STAR & LAMP OF PI KAPPA PHI
WINTER 2012
CEOCORNER by MARK E. TIMMES
IMPACT THE WORLD FOR GOOD To introduce the Winter 2012 issue, CEO Mark Timmes reminds us that our founders sought to impact their campus by making a choice to lead. In doing so, they left a legacy of service and leadership that calls upon our members to impact the world for good.
MANAGE YOUR SUBSCRIPTION
Mark E. Timmes Chief Executive OfďŹ cer mtimmes@pikapp.org
EXPA NSION NEWS
PAGEONE MONTANA
MIT
IONA UC-DAVIS
SACRAMENTO STATE
WESTERN ILLINOIS
Eta Eta (UC - IRVINE)
SPRING 2012 FALL 2012 SPRING 2013 The map details Pi Kappa Phi’s expansion plans through Spring 2013. For more information about expansion or starting a new chapter of Pi Kappa Phi, contact Director of Expansion Tyler Johansson at tjohansson@pikapp.org.
Alpha Epsilon (FLORIDA) Beta Beta (FLORIDA SOUTHERN)
THE NEW MEN ON CAMPUS Walking into “Meet the Greeks” his sophomore year, Jude Michael Murphy attempted to sift through a sea of stereotypes as he sought out a group that would give him a sense of attachment and pride at Iona College. Yet something was missing. “I wanted something different,” Murphy said. “I wanted to bolster Greek life, I wanted to impact Iona in a beneficial way.” Murphy promptly decided to transform his dejected feelings into ones of inspiration—and Pi Kappa Phi was born. A work in progress for over a year and a half, Pi Kappa Phi has been the brainchild of Murphy from the very beginning. Struck by the organization’s founding motto “Nu Phi” or “non-fraternity,” Murphy finally began to feel the sense of belonging he had been searching for. This resonated with Murphy—that men could both enjoy the benefits of brotherhood while having the opportunity to rise above the crowd as leaders in every way possible. Hoping to find other students like himself, Murphy stated that Pi Kappa Phi is aiming to present themselves in entirely new way, simply with the unique beliefs that lie at the organization’s foundation. And that seems to be the common thread circulating the campus whenever Pi Kappa Phi is named—its newness. “New organizations bring new life, new perspective and new energy! We are very excited to welcome Pi Kappa Phi fraternity for that exact reason,” said Coordinator of Greek Life Antonio Lytle. And the popularity of Pi Kappa Phi is already noticeable. Founding fathers man a table outfitted in suits and bow ties, are
almost always chatting with a potential recruit. “It’s been an explosion,” said Murphy, “We have extremely high interest right now, and it’s very exciting.” While attending their first Mid Year Leadership Conference in Baltimore, some of Iona’s founding fathers were struck by how welcoming the various chapters were. Murphy and his fellow founders were able to garner knowledge that renewed their excitement and inspired them to pursue their status as a chartered chapter. Murphy knew that from the very beginning, Pi Kappa Phi would be embraced by the Iona community simply due to the nature of their uniqueness. And while fellow fraternities on campus may question Pi Kappa Phi’s motives, Murphy states most innocently that all he wants is to bolster the reputation of the Greek community to recruit as many students as possible to the misinterpreted lifestyle. Pi Kappa Phi is certain to improve the nature of Greek life at Iona, and will in turn improve the livelihood of the entire community. And at any rate, Pi Kappa Phi is more than ready to lead Iona’s Greek life into a new era of excitement and energy never seen before.
*Article was originally printed in The Ionian
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FROM THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES The Winter 1972 issue of the Star & Lamp reports that Dr. A. Pelzer Wagener is the last of the seven original founders to pass to the Chapter Eternal on January 31, 1972. Founder Wagener (pictured in the back row on the far left) was Chancellor Professor Emeritus of the College of William and Mary, former National President of Pi Kappa Phi and founder of the Xi Chapter of Pi Kappa Phi at the Roanoke College.
