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TIMMES EARNS GOLD MEDAL
Fraternity CEO honored for a career of interfraternal service
A REFUSAL TO FOLD
Evan Austin's journey to Paralympic gold
RANDY OWEN CENTER
Country music superstar to be honored at alma mater
connecting the spokes of our brotherhood Trying to reach a longlost brother? Need to update your information? Searching for brothers in your area? Pi Kapp Hub is your center for all things Pi Kappa Phi!
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CEO CORNER “If you get one percent better each day, imagine where you’ll be at the end of the year.” Those words are quoted by many but famously said by author James Clear. Our brothers are using their one percent to achieve their goals throughout another trying year. It’s a commitment to excellence that the men of Pi Kappa Phi present to other individuals around the world.
Mark E. Timmes
SOARING TO NEW HEIGHTS
In every issue, we are lucky to highlight our members’ success. Our brothers are literally going for the gold this year as they continue to soar to new heights. Later in this issue, you will have the opportunity to explore stories of individuals who have gone above and beyond. Pi Kapp brothers experienced breakthrough success in the competitive music industry, changed careers and led in their communities. The difficulties of the pandemic even caused some to change major life plans. This
deviation from the original didn’t derail our incredible brothers’ progress. Their perseverance has been an inspiration. Take some time within this issue to see what your brothers across the country are accomplishing. More so, check on that brother who you haven’t heard from in a while. What’s new with him? What is he trying to achieve? Reach out as a brother to let him know he has Pi Kappa Phi’s support. Remember that your new height doesn’t have to be 10 steps forward— it could simply be one percent. As always, I hope you enjoy this issue of the Star & Lamp. Yours in Pi Kappa Phi,
MARK E . TIMMES Chief Executive Officer
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Mark E. Timmes Alpha Epsilon (Florida) CEO
SUBMISSIONS: Send materials for publication directly to the creative director at the address or email address to the right. Letters to the editor will be printed at the discretion of the STAR & LAMP team. We accept materials on an ongoing basis at pikapp.org/submitnews.
PARENTS & FAMILY: We send the STAR & LAMP to your address while your son is in college. Please feel free to read through the magazine, as we hope it is a publication you will enjoy, too. If your son is no longer living at home, please send his new contact information to the address or email address at right.
PUBLISHER: STAR & LAMP (USPS 519-000) is issued two times a year by Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity at: 2015 Ayrsley Town Blvd Ste 200 Charlotte, NC 28273 and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: STAR & LAMP 2015 Ayrsley Town Blvd Suite 200 Charlotte, NC 28273
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EMAIL ADDRESS: LetUsKnow@PiKapp.org ONLINE NEWS: PiKapp.org/News PiKapp.org/SubmitNews
CREATIVE DIRECTOR Monica Ceja Assistant Executive Director of Communication MANAGING EDITOR Arthur Beal III Epsilon Epsilon (Virginia - Wise) Assistant Communication Director
CONTRIBUTORS Greg Buehner Chris Conner Brian Eckstein Liza Loeber Basil Lyberg April Oddo William Sigmon Becky Smith Trey Tipton Cavin Villarreal Rachel Westra
DIGITAL MEDIA Laura Thompson Assistant Communication Director
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Coming Spring 2022 We need your assistance Know someone who would make a great Pi Kapp? pikapp.org/recommend Know someone who would make a great advisor? pikapp.org/volunteer HIGH POINT Theta Tau Chapter
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UTAH brand new chapter
CHRISTOPHER NEWPORT Eta Iota Chapter
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
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ALPHA NU MASHUP
Two Alpha Nu (Ohio State) brothers collaborate for musical success
CEO EARNS GOLD MEDAL
Pi Kapp CEO Mark Timmes rewarded for a lifetime of interfraternal service
A REFUSAL TO FOLD Evan Austin's perseverant journey to Paralympic gold
RANDY OWEN CENTER
Jacksonville State to honor Owen with performing arts center
COLUMNS + MORE 1 || CEO Corner 9 || Building a Legacy 10 || Mr. Pi Kappa Phi 11 || Student Summer Awards 12 || Interfraternal Excellence 14 || Love Big 15 || Brotherhood Beyond the Ride 20 || The Infantryman with Sage Advice 22 || Alumni Achievements 24 || Pi Kappa Phi Foundation 26 || The Ability Experience 28 || Pi Kappa Phi Properties 33 || Phinal Thought
CORRECTIONS FROM SUMMER 2021
avid Scott Higgins honored Durward Warreb Owen with a donation. D David Scott Higgins donated in memory of William Sherrill Barber, III, Steven Lindo Hall and Robert William Fisher, Jr. Dudley Foster Woody, Xi (Roanoke), gave at the Founders' Circle giving level.
The Pi Kapp flag hangs proudly in the Hotel St. Louis during Summer Alumni Reunion
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Copyright © 2021 Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity. Pi Kappa Phi, the Coat of Arms, Star Shield and additional logos are trademarks of Pi Kappa Phi, all rights reserved.
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Summer Alumni Reunion 2021 No busine s s . A l l bro t her hood .
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Every other summer, Pi Kappa Phi alumni and guests gather together at the Summer Alumni Reunion to celebrate the fraternity. The 2021 event was hosted at the Hotel St. Louis in downtown St. Louis, Missouri, from July 29–Aug. 1. Attendees were able to enjoy local attractions, including The Gateway Arch, Busch Stadium and more. Because of the 56th Supreme Chapter cancellation, the 2021 event celebrated Mr. Pi Kappa Phi and Pi Kappa Phi Hall of Fame award winners as well as a Nu Phi Society banquet.
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1. Attendees enjoy the welcome reception. 2. Selfies abound at the first national event in two years. 3. A table of Nu Phi Society guests gather for dinner. 4. Nu Phi Society members mingle before dinner. 5. Durward Owen (left) poses with Connie Owen Order of the Rose recipient Penny DePalma (right). 6. Dozens of Delta Delta (Truman State) brothers celebrate John Andrews, Mr. Pi Kappa Phi 2021. 7. Mark Timmes (left) presents Thirty Under 30 recipient Victor Tran (right) with his award.
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Jack Harris (left) sings lead vocals and plays guitar; Ryan Corman (right) accompanies Harris under the stage name DJ Anto.
Alpha Nu Alpha Nu Mashup Mashup Imagine that song you love to sing in the shower being broadcasted and sung across the world. Taking the stage in front of screaming fans and traveling the world sounds like something that everyone has dreamt of. Jack Harris and Ryan Corman, Alpha Nu (Ohio State), realized that dream by performing at the annual Wonderstruck Music Festival in Cleveland, Ohio. Even as students, they are still looking to achieve their dreams both as a group and as individuals.
The two Ohio natives took the stage in Cleveland, a little over two hours from their home in Columbus. Wonderstruck began in 2017 under the name, LaureLive. It became Wonderstruck in 2019 as one of the more popular music concert series for natives and tourists alike. The two-day event offers more than just music from local talent. It is a pick-me-up for the community, especially in the trying times of the past year and a half. Some of the artists that Corman and Harris performed alongside were feature artists and bands like Walk the Moon, Third Eye Blind, Lennon Stella, Tate McRae 6 || FALL2021
by Arthur Beal III
and many others. Jack Harris, lead singer and guitarist teamed up with his fraternity brother Ryan Corman, whose stage name is DJ Anto. The aspiring artists performed several songs, including their own single, “Thousand Degrees,” which is available for streaming after its July 2021 release. Harris has been around music his entire life in many ways. “I sang in school choirs, took piano lessons, played violin and drums,” he said. It was that longtime support that pushed him into a production and performing capacity. When Harris began to play guitar in high school, he finally began to realize his potential, and his journey started to take a unique turn. Many gamers reminisce trying to recreate their favorite tunes with friends on titles like Guitar Hero and Dance Dance Revolution. Harris drew inspiration from another popular game, Garage Band. These times with friends that usually just become stored in our memory banks became the beginning of something special for Jack Harris.
