CEO Search: Who Will Lead the Phi Kappa Tau Fraternity?

Head to phikappatau.org/careers for the CEO job description and application/referral links.

The Phi Kappa Tau Executive Offices

Phi Kappa Tau National Fraternity seeks a proven leader to serve as Chief Executive Officer (CEO). The CEO will provide overall strategic leadership and effective operational execution for the Fraternity. This includes management of all programs and operations of the National Fraternity, execution of the Fraternity’s long-term strategic plan, hiring and leading staff, and representing the organization to external constituencies.  The CEO also serves as an ex officio member and as the board secretary of the National Council, as well as the other governing boards of the national fraternity. 

 The National Council has established a clear path to success in this effort.  To date the following steps have been taken:  

Step One: Search Committee - A talented and broadly experienced search committee has been tasked with leading the process.  The committee is chaired by William Macak, Past National President, and includes the following members:  

• Raymond Carlos National Councilor  

• Stephen Martino Foundation Trustee 

• Phil Frandina Domain Director 

• Mike Rosser SeriousFun National Advisor 

• Scott Siegel Undergraduate Advisory Board 

• Bob Ragsdale Past National Councilor 

The committee membership reflects broad geographic and generational diversity, providing experience, perspective and talent that will help guide the search process. All demonstrate high achievement in their fields and extraordinary commitment and service to Phi Kappa Tau. Their fraternal backgrounds include small and large chapters at public and private colleges and universities, and volunteer service to local chapters and the international organization. 

The National Council is grateful for their willingness to serve Phi Kappa Tau in this meaningful way. 

Step Two: Search Counsel - The National Council has engaged Columns Fundraising (www.columnsfundraising.com), a firm based in Atlanta, Georgia, to conduct a national search for our next CEO.  Columns has worked with not-for-profits and associations across the country and has a unique experience in the Greek world – three of their founding partners served as past staff members and CEOs within their respective fraternities/fraternal foundations and continue working with fraternities and sororities at the national and local level.  The Columns team works extensively with Greek membership organizations, higher education, healthcare, independent schools, faith-based organizations, and social service organizations.  Wes Wicker, Mark Wilkison and David Carico, three of the firm’s co-founders, are leading the search for Phi Kappa Tau.    

Step Three: Search News and Communication - It is important that the members of Phi Kappa Tau are fully informed about the status of the search in a way that also preserves candidate confidentiality. To accomplish this, the Phi Tau website will provide a detailed position description (click here), answers to frequently asked questions about the process, and the most updated information concerning the search.  Please note that all questions regarding the search and the application process should be directed to the Columns team at PhiKappaTau@columnsfundraising.com.  

Should you wish to recommend someone as a potential candidate for this position, please do so using this online form.  Recommendations will be accepted through Monday, January 16, 2023. 

Should you wish to apply for the position, please do so using this online form.  Applications will be accepted through Friday, January 27, 2023. 

The National Council has great confidence in the resources it is deploying for this key appointment. The committee working in conjunction with the Columns team has been charged with finding the very best CEO for Phi Kappa Tau, and we look forward to success on this front in the coming months. 

2022 Scholarship Recipient Spotlight

No program of the Phi Kappa Tau Foundation makes a more direct impact on the lives of individual members than scholarships. Based on individual merit and financial need, in Fiscal Year 2022, the Phi Kappa Tau Foundation offered 20 national scholarships, though the need is much greater. Foundation scholarships both recognize outstanding individuals and support students in need, reducing the burden on families and reducing the need for additional student loans.  

Below are the 2022 scholarship recipients. In addition, we share a more in-depth look at five of the winners. 

Included for the first time on this list are our two new scholarships, the Jon F. Hays Scholarship funded by National Councilor Jon Hays, Old Dominion ‘07 and the Rosser - Call Volunteer Support Scholarship funded by National SeriousFun Advisor, Mike Rosser, Colorado State ‘61.  

