^I'^m cJ^ /3 : c ) 4>ukudtu^' Vol. 1, No. 1 February 1979 WASHINGTON and JEFFERSON COLLEGE Though we had planned to cut corners and give up all expenses PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE but'those iriiperative to fulfilling our obligations and needs, we still Dear Brothers, found ourselves in trouble. In the past few years. Alpha Chapter has seen a great many Things have changed since our early assesments, which can be changes. Some of these changes are good, yet some are bad. Our major problem to face is the existance of the Chapter. Our numbers have diminished quite a bit. We need a large pledge class this year to bring us out of the cellar. Eleven seniors will graduate this spring leaving seven juniors and sophomores in the house. Realistically, we're talking about pledging at least fifteen freshmen attributed for the most part to our graduate support. Thanks to you we were able to payoff a sizable portion of a debt owed to Nick Palmer, our beverage consultant. This past debt has been reduced to $540, and our present account with him is completely payed up. We were also able to meet our obligation to the House Corporation for our Sinking Fund. Finally, we decided that skimping here and to make ends meet. there would not kill us, so instead of allocating the remaining dona Our Field Secretary, Mike Morris, has just completed his se cond visit of the 1978-1979 school year, and has brought us many ideas on how to achieve this number. 1 would like to take this op portunity to thank him for his constant help. Mike has also helped tions to those things which we had done without, we decided to put it towards producing a better newsletter to help link all ol the brothers of Alpha Chapter of Phi Gamma Delta. I can only hope that we can continue to work together and .some set up a Board of Chapter Advisors to help us. This Board is to be headed by Dave Rutt '73. The two difficulties Alpha Chapter faces are with Rush and day reestablish our Chapter as the First of Phi Gamma Delta. Graduate Relations. We've found some solutions for the Rush pro blem, but as of yet lack a solid Graduate Relations program. That is not to say our Graduate Relation program is non-existant; this Fraternally yours, Hobart K. Richey '79 Our newly elected officers for the 1979 year are; year's excellent Homecoming turnout proved that. We just need Scott Butler '80 more involvement from Graduates in the form of information for Tony Scoles '80 V.P./Treas. the newsletter, visitations, suggestions for rush, referrals for pro spective pledges, and the like. With your continued participation, David Hacker '81 Andrew Lafferty '8 Recording Sec. Corresponding Sec. we can make Alpha Chapter stronger. Let us all show that we are "proud to be Alpha Chapter Fijis!" John Hevener '81 Martin Dekker '81 Steward Thanks once again. President Historian Very fraternally yours, Wallace Greene'79 *In memory of our founding in 1848, the WIJI FIJI was chang ed to THE ALPHA. We are proud to be the first. STEWARD REPORT At the beginning of the 1978-79 school year, we were most for Editors Gary Bedford '79 tunate to find ourselves a new cook, after Mae, our cook for six Bill West '79 Contributors Jim Dornberger '79 Wally Greene '79 Hobart Richey '79 teen years, decided it was time to leave us. During the first couple days of Help Week, the pledges had a major clean-up in the kitchen in order to prepare it for the appearance of the new cook. In addi tion, the kitchen was painted by maintenance, and the House pur chased a new refrigerator. Most of the equipment in the kitchen is pretty much in working order; but it is inevitable that in the near future we may feel it necessary to purchase ourselves a new big refrigerator which we keep the majority of our dairy goods in. Unfortunately, after the first semester, due to some minor pro blems with our new cook, we had to ask her to leave. Luckily, we Bill LoefBer '79 Pete Mooney '79 Irv Bier '81 Martin Dekker '81 TREASURER'S REPORT Our main concerns this Fall were in three directions. The first was to meet all current expenses incurred in our everyday activities. This included a variety of seemingly petty items which in the long run amount to quite a sum. Our second area of concentration