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He started publishing on streaming platforms in 2019 and continued to expand his experiences by performing live. “I love being on stage and performing for people. This past year has been a big developmental year.” It wasn’t until May 2021 that the two joined forces and this powerhouse partnership would create its first single, putting them on the map. Harris wanted a full band to help him perform during Wonderstruck, but then he went with a different approach. “I just got this feeling that a DJ would add a unique energy to my set. I see myself keeping a DJ in the mix and possibly adding some extra live musicians too,” Harris said. This approach gave him a new perspective to create music he had never experienced.
As for the future, these talented musicians have two more tracks that they want to be ready for release soon. Corman described the tracks as “two really fun, upbeat, dance pop tracks in the works. Hopefully those will be out within the next month or two for everyone to listen to.” The two have a unique chemistry through their friendship, which makes creating music together more enjoyable. Harris is working on an album, and Corman has developed a remix for Harris’s song “For the Night.” These two are looking forward to a world of opportunity coming their way as they explore through their love of music. Stream "Thousand Degrees" and "For the Night (Anto Remix)" on all streaming platforms.
Ryan Corman has been interested in music since he started playing guitar at four years old. “Writing and playing music is my biggest passion in life, so I really want to apply myself to make this a full time, successful thing,” he said. “In a few years I would really like to be an established producer, hopefully playing at big music festivals around the world! I know it is going to take a lot of hard work, but I love this stuff so much that I’m willing to do whatever it takes to make it happen,” Corman continued. It was Corman’s passion for dance music that convinced him to try out being a disc jockey. From there, DJ Anto was born. Corman took jobs at local nightclubs after starting production in 2020 eventually leading him to teaming up with Harris at Wonderstruck.
Ryan Corman (left) and Jack Harris (right) pose at the Wonderstruck festival.
Corman and Harris met at Ohio State and are current collegiate members of Alpha Nu. They have the support of a Power Five university as well as a fraternity that spans the entire nation. Corman said: “Being a Pi Kapp has opened a ton of opportunities for me in the music industry, and I am going to use it to my full advantage. I have had guys from other chapters reach out to me and ask if I wanted to play a show at their school, and they would even help set up connections for me! Locally, all my brothers come out to a ton of my shows and are ALWAYS front row with a crowd of 20 or more night in and night out.”
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DIVERSIT Y, EQUIT Y AND INCLUSION UPDATE The Standing Committee for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion continues to progress through its charge to examine the member experience and to provide ideas and recommendations for where we can become a more inclusive organization.
and practices against these areas of focus. In October, this work was completed, and the committee has now shifted into brainstorming and ideation toward changes that can be made as we work to make Pi Kappa Phi a more inclusive organization.
Earlier this year, the committee identified five areas of focus where we believe the biggest impact can be made:
During the next few months, the committee will be developing strategies and tactics for improvement in each of the five areas of focus. We expect this last phase of the committee’s work to conclude in the spring of 2022 and look forward to sharing the committee’s recommendations at that time.
1. Access & Affordability 2. Recruitment & Growth 3. Member Education 4. Volunteer Recruitment & Education
For more information on Pi Kappa Phi’s commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, as well as the committee’s work to date, please visit pikapp.org.
THE COMMITTEE’S FOUR-PHASE APPROACH
5. Staff Practices, Policies & Training
Over the past few months, the committee has worked diligently to review our current programs, policies
PHASE 1
PHASE 2
PHASE 3
PHASE 4
HISTORY REVIEW
ACKNOWLEDGE OUR PAST
REVIEW + RE-IMAGINE
STRATEGIC PLANNING
Sept. 2020 to Jan. 2021
Feb. 2021 to March 2021
April 2021 to Oct. 2021
Nov. 2021 to April 2022
Giving Today Means Uncommon Opportunities Tomorrow 12.10.21
givecampus.com/schools/ PiK appaPhiFoundation
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Building a Legacy
The Alpha Omicron Chapter at Iowa State sought help to improve the why Alpha Omicron internal and Alumnus Floyd external aesthetics Herum continues to support the pi k appa of the house. phi foundation Chapter alumnus by Arthur Beal III Floyd Herum heard the call. Brother Herum gave the lead gift for Alpha Omicron’s fundraising initiative to make improvements to the facility.
Korea but was pulled out of the infantry. This gave him an extraordinary opportunity in the Corp of Engineers at Fort Belvoir in Virginia. After obtaining his bachelor’s degree in 1953, Herum received his master’s in agricultural engineering the next year. He received his doctorate from Purdue University, which led him to become an instructor at Ohio State University. This wasn’t his first teaching experience, as he taught in Baghdad before returning to the U.S. to take a position at the University of Illinois before earning his doctorate. “Serving gave me opportunities that many may not ever get.”
Herum has always been a supporter of causes he’s cared for, and whenever the chapter is in need, he is always there. “It’s satisfying to find a cause that is worthy and heartfelt,” said Herum.
Floyd Herum has always had a passion to give back where he can. His support has allowed students various opportunities to enrich their educational experiences. Herum and his wife share a like-minded approach to supporting organizations that they are passionate about, and their contributions have been commemorated throughout Iowa State for all of their gracious efforts. Herum’s advice to those who are considering giving is based on the feeling after you’ve helped a cause that is worthy of donation. As he says, “Sometimes you have more than you need, and in that case, you can give some back.”
Herum’s recent donation helps with modifications to Alpha Omicron’s chapter facility, for which we are extremely grateful. As an annual donor, Herum has made an annual gift for the past six years to the Pi Kappa Phi Foundation to support a wide array of Foundation efforts including scholarships, educational program grants and historic preservation. He donates to the Foundation with all his fondest memories in mind while looking to afford current members the same and even better opportunities as he had in the 1950s. Herum was initiated in the winter quarter of 1949 as Alpha Omicron’s 225th member. During his collegiate years, he recounts joyful memories of singing with his brothers and meeting his wife at a fraternity event. “I have a lot of great memories of our activities and brotherhood. I felt this should be available for the young people who want to be a part of it.”
Floyd Herum has been an annual donor to the Pi Kappa Phi Foundation for several years.
He participated in the fraternity’s softball team and chorus, adding to his collegiate experience. “We didn’t have the most money but had the most fun.” Herum described the chapter as “a well-rounded group that provided an experience that was more enjoyable than simply being a student on campus.” As Herum reflected, he explained, “We have always been competitive in recruitment” by initiating quality men. Professionally, Herum enlisted in the Army in 1946 and served in Japan. He planned for a tour of duty in
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Mr. Pi Kappa Phi
Art Quickenton, Delta Zeta, earns fraternity's top honor by Arthur Beal III
It has been a longstanding tradition that when Pi Kappa Phi announces some of its most prestigious honors, members and supporters of the fraternity gather. This is no different for the Fraternity’s highest honor, Mr. Pi Kappa Phi. Each year at a celebration of the organization’s founding, an exemplary individual has been bestowed such an honor. During this celebratory day, the 2021 Mr. Pi Kappa Phi recipient will be officially named as Delta Zeta’s Arthur “Art” Quickenton. Art Quickenton, Delta Zeta (Appalachian State), has been a lifelong supporter of the fraternity in many ways. His lifetime of service has included many roles. He has served his chapter in many positions since completing his undergraduate years. His time as Chapter Advisor for his chapter lead to the Chapter of the Year distinction in 1984. Quickenton currently serves as the Blue Ridge Regional Governor and was awarded Regional Governor of the Year in 1986 for his success at the position that he held for several chapters. He has been a member of Nu Phi Society since 1992 and received a Merit Citation in 1996 to celebrate his service within the fraternity. His support of The Ability Experience (formerly PUSH America) extends back several years, including a stint on the
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Board of Directors for almost a decade. His service on the fraternity’s Centennial Commission helped with important decisions surrounding Pi Kappa Phi’s centennial gifts. This exceptional brother has been instrumental to the overall success of his chapter and the national organization. Quickenton expressed his gratitude to everyone involved in the process of awarding Mr. Pi Kappa Phi each year. “This was totally unexpected ... I still get chills when I think about it. I was completely humbled because never in my wildest dreams did I think I would fit into that category considering the men who have won it before me. I did my work as a Chapter Advisor by doing what I was asked to do in the best way I could.”
