Fall 2019 Star & Lamp

CHOOSE YOUR CHARACTER

Pi Kappa Phi members engage in a growing esports industry

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THE SUMMER EXPERIENCE

LAUGHING AT THE EDGE

A few of many stories from an unforgettable summer experience

24

John Crist takes his fraternity antics to the stage

28

Pounding ground and inspiring others, Kenny Capps stands for courage and hope while facing cancer

FALL2019

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RECONNECT:

REIGNITE THE FL AME OF

BROTHERHOOD

NEW FEATURE: FIND A BROTHER Whether you're moving to a new city or looking to network with Pi Kappa Phi members in your profession, visit our new platform to search for brothers near you.

We’re launching a refreshed Update Your Member Profile page and a brand-new Search for a Brother page, exclusively for Pi Kappa Phi members.

HOW TO GET STARTED: • Visit pikapp.org - open the menu in the upper left-hand corner (3-line button) and click LOGIN • Create your account • Follow the prompts to use your pikapp.org (or Chapter Gateway) login or follow the prompts to reset your password • Once logged in, update your membership information and permissions • Browse your: • Profile • Volunteer Tab • Brother Search Tab

CEO CORNER

Standing Up & Standing Out: The Role of the Individual

Mark E. Timmes

AT THE 54TH SUPREME CHAPTER in Atlanta, Pi Kappa Phi adopted a set of seven public values: common loyalty, personal responsibility, achievement, accountability, campus involvement, responsible citizenship and lifelong commitment. As a public codification of the commitments made during the Ritual of Initiation, they serve not only as aspirations for our fraternity, but also as a challenge to any individual that chooses to stand with us in brotherhood.

While Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity is made up of men who are bound together in a common loyalty which transcends any personal selfishness, it is also made up of individuals, each with different ideologies, experiences, skills, flaws and motivations.

The decision to lead fearlessly, act responsibly and serve graciously cannot be made by a chapter, nor a brotherhood of over 140,000 men. It is a decision to be made 140,000 times, over and over again each day, by individuals that choose to accept the challenge to embrace the role of a Pi Kappa Phi member.

Our founders were familiar with the concept of individual choice. As fifteen Nu Phi would eventually become seven Pi Kappa Phi, it was clear that the decision to lead and make a difference in a campus community could not be made by a group.

Pi Kappa Phi was not founded by the choice of one group. It was founded by the choices of seven individuals who believed in their ability to lead.

It takes an individual to create change.

The decision to be a loyal, responsible, accountable, involved, achieving and committed member of this fraternity can only be made by yourself.

In this issue of the Star & Lamp, you will read the stories of individuals who accepted a challenge to make a personal choice that reflects the values of Pi Kappa Phi. You’ll read of a pair of adventurers who traveled far and wide for a cause close to them, a comedian who decided to break the mold and find his own path, and brothers who act in dedication of one another, both in life and in the Chapter Eternal.

I challenge you to consider what choices you make each day, and whether they align with the values of Pi Kappa Phi, because you are the only one who can make them.

As always, I hope you enjoy this issue of the Star & Lamp!

Yours in the brotherhood of Pi Kappa Phi,

MARK E. TIMMES

Chief Executive Officer mtimmes@pikapp.org

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Mark E. Timmes CEO SUBMISSIONS: Materials for publication should be sent directly to the creative director at the address or email address. Letters to the editor will be printed at the discretion of the STAR & LAMP team.

PARENTS & FAMILY: The STAR & LAMP is being sent 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.

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.

With the print STAR & LAMP and the online Pi Kapp News, we accept materials on an ongoing basis at pikapp.org/submitnews.

If your son is no longer in college or is no longer living at home, please send his new contact information to the address or email address below.

POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: STAR & LAMP 2015 Ayrsley Town Blvd. Ste 200 Charlotte, NC 28273

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EMAIL ADDRESS:

letusknow@pikapp.org

ONLINE NEWS:

pikapp.org/news

pikapp.org/submitnews

CREATIVE DIRECTOR Victor Tran Assistant Executive Director of Communication MANAGING EDITOR Nicholas Ebelhack Assistant Communication Director DIGITAL MEDIA Johnny Andrews Director of Digital Media & Marketing Patrick Carlson Assistant Communication Director

CONTRIBUTORS Brandon Belote Greg Buehner Connor Burke Chris Conner Brent A. Grunig Chris Huffman Brooke Kingsley Isbell Basil Lyberg Andrew Matznick Dylan McKenzie Denise Nelson Jamie Rae Parker Becky Smith Gary Sugg Brittani Washington Lantz Weaver Rachel Westra

1

CHARTERINGS & EXPANSIONS

2019 CONTINUED GROWTH EFFORTS

as of the fall semester, October 22, 2019, Pi Kappa Phi chartered on four campuses. Congratulations, brothers!

BETA EPSILON Chapter at the University of Missouri Re-chartered: Septemer 28, 2019

ALPHA MU Chapter at The Pennsylvania State University Re-chartered: October 12, 2019

TAU Chapter at North Carolina State University Re-chartered: October 19, 2019

KAPPA PHI Chapter at Loyola University Chicago Chartered: October 19, 2019

DELTA SIGMA Chapter's re-charter date is October 26, 2019 at Bowling Green State University

SPRING 2020 WHERE WE'RE GOING NEXT: This map details the Pi Kappa Phi expansion plans for spring 2020 as of 10.22.19. For more information about expansion or starting a new chapter of Pi Kappa Phi, contact the New Chapter Development team at expansion@pikapp.org

EPSILON OMEGA

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THETA PI

BETA TAU

THETA DELTA* Pending final university approval*

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

FALL2019 || VOL. CVII, NO. 2 FEATURES

6 14

CHOOSE YOUR CHARACTER

Pi Kappa Phi members engage in a growing esports industry.

THROWING BONES

Pounding ground and inspiring others, Kenny Capps stands for courage and hope while facing cancer.

22

A few of many stories from an unforgettable summer experience.

26

John Crist takes his fraternity antics to the stage.

THE SUMMER EXPERIENCE

LAUGHING AT THE EDGE

COLUMNS 1 || CEO Corner 2 || Charterings & Expansions 4 || Nomad Scout 10 || Health & Safety 12 || House & Home 21 || Pi Kappa Phi Foundation 30 || Summer Alumni Reunion 31 || Mr. Pi Kappa Phi 33 || Phinal Thought SUMMER 2019 CORRECTIONS: The Alpha Epsilon Photo featured on the inside front cover is a photo of Alpha Upsilon.

FOUNDATION LIST CORRECTIONS: Nu Phi Addition: Mark Franklin Jacobs, Delta Psi (Texas – Arlington) Nu Phi Spelling Correction: Landry Bryant Jacobs, Omicron (Alabama) Leadership Fund Addition: Robert Maxwell Weitzner, Beta Beta (Florida Southern) Lifetime Giving: Executive Director’s Club George Franklin Heinrich, Psi (Cornell) Lifetime Giving Level: Council Club Kroeg Society Addition: Todd Jeffrey Rehfuss, Epsilon Nu (Sacramento State)

Copyright © 2019 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.

Alpha Zeta (Oregon State) house at sunset. Photo by Brady Robison.

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3

“THE RANGERS JUST CHANGED the trash cans yesterday,” said Joshua Samuels, Iota Rho (Western Illinois), posing with his day’s trash haul from Lake Ouachita in Arkansas in one of his videos.

“They’re going to be floored later when they drive by and see that it's full,” Samuels disposes of the 18 pounds of garbage he recovered from national forest land, clad only in his kilt and hiking boots. His medium-length beard disconnects from his hair, styled in a harsh undercut culminating in a ponytail that drops past his shoulders. If you tried to picture an environmentalist living out of his van relying on survivalist training on a months-long journey, you’d probably come up with something close to what Samuels looks like. 

BY

JOS

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After four months, Samuels had traveled nearly the length of the continental United States with his fiancée Allison, who he had proposed to during the trip. They picked up hundreds of pounds of garbage along the journey and putting their instincts and education to the test, all while sharing a message of sustainability and environmental consciousness through his YouTube, Instagram and Facebook pages, “Nomad Scout.”

A journey of this scale takes a lot of confidence. Recalling his time at Sigma 3 Survival School, which ended in an eight-day survival challenge where he was given only a knife, Samuels pictured his next tattoo, one that will join a collection of others that represents each year in his life.

“It’s going to say ‘do not follow me, you won’t make it,’” Samuels said. “During my survival course there were about 400 students who started, but only seven of us finished the entire program.”

At 24 years old, he was one of the youngest participants in the program. Despite being proud of rising to the occasion, he tries not to draw comparison to others. Quitting his job to traverse the nation, he’s not worried that he’s going to fall behind. He’s already been scouting out his future.

“I can’t compare my path to anyone else's because I have faith in myself.”