Paul A. Elfers Omega: Michael Venardi, Illinois ’21; Will McLean, Belmont ’22; Justin Wright, South Carolina ’18; Tanner Ryan Wynne, Lynchburg ’20 

 E. Thomas Boles Jr.: Zack Kroll, Illinois-Springfield '21 

 Ewing T. Boles: Alexander Fairchild-Flynn, Nebraska Wesleyan '18 

 Jack L. Anson: Andrew Li Welch, Maryland '18 

 Charles M. Shaw: Elliot Eisenmenger, Nebraska Wesleyan '20 

 J. Oliver Amos: Cade Thompson, North Carolina State '19  

 Harold H. Short: Zach Alwicker, Illinois-Springfield '19 

 J. Franklin S. McMullan: Joshua Anderson, Illinois-Springfield '19 

 Rea and Lela Axline: Maksymilian Marciniak, Illinois-Springfield '19 

 Ernest H. Volwiler: Ethan Rogers, Mississippi State '21 

 Gregory D. Hollen: Joshua Tuttelman, Maryland '22 

 Thomas C. Cunningham Memorial: Ashton Reynolds, South Carolina '19 

---

Jonathon Webb, Idaho ’22, Jon F. Hays Scholarship Fund 

Major: Mathematics 

How do you think these funds will impact your upcoming academic year? 

An extra thousand dollars amounts to a week to ten days of work for me, so these funds will allow me a bit more time and flexibility this year. 

What are your plans following the completion of your degree? 

To attend graduate school, most likely pursuing a PhD in mathematics. 

Trevor Linn, Nebraska Wesleyan ’20, Rosser - Call Volunteer Support Scholarship 

Major: Religion/Philosophy 

How do you think these funds will impact your upcoming academic year? 

These funds will make focusing on school easier than worrying about how much money I will have to take out a loan for next semester. 

What are your plans following the completion of your degree? 

Going on to graduate school. 

William Payne.

William Payne, Georgia ’21, Paul A. Elfers Omega Scholarship 

Major: Microbiology 

How do you think these funds will impact your upcoming academic year? 

These funds are going to allow me to focus more on extracurriculars and studying instead of employment. After completing a Summer Internship at a lab, I was offered for the Fall with wages. I plan to switch to a more intellectually involved position in the Spring that will give me course credit instead of wages, and because of these funds, I will have to worry about money a lot less. 

What are your plans following the completion of your degree? 

I'm still not sure what I want to do following my completion, but it'll likely involve some postgraduate institution. My work would ideally be related in some way to improving people's health - it might be a Master's of Public Health, PhD track, MD/DO track, or something else, but my degree can be surprisingly versatile. 

Chad Warrick, Akron ’09, Parent’s Fund Scholarship 

Major: Higher Education Administration (DEd) 

How do you think these funds will impact your upcoming academic year? 

These funds will minimize the stress that comes with paying for my doctorate out of pocket. 

What are your plans following the completion of your degree? 

I plan to lead a fraternity and sorority community at an institution of higher education and eventually hold upper administration positions in Student Affairs. 

Dorian Brown, Louisville ’19, Paul A. Elfers Omega Scholarship 

Major: Communications 

Dorian Brown.

How do you think these funds will impact your upcoming academic year? 

The usage of these fund will impact my school year tremendously. The past couple of years I've had to work the overnight shift at UPS Monday-Friday to help may for school. This year I have been elected Student Body President and the responsibilities that come with that and working overnights would have caused conflict and a lot of stress. This scholar will allow me to not have to work at UPS for the year and ensure that my focus on Student Government and my Presidential duties are maximized. 

What are your plans following the completion of your degree? 

After the completion of my degree, I plan to pursue a career in Corporate Communications and Marketing. 

The 2023 Scholarship Application is Here!

It’s never too early to start preparing for your next academic year! 

The Phi Kappa Tau Foundation has happily opened the applications for all 2023 scholarships. Coming early this year, the Foundation scholarship applications will be available for all until midnight on March 1, 2023. The various scholarships provided are available to students pursuing bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees. While each may hold a specific set of requirements, all recipients are chosen based on their service to their campus, community and Fraternity. 

With over twenty scholarships up for grabs, worth upwards of $4500, taking the time to fill out this application could add some much-needed financial comfort for your next academic year. Past scholarship recipients have described the process as quick and easy. As a student, your plate is often full and there are countless things to worry about, do not let finances be an unnecessary part of that worry. 

To apply, you will need one letter of recommendation, an up-to-date resume including any volunteer or campus community service and at least two references, and an essay describing how, by admitting you to membership, Phi Kappa Tau has helped you develop into a Man of Distinction. 

We would be remised if we didn’t take some time to thank the alumni, parents, and friends who make these scholarships possible. It is because of them that the Foundation has the opportunity to provide these funds to those in need.  

