Phi Kappa Tau Launches Oral History Project

What do we take away from our fraternity experience? Lifelong friends, leadership skills, and most importantly - stories. The Phi Kappa Tau Fraternity and Foundation has partnered with Publishing Concepts (PCI) to undergo an incredible Oral History Project. This project is intended to both help us hear the unique experience from members across the country, but also help update information and ensure your connection to Phi Kappa Tau never fades.

The stories will be packaged in a book that is available for purchase and will live on forever in the history of our organization. Can you attribute your success to Phi Kappa Tau? Did a brother leave a lasting impact on you? What about that intramural championship that brought the chapter together? All of these moments make up Phi Kappa Tau, and we want to hear them.

We understand that it’s not everyday that you receive a post card or an email asking you to call a number to verify your information and share your Phi Tau story - so to put you at ease, we’ve compiled some frequently asked questions that should help to clarify the process.

To call and share your story use this toll free number: 1-877-561-6329.

To learn more about PCI click here.

Golf's Fastest Men

Smith surfing.

By Dalton Lee, Baldwin Wallace ’11

There’s a quote from the 1966 classic film, The Endless Summer, that states, “With enough time and enough money, you could spend the rest of your life following summer around the world.” Garlin Smith, Miami ’83, began chasing summer following his graduation from Miami University in 1986. Accompanying a friend on their way to Los Angeles for a job interview, Smith found every mile ventured West to be a unique, eye-opening experience. As they made their way across the country, the duo found rest bits at ten Phi Tau houses along the way. Arriving in Los Angeles, Smith had decided to stay within 24 hours, and is still there 36 years later. Despite a love for Ohio, Smith was drawn to the lifestyle, weather, and outdoors afforded to citizens of Los Angeles. Deciding to embrace the culture, he bartended for the first year of living in LA, keeping the days open to surf and enjoy the sunshine. Carrying that passion for surfing for over thirty years, Smith has ventured to Costa Rica, Hawaii, Mexico, and Bali searching for great waves and a little extra hint of summer.  

Smith playing a round of speedgolf.

Surfing is far from the only hobby that keeps Smith active and outdoors. As the founder of Speedgolf SoCal, Smith is helping to usher in a new era of a beloved sport. First hearing about the underground sport six years ago, Smith was intrigued by the prospect of adding more of a fitness aspect to the game of golf—having begun to lose his passion for the game due to how much time a round would take and how little physical output it required. Taking it upon himself, Smith contacted a local course and decided to try a round. For some, shooting an 84 in a normal round of golf would be quite the achievement, but Smith did it in about 75 minutes. His passion for the sport of speedgolf was born that day and has propelled him to community stardom. Featured in Fore Magazine, Inside Hook, and the LA Times, Smith’s now bustling Speedgolf SoCal club has grown from a few friends to upwards of 25 members—now with a second contingent in Orange County. This group of like-minded individuals relish in the opportunity to play a sport they love, while staying fit and active. Their season runs from April to September, working with local courses to ensure they’re the first group out of the day, in order to cause no disturbance to other golfers. Southern California is far from the only place to begin adopting the sport, there is growing fondness and communities in England, Australia, and Japan. Tournaments and elite players have begun to emerge, some of the best completing courses in forty minutes and shooting par along the way. For the average player, the fitness and time aspects of the sport are the biggest draw. Having the ability to knock out a workout and round of golf, all within two hours and prior to starting work for the day, is undeniably appealing. For those interested in trying speedgolf for themselves, Smith recommends dressing in more traditional running clothes and carrying lightweight bags. When selecting clubs, he recommends picking 4-6 that you hit the straightest and are most comfortable with, keeping the staples in mind: driver, hybrid, long iron, wedge, and putter.  

Smith with his wife, Kristen, and their two dogs.

Outside of speedgolf, surfing, and other activities, Smith has spent his career in corporate sales, doing stints for media companies such as Fox Sports, Yahoo, and Pluto TV. Now serving as the Senior Account Executive for Paramount, Smith sells ad space for some of the company's biggest networks—CBS, MTV, and VH1 being among them. He and his wife, Kristen, live in Redondo Beach and have two dogs: Smoky, a 5-year-old chihuahua, and Jed, a six-month-old terrier mix.  

To learn more about Speedgolf, check out the LA Times article here.  

