Alpha Chapter Returns as an Associate Chapter

Alpha Associate Chapter Members outside Harrison Hall

Phi Kappa Tau is proud to announce the reinstallation of Alpha Chapter at Miami University as an associate chapter. Staff led efforts began early this semester in Oxford, led by recruiters Hunter Pemberton and later Hayden Schimborski with support from other members of the Executive Offices Staff.  

This is the first staff led expansion effort since the COVID-19 pandemic began, and the fraternity is pleased to begin offering opportunities to build new chapters at campuses across the country. 27 new brothers took the Oath of Associate Membership on Saturday, November 20th, with alumni and friends of Phi Kappa Tau present to witness. It is a particular point of pride that the Association Ceremony was held in Harrison Hall, formerly the Old Main building, the very same building Phi Kappa Tau was founded in 115 years ago.  

New Members taking the Oath of Associate Membership

“It was both a humbling and rewarding experience to watch this associate chapter come to fruition. The time spent with these men of distinction reignited my love for Phi Tau and I truly believe that this group embodies the values of our organization.” Recruiter Hayden Schimborski said when asked for comment, “Hunter and I have complete confidence that these young men will prove to the rest of the nation that our alpha chapter is back in full force and ready to redefine the expectations of fraternity men on Miami’s campus.” 

The road ahead is bright for the Alpha Associate Chapter of Phi Kappa Tau, the formal recruitment period is right around the corner on Miami’s campus and brothers everywhere are excited to see how they will grow.  

If you would like to get involved with the Alpha associate chapter or recommend a student a Miami for membership please contact dberlin@phikappatau.org. 

Baldwin Wallace Alumnus to Speak at University Commencement

Fletcher on BW’s campus

Richard “Dick” Fletcher, Baldwin Wallace ’67 has been invited to speak at Baldwin Wallace University’s 2021 Fall Commencement Ceremony. Fletcher has certainly maintained strong ties to his college and chapter. After graduating from Baldwin Wallace University, earning a his bachelor’s degree in 1970 then his MBA in 1976, Fletcher went on to have nearly 50 years of employment at the University.  

From the University press release, “From his early days as a member of the varsity basketball team and Phi Kappa Tau fraternity to his ascending roles of leadership, Fletcher brought teamwork, authenticity, humor and dependability to BW as a welcoming face to students, families, trustees and alumni over the years.” 

Fletcher primarily served towards advancing the development of the institution, overseeing several multimillion-dollar fundraising campaigns for the university as the Associate Vice President for Institutional Advancement. In 2007 Fletcher was named the Senior Vice President, a position he served in until his retirement in 2020.  

Alpha Omega chapter at Baldwin Wallace University honored Fletcher in 2012 at their 70th anniversary celebration with the Taylor A. Borradaile Alumnus award. The award is intended to honor distinguished alumni for outstanding work in their chosen field, an honor Fletcher is most certainly deserving of.  

The commencement will take place on December 11th, 2021. 

Scaring is Caring

By Raymond Matthews, Longwood ’19 for The Undergraduate Journal

Offbeat as it may seem, haunted houses have been a popular philanthropy event amongst Phi Kappa Tau chapters for decades and 2021 is no exception. Three haunted houses have occurred across the country this past Halloween season, all hosted by very different chapters and all raising funds for SeriousFun Children’s Network.

Delta Kappa wraps up their haunted house.

The Delta Kappa chapter at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville held their haunted house over the course of a SeriousFun service week. The week concluded not only in funds raised for our philanthropic partner, but also accumulated over 700 service hours over the course of the week’s activities. Perhaps even more impressive is they reportedly doubled their fundraising goal, raising enough to send two kids to a SeriousFun camp. 

Alpha Pi brothers in high spirits at their event.

Across the country, Alpha Pi at University of Washington, were cooking up some frights of their own. Between October 21-22 the brothers decided to decorate the inside of their very own chapter house. Each and every brother at our Alpha Pi chapter acted as tour guides in which led groups of participants through the entire haunted house, while the rest of the active brothers scared the individuals who were passing through. 

