The Laurel - Fall 2024

THE

OF PHI KAPPA TAU | VOL. 110 ISSUE 1 FALL 2024

William D. Jenkins “Mr. Bill” (1937-2024)

BRIDGE BUILDERS ALSO IN THIS ISSUE

VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHTS

AWARDS OF DISTINCTION

A BETA IOTA BROTHER ON A MISSION

At the heart of every Phi Tau man is the desire to give back to their community, to those in need, and without the desire for personal gain. It’s not only baked into the very core of our values but is taught throughout the adolescence of membership and instilled for a lifetime.

This issue of the Laurel focuses on and highlights that core value, which drives us all to be men deserving of the letters worn across our chest. Featured throughout these pages are men who have dedicated their time to serving our organization and the needs of others— from National Councilors, Committee Members, and Foundation Trustees to a Phi Tau spending time in Guatemala to provide medical care to those without. We are thankful to call these men our brothers, and hope that their service will inspire others to do the same.

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Phi Kappa Tau, by admitting me to membership, has conferred upon me a mark of distinction in which I take just pride. I believe in the spirit of brotherhood for which it stands. I shall strive to attain its ideals, and by so doing to bring to it honor and credit. I shall be loyal to my college and my chapter and shall keep strong my ties to them that I may ever retain the spirit of youth. I shall be a good and loyal citizen. I shall try always to discharge the obligation to others which arises from the fact that I am a fraternity man.

Phi Kappa Tau, by admitting me to membership, has conferred upon me a mark of distinction in which I take just pride. I believe in the spirit of brotherhood for which it stands. I shall strive to attain its ideals, and by so doing to bring to it honor and credit. I shall be loyal to my college and my chapter and shall keep strong my ties to them that I may ever retain the spirit of youth. I shall be a good and loyal citizen. I shall try always to discharge the obligation to others which arises from the fact that I am a fraternity man.

19

TAKE THE FIRST STEP Stepping out of your comfort zone is always difficult, but diving into a complete unknown takes an act of true bravery. Chad Corbitt, Florida State ’06, took that leap when he signed up to go on a mission trip to Guatemala.

Read about Corbitt’s rewarding and life changing experience and consider his nudge to take one small step toward giving back to others.

FEATURES 6 BETA BETA MAXWELL MARCH This year, Beta Beta at the University of Louisville won our highest honor, the Maxwell Award. Led by President Josh Schulten, Louisville ’21, the chapter excelled in recruitment, philanthropy, and leadership, securing a total of 10 awards, including the Paul Newman Award for raising over $20,000 for SeriousFun Children’s Network. Their success showcases the power of teamwork and dedication.

10 FIVE MINUTES WITH...PHI TAU VOLUNTEERS Without the committed and altruistic men who comprise our volunteer roles, at both a local and national level, Phi Kappa Tau would be unable to provide the services which impact our brotherhood so greatly. This rendition of the Five Minute With Q&A will enlighten readers to the importance of volunteering and giving back to Phi Tau. We hear from Committee member, Michael Lukins, Washington ’08; National Councilors Michael French, Kent State ’88 and Scott Brown, Tennessee ’88; Omicron Housing Corp member, Dave Lapinski, Penn State ’74; and Chi BoG Member, David Schwartz, North Carolina State ’90.

14 PHI TAU NEEDS YOU Reading through this issue, filled with inspirational Phi Tau volunteers, has probably got you thinking, how do I get involved!? Well, the great news is that we are always accepting new volunteers for roles with chapters all over the country. New and existing chapters need dedicated men to support them in their pursuit to uphold the values which make our organization so great.

DEPARTMENTS 4 | President’s Letter 6 | Chapter Spotlight 29 | Chapter Eternal 31 | From the CEO

16 SPECIAL FEATURE

The Life and Legacy of Willam D. Jenkins – “Mr. Bill Enters Chapter Eternal”

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PRESIDENT’S LETTER

A MESSAGE FROM

MAILBOX

THE NATIONAL COUNCIL

THE TRADITION CONTINUES

THE LAUREL IS INTENDED TO START A CONVERSATION with brothers and friends.

Content is carefully selected to engage and excite our readers. It is our hope that stories you read start a conversation with those in your life. Any comments are appreciated. You can submit your feedback— positive or negative, we want it all—to phikapptau.org/ laurelfeedback. ~

SIDELIGHTS Sidelights is the official newsletter of the Phi Kappa Tau Fraternity and Foundation. Releasing on the 15th of each month, Sidelights is a compilation of stories and updates for Phi Kappa Tau alumni and undergraduates to gain some insight into the ongoings of the Fraternity and Foundation.

If you are not receiving Sidelights and would like to sign up, visit phikappatau.org/update-info to be added to the mailing list.

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My brothers,

O

ne of my favorite Phi Tau t-shirts of all time displays the words “The Tradition Continues” printed below an outline of the Phi Tau coat of arms. Every time I put on the shirt, I think about how I am a part of a fraternal investment of brothers that has persevered over the past 100+ years — how what I have been a part of is something so much bigger than me and what’s happening around me, yet, at the same time, is something that depends on me doing my part in keeping strong what has been built over the course of more than a century.

A couple of weeks ago, I gathered with other members of the National Council in Atlanta to continue our effort to bring honor and credit to our brotherhood. One of the many items on our agenda was to meet with the Foundation Board of Trustees to discuss our Executive Office Building and Centennial Garden at 5221 Morning Sun Road in Oxford. I could feel the passion of the discussion, for we were talking about something much bigger than balance sheets, red bricks, mortar, and a path winding through a treelined garden.

The history of our fraternal home on Morning Sun is very interesting. In my reading of minutes of National Council meetings in 1999 through 2001, I learned that the Phi Kappa Tau Foundation originally bought the Morning Sun building in 1999, consolidating previously separate Foundation and Fraternity offices under one roof to enhance collaboration and relieve financial pressures on the Fraternity. After the Foundation’s purchase, the National Council and Fraternity’s Executive Director continued to struggle with economic issues facing the Fraternity, including a potential capital gains tax of over $75,000. Two years after the Foundation purchased the Morning Sun property, the Foundation agreed in 2001 to sell a portion of the property to the Fraternity.

The sequence of events in 1999 through 2001 was a classic example of brothers serving as the Foundation’s Board of Trustees helping lift the Fraternity in a time of need, of brothers helping their brothers and keeping strong the ties that bound them together. Indeed, several years later in 2006, a plaque was affixed to the front of the Morning Sun building, dedicating it as the “Ewing T. Boles Executive Offices” in honor of one of our greatest Fraternity brothers, a principal founder in 1945 of the “Educational Endowment Fund,” later named “The Phi Kappa Tau Foundation.” The history of the Fraternity and Foundation’s joint collaboration and imprint on the Morning Sun property was reflected in the 2006 issue of the Laurel, where Charlie Ball as our Fraternity President, Fraternity Past President Greg Hol-

len, and Foundation Chairman Jerry Carlton all physically and symbolically joined together in “cutting the ribbon” in the dedication ceremony of the Centennial Garden and the newly-named Ewing T. Boles Executive Offices.

As you know from a recent letter I posted, I and all other members of our National Council unanimously voted in Atlanta to continue to keep the Morning Sun building and garden as our national home. Though it needs work and more careful attention and use than we have been giving it, the Council believes wholeheartedly that the EOB and Garden should continue its history and tradition of being the bastion of our brotherhood that was began by the joint effort of our Foundation and Fraternity twenty-five years ago. Indeed, the National Council is committed to improving and using it in a way that we all can be more and more proud of our heritage that is rooted so heavily in the Oxford community.

This current issue of the Laurel continues that same theme, as it offers great examples of that same tradition of brotherhood continuing through present day. We read stories of alumni brothers who are volunteering to serve on the national council, a national committee, as well as on housing corporations and boards of governors. We read about undergraduate brothers stepping into shoes of past leaders, as well as chapters across the country coming together to perform philanthropy for those less fortunate, paying forward love for our communities, and living out one of the tenets of our Creed. As reflected at the beginning of this issue of the Laurel, “At the heart of every Phi Tau man is the desire to give back to their community, to those in need, and without the desire for personal gain.”

