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Recreational Leaders of Tomorrow and Rho Phi Lambda (RLT-RPL)

Recreational Leaders for Tomorrow-Rho Phi Lambda shall be a professional and honorary student organization committed to building connections and fostering a strong sense of community among Recreation Management majors. Our purpose is to promote student engagement, leadership, and service, while recognizing individuals who demonstrate a dedication to improving parks and recreation for all communities.

The organization also serves as Alpha Tau chapter of Rho Phi Lambda, the national honor fraternity for Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Studies and seeks to honor students who exhibit academic excellence, integrity, and a passion for making a positive impact in the field.

Membership in Recreational Leaders for Tomorrow is open to all currently enrolled undergraduate and graduate students at George Mason University who declare Recreation Management as their major. The organization is committed to fostering leadership, service, and professional development among students in the field.

Membership Categories

General Members: General members are those actively engaged in the organization’s meetings, events, and service opportunities. All general members are eligible to vote, serve on committees, and hold office.

Honorary Members: Eligibility for Rho Phi Lambda is reserved for students who meet the academic and leadership criteria set by the national Rho Phi Lambda Honor Society. These members are recognized for their excellence in scholarship, service, and professional promise.

  • Undergraduate students must meet all of the following criteria:
    • Rank in the top 15% of students within the Parks and Outdoor Recreation, Therapeutic Recreation, or Individualized concentrations or have a minimum overall GPA of 3.0.
    • Rank in the top 15% of all Recreation Management concentration students in professional coursework or have a 3.2 GPA in professional courses.
    • Have completed at least 45 semester hours, including 9 semester hours of professional Recreation Management coursework.
    • Demonstrate substantial evidence of outstanding leadership.
    • Demonstrate substantial evidence of service to the campus and/or community.
  • Graduate students must meet all of the following criteria:
    • Have a minimum GPA of 3.5 and have completed at least 9 semester hours of graduate coursework.
    • Demonstrate substantial evidence of outstanding leadership.
    • Demonstrate substantial evidence of service to the campus and/or community.

Recreational Leaders of Tomorrow and Rho Phi Lambda 2024-2025

Student leadership team

Joe Eitzel

President: Joe Eitzel

My name is Joe Eitzel, and I am a member of Rho Phi Lambda. I am currently pursuing a dual Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Recreation Management at George Mason University, with a focus on therapeutic and outdoor recreation. My goal is to enhance inclusivity in outdoor spaces, ensuring that individuals of all abilities can experience the therapeutic and recreational benefits of nature. I am passionate about accessibility, adaptive recreation, and the role of natural environments in promoting mental and physical well-being.

John Thomas

Treasurer: John Thomas

Hi! I’m John Thomas, I am currently working for the NPS at Manassas National Battlefield Park in maintenance along with part time school in RMGT at GMU. I am focused on battlefield preservation and education about America’s hallowed grounds.

Joey Davis

Event Coordinator: Joey Davis

Hello, I am Joseph Davis, Sophomore Recreation Management Major, Parks and Outdoors Recreation Focus. I am passionate about educating everyone on the value of recreation and how it is involved in each other's lives, no matter how different they are. As well, I aspire to inspire others to join and help grow our organization.

Alpha Tau Chapter President: 2023-2024

Bella Trimner
Bella Trimner, Reservoir Park Specialist, Ashburn, VA
Pictured here with Executive Director of NOVA Parks, Paul Gilbert

Alpha Tau Chapter Officers: 2022-2023

Michael Lynch

Hi! My name is Michael Lynch, and I am the President of Rho Phi Lambda. I am a senior completing my Recreation Management degree with a concentration in Parks and Outdoor Recreation. My goal is to work for the National Park Service to help provide enjoyment and education to visitors and to preserve the parks for future generations. I am particularly interested in wildlife conservation and planet sustainability.

Fun Fact: I enjoy volunteering with a local rescue group to help match homeless dogs with their forever families.

Hina Choudhary

Selam Aleykum! My name is Hina, Vice President of Rho Phi Lambda. I am a senior at Mason majoring in Recreation Management with a concentration in Therapeutic Recreation. I enjoy fitness, exploring a variety of things, and learning about alternative medicine/health therapies.

I'd like to have a personal chef one day.

Alpha Tau Chapter Officers: 2021-2022

Garrett Harrison

Hello! My name is Garrett Harrison, President of Rho Phi Lambda. I am a senior here at Mason with a concentration in Parks and Outdoor Recreation Management. I spend most of my free time either reading, playing video games, or cooking!