Please follow the link here to begin your application! 

Let's See How Far We've Come

This is a part of the Strategic Plan 2025 series. 

July 2022 marked the beginning of the new fiscal year for Phi Kappa Tau. The time period of July-October was focused on: 

1. Realizing the initial returns from our growth focus 

1. Vocalizing the value of membership that Phi Kappa Tau has the potential to provide 

1. Evolving the brotherhood journey with an eye towards greater lifelong ties 

1. Establishing a regular quarterly cadence to advancing achievement of the 2025 Strategic Plan 

With the departure of Tim Hudson as CEO in August, there was a lot of work to be done in solidifying the workflow at the executive offices and ensuring staff members and volunteers were supported in their efforts. While the organization is still actively seeking the next CEO of the Phi Kappa Tau Fraternity, there was substantial progress made in all areas of the strategic plan during the July-September quarter.  

The reestablished Epsilon Nu Associate Chapter.

Realizing the Initial Return of Growth Focus: A strong focus was on building on the success of the inaugural Growth Summit in May and executing a strong fall semester recruitment. The fraternity took a proactive approach to recruitment, offering new recruitment services to each chapter through the newly hired staff recruiters. Additionally, our growth department became fully operational again with a team of four recruiters hitting the road this past semester. This resulted in a remarkable success at Clemson University by reestablishing the Epsilon Nu chapter. While our opportunity at the University of Minnesota did not go as planned, vital lessons were learned in expansion planning and the department was able to pivot and seize opportunities at Wright State University and the University of Dayton.  

Newly developed recruitment marketing materials were published and accessed by hundreds of brothers, providing a more brand consistent appearance for our local chapters to leverage. Furthermore, analysis was completed to learn more about retention and attrition causes from association to graduation which will better inform the support available to chapters and membership strategies. Lastly, the fraternity developed a historical and future predictive membership forecasting model to inform our planning for future years. So far this semester, chapters have recruited over 700 new members.  

Vocalizing the Value of Membership: Providing brothers with the ability to speak quantifiably about the impact of Phi Kappa Tau is essential in advancing our vision. That is why through assessment efforts we were able to develop the initial version of a new speaker toolkit focused on the benefits of Phi Kappa Tau membership. These talking points are now available and provide brothers with statistics and impact statements on the positive value of Phi Kappa Tau for use at recruitment events, anniversaries, or any chapter engagement. This analysis was gathered by research from the North American Interfraternity Conference, our recently rolled Graduate Exit Survey, and general polls regarding the value of membership.  

2020 Presidents Academy, 2023 will see this program turn into “Zenith Officer Institute”

To provide more value to our membership a review of our educational programming was conducted, leading to the development of exciting new educational programs that will take place in 2023, such as the Zenith Officer Insititute. Additionally, the chapter services team has conducted a review of the Borradaile Challenge, both the metrics and the reporting structure. This will help the fraternity more accurately assess the needs of the undergraduate chapter operations.  

Evolving the Brotherhood Journey: A new and formalized Membership Journey has been defined as an organizing mechanism to focus our strategy, analysis, and initiatives to the specific areas that can most improve the membership experience. This new journey design maps the storyline of how members of Phi Kappa Tau progress through our brotherhood experience, as well as the touchpoints the national organization has with them along the way. It helps put us in the shoes of our members, so that we can see and understand the progression of their experience, as well as identify needs and areas of potential improvement.  

Click image to explore the membership journey.

A key piece of this journey identified for improvement is the graduation process. An enhanced experienced will be rolled out this semester to more smoothly transition graduating brothers taking their first step into their post-college life. This was informed by the graduate exit survey and by some very practical steps that will make life easier for recently graduated Phi Kappa Tau members.  

Another area of focus the development of our new membership orientation program, which is progressing towards a pilot rollout this coming spring. We also kicked off our new partnership with Dyad Strategies with the Phi Kappa Tau Brotherhood assessment, which will provide useful information to better tailor services to chapters in the years to come.  

Establishing a Quarterly Planning & Execution Cadence to Achieve the Strategic Plan:  In the most recent quarter a strong commitment was placed on regular check ins and leveraging our technology investments with programs like the Perdoo OKR tracking software. With the team engaged, it was possible to get a lot done in a brief period of time. This has also allowed for us to have increased transparency across departments and stakeholders with the progress made on the Strategic Plan. You can check out the Q2 goals by clicking here, which are currently well under way.

