Brothers of Distinction

CHAPTER OF DISTINCTION

GAMMA ALPHA CHAPTER MICHIGAN TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY

In the city of Houghton, Michigan—located near the northernmost point of the Upper Peninsula—the average yearly snowfall is 218.5 inches. Even in some magical world where that was spread over the course of the entire year, it’s still over a half inch of snow a day. Housing not only a staggering amount of snow each year, Houghton is also home to Michigan Technological University. At this small, public research university, snow is a chance to have some fun and an opportunity to show off creativity and craft. The MTU Annual Winter Carnival started in 1922, and has become known for its breathtaking snow statues, which students and organizations create throughout the campus. Taking first place in the 2022 Monthlong Snow Statue competition and first place in the Winter Carnival Overall competition is Phi Tau’s own Gamma Alpha chapter. With this first place finish, the men of the Gamma Alpha chapter have sculpted a dynasty akin to the Tim Duncan era San Antonio Spurs—taking home the trophy five of the last six years.

The Gamma Alpha chapter is far from just snow-sculpting experts, these men also comprise our spring 2022 Chapter of

Distinction. Founded in March of 1959, the current chapter is now made up of 33 men—led by President Tyler Brown, Michigan Tech ’18, and Vice President Dairion Hartshorn, Michigan Tech ’20. Gamma Alpha also has a slew of notable alumni and award winners: Shideler Award winner: Paul William Cramer ’87 Phi Award winners: Theodore Reiss ’58, John G. Vine ’71, Martin Schendel ’81, Joesph B. Kirkish PhD ’58, and Terry Kinzel ’68 Phi Kappa Tau Foundation Trustees: Richard (Dick) F. Michael ’70, past chairman, and Jim Bacon ’59

This chapter has a long and standing foundation of success, which it continues today. With the second highest Chapter Educational Grant (CEG) account balance, it is clear that the men from Michigan Tech have a lasting tie to their chapter and this fraternity. A job very well done to all the men of the Gamma Alpha chapter, and here’s to many more Winter Carnival trophies to come.

[6] THE LAUREL || MAY 2022

UNDERGRADUATE OF DISTINCTION

SANTINO DIAZ-PALMA, MOUNT UNION ’22 YOUNGSTOWN, OH

Santino Diaz-Palma is far from the average student. This brother of the Epsilon chapter, double majoring in Biochemistry and Spanish, sets a high standard for dedication, commitment, and involvement within his school and fraternity. Serving as Community Service Chair for Phi Kappa Tau, President of Alpha Mu Gamma (the first and largest foreign language honor society in the U.S.), and Treasurer of the Hispanic Organization of Latin Americans (HOLA) are just three of the many positions held by Diaz-Palma throughout his undergraduate education. When not serving his education or the plethora of organizations in which he is involved, Diaz-Palma fosters personal passions as a Varsity League of Legends Esport player.

With graduation looming, Diaz-Palma hopes to continue his education following the completion of his undergraduate studies in May 2022. Inspired by movies like Contagion and Outbreak, paired with a fascination with micro-organisms, Diaz-Palma hopes to earn a MS degree in Tropical Medicine or an MPH (Master of Public Health) with a focus in epidemiology and infectious disease. With the completion of a graduate program, Diaz-Palma would put his education to use by volunteering with domestic programs such as AmeriCorps, or international programs such as PeaceCorps or WHO—eventually earing a PhD or MD in Pathology or Infectious Diseases.

When asked about an individual he admires, Diaz-Palma had this to say, “If I had to pick one person that has helped me get to where I am today, it would be my Aunt Alexis. As a teen, I witnessed her perseverance to continue her education by attending classes part-time at our local university, while also working an 8-5 job and having to take care of a one-year-old. She inspired me to focus on my studies and to pursue my dreams, no matter what barriers are put before me. I gained my grit and determination from her, and the way I believe I can repay her is by making my dreams realities.”

THE LAUREL || PHIKAPPATAU.ORG [7]

FEATUREALUMNI OF DISTINCTION

WALTER MERSCHAT, OHIO ’65 CASPER, WY RETIRED GEOLOGICAL CONSULTANT

Walter Merschat, Ohio ’65, ended our conversation by saying “I retired about four years ago, now I spend time with my family and dig for dinosaurs in Wyoming.”

That has got to go down in history as one of the coolest retirement plans ever. Despite the sheer awesomeness of spending his free time digging for dinosaurs, Walter Merschat’s retirement is merely the cherry atop the cake of an incredible career. The Ohio University double alumnus graduated with a Bachelors in Geology in 1967, and later returned to earn his Master’s in Geology in 1979. Joining Phi Kappa Tau during his sophomore year, Merschat has fond memories of living in the house, taking Mom Pyle out to dinner and movies with his fellow brothers, and winning the Homecoming float contest with their float titled, Come on Pard, Dash for the Rival. Finding not only brotherhood and friendship in Athens, Merschat met his wife, Sharon, while he was living in Lincoln Hall and she was living in Jefferson Hall. The couple have now been married for 54 years and have two children, Reed and Rya, and two grandchildren, Roman and Daphne.

Merschat’s career began with the Cleveland Musuem of Natural History, collecting Devonian Age fossil fish during the 1-71 construction project. In the summers spanning 1969-1971, Merschat would partake in these digs while visiting Sharon’s family in the suburbs of Cleveland. Then after doing a short stint with Union 76 and Gulf Oil Research, Merschat moved on to become a geological consultant for 25 years, ending in 2001. In his time as a consultant, Merschat travelled all over the world doing geological and geochemical surveys. His work as a consultant took him to Argentina, Peru (Amazon), Mexico, Egypt, Yemen, Ethiopia, and Namibia. Following this quarter century of travelling the world, Merschat and his family settled in Wyoming, where he spent the last 16 years of his career doing drilling and selling prospects. In 2017, this real-life Alan Grant (that is the main character from Jurassic Park, for anyone who may have forgotten), made the decision to retire and spend his future devoted to his family, and digging for creatures buried in the past.

THE LAUREL || PHIKAPPATAU.ORG [9]