Kappa Tau Chapter at the University of Tennessee KAPPA TAUK Spring 2010 PRESIDENT’S ADDRESS Chapter Highlights By: Trey Fitch (2010), Chapter President Brothers, 2010 is here and it looks to be another great year for Kappa Tau. Our success has continued to grow with the recent initiation of 37 new brothers and the signing of three men for pledgeship this spring. We have received 2 honors from the International Headquarters: The John Templeton McCarty Chapter Proficiency Award, which is given to the chapters that demonstrate efficiency in operations, adhere to Fraternity Laws and promote the high standards of Phi Gamma Delta, and a Certificate of Academic Achievement for our performance in the class room. Our chapter can only continue to grow stronger, but not without the support from graduate brothers. There is no doubt in my mind that this progress will con- “Our chapter can only continue to grow stronger, but not without the support from graduate brothers.” tinue and I encourage you to get involved with the chapter. A YEAR OF SERVICE Kappa Tau just initiated 37 new members. • Every Wednesday, Kappa Tau has 5 brothers assist at the Love Kitchen for 3-4 hours. • Send any recruitment recommendations to Buck Towner at jtowner@utk.edu. • Pig Dinner and the Big “O” Golf Tournament will be held on March 27. SAVE THE DATE! PIG DINNER & “BIG O” GOLF TOURNAMENT By: Daane Blocksma (2011) - Chapter Treasurer Another year for the brothers of Kappa Tau has passed. The past year has been both rewarding and frustrating at times, yet the ability of brothers to come together and serve has been the greatest asset to the chapter. Throughout 2009, Kappa Tau continued the long-standing relationship with The Love Kitchen and the weekly contribution that brothers gave back to their community could not be more welcomed. We are all aware of the current economic conditions that • Saturday, March 27 Cherokee Country Club and River Island Golf Course Daane Blocksma with Love Kitchen's Helen and Ellen. have plagued the country throughout the past year, and with the current un- employment rate at roughly 10.2%, the worst (Continued on page 3) Questions? Contact Ben Selecman at 865.659.0800 or sselecm1@utk.edu RSVP for the Golf Tournament is mandatory. \r\nKAPPA TAUK Page 2 HOMECOMING SUCCESS By: Oliver Benton (2012) - Corresponding Secretary Fiji guys working on the homecoming float with Kappa Delta ladies. Adding some additional touches to the float. This year our guys participated in homecoming with the ladies from Kappa Delta. Every night for a week, people came down to the house to help out and support. It really became a team effort. Our guys and girls competed in several events including a 1st place finish in the “Anything Goes” competition, which consisted of field games that tested teamwork and ability. We competed in window and banner painting competitions in addition to building the traditional float. In the end, homecoming brought us together, giving us a common goal to work toward and making us stronger as a fraternity. Oh and Eric Berry and the Vols rocked the Tigers! A LOOK BACK By: Taylor Thomas (2012) - Chapter Historian Brothers, • Women are great. With the fall semester ending, a college student enters into a state of complete tranquility. The priorities of the classroom are momentarily postponed, and no longer are there any assignments or deadlines that must be met. However, with this slothful suspension, also begins a time of reflection. During the long lackadaisical hours of the break, the student may find himself looking back on the previous semester and contemplating past actions and decisions. With this contemplation, there will hopefully arise a certain amount of knowledge or wisdom attained from the endured life experiences. I can say that I have begun this reflective expedition and there are a few things that I have realized thus far. The extent of the knowledge here may be questionable but here are some of my musings nonetheless: • In light of #1, sometimes it is just as enjoyable spend time with your brothers. • Nothing is ever important enough that you don’t have time to stop and listen to what a friend has to say. • When you meet a new person, remember his name and use it when you see him again. It is a small gesture that makes a big impression. • Always look presentable. You never know who you might run in to. • Money isn’t everything. This was hard for me to realize at first, however I have come to the conclusion that great stories and great adven- tures are far more valuable than owning a lot of great stuff. • You have to accept that no matter how good you are at something, someone will always be better at it. • Seeing as #7 is true, you must strive to be better tomorrow than you are today. • There is something that sets you apart from everyone else on this earth. Find that and embrace it. • When it comes down to it, your life is a measure of what people remember about you. Be memorable. \r\nPage 3 A NOTE FROM THE PURPLE LEGIONNAIRE By: Matt Carr (2003) - Purple Legionnaire Hola Brothers, Thanks for reading the first Kappa Tau newsletter of 2010. Brother Benton has put together a newsletter packed with hilarious stories and very interesting articles. The new Cabinet and the Board of Chapter Advisors have been working around the clock to make 2010 a strong year for Kappa Tau. Brother Buck Towner (btowner@utk.edu) is the 2010 Rush Chairman and is gathering names of upcoming freshmen. If you have any leads on the top guys entering UT in the fall, please email them to Buck. Brother Oliver Benton will be the Pig Dinner Master of Ceremonies. There will be no shinanigans this year, as we return to Cherokee Country Club after laying low last year and having the dinner at the elegant Crowne Plaza. Benton (obenton@utk.edu) will bounce any high school kids who try to sneak in and cause trouble like they did two years ago, so we look forward to the great Pig Dinner on March 27. MC Hammer could possibly be the speaker. Mark your calendars and plan to attend. There are couches available at the house for a nightly rate of $3.00, eliminating the excuse of anyone not able to attend. A YEAR OF SERVICE continued... Fijis helping out at the Love Kitchen (Continued from page 1) in over 26 years, there are many individuals who are seeking help. Serving as the Philanthropy Chairman for 2009 gave me the opportunity to fully engage in the workings of the charity and gain a better understanding of the community and those we serve. I was happy to organize increased involvement from the chapter by utilizing more members each week and together we helped to give back to the community over and above what was needed. Through my experiences and involvements with the administration at the Love Kitchen and as a sign of the respect they show for Kappa Tau and our long history of service, this August I was unanimously voted to become the youngest member of the Board of Directors. This opportunity was a direct result of the opportunities that the Fraternity offers each member and a new door for future members of the chapter. In my tenure on the Board over the past five months, I have been able to further involve the Chapter in service to the community and forge relationships that will improve the Chapter for the future. All together, the year has “Continued success is inevitable when good men come together for a greater cause.” been a milestone for the service of the Chapter to the community. Whether it is collecting over $500 in toys this spring for Mission of Hope, benefiting underprivileged children of Appalachia, or our weekly contributions to the Love Kitchen, one cannot help but be proud of the achievements of our Chapter. Continued success is inevitable when good men come together for a greater cause. \r\nNonprofit Org Phi Gamma Delta Fraternity 1201 Red Mile Road Lexington, KY 40504 US Postage Paid Lexington, KY Permit # 540 Information Update - Tell us about you! Please detach and return with your contact information so we can update our records. We will feature graduate updates in upcoming newsletters. If you want to share your recent news, fill in the news section for your information to be published. Name________________________________________________ School/year__________________________ Address_________________________________________________________________________________ City/State/Zip_____________________________________________________________________________ Phone (H)______________________________________(W)_______________________________________ E-mail__________________________________________________________________________________ News to share with classmates: _________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________________ Occupation ___________________________________ Employer ____________________________________ Spouse’s name __________________________________ Anniversary Date ______________________________ Children/Grandchildren Names and Ages: __________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________________ DONATE I am pleased to make a contribution to Kappa Tau of : $1,000 $500 $250 $100 $50 $25 Other ________ I would like my donation to be used in the following area: _______________________________________________ Donations can be sent to: Kappa Tau Chapter, 1836 Fraternity Park Dr., Knoxville, TN 37916. 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