The R ho A lpha R eport The Rho Alpha Chapter of Phi Gamma Delta at Virginia Tech - Winter 2014 RHO ALPHA UPDATE By: Brac Webb (2005) Brothers, I want to simply say ‘Thank you’. This newsletter has a bittersweet feel to it as it will be the last one during my tenure as Graduate Association President. The last three and a half years serving our Chapter as a graduate brother has been a wonderful time and has allotted me many memories. I have enjoyed working with our entire future. Thank you all for a board member for further board of directors who have wonderful experience and for information. We may even be also held their positions for being dedicated to our Chapable to get you involved in the last three and a half years ter. things before Pig Dinner! and who I’d like to thank for their hard This year we were able “Your donations allowed us work and dedication. to quadruple our numto fund equipment that the It has been great ber of 1972 Club memundergraduates desperately working with all of bers. Your donations the undergraduates, allowed us to fund needed in order to carry-on many of whom are equipment that the unthe proud traditions of now graduates, to dergraduates desperour fraternity.” make our on-campus ately needed in order to Chapter even better. carry-on the proud traFurthermore, I have enjoyed ditions of our fraternity. We getting to know and work also plan to make a fair numAs always, I encourage everywith long standing graduate ber of repairs to our Chapter one to come to Pig Dinner and brothers, who have offered to house’s floors and staircase in attend the Saturday morning help out with the various dayaddition to replacing a no meeting. This year will be to-day as well as the longlonger functioning dryer. especially important, as electerm strategic planning tasks tions will be taking place. If It has been an exciting and of the Graduate Association. you are interested in running productive year for the underIt has been a pleasure workfor a position on the Board of ing with everyone to better Directors, please contact ei(Continued on page 2) position our Chapter for the ther myself or any current Register Now Rho Alpha Pig Dinner April 5, 2014 www.phigam.org/ VATechPigDinner See enclosed invitation for details. Things to Know ♦ During 2013, the number of 1972 Club members (donors of at least $19.72 a month) quadrupled! Signup at www.phigam.org/ VATechDonations. ♦ Rho Alpha had its most successful Football Run yet, raising a total of $31,001.84 for the V Foundation. ♦ The Graduate Association will hold Board of Director elections at Pig Dinner. If you are interested in running, contact any Director listed on the back page. \r\nRho Alpha Report Page 2 MEET THE LEADERSHIP Undergraduate Chapter Officers Parker Bartlett – President – Parker pledged in the spring of 2012 and is a proud member of the Gamma Phi pledge class. He is currently a junior majoring in both Accounting and Finance, planning to complete his undergraduate degree by 2015 and receive his Masters in Accounting the following year. Parker was previously the external social chair of the fraternity and currently works as a Campus Ambassador for Northwestern Mutual. He played football for Midlothian High School in Richmond, VA, and stays active by playing intramural and interfratenal sports. Alex Cavanagh – Treasurer – Alex pledged in the fall of 2011 with the Gamma Upsilon pledge class. He is currently a senior, dual majoring in accounting and finance, planning to graduate in the spring of 2015 with 150 credit hours so that he is eligible to take the CPA exam. Alex has been on the IFC for two years and has held the Assistant Director of Finance and Director of Finance position. Alex is currently serving on the Student Budget Board Committee as the Greek representative and enjoys helping other student organizations grow. Alex played competitive soccer with the D.C. United Youth Academy team throughout high school and has continued to play soccer in college with the Virginia Tech Club Soccer team. Upon graduation Alex would like to work for an accounting or finance company in either the Southern or Western part of the United States. Connor Beecher – Recording Secretary – Connor pledged in the fall of 2011 with the Gamma Upsilon pledge class. He is currently a junior majoring in Finance and plans to graduate in the spring of 2015. In the past Connor held the positions of Recruitment Chair and Brotherhood Chair. Connor played competitive golf during high school and was a member of his school’s team. After college, he hopes to apply his creative skills working for an advertising agency. Bryan Sanders – Corresponding Secretary – Bryan pledged in the fall of 2011 with the Gamma Upsilon pledge class. He is currently a junior majoring in Finance and plans to graduate in May of 2015. Bryan has been involved in multiple chair positions in the past, most notably rush chair and J-board member, and is also an active participant on the new white star scholarship committee. Bryan played competitive tennis growing up and throughout high school, but has been sidelined for the past year due to a bad shoulder. His new found love in life is golf. Adil Dittmer – Historian – Adil pledged in the fall of 2011 with the Gamma Upsilon pledge class. He is currently a senior majoring in Political Science and minoring in Psychology and Business Leadership with plans to graduate in December of 2014. Previously, Adil held the Chapter's Philanthropy Chair and Diamond Bowl Chair. Adil is also currently serving as President of the IFC. Adil played football and basketball all through high school and continues to stay active by officiating high school basketball throughout the New River Valley region. Graduate Board of Directors listed on back page... Rho Alpha Update continued... undergraduate average of 3.141 and the all men’s average of 3.058. We very much appregraduates. The previous Cabinet, who ciate all of the Undergraduates’ hard work in valuing scholarship. just stepped down at the end of the calendar year, made excellent imThe undergraduates are not only excelling in provements in our Chapter’s attitude toward scholarship. As a result, many grades, but also giving. Our Chapter had its most successful Football Run yet, raising a members’ personal GPAs improved total of $31,001.84 for the V Foundation. The and we moved up in the