The Hokie Fiji A Publication of Rho Alpha of Phi Gamma Delta Virginia Tech Homecoming Issue GRADUATE SPOTUGHT: R. Michael McCormac (Z) Pathology at Richmond's medical College of Virginia. Finally, Mike was ready to enter private practice, and did so, joining a group at the Northeast Georgia Medical Center in Gainsville. Mike is now a partner in Gainsville Regional Pathology Associates. Mike and Robbie both miss Virginia and long to come back for a visit. Regretfully, though under-standably, Mike's busy schedule does not afford him the opportunity to visit the chapter often. He sends his warm wishes for our continued success and hopes to come back to Blacksburg in the near future for a visit. The chapter is very grateful to Mike for his time in helping us include this feature, and especially for his generous donation which comes in very handy in these days of rising postal rates. When R. Michael McCormac graduated from Virginia Tech in 1976, his studying days were far from over. Just a few short months later Mike was on his way to Chapel Hill, NC, to begin work on his Masters degree with the ultimate goal of becoming a Docter of Medicine. Mike, a member of Rho ^ Alpha's Zeta pledge class, majored in Biology at Tech. His degree from Chapel Hill is in Bacteriology and immunology, which he received in June of 1978. While at UNC, Mike met a woman from Philadelphia whose name is Robbie. She became his wife in June, 1979 and is according to Mike a "converted southerner." They now have a four year old son, Nicholas. After receiving his M.S., it was on to medical school at Eastern Virginia Medical School in Norfolk. Three years there was all it took for Mike to be able to put the coveted letters M.D. after his name. Still his journey was not yet completed. For the next four years, until June of 1985, Mike was an intern and resident in Pete McDevitt (As) THE 142nd EKKLESSIA: The 142nd Ekklesia took place this summer from August 10th - 14th at the Hyatt Regency Chicago. Rho Alpha was represented by four undergraduate members and October 17, 1990 three Graduates. Of the graduates Ward Follette (E) became a member of the Five Ekklesia Club. Also, Dana Hesse (Ar) and Jeff Carter (Psi) achieved pledge status to the Five Ekklesia Club, meaning they will be inducted at the next Ekklesia they attend. Of the undergraduate attendees, Dave Harrison (A0), Mark Mennuti (A0), Patrick Reilly (AT) were the three voting delegates representing Rho Alpha, and James Hamric (AX) was the fourth member attending. Among the items that were discussed at the three business sessions during Ekklesia, the Fraternity voted to officially discontinue the Little Sister program effective June 1, 1991. The Ekklesia also elected a new Archonate, who are President: Richard D. McCormack (Iowa St. '61), Vice President: Spencer Flournoy (John Hopkins '44), Treasurer: John E. Gottschalk (Neb '65), Secretary: J. Dean Mosher (Idaho '49), and Councilors William R. Bracewell (Georgia '68), Gordan A. Elliott (British Columbia '55) and Douglas H. Dittrick (Ohio Wes. '55). One of the highlights of the trip to Ekklesia was the evening cruise on the Chicago \r\nRiver. Each of the three ships that the delegation occupied provided live entertainment on the upper deck. There was also a substantial buffet dinner included. Overall, the Rho Alpha representative had an enjoyable time at the 142nd Ekklesia. James Hamric Recording Secretary HOMECOMING: October 27th. 1990 This year the Hokies battle Southern Mississippi State. For the Fiji's, it will be a fun-filled weekend. Here's the agenda: Fri. 10pm - Graduate Party (BYOB) Sat. 10am - House Corporation Meeting 11am - Tailgate with the Fiji's efore the game 1pm - HOKIES vs. smu with a BB-Q at the house after the game 7pm - The Homecoming Dance Sun. 10am - Grad. vs Undergrad. Football RUSH: Greetings; I hope everyone's summer was as enjoyable as mine. I planned an excellent Rush, but somewhere along the line the "Rush Train" got derailed and our results were not as I had hoped. My committee and myself are now planning a second Rush for October 30th and November 1st and hopefully this time our results will be as I expect. The Chapter would greatly appreciate any help that the graduates could provide. If you could come down on one of those two dates that would be great, or if you have any names that I may not have received please send them now. I look forward to seeing all of you this year while I am still an undergraduate. Let's move this chapter forward and spread "FIJI PRIDE" all over Virginia Tech. Fraternally, Rich Lloyd '90 Rush Chairman HOPE TO SEE YA HERE!! OUR PRESIDENT: VPI vs. smu tickets: Are you coming down for Homecoming on October 27th? Do you want to go to the football game? If you do please send your check to the house before Wednesday October 24th, so that we can get you a seat with us. The tickets are $16 each. Please send your check made to: Athletic Ticket Office, care of Dennis Reece. The brothers have returned from a long and fairly dormant summer and hit the campus running. Great congratulations are due to the new committee chairmen who have taken their positions to new heights. The Brothers have succeeded in getting involved in a number of campus organizations including Order of Omega, the Juggling Club, Housing and Resident Life, IEEE, the Marksmanship Club, and Circle K. A number of B r o t h e r s showed their community service awareness early in the year by participating in Greek related events such as the Delta Zeta Classic, the Theta Kickball Tournament, and Greek Week. After Rush pulled in our three new pledges, the Education Committee has succeeded in orienting them and preparing them for their pledge education program. For the brothers, Education is encouraging m e m b e r s h i p develop-ment through a guest speaker program that will continue into the spring. "Outdoors" education is consisting of such things as our second annual "Gotcha" game and a hiking trip to Kelly's