Tau Chapter

Tau Chapter (Founded 28 May 1936) is located at East Carolina University in Greenville, North Carolina and is a member of the Mid Atlantic Region. The Chapter was founded when Epsilon Chapter Alumnus Dr. Beecher Flanagan (Ε 2, T 12) came to ECU to teach. Tau Chapter is 'one of the most historically successful chapters in the Fraternity.' -Epsilon Wiki

Tau Chapter Spring 2011

Chapter History

History

"The Tau Chapter of Phi Sigma Pi, national honorary education fraternity, has as its objective perpetuating the ideals of higher learning and promoting goodwill and fellowship among the men [and women] students on the campus of East Carolina...[University].

Even though membership in the fraternity is not open to all men [or women] students on the campus, they may become eligible by maintaining a high scholastic average and fostering brotherhood with their associates on the campus...

While a student is in college he [or she] derives greater benefits from campus life if there exists within him [or her] the conviction that he [or she] is among friends; that they stand ready to help him [or her] when the need arises. This holds true, too, after one is graduated from college. Phi Sigma Pi offers life membership to alumni, giving its members life-long association they would lose otherwise.

It is the desire of the fraternity to encourage men [and women] students on the campus to become eligible for membership, as Phi Sigma Pi feels that it has something to offer."

-Eugene Carson, Tau Chapter President 1941

Early Years

Dr. Beecher Flanagan, Founder of Tau Chapter

Tau Chapter, the first fraternal organization to be chartered at East Carolina University, was founded when Dr. Beecher Flanagan (Ε 2, Τ 12) came to East Carolina University to teach in the Department of Social Sciences. Dr. Flanagan decided to start a chapter of Phi Sigma Pi, and under Dr. Flanagan's direction the local fraternity, Tau Sigma Sigma, became Tau Chapter of Phi Sigma Pi. Eleven members were inducted on May 28, 1936. Dr. Flanagan served as Faculty Advisor for the newly started Chapter and Wesley Bankston was elected Tau Chapter’s first President. Dr. Flanagan led the Chapter for 14 years.

In 1950, Dr. Richard C. Todd ( Sigma 58, Tau 878) came to East Carolina University to teach in the Department of History. Dr. Flanagan invited Dr. Todd to a dinner meeting of the Chapter. During the meeting, Dr. Flanagan suffered a fatal heart attack. Dr. Todd assumed Dr. Flanagan's role as Faculty Advisor and served Tau Chapter for the next 27 years. Dr. Todd helped lead Tau Chapter, as well as the National Fraternity, into greatness. During these years, Dr. Todd aided in the integration of women into the Fraternity. Clauda Pennock Todd, wife of Dr. Todd, was inducted into Tau Chapter on May 7, 1977. Nicknamed "Sweetheart," Clauda Pennock Todd became an integral part of her husband’s service to the Fraternity. Tau Chapter established an impressive record of service and scholarship during Dr. Todd's years of guidance, evidenced by its receiving the Joseph Torchia Outstanding Chapter Award (the most prestigious award a chapter can receive) a total of 33 times in the 45 years the award has been given annually. Tau Chapter also received the Joseph Torchia Outstanding Chapter Award for 21 consecutive years.

Dr. Richard C. Todd, Tau Faculty Advisor

In 1977, Dr. Richard C. Todd retired from East Carolina University. He recruited Dr. Jack Thornton from the Department of Business as the new Faculty Advisor for the Chapter. Dr. Thornton continued the service exemplified by both Dr. Todd and Dr. Flanagan to Tau Chapter. During this time, the Todd Scholarship for Leadership and the Thornton Scholarship for the Outstanding Pledge were originated. Also, the Clauda Pennock Todd Fellowship Award and the Rick Creech Award were created. Over the years, these awards have flourished and grown. The Todd Scholarships are now given to all Officers. Historically, the award was only awarded to the President. Furthermore, funding for both the Todd and the Thornton Scholarships have increased dramatically over the years. On May 7, 1977 the Todd Flagpole at East Carolina University was dedicated by Brothers, Alumni, and Friends of Tau Chapter in honor of Dr. Todd.

Flagpole memorial sign.

In the late 1970's Tau Chapter took the lead among the remaining active chapters to in making the coed transition.

Tau Chapter in 1978.

Tau Chapter in 1981.