Oh The Places You Will Grow

Inaugural Growth Summit breathes new life into proactive recruitment planning for Chapters.

By Dalton Lee, Baldwin Wallace ’11

Participants, volunteers, and staff at the Phi Tau Growth Summit.

For the first time in over two years, undergraduate and graduate brothers from all over the country joined together with a common goal in mind—continuing to grow our organization and sustaining excellence long into the future. Growth Summit was an in-person educational program, taking place May 26th through May 28th in Fort Worth, Texas, comprised of 81 undergraduate members, Executive Office staff members, graduate volunteers, and members of the National Council. All holding leadership positions within their chapters, the undergraduate brothers were provided valuable breakout sessions on recruitment, retention, and risk prevention.  

Gamma Alpha Brothers educating peers on recruitment.

With the primary focus of the event being to increase chapter size through real tactics, the Growth Summit attendees not only got presentations from graduate members who were successful during their time as undergraduates, but also from peers from our chapters who regularly recruit the largest associate classes. The Psi chapter at UC Boulder representing the large schools, the Gamma Alpha chapter at Michigan Tech representing medium sized schools, and the Epsilon chapter at Mount Union representing the smaller sized schools. Following the peer presentations, we were able to speak to men from these chapters. There was a resounding since of pride in sharing their accomplishments and helping fellow brothers take some of their most useful tactics back to their chapters. Alongside these presentations from their peers, the attendees received breakout sessions from National Vice President, Barry Mask, Auburn ’78, and National Recruitment Advisor, Taylor Johnson, Auburn ’14. Mask and Johnson were in agreement that the most important takeaway from their sessions and from this weekend is preparation and beginning recruitment process long before the semester starts.  

Mountz leading a session on hazing education.

Growth is not only about gaining new members but keeping existing ones. Foundation Development Officer, Alex Haller, Middle Tennessee State ’16, presented on Phi Kappa Tau’s Mark of Distinction Program and new member education; John Mountz, Penn State ’90, led a large group session surrounding hazing myths; and special guest presenters from the Beers Aren’t Bad program discussed proper alcohol use and breaking bad habits. Following the educational events on Friday night, a Foundation Reception was held for alumni in the surrounding area. With graduate and undergraduate brothers gathered in celebration, the reception was a joyous occasion that brought many generations of men together. Not only giving back with their willingness to learn, the undergraduate brothers also donated over $400 to the Phi Kappa Tau Foundation throughout the weekend, each individual receiving a brotherhood pin for their donation. With all the successes over the course of these three days, it was a reminder of the benefits of in-person programming and all that we missed out on over these past couple of years. We look forward to many more programs in the future.  

Did I Do Enough?

Graduation Op-Ed by Jay Jenkins, Lynchburg '19

Jay Jenkins celebrating graduation.

Phi Kappa Tau has been the backbone of my college experience. Even through the obstacles, I wouldn’t trade it for the world. There were times during my undergraduate years when I was wishing to finally become one of those “fun alumni” who don’t have to hold any positions or have any major responsibilities to the chapter. Well, I’m finally there. An alumni of Phi Kappa Tau and it doesn’t feel as fun as I thought it would be. The main feeling that I have as an alumni of Phi Tau is worry. They always told us that you should leave the chapter in a better place than you found it. The normal feelings of worry come with that in mind. Did I do enough? Did I represent to the best of my ability what a man of distinction looks like? Did I provide enough mentorship to each new class? Is it truly better than what I entered? When thinking of these questions while filled with worry, I realized the answer to all these questions were, yes. Yes, because if I didn’t ask them to myself or have this completely normal feeling of worry, then that’s when I did something wrong. That’s when I would know that I didn’t do enough during my undergraduate years.  

I graduated college, and many other brothers across the country are doing the same—congratulations to all the Phi Tau graduates. I want to share something: while I am excited to finally be done with my academic life, I’m also in a way scared. I know that might sound foolish, but all my life there has always been a set in stone “what’s next.” You go from this grade to this grade to this grade. There was always a chronological constant. For the first time in my life there is no longer a set in stone what's next. Finally, what’s next is whatever I choose it to be. While that may seem exciting it does make me scared. The feeling of not having that safety net of knowing what exactly was next after every accomplishment. But as I stated before, Phi Kappa Tau has been my backbone in my undergraduate years and like any wise brother has said before, it’s more than just four years.  

