Phi Kappa Theta - Iowa State University

XICLONE PAGE 2 W hen I visited and rushed Phi Kappa Theta, I was greeted by a friendly group of young men who wanted me to be a part of this band of brothers. It also helped that I had grown up with two of their members helping make my decision an easy one. The vision, mission, and purpose of Phi Kappa Theta, modeled and lived out by and through my brothers, helped me grow and mature. Being a Phi Kap gave me the confidence, perspective and, later, wisdom to be a better person, husband, father, employee, and leader in church, community, and business. Iowa Xi memories run the gamut: house dances, Christmas parties, Homecoming, and the Hog Roast with visiting alumni. I was among the first to live in the Annex, with Steve "Gapper" Polito '76 and Dennis "Cody" Janning '74 as roommates. FRATERNAL BLESSINGS A core value of both Phi Kappa Theta and my upbringing was to serve others, expecting nothing in return. I spent my entire career in the financial service industry as an investment advisor, all at the same firm which is now called Morgan Stanley. I am forever grateful to Jim Willer '69, who was already working there and helped me as I began my career; he also connected the late Jim Victor '68 to the firm. I first met the two Jims as a freshman when they came back for Homecoming, and they have been my mentors ever since. Living their Phi Kappa Theta values daily, both have left a mark on me to this day. This seed introduced me to the love of my life, "Sweet Anita," a Little Sis and Sweetheart of Phi Kappa. We will celebrate our 50th wedding anniversary on August 23, 2025. (Will we be in Ireland to watch the Cyclones play football? Stay tuned!) BONDS THAT LAST I did not expect to be the oldest living alumnus at Iowa Xi's Centennial Celebration—it would have been Jim Willer, who at the last moment was unable to attend. It has been 54 years, over half our chapter's history, that I have been a Phi Kap. I was asked to join the Alumni Chapter Board almost immediately after graduation, and I have twice been elected as president. Most recently, I served on the Jim Victor gift committee. My wife and I have enjoyed coming back to visit ISU for years—both for football and basketball games as well as visiting Iowa Xi for Homecoming. Three brothers were in our wedding, and to this day we are still close to several brothers and spouses of my era. CONTINUING OUR STORIES I reflect often on the upperclassmen from my freshman year and the impact they had on me; perhaps I impacted the undergraduates below me as well. To that end, I challenge you, no matter your era, to RECONNECT! Brothers need to hear your story and your life experiences, both successes and failures. We all grow and are strengthened as brothers when we come together. Us Baby Boomers are beginning to think of that great Peggy Lee song, "Is That All There Is?" and ask ourselves: "How do I want to be remembered?" Brother Jim Victor answered that in noble fashion! Thanks to his estate, Iowa Xi was blessed beyond measure. You can follow Jim's example and establish your legacy by connecting with the Iowa Xi Foundation (see page 4)—won't you consider giving back to help Iowa Xi for generations to come? Fraternally, Mike Canney '75 Your Brother in Christ michaelcanney1@gmail.com O V E R H A L F A C E N T U R Y O F B R O T H E R H O O D Meet Michael Canney '75, Our Oldest Centennial Attendee Upholding a Legacy Caden Adams '26 Receives Second Annual Michael "Dayton" Fahning Scholarship A t Homecoming, the Iowa Xi Foundation announced that Undergraduate Chapter President Caden Adams '26 was selected as the second recipient of the Michael "Dayton" Fahning Scholarship, following the initial award last year to Austin Scoville '24. The scholarship, created to honor Mike Fahning '86, is awarded annually to an Iowa Xi collegian who, like Mike, exemplifies servant leadership. The winner must inspire and help other brothers develop themselves as servant leaders; demonstrate a healthy life balance of self-development, maintaining relationships, work, and professional and personal interests; and display a high level of servant leadership. Caden exemplifies servant leadership through his involvement in the Fraternity and other organizations. In addition to serving as President, Caden has served Iowa Xi as an Executive Assistant, Yell Like Hell Co-Chairman, and House Manager. Most importantly, he inspires his fellow brothers by maintaining a strong GPA in Construction Engineering and earning an internship with Power Construction, a major construction company in Chicago, Illinois. Caden continues to volunteer for Habitat for Humanity in Des Moines, Food at First, and Highway Cleanup while studying at ISU. Former Alumni Chapter President Cory Millmier '12 noted, "Caden displays true ownership in his leadership positions, looking for opportunities to improve processes, develop buy-in among house members, and transition others to success when he completes his term. When he took over as House Manager, he came in with energy and a plan to improve house cleanups and execute a productive work week before the fall semester's start. He did not need to be told what to do and developed a standard for cleanliness and achievement as a team, an area where the house struggled to meet the standard of past Phi Kap eras, and Caden worked to change the culture of ownership in the house." Join us in congratulating Caden as the second Michael "Dayton" Fahning scholarship recipient! Fraternally, Christopher Martin '87 Paul Fisher '87 (right) presents Undergraduate Chapter President Caden Adams '26 with the Michael "Dayton" Fahning Scholarship.

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