Summer 2011 Laurel

Laurel the

summer 2011

o f P h i K a ppa Tau

Phi Kappa Tau foundation Update

founders month of service recap

brotherhood with a purpose Four groups of friends prove that brotherhood has no limit

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Heartland Regional Conference participants

clear

trails

at

Wapahani Mountain Bike Park in

Bloomington,

Ind.,

during

Founders Month of Service. Learn more on pages 24-25.

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Contents The Laurel

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summer 2011 VOL. 99, NO. 1 Editor-in-Chief Lane Shetzer 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 regularly 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. 99, No. 2 and will be published in the fall of 2011.

Printed in the USA | ISSN Number: 0023-8996 Printed by The Watkins Printing Company, Columbus, Ohio.

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 Features 14

Brotherhood with a Purpose

Four groups of friends prove that brotherhood has no limit.

Member Fraternity Communications Association

24 Founders Month of Service Recap

A look at the Fraternity’s third annual month of service.

Departments 4

Directory

5 Perspectives 6

Foundation Update

8

New & Noteworthy

This Laurel is printed on 100-percent recycled paper and fits the Forest Stewardship Council’s requirements for environmentally mindful publications.

9 We Are FKT 26

Chapter Eternal

28 Our Chapters 30

Laurels

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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 Gregory M Heilmeier, Bethany ’86 National Vice President Stephan M Nelson, Southern Mississippi ’73 Chief Executive Officer *Steve Hartman, Muskingum ’89 Joshua J Bleidt, Eastern Kentucky ’96 Michael D Dovilla, Baldwin-Wallace ’94 Wesley R Fugate, Centre ’99 J Kenneth Loewen Jr, Colorado ’80 Sean J McManus, East Carolina ’94 David A Ruckman, Ohio State ’62 Scott G Stewart, Nebraska-Kearney ’69 Cliff D Unger, Arizona ’98 undergraduate advisory board President: Steven E Binzel, Case Western ’08 VICE PRESIDENT: Philip Frandina, RIT ’08 AJ Broderick, RIT ’11 Manuel A Davila-Molina, Cornell ’09 Michael Disotell, Westminster ’08 Jason M Lustig, Cornell ’08 Matthew Marone, Florida State ’08 Trey Pippin, Louisville ’09 Jack Van Bibber, Mount Union ’10 Tyler Vienot, Saginaw Valley State ’09 NATIONAL ADVISORS Chief financial officer/treasurer: David N Bauer, Bethany ’83 chief learning officer: Thomas A Jeswald, Ohio ’63 Recruitment/retention: Michael T Gabhart, Georgetown ’95 Ritualist/Chaplain: Fr. Nicholas R A Rachford, Cincinnati ’64 SERVICE: Matthew Parker, Evansville ’93

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

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Finance Coordinator Lisa Adams ladams@phikappatau.org

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communication coordinator Lane Shetzer lshetzer@phikappatau.org

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coordinator of volunteer development Tyler Wash, Georgetown ’06 twash@phikappatau.org

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volunteer development consultant Marty Dunning, Kentucky ’07 mdunning@phikappatau.org

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resource and development coordinator Ray Sophie, Southern Illinois ’08 rsophie@phikappatau.org

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resource and expansion consultant Jason Sweet, Saginaw Valley State ’09 jsweet@phikappatau.org

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expansion coordinator Alex Koehler, Mount Union ’07 akoehler@phikappatau.org

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expansion consultant Matt Marone, Florida State ’08 mmarone@phikappatau.org

x240

Executive Assistant Cindy Morgan cmorgan@phikappatau.org

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Administrative Assistant-Chapter Services Lori Foister lfoister@phikappatau.org

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Administrative assistant-foundation Angie Van Winkle avanwinkle@phikappatau.org

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To view a complete list of Fraternity leaders, visit www.phikappatau.org

Chairman David A Ruckman, Ohio State ’62 first Vice Chairman Scott G Stewart, Nebraska-Kearney ’69 SECOND Vice Chairman Bill Fisher, Miami ’80 Treasurer William G Braund, Westminster ’54 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 Joseph J McCann Jr, Spring Hill ’74 Richard F Michael, Michigan Tech ’70 Stephan M Nelson, Southern Mississippi ’73 Donald J Phillips II, Texas-Austin ’82 Ross E Roeder, Michigan State ’58 Joel S Rudy, Bethany ’60 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 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 Fr. Nicholas R A Rachford, Cincinnati ’64 Timothy F Smith, Bowling Green ’62 Donald E Snyder Sr, Cornell ’49 Carl D Vance, Miami ’67 Graydon D Webb, Ohio State ’69

National Advisors are ex-officio, non-voting members of the National Council.

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Perspectives

O

A Half Century of Memories

n Dec. 28, 1958, Baltimore Colts fullback Alan Ameche split through the rain, the fog, and the New York Giants defensive line with six minutes left in overtime to claim the NFL championship in what would become known as the “Greatest Game Ever Played.” The back-and-forth contest, played in cavernous Yankee Stadium in front of a nationally televised audience, paid the winners less than $5,000 each and marked a change in the esteem that football would hold in the hearts of Americans for decades to come.

Fifteen miles away, in Jamaica, Queens, a small group of men gathered between classes to meet at a lunch table in the only academic building on the St. John’s University campus. Although St. John’s would grow into a highly reputable, nationally known university, the campus at the time was small and austere. Coming together under the Phi Kappa Tau flag in this unlikely conservative Catholic setting, this small gathering would spawn friendships that would span five decades.

The post-WWII growth in Phi Kappa Tau had come mainly from new chapters at large state universities. St. John’s, having a small campus with a distinctive religious educational mission under the leadership of Rev. John A. Flynn, represented a divergence in both geography and culture for the Fraternity.

“There were rules everywhere—jackets and ties with no exceptions,” Mat Casamassima, St. John’s ’62, remembered. “If you went to the field house to work out, you needed to change back into jacket and tie or be thrown off campus!”

In 1958, St. John’s had just finished erecting only its third building on its cozy new Queens campus. Flynn was in the process of moving the St. John’s campus to Queens, from its Brooklyn digs to what was once a distant Depression-era golf course in the neighboring New York City borough.

“It was a tight-knit community back then,” said St. John’s Archivist Blythe Roveland-Brenton, Ph.D. “There were no dormitories and the administration and classrooms were pretty much in one building.

St. John’s plan was to expand its accessibility to more students who hailed from Long Island and Queens.”

To that end, St. John’s did just that. The genesis of the Gamma Gamma chapter was made possible only because the move to the Queens campus attracted hundreds of new students. When asked if they would have attended St. John’s had it not moved to Queens, friends Casamassima, John Bila, St. John’s ’61, and Pat Linehan, St. John’s ’63, declared in unison, “Absolutely not.”

5

If the new St. John’s campus location had become a bit more accommodating to these future Phi Taus in the late ’50s, the campus culture had not yet warmed to the idea of a new fraternity. Having been thrice rejected for recognition by the student council, the group remained resolved to rewire the prevailing St. John’s perception of fraternities.

“We chose to be trendsetters by being the only fraternity on campus that was not allowed to use the slang word ‘frat’ because we were serious about brotherhood,” Bila said. “Our founders definitely subscribed to National’s prescription against corporeal hazing and humiliation. This in turn attracted men who were more mature, more serious about scholarship and more willing to break with campus tradition.”

Guided by an avuncular, soft-spoken faculty advisor named Jack Maran, New York ’24, who would later be recognized with the Phi Kappa Tau Palm Award, and led by its first elected president, Tom Hartman, St. John’s ’60, and first pledge master, Mike Hourican, St. John’s ’60, “the adversity [of gaining a foothold on campus] forged a determination and camaraderie that persisted on campus through the mid-’60s,” Bila said, and would produce lasting lifelong friendships.

In December of 1960, the Gamma Gamma chapter at St. John’s received its charter from Domain Chief Don Zeissett, Rensselaer ’41, and continued to receive support from Field Secretary Mike Raleigh, Oklahoma State ’58, and Domain Chief Joe Rizzo, Michigan State ’48, throughout the mid-’60s. Bila suggested that Hourican may have picked up the notion that “Phi Kappa Tau is a fraternity for life” from these early advisors.

Today, there are 85 Gamma Gamma alumni from the late ’50s and early ’60s who still keep in regular contact. They distribute a periodic newsletter, enjoy small gatherings with family, and organize an annual event to enjoy each other’s friendship and company. This year, on the weekend of Sept. 19, these men will gather once again at the Shawnee Golf Resort in the Delaware Water Gap National Forest for their annual reunion.

In this edition of The Laurel, we celebrate stories of brotherhood, like those of Gamma Gamma chapter, both in purpose and in repose.

Just as it would be difficult to fathom that the “Greatest Game Ever Played” would spawn an era 50 years later where the NFL and its players would be haggling over how to split billions of dollars in annual revenue, Phi Kappa Tau’s modest beginnings on the humble St. John’s campus of 1958 continues to produce immodest brotherhood that has only grown over five decades.

Steve Hartman, Muskingum ’89, is chief executive officer.

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How Foundation Assets Turn into Br

r e v e n u e - p r o d u c i ng a s s e t s

6 The Boles Trust was established through the estate of Phi Kappa Tau Honorary Founder Ewing T. Boles, Centre ’14. Brother Boles set up the original Phi Kappa Tau Educational Foundation in 1950 in Columbus, Ohio, and in 1985 donated the largest gift ever given to a fraternity foundation at that time, a matching gift of $1 million for the Decision for Phi Kappa Tau Campaign. In his estate plan, he left the Foundation another gift of $3 million in a trust. His son, Tom Boles, William & Mary ’39, a pediatric surgeon, has also been a loyal donor to the Foundation.

