalist and best-selling author
• Larry Huang, Georgia Tech ’70, CEO of Unique Square—an e-commerce
retailer that focuses on selling music equipment
• Dan Metzler, Georgia Tech ’69, architect, homebuilder and founder of Dan
Metzler Homes
• James Poss, Southern Mississippi ’80, major general in the United States
Air Force
• Mike Power, Louisville ’62, entrepreneur and founder of Power Creative—
an advertising agency
Buzbee, who was the only inductee able to attend Convention, said it was an
“incredible honor and privilege” to be installed.
“When you look at the varied alumni that [Phi Kappa Tau] has inducted [into
the Hall of Fame], to be in the same company with Paul Newman and people of
that magnitude … my goodness, what a great honor,” Buzbee said.
FRATERNITY INITIATES FOUR MEN
Phi Kappa Tau Fraternity initiated four exemplary men during the
60th National Convention in Nashville, Tenn. The newest honorary
initiates are Rob Bironas, Eastern Kentucky ’12, Andy Dulman,
Southern California ’12, Chad Warrix, Eastern Kentucky ’12, and
Ben Williamson, Eastern Kentucky ’12.
All four were recommended for initiation because they independently
embodied the Fraternity’s values and expressed a desire to become a part
of the strong brotherhood.
Both Bironas, the Tennessee Titans placekicker, and Warrix, a
recording artist, became interested in membership after talking with their
manager, National Councilor Josh Bleidt, Eastern Kentucky ’96, about
his experience and the Fraternity’s purpose.
“I have been able to spend a lot of time with each, understanding their
views on life, happiness, philanthropy, loyalty and friendship amongst
others,” Bleidt said. “I look at the long-term fraternal relationships I have
with many of my brothers and I feel the same about these guys. On top
of that, add their drive to help others, raise money for significant causes,
and do whatever they can to better their communities, I felt it only lacked
the initiation process. “
Dulman, a film student, was introduced to the Fraternity by Regional
Conferences Dean Ray Carlos, Cal State-Fullerton ’01, when he began
seeking advice to better his professional cinema fraternity. Carlos said
that it was in the men’s weekly meetings that Dulman’s character became
apparent.
“Here is a member of a professional fraternity who is utilizing our
THE LAUREL | www.phikappatau.org
resources to
progress his
own fraternity
toward greatness
and in the process,
fell in love with Phi Kappa
Tau,” Carlos wrote in a letter to
the National Council. “Andy is a work horse. He is a visionary. He is an
entrepreneur. He is all things that we look for as qualities of a member in
Phi Kappa Tau.”
Williamson, a registered nurse, has developed relationships with
brothers while playing the drums for Atomic Solace. Kyle Moon,
Eastern Kentucky ’04, said the band had performed at numerous Phi
Tau events, including Delta Rho homecoming festivities and various
stops on a 2010 tour.
“As members of the same band, I have been able to repeatedly witness
Mr. Williamson displaying the selfless character of which we were founded
upon,” wrote Moon in a letter to the National Council. “He has always
possessed many leadership qualities and has never been hesitant to take
on responsibilities to ensure the success of a particular endeavor.”
All four men began their Phi Tau experience with active roles at the
Convention. Bironas and Warrix signed memorabilia that was part
of a silent auction, which raised money for the Foundation. Dulman
assisted communications staff with video interviews. Atomic Solace
performed at the Foundation-sponsored Recognition Reception and
Phi Tau concert, and Warrix also performed several of his songs at the
Brotherhood Banquet.
LEARNING. LEADING. SERVING.
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EPSILON SIGMA WINS MAXWELL TROPHY
The Epsilon Sigma chapter brothers were anxious at Phi Kappa Tau’s
60th National Convention, and rightfully so. The men made the trip
from Orange, Calif., to Nashville, Tenn., to represent their brotherhood
and present for the Maxwell Trophy, awarded to the most outstanding
chapter in the nation.
“We freaked out when we heard our chapter called,” said Chapter
President Adam Monson, Chapman ’09. “We ran up on stage and we
were just trembling with excitement. For the rest of the ceremony we all
were switching from looking at the person on stage and staring at this
trophy in the middle of our table to make sure it was actually there.”
The chapter had just received one of the Fraternity’s highest honors.
“The thing we felt going into it and coming out of it is that we are so
grateful and honored to be named the No. 1 chapter, because there are
tons of chapters that are doing things on incredible levels that [make us
aspire to be better],” Monson said.
Amid the numerous “congratulations” spread across every imaginable
communication platform, there were also reminders.
“There was a flood of excitement, but there was a good amount of
people bringing us back down and reminding us that this didn’t just
happen because we are a fun-loving group of goofy guys, but that we
worked our tails off and we have to keep doing that,” Monson said.
What resulted in the Chapman representatives being called up to the
Schermerhorn Symphony Center stage had started years earlier. Facing
an uncertain future, the chapter turned to recruitment as the necessary
answer to its problems.
“I think a huge part of it is that when my class came in—fall of 2009—
we were essentially the new breath of the chapter,” Monson said. “When
we got in, we were half the house. We had a huge influx of leaders.”
Those new leaders helped change the chapter’s culture.
“The influx of new members brought a completely new dynamic
to the chapter, with brothers getting involved in leadership positions
early on and becoming invested in the chapter, leading them to take
on greater roles later,” said Past Chapter President Trevor Sullivan,
Chapman ’09. “This new attitude that the new leadership brought was
all about analyzing our chapter, in the sense that we wanted to keep what
was working, and improve what was holding back our potential.
The recruitment focus didn’t stop in 2009. Though instead of
survival, it was for progress.
“We kept recruiting better and better guys, high-quality leaders
and really outstanding gentlemen,” Monson said. “That helped us
with recognition on campus and people knowing who Phi Taus were,
which helped us get better social standing, more participation in our
philanthropy events and enabled us to participate in other philanthropy
events because we had the manpower to do so. There was a real unified
vision that we had a lot more potential than what we were fulfilling. So
we really pushed to see that potential the last three years.”
It was a total group effort from the chapter that allowed it to grow.
“Our members were ambitious, excited and completely supportive of
our goal to reach Maxwell-level status, and that constant encouragement
and desire to contribute to that accomplishment helped our chapter to
succeed,” Sullivan said. “We all wanted to volunteer more, raise more
money, and better ourselves not because we wanted to check off boxes
on the Borradaile Challenge, but because as a chapter, we believed that
the things we were doing really were for the betterment of the chapter,
the community and ourselves.”
EPSILON SIGMA BOG MEMBERS:
Mark Horiuchi, Chapman ’98, BOG Chairman • Tristan Hilpert, Cal State-Fullerton ’03, Chapter Advisor
Joe Meyer, Cal State-Fullerton ’03, Alumni Advisor • Andrew Kemp, Chapman ’08, Member-at-Large
Clint Kehr, Chapman ’02, Risk Management Advisor
LEARNING. LEADING. SERVING.
THE LAUREL | www.phikappatau.org
Phi Kappa Tau thanks Michael Lummus, Belmont ‘06,
and Gabriel Mudd, Belmont ‘06, for their tireless efforts
in creating a memorable 60th National Convention.
Thank you, also, to the other host committee members:
BEN DONLON WINS
SHIDELER AWARD
Ben Donlon, Louisville ’09,
didn’t know what to expect going
into recruitment.
“I knew absolutely nothing about
Phi Tau coming out of high school,”
Donlon said. “I really didn’t know
much about greek life at all. I played a lot
of sports in high school, so when I came into
college I hadn’t had many leadership roles and hadn’t been exposed at all to
greek life.
“I didn’t even think I would go greek. Honestly, I just went through it because
my RA was greek and he said the worst thing I was going to come out of it with
was free food.”
Initially enticed by food, Donlon found much more that he liked than just a
couple of free meals.
“Whenever I came to Phi Tau it was very diverse and very open,” Donlon said.
“After seeing it and seeing the potential benefits not only for my college career,
but for the rest of my life, I definitely felt like Phi Tau at Louisville was the best fit
at that point.”
Awards Committee Chairman Les Fugate, Centre ’99, said Donlon had
immense potential from the beginning.
“He is one of those guys that when he first got into the chapter, you could tell
he wanted to go to another level, personally and with the chapter,” Fugate said.
“You look at someone like him and you know there is potential, but you never
know if they will reach it. There were two or three people in the class that I knew
had the potential to be really big, and he happened to be the guy to step up.”
Donlon went on to be the chapter’s scholarship chairman, special events
chairman, community service chairman and treasurer. Along with his Phi
Tau commitments, he was active with campus organizations such as Men of
P.E.A.C.C., Student Activities Board, student government and Interfraternity
Council. One of his greatest individual accomplishments during his
undergraduate career was the completion of more than 1,000 community
service hours.