While Samuels' passion for the environment and sustainability education has developed over an extensive number of outdoor experiences, the inspiration for his trip occurred while on an internship in Portland, Oregon when he noticed a lack of ranger oversight that led to excessive dumping.

“The National Forests aren’t the same as national parks. They aren’t managed as closely and the don’t necessarily have rangers or janitors picking up trash,” Samuels said.

“A lot of them are dump sites for people to avoid the costs of throwing away trash.”

As simple as it sounds, Samuels sees picking up trash as a skill, saying that "you would be surprised at the lengths that people would go to hide the trash they are dumping.”

But while anyone has the ability to make a difference by helping clean the nation’s forests, few may be willing to go to some of the lengths Samuels did to commit to a sustainable nomadic lifestyle.

In addition to formalized training and education, Samuels ventured beyond the classroom to make his trip possible, which

meant learning how to create and store sustainable energy in his Jeep, installing portable refrigeration and building a budget to support two people for four months. They spent just $3,200 during their trip on expenses, which included food, park passes, car insurance and fuel.

To make the most of the space, Samuels said he had to forgo installing a bed in the back of his Jeep.

“With van life, 90% of people have their sleeping quarters inside of their vehicles,” Samuels said. “I’ve even seen beds in the back of Volkswagen Bugs before, so it can be done, but for us, that wasn’t a priority.”

Throughout the journey, Samuels' resourcefulness was constantly challenged.

Towards the end of their journey, their solar panels were stolen, and even in the face of a devastating turn of events, his environmental impact was at the forefront of his thought process.

“We were using them not just to charge our laptops and phones, but also to refrigerate our food,” Samuels said. “It was hard not to live in an environmentally conscious way since we had to keep running our Jeep and using fuel to create energy in order to keep our food from spoiling.”

While the nomadic lifestyle wasn’t a permanent desire for Samuels, he expressed that he was happy he had the opportunity to document and express how his travels were both sustainable and enriching.

“A lot of people are trying to shrink their carbon footprint, and it’s a hobby for me," Samuels said. "I wouldn’t necessarily call it a way of life, but it definitely impacts your day-to-day activities.”

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Over the course of Joshua and Allison’s endeavor, they climbed sequoia trees in California’s Sierra Nevada, hiked the mountains in Colorado Springs and caught sight of the bluest lakes in Oregon’s Crater Lake National Park. For an outdoorsman like Samuels, it was a journey through paradise. But while briefly adopting the nomadic lifestyle was a dream realized for Samuels, the physical strain of living out of his Jeep was dwarfed by looming questions and potential financial hazards after quitting his job to explore the nation.

“My job was well-paying and had benefits but all of a sudden I was doing nothing. I also had to make sure that this trip was attainable, but mentally and spiritually it was worth what I was doing financially.”

The confidence Samuels needed to start his journey hasn’t dissipated. He’s currently taking classes to earn his master's in sustainability leadership through Arizona State University with the goal of becoming a sustainability consultant for corporations.

As for his social media channels, Samuels said that photo and video might not be the best application for what he wants to do, but he’s looking forward to utilizing what he learned in his future career.

Drawing on his Pi Kappa Phi experience, which fostered his commitment to responsible citizenship and meaningful service, he noted that “as a student, what you’re doing in the classroom is important but your extracurricular activities will drive your passion.”

That passion, which he seeks to take to a larger scale, still drives Samuels along his path to his next journey.

“I feel like I will be able to reach more people and have a greater impact on others and the environment as a whole by involving myself in sustainability practices to larger corporations that have a larger impact.”

“We were planning to jump into our next trip before our panels got stolen, which was been sailing around the world in a sailboat," Samuels said. I want to take my adventure from my Jeep in the continental United States to around the globe.”

The caveat? Neither Joshua nor Allison knows how to sail. But knowing Samuels' faith in his abilities, it’s likely they will be on the sea sooner than you would think. 

5

BY N IC HO LAS EBELHACK Photography by Adam Antor

HOW 4 PI KAPPA PHI BROTHERS ARE TURNING THEIR PASSION INTO A CAREER

ONCE CONTAINED TO SMALL CIRCLES of passionate players and hobbyists, esports has exploded into a lucrative industry, commanding audiences of millions for its most prolific competitions and inspiring the development of leagues that mimic modern athletic conferences, complete with salaried players and home-grown fan bases.

P1

WHETHER THEY’RE PLAYING ON the highest stage, capturing the moment behind the camera or shaping the future for the fan experience, members such as Austin Garrison, an alumnus of Theta Xi Chapter (Arizona State) and an aspiring competitor seeking entrance into the NBA 2K League, are creating a new culture surrounding video games.

Garrison, relying on his discipline and selfmotivation, is one of the NBA’s flagship videogame's elite players. As one of 150 players selected from 80,000 hopefuls to enter its draft and interview with the league's affiliated teams to become a salaried player, his impression of the league's structure was similar to traditional sports.

“When I played sports in school, we used

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"Sophistication" isn't the first word many would associate with video games such as Call of Duty, League of Legends and Fortnite, but as the world’s best compete for multi-million dollar prizes broadcast to audiences that rival televised sports, it describes a growing career field drawing on the creativity and leadership skills of Pi Kappa Phi’s membership.

As audiences and fan engagement continue to grow in a new era of entertainment, four Pi Kappa Phi members with a variety of backgrounds, interests and skill sets explain how they are continuing to shape the future of competitive gaming in one of the world’s fastest growing sources of entertainment. P1

to watch film three or four times a week, and even for a video game, I’ll watch film of top teams and top players to see what we need to do to implement that,” Garrison said. “It’s all about strategy, being able to be coachable and adapting.”

Although Garrison wasn’t selected in the draft, it’s given him more of a reason to play harder and make an effort to promote himself as he prepares for next season, saying that he wants to explore playing for an audience on Twitch, a video game broadcasting platform, to increase his exposure.

“If you have that love and passion you’ll play the game, but it’s who you network and connect with that will determine where you can take it,” Garrison said. P2 pikapp.org/news

P2

AS MORE AND MORE SCHOOLS adopt esports programming, they also require dedicated staff members trained to serve as coaches and role models for students. Adam Antor, a 2019 Thirty Under 30 award recipient and an alumnus of the Delta Delta Chapter (Truman State), serves as Aquinas University’s head esports coach and is responsible for the continuing development of its budding program.

“I’m in an industry that is little known to most people,” Antor said. “All of us are creating what the next standard is going to be for esports, which requires someone to be a leader and be outgoing.”

After organizing a League of Legends tournament at Truman State, esports became a plausible career path for Antor. Transforming his competitive experience into a professional

P3

WHILE ESPORTS’ MOST NOTABLE players take on the spotlight, sanctioned esports leagues at the youth, high school or collegiate activity are developing the next generation of players with the help of Tyler Schrodt, Theta Psi (RIT).

As the CEO of the Electronic Gaming Federation (EGF), Schrodt has been helping develop esports programs for schools with interested students.

“We work with schools to help them understand what esports are, what that means for their campuses and creating programs that include competition, education and social impact initiatives involving diversity and mental health to create a program that is sustainable on their campuses.”

one, he said that Pi Kappa Phi was an influential factor in giving him the skills to create a career path for himself to work in esports.

“Pi Kappa Phi is all about leadership, and we’re here to create leaders,” Antor said. “I had constant opportunities to not only be a leader not just on campus but out in the world.”

In addition to coaching aspiring esports competitors, Antor spends his time on location, utilizing his background in marketing by capturing moments at live events with his camera. He likes to capture the emotion of a close match and take area-wide shots that show how invested the fans are.

“I know the photos that they want to see and the photos that they look for to promote their brands, so having a marketing background for brands and for events like this is a benefit.” P3

P4

BY THE YEAR 2021, esports viewership is predicted to be higher than all major American sports leagues except for the NFL, and the demand for in-person fan experiences is growing as well. The Fortnite World Cup sold out the Arthur Ashe Stadium in New York City, and a $50 million venue is currently being built in Philadelphia for its native Overwatch team, the Philadelphia Fusion.

“It always comes down to the experience, and at the end of the day, the driving factor is what is the experience for fan attendance that’s going to drive the future,” said Matt Basta, Beta Epsilon (Missouri).

Basta, who works in communications and specializes in esports, is motivated by being on the cutting edge of emerging markets. After being around for the dot com era internet explosion, he utilized his experience in sports marketing to take the lead in a developing industry.

While Basta doesn’t consider himself a huge gamer, and even though he’s a bit older than most of his peers in the industry, he said the community around esports fans and players alike have developed is enticing to him.

Working on the business side of esports, Basta has the opportunity to shape the legitimacy of competitive video games as an entertainment medium by addressing trends and assessing what will be the next driving force in a rapidly evolving industry. His role demonstrates that a career in video games isn’t limited to developing games or playing in competitions.