was on our financial obligations which had already been established in years past and are needed for the perpetuation of our Chapter. Lastly, we have a great deal of time, money, and effort into our Rush program, for here lies the future of Alpha. were able to find ourselves a new cook within a weeks period. Although she has only been with us for a couple of days, things seem to be well in hand. As the new Steward of Alpha Chapter, I intend to pursue my job in the best way I know possible; and am looking forward to keeping the tradition alive of having a great kitchen and being able to feed Phi Gams respectable food. Fraternally, Martin Dekker '81 \r\nRUSH As always. Rush is our primary concern. This year, it has been almost our only concern. Faced with the graduation of eleven seniors in May, the search for their replacements has been difficult. However, it appears to be successful. The highlights of Rush during the first semester were a beer tasting contest, our scandalous strip per party, and our annual Christmas Cocktail party. We are look ing forward to Rush Week (Feb. 7-10) as a final push for those necessary replacements. Wednesday, Feb. 7 tion installed a much needed fire alarm system during the course of the past summer. During a week of interior work, the brotherhood repainted the house dining room, living room, chapter room, and stairwell. Acquisition of a tap system through the good will of generous graduate brothers may be our first step towards a new bar. Renocation of an aging kitchen is our next major project. Another product of the house think tank is a possible landscaping project as funds become available. The brotherhood has high hopes for the coming year and would appreciate any suggestions and comments. Formal Dinner- Foreign Beer Nite Country Music Night featuring E-Z Elmer Fiji A'Disco Thursday, Feb. 8 Friday, Feb. 9 Saturday, Feb. 10 FUND RAISIN(; A profitable year is in store for Alpha fund raising. Numerous hoagie sales and raffles are helping to increase the resources of the Rock & Roll Nite brotherhood. Especially interesting was a waierbed raffle, won by a featuring Neptune City delighted freshman. The possibility of a fund raising ski trip to Seven Springs is dependent on the weather, which has been too mercurial of late. Any suggestions for fund raising events would be We encourage all brothers in the area to stop in for the fun! As always, any brother knowing of a potential freshman or just having more than welcome. a rush suggestion, please write. INTRAMURAl.S pk; dinner Plans are solidified for this year's Norris Pig Dinner. The even ing of Saturday, March 31 seemed to be the most practical for graduates and undergraduates, alike. This years featured speaker will be newly elected Archon President Lewis A. "Bud" Mangels (Indiana '56). A reception from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. will be iield at the Chapter house, followed by a sit down dinner at the Meadowlands Hilton Inn. The evening's expenses have been adjusted to $10 per We at Alpha are most proud of our intramural sports teams. Last year our hard work paid off with both the lootball and swim ming ehampionships, the former being the first in over thirty years. This year our football team, however, was hit by a blight of injuries and too little practice, and finished with a 3 - 3 record. Since then, we have fielded a volleyball team into the playoffs, and our basket ball team looks to be the class of their division. We also have high hopes for our swimming and soflball teams, not to mention squash and ping-pong where we will seed top flight players. brother for dinner and drinks. Brothers are requested to R.S.V.P. before March 14. An addi tional charge may result from failure to R.S.V.P. by the I4th. The Alpha brotherhood is looking forward to seeing everyone there. GRADUATE NEWS Dave Rutt '74 has joined the law firm of Greenlee, Richman, Derrico and Possa in Washington, Pa., and will head our newly edtablished BCA. Jim Norris '75 is to be Alpha Chapter's new Purple Legion naire. William Annesley '77 has announced his engagement to Jac- quelyn Kennon '77. Rodney Kosanovich '77 is going to Podiatry school in Cleveland, and has been back to Alpha several times with Jeff Jensen '78 who