We remember and give honor in this issue to the incredible life and legacy of Mr. Bill, who set an example for all of us by giving so much of his heart and soul to our brotherhood and to the Greek world of which we all are members.

We celebrate in this issue story after story of brothers “sacrificing time and resources,” “overcoming challenges,” living up and into the core values that have been instilled into the fabric of our Harvard Red and Old Gold hearts.

All these stories, both past and present, exemplify the enduring heartbeat of our fraternal tradition — a life of extensive investment of time, effort, resources, collaboration, and yes, love by and between brothers. In this issue of the Laurel, we celebrate, honor, and commit ourselves again to the tradition of our brotherhood that lives through today.

Brothers continuing to “give it all for Phi Tau,” as so accurately reflected on the first pages of this Laurel (the Laurel magazine itself an enduring symbol of our tradition and history).

“The Tradition Continues” — it might be just cute words to the uninformed. But for me, and I’m confident for you as well, “The Tradition Continues” is a phrase that pulls the best of the past into the present and propels me forward — indeed it is a never-ending reality of emotion, commitment, and drive that continues to propel all of us forward into a Phi Tau future filled with promise.

THE LAUREL OF PHI KAPPA TAU FALL 2024 VOL. 110 ISSUE 2

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Dalton Lee, Baldwin Wallace ’11 COPY EDITOR Logan Lukacs, Baldwin Wallace ’10 CONTRIBUTORS Charlie Ball, Miami ‘82 Chad Corbitt, Florida State ’06 Craig Krygowski, Southern Illinois ’17

UPCOMING EDITIONS Phi Kappa Tau publishes The Laurel two times a year. Each edition focuses on an aspect of the Phi Kappa Tau experience.

The schedule below identifies upcoming delivery dates.

Spring 2025; Fall 2025 ADDRESS CHANGES Visit phikappatau.org/update-info to update your current mailing information.

LAUREL ARCHIVES Past Laurel publications can be found online at phikappatau.org/laurel. Individuals can browse and view all past editions that are available.

In the spirit of brotherhood and tradition,

MIKE MCCRUM NATIONAL PRESIDENT

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CHAPTER SPOTLIGHT

BETA BETA MAXWELL MARCH

BY CRAIG KRYGOWSKI, SOUTHERN ILLINOIS ’17

T

his year, Beta Beta at the University of Louisville’s journey to the Maxwell Award has been a testament to the chapter’s

steady commitment and dedication to the ideals of Phi Kappa Tau. "This achievement means absolutely everything for us," shared chapter President Josh Schulten, Louisville ’21. “We sacrificed a

lot of time and resources to put ourselves in the position to be considered, and we are so excited that all the hard work paid off.”

The chapter’s success was driven by the initiative and leadership of the executive council, supported by the full buy-in of every member, all with the common goal of being recognized as the most outstanding chapter in the country.

“This achievement means absolutely everything to us. We sacrificed a lot of time and resources to put ourselves in the position to be considered, and we are so excited that all the hard work paid off... Always strive for more, and never be satisfied.”

– JOSH SCHULTEN, LOUISVILLE ’21

Reflecting on Beta Beta's achievement, past National President

Philanthropy also played a crucial role, with the chapter organizing

and Beta Beta alumnus Bill Brasch, Lousiville ’67 highlighted the

their own events, such as the historic Phi Tau Dance Show, which

chapter’s remarkable progress. "There was a five-year period

raised over $20,000 for SeriousFun Children’s Network. This

where the chapter had not won anything, and that motivated

accomplishment earned the chapter the prestigious Paul Newman

me to get re-involved. I think things have gone pretty well since

award for most funds raised for our philanthropic partner.

then." This year alone, Beta Beta took home much more than the Maxwell Trophy, including three individual honors. "I think

Overcoming challenges, particularly in recruiting students at the

Beta Beta winning Maxwell was a great honor, but what's even

University of Louisville, where Greek life isn't a major focus, was

more impressive is that there were 10 awards in total won by

no small feat. However, the chapter’s community engagement

the chapter," Brasch added.

eventually turned heads on campus, solidifying their reputation as a brotherhood of distinction.

Two key initiatives that helped define Beta Beta’s journey were recruitment and philanthropy. The chapter took a focused approach

Beta Beta’s story highlights the importance of giving members a

to their new member recruitment, aiming to recruit men who

shared goal. As Schulten reflected, "Once you’ve established that

demonstrated leadership and strong character in their communi-

common goal, everything should be directed toward achieving it.

ties. "We knew we wanted guys who would care about the organi-

Always strive for more, and never be satisfied."

zation they were joining," said Schulten. The chapter handed out 55 bids, all of which were accepted with a 96% retention rate.

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AWARDS OF DISTINCTION

PHI KAPPA TAU AWARDS OF DISTINCTION

ROSS E. ROEDER AWARD Best BOG Kappa, Kentucky ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE Chapter GPA above 3.0 or above AMA* Alpha, Miami Delta, Centre

CHAPTER AWARDS

Epsilon, Mount Union

ROLAND MAXWELL

Upsilon, Nebraska Wesleyan

OUTSTANDING CHAPTER

Phi, Bethany

Top Chapter

Alpha Gamma, Delaware

Beta Beta, Louisville

Alpha Kappa, Washington State Alpha Rho, Georgia Tech

FOUNDERS FOUR CHAPTERS Top Four Chapters Phi, Bethany Chi, North Carolina State Alpha Kappa, Washington State Beta Beta, Louisville HAROLD E. ANGELO AWARD

RICHARD MASSOCK AWARD Best Chapter Alumni Event Phi, Bethany Gamma Alpha, Michigan Tech BEST NEW ASSOCIATE CLASS Epsilon Nu, Clemson

Alpha Tau, Cornell Alpha Chi, Mississippi State Alpha Omega, Baldwin Wallace Beta Beta, Louisville Beta Theta, Kansas Beta Omicron, Maryland Gamma Alpha, Michigan Tech Gamma Mu, Bradley

Most Improved Chapter

Delta Kappa, Tennesse

Alpha Kappa, Washington State

Zeta Alpha, Belmont Zeta Zeta, Illinois-Springfield

JACK JAREO AWARD

Zeta Xi, South Carolina

Outstanding Newsletter

Zeta Omicron, Arizona State

Upsilon, Nebraska Wesleyan

Zeta Pi, Boston

*All Men’s Average

(Announced July 2024 for the 2023 calendar year)

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CONVENTION

GEORGE V. VOINOVICH

Delta Rho, Eastern Kentucky

SONNY STRANGE

EXCELLENCE IN COMMUNITY

Zeta Alpha, Belmont

RECRUITMENT AWARD

SERVICE AWARD

Zeta Omicron, Arizona State

Top Recruitment/Retention Award

Most Community Service Hours Chi, North Carolina State

Delta Kappa, Tennessee RECRUITMENT PACESETTER AWARD

COMMUNITY SERVICE SCROLL

Beta, Ohio

Chapters averaging 20 service

Alpha Gamma, Michigan Tech

hours per member

Alpha Tau, Cornell

Chi, North Carolina State

Beta Beta, Louisville

Epsilon, Mount Union

Beta Chi, Southern Illinois

Delta Lambda, Muskingum

Beta Omega, Chico

Zeta Epsilon, Lynchburg

Beta Xi, Georgia Delta Kappa, Tennesse Delta Lambda, Muskingum Epsilon Nu, Clemson Epsilon Sigma, Chapman Gamma Beta, Cincinatti Omicron, Penn State

EXCELLENCE IN DIVERSITY,

Zeta Alpha, Belmont

EQUITY, AND INCLUSION

Zeta Xi, South Carolina

AWARD (CHAPTER) Chapter DEIA Award

PAUL NEWMAN AWARD

Lambda, Purdue University

Highest Dollar amount donated to SeriousFun FREDERICK R. FLETEMEYER PRIZE

Beta Beta, Louisville

Outstanding Associate Chapter Award

NORM W. BROWN

Epsilon Nu, Clemson

PHILANTHROPY SCROLL

INDIVIDUAL AWARDS

Donated more than $2000 to charity

TAYLOR A. BORRADAILE UNDER-

MONOROE MOOSNICK

Delta, Centre

GRADUATE MEMORIAL AWARD

SCHOLARSHIP TROPHY

Upsilon, Nebraska Wesleyan

Top Undergraduate

Top Chapter GPA

Phi, Bethany

Tanner Schultz, Louisville (Beta Beta)

