THE
OF PHI KAPPA TAU | VOL. 112 ISSUE 1 FALL 2026
2025- 2026: A Year In Review ALSO IN THIS ISSUE
MEET THE 2025-2027 NATIONAL COUNCIL
2025-2026 AWARD WINNERS
THE BROTHERHOOD IS STILL HERE
Last summer, hundreds of brothers traveled to Orlando for the 66th National Convention, and the energy in the room was undeniable. From long-awaited reunions to the unveiling of a bold new strategic plan, the weekend reminded us what it means to be built to last. We paused to honor brothers who passed into Chapter Eternal and celebrated chapters marking milestone anniversaries, some reaching 100 years strong. In this year-in-review issue, we revisit the moments that made the last year unforgettable and look ahead to where this brotherhood is headed next.
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Phi Kappa Tau, by admitting me to membership, has conferred upon me a mark of distinction in which I take just pride. I believe in the spirit of brotherhood for which it stands. I shall strive to attain its ideals, and by so doing to bring to it honor and credit. I shall be loyal to my college and my chapter and shall keep strong my ties to them that I may ever retain the spirit of youth. I shall be a good and loyal citizen. I shall try always to discharge the obligation to others which arises from the fact that I am a fraternity man. Phi Kappa Tau, by admitting me to membership, has conferred upon me a mark of distinction in which I take just pride. I believe in the spirit of brotherhood for which it stands. I shall strive to attain its ideals, and by so doing to bring to it honor and credit. I shall be loyal to my college and my chapter and shall keep strong my ties to them that I may ever retain the spirit of youth. I shall be a good and loyal citizen. I shall try always to discharge the obligation to others which arises from the fact that I am a fraternity man.
9
PHI TAU BROTHERHOOD: BUILT TO LAST Every few years, brothers from every era find their way back to the same room, and for a few days the distance between chapters and generations disappears. Last year’s National Convention in Orlando was no different: old stories were retold, new ones began, and by the time everyone headed home, it was clear the brotherhood is charting a bold path forward.
FEATURES 6 FOUNDATION HIGHLIGHTS It’s been a good year for the Foundation. New trustees joined the board, each bringing their own reasons for staying close to Phi Kappa Tau. Alumni kept showing up for their chapters too, in ways big and small, the kind of support that doesn’t always make headlines but keeps this Fraternity moving forward. 20 EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING UPDATE Ask a Phi Tau brother what he got out of the Fraternity, and leadership almost always comes up. Keeping that standard for every brother as time passes takes real work, and Phi Tau as an organization has to adapt as the educational needs of our undergraduate brothers as their needs continue to evolve. This year the Fraternity brought in new leadership and a new strategy to do exactly that. 26 THE BROTHERHOOD IS STILL HERE There’s a particular kind of excitement that resonates when brothers who haven’t seen each other in years get to reunite. Old stories come out first, then new ones. Phi Kappa Tau built a whole alumni program around that feeling, and it turns out all it ever needed was a standing invitation, once a month, no agenda attached.
DEPARTMENTS 04 | President’s Letter 31 | Chapter Eternal 35 | From the CEO
ALSO IN THIS ISSUE 06 | Foundation Success 22 | Award Winners 28 | Laurels
On the cover: Epsilon Sigma Chapter, Chapman University | Photo courtesy of Sam Hall
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PRESIDENT’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 phikappatau.org/ laurelfeedback. ~
SIDELIGHTS Sidelights is the official virtual newsletter of the Phi Kappa Tau Fraternity and Foundation. Releasing on the 15th of each month via email, Sidelights is a compilation of stories and updates for Phi Kappa Tau alumni and undergraduates to gain some insight into the ongoings of the Fraternity and Foundation. If you are not receiving Sidelights and would like to sign up, visit phikappatau.org/update-info to be added to the mailing list.
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A MESSAGE FROM THE NATIONAL COUNCIL
CHANGE FOR THE BETTER
T
his year, Phi Kappa Tau celebrates its 120th anniversary. As I reflect on that milestone, I’m struck by both our endurance and our continued evolution. From our founding in 1906 to today, each generation of Phi Taus has inherited a Fraternity shaped by those who came before and then pushed it forward in their own way. In upholding our values, they have found new and meaningful ways to live them out. It is truly a great time to be a Phi Tau, and we have a lot to be proud of. That spirit of continuous improvement is something I think about often. I keep
coming back to a simple idea: what happens when you commit to getting just 1% better every day? The compounding effect over time is extraordinary. The Japanese have a word for this pursuit: kaizen. It's made up of two characters: kai, meaning change, and zen, meaning goodness. Change for the better. The concept traces back centuries through Eastern philosophy, but it found its modern expression in companies like Toyota, which grew into one of the world’s most successful manufacturers through a relentless culture of making things a little better every single day. Small, consistent progress multiplies over time. That captures something essential about the Phi Kappa Tau experience. We don't transform our chapters or ourselves overnight. We do it through the steady, daily disciplines of brotherhood. We find ourselves at a uniquely exciting moment in our fraternity’s story. We are in the early stages of executing a new Strategic
“Consistent progress multiplies over time. That captures something essential about the Phi Kappa Tau experience. We don't transform our chapters or ourselves overnight. We do it through the steady, daily disciplines of brotherhood.”
Plan that is both ambitious in its vision and grounded in the fundamentals. Yes, we’re setting bold goals for where we want to take Phi Kappa Tau. But the plan also challenges us to recommit to the basics, the day-to-day work of fraternity life that makes it rewarding and fun. Brotherhood. Learning. Creating shared experiences that inspire our undergraduates, engage our alumni, and unite us all in brotherhood and lived values. One of the most fulfilling aspects of serving as National President is witnessing that commitment firsthand. I see it in chapter leaders who invest their time and energy into building something meaningful for the brothers who will follow. I see it in alumni who continue to give back, mentor, and stay connected to the organization that shaped them. And I see it in volunteers and staff who work tirelessly behind the scenes. At its core, brotherhood is a promise - a commitment we make to one another to show up, follow through, and hold each other to a higher standard. It’s one of the most powerful ideas embedded in our ritual: that we grow as individuals through our collective experience, and that the Fraternity becomes stronger because each of us is striving to be better. The passion our brothers bring to honoring that promise, the genuine desire to create a great Phi Kappa Tau experience
and to pass the torch to the next generation of undergraduate leaders, is what makes this fraternity special. I’ve come to believe there’s an important distinction between hoping the future will be bright and expecting it from ourselves. Hope is passive. Expectation is active. When we set a high bar and hold ourselves to it, we create urgency and motivation to move. That’s the mindset I aspire for this next chapter of Phi Kappa Tau’s history. Not a wish that things will turn out well, but a conviction that we will make them so – one percent at a time, one day at a time, one chapter at a time. In the spirit of brotherhood,
THE LAUREL OF PHI KAPPA TAU FALL 2026 VOL. 112 ISSUE 1
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Zac Garrison, Murray State ’15 CONTRIBUTORS Charlie Ball, Miami ‘82 Matt Arnold, Southern Illinois ’24 Michael Lummus, Belmont ’06 Chris Parthemore, Bowling Green State ’99 Nick Phillips, Kent State ’91 Matt DeWolf
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. You may browse and view all past editions that are available, as well as opt in to receive The Laurel regularly.
MICHAEL LUMMUS NATIONAL PRESIDENT
Scan the QR code to watch President Lummus’ remarks at the 2025 National Convention.
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FOUNDATION
ALPHA ETA CELEBRATES 100 YEARS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA
UNIQUE NEW COLLABORATION WITH FOUNDATION FOR SUCCESSFUL HOUSING CAMPAIGN More than 100 alumni and friends welcomed the beginning of the second century of Alpha Eta with a weekend of activities in Gainesville. The event, chaired by Pat McGrath and Jordan Camenker, began with a reception at the chapter house to show off the first two phases of improvements to the 75-year-old Alpha Eta Chapter house. Renovations have largely been overseen by Marshall Gallop and Ralph Paul, who has served as general contractor. A capital campaign among alumni and friends of the chapter has so far resulted in more than $1 million in gifts and pledges to support the project and fund raising continues to complete window replacement, the addition of study space in the attic level and other projects. The Centennial banquet was held at the club level of the University’s football stadium for a lengthy program of reminiscences and recognitions. Fraternity CEO Matt Arnold and Foundation CEO Craig Rogers brought greetings on behalf of the national organization and Jerry Curington discussed some of the significant personalities throughout the chapter’s history. STURM ENTERS HALL OF FAME In a special recognition, Glenn Sturm was inducted into the Phi Kappa Tau Hall of Fame. One of the chapter’s most prominent alumni, Sturm has had a remarkable career as an attorney, author, photographer, entrepre-
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neur and philanthropist. He earned both his undergraduate and law degrees from the University of Florida, taught corporate finance for five years at the University, and served as a trustee of the Levin College of Law. Among his many philanthropic endeavors, he has served on the national council of the Boy Scouts of America and was one of the lead donors to the Phi Kappa Tau Foundation for Alpha Eta’s housing campaign. THE SECOND CENTURY Tom McGurk and Tom Freeman, who have both been instrumental in the Alpha Eta housing campaign, closed the evening by introducing the concept of a program to engage Alpha Eta alumni throughout their lives and careers. Their thoughtful program combines opportunities for volunteer support, mentoring, and philanthropy through the Phi Kappa Tau Foundation and Chapter Support Fund. This level of enhanced alumni engagement will not only benefit Alpha Eta but can be a model for alumni volunteerism and philanthropy throughout the Fraternity.
New Members of the Phi Kappa Tau Foundation Board of Trustees
T
he Foundation is pleased to announce the election of four new trustees to three-year terms commencing on July 1, 2026.
