"Highest in Brotherhood, Greatest Ever Known"
Phi Kappa National Fraternity
The Decade of Determination
Exalted Grand Master Roger Ishee presented Sigma Gamma Triton their charter at Conclave 1980 in Jackson, MS. Gil Carmichael, a prominent politician from Meridian, Mississippi and a founder of Omega, addressed the General Assembly and Phi Kappa Great, Dr. Guy D. Campbell also attended.
At Convention 1980 in Mobile, another alumni chapter was chartered as 13 alumni represented Theta Triton. A third National Event was begun to honor our founder, Jacob Broughton Nelson. Founder's Day is now held each year as near to Brother Nelson's birthday as possible.
As Brother C. Greg Carney took over as Exalted Grand Master, he declared the 1980's the "Decade of Determination.” Phi Kappa had enjoyed 20 years of growth and prosperity, but Phi Kappa was still at a standstill. If expansion to new cities did not begin soon, Phi Kappa would wither to a local fraternity and rob many young men the enjoyment and learning experience of Phi Kappa.
The year 1981 saw progress toward Brother Carney's goal as 200 brothers attended Conclave in Hattiesburg. The Alumni Attendance Award was named after Dallas G. Flint, the founder of the present day alumni chapters. Brother Flint was also appointed the first national President of Phi Kappa's Alumni Association. This new separate organization would put more emphasis on our older alumni from the early days of Phi Kappa.
Brothers from all over headed for Convention on the Coast as Theta Gamma hosted. After many hours of hard work and fun on the beach, the brothers headed home with a stronger sense of Brotherhood.
A new link was added to Phi Kappa at Conclave 1982 as Delta Sigma Chapter in Vicksburg, MS, was granted a charter. Brother Mike Barnes of Sigma Gamma and Brother Val Overstreet, Director of Expansion, developed and guided the colony club to their successful charter.
Convention 1982 returned to the Coast. Again brotherhood was strengthened and alumni involvement was improved.
Eight months later the General Assembly met again in Gulfport for Conclave 1983. Our host chapter, Delta, proved that excellent planning and coordinating could produce a profitable National Event. The assembly voted to elect a convention host one year in advance to allow for better and more efficient planning. Brother Dallas Flint resigned as National Alumni Association President and Brother Patrick D. Thrash succeeded him.
Convention returned to Hattiesburg in 1983 and a name synonymous with Phi Kappa reappeared. Miss Penny Petro, granddaughter of Phi Kappa Hall of Fame member, Emile T. Petro, Sr., was elected National Little Sister. Three generations of Petros had now served Phi Kappa on a National level as her mother and father had served as National Mom and Dad, respectively, in the past decade.
The year 1984 saw a resurgence in National Function attendance as Delta Chi hosted an excellent Conclave. Exalted Grand Master Bob Coffin appointed a Nelson Dream Revision Committee as the previous edition's supply was dwindling.
At Convention 1984 in Vicksburg, MS, Delta Sigma welcomed Phi Kappa to one of the South's oldest cities. Brother Jose Beaton of Theta was elected National President and the General Assembly voted to embark on its largest Community Service Project. Past National President Mike Newfield proposed that Phi Kappa support the International Hospital for Children in New Orleans. Another link to the chain was added as Theta helped expand to Collins, MS, and Theta Chi Chapter was chartered.
Conclave 1985 had a surprisingly large turnout despite one of the worst snow and ice storms ever in Mississippi which kept several chapters from attending. Delta Pi hosted this Conclave at the Ramada Inn in Biloxi, MS. Theta received the first International Hospital for Children award. Theta Gamma added another link to the chain with Nu Gamma in Ocean Springs, MS.
1986 saw the election of Theta's Tim Farris to the position of Exalted Grandmaster. A chapter was re-established in Biloxi at Convention 1987, becoming Tau Gamma. Jamie Schlottman, another Theta alumnus, was elected Exalted Grandmaster in 1988.
The Founding
(1900-1916)
The Early Years
(1916-1922)
Vital Expansion
(1922-1941)
The War Years
(1942-1946)
More Battles
(1947-1957)
The Golden Era
(1957-1960)
The Sixties
(1961-1969)
The Prosperous
Years
(1970-1974)
The Diamond
Anniversary
(1975-1979)
The Decade of
Determination
(1980-1989)
The Nineties
(1990-1997)
Covington and After
(1998-2002)
A New Attitude
(2003-the future)
The History
of Phi Kappa National Fraternity
By: Robert L. Pugh &
Frank Liddell (1900-1970)
Patrick D. Thrash (1970-1985)
William Kyle Ingle (1985-1993)
Gerald Everett and Brent McCarty (1993-2004)