FALL2006 PLEEX5E CLASS | Congratulations to Our Fail 2006 Pledge Class Chi Iota of Phi Gamma Delta I The Univeksity of Illinois I Champaign, Illinois Majesh Abraham '08 Glendale Heights, IL December 2006 Ryan Godke '09 Pekin, IL Kaj Holm '08 Streamwood, IL CHAPTER REPORT 1 Colony Completes Successful Rush, Increases Size to 42 Men Keep Connected With Colony's Growth and Achievements Online By Ryan Galis Chris Nickel! '08 Wheaton, IL Bimel Thomas '08 Des Plaines, IL CAB NET MEMBERS President Michael Gustavson '07 Orland Park, IL mgustavs@uiuc.edu Treasurer Patrick Mutter '07 St. Charles, IL The Chi Iota Colony of Phi Gamma Delta at the University of Illinois is back and growing stronger by the day. Our initial 15 gentleman recruited aggressively, and we now have 42 the quad, in front of the Union! PapaJohns donated a dollar for every pizza they sold that day in Champaign, Urbana and Savoy. Next semester, we plan to team up with a sorority Phi Gam Men! This semester, our recruitment to do the same! numbers were very successful. Recruitment lasts 365 days a year, but our main efforts at the beginning of the year included everything from poker nights to bowling to all you can eat wings, 1am proud to say that every man, due to our 100% vote to join, is a great representation of the 15 founding fathers of this re-established Chapter. Thus far, we have been very active in the community. C5ur newest venture was a huge phutter@uiuc.edu success with the Red Cross, our national Recording Secretary Joshua Laufenberg '08 "Ride for Relief" for 24 hours. Ride for affiliation for raising money. We had a i,. Wheaton, IL JIa ufe h 2@u iuoed u' Relief included a borrowed teeter totter from the Beta Pi Chapter at Bradley that was then rode for 24 hours straight. It was placed on Corresponding Secretary Matthew Vycital '07 vycital@uiuc.edu Derek Rockwell '07 Bolingbrook, IL The Phi Gamma Delta House Ciorporation would like to thank the 26 graduate donors who contributed a We Need Your Email Address! collective $3,943 to our Keep connected with all of the 2005-06 annual fund. latest colony and graduate hap penings! Be sure we have your we are able to continue Becau.se of their support, most current email address so publication of Thf Illinois Fiji that we may keep you informed and other communications. of the latest in news and events. Help us increase our giving totals in 2006-07 by making your gift today. It's easy! Just call 800-975- our alumni relations office at feedback@affinityconnection.com. (Mention Phi Gam at Illinois in the subject.) the social calendar. Please visit us at our brand new website; www.illinifiji.org! This site has everything from updates to a direct pay-pal link support opportunities for our efforts and future endeavors that include to bringing back the class and dignity associated with Ghi Iota FIJI men! That's all for now...until next time, "Perge!"® Ensure the Continuation of The Illinois Fiji and Help Us Increase Communications Historian (j^d your email address to excited to show the Greek women on campus what an upstanding group of men we are. Next, we are in the process of setting up Help Us Make the 2006-2007 Annual Drive Our Best Year Yet! Donate Today! St. Charles, IL dsrockewe@uiuc.edu I have taken on the duty of Social Chair and we just made dinner announcements to all the sororities on campus. The colony is 6699 toda\'.r! I $4,95 W.715 ii \r\n288-008 PM I UNDERGRADUATE Q&A Leading the Way! Meet Michael Gustavson, President of the Fraternity of Phi Gamma Delta at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Who is leading the wayfor the Phi Gam Describe the re- Colony at Illinois? Meet Michael Gustavson, a founding father and member of the original Alpha class of the re-colonization period. Get to know Michael in the last leg of his second consecutive term as Colony president. colonizing 1 could write an 1 am a member of Chi Epsilon, the national civil engineering honor society. 1 also participate in Red Bison, a YMCA program entire research which focuses on natural areas restoration. process. Where are you from? paper on the process of recolonizing. Orland Park, IL In a brief summary, the colony's primary goal is to satisfy What is your major and year of graduation? Where do you hope to work? Hounding Member and Current My major is Civil Engineering. My primary is Construction Management, my secondary is Structural Engineering, and my minor is Business Administration. I will graduate in May of 2007 with my B.S. degree. Then, President Michael Custavson I will attend Graduate School at the Univer three votes. /-'the four points o?S. .. foe diamond. After we feel the colony has proven itself it creates a petition and posts it online. Then, all active Phi Gamma Delta chapters can look it overand vote. Each undergraduate chapter gets sity of Illinois and study Construction Management. I hope to receive an M.S. degree by May 2008. Finally, I look forward to getting a job working in a major U.S. city for a large construction firm. How is Fiji handling the recruitment process on campus? Without the advantage of a house, we have had to be creative with our recruitment How are you involved in the process of re-colonizing Fiji at Illinois? 