In 1998, Dr. Jack Thornton retired from East Carolina University and the duties of Faculty Advisor were passed to David Batts from the Department of Technology Systems. Tau has continued to be one of the most outstanding chapters of Phi Sigma Pi in the nation. Several Tau Chapter Brothers have served the organization on the national level, including Beecher Flanagan, Richard C. Todd, Robert Zalimeni, Jack Thornton, Mike Hosey, Robert A. Landry, Mark Pabst, Linda Wilson, Lindsay Fernandez, Hope Harrell Turnbull, David Batts, James Tisdale, Jonathan Wood and Brittany Bodart. Of the previously named brothers, five have served as National President, some serving more than one term. Many of these Brothers were also awarded the Distinguished Service Key, the highest honor that can be bestowed on an individual Brother.

Tau Chapter also led the way for development of Alumni Chapters. The first Alumni Chapter, the Eastern North Carolina Alumni Chapter, was chartered in Greenville, North Carolina on November 7, 1994. Richard Cecil and Clauda Pennock Todd also set up the Todd Tripod Scholarship. In 1993, the inaugural award was presented to David Batts. Since that time, Tau brothers Amanda Hines, Nicole Gray and Brittany Bodart have won this prestigious award.

The Active Chapter

The current chapter is a co-ed national honor fraternity at East Carolina University. Undergraduates with a 3.2 GPA, 30 semester hours, and 2 semesters until they graduate or undergraduates with a 3.5 GPA, 15 semester hours, and 2 semesters until they graduate are invited to join the Fraternity each semester. These students or "Initiates" must complete an Initiation Program which lasts on average six to eight weeks. The Chapter currently holds just over 60 members who are referred to as Brothers whether male or female.

Tau Chapter closely adheres to the Fraternity's principles of Scholarship, Leadership, & Fellowship in all events which are planned. Tau Chapter also focuses closely on service activities and works with organizations such as: The Hope Lodge, Habitat for Humanity, and Spring Arbor.

Current Officers and Chairs

2011-2012 Executive Council

• President - Ryan Cook (ΒΨ)
• Vice President - Heather Bowen (ΒΩ)
• Secretary - Ryshonda Lewis (ΒΨ)
• Treasurer - Anthony Jones (ΓΑ)
• Initiate Advisor - Chelsea Barnes (ΒΩ)
• Historian - Nathan Everett (ΒΨ)
• Parliamentarian - Taylor Gates (ΒΩ)
• Faculty Advisor - Dr. David Batts (ΑΜ)

Spring 2012 Committee Chairs

• Alumni/History - Ellie Laughinghouse (ΓΑ)
• Fundraising - Anthony Jones (ΓΑ)
• Rush/PR - Ashley Lamb (ΓΒ)
• Scholarship - Samantha Kramer (ΓΒ)
• Service - Mikenzi Rivenbark (ΓΒ)
• Social - Devin Sellers (ΓΒ)

Spring 2012 Non-Executive Officers

• Brother at Large - Megan Shaia (ΓΑ)
• Brother at Large (Supplementary) - Trevor Galler (ΓΑ)
• Regional Delegate/ICR - Taylor Gates (ΒΩ)
• Webmaster - Nathan Everett (ΒΨ)

Current Brotherhood

Spring 2012 Active Brothers by Roll

Melanie Carviou (ΒΦ) Doug Sibley (ΒΧ) Krystal McCullen (ΒΧ) Ryshonda Lewis (ΒΨ) Jonna Kurr-Murphy (ΒΨ) Rachel Nelson (ΒΨ) Brandy Reagan (ΒΨ) Nathan Everett (ΒΨ) Ryan Cook (ΒΨ) Morgan Watts (ΒΩ) Heather Bowen (ΒΩ) Taylor Gates (ΒΩ) Ahlivia Mattocks (ΒΩ) Chelsea Barnes (ΒΩ) Lisa Graves (ΒΩ) Michael Rogers (ΒΩ) Cameron Smith (ΒΩ) Alyssa Randall (ΓΑ) Cherisa Martin (ΓΑ) Megan Shaia (ΓΑ) Cara Beth Carr (ΓΑ) Ellie Laughinghouse (ΓΑ) Sherita Gooding (ΓΑ)

Amber Vaught (ΓΑ) Morgan Brown (ΓΑ) Libby Eason (ΓΑ) Lindsay Beard (ΓΑ) Leslie LaVictoire (ΓΑ) Julie Poindexter (ΓΑ) Stephanie Jordan (ΓΑ) Emily Hamm (ΓΑ) Chelsea Ward (ΓΑ) Anthony Jones (ΓΑ) Trevor Galler (ΓΑ) Katie Strickland (ΓΒ) Chelsea Hughes (ΓΒ) Jesyka Ferrin (ΓΒ) Ashely Murchison (ΓΒ) Ashley Lamb (ΓΒ) Stashawna Sutton (ΓΒ) Sandie-Marie Williams (ΓΒ) Alix Stytle (ΓΒ) Kelsey Draper (ΓΒ) Stevie Younger (ΓΒ) Mikenzi Rivenbark (ΓΒ) Ariel Naylor (ΓΒ)

