ALUMNI ACHIEVEMENTS

ALEXANDER BALDWIN | IOTA ETA

ALEXANDER BALDWIN, IOTA ETA (EMBRY-RIDDLE), was recently accepted into the Delta Air Lines Propel Pathway Program, a collaboration between select universities that offer top-of-the-line pilot training programs and Delta. Working for a major airline is his lifelong dream, and he is thrilled to be making a career out of his passion. Baldwin notes that his experiences in Pi Kappa Phi have prepared him for his role with a company like Delta Air Lines, stating, “It’s a lot like a functional brotherhood; everyone on the team is a little different, but we all have the same core values and are willing to put in the effort to see the organization thrive.” Because of these similarities, Baldwin was able to draw from his Pi Kappa Phi experiences during the interview process, particularly those of being philanthropy chairman and attending Supreme Chapter. As philanthropy chairman, he planned events, cultivated his chapter’s passion for the philanthropy and learned to take on more responsibility than a general member. At Supreme Chapter, he learned the importance of making connections and building relationships. For those seeking to take their career to new heights, he recommends, “Start looking into furthering your aviation education at a flight school; anyone can attend these at any age!”

BRADLEY COLLINS | ALPHA ETA

IN FEBRUARY 2022, ALPHA ETA (SAMFORD), alumnus Bradley Collins and his girlfriend, Chrissy Metz - star of the hit NBC television show “This Is Us,” cowrote and published “When I Talk to God, I Talk About You,” a children’s book that gently teaches children to pray, regardless of their respective faith or religion. The inspiration for this book was born out of the frequent, deep conversations that Collins and Metz, as a couple that began dating at the start of the pandemic, would often find themselves having. “It is a book that we, and many other deeply religious individuals I have spoken with, wish we had when we were younger,” said Collins. The book was released on February 14, 2022, through Flamingo Books, a division of Penguin Random House, and spent two weeks on the New York Times Best Seller list. In conjunction with the book, the couple released an album of children’s lullabies, “Prayed for This Day,” composed and recorded with the idea of lulling children to sleep after reading them the book. Collins says, “The book and the album are a great gift for new parents. The book caters to people who are deeply religious, who love it because it is a book about God, but it also caters to those who are more on the spiritual side, because it is not a God book.” The book, which is narrated by animals, is open-ended and aims to bring prayer into the lives of anyone who may be interested. Collins credited his Pi Kappa Phi experience with teaching him to take on various roles and responsibilities, ensuring he is never taking up someone else’s space, but still making sure that every space in a project is filled. This ability to adjust and be flexible when working with others is something that he uses every day.

GREG BUEHNER | THETA THETA

MANAGING DIRECTOR OF PI KAPPA PHI PROPERTIES GREG BUEHNER, Theta Theta (Iowa), was recognized at The Fraternity and Sorority Life Awards at the University of South Carolina in February 2023 with the Outstanding House Corporation Board Member Award. The nomination letter for the award stated, “This year, during a major facilities emergency in the house, Greg shifted other projects to focus on the impact had when a sprinkler head erupted, causing such major damage to the house that it forced residents to be relocated and meals temporarily suspended. While he lives in a different city, Greg arrived in Columbia on the day of the event and immediately began making arrangements for the residents of the facility. He found an immediate space for them to relocate and ultimately another long-term solution for the remainder of the fall semester. He established strong communication with residents and their families through the transition and has continued to keep them updated on the status of the house and plans to move in … Greg is a strong partner of the university and an advocate for a healthy fraternity experience which has been shown through his dedication to this chapter over time and especially this year.” Chief Executive Officer Emeritus Mark Timmes, Alpha Epsilon (Florida), said, “Greg’s commitment to fraternity housing is unmatched in the interfraternal world. We are pleased he was recognized for his years of excellent work in the Greek Village at the University of South Carolina.”

LUKE TURNER | KAPPA DELTA

LUKE TURNER, KAPPA DELTA (FLORIDA ATLANTIC), is currently enrolled in his first year at California Western School of Law in San Diego, California. He was recently given the opportunity to compete against other first-year law students in The Gafford Trial Competition, a mock-trial competition where students test their advocacy skills against other students. Of 72 participants, Turner was among 12 finalists to receive a Distinguished Advocate Award. Not only is this award a prestigious honor, but it also serves as a prerequisite for students who are hoping to join a competitive advocacy team at California Western School of Law. As a first-generation college graduate and now law student, Turner hopes to inspire others to pursue their dreams, saying, “When an opportunity is in front of you, don’t hesitate. Too often, people shy away from pursuing their dreams because they don’t feel ready. You may never feel completely ready, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t go for it.” He credits much of his success in college and beyond to his experiences in Kappa Delta Chapter, stating, “I owe Pi Kappa Phi a lot. This Fraternity was my solid foundation in college and truly the catalyst to my success. It instilled in me a set of core values and a strong support group, useful life skills and a lifelong brotherhood that I will forever cherish.” After completing law school, Turner hopes to pursue an entertainment law career and is excited to represent and support his future clients.