Foundation Adds Three New Trustees

Jamie Day, Ohio State '89

The Phi Kappa Tau Foundation is pleased to announce the addition of three new members to the Board of Trustees: J.J. Lewis, Central Michigan '04; Dave Lapinski, Penn State '74; and Jamie Day, Ohio State '89. These new additions to the Board bring a wealth of diverse knowledge and perspectives, and we are thrilled to have these champions of Phi Kappa Tau in their new positions.  

Jamie Day, a managing partner for Fresh Blends and Replenish, led the charge on one of our most successful teams throughout this year's Founders Day of Giving campaign—coming just shy of first place with a total of $13,188.50 raised. Day also lends his giving spirit to The Ohio State University James Cancer Hospital, The Stephanie Spielman Foundation for Breast Cancer Research, Radiant Church Ministries, and is the founder of the Frozen Smiles Foundation.

Dave Lapinski, Penn State '74

Lifelong volunteer, Dave Lapinski, has served as a National Councilor, two separate terms as the Allegheny Domain Director, is the current National Chaplain, and has been an advisor to the Omicron chapter for over forty years. For his service to our fraternity, Lapinski has won multiple awards, including our highest honor, the Palm Award. When asked why he wished to serve on the Board of Trustees, Lapinski stated, “One of the first lessons I learned when I joined Phi Kappa Tau was the Creed. The Creed is meant to be a way of life, not just a college experience.  In its last line is my call to why I wish to serve. ‘I shall try always to discharge the obligation to others which arises from the fact that I am a fraternity man.’” 

J.J. Lewis, Central Michigan '04

In the midst of building a truly distinguished career in the nonprofit sector, J.J. Lewis has made the leap to lend his time and expertise to our organization. Lewis has served our fraternity in a number of positions since 2006 and has served on numerous philanthropic boards outside of our organization. Currently acting as the Chief Development Officer of United Way of the Lakeshore, Lewis brings an abundance of fundraising and nonprofit management knowledge to the Foundation board.

We are thrilled to have these men of distinction within our fraternity and on our Board of Trustees. There’s no doubt that their additions, paired with the outstanding men already serving, will lead to a very bright future for the Phi Kappa Tau Foundation.  

Spring 2023 Laurel Feature: Tailgate Survival Guide

By Dalton Lee, Baldwin Wallace ’11 

When you want to be the best, you must learn from the best. The Naked Bootleg Tailgate, named after the famous Peyton Manning play, is undoubtedly a one-of-a-kind tailgate that has grown to be one of the greats in Tennessee fandom. The idea for the Naked Bootleg Tailgate was birthed by Kyle Cantrell, Tennessee '07 and Daniel MacIntosh, Tennessee '07, during their senior year. It started with one tent, four chairs, and a cooler, but didn’t keep to its humble origins for long. Cantrell, MacIntosh, and their wives began to observe the other tailgates and what made them so successful. After saving up some money the group bought their first generator and began bringing an old TV—allowing them to stay throughout the duration of the game and not have to abandon their post for another location. From there the Naked Bootleg tailgate grew exponentially each year and is now a finely tuned machine consisting of 8 tents (2 12x24), three generators, three televisions, grills, and a bunch of crockpots full of food.  

Along with the equipment, the community continued to grow. The Naked Bootleg Tailgate soon combined forces with that tailgate of Jeff Moser, Tennessee '87, and Harrison Moser, Tennessee '20, which helped kick into motion the revitalization of the chapter. As the Delta Kappa chapter began to rebuild, the tailgate became a home away from home for the undergraduate men. Although the chapter had lost their house during the closure, Cantrell described the tailgate as “turning the park into a house.” As the tailgate thrived, so did the chapter—going on to recharter and win the Maxwell Award.  

As this is the Sports Edition of the Laurel, we thought it only fitting to build the ultimate Tailgate Survival Guide. For where there are sports, there must also be tailgates. As you begin to build out your own tailgate, keep in mind these five tips from Naked Bootleg Co-Creator, Kyle Cantrell.  

Tip #1 Have a Solid Tent: This goes far beyond just having a steady and reliable tent, it’s also important that it can easily be assembled with one or two people. Providing space, shade, and shelter is crucial for ensuring the guests have an enjoyable time.   