Universities’ event total was $52,401.64, which is also a grade rankings. In the last academic record. We are all very proud of these achievereport published by the school, we finished third, out of twenty-eight IFC ments, and to top it off these guys are having fun along the way. I believe that our brotherrecognized fraternities, in grades. hood is as strong as it has ever been and it Our Chapter’s average GPA was shows with our recruitment numbers. Our 3.249, one of the few above the all (Continued from page 1) closed rush events usually total around 50 prospective members. After careful considerations, around 20-30 bids are handed out a semester with most, if not all, being accepted. I hope that all our graduate brothers can find time to make it back to Blacksburg to meet our undergraduate members and reunite with graduate brothers young and old. It is always fun to come back for sporting events and especially Pig Dinner! Thank you all for being a part of our Chapter and brotherhood. \r\nPage 3 SUPPORT RHO ALPHA Graduate Brothers, we very much appreciate your continued support of our Chapter. We have a wonderful brotherhood and are so fortunate to have devoted members such as you. As you are no doubt aware, funding the scholarships, house improvements, and future expansion of our Chapter is an ongoing task. Any support you can give to help ensure our Chapter’s continued success is much appreciated. We appreciate you taking the time to read the following overview of our giving options. Phi Gamma Delta Educational Foundation for Rho Alpha The Phi Gamma Delta International Headquarters provides a chapter restricted scholarship fund for Rho Alpha. As this is an educational foundation, donations are tax deductible and allow for corporate matching. Interest gained may be used to award scholarships each year. Currently, we award $2,000 in scholarships from this fund. The first, chosen by a committee of Graduate Brothers, is a $1,000 scholarship awarded to an Undergraduate Brother that demonstrates high marks of scholastic achievement through his studies at Virginia Tech and valuable contributions and strong leadership in the Chapter. This scholarship demonstrates our commitment that, as a Brother, your focuses should be on your studies and then your Chapter, above all else. Two $500 scholarships, selected by a committee consisting of Undergraduate and Graduate Brothers, are awarded to prospective members interested in joining the Chapter. These prospective members do not have to join the Fraternity to receive the scholarship. Rather, the goal of these scholarships is to demonstrate our value of education to the undergraduate student body in hopes of attracting the very best to join our brotherhood. To make a gift to the fund, please visit: https://www.phigam.org/MakeAGift For designation, select Other and enter as follows: VA Tech CHEF. Rho Alpha’s 1972 Club The 1972 Club is a donation fund managed by the Rho Alpha Graduate Association Board of Directors. The Rho Alpha Graduate Association consists of graduates, from Virginia Tech and elsewhere, who live the mantra that Phi Gamma Delta is “not for college days alone”. The association’s Board consists of six of its members elected by the association itself. The Board runs graduate events, advises the undergraduates alongside the International Headquarters, and shapes the long-term vision of the Chapter. The 1972 Club gets its name from the Chapter’s charter date of 1972. We ask members to donate at least $19.72 a month, but any gift amount is appreciated. Donations to the 1972 Club fund improvements and repairs to the Rho Alpha Chapter house, help pay off large expenses for the undergraduates, such as insurance payments, and fund studies for future expansion, such as a feasibility study for a capital campaign that would raise money for a new Chapter house. To make a gift to this fund, please visit: https:// www.phigam.org/vatechdonations?chid=227. STAY IN TOUCH WITH RHO ALPHA Graduate Facebook Page - http://www.facebook.com/rhoalphagraduateassociation Twitter - @VTFIJI Undergraduate Website - www.vtfiji.com Football Run Website - www.fijirunacrossvirginia.com Graduate Website - www.vtfijigrads.com \r\nPhi Gamma Delta Fraternity 1201 Red Mile Road Lexington, KY 40504 Nonprofit Org US Postage Paid Lexington, KY Permit # 540 Graduate Board of Directors President – Brac Webb – Gamma Deuteron (2005) – As an undergraduate, Brac served on cabinet as Recording Secretary. He graduated in 2005 with a BS in electrical engineering and in 2006 with an MS in electrical engineering. As a graduate brother, Brac has served on the G.A. Board as Secretary (06‐08), Treasurer (08‐10), and President (10‐ present). He currently lives in the DC area. Vice President Development – John Tabb, III –Beta Chi (2004) – As an undergraduate, John served on Cabinet as President. He graduated in 2004 with a BS in finance and in 2005 with an MS in construction management. As a graduate brother, John has served as V.P. Development since 2006. John and his wife Jessica reside in Charleston, SC. Vice President Advisory – Ross Millikan – Gamma Theta (2009) – As an undergraduate, Ross served on cabinet as President. He graduated in 2009 with a BS in civil engineering. As a graduate brother, Ross has served as V.P. Advisory since 2008. Ross lives in Richmond, VA. Vice President House – Matthew Lewis – Gamma Iota (2008) – Matt graduated in 2008 with a BS in mechanical engineering. As a graduate brother, Matt has served as V.P. House since 2008. Matt resides in Lynchburg, VA. Secretary – Phil Talarico – Gamma Zeta (2008) – As an undergraduate, Phil served on cabinet as President. He graduated in 2008 with a BS in marketing. As a graduate brother, Phil has served as Secretary since 2008. He resides in the DC area. Treasurer – Jonathon Edge – Gamma Zeta (2008) – As an undergraduate, Jon served on cabinet as Treasurer. He graduated in 2008 with a BS in finance. As a graduate brother, Jon has served as the Treasurer since 2008. He lives in the DC area. DONATE TO THE RHO ALPHA CHAPTER I am pleased to make a contribution to Rho Alpha 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/VATechDonations, by phone at (859) 255-1848 ext 136 or send checks payable to Phi Gamma Delta - Rho Alpha to: Virginia Tech/Rho Alpha 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.