SRPING 2013VOLUME 96

NUMBER 1www.phikaps.org

Preventing Malaria One Net at a TimeBrother Albert Yu Brings his “LifeNets” to Malawi, Africa

THE TEMPLE is published twice a year as an educational journal for Phi Kappa Theta brothers, family and friends. The spring edition is printed for those alumni, parents and collegiate brothers who are actively investing in Phi Kappa Theta’s Mission. A digital copy is available online at phikaps.org/temple

Postmaster: If undeliverable, please send notice on Form 3579 immediately to Phi Kappa Theta, 9640 Commerce Drive, Suite 420, Carmel, IN 46032 (please note the change from North Augusta Drive)The submission deadline is September 1. Brothers and friends are encouraged to provide clippings, releases or notices about themselves or any aspect of Phi Kappa Theta for consideration. All submissions become property of Phi Kappa Theta Fraternity. Pictures cannot be returned. Letters to the Editor will be printed at the discretion of the editor.

Copyright © 2013

Spring 2013 Volume 96, Number 1

MANAGING EDITORKeith D. Harshbarger (IUPUI, ‘06)

COPY EDITORGregory E. Stein (CCNY, ‘70)

CONTRIBUTING WRITERSMatthew R. Butts (Univ. of Nebraska–Lincoln, ‘12)Benjamin M. DeLost (Eastern Illinois University, ‘10)Anita L. Kerlin (Bowling Green State University, ‘03)Stephen S. Lee (Lewis University, ‘10)Ronald “RJ” Mitchellette (University of Missouri, ‘58)Robert W. Riggs (RPI, ‘02)Nicholas R. Scalera (Seton Hall, ‘63)Gregory E. Stein (CCNY, ‘70)

BOARD OF TRUSTEESPresidentNathan G. Rues (Missouri S&T, ‘02)

Vice PresidentMark C. Anthony (Georgia Tech, ‘90)

TreasurerRick Maggiore (Univ. of Georgia, ‘68)

SecretaryLenny S. Chan (Slippery Rock, ‘95)

TrusteesLarry F. Dorocke (Purdue University, ‘68)Joshua J. Gisi (Univ. of Kansas, ‘96)Father Owen J. Mullen (Univ. of San Diego, ‘A)Joe E. Przybyla (Lewis, ‘01)

UGAC ChairmanAndrew Carter Black (Univ. of Georgia, ‘13)

UGAC Vice ChairmanIsaiah Adona (Washington State, ‘12)

EXECUTIVE OFFICES9640 Commerce Drive, Suite 420Carmel, IN 46032317.872.9934FAX: 317.879.1889executiveoffices@phikaps.orgwww.phikaps.org

EXECUTIVE OFFICES STAFFExecutive Vice PresidentRobert W. Riggs (RPI, ‘02)

Director of OperationsSarah A. Everhart (Indiana Wesleyan University, ‘05)

Associate Executive Director of Education and DevelopmentAnita L. Kerlin (Bowling Green State University, ‘03)

Director of Communications and MarketingKeith D. Harshbarger (IUPUI, ‘06)

(iServe) CoordinatorBenjamin M. DeLost (Eastern Illinois University, ‘10)

Chapter Development CoordinatorStephen S. Lee (Lewis University, ‘10)

Accounting ClerkBill T. Ryan (Indiana University, ‘79)

PRESIDENT’S NOTE

02 SPRING 2013

Are We There Yet?Dear Brothers,

Are we there yet? That is a valid question and one that an organization should continuously ask. In 2008, we embarked on a ten year strategic plan. As we approach the halfway point of this plan, it is a good time to ask, “How we are doing?” Have you noticed any changes in the Fraternity from your perspective?

From my perspective as a board member, I see how the focus on our mission to “actively develop men to be effective leaders who passionately serve society, Fraternity, and God” has affected the operations and behavior of the Fraternity. The clear direction that our strategic plan provides has allowed our Executive VP, Brother Robert Riggs, to start to shift Phi Kappa

Theta from being an administrative membership management organization to a member development organization at the national level. The growth of our Regional Leadership Conferences over the past five years to six conferences held all over the country this year is evidence that this shift is well underway. We are entering a new phase of our strategic plan. With our vision clear and initiatives being put into place to achieve that vision, we now focus on measuring our results. As important as it is to do good strategic planning, it is just as important to measure the execution of that plan. Noble purpose alone is not enough, the world needs real results. Many of today’s most successful organizations, whether companies or non-profits, actively collect data on their products and programs and use the findings to continuously improve. I believe if Phi Kappa Theta is to be counted among the most successful organizations, we must do the same.

This year, the board of trustees has initiated an effort to actively measure the outcomes and results of our programs. To honestly and systematically measure how we are doing is not an easy task. It is much easier to assume the results are good and report that everything is great. While we have made good progress, it is important that we not allow ourselves to become satisfied with our current results. Momentum is key to organizational change, and we have to continue to accelerate.

SO…”Are we there yet?” With the steps being undertaken to measure our results, we will know when we are “there” and then how to surpass it. Measurable results will make our programs even better, our conferences even better, and, ultimately, our members even better. Read the article on page 14 for more about this topic.

Yours in the Bonds of Phi Kappa Theta,

Nathan Rues, (Missouri S&T, ‘02)Board of Trustees President

ContentsSPRING 2013

SPRING 2013 03

On the cover: RPI Brother Albert Yu photographed with children he’s helping in Malawi, Africa.

Compassion “Nets” ResultsRPI Brother Albert Yu visits Malawi, Africa to help prevent Malaria with his “LifeNets”.

Background Image: Brothers from the Massachusetts Eta chapter of Phi Kappa Theta at MIT welcomed people caught up in the midst of the Boston Bombings inside their home. See page 15.

09

14

15

19

22Phi Kap Alum Donald Cardinal Wuerl, along with cardinals from all over the world, gathered in Rome to select the newest Pope.

The MIT Chapter of Phi Kappa Theta welcomes in those caught up in the wake of the Boston Bombings.

What Defines Our Success

MIT Responds to Marathon Tragedy

Features

05PAGE

Not sure what those boxes are?They’re QR codes. Here’s what to do with them.

1. Download the appQR codes are two-dimensional barcodes that can be read by smart phone cameras. Search “QR code” to find a free QR app for your phone.

2. Scan the codeHold your phone over a box. The app will use your camera to read the code.

3. EnjoyThe codes will direct your phone to an email address, information update, video, or registration page in this magazine.

Call of DutyBrother Dylan Shirley from Bridgewater State University attends this year’s Presidential Inauguration.

Looking back at how Phi Kappa Theta’s Motto, “Give, expecting none thereof” has impacted our fraternity.

40 Years of Our Motto

New Catholic Church Leadership

An examination of whether or not we are “there yet” and an understanding where we want to be fuels the Fraternity’s desired culture.

04 SPRING 2013

Brother Riggs:

I want to commend you and your staff for producing an outstanding copy of the Temple. Both graphically, and editorially, it was a hit.

As usual, Greg Stein wrote a fine article. But I especially enjoyed your piece on expansion. Maybe its just me, but I’m always curious to know what’s going on in this area of fraternity development. I’m glad to see the PKT has a solid plan to for advancement.

Also, I enjoyed the article about my own chapter’s unique Catskill Mountain: ”Weekend”. But I wonder who wrote it. That person should get credit, no?

My best to you and the staff. Keep up the good work.

Jim Reilly (Manhattan College, ‘56)***Brother Reilly, thank you so much for

your Temple submission. Typically, stories placed in the News From You section consist of chapter updates rather that personal pieces. However the Manhattan Reunion story was certainly well thought out and worthy of being given credit. It could have certainly been a stand alone story. As for the author of that specific News From You, that would be Thomas J. Mulvaney, (Manhattan College, ‘61).

Please send feedback, congratulatory or constructive, about The Temple! We would love to hear your thoughts.

keith@phikaps.orgPhi Kappa Theta FraternityAttn: The Temple Managing Editor9640 Commerce Drive, Suite 420Carmel, IN 46032

Letters to the Editor

Heard on Twitter @phikappatheta

Seth WiIlden@thesethoscope

• I‘m so thrilled my Greek organization is devoted to better serving their members and the community #PhiKaps

James Lambert@Jamlambert92

• In talking to potential new members last night I was amazed at how many had never heard of servant leadership. I #educated them

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Brett Baeverstad@Brettbaeve32

• It’s time to re-evaluate. We so often get caught up in what we are doing and get stuff in a cycle. It’s time to think about the #why

SPRING 2013 05

“Malaria is a complicated disease heavily tied in with poverty. My ultimate goal is to work side by side with the Malawi people to eradicate malaria and perhaps even help to improve their living conditions.”—Albert Yu

Albert Yu visiting with children in Malawi, Africa.

“In a village less than two miles from the hospital, I was out taking photographs when I came across two children who appeared to be siblings. I was shocked to notice the brother laying on the ground writhing in pain, while his younger sister sobbed next to him. Frantic, I yelled for a nurse to examine the boy, only to find out that the child had the symptoms for cerebral malaria. When I asked the nurse what could be done, she shook her head somberly and said the boy’s condition was too severe for simple medicinal treatment. As I sat next to the boy, I felt so much sorrow because there was nothing that we could do, but pray for him. It was so heart breaking to think that a simple mosquito net could’ve protected the boy.”

The recollection above is from Albert Yu (RPI, ‘14), a proud member of Phi Kappa Theta Fraternity. Albert is a junior studying biology at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. The helpless feeling that Albert described is not known by many in this Land of the Free. We are blessed to have some of the best medical treatment options available, with medical help only a phone call, video chat or short drive away.

So what about that little boy? Malaria got to him. It spread to his brain. All that could be done was keep him company as he struggled towards death. But wait, that hospital was less than two miles away. That’s practically walking distance! And there was a nurse who came to his aid! Are you telling me that something as archaic as malaria, which has basically been conquered in America, couldn’t have been treated?

Well, this tragedy didn’t take place in the USA. It took place in Africa, where a fierce war is being waged against malaria.

Although Albert was unable to help the little boy that day, he returned to

Compassion “Nets” Results

By Stephen LeeLewis, ‘10

Collegiate Phi Kap Puts Country on His Shoulders

America with a mission. He has since founded an organization called “LifeNets”, in hopes of fighting (and someday eradicating) malaria through prevention and education. This organization is entirely made up of college students, who utilize their ambition and heart to make up for their lack of experience. And although Albert is the CEO, he will be the first to tell you that he’s learning as he goes.

The lowdown on Malaria

Malaria is caused by a parasite that is transferred from human to human by mosquitoes. This parasite lives inside red blood cells and can eventually stop blood flow to vital organs. When organs die, people die. Infected people become

afflicted with high fevers, shaking chills, headache, vomiting and a permanently weakened immune system. In more severe cases the consequences are brain infection and bleeding, kidney and liver failure, meningitis, respiratory failure, seizures, coma and eventually, death.

