Tau Chapter

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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.
Flagpole1.jpg

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

Spring 2012 Committee Chairs

Spring 2012 Non-Executive Officers

Current Brotherhood

Spring 2012 Active Brothers by Roll

Tau Chapter Officers

Main Article: List of Tau Chapter 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

National President (1946-1948)
National Vice President (1948-1950)
National Historian (1939-1946)
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)
National President (1980-1982, 1986-1988)
National Vice President (1978-1980)
National Historian (1977-1978)
Distinguished Service Key (2008)
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)
National Alumni Representative (1974-1976)
National Vice President (1982-1983)
National Alumni Representative (1982-1989)
Distinguished Service Key (1992)
National Historian (1984-1988)
National Vice President (1990-1993)
Distinguished Service Key (1996)
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)
Vice President of Chapter Development (1994-1996)
Todd Tripod Scholarship (1994)
National President (1998-2000)
National Vice President (1996-1998)
Vice President of Membership Development (1995-1996)
Distinguished Service Key (1994)
Vice President of Finance (1996-2000)
Vice President of Alumni Development (1994-1996)
Todd Tripod Scholarship (1997)
Vice President of Membership Development (1998-2000)
Distinguished Service Key (2001)
Senior Vice President (2002-2004)
Distinguished Service Key (2001)
National Secretary (2004-2006)
Phi Sigma Pi Foundation Director (2008-2009)
Todd Tripod Scholarship (2004)
Region Consultant (2005-2006)
Region Consultant (2011-2012)

Chapter Honors and Awards

National Awards

Tau Chapter's Awards 1986
Tau Chapter's Awards 2011

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

In the News



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