A Legacy of Leadership

Excellence has its ripple effects. And today, at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Jeb Vavak’s dedication to excellence is echoing in the lives of the chapter brothers to whom he’s passed the baton of leadership.

From left to right: back row, Caston Stack 17, Cole Jedlicka 20, Jeb Vavak 19, Brenden Owens 19, Father Robert Matya,NE-Pi chaplain and founder, President Adrian Gonzalez

Front row, Cameron Downey 22, Joshua Froeschl 20, Ian Wollway, 22, Jacob Sullivan 21, Jacob Baumert 20

This past spring, as president, Brother Vavak accepted the Founder’s Cup for Phi Kappa Theta’s most outstanding chapter. He credits others with helping him bring Nebraska Pi to new heights. Specifically, he points to Dr. Michael Brown’s guidance during the Foundation’s IMPACT 18 (revamped Regional Leadership Conferences), along with his chapter’s campus chaplain.

“I think we’ve been a good, strong chapter as far as programming. But a couple years ago we were struggling with members not living in the house in their junior and senior years. That hurt us financially.”

Jeb had been attending the Regional Leadership Conferences, and says that since the introduction of curriculum by DMB, it’s become transformational. “I got really excited after IMPACT 18 to take on more leadership roles. It is evident to me that the national fraternity really does care about our development.”

Coupled with suggestions from the Nebraska Pi chaplain, Jeb introduced changes to inspire more brothers to live in the house. A spring “Signing Day” ceremony, coupled with discussions about the importance of sustaining their in-person daily bond, made a big difference. “Last fall, we filled the house to capacity. And that allowed us to finally start focusing on more of our goals – the pillars that matter most.”

For Brother Vavak, chief among the fraternity’s pillars is the SPIRITUAL.

“I am proud to be part of an organization that embraces and values spiritual development. A new curriculum called Beyond Belief, developed by the Fraternity, is another great example of Phi Kappa Theta investing in developing well-rounded, passionately driven men. I believe this dedication will allow us to truly distinguish ourselves as the premier organization for developing servant leaders who passionately serve society, Fraternity, and God.”

Brother Vavak commends alumni for their generous support of the Phi Kappa Theta Foundation’s educational initiatives that promote and encourage excellence at every level.

Jeb Vavak graduated in 2019 after serving Nebraska Pi Chapter as President, Philanthropy Chairman and Recruitment Assistant. He has accepted a missionary role with Fellowship of Catholic University Students (FOCUS) beginning this fall at the University of Washington-Seattle. Brother Vavak was involved with FOCUS at Nebraska. He looks forward to hosting Bible studies, forming committed disciples, leading mission trips, and engaging with students by inviting them into a community of people who share similar values.

New Year Message from Rev. Msgr. Glenn L. Nelson

Happy New Year!  I know it may seem a bit early to wish everyone a happy new year in December, but being a priest, I guess I get confused living in two worlds at the same time: the secular and the spiritual. 

In the secular world, we all celebrate the new calendar year on January 1st, and many people, still carrying the Christmas cheer along with them from the week before, anticipate the “countdown” that precedes the stroke of midnight by making New Years’ resolutions with intentions of improving their life or setting goals that will lead to future success. I think it is great to work to always improve one’s self, so I usually join this tradition by thinking of some ways I can improve my health, my intellect and my spiritual life.  But rather than doing this on January first like I used to, I now do it on the First Sunday of Advent. 

I realize this may sound a bit strange at first, but as a priest, the “other world” I live in is the spiritual world which has a different calendar than the one around which our everyday business world revolves.  Although the Church calendar has the same dates as our secular calendar, many of you know that the Church has a spiritual calendar which follows liturgical seasons.  Advent, is the first season of the new liturgical year and this year, it started on December 1, 2019 with the First Sunday of Advent. This year was unique with its December 1st start.  Sometimes the new liturgical year begins in late November, like it will next year, but I digress…. I am sure that many of you and your families are familiar with Advent.  Many of us have used Advent Calendars growing up which count-down the 25 days until Christmas by daily opening numbered paper doors which would often times reward the opener with a piece of chocolate or a Bible verse.  Many of you have also seen at Church or used at home an Advent Wreath, with its 3 purple and 1 rose colored candles held within an evergreen wreath. 

These 4 candles represent the four weeks that, when lit weekly, count us down to celebrate one of the most important days in human history, the birth of God-made-man, Jesus the Christ and Our Savior, who was born in the City of David (Bethlehem) over 2000 years ago.  We know now why He came because we have the benefit of the Scriptures that were written long ago as well as the lived tradition that has been handed down for millennia which confirms their truth.  We know He came because the love of the Father, our Creator, is so great, that whatever sins or offenses humans may commit to try to separate themselves from God, they are no match for the love and forgiveness of God!  Purple is the liturgical color of penance, and that is why the priest wears that color during Mass to remind us of our remorse for past offenses. 