The General Endowment Fund was established through gifts from donors who prefer to have their donations pooled with others to be used for the long-term health of the organization and its programs. The Foundation Board of Trustees has oversight over these funds and their utilization.

Restricted/Chapter Funds are those gifts that a donor can either designate for the long-term or short-term. These gifts are designated for a specific purpose, program, chapter or other educational pursuit that is related to the Fraternity. Examples of these funds are Chapter Educational Grants, Named Scholarships and Leadership Endowments.

ot h e r a s s e t s

The Elfers/Omega Scholarship Fund was established through a bequest by Paul A. Elfers, Wisconsin-Madison ’24. The Elfers Fund has grown to $650,000 and supports six Phi Kappa Tau undergraduate scholarships per year.

Boles Trust

$4.55M

Proceeds from these funds are applied each year to support specific programs.

The Phi Kappa Tau Foundation Board of Trustees has established a spending policy that allows only 5 percent of any endowed fund to be used annually for operations (programmatic support).

General Endowment

$2.45M Restricted/ Chapter Funds

$1.5M Elfers/Omega

$600K

$240K

$90K

$250K

$18K

The Phi Kappa Tau Executive Offices, Centennial Gardens and Archives

Brotherhood Fund support (ANNUAL FUND)

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Operating Income $170K The Laurel | www.phikappatau.org

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o Brotherhood Opportunities 7

The Boles Trust underwrites a significant portion of the programming that is provided by the Fraternity to chapters and brothers, including chapter services, Leadership Academy, Presidents Academy, Building Men of Character Retreats, UIFI sponsorships and Regional Conferences. In FY11, the Boles Fund contributed $240,000 to programming.

Key = Presidents Academy = Leadership Academy = Building Men of Character Retreats = Regional Conferences = Scholarships

In FY11, the General Endowment contributed $90,000 to programming and scholarships.

= Programs = Housing

In FY11, Restricted/Chapter Funds generated $250,000 in support back to students, chapters and the Association of Hole in the Wall Camps.

Total Assets = $10.5M In FY11, The Elfers/Omega Fund distributed $18,000 in scholarships.

Total Support = $776K (FY 2011)

Supports general Phi Kappa Tau administrative and event planning

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New & Noteworthy 8

B

Beta Celebrates 100 Years

eta chapter at Ohio celebrated its 100th anniversary May 20-22, 2011, feel the college fraternity is the most valuable group through which a student in Athens, Ohio. More than 300 alumni, undergraduates and friends can learn to get along with people. Within the fraternity, an individual will gathered for “Milestones & Memories: The Centennial Celebration of find an example of almost every type of personality, and because of the bonds Beta Chapter of Phi Kappa Tau.” This was a chapter’s first centennial since of brotherhood, he must learn to live with everyone in the group.

“This evening, take a moment to reflect on how the Fraternity impacted Phi Kappa Tau’s national Centennial in 2006.

Planning for Beta chapter’s celebration began two years ago when Centennial your life and be proud of 100 years of bringing honor and credit to the NaCommittee Chairman Brian Breittholz, Ohio ’83, assembled a group of alumni tional Fraternity and Ohio University.” and undergraduates to discuss ways to properly celebrate the marking of the oc- Chapter President Joshua Smith, Ohio ’07, gave official greetings on behalf casion. of the chapter, and Distinguished Foundation Trustee Jerry Carlton, Ohio ’58, “I wanted a proper celebration that truly honored the achievements and welcomed all brothers and guests and provided the official toast. contributions of the men and the chapter over the past 100 years,” Breit- Following dinner, several brothers offered glimpses of the Fraternity experitholz said. ence during their eras: John Good, Ohio ’47, David Budd, Ohio ’56, James While primary events were planned Friday through Sunday, undergradu- McAtee, Ohio ’65, Richard Harrison, Ohio ’79, Rodney Coon, Ohio ’85, ates also planned activities throughout the week. Alumni began arriving in Chris Garber, Ohio ’93, and Steve Maltarich, Ohio ’04. Along with the era Athens on Friday afternoon, and an evening welcome reception was held at reflections, Lt. General Robert Arter, Ohio ’47, recognized all brothers who Konneker Alumni Center. honorably served in the U.S. military.

On Saturday morning, about 30 alumni and undergraduate brothers trav- Heilmeier presented a number of recognitions during the banquet. Memeled to the Athens Country Club for nine holes bers of the Centennial Cabinet were recognized of golf. While they were on the course, others enby Heilmeier, as well as the chapter. Harrison was joyed a continental breakfast at the house, historipresented with the prestigious Bridge Builder cal memorabilia on display in the living room and Award for his years of service as advisor to Beta tours of campus. Sophomore Anthony Campbell, chapter. Breittholz was presented with a presidential citation for his efforts in spearheading the Ohio ’11, was selected by the chapter to be the Centennial reunion. Breittholz recognized John brother initiated during the afternoon Centennial Grosh, Ohio ’84, for his tremendous undertakInitiation Ceremony.

Saturday evening began with a reception, foling of researching and writing the chapter’s hislowed by the Centennial Celebration Banquet in tory book. Breittholz also recognized Smith for his the Baker Center Ballroom. A special slideshow contributions as chapter president. containing photos of brothers from the earliest As the evening began to close, brothers experidays of chapter life to the current day opened the enced the Phi Kappa Tau Candlelight Ceremony. program.

The program officially ended with the singing of Longtime Board of Governors Chairman and the Brotherhood Song followed by a closing video honorary Beta chapter initiate Joel Rudy, Beththat inspired the group to build a legacy for the next 100 years to follow. FKT any ’60, served as the master of ceremonies. Rudy John Good, Ohio ’47, addresses the crowd at Beta’s Centennial Celebration Banquet. provided introductions of special guests, including Ohio University Vice President of Student Affairs Kent Smith, Dean of Students Ryan Lombardi, and Assistant Dean Char Kopchick. From the National Fraternity, National President Greg Heilmeier, Bethany ’86, Past National Presidents Bill Macack, Florida State ’73, and Greg Hollen, Maryland ’75, CEO Steve Hartman, Muskingum ’89, Director of Chapter Services Tim Hudson, Truman State ’97, and National Chaplain Fr. Nicholas Rachford, Cincinnati ’64, were introduced. The group also welcomed Nan Worthing, wife to the late brother W. Barry Worthing, Ohio ’58, who was very involved with the chapter.

Due to scheduling conflicts, Honorary Centennial Chair Senator George Voinovich, Ohio ’56, was unable to attend the banquet, but sent a special greeting to his brothers.

“I recently found a paper on the importance of extracurricular activities that I wrote while a student at Ohio University,” Voinovich said in his greeting. “‘I Past Beta chapter presidents gather before the banquet.

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We Are

Our i d e n t i t y

Four Phi Taus are making a name for themselves, and they haven’t forgotten their Fraternity roots.

FKT

9

David Brizius Co-founder, C.A.M.P. Bainbridge, Ohio

The Motivator

Fifty-five years ago, David Brizius, Ohio ’53, co-founded C.A.M.P., or Constructing Assured and Motivated People—a motivating, faith-based, weeklong summer camp for young people. Today, Brizius and his wife, Janny, are as involved with the camp as they were when it began, and they don’t intend to slow down anytime soon!

“While C.A.M.P. has received many awards over the years, including recognitions from Parents Magazine, several Ohio governors and President George H.W. Bush, I think the most impressive award of all is that our all-volunteer staff continues to come back and help with this remarkable program. Many of the staff members were former campers themselves, and they believe so deeply in this program and the life-changing capabilities it has on young people, they now return to ‘pay back’ what they received as youngsters.

“As a Phi Tau at Ohio University, I was given a life-changing opportunity of which I took full advantage. My fraternity experience gave me lifelong friends, the confidence to succeed, the commitment to follow through and plenty of leadership opportunities.The philosophy of our Fraternity in many ways mirrors our philosophy at C.A.M.P., and that’s no coincidence!”

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We 10

Are FKT

Tyler Aguirre Lead Singer, Avenue 52 Los Angeles, California

The Musician

Tyler Aguirre, St. Cloud ’02, (left) has been singing for awhile, but his band, Avenue 52, which also features Sean Alexander (right) and Beau Evans, formed just two years ago and is already having success. After less than a week on VEVO and YouTube, the group’s new music video, “Homeless,” snagged more than 55,000 views.

The single aims to raise awareness on the homeless epidemic in the United States and the importance of giving back, something that hits home with Avenue 52.

“It’s all about the music for us. We come together as a group because our hearts are in the right place. We all give back and want to make a mark. Giving back and being selfless is the most beautiful gift you can give someone else, and it makes you grateful for what you have. Not only are we making music, but we’re making music in the community.

“If it sends a message to anyone in the Fraternity, I hope ‘Homeless’ says that when you leave Phi Tau as an undergraduate, keep the Fraternity close to your heart.

Keep the core values close to you, keep giving back.

Don’t lose sight of where you came from, why you are a member, why you are a brother.”

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Bob Plumleigh Importer, Lord Plumleigh Imports Alumni Service Award Recipient, University of Southern California Santa Ana, Calif.

We

Are FKT

11

The Enthusiast

Photograph by steve cohn

Hall of Fame member Bob Plumleigh, Southern California ’47, and his wife, Betty, have been loyal to their alma mater—the University of Southern California—since they stepped foot on campus. Plumleigh serves on the school’s humanities advisory board and marine biology board, and the pair enthusiastically supports USC athletics, especially by hosting the song girls and yell leaders for breakfast or lunch before every home football game and taking them to dinner after every away game. Plumleigh and his wife were recently recognized for their dedication with the school’s prestigious Alumni Service Award.