Tip #2 Have Ample Seating and Table Space: Even more important than having lots of food for guests is having a place to put and eat it all. Providing seating allows guests to relax for portions of the day and gain some needed rest bit.  

Tip #3 Invest in a Generator and Television: This is the most crucial factor in “building a house in the park.” Providing a television and power gives people a reason to stay. If possible, have rabbit ears for local games and a hotspot to stream games not available locally.  

Tip #4 Have At Least One Solid Cooler: Having one or two reliable coolers that really do the job. As people show up, you’ll need more and more space, and a good host always provides cold refreshments.  

Tip #5 Find a Prime Location: Find a flat place where you can spread out and easily set everything up. Flat ground allows for games like cornhole, tossing the football around, and places for kids to play. Get out at 3 or 4 in the morning to claim the perfect spot and hold onto it—consistence is key. Make sure people know where to find you. 

Tip #6 To maximize fun, ensure that your tailgate is keeping safety in mind and in line with all Phi Kappa Tau risk management policies.

Meet the New President and Vice President of Phi Kappa Tau

The Phi Kappa Tau fraternity is delighted to announce the election of two outstanding individuals to lead the National Council. Michael McCrum, a distinguished attorney, and Michael Lummus, a senior executive in the software industry, were elected as President and Vice President, respectively, by the vote of the Convention body at the 65th National Convention of Phi Kappa Tau in Las Vegas, NV. 

Introducing Michael McCrum, Texas State ’75 

President McCrum delivering his acceptance speech.

McCrum's journey is one of dedication, excellence, and unwavering commitment to public service. After graduating from Texas State University, he embarked on a remarkable career in law enforcement, starting with the Arlington Police Department and later joining the Dallas Police Department. Driven to broaden his horizons, Michael pursued a law degree and graduated with the third-highest scholastic average in his class. Throughout his legal career, he achieved remarkable success in commercial transactions and litigation before joining the U.S. Department of Justice as a federal prosecutor. During his tenure, Michael McCrum chaired various interagency, state, and federal task forces; he led national and international economic fraud investigations and prosecutions—his work earned him several national awards.  

Following his distinguished tenure with the U.S. Department of Justice, he ventured into private practice, successfully operating his own law office for over two decades. Michael's expertise and dedication were recognized by federal judges, who appointed him to serve on various committees. Notably, he garnered joint bi-partisan written recommendations from prominent U.S. Republican Senators and the entire Democratic Congressional Caucus from Texas for the prestigious role of President's appointed U.S. Attorney in the Western District of Texas. Additionally, his outstanding contributions to the legal community led to his election as the attorney of the year by his professional peer organization in 2016. His reputation as a non-partisan attorney with specialized knowledge in public corruption, constitutional law, and economic crime earned him a remarkable opportunity to be appointed as the prosecutor in the investigation and prosecution of former Texas Governor Rick Perry, a testament to his legal acumen and integrity. 

Outside the legal realm, Michael's passion for Phi Kappa Tau remained unwavering. His service within the fraternity began as Rush Chairman and President of the Resident Council in the late 1970s. He continued to actively support his Gamma Psi Chapter, even after its unfortunate closure. However, his determination and hard work, alongside other alumni, eventually led to the successful restart and re-chartering of Gamma Psi in 2015. McCrum served as the inaugural Graduate Council President for five years for Gamma Psi in addition to lending his talents to other Phi Tau chapters in the area. 

When asked about what he is most excited about McCrum had this to say, “I am excited to bring a fresh, experienced perspective and energy to national governance. I look forward to applying the skills I have acquired over the past 45 years to serve the interests of all brothers within our great fraternity," reflects his enthusiasm and dedication to Phi Kappa Tau's future. 

Meet Michael Lummus, Belmont ’06 

Vice President Lummus delivering his acceptance speech.

Michael Lummus brings a wealth of executive leadership and strategic planning expertise to the National Council. As the Senior Vice President of Strategy and Chief of Staff at Aprimo, an AI-powered content software company, Michael has demonstrated his prowess in leading transformative change and turnarounds in high-growth organizations. 

