Spotlighting Pride: Q and A with Two Brothers in the LGBTQ+ Community

Avery Welna, Coe ’21 (AW) 

Domenic Mularo, Mount Union ’19 (DM) 

Avery Welna, Coe ’21

Q: Tell me about your time as an undergraduate member of Phi Kappa Tau.   

AW: I am currently serving as the brotherhood chair, and previously served as the Secretary and Social Chair of the Iota Chapter of Phi Kappa Tau. I never actually planned to attend the recruitment event being put on by my chapter, but as I was passing by, I was welcomed and ended up having some amazing conversations with members of the chapter who would go on to be some of my closest friends. I'm incredibly active on campus, serving as the Interfraternal Council President, as well as President of our schools LGBTQ+ alliance, and a few others. I’m a double major in Political Science and International Studies with a Minor in Anthropology. Our Chapter is filled with motivated, dedicated, men of distinction who serve as huge leaders on campus, which helps us all strive to be our best and encourage each other in the process.  

DM: I rushed Phi Kappa Tau Fall 2019, and I wasn't sure if fraternity life was going to be the right pick for me, but a few of my friends in marching band (while I was in it for that short semester) were in sororities and they encouraged me to rush. After the first recruitment event, I knew that these guys were going to be my best friends for life. I was able to hold the Philanthropy Chair position for Spring and Fall 2020, as well as Membership Orientation Officer for Spring and Fall 2021. Besides that, I was also able to be on the Interfraternity Council as the Community Service and Philanthropy Chairman in tandem with Membership Orientation Officer for my chapter. Other than that, I was a boring Psychology major with a Criminal Justice minor. 

Q: What was your experience like as a member of the LGBTQ+ community going through recruitment?  

AW: If you had asked me before college if I intended on joining a fraternity, I would've probably given you a strong "No", however that quickly changed when I met the brothers. Our chapter genuinely felt like a place for me to be myself and be seen by the men around me as equals, whereas in other spaces throughout life there were always times I felt looked down on or discriminated against for being a Trans man. 

Domenic Mularo, Mount Union ’19

DM: As a member of the LGBTQ+ community going through recruitment, I was honestly quite scared. I had so many pre-conceived notions on how fraternities treated people like me, and I wasn't sure if I would be able to be myself around everyone. Luckily, the community at Mount Union has been, and I hope will continue to be, accepting and open to anyone who wants to join a Greek organization. 

Q: What do you believe our organization could improve upon to be more inclusive to members of the LGBTQ+ community?  

AW: In 2021, I attended a ΦΚΤ Leadership Conference and clearly remember the DEI workshop that was put on, expressing the importance of embracing ALL brothers. This only solidified for me that this community is strong and is always willing to grow, even in a world that can seem retrogressive at times.  Continuing to remain outspoken and supportive of our brothers of all backgrounds is a foundational piece in continuing inclusivity, and ΦΚΤ does an amazing job of this.  

DM: If there was anything that our organization could do to improve upon being more inclusive to members of the LGBTQ+ community, I would say being open to having conversations around issues the community faces. A lot of potential new members that may identify as a member of the LGBTQ+ community can be terrified to join a Greek organization because they aren't sure where the national organization stands on LGBTQ+ issues. If we could open the opportunity to have brothers come forward and discuss these issues at a national level, I think that could improve our inclusivity efforts. I also think that just being open to LGBTQ+ members throughout recruitment and having LGBTQ+ brothers on the ground, actively recruiting these people can bring about unprecedented, positive change to the many Greek communities around the country. 
 

Q: What was the greatest challenge you faced as a member of the LGBTQ+ community in a fraternal organization?  

AW: Due to the historical stigma behind fraternities, there is still progress to be made. I was the first trans man to join my chapter, which was incredible, but I will always advocate for inclusivity to ensure that trans men and other men of various backgrounds feel like they can join fraternities and find a safe and supportive space. I know that this change doesn't happen overnight though, which has been hard for me at times to work through especially as someone who isn't always patient. As they always say, all good things take time. 

Domenic Mularo and fellow members of Epsilon Chapter.