“I am a people person. I like to get involved, I like to travel, I like to make new friends. My career as an importer wraps the latter two together, but staying connected with USC is my involvement. And being recognized for that? Well, that was quite an honor and very heartwarming. It was a very similar feeling to when I was inducted into the Phi Kappa Tau Hall of Fame.

“One thing I’ve found by my activity in a sense is that it has brought others into the fold. My friends have grown to all parts of the world.

It all goes back to my fraternity life. It goes back to the camaraderie you learn in the Fraternity. It carries you throughout life.”

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We 12

Are FKT

Toby Young President, Exhibit Management Associates, Inc. Louisville, Ky.

The Team Leader As president of Exhibit Management Associates, Inc., Toby Young, Eastern Kentucky ’95, runs the biggest trucking trade show in the world—the Mid-America Trucking Show. Each year in March, the show draws heavy-duty trucking professionals from all 50 states and 80 foreign countries eager to see exhibits that take up more than 1.2-million square feet. To run a trade show this big, Young uses leadership skills that he said he began learning as an officer in Delta Rho chapter.

“Joining the Delta Rho chapter of Phi Kappa Tau has shaped every aspect of my life. The up-close interaction with my chapter has proven very similar to my day-to-day task of managing a small team of employees with various skill sets as we work together to reach the common goal of promoting, selling and producing one of the 20 largest trade shows in North America. The social and leadership skills I developed with Phi Tau have served me well and play an integral role in my personal and professional successes. As I learned in my days as an undergraduate member, if you take a small group of men with the passion, drive and commitment to an objective, you can achieve just about any goal you set your sights on.”

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Phi Kappa Tau introduces…

phitaublog.org

13

“You and I don’t see things the way they are; we see them the way we are.”

—Herb Cohen

Learn about Phi Kappa Tau resources.

Gain a new perspective on greek life.

Inspire a new way of thinking.

Guide your chapter to success!

Domain Director Positions

Local Board of Governors Positions

Big Apple (New York City Area) Board of Governors Chairman Cornhusker (Nebraska Area) Chapter Advisor Deep South (Mississippi Area) Risk Management Advisor Golden Bear South (Southern California) Scholarship Advisor Reward!

Further the mission Great Plains (Kansas Area) Financial Advisor of Phi Kappa Tau. Lone Star (Texas Area) Recruitment Advisor Mentor high quality undergraduates.

Patriot (New England Area) Alumni Advisor Live the creed!

Rocky Mountain (Colorado Area) For more information on how to volunteer for Phi Kappa Tau, visit www.phikappatau.org/volunteer.

Current Domain Directors • Thomas S. Abrams, Blue Ridge • Ricky A. Bailey, Citrus • Patrick J. Best, Three Rivers • Scott Brown, Mid-Atlantic • Brian R. Conner, Housier • Scott Conroe, Empire • Adam S. Eldund, Rio Grande • Andrew R. Fruth, Lincoln • Philip J. Fr Upstate Michael L. French, Southeast • John Friend, Buckeye North • Leslie A. Fugate, Bluegrass West • Michael T. Gabhart, Bluegrass East • Daniel J. Ginter, Great Lakes West • Mark L. Greenway, Buckeye South • John L. Kaxzynski, Great Lakes East • Simon J. Klein, Pacific Northwest • David C. F. Lapinski, Allegheny • James J. Lewis, Tidewater • Michael D. Lummus, Mississippi Valley • Jerod A. Maker, A-OK • Daniel M. Perdue, Tar Heel • Keven P. Prather, Erie • Davorin K. Skender, Golden Gate • Steve Stratton, Shenandoah • Jeffery R. Steller, Ohio Valley • Eric J. Winchester, Golden Bear North

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14

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15

n \’br -th r-,h ou n d o o h • r bro•the hers state of being brot

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e

1 : the quality or

e College for the Study of th r te en C e th by n n a recent survey ru undergraduty, Phi Kappa Tau rsi ve ni U a an di In Fraternity at joining a one reason was for r be m nu eir th at ates were asked wh elming response. ips” was the over wh sh nd rie “F . ity rn te fra involve“opportunities for s,” tie ni rtu po op rking W hile “netwo ble choices were the other 15 possi of e m so d an e” lif ment in campus ants said percent of particip 50 ly ar ne , es tim few checked at least a As a social fradraw to greek life. t es gg bi e th s wa that brotherhood cts men ue quality that attra iq un is th es ac br Tau em ternity, Phi Kappa unity. to the greek comm form and the power to trans s ha it e us ca be ue uniq Brotherhood is uation and neidoesn’t end at grad ip rsh be em m u Ta grow. Phi Kappa e chapter. dships created in th ther should the frien time, especially bond to fade over is th r fo l ra tu na s Of course, it’ t for some ke precedence, bu ta s tie ni rtu po op work when family and that keeps them of their friendship re co e th at ue gl is brothers, there all odds. connected against ue that holds four will find that the gl u yo s, ge pa ht eig On the next day, each a common goal. To of it rsu pu is er th toge groups of Phi Taus in college, but the fferent than it did di s ok lo ps hi ds ien of these four fr ing. at it’s just as satisfy men will tell you th

I

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16

T

B y

J e ff

B a i r d ,

hirty-two years ago, when Gil Strohm, Muhlenberg ’69, the longtime Eta chapter cook, retired from his job feeding lunch and dinner to hungry Muhlenberg Phi Tau undergraduates six days a week, a thought occurred to the graduating classes of 1970 and 1972: they should help the man who kept them nourished through finals, varsity sports and other college activities, in his retirement.

So, in 1980, the men organized the Strohmathon, a softball tournament that continues to this day. The money they raised helped offset Strohm’s bills for more than 10 years.

Little did they realize then that their generosity towards Strohm would be so rewarding for them long after their cook’s death in the early 1990s.

For another 10 years, the tournament continued without a stated purpose, except to bring a group of about 25 brothers together each year. Though all had a few close friends, the effort to return to Allentown, Penn., and play softball each year kept the two graduating classes close over the long run.

Bruce Reitz, Muhlenberg ’67, now Eta chapter’s Board of Governors chairman, managed the list of brothers and coordinated the weekend, handwriting the invitations in the days before mail merge.

“I wish every class could have a Bruce,” Dale Rice, Muhlenberg ’67, said, joking, “If you do something with him once, he makes it a tradition. I can still remember his handwriting and return address on the invitations, which I watched for, for years.”

In 2001, the group had a purpose again: Rice, the Strohmathon center fielder, caught an infection his body couldn’t fight.

“I went from playing in a basketball game one night to being in intensive care the next night,” he said.

As a result of the infection, his extremities turned black. From his hospital bed near his home in Maine, he wasn’t sure what would heal and what would have to be amputated. In the end, he lost both legs below the knee and fingers on both hands.

His hospital stay lasted three months. Rice’s wife, Joy, stayed in his room the entire time. Ron Tuma, Muhlenberg ’68, one of Rice’s classmates and brothers, flew to Maine from Philadelphia soon after.

M u h l e nb e r g

’ 0 1

As a professor of medicine at Temple University, Tuma lent his skills to Rice’s family, interpreting Rice’s diagnosis and treatment options from the doctors. During this early visit, while Rice was still in the hospital bed, uncertain about his prospects, Tuma told him that he could play golf someday soon. The nurses were disbelieving.

Tuma brought home the candid news about their brother’s condition.

“I remember Ron telling us, ‘We almost lost our center fielder,’” Reitz recalled.

But Tuma also brought back some ideas: Rice could swing a golf club, even if he couldn’t grip it; a manufacturer could make special clubs; a PGA school in Florida specialized in lessons for people with disabilities. That’s when Reitz sprang into action, raising money from fellow brothers, organizing the effort, working the list. Rice’s closest friends— Tuma, Reitz, Tom Miller, Muhlenberg ’67, and Glenn Seifert, Muhlenberg ’68—worked to make Tuma’s visions reality, while keeping tabs on their friend in the hospital.

Meanwhile, the letters and calls streamed into Rice’s hospital room.

“I had over 20 people e-mailing me, sending cards, calling me,” he said. “It seemed like I heard from someone every day.”

Though he missed the Strohmathon that year, his friends passed around a cell phone to talk from the game.

Rice saved the letters he got while he was in the hospital and pulls them out every few years to reread them.

“It’s funny to see how many are from fraternity brothers,” he mused.

Fast forward a few months: Rice was out of the hospital. His physical therapist worked with him to create an arm brace that would slide onto his left arm, fastening with Velcro. A specially made golf club could slide into the arm brace and allow him to swing with almost the same power as before.

He traveled to the PGA Learning Center in Port St. Lucie, Fla., for a week, compliments of his brothers. He worked with his instructor on sand traps, putting and chipping greens, and sample holes. “[My instructor] would take a cart and we’d play some holes,” Rice

“It takes effort over the

years to stay friends.

You can’t go back at our age and say, I wish

I had been friends with certain guys for the last 40 years.”

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17

said, “and sometimes I’d hit a shot and she’d dump 10 golf balls at my feet and tell me to hit again. She was a very good teacher.”

These days, Rice plays his fair share of golf: Eta chapter’s annual charity golf tournament; a foursome with Seifert, Miller and Tuma the week of the Strohmathon; an annual game in the Poconos. Not that Rice would have been a couch potato without golf: he still lifts weights, plays basketball, builds stone walls around his property, rides a recumbent bicycle, clears trails around the woods behind his 1806-vintage farm house, snowshoes the trails in the winter, and hikes the countryside of Maine.