Quickenton's Service to Pi Kappa Phi Advisor Delta Zeta
1991–2020
Regional Governor Blue Ridge region
1986–present
The Ability Experience Board of Supervisors
1991–2001
Pi Kappa Phi 2003–2004 Foundation Foundation Centennial Commission Pi Kappa Phi Foundation Nu Phi Society
1992–present
A fellow Mr. Pi Kappa Phi, Durward Owen commented about Quickenton saying, “You’re the type of person that this award was made to honor.” Quickenton’s and Owen’s words are the best way to summarize and understand the value of Mr. Pi Kappa Phi to the men of this fraternity.
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Student Summer by Cavin Villarreal
DR. PHILLIP M. SUMMERS STUDENT OF THE YEAR
recognizes the overall most outstanding student member of Pi Kappa Phi; best exemplifies the ideals of Pi Kappa Phi in his chapter, on his campus, and in his community
Awards HOWARD H. BAKER LEADERSHIP AWARD
INTERFRATERNAL LEADER OF THE YEAR
recognizes the student member of Pi Kappa Phi with the most outstanding leadership and involvement in campus and community organizations independent of his chapter
recognizes the undergraduate member who demonstrates the most outstanding leadership as an Interfraternity Council member
Chris Jue
Justin Brown
Nick Baldini
During his time in Lambda Chapter (Georgia), Chris Jue held the positions of Archon and Philanthropy Chairman. In 2019, Jue was awarded Pi Kappa Phi’s Philanthropy Chairman of the Year.
Justin Brown's leadership extends far outside of Iota Rho Chapter (Western Illinois).
Nick Baldini, Alpha Delta Chapter (Washington), led the Washington Interfraternity Council for two years, serving as Director of Recruitment and Vice President.
Throughout the past year, Jue stayed heavily involved on campus, serving as IFC Vice President of Administration, Senator for the College of Engineering, Committee Member for Student Life on the University Council, and the Vice President of Administration for the Order of Omega. Jue has also given back to the local community by completing 534 hours of community service.
Brown served as the student representative to Western Illinois's Board of Trustees, Secretary of the Board of Trustees, President of WIU RockyTHON, Chair of the Union Advisory Board, and was a member of the Regional Conference Planning Committee for the National Association for Campus Activities. As a member of the university's Board of Trustees, Brown has been a strong advocate for fraternity/ sorority life by representing the community to university officials.
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Baldini spearheaded a diversity and inclusion initiative on campus; worked with a large IFC budget to organize and lead IFC recruitment week; and peer facilited for sexual assault prevention, substance abuse prevention, and mental health awareness. Baldini's work contributed heavily to the IFC winning a Jellison Award from AFLV, which was only awarded to four IFCs across the country.
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Interfraternal Excellence The North American Interfraternity Conference annually recognizes excellence in the fraternal experience by conferring Awards of Distinction to individuals and groups who exemplify leadership, service and fraternal values. These honors play a significant role in the advancement of the NIC mission and vision, as well as the industry as a whole. These are high honors that represent the best across all 57 NIC member fraternities and their members.
Undergr a du at e Awa r d of Dis t inc t ion recognizes exemplary members who serve their brothers, campuses and communities
Upon entering Truman State as a freshman, Patrick Lucitt “jumped into involvement on campus immediately, catapulting to leadership roles and heavy-hitting, high impact leadership positions.” He served his chapter as president, his campus as IFC president, The Ability Experience as a project manager and on Pi Kappa Phi’s Council of Archons advisory board for two years. In addition, Lucitt worked and volunteered on campus serving as a Homecoming Intern, Leadership Program Intern, on the Student Activities Board and his senior year worked as the Office Manager for Union and Involvement Services. And when he was unable to join the Peace Corps as planned due to COVID-19, Lucitt joined the Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity staff.
Patrick Lucitt Delta Delta
Today, Lucitt serves the Fraternity as Director of Member Development where he supports the implementation of educational programs.
L a urel W r e at h Awa r d
recognizes individuals or groups for unique programs, community outreach, or influence within the fraternal world Now more than ever People with Disabilities are looking to still have meaningful connections. One of the challenges COVID-19 brought to The Ability Experience was figuring out how to engage our constituents virtually and fight the social isolation our friends with disabilities were facing. So Gaming for Inclusion was created.
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Gaming for Inclusion connects Pi Kappa Phi and people with disabilities in an online virtual platform. Gaming tournaments hosted through a national platform have connected our members, volunteers, and people with disabilities in a virtual way that will continue into the future. Online tournaments allow us to serve our community in a different way. Whether you're looking to squad up in Fortnite, duke it out in Super Smash Bros, battle it out in Call of Duty, or have yourself a Pokemon battle, Gaming for Inclusion welcomes all types of gamers.
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M a rk Ti m mes Earn s NIC Gold gold Medal The North American Interfraternity Conference is honored to award its 2021 Gold Medal to Pi Kappa Phi Chief Executive Officer Mark E. Timmes. NIC CEO Jud Horras said: “Mark is considered one of the most trusted and loyal individuals in our profession. And perhaps most important personally, Mark is a treasured friend and true gentleman—to everyone he interacts with—while working to move the fraternity industry forward. As a colleague you just can’t ask for anyone better to work with, and I am grateful for his friendship and leadership.” The presentation of the NIC Gold Medal dates back more than 70 years, making it one of the oldest interfraternal traditions. The Gold Medal is the highest honor the Conference can bestow and recognizes lifelong service to the interfraternal community. This is one of the most prestigious honors that can be awarded to an individual fraternity or sorority member. Timmes’s impact on the interfraternal community was echoed in scores of nomination letters from industry leaders and executives. As Fraternity Executives Association (FEA) CEO Nicki Meneley summarized, “Mark has dedicated his career to the improvement of the fraternity industry.”
Most prominently, Timmes has helped lead the NIC as a Governing Council representative, including time as secretary and treasurer. He was instrumental in the rebuilding of the NIC, which allowed the conference to become a more effective trade association. Additionally, he has chaired the NIC’s health and safety committee to create a safer undergraduate experience. Timmes first joined the Pi Kappa Phi staff in 1981 as communication director. After attending law school and practicing law in Florida for 10 years, he returned in 1994 as Executive Director before being named CEO. National President William Sigmon said: “I can think of no better way to recognize Mark’s lifelong service to the interfraternal community than the NIC Gold Medal of Distinction. This recognition appropriately pays tribute to a man I am proud to call my brother.” Timmes joins Executive Director Emeritus Durward Owen and former National President Dr. Philip Summers as the third Pi Kappa Phi leader to receive the Gold Medal. Owen received the honor in 1993, and Summers was honored posthumously in 2014.
Timmes’s service to the fraternity/sorority community is unmatched. He has served as President of FEA and Vice Chairman of FRMT, which provides comprehensive liability insurance and risk management education to improve the undergraduate experience of its member organizations. During his time with FEA, he helped build a lasting relationship with the Association of Student Conduct Administrators. This partnership was instrumental in allowing organizations a better opportunity to uphold the integrity of their student body. Additionally, Timmes has represented Pi Kappa Phi within the Southeastern Interfraternity Conference and the Coalition for Higher Education Associations for Substance Abuse.