DM: The greatest challenge I faced as a member of the LGBTQ+ community in a fraternal organization was during my final semester as an Executive Board member on my campus' Interfraternity Council. We had an issue the semester prior with another fraternity's chapter on campus using homophobic slurs during recruitment towards our chapter to discourage potential new members from rushing our organization. It was extremely difficult to not only maintain my composure in the meetings to follow that discussed the issue at hand, but it was difficult to have faith and trust the disciplinary process. I was worried that this would get swept under the rug and forgotten about, which is not only heartbreaking to see as a member of the LGBTQ+ community, but it was also discouraging to potential new members who identify with the LGBTQ+ community. Issues like homophobia reflect poorly on a Greek community, and at Mount Union, our community is extremely open and accepting to anyone who wants to become a part of it. Luckily, we were able to work out these issues, the correct members of the chapter causing issues were reprimanded, and from what I saw as I was exiting my position, and graduating from Mount Union, interfraternal relationships have been better than they have been for years. 

Q: What are some of your proudest moments? This could be personal, career, etc.   

AW: ΦΚΤ has helped me continue my discovery into our Identity. Identities dig deep, they're deeper than the color of your skin, your sexuality, or your gender; things such as leader, motivator, go-getter, friend, brother, mentor, and the ways that someone interacts with the world around them and the people around them. My brothers are my friends, my rocks, and they also hold me accountable. They push me to be my best every day. I'm a straight A student, with heavy involvement in student government, athletics, research, advocacy on campus, and have been awarded for my leadership throughout the community. I know that this wouldn't be possible without my chapter, which continues to be one of the most positive forces in my life. 

DM: Since becoming a graduate member of Phi Kappa Tau, some of my proudest moments have obviously been graduating from college and attaining a degree, as well as being able to work for Phi Kappa Tau as a recruiter. But specifically, I was able to help spearhead two of the first ever large-scale LGBTQ+ focused event on campus at Mount Union, Drag Cabaret and Drag Bingo. These events brought in local drag entertainers from the area to perform for students on campus and show important pieces of LGBTQ+ culture that are often misunderstood by the outside world. These events have been extremely successful, and I hope they will continue to grow and become an established tradition at Mount Union in the future. 
 

Q: Do you have any parting words that you feel are important for our fellow brothers and readership to see?  

Avery Welna and fellow members of the Iota chapter.

AW: One of the most important things in this world is community. The networks, connections, friendships, and journey you travel throughout your life. Entering college is a hard time for a lot of people, and I can't stress enough the importance of finding a group early on to be part of your support system as you work to figure out who you're going to be in the professional world. Generally, I believe this to be true in most spaces; you won't find happiness or fulfillment in a job that isn't a positive and uplifting space, you won't find fulfillment in a friendship that isn't positive or uplifting, and so on. Build these strong connections early on, it's a small investment into a lifetime of social and mental gains. 

DM: If I had any parting words for our fellow brothers and readership to see, it would be that the first step to learning is asking a question. Never be afraid to ask if you don't understand something or have never heard about something. Being open to learning about someone's identity or community helps build acceptance and understanding over time, even if it is something small like asking what someone's pronouns are. These small steps can make a huge impact in the future, and you never know how much something small like that can mean to someone else. 

Spotlighting Pride: Pedro von Simson, Colorado '16

Originally from Olathe, KS, Pedro von Simson, Colorado ’16, grew up in a Kansas City suburb as an immigrant from Brazil. “With a name like Pedro, you’re not really looking for another way to stand out,” von Simson recalled. 

“I chose to go out of state to CU Boulder for undergrad because I felt as if I had already experienced the University of Kansas after growing up 20 minutes from it. Once I got to CU, I realized I was going to need to put myself out there to meet new people so I decided to rush in the fall of my freshmen year. Phi Tau quickly became my top choice given the diversity and openness of the chapter,” von Simson said. “I was open with the brothers about my sexuality and they offered me a bid anyway - that was surprising to me given what I thought I knew about fraternities.” 