We celebrate the birth of Jesus, the Only Begotten Son of God, because we know that we are the reason for his arrival in our world.  He came to show us that evil and sin do not have the last word in our lives;  that forgiveness is stronger than revenge; that true love requires sacrifice.   He came to teach us about the “other world”(heaven) for which we are destined.  And, Jesus came to show us how to get to that other world: by doing what He did; by loving our neighbor; by living lives that are good and holy and true; by giving of our very selves “expecting nothing thereof..!”  In God, the beginning and the end are held together in time.  He, Himself, is the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end.  As we begin this new year (both liturgical and secular) let us keep in mind the two-worlds in which we live.  We live in a secular world which requires our daily attention to duty, and family. As we fulfill the daily responsibilities that are placed upon us, let us make sure all of our daily actions are honest and pure, and as we work hard, let us not forget the Spiritual world which exists simultaneously and reminds us of the future world in which we hope to live. So let us make our New Year’s resolutions now, to live with eyes toward heaven, and hearts full of love for our neighbor and our God.  The clock ticks daily and the countdown is ever present; but when the bell eventually tolls and the time has arrived for our new eternal beginning, let none of us on that day be heard saying, “I am not ready.”  May God grant us all a Blessed Advent, a Holy Christmas and a Joyous New Year!  -Rev. Msgr. Glenn L. Nelson

Holy Hour at Hofstra University

Nick Castelli (center) with Hofstra Brothers Justin Usis (left) and Thomas O'Connor (right).

Bringing Spiritual Development to Campus

by Nick Castelli
Hofstra University, ‘21

“Phi Kappa Theta actively develops men to be effective leaders who passionately serve society, fraternity, and God.” The spiritual pillar has continued to be the corner stone of the Fraternity that gives men the ability to become those passionate leaders.

Without spiritual development, gentlemen of Phi Kappa Theta cannot become men who serve effectively in leadership.

Spiritual development opens the mind in a way that other areas of development cannot. While many college communities lie asleep in indifference, the New York Alpha Omega Chapter at Hofstra University embraces the opportunity to ponder questions and be active in their spiritual development.

St. Thomas Aquinas said, “The study of truth requires a considerable effort - which is why few are willing to undertake it out of love of knowledge - despite the fact that God has implanted a natural appetite for such knowledge in the minds of men.”

The brothers of Phi Kappa Theta at Hofstra University have taken full advantage of fulfilling that natural appetite with the new spiritual development program, Beyond Belief.

Guest Speaker Father Christopher Sullivan.

Before the release of the new program, the chapter was still regularly active in their spiritual development. Former Vice President of Spiritual Development, Thomas O’Connor, regularly organized Spirit Talks. These talks were open discussions that allowed brothers to examine questions while reflecting on their relationship with the world around them.

On December 10, 2018, the chapter hosted a campus wide Holy Hour during the Advent Season, in collaboration with the Hofstra Newman Club.

The event was planned by Thomas O’Connor and Nicolas Castelli, the current Vice President of Spiritual Development. Roughly 60 college students came to pray before the Blessed Sacrament with live music provided by a joint Phi Kappa Theta-Newman Club worship band.

Currently, the chapter is continuing the Spirit Talks with the guidance of the new program. The talks have been divided into two series: Theology Talks and Spiritual Examination Talks.

So far, the chapter has held one of each. The first Theology Talk was about the philosophy of God and universal causes. With help from the school chaplain, Father Joseph Scolaro, the chapter examined excerpts from St. Thomas Aquinas’ Summa Theologica.

The brothers discussed who God is and how we can rationally come to believe in God’s existence. Using the philosophy presented in the masterpiece, brothers were able to gain an insight on God that many had not explored before.

The first Spiritual Examination Talk examined the nature of love and discussed how we can define love. This discussion also opened new doors of understanding for the brothers involved. Brothers were able to discuss their experiences with all forms of love freely, while understanding the different thoughts, experiences, and perspectives brothers had on the topic.

Future topics for theology and spiritual discussions include: the importance of scripture and tradition, morality and virtue, meaning, post-death theology and an examination of the Catholic tradition of Phi Kappa Theta.

Currently, spring and fall retreats are being planned by the chapter’s spiritual committee. The New York Alpha Omega chapter at Hofstra University has always been, and continues to, embrace the value of spiritual development.

Synagogue Receives Help From Duquesne University Phi Kaps

From left to right, Jake Nowark of Phi Kappa Theta, Greg Falvo of Sigma Nu and Nick Vottero of Phi Kappa Theta helped sell Pittsburgh Strong bracelets in the Student Union. Taylor Carr/Staff Photographer

Borrowed from THE DUQUESNE DUKE
November 8th, 2018
Kellen Stepler, Staff Writer for The Duquesne Duke

It has been a little over a week since the Tree of Life shooting in Squirrel Hill, but support from the Pittsburgh community – and beyond – has been abundant.

