Update

Changes, Additions to
Memorial Headquarters Staff

Executive Vice President Raymond L. Orians is pleased to announce the following promotions to the Fraternity staff:

Ben Boden (Iowa State, Alpha Phi ’01) has rejoined the Headquarters staff in a brand new position as the director of volunteer development, in charge of the volunteer and alumni services department. Realizing that one of the Fraternity’s greatest assets is its core of alumnus volunteers, a new position within the Fraternity’s staff was created, designed to support the many alumni who give their time and talent at the local level as chapter advisors and members of alumni advisory boards. The volunteer development department will help to recruit advisors, train them through the accreditation process, and provide resource materials. Previously, Boden served as a chapter consultant during the 2005-06 academic year, traveling the Volunteer, Bluegrass and Rockies Regions as well as working on the expansion project at Armstrong Atlantic University. During his undergraduate years, Boden served in many roles including rush chairman. He graduated with a bachelor of science in health and human performance. After two years in Chicago, Illinois as a project manager with Centimark Corporation (North America’s largest commercial and industrial roofing contractor), Boden has returned to Memphis along with his beautiful wife, Kelly.

Eric J. Hren (Toledo, Epsilon Epsilon ’04) has been promoted to the position of director of services. In this position, Hren will work with the Fraternity’s chapters as well as manage the chapter consultant program. Previously, Hren had worked as a chapter consultant traveling the Great Plains, Lonestar, and Heartland regions while conducting expansion projects at DePaul University and the University of Rhode Island.

Kurt R. Schoeffler (Houston, Epsilon Eta ’03) has been promoted to the position of director of growth and marketing. In this position, Schoeffler will be responsible for all areas of operation pertaining to increased growth, including chapter size and number of chapters. Schoeffler will also be focused on developing new recruitment and marketing strategies for the Fraternity. Schoeffler was promoted after his time as a chapter consultant traveling the Carolinas region and starting the University of Rhode Island Colony.

At the same time, Orians announced the departure of James Forristell (Cincinnati, Alpha Xi ’01) and Tom Olsen (Illinois, Beta Eta ’02). Forristell and Olsen both wrapped up impressive three year tenures with the Memorial Headquarters staff.

Forristell had served as a chapter consultant for one year and as the director of services the following two. He was directly responsible for raising the level of the chapter consultant program and recruiting two impressive classes. Forristell has moved back to Cincinnati where he is a sales representative with Sanofi-aventis.

Olsen most recently served as the director of growth and marketing, and played a large role in the Fraternity’s 22% growth the past two years. Prior to that, he served as the director of expansion and as a chapter consultant. Olsen will be furthering his education as he enrolls in law school at Drake University beginning this fall.

 

Orians remarked, “James and Tom brought an unparalleled level of passion and professionalism to the Fraternity that will be sorely missed. Their abilities helped inspire our chapters and served as valuable resources, motivating them to succeed.”

Consultants for 2008-09 Join Staff

The largest consultant class in recent years has joined the Memorial Headquarters staff to provide services to Pi Kappa Alpha’s chapters and colonies.

Kyle J. Beulke (Rockhurst, Kappa Epsilon ’05) served Kappa Epsilon Chapter as president, recruitment chairman, new member educator, and scholarship chairman. His fellow brothers awarded him Pike of the Year in 2006, as well as Leader of the Year in 2007, and the Bryan Menges Award in 2008 for lifetime achievement while serving Kappa Epsilon. Beulke is Gold Level certified through Pike University, having attended eight events during his undergraduate career. On campus, he served as a coordinator for the Orientation Program, an ambassador for the University, and the undergraduate representative for the Commencement Ceremony. He was a member of Alpha Sigma Nu, the prestigious Jesuit Honor Society, Order of Omega, and Phi Lambda Upsilon Chemistry Honor Society. Buelke graduated cum laude with a degree in biochemistry and a minor in business administration. He will provide consulting services to chapters in the Founders and Keystone Regions.

Jay E. Carmichael (Armstrong Atlantic, Eta Mu ’07) served Eta Mu Chapter as president, treasurer, public relations chair and campus involvement chair. He graduated from Armstrong Atlantic State University with a bachelor of arts in economics. While at Armstrong, he was active in the athletic department as assistant to the Sports Information director and sports editor to the school newspaper. Carmichael has also been published in the Journal of Economics and Finance. He will provide consulting services to chapters in the Great Lakes and Northwest Regions.