Those at greatest risk are young children (who have not yet developed a strong protective immunity), pregnant women, and those who are HIV/AIDS positive. In many parts of the world, the parasites have developed resistance to a number of malaria medicines, which are already very expensive and difficult to store. (Health information courtesy of the World Health Organization and Lancet Journal).

06 SPRING 2013

The Interview

The following is an interview with Albert Yu, the founder of LifeNets Foundation.

What you are doing is quite unusual for a college student. How have you been able to juggle schoolwork, fraternity life and leading the organization?

I’m not going to lie… it’s been extremely tough at times. However, my family, fraternity brothers, friends and teammates have been extremely helpful in motivating, supporting and aiding me. I’m 100% sure I could not have done any of this without all of their help.

Describe your organization

Life Nets is a non-profit organization that strives to fight malaria in Malawi, Africa. Like similar organizations, we distribute insecticide treated mosquito nets as our primary intervention strategy. However, what makes us different is the fact that we educate our recipients about malaria and how to use our nets, and we distribute nets that are safer and stronger.

How many paid employees are on your staff?

Zero. They are all volunteering their time.

What possessed you to visit Africa in the first place?

In the summer of 2011, I jumped on the opportunity to intern with a friend (Jun) to research HIV/AIDS interventions in Malawi, Africa. I had no idea what to expect. All I knew is that I wanted to be exposed to issues regarding poverty and disease.

What did you do during your internship?

The project was called “Project Malawi”. We were studying under an older figure, Booyuel Kim, a PhD candidate at

Columbia University. We participated in outreaches and lived on hospital grounds at Dae Yang Luke Hospital. This allowed us to directly interact with the sick and come face to face with issues of poverty.

Tell me more about your most valuable weapon in the fight against malaria

Our nets are safer, more user friendly and durable than those distributed by other organizations. Our nets are conical shaped, making them easier to set up and maintain. Also, our nets have insecticide that is infused into the poly-ethylene material. This makes it safer to the touch for humans, but very effective in repelling mosquitoes.

And what is the lifespan of one of your nets?

They are guaranteed to last for at least 5 years. It’s amazing what $12 can do!

As founder and CEO, what is your ultimate goal, and can it be accomplished?

Malaria is a complicated disease heavily tied in with poverty. My ultimate goal is to work side by side with the Malawi people to eradicate malaria and perhaps even help to improve their living conditions. Although, right now our goal is to distribute as many nets and educate as many recipients as possible. In the future, I would like to push for

long-term solutions for fighting malaria by helping Malawians improve their overall state of health and well-being. Most Malawians live an agriculture lifestyle, but are restricted to the 2-3 months of rain. This lack of water restricts growth of crops resulting in families not having enough. In the future, we would like to dig wells to

give farmers access to a source of water all year long. This will allow for more food to grow and thus promote health and better well-being to fight off malaria.

How did you select the members of your organizational team?

I knew that a successful non-profit organization needed to be composed of passionate and motivated team members who shared a vision and fulfilled their roles. So for each role that needed to be filled, I approached different crowds of people where I thought I could find good matches. For example, to find my event directors I looked towards people involved in Greek life who have planned philanthropy events in the past.

How has your experience as a brother of Phi Kappa Theta prepared you?

While being a proud brother of Phi Kappa Theta, I’ve learned how to be social and interact with a great variety of people.

What have the Phi Kap brothers at RPI and elsewhere done to support you and your organization?

There is a small group of Phi Kap brothers at RPI that have always supported me through encouragement and the organization through participation. However, recently more brothers of the house have started to support the organization and me.

What are the strengths of your organization?

There are many non-profit

“What makes us different is the fact that we educate our recipients about malaria and how to use our nets, and we distribute nets that are safer and stronger.”—Albert Yu

SPRING 2013 07

organizations that distribute mosquito nets to combat malaria. However, not all of those organizations distribute mosquito nets that are user friendly and not all of those organizations provide education that is crucial in motivating recipients to actually use the nets.

Our organization not only distributes the best quality mosquito nets that are conical in-shape and thus extremely user-friendly, but we also focus on educating our recipients about malaria and the importance of using the nets.

Our methods have been successful in getting our recipients to understand more about this disease and persuading them to sleep under nets for their protection.

What are the biggest challenges faced by your organization?

The biggest challenge stems from the fact that we are a student run non-profit organization. Because we are all busy with family, relationships, schoolwork and other activities/work, it’s difficult for us to spend enough time to fundraise and campaign for our organization. As a result, we are not growing as much as we’d like to help more people.

Are there any major donors that deserve recognition?

My parents, Greek Life at Cornell University and RPI students have been extremely supportive with funding our project that took place last summer.

This year, Greek Life at RPI has supported us from time to time.

Can you leave us with lessons learned in your real-world experience with your organization?

1.) When I first started this organization I thought I would have a lot of support. However, I quickly found out that there are many struggles emotionally and physically in working for a cause. I’ve learned to understand people when they are discouraging.

2.) While running this organization

I’ve learned how to better multitask, effectively listen to people, work with people, organize events, place people in different roles and present in public.

Please visit www.givenets.org for more information about this worthy cause.

Top Left: Albert Yu with all of the intern-team members that went with him.

Top Right: Albert Yu, pictured under the net, demonstrates how to set up a net and how to sleep under one.

Bottom: The LifeNets website.

08 SPRING 2013

R e g i s t e Rt O D A Y

p h i k A p s . O R g /cOnventiOn2013

the cOnventiOn this YeAR will be helD At thehiltOn - chicAgO/inDiAn lAkes ResORt in DupAge cOuntY,30 minutes fROm chicAgO.

August 1-4, 2013 #pktcOnv2013

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40 Years of Give, expecting nothing thereof

By Greg SteinCCNY, ‘70

Fortieth Anniversary of our Motto’s Adoption

selling points. Good chapters understand that sacrifice for the common good is a requirement of their success. The motto symbolizes this spirit. It is the antithesis of too many others who ask ‘What’s in it for me?’, let me accumulate material possessions and play zero sum games, benefitting at another’s expense. As Luke points out elsewhere” To whom much is given, much is expected.” (Luke 12:48b)

As an Alumnus - Our ideals should be a seamless cloth that carry over beyond our undergraduate years. The concept of servant leader embodies our motto. The challenge for alumni is to broaden our concept of brotherhood beyond the walls to our family, friends and community. The motto encourages us to incorporate compassion in our lives, to have a social responsibility. Luke backs up our motto with 3 stories. Christ brings back to life the widow of Nain’s son, because He knows full well that in the absence of a social net, the loss of her bread winner is a life of destitution, homelessness and hunger. “And when the Lord saw her, He

had compassion on her…” (Luke 7:13) Two of Christians’ favorite bible stories are the Good Samaritan,” But a Samaritan, as he journeyed, came to where he was, and when he saw him, he had compassion…” (Luke 10:33), and the Prodigal Son, “But while he was yet at a distance, his father saw him and had compassion…” (Luke 15:20).

Ritual - Our coat of arms and associate member pin both have a sun. Coincidentally, I cannot think of a better symbol for our motto. It serves as a daily reminder to our newest members and an inspiration to our older ones.

Oddly enough, if you use a search engine and enter ‘give expecting nothing thereof’ Luke doesn’t pop up; St. Thomas Aquinas, the patron saint of students and the fraternity does. He is also credited with this quote,” Love has nothing to do with what you are expecting to get; it’s what you are expected to give-which is everything.”

All Readers - Please share your reflections on the impact and influence our motto has had as a motivator to a specific act in your life, by e-mailing temple@phikaps.org. (All quotes are from the Revised Standard Version)

But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return; and your reward will be great... (Luke 6:35)

It was at the 1973 Atlanta convention that I proposed changing the fraternity’s motto from “Loyalty to God and College” to “Give, expecting nothing thereof”. I had come across it in a college Economics textbook in 1969 as a footnote describing religious lending practices. It was quoting an inscription on a pottery shard found in a Christian catacomb in Rome. It left a strong impression and I remembered it. I thought it was apropos as a motto knowing both predecessor fraternities, Phi Kappa and Theta Kappa Phi, identified with the early Christians, a discriminated minority in a hostile environment. It must have had the same immediate impact on the delegates, because to my surprise, it passed unanimously. Little did I know of its real origins, power and influence.

It was only years later that I found out its true source in the gospel of Luke, “But love your enemies and do good and lend, expecting nothing in return and your reward will be great”. It is in perfect consonance with the purpose of the American college fraternity system and is in total harmony with the rest of Luke’s interpretation of Christ’s message.

It is widely recognized that the author of Luke’s gospel and “The Acts of the Apostles” is the same person. Of the early Christians, Luke wrote” Now the company of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one said that any of the things which he possessed was his own, but they had everything in common.” (Acts 4:32)

For Collegiates - It is the essence of the fraternity to be a sharing, caring community, and this, more than anything else differentiates us from a college dorm and should be the focus of our

SPRING 2013 09

Top: A painting depicting The Good Samaritan.

Above Right: The associate member pin of Phi Kappa Theta.

Left: Cardinal Theodore McCarrick (Catholic University, ‘A) donating blood shortly after 9/11. Giving, expecting nothing thereof.

10 SPRING 2013

The 2012-2013 Academic Year continues to be a very full year in the world of expansion for Phi Kappa Theta Fraternity. Below is an update on all of our current colonies and interest groups.

NEW CHAPTERS:

Georgia Lambda Chi, Georgia Southern University - Statesboro, GA

After having its petition to receive a charter approved in November, the new chapter celebrated with their Installation Banquet the weekend of February 8, 2013. All of the chapter members were initiated into the fraternity and the group celebrated receiving their charter with an afternoon meal that was full of southern charm. Brothers from the University of Georgia as well as several members of the National Board of Trustee and Executive Office Staff representatives attended the weekend’s events. When asked how they feel now as a chapter, Corey O’Quin, Vice President Social Development stated, “It honestly does not feel that different from being a colony. All of the chapters we worked with and professional staff members made us feel like members of the Phi Kappa Theta family throughout our entire journey. The only difference now is that we have gone through the Ritual and have a new set of goals, our 5 year strategic plan, to work towards.”

Expansion Update

By Robert RiggsExecutive Vice PresidentRPI, ‘02

2012 - 2013 Academic Year

Colorado Chi Sigma, Colorado State University – Fort Collins, CO

After becoming a colony in late January 2012, the Colorado Chi Sigma chapter was approved for chartering on February 13, 2013. This group of men has worked hard to fully integrate into the community and fraternity while maintaining their strong values system. The chapter held its Installation Banquet on April 27, 2013.

COLONIES:

Louisiana Alpha Phi, University of New Orleans – New Orleans, LA

The Louisiana Alpha Phi Colony was re-started in October of 2012. The professional staff continues to work with the alumni and re-founding fathers to establish a mission-aligned culture in anticipation of its re-chartering.

Minnesota Chi Rho, Minnesota State University – Mankato, MN

Located just over an hour outside of Minneapolis, this new colony began in late November, 2012 and has been gradually growing and developing into another strong values based group. The men continue to receive guidance and support from a full Board of Directors as well as the Executive Office Staff. The colony has hosted several programs and events that positively contribute to the community.