In total, Alpha Pi raised $1,170 for Camp Korey, which is their local SeriousFun camp within the area.

Serving as what may be one of the oldest haunted house traditions in Phi Kappa Tau comes from the Alpha Omega chapter at Baldwin Wallace University. The Cleveland area chapter has held their haunted house for over thirty years. Their event, also raising money for SeriousFun, took place at their campus’ Student Activity Center as they are an unhoused chapter. Brothers of the Alpha Omega chapter used large black tarps and strobe lights, as well as spotlights to cover walls and light up the rooms while keeping a supernatural feeling throughout the haunted house.

Participants are asked what level of fright they individually want; in addition, given a strobe light warning before they arrive. By getting creative in utilizing their campus space the group raised over $700 for SeriousFun, and even more coming in through t-shirts sold in conjunction with the event.

Why do haunted houses work so well for members of Phi Kappa Tau? That may be a question best explored at another time. For now the lesson to take away is, although each of these three haunted houses were executed differently, with some creativity and leveraging the right time of year a great campus tradition can be forged. 

The Undergraduate Journal is a new recurring column within Phi Kappa Tau News, covering topics of undergraduate interest to promote current chapters. If you would like to contribute to the Undergraduate Journal or have your chapter featured contact communications@phikappatau.org.

New Recognition Pin Under Development for Veteran Brothers

A task force created by current National President Dale Holland, Kent State ’87, comprised of Veteran members of Phi Kappa Tau has been developing a new pin for the recognition of Phi Kappa Tau veterans.

After many revisions the working design decided on can be seen here, keep in mind this is still a work in progress and the finished product may differ slightly.

By rendering the American flag with the flag of Phi Kappa Tau together, the pin aims to help show the close connection between Phi Kappa Tau and American Veterans. Phi Kappa Tau hopes this new recognition pin will allow veteran brothers to represent the organization with pride. More information on the pin and how it will be distributed will be announced soon! If you have any immediate questions please contact communications@phikappatau.org.

From Military Man to Fraternity Man

A reflection by National Councilor Michael French, Kent State ’88

My Journey to Phi Kappa Tau began in the Military. As a junior in High School, I was planning on going to college and was looking for help to pay for school, and at the time, the Ohio Army National Guard was offering free tuition to any state school. To add to my decision to join the Military, some of the Eagle Scouts from my Troop (who I later found out were also Phi Tau’s) were joining the Guard for the same reason.

Shortly after my 17th birthday, I enlisted in 838th MP Company stationed in Austintown, OH. I went to Basic Training in the summer between my Junior and Senior year in high school. After I came back and decided to attend Kent State, multiple members in my platoon said they were Phi Tau’s at either Kent or Youngstown State and started to point out other members of my unit who were also Phi Tau’s who would help me once it got to Kent.

French with the Beta Mu chapter

Once I graduated from High School and went to MP Training that summer, I started my freshman year at Kent State. The floor of my dorm had several members of the restart of the Beta Mu chapter after a 20-year absence from campus. They had just formed the year before and needed members and asked me to come to a meeting. If you knew me in high school, I was not the type of person who would join a fraternity. I did not go through a formal rush or ever remember receiving a bid. I just kept walking through life with a group of men who seemed to be going in the same direction that I was going.

Our chapter had many members in the Military in different capacities, Ohio National Guard, Marine Reserve, Army Reserve, Air Force ROTC, or Army ROTC. When our chapter was planning our calendar, who had Drill on which weekend was always a consideration. In 1989, my journey in the Military and Phi Tau continued to intertwine. My brothers helped me with classes in January while I went to Alaska for two weeks when my unit had training.

