Convention 2023: Delegate Information

To help delegates and alternate delegates prepare for the upcoming National Convention in Las Vegas, we’ve prepared some documents that will be helpful as you plan your experience of three day event.

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Schedule: Registration will take place from 10am-5pm on Sunday, July 9th. The opening session will begin at 6pm on the 9th. The event will close with the conclusion of the Brotherhood Banquet on July 11th at 10pm. For a full detailed schedule of events please click here. This will also be available on Convention site for quick reference, and be provided in a physical program guide at the event.

Legislative Business: For voting delegates and interested parties, a detailed report prepared from the Graduate Nominating Committee can be found by clicking here or navigating to the proper section of the Convention site. Likewise, a full breakdown of the proposed legislative business can also be found on the Convention site or by clicking here.

Committee Assignments: Co-chairs for the predesignated standing committees of the National Convention have been assigned, each participant at the Convention will also be placed into a committee that will meet during the Convention and ultimately deliver a report to the floor, committee assignments will be placed on name-tags of participants. For a list of committees and co-chairs along with their charges, click here.

Convention Rules: To ensure a smooth and efficient Convention experience, a report from the Committee on Rules has been prepared to provide guidelines on the decorum and general procedures for the Convention floor. Click here to read the report.

Agenda: The agenda of the Convention will follow the typical format as outlined in the Phi Kappa Tau National Constitution - (see Statute Title III - “National Convention”, paragraph 27). Some components may be rearranged to suit time constraints, but all adjustments to the agenda must be made by motion and affirmative vote of the Convention body. A more detailed outline of specific topics will be available upon arrival to the Convention floor.

Credentials & Voting: We will be utilizing a confidential clicker voting system. Each delegate will be assigned a clicker to vote on behalf of their respective council. The credentials chair will oversee the delegate process and ensure they are prepared to properly represent their chapter on the floor.

If you have any questions please refer to the Convention site or email communications@phikappatau.org to be pointed in the right direction.

Having a Ball: Mike Goodkind and the Utah Jazz

This article is taken from our most recent edition of The Laurel, to read the full digital edition click here!

By Dalton Lee, Baldwin Wallace ’11

Goodkind on the All-Star stage.

In late February of this year, the NBAs best gathered together in Salt Lake City. Amidst the snowcapped mountains, beautiful city streets, countless celebrities, and basketball legends, they celebrated All-Star Weekend. The historically quiet Salt Lake City erupted into the mecca of culture for four days. The weekend saw a G-League player dominate the slam dunk challenge, a performance by rapper Post Malone, and Lebron James’s first loss as an All-Star team captain. Among all the chaos, relishing in every moment was Mike Goodkind, Boston Grad AM. As the In-Arena Host for the Utah Jazz, Goodkind had the opportunity to act as the host for Sunday night’s All-Star Game. Far from the average Sunday at work, Goodkind was living out a dream held since his youth.  

Growing up as a Knicks and Yankees fan, Goodkind realized he wanted to work in sports at a young age. He has fond memories of attending sporting events with his dad and would insist that he wanted to be down on the court or field with all the athletes. Goodkind wasted no time in pursuing his dream, getting permission from teachers and broadcasting his first game during his sophomore year of high school. Maintaining that drive into his undergraduate education, Goodkind started working for BU TV at Boston University as a sophomore. It was also this year that birthed the dream of starting a new chapter of Phi Tau in Boston. Having first been exposed to our fraternity through his brother, Daniel Goodkind, Franklin & Marshall ’13, he grew incredibly close with the men in the Xi chapter and wished he could have those experiences for himself. Finding other like-minded individuals, the group contacted the Executive Offices and expressed their interest in forming a new chapter. Getting the go ahead and added support from our recruitment officers, the chapter had 20 men after only a few events. It was then that Goodkind knew this was for real. As the associate chapter continued to grow and find their footing, Goodkind completed his undergraduate studies and set out for LA to pursue a position with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Throughout his career, Goodkind has held positions with the Red Sox, Fox Sports, Houston Rockets, and finally landed his dream role with the Utah Jazz.  

Goodkind with NBA Commissioner, Adam Silver.