Allison Sugg (ΓΒ) Katherine Nevils (ΓΒ) Molly Marie Morton (ΓΒ) Samantha Kramer (ΓΒ) Haley Enzor (ΓΒ) Devin Sellers (ΓΒ) Daniel Whitacre (ΓΒ) Matthew Parker (ΓΒ) Rachael Spooner (ΓΓ) Sara Farley (ΓΓ) Jessica Pate (ΓΓ) Alex Clark (ΓΓ) Rachel Williams (ΓΓ) Anna Graves (ΓΓ) Kathryn Black (ΓΓ) Julie Pawlowski (ΓΓ) Taylor Neisler (ΓΓ) Brittany Carrigan (ΓΓ) Aiesha Draughton (ΓΓ) Emily Kittrell (ΓΓ) Sarah Macut (ΓΓ) Marie Lazar (ΓΓ) Dustin Hawley (ΓΓ)

Tau Chapter Officers and Chairs

Main Article: List of Tau Chapter Officers

Main Article: List of Tau Chapter Chairs and Non-Executive Officers

Tau Chapter Roll Books

Main Article: Tau Chapter's 1st Virtual Roll Book (1936-1977)

Main Article: Tau Chapter's 2nd Virtual Roll Book (1977-Present)

Family Trees

Main Article: List of Tau Chapter Family Trees

Chapter Events & Activities

Founder's Weekend

TBA

Notable Alumni

• Dr. Beecher Flanagan (T 12)

Tau Chapter Founder (1936)

Tau Chapter Faculty Advisor (1936-1950)

National President (1946-1948)

National Vice President (1948-1950)

National Historian (1939-1946)

• Dr. Richard Cecil Todd (T 878)

Tau Chapter Faculty Advisor (1950-1977)

National President (1957-1959)

National Vice President (1964-1966, 1968-1974)

National Historian (1962-1964)

National Alumni Representative (1976-1982)

National Counselor (1955-1957, 1959-1961, 1966-1968, 1974-1976)

• Dr. Jack W. Thornton (T 862)

Tau Chapter Faculty Advisor (1977-1998)

National President (1980-1982, 1986-1988)

National Vice President (1978-1980)

National Historian (1977-1978)

Distinguished Service Key (2008)

• Dr. David L. Batts (T 1242)

Tau Chapter Faculty Advisor (1998-Present)

Vice President of Membership Development (1996-1998)

Vice President of Alumni Development (2003-2004)

Phi Sigma Pi Foundation Director of Finance (2009-2011)

Todd Tripod Scholarship (Inaugural Recipient in 1993)

Distinguished Service Key (2000)

Outstanding Chapter Advisor (2008)

• Wesley Bankston (T 1)

Tau Chapter's First President (1936-1937)

• Clauda Pennock Todd (T 879)

Wife of Dr. Todd aka 'Sweetheart'

Distinguished Service Key (1997)

• Mary Kathryn Thornton (T 1160)

Wife of Dr. Thornton

• Paul Allen III (T 596)

National Alumni Representative (1974-1976)

• Robert Zalimeni (T 946)

National Vice President (1982-1983)

• Michael L. Hosey (T 948)

National Alumni Representative (1982-1989)

Distinguished Service Key (1992)

• Linda L. Wilson (T 1000)

Tau Chapter's First Female President (1985-1986)

National Historian (1984-1988)

• Robert A. Landry (T 1102)

National Vice President (1990-1993)

Distinguished Service Key (1996)

• Dr. Mark D. Pabst (T 1108)

National President (1996-1998)

National Vice President (1993-1996)

Vice President of Membership Development (1990-1993)

National Alumni Representative (1989-1990)

Distinguished Service Key (1994)

• Lindsay Fernandez (T 1225)

Vice President of Chapter Development (1994-1996)

• Amanda Hines (T 1235)

Todd Tripod Scholarship (1994)

• James O. Tisdale III (T 1179)

National President (1998-2000)

National Vice President (1996-1998)

Vice President of Membership Development (1995-1996)

Distinguished Service Key (1994)

• Hope Turnbull, CPA (T 1156)

Vice President of Finance (1996-2000)

Vice President of Alumni Development (1994-1996)

Distinguished Service Key (1998)

• Nicole Gray (T 1360)

Todd Tripod Scholarship (1997)

• Jonathan Wood (T 1339)

Vice President of Membership Development (1998-2000)

Distinguished Service Key (2001)

• Benjamin Brown (T 1452)

Senior Vice President (2002-2004)

