Phi Kappa Tau Celebrates AANHPI Heritage Month

May marks the beginning of Asian American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander Heritage Month. AANHPI Heritage month honors the generations of Asian and Pacific Islander Americans who have enriched America’s history and contributed to our collective success.

We are extremely proud of our Asian American and Pacific Islander Brothers. Your membership enriches not only our nation but every aspect of Phi Kappa Tau. With a sharp rise in Asian American hate crimes, Phi Kappa Tau is committed to providing safe and inclusive environments on our campuses and within the Fraternity. We are proud to call you Brothers.

Leroy Chiao, Berkeley ’79, welcomed the celebration with the following statement:

 I am pleased to help mark this years’ Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) month! I am proud to be a Phi Tau and a former NASA astronaut and International Space Station commander. In fact, my mission featured the first all-Asian heritage crew in space.

 I learned valuable lessons from my time in the Fraternity, from brotherhood to leadership. My experiences at Nu chapter helped shape who I am. I wish everyone all the best, as we all move forward, leaving the darkness of the past year behind us.  

We encourage our brothers to learn more about the importance of this month. Check out the following resources:

 Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month via Asian Pacific Heritage

 Exploring Places of AAPI History with the National Parks Service

 31 Ways to Celebrate AAPI Heritage Month via Asia Society

 Learn About Asian-American Violence via NBC

 What You Can Do About Asian-American Violence via Rolling Stone

 Happy #AAPIHeritageMonth!

Convention Save the Date

Yes, it’s happening!

 We are pleased to announce that Phi Kappa Tau is hosting its 64th National Convention in Oxford, Ohio from July 23rd-25th, 2021.

 In-person attendance will be limited and will following the COVID-19 protocol of our host location. Priority in-person tickets will be given to one undergraduate and alumni delegate from each chapter.

 Brothers will have the opportunity to cast votes, ask questions, engage in fellowship, and participate on the convention floor remotely. We encourage as many brothers as possible to participate.

 Registration will begin soon. If you are interested in receiving early-bird information, please fill out the form below:

Spring 2021 Charterings

 Phi Kappa Tau is pleased to announce a return to campus for several chapters over the coming months, including the first two chapters below.

Epsilon Delta – Virginia Wesleyan  

Epsilon Delta at Virginia Wesleyan University

Congratulations to Epsilon Delta at Virginia Wesleyan University, who initiated 22 men on April 18th. Epsilon Delta has been regrowing their chapter since November of 2018. At the time, Epsilon Delta had zero members. Their revitalization efforts resulted in the 22-man class.  

The following chapters showed up to help with initiations and support the newly revived Epsilon Delta:  

• Gamma Tau  

• Epsilon Mu  

• Epsilon Lambda  

• Delta Gamma  

• Alpha Lambda  

• Chi  

Alpha Rho – Georgia Tech  

Alpha Rho at Georgia Tech

On May 2nd, Alpha Rho at Georgia Tech signed their charter with 35 men. Alpha Rho was approved to charter in March of 2020 but due to the COVID-19 pandemic, they postponed the event for a year.  Alpha Rho re-chartering efforts began in November of 2017. 

Over 30 alumni volunteered to help with initiations, including 10 members of Beta Xi chapter at the University of Georgia.  

Upcoming Charterings:  

The following colonies will receive their charters over the coming months.  

• Omicron Colony – Pennsylvania State University  

• Pi Colony – University of Southern California  

• Alpha Gamma Colony – University of Delaware  

• Delta Rho Colony – Eastern Kentucky University  

Stay tuned for more information about expansion and upcoming coming charterings!  

Phi Tau Welcomes Eddie Rauen to Staff

29 April 2021: Oxford, OH – The Phi Kappa Tau Executive Office is pleased to welcome Edward (Eddie) Rauen, Cincinnati ’98, to staff in the role of Major Gift Officer.  

Eddie Rauen is a results-driven professional with extensive experience delivering results at nonprofit organizations – including the National MS Society and St. Jude’s Research Hospital. Rauen brings strong leadership skills, strategic thinking, and expertise in fundraising, major gifts, grantmaking, and donor-cycle execution to the position. He has extensive experience leading diverse, collaborative teams that have a positive impact on their community. Rauen is driven by the belief that people and relationships make the difference. He believes relationships fuel an organization’s mission.

