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News & Updates
“There is no greater power on this earth than story.”
– Libbra Bray
An Update from PCI on the Phillips University Story Project
We know many alumni have been eagerly awaiting the Phillips University Oral History Project book, and we want to provide an update on where things stand.
Like many of you, we are disappointed by the significant delays in this project. What began as an exciting opportunity to preserve and celebrate the stories of Phillips alumni has taken longer than anticipated. Over the past year, the project has faced a series of production delays with PCI. While these challenges were outside of our control, we recognize that the extended timeline has been frustrating for those who shared their stories and especially for those who purchased books or related items.
Despite these delays, we want our alumni community to know that the project is still moving forward. Foundation staff and volunteers have invested hundreds of hours reviewing stories, correcting inaccuracies, and helping ensure that the final publication reflects the authentic voices and memories entrusted to us. We remain optimistic that the book will be published as quickly as possible.
If you purchased a book or other items through Publishing Concepts, Inc. (PCI) and no longer wish to wait, you may request a full refund directly through their customer service team. PCI can be reached at 1-800-982-1590.
Most importantly, we want to emphasize that this project’s true purpose has always been larger than a book. More than 690 alumni shared stories, memories, photographs, and reflections that help preserve Phillips University’s history for future generations. Those stories remain safely in our possession, and regardless of publication timelines, we look forward to sharing them in additional ways through alumni communications, newsletters, digital features, social media, and future legacy projects. The stories themselves are the lasting treasure of this effort.
To everyone who participated, shared a memory, purchased a book, or simply encouraged this effort, thank you. We remain committed to honoring your stories, preserving the Phillips legacy, and sharing these remarkable memories.
What is the PU Story Project?
Every Haymaker has a unique story from their time at Phillips University. We recognize the value of these stories and their role in shaping our shared history, and want to see those stories shared across the PU Haymaker community. Two years ago, thanks to suggestions from alumni volunteers, we started the PU Story Project and began collecting these stories. However, we learned that with thousands of living alumni, meeting each of you individually would take years. That’s why we’re partnering with a company named PCI to streamline the process of capturing and sharing these Haymaker stories.
Stories Connecting Haymakers Far and Wide
The result will be a beautiful, diverse collection of stories from across the decade, shared with the Haymaker community. Stories will be shared online and made available in a beautiful hardcover coffee table book published by PCI.
What To Expect & How to Get Involved
1. Project Start
As a Phillips alum, or a member of the faculty or staff you will receive an email and postcard providing details about the PU Oral History Project. This postcard or email will go through the steps for scheduling a time to call PCI to update your information and share your story.
2. Tell Your Story
During your scheduled call, a trained interviewer will help guide your conversation and ensure that your story is captured accurately.
3. Purchase Your Book (Optional)
Following your story share with a PCI Interviewer, four book packages will be offered. The packaging and pricing of these optional materials are set by PCI with the book itself priced at $179. You are welcome to purchase these items, but you are not obligated to do so to participate in the project. The Legacy Foundation does not make any profit from this project and in addition to the book, select stories will also be shared through our newsletter and online.
4. Check your Story
This is where you will receive an email from PCI with a link to review your story to make sure it is captured the way you want and make any changes you would like.
5. Project Completed
Stories will be collected through April 18, 2025. Once all of the stories have been collected and reviewed, you will get a notification that the project has been completed. For those ordering a book, it will arrive once publishing is complete late 2025 or early 2026.
6. Share Stories – Stay Connected
Dive into the stories of fellow alumni, faculty and staff and friends of the university and stay connected as we continue to share stories at alumni gatherings, through the newsletter and elsewhere!
Want to know more? Read the FAQ below and for other questions please email alumni@pulf.org.
We have partnered with PCI (also known as Publishing Concepts) to produce an Oral History publication for the Phillips University community. PCI is a family-owned business based in Dallas, TX that has published directories for educational institutions, fraternities, sororities, and military organizations across the nation for over 100 years. This project allows us collect stories of Haymakers near and far and make sure those stories are shared with the PU community. While we have you on the phone, we want to make sure your contact information is up to date for future alumni projects.
Yes, in two ways: updated Information allows us to effectively communicate with and engage alumni and sharing and collecting stories preserves the history of our school and helps connect our Haymaker community to one another. The Legacy Foundation makes no money from this project nor does any fundraising occur.
PCI is committed to protecting your information. The names, addresses, and information provided to PCI for the publication of the Oral History Project will be held confidential by PCI, except to the extent that they are utilized in, or in the preparation of, the Oral History Project and except as required by court order or law. The Legacy Foundation will update information only and not share the information with other organizations unless permission is granted.
If you have received a postcard or an email with a telephone number, you may call the number to speak with a dedicated representative for the Oral History Project. The representative will verify the information we have on file for you, make any updates where needed, and then ask you to share your story about your time at Phillips University. If you have received an email with an embedded link, you may go to the online site to review your information and submit a story.
If you did not receive a postcard or email, you may call the dedicated Phillips University update line at 1-888-887-5995. If you are living internationally or are unable to call the update line, please email customerservice@publishingconcepts.com. PCI will send you a personalized link for you to share your written story and photo.
If you would like to participate and are unable to share a story orally or prefer to share a story in writing, please email customerservice@publishingconcepts.com. PCI will send you a personalized link for you to share your written story and photo.
The only information that is included in the publication is your name, class year, and degree, along with your story and photo. No contact information is printed. You may revoke consent for your story and/or photo to appear any time before April 18th, 2025 by contacting PCI’s customer service helpdesk at 1-800-982-1590 / customerservice@publishingconcepts.com.
You can call back at any time before April 18th, 2025 to share your story.
You will receive an email with a link to upload one photo (black and white or color) plus a caption.
No. This project is being done at NO COST to our alumni. PCI will politely offer the opportunity to purchase the Phillips University Oral History book that will be produced at the end of the project and various book packages will be offered. Four distinct packages will be offered ranging from buying just the book (print or digital) to buying bundled options that include apparel. However, there is no obligation to buy anything. Again, we’d never be able to embark on a project like this without the support of our amazing alumni and the partnership with PCI. We sincerely thank every person that participates.
The book itself is only available to alumni, faculty and staff of the university and their families.
The total duration of the Oral History Project is about 12-14 months. Since we began the project in October 2024, the books will be distributed from October through December 2025.
The PU Legacy Foundation will share stories in our newsletter and occasionally online although we will most likely not be able to share the sheer volume of stories that are contained in the published book.
If you ordered a book and would like to cancel or change an order, contact PCI’s customer service helpdesk at 1-800-982-1590 before the project closes and they will take care of this for you.
The four packages of memorabilia offered to alumni, with rounded-off costs before taxes, shipping, and handling, are as follows: The first package includes a book and digital publication, a t-shirt and sweatshirt, and a travel bag for $460. The second package consists of a book and digital publication, along with a t-shirt and sweatshirt, for $360. The third package offers a book and digital publication for $270. Lastly, individual items are available with the hardbound publication priced at $180, the digital publication at $180, the t-shirt and sweatshirt (not sold separately) at $100, and the travel bag at $140. These prices are set by PCI and the Legacy Foundation does not benefit from sales of these products at all.
