Tiaer-FUi Published by Lambda Chapter of the Fraternity of Phi Gamma Delta at DePauw University GREENCASTLE, INDIANA DEPAUW UNIVERSITY SPRING 1997 President's Message FUTURE LOOKS BRIGHT FOR LAMBDA For those of you who have been following the changes Lambda Chap ter has gone through in the last year, I hope you are pleased with the house we are becoming. a Parents Association. This is key be cause the parents are now informed about everything that goes on in the house and can respond by helping with fundraising and getting gradu the weekend with us and had a great time with each of them. I encourage anyone who would like to see how the house is progressing to see things first Here are a few of the changes we have made. In terms of chapter opera ates involved. I would love to see a good showing ofgraduates at our Pig Dinner on April tions, the chapter has completed and We have already initiated our fall pledge class and have a spring pledge filed all forms for both nationals and class of the same size. the university. I am proud to announce that the house walked away from State Day with awards for Most Improved Overall, Most Improved Grade Point Average and Graduate Relations and second place in Rush and Attendance. Aside from the awards, several house improvements have been made possible by our House Corporation. We have had several graduates spend We have started test files and insti tuted a new recycling program in the house. Requirements for risk manage ment for both the university and for nationals have already been met. These include alcohol awareness, date rape/sexual assault awareness, house safety and cultural sensitivity. Most importantly, we have formed hand. 19. It will be an event to remember. I hope all of you are happy with the direction our chapter is headed, and I know I speak for the chapter in saying that we are very proud of our accom plishments and the accomplishments of our graduates. We hope you take our invitations to the house seriously, and we hope to see you all at our Pig Dinner. Sincerely, Ben Clark House Corporation Review As you probably know, the board of directors of the House Corporation is concerned with the maintenance of the physical plant of the chapter, col lection of rent, etc. While this board has overseen these things, it has also acted as a board of chapter advisors, it having been several years since Lambda had such a board. Joe Weist has been invaluable in his help to the board and the chapter. I can report to you that the house is in the best shape it has been in years. This is due to two factors. First, the men at the chapter have worked very hard to keep the house clean, both inside and out. There have been Saturday work sessions, some of which have been attended by graduate brothers. Because of improvement in the chapter, the board has been willing to spend some money to make improvements. We are nearly done with the rehab of the heads. The tile has been cleaned and, where needed, regrouted. New fixtures, new shower heads, mirrors, lights and new stalls have all been installed. The bathrooms are certainly fit to throw up in (joke)! Further, we are in the process of rehabbing the second floor rooms. On Febmary 22, graduate brothers and the men at the house, including pledges, conducted a work session, ripping all the ceiling tiles off and removing the glue. Since there is drywall under the tiles, we will save money on the re hab. In addition to that work, the walls and ceilings will be patched where ments, there have been improvements in academic relationships outside the house. Relations with the Thetas have been restored, as well as those with the university and the campus as a whole. The chapter spearheaded a philan thropic project in which all Greek units on campus participated. Grades have improved as well. The actives maintained above a 3.0, and the pledge class averaged 2.95, which was sec ond of all pledge classes on campus. All the hard work was recognized at State Day. Lambda received the awards for Most Improved Overall, Most Improved Grade Point Average needed, and each room will be and Graduate Relations and second equipped with a working ceiling fan and light combination, essentially a vanilla box that can be painted by the place in Rush and Attendance. men in the house. In addition to thephysical improve This is a most remarkable record for a year that is not over! The gradu ate chapter is proud of the Lambda Chapter men. \r\nPage 2 Spring 1997 TIGER-FIJI Purple Legionnaire Report Dear brothers, I hope that this edition of the TigerFiji finds you and your families in good spirits and health. I am honored to announce that I recently accepted appointment as