There’s still a lot to be done, but we’re well on our way to achieving our strategic goals by 2025. If you would like to check them out you can visit phikapptau.org/strategicplan. If you have feedback or would like to learn how to become involved with any initiatives, please contact communications@phikapppatau.org. 

It's Not Wrong, It's Wright: Delta Nu Returns

By Dalton Lee, Baldwin Wallace ’11

Members of the newly established Delta Nu.

The Phi Kappa Tau Expansion Team is on a roll! Following the success at Clemson, another team of newcomers is making waves in Dayton, Ohio. Domenic Mularo, Mount Union '19, and Danny Baldwin, Akron ’18, arrived in Dayton this October and have established an outstanding foundation for the revitalization of the Delta Nu chapter at Wright State University. Through diligent work, Mularo and Baldwin were able to recruit an associate class of 11 men, holding the ceremony on November 12th.  With this strong start, there is hope that the chapter will be able to continue gathering new members throughout the Spring and next Fall, reaching around the campus average (mid-twenties).  

The first crucial win for this project was simply getting the name Phi Kappa Tau back onto the university’s campus. Historically one of the stronger fraternities on campus, the Delta Nu chapter has a rich history in a thriving greek community. The success of this project was strongly aided by the fraternity and sorority advisor, Gina Keucher, and the Panhellenic community. With the help of Keucher, Mularo and Baldwin were able to recruit their first new member and current chapter president, Dylan Collison, Wright State AM. Other key members in the current chapter are Kadyn Beckman, Wright State AM, Dominic Deluca, Wright State AM, and Donnell Smith, Wright State AM. These men were instrumental in boosting group morale and providing support and assistance to our recruiters throughout the project. The team was also thankful for Delta Nu graduate, Zac Ganger, Wright State '12, for connecting them with alumni around the area and Brooke Leppla, a Wright State-Zeta Tau Alpha alumni, for providing strong connections with the past group of Delta Nu men.  

Through their tireless work, Mularo and Baldwin have established a foundation on which this chapter can grow in the years to come. When ask what Delta Nu would need to do to be successful, the duo stated, “From what we have already seen out of the group, all of the current members have taken the initiative to research their positions, the fraternity, and how they can better the organization within Delta Nu. If they continue on this path, this chapter will easily be able to find success in the future.” 

Dr. Rob Butera, Jr., Georgia Tech '87, Honored by His Alma Mater

Robert Butera.

Another of our Georgia Tech alumni has been recognized for their distinguished life and career. Dr. Rob Butera, Jr., Georgia Tech '87, joins Steve Chaddick, Georgia Tech '70, as a member of the Georgia Tech Greek Hall of Fame.  

Completing his undergraduate studies at Georgia Tech in 1991, Butera left behind a distinguished four years as a member of Phi Kappa Tau—having served in several roles including Administrative Vice President, IFC Executive Vice President, and was inducted into the Order of Omega. Following his graduation, Butera returned to his alma mater in 1999, and has served on the faculty of the School of Electrical and Computer Engineering and the Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering. Throughout his career, Butera has held the positions of Associate Dean for Research in the College of Engineering and Co-Director of the Neural Engineering Center. In 2019, he took on the role of Vice President for Research Development and Operations and with it came a myriad of responsibilities, including: supporting and developing the research enterprise; operating the internally funded research programs in collaboration with the colleges; overseeing core facilities and research space; and managing policies related to research administration and operations.  

Robert Butera receiving the Senior Undergraduate Research Mentor Award.

Paired with his tenure at Georgia Tech, Butera is an accomplished researcher in the neural engineering community. His work is focused on developing novel methods for peripheral and autonomic nerve modulation using electrical signaling—combining engineering and neuroscience to tackle clinically motivated problems. Robert has been awarded several patents. For much of his earlier career, he developed computational approaches to problems in systems and cellular neuroscience. 

When not being an accomplished faculty member and researcher, Butera is still a dedicated brother of Phi Kappa Tau; serving as the faculty advisor to the Alpha Rho Chapter for nearly 20 years in addition to serving on the Housing Corporation.

When House Becomes Home

This piece is from 2021-2022 Annual Report, to read the issue and subscribe to The Laurel click here.

By Dalton Lee, Baldwin Wallace ’11, and Charlie Ball, Miami ’82

Beta chapter house at Ohio University.