“I think right now so many people are focused on watching “Bugha” (Kyle Giersdorf) winning $3 million at the Fortnite World Cup and say ‘I want to win that kind of money,’ but there are so many jobs in this industry that it’s not just about competing.” 

Schrodt, a 2017 Thirty Under 30 award recipient, said his passion for developing a community around gaming started at a young age when playing games alongside his siblings.

Just as video games were a large part of his childhood, the EGF is making it so that any student with an interest in esports can create a program for their campus.

“At the high school level, we see that when students get involved in our program they show up to school more often and their grades tend to improve, things that you wouldn’t necessarily associate with gaming as an activity,” Schrodt said. “It reinforces that this is something that I love doing as a participant, and now I can scale this to help influence the cultural shifts in gaming that are happening now.” P4

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7

BERGSTROM FELLOWS

2019 BERGSTROM GRANT RECIPIENTS DANIEL BURKHARD Omega (Purdue) CHRISTOPHER BOGGS II Epsilon Eta (Winthrop) ALEC MACKAY Alpha Omicron (Iowa State) HUNTER THOMPSON Delta Beta (North Georgia) DAVID CLOVER Delta Eta (Morehead State) MICHAEL ROBERSON Alpha Lambda (Mississippi) CAMERON GUINN Alpha Lambda (Mississippi) JUSTIN HAMMERS Iota Nu (Mississippi State)

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"THERE IS MORE TO LIFE THAN WHAT I SEE." THE BERGSTROM FELLOWS program is an opportunity for students to engage with The Ability Experience by working at a camp which serves people with disabilities.

Named in honor of Kelley A. Bergstrom, Alpha Omicron (Iowa State), the goal of the Bergstrom Fellows is to create shared experiences and fulfill a need for male counselors at camps across the country.

Omega (Purdue) is well known as a Pi Alpha producer. Dan Burkhard, however, has the unique opportunity of spending the summer serving people with disabilities as a Kelley A. Bergstrom Fellow. It’s a distinction that sets him apart from his brothers — while giving him an experience that he can share.

“They open my eyes and show me that there is more to life than what I see,” Burkhard said. “This experience will stick with me for the rest of my life.

“Everyone deserves to be happy, healthy

and to be respected. You never know the impact a simple ‘hello’ can make.”

Along with carrying this distinction, Bergstrom Fellows are awarded a $1,000 scholarship in addition to the funds that participants earn from working at the camps.

The Ability Experience consistently innovates new and unique opportunities to share experiences, and there is no shortage of opportunity for students to get involved. Becoming a Bergstrom Fellow offers students the ability to spend their summer working and serving those with disabilities, while growing leadership skills, professional network, and resume strength.

“Many of the experiences I’ve had at camp can be brought back to my chapter, campus and future career," Burkhard said.

"This has been an incredibly good growing experience for me, it has changed me into the servant leader that I am today.” 

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CORPORATE SPONSORSHIP

THE JOURNEY OF HOPE TEAM welcomed the addition of fully-sponsored vehicles thanks to Sprinter.

The 18 vans made the cross-country trek and provided the means for the 81 men to spread their message of inclusion safely across the nation. Over the course of the summer, the Journey of Hope team visited 108 organizations and over 3,500 people with disabilities thanks to Sprinter and fellow title sponsor Mountaingate Capital.

If your company is interested in sponsorship for the 2020 events or learning more about how to purchase these vans for your company at a discounted price, please reach out to Andrew Matznick (amatznick@abilityexperience.org).

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9

HEALTH & SAFET Y

the

courage to speak CALL WHEN YOU NEED TO TALK.

866-277-3834 MODERN SOCIETY HAS BECOME more concerned with mental health in recent years, yet men of all ages still fall behind when it comes to addressing it in their lives.

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, men are less likely to seek help regarding mental health problems than women and more likely to die by suicide, the second leading cause of death on college campuses.

Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity has established and collected resources over the last decade in an effort to extend the principle of common loyalty among members to the realm of mental health. By sharing these resources and encouraging conversations about mental health, we can make a difference in our brotherhood.

Ross Szabo, the developer of the “Behind Happy Faces” mental health curriculum, expressed the impact of societal pressure on men’s mental health awareness.

“Men are more at risk for taking their own

10 || FALL2019

lives, we’re more at risk for substance abuse, antisocial behavior and not seeking help,” Szabo said.

An alumnus of the Theta Eta Chapter at American University, Szabo explained that the creation of “Behind Happy Faces,” a resource available to Pi Kappa Phi’s chapters, was inspired by his personal experience with mental health problems as a student.

“One of the best things that happened to me while I was going through all of that was that I found the courage to speak out about it, to start speaking about my experiences with bipolar disorder to really start creating a concept for other young people to share their emotions,” Szabo said.

In addition to utilizing Szabo’s contributions to mental health advocacy as one of the first fraternities to implement “Behind Happy Faces,” Pi Kappa Phi encourages its members to utilize its free resources to learn how to support themselves and their brothers, undergraduates and alumni alike.

Pi Kappa Phi, in partnership with Alpha Chi Omega, Sigma Nu and Zeta Tau Alpha has released a new national mental health campaign, Active Minds. Designed to teach fraternity and sorority members how to support friends and loved ones struggling with mental health, Active Minds provides a variety of educational resources utilizing its active listening tool: Validate, Appreciate, Refer (VAR).

Individualized support is also available through Pi Kappa Phi’s partnership with Health Management Systems of America.

Both undergraduate and alumni members have access to 13,000 behavioral health counselors across the country at no cost by dialing (866) 277-3834.

Understanding mental health and connecting one another with resources is an important part of Pi Kappa Phi brotherhood.

Having a connection to the emotions of our brothers helps us form stronger friendships and care about each other more.  pikapp.org/news

50 TH ANNIVERSARY

THE COUNCIL OF ARCHONS

IN THE FALL OF 1969, the first Council of Archons met at Roanoke College in Salem, Virginia, tasked with advising and counseling Executive Director Emeritus Durward W. Owen and his national staff for the academic year. Representing a cross-section of chapters, Pi Kappa Phi became the first fraternity to involve undergraduate members in the day-to-day administration of the fraternity.

Pi Kappa Phi is proud to acknowledge the inaugural Council of Archons. The presentday council is made up of undergraduate members who have served as Archon of their chapters. The Council of Archons participates in monthly phone calls with Pi Kappa Phi staff members and provides insight regarding fraternity programming and policy. 

Left to Right: JOHN WILLIAMS, Alpha Iota (Auburn) BOB BUX, Alpha Delta (Washington) JOE ASH, Psi (Cornell) BOB SWAYNE, Alpha Upsilon (Drexel) RICHARD SWIFT, Gamma (UC - Berkeley) LARRY GREGG, Alpha Psi (Indiana) BILL YOUNG, Beta Upsilon (Virginia)

STAND UP TO HARVARD UPDATE ON AUGUST 9, 2019, a federal judge denied Harvard University's motion to dismiss a lawsuit from multiple plaintiffs representing several national fraternities and sororities in regard to students’ right to freedom of association. Last year, Harvard instituted a policy to bar members of single-sex organizations from being nominated for prestigious scholarships and holding leadership positions in

recognized student organizations.

“Today’s decision rightly recognizes that the lawsuit states four viable legal claims that Harvard's Sanctions Policy discriminates on the basis of sex,” said R. Stanton Jones of Arnold & Porter, a lawyer for the plaintiffs in the federal case. “The court acknowledged what is undeniably true: Harvard's Policy is discriminatory twice-over.

As the court said, the policy ‘discriminates both on the basis of the sex of the students in the social organization and the sex of the student who associates with that organization.’ The time has come for Harvard to end this discriminatory policy and do the right thing. Harvard should stop discriminating against its students and trust them to make their own choices about who to associate with.” 

2019 SUMMER STUDENT AWARD RECIPIENTS THE FOLLOWING UNDERGRADUATE members of Pi Kappa Phi have been recognized for their extraordinary commitment to the fraternity and for their

sustained involvement in their campus community. They have each been named recipients of one of the highest awards an individual undergraduate member

can receive: The Dr. Phillip M. Summers Student of the Year Award, the Howard H. Baker Leadership Award and the Interfraternal Leader of the Year. 

NATHAN LONGO Omega (Purdue) 2019 Dr. Phillip M. Summers Student of the Year

CHANDLER CREAN Delta Lambda (UNC - Charlotte) 2019 Howard H. Baker Leadership Award

HENRY KENDRICK Epsilon Phi (Alabama - Birmingham) 2019 Interfraternal Leader of the Year

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11

HOUSE & HOME

ALPHA

COLLEGE OF CHARLESTON IN GRAND FASHION, Pi Kappa Phi’s Alpha Chapter (College of Charleston) revealed its letters once again on August 9, 2019, to coincide with its re-expansion that began on September 1. Following a closure of nearly two years, Alpha Chapter’s reinstallation comes alongside a total renovation of the property.