1am a founding father and a member of the original Alpha class of the re-colonization period. I was elected president and have we have had to he creative with How do you see this experience shaping your personal future? Being a member of Phi Gamma Delta has been the best experience of my college career. The friendships 1 have formed are invaluable. 1 have learned a lot from many of the brothers who have different majors. or a dinner." Sonic of the noteworthy ones include "Being a member of Phi Gamma Delta has been the best experience of my college career. The friend ships I have formed are invaluable." recruiting new members; securing a chapter house; and establishing a recognizable name on campus, Everyone has been very supportive of our goals and accomplishments." How were you chosen to be the president of Fiji? 1 was elected by the colony brothers. I ran in April 2005 and served half a term. Then, 1 was reelected in December 2005 and will serve until January 2006.B Do You Know of a Phi a Great Profile? Email Their Names to Us! If so, we want to hear about him! Send his story to our editors at creating the structure, organization and by laws of the fraternity from the ground up; "We recently completed a philan^^ thropic event to raise money fo^me Gam Who Would Make our recruitment events. We try to focus on either a physical activity $.1,()()() in donations from local businesses Red Cross and received over $3,000 football games. "Without the advantage of a house, full members and we are welcome to all the support they offer. Third, we recently completed a philanthropic event to raise money for the Red Cross, We received over in donations from local businesses. colony has been in operation. possibly list in this newsletter. Everyone has been very supportive of our goals and accomplishments. First, several sororities on campus have invited us to participate in their events, and a few have participated in events we sponsored. Second, the Inter-Fraternity Ciouncil recognizes us as activity or a dinner. We hold events at campus restaurants, or we schedule a football, served as president for the entire time the We keep facing more challenges than I could How has the Illinois campus and community been involved? Have they been supportive? events. We try to focus on either a physical volleyball or ultimate Frisbee game. We also try and get together during major sporting events, such as a pizza party in the recreational rooms of the Six Pack during What challenges are you and the fraternity facing in this process? What other activities are you involved in? In addition, the leadership skills 1 have developed as a result of being president will be among the greatest skills 1 have upon graduation. www.illinifiji.org content@affinityconnectlon.co|j^k (Mention Phi Gam at Illinois in^^ your correspondence.) December 2006 \r\n1 HONOR ROLL Thank You to Our Donors! ^05-06 Peter Bower 72 Daniel Conrath '84 Richard Day Donald Drummond \/ John Duff John Erickson 11 Dennis Fox '61 John Heiiedy R. Merger '61 '57 '41 '62 Robert Johnson '67 Rev. Robert Kesel '50 Robert Passaneau v'' Jim Piack Neai Kottke '61 Richard Thomas '41 Jay Larson V'' '55 William White '44 Edwin Little '59 12 '50 John White '70 Samuel Martin 17 Michael Wrenn '79 Scott McKay 14 Kenneth Means '40 2006-07 Year to Date John Meara '69 Donald Nagei v/ John Duff '41 '55 Richard Thomas '41 '72 Plu GMima M u Check Out the New Colony Online CM fola Colon/ CfOE.Jofin5L rSS8 Box SCO Ctimpolgn. IL 6U20 Discover What We Are Up To OfflcW Phi Gamma Mta Wtbtllo - jjr The colony members have created a website exclusively for Chi lota graduates.The Site provides WafeomB (o FUl at tha Univarslty ofUlinois! The Fratemty of PN Gamma Dells is finsRyback on the U of I campusi After a brtai absence we are back strongarthanever. Embracing the values Fitendshlp, Kiwwieboe.Servkra. Moralityand — ExceBertce. we strive to produce geftttemen of quaUtyand have been doing to since 1B46. We are an sntt-hazlng fiaiemlty attd believe that up to date info on the latest progress! ~~hazi^ doesnotpromote tuothertwod andtherefore is nottolsraled In any form. Phi Gamma Oeite exists Irtorder to promote lifelong Visitthe site today for updated member rosters tnendships. to reaffirm highethicalstandards and values, and to foster and contact information, details of the latest remember end benefit from for the rest of yoia llfel personal development in the pucsuliof excederKe. MembershipIn Phi October 7 Homecoming