One of the most significant ways the Phi Kappa Tau Foundation supports local chapters is through educational housing grants. While the Foundation cannot fund chapter house projects entirely, donors may support portions of chapter houses which are considered educational. Sometimes, this can account for forty percent or more of a house’s construction, renovation and ongoing operating expenses. 

For chapters that are housed, having a safe, comfortable facility that is conducive to the living-learning experience of study and chapter activities is a key component to an outstanding Phi Tau experience. First-quality housing also assures the competitiveness of our chapters in recruiting future Men of Distinction. Chapter housing must be competitive with other Greek housing and the increasing variety of college and university housing and dining options.  

Gamma chapter house at The Ohio State University.

In recent years, the Foundation has played important roles in providing a tax-deductible conduit for contributions to critical housing upgrades and construction projects. The Foundation partnered with two of our oldest chapters, Beta at Ohio University and Gamma at Ohio State to complete significant modernizations and improvements to iconic houses that were showing signs of age and are now providing a competitive edge to those chapters. 

Upsilon-Nebraska Wesleyan University 

At the Upsilon Chapter at Nebraska Wesleyan University, renovation of their National Register of Historic Places-listed home was spurred by a tragedy. Warren Mattox, Nebraska Wesleyan ’69, recounts the story of the November 17, 2006, fire that broke out in the Upsilon Chapter house, resulting in the death of Ryan Stewart, Nebraska Wesleyan ‘06 and the critical injury of three others. Mattox (now Vice Chairman of the Phi Kappa Tau Foundation board) assumed a leadership role in reviving the chapter and rebuilding and improving the historic chapter house. Joined by John Green, Nebraska Wesleyan’60, Bill Bowmaster, Nebraska Wesleyan’53, and many other alumni volunteers, the group set out to raise the funds to rebuild. With the help of capital campaign consultants, Pennington and Company, the group was able to raise an additional $380,000 for their project through the Foundation. Now, as they near their centennial celebration, the men of the Upsilon are also celebrating ten years of a fresh start and new home with significant educational and safety improvements.    

Kappa-University of Kentucky 

Kappa chapter house at the University of Kentucky.

At the University of Kentucky, the campaign to build a brand-new Kappa Chapter house began with an unexpected and dramatic challenge from the parents of a new member. Following the chapter’s closure in 1990, the university demolished the distinctive house that had been Kappa’s home since 1966 in order to build a new library. When the chapter was rechartered, they purchased a much smaller house, far away from the prominent location they had enjoyed. Though the chapter prospered, winning the Maxwell Award in 2008, their housing remained uncompetitive with the top UK fraternities.   

In 2018, Darryl and Theresa Isaacs, parents of Lee Isaacs, Kentucky ‘18, approached the chapter with a challenge to make a major gift toward a new house if it could be completed by their son’s senior year. With the support of the Foundation, the local house corporation, led by Rob Lyons, Kentucky ‘96, and Patrick Keal Kentucky ‘04, jumped headlong into architectural design, fundraising and financing to meet the challenge. Construction of the impressive 55-man house was completed on-time and under budget, despite the constraints of building and occupying a new chapter house in a global pandemic. So far, gifts and pledges from Kappa alumni, parents, and the Isaacs family, which now includes a second Kappa member, Nathaniel, have allowed the Foundation to support about one-third of the $6 million project cost.  

Alpha Chi-Mississippi State University 

Barry Toney, Mississippi State ’85, has been the driving force behind the housing project at his chapter. Soon after he graduated, Toney donated to a campaign for a new house in the early 90’s. Eventually, a house was built on sorority row, but the celebration was short lived. The Alpha Chi Chapter closed in 1997, and the housing corporation was forced to sell the new house. In 2014, the chapter began anew, and Toney got involved with the Board of Governors and the journey to build a new house began.  

The re-chartered chapter was able to lease an existing fraternity house in Fall 2017, but with an eye to the long-term security of the chapter, the house corporation began a major fund-raising campaign. Campaign chairman, Bill Jones, Mississippi State ‘60, has personally made a series of challenge gifts to match the contributions of Alpha Chi members which have resulted in total gifts and pledges of $1.53 million to date. These funds are ready when the house corporation decides to purchase and renovate an existing house or to build new. 

