A Q&A with Staff Member, Taylor Major, Virginia Wesleyan ’21

Major at the AFA Annual Meeting (2021).

Q: What was your recruitment experience like at Virginia Wesleyan University? What compelled you to become a member of Phi Kappa Tau? 

A: Recruitment at Wesleyan was persistent! They were going through the associate membership process and working really hard to get off the ground and going. They were pulling guys from everywhere it seemed like. Everyone was from a different background and had different interests and I wanted to be a part of that in a big way!  

Q: What led you to the Success Manager position at the Phi Kappa Tau Executive Offices? 

A: I have a passion for coaching and helping adolescents. College age students presented a new challenge for me and gave me the opportunity to continue to do some life coaching with a different age group. I had to jump at the opportunity to work on this level. It’s been a great experience for me so far! 

Q: In hopes of creating a more diverse organization, in what ways do you believe our new member recruitment process could grow? 

A: I believe as a national organization we are taking the right steps in improving our recruitment process. Putting the important things in the forefront, Diversity, Equity and inclusion have been included in everything we do. That’s going to go through Chapters all over the country and truly put us as an organization on a better path. 

Q: Do you believe the fraternity is doing all that it could to be inclusive to black members and alumni? If not, how do we improve going forward? 

A: I feel like the fraternity is making great steps to make it more inclusive. It’s not quite there yet, however, I do feel like the fraternity is moving in a positive direction.  

Q: Do you have any parting thoughts for our readers?  

A: Only this; The road that we are on as an organization and as individuals is a long, trying road filled with adversity. The journey to the end of the road appears treacherous and some parts will be. However, if we continue taking steps down that road, we will come to the realization that the road itself is as hard as it is already. Don’t block someone else's path because your own road has become difficult. Everyone has their own road to travel, either help someone along in their journey or get out of the way.  

Let's Get Serious About SeriousFun

An Op-Ed by National Service Advisor Matt Parker, Evansville ’93

National Service Advisor Matt Parker, Evansville ’93

Paul Newman. Many of you may know the name, but not the person, actor, and true friend of Phi Tau. If you'd like to know the person, more importantly the actor, I'd say ask your mother or, perhaps, your grandmother. Just say, "Paul Newman" and I guarantee they will reply "Old Blue Eyes". 

You see, our Brother founded SeriousFun Children's Network and it has been our philanthropy for several years. This year, however, as your National Service Advisor, a 22-year volunteer at several camps, and a board member for Double H Ranch, I’ll be ensuring we get serious about SeriousFun. 

Just what is a day, week, or summer when volunteering at a SeriousFun camp? I simply can't describe it. You see, I volunteered for the first time 22 years ago. Now, I am old, but have already signed up for this summer at the age of 47. I never knew what I was in for. In fact, the first night I was exhausted. As a banker by trade, and having no kids of my own, I didn't think I could do it.  My bunkmate that year, Patrick, said it's ok to go home, you tried... or, you can wake up and just jump into it. I woke up. As I said, that was 22 years ago, and I got serious about SeriousFun. Since that decision, there have been days of little girls painting my shaved head (which I do to raise money for the camps), wearing Elsa dresses on the ropes course, and eating breakfast bowls of oatmeal, hot sauce, sausage, yogurt, and ketchup. I'd have it no other way. 
 
With March being the Founders Month of Service, there's always something you can do in your local community, even if it doesn’t involve a SeriousFun camp. Whether it be at a local homeless shelter, a place for disadvantaged kids, or merely raking leaves for your elderly neighbors—it is all service. That is what Phi Kappa Tau is all about, and that is what Paul was about, "the benevolent service to others". 
 
So, join me, our Leadership, and brothers of all ages in getting serious about SeriousFun. 

Let’s do what Paul always said, "I just want to give these kids a chance to Raise a Little Hell!” 

Fresh Blends: Taking Over the World, One Drink at a Time

By Dalton Lee, Baldwin Wallace ’11

Day with triplets, Brenden, Noah, and Rosie (2015)

Graduating college can mean different things to all of those who do it; for some it’s the start of their careers, it could be a break from academia and a chance to travel or explore, maybe a nightmare of uncertainty, but for others it’s a time to forge their own path and create something new. Those eager to start their careers would be ecstatic at the opportunity to take a position in Los Angeles, but for Jamie Day, Ohio State ’89, this was merely a jumping off point to build his own future. Over the past two decades, Day has been at the forefront of innovation and creativity in the food and beverage industry. Now a Managing Partner for Fresh Blends, Day is in the midst of his most successful business venture yet.  