is living in Cleveland also. Louis Scotti '78 is off on the right fool at New York School of Podiatry. Gary Piganell '78 was married on August 12 to Kimberly Frank '79 with many of the brothers attending. Congratulations Kim and Pigs! Mike Sebolsky '78 is at James Madison University for graduate studies in Biology. His address down there is 446 East Rock Street, Harrisonburg, VA., 22801. Phone number is 703-433-2076. FUTURE DATES "We try to show alumni a good time." HOUSE MANAGER This year has seen a renewal of concern for house improvement. Administrative help has been instrumental in our task, by contrac ting maintenance for the repainting of our house's exterior and kit chen. In order to comply with city fire regualtions, the Administra- February 7-10 Rush Week March 31 Pig Dinner April 6-7 April 27-28 May 26 Carnival Weekend Fiji Island Commencement Alpha Chapter greatly acknowledges donations made by the following Graduate Brothers this year: James Zurna Norman McHolme David N. Rutt '71 '73 '74 William H. Annesley '77 Edward G. Butka John G. VanCleve '78 '78 \r\nAN OMKN? LOST FIJIS One evening, laie in No\ember of iasl year the brotherhood of Alpha and members of the house eorporation were greatly surpriz Below is a list of Alpha Brothers for whom we do not have a eurrent address. If you know the whereabouts of any of these ed by the appearanee of snowy white owl Hying over the ehapter Brothers, please send their address to us. house. As the oeeasion was the semester meeting with the house eorporation we have felt this to be an omen of good luek. Mears, T. '44 .Alexander, H. '61 Allen, I). "49 Miller. D. '41 Mitchell, D. '66 Mitchell, .1. '14 Murdoch, \V. '15 Nielmus, F". '27 C iimpbell, R. '.tl Carpenter, W.'62 Collins, P. '24 Danielson, .1. '58 Davis, H. '20 Donovan, D. '54 Downer, Ci. '60 Idtion, C. '64 Fustis, T. '50 l etterman, C. '09 Fisher, .1. '45 Flint', H. '.15 O'Brien, F. '66 Phillips, C. '55 Quinn, R. '61 Roma, R. '62 Sadlon. .1. '68 Scollon. T. '26 Schon. .1. '12 Shakespeare, W.'69 Cieiger, .1. '47 Sinclair, K. '49 Flauser. R. '49 Flolder, I . '66 Speidel, D. '20 Spraguc, D. '61 Steinweg, K. '71 Flun'ter, \V. '12 Swinburne, R. '48 .lamison, .1. '70 .lohnson, P. '59 .lohnson, W. '58 l.ambie, .1. '16 Manko, W.'59 Tague, \V. '12 I'hompson, P. '67 Highfield, A. '19 "Gamma?" The owl, wnieh has a wing span of over four-and-a-half feet, was an unusual oeeuranee in that these birds are rarely sighted south of the Canadian border. Fortunately the freak sighting was eaptured for posterity by a photographer for the loeal newspaper. As a sad epilogue to this story we were reeently informed that the owl was later wounded by a shotgun blast, luekily though, it is recovering quickly in the hands of skilled people at the Pittsburgh Thompson, R. '21 Fuell, T. '62 Waltz, F. '65 Ward, D. '16 Warwick, T. '75 Wilcox, L. '41 Martin, F!. '71 Mason, .1. '65 MeArdle, .1. "65 MeCormiek, .1. '44 MeDivitt, F. '18 MeC.rew, .1. '50 Williams, .1. '40 l auch, .1. '61 Vounkins, .1. '22 McRnighl, T. '41 MeMillan, A. '49 Zoo. (.FLAM OF STARDUST (;rai)UAtks or(;anizk Over the past year, an increased concern for Alpha's status has come about in response to our diminishing numbers. A key solu tion to reversing this trend has been the adoption of a Board of (Printed in the ('all 1978 issue of the Phi Clamma Delta) Since my initiation into Phi Gamma Delta in September '76, Pve been exceptionally proud of not only calling myself a Brother, but even more so, of having the unique opportunity of being an Alpha Chapter initiate. Accepted by tbc Brothers, I also looked forward to meeting Graduate Brothers as well. I recognize the fact Chapter Advisors(BCA). This group, composed of graduates from all chapters who presently live in the Washington area, is designed to provide advice on all topics of concern within the fraternity. The BCA is not something new to the fraternity. Several other chapters (your own?) have already sueeessfully implemented these groups to provide wisdom and suggestions. Additionally, the BCA allows graduate brothers the opportunity for closer contact with most Chapters also change with the times. Fiaving to look no far ther than my own Chapter to see this, I see these things effecting the life-blood