Tailgate on Kirby St. 10AM Qamma DeKa Is'notlorcoll^ daysalone' ant something youwOI upcoming events, and listings of our graduate financial supporters. Check out the new colony online at http://www.illinifiji.org!:! Wtnga at Buffalo WUd Wlnge 8PM a, 24>Hour See-Saw Help Support the Chi lota Colony of RMe-a-Ttion "RMe for Roller Phi Gamma Delta 12PM-12PM CLICK BELOW TO DONATE tfovember 2 Bam Danee Pfftcial Phi Gamma Peii,iWeb5Jia yWWiP,hjflf!rDi.P.C9 GammaOeitB at Uof I However, me idable to graduate brothers of Phi ibership Is available by invitation or^V If you turve not received an em I Invitinq you to loin pfeese serrd 1 ALUMNI UPDATES 70s '40s Where Have Kenneth Means '40 Frank Hurtte '76 {131 Brewster Lane, La Grange Park, IL (226 Hiiicrest Avenue, Davenport, lA 52803; 60526; kennetii.means@nmfm.com) frank@riverheightsconsuiting.com) Phi Gamma Delta made a tremendous Last year, I sold my interest in Van Meter contribution to my life, and there is no way I can repay it. I have responded whenever a Financial appeal has been made, but I know that it is not adequate. When I was interviewed a year or so ago, I mentioned several of the brothers who I felt particuiariy industrial to start my own consulting practice. I help companies who sell products through distribution, by adding value in writing programs, policy and through market close to. But, as usual, I failed to mention one of the most important ones: Jack Richmond '40, from Ghampaign. He was only active tor •jt and seldom at the house because he research, i also serve as an executive coach to many organizations in the industrial sales process. I live in Davenport, lA with my wife of 27 years. I have a step-son in Gedar Let Us Know What You Are Up To! Have you recently gotten married? Become a father or grandfather? Moved across country? Been promoted? Ifso, your Phi Gam brothers want to hear about iti Rapids and a daughter attending Iowa. Get your update published in the next issue of Illinois Fiji d not afford the costs of the meals. Now by sending your news to content@affinityconnection.com! decades later, he has given the university tens of millions of dollars for many major building projects and for orher purposes. December 2006 You Been? www.illinifiji.org \r\nK ALUMNI IN THE SPOTLIGHT The Importance of Having Fun John W.Meara '69 Says Fiji Taught Him to Balance Work and Play Like many who join a fraternity, John W. Meara '69 joined Phi Gamma Delta at the University of Illinois because he was intrigued by the vast social opportunities he thought the fraternity could offer. He stated that joining was a "no-brainer." His dad and some of Meara's friends were fraternity members. "I just knew Phi Gamma Delta constructed fraternity house. "It allowed us to take an empty building and make it a fraternity house," said Meara. "But at first it didn't have the feel of an old fraternity house. "That's still It didn't seem to have tradition or character. social activities Everything was too new. But by the time we left, we contributed a lot of things that made with his children, it feel like home." Meara also has fond to see live music, was No. 1 in social activities," said Meara. memories of drinking beer, playing bridge, having a great time with his friends and creating "Fiji Island." (This was a manmade lake in the front yard of the fraternity house that included a roped bridge that connected "So I knew that's where I wanted to be." "Meaxa also has fond memories of... 'Fiji Island.' This was a manmade lake in the front yard of the fraternity house that included a roped bridge that connected the house to the trees in the front yard." Meara was one of the first Phi Gamma Delta members, along with three of his pledge brothers: Bill Estes '69, Tom Homer '69 and Eric Bach '69, to live in the 1969 newly the house to the trees in the front yard.) Meara is from Bloomington, IL and majored in accounting while at college. Now, he is a certified public accountant for one of the largest accounting firms in the Kansas City, MO area. Meara, 59, has nine children (ages 10 to 37) and eight grandchildren. "When I lived in the fraternity house, 1 learned how important it was to have fun, no matter what you are doing," said Meara. important to me today." Meara now shares in including going attending parties with his children, and spending time with family and friends at his house on Lake Miltona. His summer home is located near the scenic northwestern Minnesota lakes in the cit)' of Alexandria. He spends two months each year at the lake home and is part of a 110-yearold ckib called the Minnesouri Glub. (This club includes a group of 19 lake homes owned by Missourians.) Meara is also an avid golfer, enjoys water skiing and scuba diving, and recently went skiing in Vail, GO.H UNDERGRADUATE PHOTO ALBUM JAvm/Ttiin Cf www.illinifiji.org December 2006