Alpha Tau, Cornell

Chi, NC State Alpha Gamma, Delaware

ORDER OF THE STAR

Alpha Rho, Georgia Tech

Borradaile Challenge Rating

Alpha Chi, Mississippi State

Alpha, Miami

Alpha Omega, Baldwin Wallace

Upsilon, Nebraska Wesleyan

Beta Beta, Louisville

Alpha Rho, Georgia Tech

Beta Gamma, Ole Miss

Beta Beta, Lousiville

Beta Chi, Southern Illinois

Delta Lambda, Muskingum

Gamma Xi, East Central

Delta Nu, Wright State

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BEST NEW ASSOCIATE

GREG HOLLEN

Tavyn Likosky, Baldwin Wallace

ASSOCIATE

(Alpha Omega)

CHAPTER PRESIDENT AWARD Best Associate Chapter President Vincent De Luca, East Carolina (Gamma Eta)

OUTSTANDING ASSOCIATE CHAPTER ADVISOR AWARD Tom Gooden, Beta Theta (Kansas) WILLIAM HENRY SHIDELER AWARD Outstanding Senior

OUTSTANDING

Max Draus, Nebraska Wesleyan

GREEK ADVISOR

(Upsilon)

AWARD Carter Lukes, West Virginia University

DWIGHT I. DOUGLASS PRESIDENT’S AWARD

EXCELLENCE IN DIVERSITY,

Top Chapter President

EQUITY, AND INCLUSION

Keegan Tingle, Louisville (Beta Beta)

AWARD (INDIVIDUAL) Individual DEIA Award Matt Olson, North Texas (Zeta Theta) JACK ANSON AWARD Outstanding Interfraternal service to their community Zachary Schubert, Kansas (Beta Theta) CLINTON D. BOYD VPAR AWARD Best VPAR Nolan Eatherton, Nebraska Wesleyan (Upsilon)

DR. EDGAR EWING BRANDON AWARD Outstanding Advisor Jeff Moser, Tennesse (Delta Kappa)

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FIVE MINUTES WITH...

FOUR BROTHERS GIVING IT ALL FOR PHI TAU “It is important to understand that leadership is a journey and not a destination. As we walk together down our paths, it is our responsibility as brothers to guide, push, and sometimes carry each other.”

MICHAEL FRENCH,

What are some of your hopes and goals - in regard to the impact you have on our undergraduate men - as you continue your journey as a Phi Tau volunteer?

It is important to understand that leadership is a journey and not a destination. As we walk together down our paths, it is our responsibility as brothers to guide, push, and sometimes carry each other. It has always been my goal to make sure that our Undergraduate Brothers know that their voice always bears weight in the decisions that the National Council makes.

While I do not know where my journey as a Phi Tau volunteer will take me, I do know that if my brothers are with me, we will get where we are going.

KENT STATE ’88

As a veteran member of the National Council, how has this experience impacted your life and outlook on our Fraternity?

I am forever grateful for my six years on the council so far because it helps me to keep positive about the direction in which our fraternity is progressing. I look forward to learning from each of the other Councilors in everything that we do. The National Council is a dynamic and diverse group of dedicated Brothers, and I have witnessed how, even when we disagree, the decisions made are for the best strategic direction of the Brotherhood. The ability of this group to consider opposing viewpoints before making decisions has translated into me being a stronger leader both professionally and in volunteer positions in other organizations.

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DAVE LAPINKSKI, PENN STATE ’74

Many of our chapters and members have never had experience with a Housing Corp. In your own words, describe how this role impacts our Fraternity and undergraduate membership.

A Housing Corporation’s main purpose it to provide and maintain a chapter house that can serve as a residence for members of its undergraduate chapter, but such a facility serves as more than a college residence, it serves as a home.

A home where brothers can share the laughter of good times as well as, cope with the difficulties that can arise in life.

This is a home that undergraduates continue to have after college, as it can unite brothers across the generations. Return-

as since, have shaped my life and continue to influence me today. After graduation I obtained a job that allowed me to stay in area, which made my involvement easier. The treasurer our housing corporation was stepping down and I was asked to take over his duties, which included acting as a chapter advisor. This meant that I would be in close contact with the undergraduate chapter. Each year I have seen another group of young men become brothers, see others graduate, and then see still others return as alumni to renew the bonds they first forged as undergraduates. Seeing young men continue to join our fraternity and embrace our Cardinal Principles and Creed, continue to renew, and motivate me to serve.

MICHAEL LUKINS, WASHINGTON ’08 “Each year I have seen another group of young men become brothers, see others graduate, and then see still others return as alumni to renew the bonds they first forged as undergraduates. Seeing young men continue to join our fraternity and embrace our Cardinal Principles and Creed, continue to renew, and motivate me to serve.”

ing alumni have a place where they can gather and share with undergraduates their experiences and memories of their time living there. It serves as a tie that can bind chapter.

How do you and your fellow committee members help impact the experience our undergraduate men have?

I joined Phi Kappa Tau in the fall of 2008 on a bit of a whim.

I had always said that I would NEVER join a fraternity and I think it surprised everyone when I joined Phi Kappa Tau. That said, I didn't know where I fit into the larger picture of my chapter and I certainly didn't know the positivity that Fraternity was capable of... until West Coast Road Trip 2008.

Driving down from Seattle to Las Vegas for Regional Conference was the first time I truly felt like I was a Phi Tau. I connected with my Chapter Brothers on a deeper level and was also made aware of the larger nationwide reach of Phi Kappa Tau. To say it was eye-opening is an understatement.

As a Phi Tau with an extensive and lengthy record of giving back to our Fraternity, what has been your primary motivation in giving so much of your time to our organization?

It is a combination of circumstances. My experiences as an undergraduate, and the bonds I form with the brothers, then

“I am continually impressed by my fellow committee members and [their] commitment to creating meaningful experiences for our undergraduate Brothers.”

THE LAUREL || PHIKAPPATAU.ORG [11]

FIVE MINUTES WITH...

The education committee is committed to creating these kinds of experiences for our Brothers nationwide through various programs and educational opportunities. I am continually impressed by the work of my fellow committee members and the commitment they make to creating meaningful and worthwhile experiences for our undergraduate Brothers.

What has been one of the most rewarding experiences for you as a Phi Tau committee member volunteer?

I'm fully aware of the cheesiness of this statement but nevertheless, it is true: every time I get to work with our undergraduates is a pleasure. It is amazing to see what each subsequent Phi Tau generation brings to the table and the vision that they have for the future of our Fraternity.

Yes, there are moments that stand out in my mind; Zoom candlelight ceremony during Progress Academy in 2021, hiking in Colorado in 2019 with Brothers attending Leadership Academy, and most recently, sitting by the fire with Brothers roasting s'mores and watching Starlink satellites pass over our heads in Ohio during our most recent Leadership Academy.

Though those moments are memorable to me, it is the dayto-day brotherly conversations and the moments of growth in myself and our members I see at our events that keep me volunteering every chance I get. Those conversations and insights are the foundation of what Phi Kappa Tau can be when we are at our best. It is a pleasure and an honor to be a part of them.

DAVID SCHWARTZ,

NORTH CAROLINA STATE ’90 As a member of the Chi Board of Governors you work directly with our undergraduate men, describe a bit about what that experience has been like for you.

Working with the undergrads has been a tremendous experience. Being a part of the successful return of both my chapter (Chi) at NC State and the Gamma Eta chapter at East Carolina where my son is a member has been very rewarding. It’s easy to graduate college, focus on career and family and lose touch with just how much Phi Kappa Tau means to all of us. Having the opportunity to participate in initiations, provide advice for the chapters and connect with other brothers both undergrads and alumni has been well worth the time.

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Becoming a member of a Board of Governors is often the starting point for new Phi Tau volunteers. If you could give some encouragement for others to follow in your footsteps, what would it be?