“Ben has gone from quiet freshman to influential leader,” said Past Chapter
President Tyler Chesser, Louisville ’08. “Once he got his feet underneath
himself, which didn’t take long, he began to find ways to use his strengths. He
decided that he wanted to touch as many different groups on campus as possible
and through that, he has built relationships for life. He has also strengthened
several organizations that will reap the benefits for the foreseeable future.”
Donlon was nominated for one of the Fraternity’s most prestigious awards
during one of the most competitive years.
“It was an extensive pool and probably one of the largest candidate pools we
have had for the Shideler in a long time,” Fugate said.” The committee was very
pleased with not only the sheer number of applicants but also the quality of
applicants this year, and sometimes that doesn’t happen.”
It was Donlon’s involvement that made him stand out.
“We want Phi Taus to be more than just leaders from within the Fraternity,”
Fugate said. “We can find a lot of great individual Phi Tau leaders, but the
Shideler has to go above and beyond.”
Donlon was presented the Shideler Award on stage during the 60th National
Convention’s Brotherhood Banquet at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center.
Although an individual award, he said he couldn’t have won it without support.
“I definitely couldn’t have done it without the guys in Beta Beta and people at
the national level,” Donlon said. “All of them really contributed to my fraternal
experience and letting me know that there was something bigger I could do. I
am extremely honored and proud to be able to say I’m a Shideler winner. And I
will hopefully use that to inspire others through my story to build up Phi Tau.”
THE LAUREL | www.phikappatau.org
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Chase Armstrong, Belmont ‘08
Josh Bleidt, Eastern Kentucky ‘96
Matthew Carrier, Belmont ‘06
Andy Cole, Belmont ‘11
Nathan Dudney, Ole Miss ‘04
Tim Holman, Georgia Tech ‘77
David Kells, Evansville ‘94
Evan Moore, Belmont ‘10
John Richardson, Tennessee ‘97
Peter Streiff, Belmont ‘06
THREE ALUMNI RECEIVE
PALM AWARD
Phi Kappa Tau recognized three of its most dedicated
alumni with the Palm Award at the 60th National
Convention Brotherhood Banquet July 28 in Nashville,
Tenn. One of the Fraternity’s most prominent awards, it
is presented to alumni, after a nomination and vote of
the National Council, who have shown exemplary service
and dedication to the national organization. The newest
honorees are:
• William Braund, Westminster ’54
• Jim Heilmeier, Kent State ’49
• Jay McCann, Spring Hill ’74 (posthumous)
Foundation Distinguished Trustee Braund has been
loyal to the Fraternity since his initiation. Since December
2009, he has been the Beta Phi House
Corporation president. He also
served as the House Corporation
treasurer, Beta Phi alumni
advisor and scholarship advisor,
Foundation trustee, and national
committee member.
Foundation
Distinguished
Trustee Heilmeier has served as
National Councilor and Domain
Director, as well as on the Foundation
board. At the Brotherhood Banquet, he thanked the
organization for the award and challenged undergraduates
with a call to action when he accepted the award on stage.
“It has been a privilege to serve my chapter and chapters
I was Domain Director for,” Heilmeier said. “I would like
to ask all undergraduates that are here in attendance, don’t
give up once you graduate. Your Fraternity is looking for
men that will serve the Fraternity and their chapter, along
with other chapters.”
The final Palm Award was presented in memorium
to Past National President McCann (see page 25). His
Phi Tau legacy is one of incredible loyalty. He served the
organization in almost every capacity: National President,
Foundation trustee, National Councilor, Domain
Director, chapter volunteer and committee member.
McCann’s mother, Emily, accepted the award on behalf
of her son.
“I know Jay would appreciate this award,” Mrs. McCann
said when she accepted the award. “My family is deeply
appreciative of this award and I can see why Jay loved his
Phi Kappa Tau. He loved every one of you.”
LEARNING. LEADING. SERVING.
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2012 AWARD
WINNERS
BASED ON THE 2011 CALENDAR YEAR
The Phi Kappa Tau Awards Committee
announced the recipients of the 2012
awards during the Fraternity’s 60th National
Convention in Nashville, Tenn. Chairman Les
Fugate, Centre ’99, oversaw the presentation
ceremonies, which were held during the
SeriousFun Children’s Network Dinner on
July 26, Foundation-sponsored Recognition
Reception on July 27 and Brotherhood
Banquet on July 28.
Previously, all awards were given based
on chapter performance in the metrics of the
Borradaile Challenge over the academic year.
Beginning last year, the National Council voted
to alter the Borradaile Challenge reporting
calendar to align with the calendar year and
the terms of chapter officers. Thus, all awards
are now based on the 2011 calendar year.
ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE
Presented to those chapters and colonies that
exhibit an outstanding record of academic
achievement. The chapter or colony must be 0.1
above the all-men’s average GPA.
Epsilon, Mount Union; Eta, Muhlenberg;
Mu, Lawrence; Nu, UC Berkley; Alpha
Delta, Case Western; Alpha Tau, Cornell;
Alpha Omega, Baldwin-Wallace; Beta Beta,
Louisville; Beta Iota, Florida State; Beta
Mu, Kent State; Beta Omicron, Maryland;
Gamma Beta, Cincinnati; Gamma Mu,
Bradley; Delta Tau, Cal Poly-Ponoma; Delta
Omega, Truman State; Epsilon Gamma,
College of New Jersey; Epsilon Kappa,
Rutgers, Epsilon Mu, UNC-Pembroke;
Epsilon Sigma, Chapman; Zeta Alpha,
Belmont
ADMINISTRATIVE EXCELLENCE
Presented to those chapters and colonies that
exhibit an outstanding record of compliance
with administrative reporting. The chapter or
colony must file 100 percent of required reports,
90 percent on time.
Delta, Centre; Epsilon, Mount Union;
LEARNING. LEADING. SERVING.
Eta, Muhlenberg; Theta, Transylvania; Phi,
Bethany; Alpha Delta, Case Western; Alpha
Kappa, Washington State; Alpha Tau,
Cornell; Alpha Phi, Akron; Alpha Omega,
Baldwin-Wallace; Beta Beta, Louisville; Beta
Epsilon, Southern Mississippi; Gamma
Alpha, Michigan Tech; Gamma Beta,
Cincinnati; Gamma Omicron, Cal-StateFullerton; Gamma Tau, Old Dominion;
Delta Theta, Georgetown; Delta Tau, Cal
Poly-Ponoma; Epsilon Mu, UNC-Pembroke;
Epsilon Sigma, Chapman
JACK L. ANSON
UNDERGRADUATE AWARD
Presented to an undergraduate for outstanding
interfraternal service.
Rohullah Latif, Cal State-Fullerton ’11
BOARD OF GOVERNORS AWARD
Presented to up to three BOGs for outstanding
contribution to their chapters.
Epsilon Delta, Virginia Wesleyan
BORRADAILE
UNDERGRADUATE AWARD
Presented to the undergraduate who, by his
actions, has shown leadership and a true
understanding of brotherhood.
Kenneth Babcock, Cornell ’10
CLINTON D. BOYD VICE PRESIDENT
OF ALUMNI RELATIONS AWARD
Presented to the undergraduate who implements
the best alumni relations program.
Corey Geer, Cal Poly-Pomona ’10
DR. EDGAR EWING
BRANDON AWARD
Presented to a chapter advisor who has shown
outstanding service to the Fraternity.
Brian Smith, Cal Poly-Pomona ’91
COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD
Presented to the chapters and colonies that
accumulate the most hours per man, as well
as the most cumulative chapter hours. Each of
these groups averaged more than 20 hours of
community service per member—earning them
Maxwell status.
Delta, Centre; Epsilon, Mount Union;
Eta, Muhlenberg; Phi, Bethany; Alpha
Rho, Georgia Tech, Alpha Tau, Cornell;
Alpha Omega, Baldwin-Wallace; Beta Iota,
Florida State; Beta Xi, Georgia; Beta Phi,
Westminster; Beta Chi, Southern Illinois;
Delta Lambda, Muskingum; Delta Tau, Cal
Poly-Pomona; Epsilon Tau, Arizona
HOURS PER MAN
Epsilon, Mount Union—91 hours
TOTAL HOURS
Beta Iota, Florida State—3,432 hours
DWIGHT I. DOUGLASS
PRESIDENT’S AWARD
Presented to up to three chapter presidents who
demonstrates general administrative excellence.
Matthew Ferns, Cal Poly-Pomona ’09
FREDERICK R. FLETEMEYER PRIZE
Presented to the Fraternity’s most outstanding
colony.
Lambda colony, Purdue
GREG HOLLEN COLONY
PRESIDENT AWARD
Presented to the colony president who
demonstrates general administrative excellence.