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Mark Timmes (left) receives the NIC Gold Medal from NIC CEO Jud Horras 13
Big Love BIG Finding ways to apply knowledge from the classroom to a professional setting can be challenging at times, but for Flower Mound junior Matthew Westmoreland, discovering a vision to change lives created the perfect opportunity for him to practice his studies in the real world.
Matthew Westmoreland, who is currently studying finance and entrepreneurship, holds the treasurer position on the board of directors for a nonprofit that he and his father are starting. “The ultimate goal is to prosper change for the next generation in Africa,” Matthew Westmoreland said. “One out of four kids in Africa die by the age of four because of waterborne illness. What we are building is a website where we can provide nonprofits with work that needs to be done, like things including water, food, trauma-healing, medicine and education. We want to help connect nonprofits with more work. We are just trying to get as many legitimate sources of work that need to be done before we launch this.”
Baylor Pi K appa Phi member plans to start nonprofit by April Oddo, courtesy of the Baylor Lariat
Building a nonprofit from the ground up is a tedious process, but Matthew Westmoreland said he feels equipped because of his Baylor education.
“My experience at Baylor has helped because it’s taught me how to network and make connections with people who have started businesses already,” Matthew Westmoreland said. “I’ve had to market to potential donors and provide branding for our website. The biggest thing I’ve had to apply of what I’ve learned in school is marketing and raising capital.” Matthew Westmoreland is also a member of Baylor’s chapter of Pi Kappa Phi, and his passion for humanitarian work has inspired some of his fraternity brothers. Fort Worth junior Landry Stavenhagen said he felt encouraged to address the needs of his community after hearing about Matthew Westmoreland’s nonprofit. “I’ve seen firsthand his care for humanitarian efforts,” Stavenhagen said. “It’s inspired me to be thankful for what I have and to always be trying to look for people to help here. It’s brought me awareness of the underprivileged
people in Africa, who don’t have ways to communicate with certain nonprofits who want to help them.” Houston Heights junior Hogan June was also proud to see his fraternity brother work to help the less fortunate in Africa. “Seeing my fraternity brother create an organization that aims to aid children in Africa inspires me to step out into my immediate community and help those less fortunate than me,” June said. Mark Westmoreland, Matthew Westmoreland’s father, said he is proud to see his son join him in working on a project that can save lives. He said he has seen how Baylor’s education has paid off. “The education is excellent, and I think what he has done has a lot to do with the courses he’s taken,” Mark Westmoreland said. “It’s gratifying to see another generation with a spark for a great cause. He’s very bright, and he’s been there. To see him want to contribute after being there is very rewarding.”
Matthew Westmoreland, Theta Kappa (left), works to build nonprofit Love Big with his father, Mark Westmoreland (right).
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Brian Eckstein (left) and Jason Jackson (right) take a lap around Daytona Motor Speedway as part of the Police Unity Tour.
Brotherhood beyond the ride In May 2021, I rode through Florida in support of the families of fallen police officers as part of the Police Unity Tour Chapter VIII. During a pre-ride meal, I overheard a rider talking about a ride across the country he completed 20 years ago to bring awareness to people with disabilities. I wondered if he, too, was a Pi Kapp. I introduced myself and met Jason Jackson, Gamma Alpha (West Alabama). Jason was part of the Pi Alpha class of 2001 that traveled the Journey of Hope South route. We began to talk and soon discovered we had more in common than we realized. The PUT consisted of four days of riding. Starting Monday, May 10, we rode from Tallahassee along a 110-mile route into Lake City, Florida, with 109 riders and over 100 officers in support roles. Throughout our time, Jason and I spoke often and encouraged each other. We left Lake City on the second
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by Brian Eckstein, Eta Tau (Barton)
day and traveled 101 miles to Ocala, Florida. As I learned more, Jason and I continued to connect as fellow officers and Pi Kapp brothers. The third day we traveled 106 miles to Daytona, Florida. We were honored to take a lap around Daytona Motor Speedway, a once-in-a-lifetime moment unique to tour participants and rarely offered to the public. Finally, on the last day, we traveled 63 miles south from Daytona, completing our ride in Titusville, Florida, at the American Police Hall of Fame and Museum. The entire group rode in sync to raise awareness and money for fallen officers’ memorials. Past the tour, Jason and I have formed a stronger bond outside of our careers. We found that brothers are always brothers and have a profound connection that others just cannot and do not understand. I feel that we will stay connected for the years to come.
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a refusal to fold by Arthur Beal III
Becoming a gold medalist is not just a goal, but a dream for every athlete. For some of the world’s best, it’s a dream that is never realized. Nine years after his first Paralympic Games appearance, professional swimmer Evan Austin, Eta Beta (Indiana State), became a gold medalist in 2021 at the postponed 2020 Paralympics. With this appearance, Austin would add two-time Paralympic medalist (bronze and gold) to his national championship to add to a legacy that is an inspiration to all. As an individual with a disability, Austin knew that this quest for greatness would not come without its share of difficulties. The man that is now a world-renowned professional athlete had as humble of a beginning as anyone could have ever realized. Before Evan Austin took his first stroke in the pool, he received a startling diagnosis. Austin was diagnosed with familial spastic paraparesis, a condition inherited from his mother. “As I grew, my muscles didn’t,” Austin described. “It now presents itself very similarly to cerebral palsy.”
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Familial spastic paraparesis, as defined by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, refers to a group of inherited disorders that are characterized by progressive weakness and stiffness of the legs. What makes FSP different is a dormancy associated with the disease. People diagnosed can often live normal lives then suddenly wake up and feel a change in lower body movement. Austin’s mother didn’t present symptoms until her early 40s, while Austin’s first symptoms occurred while he was a toddler. He was diagnosed at the age of three, which made his condition a normal part of life. He credits his mom as an integral figure in teaching him how to live with FSP since she was going through the same disorder. She and his father taught him, “You have to play the cards you were dealt, and we don’t plan on folding, so let’s make it work.” Austin grew up in Terre Haute, Indiana, with an ablebodied, athletic sibling, Aaron, who he looked up to. As a young boy, Austin played soccer and Little League baseball. That’s when others started to notice his physical differences. When Austin started to be left behind when running with the other kids, his parents knew something needed to change. His parents decided not to bring attention to his disability until necessary. Miracles happen daily, and Austin’s parents wanted their son to fit in as an athlete for as long as he could. “Life is a journey and as things arrive, we’ll pivot” was his parents’ mindset. While watching other kids become faster and stronger than him, Austin’s frustration started to build. Austin comes from a family with athletic genes, and when he watched his brother, he knew there was room for him in some athletic space. He wasn’t going to let a lifelong diagnosis stop him. Austin has been a competitor since he could first step on any playing field. “I wanted to fulfill my competitive passions more than just being the kid that couldn’t keep up,” Austin said. Fulfilling those competitive passions pushed him into the deep end as a kid learning to swim. Austin
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has always enjoyed being in the water because it’s a different sensation. While in school, he faced his fair share of bullies, but there was a period of solace when he hit the water. “The water was like a set of blinders. I could block out the noise, plus I knew my brother couldn’t swim at all, so having a competitive advantage over him made me want it that much more. Even though my brother is now in his 30s, he still holds his nose when jumping in,” Austin said jokingly. Austin was 10 or 11 when he got this different feeling when he swam. He started to relish the individuality of his sport. Even when it came to practice, Austin couldn’t wait to dive into the pool. He attributes his success to that passion. At one point, a guy who felt all alone was destined for greatness in a sport that puts the pressure all on you. Austin parlayed the individual pressure into a tenacious work ethic as he pressed toward his goals. “For the offseason, I may take a week, then it’s right back to the grind,” he said. He went right back to the grind after training for four years and becoming a Paralympic alternate in 2008 at the age of 15. Even after a record-setting performance, Austin was named the first alternate for the men’s team that would compete in Beijing. He placed 21st with the top 20 finishers qualifying to the 2008 Olympic Games, all during high school. Austin had the pressure of attempting a professional swimming career while in the middle of exams and standardized academic tests. He made his first Paralympic team in 2012 and followed it up with another appearance in the 2016 Rio Paralympic Games. His hunger for more continued into 2019 when he won a world championship. “To be forever known as a world champion definitely made it easier to breathe,” he explained. With that accolade, Austin knew he could become a Paralympic medalist. He knew his family’s sacrifice had not been in vain, and he also knew it was time for
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more. Austin had prepared for the 2020 Paralympics, but then the entire world stopped because of the global pandemic. The coronavirus halted Austin’s plans to compete for Tokyo. This was demoralizing, and he had to consider what it would take to keep himself ready for competition. Through the doubts of what the pandemic meant for his future, Austin had a decision to make. He could be content with his world title or wait it out and bring his best for Tokyo. He was ready when the year-long delay was over and finally won his hardware. Austin won his first medal, a bronze, in the 400-meter freestyle. Once again, that feeling of freedom from getting that win was unimaginable. As he headed into his last competition, the 50-meter butterfly, he knew he had one more shot at gold and it would be one of his closest races. “Everyone before me on Team USA had won gold and it wasn’t going to stop with me. It was a close race, and I knew if I could hit the wall before Ukraine’s Andrii Trusov, I was going to beat him,” Austin said. Austin beat Trusov by .73 seconds to win his first gold medal. “I had to find my teammates, but in my mind, I could only imagine how my family was celebrating.” Like many of us have had to do, Evan Austin pushed through despite the pandemic. Austin moved his training from Colorado to Indiana to get ready for the Paralympics to be closer to his family. When going through the mental anguish of the pandemic, Austin took some time to relax and train with a friend in New York. Whether it was sports psychologists, family, friends, or fraternity brothers, Austin used his relationships to better prepare himself for the Games.