Knob. In an effort to recruit more members, Rush has gone a step away from the normal IFC rush period and has planned a ' second rush this fall. The Chapter has a number of very promising prospects who we feel don't quite need another semester to decide. The House committee has been hard at work maintaining our beloved Chapter House. Our "buggy" friends were evicted by the Orkin "sheriff and the infamous kitchen leak was easily solved by caulking the upstairs bathroom. The town has also started a new curb-side recycling program which the House Brothers have enthusiastically participated in. Brotherhood Events has set up happy hours with Kappa Kappa Gamma and Alpha Delta Pi. The tradition of movie night continues every • Wednesday night and the \r\ncommittee is considering sponsoring a night at a local establishment. Islander this year will be a philanthropic event to raise money and canned food for the Blacksburg Food Bank. Everyone should be excited and ready for a great year and on behalf of all the undergraduates, I encourage all the Graduate Brothers and Families to visit during Homecoming, Christmas, Pig Dinner and any weekend where Tech is having a good Football game! visit to be ... ,^/e opening experience. I ad a chance to meet with Jeff Barrett during his week long stay at Rho Alpha and his insight from Head-quarters has helped to unify the chapter and keep the ball rolling through yet another Rush. As for the chapter, President Dave Harrison seems to have everything well in hand as Rho Alpha continues its "Quest for Excellence" in 1990. Dave has excellent vision to move the chapter ahead and will make sure Rho Alpha gets there! Let's keep up the good work! David Harrison President Linwood Leftwich Purple Legionnaire A NOTE FROM "GRANDPA": Perge! Brothers, ISLANDER '90: Can we say RUSH? Good! Because this the watchword for the Rho Alpha Chapter as the new school year is well into the Fall semester. Rich Lloyd (Rush Chairman) has been hustling all summer to keep the brothers up to speed by holding rush seminars and socials. He has some excellent ideas for Rush program as I witnessed on my last several trips to Blacksburg. Hopefully, with help of the brothers, graduates and myself, Rich can continue to im-plement these ideas to help recruit new members. The BCA, as well as House Corp, has been cooking up some ideas for the Undergraduate Chapter to use as Rush tools, from promotional items to community service work. Let's not forget the Field Secretary's Something new and exciting, in an effort to improve community rela-tions. Islander, this year, will be to benefit the Blacksburg Food Bank. The festivities will start on Friday November 9th with our second annual Black Diamond Semiformal. Then things really get rocking Saturday zNovember 10th, with WROV 96.3 FM doing a live remote, three live bands, volleyball tournament, and other activities. Admission to Islander will be $3 or 3 cans of non-perishable food. All proceeds will be given to the food bank in time for Thanksgiving. Chicken Gumbo will be served at little cost to our guests. Graduate participation is highly encouraged. So come and join the fun on November 9th and 10th. RESERVED FIJIS: With all the happening in the Middle East you might think the VPI Fiji's might not get involved, but they have. John Haire (AT) and Bert Smith (APsi) have been called into action. They do not get to enjoy the 120° heat of the desert but they are putting in their time in Portsmouth, VA. They are replacing others that got called on board. Both brothers also made the Roanoke Times for their duty. A full fledged color photo and all. Brother Brian Young (AT) is on call at the moment and bides his time in the trenches with the IFC on campus. FIJIS AND THE BIG STEP: This last spring and summer Fijis have been ringing those wedding bells. Last spring, David Brandt (AT) tied the knot. AT Brian Young followed suit this summer by marrying Leigh Meyer. Greg Neiman (AP) got engaged last spring and Patrick Reilly (AT) this summer proposed to Beth Yager, they plan to marry in October 1991. HOKIES vs. Wa' What?: They're headed into Lane Stadium on November 24th. Come watch the HOKIES get the upset of the year. Get your tickets, NOW! Send your checks ($18/ticket), made out to Athletic Ticket Office, to the house before November 5th to sit with the FIJI'S for the game of the season. \r\nIf A NEW GENERATION: Jfast spring, Fiji started back at we top of the alphabet, with therBA' class: Greg Rappaport ('93) Alvin Chao ('92) Mike Hurd ('93) Ted Kraje ('93) Andrew Larimore ('93) We continued this fall by pledging in the B Deuteron class: Sachin Shah ('94) David Green ('94) Walter Bayne ('92)"*"* • We are proud to have them with us! "HOTELS. MOTELS. HOLIDAY INN?' Are you without a room for either Homecoming or Pig Dinner or those impromptu visits? Are you sick of "the cage" floor or lumpy couches in the undergrad's apartments? Then this list is for you. A semi-complete guide to the Inns in B-burg and the vicinity. Marriot (B-Burg) # 703 - 552 - 7001 Holiday Inn (B-burg) # 703 - 951 - 1330 L'Arche Farm Bed/Brkft # 703 - 951 - 1808 Comfort Inn (B-burg) # 703 - 951 - 1500 Mountain Lake (Giles) # 800 - 346 - 3334 - THE FRATERNITY OF PHI GAMMA DELTA RHO ALPHA CHAPTER OF PHI GAMMA DELTA 202 Church Street Blacksburg, Virginia 24060 (703) 552-4251 VPI8.SU 1986 ALPHA GAMMA Dana w. Hesse 659 Concerto La rite Silver Spring, MD E0901-50OB Postmaster - Address Correction Requested I PIG DINNER UPDATE Well The Norris Pig Dinner will go off as scheduled on April 13, 1991. It will be held at the Blacksburg Marriot (#552-7001). I have secured fifteen rooms at the Marriot for that weekend. The price is a flat $59 for a room with up to four people. Please make your reservations soon. It is under the fraternity name. The glassware will be available for sale soon. Lynn Pulley-Paine will be running the wives portion of the weekend. There will be a live (dead) pig this year. Don't Worry!