During his four years at CU as a member of the Psi Chapter, Pedro held positions as Secretary and Vice President. “Feeling accepted is one thing, but when your brothers vote for you to help lead them, it really shows their respect for all walks of life”.  

After graduation, Pedro took a job at a tech startup in Denver. He began on the sales team and has since progressed into a marketing manager role.  

In 2021, Pedro joined the Phi Kappa Tau national Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility committee. “When the committee chair asked me to join, I was humbled and energized by the strides we are making to be a sustainable organization in the 21st century”, von Simson acknowledged. “Study after study has shown that diverse groups of people are more likely to come to better decisions. There’s a reason you see most public companies investing in diversity and inclusion efforts - it is good for your bottom line”. 

Pedro still lives in Denver and is part of his LGBTQ+ community at work and in his neighborhood. “My experience with Phi Tau helped me develop the confidence to put myself out there in other communities I once thought to be daunting”.  

“This month is about being proud of who we are as individuals and as an organization that accepts, includes, and supports the LGBTQ+ community”. 

Phi Kappa Tau Launches Oral History Project

What do we take away from our fraternity experience? Lifelong friends, leadership skills, and most importantly - stories. The Phi Kappa Tau Fraternity and Foundation has partnered with Publishing Concepts (PCI) to undergo an incredible Oral History Project. This project is intended to both help us hear the unique experience from members across the country, but also help update information and ensure your connection to Phi Kappa Tau never fades.

The stories will be packaged in a book that is available for purchase and will live on forever in the history of our organization. Can you attribute your success to Phi Kappa Tau? Did a brother leave a lasting impact on you? What about that intramural championship that brought the chapter together? All of these moments make up Phi Kappa Tau, and we want to hear them.

We understand that it’s not everyday that you receive a post card or an email asking you to call a number to verify your information and share your Phi Tau story - so to put you at ease, we’ve compiled some frequently asked questions that should help to clarify the process.

To call and share your story use this toll free number: 1-877-561-6329.

To learn more about PCI click here.

Golf's Fastest Men

Smith surfing.

By Dalton Lee, Baldwin Wallace ’11

There’s a quote from the 1966 classic film, The Endless Summer, that states, “With enough time and enough money, you could spend the rest of your life following summer around the world.” Garlin Smith, Miami ’83, began chasing summer following his graduation from Miami University in 1986. Accompanying a friend on their way to Los Angeles for a job interview, Smith found every mile ventured West to be a unique, eye-opening experience. As they made their way across the country, the duo found rest bits at ten Phi Tau houses along the way. Arriving in Los Angeles, Smith had decided to stay within 24 hours, and is still there 36 years later. Despite a love for Ohio, Smith was drawn to the lifestyle, weather, and outdoors afforded to citizens of Los Angeles. Deciding to embrace the culture, he bartended for the first year of living in LA, keeping the days open to surf and enjoy the sunshine. Carrying that passion for surfing for over thirty years, Smith has ventured to Costa Rica, Hawaii, Mexico, and Bali searching for great waves and a little extra hint of summer.  

Smith playing a round of speedgolf.

Surfing is far from the only hobby that keeps Smith active and outdoors. As the founder of Speedgolf SoCal, Smith is helping to usher in a new era of a beloved sport. First hearing about the underground sport six years ago, Smith was intrigued by the prospect of adding more of a fitness aspect to the game of golf—having begun to lose his passion for the game due to how much time a round would take and how little physical output it required. Taking it upon himself, Smith contacted a local course and decided to try a round. For some, shooting an 84 in a normal round of golf would be quite the achievement, but Smith did it in about 75 minutes. His passion for the sport of speedgolf was born that day and has propelled him to community stardom. Featured in Fore Magazine, Inside Hook, and the LA Times, Smith’s now bustling Speedgolf SoCal club has grown from a few friends to upwards of 25 members—now with a second contingent in Orange County. This group of like-minded individuals relish in the opportunity to play a sport they love, while staying fit and active. Their season runs from April to September, working with local courses to ensure they’re the first group out of the day, in order to cause no disturbance to other golfers. Southern California is far from the only place to begin adopting the sport, there is growing fondness and communities in England, Australia, and Japan. Tournaments and elite players have begun to emerge, some of the best completing courses in forty minutes and shooting par along the way. For the average player, the fitness and time aspects of the sport are the biggest draw. Having the ability to knock out a workout and round of golf, all within two hours and prior to starting work for the day, is undeniably appealing. For those interested in trying speedgolf for themselves, Smith recommends dressing in more traditional running clothes and carrying lightweight bags. When selecting clubs, he recommends picking 4-6 that you hit the straightest and are most comfortable with, keeping the staples in mind: driver, hybrid, long iron, wedge, and putter.  

