BY CHANCE, THEN BY CHOICE

THE UNEXPECTED JOURNEY OF J. GUNNAR SCHALIN

A PROFILE OF THE 2024 MR. PI KAPPA PHI HONOREE

by Rachel Greene

When James Gunnar Schalin headed to the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 1965, he disliked fraternities and had no plans to join one. Despite his views of fraternity, his professor (who also happened to be the Upsilon Chapter advisor) decided to invite him to the Pi Kappa Phi house for a dinner where the National President of Pi Kappa Phi at the time, Mel Metcalfe, Alpha Gamma (Oklahoma), was coming to speak. The words “free dinner” were all Schalin needed to hear, and he headed to the Pi Kappa Phi house that evening. “Hearing Metcalfe speak was quite interesting and as I met the guys in the house, they were so different than what I had expected,” said Schalin. “My idea of fraternity at the time was wealthy individuals who came from snobby backgrounds, but I was so very wrong about that. They were down-to-earth, regular guys who, for some reason unbeknownst to me, decided to let me join!” For nearly six decades now, Pi Kappa Phi - the organization he never intended to join - has remained an important part of Schalin’s life.

As Schalin sat in his first-ever elective college course, Psych 101, he realized he was much more interested in that subject than chemistry, his major at the time. With this realization, he changed his major to human factors engineering, also known as ergonomics, which is an applied form of psychology that informs human-centered designs. As he continued his studies, he was an involved chapter leader, holding a few smaller positions prior to eventually becoming Upsilon Chapter’s archon. “I didn’t run for or even really plan to be a candidate for that position,” said Schalin. “My name was brought up and because others believed I would do a good job, I obliged.”

On top of unexpectedly joining a fraternity and pursuing a major he hadn’t intended to study, he was surprised when he learned that all male students at the University of Illinois were required to join either an athletic team, the band or the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC). Choosing the last option, he was accepted to the airforce ROTC program, but when a growth spurt resulted in him being too tall to fly (as those who have stood next to him might understand), he ended up in the Army as an aviator. He was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Armor Branch. One summer after his basic training camp, he drove to Pi Kapp College in Roanoke, Virginia, where he met Durward Owen, Xi (Roanoke), Pi Kappa Phi’s executive director. When they met, Owen told Schalin, “Gunnar, Pi Kappa Phi is going to have some things for you to do.” That, Schalin said with a laugh, was an understatement.

In both the military and the Fraternity, Schalin has always appreciated the opportunity to do something that he can do a “good job” at. “We all have certain talents, and it is a privilege to apply them to a mission,” said Schalin. “Like anyone should in any job, I have always strived to do my best.” He enjoyed all his military assignments and the various opportunities he has been given to serve the Fraternity, no matter the capacity. When he was in flight training in Texas, Owen approached him with his first opportunity to serve, advising the Gamma Tau Chapter at North Texas State University. It wasn’t close to where he was training, but he decided he could make the drive. At the time, the drive happened to take place in a 1967 British Green Corvette Convertible, which he suspects helped him quickly win the students on campus over. After returning from serving his country in Vietnam, Schalin heard from Owen again and, to this day, still credits the former executive director with keeping him engaged and involved with Pi Kappa Phi.

While he likes to think he would’ve been an engaged, lifelong member of his own accord, Schalin isn’t sure he would’ve been without Owen’s influence and sympathizes with those who were not as fortunate. He hopes brothers who have disengaged from the Fraternity know that they are always welcome to reengage if they choose to. “I think it’s never too late to reengage with the Fraternity, no matter how long it’s been,” said Schalin. “I imagine it’s difficult and a bit nerve-wracking to come back to a Fraternity event after being away for a while, but we will always welcome you in.”

As for being named Mr. Pi Kappa Phi in 2024, Schalin doesn’t think he has done anything significant or incredible in comparison to his peers and fellow brothers (though they would likely disagree), he has just remained true to the vow he made on October 1, 1965. “I have simply done what I said I would do when I took my oath to this Fraternity before my brothers and before God,” said Schalin. “I have been recognized for being what I promised I would be: a loyal brother.” When asked what loyal brotherhood means to him, he turns to his faith and the bible verse Philippians 4:8, which reads, “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” This verse reminds him to focus on the goodness within Pi Kappa Phi, especially the values that have been passed down by the founders. “These are values you should hold onto and live by for life. While the world around us is always changing, our values remain constant, they are the foundation of who we are,” said Schalin. By reflecting on this verse and the values that are at the heart of Pi Kappa Phi, he is motivated to add to the goodness within the Fraternity and recognize others when he sees them contributing to it.

While he has been recognized for his contributions to the Fraternity, Schalin insists that he has received far more than he has given. “I once heard someone call fraternity a ‘human relations laboratory.’ When you’re in a fraternity, you’re learning how to work on projects together, accomplish shared goals, live together and so much more,” said Schalin. “Being a part of Pi Kappa Phi has given me opportunities to lead, be a part of a community and serve those around me.” Through his many years of membership, he has loved watching Pi Kappa Phi evolve, whether through the creation and growth of The Ability Experience, or in the development of today’s undergraduate members to be mature, poised leaders who speak their minds. Though he loves to see the growth of the Fraternity, he has never forgotten his roots. Schalin took his oath of membership within the Upsilon Chapter and is hoping to reconnect with as many of his chapter brothers as possible, while he still has the chance to do so. “More and more lately, I find myself missing my chapter brothers who have journeyed to the Chapter Eternal,” he said. “I still have so many living brothers, and I hope I get the chance to see them at a Supreme Chapter, Pi Kapp Alumni Reunion or even just a casual gathering to catch up. Sometimes, those casual meetups are the most special.”

Like much of his Pi Kapp experience, some of his favorite memories are the ones he never saw coming. In 2022, he was in Baltimore, Maryland, for an Honor Flight and was having trouble finding a seat at dinner. When he finally found an open seat and sat down, he and the man next to him both felt the other looked familiar, and after some chatting, realized they were Pi Kappa Phi brothers. While from different chapters, they had been in school around the same time and had likely met before at Pi Kapp College or another national program. Schalin shared that this was not a one-time event, as he had met numerous brothers during his time overseas in Vietnam, which made him feel more at home, even when he was thousands of miles from it. “No matter where you are, finding that you have a brother beside you is a great feeling,” said Schalin.

As he reflects on his life and on his time in Pi Kappa Phi, Schalin sees a constant thread of what seemed like chance encounters at the time, that now seem like fate. “I never sought to become a member of Pi Kappa Phi,” said Schalin. “Now, looking back, that’s also true of many things that have happened throughout my life, I was not seeking them, but they were seeking me.” Whether it was fate or not, Pi Kappa Phi is certainly grateful to that professor and chapter advisor who sought him out in 1965, and to all those chance encounters throughout his life that have led him to be a loyal brother for 59 years and counting.

To read more about why Schalin was chosen as the 2024 Mr. Pi Kappa Phi honoree, click here.