But golf was a way to re-introduce competitive sports into his life, and also a way to be closer to his brothers.

Eta chapter members are quick to point out that the intensity of the softball game has faded over the years, what with pulled hamstrings and joint replacements— “We’re getting to the point where we’re starting to fall apart,” Miller candidly said—so golf has replaced softball as the game of choice, though they still play a few innings each year.

Looking back, Rice said that he would have stayed friends with three or four brothers, but the organized Strohmathons were what kept up his friendship with the wider group of ’70 and ’72 graduates, all of whose support was critical in his recovery.

“It takes effort over the years to stay friends,” he said over lobster rolls from Fast Eddie’s 50’s Restaurant in his hometown. “You can’t go back at our age and say, I wish I had been friends with certain guys for the last 40 years.”

Miller, who lives in Florida, put it succinctly: “Time and distance can separate you if you allow them to. But we didn’t allow them to.”

Funny thing about this group that pulled together to support the Eta house cook who needed help in retirement: three decades later, their original purpose long since fulfilled, they remain lifelong friends, coming to each other’s aid when necessary, but mostly just running the bases, hitting the links, sharing a meal, and remembering their old friend Gil Strohm and the good times they had around his table. fkt

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Eta ch a honora pter cook Gil rily init iated b Strohm, Muh y the u le ndergr nberg ’69, w aduate as s.

lenberg ’67, Dale Rice, Muh his golf swing.

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18

Band of Bro t

A

by l a n e s h e t z e r

sk anyone who knew him and they will tell you that Army Capt. Shane Adcock, Longwood ’98, was the epitome of a Phi Tau gentleman. He was charismatic, genuine, involved with the Fraternity and a friend to everyone.

Along with his Phi Kappa Tau membership with Epsilon Lambda chapter at Longwood, Adcock was a member of Army ROTC (Reserve Officers’ Training Corps) and became an active-duty officer after graduating. He served for a year in Afghanistan before coming home for a little while and deploying again.

Five years ago, on Oct. 11, 2006, Adcock was killed in action while serving in Iraq. A grenade struck his Humvee during a convoy operation.

At the same time, on the other side of the world, Adcock’s friend Jeromy French, Longwood ’99, had just moved back to the States from France and was working remotely. He received a phone call at home from their mutual college friend Loren Hatcher. Hatcher delivered the gut-wrenching news.

“When Shane died, it was tough for me,” French said. “I didn’t want to believe it, like it wasn’t allowed. I also had anger for how it happened.

Shane wasn’t serving in the military because it was his job, but because it was necessary. That made me feel a little bit better.”

Immediately, French knew something needed to be done to preserve Adcock’s name, and last year, his ideas started to become reality. While Epsilon Lambda chapter had raised money in Adcock’s memory for year-to-year scholarships, French wanted a longer-term solution. He gathered some of Adcock’s closest friends— Hatcher; Drew Walker, Longwood ’99; John Wiggins, Longwood ’99; Dave McWee, Longwood ’99; Walker’s wife, Dana; and his wife, wed by ie v r te Lisa—and formed g in 9, bein ane. ’9 d o o a committee to enh rS ngw lker, Lo the Game fo a W dow a Longwood w t Dre sa al new University scholarship the loc in Adcock’s memory.

The university requires a $25,000 base, which must be raised within five years, to endow a scholarship.

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Through various fundraising events, the group has already raised more than half of that amount in less than a year, and it hopes to double that goal in the five-year period.

“The idea that Shane is gone and he’s not going to get to do some things with his life—that’s difficult,” Walker said. “I want everyone to know what Shane was capable of, what he meant to people. This scholarship will help people realize who he was. He will live on.”

Once established, the Captain Shane T. Adcock Memorial Scholarship will be given annually. The scholarship will financially support a Longwood University student who most closely mirrors Adcock’s contributions to the Longwood community.

Through the scholarship committee, French, Walker and Wiggins have reconnected on a deeper level. The three Phi Taus were friends in their undergraduate days, however, Adcock was at the center of those friendships.

“Anytime you’re in a fraternity together, it means you have common interests,” Walker said. “They were the guys that were always around and very involved on campus. Jeromy thought of us for help on the scholarship because we were close friends and also close to Shane.”

Wiggins was especially close to Adcock, in part because they were roommates on the Fraternity hall. One of Wiggins earliest memories of Adcock was how supportive he was when Wiggins lost a high school friend.

“I remember that Shane was the one to come and pick me up and tell me what happened to [my friend],” he said. “He was just there for me that whole evening and the next day and made sure I got home—the true sense of brotherhood in the time of need.”

Adcock also introduced Wiggins to one of his favorite charities—the Special Olympics. Wiggins said that’s what kept the two together outside of school.

While French, Walker and Wiggins conversed here and there outside of school, the trio agreed that serving on the scholarship committee together gives them a purpose and an excuse to keep in touch.

“Given the timing of this project, we’ve gotten closer in some different ways, and it’s also brought us to where we’re communicating more since we’ve graduated,” Wiggins said. “Everybody has their family life and their work life and balancing this. Part of the motivation and satisfaction for me personally is that it is hard to squeeze in a meeting, but when we get on the phone and hear each other’s voices, it brings us back to the common place. It brings us back to working towards a goal.”

French has a new-found appreciation for his friends.

“One of the things I’ve learned about Drew is that he’s a tireless worker,” French said. “I’ve always thought of him as just a great person, but he has put in so much work. John has provided the steadiness I expected him to.”

While a lot of the scholarship building has been work, the group has found time to celebrate Adcock’s life through fun, too.

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o thers

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In March, the committee kicked off its fundraising by hosting a baseball game, “The Game for Shane,” between Atlee High School, Adcock’s alma mater, and Meadowbrook High School, where Walker coaches. Local families, Longwood alumni and undergraduates, and friends of the Adcock family turned out for the event, and the group raised $4,500 to ’00, Rob Hawley uates. w re d start the fund. n ’99, A ergrad Wiggins ock ’98 as und n h o In addition, Epsilon Lambda undergraduates hosted the annual AdJ , e Adc rp ’99 Kevin A ’99, and Shan cock Memorial Golf Tournament in April, which raised $1,350, and the r e n n o O’C group participated in a fundraiser called “LUau” at a local restaurant, which raised more than $3,000.

“It’s been a good time,” Walker said of the fundraising events. “I get a chance to socialize and see people I haven’t seen for a long time. And, it’s always nice to share stories about Shane.”

French is still pinching himself over the success they’ve had.

“Our expectation was that it was that it was going to be a tough uphill climb for the full five years,” he said. “And then, we’d have to spend time making it a decent sized scholarship. We’ve been so grateful that people have been opening up their wallets as wide as they have.”

Walker believes that the scholarship is something people can rally around because of the Fraternity, university and military connections. He hopes that the group can raise $50,000, or even more, in five years.

“We hope it will be one of the most sought after scholarships on campus,” he said. “It’s kind of exciting to think about the people who will win the scholarship. I guarantee if they’re anything like Shane, they’re going to be a who’s who of great contributors to Longwood.”

Wiggins also hopes that the committee can build a foundation that will FWalker, Lo ren be sustained for years to come. bas ch, Lo ren Ha t eba n ll ga gwood cher an “At the end of the day, this is about getting something started,” he said. me d hon ’99, at Jerom “It’s about something bigger than just the group. The efforts that we’re orin am g Ad inor y making and working together on, and the challenges and obstacles we face coc l k. eague is just a group trying to get stronger. We’re merely the more and the guides to keep this going.”

Throughout his short life, Adcock strived to be the best he could possibly be, and he expected nothing less from his chapter brothers, something the scholarship committee attempts to reflect in their work. In his obituary printed in the Fall 2006 Laurel, Brian Davis, Longwood ’96, related a story about one of Adam Sunukjian’s, Longwood ’01, first encounters with Adcock: “Shane explained that being a Phi Tau should confer confidence, and that [Adam] was now part of a brotherhood that was strong. Shane also told [Adam] to walk with his chest out and chin up high, because as an associate with Phi Kappa Tau, Adam was ‘the man.’

“Shane died a hero, and those that knew him will always remember him as ‘the man.’”

For more information about the Captain Shane T. Adcock Memorial Scholarship or to make a donation to the fund, e-mail adcockscholarship@ gmail.com. FKT The Laurel | www.phikappatau.org

Laurel Summer 2011 pages 1-32.indd 19

Adcock before deploying to Iraq.

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A Texas C

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by Michael Lerdahl, St. Cloud ’08

ip Texas North al Leadersh f o y it n d rs n io e a s iv , s n 5, U NT Profe State ’61 uet. io land ’7 ,U nq , Mary ley Graves Kocher, Ohmentors ba n e ll o H n in u o F g a R e T n r )G Dea -Phi bert, (L to R ss School Renee He , at a UNT e 3 Busin m Director lenberg ’6 h a Progr Toney, Mu Roger

B r o th e r ho o d . It’s something that’s often thought of as being exclusive to the undergraduate fraternity experience. The brothers of the Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) Alumni Group, however, would beg to differ.

As one of Phi Kappa Tau’s most involved alumni associations, the group pulls men from various chapters who have all settled in northeastern Texas as alumni. Members get together to socialize, volunteer, build a professional network and even help with Phi Tau expansion projects.

Their story proves that the bond of brotherhood doesn’t stop at graduation.

T DFW Alu mni Grou p membe rs get tog ether wit h their fa milies.

he DFW Alumni Group formed in 2006, the same year Phi Kappa Tau celebrated its 100th birthday. It wasn’t until the following year, when Travis Doyle, Oklahoma State ’97, moved to Dallas, that the group had its official start.

