www.psufiji.org Gamma Phi of Phi Gamma Delta at The Pennsylvania State University State College, Pa.• February 2002 n\i/KT/Tdtn Michael Stewart '72 Named Purple Legionnaire Michael J. Stewart '72 has been appointed Purple Legionnaire of the Gamma Phi Chapter. As an undergraduate, Stewart served the chapter as president and treasurer. Stewart was recipient of the 1972 Outstanding Senior Award and was a Wilkinson Award Mark Your Calendar for this TFTDdf^ 20, 200^ Remember to keep your calendars open this year for the Norris Pig Dinner. The keynote speaker will be Brother Bob Baney '84, the Executive Director of Phi Gamma Delta. finalist. After graduation. Brother Stewart was the first Gamma Phi graduate to join the Interna tional Headquarters Staff as Field Secretary. Stewart is also a former president of the Gamma Phi House Corporation. A Senior Partner of the Greensburg, Pa., law firm of Stewart, McCormick, McArdle & Sorice, he is currently the president of the Hempfield Area School Board and the past presi dent of the Greensburg YMCA Board. He also serves as a Eucharistic Minister at Our Lady of Grace Church. Michael and his wife, Karen, are the parents of three children: Katie, 23; Michael II, 19; and Patrick, 16. Michael is a freshman pledge at Gamma Phi. "I owe a great deal to Phi Gamma Delta." Stewart said. "I have nothing but fond memo ries of my undergraduate years as a Fiji and my term as a field secretan' with the International Fraternity. I am excited to have my son join me as a brother in Phi Gamma Delta. 1 look forward to working with all of the undergraduates at Gamma Phi. " The dinner will be held at the Atherton Hotel and room arrangements have been made at the Ramada Inn. More C\t7- Happy Haunting at the Hummel Fishburn Lodge V Upon taking the lead of details will follow. By Brian Lace '02 fun-filled evening of tricks and Kappa Alpha Theta and some treats. We had a turnout of scarv costumes of our own — our Big Brothers Big Sisters program, I set a goal around 30 children—our best ranging from Michael Mt'ers to make the events more turnout for an event thus far — to Dracula himself — the engaging and exciting for the who all came out in full kids by coming up with costume. With the help of evening started with a boneContinued, Page 3 themes and activities that would give them the opportu nity to take part in events that they do not get a chance to participate in often. In my In this issue: opinion this goal has been Outgoing President's last year we have sponsored such events as ice skating and snow tubing but I feel that more than achieved. In the message 2 our most recent activity' Gearing Up for Dance Marathon 2002 received the most enthusiastic 2 response from all those involved. Graduate Voices 3 On Sunday, October 28, the Lodge was transformed into a haunted house for a Big Brothers and Big Sisters Annual Halloween Haunted House, October 28, 2001, a success. \r\nFebruary 2002 Page 2 A Letter From Outgoing Gearing Up for Dance Marathon 2002 Chapter President The brothers ofthe Gamma Phi chapter of Phi Gamma Delta are already Max Pipman '02 getting excited for Dance Marathon 2002, which will take place over the February 22-24 weekend this year. The brotherhood is excited to build on last year's efforts, which earned the chapter the Three Diamond Award from the Four Diamonds Fund, the monetary beneficiary of THON,for raising over Dear Brothers, Here at Penn State we have been taking leaps and bounds. We continue to improve after finishing last spring as one of the top fraternities. We have gone through another successful recruitment period and are thrilled to see our membership once again soar over 50. Our new members are busy becoming acquainted with the Gamma Phi Chapter, and at every turn they continue to do well. Our academics continue to soar, as we finished last spring with over a 3.0 CPA, Ilth of 53 fraternities. We are ecstatic to continue to e.xcel in the academic realm, as it is the mam reason $11,000 for the children with cancer who are being treated at the Hershey Medical Center. This $11,000 contributed through the efforts of the Fijis helped the