The historic property at 43 Coming Street, purchased by Pi Kappa Phi Properties in March 2018 and initially constructed circa 1800s, has been extensively updated to prepare for the return of Pi Kappa Phi’s first chapter. While under construction, the house’s kitchen was fully renovated with new appliances, cabinetry and granite counter tops. Additionally, the property’s bathrooms were outfitted with tile showers, along with new vanities and toilets.

“It is nice to see the letters again on the chapter house at 43 Coming Street,” said President of the Alpha Chapter

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Alumni Association Johnnie Baxley. “The undergraduates are enjoying the newly renovated backyard and basketball court, and the chapter house has become an important hub of activity as these men build their brotherhood.”

Additionally, the Alpha Chapter house’s common spaces in the property have been refurbished and refurnished. According to Baxley, the chapter's newest associate members have already been hard at work, utilizing all 2,200 square feet to continue the fraternity’s 115-year legacy.

“These young men are already conducting brotherhood events, working on philanthropy events, engaging in activities on campus and within the community, and are actively working with the Alumni Chapter Board,” Baxley said. “They bring an energy and excitement to the fraternity that has been absent for the past couple of years.” 

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LAMBDA IOTA VERMONT

FOR OVER ONE HUNDRED YEARS, the Lambda Iota Society house has stood prominently at 440 Pearl Street in Burlington, Vermont, just steps away from the University of Vermont’s campus.

Belonging to the oldest fraternity in the state of Vermont, and the eighth oldest among local fraternities altogether, its membership hasn’t taken residence in “the Nest” for more than a decade.

That is until a chance encounter between Pi Kappa Phi CEO Mark E. Timmes and Lambda Iota Society’s Spencer Baker opened an opportunity to connect both fraternities, providing the Lambda Iota (Vermont) Chapter, formerly Kappa Rho, with a “once in a lifetime” housing opportunity, said Baker.

With the approval of the National Council, Pi Kappa Phi and Lambda Iota Society will share their history at the university of Vermont moving forward. In recognition of their partnership, Pi Kappa Phi at the University of Vermont will be henceforth referred to as the Lambda Iota chapter, becoming the fourth chapter in Pi Kappa Phi history with an out-of-order chapter designation following Sigma (South Carolina), Zeta (Wofford) and Zeta Alpha (Clemson).

Following phone calls, emails and in-person meetings at Pi Kappa Phi’s national headquarters in Charlotte, North Carolina, the Lambda Iota Society has

welcomed the Kappa Rho Chapter into its historic property, beginning a three-year partnership between the two groups.

Built in 1913, the 9,944 square-foot residence was extensively renovated a century later in 2013 to prepare for the potential of future residents. And while Baker notes in the Summer 2019 edition of Lambda Iota’s newsletter, “The Minervan,” that “Most (Lambda Iota members) have accepted that returning as a local undergraduate fraternity will not happen,” he is confident in a future in which Pi Kappa Phi builds upon the 183-year foundation established by one of America’s oldest social fraternities.

“While we are starting with a three-year commitment, I am confident that this is the beginning of a long partnership to perpetuate Lambda Iota Society, to preserve our archives while adding new history and to return us as a member of the UVM community through our partnership,” Baker said.

Lambda Iota Chapter Archon Tim Beard shared similar sentiments in his written remarks to the Lambda Iota Society, matching Baker’s enthusiasm, and expressing gratitude for their newfound partnership.

“Our adoption into your home has truly been a blessing and will continue to serve as one again,” Beard said. “With all of the fraternal gratitude I can muster, thank you.” 

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pikapp.org/news

POUNDING GROUND AND INSPIRING OTHERS, KENNY CAPPS STANDS FOR COURAGE AND HOPE WHILE FACING CANCER. BY, N IC HO LAS EBELHAC K THE MOUNTAINS-TO-SEA TRAIL (MST) stretches 1,175 miles through the state of North Carolina, winding through mountains, farmland, swamps, forests and seashores over nearly 6,700 feet of elevation gain.

Only a handful of people have thruhiked the trail in its entirety; their names are posted on the MST’s digital hall of fame, most of them accompanied by humorous nicknames such as “Mountain Goat,” “Sketchy Guy,” and “Moxie.”

Most thru-hikers complete the trail in three to four months according to MST’s hiker resources. Listed under 2018’s reported completionists, Kenny “Bonehead” Capps, an alumnus of Lambda Chapter at Georgia, demolished the expectation for trans-state travelers, completing the trail in 55 days, running

nearly 22 miles a day across North Carolina’s trails.

“It was pretty off the cuff, I’ve run the Mountains to Sea trail a lot because it goes through where I live, and I was used to longer runs and ultras,” Capps said. “I said ‘I think I can do it, I think I can do the whole thing.’ When I told my wife she asked me how long it would take, so I did the math and I saw I could do it in less than two months.”

Running nearly a marathon every day for two months straight is nothing short of an epic feat of athleticism and endurance itself, but as the “Chief Ground Pounder” of Throwing Bones – Capps’ philanthropic organization dedicated to providing encouragement and support to blood cancer patients such as himself – it was a testament to the human spirit in the face of tragedy.

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In 2015, Capps was diagnosed with multiple myeloma, a form of blood cancer that affects plasma cells within the bone marrow and causes skeletal damage over time. When Capps received his diagnosis, he was found to be anemic, had two compression fractures in his spine and multiple lesions in his hip, clavicle, shoulder blades and ribs.

Immediately, Capps started a chemotherapy regimen and began his battle against a disease that has no cure.

He said his doctors pushed him around, beat him up and made him stronger. After a bone marrow transplant and a lot of tough times, Capps is still here.

Until a cure is found, he has committed to inspiring and encouraging other patients through physical activity. 

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MULTIPLE MYELOMA is a cancer that forms in a type of white blood cell called a plasma cell, causing cancerous cells to accumulate in the bone marrow and crowd out healthy blood cells.

Multiple myeloma is relatively rare. As the 14th most common type of cancer, it represents less than two percent of all new cancer cases in the US.

It is unclear what the exact cause of multiple myeloma is. Men are more likely to develop multiple myeloma than women, and black people are twice as likely to develop it as white people. Other risk factors include a family history of multiple myeloma and old age.

“I wanted to show that blood cancer can’t necessarily be overcome, not even cured, but that it can be beat, and that you can help your healthcare providers and your team provide better care if you’re in the best possible shape,” Capps said. “It makes you feel better, it helps with depression and anxiety, and you overall will feel better about yourself.”

Five months out from his run across North Carolina, Capps posted a video to his journal announcing his endeavor to inspire other cancer patients. Looking at him, listening to how he speaks and how he conducts himself, it’s hard to imagine he’s simultaneously facing an incurable disease.

“Cancer is scary. Blood cancers are even scarier,” Capps said. “You can’t cut it out and you can’t melt it away. But there is hope and there is life.

For Capps, life meant not giving up on his passions. As an endurance runner and a cyclist on the 1993 Journey of Hope team, Capps isn't a stranger to fitness. Less than a year after receiving his multiple myeloma diagnosis, he was already running again.

“I had to find a way to get my mojo back, so I started to walk again, and about four or five months in I had built back up the strength to run a mile,” Capps said. “By the end of January 2016, I ran a 10k race in Asheville, NC and I just kept going from there.”

The rest of 2016 took Capps through 16 races, which included a pair of half marathons. His toughest race, the Shut-In Ridge Run, took him through 18 mi of the MST he would later traverse again, tackling 6,000 feet of elevation gain.

“It was horrible, I was terrible at it but I finished it!” Capps laughed. “I hit all the cutoff times and I did it.”

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SYMPTOMS INCLUDE • bone pain, especially in the spine or chest • fractures • excessive fatigue or thirst • weight loss • frequent infections • excessive thirst • weakness/numbness in legs • mental fogginess or confusion

By the end of a year of reclaiming his life through running, Capps had already given his wife, Murphy, control over his company, Kudzu Printing Company, to educate and inspire others to find the strength to fight against cancer as he did.

“I wanted to do something positive, to apply what I learned from this experience going forward,” Capps said. “I wanted to do something epic.”

Throwing Bones, named as an homage to the bones cancer had tried to take from him, began as Capps' answer to his perseverance, and would become his rallying call for blood cancer patients like himself to strive for life.

On April 1, 2018, Capps mustered the courage and strength to begin the trek from Jockey’s Ridge State Park of North Carolina’s outer banks to Clingman’s Dome, the highest point of both the Great Smoky Mountains and the entirety of the Appalachian Trail.

Each day, Capps tracked and shared his progress in his digital journal. In addition to the miles, he tracked the landscapes, the wildlife, the hindrances and the emotions in potentially one of the most detailed accounts of the MST. In his entries, while recalling each trail segment’s picturesque views and unexpected encounters with the communities he passed through, he demonstrated how to challenge cancer through continuing an engaging and active lifestyle.

