Page 2 - Phi Kappa Tau - Cornell - Fall 2018

PRESIDENT PASSES THE TORCH

As my time as president of the Alpha house and to our brothers has been apparent provides for issue resolution. I’d like to
Tau Chapter comes to an end, I am happy since he started working for the Alpha Tau thank him for making my job easier and for
to pass the torch knowing that Phi Tau con- Chapter. He always strives to be an active always keeping a watchful eye on the house.
tinues to fight against the negative aspects friend in our lives and a person with whom I’d also like to thank the members of the
and stereotypes broadly applied to Greek we can have a conversation about anything. Board of Governors, whose dedication to the
organizations. I reflect upon my decision to We once again organized our annual house is what keeps us alive and able to con-
join a fraternity and am confident that join- Spikeball philanthropy tournament Spike tinue operating at Cornell. I am also grate-
ing Phi Tau was a worthwhile and beneficial Tau and raised $500 for the SeriousFun ful to the members of the resident council
decision for my social and professional Children’s Network. Our philanthropy executive board who have worked with me
development. I am thankful for the network chair, Lev Lascu ’17, and eight other this past year—my job would be much more
of friends and brothers I’ve created, which brothers recently participated in Cornell’s difficult if not for the help and sacrifices that
will follow me throughout my life. Greek largest community service event: Into the others have made.
life at Cornell is certainly under scrutiny, Streets. Also, starting at the beginning of I hope that our next president, Sean
but I maintain that the Alpha Tau Chapter November, multiple brothers are partici- Lacey ’17, will lead this chapter into a new
demonstrates exemplary morals and behav- pating in Movember—growing out their wave of commitment to fellowship and
ior amidst a polarized climate surrounding mustaches while participating in a month- brotherhood. I’m confident that this chapter
our organizations. long effort to raise money by pledging to will understand the challenges that Greek
The chapter continues to operate as a walk 60 miles in the span of 30 days. life faces and be willing to face them head-
unit, emphasizing academic success and Our chapter advisor, Scott Conroe ’01, on, while holding steadfast to the Alpha Tau
brotherhood above all. We initiated eight has continued to be a presence in our chap- Chapter’s identity: a fraternity of integrity,
new members this fall. Additionally, the ter, attending chapter meetings and execu- responsibility, and maturity.
chapter made the decision to initiate our tive board meetings almost every week. In Phi,
friend and chef, Matt Lea ’18, as an honor- The house relies on his experience and we Tim Rehm ’16
ary alumnus initiate. His dedication to the truly appreciate the advice he continually

A SEMESTER IN SPAIN: TRULY AN EDUCATION

By Zachary Silver ’16 semester at Phi Tau, but there were countless of the autonomous region of Catalonia, where
Before students even pack their bags and other opportunities I felt I’d have serious Barcelona is situated. We took a class on immi-
make the trip to the airport, they hear a lot FOMO (fear of missing out) about should I gration to Barcelona and traveled to various
leave for the semester. I was finishing a term neighborhoods of the vibrant city to learn
as sports editor of the Cornell Daily Sun. I was more about the different immigrant groups
told by some that we only have four years in and how immigration to Spain compares to
college, so you might as well immigration to the states.
actually spend them there. If you followed interna-
Now that I have been lucky tional news last semester, you
enough to study abroad, I have might have seen that Catalonia
no regrets. Last spring semes- was—and still is—in a state of
ter, I studied in Barcelona unrest. Catalonians believe
along with fellow Phi Tau their cultural and economic
Charles Cotton ’16. There, independence warrants politi-
instead of walking up the slope cal separation from Spain,
David Flores ’17 (left) travelled to Barcelona to to class, we took the metro and seemingly every day I
visit Charles Cotton ’16 (middle) and Zach Silver
’16 (right), who were studying abroad there. or a commuter train. Instead was exposed to another dem-
of taking Hotelie wines, we onstration, another protest,
about how studying abroad will change their walked a block and a half to another outcry. Catalonia
life, how it will make them more worldly, the local supermercat (small did not have a government
cultured, knowledgeable. They hear how it’s an convenience stores on nearly Brothers Charles Cotton ’16 formed the entire time I was
unforgettable experience, one they would be every corner) and bought a 5 (left) and Zach Silver ’16 (right) in Barcelona, the governor
at the Palace of Catalan Music.
foolish not to make should they be in a posi- euro bottle of wine that’s bet- was in exile, and, quite literally
tion to go. ter than most you’d get in the the day I hopped on my flight
At first, I was ambivalent about study- states. We took all our classes in Spanish and back to the states in June, the prime minister
ing abroad. Not only would I miss a whole one intro class in Catalan, the native language
(CONTINUED ON PAGE FOUR)

2