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In January, more than 1,400 students and volunteers attended Mid Year Leadership Conference 2012—the first stop in becoming Pi Kappa Phi’s next generation of fraternity leaders.
INSIDE COVER
DEPARTMENTS
CEO CORNER 01 EXPANSION NEWS 04 PUSH AMERICA
COVER Pi Kappa Phi is the only fraternity to establish and maintain its own nonprofit organization, which has left a legacy of altruism for members to follow.
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Fall Deadline October 1
Spring Deadline March 1
Winter Deadline January 1
Next Man
OFFICIAL PHOTOGRAPHER TIM RIBAR
12 Periodical postage paid at Charlotte, N.C., and additional mailing offices.
PUBLISHER Star & Lamp, (USPS 519-000), is issued quarterly by Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity at 2015 Ayrsley Town Boulevard, Suite 200, Charlotte, NC 28273. A lifetime subscription is $15 and is the only form of subscription.
Pi Kappa Phi honors the recipients of the 2011 Winter Awards, which recognize chapters for achievement in the Seven Objectives of Chapter Excellence.
ASSISTANT EDITOR BRADLEY CHARLESWORTH
Winter 2011 Awards
PARENTS The Star & Lamp is being sent to your address while your son is in college. Please feel free to read through the magazine as we hope it is a publication you will enjoy too! If your son is no longer in college or is no longer living at home, please send his new contact information to the P.O. Box address or email address shown to the far right.
As the saying goes, “To the world, you may be just one person. But to one person, you may be the world.” In this issue, we feature three Pi Kappa Phis who are impacting the world for good.
SUBMISSIONS/DEADLINES Materials for publication should be sent directly to the managing editor at the P.O. Box address or email address shown to the right. Letters to the editor will be printed at the discretion of the editors.
Impacting the World for Good
MANAGING EDITOR JARED THURSTON
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CONTRIBUTORS BRADLEY CHARLESWORTH MARK E. TIMMES
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EDITOR-IN-CHIEF MARK E. TIMMES
EMAIL ADDRESS star&lamp@pikapp.org
Star & Lamp P.O. Box 240526 Charlotte, NC 28224-0526
POSTMASTER Send address changes to:
STAR& LAMP WINTER 2012 Vol. CI, No. 1
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CEO MARK TIMMES ENCOURAGES MEMBERS TO SUPPORT THE ‘SPREAD THE WORD’ CAMPAIGN Throughout the month of March, people across the country are pledging to “spread the word to end the word” and eliminate the derogatory use of the r-word. As a group of men who seek to redefine the way society views fraternities and people with disabilities, this a powerful opportunity to educate those around us on the hurt caused by the inappropriate use of the word retard or retarded. On college campuses, places of business and social settings around the country, people causally use the r-word to describe foolish behavior without thinking of how that slur impacts people with disabilities and their loved ones. As a parent of a son with autism, I have seen first-hand this unknowingly insensitive behavior and the effect it can have on a family. Most people who use this word don’t do so because of a lack of respect for people with disabilities, but rather a lack of awareness of the offensive nature of the term. Let us use this
as an opportunity to begin educating our peers and encourage them to eliminate their use of the r-word. It can be as simple as an honest conversation with a friend or as widespread as tabling on campus, uploading a cover photo on Facebook or sending an email to friends and family. When Durward Owen addressed the 50th Supreme Chapter in 2006, he drew inspiration from Mother Teresa’s famous words as he described the service Pi Kappa Phis have committed themselves to: “There are no great acts; there are only small acts of great love.” This quote aptly describes the opportunity you have to take a stand, acknowledge the abilities of people with disabilities and help end the r-word. For more information on the R-word Campaign, visit www.r-word.org. As a leader by choice, take a few moments to contribute to the campaign by pledging your support to spread the word to end the word. —Mark E. Timmes, Pi Kappa Phi CEO
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THE CAMPAIGN TO END THE ‘R-WORD’ The “spread the word” campaign was started by Special Olympics and Best Buddies in 2009 as on ongoing effort to “raise the consciousness of society about the dehumanizaing and hurtful effects of the word ‘retard.’” Since the founding of the campaign, chapters of Pi Kappa Phi from across the country have embraced it and are “spreading the word” to their campuses. The men of Zeta Phi (Colorado State) held a 24-hour rally on campus to encourage fellow students to remove the r-word from their everyday speech. The brothers used a megaphone to shout their cause from a 15-foot scaffold. In less than 8 hours, more than 1,000 CSU students had taken the pledge and were canvassing the campus with “I pledge to end the r-word” stickers. “People don’t realize how bad, how offensive, the r-word is,” said chapter member Adam Hickman.