Lambda's Purple Legionnaire. For those of you who don't Icnow me, I am a member of the class of '93 and am now an attorney in Chicago. Club on Saturday, April 19, 1997. I understand that the undergraduate brothers have been working very hard to make this year's dinner the best one in years and are anxious to use the Pig Dinner as an opportunity to show the graduate brothers that the chapter has ensure that Lambda will be a strong chapter for years to come, but they need our help. I look forward to dis cussing the future of the chapter with many of you at the Pig Dinner. If you will be unable to attend, but are still made tremendous strides to recover interested in the future of the chapter, please call or e-mail me at (312) 944- from some recent setbacks. 6936 or JRSGONZO@aol.com. Hopefully by now, you are all aware of the Pig Dinner to be held at I urge all of you to join me and the undergraduate brothers for this impor tant occasion. The undergraduate Greencastle's Windy Hill Country brothers are doing all they can to I hope to see you all on April 19. Fraternally, Jason R. Surber '93 Pergel Section Chief Corner I would like to take this opportunity to thank the many graduate brothers out there who have helped with "The Turnaround" in Greencastle this year. If you could have seen the situation that the chapter was facing this sum mer and see the state of the chapter now, you would be amazed by the difference. I do not think that I have asked any graduate brother to help in some way this year and been tumed down. The efforts of brothers such as proud to welcome the newest addition to the Phi Gamma Delta family this September when we expand to Uni versity of Evansville. This will be the first expansion in Indiana in over 27 years. For those who might like to help or want information, feel free to contact me. We can use all the help we can get. The formal rush period will The year has been a productive one in the area of house improvements at the good old Lambda Chapter house. been far above the call of duty. The year started off strong with a work session of graduates and undergradu ates. During the day, we removed three 30-yard dumpsters of trash and building materials from the house. The chapter then started working hard to prepare for rush. We painted the third floor hallway and the dining room. brothers have formed a true partner ship—to the benefit of the chapter. I expect that the chapter will be able to conduct a great rush in the fall and this trusteeship will be removed. Quite an accomplishment for a chapter that re ally was close to shutting down this summer. 1 invite as many of you as restroom on the main floor were re- tnodeled. This included new fixtures shower heads, reworked tile and best of all, stalls. This was amuch needed improvement to the quality of life in the chapter house. Underway pres ently is the complete remodeling ofall the rooms on the second floor, which has been completely closed off all year. This will allow the brothers to move back into the second floor next year when we expect about 25 broth- doors which were destroyed during the summer break-ins. Almost every door need to be work on the downspouts, outside painting, new carpet through all four bathrooms and the women's Phi Gamma Delta in Indiana will be Terre Haute, IN47807 e-mail: JWEIST@IQUEST.NET ers to move in—up from 11 atthe start amazed at the condition of the house and the condition of the chapter as a whole. And for a real treat, come back Also, for those who are unaware. 2142 WabashAve leyball court weeded (whew!). Then, the repairmen came to work on the in the house is a new, solid wood door. anniversary of initiation into Lambda. assistance to you, please contact me Indiana Section ChiefJoe Weht The outside was mulched and the vol possible to attend the Pig Dinner on April 19 in Greencastle. You will be and see Joe Carney receive his Gold Owl Award, commemorating his 50th Again, Iwould like to thank all the Lambda graduates who have made mv job so easy this year. IfIcan be ofanv House Improvements Wade Nichols, Jay Moore, Joe Carney, Carl Sahlburg and Don Mighell (to only name a few) have Yes, the chapter is still on graduate trusteeship, a situation most chapters would be upset with. However, in this case, the chapter and the graduate begin September21, 1997. During winter term and Febmary, of this year. Future improvements outthe house andwork on thekitchen. Even so, the house does look better than it has in many years. Tiger-Fiji ispublished regularly bythe men oftheFraternity of Phi Gamma Delta at DePauw University for members and friends. Graduate news items, photographs and change ofaddress notices should be