Brendon Vickery, Texas-Austin AM
JACK JAREO AWARD
Presented in recognition of the most
outstanding alumni-produced newsletters and
alumni programming.
Gamma Lambda, Central Michigan
WILLIAM D. JENKINS
INTERFRATERNITY EXCELLENCE
AWARD
Presented to a non-member undergraduate
for outstanding contribution to the greek
community.
Brett Haider, Tau Kappa Epsilon (nominated
by Delta Epsilon chapter at St. Cloud)
RICHARD MASSOCK AWARD
Presented to the chapter with the most
outstanding chapter-produced newsletters and
alumni programming.
Gamma Omicron, Cal State-Fullerton
THE LAUREL | www.phikappatau.org
National Councilor Josh
Bleidt, Eastern Kentucky
’96, presents the Outstanding Advisor to a Chapter
Award to Tristan Hilpert,
Cal State-Fullerton ’03.
ROLAND MAXWELL SCROLLS
Presented to those chapters that meet Maxwell
expectations within the Borradaile Challenge.
Delta, Centre; Epsilon, Mount Union;
Alpha Tau, Cornell; Alpha Omega, BaldwinWallace; Beta Beta, Louisville; Gamma
Omicron, Cal State-Fullerton; Gamma
Tau, Old Dominion; Delta Tau, Cal PolyPomona; Epsilon Sigma, Chapman
ROLAND MAXWELL
FOUNDERS FOUR PLAQUES
OUTSTANDING ADVISOR
TO A CHAPTER AWARD
Presented to the most outstanding
chapter advisor who has served in
the role for a minimum of two years.
Tristan Hilpert, Cal State-Fullerton ’03
OUTSTANDING ADVISOR TO A
COLONY AWARD
Presented to the most outstanding colony
advisor.
Warren Mattox, Nebraska Wesleyan ’69
Larry Sabourin, Michigan Tech ’60
Presented to those chapters that meet Maxwell
expectations within the Borradaile Challenge
and are selected to present for the Roland
Maxwell Trophy as the Founders Four.
Epsilon, Mount Union; Alpha Omega,
Baldwin-Wallace; Beta Beta, Louisville;
Epsilon Sigma, Chapman
OUTSTANDING GREEK
ADVISOR AWARD
ROLAND MAXWELL TROPHY
PALM AWARD
Presented to the most outstanding chapter in
the Fraternity.
Epsilon Sigma, Chapman
MONROE MOOSNICK
SCHOLARSHIP TROPHY
Presented to the chapter that has the highest
cumulative GPA.
Alpha Tau, Cornell—3.49 GPA
Mu, Lawrence—3.44 GPA
Eta, Muhlenberg—3.22 GPA
PAUL NEWMAN AWARD
Presented to the chapter that raises the highest
dollar amount to benefit SeriousFun Children’s
Network.
Beta Beta, Louisville
ORDER OF THE STAR CHAPTERS
Presented to those chapters that meet Order
of the Star expectations within the Borradaile
Challenge.
Eta, Muhlenberg; Theta, Transylvania;
Alpha Delta, Case Western, Alpha
Kappa, Washington State; Alpha Pi,
Washington; Delta Theta, Georgetown;
Epsilon Mu, UNC-Pembroke; Zeta Beta,
Saginaw Valley State
THE LAUREL | www.phikappatau.org
19
Past National President
Greg Hollen, Maryland ’75,
presents the Greg Hollen
Colony President Award to
Brendon Vickery, TexasAustin AM.
Presented to a greek advisor in recognition of
their tremendous contribution to our Fraternity
and their respective greek community.
David Conner, advisor to Epsilon Gamma
chapter at College of New Jersey
Presented to alumni who show outstanding
service to the national organization.
William Braund, Westminster ’54
Jim Heilmeier, Kent State ’49
Jay McCann, Spring Hill ’74 (posthumous)
PHILANTHROPY/SERIOUSFUN
CHILDREN’S NETWORK CAMP
CERTIFICATES
Presented to those chapters that raise funds
to assist both local philanthropic causes and
SeriousFun Children’s Network, Phi Kappa
Tau’s national philanthropy. The following is in
order of amount donated ($2,000 minimum).
Delta Lambda, Muskingum ($15,000);
Gamma Omicron, Cal State-Fullerton
($14,850); Delta, Centre ($14,371); Beta Iota,
Florida State ($10,300); Beta Beta, Louisville
($9,640); Eta, Muhlenberg ($7,120); Delta
Tau, Cal Poly-Ponoma ($5,157.88); Gamma
Tau, Old Dominion ($4,545); Alpha Tau,
Cornell ($4,413); Epsilon, Mount Union
($3,124); Beta, Ohio ($3,105); Epsilon
Mu, UNC Pembroke ($2,575); Alpha Eta,
Florida ($2,555); Alpha Delta, Case Western
($2,393.05); Beta Mu, Kent State ($2,335);
Epsilon Gamma, College of New Jersey
($2,130); Delta Beta, Evansville ($2,000);
Delta Theta, Georgetown ($2,000)
Chief Learning Officer Wes
Fugate, Centre ’99, presents the Monroe Moosnick
Scholarship Trophy to Alpha
Tau chapter at Cornell (UAB
member Manuel DavilaMolina, Cornell ’09, accepts
the award).
RECRUITMENT
PACESETTER AWARD
Presented to those chapters that set the pace for
the largest recruitment classes in the country.
The following chapters recruited and initiated
at least 15 men with a 100 percent retention rate
or more than 20 men with at least 75 percent
retention rate.
Beta Omega, Cal State-Chico (15 of 15);
Epsilon, Mount Union (16 of 16); Gamma
Tau, Old Dominion (18 of 18); Beta Xi,
Georgia (20 of 20); Eta, Muhlenberg (20 of
21); Gamma Mu, Bradley (23 of 23); Beta
Chi, Southern Illinois (20 of 24); Epsilon
Gamma, College of New Jersey (22 of 24);
Alpha Tau, Cornell (24 of 24); Delta, Centre
(25 of 27); Omicron, Penn State (26 of
27); Alpha, Miami (27 of 27); Epsilon Nu,
Clemson (25 of 28); Alpha Eta, Florida (27
of 28); Epsilon Sigma, Chapman (27 of 28)
SONNY STRANGE
RECRUITMENT PLAQUE
Presented to the chapter that initiated the most
brothers, maintaining more than 75 percent
retention.
Beta Iota, Florida State
WILLIAM H. SHIDELER AWARD
Presented to the most outstanding graduating
senior in Phi Kappa Tau, this is the Fraternity’s
highest undergraduate honor.
Ben Donlon, Louisville ’09
THOMAS L. STENNIS II AWARD
Presented to the Domain Director with the
most outstanding domain program.
Michael Lummus, Belmont ’06
LEARNING. LEADING. SERVING.
20
So
H OW TO H OST
A SUCCESSFUL,
M I L ESTO N E
CHAPTER EVENT
The banner on Eta’s new website proclaims our chapter was founded in 1914. It
wasn’t until we looked at the banner about
a thousand times that it hit us: we have a
pretty big birthday coming up. In less than
two years’ time, we turn 100 years old.
Yikes.
Eta chapter, to the knowledge of anyone
I have spoken to, has never held a major reunion. Luckily, there is some experience in
Phi Kappa Tau. As a first step in our planning process, I called four chapters to talk
about their milestone reunions and learn
from their experiences: Beta chapter at
Ohio (100th anniversary, 2011), Gamma
chapter at Ohio State (100th, 2012), Alpha Tau chapter at Cornell (75th, 2004),
and Beta Beta chapter at Louisville (50th,
1998). I also attended Delta Omega chapter’s 25th anniversary (Truman State) and
I talked to a Sigma Phi Epsilon member
planning a 75th anniversary at Muhlenberg
for next year.
Since we’ll have more Centennial Celebrations in the years to come, and I know
Eta chapter can’t be the only chapter looking for advice, I put together a guide on how
to pull off a successful milestone reunion.
Here’s what I learned:
IT’S ABOUT THEIR FRIENDS
I asked each person the same question:
What was the most successful thing that
drove attendance at your event? The an-
LEARNING. LEADING. SERVING.
BY
B
Y JEFF BAIRD, MUHLENBERG ’01
swers all hit on the same theme: members
want to see their friends.
National Councilor Bill Brasch, Louisville ’67, planned his chapter’s epic 50th
reunion in 1998 with a total attendance of
850 people.
“They’re not coming to see the house;
they’re not coming to see the undergrads;
they’re not coming to see Jeff Baird,” he
said, needling me. “It’s all about friendships.
That’s what people care about.”
He makes a good point. The first thing
I thought about was what events we might
plan. But the more important focus early on
is to develop a recruitment strategy. Most
people I talked to started by merging roster
information from the Executive Offices with
data from the university’s alumni office, and
then attacking the list by cohort.