Greek community alone raise over $2 million of the $3.6+ million total of THON 2001. By raising more than $I 1,000 last year, the brotherhood earned the right to send four dancers this year to dance the weekend away in February for 48 long hours. Selection will be competitive for who will be sent to represent Phi Gamma Delta; there has already been interest from close to a dozen of the brothers. The number of interested candidates will surely increase as THON 2002 approaches. They will be sent on the basis of the top four individuals who raise the most money by the time of the registration ol dancers. Interest in representing the house has increased dramatically because of the rewarding experience brothers Steve Archut 02, Sujoy Kundu 01 and Derek Holt 01 said they got from dancing in THON 2001. In addition, several of the brothers have decided to increase their involve we are at Penn State. We also just had one of the best homecomings ever. We had a great time with the sisters of ment in this largest student- run philanthropy in the world and volunteer their time by being on various THON overall committees, such as communications, ZZZ. We finished 10th of all the contestants. The financial, rules and regulations, operations, and several others. They were selected to be on their various committees through a very competitive inter entire week was a success, capped off with the parade and a victory for the Nittany Lions. view process. ThI-:Y INCLUDE: Nick Chiappetta '03 - Financial Captain Plus, we have continued to Brian Stone 03 - Communications be actively involved with our Big Brothers/Big Sisters program in con junction with ILA©, as well TM Dave Oechslein 03 - Financial Ryan Zepp 03 - Rules and Regulations J.D. K^rohn '03 - Rules and Regulations Ryan Stokes '04 - Operations as our active involvement in Dance iMarathon. This Steve Oechslem 03 - Rules and Regulations Penn State IFC/Panheilenic Dance Marathon year's theme is "With all your heart," and that is how we will be working to help raise money for the cure and to battle children's cancer. Most importantly, we have just elected new undergraduate officers. They are the newest men who will be taking our chapter to even higher levels of accomplishment and honor. Please make an effort to stop by or contact us and we will let you know what events are going on at the chapter. Hope to see all of you in the future. Mike Stewart 05 - Communications Our goal as a house has increased from last year. By the time THON 2002 is upon us, we would like to have reached the $25,000 donation plateau, which would earn the Four Diamond Award. We will do this through canning during four weekends during the THON season; pledge donations from family, friends and neighbors; corporate sponsorships and other fundraising activities. It is not going to be an easy task, but with the e.xcitement that is going through the Lodge, I truly believe we can attain this very reachable level. If you would like to contribute to THON 2002 through the efforts of Phi Gamma Delta or would like to find out how your business can make a donation and get involved with THON,contact our Dance Marathon chair: Nick Chiappetta 319 North Burrowes Rd. Fraternally', Max Pipman '02 Outgoing President State College, PA 16801 814-272-3360 If you would like to help, you can send a check made payable to Penn Gamma Phi of Phi Gamma Delta State Dance Marathon to the address above, or send your billing information to the address above with the amount you would like to pledge, and you will receive a Itill sometime between February and Apri1 from THON Overall Committee. For more information, go to our website at www.psufiji.org, or the Perge! official THON website at www.thon.org. TtlANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT. Vr'H.WTaTn \r\nPage 3 Nittany Fiji Welcome Our Foil 2001 Pledges/Officers Uhices John D. Krohn 03• Dallas, PA • Crime, Law and Justice • President Michael J. Olivetti 04 • Scranton, PA • Mechanical Engineering • Treasurer Michael A. Baglini 04 • Drexel Hill, PA • Mechanical Engineering • Recording Secretaiy Jacob S. Weiland 04 • Gettv'sburg, PA • Mechanical Engineering • Historian Sean D. Irwin 05 • Stroudsburg, PA • Business Matthew P. Musial 05• Philadelphia, PA • Alantigement Justin M. Sikora 05 • Stroudsburg, PA • Science Ralph C. Beerbower '41 (811 Pine Shores Cir., New Smyrna Beach, FL 32168; rcbmmb@aol.com) My wife, Marnie, and I stopped to visit Berne Cramer '41 in the summer of 2000. We drove through the PSU campus in September 2001. I couldn't believe how the campus has grown. The house looks great. We stopped by the Creamery for a famous cone. Ray C. Noll Jr.'50 (307 Spencer Rd., Devon, PA 19333; evaraynoll@aol.com) I was safe in Sweden with the Swedish Air Force on September 11, 20011 Wesleji E. Blaha '52 (1871 Old Ramsey Rd., Monroeville, PA 15146; wblaha@monroevillechamber.com) President of the Peter J. Simirigho 05 • Havertown, PA • Division of Undergraduate Studies Mich^iel J. Stewart 05 • Greensburg, PA • International Politics Monroeville Area Chamber of Clommerce. 1 received the "Legend of Leadership " award on A'lay 2, 2001, from Alleghenv Count}' Communit}' College. The banquet was at the Omni William Penn Hotel in Pittsburgh, Pa. Spring 2000 Initiate Charles E. Bernier 04 • Drexel Hill, PA • Criminal Justice Pledge Eiducator ICirl R. Fink '63 (4990 Christina Ct., Naples, FL 34112; krdwf@aol.com) Diane and I are really enjoying the retired life in Florida. Unfortunately, we will not be back for Homecoming — after mid-October we're down South, away from "cold " weather. Next year, hopefully. Homecoming will be in Septem ber! Happy Haunting ... From Page / chilling tour through the house. After all the kids had been through the trickeiy portion ol the night, we gave them treats. After some quick redecorating of the second floor, we held trick or treating door to door £ind, much to the parents' dismay I'm sure, filled their bags with ctindy. When it finally came time for them to leave, we were rewarded for our efforts by smiling faces and many thank yous. The future of our program is looking bright. With the success of last year's trip to the skating rink, we plan on returning there in early February. We also hope to hold a barbecue at a local park in the spring. William A. Rossi '68 (7 Harding Cir., Easton, PA 18045) Entrepreneur with Secret Garden Gift Shoppe and L.and Displays Inc., a billboard company. Both our daughters are presently attending PSU: Heather (22) is a landscape architec ture major and Kelly (20) is a nutrition major. We attend all home football games with John Androski '64, a former chapter president who is now residing m Clarks Summit, Pa. Just recently, we had a visit from Nevin Mann '65 and we chatted about the good times at PSU. James H. Armstrong '76 (8570 Clearcreek Cir., Frisco, TX 75034; friscojim3@hotmaiI.com) Credit manager at Sunbelt Telecommunications. I've been living outside of Dallas for the past five years. I'm doing a lot of motorcycle trips all around the South. I would love to hear from anyone if you are in the area. Robert S. Buxton Jr.'76 (261 Clover Cir., Media, PA 19063; sbu.xton320@aol.com) Vice president of occupational health at Nova Care. I was married on May 19, 2001, to the former Helen Henderson. We have two children, ages 12 and 16. Currently, I oversee the operations of seven medical clinics that specialize in the examination, treatment and rehabilitation of individuals injured at work. I had a great visit at Homecoming and was glad to Immp into pledge classmate Tim Curie}''76. Randy M. Dean '78 (9769 Arbor Oaks Ln., #208, Bocxi Raton, Fl.33428) Physician. I recently joined Bosle\' Medical Group of Hair Restoration. I'm married 23 years and have three children. Brother McQuester prepares his Lil' Brother for the "scare of this life." Continued \r\nPage 4 y February 2002 time special education teacher by the Westmoreland Intermediate Qradmte Uoices y. Unit. I am currently in the process of enrolling in a Ph.D. program in education for the fall of 2002. I tr'' L_ V' My oldest daughter married last year. My wife and I live in Boca Raton where we watch old Fiji Brother Jim Cefalo '78 broadcast on Channel 10. He and his wife recently had twin girls. Jonathan