Back in Salt Lake City on February 19th, all his hard work and drive had finally come to fruition. Goodkind discussed the honor of getting to meet celebrities and be in the presence of NBA legends. On his feelings during the event, he expressed, “On Sunday when I was hosting, the courtside was overwhelming—Fat Joe, Kareem, Doctor J, Janelle Monae—that brought a lot of excitement, but the pressure was high. Once the game was going, the adrenaline took over. It went by in a blur, and I barely got to talk to anyone.”  

Although he has yet to be initiated, Goodkind embodies the Phi Tau spirit and mentality. It is the hope of our organization's leadership that we will be able to hold a special initiation ceremony for Goodkind at this year's National Convention in Las Vegas.  

Graduate Nominating Committee Announces Slate for 2023

From the report of the Graduate Nominating Committee: 

“The Graduate Nominating Committee is pleased to submit a slate of proposed nominees for National Vice President and National Council ahead of the 2023 National Convention in Las Vegas, Nevada. We were charged with recommending three nominees for Graduate Positions, as defined in the Graduate Nominating Policy. Specifically, we were charged with recommending one nominee for the office of National Vice President and two nominees for the office National Council, one each for the two vacancies to be filled at the upcoming Convention. 

Our recommended slate is as follows: Michael McCrum, Texas State '75 for the office of National Vice President; and Scott Brown Tennessee '88 and Allyn Shaw Michigan State '85 for the office of National Council. If a nominee is not available to serve when nominations open at Convention, the Committee is prepared to place another name into nomination. 

We understand there is an expected vacancy for National President. Our Committee's charge did not include soliciting and reviewing applications for National President. For that reason, we have not slated a National President and will not place a name into nomination for that office.” 

The confirmation of these nominations will take place during the 65th National Convention, July 9-11. Nominations for National President will be accepted from the Convention Floor.

To read the full report of the Graduate Nominating Committee including rationale and bullet points regarding each candidate click here.

McCrum, Vice President

Shaw, National Council

Brown, National Council

Former Mayor, Congressman, and State Senator, Thomas Sawyer, Akron '66, Passes into the Chapter Eternal

Sawyer on election night in Ohio in 1996.

It is with great sadness that we must share the passing of a truly great leader and man; Thomas Sawyer, Akron '66, has died after battling a long illness, and is survived by his wife, Joyce, and daughter, Amanda. Sawyer’s leadership and service extends far beyond our fraternity—having served his community and this country for nearly 40 years, Sawyer was a pillar of Northeast Ohio and dedicated himself to improving the lives of the individuals who call it home. Remembered as Akron’s political workhorse, Sawyer was tireless in his efforts to fight for his community.  

Beginning his political career in 1977, Sawyer was a member of the Ohio House of Representatives from 1977 to 1983, the mayor of Akron from 1984 to 1986, a congressman from Northeast Ohio from 1987 to 2003, and a member of the Ohio State Senate from 2007 to 2016. During his illustrious and impactful career, Sawyer accomplished a great deal for his community, but one of his greatest fights came while serving as Chairman of the House Post Office and Civil Service Subcommittee on Census and Population. Following the 1990 census, Sawyer was concerned that the census had missed more than two million Black Americans. Urging the Census Bureau to rectify this mistake, Sawyer was initially thwarted in his effort—he later called it, “gerrymander on a national scale.” However, his firm stance would later pay off when new procedures were put in place by the bureau for the 2000 Census, inspired in part by the National Academy study he fought for in 1990.  

Sawyer supporting former President, Bill Clinton.

Above all else, Sawyer was a man dedicated to the city in which he was born and raised. Born in Akron in 1945, Sawyer went on to receive bachelor’s degree in English and a master’s in Urban Education, both from the University of Akron. He began his career as a teacher in Cleveland before winning his first election in 1977. Sawyer was loved by his community and will certainly be missed by all those he impacted throughout his life.  

The Ethertons Hurdle Their Way to History

Eli Etherton.