Illinois Beta Delta, University of Illinois – Urbana, IL

Illinois Beta Delta interest group officially recolonized in January of 2013. Continued recruitment and operational training of collegiate members is currently underway as they move through the colony development process.

Mississippi Chi, University of Mississippi – University, MS

The Mississippi Chi interest group officially recolonized in February of 2013. Continued recruitment and operational training of collegiate members is underway as they move through the colony development process.

Five years ago, we made the decision to reduce the number of expansion groups each semester to only one. This decision was made based on a number of factors, perhaps the most influential being the availability of both staff time and adequate financial resources required to properly support an expansion.

Fortunately, this decision to allocate the staff time and resources to one new expansion each semester has been aligned with the interest levels of potential expansion groups. This balance has allowed us time to further gain understanding of the breadth of training and the support that is required to ensure our expansion efforts are successful beyond chartering. The consistency of expansion interest allowed us to gain experience and ensure the re-established expansion philosophy and procedures being utilized are effective with minimal exposure of risk.

Recently, we have seen a shift in that balance of interest and resources available. We now find ourselves in a situation in which the demand for expansion exceeds the availability of the existing staff’s time and financial resources required to successfully support them. While a great problem to have, a problem all the same.

Much of this new demand has been from the increased level of interest from alumni interested in seeing their collegiate

A New Era of Expansion Begins

By Robert RiggsExecutive Vice PresidentRPI, ‘02

The Recolonizations of Illinois Beta Delta and Iowa Delta Set a New Precedent for Phi Kappa Theta

chapters recolonized. Many of our dormant chapters continue to benefit from strong networks of alumni who continue to remain connected to their fellow brothers using email lists, annual reunions and online groups through media like Facebook and LinkedIn. The examples of these alumni groups are the alumni from the University of Illinois and the University of Iowa.

These alumni groups have remained connected to their fellow brothers and to the fraternity over the last few years. They understand and support Phi Kappa Theta’s evolution to open mission-aligned chapters. Additionally, they have successfully identified alumni willing to serve as volunteer mentors for their respective chapters, two of the essential elements

required for a successful expansion. Unfortunately, two other elements

equally essential, the availability of professional staff and the financial investment required to support the expansion efforts were not available during the desired recolonization timeframe. This was due to the commitments made by the Fraternity to support other expansion efforts throughout the country during the same timeframe.

Despite the realities of Phi Kappa Theta’s resource limitations, a meeting was held in Chicago between Illinois Beta Delta leaders, professional staff members and potential re-founding fathers in the fall of 2012. It was during that meeting

This is not the first time service-based expansion has been explored in our Fraternity’s history. In the years following the merger of Phi Kappa and Theta Kappa Phi, the Fraternity implemented an expansion program that was invested in by alumni. At that time, the model supported the Fraternity’s expansion efforts throughout the country.

SPRING 2013 11

Indiana Zeta, Purdue University – West Lafayette, IN.

The chapter has regained recognition by the University and is currently in the process of applying for recognition by the Interfraternity Council. The alumni leadership, in coordination with the professional staff, has been working with those collegiate members who were part of the chapter prior to its loss of recognition. Full recruitment and reorganization efforts are underway. Professional staff members hosted facilitator-led workshops over the nights of March 19 and 20 to help bring the collegiate brothers up to speed in the areas of chapter operations and recruitment strategies.

INTEREST GROUPS:

Texas Alpha Mu, University of Houston – Houston, TX

The interest group, with the assistance of local alumni, continues to recruit their initial re-founding fathers. The re-colonization of Texas Alpha Mu will be scheduled upon the successful recruitment of the targeted collegiate members.

A previous generation of Phi Kaps at the Illinois Beta Delta house of Phi Kappa Theta.

12 SPRING 2013

that Illinois Beta Delta alumnus Mark Olsen (University of Illinois, ‘89) presented the possibility of the alumni making the financial investment required to directly support its recolonization. The group continued to explore this opportunity through the fall until a proposal of services was able to be presented to the alumni. In speaking with Brother Olsen about his initial proposal, he had this to say,

“Illinois Beta Delta has been off campus for a number of years and our alumni are highly engaged in ensuring that our recolonization efforts are very successful. However, the recolonization efforts are a significant undertaking and we have limited human capital resources. Our alumni have jobs and family commitments and most of us do not live close to campus. Having a professional on-site who is focused on recolonization efforts, one who has recent experience as a collegiate brother, and can more readily relate to our potential new members, will allow us the reach our goals.”

As the research continued in to the viability of such a proposal of services, it became obvious that Illinois Beta Delta could not carry the full financial investment alone. As a result, the Iowa Delta alumni were brought in to the conversation. These alumni came to the same conclusions as Illinois Beta Delta, “Through many conversations we determined that this was a calculated risk but well worth taking” said Alumni President Tim Clark. “Our alumni simply cannot be on campus trying to recruit a new core group of undergraduates. Having focused staff support will ensure we start

with a solid core group of men that understand that we are first and foremost servant leaders.”

With both alumni groups committed, the Fraternity moved forward with the recruitment of a new staff member to serve as our Chapter Development Coordinator. The result of this exploration has been the successful hiring of alumnus Stephen Lee (Lewis, ‘10). Brother Lee will spend his first few weeks at the Executive Offices being trained by staff and volunteers in order to prepare him for his role as the Chapter Development Coordinator. Upon the completion of his initial orientation and training, he will serve the Illinois Beta Delta and

Iowa Delta campuses by sharing his time between Champaign and Iowa City.

Having alumni invest in their own chapter’s expansion sets a new precedent for Phi Kappa Theta. While we are very optimistic about this new precedent, there is also a certain level of caution that must be taken. As with any new initiative or program, there are inherent risks that must

be explored. These risks have been considered by both Iowa Delta and Illinois Beta Delta. “We recognize that we are making a significant financial commitment to this effort” said Brother Olsen. “To limit our risk, we’ve established policies and measurement points in place to ensure if the performance of the recolonization is falling

short of our expectations, we are able to quickly address them.” Brother Clark confirmed that Iowa Delta’s alumni are also aware of the risks. “We are the first two groups and that carries inherent risk, again, a risk that we determined to be well worth taking”, said Brother Clark.

As these two recolonizations projects move forward, we are confident that Phi Kappa Theta will also be able to evolve, establishing a completely new era of expansion for our Fraternity.

“Through many conversations we determined that this was a calculated risk but well worth taking.”—Tim Clark

“Having a professional on-site who is focused on recolonization efforts, one who has recent experience as a collegiate brother, and can more readily relate to our potential new members, will allow us the reach our goals.”—Mark Olsen

The Bookself:Books By our Alumni

Standing Next to History: An Agent’s Life Inside the Secret Service

by Joe Petro(Temple, ‘66)

Great! What Makes Leaders Great: What They Did, How They Did It and What You Can Learn From It

by Timothy Bednarz(The Catholic University of America, ‘73)

More Books can be found at phikaps.org/bookshelf

SPRING 2013 13

Many of us are all too familiar with the morning game show staple, “The Price Is Right” and seeing the groups of people in attendance sitting on the edge of their seats, waiting to see if they’ll be the next lucky contestant to “come on down”. Well for one brother of Phi Kappa Theta, he had no idea he was going to be this lucky. Ryan Hunter (SDSU, ‘15) and 15 other brothers from the California Phi Iota Chapter got up early and left for Los Angeles at 5 am on a Wednesday morning.

After waiting nearly 7 hours of standing in lines, contestant interviews, getting their picture taken and more lines, the group of brothers finally got let into the studio. Unbeknown to them, when they were told where the group would be seated, it made the experience that much better. “They predetermined where everyone was sitting. Our group got seated in the center, in the third row. It was pretty epic” said Ryan Hunter.

Then it was time for Ryan Hunter to COME ON DOWN! He missed the first two bidding opportunities to get on stage for the real prizes, on jewelry and a pair of iPad’s. Everyone has heard “third times a charm”, and it couldn’t be anymore true when Ryan won the round guessing $750 on a large quilted fabric hammock. His opponent playing wise by The Price Is Right rules strategically guessed $775 on the item in an attempt to better his chances on gaining access to the stage. With the actual retail price of $770, Ryan had narrowly made the cut by $5.

As Ryan heard his name being declared the winner, a wave of excitement took over. With his group of brothers only a few rows back, they could be seen jumping and clapping almost as much as Ryan was. It was now Ryan’s turn to begin his journey to the final showcase.

Ryan Hunter COME ON DOWN!

By Ben DeLostEastern Illinois University, ‘10

San Diego State University Brother Wins it BIG on the Price is Right!

Ryan mastered through the first mini-game of “Double Prices” with the questionable judgment of celebrity co-host NeNe Leakes, to win a wonderful outdoor kitchen island that came with a gas grill, refrigerator and fine Italian porcelain, finished with a smooth granite trim.

Ryan’s next stint with incredible luck hit him during the Showcase Showdown. He was the middle contestant of the three to spin the wheel. He had just enough time to say hi to his family and Phi Kappa Theta before he looked over as the wheel was slowing its spin. “I looked back and saw a dollar… I was literally not expecting that at all..” Ryan explained. The third contestant couldn’t match the dollar in her spins, which sent our very own Ryan Hunter to the Showcase.

It was now down to Ryan and one other contestant in the Showcase. This was the phase of the show where all the big prizes are won. The first showcase of prizes were offered to Ryan. He had to guess the suggested retail value of designer shoes, a trip to Atlanta and a brand new Land Rover. Ryan was completely okay bidding on these items. “I had a better sense of how much the car was going to cost.”, Ryan said. Ryan entered his bid at $41,000 and his opponent entered hers. Then came the excruciating 5-minute wait while the show did a commercial break. As soon as they came back on air, host Drew Carey said that the actual retail price of Ryan’s showcase was $46,339, with a difference of $5,339. His opponents showcase’s difference was $6,755. Ryan Hunter had

just won the Price is Right. He sure didn’t have the time to shake Drew’s hand before the cameras went down, because all 15 of the Brothers in the audience rushed the stage to congratulate Ryan in his success.

Being able to interview Ryan about his experience was thrilling because I have been a Price is Right fan for years. That Ryan was still genuinely excited talking about his day on TV even though he’s probably told people his story hundreds of times by now made it more thrilling. Ryan plans on selling all the items he won, including the Land Rover. He plans on taking one of the brothers on his trip to Atlanta with him (They made a deal that if either won a trip, the winner had to take the other.) As soon as he pays up with the IRS, he told me he plans on taking a trip to Southeast Asia for two months this summer by himself, visiting places like Cambodia, Thailand and Vietnam.

Top: 16 brothers from the SDSU chapter of Phi Kappa Theta visit The Price Is Right.

