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2022 Shonk Leadership School
Brothers gathered at the International Headquarters for a barbecue and social networking.
The barbecue at the International Headquarters featured the grand opening of the Shonk Archive and Educational Center.
Shonk Leadership School Returns to Indianapolis
After being held as a virtual event during the COVID pandemic in 2020, and a hybrid event (choice of virtual or in-person) during the 68th General Convention in 2021, the Shonk Undergraduate Leadership School returned as an in-person event this past July.
Undergraduates and chapter advisers took part in educational sessions, small group discussions, and networking opportunities. Also featured were awards presentations and the grand opening of the Shonk Archive and Educational Center during a barbecue held at the International Headquarters.
Kicking off Friday morning, Dr. Gentry McCreary, CEO of Dyad Strategies, led a brief conversation about the Fraternity’s most recent Annual Membership Survey (AMS) data. He explored data trends with our student leaders, focusing on the Fraternity’s undergraduate demographics, sense of brotherhood and connection, and member commitment to the Fraternity. He was also able to share some insight in where Phi Sigma Kappa was in these different data trends compared to other partner fraternities, helping our members better understand how we measure up to our fraternal partners.
Dyad Strategies also used the Fraternity’s AMS data to develop a case scenario for this year’s Order of Omega Case Study competition that took place throughout the weekend. Students in teams of two were asked to develop a plan to address the issues raised in the scenario before presenting
The Fraternity has an on-going partnership with Dyad Strategies to conduct the Annual Membership Survey among undergraduate members. Since 2014, Dyad has helped universities and organizations of all sizes gather meaningful data to help make decisions regarding the student experience. Dyad Strategies delivers a wide range of consulting services for schools, universities, and organizations. Dr. Gentry McCreary, CEO & Managing Partner, has experience in fraternity and sorority advising and student conduct.
DENNIS GILLAN (WEST VIRGINIA ’85) HAS AN EXTRAORDINARY STORY OF PERSEVERANCE.
Brother Dennis Gillan presented a keynote on suicide prevention. After years of self-imposed silence regarding the suicide deaths of his brothers, Brother Gillan shares his story of survival and the audience responds.
As a professional mental health speaker, Brother Gillan brings his inspirational story to audiences and venues anywhere and everywhere. Though he is not a licensed counselor, he is able to communicate his message and story to an audience who needs healing.
Brother Gillan has been a speaker at several Phi Sig events and currently serves as a Regional Adviser for the Fraternity.
their plans to a panel of judges. Seven teams participated in the competition, with $2,500 being awarded to multiple winning teams. The top two winning teams included Zane DeRienzo and Daniel Herman from the Kappa Hexaton Chapter at Stetson, and Alexander Kappos and Brennan Brown from the Eta Septaton Chapter at Cal Poly, with both teams taking home $500 each. The Case Study Competition was sponsored by the Order of Omega and the Phi Sigma Kappa Foundation.
Fraternity partner PhiredUp provided a recruitment general session. Those in attendance learned the in’s and out’s of recruitment and member retention. They left the session with strategies for recruiting the best members and recruitment training opportunities. Dennis Gillan (West Virginia ’85), a national speaker on the topic of suicide prevention and mental health, shared his journey toward recovery following the death of two brothers to suicide, 11 years apart. Participants learned of the risk factors and warning signs for someone in mental health distress and how Greek life, and individuals, can help.
A break-out session continued the conversation from Brother Gillan’s keynote and provided attendees with the opportunity to practice how to support a brother who is struggling, share strategies and experiences with each other, and know what kinds of support resources are available for members.
A second break-out session provided participants with a crash course on a few drugs/substances that are commonly used by college students, including cannabis, cocaine, MDMA/Molly, and Adderall. The session was designed to help participants better understand how these substances work, correct some misconceptions, and help participants recognize when a brother may be using/abusing these substances, and strategies for addressing their brother.
The second keynote speaker for the weekend, Dr. Marlon Gibson helped participants explore current topics related to diversity, equity, and inclusion, and how these issues impact our local chapters, relationships with others on campus, and Phi Sigma Kappa on a national level.
PhiredUp has been helping fraternities and sororities recruit new members and improve their organizations since 2002. PhiredUp provides educational training to teach members how to recruit and retain high quality members. The company also provides strategic consulting to provide a long-term plan for recruitment success. More than 300 campuses and 75 fraternal organizations partner with PhiredUp.
Attendees were given the opportunity to participate in small group discussions about the work they were doing at their local chapters with other members and brainstorm potential new ways to develop a better understanding of DEI issues in their chapters and better relationships in their campus community.
A risk management session provided attendees a crash course in risk mitigation, looking at how to apply prevention, intervention, and postvention strategies to their events and activities. It is the hope that those in attendance will then be able to apply these concepts to a variety of scenarios to better understand how they can apply these concepts to their chapter experience.
