David Serafini

David A. Serafini
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Name	David A. Serafini
Chapter	Beta Phi Western Kentucky University
Date Inducted
Roll Number	249H
Alumni Chapter/Assoc
Honorary Member
Major	History
Birthdate	January 25, 1972
Spouse
Nicknames	Advisor Dude, "The Dave," "Fini"
Awards	Outstanding Chapter Advisor 2011

David A. Serafini (born 25 Jan 1972) is an Honorary Member and Chapter Advisor of Beta Phi (Chapter roll 249) at Western Kentucky University and is the 2011 Oustanding Chapter Advisor of Phi Sigma Pi.

Early Fraternity Life and Career

Growing up in suburban Chicago, David attended Western Kentucky University, where he was a Brother of Alpha Phi Omega National Service Fraternity, a member of the Student Government Association, and a member of the Phi Alpha Theta Honors Society in History.

He graduated with a BA in History in 1994. In 1997, he earned a Master of Arts degree, specializing in Modern United States History as a major research field, and Kentucky History as a minor field. In 2010, he completed a Certificate in Military History at WKU.

He began teaching as an Instructor at WKU in 1998, and in 2010 began teaching adjunct courses in History for the Bowling Green Technical College, a member institution of the Kentucky Community and Technical College System (KCTCS). He has offered classes in Western Civilization to 1648, Western Civilization Since 1648, United States to 1865, United States Since 1865, Europe Since the Seventeenth Century, History of Kentucky, University Experience, and Freshman Seminar.

In the fall semester of 2009, David was approached by Brothers Arthur Cook and Scotty Davis and asked to become the faculty advisor for the Beta Phi Chapter, a role he readily accepted. In Spring 2010, he was made an Honorary Brother of Beta Phi.

Collegiate Years at Beta Phi

David has been a liason between Beta Phi and Western Kentucky University, and has assisted in the growth of the Chapter however he can. In particular, he has worked to make the transition from a small sized group of eight to one now well over thirty Brothers as easy as possible. This includes meeting with each new Initiate one-on-one, assisting in the planning and execution of events, and being a mentor and a friend to the Chapter as a whole.

In June 2011 in response to the devestating tornado that impacted Joplin, Missouri, David organized the first Beta Phi Joplin Run. Five Brothers and two other WKU students, along with three Brothers from Alpha Chapter, spent the weekend of June 24-26 in Joplin assisting Relief Spark in demolishing two houses. The impact of this experience led to the creation of the Beta Phi Joplin Run - The Return, which took place October 6-9, 2011. Eleven Brothers and two other WKU students made this trip. Plans are currently in the works for at least three return trips to Joplin in 2012.

The story of tornado victim Will Norton in particular inspired David to plan the Joplin Runs. In Fall 2011, Norton will be inducted as an Honorary Brother, posthumously, of Beta Phi.

National Involvement

• Outstanding Chapter Advisor Award, 2011

Further Resources

• WKU Instructor Planning More Trips to Rebuild Joplin
• Phi Sigma Pi Chapter Advisor Receives National Award

Other Interesting Facts

• David has published articles in The Encyclopedia of Jazz Age America, The Encyclopedia of Postwar America, and The Encyclopedia of Sports in America and has articles under contract for the forthcoming Kentucky African American Encyclopedia, and has written numerous book reviews. He is currently working on WKU Athletics: The First 100 Years, 1910-2010.
• When not teaching, writing, reading, advising, or participating in all things Beta Phi, David shamlessly admits he is a comic book/Doctor Who geek. He is also proud uncle to Emmy Elizabeth Wrinkle.
• David has been nominated for the Potter College Public Service Award