The BlueGrass Fiji News A Publication of the Brothers of Phi Gamma Delta University of Kentucky Fall 2007 President’s Le er From our Purple Legionnaire Brothers, As my term comes to a close, I can’t help but notice all the changes that have occurred CHRIS CRUMRINE during my time as an under(UK‘08) graduate brother. I have spent the last three and a half years growing with my brothers and experiencing all that the college life has to offer. Our chapter has given me so much experience and so many chances at school and the local community that would not have been offered to me otherwise. My two years on cabinet have developed my leadership styles and provided me with the richest experiences. Brothers, Happy holidays to you and RUSS WILLIAMS yours! Here are a few tidbits (UK ‘74) to update you on the condition of the chapter. The chapter is so involved in campus and community activities that it will make you dizzy just trying to keep up. Athletics, student government and other student organizations, academics, of course, and community service projects consume hours of their time. In the process, they strengthen the Brotherhood and forge those lifelong relationships that we Looking back on the past few years of the fraterni- all still cherish. How they do all they do is a mysty, there is a lot that we can be proud of. Our chap- tery to me. I have never been one who thinks ter has continued to excel academically on campus, youth is wasted on the young – they’re the only ones who can handle it! holding strong in the top spots for grades in the Greek community. Our athletics continue to improve, after winning the championship last year in I am still having a great time as Purple Legionnaire and feel good about the contributions I’m able to basketball intramurals, we continue to work hard on the field. We have looked internally at ways we make. Going through the academic year with the brothers allows me to see the ebb and flow of busican improve Fiji life. The chapter morale is high as we continue to recruit men of the highest quali- ness first hand. The cabinet and committee chairs take responsibility for the many projects without ty. Our family days have been well received by much prompting, making chapter operations a well both our brothers’ families and the International Headquarters’ staff. The greatest reward we have oiled machine. We just completed the transition to a new cabinet and are looking forward to the leadreceived for our hard work has been our internaership they will provide. We again received an tional recognition. The Upsilon Kappa Chapter has received an honorable mention for the Cheney honorable mention for the Cheney Cup which is a really big deal! Cup two years running, and we have our eyes on -continued on Page 2 the prize for even greater success! At our last Pig Dinner, I informed those present that we have increased the funding in our -continued on Page 2 1 \r\n-President’s Letter Cont’d chapter endowment. Now, each initiating brother who fills the requirements for the AAA scholarship will have those monies matched by our chapter’s endowment fund. This has become a key rush tool and has improved retention and grades. I encourage anyone interested in donating to this fund to contact Ben Robinson with the Phi Gamma Delta Educational Foundation. Speaking of Pig Dinner, the next one is already scheduled for April 26, 2008 at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Lexington, KY. PL’s Letter Cont’d The arrangement I have with the chapter is like this: I’m there to help when they need me and to intervene when something concerns me. I am not the chief disciplinarian or their dad. Like the rest of us, the guys learn more from their mistakes than their successes so sometimes, depending on the severity of the mistake, I let it happen. They recover nicely and are better for the struggle. The relationship has been working well. I need to let you all know that there will come a day when I’ll need to pass the reins to one of you, so start thinking about it and let me know when you’re interested. This will be one of my last correspondences as Chapter President. It has been an incredible year and I thank each of you for your support of our chapter. I am encouraged by those who follow. Each new cabinet member is enthusiastic about their opportunity to be stewards of our good name. I am confident in their ability as leaders and I am most encouraged by their contributions as brothers prior to their upcoming terms. Each brother has shown the passion he has for our chapter