Lawrence Twisdale, Ph.D., NC State ’66 Larry has two engineering degrees from NC State and earned his Ph.D. from the University of Illinois. He has had a distinguished career as a civil engineer. As a philanthropist, Larry and his wife have endowed two engineering professorships at NC State and he recently endowed a scholarship fund at the Phi Kappa Tau Foundation for the permanent benefit of Chi Chapter. He has been an active volunteer with Chi Chapter. Joshua J. Carter, Georgia Tech ’04 A mechanical engineer by training, Josh has his undergraduate degree from Georgia Tech and a master’s degree from Auburn. After working in private industry, Josh and his wife formed the VEO-IBD Foundation as a resource for parents and caregivers of children with Very Early Onset Inflammatory Bowel Disease as they have a child who suffers from this rare disease. Josh has
been a volunteer with Alpha Rho Chapter and also serves on the board of Councilors of the Carter Center and Chair of the Founder's Fund of the Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregivers to honor the legacy of his grandparents, Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter. Jonathan F. Hager, Georgia ’81 Jonathan earned his undergraduate degree from Georgia and a JD from Quinnipiac University. For the last decade, he has worked for Google where he is currently a Technical Deals Consultant in their Atlanta office. He has played a significant role in the development of Beta Xi Chapter’s new home on the Oconee River in Athens. Robert G. Kaiser, Penn State ’74 Bob Kaiser retired after nearly four decades with the consulting firm Michael Baker International working in the area of transportation and air quality management in Pennsylvania and nationwide. He has been a longtime supporter of Omicron Chapter and is the Chairman of the Omicron Educational Foundation and was instrumental in negotiating a partnership with the Foundation to hold and manage OEF assets.
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FOUNDATION
Foundation Celebrates 80th Year with Record Gifts and Grants
T
he books closed on the Foundation’s 80th year on June 30. A full Annual Report of the Foundation’s most recent year will be available soon, but the initial unaudited results are truly impressive. According to Foundation chairman Doug Adams and CEO Craig Rogers, these are some of the highlights:
$3.2 million
1,200
2026-27 BROTHERHOOD FUND CAMPAIGN IS UNDERWAY!
in total philanthropic support to the Foundation
individual donors representing initiation years 1939 to 2026!
Make your gift today!
More than
Nearly
Online phikappatau.org/give More than
$350,000 in gifts during Founders Day of Giving, setting a new record!
4 new permanent named funds
By mail Phi Kappa Tau Foundation 5221 Morning Sun Rd. Oxford, OH 45056 Consider a gift of
Nearly
$2 million in alumni contributions granted to educational portions of chapter housing projects
215 Ewing Boles Society donors of $1000 or more
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$250,000 granted to support the educational programs of Phi Kappa Tau
26
National Scholarships, including awards from 2 new endowed funds.
• Appreciated stocks or mutual fund shares • Qualified Charitable Distributions from your IRA or other qualified plan • From your Donor Advised Fund or private foundation • Beneficiary designation from your retirement fund
Built to
Last
66th National Convention Charts Bold Path Forward for Phi Kappa Tau
O
rlando, Fla. welcomed hundreds of Phi Kappa Tau brothers to the 66th National Convention last summer, where the energy of brotherhood collided with a transformative vision for the future. Convention acts as a meeting place for all brothers within the organization, old and new, to get together and be remind-
ed that they are a part of something much bigger than themselves. While the calendar was filled with events, official fraternity business, and excursions, it was brotherhood that brought us all together in the sunny state of Florida. The gathering marked a celebration of Phi Tau’s past achievements while also embracing the ethos of what Incoming National President Michael Lummus described as a return to the organization's roots. The event wasn’t solely a celebration of wins that have already happened; the tone was set for the future of the organization as it shared its vision for what Phi Kappa Tau can, and will, be. THE LAUREL || PHIKAPPATAU.ORG [9]
CONVENTION
The Spirit of Brotherhood
Throughout the convention, speakers returned repeatedly to the theme of brotherhood as Phi Tau’s defining characteristic and competitive advantage. National President Michael McCrum captured this sentiment in his opening remarks. “A brotherhood where we inspire each other, honor each other, listen to another’s concerns, and also challenge each other, but all within the spirit of brotherhood," McCrum said. "My brothers, we have all come a long way from all over this country to exercise brotherhood. A real, true belief in who we are as a brotherhood. A brotherhood of brotherly love, of affection, of humility, a brotherhood that is built to last.” McCrum reflected on two years of visiting chapters across the country. "What I came away with is an unmistakable sense that our brotherhood is strong,” he said. In a slightly self-deprecating manner, McCrum jested “I’m no fool. Well, maybe I am… I’m fool enough to think that we can be the greatest and we are the greatest fraternity in this country. But am I fool enough to think that we should stop right there? No.” He closed his opening remarks with a powerful charge to the audience. “This week, my brothers, let’s take that reservoir of wisdom from the past, use it to embolden us toward more and deeper love for each other. This can be a time to give birth to a new form of brotherly love.” With palpable gratitude and emotion in his voice, McCrum’s final words to the audience were: “I thank you so much, my brothers, for the honor of being allowed to serve you as your National President. It has been one of the greatest and most special events of my life.” A Brotherhood Reunited Last year’s convention opened with an electric sense of reunion. It was noticeable that there was some difficulty getting people to settle into their seats because everyone was so excited to see each other, some brothers having not seen one another for years. Among the distinguished guests were seven Past National Presidents including Charlie Ball, Bill Crane, Rick
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Keltner, Mike Dovilla, Dale Holland, Greg Heilmeier, and Steve Nelson, their presence a living connection to Phi Tau’s legacy. But the convention also honored a new addition to the brotherhood. Mark Adams, husband of staff member Lisa Adams, received honorary initiation into Alpha chapter after nearly 30 years of faithful service to the Fraternity. The tribute noted that Adams has attended more Phi Tau events than all but a few of our members, serving as a cheerful helper at conventions, Leadership Academies, and countless other gatherings. “Mark is a kind and generous person who has built numerous friendships within Phi Tau,” CEO Matt Arnold said. "And he exhibits the best traits of our cardinal principles.” Excellence Recognized with 2025’s Awards The Awards of Distinction luncheon showcased the breadth of achievement across the Phi Tau network and highlighted the immense amount of work our chapters put in over the last academic year to stand out on their campuses. Alpha Tau Chapter at Cornell claimed the Dr. Monroe Moosnick Award for highest cumulative GPA, while Kappa Chapter at the University of Kentucky took home the prestigious Sonny Strange Recruitment Award for most outstanding recruitment and retention. The chapter’s recruitment momentum reflects a broader trend: for the third consecutive fall semester, Phi Kappa Tau experienced strong recruitment growth across the country. Other standout chapters included Beta Beta at the University of Louisville, recognized among the Founders Four for raising $13,000 through their Louisville Dance Show co-hosted with Delta Zeta. Gamma Beta at the University of Cincinnati earned recognition for re-envisioning their chapter experience with historic recruitment growth and renewed commitment to their chapter house. Upsilon at Nebraska Wesleyan was honored for building a strong positive reputation on campus, with brothers leading in student government, orientation programs, and athletics. The Samaritan’s Light Award went to Epsilon at Mount Union. Meanwhile, special recognition went to Delta Nu at Wright State University to celebrate its 50th anniversary in grand fashion. “I’d encourage all chapters to make sure that you submit your awards next year," Arnold said. “I know your
This is what brotherhood’s about... the experience that we have in our chapters, helping each other be better men on our campuses. It’s about setting goals when we just didn’t even realize what fraternity would bring to our life. chapters are doing good things. We saw a lot more chapters win awards this year than we did last year, and I’d like to see that double in the future."
Milestones Last year's convention took time to honor significant chapter anniversaries, from 10-year milestones to centennials. Chapters celebrating 100 years included Phi Chapter at Bethany, Chi Chapter at North Carolina State, Psi Chapter at the University of Colorado, Omega Chapter at Wisconsin, and Alpha Alpha at Michigan State, among others. The gathering also paused to remember those who have passed since the last convention. In a moving memorial service, the brotherhood stood together as brothers from across generations were honored, including brothers from chapters that closed decades ago. “It doesn’t matter when you became a brother,” Arnold said. “You are always a brother. It doesn’t matter if your chapter is here anymore. You are always a brother and that’s what unites us.” Five Points Property Group Recognizing that housing has always been an important aspect of fraternity life, the National Council announced the establishment of Five Points Property Group to pro-
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FEATURE
vide comprehensive housing solutions for chapters. The initiative was described as a toolkit that chapters can assemble to create their best housing experience possible, reflecting the reality that chapter facilities are where brotherhood thrives. National President Michael Lummus, who addressed the initiative in remarks to the brotherhood, said the effort began with a simple recognition. "Your houses are so much more than places to live," Lummus said. "They're homes where your brotherhood thrives. They're lasting assets that attract and retain members and help you compete." Today, 55 of Phi Kappa Tau's active chapters operate out of a fraternity house. The Fraternity manages $2 million in housing loan funds, with several hundred thousand currently available for new loans, alongside fundraising support through the Phi Kappa Tau Foundation. Still, Lummus acknowledged the current resources don't go far enough. “It’s clear that our chapters and volunteers need much more support than we currently provide,” Lummus said. The strategy was built around three challenges facing chapters: • How to manage the properties they already have. • How to afford the housing projects ahead of them. • How to protect what they build.
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Housing is not merely real estate. It’s a place for living out our mission, for permanence, and on many campuses, a prerequisite for longterm success.
ON CAMPUS
Undergraduate brothers traveled in from across the country for last year’s 66th National Convention in Orlando, many attending their first.
“This could be a powerful step to take housing at Phi Kappa Tau to the next level,” Lummus said. That unified structure carries the name Five Points Property Group, drawn from the five points of the Star of Phi Kappa Tau and meant to reflect a multidimensional approach to housing resources. “Housing is not merely real estate,” Lummus said. “It’s a place for living out our mission, for permanence, and on many campuses a prerequisite for long-term success.”