Groups and organizations on Duquesne’s campus are supporting the Tree of Life synagogue after the shooting in any way they can. The Mary Pappert School of Music donated proceeds from a concert to the synagogue, Duquesne sorority Alpha Sigma Tau (AST) donated leftover budget funds and Duquesne fraternities Phi Kappa Theta and Sigma Nu are selling Pittsburgh Strong bracelets to support the synagogue.

On Friday, Nov. 2, ticket sales from the concert, The Music of Billy Stray- horn, were donated to the synagogue. The concert featured the Duquesne Jazz Ensemble, directed by Mike Tomaro; Jazz Workshop, directed by Jeff Bush and Vocal Jazz Ensemble, directed by Kelley Krepin DeFade. Jane Cubbison, office manager of the school of music, and Steve Groves, manager of musical events, came up with the idea to make the concert a benefit for the synagogue. Billy Strayhorn, one of “Pitts- burgh’s greatest musical icons” according to Tomaro, was raised in Braddock and then Homewood from the age of five.

Seth Beckman, dean of the Mary Pappert School of Music, thought making the previously-scheduled concert a benefit for the synagogue was “a wonderful idea, especially considering that Billy Strayhorn – an internationally prominent musician who had a tremendous impact on his (and future) generations – was a native Pittsburgher known for bringing people together through his artistry.”

Beckman hoped that the concert could be a place for our community to come together and celebrate life through music.

Music is considered a universal language that, regardless of one’s own background, has the power to convey what words alone cannot do in any language.

“We hope that our musical offerings lift the spirits of those who have been directly or indirectly affected by this tragedy,” Beckman said.

The Duquesne Jazz Ensemble performed during the concert, The Music of Billy Stray- horn, on Friday, Nov. 2, which donated its proceeds to the Tree of Life synagogue. Olivia Higgins/Staff Photographer

“It is a proven fact the music has healing powers and so our concert seemed to be a great way to assist in this process,” Tomaro said.

Additionally, Duquesne Greek Life took action to support the Tree of Life synagogue and those affected by the shooting.

AST announced its efforts to help during its annual Miss Duquesne Pageant on Saturday, Nov. 3, which benefits the Make- A-Wish Foundation.

“Even though our philanthropy is Make-A-Wish, we did not feel right ignoring a cause that was so close to home. Many girls thought that we should contribute in some way to the Tree of Life synagogue to help this community,” said Kacie Flannigan, AST director of philanthropy and co-chair of the Miss Duquesne Pageant. “Bringing light to these victims is very important because this is our city, and we wanted to help in any way we could.”

Fraternities Phi Kappa Theta and Sigma Nu began selling black-and- yellow Pittsburgh Strong bracelets from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 2, and will continue to do so through Friday, Nov. 9 on the third floor of the Union. The bracelets cost two dollars.

In addition to these dates, the bracelets will be sold on Nov. 10, during the men’s football and basketball game and on Nov. 12 at the men’s and women’s basketball doubleheader.

Jake Nowark, philanthropy chair of Phi Kappa Theta, and his roommate, Zach Laros of Sigma Nu, came together with the idea to create a joint effort between the two fraternities.

Nicolas Jozefczyk, president of Phi Kappa Theta and A&E writer for The Duke, said, “The idea to raise money after this tragedy seemed only natural.”

Nowark said that the goal of the fundraiser is “to raise money and awareness for this tragedy among Duquesne’s campus, and it has turned into something more than we ever thought it would.”

“We hope to raise over $300 as a tangible goal, but more than that we hope to aid in creating a culture of brother and sisterhood to the point where people know that there is always someone to help them in their time of need,” Alex Burns, president of Sigma Nu, said.

A larger event is in the works for the future. David DeFelice, president of Duquesne’s Jewish Student Organization (JSO), is currently planning an event tentatively set for March 18, 2019, that will tackle the issue of anti-Semitism and the First Amendment.

“We will ask questions like, what is hate speech? What can be censored? And what can we do to stop anti-Semitism, while maintaining free speech?” DeFelice said. “We will have representatives from the ADL, Jewish Federation and a few academics on constitutional law.”

DeFelice adds that while the Jewish community in Pittsburgh is already rather close-knit, he thinks that this event will bring them even closer.

“Our Duquesne community will continue to rely on one another and help the larger community heal in any way we can,” DeFelice said.

The Jewish Law Students Associa- tion and the JSO co-hosted a candle- light vigil in remembrance of the victims on Wednesday, Nov. 7, on A-Walk, followed by a dinner in the campus ministry.

Supporting others through events like this is just another part of Duquesne’s mission.

“Our institution and Spiritan Fathers have always valued community and community engagement. This is as true today as it was when our institution was founded,” Beckman said. “Our new university strategic plan reinforces this fact as well, detailing an imperative that stresses the significance of deepening authentic alliances throughout our community — including other faith-based entities.”

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