Louisiana State University Christmas Luncheon

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.”

Faith, Family and Fraternity

Serving Others Is A Part Of Living Life To The Fullest For Brother Mike Callais

by Jeff Jowdy
University of Georgia, ‘83
Foundation Chairman

View fullsize

Brother Callais alongside his mother, Gloria (left) and wife, Blanche (right).

Service to others is a part of living life to the fullest, says 2018 Man of Achievement Mike Callais (Louisiana State University, ‘84).

“Service is important for anyone – and that goes along with faith. It helps you to know that there’s something more that you can work for,” Mike believes. “Cajuns like to live life to the fullest. That’s one part of just having a happy life.”

A 1984 graduate of Louisiana State University, Brother Callais embodies the term “servant leader” and our fraternity’s motto, “Give, Expecting Nothing Thereof.” Today, the seasoned business leader is chairman of Abdon Callais Offshore, as well as a board member at Community Bancorp. His diverse leadership experience includes influential roles in the real estate, automobile, solid waste and cable industries.

Mike’s late father, Harold, was a faith-filled man who helped lay the foundation for his son’s approach to life.

“He firmly believed in controlling the things you can control and not worrying about the things you can’t,” Mike says.

“He did teach me the importance of sharing our blessings, our time, talent and treasure with others,” he adds. “It’s not for us and not from us – those blessings come from God and we’ve got to return them to God.”

Mike shared that his father’s final words were profound: “God is good!”

His mother, Gloria, instilled faith into her children early on.

“My dad couldn’t go because of his work obligations, so she was the one who brought my brothers and me to church every Sunday,” Mike says. “She was the first one to teach us the importance of a spiritual life. She taught us that God is with you always.”

Mike is a board member of Phi Kappa Theta Foundation. He and his wife, Blanche, have been instrumental in the Foundation’s support, enabling the Fraternity to develop programs that provide a spiritual pillar for collegiate brothers. Mike is actively engaged at Our Lady of Prompt Succor Catholic Church in Golden Meadow, LA.

Also involved in many nonprofit organizations ranging from Leadership Lafourche to Nicholls State University, Mike was the recipient of the Diocesan Service Award presented by the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux as well as the Outstanding Rotarian Award from the Rotary Club of Golden Meadow. He is a Fourth Degree Knight of Columbus and has been recognized several times as Knight of the Year.

He is also instrumental in conversations on re-chartering the Phi Kappa Theta chapter at LSU.

View fullsize

2018 Man of Achievement, Brother Mike Callais (Louisiana State University, ‘84) (left), alongside 2018 John F. Kennedy Award recipient, Ali Soufan (Mansfield University, ‘94). Both pictured at IMPACT18 in Orlando, FL this past August.

Like the servant leader he is, Mike accepted the 2018 Man of Achievement award with great reluctance and great humility. We even had to enlist Blanche – our “secret weapon” – to encourage him to accept!

Mike credits his success to those who have guided him throughout his life.

“This organization has helped in the formation of many successful leaders of government and industry over the years,” Mike shared in his acceptance remarks, “so being chosen for this recognition is such an incredible honor for me. I accept it on behalf of my family and friends who over the years have inspired and guided me.”

He also encouraged his fellow brothers to invest in developing servant leaders.

“I urge you all to make a contribution – some contribution – to our Foundation,” Mike said, adding that we are each called to lift up others wherever we can.

We don’t know why we were put into this situation, but other people are put into other, different situations,” Mike explained, “so, we need to try to remember them and help them reach their full potential as well.”

Watch Brother Callais’s speech from IMPACT18 in Orlando, FL:

Resolution To Honor Brother Paul Allen

Resolution Honoring Brother Paul Allen and Expressing Deep Sympathy to His Family, Friends and Colleagues

Brother Paul Allen (Washington State University, ‘75) (center), flanked by Brother Mike Flood (Washington State University, ‘72) (left) and Brother Bert Kolde (Washington State University, ‘76) (right) at the WSU Chapter House dedication in 1996.

WHEREAS, Paul G. Allen was initiated into the brotherhood of Phi Kappa Theta in 1972 at the Washington Alpha Delta Chapter.

WHEREAS, the significance of the fraternity in Brother Allen’s life and his commitment was demonstrated with his leadership in re-chartering the Washington Alpha Delta Chapter in 1993.

WHEREAS, in 1996 Brother Allen generously funded the Washington Alpha Delta Chapter House and was actively engaged with the chapter since then, serving as a benefactor and role model.

WHEREAS, Brother Allen actively lived the ideals and the motto of Phi Kappa Theta.

WHEREAS, Brother Allen co-founded Microsoft, which sparked the microcomputer revolution and later became the world's largest PC software company.