“The value of purposeful, physical movement is lost on a lot of cancer patients because they receive the news and then they’ve kind of given up,” Capps said. “That’s hard to watch for one thing, and it’s not helpful for anyone.”

The average age at which someone is diagnosed with multiple myeloma is 64.

By that age, other health complications, including diabetes, hypertension and high blood pressure, can compound a feeling of hopelessness, something that Capps said can feel like a death sentence.

“When you feel like you’re at an end-stage of life it’s even more difficult to approach and do something that would be highly uncomfortable.”

That’s not to say that Capps felt comfortable the entire time he progressed through the MST. Early on, he said he was so excited to be running the trail he’d push himself too far. By the end of the first week, he had forced himself to take his only rest day of the entire trip after succumbing to shin splints.

He hated missing that time on the trail. His wife described his inability to stop moving forward, claiming that he would run between 30 and 40 miles a week leading up his MST trek while still taking his chemotherapy medication in the morning. It would exhaust him, but his dedication wouldn’t show it.

“He’s been given an opportunity to touch other people’s lives and to show them that just because you’ve been dealt a bad hand or just because something has been challenging in your life, it doesn't mean that you give up,” Murphy Capps said.

Even when stuck in a thunderstorm, chased by dogs or confronted with disgruntled drivers, Capps' impact was not lost on his followers and the friends that he met along the way. Even as he was attempting to open the eyes of his readers, his own were widened as he interacted with different communities across the state.  pikapp.org/news

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MOUNTAINS 1-5 PIEDMONT 6-10

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COASTAL PLAIN & OUTER BANKS 11-18

SEGMENTS OF THE TRAIL: 1 Peak to Peak: 46.8 mi

2 The Balsams: 63.6 mi 3 The High Peaks & Asheville: 71.4 mi 4 Gorges, Peaks & Waterfalls: 75.3 mi 5 The High Country: 90.3 mi 6 The Elkin Valley: 67.4 mi 7 The Sauratown Mountains: 36.0 mi 8 Rivers, Railroads & Lakes: 64.0 mi 9 Revolution & Textiles: 60.1 mi 10 Eno River & Falls Lake: 77.6 mi 11 Neuse River Greenways & the Let’Lones: 64.8 mi 12 Agricultural Heartland: 64.1 mi 13 Carolina Bay Country: 38.9 mi 14 Land of History: 65.8 mi 15 The Onslow Bight & Jacksonville: 90.6 mi 16 The Croatan and Neusiok Trail: 67.9 mi 17 Down East North Carolina: 48.0 mi 18 The Outer Banks: 82.2 mi

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32,110

Estimated new cases of multiple myeloma are expected to be diagnosed in the US in 2019.

"

“I experienced it mostly in the eastern part of the state, but people are different in different locations and that wasn’t something I’d thought of before starting the run,” Capps said. “Some people who lived along the Mountains-to-Sea Trail didn’t even know it was there, and they certainly didn’t know why I was running!”

But for those who did know why he was running, he said the inspirational impact of Throwing Bones had been reciprocal. As he met other multiple myeloma patients, Capps said that it's been a privilege to meet and interact with them as they prepare for treatment and the next stage of their life.

“Some of the people that I have met and gotten to know are already gone, and they didn’t make it for various reasons,” Capps said. “But they’ve touched me just as much as I’ve gotten to touch others. They’ve shown me what it means to be brave and they’ve taught me that being scared is okay too. I’ve learned so much talking to the people that I’ve met because of this.”

It has been over a year since Capps completed the MST in 55 days on May 24, 2018, but Throwing Bones is looking to stay adaptable by continuing to encourage and inspire blood cancer patients through innovative outreach.

Looking to the future, Capps wants to

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124,483

Estimated people in the US are currently living with or in remission from myeloma.

52%

Up from 12% since 1960, the three-year multiple myeloma survival rate.

75%

Five-year survival rates for people who received their diagnosis before the age of 45.

12,960

Estimated people who will die from multiple myeloma in 2019.

"

Statistics taken from Throwing Bones, The National Institutes of Health and The National Cancer Institute.

create videos for blood cancer patients to self“If anybody wants to reach out, join up, assess their physical abilities and embark on a or has a suggestion for another epic run, more active lifestyle, and telemedicine efforts I’m down. Or if they want me to join them to connect patients with each other to form on their adventure, I’m down,” Capps said. a support network through Throwing Bones. “It doesn’t have to be about me.”

Capps said his undergraduate Throwing Bones accepts donations and has been exploring fundraising options through experience as a Pi Kappa Phi member built dinners, hosting races and selling merchandise, the intangible foundation for what would but Capps said that in order to take it to the become Throwing Bones, saying it comes naturally for those who truly believe and next level they need all hands on deck.

“I’m learning quickly that it takes every commit to the fraternity's values. bit of that, it takes every bit of people's “As Pi Kapps, we have all been brought involvement and donations, and it takes through an organization that puts an constant vigilance to keep it going.” enormous amount of importance on That vigilance is waning though, as Capps community and giving back,” Capps said. is already looking forward to his next epic “We see the benefit of benefiting and helping adventure, understanding that time inevitably others, and we’ve been doing that for a long works against him. However, his ambition to time now.”

Not unlike his fraternal ventures, Throwing say “what’s next” provokes his positive outlook.

“I don’t think that I’m going to be able Bones demonstrates the value of shared to do epic things forever, but there are experiences. Capps’ personal values show that people who have been through more and Throwing Bones isn’t about him, it’s about that are certainly older than me who have coming together in support of one another, done more,” Capps said. “I think I want to and embracing being afraid through the community they’ve forged to respond with life. try to do this as long as I can.”

“Don’t wait to die. Now is the time to More than 26 years after cycling the country on Journey of Hope, Capps mentioned that a bet it all. Throw those bones and let ‘em transcontinental run isn’t out of the picture, ride. Don’t be afraid! You’re braver than but he’s also open to hearing from his Pi you think, and your courage is going to Kappa Phi brothers if they have a spot for him generate more courage…and hope...and on their upcoming endeavors. a cure.”  pikapp.org/news

GIVE BACK AND HONOR THOSE WHO LEFT A LASTING IMPACT ON YOU AS A PI KAPP

12.10.19

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19

PI KAPP ALUMNI NEWS

Photo by Marc Morris, Team USA.

Photo by Marc Morris, Team USA.

FRED QUINN, Sigma (South Carolina) accepts a certificate of appreciation in honor of his 100th birthday and his extraordinary commitment to Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity. Quinn, who became a centenarian on September 18, 2019, served as Pi Kappa Phi’s first field secretary, comparable to today’s leadership consultant, and has been a committed member for more than eight decades. 

ADMIRAL RONALD “ZAP” ZLATOPER, Alpha Tau (Rensselaer) was named a recipient of the American Patriot Award from the Navy League of the United States, Honolulu Council on Sept. 21, 2019. Zlatoper, a recipient of the Defense Distinguished Service Medal among various other accolades, was inducted into the Pi Kappa Phi Hall of Fame in 2014 for his distinguished military career over the course of his lifetime. 

EVAN AUSTIN, Eta Beta (Indiana State) was crowned a world champion on Sept. 9, 2019 after winning the men’s 50-meter fly S7 at the 2019 World Para Swimming Championships in London. Austin, who has also competed for Team USA in London in 2012 and Rio in 2016, speaks at Pi Kapp College for Chapter Officers each winter on behalf of The Ability Experience, and was recognized as a Thirty Under 30 Award recipient in 2017. 

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ABILIT Y EXPERIENCE

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pikapp.org/news

MAKE YOUR MARK MAKE YOUR MARK MAKE YOUR MARK O U R B R O T H E R S . T H E I R F U T U R E . Y O U R L E G A C Y.

JACK McDONALD ALPHA ETA (SAMFORD) FOUNDATION TRUSTEE

FOR YEARS, I have made annual and legacy contributions to the Pi Kappa Phi Foundation because of my love for the fraternity and the many associated, positive experiences over a period of 56 years. At Samford University, I was part of a group of young men who enjoyed being together. We wanted to be recognized and participate in campus activities as a group but joining one of the existing fraternities or organizations on campus was not an appealing option.

After discovering that Pi Kappa Phi had previously been on campus, we re-chartered the chapter in 1963, after a long absence from campus due to World War II. This provided us with opportunities that served us well not only in college but for our entire lives. The brotherhood and friendships that we enjoyed in college through the fraternity have been a blessing that has continued through personal contacts and reunions. As my wife, Cathy,

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comments when our alumni gather, “it’s like you have always been together.”

Now, I have come to realize something which had never occurred to me during those early years. Without that undergraduate chapter, my life and the lives of many others would have been greatly changed, and without a national organization and its support, there would be no campus chapters.