sent to Lambda Chapter of Phi Gamma Delta, do Newsletter Program Headquarters, P.O. Box 1311, Bloomington, IN 47402-1311. \r\nSpring 1997 Page 3 TIGER-FIJI Member Recruitment Throughout this issue of the TigerFiji, we have elucidated our success in our award-winning fall rush, and we are proud of our new initiates who were a product of that rush. However, something that gives Lambda Chapter a greater sense of accomplishment is our spring recruitment. Traditionally at DPU, the formality of fall rush has been the main source and focus of member recruitment in the various houses. This year, however. Lambda has shown that the As these gentlemen all rushed in the fall and either decided not to pledge a house or pledged a house and then de-pledged, they represent a firm validation of the success of Lambda's new vision. These gentlemen experi laurels and have already begun plan ning for next year's rush. While we have proven wrong the millennial predictions of fraternal Armageddon in the year 2000's rush class, our work is far from over. More than ever, the enced Greek life at DePauw in its men of Lambda are calling upon its natural, true form and decided 916 S. outstanding graduate support to help College was the best house on cam pus. This is a flattering and empower ing concept for the men of Lambda. With this empirical acknowledg ment, we are refusing to rest on our with the class of 2001. Ifyou have any information on prospective DPU freshmen for next year, it will be infi nitely helpful and greatly appreciated. Dave Seawell harvest in the spring can be just as bountiful. We are currently in the pro cess of pledging four freshmen with the distinct possibility of two more, Lambda at the Head ofthe Class for a total of six. While these numbers shown a miraculous improvement in the area of scholarship. The may seem on the small side for a house's msh, one must remember the value that spring pledges have in fall rush and the fact that this is one of the most successful spring rushes in re cent memory on DePauw's campus. Lambda and Cyberspace For those who have yet to visit the International Fraternity's homepage, try it out! We are located at http:// www.phigam.org. From there, you can connect to all of the Phi Gam chapter homepages. Lambda has made some early efforts in this area and plans to have a page up and running in the next few months. For now, however, you can join an e-mail list of Lambda graduate broth ers. You will get periodic updates on what is happening at the chapter level. In order to join, please send an e-mail to Joe Weist at JWEIST @IQUEST.NET. Make sure that you include your full name, chapter (Lambda or DePauw) and class year. If you want any news sent to everyone on the list, also send Joe the message, and he will forward it on. We look forward to using this great new source to communicate with you, our graduates. The undergraduate chapter has chapter's GPA, which includes eight pledges, for fall 1996 was 2.9951, The fraternity hasset up an intemal scholarship program, which includes extensive test files, tutors and cash incentives. The fraternity has already had two scholarship dinners and which was a +.2066 improvement plans tohave two more before the year from the spring 1996 house GPA. The is up. 2.9951 house GPA was also above the all men's average of2.9557 and above the all fraternity average of 2.9513. As a result. Lambda ranked fifth out of the 14 fratemities. This time last year, the chapter's fall GPA was 2.7885, which earned the house a ranking of 10th. This fifth-place ranking comes after a 2.7135 house GPA in spring 1996, when the housewas ranked 13th out of the 14 fratemities. Breaking it down a bit further, as a reflection of the current pledge education program and the strong emphasis placed on scholarship, the fall pledge class had an average GPA of 2.9526, which was a +.2973 increase over last year's fall pledge class GPA of 2.6553. The 2.9526 GPA was higher than the all freshmen, all residence hall and all fraternity averages and earned them a second-place ranking among all fraternity fall pledge classes. With respect to the actives, the active chapter had an average GPA of 3.0322, which was a +.1509 increase from the fall of last year. The active chapter's 3.0322 GPA was above the all university, all men's and all fraternity averages. Some of the speakers who have talked or are scheduled to talk to the undergraduate chapter are Dean of Academic Services Dee Gardner, Dean of Academic Affairs Anita Solow and Director of Career Services Tom Cath. Overall, the chapter is taking great strides to improve in the area of scholarship. Phi Gams Serving Others In the area of service, the