Zeta Phi’s chaplain, Eli Armstrgon agreed. “These are degrading words. Movies like The Hangover or the Black Eyed Pea’s song Let’s Get Retarded discourage the movement with their demeaning matter. But it really only takes a few people to facilitate change,” said Armstrong. Theta Tau Chapter at High Point University teamed up with Sigma Sigma Sigma sorority to help end the r-word. The team sponsored an entire week of events, which included a screening of Monica and David, HBO’s acclaimed documentary about two adults with Down Syndrome who face the daily challenges of living with a disability. The team also handed out t-shirts and held a raffle for students who signed the pledge. If you would like to get involved with the r-word campaign, visit www.r-word.org to sign the pledge or contact Director of Chapter Services Andrew Matznick at (704) 504-0888 ext. 117 or amatznick@pushamerica.org
The word retard(ed) hurts millions of people with disabilities, their families and friends. Take the pledge and help promote the new r-word: Respect.
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THREE PI KAPPS WHO ARE
IMPACTING THE WORLD
FOR GOOD TO THE WORLD, YOU MAY BE JUST ONE PERSON. BUT TO ONE PERSON, YOU MAY BE THE WORLD.
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JESSE CATALANO, ALPHA RHO (WEST VIRGIINA)
JACKSON TAKES ACTION J
esse Catalano, a senior member of Alpha Rho (West Virginia), has employed the help of his fellow chapter brothers as well as that of the university‘s student body—all for someone very special in his life: his 1-year-old cousin, Jackson. Jackson was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) in October, at the age of just nine months. ALL is a cancer of the blood that starts in the bone marrow and spreads to the bloodstream. It is the most common cancer found in children. Catalano’s family recently founded Jackson Takes Action Inc. to share the infant’s story and help a variety of organizations dedicated to fighting childhood leukemia. “He’s my baby cousin. Your life really changes when something like this happens,” Catalano said. “They’re finding better and better technology to help cure people diagnosed with cancer, but the first step is donating to help find a cure. Research is the key to the cure.” To support Catalano and his efforts, Alpha Rho Chapter is selling “I Love Pi Kappa Phi” t-shirts, with all proceeds going to Jackson Takes Action Inc. Catalano believes he can make a difference with the help of his campus. “Fraternities at WVU are always helping others with their philanthropies, and the whole campus really seems to care for others. I know people like (Head Basketball Coach) Bob
Huggins take a stand against cancer,” he said. “I think the first step is to get others to take action with Jackson and just help support those with this horrible illness.” Jackson’s family provides weekly updates on his condition through the organization’s website and uses a first-person point of view to attempt to tell the story through Jackson’s eyes. One recent post reads, “My first birthday was this past Saturday. Unfortunately, during my birthday lunch I started to spike a fever. This was anticipated because my neutrophils were expected to drop; they did, and I got sick. So I am back in the hospital fighting a bacterial infection. It’s par for the course, but it’s not fun to say the least.” Catalano said Jackson is currently in remission, and he is staying positive about his cousin’s future. “The success rate of curing this specific type of cancer is very high because of those people who care and donate to provide funding for continuous research,” he said. “This can really make it possible for more people to survive.”