Smith with his wife, Kristen, and their two dogs.

Outside of speedgolf, surfing, and other activities, Smith has spent his career in corporate sales, doing stints for media companies such as Fox Sports, Yahoo, and Pluto TV. Now serving as the Senior Account Executive for Paramount, Smith sells ad space for some of the company's biggest networks—CBS, MTV, and VH1 being among them. He and his wife, Kristen, live in Redondo Beach and have two dogs: Smoky, a 5-year-old chihuahua, and Jed, a six-month-old terrier mix.  

To learn more about Speedgolf, check out the LA Times article here.  

Oh The Places You Will Grow

Inaugural Growth Summit breathes new life into proactive recruitment planning for Chapters.

By Dalton Lee, Baldwin Wallace ’11

Participants, volunteers, and staff at the Phi Tau Growth Summit.

For the first time in over two years, undergraduate and graduate brothers from all over the country joined together with a common goal in mind—continuing to grow our organization and sustaining excellence long into the future. Growth Summit was an in-person educational program, taking place May 26th through May 28th in Fort Worth, Texas, comprised of 81 undergraduate members, Executive Office staff members, graduate volunteers, and members of the National Council. All holding leadership positions within their chapters, the undergraduate brothers were provided valuable breakout sessions on recruitment, retention, and risk prevention.  

Gamma Alpha Brothers educating peers on recruitment.

With the primary focus of the event being to increase chapter size through real tactics, the Growth Summit attendees not only got presentations from graduate members who were successful during their time as undergraduates, but also from peers from our chapters who regularly recruit the largest associate classes. The Psi chapter at UC Boulder representing the large schools, the Gamma Alpha chapter at Michigan Tech representing medium sized schools, and the Epsilon chapter at Mount Union representing the smaller sized schools. Following the peer presentations, we were able to speak to men from these chapters. There was a resounding since of pride in sharing their accomplishments and helping fellow brothers take some of their most useful tactics back to their chapters. Alongside these presentations from their peers, the attendees received breakout sessions from National Vice President, Barry Mask, Auburn ’78, and National Recruitment Advisor, Taylor Johnson, Auburn ’14. Mask and Johnson were in agreement that the most important takeaway from their sessions and from this weekend is preparation and beginning recruitment process long before the semester starts.  

Mountz leading a session on hazing education.

Growth is not only about gaining new members but keeping existing ones. Foundation Development Officer, Alex Haller, Middle Tennessee State ’16, presented on Phi Kappa Tau’s Mark of Distinction Program and new member education; John Mountz, Penn State ’90, led a large group session surrounding hazing myths; and special guest presenters from the Beers Aren’t Bad program discussed proper alcohol use and breaking bad habits. Following the educational events on Friday night, a Foundation Reception was held for alumni in the surrounding area. With graduate and undergraduate brothers gathered in celebration, the reception was a joyous occasion that brought many generations of men together. Not only giving back with their willingness to learn, the undergraduate brothers also donated over $400 to the Phi Kappa Tau Foundation throughout the weekend, each individual receiving a brotherhood pin for their donation. With all the successes over the course of these three days, it was a reminder of the benefits of in-person programming and all that we missed out on over these past couple of years. We look forward to many more programs in the future.  

Did I Do Enough?

Graduation Op-Ed by Jay Jenkins, Lynchburg '19

Jay Jenkins celebrating graduation.