chapter is proud of our accomplishments in this field. The fratemity held a successful philanthropy and spearheaded the first ever all-campus community service project. The Phi Gams raised money with the running of the 103rd Annual Monon Bell Football Run, which took place in conjunction with the Wabash chapter. The proceeds from the phi lanthropy went to the Retum-A-Gift Endowment Fund of Putnam County, an organization that provides toys, food and clothes for needy children at Christmas. In terms of the all-campus (Continued on page 4) \r\nLambda Chapter Spring Events Brotherhood Weekend Service Project in Cincinnati, OH Friday, March 7, 1997 Retreat in Louisville, KY Saturday, March 8, 1997 Executive Board Retreat Terre Haute, IN Saturday, March 15, 1997 DePauw Spring Break March 21-31, 1997 Black Diamond Formal Chicago, IL Saturday, April 11, 1997 Frank Norris Pig Dinner Windy Hills Country Club Saturday, April 19, 1997 Reception at the House with Chapter Exhibit 4:30-6 p.m. Cocktails at Windy Hills 6-7 p.m. Dinner and Programs 7-10 p.m. (Please RSVP to Yong Choc by calling 765-653-3420, e-mailing him at YCHOE@DePauw.edu or writing him at the chapter house.) DePauw Little 5 Saturday, April 19, 1997 Fijilsle Saturday, May 10, 1997 DePauw Final Exams May 17-21, 1997 DePauw Commencement Saturday, May 24, 1997 1 p.m. The undergraduate chapter wants to let graduate brothers Todd Glass '93, Jon Bauer '93, Chad Wollums '94, Steve Brining '95 and James Bell '96 know that we had a great time partying with you guys onthe first weekend inMarch. \r\nThe Lambda Chapter Honor Rolln Two elements are making the newsletter program so addresses on our mailing list, and are working on even successful—your information and your financial support! more; we have received many letters with positive com- Please join our growing group ofgraduate newsletter pro- ments, suggestions and personal notes to help us keep each gram supporters. Your support makes a tremendous difference! Besides helping us to produce Tiger-Fiji your voluntary contributions make possible a number ofother improvements in our graduate relations program. We have already updated many of you better informed and involved; and we have witnessed greater graduate interest as a result, The followingbrothers sent contributions to the newsletter program during the past year, and we thank them sincerely for their support. Melvin L. Allen '53 James E. Honan '40 Robert D. Perkins '61 John T. Axelberg '83 Charles G. Huizenga '59 John W. Rippetoe '50 Thomas S. Ballard '86 John Hull '49 Michael S. Robey '70 Edwin C. Boswell '31 Norman F. Jay '55 Peter L. Roesner '59 William C. Brittain '35 Charles W. Jenkins '37 James N. Ross '62 Ted Callis '30 Mark D. Johnson '88 James E. Sanford '71 L. Terry Chappell '65 Richard E. Knapp '56 Richard R. Savage '48 Samuel G. Clifford '48 Jere F. Krueger '80 Jerome F. Shandy '42 J. Robert Coffin '58 Russell 0. LaMore '88 William H. Sharp '48 Clint V. Cox '38 Tom Lewis '88 Robert H. Shaykin '71 Edward F. Dirks '40 George C. Lortz '62 Edwin J. Simcox '93 Robert L. Erickson '58 J. Kurt Mahrdt '56 Kenneth H. Smith '64 Richard S. French '60 Russell R. Malik '38 L. Alfred Stocking '51 John E. Gelvin '42 J. Dennis Marek '64 Charles E. VanNada '39 Robert L. Gibson '42 David B. McCracken '56 Brent Wadsworth '52 David W. Gilbert '65 William H. McGaughey '34 W. Bmce Walker '47 Frank L. Green '64 Jeffrey R. Millard '80 William R. Weatherly '54 John B. Gregg '60 James D. "Jay" Moore '74 Darren R. Wells '87 Robert S. Harrison '95 Peter A. Morse '65 Robert F. Wells '66 OwenA. "Al" Heeter'58 John G. "Jack" O'Neill '37 Robert R. Whiting '59 Steven J. Herr '78 Russ Olson '51 Steven D. Wright '95 David C. Hinshaw '67 Bruce E. Partner '58 Return theenclosed cardandsendyourcontribution so we can putyourname on this year's list! \r\nStorming the Campus The chapter currently has two members of the editorial staff of the scholarship dinners, which equaled the total of all last year. The chapter also Midwestern Review, three members of hosted the first ever DePauw Admin the DePauw Swimming Team, one member of the DePauw Diving Team, five members of the DePauw Rugby needed lines of communication with the administrators. Team, the coach of the men's and women's DePauw Rugby Teams, the star pitcher of the DePauw Baseball Team, the DePauw Student Congress sergeant-at-arms and Safe Ride direc tor, members of the DePauw Choir and Concert Orchestra, DJs on the DePauw Radio Station and executive board members of the Outdoors Club, R.O.A.R. and Student Congress. Not only are the Phi Gams well represented on DePauw's campus, the Lambda Chapter has made great strides in improving campus