Arriving in Columbus in the fall of 1989, Jamie Day from Huron, Ohio was like most of us, looking to receive an education and have some fun along the way. Initiated into the Phi Kappa Tau fraternity, Day wasted no time in moving into the Gamma chapter's house. As a freshman and sophomore, Day was doing just what he set out to do. Majoring in Business and Finance, enjoying all the social aspects of college and the fraternity, and even finding time to serve as assistant to the President of Student Government. Realizing his aptitude for leadership positions, Day was encouraged by the then president to find a running mate and take a swing at running the Student Government. With the ability to secure the Greek life vote, Day would be elected as Vice President, with a member of the Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity serving as President. Sparking Day’s passion for student leadership, he was elected as the President of the Gamma chapter in 1991. Following his term, he would go on to be an undergraduate member of the Phi Kappa Tau National Council from 1992-1994.  

Fresh Blends partners with 7/11 in Australia

Following graduation, Day was offered a job by Jim Hamilton, Ohio State ’63, working for a mutual aid fund in Los Angeles, California. While in LA, Day began to pick up on the growing smoothie trend that was taking over the city. This observation—paired with a drive to create his own business—led Day and partners to found California Juice Exchange. Later selling the Hermosa Beach shop to Jamba Juice and using the knowledge he gained to create Beverage Innovations Ltd with partner Marc Lange. The duo built Beverage Innovations into a $15 million company, later selling the business and using the profits to create Fresh Blends. In just one year Fresh Blends generated net sales in the excess of $15 million. This create-and-customize your own beverage machine continues to make a splash in the global marketplace. With the goal of ease and accessibility, the machine easily pairs with your phone or computer to streamline ordering for the customer. Exponentially growing since its inception, Fresh Blends currently has 2500 installed machines across the US and Australia, hoping to reach 4000 by the end of 2022. Perhaps the most exciting partnership for the flourishing company is with The Ohio State University Athletics Department. Now offered in the athlete's dorm, the machine is generating nearly 300 drinks per day and creating healthy, convenient options for the students.  

After weathering the hardships of the COVID-19 pandemic, Day is hopeful that Fresh Blends will continue to thrive. Setting sights on partnering with more universities, this young company may have the ability to affect permanent change on campus dining. Day’s professional successes are bountiful, but do not hold a candle to what he considers his biggest accomplishment in life—his three children. The day before this story is released (February 13th, for those of you reading late), triplets Brenden, Noah, and Rosie will be turning 15-years-old. We wish the happiest of birthdays to the three of you, and continued success to our distinguish buckeye.    

Op-Ed by Jay Jenkins, Lynchburg ’19

Ja’Ayr Jenkins, Lynchburg ’19

I never thought that I would join a fraternity. It was simply not on my mind when arriving at the University of Lynchburg. When Greek life did become of interest to me, I had come to a crossroads on choosing what organization to join. I had the interest of joining a Divine 9 fraternity and the interest of joining Phi Kappa Tau. I, for various reasons, found my home in Phi Tau. I knew making the decision to join a “white fraternity” as an African-American would have certain challenges and obstacles I would not have faced if I decided to join the Divine 9. It wasn’t long after I said yes to Phi Kappa Tau that I started to face those foreseen challenges. Seeing my skin color as clearly different from everyone else, some brothers began making racial jokes and micro-aggressive comments that they saw as okay. Each and every time these instances arose, I would sit down with them and try my best to inform them what wasn’t okay and why it wasn’t okay. For some of the brothers this worked, because they were truly oblivious to some of their actions; for some of the brothers, they viewed it as me creating issues and being too sensitive, but they never would communicate this directly to me. Even with this, my love for the fraternity remained. I saw this organization as something special that I wanted to continue to be a part of. At times, I’ve thought of myself as foolish for staying in the fraternity. Most people in my position would have never joined in the first place. To say that I have not struggled in finding my sense of true brotherhood within Phi Tau would be a lie. The struggles have been great, because I know that some brothers see white as the default and any other race as other or different. 

I want it to be known that every time you see a minority on a PWI (Predominantly White Institution), they are dealing with their own struggles and finding their community in a place where almost no one looks like them or understands them. Every time you act in a way that makes them feel different, you aid in that struggle. Every time you recruit and pick the minority for “poster child” effects, you aid to that struggle. Every time you send “rush Phi Tau” messages to every white male on campus, while not even thinking about the African-American population, you aid to that struggle. Every time you say micro-aggressive comments to your minority brothers—who you claim to love—and defend it with the excuse of “it’s just a joke” or “My other black friends let me say this,” you aid in that struggle.  