Phi Kappa Tau has been the backbone of my college experience. Even through the obstacles, I wouldn’t trade it for the world. There were times during my undergraduate years when I was wishing to finally become one of those “fun alumni” who don’t have to hold any positions or have any major responsibilities to the chapter. Well, I’m finally there. An alumni of Phi Kappa Tau and it doesn’t feel as fun as I thought it would be. The main feeling that I have as an alumni of Phi Tau is worry. They always told us that you should leave the chapter in a better place than you found it. The normal feelings of worry come with that in mind. Did I do enough? Did I represent to the best of my ability what a man of distinction looks like? Did I provide enough mentorship to each new class? Is it truly better than what I entered? When thinking of these questions while filled with worry, I realized the answer to all these questions were, yes. Yes, because if I didn’t ask them to myself or have this completely normal feeling of worry, then that’s when I did something wrong. That’s when I would know that I didn’t do enough during my undergraduate years.  

I graduated college, and many other brothers across the country are doing the same—congratulations to all the Phi Tau graduates. I want to share something: while I am excited to finally be done with my academic life, I’m also in a way scared. I know that might sound foolish, but all my life there has always been a set in stone “what’s next.” You go from this grade to this grade to this grade. There was always a chronological constant. For the first time in my life there is no longer a set in stone what's next. Finally, what’s next is whatever I choose it to be. While that may seem exciting it does make me scared. The feeling of not having that safety net of knowing what exactly was next after every accomplishment. But as I stated before, Phi Kappa Tau has been my backbone in my undergraduate years and like any wise brother has said before, it’s more than just four years.  

This is going to be tough. We’re at the point in our lives that many of us have looked forward to when we were younger. I have to continually remind myself that when summer is over I’m not just moving back to college or studying for exams anymore, not going to go to weekly chapter meetings, and worrying about rush week. I now have to start buying more regular clothes, because wearing letters and greek shirts everyday isn’t going to fly anymore. I’m finally in the real world. This is the moment when I truly thank my membership in Phi Kappa Tau. Without it, I wouldn’t know how to lead meetings, navigate Roberts rules, promote, advertise and execute events or engage in any philanthropic activities. I wouldn’t have the experience of problem solving with peers you are always working with. I now look forward to attending brother's weddings and having them in mine. Seeing which one gets a kid first. Seeing what kind of fancy job they all get. Visiting each one wherever they end up in the world and especially coming back to the undergrad chapter to see how they are doing. Phi Tau has made me a better man. A man that is ready to take on anything this world will throw at him.  

Aaron Hawkins, Kent State ’96, is Named Bluegrass Domain Director

Aaron Hawkins, Kent State ’96.

By Dalton Lee, Baldwin Wallace ’11

The opportunities and experiences afforded to us as members of Phi Kappa Tau are plentiful, and not lacking in their advantages, but none are as beautiful and life changing as those provided to Aaron Hawkins, Kent State ’96. As an associate member of Phi Tau, Hawkins partook in a Kent State tradition called Song Fest. At the event, fraternities and sororities would pair up and prepare a lip sync routine to perform on stage. Having the good fortune to be paired with a sister of the Chi Omega sorority named Melissa, Hawkins would get a brief glimpse into the rest of his life. Now, after twenty-one years of marriage, Aaron and Melissa Hawkins have two daughters, Ali and Melody.  

Hawkins family at Disney.

Finding more than love and family in his time as an undergraduate member of Phi Tau, Hawkins described his experience as extraordinary. Hoping to give back to current and future members of Phi Tau, Hawkins has been named the new Bluegrass Domain Director. No stranger to service, Hawkins has served as BOG Chairman for the Beta Mu chapter, Interim Director of Greek Affairs, and as a part-time adjunct professor for the MBA program at Kent State University. After seeing the posting for the open Domain Director position, Hawkins decided to put his risk management and strong financial background to work for our organization. Having held positions with Joann Fabrics, Dollar General, US Bank, and now the VP and Treasury Management Officer for Simmons Bank, he enters this position with an abundance of experience.  

Hawkins running a race.