For anyone thinking about volunteering, I encourage them to do it. Help your own chapter or if you live somewhere else around the country, help a local chapter. Chi Chapter at NC State has benefited greatly from volunteers from Ohio State, Georgia, Auburn, Southern California along with our own alumni.

“It’s easy to graduate college, focus on career and family and lose touch with just how much Phi Kappa Tau means to all of us. Having the opportunity to participate in initiations, provide advice for the chapters and connect with other brothers both undergrads and alumni has been well worth the time.”

FOUNDATION

We raised over $1.4 million from 1,210 donors.

Of those donors 181 chose to be

LOOK AT WHAT WE ACCOMPLISHED! The Phi Kappa Tau Foundation had a good year…because of our family of donors!

members of the Ewing Boles Society meaning they gave at the $1,000+ level.

We saw entire Chapters become part of our

2024-25 FOCUS ON BROTHERHOOD

aspirational Boles 1000 group by having 12 or

We’re placing special emphasis on our

more of their members

Brotherhood Fund this year. This is our

join the Ewing Boles

most flexible giving option which allows

Society. We look forward

donors to support the most compelling

to many more Chapters

needs in Phi Kappa Tau.

joining this esteemed We granted the National

group in 2024-2025!

Fraternity $310,000 that

The Brotherhood Fund us agile and can spread resources throughout the organization, benefiting our entire brotherhood.

was used for Leadership

Thanks to unrestricted gifts to the

Education, Scholarship,

Brotherhood Fund, the Foundation’s

Community Service, and our

game-changing $310,000 grant to

new Mental Health Initiative.

the Fraternity in FY 2024. And the opportunity to support the important

An additional $230,850 was granted through our Chapter Educational Grants, Cornerstone Funds, and Foundation Funded Scholarships!

educational and leadership programs of the Fraternity only increase as we grow.

Please…

• Make a gift you are comfortable with • Give to your Chapter • Give to a program compelling to you • Join the Ewing Boles Society, and be a part of Boles 1000 • Be a Boles 1000 Champion • Make a pledge by June 30, 2025!

Please call the team (Alex, Charlie, Chris, and Craig). We are here for you!

THE LAUREL || PHIKAPPATAU.ORG [13]

VOLUNTEER

WE NEED

YOU

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Did you know a typical Board of Governors consists of: Board of Governors Chairman Chapter Advisor Alumni Advisor Finance Advisor Scholarship Advisor Health and Prevention Advisor Alumni Relations Advisor Faculty Advisor Philanthropy/Service Advisor

Discharge your obligation to others, volunteer for Phi Kappa Tau today!

Phi Kappa Tau is always searching for recent graduates, and young alumni to fill the

ranks of our volunteer positions. Did you know many volunteers have been serving in their roles for longer than 10 years? Many House Corporations, and local Board of Governors (BOGs) are searching for men who have graduated in the last 10 years to bring some new ideas to our volunteer boards. With more than 85 chapters open, even if you have moved away from the campus you attended as an undergraduate there is still an opportunity to volunteer with a chapter that is near your new primary residence.

The Executive Offices Growth Team is also always searching for alumni to serve on the BOGs of returning chapters. We currently are searching for men to fill vacant roles at Clemson University, San Diego State University, Saint Louis University, West Virginia University, Texas Tech, Texas A&M, and UC San Diego – which are all recent expansion projects.

If you are interested in volunteering on an active chapter’s BOG or House Corporation, or you would like to become a member of a board at one of our many recent expansions you can fill out our volunteer interest form at phikappatau.org/alumni/volunteer. You can also contact our Associate Director of Alumni Services, Danny Baldwin (dbaldwin@phikappatau.org) if you have any questions or if you would like to be pointed in the right direction when it comes to volunteering.

THE LAUREL || PHIKAPPATAU.ORG [15]

A BRIDGE. HE THAT WOULD BE A LEADER MUST FIRST BE A BRIDGE. HE THAT WOULD BE A LEADER MUST FIRST BE A BRIDGE. R MUST FIRST BE A BRIDGE. HE THAT WOULD BE A LEADER MUST FIRST BE A BRIDGE. HE THAT WOULD BE A LEADER MUST FIR MEMORIAL

“Mr. Bill” Enters Chapter Eternal

BY CHARLIE BALL, MIAMI ’82

WILLIAM D. JENKINS

W

illiam D. Jenkins (Bowling Green 1957) entered chapter eternal on September 23, 2024, following a long illness.

“Mr. Bill” as he was affectionately known, was one of the most consequential leaders in Phi Kappa Tau and in the greater Greek community for more than half a century.

Bill was a giant in the Greek world. No Phi Tau except Jack Anson, Colgate ’47 comes

close to matching Bill’s influence on that community and its leaders.

Born and raised in Ravenna, Ohio, November 9, 1937, near Cleveland, he enrolled in Bowling Green State University, majored in business, later changing his major to art and joined the marching band. He was invited to join Beta Tau Chapter and was initiated on January 18, 1957. He attended his first

] THE WE’LL[16 MEET AGAIN HEAVEN, SURE, IN THE NAME OF PHI KAPPA TAU. WE’LL MEET AGAIN IN HEAVEN, SURE, IN THE NAME O LAUREL ||IN FALL 2024 PHI KAPPA TAU. WE’LL MEET AGAIN IN HEAVEN, SURE, IN THE NAME OF PHI KAPPA TAU. WE’LL MEET AGAIN IN HEAVEN, SURE, N THE NAME OF PHI KAPPA TAU. WE’LL MEET AGAIN IN HEAVEN, SURE, IN THE NAME OF PHI KAPPA TAU. WE’LL MEET AGAIN I

HE THAT WOULD BE A LEADER MUST FIRST BE A BRIDGE. HE THAT WOULD BE A LEADER MUST FIRST BE A BRIDGE. HE THAT W RST BE A BRIDGE. HE THAT WOULD BE A LEADER MUST FIRST BE A BRIDGE. HE THAT WOULD BE A LEADER MUST FIRST BE A BR

National Convention in Pasadena, California in 1958 where he met Founders Shideler and Borradaile, Roland Maxwell and other Phi Tau luminaries. At the time of his death, he held the record for having attended more conventions than any Phi Tau alive. This connection to the national fraternity inspired him to accept an offer to join the fraternity’s professional staff as a field secretary upon his graduation. National Secretary Richard J. Young retired shortly after Jenkins’ arrival on the staff and when the assistant secretary, Jack Anson was not immediately appointed to replace Dick Young, Bill was appointed acting national secretary.

By the time Anson returned to the staff as National Secretary, Bill had been drafted and was away in the service, returning in 1964 and quickly becoming Anson’s assistant and right-hand man. He remained in that position until 1970 when Anson left to become the Executive Director of the National Interfraternity Conference, now North American Interfraternity Conference (NIC), and he assumed the recently re-named role as Executive Director of Phi Kappa Tau. His time in that position was challenging. In the tumultuous years of the 1970s, the popularity of fraternities waned. Chapters closed.

Others defaulted on loans and revenues to support fraternity operations dwindled.

After the better part of two decades on the Phi Tau staff, Bill left in 1978 to work for Compolith Graphics in Indianapolis which served the Greek community. As a wellknown leader in the Greek world, Bill soon joined the fund-raising firm of Development Dynamics Group in St. Louis. At DDG, he provided sage fundraising counsel to a long list of fraternity and sorority clients and his unique style of writing fund raising letters raised millions of dollars for his clients, mentoring countless development professionals along the way.

Bill left DDG for the opportunity to serve his alma mater as the assistant vice president and director of development at

Bowling Green State University.

He enjoyed the chance to serve Bowling Green but Phi Tau came calling and he returned to Oxford in 1991 to become executive director of the Phi Kappa Tau Foundation, the role that would be the capstone to his career. Bill greatly expanded the role of the Foundation, assuming responsibility for the Laurel and expanding the professional staff. He engaged heavily with the Fraternity’s new national philanthropy, now known as SeriousFun Children’s Network. He volunteered as a cabin counselor at SeriousFun camps and found it to be a life-changing experience, often tearing up as he described the interactions with the children he met at camp.