My message isn’t that you should not see the color of your black brothers’ skin, because you won’t see a part of who they are. My message isn’t that you should give your black brothers special treatment or feel like you must walk on egg shells around them, because that will only aid in the problem. My message is that you should see your black and minority brothers the same as your white brothers. The white brothers that you do not see as different, because they have the default white, greek-life race. When you ask men on your campus to rush phi tau, look at who you're asking to rush and see if there is any diversity in those men at all. When you see your black brothers, I want you to listen to anything they have to say about what you may be doing wrong and what you can do right. Know that the position that puts us in is very uncomfortable at times. This is one of the primary reasons why (even after thinking it a couple times) I have never left Phi Tau. I have seen the way this fraternity has grown into true men of distinction by listening to me and my struggles as a minority brother. By paying closer attention to who we recruit. By calling out brothers who say racial or micro-aggressive comments when the minority men were not in the room. I love Phi Kappa Tau. I would not change my decision for the world. To all the white brothers currently, make sure your minority brothers truly feel the same.  

Zeta Mu Returns to Appalachian State

By Dalton Lee, Baldwin Wallace ’11  

Zeta Mu Associate Chapter (2022)

The boys are back in Boone (Written to the tune of Thin Lizzy’s 1976 classic).

Nestled in the heart of the Appalachian Mountains, the city of Boone, North Carolina was visited by a different type of hunter this year. Associate Director of Organizational Growth, Hunter Pemberton, Akron ’18, has spent the last few months working with Appalachian State University to re-establish the Zeta Mu chapter of Phi Kappa Tau. Beginning recruitment during the Fall semester of 2021, Pemberton spent the last three weeks with the group of now 51 men, helping them set up a secure foundation from which they can grow their chapter. Already well above the campus average, the 51 members of the Zeta Mu chapter are working hard to charter as soon as possible.  

Zeta Mu Associate Chapter Installation Ceremony

Originally established in 2014, the Zeta Mu chapter was closed in 2019 due to risk management issues, including hazing. Prior to their closure, Zeta Mu was proving itself to be one of our most prominent chapters—rising quickly to the consideration of Maxwell status. With a second chance, this group of men lead by President, Tanner Craft and Vice President, Jake McInturff are hoping to recreate the successes of their predecessors. With goals to host a golf outing or fundraiser, have a trial-run of recruiting this semester, and set up a volunteer visit to the SeriousFun camp, Victory Junction, we can expect great things from the men in Boone. Pemberton said this of the group:  

“I really enjoyed working with this group. They are naturals when it comes to recruitment and did a lot of hard work in a very short amount of time to get up and going. I also think they will continue to recruit well even as they move into a more standard fraternity/Phi Tau experience. They are absolutely a chapter I could’ve seen myself in as an undergrad. They do a great job of making anyone and everyone feel welcome. I just really enjoyed working with these guys as well as the Boone area as a whole!”

Surrounded by ski resorts, hiking trails, and a tourist-friendly city, Pemberton encourages all alumni to pay a visit to the city of Boone and the men at Zeta Mu. Composed heavily of locals, they know of all the best places to visit and are excited to give brothers a glimpse into life in Boone and the new direction of their chapter. Join us in congratulating the men of Zeta Mu and Hunter Pemberton on all their hard work—may the successes continue long into the future.  

I Wonder

By Robert L. Wood, Mount Union ’66

I wonder…

What would America be like, look like and feel like had we embraced the full history of our diverse culture; recognizing its impressive, unknown and seldom-mentioned inventors, poets, scientists, business entrepreneurs, musicians, artists and others who broke, ignored and overcame barriers to become contributors in this complex society and gave the phrase “American Spirit” a whole different definition.

Black History Month is an opportunity and invitation for those becoming Phi Kappa Tau Men of Character to explore, study and contemplate such a wonder. Black History Month is a call of challenge for those who are or are becoming Men of Distinction to enact such a vision, moving us all to a place of ongoing vibrance, truth and depth.

…I wonder.

---

Robert L. Wood, Mount Union ’66

For Black History Month, Phi Kappa Tau will be spotlighting black voices and perspectives within Phi Kappa Tau. This first piece is from Robert L. Wood, Mount Union ’66.  