“It’s not what everyone thinks you’ll remember that sticks with you. But instead, it’s the time you gave someone who didn’t have it that chance to go to prom,” he explained. Austin made it his goal to be heavily involved in the Ability Experience. “If I had guys like Pi Kapps who could’ve made me feel special when I went through the worst part of my diagnosis, that would’ve changed everything,” he mused. Austin will never say never to another run for the Paralympics, but he has goals for when he puts his goggles away. He currently serves as the women's swimming Volunteer Assistant Coach at Purdue University, and he wants to continue coaching up-and-coming swimmers. There is also chatter of Austin traveling around the world to tell his story as a public speaker. The Paralympic Gold Medalist and world champion has a story that relies on determination and support. For Austin, it’s always worth getting to the end of the pool. “You only evolve when you get knocked down, because the outcome you want feels better when you can look back to where you’ve come from.”
Evan Austin speaks to Pi Kapp College for Chapter Officers attendees in 2020.
“There was so much positivity that surrounded me. This support has honestly been life changing,” Austin explained. “To know that I have a part in enriching their lives—that’s the whole point of all of this because of their lifetime of sacrifice.” When he reflected upon that support, Austin couldn’t forget about Pi Kappa Phi. As a collegian, it took him no time to decide to become a member of Eta Beta Chapter. The Ability Experience sold him, because as Austin says, “Who can’t get behind helping people?”
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The infantryman with
by Arthur Beal III
sage advice Larry Sage, Gamma (UC Berkeley), received a 2021 University of Nevada Alumni Association Professional Achievement Award in August. This award recognizes the professional contributions and achievements of alumni and their outstanding service to the University of Nevada. Sage served as a judge in Nevada for several years and completed his judicial studies at Nevada. He has also been selected as the university’s Alumni Military Veteran Honoree. Sage and his sister were the first in their family to graduate from college, and he worked to pay for school by any means necessary. He attended Yuba College until 1966. Although community college had no tuition in those days, he was still saving for his future at Berkeley and in law school. While at Yuba, Sage took a job providing transportation for students and airmen at Beale Air Force Base. The hours spent helping others get to where they needed would pay off in the form of admission to University of California, Berkeley. After graduating from Yuba, Sage had to find another source of income, as Beale AFB is two hours from Berkeley. While looking for another job opportunity, he met a cook who worked in the Berkeley cafeteria and offered him the
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chance to work in the dining room. Sage worked as a hasher who would serve meals, clean tables and wash dishes to reduce his living costs at the school. The cook who offered him the job was a Pi Kapp from Eta chapter at Emory University. The fraternity had already piqued his interest as he had met with some of the Pi Kapp brothers when he first started at Berkeley. “I can’t thank that 70-year-old cook enough because without him and the fraternity, I don’t think all of the things I have done would have been possible. Berkeley opened all the doors, and Pi Kappa Phi is what gave me Berkeley,” Sage said. Larry Sage credits Gamma Chapter as a crucial component to his success over the years. “There was a lot going on at Berkeley in the 60s, but Greek life added stability that can’t be measured. I had friends that I could count on, and despite our differences, we still had that common bond. Pi Kappa Phi exposes a lot of young people to service that to otherwise they may not encounter.” One of Sage’s fondest memories was taking Oak Noel Naval Hospital patients with amputations to see Cal’s football team play live. “We wanted to do something for people who really needed that type of boost,” Sage
said as he recalled how the game boosted their moods. He salutes service as an important but overlooked aspect that Greek life teaches young people. Sage would receive his bachelor’s degree from University of California, Berkeley, in 1968 and go on to earn his Juris Doctor degree from Hastings College of Law in San Francisco in 1975. “I told my mother at age 12 that I was going to be a lawyer and retire a judge,” Sage recalled. Those were lofty professional goals, but before he could become a lawyer, he was drafted to serve in the United States Army. Sage’s service began on active duty as an infantryman. His leadership skills shone early on, as he was chosen to attend the Officer Candidate School. Sage graduated from the OCS in 1969 and served as a Battalion Commander and Commandant for Nevada Military Academy’s infantry. During his time back in Nevada, he served as a Supervising Deputy District Attorney in Washoe County. His Army service spans from 1968 until 1993 with other adjunct professor duties until he was later inducted into the Officer Candidate School Hall of Fame, which honors graduates who demonstrate valorous conduct, leadership and meritorious service.
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He would retire from the infantry in 1999, served as a lawyer then as a judge with outstanding accolades among the professional ranks until 2006. Sage retired in 2019 from being an International Justice and Judicial Advisor for his consulting company, Legionnaire Sage Advice. Sage’s role as a consultant has been the only role he has held that combined both of his career paths. Sage’s experiences have taken him to several countries around the world, including Afghanistan and South Sudan. He even spent time as an adjunct professor for several
undergraduate and graduate programs while also serving four years of active duty in the Army National Guard. Sage has served as an adjunct professor for over 75 nations, implemented groundbreaking law programs like the fraudulent check program, and aided hundreds of African IGAD peace monitors to improve human rights and humanitarianism. While his ambitions may have been interrupted at the beginning, Sage can officially retire after 35 years of service to not only his country, but several other nations.
"Berkeley opened all the doors, and Pi Kappa Phi is what gave me Berkeley.”
Larry Sage poses proudly with the Berkeley flag in Kabul, Afghanistan
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ALUMNI ACHIE VEMENTS Brendan Corrigan, Theta Xi (Arizona State), has successfully pivoted into regulatory policy. Corrigan graduated in 2014 with a joint J.D./M.P.A from the University of Miami School of Law. Since leaving Miami, he has started a new life in Washington, DC working as a campaign aide. He worked in specialized research and analysis for the office of Hillary Clinton. Clinton used Corrigan’s research in her platform for the 2016 presidential campaign. Corrigan then moved to New York to accept his present position as the associate vice president and regulatory counsel at Apple Bank, a private commercial bank based in Manhattan.
