Please tell us about your career or profession.

I graduated from Penn state in 1978 with a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering and retired 40 years later after a career in project and capital management.

How has volunteering helped you live your values?

I suppose all of us have a desire to, at some point and to some degree, “give back” to those people and organizations that benefited us in our lives. And my Phi Psi experience definitely did benefit me! Of the impact, I would rank lifelong friendships and personal growth among the top. I say among the top because there is another impact that outranks them all. Long story short: The sister of the first Phi Psi I met (and who introduced me to the Fraternity) and I were married shortly after graduation and will celebrate our 48th anniversary this year. With us will be our four children and nine great grandchildren.

So when asked if I was interested to serve on the corporation board, there was only one option.

Throughout your time volunteering, please share a moment that reminded you why fraternities matter.

Listening to the chapter report on their scholarship, philanthropic, and organizational accomplishments confirms to me that the value of the Fraternity remains high. I understand the specific things they have done and see the pride they take in their work. I am likewise proud of them. And yes, it appears they are enjoying the process! One of my takeaways is that the process is still contributing to the development of the brothers. That’s a good thing – and should be continued.

What do you hope our members will take from their fraternity experience?

I understand that the fraternity experience today is different that mine was. But there are two things that I hope, and expect, will remain the same. The first of those is personal growth. Being a contributing member of an organization and understanding what it takes to achieve both personal and organizational success is quite a valuable lesson.
And secondly is lifelong relationships. I remember being told of this as a “rushee” then but not nearly grasping how true it was. I continue to be amazed today, 50 years after joining Phi Psi, that the brothers I knew then still want to stay connected and engaged. A good size group of us gather annually to catch up with each other and to remember those no longer with us. 50 years later people still want to connect!! That’s an awesome thing.

Why is it important for you, personally, to stay involved with Phi Kappa Psi as an alumnus?

In a nutshell, my experience as a Phi Psi has been so valuable that I want to ensure that others continue to have the same opportunity. At any time, it takes a lot to keep an organization thriving and I believe contributions from others, particularly those that have been helped previously, are critical to make that happen, And today, I think support is even more critical given the social and educational changes going on around us.

In this feature photo, brothers gather to mark the presentation of a painting with deep significance in Pennsylvania Lambda’s history. Here is what Mike shared about the painting:

This painting of the Phi Kappa Psi Pennsylvania Lambda Chapter House on 403 Locust Lane was painted by Brother Frank W. Strauss Penn State ’54 and dated June 1, 1955. The painting was given to Brother William “Bill” Ziegler Penn State ’53 as a wedding gift. Bill displayed this Lodge painting proudly in his home until he passed away on May 22, 2018.

Bill was a 1955 graduate of Penn State. In addition to being a member of his beloved Phi Psi, Bill served as captain of the tennis team and was in the U.S. Army division of ROTC. Upon graduation he and his wife Sue, who he met at Penn State, were stationed at Fort Benning, Georgia, and Fort Lewis, Washington while serving as a first lieutenant.

Bill and Sue enjoyed Penn State football as season ticket holders for decades, enjoyed playing bridge and Bill thoroughly loved the sport of tennis! Bill was a top-notch local tennis player was inducted into the Luzerne County Sports Hall of Fame in recognition of his numerous tournaments won locally and countrywide.

This framed print was presented to the undergraduate brothers by the Pennsylvania Lambda House Corporation on April 27, 2025.

Pictured in this photo (L to R): Darren Kelly Penn State ’23 (House Manager), Brian Schubert Penn State ’24 (Incoming Vice President), Tim Damasco Penn State ’23 (Outgoing President), Brian Regalado Penn State ’24 (Treasurer), Justin Zebro Penn State ’24 (Incoming President), Frank Pugliese Penn State ’75 (Outgoing Board President), Mike Smoyer Penn State ’81 (Board member), Mike Conley Penn State ’75 (Incoming Board President).