“Take a felt-tip pen and a straight edge
and draw a line through each pledge class,”
Brasch said. “Then go through every group
and find one guy in each subset to see if he
can contact the others in his group.”
In addition, Brasch called and asked
each member to attend. “I made a personal commitment to myself that I would call
three members each day” and ask them to
come, he said. He also wouldn’t take “no”
for an answer.
Many members said that the reunion
plans were nice, but it had been too long
and they had lost contact with most of their
friends. Brasch took this as a challenge.
“Hypothetically,” he would tell a dissenting
alumnus, “if you were to come, who would
you want to see there?” He would then offer to call whomever the member named. If
that wasn’t enough, Brasch would mail the
alumnus the hard copy roster, showing the
member’s contemporaries who were already
signed up.
START EARLY
Beta and Gamma chapters both started
planning their reunions about two years
ahead of time. Brasch started planning Beta
Beta chapter’s five years ahead of time, but
the first two years were spent planting the
seed that a big event was coming.
Beta chapter sent its first “save the
date” about one year out, though it had
been in the planning stage for about a
year before that.
Alpha Tau chapter started one year in advance and relied on postcard mailings, a trifold brochure, and a phone bank.
A word of caution from Brasch: “Twitter and Facebook just don’t work for older
folks. If someone’s over 45, you’d better
send him a piece of hard mail.”
ASSEMBLE A COMMITTEE
Brian Breitholtz, Ohio ’83, who chaired
Beta chapter’s Centennial, said his first
objective was to assemble a committee and
break down the roles of each member. He
had committees focused on:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Recruitment
Promotion via social media
Accommodations
Ritual
Final banquet
Registration
Commemoration (which gathered pictures, videos and memorabilia for display)
Beta chapter’s committee was comprised
of about 20 members, with 10 taking more
active roles. The group relied on many who
lived in Ohio, but also others who were
more remote. About 300 members attended Beta’s Centennial.
Bob Mintz, Ohio State ’71, who chaired
Gamma chapter’s Centennial, lives in New
THE LAUREL | www.phikappatau.org
21
Jersey, a day’s drive from Columbus,
Ohio, where Ohio State is located. He
was able to lead the effort remotely,
but relied on several members who
were close to campus, including a few
who worked in the alumni office. He
said the important thing to ask about
volunteers for a committee is, “What’s
their genius and how can they bring it
to you?
“On our committee, everyone came
together in their own way and brought
their own genius to the process,”
Mintz said. “I knew one person on the
committee before the committee was
formed, but within 15 minutes of our
first meeting in Columbus, it was like
we had all been in the chapter together.
We were very different demographics,
but you had to respect each other’s
individual experience and not just extrapolate from your own.”
PLAN A VARIED SCHEDULE
As for the event itself, most reunions last for a long weekend, with
some events on a Friday afternoon
and evening and extending into Sunday morning.
Beta Beta chapter scheduled their
reunion for a homecoming weekend
so that other college activities would
already be planned, allowing alumni
the chance to partake in varied events.
Alpha Tau chapter took advantage
of its chapter traditions and geography
to have a lake cruise and a mud slide.
Delta Omega chapter included a golf
outing, barbeque at the house, evening banquet, and even a wine tasting.
Other popular features include private campus tours, a model initiation
and “mini-reunions,” where different
age groups plan their own get-togethers at different venues throughout the
weekend. (Eta chapter has a few standing reunions among cohorts, and we
will try to wrap them all into the CenTHE LAUREL | www.phikappatau.org
LET THE EXECUTIVE OFFICES HELP!*
Contact Development Coordinator Julia McMurray at
jmcmurray@phikappatau.org for:
• Contact lists
• 25-, 50- and 75-year certificates and pins
Contact Multimedia Associate Marty Dunning, Kentucky ’07, at
mdunning@phikappatau.org for help publicizing your event via:
• Phi Tau’s national event calendar at phikappatau.org
• Social media
*A full chapter reunion planning guide will be published at the beginning of 2013.
Contact McMurray in the new year for a copy of the guide.
tennial Celebration in 2014.)
Many reunions included a final banquet-style dinner, a few presentations,
brief remarks from the university and
national Phi Kappa Tau officials, and
the Fraternity’s popular Candlelight
Ceremony. At the same time, this is
your chapter’s reunion, so feel free to
think outside the box.
Gamma chapter did not plan a banquet—which meant no speeches, Mintz
was quick to point out—but instead
made the Ohio State spring game the
centerpiece of the weekend. When I
raised the point that every Ohio State
football game is probably a mini Gamma chapter reunion, Mintz agreed
only somewhat.
Many Phi Taus are used to returning for Buckeye football games—the
spring game was a “safe weekend” for
a reunion, Mintz said—but the pledge
class of 1946, whose members are almost 90, returned to campus for the
first time in a long time. And they
weren’t alone. Many others of the 450
attendees were on campus for the first
time in decades.
For that reason, Bob wanted to make
the weekend worth it with a variety of
events. He also made sure to have a relaxing opening to the weekend to set
the right tone, knowing some might
be worried about whether they’d know
anyone or whether they’d have fun.
The most formal anyone dressed was
“resort casual” and that worked well
for Gamma chapter.
And finally, Breittholz emphasized
the importance of budgeting properly
and making sure all costs are accounted for so you can host the events you
want. However, he cautioned not to
undercut the costs: “Don’t be cheap.”
My sense from talking to everyone
was that it’s important to produce a
high-quality, well-run event. But the
most important thing is not to produce
a spectacular event. Let old friendships
redevelop. Most of us didn’t join Phi
Kappa Tau for the parties or events anyway; we joined for the people.
So now the hardest part of Eta chapter’s planning begins: laying the groundwork for our recruitment next year by
taking out our felt-tip pen and calling
individual members. Brasch had a final
word of encouragement: one part of
this exercise would not be difficult.
“Who will be the easiest guys to get
there?” Brasch asked at the end of our
conversation. Then, not waiting for me
to answer, he told me: “The older guys.
They know life is short.”
LEARNING. LEADING. SERVING.
22
GA M M A CELEBRATES 100 YEARS
SEVEN DECADES OF GAMMA chapter
brothers came together in April for the Centennial Celebration of Phi Kappa Tau at The Ohio
State University. Remembering the past and celebrating the future was especially poignant for
the men as the then-colony was gearing up to
re-charter just a few weeks later.
“The fact that [the Centennial] was occurring while the re-colonization process was taking place gave us renewed commitment to make
[Centennial] great,” said Centennial Chairman
Bob Mintz, Ohio State ’71. “These guys were
killing themselves trying to make a [chapter],
so this for many of them was their first taste of
what fraternity life could be and they were, I
think, really amazed.”
The celebration consisted of five events at different venues: the Friday night kickoff, Saturday
morning open house at the chapter house followed by the Ohio State football spring game,
formal Saturday evening Centennial event, and
Sunday morning brunch. More than 400 guests
attended the events, and the chapter had representatives from all coasts, plus one brother who
traveled from Germany.
“It was like a giant homecoming,” said Foundation Board of Trustees Secretary Jim Hamilton, Ohio State ’63. “I graduated in 1965 and
haven’t seen some of these brothers since, so it
was a moving experience and a joy to my heart
to have the chance to go through this Centennial experience with them.”
Planning started almost a year before the big
event when Phil Robertson, Ohio State ’54, reminded area alumni about the importance of
the year 2012 and Jeff Cabot, Ohio State ’67,
subsequently recruited a Centennial committee. The nine-person committee, which even
included a Phi Tau alumnus from another chapter, created a website, secured hotels and event
locations, created an itinerary for the weekend,
and communicated frequently with members,
among many other things.
The committee decided to do things a little
LEARNING. LEADING. SERVING.
“...IT WAS A MOVING
EXPERIENCE AND A JOY TO
MY HEART TO HAVE THE
CHANCE TO GO THROUGH
THIS CENTENNIAL
EXPERIENCE WITH THEM.”
—JIM HAMILTON, OHIO STATE ‘63
differently from the start, including not hosting a formal banquet.
“We all agreed that we didn’t want [the
Centennial] filled with chicken and hours of
speeches,” Mintz said. “We just wanted to create
a weekend with different types of events where
people could just hang out together with the
people they wanted to hang out with and tell
stories and bring back memories.
The third Ohio State greek organization to
turn 100, Mintz also mentioned that the celebration was “much deeper than a party.”
“We tend to think about our [fraternity] experience based on the years that we are there and
the close friendships we had at the time,” he
said. “The result of all this made me appreciate
those 100 years in a way that I hadn’t before.