L ANCE METZLER Beta Pi
Rockingham County
Lance Metzler, Beta Pi (East Carolina), was recently sworn in as President of the North Carolina City and County Management Association. “I am honored and humbled to have been selected by my peers to serve as the president of this great organization,” said Metzler. His previous leadership positions with the NCCCMA include first vice president, second vice president, secretary/treasurer, and a member of the board of directors. The NCCCMA was founded in 1938 specializes in professional development for over 400 government officials. Metzler is an alumnus of East Carolina University, where he obtained his bachelor’s degree, and Appalachian State University, where he completed his graduate studies. John Ludeen, Gamma Alpha (West Alabama), was one of 19 exceptional nurse educators that have been inducted into the National League for Nursing’s prestigious Academy of Nursing Education. Ludeen now joins over 300 educators who excel in this field. The induction was held at a live event during the 2021 NLN Education Summit. When addressing this graduating class, Dr. Malone stated, “Graduates serve as mentors and resources for new educators.” That salute to serve is a direct correlation to what Pi Kappa Phi represents. Ludeen has represented the fraternity well with this achievement and has provided inspiration as a member of this illustrious group of individuals.
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TOM SCOT T Eta Chi
Harry Howe/Getty Images
Tom Scott, Eta Chi (Texas Christian), has joined the elite ranks of Olympic athletes. For the first time, karate joined the list of sports at the postponed 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games. Scott has trained for several years for a moment of this magnitude and has a long list of accomplishments as an athlete. He is a six-time Pan American champion, 15-time national champion, 10-time USA Open champion and three-time Pan American Games medalist. Scott received his first professional medal in karate in 2011. Chris Tompkins, Beta Theta (Arizona), published “Raising LGBTQ Allies: A Parent’s Guide to Changing the Messages from the Playground,” a book to combat homophobia, transphobia and bullying before they begin. The University of Arizona recently invited
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Tompkins to campus to present his book; additionally, Tompkins has presented at TEDxCSULB. He credits Pi Kappa Phi as a group that brings together different individuals from several different backgrounds. Tompkins explained his purpose, saying “My hope in sharing my message with Pi Kapp undergraduate and alumni members is to encourage open and honest conversations within chapters and families.”
SEAN BURCH Xi
Daniel Ravenel, Alpha (College of Charleston), received an Alumni Award of Honor from the College. This award, given by CofC’s Alumni Association, recognizes alumni who have impacted their respective professions and communities. Ravenel has served the Charleston community in several ways since graduating in 1972. He has served on the board of directors of the College of Charleston Foundation and the Preservation Society of Charleston. Additionally, Ravenel has been active in the fraternity’s Charleston Alumni Chapter and served on the Pi Kappa Phi Foundation’s Centennial Commission. He currently owns Ravenel Real Estate Company, which opened in 1983. Since opening, the company has earned over $2.5 billion in sales.
GREG EL AM Beta
seanburch.com
Producer and director Sean Burch, Xi (Roanoke), completed a documentary entitled “The Icefall Doctor.” This is the first in a trilogy of films on the topic of icefall doctors, expert climbers with exceptional endurance. Icefall doctors are crucial in building and maintaining the mountain route from Khumbu icefall, which is notorious for breaking into explorers’ path to the summit of Everest. Burch’s film is based on the original icefall doctor, Angnima Sherpa. Burch is a professional filmmaker, explorer and conservationist who holds eight world records within fitness and adventure. He is a winner of National Geographic’s television show “Ultimate Survival Alaska” and is the first Virginian to summit Mount Everest. Burch also authored the critically acclaimed self-help book and program Hyperfitness®: 12 Weeks to Conquering Your Inner Everest. He has over 130 first ascents of previously unclimbed mountain peaks; 117 ascents were accomplished solo.
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Harmland Visions/MPI
Greg Elam, Beta (Presbyterian), has received an MPI Rise Award from Meeting Professionals International (MPI), the leading professional association of the meetings and events industry. MPI’s Rise Awards celebrate the spirit of leadership, impact and innovation. Elam was recognized for meeting industry leadership through sustained commitment and substantial contributions to the meeting and event community. This honor earned Elam a cover spot on The Meeting Professional, MPI’s nationally published monthly magazine. Elam served the fraternity as Executive Secretary for from 1957 to 1959, and he is a member of the Nu Phi Society.
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PI K APPA PHI FOUNDATION
When I was at the University of North Texas, I received an email from a guy named Nick Brady asking me if I would hear him out about this thing called fraternity. When I met him, he showed me a poem called the ‘Bridge Builder.’ It resonated with me. It was less about a recognized legacy, and more about assisting those who might never know your name. When building a chapter, you are not only doing it for yourself, but for those generations that come after. When recruiting, we always used the mantra that people join people, not organizations. At every level of Pi Kappa Phi, from the local chapter to the Supreme Chapter, you can see this play out—relationships built that last a lifetime and the only thing connecting you is Pi Kappa Phi. Because of this, I realized that ‘legacy’ is more about those personal relationships. As a chapter advisor, my goal is to nurture as many impactful relationships as possible. Pi Kappa Phi shaped this goal and has fostered many of my most important relationships. It is only natural that I give back to ensure those relationships continue to be built. I contribute to the Foundation, and have identified it in my estate plans, so that we are able to foster new relationships and build up the next generation of exceptional servant leaders.
Pat rick Smi t h Gamma Tau (North Tex as)
Pi Kappa Phi meant the world to Zach Pagoaga, Epsilon Upsilon (Georgia College). He enjoyed the friendship of his brothers and relished the experience of working with the animals when he volunteered with his chapter at Brave Meadows Therapeutic Riding Center in Jones County, Georgia. Pi Kappa Phi was such an important part of Zach’s life that his parents, Carlos and Maria, decided to set up a scholarship fund in his memory when he sadly passed to the Chapter Eternal earlier this year. The Pi Kappa Phi Foundation is extremely grateful that Zach’s family has chosen to remember him through such a generous gesture. The scholarship is a testament to the role Pi Kappa Phi played in Zach’s life. Starting in spring 2022, the Zachary T. Pagoaga Memorial Scholarship will recognize one undergraduate member of the Epsilon Upsilon Chapter with a $500 grant each year. Mr. and Mrs. Pagoaga asked Zach’s roommate, Ryan Coots, Epsilon Upsilon, if he would share some words on what Pi Kappa Phi meant to Zach. Ryan said: “Zach was able to build connections with friends that he was [always] able to rely on. He was an amazing friend and always stayed in touch with everyone who he was connected to as a Pi Kapp. Zach had nothing but fabulous times with Pi Kappa Phi. The friendships that lasted through his lifetime and the help that he provided to the community were memories that Zach cherished greatly.” The Pi Kappa Phi Foundation offers its gratitude to Carlos and Maria Pagoaga for the generous scholarship fund in memory of their son, Zach. The Pagoagas are just one example of the generosity that helps the student members of Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity, and we are thankful for our donors who support our leadership, educational, and scholarship programs. Ross McDonald, Gamma Phi (South Alabama), and Jake Reed, Beta Epsilon (Missouri), attended Pi Kapp College for Chapter Officers.