Rauen holds a Bachelor of Arts of Sociology from the University of Cincinnati and a Master of Science in Organizational Leadership from the Mount St. Joseph University School of Business. He lives in Cincinnati with his wife and children.

Welcome to the team, Eddie!

Hall of Fame Member Roy Clunk Enters Chapter Eternal

Phi Tau is saddened to report the loss of Hall of Fame member Judge Roy “Denny” Clunk, Mount Union ‘48. Judge Clunk entered Chapter Eternal on April 18th, 2021, following a short illness. He was 91 years old. He is survived by his wife, Josephine, his four sons, his son-in-law, 17 grandchildren, 3 step-grandchildren, and 24 great-grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his parents, his daughter, his step-grandson, and his sister.

Judge Clunk was born in Canton, Ohio, in 1930 to Dr. Roy H. Clunk, Mount Union ‘19, and Marjorie Clunk. He served as a judge in Alliance country for over 30 years. He began his career at the Alliance Municipal Court in 1978 and he was appointed to the Start Country Probate Court in 1985, where he served until his retirement in 2003. He continued to serve as a retired assigned Common Pleas Court Judge until 2014. Judge Clunk was recognized as a leading probate judge and in 2003 received the prestigious “Trent Award of Excellence” by the National College of Probate Judges.

Judge Clunk was an active member of his community. He served as president of the Alliance Citizens Hospital Association, Alliance Area Youth Center, St. Joseph’s Catholic Church Parish Council, and many other community organizations.

Important to him was an enduring relationship with Phi Kappa Tau and the Epsilon chapter. Judge Clunk served many years on the Board of Governors for the Epsilon chapter and was inducted into the National Hall of Fame in 2018. Judge Clunk leaves behind a legacy at the Epsilon chapter. His son, Roy Clunk, Mount Union ‘75, is heavily involved in the Epsilon chapter and his grandaaughter’s husband, Matt Tesrake, is an honorary-initiated member. Judge Clunk’s father, Dr. Roy H. Clunk, joined only four years after the Epsilon chapter was founded in 1915 and helped grow the young chapter. The Clunk family was featured in the Spring 2020 edition of The Laurel as an enduring legacy family.

Read his full obituary here.

Phi Kappa Tau Nominating Committee Reopens for Nominations

With the announcement that the National Convention will convene in July 2021 – the Graduate Nominating Committee has resumed work that was started prior to the postponement of the Convention in summer 2020.  

The Nominating Committee anticipates that Phi Kappa Tau will elect a national vice president and two national councilors at the 64th National Convention, in Oxford, OH from July 23-25, 2021.

The national vice president will hold office for two years and, at the 65th National Convention (2023), 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 end of April 2021.

Alumni interested in serving on the National Council can find information about the candidacy process and online application here:  https://www.phikappatau.org/national-council-application

Members wishing to submit names for consideration should be emailed to nomination@phikappatau.org for follow-up.  

Save the Date!

64th National Convention…  Yes – it is going to happen!

 Where:  Oxford, OH on the campus of Miami University
When: July 23-25, 2021
How:  This event will have a maximum in-person capacity and will also allow for remote participation

Staff and the National Council are currently finalizing details around the agenda and a number of variables that impact attendance and the type of activities that will be permitted.  The later date in July allows for the organization to have a greater opportunity for gathering members in person and conducting our business meeting.  

More information will be posted shortly – and you will have the ability to register prior to the end of this month.  

With this announcement – we also note that any council that wishes to submit a Constitutional Amendment prior to the 90-day deadline – can do so prior to April 25th.  Please contact CEO Tim Hudson with any questions at ceo@phikappatau.org

A Founders Day Message from the President

Read this special 115th Founder’s Day message from National President Bill Brasch, Louisville ‘67:

This Founder’s Day, we are encouraging a Day of Giving to drive donations to our Brotherhood Fund which supports the fraternity’s greatest needs.

Make a Gift to the Day of Giving Campaign

Happy Founder’s Day, and Go Far!

