Patrick McGovern to serve as Phi Kappa Theta's next Executive Vice President

Patrick McGovern

Indianapolis, IN. June 16, 2023 – Phi Kappa Theta Fraternity is excited to announce the selection of Patrick McGovern to serve as its next Executive Vice President.

McGovern begins his role with Phi Kappa Theta after nearly two decades of executive leadership with Acacia Fraternity's staff — serving as Acacia's Executive Director for the last ten years. He has a proven track record of successfully leading teams and implementing and executing strategic plans to drive organizations' goals. He has extensive experience in strategic planning, operational execution, systems development, brand positioning, board governance, and public relations. Additionally, McGovern has served in numerous leadership roles within the inter-fraternal community, including the North-American Interfraternity Conference (NIC) and the Fraternity Executives Association (FEA).

In his role, McGovern will report to the Fraternity Board of Trustees and lead the professional staff to develop and execute the strategies to bring Phi Kappa Theta's long-term vision to life.

McGovern will work closely with the current Executive Vice President, Robert Riggs, CAE (Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, '02), to ensure a seamless transition over the next few months. Riggs, a Fraternity staff member since 2002, has served as Phi Kappa Theta's Executive Vice President since 2007. He will remain directly engaged with the Fraternity in a volunteer capacity. "I've absolutely loved my time serving the Fraternity's leadership and brothers for the last 20+ years," said Riggs. "I'm looking forward to supporting Patrick as he gives a fresh leadership presence for our Fraternity."

"We are thrilled to welcome Patrick McGovern as our next Executive Vice President," said Matthew Runkle, National Fraternity President (Worcester Polytechnic Institute, '11). "His leadership and proven track record give us great confidence that Phi Kappa Theta will continue to deliver our mission of actively developing servant leaders. Additionally, we are excited to see Phi Kappa Theta Fraternity strengthen our presence within the inter-fraternal community and with our host institution partners."

“I am honored to serve Phi Kappa Theta's brothers as their Executive Vice President," said McGovern. "Phi Kappa Theta has a great Vision, and I am excited to be working with its Board and staff to actively develop servant leaders who align with our values across North America. I look forward to meeting many of the brothers during the Biennial Convention this summer."

McGovern holds a Bachelor of Science in Public Affairs, specializing in Management, from Indiana University. He resides in Noblesville, Indiana, with his wife and two daughters (ages 10 and 8) and enjoys golfing, gardening, landscaping, live concerts, and coaching soccer in his free time.

Kevin Lampe to Receive Prestigious Fraternity Award

Kevin Lampe (Western Illinois University, ’83)

Indianapolis, IN. May 26, 2023 – Kevin Lampe (Western Illinois University, ’83) will be presented with the Edward R. Solvibile Distinguished Service Award at the 64th Biennial Convention at an evening event on Saturday, August 5, 2023, at The Hilton Hotel in Lexington, Kentucky, 369 W Vine St. Lexington, KY.

The Edward R. Solvibile Distinguished Service Award is the highest honor awarded to a Fraternity brother and is voted on by the National Fraternity’s Board of Trustees. The award recognizes brothers who have demonstrated outstanding service and leadership for the betterment of Phi Kappa Theta Fraternity. Phi Kappa Theta’s Distinguished Service Award was recently renamed in honor of Brother Solvibile; Lampe will be the first Brother to receive the award since it was renamed.

Lampe will be recognized during the Convention’s closing banquet on Saturday, August 5, in Lexington, KY, where alumni and collegiate members from chapters nationwide will gather to celebrate and honor his contributions to Phi Kappa Theta Fraternity.

“Brother Lampe exemplifies the ideals of Phi Kappa Theta Fraternity. I look to him as a role model to become a better brother and more fully ‘give, expecting nothing thereof.’ I'm thrilled our Fraternity can honor his consistent, decades-long commitment to our Fraternity with Edward R. Solvibile Distinguished Service Award,” said National Fraternity President Matthew Runkle.

“I am deeply honored to receive this award from the Brotherhood of Phi Kappa Theta. Brother Ed Solvibile was a mentor and an inspiration in my fraternity life. It is humbling to receive this award that is a tribute to Ed’s legacy,” said Lampe. “Since 1979, the servant leadership of the Brothers of our fraternity has guided and shaped my life.”

In 1979, Lampe joined Phi Kappa Theta at Western Illinois University. As a collegiate, Lampe served as his chapter’s president, recruitment, and chapter installation chair, as well as ritual chair. He began his service to the National Fraternity on the Undergraduate Advisory Council (UGAC) in 1980. First elected to the Fraternity Board in 1999, he served as National Fraternity President from 2009 to 2011. Lampe currently serves on the Phi Kappa Theta Fraternity Foundation Board of Trustees.

Lampe is recognized internationally as a political strategist, media/speech trainer, and media relations expert. He co-founded Kurth Lampe Worldwide, a strategic communications firm with clients across the United States, Europe, and Africa. He is well-known as a crisis manager helping his clients through difficult and complex situations.

In his career, he has worked on campaigns from US Presidents to local school boards. A few of his clients include civil rights icon Rosa Parks, former President Barack Obama, and President Joe Biden.

Brother Anthony R. Zinnante (1940 - 2022)

Today the brotherhood of Phi Kappa Theta Fraternity mourns the loss of brother Anthony R. Zinnante (University of Houston, '62) at 82 years of age.

After graduating with a Bachelor of Music from the University of Houston, brother Zinnante served in many leadership positions. He led the Houston Gulf-Coast Affiliate RP Foundation Fighting Blindness as President, served as the Chairman of the Board and President of Phi Kappa Theta Fraternity, and became Trustee Emeritus of the Phi Kappa Theta National Foundation. Brother Zinnante worked as a regional manager for Moeller Electric Company until his retirement.

In 1992, brother Zinnante was honored with the Distinguished Service Award – the highest honor that can be bestowed to a brother by the Fraternity’s Board of Trustees. This award recognizes his outstanding service and leadership for the betterment of Phi Kappa Theta Fraternity.

He also received the Phi Kappa Theta Foundation Man of Achievement award in 2003. This honor recognizes brother Zinnante for his risen prominence in his field of endeavor.

Brother Zinnante graciously ascended to the Chapter Eternal and joined many exceptional Phi Kappa Theta leaders who preceded him. He will be memorialized during a program at the Phi Kappa Theta Biennial Convention in Lexington, KY, August 4 - 6, 2023.

A visitation will be held at Memorial Oaks Funeral Home from 6:00 - 8:00 pm CST Tuesday, November 22, 2022, followed by a Celebration of Life at 11:30 am on Wednesday, November 23, 2022, and a committal at Forest Parks Cemetery at 1:00 pm CST.

To share condolences or send flowers, please visit this webpage.

###

Phi Kappa Theta's Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

The Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DE&I) Committee has released the following statement:

Phi Kappa Theta values and finds strength in the diversity of people, approaches, and experiences. We believe that human diversity and our practice of embracing differing points of view allow innovation, and we are committed to creating and maintaining an inclusive environment in our chapters. Diversity, equity, and inclusion drive us forward, and we understand that these principles are not static, but rather take ongoing education and continually renewed commitments. The Fraternity’s dedication to that growth is and will be central to every facet of our operations.

As a Fraternity, we will commit to the following action items:

• Committing funds to bring experts knowledgeable in the field of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion to our efforts of creating servant leaders

• Continuing our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion task force to improve upon the values held by Phi Kappa Theta. This task force shall report to the board on a regular basis and future conventions to propose potential changes to curriculum, legislation, and governing documents

If you have questions for the DE&I Committee please contact us.