and this passion will certainly translate to great achievements. Doc Prescott from Columbus is our new Section Chief and has already made a visit to the chapter. I can tell already that Doc is a valuable resource and we are grateful to have him. He arranged his visit around the second Tuesday grad dinner at Puccini’s here in Lexington. It was an outrageously good time for him to meet the grads and undergrads! If you have time, drop in some second Tuesday at 6:30. It’s very casual and a great opportunity to spend some good solid time getting to know each other better. Fraternally, Christopher J. Crumrine, (KY ‘08) President Russ Williams, (KY 74) Purple Legionnaire Perge! Save the Date! Frank Norris PIG DINNER!! Date: 4/26/2008 Place: The Hyatt Time: 6:00 Where Are They Now? The wedding of Colleen Marie Fitzgerald to Sco Eric Gurney (UK ‘95), took place March 3, 2007, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Tampa, FL, where they now reside. Sco Baker (UK ‘01) was married on Nov. 10, 2007. He and his wife now live in Sea le. Mike Brown (UK ‘05) has moved Louisville and works as a claims representa ve for AIG. Donald Keller (UK ‘65) and his wife have moved to Louisville a er 35 years in the Chicago area. They look forward to reuni ng with UK friends. drkeller2001@yahoo.com If you have sugges ons, comments, or concerns about the newsle er or the Chapter, please email, call, or write. Jeff Ezell (UK ‘94) moved with his family to Morristown, NJ. He is now the director of corporate communica ons and PR for Becton, Dickinson, and Company (a global medical tech- Josh Pascua jtpasc200@hotmail.com 502-819-5412 653 Maxwelton Ct. Would you like to be added to the Grad List-Serve? Send an e-mail to Russ.Williams@uky.edu 2 \r\nPhilanthropy: Upsilon Kappa shows Excellence in Service Spotlight On: DanceBlue Spotlight On: Alpha Iota The fall pledge class, Alpha Iota, has exemplified the values of Phi Gamma Delta from the beginning and they’re achieving greatness particularly in the area of Service. Thanks largely to the Pledge Class Philanthropy Chair, Travers Manley, Alpha Iota started a multi -day service project with Central Kentucky Riding for Hope. Riding For Hope is an organization located at the Kentucky Pledge T. Manley Horse Park in Lexington that provides the chance for children with down syndrome, autism, etc. to ride horses for a few hours. Many studies have been done on therapeutic riding and this is very beneficial for the children. Many pledges and brothers attended this event; they did many jobs including trail marking and cleaning. The Upsilon Kappa Chapter has participated in and been part of the leadership of a 24-hour dance marathon known as Danceblue at the University of Kentucky since it was started in the spring of 2006. Danceblue raises funds for the Pediatric Oncology unit at UK Hospital for cancer research. It is the largest philanthropy event at UK. We had strong representation at the first annual Danceblue and also when it was held in spring 2007. The total amount raised for the first event was over $120,000 and nearly doubled reaching over $240,000 for the second event in 2007. We have already begun fundraising for the next event, which will take place spring of 2008. Danceblue is an extraordinary cause and our chapter is proud to have been a part of it since its inception as we continue to make strides towards excellence. If you’d like more information on DanceBlue 2008 and/or you’d like to make a donation, please visit www.danceblue.org or contact Tyler Mclaurine ( tyler.mclaurine@uky.edu) Congratulations Alpha Iota! Upsilon Kappa Is Growing! -Kyle Berry, Pledge Educator Athletics Update This semester has been a great opportunity for expansion in the Upsilon Kappa Chapter with the Alpha Iota pledge class of 21 quality gentlemen. As Pledge Educator, it has been a very interesting and exciting semester watching these guys form lifelong friendships and learn more about FIJI. We have guys from Colorado, Pennsylvania, Georgia, Virginia, and Illinois to name the outliers; we have two sophomores and a junior. They started off a little rough with problems surfacing due to the diversity in personalities. Our first pledge retreat proved to remedy many of these problems largely due to what we call “life-stories”. In these, each guy tells about his life and what has made him into the man that he is today. I was impressed with the maturity and sincerity shown as they placed their trust in each other. I am very proud to say that these guys have come a long way in just