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Ross described his experience with Pi Kappa Phi this way: “Pi Kappa Phi helped me hone my professional skills. Each leadership position shares similarities with necessary abilities in the real world. Development of financial, management, or people skills are all aided by council positions. Like many things in life, Pi Kapp is what you make of it. You can run for positions, develop your skills, travel the country for conferences, and grow with your brothers as men of character.” As a current dental student, Ross also explained that being a member of Pi Kappa Phi has already helped him professionally. He said: “The most important part of my experience with Pi Kappa Phi [is] the relationships I have made with alumni and active brothers. Several alumni [are] dentists, and I [have been] able to shadow and create bonds with brothers of similar backgrounds. Since graduating [from undergrad], many brothers have helped me along the path to becoming a dentist.” Jake said: “The most important part of my experience with Pi Kappa Phi was my time served as Vice Archon. Little did I know it on election night, but I was going to be faced with the greatest challenge that any leader could undertake: a global pandemic in COVID-19. This impacted some of the core fundamentals of fraternal life. However, through the help of our wonderful chapter advisors and a loyal team of brothers, we were able to work as a unit to put together a professional virtual rush experience and recruited a fall 2020 associate member class of 38 men.” Students like Ross and Jake can be found in campuses all across the country, and we wish we could highlight all of them. The Pi Kappa Phi Foundation remains incredibly grateful for our donors who continue to support our students, especially during such a critical time across the globe. additional scholarship info: pikapp.org/student-experience/scholarships
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The Pi Kappa Phi Foundation remains incredibly grateful for our donors who continue to support our students, especially during such a critical time across the globe.
2 02 1 S cholar s h i p s Spring 2021: $39,285 | 36 recipients Fall 2021: over $76,000 | recipients TBD Pi Kapp Scholars Award As the oldest and most prestigious scholarship in Pi Kappa Phi, the Pi Kapp Scholars Award is intended to recognize outstanding juniors and seniors and reinforce the idea that to lead in one’s chapter is to first lead in the classroom. David D. Morgan Extra Mile National Scholars Program Named after Beta Omicron (Northwestern State) alumnus David D. Morgan, his namesake scholarship seeks to recognize academic performance by Pi Kappa Phi’s undergraduate members while encouraging active and sustained involvement within students’ chapters, campuses and surrounding communities. Outstanding Associate Member This Scholarship recognizes and motivates those Associate Members who show strong commitments to academic excellence. While their involvement with the fraternity and other campus activities are important, it is the work done in the classroom that sets an example for other future Pi Kappa Phi members to follow. Craig A. Winkelmann Health Professions Scholarship Students studying or planning to study medicine in the fields of dentistry, osteopathic medicine, physical therapy, occupational therapy or general medicine are eligible for this scholarship in recognition of Craig A. Winkelmann, a successful owner of his own dentistry practice and Alpha Rho (West Virginia) alumnus. Otis R. McCollum Memorial Scholarship In memory of Otis R. McCollum, Kappa (UNC – Chapel Hill), this scholarship dedicated in his name and service to the Pi Kappa Phi Foundation as a member of its Board of Trustees recognizes initiated members of chartered North Carolina chapters. The Dr. William Sandford Durrell Scholarship for Excellence in Chemistry Awarded in the Fall, this scholarship is to be given to a Pi Kappa Phi brother in good standing, who is a rising junior, senior or graduate student pursuing a degree in the field of chemistry. Durward W. Owen International Scholars Award We are pleased to announce that our international scholars award is now officially known as the Durward W. Owen International Scholars Award. This program is an opportunity for outstanding student leaders who might not otherwise be able to afford a study abroad experience gain firsthand knowledge and understanding of the various businesses and economic and cultural differences found in other parts of the world.
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THE ABILIT Y EXPERIENCE Aaron Barnabas rides as part of the Journey of Hope South Route team
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THE ABILIT Y EXPERIENCE Aaron Barnabas was walking through the halls of the Gamma (UC - Berkeley) Chapter house when he noticed a bike on the wall. He had heard about Journey of Hope during recruitment, but he didn’t realize it was something he could do until Gamma brother True Loan shared stories from when he cycled the TransAmerica route in 2016. Aaron, who worked with children with autism as a behavioral specialist, was intrigued and wanted to continue this experience. Barnabas signed up at Pi Kapp College for Chapter Officers in January 2020 and immediately started fundraising. Unfortunately, COVID-19 had other plans. “I was so excited to get out on the road, and then around April, the writing was on the wall. So much had changed by the following fall that I wasn’t sure if Journey of Hope was still a possibility,” Barnabas explained. In fall 2020, Barnabas signed up for the 2021 ride; however, like many students, he was in completely different circumstances. He was back home in Chicago taking classes with plenty of time on his hands to fundraising and train. “After I stopped training for Journey of Hope, I had to refocus on my goals to get back into shape. I was riding about 100 miles per week commuting to and from work to get prepared.” Aaron also had the support of Gamma Chapter alumni, family and friends that made his fundraising go smoothly. Between both
years of fundraising, Barnabas raised over $12,000. When Aaron arrived in Santa Barbara, California, he wasn’t sure what to expect from his teammates. “Serving as Archon and working with people with disabilities, I thought I might be an outlier, but it turns out we had an incredible team of leaders that had a deep level of commitment to the mission.” Once on the road, the lessons on and off the bike began to take shape for Barnabas. “On the road, I learned about being flexible, resilient and knowing that you can push yourself farther than you thought possible, even though every day your body hurts.” What kept him going was keeping the mission at the center of the trip. The Journey of Hope South team visited 25 centers that serve people with disabilities on friendship visits throughout the summer. It was through these friendship visits where Barnabas took home his greatest lessons. From his first visit in Lake Havasu, Arizona, Barnabas could tap into his experiences and connect with many individuals who were on the sidelines. “It’s easier to jump in and do the karaoke and sports but being able to connect to those on the sidelines is just as critical. There were times where it might take someone an hour or more just to open up. The important piece was being patient and realizing that even if they aren’t responding right away, or even at all, the interaction is important.”
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While Barnabas was visiting with Sportable in Richmond, Virginia, the lessons of Journey of Hope all came together for him. “I always heard about the bike being your disability and thought it was just a cliché. I met a guy who became disabled due to a car accident. He told us how he wished he could do all the things we were doing over the summer. This was when it clicked of why I pushed so hard to finish all my miles to ride for our friends who couldn’t—but could do so many other incredible things.” When the Journey of Hope North and South teams arrived in Washington, D.C., Barnabas was awarded the Bruce Rogers Award by his teammates, recognizing the most outstanding team member as voted upon by their peers. From his first friendship visit, he was surprised by the wide scope of people the Journey of Hope serves. “It takes so many people to support this population and there is such a need for volunteers and workers to make sure they have our support as well,” Barnabas noted. After graduation from Berkeley, Barnabas plans to attend law school at Georgetown, Notre Dame or the University of Chicago and focus on advocating for people with disabilities.
If you would like more information about The Ability Experience or sign up for the Journey of Hope, visit abilityexperience.org.
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HOUSE & HOME “Transformative”—that’s the way Trey Tipton with the Alpha Gamma Building Corporation describes the prospect of a long-term housing solution, which can be a gamechanger for many chapters on campuses with a residential fraternity experience. For Alpha Gamma (Oklahoma), the recent purchase of a chapter home has put them on solid footing for future chapter operations and ongoing alumni involvement given their strong location and connection to their campus. After selling the longtime chapter home at 1714 Chautauqua in 2006, the alumni conducted a search on and off for 15 years to find a permanent solution in a better campus location. This involved a significant amount of patience by the collegiate chapter, including taking advantage of leasing opportunities of apartment buildings and other fraternity houses if a property was vacant. Real estate within a proximity to campus does not come
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available often, so when the opportunity presents itself, chapters must act quickly. In late spring 2019, the chapter did just that as the opportunity came available to lease the property at 736 Elm Avenue. The property, constructed in 1929 and renovated in 2014, was owned by another organization and leased to the University of Oklahoma. When Oklahoma decided not to renew the lease, the alumni corporation stepped up to help support the student chapter, subsidizing the master lease significantly—a move which ultimately paid off in the purchase opportunity two years later. In May 2021, Pi Kappa Phi Properties closed on the purchase of the chapter home with the assistance of local alumni, utilizing funds from the Eric J. Almquist Housing Investment Fund, which made the opportunity possible. The property is home to more than 40 chapter residents and, due to its location across the street from campus,
offers upper classmen and out-ofhouse members the chance to drop in between classes. Heavy activity periods such as Oklahoma Sooner football weekends welcome family, friends and alumni. The stadium is a short walk across campus. Now, as Alpha Gamma approaches its centennial celebration in 2023, the alumni are working with the national headquarters to solidify and protect the academic, chapter and physical presence on campus. The transformation continues for Alpha Gamma with the announcement of its first-ever capital campaign ,which will also create an endowment for the maintenance of the chapter house and scholarships for the members. The Alpha Gamma Building Corporation will reorganize into an active alumni chapter to provide support and resources to the chapter members. For more information about Alpha Gamma, alumni involvement opportunities and centennial celebration efforts, e-mail letusknow@pikapp.org.