Foundation staff are working in partnership with dedicated alumni volunteers from several other chapters who are in the planning stages of housing projects to assure the comfort, safety, and competitiveness of their chapters. To learn more about ways to support your chapter or how chapters can benefit from housing funds at the Foundation, contact Foundation director Charlie Ball at cball@phikappatau.org. 

Veterans Day Op-Ed by Terry Williams, UCLA '84

By Brigadier General Terry V. Williams USMC (Ret), UCLA ’84 

Brigadier General Terry V. Williams USMC (Ret)

We honor all former US military men and women who have served this great nation, especially as we near Veterans Day. It is right and fitting to honor them for the service and sacrifices they have made to secure our freedoms and way of life. Whether spending countless days away from families training, protecting our embassies afar, responding to contingencies or fighting in combat, we can never forget what veterans have done for this great nation. There are, however, other ways to honor a veteran; give them a job because they are more than capable and have the experience, skills and traits highly sought after in the civilian job market that will make them an asset for any company. 

Veterans make great employees—and I don’t say this just because I too am a veteran; I say this because I witnessed veterans, then on active duty, for over 30 years perform absolutely incredible feats, demonstrating the highly sought-after skills and traits employers’ desire. If you Google search the “top skills and traits sought after by employers," the lists of skills and traits represent much of what veterans possess. Some of the top skills include decision-making, multitasking, creative problem-solving, collaboration, communication, professionalism, integrity, management, initiative, empathy, leadership, and teamwork—just to name a few.  Many of these traits and skills are core principles of personnel development, instilled in entry level training curriculum and required for advancement. 

I watched Marines plan, rehearse and execute long haul resupply convoys on IED laden routes in Iraq, day after day after day, for six months—with many doing this on multiple deployments. Their ability to successfully plan these highly complex, life-threatening missions speaks to almost all the skills I laid out above and many others found on the Google search lists. I watched Navy, Air Force, and Marine contracting specialist faithfully and honorably solicit for, and acquire multimillion dollar service and contracts without incident in an activity where potential and temptation for improper and unethical behavior was large. 

I watched the logistics element of NATO's Headquarters during Resolute Support Mission, put their heads together to solve multiple complex force protection issues that solved the challenge faster and less expensive than the policy dictated method. This also demonstrated all the skills and traits as laid out above. In each case it took professionalism, exceptional communication skills in getting the NATO bureaucracy to approve the solutions.  

I watched Marines prepare to deliver condolences to the family of Marines killed in action and Marines serve natural disaster displaced persons at home and abroad. Their compassion, their professionalism, their capacity to work through these complex and highly emotional events cannot be captured in words but is nonetheless awe inspiring. 

I’ve watched two US naval vessels conduct an underway replenishment (UNREP); a method of transferring fuel, munitions, and stores from one ship to another while under way. This complex, highly dangerous and intense evolution requires the ships to come along side each other, matching speeds while moving on parallel courses; then transferring fuel line for fuel and supplies from one ship to another. No other country in the world can do this; it is an incredible event to witness. It requires incredible teamwork, dedication, planning, communication, management, and leadership to collectively coordinate and synchronize the two independent ships’ crews to make this successfully happen. The skills and traits it takes from all the members involved demonstrate those same skills highly sought after in the job market.  

These are just a few examples that demonstrate veterans possess several highly sought-after skills and traits that companies desire. So, this Veterans Day, let's honor our veterans with parades, speeches, documentaries, and other ceremonies with all the "pomp and circumstances". And let's also honor them, by considering them for employment, and not just on Veterans Day but every day. They have earned our thanks and admiration and they have developed the skills and traits to make a positive contribution to any company. 

Did you know Phi Kappa Tau has a pin specifically for Phi Kappa Tau Veterans? It is sent directly to you, complimentary of the Phi Kappa Tau Executive Offices. Click here to order.

Jim Upchurch, East Central OK '66, Honored for His Sacrifice

Jim Upchurch.

