The Star Shield Newsletter Spring 2011-Iota Zeta (SFASU)

THE NEWSLETTER OF PI KAPPA PHI AT STEPHEN F. AUSTIN STATE UNVIERSITY

SPRING 2011

THE STAR SHIELD LEFT: SFA Chapter Advisor Lane Luckie, archon Justin Barington, Chaplain Sam Alford, vice archon Gavin Fish, Warden Joshua Zinn, historian Scott Sayachack, Secretary Dakota Spikes, Pi Kappa Phi CEO Mark E. Timmes, and treasurer delegate Eddie Nash.

RIGHT: Scott Sayachack and Joshua Zinn meet with other officers from the Ark-La-Tex Region.

PI KAPPS IGNITE LEADERSHIP ON SFA CAMPUS The newly elected officers of the SFA Associate Chapter of Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity traveled to Dallas, Texas on January 14-16 for a hands-on leadership training institute.

environments. Whitby (Zeta Iota, Indiana University of Pennsylvania) explained that making change in a chapter can be a foreign concept. “Life feels different when you begin to understand that gravity is broken,” he said. Empowering students to adjust Attending the annual Mid the “status-quo mentality,” he chalYear Leadership Conference, eight lenged students to change the environleaders from each chapter connected ment to allow growth. with brothers, got answers about how TJ Sullivan (Alpha Psi, Indito run the chapter and engage in the ana University) furthered that message leadership of Pi Kappa Phi. The by focusing on the communication “Ignite” theme of Mid Year Leaderbetween chapter leaders and other ship Conference 2011 is a call of acmembers. His presentation, “The tion to member of Pi Kappa Phi; a Apathy Myth: Real Answers for Unchallenge that acknowledges the fact motivated Members,” gave specific that one individual has the potential to examples and techniques for making make a difference in the lives of the each member’s contribution count. members with which he interacts. The Sullivan also explained that each memsuccess or failure of a chapter is conber may have a unique role within the tingent on the decisions of those who Fraternity and acceptance is crucial. lead it.

Fraternity CEO Mark TimEmpowering members to mes (Alpha Epsilon, University of ignite change in their chapters required Florida) gave a personal account of some motivation. Keynote speakers how he “ignited” change within his Steve Whitby and TJ Sullivan helped chapter, taking a 30-man chapter to students connect the conference mes- more than 100 in a short period of sage to their individual chapter time utilizing limited resources. Pi

Kappa Phi Foundation executive director Tom Atwood (Beta Eta, Florida State) detailed changes to the redesigned Pi Kapp College for emerging leaders. He also explained how the Foundation supports the education and leadership efforts of the Fraternity.

Serving in his fifth year on the National Council, National Treasurer Tracy Maddux (Zeta Theta, University of Texas) provided insight into the growth and direction of the Fraternity. He announced that Pi Kappa Phi is now the tenth largest national fraternity. Maddux also detailed efforts in service learning, digital communications, chapter housing, leadership in the interfraternity world, leadership conferences and opportunities, and member development.

The three-day conference was anchored by breakout sessions in 9 different tracks designed for each officer: Archon, Vice Archon (member recruitment), Treasurer, Secretary (sound chapter operations), (continued on page 2)

IGNITE (continued from cover)

THE STAR SHIELD Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity Stephen F. Austin State Unviersity

This newsletter is published and printed biannually in the spring and fall semesters.

CONTACTS ARCHON Justin Barington VICE ARCHON Gavin Fish TREASURER Alex Ballard SECRETARY Dakota Spikes WARDEN Joshua Zinn HISTORIAN Scott Sayachack CHAPLAIN Sam Alford

CONNECT Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity 1324 Pruitt Hill Dr. 216 Nacogdoches, TX 75961 E-MAIL sfapikapp@gmail.com WEB sfapikappaphi.webs.com FACEBOOK facebook.com/pikappSFA

Warden (member education), Historian (alumni relations), Chaplain (living the ritual), Risk Management, Push America, and Standards Board. Volunteer faculty and Headquarters staff facilitated these leadership training sessions. Chapters from the same geographic region also meet for idea exchange and networking opportunities.

Archon Justin Barington, along with Gavin Fish, Eddie Nash, Dakota Spikes, Joshua Zinn, Scott Sayachack, and Sam Alford attended the conference. SFA Chapter advisor Lane Luckie served as emcee for the conference and as a faculty member in the Risk Management Track.