“I didn’t really know anybody in the area when I moved down here and just wanted to get together a group of Phi Taus in Dallas,” he said. “I acted as the foundation for the [DFW Alumni Group].”

Doyle started gathering contacts for the group at a Phi Kappa Tau Foundation reception in Dallas. He utilized LinkedIn, a social networking site geared towards professionals, to expand the group.

“Travis was the spark plug for business reasons,” said Past National President and DFW Alumni Group member Greg Hollen, Maryland ’75. “He was able to capture an element of Phi Tau in Dallas—young, early-career men, along with their families—and plan non-traditional alumni gatherings.”

Before Doyle came in and harnessed the younger generation of Phi Taus in the Dallas region, gatherings of the group were few and far between. A mixture of things, such as athletic events and other gatherings, brought a few brothers, but usually alone.

“The real success of DFW,” said Hollen, “is the engagement of brothers along with spouses or partners, and sometimes their entire families.”

For example, the club hosts a tent before University of North Texas football games, where members of the group bring their families to tailgate and mingle.

Hollen said that this not only gives brothers the opportunity to interact with one another, but also gives their families the opportunity to meet and get to know each other, what he believes is a necessary ingredient for a strong alumni group.

And the DFW group is just that. In four years, the association has grown to more than 200 members. Of course, not all 200 members come together for every event. It is common, however, to have 80 brothers at an event. “[The DFW group] is all about people, and in a purer sense, this is what na-

DFW Alumni Group members gather at a Texas Rangers AA game.

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s Connection tional fraternity affiliation is all about,” Hollen said. “Different guys from multiple chapters getting together is something normal in the DFW group.”

The group is also successful, Hollen said, because Dallas is a melting pot—most people move into the area. It’s a breeding ground for people looking to make connections and get involved.

“The chance to meet and make connections with brothers from chapters all over is something I cherish,” Doyle said. “[These guys] are not just common acquaintances. We have that special bond, that relationship and that trust factor.”

While the group does consistently host big events, like networking luncheons, to keep people actively involved, smaller events are just as important because of the personal factor. Smaller events also give members a chance to get involved outside a social setting and make a difference in their community.

The DFW Alumni Group hosts at least one community service event each year. Most recently, members built a playground for an inner-city development project in Dallas, organized by Distinguished Foundation Trustee and DFW Alumni Group member Jerry Carlton, Ohio ’58, and his non-profit organization. “[The event] was led by someone we respect,” Doyle said of Carlton. “We got to play with power tools and hang out with brothers.”

The event turned out to be a success, and brothers even brought their families along to share in the service. DFW Alumni Group President Steve Springer, Bowling Green ’94, said that while the group exists to make connections, having a greater purpose makes those friendships even deeper.

“We have a common goal,” Springer said of the brothers. “[We] want to help, to get out and do something, something outside of the daily routine.”

One of the major events that the DFW group undertook last fall, and continues to have an active role in, is the Fraternity’s colonization at North Texas.

“Helping start the colony at UNT makes us aware of the reality that college students need the opportunity to have this experience,” Springer said. “It makes you take a step back and see how the fraternity experience has really shaped yourself and your friends.”

Bringing the colony to North Texas is big deal, not just for the Fraternity as a whole, but also for the DFW group as this is the first step in bringing a Phi Kappa Tau chapter back to Texas.

“No colonization would have happened if the DFW Alumni Group didn’t exist,” said Roger Toney, Muhlenberg ’63, a member of the group. “We have all taken on very different roles [in the colonization].”

Many of the active members of the DFW group have been heavily involved with the new colony. North Texas Athletic Director Rick Villarreal, Southern Mississippi ’76, is one of those people. “[Rick] hosts meetings in his office from time to time and makes it known that Phi Tau is involved on campus at North Texas,” Toney said.

In this way, the North Texas colonization is unique. The undergraduates recruited into the colony have the opportunity to gain the perspective of men

21

from 15 to 20 chapters all over the country, not just one or two.

Plus, DFW alumni are successful professionals, and they have harnessed this distinctive trait with a mentoring program for North Texas colony members, something they hope will catch on at other Phi Tau chapters and colonies across the country. The goal of the program is to intertwine the fraternity experience and business skills to develop strong leaders who will make knowledgeable business prof essionals and strong community leaders.

“Every student in the colony will get an alumni mentor,” Hollen said. “Not only is it a different concept, it’s a first in the country.

There is a very real need to mix business skills with fraternity experience.”

And, it’s what the group does best.

“Professional networking was the foundation of the group,” Doyle explained. “Through the DFW group, brothers are able to expand horizons professionally, as well. For example, I have hired several Phi Taus onto my company through people I have met because of the group.”

Being an alumnus does have its differences from the experience of one’s undergraduate years. As an alumnus, there’s no class, no chapter meetings, and you don’t see your brothers every day. These things are replaced with other positive experiences, such as careers and families, and the experiences as an alumnus can be just as rewarding as those of an undergraduate.

“The group works because it is absolutely brotherhood with a purpose,” Doyle said. “We all want to get together with each other. For example, the mentoring program not only benefits the undergraduates at North Texas, but us as alumni as well.”

Phi Kappa Tau offers lifelong membership and brotherhood, and joining an alumni group post-graduation is one way to stay connected to the Fraternity.

“My wife has connected with other Phi Tau wives, and if I need anything, I look for Phi Taus first,” Doyle said. “Some of my best [Phi Tau] friends are medical doctors, a Ph.D. in English, a veterinarian, and a Razorback back fish and caviar specialist. How many people can say that?”

With any luck, the DFW group will continue to grow its tradition of brotherhood with a purpose for years to come.

To learn about the group, contact DFW_info@PhiTauAlum.net. To learn more about other Phi Kappa Tau alumni associations or starting your own group, visit www.phikappatau.org. fkt

“The chance to meet and make connections with brothers from chapters all over is something I cherish.

These guys are not just common acquaintances.

We have that special bond, that relationship and that trust factor.”

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A B y

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M a r t y

Laurel Summer 2011 pages 1-32.indd 22

K e n t u c k y

’ 0 7

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h, and ife, Sara w , 9 ’9 uskingum onner, M Quincy C Trinity. r, daughte

Learning. Leading. Serving.

D u n n i n g ,

N

early 10 years ago, a bond of brotherhood was formed at Delta Lambda chapter at Muskingum. From the outside, this bond may have looked just like any other fraternity friendship, but years later, it would be tested and proven to withstand even the most difficult situations.

The connection that Rob McBurney, Muskingum ’00, and Luke Ford, Muskingum ’02, made with Quincy Conner, Muskingum ’99, when they became associate members of the Fraternity was “pivotal,” McBurney said.

Conner served as a model brother within his chapter. He was well liked by everyone and was always there for his brothers no matter what.

“The bond we created at the Phi Tau house at a pivotal point in our developing lives is for life,” McBurney said. “It’s in all the smiles and laughter that the trust is there, knowing all these guys would lay down for you … even after 10 years.”

After graduation, Conner worked hard to provide for his wife, Sarah, and their daughter, Trinity, as a branch manager of Enterprise Rental Car. Both McBurney and Ford said they learned a lot about the “power of fatherhood” from Conner.

A few months after he married Sarah, at the end of 2005, Conner came home from work, ate dinner with his family and put his daughter to bed. Not long after, his wife found him laying on the floor downstairs. Conner had suffered a heart attack and entered Chapter Eternal at 28 years of age.

“The legacy [Quincy] left to us was in his passionate pursuit for honor, devotion, pride and, above all, happiness,” McBurney and Ford wrote on the foundation’s website they created in Conner’s name, www.thequincyconnerfoundation.com. “For life, for love, for family, for friends, Quincy brought all of us together and shared with us all of these gifts which continue to brighten our lives.

“An icon for the pinnacle of fatherhood, friendship, marriage, brotherhood and leadership, he will remain forever in our hearts.”

The Quincy Conner Foundation was founded to completely fund Conner’s daughter’s higher-education expenses. A testament to the bond of brotherhood that is created in Phi Kappa Tau, to this day, McBurney, Ford, and their other Delta Lambda brothers keep Conner’s memory alive and haven’t strayed from their original mission.

“When we first started this foundation, we really didn’t have any direction but we knew with all of our brothers we could make this thing work,” Ford said. “It has been based off love, brotherhood and, most of all, respect. We wanted to repay Quincy for the time we had with him on earth and the best way we knew how was to take care of his pride and joy, the love of his life, his daughter, Trinity. We wanted to do what was right. We have become a family of brothers that takes care of each other no matter what.”

The foundation’s original goal was to raise a minimum of $150,000 for Trinity’s college expenses, but now has been extended to create opportunities for high school seniors to seek higher education opportunities. To reach this goal, the foundation has held different events over the last few years which has led to a series of weekend events—known as “Q’Fest”—in Columbus, Ohio.

Q’Fest consists of the “Know Your Hole” golf outing at Champions Golf Course; Quarters for Q Ceremony, which is a time to share about and reflect on Conner’s life; charity dinner and comedy night at the 94th Aero Squadron; and prayer breakfast at the Concourse Hotel. The event has grown over the last three years from just the golf tournament.

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Family “The goal of our events is to bring together anyone and everyone who has had the opportunity to meet Quincy and wants to share with us their personal stories and smile as we celebrate his life and make sure his daughter feels his everlasting support through us,” McBurney said.

McBurney and Ford said they have been overwhelmed by the support that Conner’s brothers, friends, and family have shown for the foundation. The 2011 Q’Fest alone raised more than $20,000.