This is going to be tough. We’re at the point in our lives that many of us have looked forward to when we were younger. I have to continually remind myself that when summer is over I’m not just moving back to college or studying for exams anymore, not going to go to weekly chapter meetings, and worrying about rush week. I now have to start buying more regular clothes, because wearing letters and greek shirts everyday isn’t going to fly anymore. I’m finally in the real world. This is the moment when I truly thank my membership in Phi Kappa Tau. Without it, I wouldn’t know how to lead meetings, navigate Roberts rules, promote, advertise and execute events or engage in any philanthropic activities. I wouldn’t have the experience of problem solving with peers you are always working with. I now look forward to attending brother's weddings and having them in mine. Seeing which one gets a kid first. Seeing what kind of fancy job they all get. Visiting each one wherever they end up in the world and especially coming back to the undergrad chapter to see how they are doing. Phi Tau has made me a better man. A man that is ready to take on anything this world will throw at him.  

Aaron Hawkins, Kent State ’96, is Named Bluegrass Domain Director

Aaron Hawkins, Kent State ’96.

By Dalton Lee, Baldwin Wallace ’11

The opportunities and experiences afforded to us as members of Phi Kappa Tau are plentiful, and not lacking in their advantages, but none are as beautiful and life changing as those provided to Aaron Hawkins, Kent State ’96. As an associate member of Phi Tau, Hawkins partook in a Kent State tradition called Song Fest. At the event, fraternities and sororities would pair up and prepare a lip sync routine to perform on stage. Having the good fortune to be paired with a sister of the Chi Omega sorority named Melissa, Hawkins would get a brief glimpse into the rest of his life. Now, after twenty-one years of marriage, Aaron and Melissa Hawkins have two daughters, Ali and Melody.  

Hawkins family at Disney.

Finding more than love and family in his time as an undergraduate member of Phi Tau, Hawkins described his experience as extraordinary. Hoping to give back to current and future members of Phi Tau, Hawkins has been named the new Bluegrass Domain Director. No stranger to service, Hawkins has served as BOG Chairman for the Beta Mu chapter, Interim Director of Greek Affairs, and as a part-time adjunct professor for the MBA program at Kent State University. After seeing the posting for the open Domain Director position, Hawkins decided to put his risk management and strong financial background to work for our organization. Having held positions with Joann Fabrics, Dollar General, US Bank, and now the VP and Treasury Management Officer for Simmons Bank, he enters this position with an abundance of experience.  

Hawkins running a race.

Outside of family, work, and volunteering, Hawkins is an avid distance runner. Overcoming a multiple sclerosis diagnosis in 2003 and a lung cancer diagnosis in 2019—which resulted in the loss of the majority of his left lung—Hawkins celebrated his 50th birthday in May of 2022 by running his 50th full marathon in Cleveland, Ohio. Furthering his love for running, Hawkins also serves as the head cross country coach and assistant track coach for a high school in Tennessee.  

Congratulations to our newest Domain Director, our Bluegrass schools and this organization have gained a valuable resource.  

How Do We Keep Our Brotherhood Strong?

This is a part of the Strategic Plan 2025 series, zooming in on each of the pillars of the plan and going into further detail on their importance. For the full Strategic Plan click here.

Strategic Plan Pillar: Facilitate Strong, Lifelong Ties of Brotherhood 

A Phi Kappa Tau Graduate at the Zeta Lambda chapter at Middle Tennessee State University.

Why: Our organization is nothing without the brothers who comprise it. Beginning at the undergraduate level, we must work to provide and adapt to the needs of the current college student. Ensuring this support will carry more undergraduate members through their education and into graduate status. With additional graduate members who felt the true power of this brotherhood, we can cultivate lasting ties and engagement. The importance of these lifelong ties goes beyond the success of our organization, and bridges into the well-being of our members.  

How: The first step to accomplishing this pillar is Membership Development – we must strive to have 100% of chapters implement a (to-be-developed) next-generation membership orientation and development program. As the needs of the average college student change, we will work to meet those needs to the best of our ability. We are currently revising the new member program to update it and better fit the Phi Tau’s of tomorrow. This will take us beyond the “Mark of Distinction” program and become an adaptable more engaging program for years to come. 

Recent Phi Kappa Tau graduates at Baldwin Wallace University.

