Fall 1996 Rho Alpha Online byBrandon Kelley Gamma Delta. As I write this ad dress for Rho Alpha's first My introduction to FIJI at Tech came courtesy of Matt Holland, Tracy If you've seen the most re cent edition of The Phi Gamma that it's been ten years Mathews, and Scott GifBn. In the fall of 1986, they Delta (Spring/Summer '96), then you have probably seen the arti' cles about FUInet, the IHQ home page on the World-Wide-Web. since I walked onto the were NIBs who happened There was also a section with a Virginia Tech campus as a to live down the hall from list of undergraduate chapterbased hopepages. You may have newsletter of the 1996- 1997 academic year, I real ize with some amazement I have me. Coming from never regretted my out of state, I knew hardly a soul at Virginia Tech, so I appreciated their been disappointed that the Rho Alpha chapter was not listed gent decisions I've made in the past decade are, in no irrvitation out to the not, brothers, for we now have a particular order, 1) choosing FIJI, and 2) asking Laura to be my wife ( I had to put very welcome by all, especially freshman. decision to attend Tech. The two other most intelli house. Once there, I was made to feel that in or else I won't have a date for the 25th Pig Dinner). Make no mistake about it; Virginia Tech has one of the most beautiful campuses in the country. I've visited a handful of other universities aroimd the coimtiy and have yet to find one more pleasing to the eye. It's also a top quality academic institu tion of which we can all be proud. Yet the setting and the academics are only part of the college experience. It's roimded out by the peo ple with whom you share Colin Winchester, Dana Hesse and Darmy Kallick (alreatfy a seasoned grad). Dana was chapter president at the time and spent quite a bit of time talking with me at one of the parties. I was amazed that someone of his stature seemed so interested in me. I realize now, of course, that what he was doing was RUSHING me! But that's okay. It woriced, and I'm glad. In fact, I regretthat I didn't pledge sooner. I waited until the second time a bid was extended to me. At that pointI thought to myself, "These are great guys. I can turn down the it. That brings me to the bid and never see any of Rho Alpha Chapter of Phi (Continued on page 3) 1 there, since this is an institution centered aroimd technology. Fear website up and running at the following URL: http://www.vt.edu: 10021/org/ PhiGammaDelta/ I created this wetpage at the begiimingof this year, with the help of brother Mike Ro mano, who created and main tains the guest and log book pages. Thepagewascreated pri marily with you our graduate brothers in mind, to keep you constantly up to date on what's going on at Virginia Tech and at the chapter. So far, I have pages which have the following fea tures on them; 1) A list of undergraduate brothers, their address, phone number, email, and coordinator position. 2) A list of officers for the un dergraduate chapter, BOA, and House Corp. (Continued on page 2) \r\nPA Times Fan 96 down and get rearfy. I woidd also like to take the time to thank all of our Dear Brothers, It is hard for me to believe that Graduate Service, and to the admira tion of us all , Professor Hugh W. graduates for their continued support, for without which many things would not be pos sible. For those of you who my two years as an elected officer are almost over. By being an officer, especially by being President this year, I have been privileged to really Munson placed 2nd in the Crowder Cup for Faculty Advisor Excellence. In keeping with tradition, September 20th was FUI ISLANDER!! have not seen the House, it see how our chapter works and grows The brothers successfully held the biggest Isalnder party this chapter has thanks for its hard work in ever seen. With Brother Brian Brenner Thanks also to Brother Linwood Leftwich and Brother each year. So as my days of presi dency rapidly close let me mention a few of Rho Alpha's recent high lights. In the tradition of "Scholarship, Fraternity, Self' the Chapter's schol arship is again improving. As a whole we have recognized the need for academic excellence and are striving to keep the pace going. In addition to our scholarship the Chap ter was represented this surmner 1^ myself. Brother Steve Hinman, and Brother James Hamric at the 148th Ekklesia in Scottsdale, Arizona. While diere we were fortunate enough to receive a few awards. For the 4th consecutive year we were awarded the John T. McCarty Award for Chapter Proficiency, Brother claiming his throne as King Louie, the party featured three live bands: Sea son's End, Baker, and Funky Penetra tion. Everyone enjoyed the party, the atmosphere, the bands, and some even enjoyed a dip in the waterfall! This year's party brought out over 800 dedi cated Tech students which helped to raise 1,000 cans of food and nearly $700 for the Blacksburg Food Bank!! Another great tradition everyone enjoys is Homecoming! It was great to see so many graduates still coming down to enjoy that imbelievable Broth erhood and a great Hokie win over those always tough Temple Owls! For those of you who like to plan early do not forget the ultimate tradition - The James Hanuic received an Honorable Norris Pig Dirmer!! This year is our Mention in the Coulter Cup for 25th and it is on April 5A; mark it Rho Alpha Online 8) A guest log book for leaving com ments. (Continuedfrom page I) 3) A list of as many email ad dresses for graduate brothers as I can find. 4) A monthly calendar of events, as well as a list of major events and football games throughout the aca demic year. 5) Updates for major events such as Islander, Homecoming, and Pig Din ner (25th Pigger this year!) 6) A picture of our most recent composite and the house. 