Hispanic Heritage Month

Nuestro Credo

Phi Kappa Tau, al admitirme como miembro, me ha conferido una marca de distinción de la que me enorgullezco. Creo en el espíritu de hermandad que representa. Me esforzaré por alcanzar sus ideales y, al hacerlo, le traeré honor y crédito. Seré leal a mi universidad y a mi capilla y mantendré estrechos vínculos con ellas para poder conservar siempre el espíritu de la juventud. Seré un ciudadano bueno y leal. Siempre trataré de cumplir con mi obligación con los demás que nace del hecho de ser un hombre de fraternidad.

Hispanic Heritage Month runs from September 15th-October 15th. The observation began in 1968 under President Lyndon B. Johnson and celebrates the histories, cultures, and contributions of Hispanic Americans.

 September 15th is also significant because it is the anniversary of independence for several Latin American countries: Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua. Mexico also celebrates its Independence Day on September 16th and Chile on September 18th.

Our Hispanic and Latinx Brothers are an integral part of this Fraternity. We had our Creed translated as a tool for Brothers to be able to express our values in Spanish.

Learn more about the history of Hispanic Heritage Month here: https://www.hispanicheritagemonth.gov/

Meet Phi Kappa Tau's New National Vice President - Barry Mask

5 Questions with Phi Kappa Tau’s New National Vice-President, Barry Mask – Auburn ’78 

Q. Who introduced you to Phi Tau? 

Barry:  A couple of guys one year older than me I had gone to high school with asked me to come play some football with them at the Auburn Intramural fields each afternoon after class.   I didn’t know it was the Phi Tau team.  I had not planned on joining a fraternity – of course the rest is history. I “pledged” a week or so later. 

Q .  What was the chapter like then?  

Barry: Well, probably like so many other fraternities across the nation in the late 70’s, fraternity membership was down. We were at about 48 guys. We struggled in some ways. We had no BOG, House Corp or House Mother or Advisor. But we were an athletic machine- winning every sports campus intramural championship. It was a lot of fun.  I made lifelong friendships.  I was in SGA and stuff. We had several guys in the Auburn Band too. The chapter was very supportive when I tried-out to be Auburns first mascot, “Aubie”, and won it. 

Q.   How did you stay involved after graduation? 

Barry: My favorite line of the Creed is, “to remain close to my college and chapter so that I may forever retain the spirit of youth.’’ I and a few others from the mid-80s took that to heart and re-started the BOG, House Corp and found an advisor. I’ve been involved one way or another ever since at my local and with the National Fraternity teaching alumni fundraising strategy and recruitment. My wife Jill knew when she married me -she also married my Phi Tau family and she’s been very supportive. 

Q. What life or career lessons would you impart to the undergrads? 

Barry: For career I would advise learning how to get things done, is a must.  Your Phi Tau undergrad years are a great way to gain that skill by organizing fundraising events for Serious Fun, organizing recruitment or alumni events as well. Learning to plan is essential.  For life advice I would say stand for something and do the right thing. Don’t look for approval from this earthly place. Those two attributes were given by our late brother, actor Paul Newman who lived well, was outspoken and gave immensely. 

Q. What social media do you prefer? 

Barry:   I’m pretty much an Instagram guy now. I use it mainly to keep up with friends and Phi Taus and to encourage them. My username is @barrymaskotAUb1 if anyone wants to reach out. 

National Suicide Awareness Month

September is National Suicide Awareness Month.

Many of us have personally felt the grief of suicide. Suicide is the leading cause of death in young people and is especially prevalent in young men.

There are many ways you can help your friends and community. View these resources from the Suicide Prevention Resources Center on how you can best help during Suicide Awareness Month.

[Suicide Awareness Month – Ideas for Action]

We each have a role to play in looking out for our brothers’ safety and well-being. You can help your brothers by educating yourself and creating spaces that encourage people to get the help they need.

Please consider these additional resources:

The Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 800-273-8255

The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is a nationwide network of crisis centers that provide free and confidential emotional support to people in distress. Call anytime, 24/7, for assistance.

https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/

Visit the Suicide Prevention Resources Center (SPRC)

The SPRC is an organization dedicated to advancing suicide prevention. They work in collaboration with the Suicide Prevention Lifeline. With the SPRC, you can find resources for yourself, your brothers, and anyone else who may need them.

https://www.sprc.org/

The JED Foundation

Much like SPRC, the Jed Foundation is a non-profit dedicated to assisting those struggling with mental health. Founded by two parents who lost their son, Jed, to suicide, the Jed Foundation focuses particularly on young people and can help you find help or learn how to help others.

https://jedfoundation.org/

Counseling

We can erase the stigma of counseling. See what resources your university can offer you in the way of mental health assistance. Visit your health center or check out their website for more info. If your school does not offer mental health services, you can search for a licensed counselor near you or consider an online option like betterhelp.