Prior to his retirement in 2006, Bill assumed the role of Centennial Coordinator, taking on responsibility for the Centennial Garden fund raising and construction.

Always a leader in the interfraternity movement, Bill was appointed to fill the unexpired term on board of the NIC held

by Walter G. “Sonny” Strange, Auburn ’70 who died in 1992. Bill was a distinguished member of the NIC board for a decade and was elected president, becoming the only Phi Tau since Roland Maxwell to hold that distinguished office. In 2005, he joined Roland Maxwell, Ewing Boles and Jack Anson to become the fourth Phi Tau to be awarded the NIC’s Gold Medal, its highest award.

The NIC’s Foundation Section, now known as the Foundation for Fraternal Excellence (FFE) annually awards the William D. Jenkins Outstanding Foundation Professional Award in Bill’s honor.

In Phi Kappa Tau, Bill received every significant alumnus award given, including the Borradaile Alumnus Award and the Palm Award. He was among the inaugural class inducted into the Fraternity’s Hall of

Top to bottom: Jenkins with Founder Borradaile; Jenkins volunteering at Camp Boggy Creek, a SeriousFun Children’s Network Camp; Jenkins (Center, Beige Coat) with several former Phi Kappa Tau Executive Offices Staff Members.

|| PHIKAPPATAU.ORG [17] SUR THE LAUREL OF PHI KAPPA TAU. WE’LL MEET AGAIN IN HEAVEN, SURE, IN THE NAME OF PHI KAPPA TAU. WE’LL MEET AGAIN IN HEAVEN, , IN THE NAME OF PHI KAPPA TAU. WE’LL MEET AGAIN IN HEAVEN, SURE, IN THE NAME OF PHI KAPPA TAU. WE’LL MEET AGAIN IN HEAVEN, SURE, IN THE NAME OF PHI KAPPA TAU. WE’LL MEET AGAIN IN HEAVEN, SURE, IN THE NAME OF PHI KAPPA TAU. W

A BRIDGE. HE THAT WOULD BE A LEADER MUST FIRST BE A BRIDGE. HE THAT WOULD BE A LEADER MUST FIRST BE A BRIDGE. R MUST FIRST BE A BRIDGE. HE THAT WOULD BE A LEADER MUST FIRST BE A BRIDGE. HE THAT WOULD BE A LEADER MUST FIR FEATURE MEMORIAL

Fame at the Fraternity’s Centennial celebration in 2006 which he helped to orchestrate in grand style, memorably narrating a series of historical videos at the final banquet. The Fraternity’s award for Interfraternal Excellence is named for him. He is a recipient of the Jack L. Anson Award from the Association of Fraternity Advisors and the Distinguished Service Award from the Fraternity Executives Association. Numerous other Greek organizations have recognized Bill for his service to the interfraternity movement.

And while fraternity took up much of Bill’s life, he was far from one-dimensional. He was a passionate, life-long baseball fan. He particularly loved the St. Louis Cardinals and enjoyed his time in St. Louis where he was able to attend games.

He collected baseballs, visited major

“We’ll meet again in heaven, sure, in the name of Phi Kappa Tau.”

league ballparks and vacationed around spring training when he could. His son Doug said that during Bill’s final days, he knew he was feeling a little better when he began to complain about the Cincinnati Reds payroll.

He was a devoted family man as well.

He was married twice, his first marriage ending in divorce but producing his loving sons Chuck and Doug who was his primary caregiver in his last years. He met his second wife Carmalieta, a Delta Gamma executive, at ceremonies recognizing the bicentennial of the American College Fraternity at Williamsburg in December 1976. Bill and Carmalieta were married in December 1982 and were inseparable for the remainder of Carmalieta’s life. Bill was her devoted caregiver as her health declined and was her constant companion, even when she was forced to move into a care facility.

Bill devoted much his community

leadership to the Oxford Kiwanis Club, which he first joined in 1964 and served as its president in 1971. He rejoined the club on his return to Oxford in 1991 and faithfully attended meetings and activities as long as his health permitted. He also became known in his retirement years as Santa, even growing his own white beard to add to the authenticity. He appeared throughout the Oxford and Hamilton communities, delighting children and adults. He became a fixture at the annual Phi Tau Christmas office party.

Bill always had an creative and artistic flair which was reflected in his use of language, attention to detail, his distinctive handwriting and lowercase signature and his eye for graphic design. In retirement, he turned his attention to drawing and painting, often making gifts of his artwork and offering them to charity auctions and sales.

To his legions of friends, Bill will be remembered for his meticulous and natty appearance, his warmth, his humanity, his good stories, thoughtful notes and his bad jokes.

And perhaps the most lasting legacy to Bill in Phi Kappa Tau will be our cherished Candlelight Ceremony. Penned by Bill for the closing banquet of the 1975 National Convention, Honored Founder Taylor Borradaile’s last Convention, the ceremony has been conducted hundreds of times as a moving capstone to national and chapter events. Bill loved to tailor the ceremony to each event where he conducted it but finally agreed on a standard version which has been included as one of the Fraternity’s public Rituals. A fitting end to each Candlelight Ceremony and to Bill’s memory are the words from the Brotherhood Song “We’ll meet again in heaven, sure, in the name of Phi Kappa Tau.”

] THE WE’LL[18 MEET AGAIN HEAVEN, SURE, IN THE NAME OF PHI KAPPA TAU. WE’LL MEET AGAIN IN HEAVEN, SURE, IN THE NAME O LAUREL ||IN FALL 2024 PHI KAPPA TAU. WE’LL MEET AGAIN IN HEAVEN, SURE, IN THE NAME OF PHI KAPPA TAU. WE’LL MEET AGAIN IN HEAVEN, SURE, N THE NAME OF PHI KAPPA TAU. WE’LL MEET AGAIN IN HEAVEN, SURE, IN THE NAME OF PHI KAPPA TAU. WE’LL MEET AGAIN I

HE THAT WOULD BE A LEADER MUST FIRST BE A BRIDGE. HE THAT WOULD BE A LEADER MUST FIRST BE A BRIDGE. HE THAT W RST BE A BRIDGE. HE THAT WOULD BE A LEADER MUST FIRST BE A BRIDGE. HE THAT WOULD BE A LEADER MUST FIRST BE A BR

GO FAR, to

one must take the first step

BY CHAD CORBITT, FLORIDA STATE ’06

In this issue of the Laurel, you’ve seen many of Phi Taus most loyal volunteers, and Chad Corbitt, Florida State ’06, can certainly be included among those names. As a new Foundation Trustee, Corbitt will continue to give his time to the betterment of our Foundation and Fraternity. However, the story below

is not of his time volunteering for Phi Tau but detailing his recent mission trip to Guatemala. Corbitt’s dedication to serving others is the embodiment of our Fraternity’s most sacred values, and hopefully it inspires you to take one small step in service of a cause you’re passionate about.

|| PHIKAPPATAU.ORG [19] SUR THE LAUREL OF PHI KAPPA TAU. WE’LL MEET AGAIN IN HEAVEN, SURE, IN THE NAME OF PHI KAPPA TAU. WE’LL MEET AGAIN IN HEAVEN, , IN THE NAME OF PHI KAPPA TAU. WE’LL MEET AGAIN IN HEAVEN, SURE, IN THE NAME OF PHI KAPPA TAU. WE’LL MEET AGAIN IN HEAVEN, SURE, IN THE NAME OF PHI KAPPA TAU. WE’LL MEET AGAIN IN HEAVEN, SURE, IN THE NAME OF PHI KAPPA TAU. W

FEATURE

W

hether it was raising money for local schools in Tallahassee, volunteering at the Humane Society with our Chapter Advisor Liz Maryanksi, hosting the world’s largest water balloon flight as our philanthropy, or the myriad of service and philanthropy events our chapter participated in, the fraternity, especially the brothers before me, ingrained in me a deep passion to truly live as a man of character, to do more.