relations with the faculty, administration and other Greek organizations. First semester, the fraternity hosted two In addition, throughout the course of the first semester, the chapter had cook-outs with entire sororities and had house cabinet officers over for dinner and one time, the chapter was invited over to dinner to a sorority. Lambda also hosted the first Chapter Presidents Dinner, at which we pro posed the first ever all-campus community service project. The chapter also sent flowers to all the sororities on their respective Founders Days. Also, the chapter wrote "welcome back" letters and holiday greeting cards to all Greek living units and DePauw administr-ation and faculty. I would like to take this opportunity to introduce myself. My name is Patti me what three things I enjoy most about my association with Fiji, I would Price and I am house director/cook at have to say; my cooking, my respect for the men of Fiji and finally, Fiji Isle. Patti Price Since that time, I've said hello and good-bye to approximately 200 men of Fiji. The good-byes are always the hardest. Over the years, I have cooked an estimated 8,640 meals. The men of Phi Gamma Delta have experienced good times and bad times. As the saying goes, "Out of every thing bad comes something good." The success of Fiji can be attributed to a good rush, a commit ment to unity and strong brotherhood. Additionally, their continued efforts to improve their relationship and rap port within the fraternity has also brought about a good relationship with the House Corporation and university administration. The renovation that Fiji is currently undergoing reflects another aspect of their obligation and desire to make this fraternity one of the best on cam pus. I am proud to be a small part of this fellowship. In closing, if anyone were to ask Athletic Demigod istrative Dinner, which opened much House Director Report Phi Gamma Delta. I began as cook in August of 1988 and subsequently became house director five years later. Ben Clark: PHI GAMS SERVING OTHERS (Continuedfrom page 3) community service project, the Phi Gams organized an Adopt-A-Family Program with the help of local churches. Every Greek living unit was given a family, and that frater nity/sorority provided Christmas gifts. It was an astounding success, as there was 100 percent participa tion from the sororities and almost 65 percent of the fraternities took part to help make the holiday season a little bit more special for those families. The chapter also had half of its members, which includes pledges, perform community service through the DePauw DCS Program first semester. Most recently, the undergraduate chapter went to Cincinnati, OH, for its second semester service program. Currently, the chapter is in the midst of planning a spring all-campus service project. In the summer of 1996, Lambda Fiji became a global athletic power. One of our brothers not only com peted in the Summer Olympics in Atlanta, he dominated the field in his event. The Fiji we are talking about here is Ben Clark, the current presi dent of Lambda Fiji. What was the eventthat herepresented us so well in, you may ask? Well, the answer is simple: the event that Ben, the medal magnet, competed in was the explo sive, high powered sport of—jump roping. In the sport's first year of Olympic competition as a demonstration sport, Ben took home six different medals^ three gold, two silver and one bronze. The events that he jump-roped his way to glory in were single rope singles freestyle, single rope singles speed, double dutch singles freestyle, single rope doubles freestyle, double dutch singles speed and endurance. The single rope singles freestyle and speed and the double dutch singles freestyle were theevents thatBen won the gold in, the single rope doubles freestyle and double dutch singles speed pro duced the silvers and, finally, the lone bronze came in the endurance event. The kind of jump-roping that Ben does is not what people usually think of when they think about jump roping. Ben's not singing some song with girls in pigtails; it's more of a brand of gymnastics with a rope or two encir cling your body while you're flipping or spinning in the air. Regardless of what anyone may say about the sport, there is one obvious thing that no one can mock, and that is winning six medals in an international competition that holds the prestige that the Olympics do. Everyone here at Lambda Fiji is extremely proud of his accomplish ments, and we wish him the best of luck in his jump-roping career. In a related event, Ben, ever the champion, helped in the making and tasting of Theta's first prize-winning chili in the DePauw Chili Cookoff.