Phi Kappa Tau's local colony receives national charter

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Phi Kappa Tau's local colony receives national charter
Two years of attempts result in final success
By Stephanie Salmons
Published: Friday, April 8, 2005
The Murray State News

After more than two years on campus, it is official.

The Murray State chapter of Phi Kappa Tau will become chartered on April 30.

Phi Kappa Tau President Adam Watson said the fraternity has been on campus since fall 2002 as a colony, or an unofficial chapter.

Each colony has two years to meet charter requirements, Watson, junior from Barlow, said.

"We came in last fall with that semester being our last chance to show our nationals that we could become a chapter," Watson said.

With only 15 returning members, Watson said the first meeting last semester was somber until their adviser, Terry Burgess, director of Housing, spoke up.

"Terry said we will get 25 guys and be able to charter," Watson said. "We didn't believe him but he spurred us on and we had the second largest pledge class in the fall semester."

The fraternity found out they were allowed to charter at their National Council in February and were excited about the news, Watson said.

"Some guys have been here since the very beginning," Watson said. "Two years of trying to get something like this, it's a very big accomplishment. It doesn't happen that often around here."

Watson said the fraternity has been focused mainly on getting chartered, but now that they have received their charter, the brothers can focus on other aspects of fraternity life such as recruitment, community service and Phi Kappa Tau's philanthropies.

"April 30, our nationals are coming down and they will have our chartering ceremony and a banquet," he said. "We'll be initiated and (will) become full fraternity members of Phi Kappa Tau."

Terry Burgess, who has been the fraternity's adviser since February 2004, said he was excited after learning about the vote.

"My reaction was one of thrill for the individual there for vote (in Miami, Fla.) and for all the brothers," Burgess said. "You could hear the excitement in their voices. I felt a great deal of pride that I could be affiliated with the fraternity."

Burgess said Phi Kappa Tau getting chartered will have a positive effect on the fraternity and the community.

"From that point forward, it has propelled our brothers to be involved with Murray State and the greater Murray community," Burgess said. "We, as a chapter, are excited to be joining the Interfraternity Council and are looking forward to making an impact on Murray State's campus over the next few years."