Since graduating, my professional life has revolved around entrepreneurship, but giving back to others has remained a constant. I’m fortunate enough to be on several charitable boards, taking time each year to work with Christ’s Starfish Foundation to ensure kids in local hospitals receive Christmas presents. I’m also honored to serve on the Library Board of Advancement for Florida State University. This is a privilege, but at times, it is difficult to balance with everyday life— being married and having a 6-year-old daughter at home adds additional time constraints (for those with young kids, you know this is my polite statement to explain my life is chaos).

In the summer of 2023, I had the calling and decided to go on my first mission trip to Guatemala, which took place this past July. This decision came with several questions: could I balance this trip with work? Will my wife and daughter accept me leaving for a long time? What should I expect in a foreign country? When you get the call, you must find a way. If you are expecting an article about somebody who has done this kind of trip 100 times and led hundreds of people to do the same— this isn’t that article.

[20] THE LAUREL || FALL 2024

The invitation to go to Guatemala came from my cousin Karen, who had been on a couple of trips and trusted the organization Medical Missions Outreach (MMO). MMO works with local churches in areas of need. When they arrive at a location, they bring medical supplies and medications, along with dentists, doctors, nurses, medical students, and non-medical volunteers like myself. After signing up for the trip, I didn’t think much about it, but as the days grew closer, I felt nervous, preparing myself by praying about it and asking others to pray for me. I prayed for travel safety, for being able to connect with people although my Spanish is terrible, and that I wouldn’t grow frustrated with my mom, who was a nurse, and decided to surprise join me on the trip.

Corbitt, left

leu. It was impressive to meet people who left their hospital, dental practice, and other jobs, not to mention their families, to help others. We finally arrived at our hotel late at night. The room was tiny and hot, and we were informed we couldn’t drink the water. What was I thinking?

The Sunday message focused on three main points: (1) Love your neighbor; (2) Love is often inconvenient; and (3) be on the lookout for people to love. I

pondered the connection between our

values as fraternity men learned long ago.

The day had come, and I boarded my flight. The day was jampacked with travel—landing in Guatemala City, then endeavoring through a 3-hour bus ride that turned into a 10-hour ride because of a rockslide and car accidents. The extended bus ride allowed me to get to know the medical team and others on the trip with us as we traveled to the city of Retalhu-

The next morning, we set up the clinic which was in an open-air school on summer break. Given my nerdy IT background, I made myself useful by figuring out the internet connectivity with cylinder block walls for the electronic medical record (EMR) system and was given my assignment of working in the optical area.

My experience to date of optometry was

going to get glasses once a year. The staff and volunteers trained me on the initial vision screening and how to decipher

what came from the autorefractor to get the sphere, circumference, and axis measurements. We poured through boxes of donated glasses to try to find a pair that was as close as possible to their vision, fit their head – and with some luck – was stylish enough for them to wear.

In the morning, we went to church in the same building. Nothing makes you aware of all the unused space in your own house taken for granted like immersing yourself in a place where you must make do with the space at hand.

The Sunday message focused on three main points: (1) Love your neighbor; (2) Love is often inconvenient; and (3) be on the lookout for people to love. I pondered the connection between our values as fraternity men learned long ago, the message on Sunday, and the school values posted in that tiny school.

The first morning the clinic was fully open and there were well over 100 people already waiting upon our arrival.

Nerves took over, because for the first time I wasn’t in control or leading, but I was just a simple person working in a clinic helping one patient at a time. We hustled as fast as we could, because the waiting room continued to crowd, and every day once the daylight escaped us, the interior lights would not be enough to conduct our work. The people we served had working wages equal to $5-$15/day and glasses can cost between $150-$300.

Think about that…

We did this for a week. At the end of each day, I was tired but fulfilled. There was always a reward for grinding away person after person—they smiled with me, hugged me, and cried; some parents saw their children for the first time in their full beauty.

Some were happy just to read again, and some were amazed at how beautiful the world was now that they could see clearly.

In the end, we saw 1,645 patients and I wish we could have doubled that, because nothing hurt more knowing that some people had to be turned away. Some waited eight hours to see us and it brought me to tears THE LAUREL || PHIKAPPATAU.ORG [21]

FEATURE

“The day had come, and I boarded my flight. The day was jampacked with travel—landing in Guatemala City, then endeavoring through a 3-hour bus ride that turned into a 10hour ride because of a rockslide and car accidents. The extended bus ride allowed me to get to know the medical team and others on the trip with us as we traveled to the city of

consequential they are compared to those in need.

Retalhuleu. It was impressive I said earlier this to meet people who left their article wasn’t going to be a charge to lead hospital, dental practice, and 500 trips to lands across the world or other jobs, not to mention their some grandiose misfamilies, to help others.” sion. My hope is by reading this you hear about a brother who is tired, overworked, multiple times that I was fitting somebody juggling a marriage and kid, and had the for glasses that needed them so badly they calling to take one small step. It doesn’t waited in the hot sun for hours. These need to be grandiose. You don’t need to people wouldn’t understand the trivial islead anything…just take one small step. sues we complain about – and nor should Help somebody in one small way. Whether they. They want to work, live their life, the calling comes spiritually or because the spend time with friends and family, and be values of who you are, be the Good Samarhappy. It truly puts into perspective our itan and help somebody along the path of daily struggles and how mundane and inlife. I heeded the call from God, and I am

[22] THE LAUREL || FALL 2024

thankful for the opportunity, strength, and ability He gave me. Our collegiate and fraternal experiences may no doubt have been different – but what binds us is a commitment to something higher than ourselves, a calling to our fellow man, a calling that imbues upon us a sense of duty near and far.

God willing, I will be back on another medical trip soon. If you ever have considered going on a trip – DO IT! It is incredible and every bit of concern, stress, and inconvenience I experienced doesn’t hold a candle to the fulfilling experience you will receive. This trip helped me understand that it is the small steps, acts of love, and serving with a kind heart that the world needs. I’m thankful for the values I learned as a member of Phi Tau and what it engrained in the very fiber of my existence—leading me to this experience.

I’m damn proud to represent the fraternity wherever I go, no matter how far that is.

“...

take

one

small step. It doesn’t need to be

grandiose.

You don’t need to

lead

any-

thing… just take one small step.

Help somebody in

one

small

way.”

P.S. Your first small step can be donating your old glasses to an organization that will help you find a new home for them. I am biased toward MMO, but there are dozens. People need those glasses, and an extra couple of minutes to find a donation box will change somebody’s life.

Remember, love is o ten inconvenient.

THE LAUREL || PHIKAPPATAU.ORG [23]

LAURELS

LAURELS

~ Two members of the Pi Chapter at USC, RICK RICE, SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA '74 and BOB LEACH, SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA '76, were recently honored by their alma mater as members of the 1974 NCAA National Championship Trojan baseball team. Rice is pictured second from the left and Leach is pictured second from the right.

[24] THE LAUREL || FALL 2024

[1963] WSJ Bestselling Author and Founder of Velocity Coaching, John Baird, Miami, shared his many years of wisdom with a crowd of new graduates as the commencement speaker for San Jose State University’s Lucas Graduate and College of Business ceremony.

[1981] Steve Catlett, Tennessee, will be continuing to build his career and ties with his alma mater as the new Associate Vice Chancellor and Chief International Advancement Officer at The University of Tennessee, Knoxville.

[1987] Todd Larkin, Louisville, has been the head coach of St. Xavier High School’s Swimming & Diving team for 15 years, leading them to 14 consecutive National Championships. This year he has been named the 2023-2024 National High School Swimming & Diving Coach of the Year.

ADAM EIBLING, BOWLING GREEN ’94, earned the Gold Medal for men ages 50-54 at the 2024 International Pan-American Masters Games in Cleveland, Ohio. The games are an Olympic style sport festival for athletes aged 30+ who compete in 5-year age brackets across dozens of sports. ~

[1995] Shane Stuber, Georgetown, will be continuing his distinguished career with consulting firm Ashley Rountree and Associates as their new Vice President of Talent and Leadership.

[1998] Former Foundation staff member Eddie Rauen, Cincinnati,

was recently appointed National Personal Philanthropy Director for the DAV (Disabled American Veterans), a top veterans charity organization.

[1998] Jeff Brewster, Maryland, has been named an Ultimate Tech Leader

by Jacksonville Business Journal.