WHEREAS, Brother Allen remained a lifelong entrepreneur, being the founder and chairman of Vulcan Inc., which manages his various business and philanthropic efforts. His multibillion-dollar investment portfolio includes technology and media companies and real estate holdings. He owned two professional sports teams, the NFL’s Seattle Seahawks and the NBA’s Portland Trailblazers; he was part-owner of Major League Soccer’s Seattle Sounders FC as well. He also was the founder of the Allen Institute for Brain Science, the Institute for Artificial Intelligence, the Institute for Cell Science and Stratolaunch Systems.

Brother Paul Allen (Washington State University, ‘75) recieving the 2017 Man of Achievement Award at the Phi Kappa Theta Biennial Convention in Washington D.C..

WHEREAS, the Fraternity’s ideals and motto are reflected in Brother Allen’s view of himself first as a philanthropist, as reflected in even his Twitter profile: “Philanthropist, investor, entrepreneur, author, Seahawks and Trailblazers team owner, guitarist, neuroscience supporter, space pioneer & Microsoft co-founder.”

WHEREAS, in 2017 Brother Allen accepted the Phi Kappa Theta Man of Achievement Award.

WHEREAS, in accepting this award Brother Allen challenged his fellow brothers to lead and serve: “Each of us will feel called by different causes and opportunities to serve,” he said. “As Phi Kap’s emphasis on servant leadership reminds us, each one of us has the opportunity to do something that will make a difference.”

WHEREAS, Brother Allen understood and lived the lifelong bonds of Phi Kappa Theta: “Our commitment to the Phi Kap motto shouldn’t end on graduation day,” he stressed. “Once a Phi Kap, always a Phi Kap.”

WHEREAS, Phi Kappa Theta Fraternity and Phi Kappa Theta Foundation feel a profound loss with Brother Paul Allen joining our Chapter Eternal.

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Foundation and Fraternity extend their deepest sympathy to Brother Allen’s family, friends and colleagues and let them know that the Brothers of Phi Kappa Theta will forever look to him as a role model for the Fraternity’s ideals and motto — Give, Expecting Nothing Thereof — and have his family, friends and colleagues in their thoughts and prayers.

Veterans Day Observance 2018

by Michael Van Poots
RPI, ‘95

Brother Van Poots on the flying bridge of the Fast Attack Nuclear Submarine USS Montpelier SSN-765

Folks—a moment of your time to reflect upon the upcoming Veterans day observance.

First a bit of history, World War I officially ended on June 28, 1919, with the signing of the Treaty of Versailles. The actual fighting between the Allies and Germany, however, ended seven months earlier with the armistice, which went into effect on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month in 1918.

Armistice Day, as November 11 became known, officially became a holiday in the United States in 1926, and a national holiday 12 years later. On June 1, 1954, the name was changed to Veterans Day to honor all U.S. veterans.

In 1968, new legislation changed the national commemoration of Veterans Day to the fourth Monday in October.

View fullsize

Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Arlington Cemetery, (Fort Myer, VA) Washington D.C..

It soon became apparent, however, that November 11 was a date of historic significance to many Americans.

Therefore, in 1978 Congress returned the observance to its traditional date. Tomb of the Unknowns—Official, national ceremonies for Veterans Day center around the Tomb of the Unknowns.

To honor these unknown Veterans, symbolic of all Americans who gave their lives in all wars, an Army honor guard, the 3d U.S. Infantry (The Old Guard), keeps day and night vigil.

At 11 a.m. on November 11, a combined color guard representing all military services executes "Present Arms" at the tomb. The nation's tribute to its war dead is symbolized by the laying of a presidential wreath and the playing of "Taps."

There are approximately 18.8 million military veterans living in the United States. Source: U.S. Census Bureau.

4 Million served in peacetime.

Wartime:

• The American Revolution

• War of 1812

• Mexican War

• Civil War

• Spanish American War

• World War I

• World War II – 930,000 military veterans living

• Korean War – 1.8 Million military veterans living

• Vietnam War – 6.8 Million military veterans living

• The Persian Gulf War, Afghanistan, Iraq – 5.6 Million military veterans living.

Please take a moment to reflect upon all Soldiers, Sailors, Marines, Airmen and others whose service ensured our Nation's safety.

View fullsize

Brother Van Poots and his wife, Holly, at the Navy Ball.

Thanks for taking a few moments out of your day to reflect upon those who are serving or have served in defense of our country.

My service as a veteran in the US Navy and my membership in Phi Kappa Theta started in college 27 years ago & continues to this day. Phi Kappa Theta fosters human development through community service and social interaction.

We are socially engaged, recognizing our responsibility to affect positive change in ourselves and others.

Phi Kappa Theta’s values are demonstrated through the actions of our members, who better their communities as citizens in a global society.

Main image: Reed & Ryan Van Poots, sons of Brother Van Poots, saying goodby to him next to his sea bag on Mobilization day.