Please join your brothers at our 35th Christmas Luncheon to renew old friendships!
The luncheon will be on Thursday, December 13, 2018 at the Court of Two Sisters, 613 Royal Street.
Social hour starts at 11:30 am, with lunch served at 12:30 pm.
The cost is $60.00 which includes cocktails, lunch and wine with your meal.
All monies will be collected at the Court of Two Sisters (cash or check).
If you are planning to attend, please RSVP to gbergeron0520@gmail.com so that an accurate head count can be given to the Court of Two Sisters.
Louisiana State University Chapter Has Always Been Going Strong Despite Closure
by Kathy Jonas
Indiana University, ‘78
Every Christmas, Phi Kap brothers from Louisiana State University get together at the historic Court of Two Sisters restaurant in the French Quarter of New Orleans to celebrate the holiday, each other and their fraternity.
It’s not just a luncheon for a few friends, though. Last year, about 70 brothers gathered at the restaurant, thanks to the work of people like Glenn Bergeron (Louisiana State University, ‘70), who has been running the lunch after taking over from the late Leslie Schouest (Louisiana State University, ‘72), who had the idea back in 1981, with a structured event starting a few years later. “I was Leslie’s roommate and vowed to continue it in his honor following his death in the late 80’s.”
“It was a challenge to get the guys there at first,” admits Bergeron. Today, Phi Kappa Theta members travel from as far as New York and Arizona to attend, while the main nucleus is the Baton Rouge and New Orleans area.
This year’s holiday social is scheduled for December 13. And although the restaurant is known for its Creole-Cajun fare, Bergeron says the preferred menu for the luncheon is more “meat and potatoes” type of food.
One of the topics discussed by Phi Kappa Theta alumni gathering in New Orleans is the possible recolonization of the fraternity, which lost its charter in the late 80’s.
Charles “Mike” Callais (Louisiana State University, ‘84), says the effort is in its beginning stages and last year Robert Riggs, CAE (RPI, ‘02), Executive Vice President of the Phi Kappa Theta Executive Office, came to the luncheon to discuss the possibility.
Brother Callais said, “There certainly needs to be a Catholic presence on campus. For many students, college is the first time they’ve been away from their family. They need something to keep them grounded.”
An active alumni base is important in order to get the process started, adds Callais. “We are making slow progress.” Callais also believes that students would benefit from the opportunity to give back to others. Brother Callais is currently serving a a six-year term with the Greater Lafourche Port Commission, Callais was hammering signs along the highway while talking about the Fraternity. A former CEO of an offshore business, he gives back through his church, Catholic Community Services, the Rotary Club where he has served as past president, and is involved with the Knights of Columbus.
When he volunteered to fill a Port Commission opening, this was said about him: “Mike’s humble leadership and mind for business will be an asset to our board…He is a valued resource in our community, and we appreciate him volunteering his services to the Port Commission.”
Callais readily admits that this leadership mindset might not have been top of mind while in college, but believes it can be reinforced while in the fraternity. “Everybody needs something; they just need help getting it.”