[2000] Brad Joutras, Purdue, a former Executive Offices staff member and Presidents Academy Dean, has been appointed Assistant Vice President, Health Sciences at the University of Washington.

RAUEN

JOUTRAS

THE LAUREL || PHIKAPPATAU.ORG [25]

LAURELS

FULLER

[2010] Mike Poggi, Baldwin Wallace, and his wife Rachel have welcomed their first child into the world. Jonah Bear Poggi was born on August 13th, in Cleveland, Ohio.

~ ZACH FULLER, AKRON '15, began his career in December 2019 with KTTC in Rochester, Minnesota as a Multi-Media Journalist and an anchor for Fox 47 News. After years of hard work and innovation, he has been named News Director for the network.

POGGI

TUGAS

[2011] Dr. Fred Tugas, Old Dominion, married Kelly Kitchen on July 12, 2024, in Richmond, Virginia—surrounded by friends, family, and Phi Tau brothers.

[2017] Luke Lloyd, Muskingum, has continued to establish himself as a leading voice in investment strategy and financial analysis, becoming a frequent financial commentator on Fox and other news networks.

If you’d like to submit a story to be included in The Laurel you can do so at phikappatau.org/submit-news.

[26] THE LAUREL || FALL 2024 LLOYD

ON CAMPUS

1

Campus Spotlights This page is dedicated to highlighting fun and exciting happenings at our chapters around the country.

2

1

KAPPA, ALPHA PHI, AND EPSILON UPSILON

brothers volunteered together at Flying Horse Farms.

2

3

DELTA TAU

used a local marathon for a brotherhood event and friendly competition over the summer break.

3

ZETA XI

and their chapter mascot Booker participated in the semesterly river walk trash pickup.

4

4

ZETA

held a car smash fundraiser and donated the funds to the Community Service Center of Northern Champaign County.

5

BETA THETA

participated in the Big Event, a large-scale community service project, this past April.

5

6

BETA NU

had a summer Brotherhood Retreat at Joshua Tree National Park, strengthening their bonds while enjoying the park’s natural beauty.

6

For more Chapter Snapshots, follow @PhiKappaTau on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Linkedin.

THE LAUREL || PHIKAPPATAU.ORG [27]

CHAPTER ETERNAL

THE 66TH NATIONAL CONVENTION OF PHI KAPPA TAU || JULY 23-26, 2025 Embassy Suites by Hilton Orlando Lake Buena Vista 4955 Kyngs Heath Rd, Kissimmee, FL 34746 Convention is the biennial gathering of Phi Taus from all over the world.

Our most popular ticket package this year includes all access to Fraternity events including a trip to Universal Studios, area attractions, and of course the closing Brotherhood Banquet. Early bird registration ends 12/31/24.

We encourage guests to use the Phi Kappa Tau room block at our partner hotel where all the action is happening. These suite style rooms include daily breakfast and happy hours. Book through the link below our call directly at 407-597-4000.

Visit phikappatau.org/orlando-convention or scan the QR code above for more information and to register today!

[28] THE LAUREL || SPRING 2024

CHAPTER ETERNAL

CHAPTER ETERNAL Listed below are the brothers who were reported to have entered the Chapter Eternal from February 6, 2024, to September 4, 2024.

MIAMI Robert Sparker ’48 Gilbert Thatcher ’49 Richard King ’74 Damon Metz ’83 OHIO Gary Clark ’57 Dean Turner ’66 OHIO STATE Hoagy Baker, Jr. ’44 William Clevenger ’46 William Parker ’47 John Woodling ’47 Dale Seiberling ’47 David Lewis ’55 Donald Phillips ’55 Phillip Alspach ’56 Chuck Claibourne ’62 David Ruckman ’62 Stephen Hidegkuti ’67 Park Studebaker ’74 Jess Fields ’87 CENTRE Bill Partenheimer ’51 David Widmer ’53 John Newman ’63 Mike Pulliam ’63 Robert Harrell ’64 MOUNT UNION Clarkson Mayhew, Jr ’47 Richard Krabill ’49 Burnel Pinkerton ’49 Mark Hawkins ’64 ILLINOIS George Walthius ’49 James Voorhees ’52 Bruce Josephs ’75 MUHLENBERG Ralph Berry, Jr ’41

Horace McCready, Jr. ’47 Richard Gutekunst ’47 Richard Keim ’49 TRANSYLVANIA Paul Snipes ’46 Bob Cates ’49 Kenneth Voorhis ’62 COE Bill Delp, Jr. ’54 Randall Northrop ’60 Nick Davies ’68 KENTUCKY Ed Barnett ’49 Larry Wright ’61 PURDUE Gordon Graham ’43 J.R. Bloch ’49 Howard Creveling ’55 Ed Liesse ’55 Charles Smith ’55 Gregory Podell ’75 Michael Pokorny ’13

RENSSELAER Don Appelby ’39 Matthew Procelli ’47 Gunnar Sorknes ’48 Francis Keegan ’49 Lorne Richards ’49 Bob Buck ’49 Kurt Daigel ’57 Bill Kracke ’65 David Fickler ’74 Elliot Hensel ’06 MICHIGAN Eaton Kelly ’47 NEBRASKA WESLEYAN Kieth Tadlock ’43 Walt Rich ’46 Kendal Sieg ’64 John Carter ’65 Cale Hamer ’93 BETHANY Fritz Gilgen ’54 Bill Fleming ’83 Chad Ollila ’93

LAWRENCE Morse Anderson ’49

COLORADO Blaine Wines, Jr. ’47

UC BERKELEY John Carlson ’42 John Triphon ’49 Roland Bianchi ’50 Wayne Batavia ’73

MICHIGAN STATE Willard Munro ’41 Donald Davis ’42 Herbert Lloyd ’48 Edwin Roberts, III ’55 William Roberts ’58

FRANKLIN & MARSHALL Collins Brown ’61 PENN STATE Chuck Naginey ’51 Philip Stevens ’55 Terry Kirchner ’78

DELAWARE Kip Powers ’60 Bruce Malcolmson ’61 James Meacham ’64 Roger Malcolmson ’65 CASE WESTERN RESERVE Herbert Rutemiller ’43

KANSAS STATE Phil Neal ’67

James Moore ’49 Joel Murray ’05

OREGON STATE Leland Haldorson ’49

GEORGIA TECH Larry Batts ’47 Pete Keenan ’54

FLORIDA Arthur Hanson ’49 George Gorman ’49 Robert Miller, Sr. ’49 Thurston Shell ’49 Billy Blakey ’49 L R Hughes, III ’54 George Trotter ’54 Lawrence Jarrell ’56 Mike Mahony ’64

CORNELL William Eberle ’47 Larry Hagedorn ’65 COLGATE Bob Summersgill ’54 Wil Dershimer, Jr. ’56

WILLIAM & MARY Charles Poland ’49 Ben Johnston, Jr. ’49 WASHINGTON STATE Donald McWhirter ’38 Ralph Campbell ’47 AUBURN Robert Allgood ’44 James Blow ’47 Jack Durant ’49 Jack Price ’57 Herman Haggard, III ’66 Anthony Galloway ’79 IOWA STATE Harold Dettmann ’41 John Olson ’49 Kurt Pronske ’49 Thomas Engler ’43 LAFAYETTE Al Cinelli ’49 Benjamin Bolton ’49 WASHINGTON Harry Pratt ’39

AKRON Edward Mazak, Jr. ’47 Richard Bock ’49 Harold Barnes ’49 Bob Croye ’54 Jim Freeland, Jr. ’63 Gregory Yung ’73 MISSISSIPPI STATE William Saliba ’74 Bill Mays, III ’92 TEXAS-EL PASO Russel Van Kirk, Jr. ’48 James Runkle ’66

BALDWIN WALLACE Robert Buchanan ’47 Richard Stearns ’47 Frank Graham ’49 Darrel Locke ’65 LOUISVILLE Charles Osterholt ’47 Ronald Almgren ’48 Brown Cullen ’49 Tom Murphy, Jr ’49 Larry Tobe ’49 Rolland Mather, Jr ’50