If you believe that hurdling skills can run in the family, the Etherton’s would be the cornerstone of your argument. Not only did Eli Etherton, Nebraska Wesleyan '21, win this year’s D-III National Championship in the 60-meter hurdles, become an All-American, and set a new school record, he did it all just three years after dedicating himself to the sport. Prior to his time at Nebraska Wesleyan, Etherton played four years of varsity lacrosse with the Lincoln Rampage. Following his graduation from high school, Etherton enrolled at Nebraska Wesleyan—the school where his father, Scott, serves as an Assistant Track Coach. 

Scott Etherton is no stranger to success at NWU. He too was a D-III National Championship in the 60-yard hurdles, an All-American, and a school record holder. His time of :07.35 in the 60-yard hurdles was not just the fastest time at the NAIA Championships or the fastest time in NWU history, it was the second-fastest time ever among NCAA Division III athletes in 1986. Yet, Scott never pressured Eli to follow in his footsteps; it was Eli who eventually came to the conclusion on his own. Starting from square one, Etherton’s natural proclivity to the sport didn’t take much time to kick in. As he continued through the next three seasons, his time continued to drop, and he finally broke the school record. Though, breaking it once was not quite enough for Etherton—he subsequently beat his own record four times throughout his career.  

Etherton cruising over hurdles.

When asked about his success following his National Championship, Etherton stated, “Four months ago, I wouldn’t have believed you.” He also remarked, “Not everybody gets the chance to have their dad as a coach or have their dad as a school record-holder. And then go out and hopefully make him proud by doing the same event and getting your name up there next to his,” of being coached by his father.  

What to Expect for our Vegas Convention

Please allow this FAQ document to serve as a resource to navigate any questions you may have related to the 65th National Convention, primarily as it relates to the undergraduate experience.  This may be your first opportunity to see the scope of our organization and really connect with brothers from different chapters. In addition to enjoying all that Las Vegas has to offer we will be reviewing our governing documents, honoring achievements of Phi Kappa Tau Members, and electing our next leaders for the National Fraternity. 

Can my travel expenses be reimbursed? 

• As it currently stands, travel costs are eligible to be reimbursed up to 20% via the chapter’s CEG for National Convention related travel expenses. 

• There may be opportunities for additional funding, depending on the amount of money available in your Chapter’s CEG.

• You can find out how much is in your CEG by contacting your Chapter’s Success Manager.

Do I need to share my travel plans with anyone? 

• Yes, please submit your travel plans by completing this survey.

• Link -> https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/65thConventionUGTravel 

If I am flying, which airport should I fly in to? 

• We recommend flying into Harry Reid International Airport (LAS)  

If I am driving, will there be parking made available? 

• Parking will be your responsibility if you choose to drive to the event. 

• You can find out information about parking such as pricing and more here 

What time should I arrive on site on Sunday, July 9? 

• We recommend arriving before 2:00pm PST on Sunday, July 9 

• Programming will begin at 2:00pm PST on Sunday, July 9 for Undergraduate Delegates 

• For more information on checking into the hotel see below: 

  • Guests can reserve the night prior to their arrival date to secure and have the guestroom available upon their time of arrival. 

  • Guests can opt into Early Check-In (based on availability at time of arrival), fees may apply and vary. 

  • Guests can check their belongings at the Bell Desk (located at the main entrance) complimentary. 

Where can I check-in on Sunday, July 9? 

• We will have the registration booth open at 10:00am PST on Sunday, July 9 

• There will be a check-in station at the site, please look for Phi Kappa Tau branded material to help guide you. 

When should I depart? 

• Checkout will be scheduled for 11:00am PST on Wednesday, July 12.

• You may plan to depart any time after Tuesday night; but you will need to be checked out of your room no later than 11:00am PST on Wednesday, July 12.

Will lodging be provided? 

• For undergraduates, yes. The fraternity has a room block booked for the resident council coming that are representing their chapter. 

• For alumni, it is not a requirement to stay at Planet Hollywood to attend Convention and we encourage guests to experience Vegas how they would best choose. You can book at the Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino by clicking here. 

Do I have my own room?  

• Undergraduates will be sharing a room with at least one other individual. If you would like to request a single room, please let us know, and we will see if that option is available. 

Are meals going to be provided?  