HE’S MY BABY COUSIN. YOUR Y LIFE REALLY CHANGES WHEN SOMETHING LIKE THIS HAPPENS. THE FIRST STEP IS DONATING TO HELP FIND A CURE. RESEARCH IS THE KEY TO THE CURE.
www.jacksontakesaction.org
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PHILIPPE HOUDARD, ALPHA EPSILON (FLORIDA)
DEVELOPING MINDS FOUNDATION
D
uring his first few visits to the hillside slums of Rio de Janeiro, Philippe Houdard, Alpha Epsilon (Florida), would tense up as he walked past drug traffickers toting AK-47s, their gazes fixed inscrutably upon him. “With time, you don’t notice them anymore, the guns turn invisible and it all just blends into the background,” he says. “Our policy is to not interact with the drug lords, but they control the favelas [Brazilian shantytowns]. Some of them even have kids in our schools. Since we can’t punish the children for what their parents are doing, we take them in.” As founder and president of the nonprofit Developing Minds Foundation, Houdard and his organization have been building schools and supportingeducational projects in South American countries afflicted by violence and poverty. The goal is to help reintegrate into society thousands of kids beset with adverse situations. Funding for the programs started as a grassroots effort, with a few friends making donations, but it has grown into something much larger, engaging corporate sponsors such as the History Channel and the Western Union Foundation. In the past five years, Developing
HOUDARD AND HIS ORGANIZATION HAVE BEEN BUILDING SCHOOLS AND SUPPORTING EDUCATIONAL PROJECTS IN SOUTH AMERICAN COUNTRIES AFFLICTED BY VIOLENCE AND POVERTY. THE GOAL IS TO HELP REINTEGRATE INTO SOCIETY THOUSANDS OF KIDS BESET WITH ADVERSE SITUATIONS.
www.developingmindsfoundation.org
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Minds has raised nearly $500,000 and changed the lives of 25,000 students. Formerly an executive for tech companies such as Lucent Technologies, Houdard dropped out of the rat race to create educational programs in truly severe conditions—a dream he’s had since his days at Harvard University. “There was a point in my professional career when I was spending so much time in airplanes and rental cars and eating rubber chicken in my hotel room that I felt I had completely surrendered my own life,” he says. Originally from a small village in France, Houdard is currently based in Miami Beach and recently launched an electronic payments company called SkyBank Financial, but much of his concentration remains on Developing Minds; he is now planning on expanding his mission toward inner-city Miami: “Education goes a long way to putting people on the right path, and we know we can do something positive here, too.”
CHANNING PROCTOR, ALPHA (CHARLESTON)
CHARLESTON MIRACLE LEAGUE A
s the founder of the Charleston Miracle League, Channing Proctor, Alpha (Charleston), has bettered the lives of countless individuals throughout the Lowcountry. The Charleston Miracle League is an allvolunteer, community-supported baseball league that provides life-changing experiences for children and adults with mental and physical disabilities. Through Proctor’s leadership, the Charleston Miracle League has succeeded in creating a paradigm shift in how people with disabilities are viewed in their community. Proctor started the Charleston Miracle League in 2003 after attending a game at the Miracle League in Conyers, Ga., just outside of Atlanta. Proctor—a former collegiate baseball player—fought back tears as he watched the kids play, each of whom got to hit the ball and score a run in every inning. “I always took for granted my ability to go out and play. Here was baseball just for baseball’s sake. It was the pure fun of it; it was scoring a run; it was hitting the ball; it was having the crowd cheer you on.” After watching the game, he decided he would bring the Miracle League to Charleston. The Miracle League plays baseball at a state-ofthe-art complex in Charleston, S.C. At the heart of this complex is Miracle Field, specially designed with a rubberized surface that allows players to fully participate regardless of their challenges.