French with chapter brothers in New Orleans

In March, Beta Mu signed our charter, and in the summer, a group of us drove down to New Orleans for our first National Convention. Then in 1990, the world started to change for my brothers and me. In June 1990, my unit got called to service to support the cleanup of the flash flood at Shadyside, Ohio, one of the deadliest that Ohio had ever seen. Then in August, while I was at Sergeant’s school, some guy we had never heard of invaded someplace halfway across the globe. Saddam Hussein had invaded Kuwait, and overnight our training took a serious turn.

At the start of the fall semester of my senior year at Kent, my brothers and I started to deal with the new reality that many of us would receive orders to support Operation Desert Shield. By the end of 1990, Beta Mu had over half of its membership on active duty, far more than any other fraternity on campus. The brothers who were not part of the Military kept the chapter going and supported the wives and girlfriends that we left behind.

French in Alaska, Fort Wainwright

For those of us deployed to Saudi Arabia, we sought each other out, and if a Phi Tau were near, we would visit if only for a few minutes. It helped us feel a little more connected to the outside world. Upon returning home, the brothers at Beta Mu had kept everything running and even grew the chapter, and it made transitioning back to being a college student a little easier. Then in 1992, I graduated from Kent State and concluded my service in the National Guard. My time as an Undergraduate and my time in the Military will always remain intertwined.

Phi Tau instills a sense of giving back, and it is just part of what makes us brothers. Although I had volunteered in other organizations, I was not a particularly involved alumnus until I was asked to be the Southeast Domain Director in 2011 to support our chapters at Auburn, Georgia Tech, and Georgia. This opportunity began my service to Phi Tau at the national level. In 2018 at the National Convention in Cleveland, I was elected to the National Council. My time on the Council has reinforced my firm belief that our volunteers are the lifeblood of our organization.

Spring Recruitment Should Start in November

An op-ed by By Taylor Johnson, Auburn ’15 - National Recruitment Advisor 

Beta Omicron Chapter at University of Maryland welcoming in their new members.

All the numbers from our chapters fall recruitment efforts are coming in.  We are mid-semester now and recruitment is largely over except for our chapters on deferred recruitment. If you’re going to grow, you must not depend on formal recruitment. Repeat it softly – “Do not depend on formal recruitment”. 

Formal recruitment primarily consists of the final moments in which students make their ultimate decision, meaning the relationships and recruitment should have already occurred, this just finalizes it. Whether you had a good recruitment or want to improve, there is a way to get more potential new members (PNMs) before the semester ends. But it takes a change in mindset and planning. As others and myself have often stated, a great recruitment success lifts all areas of a chapter’s operations; it’s the lifeblood of the operation.

Start with your existing associates, whether you have 8, 10, or 25 – they are your best asset; the lead generator. Ask and empower them to “make friends” with other guys in their class or other student organizations or even in intramural games. Get them to invite PNMs over to their apartment or dorm or wherever it is you hang out. If you serve lunch or dinner at your house—invite them. Be sure to introduce them to everyone.

Brothers from Epsilon Sigma Chapter at Chapman attending a Pumpkin Carving Event. Existing social events are a great way to bring new people around.

Use your existing social events as recruitment events. Also, utilize already scheduled university events and go there. Wear your letters. Strike up a conversation with some guys. Again, just make friends with your fellow students. Doing a philanthropy fundraiser? Get PNMs contact information or Instagram accounts and invite them. Having a cookout or playing basketball in the backyard? Invite them. Going bowling or shooting clays? Invite them. Provide an incentive for your brothers on current associate class members to bring a PNM. 

As you can see, these are things you are probably doing anyways. But you must get in that recruitment mindset and make an organized effort to do it. Get the names and contact info.  Help direct your members into a plan of action; it all centers on a concrete plan. Start this week with your chapter meetings and your new member meetings. The concept here is to meet PNMs well before the “Formal Recruitment” week at the first of the spring semester. 

Before your final exams, or holiday break, let the PNMs—whom you like, know that you are interested in them and pre-close them before the semester ends and send them home with some information to run by the parents over the holidays. That way they are primed to accept a bid when they get back! Imagine coming back to school in January with 6, 10, or 15 guys ready to accept their bid. That’s a lot better than coming back to campus and starting with nothing and waiting upon formal recruitment to start. 