First "Progress" Successful

Phi Kappa Tau successfully wrapped Progress, a four-week virtual education series for undergraduate leaders and chapter advisors. Throughout Progress, participants set goals for themselves and increased their knowledge in areas like recruitment, chapter finances, alumni relations, and other valuable leadership skills.

Thank you to the following speakers and facilitators:

Week 1: Mission Briefing

Welcoming Session: National President Bill Brasch, Louisville ’67, and CEO Tim Hudson, Truman State ’97

Servant Leadership - Organizing Your Team: Steve Hartman, Muskingum ’87, and Mike Gabhart, Georgetown ’95

Advisor Panel Discussion: Stephen Rupprecht, Oswego ’91

You Need to Post @fraternitysocialmedia: Guillermo Flores, Southern Illinois ’08

Strategic Planning: John Mountz, Penn State ’90

Closing Session: Charlie Ball, Miami ’82

Week 2: First Contact

Building Inclusive Leadership: Dr. David E. Jones

Recruitment & Retention: Alex Koehler, Mount Union ’07, Alex Papke, Baldwin Wallace ’14, and Barry Mask, Auburn ’78

Philanthropy & Service: Matt Parker, Evansville ’93

Alumni Relations: Rob Reese, Kent State ’87

An Hour of Power with Dr. Lori Hart: Dr. Lori Hart

Week 3: Houston, We Have a Problem

Be the Man – A Movement for Healthy Masculinity: Casey J. Cornelius

Chapter Finances: National Councilor Michael Lummus, Belmont ’06

Working with your Campus FSA: Chad Warrick, Akron ’09

Risk Management Basics: Dr. Lori Hart & Megan Carlson

Week 4: To Infinity and Beyond

Ritual - A Way of Life: Dave Lapinski, Penn State ’74

Breakout Goal Setting

Officer Installation and Closing Keynote: National President Bill Brash, Louisville ’67, and National Vice President Dale Holland, Kent State ’87

Thank you as well to our Deans, our National Council, our National Education Advisor, and our Foundation Trustees for making this program happen. We hope all our participants learned something valuable they can take back to their campus. Go Far!

Meet Your Speakers!

Progress week one kicks off 1/21 at 7 PM ET. We are excited to welcome our chapter leaders and advisors to this virtual conference combining the best elements of Presidents Academy, VDI, and Regional Conferences, Progress provides leadership training for the future of Phi Kappa Tau to chapter leaders and advisors.

If you are a chapter leader or advisor and have not received your invitation link to Progress, please contact your Success Manager.

Topics for the evening include: Building a Team, Advisors Panel Discussion, Social Media, and Strategic Planning.

You will hear from a variety of highly qualified alumni over the course of the program. Meet your week one speakers below!

Progress Speakers 1/21

Bill Brasch, Louisville ’67

An initiate of the Beta Beta chapter, Bill is an incredibly active alumni to both the University of Louisville and Phi Kappa Tau. He has served as University of Louisville Alumni Board Vice President, the School of Engineering Board, and he is a recipient of the National Alumni Association Service Award.

Among many positions, Bill has serves on the Phi Kappa Tau Foundation Board of Trustees (2016-present), was elected National Vice Present, National Councilor, and Bluegrass Domain Director. He has been awarded the Palm Award, Phi Award, and Brandon Outstanding Advisor Award.

Now retired, Bill worked as a Senior Construction Coordinator at the University of Louisville for 32 years. He is a Civil Engineer and holds a Professional Engineer (PE) license. He and his wife, Pat, live in Louisville.

Mike Gabhart, Georgetown ‘95

Mike Gabhart is a founding member of United Technologies, where he currently serves as Vice President of Sales. He has been involved in the technologies industry since 2004. Prior to that, Mike served on staff at the Phi Kappa Tau Executive Offices as a Leadership Consultant and Director of Chapter Services.

Mike has been an advocate for the recolonization of Delta Theta chapter at Georgetown College. He lives in Louisville with his wife, Heather, and two daughters. He holds a graduate degree from Xavier University.

