Society

Recognizing Chapter Headlines in 2022

Do you follow your local chapter on social media?

Here’s some of our favorite content posted by our chapters on Instagram in 2022. These posts highlight how some of our brothers “Give, expecting nothing thereof…”

Phi Beta - Seton Hall University

Brothers at this chapter spent a week fundraising in honor of Joey Mellett (Seton Hall University, ’21). Joey was recently diagnosed with Stage 2 Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. The chapter raised over $50,000!

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New York Sigma - Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

Several brothers from this chapter honored first responders, military heroes, and their families by climbing the 43 floors of Albany’s Corning Tower for the Tunnel to Tower Foundation!

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Massachusetts Kappa Theta - University of Massachusetts Dartmouth

Brothers from this chapter take pride in volunteering annually at the Autism Speaks walk in Boston.

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Illinois Psi - Northern Illinois University

This chapter was the top fundraising fraternity raising over $3,000 for Children’s Miracle Network.

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Georgia Gamma Tau Chapter - Georgia Institute of Technology

Brothers from this chapter volunteered at the American Red Cross Blood Drive. They had around 50 donors donating a total of 44 units of blood!

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Share how your chapter makes a difference by clicking the button below.

Click on any photo in the gallery below to see how some of our other collegiate chapters made a difference this year!

Brotherhood Beyond The Campus

Have you ever bumped into a brother at work or an event? It is more common than you think. In 2021, two brothers reunited at midfield during the Army-Navy game.

Saint Francis University, ‘85) (L) and JP Boles (Saint Francis University, ‘86) (R)

Charles Lamertina (Saint Francis University, ‘85) and JP Boles (Saint Francis University, ‘86) met pregame for a picture. They were both roommates at St Francis College PA Tau Chapter in the mid-80s. Charlie was the head referee and JP was assisting with Navy Football photography that day.

Harry Wagoner (Ohio State, ‘91) (L), and Michael L. Ladaw (University of Missouri, ‘82) (R)

Robert J. “Bob” Peronto (Michigan Technological University, ‘73) tells his story of meeting up with a fellow brother unexpectedly at a hockey game. He says, “My big brother was named Michael. A couple of years ago, Michigan Tech was playing hockey in Huntsville, Alabama. Michael happened to be in the area and showed up for the game, and it was quite a surprise to run into each other after all these years. We spent time sitting around and sharing old stories.” 

Two more brothers, Harry Wagoner (Ohio State, ‘91), and Michael L. Ladaw (University of Missouri, ‘82), were surprised to greet each other on a flight over The Pacific Ocean in a 777, both as United Airlines pilots.  

Do you have a photo or story from when you bumped into another Phi Kapp? Let us know by clicking the button below for an opportunity to be featured in an upcoming article.  

Brothers Making a Difference: Nebraska Chapter Volunteers with Habitat for Humanity

Phi Kapa Theta’s Nebraska chapter recently volunteered with Habitat for Humanity. They painted walls and ceilings, and prepared rooms to be furnished and used. Brothers Ethan Tomlinson (University of Nebraska-Lincoln, ‘25), Evan Sestak (University of Nebraska-Lincoln, ‘24), Christian Friesen (University of Nebraska-Lincoln, ’24), and Will Wiley (University of Nebraska-Lincoln, ’22) share their experiences below.

Nebraska Chapter Members Volunteering at Habitat for Humanity

What did you take away from your experience?

Ethan: I took away knowing that my gift of time was going toward creating a nonprofit furniture store for people who can’t afford to furnish their new homes on their own.

Evan: After working, I felt that Habitat for Humanity is a great organization that really puts other people first and truly tries hard to provide the best for people in need.

Christian: A big takeaway I got from the experience was that many hands make light work, and we were able to really accomplish a lot because everyone pitched in and helped. 

Will: After my experience, I took away just how much we can do to help in a few short hours and how much fun we can have while serving others. 

What would you tell someone who was thinking about volunteering for Habitat for Humanity?

Ethan: I would recommend volunteering there because they need lots of help building houses.

Evan: Go for it. It's really fun and definitely worth it.

Christian: If someone was thinking about volunteering for habitat for humanity, I would tell them to go for it because it isn’t a huge commitment, but it goes so far to help a cause that everyone can agree is great. 

Will: I would tell somebody to volunteer. It’s so much fun, and the people are so nice. You also are going to feel so much pride in helping someone else, and this is a great agency to help.

Has this experience opened your mind up to volunteering in other ways?

Ethan: I plan on going back to volunteer for Habitat for Humanity because they were very friendly and easy to follow.

Evan: My experience has opened my eyes to volunteering more in the future and in other ways.

Christian: This experience made me more likely to volunteer in the future because I learned that I could do things I enjoy (like painting), and in doing so help make it easier for people to succeed in their own missions. 