One of the highlights of the weekend was the grand opening of the Shonk Archive and Educational Center at the International Headquarters. Brothers gathered for a barbecue dinner and tours of the newly-renovated building, which houses the SAEC. Brothers were excited to see the Fraternity’s history on display and enjoyed seeing the home of their Fraternity. Marlon L. Gibson, Ph.D. is the Director of Community Engagement for Kappa Alpha Order. In his role, Dr. Gibson develops and facilitates the curriculum for educational initiatives related to the Order’s values alignment on campus.
He is a member of Kappa Alpha Psi and a seasoned higher education professional. For more than 20 years, he has worked extensively with headquarters staff, collegians, and alumni across the country in the area of sorority and fraternity life.
He completed his doctorate at the University of Georgia in 2021 in College Student Affairs Administration. He holds a bachelor’s degree in English - creative writing and a master’s degree in Higher Education Administration from the University of Toledo. He was previously the Director of Greek Life at Emory University.
Grand President Chris Hoye presented a Herbert L. Brown Outstanding Chapter Award to the Beta Epsilon Chapter at Pitt State.
The Fraternity presented two chapters with Herbert L. Brown Outstanding Chapter Awards during the 2022 Shonk Leadership School. Outstanding Chapter Awards are presented to those chapters that display fraternal excellence in all areas of chapter operations. The award is named in honor of the late Bert Brown (Swarthmore ’16), a former Grand President and Executive Director of the Fraternity.
Alpha Chapter at the University of Massachusetts was recognized for the brotherhood events it holds during the recruitment period, fundraisers it holds to benefit the State
Children’s Hospital, and its relationship with alumni members.
The Beta Epsilon Chapter at Pitt State also received an
Outstanding Chapter Award. Its fundraising efforts for
Special Olympics and the chapter’s scholarship plan were notable achievements.
The James Whitfield Chapter of Honor Award is presented to a chapter at the top of chapter rankings, but not quite at the level of the Outstanding Chapter Award. The award is named in honor of James S. Whitfield (Central Missouri ’50), a past National President of Phi Sigma Epsilon. Three chapters received such awards this year.
The Omicron Chapter at MIT was recognized for its presentations on healthy relationships, mental health, sexual violence prevention, and hazing prevention. The Kappa Deuteron Chapter at Georgia Tech was noted for its volunteer efforts at its local community food bank and the Red Cross, as well as its training in bystander and suicide prevention, crisis response, and opioid overdose. The Alpha Deuteron Chapter stresses the importance of hometown connections during recruitment. Its associate member education topics include teamwork and inclusion.
The Fred Schwengel Most Improved Chapter Award is named in honor of Fred Schwengel (Truman State ’30), a past National President of Phi Sigma Epsilon. It is given to local chapters that have shown significant improvement in all areas of chapter operations. Two chapters were recognized this year.
The Pi Pentaton Chapter at Northern Illinois hosts an annual Parents’ Day and invites high profile individuals from the community, such as the local police chief, the city manager, and the men’s and women’s head basketball coaches.
The Epsilon Nu Chapter at Northwest Missouri State operates a designated driver program and hosts a wide variety of speakers at its chapter meetings.
Ed Doherty was presented with an Outstanding Chapter Adviser Award, while Alpha Chapter at Massachusetts received a Herbert L. Brown Outstanding Chapter Award.
President’s Special Achievement Awards are presented for specific areas of chapter operations.
Recruitment
Gamma—Cornell Phi Deuteron—Kentucky Delta Triton—Purdue Sigma Triton—Indiana Upsilon Tetarton—RIT
Scholarship
Phi Deuteron—Kentucky Delta Triton—Purdue Sigma Triton—Indiana Kappa Hexaton—Stetson
Philanthropy
Phi Deuteron—Kentucky Delta Triton—Purdue Pi Tetarton—LIU/Post Upsilon Tetarton—RIT
Community Service
Sigma Triton—Indiana Pi Tetarton—LIU/Post Kappa Hexaton—Stetson
Campus Involvement Phi Deuteron—Kentucky Kappa Hexaton—Stetson
Risk Management Kappa Hexaton—Stetson
Communications
Phi Deuteron—Kentucky Delta Triton—Purdue Pi Tetarton—LIU/Post Kappa Hexaton—Stetson
Membership Experience
Phi Deuteron—Kentucky Delta Triton—Purdue Pi Tetarton—LIU/Post
Associate Member Education
Phi Deuteron—Kentucky Delta Triton—Purdue Pi Tetarton—LIU/Post
Three chapter advisers were recognized with Outstanding Chapter Adviser Awards. Ed Doherty Alpha — Massachusetts Len Gailes Kappa Deuteron — Georgia Tech Glenn Roby Pi Pentaton — Northern Illinois
