Phi Tau Seeking National Council Nominations

From Wm. Tim Hudson, Chief Executive Officer:

 PHI KAPPA TAU NOMINATING COMMITTEE SEEKS APPLICANTS

The Phi Kappa Tau Constitution mandates that, every two years, the Fraternity assemble in National Convention to elect brothers to the National Council. The National Council serves as Phi Kappa Tau’s legislative body when Convention is not in session.

The Nominating Committee anticipates that Phi Kappa Tau will elect a national vice president and two national councilors at the 64th National Convention, in Fort Worth, TX from July 15-18, 2020.

The national vice president will hold office for two years and, at the 65th National Convention (2022), will succeed to the office of national president for a two-year term, following a vote of confidence by the National Council. The national councilors will hold office for six years.

Any alumni member in good standing may be nominated for election. The nominating committee will receive and review nominations/applications until the deadline of April 15, 2020.

Alumni interested in serving on the National Council can find information about the candidacy process and online application here. Members wishing to submit names for consideration should be emailed to nomination@phikappatau.org for follow up.

ABOUT

Founded in 1906 at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, Phi Kappa Tau is a national fraternity that develops men of character into men of distinction. Phi Kappa Tau includes 86 chapters and 9 colonies with more than 4,500 undergraduates in the United States, and has served more than 100,000 initiates throughout the past 113 years.

The mission of Phi Kappa Tau is to champion a lifelong commitment to brotherhood, learning, ethical leadership and exemplary character.

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Phi Tau Welcomes 100,000th Member

Travis Gerbert, Texas State ‘20, become our 100,000th member over the weekend

Travis Gerbert, Texas State ‘20, become our 100,000th member over the weekend

Phi Kappa Tau is pleased to welcome our 100,000th brother to the Fraternity. Initiated over the weekend at Texas State University-San Marcos, Gamma Psi chapter, Travis Gerbert is officially our 100,000th member.

Travis (left in the gray t-shirt) and his Gamma Psi chapter brothers

Travis (left in the gray t-shirt) and his Gamma Psi chapter brothers

William Lee Hidy, Miami ’53, and his father, Frank Hidy, Miami ‘25

William Lee Hidy, Miami ’53, and his father, Frank Hidy, Miami ‘25

Travis is a sophomore at Texas State majoring in Marketing, and shares that he was drawn to Phi Tau by the brotherly environment from the chapter, along with its determination to represent a good fraternity. “The idea that 100,000 men came before me in this process is mind blowing and the pride that I feel is beyond measurable,” he said. “Coming from a smaller chapter in Texas, it’s pretty special to carry this distinction. In my future with Phi Tau I’m looking forward to holding other positions within my chapter and experiencing its growth.”

This moment has been highly anticipated. Phi Tau began tracking major initiation markers at the French Lick, Indiana, National Convention in 1953 when William Lee Hidy, Miami ’53, became the 20,000th member. William Lee Hidy was a legacy and his father, Frank Hidy, Miami 25, was initiated some thirty-years earlier at badge number 2,774, demonstrating exponential growth in 3 decades.

The next major initiation came six years later when Toward Wells, Penn State ’59, became the 25,000th initiation (See excerpt from the spring 1959 Laurel below).

By the time Robert Cowan, Kentucky ’79, initiated, our membership had doubled in size to 50,000 men. On November 11th, 1996, Michael Revis, Washington State ’96, became the most recent major initiation at 75,000.

To put these numbers in perspective, between 1996 to 2020, Phi Tau has initiated more members than we did our first 47 years of existence. More than half of our members have been initiated since 1979 - just 41 years of our soon-to-be 114 years of history. This reminds us that in many ways, we are still a young organization, and the best is yet to come.

Go Far!

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Cornell Alumnus Named to Inc.'s "Most Important Entrepreneurs of the Decade"

Osborne (right) with Red Antler co-founders Simon Endres and Emily Heyward

Osborne (right) with Red Antler co-founders Simon Endres and Emily Heyward

JB Osborne, Cornell ’01, has been named to Inc.’s list of “Most Important Entrepreneurs of the Past Decade.”