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The house sits in the heart of "North Greek," a short walk from Gaylord Family Stadium
The front foyer invites brothers and guests into the home
Bedrooms include hardwood floors
The living room connects areas of the house.
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Randy Owen Center for the p e r f o r m in g arts
Jacksonville State University to honor Pi Kappa Phi country music superstar with state-of-the-art performing arts center by Arthur Beal III
Randy Owen, Delta Epsilon (Jacksonville State), a 1983 Pi Kappa Phi Hall of Fame inductee, is known for topping the charts with the band Alabama. Rolling Stone and Billboard have ranked Randy among the top 100 country singers. Today, he serves as an at-large member of the Board of Trustees at his alma mater, which is poised to create the state-of-the-art Randy Owen Center for the Performing Arts.
The Early Years
Music, family and education have always been part of Randy’s life. He first picked up a musical instrument at the age of six. After dropping out of high school in ninth grade, he re-enrolled with his sights firmly set on higher education. By the time he graduated from high school, Randy had formed a band with his cousins, Teddy Gentry and Jeff Cook. As a back-up plan in case the band didn’t work out, Randy attended Northeast Alabama Community College before matriculating at Jacksonville State.
Randy majored in English at JSU while becoming a founding father of Delta Epsilon Chapter. Everything he did was strategic in his quest for stardom. Randy would perform at several venues
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on weekends and between classes, and he chose to major in English to supplement his songwriting abilities. "It helped me understand that a kid who was very poor and grew up in the sticks … that it's OK to speak your vernacular," Randy said in 2009.
with no hesitation. Executive Director Emeritus Durward Owen (no relation to Randy) jokingly credits himself as one of the first ambassadors at the band’s first major performance.
The band began to take off by booking a summer gig at The Bowery, a beloved Myrtle Beach bar, in 1973. A few years after Randy’s graduation in 1975, the band was signed by RCA Records in 1980.
Durward recalls it being rainy on the day of the fundraiser, but people gathered to support Randy and the efforts of P.U.S.H. Some wondered if the band would still perform in the rain. As Durward fondly recalls, Randy replied with “They came here for music, so we’re going to give them music.”
One of Alabama’s early concerts was quite near to the fraternity’s heart. A P.U.S.H. (now named The Ability Experience) fundraiser was set at Carowinds in Charlotte, North Carolina. For Randy and his crew, the concert was accepted
“It was never a surprise to see Randy on stage with a Pi Kappa Phi shirt,” Durward reminisced. Randy even included Pi Kappa Phi apparel in Alabama’s album cover for “Just Us,” released in 1987, which charted number one
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among Billboard Top Country Albums and reached number 55 on the Billboard 200.
The Randy Owen Center for the Performing Arts
The $15 million-initiative was given by Alabama Governor Kay Ivey in hopes of allowing young musicians better opportunities than Randy and his peers had. Schematically, the ROC was created to become one of the campus’s unique attractions. It has been described as “the creative hub of the community with limitless potential to reach JSU students, alums, faculty, families and many other creative minds in the 11 surrounding counties.” The multipurpose venue has several features to ensure it continues Randy’s legacy. The building bears his name not only because of his success, but because of his commitment to education and JSU. It will include a 1,000-seat concert hall and auditorium as well as a recording studio for musicians along with separate spaces for
other vocalists. With the students in mind, an indoor rehearsal space for JSU’s band, the Marching Southerners, will be included with multi-purpose rooms for educational use and an amphitheater The ROC is designed to commemorate the legacy of both Randy Owen and Pi Kappa Phi. The fraternity has been included with a room dedicated to Delta Epsilon Chapter. It is set to be an exhibit space designed to keep the fraternity legacy alive on campus.
an exclusive guitar for high-level ROC donors
“This is a great and unique opportunity for us Pi Kapps to create a permanent legacy on campus at JSU,” said Rusty Fuller, Delta Epsilon, a JSU Board of Trustees member. “Future generations of students will learn the history of the Delta Epsilon chapter, and it could be an excellent tool in recruiting future members.”
Interested in supporting the ROC? Email Rusty Fuller, Delta Epsilon, fuller.rusty@yahoo.com
a rendering of the ROC at Jacksonville State UPDATE US: PIKAPP.ORG/SUBMITNEWS
The Call for
N o m i n at i o n s Dear Brothers,
Let it be known that the nominating committee for the 57th Supreme Chapter is now accepting nominations for the National Council of Pi Kappa Phi. As provided in Supreme Law, the nominating committee is charged with assembling a slate of nominees for the National Council. The five-member committee is comprised of a student member and four past national presidents. The nominating committee includes Dudley F. Woody, Xi (Roanoke); Tracy Maddux, Zeta Theta (Texas); Dr. Tom Sullivan, Delta Omega (Texas A&M); Jeremy Galvin, Alpha Omicron (Iowa State); and a student member yet to be named. Any initiated member of the fraternity—student or alumnus—can nominate any initiated alumnus (including themselves) to serve on the National Council. Above all, nominees must have an unwavering and proven commitment to the fraternity and its affiliates, The Ability Experience, Pi Kappa Phi Properties, and the Pi Kappa Phi Foundation. Past service to the fraternity and a general understanding of the national fraternity are of utmost importance. Those elected to the National Council will serve a two-year term ending at the 58th Supreme Chapter in 2024. It is preferred that nominations are sent via email to nominations@pikapp.org; however, should you need to mail your nomination you may send it to Attn: Nominating Committee 2015 Ayrsley Town Blvd, Suite 200 Charlotte, NC 28273 All nominations must be received no later than Jan. 15, 2022. The committee’s proposed slate will be announced no later than March 17, 2022, and presented to the Supreme Chapter on Friday, July 29, at the second Supreme Chapter session. While we hope that we are overwhelmed with nominations for the Council, we recognize that not everyone has the interest or time to serve at a board level. Pi Kappa Phi has always been a volunteer-based organization with multiple opportunities at a variety of levels. To that end, we would encourage you to fill out our volunteer interest form at pikapp.org. Consider making plans to join your brothers at the 2022 Supreme Chapter in Tampa, Florida, July 28–31. Finally, I’d like to call on all Pi Kapps around the world to listen for and recognize the sound of the bell of our fraternity as it rings, bringing us together to celebrate this lifelong commitment that so enriches our lives. It is the sound of brotherhood, of fond memories we share of brothers and experiences from days passed, and it serves as a reminder of our greatest days yet to come. Yours in Pi Kappa Phi,
Jeremy Galvin
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PIKAPP.ORG/NEWS
PHINAL THOUGHT “Symbols like Greek letters stand for what we believe in, what we protect, what we nurture. This is a family of families of families, and I've been all in since I was 18 and I always will be.” John Andrews, Delta Delta (Truman State) Mr. Pi Kappa Phi 2020
UPDATE US: PIKAPP.ORG/SUBMITNEWS
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