The Phi Kappa Tau Experience: A Blueprint for the Future A highlight of the convention was the unveiling of the Fraternity’s bold new strategic plan, aptly titled “The Phi Kappa Tau Experience.” National President Michael Lummus presented the comprehensive vision to a packed hall, describing it as “the most thorough and exhaustive analysis of Phi Kappa Tau we’ve undertaken in the past 20 years.” The plan emerged from extensive research, including input from hundreds of brothers through a membership Continued on page 15
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FEATURE
Ragsdale Honored with Phi Kappa Tau’s Highest Alumni Recognition
ment of Phi Kappa Tau's chapter at Clemson University, serving as the founding chairman of the Board of Governors. He was also appointed to an unexpired term on the National Council and served with distinction.
B
“I love people from Delta Kappa chapter. And I love ob Ragsdale, Georgia ’66, received the Palm Award
people from Kappa chapter. And I want Beta Iota to
at the 66th Convention, held in Orlando, Florida.
come back. And I love the kids at Clemson,” Ragsdale
The honor represents the Fraternity's highest recog-
said, reflecting the breadth of his engagement across
nition of an alumnus and is presented for outstanding
the fraternity.
service to the national organization.
One of his most notable achievements at the national
“The Palm Award is Phi Kappa Tau’s highest honor
level was chairing a committee that produced the Com-
for lifetime achievement, bestowed upon members
prehensive Alumni Engagement Plan, a thoughtful and
who demonstrate a lifetime of extraordinary service
detailed roadmap that has informed fraternity strategic
and unwavering dedication to our national fraternity,”
planning over the past decade. Ragsdale’s dedication
said Michael Lummus, National President, during the
to the project was such that he even gave up his Mas-
presentation. “Past recipients of this prestigious award
ters tickets to attend a formal board presentation at
include iconic Phi Taus like Jack Anson, Ewing Boles,
its conclusion.
Edgar Ewing Brandon, Roland Maxwell and William
“Beyond titles and accolades, this brother has been
Shideler. Today, we are proud to add another brother
a quiet force and vital,” Lummus said. “He has mentor-
to that distinguished list.”
ed countless brothers behind the scenes and provided
Ragsdale's journey with Phi Kappa Tau began in 1966
wise, gracious counsel to nearly every CEO and national
when he was initiated into the Beta Xi chapter at the
president during his membership. He leads with civility,
University of Georgia. That same summer, he attend-
thoughtfulness and a steady belief in what Phi Tau
ed his first convention at the Grand Hotel on Mackinac
can be.”
Island, Michigan. It marked the beginning of nearly 60
“Bob exemplifies what it means to be a Phi Tau for
years of faithful attendance, involvement and leader-
life,” said Matt Arnold, Chief Executive Officer of Phi
ship in the fraternity, including his steadfast presence
Kappa Tau. “His service spans nearly 60 years, and
as a member of the Warblers at every convention he
his impact has been felt at every level of our or-
has attended since.
ganization. He understands that brotherhood is
His service to Beta Xi has been constant and mul-
not just about the chapter experience but
tifaceted. Ragsdale has served multiple terms on
about building something that lasts
the chapter’s Board of Governors and has mentored
across generations.”
generations of undergraduates and alumni. His family
Ragsdale has been previously
farm has hosted numerous chapter leadership retreats,
recognized with the Phi Award and
and his presence has remained a guiding force for Beta
the Outstanding Colony Advisor
Xi through six decades of membership. Most recently,
Award. He has been a loyal donor
he played a key role in organizing the chapter’s highly
to the Phi Kappa Tau Foundation,
successful 75th anniversary celebration.
is a member of the Heritage Soci-
But Ragsdale’s commitment has never stopped at
ety and was an early champion
the chapter line. He was instrumental in the reestablish-
of the Founders Day of Giving.
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Professionally, Ragsdale served as director of development for Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College, where alumni relations and fundraising were primary functions of his role. He also worked for the University of Georgia Cooperative Extension Service for 13 years and served as director of field services for the Georgia Farm Bureau before retiring eight years ago. He lives on a 300-acre family farm in Georgia with his wife of 48 years, Eleanor. In accepting the award, Ragsdale was characteristically humble and gracious, crediting his wife Eleanor as an essential partner in his Phi Kappa Tau service. “She comes with me because she is my partner in Phi Kappa Tau. She is my dream girl,” Ragsdale said. “And time after time after time, I wander off and I do a little politicking. I shake a little hand... But she’s always in the background making me look good.” “I really don't belong up here. This is where the big dogs belong,” Ragsdale said. “I’m simply a Phi Tau brother and I belong amongst you. I owe Phi Tau a debt of gratitude that I can never ever pay.”
survey and third-party research on broader fraternity trends. What Lummus and the planning team discovered was both challenging and inspiring.
“Phi Kappa Tau is needed more than ever. You are needed - by your brothers, by your peers, and by your campuses.” The strategic plan organizes Phi Tau’s mission around seven pillars, divided into core functions and core experiences. The three core functions include brotherhood and culture, growth and operational excellence, and learning excellence. The four core experiences focus on the chapter experience, the undergraduate experience, the alumni experience, and the national experience. “What is that experience?” Lummus asked. “It’s how you feel when you walk into a chapter meeting. It’s the friendships you build and the memories you make. It’s the environment we create, one that should be engaging and constructive and fun. It’s the value you get from being a part of Phi Tau. What you learn, how you grow, and what you take with you.” “That’s exactly what this plan sets out to do,” Lummus said.
“Keep the good, leave behind the bad. Return to our roots and lead the way forward - delivering the best possible experience to every brother and every chapter. Stronger learning, better programming, expanded resources, and an engaging lifelong brotherhood.”
A Call to Action As the convention drew to a close, the message was clear: Phi Kappa Tau stands at an inflection point. But success depends on engagement at every level. “I'm reminded how before each of us stretches an ever lengthening, ever ascending, ever improving path. That's how I see our Fraternity.” Lummus said in the closing words of his presidential remarks. “A climb, a call, a future built not on ease, but on courage. And we will climb higher and higher still. Most of all, we’ll do it together. So, join me. Let’s build. Let’s climb. Let’s go far with Phi Kappa Tau.”
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CONVENTION
The convention closed with the candlelight ceremony that has become one of Phi Kappa Tau's most enduring traditions, opened this year by a video tribute to the brother who wrote it. Bill Jenkins, Bowling Green ’57, penned
Phi Kappa Tau doesn’t just change colleges - it changes lives. It’s a vehicle for transformation. A force that builds leaders, shapes relationships, and instills lasting values.
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the ceremony for the 1975 National Convention at the Lake of the Ozarks and led it himself for decades, last delivering it virtually in 2020 before passing into Chapter Eternal in 2024. Charlie Ball, Miami ’82, delivered this year’s ceremony, opening with his own tribute to Jenkins. “What a wonderful tribute to our friend, my friend Bill Jenkins, the author, frequent editor, and often host of our beloved candlelight ceremony,” Ball said. Ball told the brothers gathered that Jenkins’ passing changed what the evening meant. “Bill’s ascension into Chapter Eternal in 2024 brings to an end an era of sorts,” Ball said. “It makes tonight’s ceremony even more poignant as it continues on, both as a legacy to Bill and to our founders, two of whom he knew personally.” “It is only fitting,” Ball said, “that we dedicate this evening’s ceremony not just to Bill’s memory, but to all the brothers who have come before us.” As brothers departed Orlando, they carried with them not just memories of Universal Studios excursions and late-night reunions, but a renewed sense of purpose and possibility. The 66th National Convention demonstrated that Phi Kappa Tau, 120 years after its founding, remains committed to its core mission while boldly adapting to serve new generations of men. The innovative programs, the chapter awards, the memorial services, the constitutional debates: all of these elements came together to paint a picture of a fraternity that honors its past while building deliberately for the future.
Strategic Plan: Building the Phi Kappa Tau Experience First debuted at the 66th National Convention in Orlando, The Strategic Plan is our blueprint for a stronger and more connected Phi Kappa Tau. It reminds us of the central tenet of brotherhood while driving us to create experiences that inspire, empower, and last a lifetime. Together, we are raising the bar for every brother, every chapter, every day. Beyond a roadmap of goals and initiatives, this Strategic Plan is a shared promise to build a stronger, more vibrant Phi Kappa Tau for today and tomorrow. It reflects our highest aspirations as brothers as exemplified in our Cardinal Principles. With our unified brotherhood, values, and vision, we move forward - committed to making meaningful progress each day in honor of the brotherhood we cherish and the future we are shaping together. The main objective of this plan is to champion the three main core functions and four main core experiences that make up The Phi Kappa Tau Experience:
CORE FUNCTIONS Brotherhood & Culture – Cultivate a strong sense of brotherhood and a supportive culture that empowers members to embody Phi Kappa Tau’s ritual and values. Learning Excellence – Provide robust and relevant learning opportunities that foster personal and professional development, train men to lead their chapters, and prepare brothers for lifelong success. Growth & Operational Excellence – Resource Phi Kappa Tau’s mission with sustainable growth, a strong financial foundation, and effective operations.
CORE EXPERIENCES Chapter Experience – Ensure all chapters are healthy and vibrant places to experience Phi Kappa Tau. Undergraduate Experience – Craft a meaningful individual membership journey that maximizes personal value and impact for every brother. Alumni Experience – Strengthen alumni engagement that deepens brotherhood, encourages volunteerism, and exemplifies a lifelong commitment to Phi Kappa Tau. National Experience – Forge connection to Phi Kappa Tau’s national brotherhood and heritage.
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FEATURE
MEET THE 2025 -2027 NATIONAL COUNCIL Phi Kappa Tau is pleased to introduce the current national council for 2025 - 2027.
