Editor’s Letter

MAILBOX

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.

A WORD FROM

THE EXECUTIVE OFFICES

SPARK OF OPPORTUNITY

Stacks of Laurels surround me as I write this, decades upon decades of history that I can hold in my hands. Flipping through the pages, we’ve cataloged so much of the Phi Kappa Tau experience in our 116 years. I’m blown away at how our Fraternity has grown, and yet pleased to say our spirit has very much been the same. Certain names stick out to me, new and old, and I am honored to try my hand at introducing what I believe is one of our more unique issues.

Phi Kappa Tau wouldn’t exist without a small act of rebellion, disrupting the Fraternity scene in 1906 by establishing the NonFraternity Association. It was out of the box thinking that planted the seeds of Phi, Kappa, and Tau. Unorthodox thinking and unique problem solving is something everyone featured in this magazine would tell you is critical to succeed in the field of STEM: Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics.

Given our roots, it is fitting that so many members of Phi Kappa Tau would thrive in STEM. Founder Shideler himself was a star in the field of Geology, and namesake of the Earth Sciences Building at Miami University. We were overwhelmed by the support for the issue when we announced we would be zooming in on brothers in STEM for this edition of the Laurel. Nearly 100 brothers reached out to be featured or were referred, and we tried our best to find ways to spotlight as many as possible.

This magazine will surely instill pride in you as a brother regardless of your academic background or field of work. That said, as this edition of The Laurel has been coming together, I can’t help but think about one particular audience: future Phi Taus. Imagine wanting to enter the STEM field and opening these pages to find a catalog of Phi Taus who have gone above and beyond in their field. The spark of opportunity, kept lit by their passion for brotherhood and academics. As they ponder their future career, if this magazine can help one brother think, “I can do anything”, then it has a been a success.

I, on the other hand, am simply comforted there are so many brothers of Phi Kappa Tau smarter than myself to keep the world spinning.

Sincerely,

LOGAN LUKACS

BALDWIN WALLACE ’10 DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS

STRATEGIC PLAN 2025

The Phi Kappa Tau National Council has developed a brand new Strategic Plan to guide the Fraternity through 2025.

Phi Kappa Tau brothers are passionate about the fraternity and believe that we are a unique organization that values inclusion and has the potential to break the mold of the typical fraternity. Brothers want to see the fraternity grow both at a local and national level, extending our reach in the years to come.

But they also want to see us providing more value as a national organization to our chapters and members – building on the connection and diversity of our local chapters for a stronger and more engaged national organization that is prepared to navigate today’s challenging environment. Through the strategic plan we aim to provide clarity of the Fraternity’s goals, give more members a role in shaping our collective future, and set Phi Kappa Tau out on a path to greatness and leadership.

The four main objectives of the Strategic Plan are to:

• Accelerate growth of undergraduate membership • Provide differentiated value of membership through personal and professional growth, and engagement • Facilitate strong, lifelong ties of brotherhood • Establish a best-in-industry operational and financial model

To learn more about the Strategic Plan visit phikappatau.org/strategicplan.

THE LAUREL OF PHI KAPPA TAU

MAY 2022 VOL.108 ISSUE 1

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Dalton Lee, Baldwin Wallace ’11

COPY EDITOR Logan Lukacs, Baldwin Wallace ’10

CONTRIBUTORS Tim Hudson, Truman State ’97 Charlie Ball, Miami ‘82

SPECIAL THANKS TO Lilly Steger

UPCOMING EDITIONS Phi Kappa Tau publishes The Laurel three times a year. Each edition focuses on an aspect of the Phi Kappa Tau experience. The schedule below identifies upcoming delivery dates. Fall 2022; Winter 2022

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.