Robert L. Wood has a strong track record of designing effective interventions that bring awareness, understanding and action to diversity. His Work has spanned the globe from living in five countries on three continents to working in countries from Libya to Singapore. He has extensive international and U.S. experience in Organization Development,  Training and Strategic Planning.  Wood was featured as a Phi Kappa Tau alumni of distinction in the Summer 2021 issue of The Laurel.

A Newspaper Man, Through and Through

By Dalton Lee, Baldwin Wallace ’11

David McCollum and Richard Colthorp, publisher of the Las Cruces Bulletin, at the 112th NMPA Convention.

“I would have made this shorter, but I didn’t have the time” 

This highly debated quote has been attributed to many great writers throughout history—Mark Twain, Henry David Thoreau, and Woodrow Wilson among them. This quote was shared with me by David McCollum, Oklahoma State ’66. The sole inductee to the New Mexico Press Association Hall of Fame during its 112th convention, McCollum was honored with a standing ovation, befitting his storied career in the newspaper industry.  

McCollum’s career dates back to 1958, while in fifth grade he would write stories for his hometown paper, The Shidler Review. Retaining this passion throughout his youth, McCollum began his education at Oklahoma State University, majoring in journalism and psychology with the dream of writing for Sports Illustrated. Working throughout the entirety of his college education, McCollum held positions delivering pizza and papers, on the newspaper and yearbook staff, and as the head of advertising for the university’s alumni magazine. During his junior year, McCollum was set to take a sports writing internship in Bartlesville, Oklahoma, but upon arrival realized that the position had been mistakenly double booked. Undeterred, McCollum secured a position in the advertising department of the paper, which just happened to pay twenty dollars more per week plus commission. When asked to reflect upon his time at OSU and within Phi Tau, McCollum’s favorite memory was an obvious one—meeting his wife, Jaki. In 1968 Jaki would become the Phi Tau Dream Girl for the Beta Kappa chapter, today the couple has been married for over 50 years and have three children, six grandchildren, and one great-grandchild.  

David and Jaki McCollum (1968)

Following graduation, like many other men of his time, McCollum began his military service with the Kansas National Guard as a writer and photographer. In 1971, McCollum joined the Daily Oklahoman’s advertising department, helping grow the paper for the next ten years. During this time, he was commissioned as a public affairs officer for the Navy Reserve—achieving the rank of Lieutenant Commander. The coming decades would see a variety of positions throughout the newspaper industry and include relocations to New Mexico, Texas, and Pennsylvania. Returning to New Mexico, McCollum and his wife Jaki purchased the Las Cruces Bulletin in 2003; with this purchase came the founding of FIG Publications LLC. Under their ownership, the struggling paper transformed into a hub for Las Cruces business news. McCollum used decades of experience and know-how to grow their readership from 5,000 to 70,000 per issue. In 2009, in hopes of saving another paper from certain demise, the heroes of the Las Cruces Bulletin purchased the Rio Rancho Observer. Still in existence today, The Observer was sold by David and Jaki McCollum in 2012. For the next four years McCollum would serve as the deputy athletics director for New Mexico State University.  

As an undergraduate, McCollum stated that he was inspired and envious of brothers who found the time to hold leadership positions within the fraternity. Holding this admiration throughout his life, McCollum seized the opportunity to serve as the National Leadership Advisory for former National President, Mike Dovilla, Baldwin Wallace ’94, from 2016-2018. Through organizing reunions for Phi Tau’s of his time and working hard to ensure the success of the Beta Kappa chapter at OSU, McCollum remains committed to our organization.   

Phi Kappa Tau Announces New Strategic Plan

The Phi Kappa Tau National Council has developed a brand new Strategic Plan to guide the Fraternity through 2025.  

Phi Kappa Tau brothers are passionate about the Fraternity and believe that we are a unique organization that values inclusion and has the potential to break the mold of the typical fraternity. Brothers want to see the fraternity grow both at a local and national level, extending our reach in the years to come.  

But they also want to see us providing more value as a national organization to our chapters and members – building on the connection and diversity of our local chapters for a stronger and more engaged national organization that is prepared to navigate today’s challenging environment. Through the strategic plan we aim to provide clarity of the Fraternity’s goals, give more members a role in shaping our collective future, and set Phi Kappa Tau out on a path to greatness and leadership.  