T. Moses '00 (100 Glenview Dr., New Kensington, PA 15068; moses.jon@yahoo.com) I have just accepted a new position as sourcing analyst II with PPG Industries. My wife and I have moved back to the Pittsburgh area and recently bought a home in New Kensington. Matthew D. Nee '00 (317 Sweetbriar St., Pittsburgh, PA 15211; mattnee_56@yahoo.com) I recently accepted a position as supply Philip C. Aschi '79 (1156 Warren Dr., Wilmington, OH 45177) Urologist at Southwestern Ohio Urology. I've been elected to a second term as chief of surgery at Clinton Memorial Hospital. chain planner with a new company, Straightline, a division of I'm married to Laura and have two children, Alexander and against Ohio State with Ralston Merchant '98, A1 Melone '98 Christian. 1 would enjoy hearing from any brothers. Richard D. Roth '80(BSC 473, Box 13, FPO AP 96349-1103: rdrjrcec@ysa.attmil.ne.)p) Assistant chief of staff at Commander Naval Forces Japan. U.S. Steel. I enjoyed a trip back to PSU for a magical game and Rick Flounders '99. We regret to inform you of the detith ofThurman C. Tejan '36. Phi Gamma Delta mourns his passing and e.xtends condolences to his lainily and Iriends. NitW AdDHIvSSI-IS: Kevin J. Murray '81 (1014 LaUeshore Rd. E., Oakville, Ontario L6J 1 K8) Treasurer of Citibank Canada. Bruce A. Harnish '80 (5959 Seville Cir., Orchard Lake, MI 48324) Greg J. Peterson '81 (10825 Waterbridge Cir., Dallas, TX 75218; gjpeterson@hotmail.com) President and CEO of This Phillip E. Morabito '98 (100 Park Ave., Apt. 41, Rochester, NY 14607) New House. Todd L. Buskirk '82(3493 Daniels Rd., Nazareth, PA 18064; tbuskirk@northamptoncounty.org) Warden with the Northampton County Department of Corrections. The Power of the Bond Greek Alumni Change the World Robert E. Baney III '84 (613 Poplar Springs Ln., Le.xington, Did you know... KY 40515; bbaney@phigam.org) Executive director/editor of The Fraternity of Phi Gamma Delta Inc. I continue to be • Since 1900,two-thirds of U.S. Presidentiai Cabinet members amazed with the success at Gamma Phi, despite the lack of a Purple Legionnaire. A significant memory: Running a football about 90 miles from State College to Ebensburg, Pa., as part of the Pitt/Penn State charity football run. PSU smoked Pitt,4814, that Saturday in Pittsburgh. Michael T. Herron '89 (1950 S. Pearl St., Denver, CO 80210; mike.herron@personneldecisions.com) General manager at PDl-Denver. Stephen G. Arthur '91 (54 Longview Dr., Marblehead, MA 01945; sarthur2@lycos.com) I'm living in Marblehead, Mass., with Elena and three girls: Anne (5), Carolyn (2) and Grace (6 months). Joseph V. Rys '92(5505 Sandalwood Ct., Erie, PA 16506; )oerys87@penn.com) Finance director at Cathedral Preparatory School. Carl E. Donati ilr. '97(3799-F Ixrgan's Ferry Rd., Pittsburgh, PA 15239; marcianochamp@ktol.com) 1 was just hired as a full- have been Greek. • 80 percent of Fortune 500 executives are Greek * Since 1910,85 percent of Justices named to the U.S. Supreme Court, have been Greek. •65 percent of U.S. physicians and 78 percent of U.S. lawyers are Greek. • Each year, Greeks do more than 850,000 hours of community service. • Greeks lead 40 of the 50 iargest U.S. corporations. • Thirty-three U.S. Presidents were Greek • Two-thirds of the nation's most infiuential business and poiiticai ieaders are Greek (Source: Fortune Magazine). • 71 percent of fraternity men and 80 percent of sorority women graduate. For non-fraternity members, oniy 50 percent of men and 60 percent of women do. • 52 percent of the U.S. Senate and 33 percent of the House are members of Greek organizations • The first femaie Senator and the first woman astronaut were both sorority members. Stay Connected and Make a Difference Support Our Nation's Next Leaders The Nittany Fiji is pubiished for the members and friends of the Gamma Phi Chapter of The Fraternity of Phi Gamma Deita at The Pennsyivania State University. Address changes, news items, photographs and cont'ibutions are aiways weicome and may be sent in the enciosed enveiope or maiied to The Fraternity of Phi Gamma Delta, Graduate Records Office, P.O. Box 296, State College, PA 16804-0296.