You realize that for 100 years, each year, someone had to raise the money, make budget, pay
bills and keep it going. You realize over 2,000
guys had some hand in creating something that
you are just kind of a steward of for the future
and to make sure you perpetuate something
that all of those guys would be proud of. When
you watched guys from pledge classes from the
’40s engage with each other and the tears and
the hugs, it’s mind blowing. Absolutely mind
blowing to look at each generation and see that
connection.”
Then-Colony President Sean Hicks, Ohio
State ’12, said the event helped the associate
members put everything in perspective.
“It’s a great experience to be a part of a chapter
with such a long history,” he said. “It gives you a
strong sense of pride in the chapter, and in the
Fraternity as a whole, which is very motivating.
It was special to re-charter soon after the Centennial, namely because we had so many alumni who
were dedicated to making sure the Centennial
was a success, and this gave us an opportunity to
say thank you.”
Mintz said he learned many things from the
event, but the biggest? “Don’t wait another 100
years to do it again!”
THE LAUREL | www.phikappatau.org
2012OF SERVICE
FOUNDERS MONTH
& NATI O NA L CO M M U N IT Y S E RV I C E E V E N T
T
his year was another record-breaking one for Phi Kappa Tau’s Founders Month of Service.
rvice.
More than 1,400 volunteers gave 11,109 hours of their time and donated more than $258,000
8,000
to charity in March 2012.
Founders Month of Service was established in 2008 as a national service initiative that
would honor the Fraternity’s founders each March. For the whole month, brothers and
Phriends of Phi Tau are encouraged to give back to their communities to better
understand Phi Kappa Tau’s founding principles.
This year also marked the second annual National Community Service Event, held
in conjunction with Founders Month of Service. More than 130 undergraduates and
alumni from 18 chapters helped get Flying Horse Farms in Mt. Gilead, Ohio, ready for
summer sessions.
UNDERGRADUATES VOLUNTEER
“These national events are so important because you get to see the big picture of Phi Kappa
ppa
AT FLYING HORSE FARMS DURING
Tau,” said National Service Advisor Jordan Loeb, Indiana ’06. “Every time I go to one, I meet
eet
THE SECOND ANNUAL NATIONAL
COMMUNITY SERVICE EVENT.
many great brothers that I instantly have a connection with because of the Fraternity. It also
o
provides awareness for our national philanthropy—SeriousFun Children’s Network. These camps need
male volunteers and, as Phi Taus, we need to step it up and work with them more. It will change
hange your life!”
Plans are already underway for the 2013 Founders Month of Service and National Community Service Event. To accommodate
the increase in participants in the National Community Service Event, two service weekends will be held next March at Flying Horse
Farms: March 15-17 and 22-24. Registration will open in the coming weeks. Contact Loeb at jloeb@phikappatau.org with questions
about either event.
2012 FOUNDERS MONTH OF SERVICE PARTICIPATION
• Beta Chi chapter at Southern Illinois and Presidents Academy Dean Andy
Fruth, Southern Illinois ’08, helped with tornado clean-up efforts in Harrisburg, Ill.
• Six Gamma Tau brothers from Old Dominion volunteered at Victory Juntion.
• Jonathan Fong, San Jose ’12, served food at a homeless kitchen.
• Charleston colony hosted a blood drive.
• National Councilor Josh Bleidt, Eastern Kentucky ’96, and more than 30
volunteers raised $205,000 during a telethon for Eastern Kentucky tornado relief.
• Chris Behrens, Idaho AM, went on Alternative Spring Break and fed more
than 10,000 people in need.
• Epsilon Sigma chapter at Chapman hosted its annual Red and Gold
Week and raised nearly $3,500 for SeriousFun Children’s Network.
• Past National President Bill Macak, Florida State ’73, volunteered at
Camp Boggy Creek.
• BMC Retreat Dean Allyn Shaw, Michigan State ’85, helped raise $18,000
at the Michigan State University Museum wine-tasting event.
• Delta Tau chapter at Cal Poly-Pomona volunteered at the local Susan G.
Komen Race for the Cure.
• Foundation Distinguished Trustee Jerry Carlton, Ohio ’58, helped plant
trees with the East Dallas Community Organization.
• Omicron chapter at Penn State hosted a cookout for SeriousFun Children’s
Network.
THE LAUREL | www.phikappatau.org
LEARNING. LEADING. SERVING.
23
3
CHAPTER ETERNAL
PA S T N AT I O N A L P R E S I D E N T M E L D E T T R A E N T E R S C H A P T E R E T E R N A L
24
O
PAST NATIONAL PRESIDENT MEL DETTRA, OHIO STATE
’45, (RIGHT) HELPS INDUCT COMEDIAN AND ACTOR
SHELLEY BERMAN, SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA ’05, INTO
THE PHI KAPPA TAU HALL OF FAME AT THE CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION IN 2006.
LEARNING. LEADING. SERVING.
n Dec. 28, 2011, Phi Kappa Tau’s oldest living Past National
President, Mel Dettra, Ohio State ’45, entered Chapter Eternal. He was 85 years old.
A devoted brother and Phi Kappa Tau Hall of Fame member,
Dettra served his Fraternity as National President from 1968-70. During
that time, he presided over 13 expansions. Prior to that esteemed position, he served as a domain chief (now Domain Director) and national
councilor.
After his National President post, Dettra continued to stay involved. He
was scholarship advisor and finance advisor to Alpha Phi chapter at Akron, a Phi Kappa Tau Foundation trustee and then distinguished trustee,
loyal donor to the Foundation, and active member at local and national
events. Dettra even attended the Fraternity’s 59th National Convention in
Denver and participated in Phi Kappa Tau’s traditional Handshake with
History, where all members who ever shook hands with a founder start
a handshake around the Brotherhood Banquet room so everyone might
have a link to the founders.
“This is a sad day for my family and members of Phi Kappa Tau,” said
Past National President Greg Heilmeier, Bethany ’86, last December. “My
family lost a beloved friend of more than 60 years, and our Fraternity lost
one of its greatest supporters. Mel Dettra was a living embodiment of our
Cardinal Principles, and anyone who had the good fortune of spending
time with Mel is the better for it. He always believed that as a Phi Tau
volunteer, one had to ‘think of themselves as sculptors, only our clay is
HUMAN.’ We all lost a mentor, friend, brother and sculptor in Mel.”
Dettra played a huge part in steering Phi Kappa Tau’s IMPACT program,
the forerunner to Leadership Academy. After spending his entire term on
the National Council working towards the leadership-development program, he realized the fruits of his efforts when the inaugural IMPACT was
held in 1968 at Indiana University in Bloomington, Ind.
“Mel was an important role model, friend, and mentor of mine and so
many others,” said Past National Councilor Bob Mintz, Ohio State ’71.
“This was a man with a big presence! When Mel was around, everyone
paid attention. He demanded excellence and principled leadership from
us and had an unusual ability to see the potential in each person he encountered. But he didn’t stop there. Mel insisted that each of us work
diligently to pursue our highest sense of the possible, as human beings and
as an organization.”
A long-time executive with the Cleveland-based Blue Cross and Blue
Shield, Dettra was also involved with the Episcopal Diocese of Ohio
Department of Missions as a lay member. Dettra is survived by his wife,
Grace; son, Dale; and grandsons, Jonathan and Paul.
THE LAUREL | www.phikappatau.org
CHAPTER ETERNAL
PA S T N AT I O N A L P R E S I D E N T J AY M C C A N N E N T E R S C H A P T E R E T E R N A L
25
O
n May 13, 2012, Foundation Trustee and Past National
President Jay McCann, Spring Hill ’74, entered Chapter Eternal. He was 56 years old.
The quintessential Phi Tau, McCann was devoted to
his Fraternity. He served the organization in almost every capacity:
National President, Foundation trustee, national councilor, Domain Director, chapter volunteer and committee member.
As many of his Phi Tau brothers attested, McCann wasn’t looking for notoriety, he simply wanted to move his beloved Fraternity
forward.
“Jay was never one to just serve, he led by example,” said Past National President Greg Heilmeier, Bethany ’86. “He won the Stennis
Award as a Domain Director and the Key Award for outstanding
contributions to a chapter other than his own. He was very active
while in various roles on the National Council and was a generous
contributor to our Foundation, both monetarily and through being an active trustee.”
Perhaps what he loved most about Phi Kappa Tau was his “second chapter,” a term he used to describe the bond all members can
have with brothers from chapters other than their own—essentially
a second chapter at the national level.
“His major focus was always on getting more alumni involved in
the Fraternity, and he loved to travel and meet members—for whom
he had an incredible memory for faces and names,” said Past National President Charlie Ball, Miami ’82. “His happiest moments as
president were those on the road at charterings, Conventions, Regional Conferences and the like.”
In addition to getting alumni re-engaged, he brought non-members into the fold. At the 2002 National Convention in New Orleans, McCann led his father’s honorary initiation ceremony.