Will: Personally, my life involves volunteering all the time. This made it to where I feel like instead of working with one agency all the time and putting in a lot of work for them, I can work with one agency every so often and have a blast just helping someone I don’t typically help. I absolutely plan to volunteer more in the future because it’s something I love to do.

Is there anything else you would like to share about your experience or how this impacted you?

Evan: It was really fun, and I hope to do more volunteer work for Habitat for Humanity.

Christian: Something I loved about volunteering was how close it brought everyone together. There really isn’t much that helps people bond like waking up early and doing something good for someone else. 

Will: Working with Habitat for Humanity was one of the most fun events I’ve been able to set up this semester. Volunteering is so much more fun when you have your brothers with you. I look forward to working with my brothers and Habitat for Humanity a lot more in the future.

Volunteering is just one way Phi Kappa Theta’s brothers are encouraged to make a difference in the world around us. If you are interested in volunteering or donating to Habitat for Humanity, visit their website to learn more. If your chapter has volunteered with a nonprofit, share that story with us so we can showcase how your chapter is making a difference.

Phi Kap-owned or operated brands to shop from for last-minute holiday gifts…

Brand Guide Post.png

If your loved ones are on the nice list this year, consider gifting them a product or service offered by a Phi Kap.

We've curated this list of brands on two conditions: it must be Phi Kap owned or operated and purchases can easily be made online.

  • College Hill Custom Threads

    collegehillcustomthreads.com

    Tony Poston (Washington State, ‘07)

    What started as an idea for fraternity t-shirts in a one-bedroom apartment above a college bar in Pullman, Washington has grown into a business named one of the fastest-growing in America by Inc. 5000. Despite their rapid growth, the custom apparel and promotional products company has remained committed to supporting clients' philanthropic causes, having donated more than $200,000 to deeply inspiring causes across the nation.

  • Hair Craft Co.

    haircraftco.com

    Leo Carillo (San Diego State, ‘16) and Alex Padua (San Diego State, ‘14)

    As a barber in college, Leo saw a need for high-quality hair products at a fair price. He and his best friend Alex eventually put their savings together to test a mix of premium ingredients from around the world. Since then, their products have been featured in GQ Magazine, Gadget Review, and Gear Hungry, and have become Amazon’s Choice in men’s hair care.

  • Kamiak Coffee Company

    kamiakcoffeeco.com

    Kyle O’Malley (Washington State, ‘17) and Grant Schoenlein (Washington State, ‘16)

    Kyle and Grant started their obsession with coffee in the early days of college. They asked themselves, “If we could do anything in life, what would we love to do?" The answer was simple: coffee. Why? They both had years of experience in the industry but were often disappointed in the coffee they found in the market. Today, they offer the world's finest coffee for wholesale partners and home consumers alike.

  • Kaps for Kids

    kaps4kids.com

    Nathan Rues (Missouri S&T, ‘02)

    In 2007, Nathan unveiled his first bottle cap artwork, a rendition of Van Gogh’s famous Starry Night painting. The mosaic was well received and he soon found himself with numerous requests for additional designs made from his beer cap collection. Today, Nathan continues constructing his whimsical mosaics with a mission to fund important children’s causes nationwide. Nathan served on the Fraternity Board for 12 years and was National President from 20011 to 2013.

  • Pura Vida Bracelets

    puravidabracelets.com

    Paul Goodman (San Diego State, ‘10)

    Paul and his high school friend Griffin were inspired by bracelet artisans while on a post-graduation surf trip in Costa Rica. What started out as helping sell just a few bracelets a week grew into a worldwide movement with millions of bracelets sold each year. Over the last few years, the lifestyle brand has partnered with more than 175 charities to donate nearly $2.8 million for causes around the world. In 2015, Paul was the recipient of the Phi Kappa Theta Foundation Outstanding Young Alumnus Award.

  • Trust & Will

    trustandwill.com

    Cody Barbo (San Diego State, ‘12)

    Cody is an entrepreneur and three-time startup founder. In his role as co-founder and CEO of Trust & Will, Barbo has raised over $25 million in startup capital to modernize the $170B estate planning industry with an easy, fast, and secure way to set up estate plans online. He currently serves on the Phi Kappa Theta Foundation Board and in 2019 was the recipient of the Phi Kappa Theta Foundation Outstanding Young Alumnus Award.

PHI KAPPA THETA FOUNDATION

If these options don't ring any bells and you're interested in supporting collegiate brothers… your gift to either our Annual Fund or a Chapter Endowment Fund of an active chapter will provide more educational development opportunities to brothers.

MENTORSHIP PROGRAM

Alternatively, our new mentorship program is an excellent way for alumni to give their time and talent to collegiate members seeking advice on personal and professional goals.

Do you know a Phi Kap with a business we can promote? Let us know!