Community

Mental health impacts us all in intimate ways. Create an environment within your community and chapter where it’s safe to talk about mental health and your struggles. Although this is not a substitute for professional assistance, you can help your brothers with your openness and support.

Finally, if you or someone you know is in immediate danger, contact 911 immediately.

Brotherhood and Faith

This year, Rosh HaShanah begins at sunset on Sept 6th and Yom Kippur begins at sunset on the 15th

By Billy Bloomberg, William Paterson ’17  

On Rosh HaShanah the Jewish people say “Shanah tovah um’tukah” which means “May you have a good and sweet new year.” Often shortened to “Shanah Tovah,” tovah does not mean new – it means good, we wish each other a good year. One cannot have a good year without putting forth the effort to make a change and rise to the challenges that face us. On Rosh HaShanah, Jews gather to mark the start of a period of reflection in the 10 days between Rosh HaShanah and Yom Kippur.

On Yom Kippur, Jews greet each other with “G’mar chatima tovah” “May you be inscribed (or sealed) for good [in the Book of Life],” and “tzom kal,” which is used to wish others an “easy fast.” This period of reflection formally ends on Yom Kippur, the day of atonement where Jews all around the world dedicate themselves wholly to reconciliation with others, themselves, and God – committing ourselves to make change.

When thinking about going Greek I knew that whatever organization I would join had to align with my morals. Fall recruitment falls around the Jewish High Holidays of Rosh HaShanah and Yom Kippur. The Epsilon Epsilon Chapter at William Paterson showed me how they could align with the type of person I wanted to be. My new member education program started right after the High Holidays ended. I spent a large portion of this time learning about who I am as a person, and who I am as a member of something larger than myself.

As I continue to reflect on these High Holidays, now after my time as an undergrad has come to an end, I am thankful for the opportunities that came from joining Phi Tau. From being Greek Senate President, to the friends in other organizations, to the brother who bought me a beer in the airport during a layover, I reflect on the opportunities that were enhanced because of brotherhood. As Hillel President, my chapter was always ready to co-sponsor an event. At club council meetings, the Greeks all sat together showing how we are more than just the letters on our chest and knowing that for whatever I was involved in on campus, there was a guaranteed support group.

This High Holidays I spend in a new home, home of all Phi Taus, with a new opportunity in Oxford, Ohio. I reflect that without brotherhood, I would not be where I am.

Wishing all brothers, a Shanah tovah um’tukah for this Rosh HaShanah. G’mar chatima tovah and tzom kal on this Yom Kippur.

New Webinars Announced for Volunteers and Parents

To continue education on how to best support our chapters in an ever changing campus landscape the Education Committee will be hosting two webinars this Fall. The first webinar will be geared towards Phi Kappa Tau alumni and volunteers, the second will be for parents and caretakers.

See below for more information and to register for the webinar.

Phi Kappa Tau Fall Webinar - Advisors/Volunteers

September 22, 8pm ET - Zoom

• Updates from the Phi Kappa Tau Executive Offices

• Finances

• Mental Health

• Diversity Equity and Inclusion

• Recruitment

• Additional Resources

Register for the event by clicking here.

Phi Kappa Tau Fall Webinar - Parents/Caretakers

October 12, 8pm ET - Zoom

• What is Phi Kappa Tau?

• Finances

• Mental Health

• Diversity Equity and Inclusion

• Recruitment

• SeriousFun/Philanthropy

• Academic Success

Register for the event by clicking here.

Anti Hazing Resources

It’s on all of us to stop hazing in all its forms. As you return to campus, greet old friends, and welcome new ones, you need to be on the alert for hazing and how to stop it. Here are some resources if you see hazing on your campus.

In addition to these resources, Phi Tau has a direct line to stop hazing. If you see something, contact us immediately.

From hazingprevention.org:

 What do you do if you or someone you know has been hazed or is involved in hazing?

If someone is injured or doing something illegal, call 911 immediately. Don’t wait, this action could save someone’s life. Read Lianne Kowiak’s story.

