LJolume I Number III Rpril 9, 1993 Rho Hlpha Chapter 202 Church Street Blacksburg, Uirginia 24060 BCA PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE Well, folks, another winter has passed at Rho Alpha and now it's time once again to look back on where we've been and where we are headed for the spring and summer. Since the last publication, an important, groundbreaking, informative and otherwise cool trip to International Headquarters in Lexington, Kentucky took place. President Mike Morrone, Treasurer Riley Broadwater, and Historian Glenn Kinnear attended, as well as BCA President Rob Paine and House Corporation Rennaisance Man Linwood Leftwich. Many important things were learned on this trip. We learned two important Country Dance steps, played some great games of pool, and shoveled eleven inches of snow out of Linwood's Aunt's driveway. Okay, okay, we admit it. We were snowed into Blacksburg and never made it to headquarters. But some cool life experiences were shared by all. Moving on to the real world, applications are now being taken for the 1993 Rho Alpha Undergraduate Achievement Award. The administration of this program was delayed by two months, so the scholarship will be awarded sometime in June and the winner will be announced in the next BCA Update. Undergraduates, keep in mind that this award is funded exclusively by Rho Alpha Grads and is intended solely for our undergraduates. If you meet the qualifications, your chances of winning it are better than you think! Getting down to business now - one topic which will probably be the focus of the BCA meeting will be where to focus our energies in the coming months. I tend to agree with the thoughts of Field Secretary Jade Metcalf, who contends that we need to pool our grad and undergrad efforts on a successful and productive Rush program. Graduates can lend their support primarily in scouting our rushee prospects in our hometowns and by showing up and shmoozing at rushes, showing that this organization is truly a family and is not for college days alone. Another critical area right now is helping the undergraduates to bring the chapter grade point average back in line with the standards we all hold as the greatest Fraternity in the nation. Fiji has enriched all of our lives in innumerable ways, but we must remember that we all packed our belongings and moved to Blacksburg for one primary reason - to get an education. Plans are beginning to take shape for several events over the summer, involving both Graduate Events and Rush. These events, such as cookouts in Northern Virginia and Richmond and River trips in Blacksburg, will give graduates and undergrads a chance to stay in touch with each other and to invite out any rush prospects we may have. If you are interested in hosting or attending any of these events, contact me or speak your mind at the Pig Dinner meeting. Take care of yourselves and have a fantastic summer. Fraternally, Rob Paine \r\nGraduate News Ward Follette and Jim Jewler made an excursion out West for some serious skiing right before the Blizzard of 1993. Best wishes to Brian Oakes for his recent engagement to Ms. Carrie Montgomery. Rob Paine has yet once again decided that his blue dress socks belong on the left of his sock drawer and the black belong on the right. Congratulations to all the past weddings including but not limitied to Mr. Ephry Kaplan, Mr. Dana Hesse, Mr. Tracy Mathews, Mr. John Detrich?, Mr. Pete McDevitt, and any others I have forgotten. Congratulations to Mr. Jeff Carter for his recent engagement - 1 must say it is about time. Mr. Robert Hanson will complete his Doctorate in Industrial Engineering this summer and then finally move on to greener pastures. In a move which has gained huge popularity throughout the Rho Alpha Graduate family, three of our grads have announced their upcoming weddings. Brother Jeff Carter has announced that he and Karyn Johnson will finally tie the knot on May 22 in Beverly Massachusetts. Soon thereafter, brother Jonathan Parker whill exchange vows with Denise Coleman on June 19th in Vienna, VA. Finally, brother Michael "Captain Stupid" Rooney and his fiancee Linda Sinsebox will be wed sometime in the future, with no date or location having been set yet. In a logical progression from weddings, we move on to ... babies. Shortly after New Year's, Proud FIJI parents Bill and Kelly Woodward made a much appreciated visit to the DC Metropolitan area with little Matthew Ryan Woodward in tow. Bill and Mattherw spent many hors cracking each other up to the point of hysterics, while Kelly calmly kept an eye on her two kids. In other baby news, Ed and Barbara Hardell are poud to announce the arrival of Cameron David Hardell on February 27. The little guy is 7 pounds, 7 ounces, and 21 1/2 inches tall. Not even a blizzard could stop the inevitable Saint Patrick's Day Festivities at the home of Mike Rooney and Linda Sinsebox. This year's bash was attended by Jon Parker, Jonathan Jacobs, Danny Kallick, Rich Lloyd, Rob Paine, Jim Jeweler, Dan RobI, and others two numerous to mention. More importantly, this year featured the encore appearance of Mike's patented high-octane green jello shamrock blobs. These blobs, while defying many laws of physics, were found to induce a warm toasty feeling not unlike a Vodka shot. Go figure. Next year we must call Mike and Linda a week in advance to make sure they freeze the blobs well in advance. Thanks for a great party, you two! Brother Mike Magee has packed up his multi-colored Volkswagen Bus and moved to a new townhouse. His new address is 