INHERITING THE FAMILY LEGACY

by Rachel Greene

IN 1986, JOHN WELLS TRUITT was initiated as a member of the Gamma Epsilon Chapter at Western Carolina University (WCU), unknowingly setting the scene for future generations of Truitt men to be not only legacies of his alma mater but also Pi Kappa Phi. First to follow in his WCU footsteps was Brandon Truitt. He joined the Gamma Epsilon Chapter in 2012 just one semester after the chapter had rechartered, the same chapter his uncle joined 26 years earlier.

Austin Truitt followed closely behind his biological brother, becoming an initiate in 2017. While the years between their time at the chapter were few, their experiences were vastly different. With the graduation of many of the refounding fathers of the chapter who had first instilled a passion for Pi Kappa Phi and The Ability Experience, the state of the chapter was very different. The group, which once was thriving, now had low morale, challenges with campus partnerships and no philanthropic efforts. Some members were complacent because the chapter had been this way since they had joined, but as a legacy and the brother of a core member from the early days of Gamma Epsilon’s rechartering, Truitt felt a responsibility to restore the chapter to its former glory.

While he had the necessary drive to build on the legacy of the past, it seemed nearly impossible. Nevertheless, he knew that if anyone could turn things around, it had to be him. He began by challenging the chapter to evaluate their leadership at the time, most of whom had already exhausted their efforts and could no longer give the time or effort the chapter needed to succeed. The chapter decided to take action and elected Truitt as archon. Wasting no time, he began implementing initiatives for change, beginning with the reintegration of philanthropy into the chapter, something that had been a tenet of the organization when his brother was a member. Aside from the challenge of morale, he faced barriers related to past relationships on campus that had deteriorated. One was with the University Participant (UP) Program, which according to their website, “... provides an inclusive, two-year on-campus living and learning experience for college-aged persons with intellectual disability. The goal of the program is to facilitate UP students’ transition from secondary school to adult life with education, employment and independent living.”

Truitt was already independently involved with the program, which aided in mending Pi Kappa Phi’s relationship with UP, but did not rectify all their issues immediately. He and the rest of the chapter had to work hard and show patience and commitment over multiple semesters to rebuild a relationship with the program, whose mission so closely aligned with that of The Ability Experience. Since becoming an alumnus of the Gamma Epsilon Chapter, Truitt has taken the passion he cultivated for service and for serving those with disabilities and continued giving back.

While it is easy to get wrapped up in climbing the ladder of success and advancing one’s own career, Truitt has made it a priority to live the values instilled in him by his family, his university and Pi Kappa Phi in all facets of life. In his personal life, he has been able to combine supporting his family with serving the community. His mom, an assistant principal at a local middle school, asked him in 2021 if he would be willing to make a monetary donation that would support her students during the holiday season. Recognizing that her students may come from different financial circumstances and backgrounds, his mother wants to ensure that no matter what, each student who attends her school has a joyous holiday season. In addition, the school serves a large population of students with disabilities, the population Truitt feels most called to serve.

As evidenced by his efforts in his chapter, Truitt is never content with doing the bare minimum. Rather than solely contribute financially, he garnered support for the school’s initiative from his coworkers at TUSK Partners, a healthcare mergers and acquisitions firm that he joined in its infancy. Because of its novelty, the firm had never engaged in any charitable work or service to its community. Truitt knew that by connecting his workplace with his mom’s school, he had the chance to better the lives of both the students and his coworkers.

What began as a one-time partnership to serve the community has become a beloved annual tradition for the firm and the school. Each year, the firm plans and sponsors a holiday party for students, creating memories that otherwise may not exist for some of the children. Teachers compile a list of gifts from the students each year, and the firm purchases them all. Additionally, in 2023, Truitt got funding from his employer to build a sensory room, a room designed to provide comfort and a calming environment to people with disabilities while developing their senses, which the school had been denied multiple grants and funding to build. He and his coworkers will be the ones physically constructing the room. To him, while financial contributions matter, he thinks the most valuable thing that anyone can offer is their time. “My coworkers and I are extremely busy people, but spending the day with the kids, hanging out with them and seeing the smiles on their faces is the best part of this partnership,” he said.

Thirty Under 30 Honorees

Pi Kappa Phi annually recognizes young alumni for their continued commitment to the fraternal values of Pi Kappa Phi, as well as their own distinguished achievement in their careers or otherwise. The Thirty Under 30 selection committee, composed of volunteers, reviewed all of the nominations in areas such as impact, leadership, service and awards and recognition. Congratulations to the 2023 Thirty Under 30.

Austin Truitt, Gamma Epsilon (Western Carolina)

Benjamin Nelson, Beta Epsilon (Missouri-Columbia)

Brandon Parker, Zeta Eta (South Florida)

Campbell Cox, Zeta (Wofford)

Cavin Villarreal, Iota Psi (Boise State)

Christian Jablonski, Alpha (College of Charleston)

Conner Burk, Alpha Alpha (Mercer)

Dominic Caporale, Beta Alpha (NJIT)

Gabriel Miller, Iota Xi (Texas-Dallas)

Garrett Dupree, Theta Pi (Texas-Tyler)

George Wilkerson, Theta Alpha (Southern Mississippi)

Howard Chang, Theta Kappa (Baylor)

Jacob Blaudow, Alpha Epsilon (Florida)

Jared Logan, Beta Phi (East Carolina)

Joey Smith, Delta Delta (Truman State)

Jordan Mincey, Alpha Alpha (Mercer)

Jordan Phillips, Iota Beta (Texas-San Antonio)

Lee “Calum” Welch, Gamma Beta (Old Dominion)

Matthew Sutter, Beta Iota (Toledo)

Michael McBride, Omega (Purdue)

Nicholas Petras, Iota Nu (Mississippi State)

Nicholas Stampar, Alpha Epsilon (Florida)

Nicholas Taylor, Delta Sigma (Bowling Green State)

Omkar Mayur, Gamma Psi (Augusta)

Patrick “Owen” Phillipy, Eta Beta (Indiana State)

Because of his commitment to always doing the right thing and helping others, numerous lives have been impacted. What started out as a mission to improve his chapter has since snowballed into thousands of dollars supporting local children, a workplace that values serving others and a chapter that is proud to support The Ability Experience as well as people with disabilities on campus. “Some may call these things my legacy,” says Truitt. “You can call them whatever you want, but I always want to know that whatever I did today is going to help someone else tomorrow.”

For his numerous accomplishments and the impact he has made in the years following his undergraduate experience, Pi Kappa Phi is proud to name Truitt a 2023 Thirty Under 30 Honoree.

Patrick Hawkins, Epsilon Omega (Texas Tech)

Peter Snarski, Iota Epsilon (Susquehanna)

Richard Beekman, Delta Lambda (UNC-Charlotte)

Robert Newell, Theta Psi (RIT)

Rubinjeet Sangha, Epsilon Nu (Cal State-Sacramento)