If you follow many of our chapters on social media, it has been hard not to notice the surge of activity from men expressing excitement to take their campus by storm this coming year.
Participants from the 2024 Zenith Officer Institute
“We had a great time learning about ways to improve our chapter and set goals for the upcoming semester! We can’t wait to go back and share what we learned with the rest of our chapter,” said Epsilon Chapter in an Instagram post. “[We] learned helpful skills to take back for the betterment of the chapter and met brothers from all over the county. We thank all of the brothers and CEO who made this all possible,” said Beta Epsilon at Southern Miss.
These posts are, of course, in reference to Zenith Officer Institute.
In its second year, the Zenith Officer Institute stood as a resounding success that built on the momentum from last year’s inaugural launch. Zenith has become a hallmark educational event for Phi Kappa Tau. This historic gathering, held at the Marriott Chicago O'Hare from January 4-7, brought together over 200 brothers together from 60 chapters for an immersive educational experience. The magnitude of the event was not only a testament to the dedication of the Phi Kappa Tau community but also a reflection of the significant contributions from the Phi Kappa Tau Foundation. The generous grant provided by the Foundation played a pivotal role in bringing this program to life.
Fraternity CEO Matt Arnold & Foundation CEO Craig Rogers
The event marked the first large-scale educational program for CEO Matt Arnold since his assumption of the role in April of 2023, who addressed men in the opening session to give exciting updates on Phi Kappa Tau as the fraternity heads into 2024. Notably this was also the first event overseen by Director of Learning and Talent Development, Brittany Ankeny. The event's structure featured four distinct tracks catering to Presidents, Treasurers, Membership Orientation Officers, and Recruitment Chairmen, offering tailored sessions to hone skills relevant to their roles. The program also had participants meet as "institute chapters," strategically pairing similar chapters for enhanced collaboration and idea exchange.
Honor & Credit Badges proved to be a fashionable accessory.
Over $2,000 was raised during the event due to the novel giving opportunity known as "Honor & Credit Badges." This initiative allowed alumni and undergraduates to make donations in support of Zenith participants, in the form of small stickers affixed to name tags. The badges symbolized a collective commitment to the growth and development of future Phi Kappa Tau leaders. A special mention goes to National Councilor Ricky Bailey, who not only renewed his Boles Society membership, but went above and beyond by purchasing badges for every single Zenith participant. His generosity exemplifies the spirit of fraternity and community that defines Phi Kappa Tau. Foundation CEO Craig Rogers addressed the gathering, emphasizing the crucial role of philanthropy in sustaining such impactful educational initiatives. His insights underscored the importance of giving back and supporting the fraternity's commitment to excellence.
Participants had the chance to ask questions and have their voice heard.
Throughout the three days, participants had the privilege of hearing from the Undergraduate Advisory Board during their concurrent retreat, focusing on ambitious goals for the upcoming school year. National Councilors Scott Brown, Andy Fruth, Ray Carlos, and Michael French were present to provide guidance throughout the weekend. And of course, National President Mike McCrum, delivered passionate speeches that bookended the weekend and prompted chapters to reflect on the profound question, "Who Are You?"
Special sessions by Jonah Mudse from Phired Up Productions added a dynamic dimension to the event. The in-house growth team and chapter services team further enriched the program with insightful presentations on their areas of expertise.
Volunteers Terek (left) and Lukins (right) reviewing materials prior to their sessions.
Acknowledgments are in order for facilitators Chad Warrick, Michael Lukins, Nick Terek, Mike Bichimer, and Clayton Baughn, whose dedication enriched the learning experience. The event could also not have taken place without the Phi Kappa Tau staff members who lent their talents to both group sessions and institute chapters.
Zenith Officer Institute 2024 was not just an event; it was a transformative experience that exemplified Phi Kappa Tau's unwavering commitment to developing men of character into men of distinction.