“The process has been like trying to contain a wildfire in 50 mph winds,” McBurney said. “The amount of overwhelming support coming from every crevice of his life has been a testament to who he was and how he made people feel. It’s brought so many of us closer and rekindled old relationships while creating new memories.”

The two friends, who both serve on Delta Lambda’s Board of Governors, point to the foundation’s first event as proof that their brother meant the world to countless people: Conner’s Phi Tau brothers traveled to Ohio from 13 states with two months notice.

The foundation has grown in the amount of supporters over the past few years and now extends beyond that of Phi Kappa Tau and the Conner family.

“We have members of the greek community from Muskingum College, [Quincy’s] friends from Woodbridge, Va., and also Quincy’s family that make this group whole,” said Foundation Board Secretary and Delta Lambda Chapter Advisor Mark Miller, Muskingum ’00.

The ever-growing support can also be seen in the inner-workings of the foundation.

“Rob and I have worked on this foundation for three long years trying to get established,” Ford said. “It wasn’t until recently we realized that we couldn’t do this on our own. So we appointed a board of trustees; people that we knew had the drive to succeed as much as we do and were very close to Quincy and his family. We are supported by brothers as far back as 1994 to current active members of the Delta Lambda chapter. This is now our [chapter’s] biggest annual get together.”

Undergraduate members from Delta Lambda chapter have become really involved in the foundation and Q’Fest.

“Last year I challenged the Delta Lambda chapter members to start volunteering, and this year they are jumping at the chance to be there,” said Miller.

Above all, everyone involved aims to honor the legacy that Quincy has left behind.

“We are very proud to carry on Quincy’s legacy through this foundation and we know that he is proud of our efforts,” Miller said.

For McBurney and Ford, creating the foundation has been a lesson in brotherhood.

“There isn’t enough paper to write down what Luke or I personally have learned,” McBurney said, “but one is that brotherhood really does last a lifetime.”

This year’s Q’Fest raised more than $20,000 for the foundation. All foundation information, including how to get involved, make a donation and contact the board of trustees, can be found at www.thequincyconnerfoundation.com. fkt

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Conner’s daughter, Trinity.

Delt a La mbd a un derg radu ates part icipa te in

the 2 011 Q’Fe st.

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2011

Founders BMonth of Service r e a k s a ll R e c o r d s

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Phi Kappa Tau’s third annual Founders Month of Service (FMOS) was better than good—it was the best. Over the initiative’s 34-day span (March 1-April 3), members accrued 11,044 service hours and raised $79,426.33 for charity, more than the last two FMOSs combined.

Led by National Service Advisor Matt Parker, Evansville ’93, Founders Month of Service is a national service initiative that surrounds Founders Day (March 17). In alignment with the service strategic imperative of the strategic plan, the Fraternity participates in service events each March to honor its founders.

Phi Kappa Tau’s founders’ principles of democracy, integrity, equality and brotherhood are just as important to the Fraternity today as they were more than 100 years ago. During FMOS, brothers can better understand and live these principles when they commit themselves to their communities.

This year, more than 1,300 volunteers got involved, including undergraduates, alumni and Executive Offices employees. If you didn’t have the opportunity to get involved in the 2011 Founders Month of Service, mark your calendars for March 2012. It’s never too early to start thinking about next year!

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By Lane Shetzer

March 4 Epsilon Sigma chapter at Chapman raised more than $1,800 for the Association of Hole in the Wall Camps during its annual Red and Gold Week.

March 1 Over the course of the month, Phi chapter at Bethany collected more than 1,000 pounds of clothing for a local shelter.

April 2 Beta Beta chapter at Louisville hosted its third annual Cornhole Tournament and raised more than $1,800 for the Association of Hole in the Wall Camps.

March 23 Jonathon Goolsby, Kentucky ’98, volunteered six hours mentoring youth at the YMCA of Greater Cincinnati.

March 26 Brandon Humble, Evansville ’10, and his Delta Beta chapter brothers volunteered 60 hours interacting with residents at a local retirement home.

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25 March 6 Virgil Richard, Oklahoma State ’57, helped raise $15,000 at the 83rd annual Zilker Kite Festival that benefits child abuse prevention.

March 18 Lloyd Lipska, Nebraska-Kearney ’66, served in the honor guard at a military funeral.

March 18 George Arnos, Cal Poly-Pomona ’09, (left) and Patric Kiev, Cal Poly-Pomona ’11, spent their weeklong spring break on a study abroad trip to Amsterdam. Part of the program, hosted through the university and Leger des Heils Amsterdam (Salvation Army Amsterdam), included volunteering at a homeless shelter and observing how Salvation Army Amsterdam works with those who are less fortunate.

Phi Kappa Tau Holds First National Community Service Event More than 30 undergraduates and alumni convened April 1-3, 2011, at Roundup River Ranch, a provisional member of the Association of Hole in the Wall Camps, in Avon, Colo., for Phi Kappa Tau’s first national community service event.

Over the course of the weekend, participants built a French drain, built the foundation for an arts and crafts building, and worked on the roof of the archery range. Because the camp wasn’t complete yet—it opened summer 2011—all attendees slept in the dining hall. Event organizer Jordan Loeb, Indiana ’06, said being together the whole weekend was a “great bonding experience.”

“Not only did we bond while helping demonstrate our community service, but you could see brothers reaching out to help others during the projects,” he said. “If someone was getting tired of doing something, no one would hesitate to reach out and help him. Or, at night, when we were all around the campfire, brothers would tell stories about each other

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March 12 Heartland Regional Conference attendees cleared trails at Wapahani Mountain Bike Park in Bloomington, Ind.

March 13 A group of undergraduates from Beta Chi chapter at Southern Illinois spent their weeklong spring break volunteering with Habitat for Humanity in Miami, Fla.

to better learn about each other.”

While the Fraternity has been involved with its national philanthropy—the Association of Hole in the Wall Camps—since 1995, Phi Kappa Tau has never hosted an event like this in conjunction with the organization. Plans are already underway for a similar second annual National Community Service Event. The event will once again occur at the end of FMOS at one of the Association’s 14 camps. The exact date and location will be announced in the fall.

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chapter eternal Th e f o ll o w i n g m e m b e r s w e r e r e p o r t e d d e c e a s e d t o t h e E x e c u t i v e Offices between oct. 7 and June 24, 2011.

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Akron

Delaware

Mount Union

Auburn

East Carolina

Muhlenberg

Baldwin-Wallace

Florida

William G Lamb ’42 John W Reece ’53 William F Dupree ’49 Ralph R Rohrer ’43 Donald G McMannis ’49

Bowling Green

Fred R Pullinger ’51 Frank Q Helms ’57 Blake V Nguyen ’03

Hansel T Shulenberger ’32 Edgar W Biggers Jr ’43 Everett L Peterson Jr ’51

Georgia

North Carolina State

Illinois

Northern Michigan

Bryant

Harold B Krug ’03

Robert H Swansbrough ’57

Centre

J A Logan ’26 Herbert A Meyer ’27 Elwood Humphrey ’30 Marty G Thomas ’30 Carl C Ellis ’31 Frank L True Jr ’33 James D Wallace ’50 Robert H Lacy ’63 Jay S Neville ’66 Bruce L Beck ’68 Craig Hamilton Stigger ’84

Coe

Carl Bremer ’29

Colgate

Raymond I Dawson Jr ’39 Alfred R Palmer ’50

Colorado

Donald L Haynie ’43 F Parker Fowler Jr ’45 James F Norling ’47 Gary A Pettit ’59

Colorado State Richard L Weldon ’51

Cornell

Bertrand C Johnson ’40

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Nebraska Wesleyan

C Gerald Stoutamire ’66

Florida State

Cal State-Long Beach

Donald I Martin ’42 Francis Yanoshik ’47 P R Byer ’64 Donald M Robbins ’44 Richard C Rupert ’47 Robert H Jones ’55 Keeley Bihr ’90

James G Annos ’51 Robert K Starkweather ’56 Raymond F Barker ’65 Benny R Ribaudo ’69

Paul H Aldenderfer ’47 George D Spiker ’61

Herman A Witt ’62

Kansas

Arthur O McGowan ’59

George J Linehan ’34

John L Milkowski ’61 Barry W Notarius ’61

Ohio

Robert D Schobert ’49

Charles D Brown ’17 Brandon T Grover ’17 Robert E Holmes ’41 Norman F Winkel ’50 Frederick A Dickey Jr ’56 Gary J Hawkins ’56 F S Hogan ’56 Michael J Boland ’62

Kentucky

Ohio State

Kansas State Robert Rychel ’29 Don C Hart ’50 John T Tew ’56

Kent State

Edward C Martin ’50 David B Herndon ’68 Robert C Stout Jr ’49 Marshall W Sprigg Jr ’55 William D Doolittle ’61 Edward R Graviss ’61 Stanley G Spangler ’64 Walter T Peidl ’66 Philip C Chance ’68

Stanley C Miller ’12 John C Wells ’12 Ralph E Deem ’21 Owen T Moorhead ’36 Paul V Heffner ’42 John L Bartholomew ’55 J Richard Stewart ’55 Paul L Young ’58 William D Chapman ’62 Donald G Powell Jr ’67 Richard Lee Schnoor ’84

Miami

Old Dominion

Louisville

William M Howard ’51 Milton J Altznauer ’57 Frank M Adams Jr ’60

Michigan State Harris R Symes ’29 Floyd J Gunn ’36

Ryan Buck AM

Penn State

Randal R Raeuchle ’35 Thomas F Courtless ’51 Frederick N Wescott ’51 Richard A Puhala ’58 Charles J Berry ’66 Forest L Benford Jr ’72

Southern California John B Thomassin ’37 William H Waldman ’46 John E Murphy ’49

Southern Illinois Clark D Hyland ’59

Southern Mississippi Daniel T McQuagge ’61

Texas-Austin George A Wells ’59 John H Sherrer ’63

Texas State-San Marcos Brian L Slade ’76

Transylvania

Robert C Barker ’46 G Richard Jones ’47

UC Berkeley

James A Struthers Jr ’47 Roland E Iversen ’51 Jack R Scarzella ’52

Washington

Timothy Hoey Jr ’47

Westminster Richard E Sass ’59

William & Mary

Harold P Eubank ’47 Kenneth E Smith Jr ’66

Youngstown

James L Gruhlkey ’07

Ole Miss

William C Pinkston ’69 Robert Wallace Edwards ’80 Matthew V Hatcher ’04

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Raymond Dawson, Colgate ’39, died Jan. 10, 2011, at age 90. A graduate of Yale Law School, he practiced law in New York City for three years before changing professions and becoming an account executive with insurance broker Davis, Dorland and Co., for 25 years. Dawson held many leadership positions, including those within the Colgate alumni and greek community, and was a good friend of the late Jack Anson, Colgate ’47. A regular summer resident of Nantucket, Mass., Dawson was active in the arts community on the island.