• Yes, meals will be provided daily, except for Sunday, July 9. It will be a combination of group meals and prepaid cards for you to explore Vegas food options on your own.

What does the time commitment look like for each day?   

• We will be providing opportunities for programming and Convention sessions each day. Session will begin in the morning and run through the evening. If you are planning on serving as a delegate you should plan for the majority of your day to be accounted for.

Will there be a virtual component to the Convention? 

• No there will not be a virtual opportunity to serve as a delegate to the Convention, but some portions may be live streamed on social media.

What do I need to bring?  

• We suggest you bring summer clothes for casual outings and formal attire for when the Convention is in session. 

• Additionally, the hotel does have a pool, so bring a swimsuit if you would like. 

• Note taking tools such as a pen and paper, laptop, or tablet are also encouraged.

What is the attire for when on the Convention floor? 

• Attire when Convention is in session is, ‘pin attire,’ which means a suit is required. 

• Any other time, you are free to dress in whatever is casual/comfortable for you. 

Will we be able to leave the event site at all? 

• There will be time and opportunity for you to go on your own excursions; and we encourage you to find a brother and explore the Las Vegas Strip.

What if I need to leave early or cannot stay for the entire program? 

• It is the expectation you stay the entirety of the program. 

• If you need accommodation on early departure or arrival, please contact your chapter’s Success Manager 

What happens if I do not attend the Convention? 

• Your chapter will be losing out on the money it pays to ensure you have an opportunity to attend the Convention.

• Your Borradaile challenge status will be impacted if you do not have attendance at this year's Convention. 

Phi Kappa Tau Foundation Welcomes Craig Rogers as Executive Director

Craig Rogers, Executive Director of the Phi Kappa Tau Foundation

[Oxford, OH – May 9th, 2023] The Phi Kappa Tau Foundation, a long-standing philanthropic organization committed to supporting leadership development and educational initiatives for members of The Phi Kappa Tau Fraternity, is pleased to announce the appointment of Craig Rogers as its new executive director, effective May 22. Rogers brings a wealth of experience combined with a passion for encouraging philanthropy and fostering positive change in higher education and healthcare. 

In his new role, Craig Rogers will oversee the strategic direction and advancement operations of the Phi Kappa Tau Foundation. With his exceptional leadership skills and a deep understanding of philanthropy, he will be instrumental in furthering the Foundation's mission to grow its annual fund and endowment in order to empower and transform the lives of young men across the country. Rogers joins the Phi Kappa Tau Foundation with an impressive background in nonprofit management and development for educational, healthcare and research organizations. He has spent more than 35 years building relationships, leading teams and launching capital campaigns resulting in more than $250 million in private support for annual funds, scholarships, research, endowed funds and capital projects. 

His extensive experience includes serving as the lead executive in the areas of advancement or development or major gift director for Piedmont University, the Longwood University Foundation, Hampden-Sydney College, Bon Secours Richmond Health Care Foundation, and the V Foundation for Cancer Research. Rogers is married to his childhood sweetheart Denise, and they are the parents of two sons, Connor and Caleb. He is a native of Charlottesville, Virginia, a graduate of the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, and holds a masters degree from Averett University. He played Division I lacrosse, was a member of two national championship teams, and continues his involvement as an NCAA lacrosse official.  

In announcing the appointment, Foundation Board of Trustees Chairman Jeff Hilperts, Spring Hill ‘96 said, "We are delighted to welcome Craig Rogers as our new executive director. His passion, expertise and commitment to our mission align perfectly with our vision for the future of the Foundation. The Phi Kappa Tau Foundation is poised to embark on a new era of growth, and under Craig's leadership, we are confident that the Foundation will expand its reach and enhance its programs to equip young men with the skills and resources they need to become exceptional leaders in their communities.”  

Foundation Search Committee Chairman Doug Adams, Miami ‘81 agreed, saying, “We were highly impressed with the number of quality candidates we considered for the role. Craig’s prior fundraising success, capital campaign leadership, and relationship building skills stood out and make him the perfect candidate to take our Foundation to the next level. I believe he will quickly connect with our alumni and build the Foundation’s assets, enabling us to provide more support for the Fraternity’s leadership and character building programs, and more scholarships for young Phi Taus. He’s going to be a fantastic leader for the Foundation, and we’re excited to work side-by-side with him.” 

