Phi Kappa Psi - University of Texas

ALPHA AVALANCHE | TEXAS ALPHA | PHI KAPPA PSI | | SPRING EDITION 2023 Those who attended this year's Founders Day said it was one of the best ever; however, it started with quite a challenge. We knew we had outgrown our previous facilities for traditional banquets. Our increase in active membership led to our new chapter house being too small to accommodate everyone. Moving to the UT Club in DKR Memorial Stadium provided the right touch of Longhorn atmosphere (but poor acoustics). Regardless, we projected the UT Club would not be large enough for our alumni, undergraduates, spouses, and dates – and it would be expensive. So, Texas Alpha Executive Director Matt Kifle '12 met with our chapter and collectively reassessed what they valued most out of our annual Founder's Day: quality time with Texas Alpha alumni. While this year's event looked different than past year's, we are proud of how it all shook out. We are committed to returned to the traditional approach for Founder's Day 2024. This year, there was a strong message that the undergraduates wanted more networking with alumni, especially for career planning, tips for success, insight into various professions, life lessons, etc. They also wanted to be responsible participants in expense management for the weekend's events. Their agenda focused on alumni and undergraduates alike: • Friday night burgers at the chapter house. • Saturday breakfast burritos at the chapter house. • Personal- and career-development workshops. • Watching the UT/OU basketball game at a private venue. • Participating in an alumni fundraiser at a local alumnus' home. Meaningful conversations among alumni and undergraduates at Founders Day. FOUNDER'S DAY 2023 A New Twist – A New Tradition The positive feedback we received from alumni attendees shows we made the right decision! "The interaction was constant and sincere from breakfast burritos to career discussions and all the way into the ball game and afterward. The format also led to more interactions with other alumni that I did not know or know well. I will look forward to this format again in alternate years in the future." "One of the best mentoring sessions I have attended. Undergraduate interest and participation was high, and there were meaningful conversations. I received a request to talk again this week with one of the guys." "This was one of the most engaged groups that I have interacted with. The speakers represented a good mix of fields, which I think was a big factor in more individualized interactions. At the watch party, several guys engaged with me who had heard about my conversations in the mentoring session. We certainly have one of the sharpest groups of young men I have spoken to." "I met more sharp and sincere undergraduates and had good conversations at burger night, the watch party, and the mentoring session than I ever have at a Founders Day event!" "Our group was very attentive and had exceptionally good questions. I genuinely believe we made a difference; several members wanted to talk with me separately." "During the money talk, the handout on budgeting received a great response. This was the best Founders Day that I have been a part of. The actives who participated were engaged and asked lots of questions – which, in turn, engaged the alumni." "It felt like we were really getting back to the original intentions of Letterman and Moore…" We want to take this positive energy and run with it – straight into Founders Day 2024! Check out the Save the Date on the back page, and look for more information as the event gets closer.

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