If it’s not an emergency, most colleges and universities have multiple ways to report hazing. Each school is different, but these may include:

• The Student Affairs Office (a.k.a. Dean of Students, Student Life, etc.).

• Campus Security or University Police.

• College President’s Office

• Student Health.

Other ways to report hazing

• Contact local law enforcement. Hazing is a crime in many states. Even in states that do not have a specific law prohibiting hazing, many components of hazing (assault, etc.) are crimes.

• Call the anti-hazing hotline or use the form below for anonymous reporting.

Anyone concerned about hazing can report it by calling the Anti-Hazing Hotline:
(888) 668-4293 OR (888) NOT-HAZE

You can also simply Report Hazing via our online form. You may choose to remain anonymous, but it is important you clearly identify the organization and school about which you are concerned. If it involves a fraternity or sorority chapter, please provide the name of the national organization. The more details you can provide regarding the conduct the better it can be investigated.

About the Anti-Hazing Hotline

The Anti-Hazing Hotline accepts anonymous hazing reports from anyone. The hotline was established in 2007 by a consortium of national fraternities and sororities. It is currently sponsored by 47 national and international Greek organizations.

The Hotline provides an anonymous telephone line for anyone to report a suspected or recent hazing incident to one number 1-888-NOT-HAZE (1-888-668-4293) that accepts calls 24 hours a day. The Hotline connects to a dedicated voice mailbox at Manley Burke, LPA. The calls are automatically saved as audio files, which are transmitted by e-mail to the headquarters of the fraternity or sorority named in the report.

This is true whether or not the reports are about one of the sponsors or another organization. In some instances, reports are about athletic teams, bands, or clubs. When those calls are received, the institution where the organization is located is contacted.

In addition to the toll-free telephone number, reports may be made directly on this page. Just as with the phone calls, all messages are directed to Manley Burke, LPA. The reports are then forwarded to the national organization named in the report. To report known or suspected hazing, click here. Please clearly identify the organization and university that you are reporting.

Distinguished Chi Alumnus Alan Ayers Profiled by University

Alan Ayers, North Carolina State ’71, is driven to make life better – especially in his community.

The NC State College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) recently featured Ayers as an accomplished alumnus and researcher. Ayers spoke on the importance of being a part of your community, using science to improve lives, his love for NC State – and gave Phi Tau a shout-out in the process.

Ayers obtained both his B.S. in zoology in 1974 and his Ph.D. in plant pathology in 1985 from NC State and has worked closely with NC State over his 30-year career as a regulatory scientist in the agrochemical industry. Recently, Ayers has given his time to support N.C. Plant Sciences Initiatives, which “is making lives better through innovative, interdisciplinary research that’s helping to solve some of the most complex issues facing agriculture and the world today.” He also helped develop a regulatory science course at NC State and is involved in the ZERO by 40 project – an initiative to end malaria globally by 2040.

You can read the full feature here. In the following excerpt, Dr. Ayers mentions the role Phi Tau had in his collegiate career.

From CALS:

You spent a lot of time working and studying at NC State. What are some of your happier memories here? 

There are too many to list. We won a National Basketball championship in ‘74, and we had some great football teams led by Lou Holtz. I was a part of that era, and it was almost a fairytale life. One thing I specifically did was join a social fraternity: Phi Kappa Tau. I did that during my undergrad years. I met a lot of people from all over the country and was exposed to guys who liked to have fun. We had a blast, but we were good students. We worked hard and played hard. A ton of them are still my friends today. We’ve played golf and watched football games. We’d complain about NC State sports when we’d lose and celebrate when we win. It was a key component of me being happy at NC State. It was a family away from home. 

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Foundation Announces Four New Trustees

The Phi Kappa Tau Foundation is pleased to welcome four new Trustees to the board. See below to learn more about these distinguished Phi Taus:

Michael R. Bichimer, Miami ’81

Michael Bichimer is a CPA and longtime Vice President of Finance at Ohio Health. Michael is now retired, he was with Ohio Health for twenty years.

As an alumnus, he’s served on the Board of Governors for Alpha chapter.

He lives outside Chicago.

Adam Goetz, Clemson ’95

Adam Geotz has served as a Financial Advisor at Mass Mutual for nearly twenty years. Prior to beginning his financial career, he worked as Director of Chapter Services at Phi Tau. As of 2020, Geotz is a Managing Partner at Burstin & Goetz.

He is based in Pittsburg.