Held each January, Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity hosts Mid Year Leadership Conferences in Charlotte, NC; Baltimore, MD; Dallas, TX; and St. Louis, MO.

ARCHON’S REPORT

BY JUSTIN BARINGTON

The time has come for Stephen F. Austin State University’s Associate Chapter of Pi Kappa Phi to become a charted fraternity. The journey has been long and tedious but we have done an exceptional job in getting the job done. Through the past year we have not only built a fraternity from the ground up but built a brotherhood of life long friends and experiences and memories that will last a lifetime.

I am very proud of our accomplishments we have made thus far, recruitment has been great this semester we have recruited outstanding guys that will take the chapter to great places.

Not only are we shining in recruitment but also in philanthropy, Push America has made a huge impact on the fraternity and our guys in general. We have set a $2000 goal for this school year and with a hard working Push committee and a enthusiastic chapter I have no doubt that we won’t reach it.

I believe the time has come to break the stereotypical mold of fraternities at Stephen F. Austin State University, and I believe our chapter of Pi Kappa Phi is the best fraternity for the job.

FIRST SFA “MISS PUSH AMERICA” CROWNED Freshman Erika Esquina has been named the 2010 Stephen F. Austin State University Miss Push America. Williams and 14 other contestants competed for the title. The pageant, an outreach project of Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity, aims to raise awareness on behalf of people with disabilities.

Prior to the competition on November 20, 2010, contestants were encouraged to raise funds and awareness for the fraternity’s philanthropy, Push America. Since 1977, Push America has raised millions of dollars for and positively impacted the lives of thousands of people with disabilities.

Contestants included Kristen Spade of Sugarland, Sara Evans of

Sachse, Samantha Vrana of Beasley, Erika Esquina of Pearland, Michelle Nash of Nacogdoches, Annalee Powel of Tomball, Michelle Turnipseed of Austin, Lexi Guthery of Spring, Becca Fieglein of Katy, Jessica Harrison of Kingwood, Megan Humphreys of Denison, Stephanie Schoenthal of Rockville, Maryland, Carmon McEachern of Highlands, Clementine Cosyns of Southlake, and Betsy Plemons of Cheyenne.

The overall winner was selected based on scoring from interviews, fitness/ sportswear, evening gown, and an on-stage question. Talent included performances of singing, choreographed dancing, a color guard routine, and even acrobatics.

Audience votes were tabulated with judges’ scores, before the winners were announced.

Miss Push America Erika Esquina will serve as an ambassador for Push America on the SFA campus during

the 2010-2011 school year.

“I am so proud to represent Push America and work to help my fellow students gain a greater understanding of disabilities,” Esquina said.

An English major from Pearland, Texas, Esquina aims to teach high school English courses. In her spare time she participates in intramural football and volleyball.

2nd runner-up was Betsy Plymons and 1st runner-up was Jessica Harrison.

More than $650 was raised through the pageant and will support Push America’s programs to enhance the quality of life for people with disabilities and continue providing service opportunities for members of Pi Kappa Phi nationwide.

The SFA chapter of Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity has already begun engaging its members in service projects on behalf of Push

America. Members participated in a 48 hours cycle-athon to raise money and awareness, established a volunteer relationship with the Lufkin State-Supported Living Center, and volunteered at a Give-A-Push Weekend near Houston.

Chapter president Justin Barrington organized the pageant, hoping to create a name for Push America on the SFA campus.

“We are providing unmatched experiences for our members to be leaders in their community. Service through Push America only furthers that effort.” Barrington said of their mission, “Most of all, we want to help spread a message of acceptance and understanding for people with disabilities.”

Esquina’s first official duty as Miss Push America will be assisting fraternity members in a “people-first language” campaign on campus.

JOIN OUR PARENTS CLUB! If you would like to help out by supporting your son’s growth in Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity, please contact Historian Scott Sayachack ( sayachack_scott@yahoo.com ). Your encouragement and active participation is welcomed. We need your help in building better men. Find out today how you can make a difference!

THE STARS HIELD PI KAPPA PHI FRATERNITY Stephen F. Austin State University

1324 Pruitt Hill Dr. 216 Nacogdoches, Tx 75961

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