Osborne is the CEO of Red Antler, a Brooklyn-based marketing firm he co-founded with Emily Heyward and Simon Endres in 2007. Osborne graduated Cornell Magna Cum Laude with a bachelor’s degree in business and spent several years in the marketing industry before starting Red Antler. Today, he works with clients on branding, user experience, and business strategy.

Just below Elon Musk, the Inc. article describes Osborne’s accomplishments and company as follows:

The agency is arguably the nation's most sought-after and respected brand-builder, crafting clients' identities virtually from scratch: logos, packaging, industrial design, advertising, digital experiences, and even naming. Venture capitalists point their portfolio companies in Red Antler's direction; and many of the decade's starriest direct-to-consumer brands were born in its Brooklyn offices.

Red Antler certainly has an impressive portfolio, including mattress company Casper, lifestyle company Brandless, and the eco-friendly footwear line Allbirds. According to Inc.:

Heyward, Osborne, and Endres were behind Casper's positioning as a lifestyle brand for the well-rested, which helped drive that startup's early success. The team also gave Brandless its signature generics-reimagined labeling system. And Allbirds owes virtually its entire brand identity to Red Antler, including its name, its comfort-meets-curiosity messaging, and its now iconic shoebox-cum-mailer packages.

Red Antler is a versatile company, and among many options on their website, services include research, strategy, brand identity, creative production, and advertising. Via their website, the company communicates its own minimalist-powerhouse identity and purpose statement:

We're helping to build and reimagine businesses and to launch them into the loving (and very discerning) arms of consumers everywhere. We set off in 2007 with a mission to build brands that shift categories and add value to people's lives. It's quite magical.

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As of 2018, Osborne is also on the Board of Directors for Bed Bath & Beyond. 

Go Far!

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Presidents Academy & Volunteer Development Institute 2020

A group photo of Presidents Academy participants and facilitators

A group photo of Presidents Academy participants and facilitators

Held at the site of our upcoming National Convention in July, the Hilton Fort Worth is a historic landmark situated in the city’s downtown. The site of President John F. Kennedy’s final night, it’s also where JFK gave his last public speech in the hotel’s Crystal Ballroom the morning of November 22nd. Today, there is a sculpture of the President just outside the front doors, along with the inscription, “There are no faint hearts in Fort Worth.”  

Formal installation of presidents

Formal installation of presidents

With an obligation to others in mind and the proximity to historic leadership, a delegation of 70 Phi Tau chapter presidents made their way to the historic Hilton to attend the first educational program of the year – Presidents Academy. For three days, our President-elects engaged with facilitators in small and large groups to discuss ways they can change their chapters for the better and how to create meaningful campus collaborations. They created action plans to improve their Borradaile Challenge metrics, improve recruitment efforts and SeriousFun involvement, and engaged in difficult conversations regarding risk management. By the end of the program, participants were formally installed as chapter presidents by National Vice President Dale Holland, Kent State ‘87.  

Alex Thompkins, Columbus State ‘17 (left)

Alex Thompkins, Columbus State ‘17 (left)

“I enjoyed Presidents Academy because it got me motivated for this semester, and I think I can bring back something very valuable to my guys. I’m ready to get this started,” said Alex Thompkins, Columbus State ’17, President of our newest chapter, Zeta Rho at Columbus State University. Jordan Tran, Middle Tennessee ’18, commented on the applicability of some of the first-hand skills participants practice, “I learned how to lead the guys in the right direction and lots of useful information like learning how to use ChapterSpot and networking with other organizations on campus.”  

Jordan Tran, Middle Tennessee ‘18 (left)

Jordan Tran, Middle Tennessee ‘18 (left)

Presidents Academy is a crucial step in the transition of chapter presidencies. It helps the new President find their own unique leadership style, identify problems in their chapter and map out ways to improve them, and facilitate connections between students by introducing them to brothers from around the country. Without a doubt, one of the most valuable opportunities of the program is the chance to meet other chapter presidents. Last year, Dallas Taylor, Southern Mississippi ’16, testified to this. “A lot of people don’t get the chance to go outside of their chapter and see things other chapters have, so when you go to these National Programs you get to meet people from other chapters that have dealt with similar issues but handled them differently. Because of that, you can learn what works best from them and take it back to your own chapter,” he said. This year, brothers gathered again from all nine Phi Tau domains to meet, discuss their chapters strengths and shortcomings, and bond over the unique challenges and opportunities of being a chapter president.  

