bulldog fiji ■ VOLUME IV - NO. 1 ■ ■ MISSISSIPPI STATE UNIVERSITY FALL SEMESTER, 1973 Letter From the President The fall semester is just about over as all that remains are final exams. This semester has seen the Phi Gamms at Miss. State continue to be active in all areas of fraternity life. The semester started off well as Sigma Mu received more awards from the National Fraternity at the FIJI Academy for the 1972-73 school year than any other chapter. This fall saw nine men receive the MlMIIDI MiriHit aaaffif black diamond and eight men don the white star as this proved to be the strongest fall membership ever. Throughout the semester, the brothers were busy with chapter programs like rush, social activities, and social service programs. In addition, many of our members were active in student government and other campus organizations. We hope to maintain our number one standing among all fraternities in scholarship as Sigma Mu finally surpassed our rival. Farmhouse Fraternity, both semesters of the 1972-73 school year for this The Phi Gamma Delta house at Mississippi State. We have tried to maintain the high ideals set out by our founders and to always be mindful of our motto "Toward Excellence." Come and visit when coveted honor. ever you can. You will always be welcomed as a I want to thank all of you for all the help and advice you have given me this past year and urge you to continue this support to the new officers who will be installed at the beginning of next semester as they work for the bright future of Sigma Mu in this brother. next year. Perge! Fraternally, James C. Davis \r\nPAGE TWO BULLDOG FIJI FALL SEMESTER, 1973 Chapter Rewarded at FIJI Academy Every other year, between Ekklesiai, the Fra ternity conducts a leadership school, consisting of lectures, discussions, award presentations, model initiation ceremonies, and a great amount of brotherhood. This past August 12-15 five of Sigma Mu's brothers had the privilege of attending the 13th Fiji Academy at Eastern Kentucky University in Richmond, Kentucky. Those delegates attending were James Davis, Billy Martin, Bob Stimson, □ Porter Robinson, and Thomas Mize. At the Academy, Sigma Mu chapter received more awards than any other chapter and now holds more awards than any other chapter in its first three years. Those awards in which the chapter placed were the following: honorable mention in the Jordan Bowl, which is given to the chapter having the highest comparative scholarship in the Frater nity; honorable mention in the Baker Social Service Cup, given to the chapter which has excelled in religious, ethical, and social service activities; third place in the Brightman Award, presented to chapter "best evidencing that Phi Gamma Delta is not for college days alone"; third place in the Coon Plaque, awarded to that chapter whose publications are adjudged most distinctive, newsworthy, and journal istically superior; and first place in the Archon's Trophy, awarded annually to the chapter which excels in promoting the involvement of its members in the student government, the campus newspaper and other extra-curricular activities. The chapter was also presented a certificate for surpassing the university all-men's average. The delegates brought back to the chapter many new ideas which hopefully will enable the chapter to strengthen its organization Display of Sigma Mu's trophies and plaques. and operation. These new ideas have already been applied this semester with signs of success and continued achievement in the years to follow. Board of Chapter Advisers New members of Sigma Mu's Board of Chapter Advisers have been appointed. This board serves in an advisory capacity to the chapter. Those appointed are; Malcolm Wall, chairman, Milton B. Cash, Jr., Phil B. Abernethy, Bill Caver, Dick Kilby, Aubrey Earnheart, and Bill Mattox. Board of Chapter Advisers \r\nFALL SEMESTER, 1973 PAGE THREE BULLDOG FIJI Fall Rush Gains Eight This fall Sigma Mu chapter pinned the white star on eight outstanding young men: Mike Boyd, freshman, Tunica, Ms.; Mark Colbert, freshman, Greenville, Ms.; Bobby Henry, junior, Indianola, Ms.; Tom Kirkland, junior. Meridian, Ms.; Ed Norton, sophomore, Williamsburg, Va.; Chris Rebmann, freshman, Jackson, Ms.; David Vinzant, freshman, Robinsonville, Ms.; and Kevin Walters, freshman, Aberdeen, Ms. PLEDGE PROGRAM Phi Gamm Sports The Phi Gamms have been involved in almost all phases of intramural sports competition this semester. Although the flag-football team finished their season with a 3-6 record, the team put in good performances with promise of improvement for next year. The Fiji basketball team has begun practice with hopes of having a winning season and reaching the playoffs. We also have had full participation in individual sports including golf, handball, riflery, free-throw, punt-pass-kick, turkey trot, table tennis, and tennis. Our three contestants in the punt-pass-kick com petition finished in the top six. Bobby Henry and Drew McDowell won the finals of the interfraternity tennis tournament by defeating the KAs 6-3, 7-5. After a slow start, our pledges have either The Phi Gamms have