By Dalton Lee, Baldwin Wallace ’11 

Long before he was a decorated hero and devoted Second Lieutenant of Echo Company, Jim Upchurch, East Central OK '66, was a friend, husband, brother of the Phi Kappa Tau Fraternity, accomplished offensive tackle for the East Central Tigers, and an inclusive and charismatic presence to all those he touched. Affectionately known as “momma bear” during his time as an undergraduate member of Phi Tau, Upchurch was said to take care of everyone he cared for and was unrelentingly in his willingness to bring others into his fold. On a campus where it was common for athletes to stick within their own circle, Upchurch had no interest or patience for such norms. Ever kind and caring, Upchurch would make it his mission to build a connection with every new member of the fraternity and on the football team. One such individual was Bill Bailey, Jr, East Central OK '66, who was a freshman when Upchurch was a senior. The two became quick friends and even faster brothers as Bailey’s freshman class of 33 pushed Gamma Xi over the needed numbers to become an official chapter of Phi Tau. As both charter members and athletes, their bond continued to grow. After sustaining an injury during the season, Upchurch sneakily put his jersey on Bailey under the guise of helping him fit his own over his pads. That game Bailey remembers that each time he entered Upchurch would say, “don’t embarrass me,” and each time he came off the field, he would pat him on the back and say, “good job.”  

Memorial Plaque at East Central.

Following Graduation from East Central, Upchurch joined the Marine Corp and was quickly one of the top men in his OFC Class. Upon receiving Echo Company, he and his men went to Vietnam. As he was before the war, Upchurch was a valiant leader of men, commanding the company in eight major battles. In an unprecedented feat, Upchurch didn’t lose a single member of his platoon while acting as their Lieutenant. Echo company was a Presidential Citation Unit and Upchurch was a two-time Bronze Star winner for valor in combat. Similarly to Upchurch, Bailey began his service to this country immediately following the completion of his undergraduate education. Throughout his time in the Air Force, Bailey flew 265 missions as a Captain in Vietnam. As these two men—so similarly navigating their way through life—represented the very best our country and fraternity have to offer, only Bailey would return home and Jim Upchurch would pay the ultimate sacrifice. On March 25th, 1969, while acting as commanding officer of Echo Company, Upchurch was killed by a mortar round during a heated firefight on Dong Ha Mountain. Following his death, his Sargeant, Mac, wrote to Kathy Upchurch, and said, “on that day we lost our Lieutenant.”  

Jerry Fry, Kathy Upchurch, Bill Bailey and former ECU Head Football Coach Pat O’Neal at the Memorial Dedication.

Last weekend during the East Central University Veteran's Day celebration, Upchurch was immortalized with a plaque upon their stadium's flagpole. Through the diligent work of Jim’s widow, Kathy, Bailey, and fellow Gamma Xi brother, Jerry Fry, East Central OK '86, the university was able to pay lasting homage to one of its, and our, most honorable alumni. While this news piece is a far cry from the ceremony had at East Central, we hope that it acts as a conduit for all our brothers to reflect upon those within our organization and across this nation who sacrifice everything within themselves for our protection and safety. Upchurch and Bailey are just two of the men we thank deeply for their service to our country—today and all other days.  

Upon returning home from Vietnam, Bailey went on to serve as a Captain for Southwest Airlines. Flying for 25 years, he retired at the age of 60. In 2005, he bought a marina on Lake Texoma in Oklahoma, and has been running it with his family ever since.  

Did you know Phi Kappa Tau has a pin specifically for Phi Kappa Tau Veterans? It is sent directly to you, complimentary of the Phi Kappa Tau Executive Offices. Click here to order.

It's Time To Give Local

With the school year in full swing and our undergraduate brothers in the midst of another exciting semester, we are sharpening our focus to give alumni like you the chance to support their chapters directly. The Phi Kappa Tau Foundation is excited to announce the start of the Give Local Campaign.  

Over the next two weeks, the Give Local Campaign will highlight how easy it is to give directly to a specific Chapter Educational Grant fund (CEG). Designed to aid in the education of our chapters, CEGs can help local chapters to fund a long list of educational activities inducing scholarships, improvements to educational facilities in a chapter house and educational programs organized locally or by the National Fraternity. And local Boards of Governors control the use of funds in conjunction with the Foundation. Throughout this past year, CEGs were used to send our undergraduate brothers to programs like Growth Summit and Leadership Academy. These educational programs provided a wealth of knowledge in the areas of leadership, goal setting, and featured breakout sessions tailored to mental health and wellness.  

How do you Give Local? We are asking you to consider making a recurring monthly gift of $19.06 to the chapter of your choice. Setting up a monthly gift of any amount will go a long way in supporting undergraduate brothers around the country. As simple as signing up for a streaming service, this gift will benefit your chapter for many years to come.