Lexington, Va. - April 1995 The General Fiji r^trr Zeta Deuteron of Pm Gamma Delta at Washington and Lee Unxversity Efforts of Many Result in Chapter's Return By Jack Norbcrg *79, Zeta Deuteron House Corporation President TheZeta Deuteron Chapter ofPhi Gamma Delta at Washington and Lee University has emerged from another difficultperiod in our chapter's history. As many graduate brothers are aware, our fraternity was suspended from formal Greek and social activities throughout calendar 1994. This unfortunate situation has forced the House Corporation to seek alternative uses ofour fraternity house (which was rented to 13 law students) and implement a rehabilitating 10-point plan for our under graduate brothers to begin fraternity activitieson campus after their reinstate ment. I am extremely proud to report that our brothers completed each of our action points, including participation in the National Fraternity's Ekklesia held in Kansas City last summer; participation in fraternity seminar and workshop programs held at the National Fraternity in Lexington, Ky., in November 1994; charity and community service activities in Lexington, Va., as well as extensive pledge and upperclassman frater nity education programs on hazing, alcohol, and drug abuse. Despite an extremely unfair and harsh penalty imposed by the Student Affairs Committee, our brothers continued to represent our fraternity on campus and regained the respect of the university, faculty and their Greek peers. This resurrection could not have happened without the hard work ofseveral individuals. Congratulations should be extended to imdergraduate President Steve Cokkinias '95, who held our brothers together throughout 1994 without the help ofsocial activities, rush or firatemity gather ings (our brothers could not get together in groups larger than four). When it would Norris Pig Dinner May 13,1995 • Cocktail Party ~ 4 p.m. • Dinner ~ S p.m. • Live Entertainment/Reception Following Dinner have been easier to throw in the towel and enjoyhis senior year with another fraternity or social group, Stevewas spending his spare time working with the House Corporation, faculty and National Fraternity to reinstate $ 15 per brother: $25 per couple All activities will take place at the house. his brothers for the winter term. Steve representswhat is best in fi^temities and deserves our respect and admiration for his efforts over the past two years. Additional compliments should be RSVP by April 28 to jack Norberg at 1-800-746-5743. extended to the officers and brothers of the Zeta Deuteron Chapter who chose to remain loyal to Fiji despite the penalties instituted against them. These young men are living representatives that brotherhood transcends beer bashes and pranks. I would also like to express my deepest gratitude to Terry Griffin, R. K. Barton '53, Jack Baizley '70 and Edward L. Bishop '68, who worked long and hard with the university faculty, undergraduates and National Fraternity to return the chapter to an active social status. The House Corpora tion could also have lost the lease on our Preston Street facility had it not been for the arduous pro bono legal work performed by our corporate secretary and board member William Terry '75. Brothers Terry, Griffin, Barton, Baizley and Bishop took on a politically correct but morally wrong decision by Washington and Lee adminis trators that was made without consider ation of the long-term damage their positions could cause within the Washing ton and Lee community. Terry Griffin's son, T.J., is a Fiji undergraduate at Washington and Lee (in his sophomore year); Terry was a member of the Delta Tau Delta Fraternity while an undergraduate. Mr. Griffin's aggressive letter-writing campaign and numerous meetings with senior university officials (including President John Wilson and Dean ofStudents David Howison) forced Continues on reverse side Zeta Deuteron Is Back! By Stephen A. Cokkinias '95, Chapter President Zeta Deuteron Chapter, as many have heard, was suspended from the Washington and Lee fraternity system for 18 months on January 17,1994, for a violation of the university hazingpolicy. Butafter just12 months, theStudentAfiairs Committee unanimously voted to reinstate Fijion December 9,1994, withall the rights and privileges of an active fraternity at Washington and Lee.The early return of Phi Gamma Delta was made possible by the outstanding efforts of the brothers, who completed a 10-point plan ofaction submitted