In reaction to his appointment, incoming Executive Director Craig Rogers said, “I am beginning to see a plan unfolding in my mind for the years to come. I can’t wait to get started to help bring to life the vision and dream for the Foundation described by its Trustees.” 

About the Phi Kappa Tau Foundation 

The Phi Kappa Tau Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to funding scholarships, leadership development programs, and educational initiatives for members of The Phi Kappa Tau Fraternity. By investing in the personal and professional growth of young men, the Foundation aims to empower them to make a positive difference in their communities and the world. 

For media inquiries, contact Logan Lukacs, Director of Communications, phone 513.523.4193 x226, email llukacs@phikappatau.org 

To download a pdf of this press release click here.

Nebraska Wesleyan Celebrates 100 Years

The men of the Upsilon Chapter celebrated their centennial this past April. Below is an event wrap-up written by Upsilon’s own, Kevin Boatright, Nebraska Wesleyan '71.

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The Upsilon Chapter at Nebraska Wesleyan celebrated its Centennial on April 21-22—hosting its annual Founders Day Dinner and a series of other special events. 

The observance marked the centennial of the chartering of a local Nebraska Wesleyan fraternity as the 20th chapter of Phi Kappa Tau. The local group originated with a men’s and women’s literary society formed on campus in 1888. 

“We’re proud to be one of Phi Kappa Tau’s oldest chapters,” said Mike Munro, Nebraska Wesleyan '81, Chairman of the Board of Governors. “We’re also proud of our heritage at Nebraska Wesleyan, going back to the very beginnings of the university.” 

Candlelight circle at the Centennial Celebration.

Munro noted that the vision of Phi Kappa Tau is “to be recognized as a leadership organization that binds men together and challenges them to improve their campuses and the world.” Its mission is “to champion a lifelong commitment to brotherhood, learning, ethical leadership and exemplary character.” 

“As individuals and as a group, we strive to fulfill both those statements,” said Munro. His son John Munro, Nebraska Wesleyan '22, is a freshman and joined the fraternity last fall. Another son, the late David Munro, Nebraska Wesleyan '12, was initiated when Upsilon was rechartered in October 2012. 

Men of Upsilon at their house.

Upsilon has received the Roland Maxwell Outstanding Chapter Trophy eight times since the award was created in 1961. Five national presidents have also come from Upsilon: Harry Taylor ’23, Warren Parker ’31, Thomas Cunningham ’60, John Green ’60, and Rodney Wilmoth ’57. 

Current Upsilon members of the Phi Kappa Tau Hall of Fame are John E. Sampson ’60 and John Gerrard ‘73. Sampson was Honorary Chair of the Centennial Celebration and Gerrard was the featured speaker at the Founders Day Dinner. Also at the dinner were the grandson of Harry Taylor, Nebraska Wesleyan ’23, regarded as Upsilon’s founder, and Steve Harrell, Iowa State '66, the brother of Thomas Cunningham and son of Upsilon’s first chapter president, Bryan Harrell, Nebraska Wesleyan '23. 

On April 21, a public commemoration took place at Nebraska Wesleyan’s Old Main and a tree was dedicated nearby. Principal speakers were Jeff Salem, Nebraska Wesleyan '02, of the Arbor Day Foundation and past National President Charlie Ball, Miami ’82, who represented the fraternity as a whole. On April 22, a National Register of Historic Places plaque was dedicated at the 1928 chapter house, and members participated in the inaugural “Legacy Walk,” touching 12 sites on campus and in the community that relate to the fraternity’s origins. 

“We had an excellent turnout of alumni, students, parents and other Greeks all weekend,” said Munro. “It was a meaningful and memorable opportunity for fellowship, and a time to reflect on our place at Nebraska Wesleyan and within Phi Kappa Tau – in the past, the present and the future.” 