NATIONAL PRESIDENT MICHAEL LUMMUS, Belmont ’06
NATIONAL VICE
Lummus was a founding father of his chapter, serving as President and Treasurer and receiving the Shideler Award. He volunteered extensively as an alumnus before his election to the National Council in 2016, and now serves as Phi Kappa Tau's National President. Professionally, Lummus is a software executive currently with JMI Equity, a private equity investor in high-growth software and AI companies, where he partners with portfolio companies on strategy and value creation. He previously served as chief strategy officer and chief of staff at Aprimo. Lummus lives in Nashville, Tennessee, with his wife, Jessica; his younger brother, Matt, is also a Phi Kappa Tau member.
PRESIDENT MARK SCHER, Rider ’85 Scher was a charter member of his chapter and helped launch TCNJ's Epsilon Kappa chapter. He served on multiple chapter boards of governors and was the fraternity's first Chief Alumni Officer on the National Council from 2012 to 2014. Scher spent 14 years in carpet and tile sales before founding Brandyl Agency Inc. in 2002, representing ceramic tile manufacturers from Europe, Asia and South America. He created the Room of Distinction, the country's largest private collection of Phi Tau memorabilia, and founded the Rush T-Shirt Contest, now in its 11th year. Scher lives in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, with his wife, Linda, and they have two sons Brandon and Dylan.
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NATIONAL COUNCILOR RICKY BAILEY, Florida State ’03
NATIONAL COUNCILOR
Bailey spent 13 years in higher education finance and accounting, most recently as senior director of finance for auxiliary services and chief business officer for graduate education and enrollment affairs at Vanderbilt University. He recently shifted into hospitality finance as associate director of finance and analytics for Loews Hotels' Business Services Center. Bailey's Phi Tau volunteer work began after graduation and has included chapter advisor, BOG chairman and Domain Director; he was appointed interim National Councilor in 2019 and elected to a full term in 2021. He and his partner, Jason, live in Hermitage, Tennessee, and work in nearby Franklin, with their two pets, Sophia and Suni.
Brown has served Phi Kappa Tau in nearly every capacity, from chapter graduate council secretary to national facilitator for Leadership Academy, Zenith and Building Men of Character events. He spent 13 years as a Domain Director, winning the Thomas Stennis Award twice, followed by six years as Education Dean and five as National Governance Advisor, before joining the National Council in 2025. Brown lives in Pennington, New Jersey, and works as senior director of Global Data Services for Syndigo, LLC, helping brands manage and deliver product information to retailers. He and his wife, Stephanie, have a son, JP.
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SCOTT BROWN, Tennessee ’88
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NATIONAL COUNCILOR ANDY FRUTH, Southern Illinois ’08
NATIONAL COUNCILOR JON HAYS, Old Dominion ’07
Fruth began his career as an elementary school teacher in the Rockford and Freeport, Illinois, public schools before joining Fruth-Simmer, his family's insurance agency, which recently merged with Tricor Insurance. He has served Phi Kappa Tau in numerous capacities, from associate chapter president and chapter refounder to Domain Director and President's Academy Dean, joining the National Council in 2023. Fruth lives in German Valley, Illinois, and works as a personal lines agent at Tricor. He and his wife, Mallory, have three children: twins Paxton and Presley, and son Porter.
Hays represented his chapter as an undergraduate and graduate delegate at National Conventions from 2006 to 2018 and served on the Phi Chapter Board of Governors from 2011 to 2013. He remained active through Founders Month of Service, the Phi Kappa Tau Foundation and the SeriousFun Children's Network before being slated and elected to the National Council at the 2021 National Convention. Hays' career spans 23 years in the Marine Corps and Army, retiring in 2020, followed by a law practice in Virginia since 2013. He now serves as a principal consultant supporting the design of artificial intelligence systems for the U.S. government. Hays has endowed a permanent scholarship fund at the Phi Kappa Tau Foundation.
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NATIONAL COUNCILOR
JOHN FLICK, RPI ’73
NATIONAL COUNCILOR JEFF BAIRD, Muhlenberg ’01
Flick earned his MBA from Columbia Business School and built a career as a logistics and transportation CFO. He now advises the firm's owners and was elected in June 2026 to the Rensselaer Alumni Association Board of Trustees. He’s served twice as president of Rho of Phi Kappa Tau Alumni, Inc., and joined the National Council in 2024 as chairman of the Financial Advisory Committee. Flick lives in Old Lyme, Connecticut, with his wife, Beth, whom he met at an RPI party in 1974. They have three children and four grandchildren.
Baird began his career at the Phi Kappa Tau Executive Offices in Oxford, Ohio, editing The Laurel and managing the fraternity's website, newsletters and brochures. The experience gave him a professional network and a fondness for the Midwest. He later moved to Chicago to build a career in consulting, developing a specialty in real estate. Baird has spent the past 15 years with Ernst & Young in its Strategy and Transactions practice, and he also runs an online language training business. He splits his time between Mexico City and Chicago.
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EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS
Building Brotherhood for Life Through Education A new approach to learning and leadership is reshaping the Phi Tau experience
A
sk any Phi Tau brother what he got out of his time in the Fraternity, and the answers follow common threads. Leadership. Connections. Skills and experiences he still draws on years later. The ability to walk into a room and know how to lead it. That's not an accident. Learning and leadership development have always sat at the core of what Phi Kappa Tau promises its members, even written into our mission statement. But promising it and delivering it at scale, consistently, for every brother at every stage of his journey, is a different ambition entirely. It's one Phi Kappa Tau has tackled with refreshed strategy and new leadership. “Our education and leadership programming is one of the most meaningful things we offer,” said Education
[20] THE LAUREL || FALL 2026
Committee Chairman, Dr. Stephen Sargent, Belmont ’07. “It’s where we turn the ideals of Phi Kappa Tau into something a man can carry with him into his chapter, his career, and his life. Expanding what we offer and reaching more brothers with it isn't optional for us. It’s central to who we are.” New Leadership, New Ambition The effort is made possible by the generous donations from the Phi Kappa Tau Foundation along with a renewed commitment at every level of the organization. Among those is Nick Phillips, Kent State '91, who has come on staff as Director of Strategic Learning, Leadership, and Events to lead the work of building out what the Fraternity’s educational strategy looks like in practice. According to Arnold, “bringing Nick Phillips on staff to help drive this work and build out what we need was an important piece to deepen the impact of our programs
and broaden access to more brothers, thus moving our Strategic Plan forward.” Nick is joined by Phi Kappa Tau’s National Education Committee, led by Chairman Stephen Sargent, Belmont ’07, and a team of dedicated Deans, each responsible for a specific program. These volunteers have developed a program strategy, advised on curriculum, and helped drive quality and delivery across the Fraternity's full portfolio of learning experiences. The strategic goals that guide this work are ambitious by design: reaching 1000+ undergraduate brothers through in-person programs each year, building out a complete digital learning offering, and developing a network of trained volunteer facilitators who can extend the Fraternity's reach. At the center of the effort is our Learning and Development Competency Framework. The framework is organized around four core competencies: ethical decision-making, selfawareness, interpersonal skills, and commitment to self-development. From there, it branches out. There are leadership skills specific to chapter officers, rising leaders, and to all brothers, as well as those necessary to meet the operational demands of running a successful chapter. Enabling attendees to act is important to Phillips. “Getting brothers to attend a conference is one thing,” he said. “Sending them home with a plan is another thing altogether.”
academic year. The immersive events’ premise is that the best learning happens in a conversation. Breakout sessions cover more than a dozen topics relevant to chapter life, each co-facilitated by an alumnus and an undergraduate brother. Every Regional Conference closes with a brotherhood celebration hosted by the home chapter. Chapters interested in hosting a Regional Conference are encouraged to reach out to Phillips directly. As Phi Kappa Tau’s longstanding summer program, Leadership Academy returned last June to Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. “Leadership Academy has always been a meaningful moment for the rising leaders who attend,” Phillips said. “We want to honor that legacy while making sure what happens there connects directly to what chapters need to thrive.” And beyond these marquee events, the Fraternity is currently building out new locally delivered programs like leadership retreats, ritual retreats, officer transition retreats, and new membership orientation curriculum – all designed to bring the best of the Fraternity’s education experience into chapter life, facilitated by alumni educational volunteers or local Board of Governors advisors who know the chapter best.
Making an Impact as Alumni Alumni play many significant roles in Phi Kappa Tau’s learning experiences, whether as donors, program facilitators, or as advisors to a chapter. As the Fraternity's education programming Programs Built for Every Brother grows, so does the need for experienced alumni voices to help What’s taken shape goes beyond a single program or initiative. deliver it. Volunteering as a facilitator is among the most direct The vision is a full ecosystem of experiences designed to meet ways to give back to the brotherhood. Alumni interested in brothers wherever they are in their journey, from the week they getting involved are encouraged to contact Phillips. join through the rest of their lives. And none of this would be possible without donors and For chapter leaders, that means Zenith Officers Institute, the work of the Phi Kappa Tau Foundation which provides a flagship program that is growing fast. In January, 239 officers critical financial fuel for the mission. “Our brothers deserve gathered for the best-attended Zenith in the program’s histothe best opportunities to transform into men of distinction,” ry. For the first time, a dedicated Chaplain track said Foundation CEO Craig Rogers. “We have was included, and programming around mental a responsibility to make sure young men joining health and well-being was added to an agenda that the Fraternity today have a growing number of encompasses recruitment, finances, and chapter opportunities to develop.” An education and leadZENITH officer institute operations. ership endowment named for former Foundation “It’s truly a great opportunity to meet guys Chairman David Ruckman, Ohio State ’62, and from around the nation,” said Kaiden Lagerway, Arizona State his wife, Marilyn, will provide permanent support to these ’24. “Everybody's got common struggles. This is a great time programs for generations to come. Brothers who wish to conto come and get some insight on how you can be the best tribute can do so through the Foundation. officer for your chapter.” For the men who join Phi Kappa Tau, it is a learning Regional Conferences provide an accessible opportunity experience. The Fraternity is investing to make sure every for brothers to gather and learn, now scheduled across the one of them feels it.