On many different occasions, I have met the young men following us in Alpha Eta Chapter and have been most impressed with them. It is my belief that the opportunities provided in leadership, scholarship, service and education for these young men have contributed to their development just as it did for me. It is my hope that these experiences will continue and grow for the benefit of all young men in the undergraduate chapters. My plan is to continue donating to the Pi Kappa Phi Foundation to help make that happen. 

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MAKE MAKE YOUR YOUR MARK MARK

WILLIAM SANDFORD DURRELL, ALPHA EPSILON (FLORIDA)

It’s difficult to capture the love and joy William (Sandy) Durrell brought to his family, friends and Pi Kappa Phi brothers. Known for his extravagant comedic performances at Alpha Epsilon (Florida) tailgates and at family dinners, his contributions to the scientific community as a world-renowned chemist and his lifelong commitment to his fraternity, he brought joy and laughter to innumerable loved ones.

“Sandy was a multi-talented, energetic, adventurous, industrious man with a curiosity and ambition to make the world a better place to live for all mankind. He was a true gentleman and scholar. He had a wicked sense of humor, making wisecracks with his family right up to his last breath,” said Jane Durrell, Sandy’s wife. “He loved his family, he loved God, he loved his Florida Gators and he loved Pi Kappa Phi." It was only fitting that his legacy would continue on through Pi Kappa Phi after his passing on March 19, 2017.

“We find solace in sharing his life with you all and continuing his legacy through a scholarship that encourages his Pi Kapp brothers to pursue the field that he so loved,” said Caroline Fritz, Sandy’s youngest daughter, announcing the Dr. William Sandford Durrell Scholarship for Excellence in Chemistry in a speech at Alpha Epsilon’s house dedication ceremony.

Sandy had dedicated his career to the pursuit of excellence in the field of chemistry.

After serving several years as an officer in the Air Force researching early manned reentry space vehicles for NASA’s future space shuttle program, Sandy completed his masters and doctoral degrees in chemistry in just three years and was a member of the "I HAD THE OPPORTUNITY to further my leadership with the North American Interfratneral Council by attending UIFI this past summer on a scholarship provided by an alumnus. I aspire to become that involved with the fraternity in the coming years as an alumnus.

To me, I see the brotherhood never fading away and constantly giving back to

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Sigma Xi Scientific research honor society in his return to the University of Florida. He’d go on to lead the field of industrial chemistry in the development of polymers and plastics that we depend on today and was credited for over 20 patents in his time as a research and development leader.

Beginning in the Fall of 2020, the Pi Kappa Phi Foundation will recognize a rising junior, senior or graduate student pursuing a degree in chemistry in honor of Sandy’s success in his field and his undying love for Pi Kappa Phi. From the Chapter Eternal, Sandy’s influence extends beyond generations as it did in his life to continue to support his brothers because of his family’s decision to give in honor of an extraordinary member.

Scott McCain, a student establishing his own legacy as the re-chartering archon at the Zeta Psi Associate Chapter (IUPUI), is supported by those who have given in honor of brothers that influenced their Pi Kappa Phi experience. With the opportunity to attend a leadership conference that would influence the development in his chapter, he experienced firsthand the significance of the men who came before him.

“I aspire to become that involved with the fraternity in the coming years as an alumnus,” McCain said. “To me, I see the brotherhood never fading away. I aspire to give back to Pi Kappa Phi what I have received from the fraternity.”

McCain and members like him across the nation continue to benefit from those who choose to make their mark by enrolling in Pi Kappa Phi’s Gateway Society and recognizing Pi Kappa Phi in their estate plans, and by those who carry on the legacy of their brethren by giving annually in honor of others.

At Steve Trahey’s memorial service, his Upsilon (Illinois) chapter brothers honored the experience they had shared with him by Pi Kappa Phi what I have received from the fraternity.

Not only have I become a better man within my chapter, but my family has seen such a difference in how I conduct conflict and time management."

SCOTT MCCAIN, ZETA PSI ASSOCIATE CHAPTER (IUPUI)

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STEPHAN D. TRAHEY, UPSILON (ILLINOIS)

giving in Trahey's name. A veteran, lover of literature and loving father, “Flash,” as Steve was called by his compatriots, leaves a legacy of commitment and compassion for his family and fraternity.

“Steve was a legend,” claimed his chapter brother Jay Clifton. “He overlapped with at least three generations of brothers and was a big brother to many. We learned many life lessons from Steve ‘Flash’ Trahey.”

In the tributes left by his loved ones, his love for Pi Kappa Phi is emphasized by the impression left on those who remember Steve. “Larger than life,” “a generous giver” and “the epitome of what brotherhood and fraternity mean,” were just some of the ways his brothers described him.

Asking for gifts to the Pi Kappa Phi Foundation in honor of Steve, his wife Milly said the decision was influenced by her firsthand account of the love and devotion she experienced from Steve’s connection to the fraternity.

“He fully embraced the fraternity where he held various positions such as Archon and maintained lifelong friendships with so many of his brothers,” Milly said. “Many of whom gathered together several times a year for over 45 years. Spouses became friends as well, all of which is a testament to the camaraderie they all shared.”

Both Sandy and Steve’s legacies live on after being called to the Chapter Eternal.

In recognition of those who have helped continue their influence in Pi Kappa Phi, this Founder’s Day, the Foundation is asking that on this day of remembrance for the seven men who gave so much to establish this fraternity, that members give in honor of the men who have impacted their personal experiences in Pi Kappa Phi. The Pi Kappa Phi Foundation’s annual “Day of Giving” is the perfect opportunity to make

a gift in recognition of the lives and memories of the brothers who have left an impression on us, and to continue their fraternal love by supporting members such as Clayton Cook, Theta Chi (Ohio).

“Above everything else, my fraternity experience has taught me that no matter what happens I am not alone in this world and neither are my brothers,” Cook said. “The never-ending love, support and brotherhood which is embodied in every Pi Kappa Phi is the greatest example of what fraternity truly means and can be for every man.”

“Making Your Mark” allows for any member, regardless of age, to engage in their lifelong commitment to Pi Kappa Phi, such as Matt Varnell, Gamma Tau (North Texas) and the youngest member of the Gateway Society.

“Even though I'm not yet able to write a large check, a planned gift was an easy way for me to make a substantial, long-term gift to the fraternity that shows how important the organization is to me,” Varnell said. “Pi Kapp invested in me back in 2011, it's only fair that I invest back into Pi Kapp to make sure they can do the same for more men in the future.”

Express your commitment to Pi Kappa Phi and its future by giving in honor of the brothers who have paved the way, and cement your legacy by including Pi Kappa Phi in your estate for the brothers to come for generations.

“Lifelong commitment is about doing what you can to make sure everything around you is "ideal" whether it's your chapter, your family, your job, or your community,” Varnell said. “Eight years ago, I took an oath to do my share to make it so, and that oath still means a lot to me today.”  "LIFELONG commitment is something I know I do not fully understand yet. However, the examples I have seen of this commitment have made me hungry to be able to still be involved in any way I can be not only right after school, not only when it’s easy, but whenever and wherever Pi Kapp needs me and to be able to bring as many brothers with me along that journey."

CURRENT NATIONAL SCHOLARSHIPS 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 also encouraging active and sustained involvement within students’ chapters, campuses, and surrounding communities.

INTERNATIONAL SCHOLARS International Scholars is an opportunity for outstanding student leaders who might not otherwise be able to afford a study abroad experience to gain firsthand knowledge and understanding of the various businesses and economic and cultural differences inherently found in other parts of the world.

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. Winkelman, 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 namesake and service to the Pi Kappa Phi Foundation as a member of its Board of Trustees recognizes initiated members of chartered North Carolina chapters.

Other scholarships can be found at pikapp.org.

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THE SUMMER EXPERIENCE

BY PATRIC K C ARLSO N & NI C HO LAS EBELHAC K

RIDING AT A DIFFERENT PACE FOUR ALUMNI CAME TOGETHER Alpha Eta (Samford), Brandon Sorenson, Beta between the alumni became a lifeline of support. through a variety of different uncommon Alpha (NJIT) and Ruben Talavera, Eta Omega “The only thing left to do was to make this a ride (New Mexico State), to commit to doing Gear to truly remember,” Talavera said. opportunities to complete Gear Up Florida.

“As we pulled up that last hill in Tallahassee, “Don’t let this be something you did, let Up Florida with him this summer.

“Training isn’t pretty or easy," Sorenson said. we felt reassured that the passion of a Pi Alpha this be something you are” is the mantra that Andre Arman, Zeta Epsilon (George Mason), "Add in trying to keep your job and keep up a burned brightly in the hearts of those gentlemen," curated during one of his many Gear Up Florida training schedule targeted towards college men, Corey said. "As one wise man had said, 'We had planted the seeds of trees under whose shade we excursions, and through this mantra, Arman you are going to have your bad days.”