Above: Ryan Hunter (SDSU, ‘15), with host Drew Carey and celebrity co-host NeNe Leakes, after taking a spin on the big wheel.

have categorized each of the metrics in to one of three categories. The first category classifies those data sets that measure the quality and quantity of the active development our brothers receive. The second category represents data sets related to measuring the impact, involvement or influence our brothers have based on their actions designed to improve their society and Fraternity. The third category recognizes those metrics that would raise those ‘red flags’ for the Board signifying that we are getting off track. These data sets are designed to help us diagnose early signs of trouble and take early preventative actions to avoid what could be a potentially dangerous chapter culture.

The inaugural progress report utilizing this dashboard style of reporting will be presented live to those brothers attending this summer’s Biennial Convention, August 1-4 in Bloomingdale, IL. This will be the Fraternity’s opportunity to share our response to the question, are we there yet?

14 SPRING 2013

In his introduction to the spring issue of the Temple Magazine, President Nathan Rues introduced the question, are we there yet? A question that seems finite at first but in reality begs for us to only ask even more questions; for example, are we WHERE yet?

Understanding WHERE we want to be provides us a specific description the Fraternity’s desired culture by 2018. Achieving this desired organizational cultural will allow us to answer ‘yes’ to the question, are we there yet. With only five years left between now and 2018, we must continually collect information that will allow us to monitor our current position relative to our desired End States.

In his Presidential Introduction, Brother Rues shared that the next phase of the Strategic Plan is begin measuring the outcomes of the Fraternity programs. Program outcomes represent just one example of the types of data that could be measured. To ensure we are getting an accurate picture of our current progress, only data relevant to Phi Kappa Theta will be collected and analyzed. How do we determine what data is relevant to us?

To answer this question, the Board of Trustees gathered for a weekend retreat in early January. The retreat began with an exercise that allowed the group to identify

What Will Define SuccessBy Robert RiggsExecutive Vice PresidentRPI, ‘02

and list all of the possible pieces of data the Fraternity could measure. To ensure this list was truly exhausted, they also recognized that the Fraternity exists in the real world and that audiences (personas) should be considered when establishing this list. Aside from their own role as the Fraternity’s leadership, a total of five additional audiences were also explored. Additionally, the Board also considered what types of data should be considered that would create ‘red flags’ or ‘alerts’ that would cause the Fraternity to immediately take action.

Recognizing all of these audiences the Board established a list of nearly 90 different data sets. Again using these audiences, the Board utilized a ‘100 point’ exercise to assign points to those data sets they felt would be the highest priority for each audience. This activity resulted in the data the Board thought to be important across all audiences being prioritized as the data that would be relevant to us.

The results of the Board retreat still leave the Fraternity with an extensive list of measurable data. To review all of the information at once would still be overwhelming. To help the Fraternity present this information in a format that is easier to read, we have begun the process of establishing what is known in the association/non-profit world as dashboards. To identify and classify related data, we

Are We WHERE YetDuring the Strategic

Planning process, the Board of Trustees created five End States; one for each of the areas of development. The End States describe the WHERE we would like to be by 2018. They are written to describe both the impact Phi Kappa Theta has on its brothers and the impact our brothers have on the world.

For more of our End States visit www.phikaps.org/endstates

Five Audiences Explored

1. General Public – Present data that defends Phi Kappa Theta from the accusation that we have not fulfilled our Mission

2. Parent of a Potential Member - Present data that convinces them that Phi Kappa Theta is the right for their son

3. Future Collegiate Brother – Present data to this audience that allows them to take extreme pride in what we/they have accomplished

4. Potential Alumnus Volunteer – Present data that would convince the alumnus to become involved as a volunteer

5. Potential Donor – Present data that would convince a donor to make a significant donation in support of the Fraternity

SPRING 2013 15

It is impossible to know how people will react in the face of chaos. For those within earshot of the bombings at the Boston Marathon, a rational reaction would be to simply find shelter, lock all the doors and seal yourself from the situation that’s unfolding in the streets. Realistically, there’s no telling what may be happening out there, or who may be looking to cause additional harm.

Just two blocks away from the finish line, brothers of Phi Kappa Theta at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) were enjoying a cookout. Just before 3pm, the neighborhood was rocked by a loud explosion.

They initially thought it was a construction accident. “After we heard the second explosion 10 seconds later, it became very clear”, said one fraternity member.

Fear quickly spread throughout the house and the city of Boston. The brothers were shocked. A few were on the roof and instantly saw smoke. Everyone rushed downstairs and huddled around the television, anxiously awaiting news reports.

Blake Chambers (MIT, ‘13), could only think of the safety of his girlfriend and younger brother. Attempts to make contact had failed. He initially thought of venturing out to locate them, but was quickly overwhelmed by the sight outside.

People flooded the neighborhood. “We saw people in the streets rushing away from the explosions and toward our area”, said Blake. “Many were confused, scared and frightened.” Instead of barricading

MIT Chapter Responds to Boston Marathon Tragedy

By Stephen Lee Lewis University, ‘10

Brothers Live Up to Fraternity Motto

themselves in their four-story home, the young men sprang into action.

Two families with small children were sitting on the steps, visibly shaken. The fraternity invited them in and provided refreshments. Then, brothers grabbed tables and chairs and set up camp on the sidewalk outside the fraternity house. Others jumped

in and retrieved water, juice and granola bars to offer to those passing by. People soon were asking the price of the items.

The thought of making a profit never entered the brothers’ minds. They

quickly made a large sign advertising free water, free juice and free phone-charging. The young men attributed this kindness to the fraternity’s motto, “Give, expecting nothing thereof.”

They welcomed people to come in and rest. Scores of people were relaxing inside, watching the news and sitting shoulder to shoulder with the brothers. Saif Hakim, a Phi Kap living in the house, brought a TV and N64 gaming system downstairs. This quick thinking afforded the children a reprieve from the heavy words softly spoken by the adults.

“It was a shining light that showed there was still a community that people could take comfort in”, Blake said proudly.

Still, the brothers were vigilant and acted with risk management in mind. “We were aware of the situation”, stated James Noraky, former chapter president. “We wanted to be good neighbors, but we also wanted to take precautions to keep our brothers safe.”

Information directly after the incident was shaky at best. Regardless, the Phi Kaps at MIT gave kudos to the first responders. “(They) did a good job keeping people calm and controlled, even in the midst of such a chaotic situation”, said brother Naren Tallapragada.

As first responders took care of the heavy-hitting work, many people found refuge and care in the fraternity house two blocks away. These college students and alumni played a role in alleviating the pressure on the already stretched first responders and marathon staff.

The fraternity’s selfless actions quickly gained attention. A story was posted on Buzzfeed.com, and brothers were interviewed by the BBC. In addition, the fraternity’s national office has recognized the commendable actions.

Robert Riggs, the Executive Vice President of Phi Kappa Theta, stated, “We couldn’t be more proud of the brothers of our MA Eta Chapter as they are truly living our Mission. Their actions in the face of such tragedy affirm our commitment to continuing to actively develop men who will be passionate servant leaders for their communities.”

“It was a shining light that showed there was still a community that people could take comfort in.”—Blake Chambers

Front: Rohun Kulkarni (MIT, ‘15), Blake Chambers (MIT, ‘13), James Noraky (MIT, ‘13), Naren Tallapragada (MIT, ‘13), friend of the Fraternity. Rear: Kevin Singh (MIT, ‘13), Krishanu Sankar (MIT, ‘12), Matthew Fitzgerald (MIT, ‘10)

16 SPRING 2013

The Fraternity celebrates the successful completion of the third year of the Regional Leadership Conferences, which saw significant growth yet again this year. With the addition of two new locations, the training and utilization of over 15 volunteer facilitators, and the education of over 200 brothers, the number and quality of educational opportunities being brought to the front door of our members continues to increase.

Programming was determined by a number of different factors, including necessity, based on organizational policy, needs based on accreditation results, and member desire based on survey feedback. This year’s goal was to take

By Anita KerlinBowling Green State University, ‘03

attendees through an entire life cycle of a collegiate chapter beginning with the recruitment process, through associate member education, member integration and development and processing back to re-evaluation of our values and founding.

Friday began with tactical skills training in the area of recruitment. Attendees learned that recruitment is about building relationships and sharing our values versus throwing parties. One attendee from the Midwest Regional noted, “We talked about ‘Why Phi Kappa Theta?’ It was very good for us to talk about why we do what we do. Potential members don’t want to hear the fluff of what or how we do things, but why. This really did change everything for me.” Attendees were able to practice communicating their values and guiding conversations through interactive activities with one

another and by practicing speaking with people that they do not know. An attendee from the Southern Regional noted that the recruitment training was, “Overall very well done and relevant information that we all need to hear. Our chapter is attempting to grow in size, but we wish to do so in a sustainable manner and keep the same level of brotherhood. This session illustrated how we could do so.”

Saturday morning began with some challenging conversations about associate member education and integration. In an attempt to break down bad habits and old traditions, the Fraternity continued to share and encourage the use of the recently developed National Associate Member Education Program. The program utilizes education and development in all five areas (Fraternal, Intellectual, Leadership, Social and Spiritual) as well as full integration into the chapter from the moment a bid is accepted. This process encourages chapters to do a better job recruiting high quality men who they are prepared to call brothers, put on letters, and invite to events and meetings immediately upon joining. A brother from the Southern Regional commented in survey feedback, “This is a program, like Recruitment, that is vital to the success of our chapters. Educating brothers correctly when they join creates a lasting effect and a habit for positive and productive behavior.” There were several comments from brothers who attended the Western Regional that this session helped them realize they aren’t doing things correctly and they need to make a change. They also noted the need for a more modern approach and the need to emphasize chapter integration versus pledge class bonding.

Saturday afternoon allowed the presidents an opportunity to receive some

2013 Regional Leadership Conferences

Great Lakes Mideast Midwest Northeast

SPRING 2013 17

specialized training that would benefit them as chapter leaders. Mental Health issues are a major concern on college campuses and this year we found it important to bring this issue to the attention of our chapter leaders. According to survey feedback, this session not only accomplished the learning objectives better than any other program over the weekend, but it was also ranked as the most enjoyable and beneficial. Chapter leaders learned about different types of mental health issues, warning signs and how to help a person who may be struggling with these issues. An attendee from the Great Lakes Regional noted, “This was a very new topic that I would not have thought about otherwise. This is a very serious issue that needs to be handled swiftly and responsibly when dealt with. I found this session to be very beneficial and will make me more aware of the signs when dealing with not only my brothers, but other students as well.” In addition to Mental

Above: The brothers from each Regional Leadership Conference.

Left: Chapters attend a specific regional conference based on which state their school is in.

Above Right: Brothers from the Western Regional Leadership Conference photographed during an activity.

Health, presidents received special training on leadership using lessons from alumnus Mike Jaroch’s book “Extraordinary Lessons from and Ordinary Life.” All Presidents Track attendees received a copy of the book, read, and discussed certain chapters that were applicable to their upcoming

experience as new presidents. A Northeast Regional attendee noted, “I thought this was a very informative session and was a plus to be reading from a book that a brother wrote. I found the lesson on facing the pain or the problem very beneficial because it is important to fix problems as they arise instead of letting them sit and grow.” Another attendee from the same location stated, “The book was fantastic, the lessons were simple but important, and I think everyone got a good deal of insight from this session.”