The second step zooms in on the members once they’ve been initiated: Student Success – 75% of undergraduate members are retained from association through graduation and graduate within 6 years of matriculation. It is one thing to recruit new members, but another thing to retain them through graduation and ensure they’re having a meaningful experience. We are exploring ways to increase membership retention so that three out of four men who initiate into Phi Kappa Tau also graduate in good standing. This is achieved through a stronger new member program and ensuring each stage of the Phi Tau journey is offering value to men as they proceed through college. Not only will we provide undergraduate members with the tools to be successful, we will guide them through and provide the highest possible level of support.  

The final step in the pillar calls upon the heft of our organization: Alumni Engagement – we are reaching to increase the number of engaged alumni by 100%. Engagement means a lot of things. It could be local engagement, national engagement. Participating in foundation events or volunteering at educational programs. Perhaps it is simply opening and responding to our newsletters. There are several small alumni groups who interact constantly, and we need to collect their stories. With this we can have a better understanding of why and how people engage with Phi Kappa Tau after they graduate. 

What can you do? Be on the lookout for ways to engage both locally and nationally. Provide feedback on national programming. Become an ambassador for Phi Kappa Tau with your alumni cohort. Keep in touch with undergraduates as they graduate. 

Remembering Chef Joe Castro, Transylvania '81

By Dalton Lee, Baldwin Wallace ’11

Chef Joe Castro (2006).

For a chef to make a lasting impression on the culinary scene they must blend creativity, craftsmanship, and personality into their restaurant and dishes. For Joe Castro, Transylvania ’81, this meant melding the homestyle cooking of his mother, who was a Kentucky native, with the pacific island cuisine of his father, who was of Filipino decent. The by-product of this pacific-americana hybrid was what many described as one of the finest restaurants in Louisville and throughout the state of Kentucky. Castro spent fifteen years as the Executive Chef at The English Grill at The Brown Hotel and gained widespread recognition throughout the Kentucky culinary community. Breaking onto the national stage, Castro was featured on The Discovery Channel's "Great Chefs of the South" and "Great Chefs of America" TV series in 1994. In 2000, he helped launch the Chef's Table premium dining experience at The English Grill. Alongside his brother, chef John Castro, he appeared on “Throw Down with Bobby Flay” in 2007; the duo prepared their Kentucky’s famous Hot Brown dish, which netted them a victory in the competition. Leaving The English Grill in 2007, Castro assumed the role of Culinary Training Manager for General Electric's Monogram Appliances. 

On April 23rd, 2022, Joe Castro died at the age of 60, surrounded by loved ones. Castro is remembered fondly by fellow chefs, food critics, and all those who knew him. "Joe was truly one of the nicest human beings I have ever met," wrote a GE Appliances coworker, Mason Carrico. "His caring attitude and genuine kindness are two traits that always made Joe stand out. His passion and talent for cooking were second to none. We love Joe and he will always have a special place in our hearts." Castro is survived by his wife, Kathleen Stevens Castro; children, Eleanor Stevens Castro, Max Ignacio Castro and Lydia Stevens Castro; sister, Alfreda Donahue; and brothers, John Castro and Paul Castro. 

Nicholas Marshall, Louisville '05, A Pathway to Purpose

Nicholas Marshall, Louisville ’05

By Dalton Lee, Baldwin Wallace ’11

The month of May has come to represent and celebrate a variety of things: the first true feeling of Spring, the ending of the school year, holidays such as Mother’s Day and Memorial Day, and Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. In addition to these celebrations, May is also National Foster Care Month. This initiative by the Children’s Bureau takes the time to acknowledge foster parents, family members, volunteers, mentors, policymakers, child welfare professionals, and all other members of the community who help children and youth in foster care find permanent homes. We were fortunate enough to sit down with Nicholas Marshall, Louisville ’05, to discuss his experience in foster care, as a member of Phi Kappa Tau, and amid an Indiana State Senate campaign.   