a few months. Their bonds have become strong and will continue to strengthen as initiated brothers. -Bobby Reagan, Athletics Chair Fiji athletics have gotten off to a fast start for the 2007-2008 school year. Phi Gam’s intramural A flag football team finished the regular season 4-0, and received the number one overall seed for the playoffs. Fiji A fell to Sigma Chi in the quarterfinals of the playoffs after a hard fought game. FIJI B won the first ever playoff game for the B team, defeating Pike’s B team 27-20. Fiji also posted victories in soccer, volleyball and placed in the Turkey Trot 5K. Recently, Fiji defended their 3 on 3 basketball title, extending their basketball domination to two years and an 18 game winning streak. Fiji is currently ranked 7th in University of Kentucky intramural standings, with scores still to be posted. Overall, it has been a positive year for Phi Gam in athletics. 3 \r\nAd Astra... Brothers, I regret that I was out of town on the Saturday of Dick Bean's service. For those who don't know, Dick Bean was a giant as FIJIs go. He had a chapter all to himself in my book of FIJI remembrances. He was instrumental in helping to put together a FIJI chapter at UK in 1957. Richard, his son, is my pledge brother, but Dick Bean was like my pledge brother, too. Had it not been for Dick Bean, we would not have pulled off our pledge prank of removing all, I mean all, of the furnishings from three floors of the chapter house one Saturday afternoon when all of the actives were at a basketball game, save two, Tom Alves who came to the house to study, and Dave Mathews, who came by the house for whatever reason. Both were gently subdued so that we could finish our task. It was Dick Bean who rented the U-Haul truck and stored the things. But besides the follies of being a pledge, Dick was inRichard M. Bean (UT ‘41) valuable as an advisor and mentor during my service as a chapter and graduate chapter officer. He was tireless in attempting to establish monthly or bimonthly lunches, much like the monthly Tuesday night suppers held now. Dick was a faithful graduate brother of Phi Gamma Delta, attending a long string of Upsilon Kappa's Norris Pig Dinners, and frequently in his later years, doing the honors as the oldest member in attendance. He was always a gracious gentleman, and a model of what a FIJI should be after he leaves the life of an undergraduate brother. I will miss him. Best regards, Ben Harper (KY '69) Pergé!                     L. H. Roberts (1961) Lee H. S nne (1961) Patrick L. Driscoll (1962) L. E. Stum (1962) Allen R. Cleaver (1963) James E. Nelson (1963) Leslie F. Berry (1964) Max E. Jerrell (1964) Frederick J. Anderson (1965) James L. Bates (1965) Donald W. Campbell (1965) Larry B. Cole (1965) William E. Mahan (1965) Ronald M. Stra on (1965) Sidney L. Wya (1965) Ray C. Ashdown (1966) Robert R. Kunkle (1966) James T. Amburgey (1967) James C. Hughbanks (1967) Hudson C. Smith (1967)                     Lost Brothers*                     Elvin C. Bryant (1968) John E. Burne (1968) James M. Hansen (1968) Charles R. Morrison (1968) Ben S. Armstrong (1969) Ronald W. Fore (1969) Arthur W. Ha ield (1969) Kevin M. Yorke (1969) Donald E. Zane ni (1969) George E. Kendall (1970) James C. Kidwell (1970) Kenneth W. Burton (1971) Zachary J. Greene (1971) Douglas J. Swanson (1971) Stephen C. Alexander (1972) Coy E. Holstein Jr. (1972) William A. Miles (1972) Robert L. Jeffers (1973) Stephen P. Rodgers (1973) Robert W. Sexton Jr. (1973) 4 James T. Cunningham (1974) Henry A. Huggins III (1974) Thomas E. Masterson (1974) Samuel G. McNeill (1974) Weston N. Miller (1974) George J. Ball (1977) Joseph E. Carter III (1977) Frank S. Jackson Jr. (1977) Jeffrey L. Newlin (1977) Virgil W. Webb III (1977) Michael J. Gough (1978) Keith M. Hays (1978) Mark T. Miller (1978) Samuel W. Wilder (1978) David J. Walker (1979) Brian E. Gaffin (1980) Mason E. Powell (1980) Gary W. Woods (1980) Gregory W. Heinen (1981) William J. Grasty Jr. (1982)                  Michael A. Kobetsky (1984) James P. Duncker (1985) James B. Elam (1985) Michael A. Brown (1986) James M. Hall (1994) Daniel C. Gabhart (1995) Todd H. Barnes (1996) Robert D. Hallquist (1996) Stephen M. McHenry (1996) Kevin L. Hayes (1997) Peter T. Preisler (1997) Jerry M. Fletcher (1999) Wesley D. Hollan (2001) Kenneth K. Fletcher (2002) James E. McMillian )2003) Daniel P. Eaton (2004) James C. Monroe (2004) *If you have any informa on on our missing Brothers, please feel free to contact the chapter so that we can re-connect with them.