Parker Fowler, Colorado ’45, died Feb. 9, 2011, at age 84. He served in the U.S. Navy. Fowler received his doctorate in mathematics, statistics, and operations research, and was one of the first IBM fellows. A professor and IT director, Fowler also formed a software company, HMO Systems, with his twin brother, Hugh Fowler, Colorado ’45. They designed and installed the first digital data-based management system for healthcare. Fowler also served as an elder in the Presbyterian Church and directed and sang in many choirs.

James Struthers, UC Berkeley ’47, died March 8, 2011, at age 82. He served in the U.S. Army Chemical Corps and was employed with The Dow Chemical Co. until retiring in 1985. Struthers was a member of Kiwassee Kiwanis, Midland Chamber of Commerce, and supported the West Midland Family Center.

John Murphy, Southern California ’49, died Nov. 1, 2010, at age 84. He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. After the war, he graduated from USC’s Marshall School of Business. Murphy worked more than 50 years in the transportation and meat importation industry and left three successful companies that his family still operates. He was especially proud that his eldest grandson, Zachary Gourley of Chapman University, became his Phi Kappa Tau brother in 2009.

Robert Swansbrough, Cal State-Long Beach ’57, died Feb. 2, 2011, at age 72. A longtime professor of political science and administrator at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, Swansbrough served as the associate dean of the college of arts and sciences. His research focused on electoral politics in Tennessee and in the South, American foreign policy, party realignment and realignment in Tennessee, and political psychology as applied to presidential decision making.

Daniel McQuagge, Southern Mississippi ’61, died March 19, 2011, at age 68. He received a bachelor’s, master’s, and doctorate in English and worked as a professor of English at Delta State University until retirement in 1999. McQuagge was a member of the National Council of Teachers of English, the Mississippi Council of Teachers of English, Conference on English Education, and the Conference on College Composition and The Laurel | www.phikappatau.org

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Communication. He also served as director of the Delta Area Writing Project.

Roger Byer, Muhlenberg ’64, died March 10, 2011. He served in the U.S. Army Reserves after receiving a bachelor’s degree from Muhlenberg and a master’s from The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. In 2000, Byer retired as a managing director at Mentmore Holdings in Manhattan, N.Y.

William Pinkston, Mississippi ’69, died March 5, 2011, at age 62. He completed medical school at the University of Mississippi Medical Center, and upon graduation, he served in the Air Force as Chief of Pulmonary Services at Kessler Air Force Base in Biloxi, Miss. After completing his military service, Pinkston co-founded Jackson Pulmonary Associates and worked on various medical staffs. He was president of the MS Thoracic Society, a fellow of the American College of Chest Physicians and a member of the MS Lung Association.

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Blake Nguyen, East Carolina ’03, died April 6, 2011, at age 25 from an undetected congenital heart defect. The condition affects less than one-tenth of one percent of the population.

Chapter president of Gamma Eta chapter at East Carolina from 200507, Nguyen was a dedicated Phi Kappa Tau leader.

“Blake was the ultimate Gamma Eta brother,” Chesapeake Domain Director David Ozag, East Carolina ’05, wrote in a letter to alumni.

“He was one of those brothers who made you his friend the moment he met you. Through his examples, Blake taught all of us how to be a good Phi Tau. To Blake, it did not matter if you were an older guy like me or a newly initiated brother, Blake considered you a brother, now and forever.”

Along with his position as president, Nguyen also served his chapter as vice president. He received a presidential scholarship from Gamma Eta and attended Phi Kappa Tau’s Capital Regional Conference.

He volunteered at Camp Boggy Creek.

“After Blake’s death, I heard so many great stories about his leadership skills, some of them honed as a Gamma Eta brother,” Ozag wrote. “Two of his co-workers and his mom told me stories that reinforced a trait about Blake that all great leaders possess. It was a trait that some of us got to see in action during his years as the Gamma Eta president—when others were at their worst, including me, Blake was always at his best.”

Nguyen graduated from East Carolina in 2008 with a bachelor’s in political science and communications.

In 2009, he started work for Homeland Security as an operations lead in the national cyber security division. Nguyen was enrolled in the project management program at the Graduate School of the University of Maryland.

With the assistance of Ozag, a memorial scholarship is being set up in Nguyen’s honor. The Blake V. Nguyen Memorial Scholarship will annually benefit a member of Gamma Eta chapter who demonstrates Nguyen’s characteristics of commitment, compassion, kindness and leadership potential. The fund will also be used to provide Gamma Eta brothers the opportunity to attend Phi Tau’s leadership development events, including Leadership Academy and Presidents Academy.

The fund will run through the Phi Kappa Tau Foundation and donors will be provided with full charitable tax exemptions. In order to establish the memorial scholarship, $10,000 must be raised. Ozag has agreed to match each dollar donated, up to $5,000. If you would like to help, please contact Phi Kappa Tau Foundation Administrative Assistant Angie Van Winkle at avanwinkle@phikappatau.org.

Nguyen is survived by his fiancée, Casey Michelle Savio, parents, Lam and Samantha, sister and brother, and four grandparents.

At the time of publication, Phi Kappa Tau learned of the death of Chesapeake Domain Director David Ozag, East Carolina ’05.

In the fall 2011 Laurel, a full obituary will be published.

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Our Chapters a r e v i e w o f ch a p t e r n e w s f r o m a c r o s s t h e c o u n t r y . v i s i t www . p h i k a p p a t a u . o r g t o r e a d m o r e n e w s .

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Alpha Omega chapter at Baldwin-Wallace celebrated its 69th anniversary with a founders day banquet on campus. Undergraduates, alumni and guests took part in a dinner; presentations by Chapter President Dominic Schillace, Baldwin-Wallace ’08, National Councilor Mike Dovilla, Baldwin-Wallace ’94, and National President Greg Heilmeier, Bethany ’86; and a silent auction. [From left to right] Taylor Roll ’08, Schillace, Nick Fantis ’06, Adam Harrison ’07, Heilmeier, Dovilla, and Matthew Long ’08.

Alpha chapter at Miami was recognized with the Excellence in Service and Philanthropy and Excellence in Brotherhood Awards at the school’s greek awards. Over the course of the academic year, the group hosted three philanthropy events and raised more than $3,000 for the Association of Hole in the Wall Camps.

Epsilon chapter at Mount Union received eight awards at the school’s greek awards banquet: Highest Chapter GPA, Highest New Member GPA, Most Improved Chapter GPA, Excellence in Scholarship Programming, Excellence in Campus Involvement and Leadership, Learning. Leading. Serving.

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Excellence in Alumni and Parent Relations, Chapter of Excellence Honorable Mention, and Outstanding Greek Man ( Johnny Reid, Mount Union ’08).

Eta chapter at Muhlenberg won the school’s annual Greek Week. In addition, Jonathan Landau, Muhlenberg ’09, was elected the school’s student body president. He is the first Phi Tau to hold the position since the chapter’s re-chartering in 2001.

Kappa chapter at Kentucky received a basement overhaul from Sears Blue Tool Crew’s “Do It Together” (DIT) program. The renovation was awarded to the group because

of all the service the men do for their campus and community.

While the crew was working on the basement, the chapter volunteered at the Hope Center, an organization that provides emergency shelter, food and clothing to the homeless.

Mu chapter at Lawrence received the Fraternity Scholarship Cup for the highest scholarship rating for the past three terms.

Omicron chapter at Penn State raised more than $62,000 for Dance Marathon, a national, Penn State-originated philanthropy event, affectionately known as THON, that raises money for local children’s

University of Louisville IFC President Ben Donlon, Louisville ’09, was honored with the Southeastern Interfraternity Conference’s (SEIFC) Gregory R. Singleton Fraternity Man of the Year Award, the conference’s highest individual student honor. The award recognizes an undergraduate fraternity man in the Southeast who is a role model to his peers and consistently illustrates what it means to live with integrity and by the values of his fraternity. (Also pictured is Joni Burke, UofL greek advisor.)

hospitals and charities. This was a record-breaking fundraising year for the chapter.

Phi chapter at Bethany received the Woolery Award for the highest fraternity GPA on campus.

Alpha Delta chapter at Case Western hosted its 10th annual Phi K walk and run philanthropy, which benefits Camp Boggy Creek, a Hole in the Wall Camp. Nearly 90 people participated in the 5K that raised $3,000 for the camp.