His professional journey includes significant leadership roles at Teradata and Acxiom, where he focused on connecting strategic vision to execution, building consensus within diverse teams, and tackling complex challenges with analytical and honest approaches. 

Lummus’ commitment to Phi Kappa Tau has been equally remarkable. Having volunteered as a BOG member, Domain Director, and National Councilor for the past 7 years; he has actively contributed to the fraternity's success. Some of his most memorable experiences revolve around facilitating various educational programs that empower Phi Kappa Tau members to grow and thrive. 

Lummus expressed his excitement for the fraternity's future, saying, "I'm excited about the important time we're in, the team we have in place, and the opportunity to see firsthand the progress we're primed to make. We have new leadership, a new CEO, an ambitious Strategic Plan, and a mandate for positive change and building a better Fraternity." 

A Bright Future for Phi Kappa Tau 

The National Council reciting their oath of service.

With Michael McCrum as President and Michael Lummus as Vice President, Phi Kappa Tau is poised to embrace a bright future. Their diverse backgrounds and unwavering commitment to the fraternity's values will undoubtedly elevate Phi Kappa Tau to new heights. 

The National Council welcomes these elects with enthusiasm, eager to see their fresh perspectives and dedication benefit the entire fraternity. As Phi Kappa Tau embarks on a new chapter in its history, the members look forward to the positive impact of these two exceptional leaders. 

Phi Tau Makes Netflix Debut

By Dalton Lee, Baldwin Wallace ’11

Bill Burr, Bethany ’88

If you were to go to the IMDB page for season 3, episode 5 of the hit Netflix series, Outer Banks, you’d find a surprising addition to the cast list—comedian Bill Burr. Now, while this cast listing may have gotten the name right, they got the Bill wrong. Playing a role quite familiar to him, Phi Tau’s own Bill Burr, Bethany '88, made his streaming debut playing a news anchor for the acclaimed series. However, this is far from Burr’s first-time gracing televisions.  

Working as a broadcast journalist for over 25 years, Burr has led a long and distinguished career, utilizing his talents for some of the largest names in news and broadcasting. NBC, CBS, ABC, and now as the evening anchor for Fox in Charleston, South Carolina, Burr has conveyed his distinct blend of charisma, wit, and journalistic acumen to garner widespread acclaim. For his coverage of a catholic professional group that restores forgotten cemeteries, Burr received the Southeast Region Emmy Awards for Outstanding News Reporting in Religion—a testament to his exceptional storytelling and journalistic prowess.  

Burr with Ambassador Nikki Haley.

When presented with the opportunity to act in Outer Banks, Burr didn’t hesitate to display the talents he had developed over a long career. Although he didn’t know if the footage would be used or not, he got a fun surprise when friends and family reached out to tell them they’d seen him on the show. Whether it be on Netflix or local television, this brother of the Phi chapter continues to make a lasting impact.  

Phi Kappa Tau Partners with Campus Ink as Official Merch Partner!

The core product line offers styles Phi Kappa Tau members can purchase year round!

We are thrilled to announce that starting July 1st, Phi Kappa Tau will be partnering with Campus Ink as the official merchandise partner of Phi Kappa Tau, operating as the Phi Tau Store!

This exciting collaboration aims to provide our members with a wide range of high-quality merchandise options. We have chosen Campus Ink due to their exceptional core product line and their ability to customize orders specifically for our chapters. Members will have the opportunity to work directly with their talented designers for bulk orders and personalized apparel, ensuring that our merchandise perfectly represents our organization.

The Phi Tau Store will continually offer ongoing promotions, ensuring the Phi Tau Store remains stocked with timely and handpicked designs exclusively for Phi Kappa Tau members. We are confident that this partnership will enhance the overall merchandise experience for our members and contribute to fostering a stronger sense of pride and unity within our organization.

Phi Kappa Tau is honored to join the esteemed list of organizations partnered with Campus Ink. We eagerly anticipate the growth and success of this partnership in the years to come. Be sure to follow @phitaustore on Instagram or visit phitau.store to stay updated on the latest designs and promotions!Exciting times lie ahead as we embark on this new journey with CampusInk. Together, we will continue to uphold the values and traditions of Phi Kappa Tau while showcasing our dedication through top-notch merchandise.

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.

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

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.

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.  

 

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