Simultaneous to Presidents Academy, Volunteer Development Institute (VDI) is held in conjunction with Presidents Academy each year. VDI is our only educational program curated entirely to the needs of alumni. It’s is designed for those directly involved in chapter advising; it helps them discover new and innovative ways to communicate with today’s college students, keeps them up-to-date on Phi Tau policies and procedures, and ensures they are prepared and confident to meet the needs of the chapter in whatever capacity may arise. 

By the end of the program, the objectives of VDI, among other items, include:  

VDI participant and facilitator group photo

VDI participant and facilitator group photo

  • The ability to demonstrate comprehension of the role and responsibilities of volunteers within the structure of the Fraternity  

  • The ability to identify three core responsibilities of a Phi Kappa Tau volunteer  

  • The ability to model effective methods of advising collegiate men  

  • The ability to facilitate an educational program 

  • Demonstrated knowledge of Risk Management Policy  

Facilitator Stephen Rupprecht, Oswego State '91

Facilitator Stephen Rupprecht, Oswego State '91

 This year, 17 alumni representing 12 chapters took time out of their busy lives to travel to Texas to ensure they’re prepared to be the best advisors they can to the next generation of Phi Taus. We are very grateful to have alumni who so focused on building the Fraternity’s future.  

Thank you to our National Education Advisor and facilitators as well as our participants. These programs cannot run without the help of engaged volunteers and we are lucky to have so many willing to dedicate a weekend to Phi Tau!  

We trust that our newest Chapter Presidents return to their schools prepared to tackle all the challenges that come with the role. We expect you’ll make us proud.  

Our educational programs continue this month and into February with Regional Conferences, beginning January 25 with the Pacific Northwest region. Find dates and locations here.  

Want to share your story with us? Submit news here.  

These presidents met last summer at Leadership Academy and paused for a group photo last weekend

These presidents met last summer at Leadership Academy and paused for a group photo last weekend

A breakout group poses for a photo

A breakout group poses for a photo

Bethany Alumnus Debuts Film

Last September, Bethany College alumnus Cody Knotts’s, Bethany ’87, film Kecksburg debuted at the State Theater in Uniontown, Pennsylvania.

Cody Knotts and wife Emily Lapisardi, alongside leads Szonja Oroszlan and Scott Cooper

Cody Knotts and wife Emily Lapisardi, alongside leads Szonja Oroszlan and Scott Cooper

This film, produced, written, and directed by Knotts, revolves around the Kecksburg UFO incident – a scandal in 1965 where residents of Kecksburg, 30 miles south of Pittsburg, spotted a burning fireball in the sky. Reported by NASA as debris of a Soviet Satellite, the Kecksburg incident has remained a popular conspiracy of alien invasion government cover-up.

Thomas Kurt Fuchel, Cincinnati ’71, as Pennsylvania Governor Edward Martin

Thomas Kurt Fuchel, Cincinnati ’71, as Pennsylvania Governor Edward Martin

This film was very much a show of Phi Tau brotherhood. It stared Thomas Kurt Fuchel, Cincinnati ’71, as Pennsylvania Governor Edward Martin and George Manahan, Bethany ’80, worked as Associate Producer. The final credits included a tribute to the late Todd Jones, Bethany ’81, and a thank-you to Phi Kappa Tau and the Phi chapter.

Among those in attendance of the sold-out premier were Ken Ohrman, Bethany ’84, JP Silk, Bethany ’84, Scott Wilcox, Bethany ’87, Edward Arose, Bethany ’94 and family, and Barry Gaetano, Bethany ’81. “The film was made possible because of the brothers of Phi Kappa Tau,” said Knotts. See below for photos.