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AWARD WINNERS
2025-2026 Award Winners 2025 CHAPTER AWARDS
Upsilon Chapter, Nebraska Wesleyan University
2025
FOUNDERS FOUR FINALISTS
Built a strong positive reputation
ROLAND MAXWELL
These four outstanding chapters
on campus, respected by faculty,
represented the best of Phi Kappa
staff, and students for integrity
Tau, each presenting their achieve-
and academic success. A highly
ments and sharing insights into
involved brotherhood with leaders
their chapter operations.
in student government, orientation
OUTSTANDING CHAPTER
University of Kentucky Kappa Chapter earned the Fraternity's highest chapter honor for demonstrating dominance in recruitment, new member orientation, finances, service, and philanthropy. The chapter has become a premier fraternity on the Kentucky campus, increasing strategic relationships with philanthropy partners and dedicating themselves to serious fundraising endeavors. With 135 active members working together under exceptional leadership, Kappa overcame a suspension period to rebuild and establish themselves at the top of Phi Kappa Tau excellence.
[22] THE LAUREL || FALL 2026
programs, and athletics. RecogKappa Chapter, University of Kentucky
nized for values-driven leadership.
Demonstrated dominance in recruitment, new member orienta-
Beta Beta Chapter, University of Louisville
tion, finances, service, and philan-
Raised $13,000 through the Louis-
thropy. A premier fraternity on the
ville Dance Show, co-hosted with
Kentucky campus with strategic
Delta Zeta, for a dance marathon.
philanthropy partnerships and
Recognized across campus for
dedicated fundraising. Winner of
strong alumni relationships,
the Sonny Strange Recruitment
leadership, philanthropy, and
Award for most outstanding
service. Demonstrated excep-
recruitment and retention.
tional community engagement and fundraising capability.
Gamma Beta Chapter University of Cincinnati Re-envisioned their chapter experience with historic recruitment and growth, outstanding service, and commitment to campus. Rededicated their chapter house as a centralized place for brotherhood, making it the heart of their operations.
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2025 INDIVIDUAL AWARDS
GEORGE V. VOINOVICH
PAUL NEWMAN AWARD
EXCELLENCE IN COMMUNITY
Beta Beta, University of Louisville
SERVICE AWARD
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Upsilon, Nebraska Wesleyan University ————— COMMUNITY SERVICE SCROLL Kappa, Upsilon, Phi, Alpha Omega, Beta Chi, Gamma Alpha, Delta Lambda, Zeta Mu ————— HAROLD E. ANGELO AWARD
DR. EDGAR EWING
Beta Theta (top) and Epsilon Epsilon
BRANDON AWARD
—————
Lamont Johnson, Beta Beta
RICHARD MASSOCK AWARD Alpha Gamma, University of Delaware ————— SONNY STRANGE RECRUITMENT AWARD Kappa, University of Kentucky ————— SAMARITAN'S LIGHT AWARD (DEIA) Epsilon, University of Mount Union ————— ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE
WILLIAM HENRY
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SHIDELER AWARD
DWIGHT I. DOUGLASS
William Wortman,
PRESIDENT’S AWARD
Delta Kappa
Michael Wheeler, Kappa
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—————
JACK ANSON AWARD
JACK JAREO AWARD
Michael Wheeler,
Kappa, University of Kentucky
Kappa
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—————
MONROE MOOSNICK
Gamma, Kappa, Lambda, Omicron,
CLINTON D. BOYD
SCHOLARSHIP TROPHY
Upsilon, Alpha Lambda, Alpha Tau, Al-
VPAR AWARD
Alpha Tau, Cornell University
pha Chi, Alpha Omega, Beta Beta, Beta
Brandon Sandru,
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Gamma, Beta Omicron, Beta Phi, Gam-
Delta Nu
ORDER OF THE STAR
—————
Kappa, Upsilon, Chi, Alpha Omega,
ROSS E. ROEDER AWARD (BOG)
Beta Beta, Beta Theta, Gamma
Gamma Psi, Texas State University at
Alpha, Gamma Beta, Zeta Alpha
San Marcos
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Alpha, Gamma, Kappa, Upsilon, Chi, Alpha Tau, Alpha Chi, Alpha Omega, Beta Beta, Beta Theta, Beta Chi, Gamma Alpha, Gamma Beta, Epsilon Sigma, Zeta Alpha, Zeta Epsilon ————— NORM W. BROWN PHILANTHROPY SCROLL
ma Beta, Delta Gamma, Epsilon Sigma, Epsilon Chi, Zeta Mu, Zeta Omicron
PACESETTER AWARD Kappa, Lambda, Omicron, Upsilon, Psi, Alpha Kappa, Alpha Lambda, Alpha Tau, Beta Beta, Beta Epsilon, Gamma Beta, Gamma Psi, Zeta Alpha, Zeta Mu, Zeta Xi, Zeta Pi —————
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THE LAUREL || PHIKAPPATAU.ORG [23]
AWARD WINNERS
2026 CHAPTER AWARDS
list. Brothers led the way in entrepreneurship, student government, and
FOUNDERS FOUR FINALISTS
campus organizations, continuing de-
These four outstanding chapters repre-
cades of strong alumni engagement.
sented the best of Phi Kappa Tau, each
2026 ROLAND MAXWELL OUTSTANDING CHAPTER
presenting their achievements and sharing insights into their chapter operations.
Belmont University Zeta Alpha Chapter earned the fraternity's highest chapter honor for demonstrating Beta Gamma Chapter, University of Idaho
what both brother-
Kappa Chapter, University of Kentucky
Transformed chapter culture through
excellence look like in
a renewed focus on accountability
practice. The chapter
Continued to grow while holding the
and brotherhood, growing from three
has set the standard
line on scholarship, finishing fourth
new members in 2024 to fourteen in
at Belmont University
among 20 IFC chapters for fall semes-
2025. Hosted a record philanthropy
for two decades, the
ter GPA despite a chapter of more
week, raising more than $5,000 for
longest continuing
than 140 members. Elected members
SeriousFun. Chapter leadership also
operating fraternity at
to the IFC Executive Board for the
won election as executive vice presi-
Belmont. At a school
second consecutive year. Deepened
dent of the Interfraternity Council.
where the average
hood and academic
incoming student
its commitment to service through Se-
already holds a 3.89
riousFun and DanceBlue, which raised
GPA, Zeta Alpha's
more than $2 million for the universi-
brothers still lead
ty's Hematology/Oncology Clinic.
the way, with honors students throughout the chapter and zero academic probations. Zeta Alpha Chapter, Belmont University
When the chapter
The premier fraternity at Belmont
this fall, alumni who
University for more than 20 years,
hadn't spoken in years
Beta Beta Chapter, University of Louisville
they are committed to serving their
came home, and un-
community and regularly volunteer
dergrads who never
Raised $23,923 through the Seri-
for city cleanup efforts. They also
met him made sure
ousFun dance show and won the
have numerous members who are
his family knew they
University of Louisville’s Fryberger
new student orientation volunteers
still had a fraternity
Greek Sing. Seven brothers earned
or campus tour guides.
behind them, brother-
a 4.0 GPA, and 32 made the dean’s
[24] THE LAUREL || FALL 2026
lost a founding father
hood the way Roland Maxwell meant it.
2026 INDIVIDUAL AWARDS
HAROLD E. ANGELO AWARD
DWIGHT I. DOUGLASS
Delta Omega, Truman State
PRESIDENT’S AWARD
—————
Tyler Godfrey, Beta Gamma
WILLIAM HENRY SHIDELER AWARD
—————
Michael Wheeler,
JACK JAREO AWARD
Kappa
Upsilon, Nebraska Wesleyan University
—————
—————
JACK ANSON AWARD
MONROE MOOSNICK
Delta Kappa, UT Knoxville
Ben Croat,
SCHOLARSHIP TROPHY
Delta Omega
Alpha Tau, Cornell
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—————
—————
CLINTON D. BOYD
ORDER OF THE STAR
VPAR AWARD
Alpha, Beta Beta, Beta Gamma, Delta
Gunnar Jones,
Nu, Lambda, Psi, Upsilon, Zeta Alpha
Upsilon
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SONNY STRANGE RECRUITMENT AWARD
SAMARITAN'S LIGHT AWARD (DEIA) Delta Omega, Truman State ————— ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE Alpha, Alpha Eta, Alpha Gamma, Alpha Tau, Alpha Rho, Beta Gamma,
PACESETTER AWARD
Beta Kappa, Beta Mu, Beta Omega,
ROSS E. ROEDER AWARD (BOG)
Alpha, Alpha Eta, Alpha Gamma,
Beta Omicron, Beta Theta, Beta Xi,
Beta Theta, University of Kansas
Alpha Kappa, Alpha Omega, Alpha
Chi, Delta Beta, Delta Kappa, Delta
—————
Phi, Alpha Upsilon, Beta, Beta Beta,
Lambda, Epsilon Chi, Epsilon Kappa,
Beta Gamma, Beta Omega, Beta
Epsilon Nu, Epsilon Sigma, Gamma,
Phi, Chi, Delta, Delta Beta, Delta
Gamma Alpha, Gamma Mu, Lambda,
Gamma, Delta Kappa, Delta Lambda,
Omicron, Zeta, Zeta Xi
Delta Nu, Epsilon Nu, Epsilon Sigma,
—————
GEORGE V. VOINOVICH EXCELLENCE IN COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD Lambda, Purdue University —————
Gamma Alpha, Gamma Omicron, Zeta Sigma, Iota, Kappa, Lambda,
NORM W. BROWN PHILANTHROPY SCROLL
COMMUNITY SERVICE SCROLL
Omicron, Psi, Theta, Zeta Omicron,
Alpha, Alpha Chi, Alpha Gamma,
Zeta Xi
Alpha Omega, Beta Beta, Beta
—————
Epsilon Epsilon, Delta Tau, Delta Beta,
PAUL NEWMAN AWARD
Beta Gamma, Beta Beta, Alpha Phi,
Beta Beta, University of Louisville
Alpha Omega, Alpha Kappa, Alpha
Epsilon, Beta Gamma, Chi, Delta Lambda, Delta Nu, Epsilon, Epsilon Epsilon, Gamma Beta, Lambda, Phi, Upsilon, Zeta Alpha, Zeta Mu
—————
—————
RICHARD MASSOCK AWARD
Zeta Xi, Zeta Omicron, Upsilon, Lambda, Gamma, Epsilon Sigma,
Upsilon, Nebraska Wesleyan University
TAYLOR A. BORRADAILE UNDERGRADUATE MEMORIAL AWARD Matt Erven, Epsilon Kappa —————
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THE LAUREL || PHIKAPPATAU.ORG [25]
PHI TAU THURSDAYS
by Chris Parthemore
The Brotherhood is Still Here How Phi Kappa Tau is rebuilding alumni connection one Thursday at a time.
