The Nittany Fiji Pennsylvania Pennsylvania State State University University ‐‐ Gamma Gamma Phi Phi Chapter Chapter ‐‐ Phi Phi Gamma Gamma Delta Delta Fraternity Fraternity ‐‐ Winter Winter 2014 2014 STREAMER BRINGS HOME COULTER CUP Inside this issue: Front row: Matt Murphy, Danny Murphy, Joe Charles, Nick Rockwell, back row: Bill First ‘67, Harry Streamer ‘65, Archon Councilor Eli Krambeer, Section Chief Ron Banerjee and Mike Stewart ’72. In July, at the 166th Ekklesia for Phi Gamma Delta, Gamma Phi was honored by Harry Streamer winning the Coulter Cup for the individual who has contributed the most to an undergraduate chapter through service in a capacity other than a Purple Legionnaire or General Officer! Our Section Chief, Ron Banerjee also walked away with the Haynes Award as the most effective Section Chief. Active BCA 2 New Cabinet 2 Focus on Philanthropy 3 House Improvements 4 Do you have news for an upcoming edition of The Nittany Fiji? Send your details and photos to phigam@phigam.org. MEMORIALIZING “CHICK” HARTE On October 25 just after the House Corporation meeting, Cheri Harte attended the dedication of the new flag pole and plaque that honored her husband, Charles (Chick) Harte (1964). The brothers, pledges, and all graduates wish to thank all who contributed to this project. Flagpole with memorial plaque. \r\nThe Nittany Fiji Page 2 ACTIVE BOARD OF CHAPTER ADVISORS Recently a group of grads have stepped forward to put new energy in our BCA. This group of graduate brothers is separate from the House Corporation and interact directly with the current Brothers. Under the leadership of Mike Burdick ‘99 (michael.burdick@gmail. com), many have volunteered to help mentor and guide the cabinet and committee chairs as needed. They will be assisting Casey McNeil ’09 (cbm531986 @gmail.com), Purple Legionnaire, with his responsibilities. These alumni include Tom Knoecny ’10, Nick Boland ’09, Cory Will ’09, Tony Imparo ’12, Brendan Smith ’06, Mike Urie ’09, Matt Nee ‘99 and others to be recruited as needed. A graduate advisor will be assigned to each newly elected Cabinet Officer and committee chair to assist them in their new responsibilities. If you want to help out, please contact Mike Burdick. Recent Notable Successes for Gamma Phi In addition to winning the trophies at right over the past year, Gamma Phi also brought home from the 2014 Ekklesia second place in the Condon Cup for greatest overall improvement of all Phi Gam chapters. Continuing the trek onward and upward! Class of 1965 is celebrating its 50th reunion of Penn Sate graduation o n June 4-7 at University Park. A reception will be held at the Lodge. NEW CABINET Gamma Phi’s new cabinet officers have been elected for 2015 and WE WISH THEM WELL in their upcoming terms of office: Contact Cal Burgart at cal@talarissystems.com Our trophies for winning the Fraternity Philanthropy Project of the Year and Holiday Lights indoor competition. Hoping for another gold medal this year. President Sergio Mazzini (2016) Treasurer Nick Rockwell (2017) Historian Nick Delibero (2017) Corresponding Secretary Chris Crowley (2016) Recording Secretary Robert Johnstone (2016) Over the summer two of the Gilhool brothers stopped by the house and were quite impressed with its condition! All three brothers were Gamma Phis and Jim ’90 and Paul ’92 were here. Brother Chris ’90 was not with them. \r\nPage 3 GAMMA PHI’S FOCUS ON PHILANTHROPY From Corresponding Secrtary, Sergio Mazzino, we learned that FIJI earned the “Fraternity Philanthropy Project of the Year” from the Inter-fraternity (IFC) and Panhellenic Awards Council for their “FIJI PUSH”. This event consisted of a competitive push of a Humvee down Pollock Road from the HUB Building to the FIJI house. Assisting the FIJI brothers were the women of Pi Beta Phi. A fee was assessed to all competitors and the money was donated to the USO! The FIJI and Pi Beta Phi team are pictured at right. $57,000+ Raised for THON with Tapestry Dance Company Gamma Phi is most proud to announce that with the Tapestry Dance Company, their team raised over $57,000 to beat last year’s total during the THON dance marathon! As you know, THON is the fund raising arm to help conquer childhood cancer and the funds go to the Penn State Hershey Medical Center for this purpose. “ We are very xcited about our pro- Gamma Phi brothers after the FIJI Push with the women of Pi Beta Phi. gress made in THON, and are looking to make big strides for next year. With that being said, help from our Graduate Brothers is key. We want to thank all those who helped us achieve our goal!” Recently we had an amazing presence in the “Walk a Mile in Her Shoes” philanthropy with 25 Brothers walking down Pollock Road wearing high heels to raise awareness against Sexual Assault. Phi Sigma Sigma was voted by Panhellenic Council as the next new sorority to join Penn State’s Greek Life. With the help of Ron Banerjee (Pittsburgh 1987), Phi Gamma Delta Section Chief, we have established a relationship with them and are looking forward to possibly pairing with them for THON next year. Cody Dapper (2017) is in charge of THON this year and I am sure you will be hearing from him!. Garuth Acharya (2014), IFC Executive Board member and VP for Community Outreach, organized a community clean-up project in State College and 19 Fijis helped out. Currently Aidan Weinmann (2016) is Philanthropy Chairman and proudly, Gamma Phi has not missed a Greek philanthropy event this year! \r\nNonprofit Org Phi Gamma Delta Fraternity 1201 Red Mile Road Lexington, KY 40504 US Postage Paid Lexington, KY Permit # 540 SAVE THE DATE - PIG DINNER - 4.18.15 SUMMER HOUSE IMPROVEMENTS Over the summer our construction team of Bill First ’67, Harry Streamer ’62 and three undergraduates (Tyler Gardner, Matt Murphy, and Mike Meiche), along with selected subcontractors performed the following work at the Lodge: for the first time ever, our Greek letters were added to the front chimney, the tower was completely refurbished and painted, the men’s room on the main floor was renovated, the front door stoop was repaired, our study (FLOCO) room received new ceiling lighting, floor outlets for computers and desk lamps were added, new furniture was added to the club room along with new drapes, a TV cabinet was built for the dining room, plus cleaning, painting, and repairs for other pieces of furniture. During the summer of 2015, important work will take place that will remain unseen. As you know, in 2015 our house turns 100 years old! This means that many of the old sewer and domestic water pipes are corroding and clogged. A slow process of replacing these pipes will begin which means floors and ceilings must be taken down or up and repaired after pipe replacement. A costly project! Our maintenance budget will allow us to begin, but certainly not finish. This will take several years of work over the summers and a new capital campaign. This campaign will include specific projects that include the above piping replacement, roof replacement and exterior brick repointing. Stay tuned, you will hear from us asking you to open your wallets and help our 100 year old Lodge last another 100 years! CONTRIBUTE TO THE GAMMA PHI ANNUAL FUND I am pleased to make a contribution to Gamma Phi of : $1,000 $500 $250 $100 $50 $25 Other $_________________ I would like my donation to be used in the following area: _______________________________________________ Donations can be made on-line at www.phigam.org/PennStateDonations, by phone at (859)255-1848 ext 136 or send checks payable to Phi Gamma Delta - Gamma Phi to: Gamma Phi/Pennsylvania State Donations, PO Box 4599, Lexington, KY 40544 and include this form. Design, printing and mailing services provided by the International Fraternity of Phi Gamma Delta.