Fun fact about me, I play for the Varsity Overwatch team here at Mason as the Off Tank!

Michael Lynch

Hi! My name is Michael Lynch and I am the Vice President of Rho Phi Lambda. I am a senior studying Outdoor Parks and Recreation. I hope someday to work at one of the National Parks helping to preserve the parks for future generations.

Fun Fact: I volunteer with a local rescue group to help match homeless dogs with their forever families.

Ryan Caram

Hi! I’m Ryan Caram. I am the Treasurer for Rho Phi Lambda. I am a senior at Mason with a concentration in Therapeutic Recreation. I enjoy spending my free time watching movies (I’m a movie buff), having fun with my Yorkshire Terrier puppy, “Aries,” and exercising. At some stage in life, I would like to travel more.

Fun Fact: I love to live, laugh, learn, and find new ways to implement therapy strategies into my lifestyle. So, I decided to create my fitness brand and therapeutic style of training.

Alpha Tau Chapter Officers: 2020-2021

Emma Werthmann

Hi! I’m Emma Werthmann, President of Rho Phi Lambda. I am a senior at George Mason with a concentration in Recreation Management. I like to spend my free time hiking, camping, kayaking and playing guitar.

Fun Fact: I am Amusements Manager at Burke Lake Park and enjoy working everyday outside.

Maggie Morgan

Hi! My name is Maggie Morgan, and I am the vice president of Rho Phi Lambda. I am studying therapeutic recreation, severe disabilities, and American Sign Language.

Fun Fact: I have a fraternal twin brother.

Corey Payne

Hi! My name is Corey Payne. I am the secretary of Rho Phi Lambda. I'm a senior in the Parks and Outdoor Recreation program.

Fun Fact: I play rugby and hockey.

Kaleb Cole

Hi! I’m Kaleb Cole; I also go by KJ. I am the Treasurer for Rho Phi Lambda. I am a graduate student at Mason with a concentration in Recreation Administration. I enjoy being with friends, playing with my German shepherd puppy, and going on crazy adventures.

Fun Fact: One thing on my bucket list is Skydiving.

Rho Phi Lambda-Alpha Tau Chapter Inductees

2024-2025

Meg Wolfe
Natalie Yellowitz

2023-2024

Joe Eitzel
Andrew O’Dell
Brenden Powers
Bella Trimner

2021-2022

Suzie Butterfield
Hina Choudhary
Julia Cooper
Michael Heredia
Henry Ware
Liz Wilson
Jessica Winkler

2020-2021

Elizabeth Adamson
Ryan Caram
Garrett Harrison
Michael Lynch

2019-2020

Preston Campbell
Kaleb Cole
Emily Giordano Ferguson
James Finnegan
Tiffany Gelak
Matthew Mast
Margaret Morgan
Corey Payne
Maya Prestipino
Zachary Stevens
Maura Taaffe
Emma Werthmann
Riley Wilkerson

2017-2018

Paul Adam
Sydney Aulffo
Katelyn Johnston
Katie McCarty
Sara Miron
Courtney Sadler
Lauren Welch
Amelia Winnard

2016-2017

Raina Aide
Rebecca Bolin
Alexis Harman
Tenia Mitchell
Camille Paladino
Kevin Rogers
Ian Stewart
Rachael Wray

2015-2016

Deborah Checco
Elizabeth Coberly
Rebecca Flaherty
Jeffrey Hill
Richard Holt
Victoria Hopchas
Janelle Marshall
Rebecca Meese
Amber Stramel
Victoria Velesz
Denzel White
Virginia Wine
Dustin Yates

2011-2012

Ryan Barnett
Kristine Brunsman
Beenish Butt
Samuel King
Aubrey Krukles
Nicole Woodward

2010-2011

Robert King
Alice Millikin
Elizabeth Rodriguez
Alethea Summers

2009-2010

Emily Fink
Willa Whitacre
Patricia Wood
Jevon Wright

2008-2009

Michelle Burchett
Ryan Corder
Samantha Davidson
Surender Raut
Brittany Scott
Andrew Shaw
Michael Stanbridge
Brittney Taylor
Amber Walker

2007-2008

Natalie Teluk Haynes
Karen Hernandez
Jason Montecalvo
John Matt Woods

Faculty and Professional Inductees

Nancy Chamberlain
Paul Gilbert
Christopher Goldbecker
Ivan Levin
Tiffany Sandstrom
Dr. Laurlyn Harmon (now University of Wisconsin-LaCrosse)
Dr. Stella Liu
Dr. Ellen Drogin Rodgers
Dr. Brenda Wiggins