This is where a seemingly endless texting chain did not expect to rest.'"  helped recruit his Pi Alpha brothers David Corey,

BUILDING COAST-TO-COAST This is a new experience, however, even for THIS SUMMER, BROTHERS converged in Groton, MA to begin their building journey. Sporleder. This trek began on the east coast They varied in skill level and background, but and ended on the west. Build America has their shared mission fueled their drive. For always traveled around the country, but this Keith Sporleder, Beta Iota (Toledo), the team’s summer, team members really could say they Project Manager, this was a familiar feeling. made an impact coast-to-coast. The team’s Sporleder is a Pi Alpha, having served as a team arrival was on July 27 in Los Angeles. member for the 2018 Build America team.

“My big moment was at Camp Camp in “From the first week [of Build America Centerpoint, TX. There were no campers 2018], I knew this wasn’t going to be the last there, no counselors, no staff. We just time I do this,” said Sporleder. “The friendship came to do work.” Sporleder explained. visits are what it’s all about. It’s everything I “We made a landing pad where wheelchairs can wait while people get unloaded from could have hoped for and more.”

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the buses. I was like, ‘Okay, done. Easy job.’

But what I thought was an easy job was one of the best and most impactful additions to the camp.”

In total, Build America 2019 raised nearly $49,000 benefiting people with disabilities, visited ten states, and built new accessible features at six camps. These men are left with more than just a memory - they are left with a new and diverse skill set in construction, a tight-knit group of Pi Alpha brothers, and a deep-rooted empathy for whom the they devoted their summers to.  pikapp.org/news

BROTHERS THREE TIMES OVER DURING THE SCHOOL YEAR, twin brothers Josh, Theta Alpha (Southern Mississippi), and Will Ingram, Iota Phi (Loyola - New Orleans) are just over 100 miles apart from one another. But in a journey to become brothers three times over as twins, Pi Kapps and Pi Alphas, the two would start their respective Journey of Hope routes farther apart than they had ever been.

Josh began the TransAmerica Route in Seattle, and Will started the North Route in San Francisco. At points, the twins would be in the same states at the same time, and would even cross paths as their routes crossed in Denver, but the days of dubious distances apart only strengthened their relationship.

The two pushed each other through the difficult days and made each accomplishment mean a little more as they messaged each night.

“That was our competition all summer, to see who cycles more, who has harder terrain to traverse and everything. It was more of a

rivalry, but getting to see him in Denver and then again [in Washington D.C.], the rivalry is gone, it’s all love here today.”

Josh said that meeting in Denver was exactly what he needed to push him through when he was missing home.

“I was sitting in the park waiting for Will to show up,” Josh said. “He was the first man to ride in and when he got there he dropped his bike, ran up and hugged me. Getting that moment on video was awesome, I looked back on it when I was missing home.”

Emotions flowed as the two made eye contact as the North Route arrived. Will was only focused on seeing his brother for the first time in a month.

“I didn’t care what was gonna happen to my bike, I knew it was going to the ground and it was an awesome experience to get to see family for the first time in 30 days,” Will said.

Both brothers knew they wanted to be on

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the Journey of Hope before they initiated into Pi Kappa Phi as they learned about The Ability Experience. Will, who has cerebral palsy, expressed that he learned a lot about himself and others with disabilities along with his teammates.

“I joined Pi Kappa Phi for The Ability Experience because I am a person with a disability,” Will said. “I never got this opportunity when I was growing up so I want to give this to anyone I could possibly give to.”

Their relationship would grow after arriving together in Washington D.C. more than a month later, cementing the life-changing experience the now three-time brothers completed.

“We’re brothers on a whole new level and experiencing the same things on a whole new level through our associate member processes, being able to share experiences like this here or at Pi Kapp College for Chapter Officers and Ability Camps, we have a deeper relationship than surface level,” Josh said. 

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Iota Pi (Dayton)

ADAM ANTOR

WILLIAM BEECHER

MATT EPTING

LOGAN GOOD

JARED HORMAN

MATTHEW MCCLEARY

Epsilon Psi (Slippery Rock)

TOM VENAFRO

Beta Alpha (NJIT)

Epsilon Eta (Winthrop)

JABARI ROBINSON

TRAVIS JAMISON

Delta Iota (Middle Tennessee State)

BLAKE MIELCAREK Beta Iota (Toledo)

Theta Lambda (Missouri State)

WILL MCLEANE

RILEY RICHARDS

DEREK TORRES

Kappa (UNC - Chapel Hill)

JARED PACILEO

Theta Rho (Western Michigan)

Zeta Rho (Cal State - Fullerton)

Iota Nu (Mississippi State)

KENNETH STRACK Gamma Nu (LaGrange)

Beta Xi (Central Michigan)

Kappa Zeta (Maine)

CHRISTIAN ANGOTTI Alpha Gamma (Oklahoma)

CODY McCLANAHAN

JEREMY OSBORNE Iota Nu (Mississippi State)

CHRISTOPHER ALLEY

Theta Pi (Texas - Tyler)

JOE BROTTMAN

Eta Upsilon (Miami - Ohio)

Gamma Tau (North Texas)

Delta Delta (Truman State)

Beta Omicron (Northwestern State)

AUSTIN DOYLE

ASHKAAN KOUPAENEJAD Iota Omega (UNLV)

Theta Eta (American)

FRANCIS MOZINGO

Zeta Eta (South Florida)

KEITH ACQUINO

Zeta Eta (South Florida)

Theta Xi (Arizona State)

JOE DENONCOURT

ANDREW KING

KEITH MOORE

Alpha Sigma (Tennessee)

Theta Sigma (Cal State - Long Beach)

JUAN SOLORIO

Theta Phi (Louisiana Tech)

ERIN SMITH

Theta Psi (RIT)

VICTOR SANTIAGO

EACH YEAR, the Thirty Under 30 Award is given to alumni who have shown outstanding impact at a young age.

Each alumnus was nominated by his peers, older alumni, friends of the fraternity or selfnominated to be recognized in the Thirty Under 30 class.

We introduce you the 2019 class of young men and their accomplishments. For their complete stories and why they have been included in this group, we invite visit our website at:

2019

PIKAPP.ORG/THIRTYUNDER30

THE STUDENT EXPERIENCE WHAT IS BROTHERHOOD? If we asked a dozen members to define this cornerstone of the fraternity experience, we would surely receive a dozen different responses. Beneath those definitions, though, common themes emerge that can help us better understand what brotherhood in the ideal chapter might look like.

Through Pi Kappa Phi’s partnership with Dyad Strategies, LLC, an educational assessment company, brothers participate in an annual survey that measures four themes of brotherhood: shared social experiences, solidarity, belonging and accountability.

Whether you are an alumnus or undergraduate member, understanding these themes can help us continue to ensure that the Pi Kappa

Phi experience remains admired and desired nationwide.

As members grow and develop, so too should their perceptions of brotherhood. Members who progress to viewing brotherhood through the lens of belonging and accountability can contribute more positively and meaningfully to their chapter and fraternity than those only interested in solidarity and shared social experiences.

If you have any questions about the results of the Pi Kappa Phi Member Survey or want to request a Member Survey Report for your chapter, please contact Assistant Executive Director of Training & Development Tavianna Williams (twilliams@pikapp.org). 

PI KAPPA PHI

NATIONAL AVERAGES Scores range between 1 and 5.

2018

3.92

2019

3.92

2018

3.92

2019

3.81

2018

4.23

2019

4.25

2018

4.36

2019

4.37

IDEAL RANGE: 3.2 – 3.8

IDEAL RANGE: 3.2 – 3.8

I D E A L R A N G E : 4 .0 +

I D E A L R A N G E : 4 .0 +

SHARED SOCIAL EXPERIENCES

SOLIDARITY

BELONGING

ACCOUNTABILITY

“Brothers have each other’s backs” is the phrase that best describes this theme. Solidarity can also be shown through demonstrations of support and conformity. Within the past year, Pi Kappa Phi has seen a significant decrease in this theme of brotherhood, placing the organization just outside of the ideal range.

It can be said that brotherhood gives members a sense of connection beyond friendship.

Chapter members who experience high feelings of belonging value the relationships they have built with others and feel valued by their chapter brothers.

By holding one another to higher standards, we understand that we are making each other better leaders and even better men.

Brothers who place a high on value accountability understand that Ultimate Respect and the Standards Board are tools designed to develop others, not punish.

This theme of brotherhood is best described as the surfacelevel desire to have fun things to do and people to do those fun things with. Examples of shared social experiences might include brotherhood retreats, philanthropy events, or events with alcohol.

update us on your life: pikapp.org/submitnews

27

JOHN CRIST:

LAUGHING AT

THE EDGE

BY N I C H OLA S E B E LH ACK

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THE SUN SETS BEHIND the outdoor amphitheater as thousands anticipate John Crist’s performance. With over a billion video views and thousands attending his live shows, he’s grown his brand of personal and faith-based comedy behind the screen and up close and personal.