While presidents received some

specialized training, the remaining attendees became fluent in FIPG Risk Management Policy through opportunities to analyze and assess risk in scenarios. Attendees then had an opportunity to practice utilizing the policies to create aligned, engaging and fun social events. An attendee from the Northeast Regional mentioned, “It was interesting to see the policies and to have others try to interpret them.” Another from the same location said, “This really made me think about

what risk management entails and how, even if it’s not a party at the house, risk comes into play.” Saturday afternoon was also an opportunity for these men to learn about the appropriate ways to represent themselves and Phi Kappa Theta both through their everyday behavior and chapter branding. There were several comments from all locations that attendees realized that they represent the Fraternity all of the time, not just when they are in Phi Kappa Theta attire. An attendee from the Southern Regional commented, “I thought this was interesting perspective that most active members do not think about.”

Holding ourselves and each other accountable is an important trait, not only in chapter operations but also as a person. Training on this necessary skill and its importance was also provided on Saturday to all attendees. A brother from the Mideast Regional noted, “I learned that sometimes the best kind of love is tough love. Brothers need to be more willing to encourage each other to get better every day.” An attendee from the Western Regional says, “The most positive/beneficial part of the Accountability training was learning the true definition of holding someone to their word and doing what you say you will do.”

Servant Leadership Training was provided to all attendees through two tracks, Servant Leadership 2.0 for the Presidents and Actively Serving Others. The 2.0 session focused on how the chapter can utilize servant leadership techniques to serve their stakeholders every day in a practical manner. A Great Lakes Regional attendee says, “I think that servant leadership is going to be huge with our Fraternity, and hopefully it really takes off at our local chapter.”

The Actively Serving Others session focused on helping members understand

“This is a program, like Recruitment, that is vital to the success of our chapters. Educating brothers correctly when they join creates a lasting effect and a habit for positive and productive behavior.”—RLC Attendee

Southern Western

18 SPRING 2013

practical application of servant leadership concepts at a more individualized level. A Midwest Regional attendee noted, “I learned that a servant leader isn’t always the one leading but he can be the one who is leading without knowing, leading by example.” Saturday evening concluded with the always popular tradition of roundtable discussions. Members and facilitators gathered in groups to discuss and share ideas on a number of topics ranging from chapter finances to event planning. This event was among the most popular and very highly ranked at all locations as being enjoyable and beneficial.

Sunday began with a spiritual development session outlining the history of Catholicism which helped attendees understand why Catholics in America were discriminated against, leading to the eventual founding of Phi Kappa and Theta Kappa Phi as Catholic organizations. A brother from the Mideast location mentioned, “This was an interesting part, giving time for reflection and a conclusion from myself that despite our chapter’s beliefs, our spiritual pillar intended originally for Catholicism is still upheld as a pillar of respect and reverence for other’s beliefs; that is, we do not discriminate

“I learned that sometimes the best kind of love is tough love. Brothers need to be more willing to encourage each other to get better every day.”—RLC Attendee

against others for their beliefs even if we disagree with them.” We completed the weekend with attendees sharing what they learned and what they planned to commit to either do or take back to their chapter and change after the weekend. Common themes from the weekend seemed to emerge, regardless of location, around the sense of “Why” and the importance of the values

of our organization, as well as associate member integration instead of separation, and increasing accountability.

Attendee and facilitator feedback was impressive, as the conferences proved to provide not only an enjoyable experience for all but one that would come highly recommended. A brother at the Great Lakes Regional wrote, “I believe that this could not have gone any better. I thought that each of the programs that we were exposed to were truly awesome.” We

even saw a high volume of positive tweets over the month of January from facilitators and students positively remarking on what they were learning and the connections they were making. The Fraternity is proud to provide quality programming to more members each year and we are all incredible grateful to the generous donors who give to the Foundation which makes these events possible each year.

RLC

TW

EE

TS

Yep! They’re Phi Kaps!Peter D.Pezaris

Multiply.com CEO

Carnegie Mellon, ‘90

Timothy R. Laird

America’s C.E.O., Chief Entertaining Officer for Brown-Forman

Iowa State, ’79

Know of a Famous orProminent Phi Kap? Email us!temple@phikaps.org

SPRING 2013 19

At 5:30 on a freezing January morning, brother Dylan Shirley (Bridgewater State University, ‘14) sat under a pitch black sky, watching the breaths of thousands upon thousands of people slowly dissipate upwards as they filtered through security lines, making their way to the steps of the U.S. Capitol. Some would be right next to the action, others would have to squint off into a great distance. But no matter where they watched from, no matter their political views, backgrounds, money or connections, they were all equal that morning. Each and every one of them would struggle to stay warm and each and every one would remember the day they saw President Barack Obama sworn in as the 44th president of the United States.

That morning, Shirley listened to President Obama take the oath of office, swearing to do his duty. He listened to the president speak about the duty of each American citizen, the need for each person to act for the common good. Shirley heard about how our founding fathers passed along the gift of freedom, about how through a great line of succession, not of just presidents and lawmakers, but of ordinary citizens, this country has been preserved. “They gave to us a republic, a government of, and by, and for the people, entrusting each generation to keep safe our founding creed,” the President said. Among all the people there, Shirley knows, likely more than most, what exactly duty entails.

Shirley’s passion for politics, law enforcement, and his desire to help others started early. “I’ve had the urge to serve throughout most of my life,” he said. His grandfather was a police officer and law enforcement was always a well respected profession within his family. It’s difficult for him to pinpoint a moment when it all clicked for him. “I am not really sure where that truly sparked, probably just from normal family conversations about

The Call of Duty

By Matthew ButtsUniv. of Nebraska–Lincoln, ‘12

Brother Attends Presidential Inauguration

it.” But his desire to help others truly manifested itself his senior year of high school. Not content to just talk about serving, it was then that he met with a recruiter and joined the army reserve. “Sometimes you just do what you need to,” said Shirley.

Shortly after that, Shirley was admitted to Bridgewater State University in Massachusetts where he began studying criminal justice. In his junior year, Shirley became inspired to pursue law school. “I had the same professor for two courses, ethics and criminal law. Professor Richard Hauzinger, had an integral knowledge of the law as he was a former Connecticut state police officer. I found a lot of interest in the criminal law course and how it applied and complemented the law course. I then started to research how to become a lawyer.”

That led to his senior year, when Shirley applied for and won a grant from the Washington Center. This grant allowed him to travel to D.C. where he spent ten days listening to the best and brightest minds in politics today. He talked to journalists, politicians from both sides of the political spectrum and listened to think tanks people usually pay thousands of dollars to hear from. “It was amazing to be entrenched and engulfed in politics. You look around and think this is our future, these people here,” he said.

The last day of the trip was spent at the presidential inauguration which Shirley says was awe inspiring. “It’s not just America paying attention. The whole world was watching us. We are the most successful democracy in history and this is another successful transition.” Witnessing the inauguration was a gift he said. “To be a part of history, you don’t get an opportunity like that very often.”

Shirley is a great example of the duty and engagement Obama spoke of that day. He currently serves as the president of the BSU Republicans, secretary of IFC, and he’s a senator in student government. While clearly he is more involved in politics than most, Shirley believes that it’s important for everybody to pay attention to what the government is up to and to know about the people making the decisions that guide their lives. “As a citizen, it is your duty to know about politics,” he said.

As for his immediate future, Shirley

will be deployed to Afghanistan in late April to fulfill his obligation as part of the reserves. After that, he intends to become a lawyer, but won’t stop there. He said, “Truly though, a lawyer is a means to reach an ultimate goal. It is a way for me to serve the public in something I find great interest in. My passion lies in serving others and I hope to some day move on from just being a lawyer and prosecutor and serve as a lawmaker.” In the end, Shirley has one goal, and that’s to serve others. “I want to do whatever is making the greatest impact on others, because in the end, when I look back on my life, I am not going to care about the money I made, but instead, I am going to concentrate on the lives I have bettered.”

The path taken by Shirley, through college, to the army, to law school and

hopefully someday to Capitol Hill isn’t suited for everybody. And yet, his sense of duty to others and his determination to make the world better should serve as an example to us all. As time marches forward, as the needs of the country

change, as the abilities of it’s citizens change, each person must, in their own way, find that which they can do to ensure that we have done our job as caretakers of this nation. As President Obama said in his inauguration speech, “Let us, each of us, now embrace with solemn duty and awesome joy what is our lasting birthright. With common effort and common purpose, with passion and dedication, let us answer the call of history and carry into an uncertain future that precious light of freedom.”

“To be a part of history, you don’t get an opportunity like that very often.”—Dylan Shirley

20 SPRING 2013

NEWS FROM YOU

The collegiate members of the New York Sigma chapter of Phi Kappa Theta Fraternity are excited to extend a membership invitation to Watson, the IBM supercomputer. A membership invitation, commonly called a “Bid” by Greek Life students, is the first step in joining a fraternity.

IBM recently announced that it will provide the Watson system to Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) as part of their Shared University Research program. During the grant period, RPI faculty and students will work directly with Watson to develop the next version of the cognitive learning system that led the computer to beat Jeopardy! Champions in a 2011 contest.

New York Sigma Chapter Extends Membership Invitation to Watson, Famed IBM Supercomputer

“We’re excited that Watson is coming to RPI, and it simply makes sense to invite him to join our organization,” says Phi Kappa Theta collegiate president, Joseph Arizzi. “Phi Kappa Theta is always on the lookout for top caliber candidates to become brothers. Watson demonstrates many of the characteristics of Phi Kappa Theta: academic excellence, community service and leadership initiative.”

Once accepting the bid, Watson will be an associate member of the fraternity, spending several weeks learning about the history, traditions, and values of Phi Kappa Theta. Upon completion of the associate member period, Watson will be eligible to become a brother of the fraternity.

Brother Gives Sweetheart Pin to Wife on 30 Wedding Anniversary

A special gift was under the Christmas tree this holiday for Linda Comeau wife of Joe “Big Joe” Comeau (Western Illinois University, ‘78). Linda received her Sweetheart Pin while being serenaded by the Phi Kappa Theta Sweetheart Song playing on their computer. Linda was pinned in celebration of the couple’s 32 years together while also celebrating their 30th year of marriage.

“I was so honored with Joe surprising me with this beautiful pin. This is ironic because I had surprised Joe 32 years ago by replacing his PKT pin, which he had lost during his graduation” said Linda. Joe said, “It’s never too late to pin your sweetheart, even after 32 years of being together.” Linda was lavaliered by Joe when they were engaged in 1981. Both

Interested in submitting“News From You”?

Contact the executiveoffices@phikaps.org with your stories!

Whether it’s a chance encounter with a brother in a distant country, a reunion or simple news of service, we want to know!

