The First 5 Phi Kappa Tau Ray C. Bliss
Outstanding Alumni Award Recipients photo © 1979 by Bob Pairan
Ray C. Bliss and the Akron Phi Kappa Tau
Outstanding Alumni Award...
A Proud Past and a Brilliant Future
RAY C. BLISS (1908-1981), known nationally as a consummate political strategist and organizer, was Summit Count, Ohio, and National Republican Party Chairman. During his tenure as National Chairman (1965-1969), following the Goldwater debacle of the 1964, he was given credit for the revitalization and later successes of the National Republican Party.
In 1926, Mr. Bliss, as an Akron U undergraduate, pledged Sigma Beta Nu (affiliated with Phi Kappa Tau National in 1938). An incident during his active chapter years is often cited as the beginning of his success as a political strategist. The incident involved the election of May Queen, a prestigious campus event during the 1920’s and 30’s. Ray Bliss was chosen to manage the campaign of the Sigma Beta Nu candidate. Under Mr. Bliss’ leadership, in a spirited and hard-fought campaign, the Sigma Beta Nu candidate won by a few votes. A losing fraternity, which had dominated previous elections, contested the election results. While not responsible for the protested campaing violations, as campaign chairman, Mr. Bliss took responsibility for the infractions and was disciplined by the University. However, the Sigma Beta Nu candidate was declared the winner. Ray Bliss was a double winner in that he later married Helen Palmer, the Sigma Beta Nu candidate, and, as a result of his experience, decided to make politics his career.
As an alumnus, Mr. Bliss was a loyal Phi Tau and an Alpha Phi supporter. As example of his loyalty and sense of brotherhood was his willingness to place brothers in important positions within the local party organization. A further demonstration was the establishment of the scholarship fund for Political Science majors attending Akron University. Members of the Alpha Phi have a priority as recipients. In 1977, he was the recipient of The Borradaile Award, given by the Phi Kappa Tau National Fraternity for outstanding achievement.
To honor Mr. Bliss and Alpha Phi’s alumni, the RAY C. BLISS AWARD was established. Each year, at Alpha Phi’s Founder’s Day Dinner, an alumnus who has demonstrated outstanding achievement is presented with the Award. Winners of the Award have included Mayors, Legislators, Judges, business and community leaders who have, in the mold of Ray C. Bliss, made significant and successful contributions to their communities and nation.
Phi Kappa Tau Ray C. Bliss
Outstanding Alumni Award Recipients
| Year | Name, Full | Title | Name, First | Name, Last |
| 1969 | Ray C. Bliss | R.N.C. Chairman | Ray C. | Bliss |
| 1970 | Byron Larabee | Byron | Larabee | |
| 1971 | Bill Ruhlin | Bill | Ruhlin | |
| 1972 | Dr. Carl Krill | Dr. | Carl | Krill |
| 1973 | John Ballard | John | Ballard | |
| 1974 | George Boss | George | Boss | |
| 1975 | Gene Waddell | Gene | Waddell | |
| 1976 | Judge McFadden | Judge | Donald | McFadden |
| 1977 | Judge Reese | Judge | John | Reese |
| 1978 | Morris Jobe | Morris | Jobe | |
| 1979 | E.C. Brown | E.C. | Brown | |
| 1980 | Bill Bond | Bill | Bond | |
| 1981 | George Wilson | George | Wilson | |
| 1982 | Judge William Spicer | Judge | William | Spicer |
| 1983 | Sen. Roy Ray | Sen. | Roy | Ray |
| 1984 | Tom Saywer | Sen. | Tom | Saywer |
| 1985 | Nick Andreef | Nick | Andreef | |
| 1986 | Otto Schellin | Otto | Schellin | |
| 1987 | Tim Davis | Tim | Davis | |
| 1988 | Rev. Don Powers | Rev. | Don | Powers |
| 1989 | Jerry Glinsek | Jerry | Glinsek | |
| 1990 | Ralph Maher | Ralph | Maher | |
| 1991 | John Blickle | John | Blickle | |
| 1992 | Bill Costigan | Bill | Costigan | |
| 1993 | Don Coughlin | Don | Coughlin | |
| 1994 | Terry Renninger | Terry | Renninger | |
| 1995 | Alex Arshinkoff | Alex | Arshinkoff | |
| 1996 | Tim Ochsenhirt | Tim | Ochsenhirt | |
| 1997 | Jim Laria | Jim | Laria | |
| 1998 | Ronald Schleede | Ronald | Schleede | |
| 1999 | Michael McNulty | Judge | Michael | McNulty |
| 2000 | Don Varian, Jr | Don | Varian, Jr. | |
| 2001 | ||||
| 2002 | Greg Zemla | Greg | Zemla | |
| 2003 | Bob Leatherman | Bob | Leatherman | |
| 2004 | Jim Lytle | Jim | Lytle | |
| 2005 | Scott Meyer | Scott | Meyer | |
| 2006 | Geoff Eicher | Geoff | Eicher | |
| 2007 | Robert Heffern | Robert | Heffern | |
| 2008 | John Conti | John | Conti | |
| 2009 |