Sam Morrison, Cornell '14, Shines Off-Broadway in One Man Show

Phi Tau’s own Sam Morrison, Cornell '14, wrapped his one man show, Sugar Daddy, on February 17th. The off-Broadway hit ran for over a month at New York’s SoHo Playhouse and received acclaim from the New York Times and the Daily Beast; it also received acclaim from celebrities like Andy Cohen and Alan Cumming. Pulling from grief over the loss of his partner, Jonathan, to COVID-19, Morrison’s one man show finds humor in loss and heartbreak. The shows name, “Sugar Daddy” is a double entendre alluding to the age gap between the 28-year-old Morrison and Jonathan, who was 51 at the time of his death, and Morrison’s glucose monitor used to measure his blood sugar levels. Morrison received his Type-1 diabetes diagnosis shortly after the passing of his partner—the doctors suggest that this may have been brought on by grief.  

Throughout his promotion of the show, Morrison appeared on Late Night with Seth Meyers to perform stand up and was interviewed by many notable news sources. Touching on the emotional notes of the show, Morrison has expressed his gratitude in sharing his grief and experience with others. In an interview with Huffpost, Morrison stated, “I love making comedy that’s part of a larger narrative, meaningful in some way. Right now, this feels like my story. I’ll keep working on this, workshopping and changing it. But I have plenty of other stories in me ― I think we all do when we dig deep.”  

Morrison has also performed on The Drew Barrymore Show, appeared on Watch What Happens Live & Tamron Hall, and was staffed on the first season of Blind Date, hosted by Nikki Glaser, currently airing on Bravo. 

A High-Achieving Quarter for the Strategic Plan

This is a part of the Strategic Plan 2025 series. 

January to March of 2023 yielded one of our most productive quarters so far in our road to achieve the goals of our 2025 Strategic Plan. The objectives for the quarter were to: 

• Adopt proactive approach towards growth.

• Validate and refine the value delivery of fraternity programs. 

• Refine and expand membership engagement.

• Architect a high-performance culture and collaborative team. 

Matt Arnold, CEO

Architect a high-performance culture and collaborative team: We are ecstatic to announce that with the completion of this quarter, the Executive Offices staff and key volunteers achieved an 81% completion rate for our quarterly goals. In addition to that, the selection process for our next CEO wrapped up, culminating in the selection of Matt Arnold as the new Chief Executive Officer of the Phi Kappa Tau Fraternity.  

Executive Offices Staff with WVU President E. Gordon Gee

Adopt a proactive approach towards growth: As you may have noticed, growth is a massive priority in this 2025 Strategic Plan. This past quarter there was a focus placed on the administrative excellence of our chapters in reporting new members and initiations. Over the course of the three months the fraternity took in a reported 394 associates and 68% of fall associates were reported as initiated. To assist with growth, three associate chapters were formally started during the quarter: Alpha Xi at West Virginia University, Gamma Eta at East Carolina University, and Zeta Sigma at Grand Valley State. These associate chapters accounted for a total of 94 new members for the quarter. 

The Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino, the site of the 65th National Convention.

Validate and refine the value delivery of fraternity programs: To create a broader experience for chapter leaders Zenith Officer’s Institute, a revision of what was formerly President’s academy, became our largest in-person undergraduate program since 2020. Plans were put in place to continue forward with The Palm Program, an updated new member education program. An emphasis was placed on ensuring brothers had earlier access to the Phi Kappa Tau Foundation scholarship application which resulted in a significant increase in submitted applications. Finally, plans went further into motion to plan the 65th National Convention of Phi Kappa Tau including registration going live.  

Refine and expand membership engagement: Membership engagement can mean a different thing to different brothers depending on where they are in their journey. This past quarter a focus was placed refreshing our new member materials. A task force was established to review the current membership manual which will receive its first major refresh since 2006. Additionally, the chapter services team worked to reform how membership badges and new member materials are delivered to chapters in a more timely manner. One area of focus that was missed this past quarter was a goal to improve our ability to contact young alumni, many of whom still have .edu email addresses in our database, we will work in future quarters on tactics for gathering more accurate information for this demographic.  

There’s a lot of work to be done in the quarters to come, if you would like to learn more about the Strategic Plan and how you can make a direct impact on our goals visit phikappatau.org/strategicplan.