Find more stories atphikaps.org/news

Linda and Joe have a fond connection to Phi Kappa Theta with many of their closest friends who are brothers and little sisters of Kappa Mu chapter. Joe served as the chapter’s first Faculty Advisor, House Steward, was one of three who purchased the first chapter house, and as an alumni board member served as the first Secretary and Vice Chairman, then as its second Alumni President. Joe also served as a District Governor for Purdue/Calumet and Marquette University in Milwaukee. The couple now lives in Plano, Texas where Linda is a Sales Tax Specialist for General Datatech, l.p. and Joe is a retired College Union/Student Activities Director.

NEWS FROM YOU

SPRING 2013 21

The CA Phi Iota Chapter of Phi Kappa Theta Fraternity at San Diego State University completed another successful campaign of their yearly philanthropic event that occurs every November, “Movember.” Movember

SDSU Chapter Sets to Make Each New Movember Year Better Than the Last

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is a month long event raising awareness and funds for research for men’s health issues, specifically prostate and testicular cancer initiatives. Many Phi Kap Chapters participate in addition SDSU.

Phi Kaps help raise awareness for this cause by growing mustaches that help stimulate interest among their peers.

“The fact everyone goes all out growing these wild mustaches to help fight cancer is a really awesome thing,” said Phi Kappa Theta member Adam Correa. “It really shows that even when we are dealing with an awful and serious thing such as cancer, the brothers can have fun at the same time.”

This year, Phi Iota set records all across the board for their Movember campaign. The brothers were able to raise an incredible $2,200, $1,800 of which was raised from online donations and $400 from fundraising at four restaurants and t-shirt sales. The brothers of Phi Kappa

Theta also spent over 15 hours on campus tabling, educating their peers on prostate and testicular cancer and the mission Movember has set out to accomplish. Phi Iota ranked second overall in the Phi Kappa Theta Network behind their neighboring chapter at the University of San Diego.

Phi Kappa Theta’s Vice President of External Affairs Jaynish Hazari said he is “really glad to see how our fraternity of brothers came together to accomplish a successful Movember campaign. We set our chapter record and had the most events in the month than ever before to help spread the awareness of men’s health globally; it’s the epitome of our ideals of servant leadership in society and to give, expecting nothing thereof.”

If you have any questions on how you can help address men’s health issues, visit us.movember.com.

TAKE THE NEXT STEP ON YOUR SERVANT LEADERSHIP JOURNEY

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LEARNin the academy• Distance-learning certificate program• Dialogue with faculty and classmates• 2 courses offered to meet your needs• Class schedule and registration avail-able online

22 SPRING 2013

In 2009, an earthquake struck Aquila, Italy. The quake leveled most of the Basilica of Santa Maria di Collemaggio but left unharmed the front portion of the Basilica and the glass casket containing the remains of the first man to declare a pope could legitimately resign from office and the first to exercise that right, Pope Celestine V. Pope Benedict XVI traveled to Aquila in order to comfort the victims of the earthquake. Before departing, he stopped to pray in front of Celestine’s casket. As he arose to continue his journey, Benedict left the pallium that he had worn at his inauguration as pope on the casket. The pallium serves as a symbol of the pope’s authority as bishop of Rome.

Almost a year later, Benedict again visited the region and this time stopped at the Cathedral of Sulmona where he prayed before an altar consecrated by Celestine, containing the late pope’s relics. This was in what Benedict had declared the Celestine Year, in honor of the 800th anniversary of the birth of Celestine. While these actions seemed small at the time, in retrospect they take on a much larger significance. Benedict resigned from the papal office on February 28th of this year, being the first pope to do so in nearly 600 years.

On February 11th, 2013 the 85 year old pontiff released this statement. “After having repeatedly examined my conscience before God, I have come to the certainty that my strengths due to an advanced age are no longer suited for the task. Both strength of mind and body are necessary, strengths which in the last few months have deteriorated in me to the extent that I have had to recognize my incapacity to adequately fulfill the ministry entrusted to me.”

Benedict’s announcement, undoubtedly came as a surprise to not just Catholics, but the world. His age was clearly catching up to him, but Benedict’s beloved predecessor, John Paul II, survived two assassination attempts and was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease four years before he died in office. To see Benedict stepping down after such

perseverance by the man before him lead many to believe that there were other contributing factors.

Benedict found himself presiding over the Catholic Church in the midst of a clergy abuse scandal, a Vatican leaks crisis, declining attendance in Europe and increasing secularism across the world. A number of people looked at these trials and declared Benedict’s papacy a failure and a clear sign his resignation was warranted.

Many however, saw Benedict’s reign as a success. He was known as a “teaching pope” who promoted “affirmative orthodoxy,” meaning his emphasis on phrasing classic Christian doctrine in terms of what the church supports rather than what it opposes. He encouraged ecumenical movements, paving a way for Anglicans and other denominations to rejoin the Catholic Church. He was likely the most pro-science pope in the past 100 years, seeing a Nobel Prize winning microbiologist named to the Pontifical Academy of Sciences in Rome and creating The Science and Faith Foundation. Benedict also made Church financial workings more open to the public and challenged the careerist and self-aggrandizing culture in the Vatican, most noticeably, by relinquishing power himself.

In the end, Benedict’s papacy may be viewed much like that of Paul VI, who took office after the charismatic John XXIII. He

New Leadership For the Catholic Church

By Matthew ButtsUniv. of Nebraska–Lincoln, ‘12

Pope Francis Becomes 266th Pope

Pope Francis meets Pope Emeritus Benedict in Castel GandolfoPhoto: L’Osservatore Romano

SPRING 2013 23

too found the Church mired in controversy and many perceived him as cold. But 35 years later, Paul VI is remembered as a strong man who held the church together during the tumultuous post-Vatican II years, and he is a candidate for sainthood.

Benedict’s legacy may not be apparent for quite some time, but his resignation did set a conclave in motion for the purposes of electing his successor. Among the conclave participants were 11 United States cardinals and one Phi Kap - Donald Cardinal Wuerl (Fairfield, ‘A). These men, along with cardinals from all over the world, gathered in Rome to select one among them to be given the task of leading 1.2 billion Catholics.

The conclave began on March 12th and while the cardinals found themselves locked inside the Sistine Chapel, thousands upon thousands of people gathered outside waiting to see the white smoke announcing that a new pope had been elected. They didn’t have to wait long. On March 13, after just 5 ballots, the conclave elected Jorge Mario Bergoglio, Archbishop of Buenos Aires to be the 266th pope of the Catholic Church.

The 76 year old Bergoglio took the name Francis, becoming the first pope to ever use that name, and giving a clue to what he intends to accomplish in his papacy. He chose his name in honor of St. Francis of Assisi, a deeply revered and holy man. St. Francis was born to wealth, but was not born saintly. He is recorded as living a sort of playboy life. He joined the military, and one day as he was heading to battle, he heard a call from God requesting that he return home. Francis did so, sold

all his belongings, donated the money to the poor, and became an itinerant preacher, begging for his food. Shortly thereafter, he is said to have heard God tell him, “Go, Francis, and repair my house, which as you see is falling into ruin.” Francis of Assisi took the call literally, repairing churches wherever he went. Now a new Francis takes up the task in a metaphorical sense.

While Phi Kappa Theta hasn’t been exclusively Catholic for many years, Pope Francis can still be an example for its members. Stories abound about his commitment to serving others of every background and he seems to exemplify the motto of “Give expecting nothing thereof.” He is known for his simple lifestyle, taking public transportation instead of private cars, selling the mansion of the Archdiocese in Buenos Aires and instead, choosing to live in an apartment, cooking for himself, saying Mass in prisons, and famously washing the feet of AIDS patients. When he stepped out onto the balcony after his

election, he urged the world to a “great fraternity.” That’s something everybody can appreciate.

Top: Pope Benedict (middle) with Phi Kappa Theta Alumni; Archbishop of Washington Cardinal Donald Wuerl (Fairfield, ’A) (left) and Archbishop Emeritus of Washington Cardinal Theodore McCarrick (Catholic University, ‘A) (right).

Left: Newly elected Pope Francis I appears on the central balcony of St Peter’s Basilica on March 13, 2013 in Vatican City, Vatican.Photo: Peter Macdiarmid/Getty Images

Right: Then Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio of Argentina washes and kisses the feet of patients at the Hogar de Cristo shelter for drug users, during a Holy Thursday Mass in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on March 20, 2008.Photo: Reuters/Enrique Garcia Medina

24 SPRING 2013

Former U.S. Ambassador Dr. Thomas Patrick Melady (Seton Hall, ‘A), who was initiated as an alumnus member of Phi Kappa Theta at the installation of New Jersey Phi Beta Chapter in 1962, has been named Interim Dean of Seton Hall University’s Whitehead School of Diplomacy and International Relations. He succeeds Ambassador John H. Menzies, who recently stepped down after serving as Dean since 2007.

“Ambassador Melady has an impressive portfolio of accomplishments in both academic leadership and international diplomatic relations,” said SHU President A. Gabriel Esteban in an open letter to university alumni, parents and friends. “His guidance and expertise will be instrumental in carrying the Whitehead School... forward as we embark on a comprehensive, international search for our next Dean.”

Ambassador Melady, who will be 86 on March 4th, is a graduate of Duquesne University (BA) and The Catholic University of America (MA, PhD). He served in the US Army from 1945-47. Since 2002, he has been a Professor and Senior Diplomat in Residence at The Institute of World Politics in Washington, DC.

In a telephone interview with me, Melady said, “The School of Diplomacy

and International Relations has very capable assistant deans, staff, faculty and students. My job is to keep things going until a new Dean is appointed on or around July 1st.” He said any new initiatives will be left to the permanent Dean.

Melady said he works three days a week as Interim Dean and the other days at the Institute, completing a book on The Art of Diplomacy. “Currently, I’m in fulltime retirement but working full time,” he joked. Brother Melady described his management style as “dealing directly with people.” He has already met with many students, staff and faculty. “I invited them to call me if they want to discuss any issues.”

At the time of his initiation into NJ Phi Beta Chapter (1962), Melady was a Seton Hall professor of African Asian Affairs and the representative of Pax Romana, an international movement of Catholic students, to the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) of the United Nations. Seton Hall awarded the honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree to him in 1991 and to his wife, Dr. Margaret Melady, PhD, in 2003.

Mrs. Melady, who holds an MA from Seton Hall, served as president of The American University of Rome (1997-03). An alumna of the College of New Rochelle and Pontifical Gregorian University, she has worked in university teaching/administration, corporate management and global communications.

Brother Melady served as an ambassador under three US Presidents and as a sub-cabinet officer for a fourth. Under President Richard M. Nixon, he was Ambassador to Burundi (1969-72), Senior Advisor, US delegation to the UN General Assembly (1970), and Ambassador to Uganda (1972-73). Under Presidents

George H. W. Bush and Bill Clinton, Melady was Ambassador to the Holy See (1989-93). Under President Ronald Reagan, he served as Assistant Secretary for Post-Secondary Education (1981-82).