Distinguished Service Key (2001)

• Brittany A. Bodart (T 1513)

National Secretary (2004-2006)

Phi Sigma Pi Foundation Director (2008-2009)

Todd Tripod Scholarship (2004)

• Serena Warren (T 1540)

Region Consultant (2005-2006)

• Christopher A. Crout (T 1685)

Region Consultant (2011-2012)

• Count Lamielle (T 1113)

Continuously active for almost 25 years

Chapter Honors and Awards

National Awards

Tau Chapter's Awards 1986

• 1965-66 Joseph Torchia Outstanding Chapter Award
• 1968 Joseph Torchia Outstanding Chapter Award
• 1969 Joseph Torchia Outstanding Chapter Award
• 1970 Joseph Torchia Outstanding Chapter Award
• 1971 Joseph Torchia Outstanding Chapter Award
• 1972 Joseph Torchia Outstanding Chapter Award
• 1973 Joseph Torchia Outstanding Chapter Award
• 1974 Joseph Torchia Outstanding Chapter Award
• 1975 Joseph Torchia Outstanding Chapter Award
• 1976 Joseph Torchia Outstanding Chapter Award
• 1977 Joseph Torchia Outstanding Chapter Award
• 1978 Joseph Torchia Outstanding Chapter Award
• 1979 Joseph Torchia Outstanding Chapter Award
• 1980 Joseph Torchia Outstanding Chapter Award
• 1981 Joseph Torchia Outstanding Chapter Award
• 1982 Joseph Torchia Outstanding Chapter Award
• 1983 Joseph Torchia Outstanding Chapter Award
• 1984 Joseph Torchia Outstanding Chapter Award
• 1985 Joseph Torchia Outstanding Chapter Award
• 1986 Joseph Torchia Outstanding Chapter Award
• 1987 Joseph Torchia Outstanding Chapter Award
• 1988 Joseph Torchia Outstanding Chapter Award
• 1990 Joseph Torchia Outstanding Chapter Award
• 1991 Joseph Torchia Outstanding Chapter Award
• 1992 C.H. McClure Single Service Award

Tau Chapter's Awards 2011

• 1992 Charles W. Chance Alumni Award
• 1993 Joseph Torchia Outstanding Chapter Award
• 1993 Steven A. DiGuiseppe Administrative Award
• 1994 Joseph Torchia Outstanding Chapter Award
• 1994 C.H. McClure Single Service Award
• 1997 Joseph Torchia Outstanding Chapter Award
• 1997 C.H. McClure Single Service Award
• 1997 Top Ten Chapter Award
• 1998 Joseph Torchia Outstanding Chapter Award
• 1998 Top Ten Chapter Award
• 1999 Top Ten Chapter Award
• 2000 Top Ten Chapter Award
• 2001 Joseph Torchia Outstanding Chapter Award
• 2001 Top Ten Chapter Award
• 2002 Joseph Torchia Outstanding Chapter Award
• 2002 Top Ten Chapter Award
• 2003 Joseph Torchia Outstanding Chapter Award
• 2003 Charles W. Chance Alumni Award
• 2003 Steven A. DiGuiseppe Administrative Award
• 2003 Top Ten Chapter Award
• 2004 Joseph Torchia Outstanding Chapter Award
• 2004 Top in Region Award
• 2005 Joseph Torchia Outstanding Chapter Award
• 2005 Steven A. DiGuiseppe Administrative Award
• 2005 Top in Region Award
• 2006 Top in Region Award
• 2008 Outstanding Fundraiser Award
• 2008 Outstanding Chapter Advisor Award, Dr. David Batts
• 2008 Top in Region Award
• 2009 Top in Region Award
• 2009 Outstanding PR and Community Relations Award
• 2010 Outstanding Fundraiser Award
• 2011 Top in Region Award, Mid Atlantic Region

University and Community Awards

Main Article: List of Tau Chapter Awards from the University and Community

Chapter Awards

Main Article: List of Local Tau Chapter Awards

Further Resources

• Tau Chapter Portal
• National Fraternity Website (Information for Brothers, Alumni & prospective members)
• Joyner Library Organization Information
• Tau's 50th Founders Day Booklet

In the News

• Phi Sigma Pi holds Easter event at ECU
• Donuts for Diabetes: Krispy Kreme Challenge held in Greenville
• Kolasa: Doughnuts for diabetes, Fundraiser set for Saturday (pg 6)
• Running for doughnuts with (rain) sprinkles
• "Enemies" World Premiere Introduces Theater Noir To Eastern Carolina
• Professor Earns National Award (pg 2-3)
• Professor Wins Award for Advising Students (pg 3)