Phi Kappa Theta - Iowa State University

PAGE 3 FKQ FKQ "I t's not about what you are and what you do, it's about who you are and why you do it." Eric Van Gorp '01 took these words to heart during his years as a collegian, and they've been changing his life ever since. When he first arrived on campus, Eric was against joining a fraternity. After visiting the Iowa Xi house several times during the first two weeks of the semester, however, he changed his mind. "All the friendships I made kept me in school," he said. As his bonds with members grew stronger, Eric knew he had found a second home. "The chapter made me feel as if I mattered and belonged to something worth fighting for." That commitment to genuine relationships has remained a source of pride for Eric. "No other house on campus has the sense of brotherhood that we possess," he said. "We have always been a smaller house, but I feel that leads to closer-knit friendships." As the chapter approaches its 100th anniversary, Eric is reflecting on the message that milestone sends to other fraternities. "It shows that through the years of facing adversity, we have found a way to push forward and remain standing through it all." Iowa Xi Chapter's values continued to serve Eric as he entered the workforce. He graduated in 2011 with a bachelor's degree in ag business, which empowered him to take his career to the next level. In high school and as a collegian, Eric worked at the local Dairy Queen when he needed cash. "From there, I worked my way from the bottom to now owning and operating three Dairy Queen locations." He credits Phi Kappa Theta with giving him the confidence to take that leap. "The ideals of the house kept pushing me forward, even through periods of adversity." Eric's involvement with the chapter has evolved over the years. As a student, he was the house manager. As an alumnus, he has served on the board for 18 of the last 22 years. "I believe in who we are and why we do it," he shared. "My pledge class revitalized the house, and we had to dig deep to ensure we would be viable for years to come. That is why I keep fighting to keep the house relevant and strong; I want other men to be able to have the same life-altering experiences I had." According to Eric, giving back as a volunteer has only deepened his appreciation for the chapter. "We all only live in the house for a very short time, but the brotherhood created at 2110 Lincoln Way continues to live in us all every day since." He encourages each alumnus to consider how they can impact future Phi Kappa Thetas. "Guidance and support are key factors in a chapter's success," he said. "There will always be challenges, and having 'old guys' around to help navigate those trials plays a monumental part in ensuring Iowa Xi lives another 100 years." Eric lives in Ames with his wife, Janell, and three children, Josie, Jase, and Nora. In his free time, he enjoys boating, fishing, hunting, and spending time on the trap range watching his children shoot. If you'd like to connect with Eric and hear more about his volunteer experience, you can send him an email at evangorp66@hotmail.com. He invites anyone interested in volunteering to reach out. "The time commitment can be as much or as little as you have to give. Either way, it's so rewarding to leave your mark on the men currently living in the house and those to come." Life-Changing Loyalty ERIC VAN GORP '01 TALKS VALUES, SUCCESS, AND GIVING BACK "Without PKT, I never would have graduated from ISU." A s a result of the Jim Victor estate gift, the Phi Kappa Theta Iowa Xi alumni organization undertook a transformative change in 2021. The Iowa Xi Alumni Chapter and Iowa Xi Foundation were created as new non-profit organizations in the state of Iowa. Combined with the Iowa Xi Building Corporation (formerly known as the Ames Phi Kappa Building Company), the three entities represent the Iowa Xi alumni organization. Alumni members of Iowa Xi comprise the membership in the Alumni Chapter which, in turn, oversees the Building Corporation and Foundation. After filing an application with the National Fraternity in 2022, the Alumni Chapter was granted a charter earlier this year. The charter allows the Alumni Chapter to participate in and vote at biennial conventions, the supreme authority for the national fraternity. Thank you to the dedicated volunteers who made this important step possible! It's Official! Iowa Xi Alumni Chapter Receives Charter

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