by the Zeta Deuteron House Corporation. The plan included community service, a revised pledge program, and a chanter trin to Kentuckv to vi.sit Phi Gamma Delta's International i — r - Headquarters, an excursion that few brotherswill everforget. Now that Fiji is back,we are looking forward to a great 1995. Although winter rush was a new experience for the chapter, we were able to recruit seven qualityguys from among the unusually high number of independent men this year. We tookpride in beingselective, for while our numbers are few, the brothers have always feltthat a small, tight chapteris best. Once rushwas over, we turned our attention toward the social calendar. Our first party after the reinstatement will go down in Fiji history as one of the biggest events ever heldat 112 WestPreston Street. On January 14,1995, the band Blue Miracle playedfor the nearly 1,000 Washington and Lee students who came by to help us celebrate our return to campus. The event was so big that not only was the basement jammed, but the stairwell was impassable and the parkinglot was crowded by hundreds who couldn't get inside, but stayed for the music. Champagnes, too, was a huge success,and for the first time in years, everybody had a date. Though Fancy Dress approaches soon, FijiIslands will once again be the premier event on this year's socialcalendar. Scheduled for May 6 at Zollman's Pavilion, Islands will be an all-day affair,with a band in the afternoon followed by the reggae band that night. Of course, the undergraduates also look forward to welcoming back all the graduate brothers for Norris Pig Dinner at the house on Alumni Weekend, May 13. I would like to thank all the brothers, both undergraduates and graduates, for their support and efforts through what had to be the most difficult yearin our chapter's history since the tragic fire of 1984. We haveonce again shown that the spirit of brotherhood that exists at our chapter can overcome any obstacle,and that no matter what, the Fij will never die. The General Fiji Is published for the members and friends ofthe Zeu Deuteron Chapter of Phi Gamma Delta Fraternity atWashington and Lee University. Address changes, news Items and photographs are always welcome and may be sent In the enclosed envelope or mailed to Alumni Records Office, Phi Gamma Deita Fraternity, P.O. Box i40, Lexington, VA 24450-0 i 40. \r\nGraduate Brother in the Spotught Stewart Atkinson '80 1995 Chapter Officers Interview by James Cheng '96; Written by Frank GrifSn '97 Stephen A. Cokkinias '95 Vernon, Conn. - Sociology/History President It has been five years since Stewart Atkinson has come back to visit Lexington, which is one of the reasons he is looking forward to returning fiar Alumni Weekend in May. During his years on the Generals fixitball team, Atkinson set all the school's rushing records until they were broken by Tom Mason '94. Stewart Atkinson '80 is currently a vice president in the chemical department at Procter & Gamble. He has worked there for Stewart Atkinson '80 pauses before the Hong Kong skyline. the past five years in a position that requires his shouldering global responsibilities. On the personal side, he is married and has a son, Stewart. The Zeta Deuteron Chapter is Treasurer Richard L. Abercrombie '95 Danville, Va. —Natural Sciences/Mathematics Corresponding Secretary TInkham Veale '95 Devon, Pa. ~ History/Journalism Recording Secretary Andy C. R. Rice '96 Berwyn, Pa. ~ Biology Historian Hugo D. Vardaman '95 Washington, D.C. ~ History/journalism looking forward to seeing one ofits most distinguished alumni return to campus.Any brothers who want to get in touch with Stewart can reach him at 1-603-341-1973 (H) or bywriting to him at 1039 Riverview Farms Place, Villa Hills,KY 41017. Fall 1994 Initiates Thank You, House Corporation . .. FROM Zeta Deuteron Chapter of Phi Gamma Delta Theentire undergraduate brotherhood would like to thank House Corporation PresidentJack Norberg '79, Ed Bishop '68 and all the other Fiji graduate brothers who gavetheirtimeto help get the house back on campus. These men spent endless hours in what must have seemed like a thankless job. Your undergraduate brothers are eternally grateful. Community Service Still a Prlority By Tim Veale '95, Community Service Co-Chairman Despite the restrictions ofoursuspension this year, the brothers of Phi Gamma Delta still managed to maintain an active role in the Lexington community. By participating in the Lexington