Stephen Rupprecht, Oswego ’91

Stephen Rupprecht, EdD, serves as the Dean of Students at Cabrini University in Randor, PA. Dr. Rupprecht has worked in higher education for over 25 years at institutions including Cabrini, Temple, Drexel, Penn State, and Ball State. He has worked with Greek communities for the better part of this time.

Dr. Rupprecht has been a national volunteer for Phi Kappa Tau for 25 years and has served 9 years on the National Council. It was during this time that he revised the Borradaile Challenge standards in collaboration with Executive Office staff. Dr. Rupprecht was named Phi Tau’s first National Philanthropy Director in 1999.

Stephen has volunteered at camp Boggy Creek and Double H. Ranch. He and his wife, Sharon, have two children. He enjoys coaching youth sports and has competed in both New York City and Philadelphia marathons.

Steve Hartman, Muskingum ’89

Steve Hartman served on the Phi Kappa Tau staff as a Leadership Consultant from 1992-1996. For 6 years, he worked in management consulting before returning to staff to serve as CEO from 2002-2013. He is currently the CEO of Alpha Kappa Psi Professional Business Fraternity and Foundation in Indianapolis, IN.

He serves on the Board of Directors for the Professional Fraternity Association, the Greenleaf Center for Servant Leadership, and is the president-elect of the Indiana Society of Association Executives. He volunteers for several causes including the Hamilton County Humane Society, community youth sports leagues, and the Grace Church food pantry.

John Mountz, Penn State ‘90

John is graduate of Penn State University where he joined the Omicron chapter. He earned his master’s degree in College Student Personnel from the University of Florida. He previously worked with the fraternity/sorority communities at the University of Michigan and North Carolina State University for a combined 17 years. He spent four years as an independent consultant to universities and national fraternities and sororities, leading strategic planning efforts and lending expertise on Greek housing projects.

John is now Director of Student Engagement at East Carolina University. He is a facilitator for the LeaderShape Institute and the Undergraduate Interfraternity Institute, and serves on the National Education Committee for the Phi Kappa Tau Fraternity as Dean of their Presidents Academy

Guillermo Flores, Southern Illinois ’08

Guillermo initiated into the Beta Chi chapter at Southern Illinois University in 2008. After graduating, he served as an advisor to the chapter. He is the Associate Director for Fraternity & Sorority Life at Michigan State and leads the Michigan State Greek community of over 60 chapters and 4,500 students. He currently volunteers with Alpha Alpha chapter.

He is passionate about social media and launched the @FraternitySocialMedia page on Instagram to help chapters build their social media presence. His hobbies include Funko Pops and reading. His Instagram is @GuillermoxF.

Charlie Ball, Miami ‘82

Charlie initiated as a member of Alpha Chapter at Miami University in 1982. He served on the Phi Kappa Tau staff from 1984-1987. He has spent his career in non-profit management and leadership, with an emphasis on philanthropic fundraising.

He is currently the Phi Kappa Tau Foundation’s Director of Philanthropy. As a volunteer, Charlie has served the Fraternity as a Domain Director, member of the National Council, and Trustee of the Foundation. He was National President from 2006-2008. His book, From Old Main to a New Century: A History of Phi Kappa Tau was published in 1996.

Travis Robinson, Eastern Kentucky ‘98

Travis started his career with Phi Kappa Tau as a Leadership Consultant in 2001 where he helped establish chapters at Florida State and Indiana University. After his time as a Leadership Consultant, he spent 10+ years in corporate recruiting and employee benefits sales at companies like MetLife.

In 2014 he returned to staff as Chief Operating Officer and moved back to Oxford, OH, with his wife Kristen and their three children. He spends his free time coaching softball and learning about the world of 4H with his kids.

Tim Hudson, Truman State ’97

Tim serves as the Chief Executive Officer for the Phi Kappa Tau Fraternity and Foundation. He has been involved with the staff in Oxford, OH for nearly twenty years. In his current role, Tim also represents the Fraternity on the Governing Council of the North American Interfraternity Conference (NIC).  He is a volunteer and board member of the Oxford Lions Club. 

He is a proud uncle to Jack and Addie.  Tim received his undergraduate degree from Turman State University and is an initiate of our Delta Omega chapter.