Phi Kappa Tau - Mississippi State University

P H I K A P PA TAU 2 F or Andrew Rigel '15, joining Phi Kappa Tau was an act of faith. A third-generation SigEp, he initially planned to follow in his family's footsteps, but their MSSU chapter was removed from campus just before his arrival. "Their last pledge class became the founding members for our Alpha Chi Chapter, so I knew a handful of them from my older brothers," he explained. "When I told them who I was during recruitment, one of them gave me a big bear hug right off the bat." After such a warm welcome, Andrew decided to take a chance on the fledging brotherhood, despite their lacking a chapter house. "We met under a tent on the plot of land where the current house now sits," he recalled. "While most people would have been turned off by that, I saw potential in a solid group of guys who wanted to grow something." Andrew was impressed by the chapter's commitment to brotherhood and loyalty. "I remember going through a stressful period during pledgeship—everyone was there to support me," he shared. "When two dozen pledge brothers search all over Starkville for you at 3:00 a.m. just to make sure you're alright, it leaves a lasting impression." A number of memories stick out when Andrew recalls his time with Alpha Chi, including building a nine-hole minigolf course in the house for a date party, enjoying an above-ground pool one summer, hanging out around the fire pit, and playing volleyball. While he didn't hold any officer positions, he helped organize philanthropy events and various parties. Andrew graduated with a bachelor's degree in political science, minoring in economics and pre-law. He is now an associate attorney at McLeod and Rigel, P.A., in Hattiesburg. "When I started at Mississippi State, I was going to go into the medical field," he shared. "But after a rough first couple of semesters, I realized I needed a career change; my pledge brothers encouraged me to pursue the legal field." According to Andrew, Phi Tau prepared him for life by becoming a more well-rounded person. "College is about finding the right balance between your academic life and your social life. Between the study hours and the date parties, Phi Tau taught me both." He is grateful the chapter now has a strong support system of young alumni as the current undergraduates navigate that same journey. Andrew moved to Hattiesburg to be closer to family, including his two older brothers. He is a member of Temple Baptist Church and spends his free time playing disc golf and video games or enjoying life with his five- year-old goldendoodle, Rosie. If you'd like to contact him, you can send an email to andrew.rigel@gmail.com. Hayes Burk* Hernando, Miss. Aiden Ellington Petal, Miss. Jake Greer Anderson, S.C. Kaden Hollingsworth Pearl, Miss. Zane Hopper* Hernando, Miss. Jack James* Stringer, Miss. Legacy: Gunner James '20 Will Johnson Brookhaven, Miss. Preston Milem Dallas, Texas Jackson Morris* Hernando, Miss. Tanner Payne* Tylertown, Miss. William "Jackson" Reece Mobile, Ala. *Sophomore Welcome, New Members We asked a few New Members: Why Did You Choose Phi Tau? "The first time I arrived, it already felt like home. Everybody seemed so nice, and I felt comfortable introducing myself. Other fraternities made me feel like I was being judged." –Hayes Burk "I made connections that felt personal and real. They didn't just want me here to be another number or to pay dues, I could tell they wanted me here because they wanted to be my friend." –Tanner Payne "When I walked through the doors of Phi Tau, I could tell that the vibe was different. Everyone was nice and it didn't feel forced like every other fraternity. I knew that I could be a true brother to these guys." –Jake Greer Andrew Rigel '15 Shares His Young Alumni Experience Living Up to Your Potential Alpha Chi was a great experience, and I am blessed to have had the opportunity to be a part of it.

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