Ambassador Melady was President of Sacred Heart University in Fairfield, CT (1976-86) and was Executive Vice President of St. Joseph’s University in Philadelphia. He held professorships at George Washington, St. John’s and Fordham Universities. Melady, who is a former consultant for the National Urban League in New York, served as president of the Africa Service Institute in New York (1959-67).

An authority on Asian, Sub-Saharan African and Central European affairs, Melady has authored 16 books and over 180 articles. He has been awarded honorary doctorate degrees by 29 universities (including Seton Hall) and has been honored by the Vatican and seven countries. Ambassador and Mrs. Melady have two adult daughters and seven grandchildren.

The School of Diplomacy and International Relations, which opened in the fall of 1998, now serves more than 500 undergraduate and graduate students. It has an exclusive alliance with the United Nations Association of the U.S.A., which allows the School special access to the United Nations community.

PKT Brother Named Interim Dean at Seton Hall’s Diplomacy School

By Nicholas R. ScaleraSeton Hall, ‘63

Former Ambassador Thomas P. Melady Served as Ambassador to Burundi, Uganda and the Holy See Under Three U.S. Presidents

Comment on this story and many others at phikaps.org

Past Fraternity Foundation President, Greg Stein (CCNY, ‘70), His Excellency Ambassador Thomas Melady (Seton Hall, ‘A), his wife, Dr. Margaret Melady and Cardinal Wuerl (Fairfield, ‘A) at last years PKT alumni reception in Washington D.C.

Join the(iServe) Networkphikaps.org/iserve

Don’t Just Make a Difference...

Be the Difference

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In early March, Brother Ben DeLost (Eastern Illinois University, 10) joined the professional staff as Phi Kappa Theta’s first (iServe) Coordinator.

Initiated into Phi Kappa Theta in 2005, Brother DeLost is no stranger to leadership roles. Since his initiation, he has served as his chapter’s collegiate president and on the Fraternity’s Board of Trustees as a member of the Undergraduate Advisory Committee. While on the Board of Trustees, Brother DeLost assisted with the development and implementation of the Carver Policy Governance Model. This form of governance allowed the Board to focus its energy on the future success of

Strengthening Our Alumni Bond

By Robert RiggsRPI, ‘02

Brother Ben DeLost Becomes Phi Kappa Theta’s (iServe) Coordinator

the Fraternity.Over the last few years, Brother

DeLost has served on the Fraternity’s Membership Growth Committee, exploring the right opportunities for Phi Kappa Theta’s expansion. Most recently, Brother DeLost served as part of the facilitator team which led the Great Lakes Regional Conference, one of six regional leadership conferences held this past January.

Brother DeLost will continue his service to Phi Kappa Theta now as a member of the professional staff. The hiring of Brother DeLost marks another significant milestone along Phi Kappa Theta’s Strategic Plan. Phi Kappa Theta has made the true commitment of resources into the strengthening of our alumni network.

As the (iServe) Coordinator, Brother DeLost will serve the Fraternity as he leads the initiatives to strengthen our existing network of alumni and other volunteers. This will include directly supporting those alumni and volunteers who are already serving in volunteer leadership roles, such as chapter mentors and members of housing corporations and alumni association boards.

Additionally, Brother DeLost will focus largely on strengthening the bonds of brotherhood beyond the chapter-lines. This will be achieved through the continued efforts of the Fraternity to host

alumni events and reunions throughout the country. Over the next twelve months, Phi Kappa Theta has set a goal to host more than a dozen alumni events in those cities where there are large concentrations of Phi Kappa Theta brothers. With the support of Brother DeLost, these activities will evolve beyond single events into living communities of brotherhood.

We are truly excited to have Brother DeLost join our professional team as the (iServe) Coordinator. His service to Phi Kappa Theta allows us to focus resources in solidifying a foundation of living alumni communities we’ve needed to solidify a true brotherhood network.

26 SPRING 2013

THE NEXT ISSUE

BIENNIAL CONVENTION 2013 RECAPList of award winners & more from the 2013 Biennial Convention

NEBRASKA PI HOUSE OPENSThe Chapter Discusses Its New Housing

REGIONAL CONFERENCE INFORMATION ANDMUCH MORE!

Just the thought of quitting their secure job, paycheck and benefits can send many folks to seek some form of psychological counseling. Even an occasional discussion with a spouse or friend can sabotage a good relationship.

So why even discuss the issue? Well, in most cases the initial discussions arise from unfavorable events like being passed-over for that special promotion, fired, downsized, unemployable or being underemployed in a stale job. Unfortunately, the above reasons are all too often the basis or rationale for a new start and can become an “Epiphany” event by re-inventing yourself into an entrepreneurial persona.

What typically will happen next is a discussion as to what business to get into, such as, converting a hobby, a special skill or creating a recipe, as many successful entrepreneurs have done, into a business.

Regardless of your choice, the most important phase in this new business startup ideal is a full discussion with your spouse, making sure you have her vote of confidence. This would then be followed with a detailed analysis of your personal finances, including but not limited to, how long you can survive without any income and how much money it will take to launch the business including hiring, or do it yourself, a consultant to prepare a complete objective business plan with financial

Entrepreneurial Chronology

By Ronald “RJ” MitchelletteUniversity of Missouri, ‘58

Exploring Starting Your Own New Business

projections and an exit strategy. If the concept looks doable, then

the next step is to hire an attorney to incorporate, though not necessary, so as to protect your personal assets against failure. There are, of course, other options; such as, partnerships, DBA’s and joint ventures depending on the type of business venture you chose. There are other considerations like insurance and management structure that need to be addressed within the context of legal advice.

I have been involved with entrepreneurs as a commercial banker, educator, author and even an entrepreneur myself so I know whereof I speak and can attest to the fact that any startup business demands the proper beginning structure to insure success. I have published two books on the subject of Entrepreneurship with the last edition in 2008, titled “Entrepreneurial Decision Making,” which covers all aspects of pre-start, launch and exit strategies. I also have an online teaching website that guides the aspiring entrepreneur through the startup maze, (www.startyourownnewbusiness.com).

I have also used many different expressions or psychological crutches, as I call them, from various cultures to coaches to help me through some tough times as an entrepreneur; such as:

• A Japanese proverb cited in my book “knock down eight times get up nine.”

• Vince Lombardi’s quote “today is the first day of the rest of your life”

• Another proverb is “It is better to try and fail than not to have tried at all”

There is one more experience I would like to mention that is critical to any successful entrepreneur and that is SELF-INSPECTION or SELF-ASSESSMENT of your own natural instincts/talent; such as:

• Do you feel you are a natural leader?• Do you feel you are an Introvert or

Extrovert, the latter having a better chance of success as an entrepreneur?

• Do you feel powered to do

something on your own?• Did you, in your youth, create

or participate in creative projects, even something simple as a tea stand?

One of the key indicators for me was my being the President of the Youth Lions Club and a successful broom sale campaign for the blind and then in college being a Phi Kappa Fraternity brother and Homecoming Chairman, creating such projects as Homecoming displays, winning one year with a replica of the Trojan Horse made of thousands of paper wads stuck into chicken wire.

Bottom line, “I always like to lead with my natural talents first before I have to learn to lead.”

Phi Kappa ThetaA man’s character is shaped by the individuals allowed to influence his

values and the wisdom he gains through life experience. As brothers of Phi Kappa Theta, we have the opportunity to recruit young men who are like-minded in their values. Through our Foundation, we have the opportunity to provide our fellow brothers with those valuable life experiences.

www.phikaps.org/annualfund

expecting nothing thereof

GIVE

SPRING 2013 27

FOUNDATION

Phi Kappa Theta’s Foundation was made possible through the generosity and leadership of Brother Paul Galvin (University of Illinois, ‘14), President and Founder of the Motorola Corporation, in 1954.

Since its establishment, the Foundation has provided financial support to generations of brothers. For a significant portion of its history, the Foundation has provided this support in the form of scholarships. These scholarships have primarily been classified into two types; scholarships that provided financial aid to those brothers who demonstrated both need and merit and scholarships that rewarded achievement. Scholarships rewarding achievement also fell into two categories; those brothers who demonstrated academic success and those brothers who demonstrated leadership success in the form of student government president or interfraternity council president. These scholarships were awarded to assist brothers with their financial burdens associated with attending their respective college and universities.

While brothers continue to receive scholarships, they are now through established chapter-designated funds. The Fraternity has evolved its strategy for the way it serves our brothers and to support this evolution, the Foundation has also evolved its philosophy.

Educational Grants

Today, hundreds of our collegiate brothers will participate in educational programs, conferences and workshops led by Fraternity professional staff and trained volunteers because of the grants received by the Foundation. Just this academic year alone, the educational grants from the Foundation will allow the Fraternity to impact the lives of nearly 600 collegiate brothers. Of these, 300 of them will have been developed through the educational workshops provided at last summer’s Leadership Institute in Providence, RI or at one of six Regional Leadership Conferences offered throughout the country this past January. An additional 300 brothers will have participated in facilitator-led workshops and training delivered by

Growing Our ImpactBy Robert RiggsExecutive Vice PresidentRPI, ‘02

either professional staff or volunteers through direct chapter visits.

In addition to making these educational grants, the Foundation has focused its efforts in the establishment of chapter-designated funds. These designated fund accounts allow alumni to directly support collegiate brothers from their own chapter. Chapter-designated funds may be used to benefit the chapter through various opportunities, including educational improvements to the chapter house, scholarships and educational grants to programs and conferences.

In just three short years, we’ve seen the tangible benefits of the Foundation’s evolved philosophy. The educational grants have allowed five-times the number

of collegiate brothers to attend our conferences since 2010. Chapter-designated funds have provided alumni the opportunity to confidently provide donations to directly benefit their own chapter. This combination will continue to allow Phi Kappa Theta to achieve our goal of 100% active development of our collegiate brothers annually within the next five years!

View those that have donated to the Foundation in 2012 at phikaps.org/foundation

28 SPRING 2013

‘The Nationals Guy is coming’. The first time I heard that, was in a chapter meeting in the spring of 1999. I had recently become an associate member of the NY Sigma Chapter and I remember thinking, I have ‘no idea what that means or who the National Guy was’. Of course, at RPI, everything is shortened to an acronym, so the Nationals Guys was actually referred to as ‘TNG’.

It didn’t take long after hearing about TNG that we were told what the visit from the National Fraternity meant, how we should behave when TNG was around and what not to say when TNG was around. To us, a visit from a National Fraternity representative meant something was wrong, or that something could be wrong, or that if ‘TNG’ finds something wrong, we would be in trouble. The entire three days that TNG was in Troy, I remember it was like skating on thin ice; don’t say the wrong thing, don’t offer too much information, don’t be the reason we get in trouble.

After graduating from RPI in 2002, I came to work for the Fraternity as a leadership consultant. It very quickly became apparent that our chapter was not the only chapter who viewed visits from leadership consultants as

Chapter Visits Evolve

By Robert RiggsExecutive Vice PresidentRPI, ‘02

From a ‘Power Model’ to a ‘Servant Model’

threatening. During that first year on staff, I spent approximately 80%-90% of my time on the road, staying 3-4 days at a time at different chapters, meeting with chapter officers, alumni advisors and university officials. On the few days at a time when I wasn’t on the road, I was able to come back to Indianapolis, IN and get my laundry done before heading back out.