The four main objectives of the Strategic Plan are to: 

• Accelerate growth of undergraduate membership 

• Provide differentiated value of membership through personal and professional growth, and engagement  

• Facilitate strong, lifelong ties of brotherhood 

• Establish a best-in-industry operational and financial model 

Of course, it’s easy to say “we want to grow” or “we want to create more value for members” – but how do we achieve those goals or know that we’re successful?. Therefore, each of these main objectives have been broken down into a total of 14 key results that will drive our execution and focus. You can access a pdf of the current strategic plan below or you can head to phikappatau.org/strategicplan. 

More details will be shared on each objective in the coming weeks. We are excited to grow and add value to the membership in the years to come! 

Objectives and key results can be downloaded by clicking here.

More information about the Strategic Plan including background and methodology can be found here.

Chapter Services Announces Spring 2022 Billing Structure

From the Chapter Services Team:

Phi Kappa Tau’s Chapter Services team stands ready to support you and your chapter during this time of rapid change and once life returns to some semblance of normalcy. We stand at the ready to answer questions, address concerns, and develop a plan of action alongside you to be prepared to move forward with 2022 and all that this new year has to offer.

With the rapid changes in Phi Kappa Tau programming over the past month—and all the uncertainty that came with this change—we understand that billing has been a part of this uncertainty. We are now prepared to clarify the fee structure that will use to assign your chapter’s Spring Bill on February 1st. This bill will be due in full, or with an agreed upon payment plan, on February 15th.

Please click here for a pdf overview of the billing, you will see that it is unchanged from what we communicated in August with the addition of a Spring Programming fee and insurance discounts.

If you have any questions or to begin working out a payment plan please reach out to your chapter's Success Manager.

Ethan Kelley, South Carolina '20, Interns with U.S. Department of State

A Q&A with Ethan Kelley, South Carolina ’20

Ethan Kelley, South Carolina ’20

With an endless flow of noteworthy news from our alumni, we often miss the chance to celebrate our undergraduate members—making equally noteworthy splashes in their fields. This week we were given the opportunity to conduct a brief interview with one of our distinguished undergraduates. Ethan Kelley, South Carolina ’20, is an economics major in his junior year. A member of our Zeta Xi chapter at the University of South Carolina, Kelley is putting his international studies minor to use during this spring semester. Being hired on as a student intern for the U.S. Department of State, Kelley will be serving virtually within the economic section of the London Embassy. We asked Kelley about his spring internship and his time as a member of Phi Tau: 

Q: In your own words, tell me a bit about your internship? Will you be living in London during this time, or working remotely? 

A: I am going to be working for the United States Embassy in London, specifically with the economic section. Up until November, I was planning on working in London, but similar to so many things over the past two years, the virtual option was always on the table. So, when Omicron went through the United Kingdom, the internship went online. This still has its benefits, where I get first-hand experience in a significant government organization, while still being able to spend the semester on campus with the rest of Phi Tau. The internship itself will include assisting in administrative work at the embassy, as well as research in specific issues related to US and UK trade relations (commercial diplomacy, investment analysis, etc)  

Q: How will this internship prepare you for your future career? What are some of your postgraduate plans? 

A: One of my favorite parts about this internship is that it aligns very well with the degree I am obtaining. Being an economics major with a minor in international studies, working with trade and economic relations between two nations is something I am looking forward to for a potential future career. While I am interested in government affairs, I am also keeping an open mind towards the private sector in fields such as consulting and business analysis.  

Q: Did your time in Phi Tau help propel you into this internship? If so, how? 

A: Being around this group of guys over the past few years has had a huge impact on how I look at school, internships, and postgrad life. One thing that I love about the brothers at the South Carolina chapter is how committed they are to the task at hand, whether that is fraternity business or their own paths. Looking at active brothers now, I know I am going to see successful lawyers, doctors, accountants and so many other careers in the future. I believe that constantly being surrounded by driven people creates a competitive environment in a positive way, and I think that is what we have here. 

Q: What are some of your proudest moments throughout your time in Phi Tau? 

A: Since I have been a member of Phi Tau, we have earned “Chapter of the Year” on campus, as well as earning “Most Improved Chapter” by the national office. We were also able to get the largest new member class in chapter history while I was co-recruitment chair (Shoutout Kevin Heckler). The thing I am most proud of with this chapter is that we raised about $18,000 in just six months for a memorial fund dedicated to mental health, after the passing of one of our brothers. There is one thing I do hope our chapter can accomplish before I graduate, and that is to win an intramural championship in some sport, and I do think our intramural chair, Trevor Hauer, has what it takes to bring a trophy to Zeta Xi.