John “Jack” Alvenus, St. John’s ’89

Jack Alvenus is a Senior Consultant at IQ Solutions, an Accenture Company. An active alumnus, Alevenus has served as a Domain Director and long-time Convention Parliamentarian.

He is based in Detroit.

Doug C. Adams, Miami ’81

Doug Adams is the Senior Vice President of Corporate Banking at PNC Bank, a position he’s held for 13 years. Prior to PNC, Doug held positions at Huntington National Bank and U.S. Bank. Doug was a Leadership Consultant at Phi Tau for two years and an Old Main Holdings volunteer.

He is based in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Hall of Fame Member Nickolas “Nick” Davatzes Enters Chapter Eternal

Nick Davatzes, St. John’s ’60

Phi Kappa Tau is deeply saddened to learn about the passing of brother Nick Davatzes, St. John’s ’60. Davatzes died at his home in Wilton, CT, on August 21. He was 79 years old. 

Born on March 14, 1942 in New York, Davatzes began attending St. John’s University in 1958 where he was a charter member of Gamma Gamma Chapter. He received a Bachelor of Arts in Economics in 1962 and a Master of Arts in Sociology in 1964. Additionally he met his lifelong love Dorothea during his time at St. John’s. After earning his graduate degree he volunteered for the US Marine Corps, serving in both active and reserve capacities.  

Davatzes was a member of the inaugural class of Phi Kappa Tau Hall of Fame inductees, notably for his contribution to the cable television market. He served as President and CEO of A&E Networks from 1983 to 2005 where he oversaw the launch of multiple cable channels such as the incredibly popular History Channel. He retired in 2005 and was inducted into the Cable Television Hall of Fame.  

Keeping strong his ties to his college and his chapter Davatzes also was a key contributor to the Phi Kappa Tau Foundation and St. John’s University. A long-time member of the Foundation's Boles Society, his gifts sustained the completion of the stained glass door in the Phi Kappa Tau Executive Offices building, originally designed for the old Executive Offices building in honor of Gamma Gamma's 25th anniversary.  

Nick Davatzes, St. John’s ’60 with wife Dorothea

At St. John’s Davatzes was a member of multiple alumni groups and societies including the University’s Board of Trustees. In 2001 Davatzes and his wife founded the Dorothea Hayes Scholarship Fund to benefit students of the School of Education and in 2007 they established the Christopher N. Davatzes Memorial Scholarship Fund, named for their late son.  

He is survived by his sons Geody Davatzes and Dr. Nicholas Davatzes, and four grandchildren. 

Calling hours will be held at Raymond Funeral Home, 5 East Wall Street in Historic Norwalk, Connecticut, Friday August 27 from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Our Lady of Fatima Church in Wilton, CT on Saturday August 28 at 10:00 a.m. The internment will be private. Donations can be made in memory of Nick Davatzes to the Wilton Library Association Endowment Fund, 137 Old Ridgefield Road, Wilton, CT, 06897 or at https://donate.onecause.com/supportwla2022/donate. Please visit www.norwalkfh.com to leave an online condolence for the family. 

Read full Obituary Here.

Read the story from St. John’s University Here.

Taylor Johnson Appointed as National Recruitment Advisor

Phi Kappa Tau National President Dale Holland, Kent State ’87, has announced he has appointed Taylor Johnson, Auburn ’14, a 2018 Magna Cum Laude Graduate at Auburn University as the new National Recruitment Advisor.

At Auburn Taylor served as Chapter Recruitment Chairman, Chapter President and was elected by his peers as the IFC VP of Recruitment. As Recruitment Chairman Taylor set a new Auburn chapter Fall recruitment record of 46 in 2016 and trained his successors to use the same tactics to exceed his record.

Using his tactics and creativity, the Alpha Lambda Chapter at Auburn University set the National Fall recruitment record of 66 associate members in fall of 2019, initiating 59 .

Johnson has just taken the Alabama Bar exam after graduating with Summa Cum Laude from Cumberland Law School in Birmingham and winning numerous Moot Court competitions. He is working for a local law firm in Birmingham.

“I wanted someone with passion and expertise in this important role,” said Holland, “as well as a younger Brother that can relate with the challenges and issues facing our chapters.”

“I am very humbled and yet excited about this opportunity.” said Johnson. “I want all of our chapters to excel and thrive on their campus. I want to teach them new ways to do that with some tried and true proven tactics and strategy and creative thinking. I know every campus is different but most of these tactics apply no matter what the size of the school you are attending.”

Read Taylor’s Top Ten Tips for Recruitment Here.