“It was one of his happiest moments as National President,” Ball
said. “He was thrilled to have his parents and so many close friends
at the final banquet of the Convention in one of his favorite cities.”
On a professional level, McCann’s résumé was equally impressive. He worked as a financial services provider for MassMutual
Financial Group. In addition, McCann was involved with various
charitable and community organizations, including the Pittsburgh
Area Jesuit Alumni Club, Massachusetts Mutual Agents Association and Spring Hill College Alumni Association.
“Personally, he was the reason my wife and I moved to Pittsburgh
and I got into the financial advising field with MassMutual,” said
Adam Goetz, Clemson ’95. “I was always impressed that Jay did
things his own way and liked working with ‘regular people,’ never
wanting to get into fancy options. He got to know his clients like
THE LAUREL | www.phikappatau.org
nobody else and always had his home phone number on his card
as he knew how important the work we did was.”
One of McCann’s most notable personal hobbies was following
the Pittsburgh Pirates, and his friends agree that it’s one of the first
things they associate with him … although the list is long.
“His passion really knew no bounds,” said National Vice President Rick Keltner, Sacramento State ’76. “He was passionate about
baseball in general and the Pittsburgh Pirates in particular. In his
home office, Jay kept a collection of baseball bats autographed by
many Pirate greats. They were, I think, the only trophies that he
didn’t keep stored in a filing cabinet somewhere.”
But above all else, people, and the relationships he nurtured,
were most important.
“For Jay, life was all about relationships—relationships to other
people and to important institutions and organizations,” Ball said.
“And I think that is why he was so committed to Phi Kappa Tau—it is
an organization that is fundamentally about forming and nurturing
personal relationships. Jay was the walking, talking embodiment of
brotherhood. Though he will be deeply missed, he will live on to the
degree that others of us model what we learned from him.”
At Phi Kappa Tau’s 60th National Convention in Nashville,
Tenn., McCann was posthumously awarded the Palm Award for
outstanding service to the national organization. His mother, Emily McCann, accepted the award on his behalf.
LEARNING. LEADING. SERVING.
CHAPTER ETERNAL
THE FOLLOWING MEMBERS WERE REPORTED DECEASED TO THE EXECUTIVE
OFFICES BETWEEN OCT. 25, 2011, AND JULY 1, 2012.
26
AKRON
John S Ballard ’41
Richard W Staiger ’43
Philip J Allison ’46
William R Bachman ’56
AUBURN
John Depalma ’36
C G Dobbs ’58
BETHANY
Donald L Riggin ’43
John N McLaughlin ’50
Frederick M Kopf ’53
Arthur D Blumberg ’60
Christopher James Chamberlin ’94
BRADLEY
Michael G Bair ’99
CAL STATE-FULLERTON
Patrick O’Keefe ’66
CASE WESTERN
Gabriel Biguria ’60
COLGATE
Peter T Dyer ’62
COLORADO STATE
Andrew D Fairbairn ’40
CORNELL
Eugene J Lynch ’49
EAST CENTRAL OKLAHOMA
Scott Damron ’69
James R Robbins ’73
Mark Pruiett Liddell ’76
FLORIDA
Rembert B Cooper ’47
Benjamin T Key ’48
John R Alliason ’51
Barry E Anderson ’56
Ronald C Laface ’59
FLORIDA STATE
James B Finney ’57
FRANKLIN & MARSHALL
Walter E Warner ’38
William F Moore ’47
Randolph L Smallwood Jr ’53
GEORGETOWN
Michael E McCune ’73
Phillip R McCamy ’82
John Edwin Weekly ’82
GEORGIA
Horace B Bibb Jr ’49
Oscar L Taylor Jr ’52
Raymond T Manley Jr ’64
HOBART
Allen W Swain ’59
IDAHO
Bruce Michael Lingren ’81
ILLINOIS
Harold Ernst ’29
Donan C Kirley ’32
Donald M Peddycord ’49
Leonard D Walberg ’53
LEARNING. LEADING. SERVING.
INDIANA
Myron B James ’48
Frank D Keen ’48
Don C Stefoff ’49
James T Sprengelmeyer ’54
James S Gatewood Jr ’59
Robert G Meeks ’60
Richard W Byrd ’67
John T Belcher ’68
John D Michos ’73
IOWA STATE
Irvin E Nathlich ’40
James A Stanley ’54
KANSAS STATE
Norman J Sollenberger ’31
Wayne C Bogard ’39
KENT STATE
Frank Fetchet ’49
Frank J Barber Jr ’50
Dwight D Goodman ’52
KENTUCKY
Edwin J David ’38
Stephen E Lile ’62
LAWRENCE
John C Haugner ’43
Richard P Holleran ’54
David R Hensley Jr ’62
LOUISVILLE
Montrose D Justice Jr ’47
Robert B George ’51
Jack R Meade ’53
Don W Millure ’53
Robert L Davies ’58
MARYLAND
James L Sinclair ’50
MIAMI
Karl A Zipf ’36
Robert F Wessel ’41
Matthew J Yuricich ’46
John L Wills ’47
Larry L Crist ’57
MICHIGAN STATE
George F Nemetz ’47
Thomas R Neblett ’49
Roger P Martin ’52
George T Swartz ’54
MICHIGAN
Jacques G De Laurier ’40
MICHIGAN TECH
Tom Kaderabek ’70
MIDDLEBURY
Robert L Ducharme ’52
MISSISSIPPI STATE
Donald M Byrd ’56
Frank A Carlton III ’84
MOUNT UNION
Kenneth Pelton ’50
Timothy D Picciotti ’84
MUHLENBERG
John R Bogert ’45
Leon F Huebner ’52
David W Giltner ’60
Louis P Nasif ’63
Frank Baldino Jr ’72
MURRAY STATE
Andrew J Denning ’05
MUSKINGUM
Quincy A Conner ’99
NEBRASKA WESLEYAN
Boyd R Moline ’49
William Hill Jr ’53
Dean Stewart ’59
Richard Alan Mickle ’75
NEW MEXICO HIGHLANDS
William J Goepfert ’73
NEW MEXICO STATE
Robert W Boebinger Jr ’49
Gilbert H Ferran ’54
Robert H Beers ’56
Ross T Gill ’60
Louis Albert Corsiglia Jr ’77
OHIO STATE
Donald V Heckman ’33
Edward J Jun ’37
Warren G Van Dorn ’43
Melvin Dettra ’45
Robert R Ruthenberg ’51
Bernard H Booms ’57
Jan H Zimmerman ’61
William R Fox ’83
OHIO
Homer C Dorman ’31
Norman C Valodin ’31
William O Rowland ’40
William E Blackie ’43
William A Ehrlich ’47
Thomas E Lake ’51
Bruce L Humphrey ’53
Joe M Smith ’54
Robert L Degenhart ’56
Charles R Mayes ’57
Laurence G Wise ’58
OHIO WESLEYAN
Gontran Lamberty ’55
OKLAHOMA STATE
Clayton E Dobson ’49
OLD DOMINION
William T Lee ’69
PENN STATE
Louis J Borges Jr ’42
Verne M Willaman ’49
Stanley C Jay ’55
PURDUE
Roger W Carlson ’43
David B Yingling ’80
RIDER
Matthew Arthur Coyle ’90
Matthew J Maggi ’03
RIT
Thomas J Mooney ’73
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
Albert L Stephens Jr ’33
H Phillip Dexheimer ’48
Bruce H Bell ’49
SOUTHERN ILLINOIS
Harlon Seats ’53
SOUTHERN MISSISSIPPI
Bobby F Rivers ’66
Raymond E Hartfield ’68
Robert Jones ’93
SPRING HILL
John E Oswald ’73
Joseph J McCann Jr ’74
Sterling A Tatum ’98
ST. JOHN’S
John N Shioris ’60
TENNESSEE
Jonathan G Powell ’03
TEXAS-AUSTIN
H Roger Phillips ’56
TEXAS-EL PASO
Arthur La Capria Jr ’55
Alden J Pipkin ’55
Leland P Rowe Jr ’62
TEXAS STATE-SAN MARCOS
John A Worthington ’68
TRANSYLVANIA
Eddy Hodgetts ’37
Richard Francis McAuliffe Jr ’87
U OF MIAMI
Wallace W Coburn ’48
UC BERKELEY
Kenneth A Coates ’40
Peter F Newell ’58
Bruce R Quarton ’64
UCLA
Richard L Shelton ’49
WASHINGTON STATE
Lester L Greenwood ’28
Fred W Blackwell ’55
WEST VIRGINIA
T Stephen Crawford ’28
WEST VIRGINIA TECH
Michael C Ratliff ’01
WESTMINSTER
Donald Lammers ’50
RENSSELAER
Charles J Husum ’48
Peter D Hollenbeck ’61
THE LAUREL | www.phikappatau.org
H. PHILLIP DEXHEIMER, Southern California ’48, died Nov. 7,
2011, at age 86. A Phi Kappa Tau Hall of Fame member, Dexheimer was
the former CEO of Dexco Financial Service, which helps professional
service organizations put together their workplace operations in the
most efficient manner.