Proctor became involved with Pi Kappa Phi at Pi Kapp College 2010, where he provided the partnership that allowed 41 Pi Kappa Phi students to have a hands-on service opportunity as a part of the leadership conference. After this experience, he wanted to continue to support Pi Kappa Phi and became an alumni initiated member of Alpha Chapter at Supreme Chapter 2010. His next goal is to establish a “Fields for Dreams Foundation” to help build more fields for special-needs individuals across the U.S. and in foreign countries. To see why this man—a husband and father of three with a full-time job—is driven to spread the Miracle League concept, all you need to do is head over to Miracle Field.There, children and adults with disabilities of the Lowcountry are enjoying America’s pasttime, something that they couldn’t do until a few years ago. From the box, an announcer excitedly calls their names as they step up—or roll their wheelchairs —to the plate. The crowd goes absolutely wild when a player hits the ball, no matter how long it takes. And when the player gets back to home plate, to more cheers and high-fives, their happiness is evident enough to be seen all the way from the back row of the bleachers.
I ALWAYS TOOK FOR GRANTED MY ABILITY TO GO OUT AND PLAY. HERE WAS BASEBALL JUST FOR BASEBALL’S SAKE. IT WAS THE PURE FUN OF ITIT WAS SCORING A RUN, IT WAS HITTING THE BALL, IT WAS HAVING THE CROWD CHEER YOU ON.
www.charlestonmiracleleague.org
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A NEW GENERATION OF This January Pi Kappa Phi hosted its annual Mid Year Leadership Conference for newly elected and re-elected chapter leaders. Over the weekends of January 6-8 and 13-15, leaders from each chapter traveled to receive officer training in one of four cities: Charlotte, St. Louis, Baltimore or Dallas. Over the course of the two weekends, students were challenged to lead within Pi Kappa Phi and to leave the fraternity better than they found it for the “next man.” The more than 1,400 students at Pi Kappa Phi’s 29th Mid Year Leadership Conference were offered 10 unique officer tracks. With training ranging from risk management to
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recruitment, and sound chapter operations to social justice, students received an education al experience that will inspire them to better their chapters and strengthen their brotherhood during the coming year. In addition to each officer’s breakout sessions, students also attended several general sessions. Among those sessions, Pi Kappa Phi alumnus T.J. Sullivan encouraged the audience to “motivate the middle,” world-class paraplegic athlete Trish Downing inspired students to “reach their finish line,” Rick Barnes challenged brothers to “lead with their letters” and Dr. Lori Hart defined what it meant to be “the next man” of Pi Kappa Phi.
FRATERNITY LEADERS While students and volunteers participated in Pi Kappa Phi’s largest leadership experience, they shared their thoughts and continued conversation using the popular micro-blogging platform Twitter. Communicating with “Tweets,” attendees were able to offer advice, reflect on their experience and share what they learned with friends back home. As the Baltimore Mid Year came to a close, Bryan Wally (@bryanwally) shared the following thought on his experience: “Strengthening myself as a person, a fraternity, and a lifelong brotherhood. Best part of my experience at Mid Year Leadership Conference.” At the conclusion of Mid Year, students
returned to campus and began the semester with a confidence in their leadership skills and a passion for brotherhood. Through programs like Mid Year Leadership Conference, our brotherhood can be assured that next men of Pi Kappa Phi will continue to lead by choice. The impact and success of Mid Year Leadership Conference is made possible through the support of the Pi Kappa Phi Foundation. Each year, hundreds of alumni and students contribute to the Foundation in support of the education and leadership development of undergraduate members. If you are interested in supporting Pi Kapp College, contact the Foundation at foundation@pikapp.org.