7) A list of major FIJI links to IHQ, other chapter web pages, and email to important names at IHQ. 9) A brief history of the chapter. In addition, brother Romano is work ing on the What Is FUI?page, mainly for rushpurposes, and I will put in a link which Avill allow you to download the most recent database of addresses and phonenumbers for all graduate and undergraduate brothers (in Mi crosoft Works spreadsheet format). This file can be downloaded by select ing the link to it, holding down SHIFT, and then clicking, to save the file directly to your hard drive. A few things to notice about the site: The page uses fi-ames and tables, which are only supported by some of the more recent web-browsers looks great and our House Cor poration is owed a tremendous getting things completed. Danny Kallick for the many hours they gave up to be at the house to see the renovations throu^. With all of that I would like to once again thank all of our brothers for their continued hard work and support for the Rho Alpha Chapter. We are always striving for exceUence and welcome your efforts at any time. If you have any com ments or concerns please give me a call at (540) 951-9053. Fraternally, Geoffrey Ax Chapter President (Netscape 2.0 and higher, or Microsoft Internet Explorer 3.0 and higher). It can still be viewed without frames, but it really loses the effect. If anyone has any ideas for the webpage, please drop us a line. If you have any ad ditions or changes to the email list for graduate brothers, pleasewrite a letter or email to me at bkelley@vt.edu. Fraternally, Brandon Kelley BM \r\nPA Times FaU 96 bearing with me through this BCA President's Address (Continuedfrom page 1) thousand other Tech fans saw the them again, or I can accept and enter into a lifelong friendship with Hokies crush BC - to Autin, where I rather personal address. I thought you might prefer it to boring ad ministrative minutia. Everyone keep up the good work, and re had dinner with Bill and Kelly member that Phi Gamma Delta is the whole bunch." Woodward while there on a busi not for college days alone! I chose the later. What a ride it's been since then. There have been fun times ness trip. It even has found its way to Southern Maryland, where I have lived and been employed for the and hard times, celebrations and frustrations. Long, arduous meet ings and wild road trips. Outra geous parties and heartbreaking past six years thanks in large part to football games. You aU know what Delta. I'm talking about. The Rho Alpha bond extends way beyond Blacks- Blacksburg, and I love getting to gether with fellow FUIs. I will burg. It extends from Boston - where Ward Toilette and I and a Fraternally, Pete McDevitt ('90) Steve Debevoise. Bottom line: be proud of Vir ginia Tech and of Phi Gamma I am. I love to return to continue to do both until I am a blathering old man. Thanks for House Renovations - FaU 1996 by Glen Kinnear but the memories. The basement was not the same without the bar, The bar is gone. It was a good bar and it served the Rho Alpha tures were installed. Addition so Brothers Tim Bowling and Jeff Stanaway constructed a new bar for the house, doing an outstand ally, the comer enclosure for the ingly professional job. The new Chapter well. Long live the bar. To complete the renovations from last spring, some improve ments were made to the chapter house. All of the improvements are in the basement, with the exception of a second phone line into the house and complete railings to the upper circuit box was reconstracted to bar is redwood stained birch, and still holds the "FIJI" diamond on needs, the old bar and kegorator bar still apply, but I'm sure many were removed. With a tear in brothers will be happy to try to level. The basement room was reno one eye and vengeancein the "score" free drinks. vated to include new power outlets and two locking closets. In the main area of the basement, new light fix other, several brothers took a include a locking closet for hold ing the house stereo equipment. But the most obvious change is the bar. To clear up needed space and comply with insurance its comer. Best of all it can easily be moved out of the way when room in the basement is needed. I'm not sure if the old rules of the sledgehammer and crowbar to the bar. Soon there was nothing left Fraternally, Glen Kinnear BP Tliis yoar is the Rbo Alpba Chapter's 25th Aanual Frank Norris Pig Dinner April 5,1997 at Gnstom Catering Center featnring onr chapter's very first Silver Dwls. R.8.7.P. to be here for the biggest Kgger Rho Alpha has ever As part of a service project, brothers helped out at the booth for the White Ribbon Campaign to end men's violence against women. \r\nPA Times Fall 96 Phi Gamma Delta Foundations by Brent Holoviak Brothers, the 1995 Donor Yearbook has become available, as you might have already seen. It was a great year with an increase in donations and donor base. This has in turn increased the amount of scholarships and grants that can be given out to chapters. The un dergraduates would like to thank the most recent Foundation Donors. Foundation Friends in clude; Steven Ronald Butera, Ed ward W. East, Gregory F. Heath, Michael D. Maret, Peter A. McDe- vitt, Jonathan E. Parker, Patrick L. Reilly, David C. Venable, Barret out to Jeffrey D. Carter for mak ing it to the M^ite Star Society. Thank you to all the graduates for their continued support. Your hard work does pay off, PA chap ter ranked 4th out of the Top 30 Chapters for Percent Participa tion by graduates. Foster Warner, and Paul T. Zawis- towski. Dxq Delta Society includes: Edwin A. Hardell, and John D. Vert. The Snowy White Owl Society includes Michael F. Grif fith. A special congratulations goes Undergraduate and graduate broth ers alike enjoyed last year's Pig Dinner at the Marriott Hotel. This year's Pigger promises to be the greatest this chapter has ever seen. ss Fraternally, Brent Holoviak Cooresponding Sec. In Other News... -The Richmond Times Dispatch recently wrote an article on Brother John Friedman (AE) about a wildlife stu