T
here is a particular kind of energy in a room full of brothers who haven't seen each other in years. Old stories surface quickly. Somewhere between the handshakes and the laughter, something else happens too - a quiet reminder that the bonds formed in a Phi Tau chapter don't expire with graduation. That is the spirit behind Phi Tau Thursdays, an alumni initiative that the Fraternity is investing heavily into, which is being spearheaded by Brother Chris Parthemore, Bowling Green State ’99, who serves as the Chief Alumni & Housing Officer for the organization. The concept is simple: on the first Thursday of every month at 6 p.m., alumni gather in their city for food, conversation, and fellowship. No agenda required. No lengthy commitment asked. “When alumni know where and when connection happens, participation follows,” said Parthemore. “We wanted to remove every possible barrier to re-engagement. Phi Tau Thursdays does exactly that.” A Small Idea With a Large Reach Phi Tau Thursdays are now operating in nine cities, drawing alumni from across generations to the same table each month. To date, the program has brought
[26] THE LAUREL || FALL 2026
together hundreds of alumni in gatherings that range from a handful of brothers at a local bar to larger organized meetups in major metro areas. The conversations happening in those rooms reflect the full breadth of the Phi Tau experience. Some alumni come to reconnect with old friends. Others show up because they want to understand what the Fraternity looks like today, and to hear about leadership programming, chapter successes, and the strategic direction being charted for Phi Kappa Tau's next chapter. What ties every Phi Tau Thursday together is consistency. Alumni engagement has historically struggled not for lack of interest, but for lack of a reliable onramp. Programs launch, momentum builds, and then the rhythm breaks. Phi Tau Thursdays were designed specifically to solve that problem. The same night. The same time. Every month. That predictability, it turns out, is its own kind of invitation. From the Table to the Chapter Room The ripple effect has been hard to miss. Advisors and volunteers who first stepped back into the Phi Tau orbit through a Thursday gathering are now mentoring undergraduates, supporting housing initiatives, and taking on meaningful service roles within their chapters. The path from “occasional attendee” to “committed volunteer” has become more approachable and easier
to navigate with the success of these new events. That progression is no accident. It reflects a broader shift in how Phi Kappa Tau is approaching alumni engagement across the board, one rooted in the recognition that alumni are not a uniform group. Brothers at 25 have different bandwidth than brothers at 45. Someone early in their career navigates time differently than someone who is retired and eager to give back. A strong alumni program has to meet brothers where they are. "Whether an alumnus has three hours a month or three weekends a year, there is meaningful work to be done and a clear pathway to contribute," Parthemore said. "Our job is to make sure that pathway is visible."
If you have been looking for a way back in... Phi Tau Thursdays are your answer. The first Thursday of the month, 6 p.m., in a city near
The early indicators are encouraging. More alumni are raising their hands to serve, chapters are reporting stronger advisory support, and Housing Corporations are seeing improved collaboration with the national office. None of that happens by accident. It happens because the Fraternity made a deliberate decision to invest in the infrastructure that makes sustained engagement possible, and because brothers across the country responded.
you. No elaborate
An Open Invitation This work is not about nostalgia. It is about stewardship. The alumni term obligation engaging with Phi Kappa Tau today are helping to shape the fraternity required to walk that the next generation of memthrough the door. bers will inherit. That is a serious responsibility, and it is also a reBuilding the Infrastructure for Just brothers, markable opportunity. What Comes Next If you have been looking for a Phi Tau Thursdays are one piece of a making time for way back in, or if you have never quite larger architecture being built under brotherhood. found the right moment to reconnect, the Fraternity's strategic plan. Alumni Phi Tau Thursdays are your answer. connectivity sits at the center of that The first Thursday of the month, 6 work, not as a peripheral program, p.m., in a city near you. No elaborate but as a core driver of the Fraternity's ask. No long-term obligation required long-term health. to walk through the door. Over the past year, the Fraternity has focused To find a Phi Tau Thursday near you, or to bring on three areas of alumni programming: lowering the one to your city, reach out to Chris Parthemore at barrier to re-engagement, standardizing the volunteer cparthemore@phikappatau.org. He would love experience, and aligning alumni service directly with to connect. undergraduate outcomes. Clear role descriptions, training resources, and governance models are being developed so that when alumni step into service, they Chris Parthemore is the Chief Alumni & Housing Officer feel prepared, and so their contributions translate into at Phi Kappa Tau Fraternity. real results for chapters and Housing Corporations.
ask. No long-
THE LAUREL || PHIKAPPATAU.ORG [27]
LAURELS
LAURELS
~ DR. LEE MANZER, OKLAHOMA STATE ’60, Professor Emeritus of Marketing, was inducted into the Spears School of Business Hall of Fame for his 43 years of teaching and mentorship.
[1958] Terry Forcht, Louisville, Chairman and CEO of Forcht Group of Kentucky, was recognized by the Kentucky Senate and House on the 40th anniversary of Forcht Bank. [1977] Paul Dipp, UTEP, was recognized as a Distinguished Alumnus during the university’s 2025 Homecoming celebration. [1978] Roy King, New Mexico State, was honored at the 2025 TRUE
[28] THE LAUREL || FALL 2026
NMSU College of Business Hall of Fame banquet. King is a Phi Kappa Tau Foundation Trustee. [1978] Attorney J. Guthrie True, Georgetown, has been elected chairman of the Georgetown College Board of Trustees. A founding partner of True Guarnieri Ayer, LLP, True is widely regarded for his work in white-collar defense and complex civil litigation.
[1979] Mike Jaeger, Chico State, recently retired as President and CEO of Cakebread Cellars, guiding expansion, sustainability, and brand development. [1982] Regis Repko, Penn State, was appointed Senior Vice President, System Planning and Construction at Duke Energy in April 2025. Along with President and CEO Harry Sideris, NC State ’89, one of two Phi Taus on the 11-member Senior Management Committee at the Fortune 150 company.
[1991] Robert Halfacre, Georgia, has been reelected to a second term as Mayor of Clemson. A lifelong resident, Halfacre is also a senior vice president and market executive with Park National Bank.
MARK D. HURWITZ, M.D., FRANKLIN & MARSHALL ’85, has been named Chair of the Department of Radiation Medicine at New York Medical College and Director of Radiation Medicine at Westchester Medical Center. A nationally recognized leader in radiation oncology, Hurwitz brings extensive experience in quality improvement and thermal medicine to his new role. Hurwitz previously served at the Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center, where he led initiatives in patient safety, quality, and residency education. His career also includes leadership at the Dana-Farber/ Brigham and Women’s Cancer Center. He has published more than 100 articles and is a fellow of the American Society for Radiation Oncology and the American College of Radiation Oncology. ~
[1987] David Schmaier, RPI, is President and Chief Strategy Officer at Salesforce, guiding global strategy, market development, and the Office of Ethical and Humane Use. [1987] University of Missouri - Kansas City has named Don Stansberry, Ohio, vice provost for Student Affairs. Stansberry brings more than 25 years of leadership in higher education.
THE LAUREL || PHIKAPPATAU.ORG [29]
LAURELS
~ AARON DUVALL, LOUISVILLE ’14, has been appointed Vice President of Brand & Marketing at One Louisville. He was also recently engaged to his fiancée, Amy, who he runs the social media brand @DateListLou alongside.
[2002] Jacob Gleason, Westminster, continues to guide Muskingum University’s Cross Country and Track & Field programs, where he has served as head coach and director of operations since 2008. Under his leadership, Muskingum athletes have earned All-OAC honors and qualified for NCAA national competition. [2004] J.J. Lewis, Central Michigan, CEO of North Star Reach and a member of the Phi Kappa Tau Foundation Board of Trustees, has been recognized by Crain’s Detroit Business as a 2025 Notable Leader in Philanthropy.
[30] THE LAUREL || FALL 2026
[2025] Luke Brothers, UC Berkeley, was initiated into Phi Kappa Tau by his father and former National President Steve Brothers, UC Berkeley, alongside several other former National Presidents including Bill Crane, Georgia, Greg Hollen, Maryland, and Rick Keltner, Cal State-Sacramento.
If you’d like to submit a story to be included in The Laurel you can do so at phikappatau.org/submit-news.
CHAPTER ETERNAL
CHAPTER ETERNAL Listed below are the brothers who were reported to have entered Chapter Eternal from April 21, 2025 to July 28, 2026.