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Pi Kappa Phi’s national awards recognize students, chapters, alumni and volunteers for their leadership, accomplishments, dedication and service to the fraternity. In 2011, Pi Kappa Phi revamped its awards process to create two groups—Summer Awards and Winter Awards. Winter Awards recognize a chapter’s efforts as measured by the Seven Objectives of Chapter Excellence—Recruitment Success, Associate Member Education, Academic Achievement, Sound Chapter
Operations, Living the Ritual, Commitment to Service and Effective Alumni Relations. Winners were selected in December and recognized at the Mid Year Leadership Conferences, which were held in Baltimore, Charlotte, Dallas and St. Louis. Congratulations to all our recipients, and thank you for continuing to better Pi Kappa Phi! For more information about Pi Kappa Phi’s National Awards, visit www.pikapp.org.
Most Improved Chapter Theron A. Houser Award Alpha Kappa (Michigan)
Recruitment Success Outstanding Recruitment Success
Most Improved Recruitment Success
Zeta Phi (Colorado State)
Theta Xi (Arizona State)
Associate Member Education Lighthouse Award Theta Xi (Arizona State)
Most Improved Associate Member Eduation Theta Phi (Louisiana Tech)
Academic Achievement
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Outstanding Academic Achievement
Most Improved Academic Achievement
Eta Upsilon (Miami University)
Lambda (Georgia)
STAR & LAMP / WINTER 2012
Sound Chapter Operations Outstanding Chapter Operations
Most Improved Chapter Operations
Omega (Purdue)
Eta Beta (Indiana State)
Website of the Year Nu (Nebraska)
Living the Ritual Outstanding Living the Ritual
Most Improved Living the Ritual
Zeta Phi (Colorado State)
Theta Sigma (Cal State Long Beach)
Joe Sewell Intramural Cup
Commitment to Values
Beta Nu (Houston)
Theta Xi (Arizona State)
Commitment to Service Most Improved Commitment to Service
Star of Hope Omega (Purdue)
Beta Nu (Houston)
Innovator’s Award
Push America Week Award
Theta Xi (Arizona State)
Kappa (North Carolina)
Core Values Award Upsilon (Illinois) Beta Nu (Houston) Eta Beta (Indiana State) Eta Chi (TCU)
Volunteer Relationship Award Kappa (North Carolina) Omega (Purdue) Eta Chi (TCU)
Effective Alumni Relations Outstanding Alumni Relations
Most Improved Alumni Relations
Theta Alpha (Southern Mississippi)
Alpha Eta (Samford)
Undergraduate Newsletter of the Year
Excellence in Parent Programming
Commitment to Lifelong Brotherhood
Alpha Delta (Washington)
Theta Alpha (Southern Mississippi)
Eta Pi (Coastal Carolina)
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SUPREME CHAPTER 2012 Join us this summer in D.C. to celebrate the 53rd Supreme Chapter of Pi Kappa Phi and Push America’s 35th anniversary.
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS thursday, august 2 11:00 a.m. 1:30 p.m. 2:00 p.m. 4:00 p.m. 5:00 p.m.
Alumni and Guest Check-in Regional Governors’ Conclave Student Check-In Welcome Session Washington Nationals Game & Picnic
friday, august 3 8:00 a.m. 10:30 a.m. 11:45 a.m. 3:00 p.m. 5:00 p.m. 5:15 p.m.
Alumni Breakfast Supreme Chapter: Session 1 Push America Luncheon Supreme Chapter: Session 2 Push America Team Interest Meeting Nu Phi Society Induction and Banquet
saturday, august 4 7:00 a.m. 10:30 a.m. 12:00 p.m. 2:00 p.m. 5:30 p.m. 7:00 p.m 10:00 p.m.
5k Founders’ Race Student Education Session Foundation Lunch Supreme Chapter: Session 3 Push America Family and Friends Reception Supreme Banquet Ritual of Initiation
sunday, august 5 7:30 a.m. 9:00 a.m. 11:00 a.m. 12:30 p.m. 2:30 p.m. 4:30 p.m. 5:00 p.m.
Worship Service Past Staff Breakfast Journey of Hope and Build America Arrival Pi Kappa Phi Awards Lunch Supreme Chapter: Session 4 National President’s Inaugural Address Push America Anniversary Celebration