Marshall had been in the foster care system since he was an infant, and later recommitted when he turned eighteen, making him in state’s care for over twenty years. Throughout his adolescence, Marshall was fortunate enough to have foster parents who instilled upon him a desire to give back to the community. Unlike many in foster care, Marshall was provided the opportunity to pursue an education by recommitting to state care. Arriving on Louisville’s campus, Marshall’s desire to give back to his new community went above and beyond the average student. Within Phi Tau, Marshall served as Rush Chair, Sargeant in Arms for two years, and finally served one term as Vice President. His service to the fraternity earned him the title of Most Outstanding Brother before becoming a graduate member. In addition to his many fraternal positions, Marshall was on the orientation staff for the University of Louisville; served as the cardinal bird mascot, getting to travel with teams and attend the cheerleading national championships; did a two-year research study for the state of Kentucky; and volunteered with programs for at-risk youth. Despite Marshall’s staggering resume and clear, natural proclivity for service and leadership, it was his biological brother who inspired him to pursue a seat in the Indiana State Senate. At an event for Kentucky Foster Care and Adoption Services, Marshall was given the honor of being the keynote speaker. Following the speech, his brother made him take a moment and observe the impact Marshall’s speech had on the audience filled with powerful and influential members of the Kentucky community.   

Marshall’s campaign logo.

Marshall’s campaign is focused on impacting “Everyday Hoosiers,” who are all too often put on the back burner of policy making. Inspired by a foster parent who was a teacher, Marshall wants to ensure that educators in Indiana no longer have to leave the state to receive appropriate pay, benefits, and resources. Along with his focus on the educational system, Marshall hopes to alleviate the need for parents to have multiple jobs just to support their family—achieving what he describes as Economic Mobility. Drawing upon his own experience, the last of his primary goals, if elected, is to be a champion of those in foster care throughout the state of Indiana. With roughly ten to twelve thousand children currently in the Indiana foster care system, this issue is becoming more relevant than ever—exacerbated by the deficiency in resources due to the COVID-19 pandemic.  

Marshall, his wife, Melonie, and their two children.

Outside of his current campaign, Marshall works at the Republic Bank and Trust, serves on the Board of Directors Coalition Support Young Adults, serves on both the Associate Board and Board of Directors for Nativity Academy of St. Boniface Middle School, volunteers at The Cabbage Patch Settlement House, serves on advisory board council for the Home of Innocents, and worked in the past with the One Love Louisville Implementation Team with Metro Government to reduce violence in our community. Marshall and his wife, Melonie, have been married for six years and have two children, Sebastian and Evelyn.  

For more information regarding Nicholas Marshall’s campaign, click the link here.  

The Day the War Came Home

By Dalton Lee, Baldwin Wallace ’11

Remembrance of the four victims.

Growing up in the city of Kent, Ohio, in my personal experience, can feel a bit surreal. Like the set of an idyllic 1950’s movie; complete with a bustling downtown, a university, a plethora of festivals and events, and comprised of a variety of sub-villages, each boasting a distinct personality. For my friends and I this was nothing short of a midwestern oasis. Each summer would go by in a meandering haze as we ran through the woods, swam in different lakes and quarries, and made the emptied campus our personal playground—only covering our bare feet when absolutely required. I’ve learned that describing this period of my adolescence can sound like a hit country-western song, but I assure you that if this is anything, it’s dulled down a bit from my actual experience. The bliss of youth can be blinding, any harsh realities or bad news seemed to wash just along the periphery of my acknowledgment. It wasn’t until the age of seventeen that I first registered the story of May 4th, 1970, in the city of Kent, Ohio. Although I’d heard the story many times, I’d never been able to let it sink in. With college looming, it is possible that I’d started to identify with the impacted demographic more. The more likely cause is that I could never accept that this hallowed ground, on which I’d spent many formative years, was soiled by one of our countries’ most tragic events.  

Kent State Commons, May 4th, 1970.