MIAMI Bob Abrams ’45 John Fulker, Esq. ’49 Roger Fulker ’49 Bob Jackman, Jr. ’50 Donald Lease ’50 Joseph Bacik ’51 Robert Tenhover ’53 Barry Raut ’55 Richard Titus ’55 Keith Kurber ’56 Skip Schwab ’56 Frank Burger ’57 Ed Fries ’57 Jim McLandsborough ’60 Rob Light ’72 James Plummer ’86 Carl Johnson ’96 OHIO James Pfaff ’48 Jim Bailey ’50 Jack Doller ’50 Kenneth Radcliffe ’51 Fred Wagner ’57 Paul Radomsky ’58 James Fulton ’63 Nicholas Lessick, Jr. ’65 Gerry Kolz ’68 Jake Lehrer ’16 OHIO STATE Ken Johnson ’52 David Huff ’54 J. Philip Robertson ’54 Joseph Mamone ’56 Rex Tracht ’65 Frederick Mills ’66 Richard Scurlock, Jr. ’70 Michael Byers ’72 Dan Ayers ’73 Bob Atha ’81 Tim Higgins ’88 Paul Temcio ’91
CENTRE Earle Stone ’50 MOUNT UNION Ed Aluzas ’56 ILLINOIS Don Henry, III ’61 Tim Kalafut ’81 MUHLENBERG Larry Paul, PhD ’53 Jack Magan ’55 Henry Lubsen, Jr ’61 Jim Alderfer ’63 Joseph Bohniky ’68 Ed Ruisz ’75 TRANSYLVANIA Fredrick Allen ’54 Roy Johnston ’55 Reece Little, Jr. ’60 COE Bob Noyes ’54 Richard Stauber ’55 Ben Schneider ’56 KENTUCKY Ray Hornback ’53 Theodore Stanton, III ’63 PURDUE Arthur Ramm, Jr. ’49 Frank Westerman ’52 Donald Longwith ’54 Ralph Close ’56 Don Down ’59 Harry Basan ’59 Leroy Schuster ’60 Shad Whisler ’61 Parker Behm ’66 Kenneth Knowles ’68
LAWRENCE Louis Meyer ’50 Bill Reay ’63 Charles Dawes ’69 Mark Sachs ’84 Earl Kavanaugh ’01 UC BERKELEY Dennis Erickson ’56 John Dickerson ’59 Thomas McGaffigan ’76 John Bengtson ’77 FRANKLIN & MARSHALL Arthur Wyble ’59 PENN STATE Bill Paul ’41 Robert McBeth ’42 Richard Hastings ’43 Robert Bernhard ’46 George Ruby ’50 Edward Ferdinand ’50 Louis Guthrie ’50 Donnell Zurflieh ’50 John Falcone ’51 John Gerhard ’51 Joseph Leitinger ’51 Norman Alpert ’51 Blair Gingrich ’52 Henry Johnson, III ’52 Alex Shalkey ’52 Glenn Stumpff ’52 John Werner ’52 William Westley, Jr. ’52 Laurence Shaheen ’54 Bill Genetti ’55 Don Woodring ’55 Nelson Van Fleet, JD ’56 Frank Gansz ’57 Lynn Davis ’58 Mike Hancock ’58 Bill Netzlof ’58 Earl Riffle, USN (Ret.) ’58
Michael Chervenic ’59 Reed Walker, Jr. ’61 Ed Boger ’62 Patrick Kopnicky ’62 Frank Kennedy, Jr. ’65 Guy Petty ’66 Wayne Lawrence ’68 John Felmy, PhD ’74 John Kroft ’77 Kevin Cherry ’81 Charles Hamm ’84 SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA Paul Ignatius ’39 Dave Davis ’58 Keith Richey ’75 Raymond White ’77 Jim Docherty ’78 RENSSELAER Bert Chenault ’43 Wallace Low ’43 Peter Rummel ’59 Thomas Stamato, PhD ’59 John Shahdanian ’61 James Jendro ’65 Ron Roach ’65 David Hopper ’66 Jack Whalen, JD, MD ’66 Gordy Benoit, Jr. ’67 Robert Hamilton ’67 Randall Peters ’68 David White ’68 MICHIGAN Gordon Wepfer ’52 Rex Youse ’54 Paul Thibault ’55 Timothy Kraft ’56 Frederick Hinton ’59 NEBRASKA WESLEYAN Don Carlyon ’43 Lowell Fey ’47
Larry Walrath ’47 John Irelan ’49 Melvin Schwenk ’52 William Allen ’53 Bill Buck ’53 Randel Smith ’53 Arvin Blakeney ’54 Wayne Lang, Ph.D ’54 Jack Nispel ’54 John Powell ’54 Kenneth Moore ’55 Pete Peterson ’56 Eugene Peck, MD ’59 Bob Martin ’60 Ralph Rohwer ’61 Frederick Catlett ’67 Mike Bates ’68 Jim Van Vlymen ’69 BETHANY Robert Boyer ’52 Dave Shiffman ’64 Tom Abrams ’76 NORTH CAROLINA STATE Stokes Barksdale ’52 Albert Bass, Jr. ’53 Bobby Mayton, Jr. ’60 Richard Stroud ’61 Alexander Allen ’67 Rees Brody ’68 Stephen Lawing ’70 Theo Nixon ’70 Scott Reece ’70 Bob Everett, II ’71 Franklin Liles, Jr ’72 Richard Roberson ’72 Pete Merritt ’73 COLORADO Rudolph Shelley ’51 Bill Bullen ’25
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MICHIGAN STATE Barry Brown ’64 DELAWARE Daniel Strecker ’52 Dick Cheadle ’56 Jack O’Day, Jr. ’64 Robert James ’67 Thomas De Emedio ’68 Matthew Bernhardt ’24 CASE WESTERN RESERVE Bill Mathews ’57 Bill Jones, Jr. ’62 Drake Fink ’66 KANSAS STATE Craig Ellis ’72 Philip Passen ’73 OREGON STATE James Gingrich ’50 Charles Peter ’50 FLORIDA James King, III ’46 Bill Goacher ’58 Guy Metzger ’61 Wade Hough ’61 Earl Dedmon, Jr. ’70 David Pesek, PhD ’69 Arnold Seaton ’66 David Strickland ’73 WASHINGTON STATE Michael Archer ’53 AUBURN John Winn, Jr. ’59 Sam Anders ’60 Henry Blizzard, Jr. ’60 James Goodwin ’61 Mike Beard ’65 Henry Cole ’65 Dan Hood ’65 Thomas Franklin ’67 Lanny Carruthers ’98 IOWA STATE Vince Hassebrock ’51 James Wieborg ’61 Raymond Fritz ’71
[32] THE LAUREL || FALL 2026
GEORGIA TECH Dick Galphin ’48 Lewis Baker, Jr. ’58 Len Cannizzaro ’58 Ben Duggan ’59 William Cook ’71 COLORADO STATE Dan Yowell ’49 CORNELL Frank Turgeon ’52 Dick Bernhard, PhD ’54 Don Mason ’57 Gary Smith ’60 William Barney, PhD ’61 COLGATE Maurice Schmaier ’54 Gene Doo ’58 AKRON Joseph Dick ’51 Bill Garrison, Jr. ’67 MISSISSIPPI STATE Ralph Scott ’59 Bill Jones ’60 Glenn Stone ’68 Joe Armour, Jr. ’71 Daniel Walker ’74 TEXAS-EL PASO Donald Morrill, USA (Ret.), ’49 Jim Maloney ’52 Jim Cozart, Jr. ’61 BALDWIN WALLACE John Roth ’51 Stan Andrews ’52 Kenneth Planisek ’63 William Gibbons ’64 Randy Mast ’77 TEXAS Joseph Goulden ’53 Michael Lemons ’59 Edward Harris, Jr. ’60 Dave Griffin ’66
LOUISVILLE Peston Farmer, II, ’52 Ken Daniels, Jr. ’53 Edward Lewis, Jr ’60 Jeffrey Sellins ’64 Robert Mattingly ’68 Gregory Gleis ’71 John Murphy ’73 Brian Bruenderman ’91 Dylan Cochran ’15 Nathan Larson ’21
INDIANA Joe Neihardt ’62 Joe Marando ’63
SOUTHERN MISSISSIPPI Mack Perkins ’58 Richard Grogan ’59 Francis Godfrey, Jr. ’66 Ronnie Blacklidge, Sr. ’68 Scott Strauss ’83 George Blake, III ’87
GEORGIA Linton Phillips, Jr. ’49 Bob Herner ’57 James Moncrief, Jr ’64 Victor Grose ’68 Harry Charbonneau ’70
NEW MEXICO STATE Jack Coogan, Jr. ’51 John Byers ’56 Gerald Holmes ’58 Mike Nicholson ’62 Roger Bouffard ’69 David Gomez ’72 Jay Groseclose ’72 Thomas Mitchell ’72 Scott Thompson ’73 Mark Millender ’76 Grant Swezy ’77 Jaime Ramirez ’87 Patrick Langevin ’92 Matt C’de Baca ’93 Chris Sanchez ’96 KANSAS Galen Hodge ’57 Ken Van De Veer ’57 Perry Toll ’64 FLORIDA STATE Max Register ’49 Kenneth Nelson ’53 Charles Shaw ’57 Edward Goolsby, CPA ’67 OKLAHOMA STATE Lee Raney ’49 Doyle Boyd ’51 Robert Martin ’66 Kim Ledbetter ’73
KENT STATE James Longacre ’49 Philip Bethea, USAF (Ret.), ’60 Phil Maynard ’63 Richard Bowen, Jr. ’88 Neil Hudspeth ’97
MARYLAND Gerald Bloom ’55 Chuck Belanger ’69 Bernard Michel ’71 BOWLING GREEN Verne Tussing, Jr ’56 Rick Fredecker, Jr. ’72 WESTMINSTER Robert McConnell, Jr., PE ’51 Robert Buehner, Jr. ’72 SOUTHERN ILLINOIS Ken Buzbee ’56 Robert Steinmann ’59 Dan Donnelly ’60 Pete Wegner ’64 Brian Baird ’74 Andrew Coleman ’13 CAL STATELONG BEACH Charles Mattox ’61 Mike Koval ’68 CAL STATE CHICO Tony Edler ’58 Terry Miller ’63 Bill Hatcher ’71 Scott Hennessy ’80 Michael Judd ’80
MICHIGAN TECH Ed Rowley ’58 Andrew Perrie ’62 Bill Zerby ’76 Larry McNally ’89 CINCINNATI Albert Oriez ’57 Joseph Dibert ’60 U OF THE PACIFIC Merritt Cutten ’64 EAST CAROLINA John Parker ’61 G. Marshall Johnson ’70 WESTERN MICHIGAN William Robbins ’66 Roger Sanders ’67 C.W. POST Lawrence DiGiovanna, Esq. ’70 CENTRAL MICHIGAN Bob Price ’68 Ronald Wolkowicz ’69 Craig Boulier ’81 Doug Chmiel ’02 BRADLEY Frederick Lattin, Jr. ’62 Steven Rosley ’63 Stephen Johnson ’66 William Vorhauer ’67 John Shade ’68 Doug Patton ’73 Gary Krusenoski ’76 Dennis Spears ’77 Donald Perrin, Jr. ’79 David Finley ’91 Matt Stephenson ’91 RIT George Cole ’66 Robert Franzen ’66 James Corbett ’67 William Gibbons, Jr. ’67 Dennis Franklin ’67 James Hazen ’67 John Shearer ’67 James Czekala ’68
NOTABLE PHI TAU BROTHERS ENTER CHAPTER ETERNAL
small volunteer-run organization through its groundbreaking 1982-84 capital campaign to become a professionally-staffed multi-million dollar organization. He developed a close relationship with Foundation chairman and founder Ewing Boles in the
PAUL IGNATIUS,
later years of Boles' life, sharing daily early-morning telephone
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA ’39
conversations. In his role as volunteer head of the Foundation,
Decorated public servant Paul
he also served for many years as a member of the Phi Kappa Tau
Ignatius, Southern California ’39, entered Chapter Eternal on Nov. 6, 2025, five days shy of his 105th birthday. He was initiated into
National Council, working to build strong and trusting relationships with Fraternity leaders. Chapter Eternal has gained a great Phi Tau leader whose impact on the lives of our members will be felt for decades to come.
