A podcast boom: three alumni appear on Three Words by DMB Coaching

Podcasts continue to grow in popularity. Forbes recently posted as of early 2021, there were nearly 2 million podcasts with over 43 million episodes available online, more than double the amount publicly available in 2018.

Phi Kappa Theta’s ongoing partnership with Dr. Michael Brown of DMB Coaching has led to three alumni joining in on the podcast boom. Dr. Brown has facilitated many Phi Kappa Theta conferences in recent years and is the lead host of Three Words, a bite-sized podcast about choices, with each episode featuring a new guest and their personal take on personal growth and deliberate actions. In the span of a week, Dr. Brown traveled and visited with three highly engaged Phi Kappa Theta alumni.

Below you’ll find direct links to their full video interview with Dr. Brown and a brief description of what to expect from their conversation, courtesy of DMB Coaching. We’ve also added a few bullet points worthy of note!

Leo Carillo III: Master Your Craft – Our effort and energy at work are directly related to our wellbeing wherever we live and play. This week, Dr. Michael Brown stops in San Diego to chat with Hair Craft Co. CEO Leo Carrillo III about the connection between our personal and professional lives.

• Leo graduated from San Diego State University in 2016 where he was initiated by the California Phi Iota chapter

• He was a recent participant of Discovery XP

• You can connect with him on LinkedIn

Brek Goin: Build Your Life – In order to become the best versions of ourselves, we must construct a solid foundation and then actually do the work. This week, Dr. Michael Brown and Hammr CEO Brek Goin outline the many tools required to live a life of purpose and meaning.

• Brek graduated from Washington State University in 2015 where he was initiated by the Washington Alpha Delta chapter

• He was a recent participant of Discovery XP

• He co-hosts his own podcast, Bred to Build, powered by his startup Hammr

• You can connect with him on LinkedIn

Colin Nguyen: Build Your Legacy – With each and every choice, we are writing the next chapter of our life story. In this week’s episode of Three Words On The Road, Dr. Michael Brown sits with The Colin Group founder Colin Nguyen as they consider their personal legacies.

• Colin graduated from the University of Washington, ‘05 where he was initiated by the Washington Beta Delta chapter

• He is the 2018 Outstanding Young Alumnus Award Receipt

• Learn what “Drives” Colin in this exclusive PKT video interview

Special thanks to Dr. Michael Brown and DMB Coaching for providing the content to share with Phi Kappa Theta Fraternity.

PKTAAA raises over $30,000 for scholarships at its 2nd Annual Scholarship Gala

On Saturday, December 11, the Phi Kappa Theta Alamo Alumni Association (PKTAAA) held its 2nd Annual Scholarship Gala at the Hilton Palacio del Rio Hotel in San Antonio, Texas. The evening paid tribute to brotherhood and highlighted donors' impact on students.

The gala theme was "Roaring Twenties" – a Black Tie affair that included world-class dining, music, and special guests.

Keynote speaker Dr. Guy Bailey, President of the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, spoke to the challenges facing higher education, including the declining enrollment nationwide among young men, and said that “Fraternities and you all have a tremendous role to play,” in reversing this.

Guests in attendance included Phi Kappa Theta's National President, Matthew Runkle (Worcester Polytechnic Institute, '11), who spoke on the Fraternity's current initiatives and vision of its future. The Fraternity's Executive Vice President, Robert Riggs, CAE (Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, '02), and the Foundation's Executive Director, Adam Wilbur, CFRE (Worcester Polytechnic Institute, '06) were also in attendance.

With a successful silent auction and the generosity of alumni and guests, the gala raised just over $30,000 in scholarships that will support collegiate members in Texas.

To support collegiate members in Texas please contact PKTAAA or visit phikapfoundation.org to learn more about donating to your local chapter.

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.

Phi Kappa Theta Fraternity Embarks on History Project

Every Phi Kap has a story, and Phi Kappa Theta Fraternity wants to hear yours. However, with over 20,000 living alumni, it would take many years to meet with each Phi Kap individually.

We’re embarking on our History Project to collect the stories of alumni in their own words*. These stories will be preserved in a book that celebrates the impact Phi Kappa Theta has had on our lives and who we are today.

Below, you will find FAQs about this exciting project.

*To submit your Phi Kap story or to update your information, please call the number listed on the postcard or email you received or call our partner, PCI at 1-800-982-1590.

For more information about this project, please visit:
phikaps.org/phikaphistoryproject

Frequently Asked Questions by Alumni

I received an email/postcard/phone call from a company asking for my personal information and a story about Phi Kappa Theta Fraternity. Is this a legitimate project or is it a scam?

• It’s legit! We have partnered with PCI (also known as Publishing Concepts) to produce a History Publication for Phi Kappa Theta Fraternity. PCI is a family-owned business based in Dallas, TX that has published directories for educational institutions, fraternities, sororities, and military organizations across the nation for almost 100 years. This project allows Phi Kappa Theta Fraternity to hear about your personal experiences and explain how Phi Kappa Theta Fraternity has helped shape your lives.

Does Phi Kappa Theta Fraternity benefit from this at all?

• Yes, in a few different ways:

  • Updated Information – allows us to effectively communicate with and engage alumni

  • Legacy – preserves the history of our school

  • Revenue – generates donation revenue for alumni programs

  • Pride – wearing apparel shows support and love for our school

How do I know my information will only be used for History Project purposes?

• PCI is committed to protecting your information. The names, addresses and information provided to PCI for the publication of the History Project will be held confidential by PCI, except to the extent that they are utilized in, or in the preparation of, the History Project and except as required by court order or law. Upon completion of the project, PCI will redact PII (Personal Identifiable Information) from any and all electronic files that we have supplied or were produced by PCI in connection with the production of the History Project. 

I would like to verify or update my information and share a story. How may I do this?

• If you have received a postcard or an email with a telephone number, you may call the number to speak with a dedicated representative for the History Project. The representative will verify all the information we have on file for you, make any updates where needed, then ask you to share your story about your time at Phi Kappa Theta Fraternity. Your story will be recorded and the sound clip provided to Phi Kappa Theta Fraternity at the conclusion of the project.

• If you have received an email with an embedded link, you may go to the online site to review your information and submit a story.

Can I choose what information prints in the publication?

• When you call to update your information, you can tell the representative if you prefer any of your information to be excluded. You can also communicate your preferences to PCI’s customer service helpdesk at 1-800-982-1590 or via email at customerservice@publishingconcepts.com.

I updated my information but need some more time to think about what experience to share.

• You can call back at any time to share your story.

I shared a story and the representative said I could send some photos. How do I do this?

• You will receive an email with a link to upload up to two photos (black and white or color) plus captions.

• If you have also purchased a book but do not have an email address on file, you will be sent a photo mailer to send physical photos in to be printed (note: photos will be returned if you include a self-addressed, stamped envelope).

Can anyone purchase a book?

• The Phi Kappa Theta Fraternity History Publication is available for sale only to Phi Kappa Theta Fraternity alumni.

I ordered a book/package over the phone and would like to cancel my order. How do I do this?

• Contact PCI’s customer service helpdesk at 1-800-982-1590 and they will take care of this for you.