112 Harvard Street, Laexandria, VA, 22314. In other news, Shandon Thompson has relocated to the DC area to begin practice as a Chiropractor in Sterling, VA. Shandon and Jim Jeweler have moved into an extremely cool apartment in Fairfax, which is located around the corner from the townhouse shared by Linwoood, Rob and Rich. Property values are expected to plummet with five Fijis living on one block. Shandon's and Jim's new address is 12108 Greenway Ct, #202 (ironically enough), Fairfax, VA 22033. Finally, watch this space for details on Ward Follette's 40th birthday bash, which will take place next winter. Early reports are that this party will make the Clinton Inaugural look like a game of yahtzee. If you have any graduate news, please send it to the Fiji House or to Rob Paine. We hope to hear from you soon! \r\nHouse Corp President's Address Dear Brothers, This past year has been trying at times and very rewarding at others. The coming year appears to be headed in much the same direction. We started this past year off with the yard project and renovation of the water lines in the House. Mr. Leftwich spearheaded this massive project and did such an outstanding job we dedicated a day to him. To those of you who have not been back since last year's Pig Dinner, I think you will be awed at the sight of the exterior of the house. Thanks to Mr. Cuejilo's parents, the house now has a better washer and dryer. A new bannister was installed this week in the front foyer. A special thanks to Mr. Eichelberger for his continued dedication to improving the house. Davis has done too many small projects at Danny's or my requests to mention, so thanks Davis. I implore all of you to attend the House Corp/BCA meeting on Saturday at 1 0a.m. at the Mariott. There are many pertinent issues that we will need to discuss. I also want to remind you that this meeting will be formal and appropriate attire will be required for admittance (i.e., no shorts, tennis shoes, or jeans). Please browse the agenda and if you are unable to attend the meeting, I ask that you send your proxy to Ken Larson or assign it to a Brother in attendance. The house continues to show signs of age. Due to last week's rain, the foundation leaked profusely. The eaves of the house continue to deteriorate, the roof is a serious area of concern, and new windows in several bedrooms would help lower the gas bill. I look forward to seeing all of you Friday night at the House or at the very least, Saturday evening at the Marriott. To those Brothers whom I have not met, please introduce yourselves. To those I have met, I look forward to renewing our friendship and brotherhood. Fraternally, Richard E. Lloyd Undergraduate President's Address Brothers, As Pig Dinner approaches and the end of the semester draws near, we here in Blacksburg look back upon the past few months with pride and accomplishment. In January we pledged seven gentlemen of quality. Shortly after, we had a good visit from Jade Metcalf, our field secretary. His visit was pleasant and informative, with a concentration on the fall rush effort. Visits from graduates this semester include R. Lloyd, L Leftwich, R. Payne, P. Reilly, J. Hepler, R. Cuejilo, and D. Kallick to name a few. We look forward to seeing all of them again for Pig Dinner along with the rest of you. Graduating brothers this spring include Ted Kraje, Mark Mennuti, Bobby Stephenson, and Bart Warner. The service and leadership which they have given to the chapter over the years has been greatly appreciated and will be sorely missed. We wish them all well in their future endeavors and should be proud to call each and everyone of them a brother. Finally, looking beyond Pig Dinner and on into the summer, I am reminded of our motto "Not for college days alone." Over the summer, Rob Paine is organizing a rafting trip right here in the 'Burg one weekend. Additionally, Rush chairman Bill Hepler is coordinating brotherhood gatherings and rush activities in the major metropolitan areas such as Virginia Beach, NOVA, and Baltimore. If you are interested in attending or have a potential rushee, please let Bill know. I look forward to seeing all of you at Pigger '93! Fraternally, Mike Morrone \r\nTig Dinner Info!!!! House Corp Agenda Spring Meeting 1993 I. 10 a.m. Rool Call II. BCA meeting Plan of Events for Pig Dinner Weekend III. Reading and acceptance of minutes IV. Officer Reports (budget will be discussed) April 23, 1993 V. Committe reports (Linwood - Phase III) Gard/Undergrad Party at Fiji House VI. Old Business a. Finish discussion of funding the April 24, 1993 registration and possible subsidation of air fare 9am-11 am Wives Brunch @ Marriott for two graduate officers to Ekklesia. The 1 Oam-12noon House Corp Meeting @ Marriott motion reads as follows: We propose a 50% 12noon-4pm Cookout @ Fiji House split of travel expenses plus coverage of 1:00pm Volleyball @ Fiji House general meeting registration, the budgeted 3:00pm Last call for Alcohol amount will be 300 per year. b. Motion to the floor to recall 7-8k of 6:00-6:30 Social bonds to possible help finance funds for 6:30-7:30 Dinner necessary house renovations or the 7:30-8:30 Program scholarship fund. 8:30-1:00 Dancing VII. New Business a. Adoption of next year's budget April 25, 1993 b. Discussion of the possible addition of 11:00 Football @ Fiji House a permanent house mother. The Fraternity of PHI GAMMA DELTA Rho Alpha Chapter of Phi Gamma Delta 202 Church Street Blacksburg, Virginia 24060-4804 (703) 552-4251 VPI&SU 1986 ALPHA GAMMA Dana W. Hesse 9531 Kings Grant Road Laurel, MD 20723