the Pi Chapter at the University of Southern California before graduating and commissioning as a Naval aviation ordnance officer in the Pacific during World War II. After earning his MBA
JAMES LAWRENCE KING,
from Harvard, he built a career of extraordinary public service,
FLORIDA ‘46
serving as Secretary of the Navy under President Lyndon B.
Distinguished federal jurist James
Johnson, Assistant Secretary of Defense and Under Secretary
Lawrence King, Florida ‘46, entered
of the Army. Paul later served as president of The Washington
Chapter Eternal on May 2, 2026,
Post and as chairman, president and CEO of the Air Trans-
at his home in Pinecrest, Florida,
port Association, and he founded the Boston consulting firm
at age 98. Born in Miami on Dec.
Harbridge House with two Harvard Business School classmates
20, 1927, Jim earned his bachelor's degree and law degree from
who were also Pi Chapter Phi Taus. Phi Kappa Tau recognized
the University of Florida, where he was a member of Phi Kappa
his legacy with induction into its Hall of Fame and the Borradaile
Tau's Alpha Eta chapter and the Florida Law Review. After serv-
Alumnus Award, and in 2019 the Navy honored him further by
ing as a first lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force's Judge Advocate
commissioning the guided-missile destroyer USS Paul Ignatius
General's Corps, Jim practiced law in Miami and served on the
in his name. Few brothers have carried the letters as far into
Eleventh Judicial Circuit Court before President Richard Nixon
the world as Paul did, and his example will continue to guide
appointed him to the U.S. District Court for the Southern
Phi Taus for generations to come.
District of Florida in 1970. Over the next 55 years, including six as chief judge, Jim authored more than 1,020 decisions on cases. Congress honored his legacy in 1996 by renaming Miami's fed-
FRED MILLS, OHIO STATE ‘66
eral courthouse after him, and in 2000 he received the Edward
Longtime Phi Kappa Tau Foun-
J. Devitt Distinguished Service to Justice Award. Phi Kappa Tau
dation and Fraternity leader Frederick E. Mills, Ohio State ‘66, entered Chapter Eternal on June 24, 2026. A Foundation officer
recognized him as an inaugural member of its Hall of Fame. The steady judgment he brought to the bench for more than five decades reflects the same character Phi Kappa Tau set out to build in him as a young man.
for two decades, Fred was tapped as secretary of the Foundation board in the late 1970s and went on to serve as treasurer, president and chairman until his retirement in 1997. Under his leadership, Fred saw the Foundation evolve from a
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William Deritter ’69 Jeffrey Wagaman ’69 Jack Sauer ’70 Jerry York ’70 Richard Schonblom ’78 David Stein ’78 Karl Kober ’81 Raul Rosario ’82 James Gieber ’89 Peter Hofmann ’91 EAST CENTRAL OK Ronald Watson ’68 David Sowell, Jr. ’75 Bradley Johnson ’95 CAL STATE-FULLERTON Martin McNamara, USAFR ’66 Tim Clark ’67
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YOUNGSTOWN Ronald Kukura ’67 NEBRASKA-KEARNEY Richard Kopf ’66 UC DAVIS Marc Irish ’68 SPRING HILL James Joiner ’67 Peter Foote ’79 DELTA STATE Drue Howarth ’90 TEXAS STATE John Moncrief, Jr. ’69
EVANSVILLE Dean McCane ’68 Dennis DiGiusto ’95
TENNESSEE Danny Baker ’85
INDIANA U OF PENNSYLVANIA Tommy Fischer ’15
OLE MISS Andy Barrett ’84
WRIGHT STATE Michael Suiters ’74 Tom Sturwold ’78
CHAPMAN Shawn Norris ’98
BRYANT Joseph Zimmer ’70
RIDER Don Daley ’87
BELMONT Dale Clay ’06
ST. CLOUD Peter Nelson ’91 Justin Deleon ’01
TEXAS A&M Eric Martello ’92
APPALACHIAN STATE Jonathan Rink ’22
EMPORIA STATE Frank Ronsse ’70 GEORGETOWN James Eberle ’76
BUFFALO Brian McGuire ’94 RUTGERS Ryan Greenspan ’01
FROM THE CEO AND DIRECTORY
FROM THE CEO
LEADERSHIP MESSAGE
LOOKING FORWARD WITH CONFIDENCE
DIRECTORY FRATERNITY CEO Allyn Shaw, Michigan State ’85
A
s we reflect on 2025–2026, we have much to be proud. It was a year marked by meaningful progress, important accomplishments, and moments of transition that challenged us to stay focused on what matters most. “Live your beliefs, and you can turn the world around.” — Henry David Thoreau Throughout the year, Phi Kappa Tau continued to move forward and go far. We strengthened our work, celebrated important wins, and remained committed to serving our mission and the brothers, friends, colleagues and family who make our successes possible. These accomplishments reflect the dedication, adaptability, and collaboration across our organization. At the same time, we experienced change. Transitions can bring uncertainty, but they can also create opportunities to pause, reassess, and build for what comes next. Through it all, our organization has remained steady. Our values, our mission, and our commitment to one another have provided an important foundation as we navigate change. Many thanks to Brother Matt Arnold, Southern Illinois ’24 for all of his work during the last three years. Arnold made sure that the Fraternity updated our infrastructure so the organization can continue to expand our programming and offer new opportunities for our men. As we look ahead, we do so with confidence. The progress we made this year gives us a strong foundation for the future, and the challenges we navigated have demonstrated our ability to adapt while staying grounded in who we are. Thank you to everyone who contributed to this year’s successes. Whether through day-today work, leadership, collaboration, or simply showing up with a continued commitment to our shared mission, each of you played a role in moving the organization forward. 2025–2026 was a year of progress, resilience, and stability and we are entering the next chapter with a strong foundation and a clear sense of purpose as we are developing men of distinction.
NATIONAL PRESIDENT Michael Lummus, Belmont ’06 NATIONAL VICE PRESIDENT Mark Scher, Rider ’85 FOUNDATION CEO Craig Rogers, Miami ’24 FOUNDATION CHAIRMAN Doug Adams, Miami ’81 FOUNDATION VICE CHAIRMAN Ray Cox, North Carolina State ’89
Additional contact information for the Executive Office staff, Fraternity National Council, Foundation Board of Trustees, National Advisors, Domain Directors, and Educational Deans can be found at phikappatau.org/contact.
In Phi,
ALLYN SHAW INTERIM CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER PHI KAPPA TAU FRATERNITY
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PHI KAPPA TAU FOUNDATION Ewing T. Boles Executive Offices 5221 Morning Sun Road Oxford, OH 45056 Change Service Requested
NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION U.S. POSTAGE PAID OXFORD, OH PERMIT # 13
JULY 28 28 -31 -31,, 2027
The 67th National Convention of Phi Kappa Tau GRIFFIN GATE MARRIOTT GOLF RESORT & SPA || LEXINGTON, KY For the first time since 1929, Phi Kappa Tau returns to Lexington. Brothers from across the country will gather to conduct Fraternity business, reconnect, and shape what comes next for Phi Tau. Five host chapters will help bring the weekend to life, making the 67th Convention a distinctly Phi Tau experience in a city built for it. Centrally located, easily accessible by air and car, and backed by one of Kentucky's premier resort properties, Lexington is the perfect place for our upcoming national convention. Want to be among the first to receive updates as details are finalized? Fill out the Convention interest form at tr.ee/2027-pkt-convention-interest-form, or scan the QR code here!