Outside of family, work, and volunteering, Hawkins is an avid distance runner. Overcoming a multiple sclerosis diagnosis in 2003 and a lung cancer diagnosis in 2019—which resulted in the loss of the majority of his left lung—Hawkins celebrated his 50th birthday in May of 2022 by running his 50th full marathon in Cleveland, Ohio. Furthering his love for running, Hawkins also serves as the head cross country coach and assistant track coach for a high school in Tennessee.  

Congratulations to our newest Domain Director, our Bluegrass schools and this organization have gained a valuable resource.  

How Do We Keep Our Brotherhood Strong?

This is a part of the Strategic Plan 2025 series, zooming in on each of the pillars of the plan and going into further detail on their importance. For the full Strategic Plan click here.

Strategic Plan Pillar: Facilitate Strong, Lifelong Ties of Brotherhood 

A Phi Kappa Tau Graduate at the Zeta Lambda chapter at Middle Tennessee State University.

Why: Our organization is nothing without the brothers who comprise it. Beginning at the undergraduate level, we must work to provide and adapt to the needs of the current college student. Ensuring this support will carry more undergraduate members through their education and into graduate status. With additional graduate members who felt the true power of this brotherhood, we can cultivate lasting ties and engagement. The importance of these lifelong ties goes beyond the success of our organization, and bridges into the well-being of our members.  

How: The first step to accomplishing this pillar is Membership Development – we must strive to have 100% of chapters implement a (to-be-developed) next-generation membership orientation and development program. As the needs of the average college student change, we will work to meet those needs to the best of our ability. We are currently revising the new member program to update it and better fit the Phi Tau’s of tomorrow. This will take us beyond the “Mark of Distinction” program and become an adaptable more engaging program for years to come. 

Recent Phi Kappa Tau graduates at Baldwin Wallace University.

The second step zooms in on the members once they’ve been initiated: Student Success – 75% of undergraduate members are retained from association through graduation and graduate within 6 years of matriculation. It is one thing to recruit new members, but another thing to retain them through graduation and ensure they’re having a meaningful experience. We are exploring ways to increase membership retention so that three out of four men who initiate into Phi Kappa Tau also graduate in good standing. This is achieved through a stronger new member program and ensuring each stage of the Phi Tau journey is offering value to men as they proceed through college. Not only will we provide undergraduate members with the tools to be successful, we will guide them through and provide the highest possible level of support.  

The final step in the pillar calls upon the heft of our organization: Alumni Engagement – we are reaching to increase the number of engaged alumni by 100%. Engagement means a lot of things. It could be local engagement, national engagement. Participating in foundation events or volunteering at educational programs. Perhaps it is simply opening and responding to our newsletters. There are several small alumni groups who interact constantly, and we need to collect their stories. With this we can have a better understanding of why and how people engage with Phi Kappa Tau after they graduate. 

What can you do? Be on the lookout for ways to engage both locally and nationally. Provide feedback on national programming. Become an ambassador for Phi Kappa Tau with your alumni cohort. Keep in touch with undergraduates as they graduate. 

Remembering Chef Joe Castro, Transylvania '81

By Dalton Lee, Baldwin Wallace ’11

Chef Joe Castro (2006).

For a chef to make a lasting impression on the culinary scene they must blend creativity, craftsmanship, and personality into their restaurant and dishes. For Joe Castro, Transylvania ’81, this meant melding the homestyle cooking of his mother, who was a Kentucky native, with the pacific island cuisine of his father, who was of Filipino decent. The by-product of this pacific-americana hybrid was what many described as one of the finest restaurants in Louisville and throughout the state of Kentucky. Castro spent fifteen years as the Executive Chef at The English Grill at The Brown Hotel and gained widespread recognition throughout the Kentucky culinary community. Breaking onto the national stage, Castro was featured on The Discovery Channel's "Great Chefs of the South" and "Great Chefs of America" TV series in 1994. In 2000, he helped launch the Chef's Table premium dining experience at The English Grill. Alongside his brother, chef John Castro, he appeared on “Throw Down with Bobby Flay” in 2007; the duo prepared their Kentucky’s famous Hot Brown dish, which netted them a victory in the competition. Leaving The English Grill in 2007, Castro assumed the role of Culinary Training Manager for General Electric's Monogram Appliances. 