Kecksburg poster

Kecksburg poster

This film also stared actress Szonja Oroszlan (The Martin), Scott Cooper, (Maze Runner), Maria Olsen (Percy Jackson), and Richard John Walters (My Bloody Valentine 3D) as President Lyndon B. Johnson. Knotts’ wife, Emily Lapisardi, plays Lady Bird Johnson. Knotts also makes a cameo in the film.

Kecksburg will have a general release in March, then a limited theatrical and DVD/Blue Ray release. You can find more information on the film’s IMDb page or the Kecksburg website.

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A still from the film

A still from the film

Phi alumni left to right: Ken Ohrman, Bethany ’84, JP Silk, Bethany ’84, Cody Knotts, Bethany ‘87, Scott Wilcox, Bethany ’87,

Phi alumni left to right: Ken Ohrman, Bethany ’84, JP Silk, Bethany ’84, Cody Knotts, Bethany ‘87, Scott Wilcox, Bethany ’87,

Edward Arose, Bethany ‘94, and family

Edward Arose, Bethany ‘94, and family

Louisville Undergrad Recognized as Co-Op Student of the Year Finalist

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Nicholas Doinger, Louisville AM, of the Beta Beta chapter has been named a 2020 National Co-Op Student of the Year Finalist by the Cooperative & Experimental Education Division of the American Society of Engineering Education. Doninger was nominated for this award by the Speed School of Engineering at the University of Louisville and the Bioengineering Department.

Doinger, a biomedical engineering major said on upon reception of the award, “I was honored and fortunate to receive this award. I would like to recognize the UofL Bioengineering Department for the opportunity to participate in the school’s co-op program and get hands on engineering experience in the medical device industry before becoming a practicing bio-medical engineer. I also want to thank the Zimmer Biomet company for the opportunity they gave me for engineering co-op training, industry onboarding and guidance.”

The National Co-Op Student of the Year Award recognizes undergraduates enrolled in a 4-5-year program who demonstrate a high caliber of work and initiative in their co-op.

Congratulations, Nicholas!

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Editor of Distinction

For the centennial edition of The Laurel, it would have been a mistake not to highlight the work of Richard J. Young, Miami ‘25.

A man who dedicated his life to Phi Tau and Greek Life, Young took a sabbatical from the Executive Offices in the 1940s only to enlist in the Navy. Upon his return, he set the record as the longest running editor of The Laurel and the longest running Grand Secretary (now CEO) of Phi Tau - both of which he still holds. It’s hard to detail all of his accomplishments in just 1 page, but there are few more fitting to be labeled The Laurel’s “Editor of Distinction.”

You can read the full edition here.

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The Tie that Binds Us

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“When I was on the road as a Consultant, the only way people were connected was by talking to other chapter brothers and seeing The Laurel. It does a lot to keep us all connected. It’s the tie that binds us. It runs through everybody’s membership.” - Bill Jenkins

Bill Jenkins, Bowling Green ‘57, Charlie Ball, Miami ‘82, and Tyler Wash, Georgetown ‘06, all former editors of The Laurel sat down to talk about their experience with the magazine and the value it holds for this organization as a feature in the centennial edition.

You can read the article as a special excerpt from the edition as a PDF. The full edition can be found here.

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Central Michigan Alumnus Appointed to Assistant City Manager

Mike Green.jpg

Mike Green, Central Michigan ’10, has been appointed Assistant City Manager and Community Development Director of the city of Saline, Michigan. Green will now be responsible for planning, organizing, and directing activities within the community development department. This includes zoning, code enforcement, building review, inspections, and assessing business attraction.

Green is an initiate of the Gamma Lambda chapter at Central Michigan, where he obtained his Bachelors before earning his Masters from East Carolina. Prior to this position, he worked as Manager of the Village of Three Oaks.

Saline is just south of Ann Arbor and home to approximately 10,000 people.

Read the original story here.

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Ambassadors of the Future

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Brothers at University of Southern California’s Pi chapter recently supported the Ambassadors of the Future’s annual gala, helping them raise $40,000 for the organization.

Ambassadors of the Future is a charity committed to raising funds for the international education of intellectually gifted, but financially challenged, students. It was founded in 2016 by a Pi Associate Member, Adam Beres, and has raised over $90,000 since its founding.

Go Far, Pi!

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