April 30th, 1970, President Nixon announced that the U.S. had invaded Cambodia in an attempt to attack various Viet Cong headquarters. With widespread unrest regarding the War in Vietnam, students on campuses all over the country began holding protest the following day, May 1st, 1970. On the commons of Kent State University's campus, a peaceful protest was held at noon. Later that evening, what appeared to be a normal night quickly divulged into violent confrontations between students and local police. While the incitement of this incident is still up for debate, the result was Kent Mayor Leroy Satrom declaring a state of emergency and ordering all the bars to close early. Inciting the crowd further, Satrom called Governor James Rhodes the following day, asking for assistance. Fearing further damage to the city, Satrom and Rhodes brought the National Guard into the city of Kent and onto the campus. Arriving around 10:00pm on Saturday, May 2nd, the National Guard encountered roughly 1000 protestors surrounding the burning remains of the ROTC building. Throughout the sunny Sunday, May 3rd, morning the campuses had an eerie calm, but resembled an active militarized zone. That night saw more violent encounters between protestors and guardsmen. As words of a conclusion rally at noon on Monday, May 4th, spread, campus officials attempted to prohibit the protest. Nearly 3,000 demonstrators filled the commons, watched by roughly 100 armed guardsmen. Efforts to disperse the crowd were met with anger, as rocks and shouts flew from the protestors, tear gas flew from the guardsmen. As the guardsmen neared the top of Blanket Hill, 28 of the 70 men turned and fired their weapons. As many fired into the air or ground, some fired directly into the crowd. In just 13 seconds, around 61-67 shots were fired. In that 13 seconds, nine students were injured and four were killed. Jeffery Miller, Allison Krause, William Schroeder, and Sandra Scheuer lost their lives to members of the state’s own National Guard, on a college campus in Northeast Ohio. Jeffery Miller was a transfer student from Michigan State University, and while the details of his membership are unknown, had been an associate member of the Phi Kappa Tau Fraternity.  

Reflecting upon this day as Kent native, Kent State alumnus, and brother of Phi Kappa Tau removes much of the wistful dreaminess from my hometown, but also demands an understanding of this event that changed our country. A college campus is meant to be a place of safety, fostering education, debate, discussion, and understanding. On this day in 1970, Kent State University’s campus was none of those things and more. While you might be tempted to celebrate this as Star Wars Day (May the fourth be with you) or just another Wednesday, I’d implore you to reflect upon the events that transpired today, which affected countless lives, a member of our own organization, and college campuses all over the country.  

For a more detailed account of this event, and for further reading and information, visit the link here.

Andy Fruth, Southern Illinois '08, Named Heartland Domain Director

Fruth (right) with CEO Tim Hudson at the Omega Chapter Chartering at the University of Wisconsin - Madison.

After an extensive search, Andy Fruth, Southern Illinois ‘08, was recently named the Heartland Domain Director for Phi Kappa Tau. 

 Fruth is no stranger to the Domain Director Program. In 2008, he was appointed to the Vacant Lincoln Domain Director position by then CEO Steve Hartman, Muskingum ’89, and would serve in that capacity until 2012 when he was named Presidents Academy Dean. After completing that role in 2016, he was named Domain Director Committee Chairman by National President Mike Dovilla, Baldwin Wallace ’94, to begin working with Executive Office Staff, tasked with modifying the Domain Director Program to better suit the fraternity’s evolving needs. 

“The old structure called for dozens of directors covering unequal geographical areas. We always had high turnover rates and vacancies so we weren’t giving the chapters the support needed to be successful,” Fruth added. 

He noted that he probably would have stayed involved in the program longer, but the 2017 birth of his boy/girl twins and the 2020 birth of another son put those plans on the back burner. “I think Mallory [Fruth’s wife] probably would have killed me if I didn’t take a break from Phi Tau for a little while, but don’t tell her that!” stated Fruth.  

Andy (left) with Father (center) and brother Alex (right). All Phi Kappa Tau brothers.

 Andy joined the Beta Chi Colony at Southern Illinois University in 2005. Within a semester he took over as Colony President where he would remain until graduation, then transitioning into the role of Chapter Advisor before signing the charter in 2008. His brother Alex Fruth, Illinois-Springfield ‘14, is a founding father of his chapter and father Terry Fruth, Illinois-Springfield ‘14, is an honorary initiate, so Harvard Red and Old Gold run strong in his family. 

 Professionally, Fruth is an Elementary School Teacher in his hometown of Freeport, IL. He noted that teaching elementary school isn’t that different than working with fraternity men, “We all struggle with the same things sometimes—managing emotions, cleaning up after ourselves, and getting along with others.” 

Fruth is looking forward to working with alumni from several different chapters to recruit volunteers to their boards, and will be organizing some alumni networking events in some of the regional hubs such as Chicago, St. Louis, and Milwaukee. 

 If you are interested in volunteering with chapters in the Heartland Domain, please contact Andy Fruth at andrewfruth@gmail.com. (States included in the Heartland Domain are: North Dakota, South Dakota, Missouri, Minnesota, Nebraska, Iowa, Kansas, Illinois, and Wisconsin)