There were many chapter visits where I felt completely unwelcome, when the brothers simply did not want me there because of what they thought my visit meant. On more than one occasion, I discovered emails were circulating throughout the chapter about how angry they were that I was even there. At the time I couldn’t understand it.

A Power Leader Model

There is no ill will towards those brothers who showed hostility towards during my chapter visits. I realize now they viewed my position as one of authority only and that I lacked the responsibility that would allow me to build credibility with their chapter. Staff members would visit for a few days, conduct an evaluation of the chapter’s culture and operational status and write recommendations in the form of a formal Chapter Report.

However, once the report was written, we were not part of

any sustained resource or support to the chapter. As

a result, the chapters saw that there was no

responsibility on our part to contribute to being part of the solution. Bluntly, we judged them, we told them what to do and then we didn’t actually help them improve. Could you

really blame them for their attitude towards

‘nationals’?

A Servant Leader Model

It’s been fourteen years since I first heard that phrase, the Nationals Guy is coming. Today, our chapter services strategy has evolved to balance the roles of responsibility and authority between the chapters and the professionals and volunteers who have been trained to serve them.

Historically, chapters were evaluated by the professionals and volunteers from an authoritative role. They then had the sole responsibility to take action. Today we see a balance of both authority and responsibility at the chapter level and with the professional staff and volunteers trained to serve our chapters.

The chapters now have the authority and responsibility to evaluate their own chapter culture. Using the Cantril Self-Anchoring Striving Scale (utilized by Gallup Polls), chapters assess their chapter culture by ranking themselves on a scale of 1-10 across several different categories. They also prioritize which specific areas of development they want to improve over the next academic year. Additionally, chapters are able to determine how much they want to improve over the next year; again using a scale of 1-10. Lastly, chapters design and execute their own action plans to achieve their desired levels of success.

The relationship between the chapters and the professional staff and volunteers is then built on the responsibility of the professionals and volunteers to help the chapters achieve their desired levels of success. It is our role to help them by providing effective training materials, resources and programs that chapters can utilize for improvement. Bluntly, if they need and ask for help, we are there to help them become stronger brothers and stronger chapters.

“The difference manifests itself in the care taken by the servant-first to make sure that other people’s highest priority needs are being served. The best test, and difficult to administer, is: Do those served grow as persons? Do they, while being served, become healthier, wiser, freer, more autonomous, more likely themselves to become servants? And, what is the effect on the least privileged in society? Will they benefit or at least not be further deprived?”

-Robert K. Greenleaf

back to your chapterFor most brothers, their memories of the Fraternity are directly tied to those

memories generated in the chapter. Our chapters provided us a home away from home, a place where friendships grew into true brotherhood. Through chapter designated funds, Phi Kappa Theta Foundation provides future generations of your chapter brothers and the opportunities to have what over 50,000 of us already have, a lifetime memories with brothers.

GIVE

www.phikaps.org/chapterfunds

SPRING 2013 29

Resource Development

To best serve our brothers, Phi Kappa Theta has developed resources and programs in the form of national and regional conferences, facilitator-led workshops, self-guided educational programs, keynote speakers and presentations and educational immersion experiences.

In addition to these standing resources, collegiate chapters also have the ability to request either customized resources or direct support from both the professional staff and trained volunteers in form of either webconference training or on-site live training.

Chapter Visits

The web-based and on-site live training conducted today has effectively replaced the traditional visits from TNG’s. By the end of this academic year, the number of our collegiate groups which will have received live on-site training in the form of facilitator-led workshops will range from 15-20. Additionally, another 10-15 collegiate chapters will have participated in a web-based training with either a professional or a trained volunteer.

The Challenge Ahead Of Us

Despite the dramatic change from a power model to a servant model, we recognize that we will never actually eliminate problems. Just last week, I read about the animosity one collegiate brother continues to have about the Fraternity, ‘nationals’ as he put it. He was upset because he felt his chapter wasn’t receiving enough support from the Fraternity.

His frustration of not being supported enough is a very real problem, yet one that is actually encouraging. Today chapters see the Fraternity and its staff and volunteers as a resource. Our challenge now becomes ensuring we have staff volunteers capable of being effective servant leaders to our chapters, ensuring they grow as persons.

We are excited to meet this challenge.

Chapter Eternal — April 2012 to March 2013

The following is a listing of those Phi Kaps who have passed away throughout the past year. Please let us know if you encounter inaccurate information while reading the chapter eternal. If there is a brother that is missing from this time period who has passed away, please contact us.

ChapterETERNAL

SPOTLIGHT

Boston University Donald E Bossi ‘52 • City College of New York William G Clancy ‘61, Ambrose P Murtagh ‘62 • Duquesne University James H Trask ‘48 • Eastern Illinois University David A Lopez ‘03 • Indiana Tech George L Lekan ‘66 • Indiana University Medford H Shively ‘49 • Indiana-Purdue/Ft. Wayne Bradley T Byers ‘06 • Iowa State University Howard A Hecht ‘52, David C Riede ‘49 • Kansas State University John F Fritschen ‘50, Kenneth E Redetzke ‘63, Robert J Robel ‘63, John B Uhlrich ‘54 • La Salle University Samuel M Aloi ‘69 • Louisiana State University Thomas L Frazer ‘67 • Loyola Marymount University Roby L Gallagher ‘63 • Manhattan College Ronald J Kraus ‘61 • Michigan Technological University Anthony J Stokes ‘91 • Missouri University

Father Wilke (Truman State, ‘68) passed from this life on Saturday, September 8, 2012 in St. Louis, Missouri. He was born on July 16, 1946 in St. Charles, Missouri

and was ordained on January 14th, 1989 by Archbishop John May.

Father Wilke was a Founding Father of the Mu Sigma Chapter of Phi Kappa Theta at Truman State University. He first graduated from Truman (then called Northeast Missouri) in 1968 with his BS in English and then again in 1971 with his Masters in Education Counseling and Guidance. James Wilke became Father Wilke in 1989 and also received his Masters in Divinity.

While at Northeast, Brother Wilke was active in many areas besides Phi Kappa Theta. He was active with the Newman Center, the Spanish Club, English Club, Student National Educational Association, Student Ambassadors and the Interpreters

Father James Wilke

MEMORIAL GIFTSA memorial gift to the Phi Kappa Theta National Foundation in the name of a brother who has passed to chapter eternal is a wonderful tribute and long-lasting opportunity to remember the life of a brother. All gifts to the Foundation are tax-deductible.

To make a gift, mail a check payable to:Phi Kappa Theta National Foundation9640 Commerce Dr., Ste 420Carmel, IN 46032Please include on your check the name of the Brother you wish to remember.

or contact the foundationstaff@phikaps.org or call 317.872.9934 to make a gift using a credit card or bank account.

Fraternity Mourns the Loss of Father and Brother James Wilke

30 SPRING 2013

Theater. After graduation, he remained a loyal and active member of Phi Kappa Theta and the University. He was one of the first members of the St. Louis Alumni Chapter for Truman.

Those that knew Father Wilke knew he was genuine, caring and had a good sense of humor. As a Phi Kap brother, he lived our values. His last Phi Kappa Theta involvement was in St. Louis at the 2010 Leadership Institute. Father Wilke strongly supported Phi Kappa Theta’s Mission through its Foundation and was a member of the Presidents Men Giving Society for many years. His energy, passion and enthusiasm will be missed.

“When I think of Father Wilke, I always think about how good I felt after talking to him.” said Foundation Board Member, David Bjerke (Truman, ‘91). “He always knew how to listen and what to say. His example of actively supporting and giving to what he believed in is something we should all aspire to. He will be missed by all.”

Friends, family and brothers who wish to make a gift in memory of Father Wilke may to do so by making a donation to any of his passions:

• Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital• Phi Kappa Theta’s Foundation -

foundationstaff@phikaps.org • Saint Simon the Apostle School - assist a

student program

planned giving“Not what I have, but what I do is my kingdom.” – Thomas Carlyle

By making Phi Kappa Theta part of your estate planning, you are able to leave a legacy that ensures the successful development of future generations of our brothers to become effective servant leaders.

GIVE

www.phikaps.org/legacy

SPRING 2013 31

of Science and Technology John V Driscoll ‘43, Albert Rotundo ‘59 • Oklahoma State University James L Piter ‘57 • Pennsylvania State University Anthony C Domin ‘60 • Pennsylvania State University Norbert C Soldon ‘54 • Purdue University John A Cengel ‘58, Raymond P Pritchard ‘43, Leon G Van Syckle ‘49 • Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute William E Bachand ‘52, James W Buttimer ‘60, Vernon F Kalan ‘39 • Saint Francis University John M Nicolella ‘61, Joseph M Wesolosky ‘65 • Seton Hall University Rev. Msgr. John J Dougherty ‘62, Bernard A Duffy ‘68, Edward J Fleming ‘62, Rev. Albert B Hakim ‘63, John F Hildemann ‘68, Richard J Hughes ‘68, Edward J Larkin ‘62, John J Romanowski ‘65, Laurence W Rovelstad, ‘69, John B Tsu ‘67 • Temple University Dennis G Rullo ‘62, Edward A Tarsa ‘55 • The Catholic University of America William R Sullivan ‘50 • The Ohio State University Richard J Power ‘51 • Truman State University Stephen L Vaughn ‘72, Father James B Wilke ‘68 • University of Arkansas Rudolph Shupik • University of Detroit/Mercy Lawrence G Culhane ‘59 • University of Georgia David M Jones ‘78 • University of Houston Frank J Coselli ‘79, Donald M Curry ‘60, Gerald W Lirette ‘56 • University of Illinois Brian D Holeman ‘76, James P Manda ‘43, Daniel F McNertney ‘52 • University of San Diego Robert M Berrill ‘70 • University of Wisconsin-Madison Robert E Walker ‘58 • Worcester Polytechnic Institute James L Sullivan ‘46

Order your chapter’s very own Ritual supplies today!

Visit www.cregalia.com/phikappathetafor Ritual Robes, Capes, Banners, Sashes and much more!

Please check one:This is a new address.The addressee is deceased. Date of death:The addressee is no longer at this address.

Name: Chapter of Initiation:

Relatives:If your son is no longer in college and not living at home, please forward his permanent address to: Phi Kappa Theta Fraternity9640 Commerce Drive, Suite 420Carmel, IN 46032

Or e-mail this information to:executiveoffices@phikaps.org

9640 Commerce Drive, Suite 420Carmel, IN 46032Phone: 317.872.9934Fax: 317.879.1889

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Deceased members’ names should be entered on the roll of the Chapter Eternal.In case of death, please clip this section and send to: Phi Kappa Theta Fraternity,9640 Commerce DriveSuite 420Carmel, IN 46032

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