He was a WWII veteran and served in Manila, Philippine Islands.
At the University of Southern California, Dexheimer received a degree
in business and communications, as well as an Interfraternity Gold
Scholarship Key, which recognizes student-leaders around the world.
Dexheimer used his degree to become a leader in the finance and
insurance services industry for more than 40 years. He was nationally
recognized in the areas of estate and employee benefits planning and
was a member of the Million Dollar Round Table. Dexheimer has
received many other awards for his work, including the Travelers Agent
of the Year and Order of the Tower.
Outside of his professional life, Dexheimer was a Mason and Shriner.
He was an active historian and art collector and enjoyed worldwide
traveling. Dexheimer is survived by his wife, Maria da Graca Fernandes
Dexheimer, son, James Phillip Dexheimer, grandson and granddaughter.
MONTROSE JUSTICE, Louisville ’47,
died Feb. 6, 2012, at age 84. After high school,
Justice served in the Navy during World War II.
After his time in the Navy, he enrolled in and
graduated from the University of Louisville.
Upon his retirement he was a rose garden
enthusiast, and invented a fertilizer known
as “Monty’s Joy Juice.” Justice also founded
Monty’s Plant Food Company.
VERNE WILLAMAN, Penn State ’49, died
June 9, 2012, at age 83. Willaman served in
the Korean War with the U.S. Navy after he
graduated from Penn State with a degree in
biological chemistry. Afterwards, he joined
the Ortho Pharmaceutical Corporation,
where he eventually served as chairman and
president. Post-retirement, Willaman turned
his attention to philanthropy and was a
generous benefactor of Penn State.
THOMAS NEBLETT, Michigan State
’49, died Sept. 8, 2011. Neblett attended
Michigan State University, the University of
Louisville and Wayne State University. During
his time at these universities, Neblett earned
an undergraduate degree, completed a master’s
degree in bacteriology, and received a doctorate
in microbiology and public health. He later
served on staff at the Henry Ford Hospital,
operating as a senior associate and later
the head of the microbiology division.
Most recently he was self-employed as a
microbiologist consultant.
THE LAUREL | www.phikappatau.org
MATTHEW YURICICH, Miami ’46, died May 28, 2012, at age
89. A Phi Kappa Tau Hall of Fame member, Yuricich worked in the
movie industry and in 1976, received an Oscar for visual effects in
“Logan’s Run.”
“Matt is probably the only football player and art major in the
history of college football that won an Oscar, and he was a very proud
Phi Tau,” said his chapter brother Harold Paul, Miami ’46. “Coming
out of the service I had no interest in joining a Fraternity and I know
that Matt didn’t either. We didn’t even think about it, but as we spent
more time on the football team and with other athletes, it was just
natural for us to join the Phi Taus also.”
Yuricich lived an accomplished life.
Once he graduated from Miami in 1949, he moved to California
to attend graduate courses at UCLA and pursue a career in the movie
industry. His time in the industry resulted in work on more than
200 films, including “Close Encounters of the Third Kind,” “Blade
Runner” and “Die Hard.” He was nominated for five Academy
Awards throughout his career.
Yuricich received an honorary doctorate degree from Miami, and
the school also selected him as a past Alumnus of the Year.
Yuricich is survived by his children, Lisanna; Tanja; Mark; Dirk and
Dana, eight grandchildren and brothers, Frank and Joe.
HARLON SEATS, Southern Illinois ’53,
died May 22, 2012, at age 79. Seats received
a football scholarship to Southern Illinois
University Carbondale. He was drafted after
earning a bachelor’s degree in political science.
Once released from military service, Seats
taught political science and coached football
and baseball. The Harlon Seats Memorial
Fund was arranged to assist one Harrisburg,
Ill., student in attending Southern Illinois
University Carbondale.
GILBERT FERRAN, New Mexico State ’54,
died Feb. 17, 2012, at age 82. Ferran served
in the Korean War, earning the Bronze Star
during his time of service. He later went
to New Mexico State University, where he
graduated with a bachelor’s degree in biology in
1958. Ferran went on to work for Los Alamos
National Laboratories for 33 years. He also
served as vice chairman of the New Mexico
Republican Party and became a member of the
Human Rights Commission.
LELAND ROWE, Texas-El Paso ’62, died
Feb. 12, 2012, at age 68. Rowe received a
bachelor’s at the University of Texas El Paso
before going on to serve in the Marine Corps
Reserves. He retired from D & H Pump
Service Company in Farmington, N.M.
DAVID HERNDON, Kentucky ’68, died
June 15, 2011, at age 62. A Kentucky native,
he graduated with honors and a bachelor’s
degree in mathematics from the University of
Kentucky before going on to earn an MBA
from the University of Louisville. Herndon
worked for AT&T companies for more than
40 years, including serving in the launch of
Optus in Australia in 1992. He also served as
the Director of Network Planning at AT&T
in Atlanta.
ROBERT JONES, Southern Mississippi ’93,
died May 27, 2012, at age 41. Jones worked
in executive advertising sales and was cocreator of the lifestyle magazine Going Coastal
Mississippi that heralded today’s South
Mississippi Living. He later excelled in his
work with Verizon Wireless and continued to
work as long as he was able.
CHRISTOPHER CHAMBERLIN, Bethany
’94, died May 14, 2012, at age 38. Chamberlin
was born in Spain but attended college
preparatory schools in New York and New
Hampshire before enrolling at Bethany College.
He later moved to southern New Mexico.
Chamberlin served as media coordinator for
New Mexico State University.
ANDREW DENNING, Murray State ’05,
died June 1, 2012, at age 29. Denning was
developing Denning Enterprises—a small
business—and was involved with a bowling
league, his church, and his Fraternity and alma
mater.
LEARNING. LEADING. SERVING.
27
OUR CHAPTERS
28
A REVIEW OF CHAPTER NEWS FROM ACROSS THE COUNTRY SUBMITTED TO THE LAUREL
BY CHAPTERS THEMSELVES. VISIT WWW.PHIKAPPATAU.ORG TO READ MORE NEWS.
New Member Class, Fraternity
President of the Year (Drew
Dement, Transylvania ’10) and
Excellence in Service.
ALPHA DELTA CHAPTER
at Case Western held its fifth
annual Founders Day banquet in
March. The group celebrated its
success, including associating 10
new members, implementing the
first overnight spring retreat and
sending volunteers to SeriousFun
camps.
ALPHA PI CHAPTER at
Washington hosted its annual
Haunted House philanthropy
event in October and raised
$1,500 for Camp Korey, a
SeriousFun camp.
Gamma Lambda chapter at Central Michigan was named the school’s 2012 Greek Week champions. The group’s best events were the
chalking competition and Mock Rock, where teams compete in choreographed dance.
BETA CHAPTER at Ohio
raised more than $1,000 for
SeriousFun Children’s Network
during Warrior Week. The men
were awarded Outstanding
Philanthropy Award for their
efforts. The group also hosted its
first Founders Day celebration in
more than 10 years. More than
60 undergraduates and alumni
attended.
LEARNING. LEADING. SERVING.
DELTA CHAPTER at Centre
hosted its fifth annual St.
Balderick’s Day head-shaving
philanthropy event at the college’s
Spring Carnival. The group raised
$6,500 for the St. Balderick’s
Foundation—a volunteer-driven
organization that raises funds for
childhood cancer research.
EPSILON CHAPTER at
Mount Union received four
awards at the school’s Greek
Awards: Highest Chapter GPA,
Excellence in Recruitment, the
challenge—a year-long annual
event created to improve greek
participation in events across
campus, and Outstanding
Chapter President (Ben Russell,
Mount Union ’09).
THETA CHAPTER at
Transylvania received three
awards at the school’s Greek
Award Ceremony: Outstanding
BETA BETA CHAPTER
at Louisville hosted its fourth
annual Cornhole Tournament
that benefits SeriousFun
Children’s Network. In addition
to the tournament, which
attracted 45 teams this year, the
chapter hosted a silent auction
and grill-out to raise $3,000.
GAMMA ALPHA CHAPTER
at Michigan Tech won its
fifth straight first place in the
fraternity division of the statue
competition at the school’s
2012 Winter Carnival. The
group’s statue was called “Don’t
Underestimate the Dreams of
Detroit,” inspired by Detroit’s
three major sports teams.
THE LAUREL | www.phikappatau.org
29
DELTA GAMMA CHAPTER
at Ole Miss was honored with
the IFC’s Service Day Award for
its participation in the University
of Mississippi Big Event—a
service project that gives back
to the county and community.