Taking the stage in Charlotte, North Carolina in front of fans and first-time viewers alike ready to laugh, Crist said it isn’t much unlike his time as an undergraduate member of the Alpha Eta Chapter at Samford where he got his first taste of the spotlight.

“If someone had asked me 'when did you start to do stand up,' I'd say it probably happened at the fraternity house,” Crist said. “As everyone was meeting each other when I signed my bid, I said this joke and people were just dying with laughter.”

Crist had always been a funny kid, but he said the first time he felt funny was in front of the men who would become his brothers.

With an itch to perform and bring his style of humor to others, he quickly got involved in his chapter by hosting fundraising events.

“We hosted an auction, everybody on stage had a theme and I was the host of it,” Crist said. “It was very, very informal, but I was the guy with the microphone hosting, and it was the first time I was ever on stage performing like that. I was roasting everyone, but also being funny.”

Like many students, Crist wouldn't know how much of an impact his extracurricular involvement would have on his career after his 2006 graduation. Initially, Crist was interested in a career in broadcasting, but he always wanted to put his own personality into it.

“I’d ask for the bullet points to the story to see if I could ad-lib it and they said I couldn’t do that,” Crist said. “While I was there somoene said I should try comedy when I was a senior in college."

It would take Crist three years before he would take the stage for the first time in 2009. He held a variety of jobs working as a valet, a landscaper and even tried to start his own business before he began performing.

Over the next decade, Crist would realize his fraternity antics would become the foundation for a successful career in comedic content creation he bases off of his life experiences, primarily as a Christian. His comedy comes from his

every day life, including church, sports and travel, such as his favorite comedic performance he’s done, “The Millennial Missionaries.”

“Back in the ’80s and ‘90s when mission work was really popular, people were

update us on your life: pikapp.org/submitnews

selling all their earthly possessions to travel to Papa New Guinea or Kenya and live in a hut," Crist said. "Now, it seems like Christians try and send you support letters saying ‘we need $3,000 to go on a spring break mission trip to Cancun to minister volleyball players,’ and everyone has this skepticism about it. A spring break mission trip is not what Jesus had in mind.”

It’s one of his popular YouTube sketches, but the feedback he receives from his fans is that they don’t share some of his videos to avoid causing controversy with friends or family members.

Whether he’s poking fun at Disney, the Tennessee Titans, or the Christian community, Crist said that it isn’t uncommon that he finds himself on the edge, something that can be particularly challenging as a Christian comedian. His connection to the community, however, makes his work resonate with his audience.

“My comedy has been well received because I think this culture knows that I’m one of them," Crist said. “As a Christian myself, I grew up in church, my dad is a preacher and I went to Samford which is a Christian, southern Baptist university."

"If someone first saw one of my videos without knowing me, they would say, ‘wow this seems anti-Christian,’ but if they do the research then see that this guy is one of us.”

His suggestion for up-and-coming comedians is to stay true to themselves and perform what they know to develop that connection to their audience. One of Crist’s favorite things about what he does feeling that connection firsthand when he does standup.

“Just care about making jokes and creating laughter and making videos,” Crist said. “There are a lot of issues that I make videos about that help people, but being famous has never been the goal for me.”

It isn't a goal, but certainly a side effect of his intentions. Crist has continued to build his brand, with a growing YouTube Channel, a book titled “Untag Me” releasing in March 2020 and a Netflix feature on the way, Crist's beginnings as a performer in his chapter have brought him to new heights.

“I think the fraternity exists in a way that we were provided with opportunities to explore things. I didn’t know exactly what I wanted to do but I found the opportunities that led me down this track.” 

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Summer

ALUMNI REUNION

2019

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PI KAPPA PHI’S 2019 Summer Alumni Reunion brought members together across geographical and generational lines to Louisville, Kentucky from July 25-27 for the fraternity’s biennial celebration of lifelong brotherhood.

Members gathered to explore the city and were treated to a tour of the Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory on Saturday after seeing its signature bats in action at the Louisville Bat’s game the previous day.

Later that evening, Pi Kappa Phi recognized its 54th and 55th Mr. Pi Kappa Phi Award

recipients, Walt Sheppard and David Jaffee.

The fraternity also recognized Diane Woody, wife of past National President Allen O. Woody III, with the Connie Owen Order of the Rose Award, recognizing the exceptional efforts of the spouses of Pi Kappa Phi members in advancing the mission of the fraternity.

Members will reconvene once again in Baltimore, Maryland for the 57th Supreme Chapter from July 16-19 in 2020 before the next Summer Alumni Reunion, set to take place in St. Louis, Missouri in the summer of 2021. 

pikapp.org/news

MR. PI KAPPA PHI THE MR. PI KAPPA PHI AWARD is given annually to brothers who have shown outstanding love and dedication to the fraternity. First given to Leo Pou, Omicron (Alabama) in 1965, it is considered the highest level of recognition awarded by Pi Kappa Phi.

The title of Mr. Pi Kappa Phi is conferred at Supreme Chapter and Summer Alumni Reunion each year. In 2019, Pi Kappa Phi is honored to recognize two outstanding members: Walt Sheppard, Alpha Upsilon (Drexel) and David Jaffee, Alpha (College of Charleston).

WALTER KEITH SHEPPARD ALPHA UPSILON (DREXEL) Initiated to the Alpha Upsilon Chapter on May 4, 1969, Walter “Keith” Sheppard served as archon and was described by his chapter brother Tony Noce as “a legend” as he presented the award.

His demeanor and dry sense of humor were wellknown amongst his brothers as an undergraduate and young alumnus of the fraternity.

Sheppard would go on to serve as National Chaplain from 1979-1981 and later was inducted into the Nu Phi Society in 1985. He remained involved with the Alpha Upsilon Chapter as

a chapter advisor and as a member of the housing corporation and alumni chapter and is emblematic of Pi Kappa Phi’s value of lifelong commitment.

He would continue to be instrumental in his chapter’s history, serving as the assistant chartering officer for the rechartering of Alpha Upsilon in 2008. His service record also includes volunteering as a regional governor and working with the Centennial Commission for Pi Kappa Phi’s centennial anniversary.

DAVID HAROLD JAFFEE ALPHA (COLLEGE OF CHARLESTON) Initiated into the Alpha Chapter March 3rd, 1970, David Jaffee was presented with his Mr. Pi Kappa Phi Award by his son and chapter brother, Andrew. This wasn’t the first instance of Andrew recognizing his father, previously him with presenting their chapter’s Order of Alpha Award in 2004.

Jaffee served as the archon of his chapter and would remain an involved alumnus by serving in a variety of roles in his chapter’s housing corporation. Within a decade of his update us on your life: pikapp.org/submitnews

initiation, he served as the National Vice President from 1979-1983 before serving as National President from 1983-1987.

Jaffee would be awarded Pi Kappa Phi’s Merit Citation for his contributions to the fraternity in 1992 and volunteered for the fraternity as chairman of the Supreme Chapter Committee for the fraternity’s 75th anniversary and as a member of the Centennial Commission for its 100th anniversary.

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CALL FOR NOMINATIONS

NATIONAL COUNCIL

2020 Supreme Chapter

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, which includes Patrick Lucitt, Delta Delta (Truman State); J. Jeffry Wahlen, Alpha Epsilon (Florida); Dudley F. Woody, Xi (Roanoke); Tracy Maddux, Zeta Theta (Texas), and myself, Dr. Tom Sullivan, Delta Omega (Texas A&M).

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 2022.

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

Friday, July 17th 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 resources 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 on www.pikapp.org.

Also, consider making plans to join your brothers at the 2020 Supreme Chapter in Baltimore, Maryland, July 16-19.

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,

Dr. Thomas B. Sullivan Delta Omega (Texas A&M) Past National President Nominating Committee Chair

All nominations must be received no later than January 15, 2020.

The committee’s proposed slate will be announced no later than March 17, 2020, and presented to the Supreme Chapter on

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PHINAL THOUGHT

At every session of Pi Kapp College for Emerging Leaders, students get to experience a friendship visit with The Arc of South Carolina in Columbia, SC. "This experience was truly life changing for me.

Dylan had so much life in him. He and his older brother Jackson taught me more about myself and who I am than they will ever know.

I hope that they are able to get a copy of this issue to see this and to know that I am always thinking about them."

– PATRICK COX, XI (ROANOKE) update us on your life: pikapp.org/submitnews

993

PI KAPPA PHI FRATERNITY 2015 Ayrsley Town Boulevard, Suite 200 Charlotte, NC 28273

Prsrt Std Non-Prof U.S. Postage PAID Lebanon Junction, KY

ELECTRONIC SERVICE REQUESTED

Permit No. 919

S AV E T H E D AT E

JULY 16-19, 2020

Hilton Inner Harbor | Baltimore, MD

Summer SUPREME CHAPTER

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2020

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