made an excellent start carried through or planned all of their projects. While active in chapter functions, fraternity ath letics, and academic work, these pledges have conducted three projects. Their money making project consisted of painting a junk car up with Ole Miss slogans and charging for licks at the State-Ole Miss pep rally. Though not a lot of money was brought in, the pledges did distribute a great group effort in preparing the car while at the same time contributing to school spirit. Also as a community service project, the pledges worked at the weekend recreation center here in Starkville, supervising the kids in games. The house project, scheduled for December 7, has yet to be completed. Graduate brother Bryan Graham has agreed to come to State that weekend and with good seasons by the basketball and Softball teams next semester could win the overall sports trophy given by the intramural department. from his business in Tunica, Ms., to supervise the pledges in improving the landscape of the house. Brother Bryan has several plans which he will be implementing for the house through the labor of the pledges. In addition, the pledges are moving along well through the new pledge education program with fairly high grades, but most importantly with a thorough knowledge of the tangibles of the fraternity. On a lighter side, the pledges played the actives a good game, but nonetheless lost the pledge-active football game this fall. After the first half of the game was played in ideal conditions, the passage of a front drastically changed the weather. Despite the cold and rain, the pledges and actives later regrouped to play a well-called game. The Fiji football team setting up for a play. The pledges have been priviledged throughout the semester to have had guest lecturers in some of their pledge meetings. Brothers Robert Siedell, Leigh Hummer, and Aubrey Earnheart, a member of the board of chapter advisers, added greatly to the content of the course by lecturing on ettiquette, campus involvement, and local chapter history. Truly, these men who were strangers last September have become a close knit pledge class which will continue to strive "Toward Excellence" in the years to come. \r\nFALL SEMESTER, 1973 BULLDOG FIJI PAGE FOUR Sigma Mu Initiates Nine Nine links were added to the Golden Chain at the beginning of the fall semester: Mike Connor, sophomore, Lucedale, MS; Buzzy Handwerker, senior, Sardis, MS; Steve Horn, soph omore, Grenada, MS; Steve Mattox, sophomore, Tupelo, MS; Thomas Mize, junior, Amory, MS; Mike Spragins, junior, Guilford, Conn.; David Wesley, senior. Canton, MS; Fred Williams, junior, Como, MS; and Lee Wilson, senior. Liberty, MS. Sigma Mu Homecoming The success of Sigma Mu*s homecoming activities can be attributed to the spirit and desire of all the brothers working together in a spirit of brotherhood. The day began around 9 a.m. with a meeting of chapter graduates and Phi Gamms in the state. New officers were elected for the House Corporation and new Board of Chapter Advisers were appointed. There was also a discussion of or ganizing and forming a graduate chapter in the near future. New House Corporation Officers Homecoming activities drew one of our largest crowds of returning graduates. That afternoon the Bulldogs could only manage a tie with Southern Mississippi. After the game a reception was held at the Phi Gamm house with a number of graduates and parents stopping by. To top off a successful day, a dance was held at the Ramada Inn in Columbus with Hannibal as the The Mississippi Fijis, Inc. recently elected, new officers for the year. The officers of this corporation meet regularly to transact business pertaining to the chapter-house and report at least once a year to the undergraduate and alumni members as well as the Archons. Officers elected are: Tom B. Garrett, pres ident; Milton B. Cash, Jr., vice president; Robert S. Sumrall, secretary; and Phil B. Abernethy, treas band. Everyone expressed the fact that this was one of the best dances ever to be held by Sigma Mu. The 24-inch bronze trophy for the Benson & Hedges 100*s Grand Prix, the $350,000 pro racing circuit at ski areas across the country, was done by award-winning sculptor George Gach. urer. BULLDOG FIJI STAFF On January 29, 1963, the first five men were elected to the baseball Hall of Fame at Cooperstown, New York: Ty Cobb, Walter Johnson, Christy Mathewson, Babe Ruth, and Honus Wagner. Sigma M.u Officers President Treasurer Editor Contributors Photographer Drew McDowell Bob Stimson James Davis Chris Rebmann Recording Secretary Corresponding Secretary Historian Purple Legionnaire James Davis Jan Clark Robert Siedell .. . Leigh Hummer Billy Martin Larry Blankenship \r\nFALL SEMESTER, 1973 BULLDOG FIJI PAGE FIVE HOMECOMING 1973 The Phi Gamm homecoming display. Everyone enjoying the homecoming dance. ‘The homecoming dance held at the Ramada Inn in Columbus. \r\nPAGE SIX BULLDOG FIJI Phi Gamm graduates attending homecoming. The Fraternity of Phi Gamma Delta Chapter Mailing Service 1757 N STREET, N.W. Washington,D.C. 20036 Third Class Return Requested FALL SEMESTER, 1973 1