On April 23rd, 2022, Joe Castro died at the age of 60, surrounded by loved ones. Castro is remembered fondly by fellow chefs, food critics, and all those who knew him. "Joe was truly one of the nicest human beings I have ever met," wrote a GE Appliances coworker, Mason Carrico. "His caring attitude and genuine kindness are two traits that always made Joe stand out. His passion and talent for cooking were second to none. We love Joe and he will always have a special place in our hearts." Castro is survived by his wife, Kathleen Stevens Castro; children, Eleanor Stevens Castro, Max Ignacio Castro and Lydia Stevens Castro; sister, Alfreda Donahue; and brothers, John Castro and Paul Castro. 

Nicholas Marshall, Louisville '05, A Pathway to Purpose

Nicholas Marshall, Louisville ’05

By Dalton Lee, Baldwin Wallace ’11

The month of May has come to represent and celebrate a variety of things: the first true feeling of Spring, the ending of the school year, holidays such as Mother’s Day and Memorial Day, and Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. In addition to these celebrations, May is also National Foster Care Month. This initiative by the Children’s Bureau takes the time to acknowledge foster parents, family members, volunteers, mentors, policymakers, child welfare professionals, and all other members of the community who help children and youth in foster care find permanent homes. We were fortunate enough to sit down with Nicholas Marshall, Louisville ’05, to discuss his experience in foster care, as a member of Phi Kappa Tau, and amid an Indiana State Senate campaign.   

Marshall had been in the foster care system since he was an infant, and later recommitted when he turned eighteen, making him in state’s care for over twenty years. Throughout his adolescence, Marshall was fortunate enough to have foster parents who instilled upon him a desire to give back to the community. Unlike many in foster care, Marshall was provided the opportunity to pursue an education by recommitting to state care. Arriving on Louisville’s campus, Marshall’s desire to give back to his new community went above and beyond the average student. Within Phi Tau, Marshall served as Rush Chair, Sargeant in Arms for two years, and finally served one term as Vice President. His service to the fraternity earned him the title of Most Outstanding Brother before becoming a graduate member. In addition to his many fraternal positions, Marshall was on the orientation staff for the University of Louisville; served as the cardinal bird mascot, getting to travel with teams and attend the cheerleading national championships; did a two-year research study for the state of Kentucky; and volunteered with programs for at-risk youth. Despite Marshall’s staggering resume and clear, natural proclivity for service and leadership, it was his biological brother who inspired him to pursue a seat in the Indiana State Senate. At an event for Kentucky Foster Care and Adoption Services, Marshall was given the honor of being the keynote speaker. Following the speech, his brother made him take a moment and observe the impact Marshall’s speech had on the audience filled with powerful and influential members of the Kentucky community.   

Marshall’s campaign logo.

Marshall’s campaign is focused on impacting “Everyday Hoosiers,” who are all too often put on the back burner of policy making. Inspired by a foster parent who was a teacher, Marshall wants to ensure that educators in Indiana no longer have to leave the state to receive appropriate pay, benefits, and resources. Along with his focus on the educational system, Marshall hopes to alleviate the need for parents to have multiple jobs just to support their family—achieving what he describes as Economic Mobility. Drawing upon his own experience, the last of his primary goals, if elected, is to be a champion of those in foster care throughout the state of Indiana. With roughly ten to twelve thousand children currently in the Indiana foster care system, this issue is becoming more relevant than ever—exacerbated by the deficiency in resources due to the COVID-19 pandemic.  

Marshall, his wife, Melonie, and their two children.

Outside of his current campaign, Marshall works at the Republic Bank and Trust, serves on the Board of Directors Coalition Support Young Adults, serves on both the Associate Board and Board of Directors for Nativity Academy of St. Boniface Middle School, volunteers at The Cabbage Patch Settlement House, serves on advisory board council for the Home of Innocents, and worked in the past with the One Love Louisville Implementation Team with Metro Government to reduce violence in our community. Marshall and his wife, Melonie, have been married for six years and have two children, Sebastian and Evelyn.  

For more information regarding Nicholas Marshall’s campaign, click the link here.