Phi Kappa Tau History and Archives

09/30/2026

We were pleased to find this 1995 sermon from Rev. Rodney E. Wilmoth (Nebraska Wesleyan 1957) Rod served Phi Kappa Tau as national chaplain and national president and spent his career in the United Methodist ministry where was recognized as one of the country's outstanding pastors. For those who knew Rod, it's a pleasure to hear his voice and for those who did not have the pleasure of knowing him, this may give you some insight in to his engaging personality and sense of humor, as well as the depth of his thoughtfulness.

09/28/2026

Beta Chapter alumnus Paul Newman spotted at the new J. Press clothing store on Madison Avenue in New York.

09/25/2026

In ceremonies this afternoon, Miami University held a Grand Opening of Bachelor Hall. First completed in 1979, Bachelor Hall has been re-imagined in a $72 million renovation as a new home for the Humanities at Miami. Bachelor Hall memorializes Joseph Morris Bachelor, a 1911 graduate of Miami who, as an early member of Phrenocon, the predecessor to Phi Kappa Tau, developed the Cardinal Principles embodied in the Fraternity's Ritual. He also wrote the lyrics to one of the Fraternity's earliest songs. Bachelor went on to be a successful poet and editor in New York before returning to Miami where he was a beloved professor of English for 20 years. During his time on the Miami faculty, Bachelor accumulated over 400 acres of land adjacent to the campus. Upon his death in 1947, he left the land to to Miami and it is now known as the Bachelor Wildlife and Game Reserve. The portrait of Bachelor which now hangs outside the Department of English offices depicts him grading "blue books" in his rustic home on his wooded acreage. Click this link for more photos of the newly renovated building: https://stories.miamioh.edu/a-powerful-symbol-for-the-humanities-at-miami

09/12/2026

09/11/2026

We're sharing the remarkable first-hand story of past national president Dale Holland who was a member of the Air Force One crew on the fateful day 25 years ago when all of our lives changed.

09/07/2026

As the University of Louisville celebrates 50 years of the Student Affairs office, three Phi Taus are being celebrated as "Pillars" of Student Affairs. Phi Tau Pillars from Beta Beta Chapter are past national president Bill Brasch, current U of L Vice President and Dean of Students Michael Mardis, and longtime chapter volunteer leader and Louisville restauranteur Andrew Masterson.

Honoring 50 individuals who built something worth celebrating.

09/04/2026

Remembering Gary DeVercelly, Jr. on his birthday. Phi Kappa Tau will never forget his tragic death.

Today, on Gary DeVercelly Jr.'s birthday, we remember his life and the lasting impact of his story.

Gary's death brought national attention to the dangers of hazing and helped inspire important changes in campus safety. His legacy continues to remind us why prevention, transparency, accountability, and student-centered support matter.

As colleges and universities work to strengthen their hazing prevention efforts and implement new requirements under the Stop Campus Hazing Act, they need clear, practical guidance.

That's where Clery Center comes in.

Your support helps us provide the resources and training campuses need to create safer communities and help ensure that Gary's legacy continues to make a difference. Please consider making your donation in honor of Gary DeVercelly, Jr., and all those affected by hazing, today: https://www.clerycenter.org/donate

08/18/2026

Rick Villarreal (Southern Mississippi 1976) has been elected to the University of North Texas Athletic Hall of Fame. Rick was the outstanding athletic director at UNT for 15 years. Follow the link below to read more about his accomplishments. https://meangreensports.com/news/2026/8/18/general-unt-athletics-announces-2026-hall-of-fame-class

DENTON, Texas – After receiving nearly 250 total ballots, UNT Athletics and the Mean Green for Life Letterwinners Association have announced the seven-person...

07/27/2026

The newest additions to the Phi Kappa Tau archives come from former Phi Kappa Tau Foundation trustee Tom Jeswald, a member of Beta Chapter at Ohio University. These two copies of "Side Lights" from 1910 and 1912 recall the formative years of the Fraternity, long before the name Phi Kappa Tau. The 1910 issue is the publication of the Ohio University Union, the co-ed organization that evolved into Beta Chapter. By the 1912 issue, Side Lights had been adopted as the magazine of the fledgling "National" Phrenocon Association with just three chapters, all in Ohio. Pages from the 1912 issue contain the Miami and Ohio U. chapter houses, the 3-chapter directory and a history of Aloquin, the organization formed by female members of the Ohio University Union. But that's a story for another day. Stay tuned.