I have seen this work for many years at my own chapter. It works. You can do it too! 

I’m always here for you! A lot of times recruitment information is best conveyed personally, taking into account the unique circumstances of your individual location. For these reasons, I am always available for personal phone calls so that may provide you everything that you need! Please contact me at: tayloraustinjohnson@gmail.com

Allyn Shaw Joins Phi Kappa Tau National Council

Phi Kappa Tau is excited to welcome Allyn Shaw, Michigan State ‘85, as the newest member of the National Council.

Allyn has a wealth of experience with the Fraternity. He has held roles as National Education Advisor (2015-Present), Education Dean (2010-2015), and Domain Director (1988-2010). He has also served as a Foundation Awards Committee member, Foundation strategic planning committee member, and a nominations committee member. In 2008, Allyn was recognized as an Outstanding Domain Director.

Allyn is the Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs and Services at Michigan State University where he has worked since 2015 and previously from 1999-2004. He’s also held positions at the University of Tennessee Knoxville and the University of Richmond. Allyn holds a Ph.D., two master’s degrees, and his bachelor’s from Michigan State. His intense research is an asset to the school; he has published over 15 peer-reviewed papers since 2005. Allyn has been recognized with a series of awards for distinguished and innovative faculty members.

“To give back to the brotherhood and the fraternity is exciting as I have learned so much from the opportunities afforded me by being a Brother. Moving forward, I hope to contribute to the growth and success of the Fraternity,” Allyn said. Allyn’s education and experience in higher education will make him a valuable asset to the team. We are excited to have him on board.

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Eastern Kentucky and Delaware Successfully Charter

October has been a successful month not only for the growth of chapters through their recruitment efforts, but also for the chartering of two of our associate chapters.  

Delta Rho Founding Fathers

Delta Rho at Eastern Kentucky University chartered the weekend of October 16th. The group has been an associate chapter since the Fall of 2017 as a staff-led expansion effort. They have since grown and through the completion of the chartering metrics have become integral on Eastern Kentucky’s campus. Over the course of the weekend 36 men were initiated with the help of alumni and Executive Offices staff. A signing and reception of the charter followed.  

Alpha Gamma Founding Fathers

The following weekend of October 23rd the fraternity also recognized the graduation of Alpha Gamma at University of Delaware from associate chapter to full-fledged chapter. Taking place over the university’s homecoming weekend, alumni and Executive Offices staff were present to assist with initiations, welcoming an additional 34 men to the brotherhood with a sizable new member class to initiate later in the semester.  

Brother Aidan Bradley, Delaware ’21, previously featured in “Aidan Strong in Delaware”

Phi Kappa Tau welcomes these two new chapters and looks forward to the impact they will have on their campus and the world.  

Both of these new chapters are the results of the dedicated efforts of students with the assistance of professional Fraternity Staff leading on the ground expansion efforts. If you are aware of any campuses, you believe Phi Kappa Tau should be at visit phikappatau.org/join to refer a campus or member.   

Mississippi State Assists Local Animal Shelter

Alpha Chi chapter at Mississippi State University has been giving back to their community by volunteering with their local animal shelter. “I reached out to see if they needed any help and they responded with an astounding YES,” said Community Service Chair Corey Krumrey, Mississippi State ’20.

“We were able to help maintain and service the area and take care of the animals. We gave them walks, fresh food, and water, and had lots of fun with them,” he said. “We do it because we’re able to. I feel like a lot of people forget about the small things they can do positively to impact the community and volunteering at the animal shelter is one of them. The staff was very friendly and it’s a good time whenever we go.”

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What’s your chapter doing to help your community? Let us know here.

In a crisis? Text PHITAU to 741741 to access the Phi Kappa Tau Crisis Textline. Confidential and free mental health support via text that is available 24/7 to Phi Kappa Tau Members