As evidenced by his efforts in his chapter, Truitt is never content with doing the bare minimum. Rather than solely contribute financially, he garnered support for the school’s initiative from his coworkers at TUSK Partners, a healthcare mergers and acquisitions firm that he joined in its infancy. Because of its novelty, the firm had never engaged in any charitable work or service to its community. Truitt knew that by connecting his workplace with his mom’s school, he had the chance to better the lives of both the students and his coworkers. What began as a one-time partnership to serve the community has become a beloved annual tradition for the firm and the school. Each year, the firm plans and sponsors a holiday party for students, creating memories that otherwise may not exist for some of the children. Teachers compile a list of gifts from the students each year, and the firm purchases them all. Additionally, in 2023, Truitt got funding from his employer to build a sensory room, a room designed to provide comfort and a calming environment to people with disabilities while developing their senses, which the school had been denied multiple grants and funding to build. He and his coworkers will be the ones physically constructing the room. To him, while financial contributions matter, he thinks the most valuable thing that anyone can offer is their time. “My coworkers and I are extremely busy people, but spending the day with the kids, hanging out with them and seeing the smiles on their faces is the best part of this partnership,” he said.
THIRTY UNDER 30 HONOREES Pi Kappa Phi annually recognizes young alumni for their continued commitment to the fraternal values of Pi Kappa Phi, as well as their own distinguished achievement in their careers or otherwise. The Thirty Under 30 selection committee, composed of volunteers, reviewed all of the nominations in areas such as impact, leadership, service and awards and recognition. Congratulations to the 2023 Thirty Under 30.
Austin Truitt, Gamma Epsilon (Western Carolina) Benjamin Nelson, Beta Epsilon (Missouri-Columbia) Brandon Parker, Zeta Eta (South Florida) Campbell Cox, Zeta (Wofford) Cavin Villarreal, Iota Psi (Boise State) Christian Jablonski, Alpha (College of Charleston) Conner Burk, Alpha Alpha (Mercer) Dominic Caporale, Beta Alpha (NJIT) Gabriel Miller, Iota Xi (Texas-Dallas) Garrett Dupree, Theta Pi (Texas-Tyler) George Wilkerson, Theta Alpha (Southern Mississippi) Howard Chang, Theta Kappa (Baylor) Jacob Blaudow, Alpha Epsilon (Florida) Jared Logan, Beta Phi (East Carolina) Joey Smith, Delta Delta (Truman State) Jordan Mincey, Alpha Alpha (Mercer) Jordan Phillips, Iota Beta (Texas-San Antonio) Lee “Calum” Welch, Gamma Beta (Old Dominion) Matthew Sutter, Beta Iota (Toledo) Michael McBride, Omega (Purdue) Nicholas Petras, Iota Nu (Mississippi State) Nicholas Stampar, Alpha Epsilon (Florida)
Austin Truitt, Gamma Epsilon (WCU), 2023 Thirty Under 30 Honoree
Nicholas Taylor, Delta Sigma (Bowling Green State) Omkar Mayur, Gamma Psi (Augusta) Patrick “Owen” Phillipy, Eta Beta (Indiana State)
Because of his commitment to always doing the right thing and helping others, numerous lives have been impacted. What started out as a mission to improve his chapter has since snowballed into thousands of dollars supporting local children, a workplace that values serving others and a chapter that is proud to support The Ability Experience as well as people with disabilities on campus. “Some may call these things my legacy,” says Truitt. “You can call them whatever you want, but I always want to know that whatever I did today is going to help someone else tomorrow.”
Patrick Hawkins, Epsilon Omega (Texas Tech) Peter Snarski, Iota Epsilon (Susquehanna) Richard Beekman, Delta Lambda (UNC-Charlotte) Robert Newell, Theta Psi (RIT) Rubinjeet Sangha, Epsilon Nu (Cal State-Sacramento)
For his numerous accomplishments and the impact he has made in the years following his undergraduate experience, Pi Kappa Phi is proud to name Truitt a 2023 Thirty Under 30 Honoree.
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