under-graduate chapters. The BCA is another exam our Graduate Relations similarly. ple of the fraternity's strong graduate relations program and living proof that we are not for college days alone. Alpha's BCA is presently under the direction of brother David Rutt '74. Anyone living in the Washington-Pittsburgh area in terested in joining the BCA is encouraged to contact brother Rutt as soon as possible. The chapter is extremely interested in seeing what our own BCA can provide as well as hopeful in seeing more of the graduate brothers involved. Board of Chapter Advisors C/O David Rutt 865 Ewing St. Washington, PA 15101 412-222-4399/228-1705 that many of us are now preoccupied with jobs, families, or conti nuing schooling. Yet, is it right to forget your Brotherhood ties en tirely? I also understand the effects of time upon lifestyles and how Alpha Chapter is presently going through a period of beneficial change in both administrative policies and general attitudes while faced with some problems that we alone are unable to handle. I've begun to wonder whether our Graduate Brothers know or even care. Speaking for the Chapter, we arc truly interested in reaffirm ing our Alpha ties with our Graduate Brothers, be it a letter or Island visit, to show that Phi Gamma Delta lives "Not for college days alone!" If you find this letter impertinent in regards to your own Chapter and Graduate Brothers, be mindful of your allegiance to the Fraternity upon your graduation. I thank Brothers John Shep- pard (Pittsburgh '44) and James Vice, Jr. (Chicago '54) for allow ing me to feel the spirit, too! Bill R. West Washington & Jefferson '79 \r\nat other colleges and universities, and that is the charging of in THE FRATERNAL PLIGHT In recent years the social balance at W & J has changed somewhat, with the male -female ratio now about two to one, the result being that the percentage of women in the freshman class has increase. In the years when W & J was all male an average of 60-70 percent of the freshman class pledged a fraternity, but with the new balance of gender, 60-70 percent naturally does not stretch as far as it once had. Whether or not this statistic is a direct cause of decreased frater dependents for admission to fraternity functions. Guest lists are be ing considered. This precedent is being introduced in an effort to make people aware of the plight of the fraternities and the valuable function they serve. Indeed, we feel that this precedent is for everybody's benefit. Freshman must be encouraged to ally themselves in a group where the social atmosphere is healthy. Fraternities must control social life on campus. Otherwise future students might start having to learn how to score a bowling sheet. nity enrollment, an increasing number of freshman males are con sidering life as an independent. There are advantages to such an existance. The independent can room in a decent dorm with no wor ries about overcrowding, he can associate with whomever he pleases and most of all, he can attend fraternity parties and drink for free. Why pay dues when you don't have to? The independent William Loeffler '79 seems to have the best of both worlds. What people don't seem to realize is that eleven fraternities are the lifeblood of campus social activity. Beyond the college in the town of Washington there is little more than movie houses and bowling alleys for an evenings entertainment. Thus, while other parties are held in dorms and such, the fraternities are virtually ihdespensible as the umpetus for nightlife. As a result of these obser vations a new policy is being implemented, one that has been in use "W & J...for an Alpha afternoon' It has been a lon.g time,since Alpha Chapter has put out a newletter, and we need your help to keep The Alpha coming out. We would like to know what you are doing. So feel free to use the form below, especially if you have changed your address. NAME and NICKNAME. -YEAR. ADDRESS: HOME .PHONE. BUSINESS. .PHONE. COMMENTS and NEWS (Job, family, interests, news of other brothers, rush, advice, etc.) Fraternity of Phi Gamma Delta Alpha Chapter Nc,?!FToht Orgi . , U. S. POSTAGB * Box 626 PAIR.# Washington and Jefferson College Washington, PA 15301 Wish., F8.?SS2 PERMIT NtlaSa J K"® AXucLiKry