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Mark Johnston, Chapman ’08, was named the Chapman University Greek Man of the Year and honored with the Cheverton Undergraduate Award for the most outstanding graduating senior. Both are major awards presented by the dean of students office.

Beta Beta chapter at Louisville again worked with the UofL men’s soccer team to collect soccer balls for Kick for Nick—a non-profit organization that gathers and distributes soccer balls to Iraqi children. The two groups collected nearly 500 balls for the organization, more than double last year’s total.

Beta Lambda chapter at Indiana received three awards at the school’s greek awards ceremony: Most Improved Scholarship Award, Excellence in Brotherhood Award, and Most Improved Chapter Award. It was the group’s best showing since it re-chartered in 2005.

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Beta Mu colony at Kent State won Greek Week and hosted a philanthropy event that raised more than $1,000 for the Association of Hole in the Wall Camps. The group became an official, recognized colony in October 2010, with recruitment allowed to begin in January 2011.

Over the course of the semester, the colony also raised $1,400 for the American Cancer Society, was named highest campus GPA and received Kent State’s Spirit of Service Award for logging more than 100 community service hours.

Gamma Alpha chapter at Michigan Tech won its fourth straight first place in the statue competition at the school’s 2010 Winter Carnival and took home the Winter Carnival Cup as the overall winner. The group’s snow sculpture, “Narnia Is Frozen until Four Royalty Are Chosen,” was 50 feet long and 28 feet high.

Gamma Lambda chapter at Central Michigan was honored with eight awards at the school’s first greek awards banquet. The group received the Leadership Development Award, Academics Award, Most Improved GPA Award, Recruitment Award, and Positive Image Award as the fraternity with the best image on campus. Tristan Nelson, Central Michigan ’06, was runner-up for Greek Man of the Year, Brock Thatcher, Central Michigan ’09, received a scholarship from

Alpha Tau chapter at Cornell received an energy audit and energy improvements to its chapter house, which is more than 100 years old. The group expects to save approximately $900-1,000 per year in heating costs.

Beta Iota chapter at Florida State participated in more than 3,000 service hours over the course of the academic year. The men volunteered with the Association of Hole in the Wall Camps, outreach organizations in the Tallahassee community, and Habitat for Humanity in New Orleans. The chapter received the school’s Community Service Excellence Award and Philanthropy Excellence Award for having the best of both programs in FSU’s entire greek system.

the Order of Omega honors fraternity, and Andrew Nalian, Central Michigan ’08, received the Excalibur Award for the best graduating senior at CMU. Gamma Nu chapter at RIT hosted a 45th anniversary celebration of the chapter’s founding. More than 70 undergraduates, alumni and guests attended the weekend events, which included a pig roast and banquet.

Gamma Omicron chapter at Cal StateFullerton received three awards

at the school’s Greek Life Pursuit of Excellence Awards Banquet: Dean’s Cup, the highest recognition a chapter can receive; Most Improved Chapter; and Greek Leader of the Year, presented to IFC President Andrew Lopez, Cal StateFullerton ’08.

Delta Epsilon chapter at St. Cloud held its annual Founders Day formal for undergraduates, alumni and guests, which included a social hour, dinner, Founders Day Ritual ceremony and dance.

Awards were also presented: Justin Wampach, St. Cloud ’94, was named 2011 Alumni of the Year, Mike Lerdahl, St. Cloud ’08, received the Jay Okins Brother of the Year Award and Jeff Mohlke Philanthropy Award, and Christopher Norton, St. Cloud ’10, won the Greg Blaisdell Leadership Award, Gary Helm Associate of the Year Award and Will Prather Campus Involvement Award.

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h o n o r i n g p h i k a p p a t a u a l u m n i i n t h e i r p r o f e s s i o n a l a n d p e r s o n a l a cc o m p l i s h m e n t s . v i s i t www . p h i k a p p a t a u . o r g t o r e a d m o r e n e w s .

Craig Hapner, Georgetown ’73, was inducted into the Georgetown College Athletic Hall of Fame. He was recognized with the Brad Davis Award for Game Administration, which recognizes someone who helps make games at Georgetown go smoothly and efficiently.

Iota chapter at Coe celebrated 90 years last fall. One of the weekend events was an alumni golf outing.

•

1960 •

Michael Seebert, Louisville ’68, was named interim director of Brightside, a 501(c)3 and Louisville government agency that unites people in clean and green activities to beautify the city and foster community pride.

Dan Keller, Mount Union ’69, a Phi Kappa Tau Hall of Fame member, was appointed to a nine-year term on the Bowling Greek State University Board of Trustees. Chairman of the venture firm Keller Capital Ltd., and president of Kellco Investment Ltd., a private investment company specializing in venture capital and private equity investments, Keller also serves on the BGSU Foundation Board and is a member of the BGSU Firelands Development Board.

Robert Bartle, Nebraska Wesleyan ’69, started his term as president of the Nebraska State Bar Association. He is a partner in the law firm of Bartle & Geier.

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Jonathan Heiliczer, Louisville ’69, took a position as fellowship program director in the department of nephrology at the Children’s National Medical Center in Washington, D.C. Bruce McCrory, Ole Miss ’69, co-owner and secretary/ treasurer of Kiker Corporation, a professional roofing and sheet metal contracting company in Mobile, Ala., was elected the 2011-12 senior vice president of the National Roofing Contractors Association.

•

1970 •

John Gerrard, Nebraska Wesleyan ’73, a justice of the Nebraska Supreme Court, was nominated by President Barack Obama to serve as a judge on the U.S. District Court. Gerrard has served on the Nebraska Supreme Court, the highest court of the state, since 1995 when he was the youngest appointee in state history.

Kevin Lowe, Louisville ’77, was promoted to chair of the department of business administration at the Bryan College of Business and Economics at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro.

In the last year, Lowe was also named the Burlington Industries Research Excellence Professor, elected treasurer of the Southern Management Association, named associate editor at “The Leadership Quarterly—the leading leadership journal—and appointed to the advisory board of the Johnson A. Edosomwan Leadership Institute at the University of Miami.

Jay Buckelew, Bethany ’78, was named one of five finalists for the Faculty Merit Foundation’s 2010 Professor of the Year. He is well-known nationally and internationally for his work in microbiology and ornithology.

•

1990 •

Tony Peyton, Louisville ’91, was appointed director of policy for the Metro Louisville government.

David Miller, Oklahoma State ’89, a Phi Kappa Tau Hall of Fame member, released his first book, “Hard Knocks MBA: The Search for Job Satisfaction and Business Success (Smart Marketing).” Miller was previously the owner of Trinity Restoration, Inc., an international automotive restoration services provider in Tulsa, and he increased annual revenues from $0 to more than $6 million.

To learn more about Miller’s book, visit www.hardknocksmba.org.

Greg Danziger, Michigan State ’93, joined Battery Giant as president. The company is a national franchise specializing in the retail and commercial distribution of all types of batteries and related products.

Wes Fugate, Centre ’99, became the executive assistant to the president of Randolph College.

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Efrem Bycer, Cornell ’06, ran the Safari Park Half Marathon to raise money for Congo Leadership Initiative, a non-profit that aims to educate a cohort of high-caliber Congolese high school students in servant leadership. He raised more than $500 for the organization.

Andrew Cartwright, Old Dominion ’07, hosted a chili cook-off to help Gamma Tau chapter at Old Dominion raise money for Victory Junction, a Hole in the Wall Camp in Randleman, N.C. More than 50 people attended the event to taste seven kinds of chili and raise $600 for the camp.

•

2000 •

Charles Calloway, Louisville ’00, is a research associate and Ph.D. student with The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis at the University of Miami’s Miller School of Medicine.

Patrick Strickland, UNC-Pembroke ’00, was named to the UNC Pembroke Alumni Association Board of Directors.

He will serve a two-year term beginning Sept. 1, 2011.

Jordan Hinds, Westminster ’04, was chosen to be a part of the 2010 Team MARATHON® Bar athlete sponsorship program. As part of the program, 200 amateur athletes nationwide were selected for sponsorship because they exemplify the brand’s focus on living a healthy, active lifestyle, while encouraging others to do the same.

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Phi Tau members volunteered at Camp Boggy Creek, a Hole in the Wall Camp in Eustis, Fla., this summer. (Front) Kenny Johnson, Georgia AM (Back L to R) Keith Shea, St. Cloud ’03, Evan Ernst, Florida State ’09, Ross Widenor, Case Western ’10, and Yao Shi, Truman State ’00.

J.J. Lewis, Central Michigan ’04, was elected president of the Graduate Student Association at The Catholic University of America.

Chad Corbitt, Florida State ’06, and professional partner Ethan Fieldman (Sigma Alpha Epsilon) founded Tutoring Matching Service (TMS), a Facebook-based academic tutoring marketplace two years ago. The company recently won the inaugural $50,000 Cade Prize for Innovation, which is being used to continue developing software and expanding.

Michael Lummus, Belmont ’06, spoke at a webinar for the Direct Marketing Association. The product manager for marketing database services at Acxiom, a global interactive marketing services firm, Lummus presented strategies for targeting your best customers with messages to which they’re most likely to respond.

Nathan Dudney, Ole Miss ’04, ran with the bulls in Pamplona, Spain, to raise money for cancer research. To learn more, visit his website at http:// nathandudney.tumblr.com.

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Phi Kappa Tau Foundation 5221 Morning Sun Road Oxford, OH 45056

Non-Profit ORGANIZATION u.s. postage paid Columbus, OH permit # 4416

6 0 t h N at i o n a l C o n v e n t i o n N ASHVI L L E T h e H i lt o n D o w n t o w n

J u ly 2 5 - 2 9 , 2 0 1 2

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