More than 3,000 students
volunteered with the Big Event,
and Delta Gamma chapter had
the most participation out of all
greek organizations on campus.
The IFC awarded SeriousFun
Children’s Network $300 in the
group’s name.
Upsilon Colony President Steven
Anderson, Nebraska Wesleyan ’12,
was named to the Capital One NAIA
Academic All-America College Division
Football Team. Anderson was one of
four Nebraska Wesleyan football players
named to the first team.
GAMMA TAU CHAPTER at
Old Dominion took home seven
awards from the university’s 2012
Fraternity and Sorority Life
Awards: Most Improved IFC
Chapter, Most Improved Chapter
Overall, 2012 Greek Week
champions, Outstanding Senior
Award (Membership Orientation
Officer Casey Morris, Old
Dominion ’08), Outstanding
New Member of the Year
Award (VPAR Fred Tugas, Old
Dominion ’11), Dr. Dana Burnett
Fraternity Man of the Year
Award (President Collin Rodino,
Old Dominion ’08), and Donald
K. Marchand Outstanding
Alumni Award (Chapter Advisor
Dan Dauer, Old Dominion ’67).
THE LAUREL | www.phikappatau.org
DELTA EPSILON CHAPTER
at St. Cloud held its 11th annual
Freeze-a-Thon in February. The
group raised more than $1,000
for SeriousFun Children’s
Network by sitting in the
Minnesota cold for nearly 100
consecutive hours.
EPSILON LAMBDA at
Longwood received two awards
at the school’s greek awards:
Outstanding New Member
(Thomas Bulifant, Longwood
AM) and Outstanding Fraternity
President (Peter Mancuso,
Longwood ’08).
EPSILON RHO CHAPTER at
Indiana U of Pennsylvania hosted
its first Lift-a-Thon philanthropy
event. Participants lifted as many
reps as possible at their specified
weight to garner donations for
SeriousFun camps. More than
$1,000 was raised.
Five brothers from four chapters volunteered at Camp Boggy Creek’s Epilepsy Week.
(From left to right) Keith Shea, St. Cloud State ’03, Kenny Johnson, Georgia ’11, Alex
Icardi (non-member), Evan Ernst, Florida State ’09, Luke Nantz, Case Western ’09,
and David Karnick, Case Western ’07.
EPSILON CHI CHAPTER
at Virginia Tech held a change
drive on campus to raise money
for the USO’s (United Service
Organizations) United Through
Reading Military Program. The
men raised enough money to
provide 18 children with a book
and video of their deployed
parent reading them a story.
NORTH TEXAS COLONY
won Program of the Year for its
philanthropy event Chatter:
The Words We Speak—a dance
concert to raise money and
awareness for teen suicide and
sexual abuse. The group raised
more than $1,000 for Children’s
Advocacy Center and local
outreach programs. The men
also received a certificate for 90
percent or more of their chapter
participating in and donating
to the Greek Gives Scholarship
Award.
Zeta Alpha chapter at Belmont won the
school’s 2012 Greek Week, their first win
since 2009. The group finished with the
most points by winning and placing high in
different challenges.
LEARNING. LEADING. SERVING.
LAURELS
30
HONORING PHI KAPPA TAU ALUMNI IN THEIR PROFESSIONAL AND PERSONAL ACCOMPLISHMENTS.
VISIT WWW.PHIKAPPATAU.ORG TO READ MORE NEWS.
•
1960 •
DAVID SAMS, Louisville ’64,
became the vice chairman of G2
Investment Group in New York.
Previously, he served as president
of Sammons Enterprises, Inc.,
and chairman of the company’s
board of directors.
Beta Alpha colony at Texas-Austin hosted its first alumni event since recolonizing. Five decades of alumni attended, including those from other
chapters across the nation.
•
1940 •
BROWN CULLEN, Louisville
’49, was inducted into the
Kentucky Golf Hall of Fame.
A retired lifetime member of
the Kentucky PGA Section,
Cullen competed in seven
PGA Professional National
Championships and three Senior
PGA Professional National
Championships.
•
1950 •
DICK BEACH, Muhlenberg
’52, was honored during Rider
University’s Reunion Weekend
in June. The professor emeritus
of chemistry had a classroom
dedicated in his name, along with
a bench dedication by alumni of
Delta Psi chapter at Rider.
JIM LAHMANN, Central
Michigan ’65, was inducted
into the Michigan High School
Softball Coaches Association
Hall of Fame for his success
with the New Lothrop High
School softball team. A founder
of Gamma Lambda chapter at
Central Michigan, Lahmann led
the team to six district titles and
four regional crowns, plus a Class
C state championship.
JOHN WALKER, Delta
State ’69, was named editor
and publisher of The Daily
Southerner newspaper in
Tarboro, N.C. Prior to joining
The Daily Southerner, Walker
owned and operated The
Walker Company, LLC—a
communications and customer
service consulting firm—and
My WP News, LLC—an online
news site in Southeast Louisiana.
•
C.J. Slicklen, Cornell ’06, manages a retirement community in Chicago and met two Phi Taus
at a recent resident dinner: Ellis Murphy, Purdue ’42, and Bert Robins, Miami ’53, respectively.
The trio exchanged Fraternity stories and laughed about fun times as Phi Tau undergraduates.
LEARNING. LEADING. SERVING.
1970 •
STEVE CONRAD, Louisville
’76, was named chief of the
Louisville Metro Police
Department. He came back to
Louisville for the job after having
served as chief in Glendale, Ariz.,
since 2005.
THE LAUREL | www.phikappatau.org
31
Alpha chapter alumni from the class of 1962 and their wives and guests visited campus and the
chapter house during Miami University’s 2012 Alumni Weekend.
LLP prior to his appointment.
MARK LOGRIPPO, St. John’s
’88, was recently elected to town
council in Westfield, N.J. He had
been appointed to a six-month
term last summer.
•
John Green, Nebraska Wesleyan ’60, and
Rodney Wartig, Iowa State ’60, ran into each
other while vacationing at The Hacienda del
Mar Resort in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.
•
1980 •
JAMES PAROBEK, Miami ’81,
was named senior vice president
of clinical integration for
Jewish Hospital & Saint Mary’s
HealthCare Inc., and president of
Sts. Mary & Elizabeth Hospital
in Louisville, Ky. He has more
than 20 years of experience in
healthcare leadership.
TIMOTHY BARNES, Miami
’86, was appointed to a 14-year
term as U.S. bankruptcy judge
for the U.S. District Court for
the Northern District of Illinois.
He served as partner at Curtis,
Mallet-Prevost, Colt & Mosle
THE LAUREL | www.phikappatau.org
While on separate trips in Petra, Jordan, John Green, Nebraska Wesleyan ’60, and Don Carper, Cal
State-Chico ’64, discovered over lunch that they were Fraternity brothers.
1990 •
WES FUGATE, Centre
’99, successfully defended his
dissertation at the Institute
of Higher Education of the
University of Georgia.
•
2000 •
MARK KANDRA, Florida
State ’03, was named to Florida
State University Alumni
Association’s inaugural Thirty
Under 30 class. He works as a
federal advisory for KPMG LLP
in Washington, D.C.
Michael Oliver, Cal State-Chico ’59, published a novel, Through the Headlights: An Auto-Biography.
The story follows the main character, Leroy, through his life and is told from the perspective of
the cars he owns. Learn more at www.henwaypublishing.com.
J.J. LEWIS, Central Michigan
’04, became a certified fundraising
executive (CFRE). He serves
Phi Kappa Tau as the young
professionals giving advisor.
LEARNING. LEADING. SERVING.
Phi Kappa Tau Foundation
5221 Morning Sun Road
Oxford, OH 45056
NON-PROFIT
ORGANIZATION
U.S. POSTAGE PAID
COLUMBUS, OH
PERMIT # 4416
Change Service Requested
PHI KAPPA TAU
IS SEARCHING FOR
VOLUNTEERS
Phi Kappa Tau is currently searching for Domain
Directors in the following domain:
Local chapters are continually searching for dedicated
volunteers to support the undergraduates.
•
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Cornhusker (Nebraska Area)
Great Plains (Kansas Area)
Lone Star North (Northern Texas Area)
Lone Star South (Southern Texas Area)
Ohio Valley (Southwest Ohio Area)
Palouse (Idaho Area)
Patriot (New England/New York Area)
Rocky Mountain (Colorado Area)
Shenandoah (Virginia Area)
Board of Governors Chairman
Alumni Advisor
Chapter Advisor
Financial Advisor
Recruitment Advisor
Risk Management Advisor
Scholarship Advisor
To learn more about the open positions, contact
Director of Development Tyler C. Wash, Georgetown, ’06, at twash@phikappatau.org