Michael W. Cashman Jr. (Illinois, Beta Eta ’05) served Beta Eta Chapter as president, external vice president, recruitment chairman and brotherhood chairman. His brothers at Beta Eta recognized his dedication to the chapter by presenting him with the Outstanding Undergraduate Award and by naming him Brother of the Year. He also received recognition from the Interfraternity Council as Outstanding Chapter President. Cashman has received Garnet Level certification through Pike University. On campus, he served the Greek community as the vice president of Education of Illinois’ Greek Community Service Outreach Group. He was active in the Student Senate as the chairman for the Student Life Committee as well as the Senate’s representative to the University’s alcohol policy and Steering Committee. Also as an undergraduate, Cashman served on the Tuition Policy Committee, vice chaired the Campus Recreation Committee, served on the Cabinet of the Student Trustee and was co-founder and vice president of a political advocacy group on campus. In 2008, he spent his summer doing aid work in South Africa. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree in political science. He will provide consulting services to chapters in the Golden West and Heartland Regions.

Lance M. Coulter (Western Kentucky, Zeta Epsilon ’05) served Zeta Epsilon Chapter as president, external and internal vice president, recruitment chairman, pledge educator, and campus involvement chairman. He was awarded the Most Zealous Member Award in 2007 by his fellow Pikes. He was additionally named Greek Man of the Year in 2008. Also while on campus, he served as Interfraternity Council vice president in charge of academic affairs, St. Jude’s Up ’til Dawn Philanthropy recruitment chairman, Relay for Life team recruitment chairman, and served on the 2008 Greek Week Committee. Coulter acted as event coordinator for Big Brothers Big Sisters and participated in the Habitat for Humanity Winter Collegiate Challenge. He graduated summa cum laude with a degree in both economics and political science. Coulter will provide consulting services to chapters in the Pacific Coast and Carolinas Regions.

Tyler R. Greene (Virginia Tech, Epsilon ’05) served Epsilon Chapter as president, external vice president, fundraising chairman and recruitment chairman. He was the recipient of the Thomas C. Tillar Scholarship for the past two consecutive years. The scholarship is awarded to a member of Epsilon Chapter who displays exceptional leadership within the brotherhood. Greene graduated cum laude with a bachelor of science degree in hospitality and tourism management from the Pamplin School of Business. He will provide consulting services to chapters in the Volunteer and Dixie Regions.

Duncan C. Robinson (Washington, Beta Beta ’05) served Beta Beta Chapter in a variety of leadership roles. He was a three-term recruitment chairman, sergeant-at-arms and chair of the judicial committee, in addition to holding the office of chapter president his senior year. This past year Robinson was honored by his chapter as Pike of the Year, as well as being a finalist for the Interfraternity Council’s Outstanding Chapter President of the Year Award. He was also involved on campus within his department as president of the Undergraduate Geography Association while graduating with a degree in geography, focusing in geographic information systems. Robinson will provide consulting services to chapters in the Midwest and Rockies Regions.

Timothy A. Smerz (Northern Illinois, Eta Nu ’05) served Eta Nu Chapter as president, internal vice president, recruitment chairmen, sergeant-at-arms, and secretary. He also served the Interfraternity Council as the vice president of member education. He was awarded Brother of the Year in 2007 by his fellow brothers, Athlete of the Year in 2006, and was recognized with an Applauding Excellence in Leadership Award by the faculty. The Greek community named Smerz the Most Outstanding Greek Male for the 2007-2008 school year. As an undergraduate he was a member of the Northern Illinois University Pre-Law society, and worked as an advertising representative at the Northern Star newspaper. He graduated with a bachelor of arts in political science with a prelaw emphasis and a minor in history. Smerz will provide consulting services to chapters in the New England and Atlantic Coast Regions.

John L. Whalen (Rensselaer, Gamma Tau ’05) served Gamma Tau Chapter as treasurer, president and pledge educator. He was also an active member of the student senate, union executive board and IFC. He was the 2007 Gamma Tau Leader of the Year and the 2008 Greek Man of the Year. Whalen graduated from RPI with a degree in biomedical engineering. He will provide consulting services to chapters in the Delta and Lonestar Regions.

Drew J. Willert (Wisconsin, Beta Xi ’05) served as president, secretary, recruitment chair, and fundraising chair for Beta Xi Chapter at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He participated in the True Pike Challenge in the summer of 2007 and received Gold level certification for attendance at Pike University events. At Wisconsin, he was the Interfraternity Council vice president of internal affairs and president. He served in various leadership roles with the Student Leadership Program and was a member of the Iron Cross Honor Society, Greek InterVarsity, and Order of Omega. Willert graduated with a degree in finance and real estate. He will provide consulting services to chapters in the Bluegrass and Sunshine Regions.

Returning for a second year as a chapter consultant is Michael Jacobsen (Wyoming, Iota Alpha ’04). Jacobsen will provide consulting services to chapters in the Great Plains and Arkoma Regions.