WitchWatch on Halloween and helping raise money for the American Cancer Society,we have increased our community service from that oflast year. Co-Chairman Andy Rice '96 and 1 have a busy schedule pJaimedfor this spring to show Lexington that we want to be contributing members ofthe community. Halloween always brings chaos to the streetsofLexington as hundreds of eager trick-or-treaters search for candy. This year 12 brothers volunteered for the police department's Witch Watch. Brothers were stationed throughout Lexington at various street comers to ensure that the mothers and children safelycrossed the streets. The police and children were very thankful and the brothers enjoyed the evening. Many brothers woke up early one Saturday morning in December to help raise money for the American Cancer Society. Fijis walked door-to-door to collect donauons fi-om Lexington citizens. This effort took place a week before Christmas break as the brothers helped promote the spirit of giving throughout merry Lexington. This spring we will once again hold our annual 100 Innings, an all-day softbaU game to benefit a local charity. We will also pay a visit to the residents at the Lexington Retirement Home. Senior Lea Aberciombie "95currently volunteers his time at a local nursery school while Erik Treese '95 and Davis Vardaman '95 coach a youth basketball team for the Rockbridge Area Recreational Organization. Matt May '97 and Will Hill '97 helped raise money for the American Heart Association by "aerobicizing" in the Warner Center in Febmary. The Fijis ofthe Zeta Deuteron Chapter at Washington and Lee take pride in leading all fi-aternities in community service. Not only do we enjoy helping and meeting the citizens of Lexington, but we also learn a great deal about the rewards of selflessness. Shad N. Boyter '97 ~ Salem, N.Y. Accounting Frank H. Griffin IV '97 ~ Devon, Pa. Biology William E. Hill '97 ~ Centereach, N.Y. Accounting Neil C. Kelleter '97 ~ Coral Springs, Fla. Journalism/English John P. Marshall '97 ~ Trenton, N.J. History Matthew A. May '97 ~ Phoenix, Md. Economics Peter H. Sorensen *97 ~ Greenwich, Conn. Italian Spring 1995 Pledges David D. Foster '98 ~ Schnecksville, Pa. History Lee E. Hunt '98 ~ New Canaan, Conn. Biology Robert M. Hughes '98 —Pickens, S.C. Music/Biology Craig R. Lavender '98 ~ East Bank, W. Va. German Nathan Meyer '97 ~ Mechanicsburg, Pa. Economics Joshua L Wessel '98 ~ Bremerton, Wash. History Eric D. Zavoiinsky '97 ~ Hazlet, N.J. Philosophy Efforts of Many Result in Chapter's Return continuedfrom reverseside Washington and Lee to reexamineand even tually rewrite its current policies on hazing and fi-aternity life in the student handbook. The House Corporation is extremely lucky to have recruited T.J. Griffin '98, and to have enlisted his father's support for the Zeta Deuteron Chapter House Corporation. Brothers Barton, Baizleyand Bishop continued their loyalservice and dedicationto the fi-aternity despite their time-consuming activities on the Alumni Board, as Purple Legionnaire, and on the Board of Trustees, respectively. Brother Barton has been a strong advocate of the fi-aternity system at Washington and Lee and has written several eloquent arguments to the university and alumnion this subject BrotherBaizley hasbeen the under graduate chapter adviser and liaison to the university administration, while BrotherBishop recently completed a 20-year rdgn asour House Corporation's founder, presidentand major activist with his nomination to the Uni versity Boardof Trustees. BrotherBishop irPhi Gamma Delta, and we will certainly misshis leadership as the House Cc*pc«-ation president. 1 would be remiss not to mention the tremendous assistance Richard Sessoms and his wife Sally (our chapter's former feculty adviser[s] and neighbor[s]) have given to the undergraduate brothers, alumni and House Corporationoverthe last10 years. We willsorelymiss the constant support, friend ship and "southern comfort" they provided during our many trials and tribulations. Though the House Corporationhas been fortunate to maintain the necessary numberof boardmembers asmandated bythe university over the last decade, we are in need ofnew blood,ideas and leadership. Heasecontactme at 1-800-746-5743 ifyou are interestedin becoming involved. Thank youforyour suppcst and guidance. 1locdc fiarward to continuing my service asyour House Corpora tion president and visiting with the graduates during AlumniWeekend, May 11-14,1995.