THE LAUREL || PHIKAPPATAU.ORG [29]

CHAPTER ETERNAL

NEW MEXICO STATE John Pyburn ’44 Gregory Eidson ’77 KANSAS Courtney Sloan ’48 Richard Sanders ’48 Laurence Shute ’50 Leland Duvall ’51 Wendell Bynum ’55 Gerald Murray ’57 Henry Tomasic ’19 FLORIDA STATE Harris Mapoles, Sr. ’55 Stephen Trescot ’68 Charles Edwards, Jr ’68 OKLAHOMA STATE Nylen Shelton ’48 Herbert Goodenough ’49 Don Notary ’49 Gene Colclasure ’53 Larry Ward ’60 Jack Yankee ’63

A DEDICATED AND SELFLESS MAN David A. Ruckman, Ohio State ’62, was a Distinguished Trustee and former chairman of the Phi Kappa Tau Foundation Board of Trustees, who joined the Chapter Eternal following his courageous 20-year battle with Parkinson’s Disease. Dave is remembered for his selfless philanthropy and for his dynamic leadership at the start of Phi Kappa Tau’s second century. He was a Trustee of the Foundation for most of last two decades and served as chairman from 2007 until 2014. His philanthropy benefited the national organization and his local chapter. His gifts of time and treasure were recognized with Phi Kappa Tau’s highest honor, the Palm Award in 2014.

He leaves behind his loving wife of 60 years, Marilyn, two daughters, Samantha and Nicole, and four grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his daughter Danielle in 2016.

James Heins ’55 Worth Robbins, Jr ’61 Harry Boyer ’63

[30] THE LAUREL || FALL 2024

Jim Stiles, Jr ’68 Dennis Betz ’70

SOUTHERN MISSISSIPPI Kenneth Koch, Sr. ’54 Bobby Jones ’62

INDIANA Chuck Cochran ’49 George Propps ’56 KENT STATE Dave Prior ’58 GEORGIA James Purcell ’74 MARYLAND William Scheig ’69 IDAHO Nile Miner ’49 BOWLING GREEN Charles Kurfess ’50 Ron Konkle ’51 Edward Kime ’51 Daniel Yochem ’63 Dennis Abend ’66 Keith Noster ’79 Jim Hitchings, II ’84 Chris Hyatt ’84

WESTMINSTER David Kester ’79 SOUTHERN ILLINOIS Jerry Lottmann ’56 Norman Trost ’63 Gary Krohn ’65 Steve Henman ’68 CAL STATE CHICO Ray Lavey ’60 Stephen Schilling ’67 MICHIGAN TECH Ernie Rodriguez ’58 Dan Mitchell ’65 ST. JOHN’S Kerry Katsorhis ’64 Frederick Betts ’66 EAST CAROLINA Raymond Linville ’72 Paul Lincke, III ’78 BRADLEY John Clark ’68 EAST CENTRAL OK Jeffrey Laughlin ’81 UC-DAVIS Joseph Pulliam ’67 SPRING HILL Brian Snediker ’84 TEXAS STATE Andy Koebel ’75 OLE MISS Chris Fox ’84 SOUTH CAROLINA Ryan Hodor ’21 FAMILY AND FRIENDS Joan Green

FROM THE CEO AND DATES & DIRECTORY FROM THE CEO

BUILDING COMMUNITY

V

olunteerism, community support, and the value of freely associating with like-minded individuals have long been interwoven into the fabric of American culture.

These values—lifting each other up and fostering the growth of our family and friends—are often cited as cornerstones of what makes our nation great. At Phi Kappa Tau, these principles resonate deeply within our brotherhood.

For years, I’ve followed the work of Dr. Jean Twenge, a Professor of Psychology at San Diego State University and an expert on generational trends. Her research highlights a concerning trend: young people, particularly young men, are entering college with fewer adult experiences and less exposure to authentic friendships than in the past.

This lack of preparation for day-to-day decision-making and independence is compounded by heightened parental involvement in their daily lives. As a result, the transition to college life—leaving home and adapting to new surroundings—can be especially challenging.

Dr. Twenge’s findings reveal a deeper truth: young men crave a sense of belonging and purpose. These unmet needs contribute to the rising mental health challenges in today’s youth. Phi Kappa Tau offers a solution—a brotherhood where purpose meets belonging.

Volunteerism must remain a pillar of our culture, and Phi Kappa Tau exemplifies this

tradition. Our fraternity was founded on the principles of giving back, and today, our undergraduate brothers need the guidance and support of engaged alumni more than ever.

The future of Phi Kappa Tau depends on volunteers who are willing to invest their time, talents, and resources in supporting our young brothers. We are deeply grateful for the alumni and friends who have done this for decades.

Yet, there is room for more to join this effort.

If you’ve ever considered becoming more involved with Phi Kappa Tau, now is the time to act. By volunteering locally, you can make a tangible difference in the lives of our brothers. Whether it’s mentoring, providing career guidance, or simply being a consistent presence, your efforts can strengthen the bonds of brotherhood and inspire the next generation of leaders.

Let me be the first to encourage you: reach out, get involved, and experience the rewards of giving back to a community built on purpose and belonging. Together, we can uphold the spirit of Phi Kappa Tau and ensure it thrives for generations to come.

Fraternally,

MATT ARNOLD CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER PHI KAPPA TAU FRATERNITY

66th National Convention of Phi Kappa Tau Wed, July 23, 2025—Sat, July 26, 2025 Embassy Suites by Hilton Orlando Visit phikappatau.org/orlando-convention for more information and to register!

DIRECTORY FRATERNITY CEO Matt Arnold NATIONAL PRESIDENT Mike McCrum, Texas State ’75 NATIONAL VICE PRESIDENT Michael Lummus, Belmont ’06 FOUNDATION CEO Craig Rogers FOUNDATION CHAIRMAN Doug Adams, Miami ’81 FOUNDATION VICE CHAIRMAN Ray Cox, North Carolina State ’89

Additional contact information for the Executive Office staff, Fraternity National Council, Foundation Board of Trustees, National Advisors, Domain Directors, and Educational Deans can be found at phikappatau.org/contact.

The Phi Kappa Tau Gamma Mu Chapter 60th Anniversary Reunion Celebration April 4–6, 2025 The Par-A-Dice Hotel and Casino, 21 Black Jack Blvd., East Peoria, IL For any questions regarding the Reunion Celebration, please contact Kevin Maiman at kevin.maiman@gmail.com or 303-521-0749.

THE LAUREL || PHIKAPPATAU.ORG [31]

PHI KAPPA TAU FOUNDATION Ewing T. Boles Executive Offices 5221 Morning Sun Road Oxford, OH 45056

NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION U.S. POSTAGE PAID OXFORD, OH PERMIT # 13

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Become a member of the PKT Family of Donors!

T

he Brotherhood Fund is always first on the list. It funds our grant to the National Fraternity and their comprehensive efforts in Leadership, Community Service, Scholarship, and Chapter support.

The Fund also supports the sustainability of our Foundation which facilitates and stewards all philanthropy.

We celebrate gifts restricted to CEGs, Cornerstone Funds, or a particular fund. It differentiates the PKT experience each year!

WAYS TO GIVE Please consider making a gift by check, bank account draft, PayPal, Venmo, etc. These payment methods avoid the fees associated with credit and debit cards.

Make your gift recurring which provides ongoing support to the foundation.

We accept stock, and do not forget us if you are at a time when Required Minimum Distributions are something you know about!

We encourage gifts that support more than one priority!

ALWAYS DESIGNATE SOME PORTION OF YOUR GIFT TO THE BROTHERHOOD FUND! When restricting your gift, we ask that our donors create a culture where 10% of your gift is designated towards the Brotherhood Fund.

This allows your special project to receive the support you intended, while also contributing to sustainability of the foundation and its efforts to support the National Fraternity. While 10% is the recommended amount, you can choose to participate at whatever level you are comfortable with.

JOIN THE BOLES SOCIETY! Join our most prestigious giving society by donating a total of $1000 throughout the year to the Foundation. Help the Boles Society to reach 1000 dedicated donors annually through the Boles 1000 initiative.

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