Phi Gamma Delta Fraternity - Denison University The Lambda Deuteron Fiji Spring 2007 103rd Pig Dinner Wrap-Up Inside this Issue: Page 2 Mens’ Lacrosse Preview: 2007 Page 3 “Studying” Abroad Page 5 Missing Brothers Page 6 Soccer Recap Page 7 A Few Final Notes Page 8 Letters to the Editor ♦ Find out all the details of the successful 103rd Pig Dinner. ♦ Meet the new Chapter President and the rest of the new cabinet. ♦ Browse through the list of missing brothers and see if you can help us track any of them down. ♦ Read letters to the editor praising the great success of the recent Pig Dinner. First and foremost, the current actives would like to thank and applaud all of those graduate brothers who made the trip out to Granville this past October for the 103rd Norris Pig Dinner. Not only did the dinner extend the longest running of any Phi Gam chapter in the country, but it also succeeded in being the most well attended Pig Dinner in the history of our Lambda Deuteron chapter. Snaps! The weekend kicked off on Friday, October 6th with a barbeque at Lamson Lodge. Those brothers who attended the barbeque were treated to burgers and dogs, copious amounts of cheap booze and the tri- A few “old guys” from ‘73, ‘74 and ‘76 at Pig Dinner umphant return of house cook, Emma Jean Saum. Emma Jean even prepared her signature “cheese dogs” amidst loud cheers of drunken revelry. The opening night was then capped off with several great speeches and, for lack of a better word, the “singing” of traditional house songs in- cluding “Here’s to Good Old Delta.” Those brothers who were able to overcome the consequences of the previous night’s festivities took part in the first annual “Fiji Shoot Out” golf outing at the Links of Echo Springs. (Continued on page 4) A Changing of the Guard I hope everyone had an enjoyable holiday season and a great start to the New Year. I would like to formally introduce myself, Daniel McKegney, as the Chapter President for 2007. I am very grateful for be- ing nominated and elected to this position and look forward to working with the graduates, the University and most importantly working for the active chapter to accomplish our collective goals. I would first like to acknowledge the hardest working President in this Chapter’s near past, Brian Collins. Phi Gamma Delta at Denison has made a significant financial recovery, and newly gained respect (Continued on page 2) \r\nPAGE 2 T HE L AM BD A D E U T E RO N F I J I A Changing of the Guard continued... (Continued from page 1) from Nationals and Denison University. Besides Brian’s strong organization and determination to revive our chapter, I believe the best trait he consistently exuded was making the right decision in times when it might not have been the most popular. According to Brian, the success is a reflection of the quality relationships that are strengthening between active members and graduates. He requested that I give recognition to the active chapter, both the BCA and SSCA, as well as all of the graduates who attended the Pig Dinner. A special thanks was given to Chris Tissue and Jack Oest for all of their hard work. Our future goals as a chapter center upon the progress started last year: we intend on increasing the amount of philanthropy work in which we partake as well as boosting our Chapter grade point average. It is important for the actives to realize that the graduates and my own reasoning for stressing grade improvement is not exclusively for the chapter’s average but more importantly for each active’s academic benefit. Over the past two years I have heard graduates stress countless times how much they wish they had concentrated more on their grades and how much it would have payed off in their pursuits after Denison. While we all realize that college can be the most fun four years of our lives, at the same time we must also recognize that it is arguably the most important four years of our lives. I look forward to this opportunity because of the surrounding cast recently elected to work with me on the cabinet. Before I introduce the new cabinet I would like to thank and acknowledge the previous group for their hard work and efforts, specifically Brian Collins, Christopher Tissue, Taylor Nissi, Cameron Ramsdell, Clay Warner, and Christopher Trumbull. Succeeding Christopher Tis- sue as Treasurer is Junior History/Political Science major, Matthew Greenlees. Junior English/ History major, Alex DeMarino, will be our newsletter editor and put together the 104th Pig Dinner as our Corresponding Secretary. Junior Environmental Studies major Taylor Nissi, last year’s Corresponding Secretary, will work as this year’s Recording Secretary. Junior Political Science major Cameron Ramsdell was elected for the Scholarship Chair position for the coming two semesters. Sophomore Michael Tucker is our Philanthropy Chair and will continue with the programs Cameron started last year. Finally, Junior Economics major, Alex Baruch will focus on our chapter’s ritual as Historian. This year’s chapter is very enthusiastic and dedicated to continue the progress started in 2006. - Daniel Mckegney 2008 Men’s Lacrosse Preview: 2007 For the upcoming 2007 season, the Denison Men's Lacrosse team looks to improve upon last year’s playoff appearance and conference championship behind the play and leadership of several brothers. Three-year letterman at attack and last year’s co-captain, Clay Wawner ('07) will again lead the young, but talented, offense that statistically ranked among the top in the NCAC. Last season Brother Wawner was selected to the second team all-NCAC. The defense will be anchored by junior brothers Alex Baruch (’08) and Taylor Nissi (‘08). Baruch, a two time allNCAC Goalie, and Nissi, a first team all-NCAC selection last season at longpole midfield are both proven veterans. Backing up Baruch is Sophomore goalie Eric Brown (’09), who is coming off of an excellent fall and is ready to get some more time this season. - Taylor Nissi 2008 \r\nT HE L AM BD A D E U T E RO N F I J I PAGE 3 “Studying” Abroad This past semester saw the departure of five junior Phi Gams who sought to experience college life abroad. Beginning on July 14th, 2006 the first three of our five brothers, Doug Van Buskirk, Daniel McKegney, and Cameron Ramsdell, began their abroad experience in Adelaide, Australia. Shortly thereafter, Chris Geronimos and Daniel Martin ventured to Perguia, Italy and Grenada, Spain, respectively, to embark on their own unique expeditions. When asked about why he decided on Australia as the place to study, Van Buskirk said, “I chose Australia because it was different. I figured in the future I’ll most likely have the opportunity to go to Europe, be it on business or leisure, but I may never have the opportunity to board a plane for nearly 24 hours again. Besides, I heard the wine over there is pretty good.” It seems that the five Phi Gams all had quite different experiences. In Australia, the International Education of Students program sent Van Buskirk, McKegney, and Ramsdell on a week-long bus trip through the outback that covered nearly 2,000 kilometers – from Adelaide (South Australia) to Alice Springs (Central Australia). Along the way, the three stopped regularly to check out the “vast landscape of the outback, see national landmarks, camp in swags under the most stars you could possibly imagine, and partake in a little wine tasting,” Van Buskirk explains. The group had the opportunity to see such sites as Kings Canyon, Flinder’s Ranges, and Ayers Rock (Uluru); the worlds largest monolith. “The beauty of Australia is like nothing I’ve ever seen. The landscape and the Brothers Cameron Ramsdell (2008) and Doug Van Buskirk (2008) wildlife with a koala in Adelaide, Australia. was just incredible” member too much of it.” McKegney remarked, “the most All in all, the Phi Gams valuable part of the trip was seewho went abroad seemed to have ing the world and the United had an incredible time but are States from an alterative perspecexcited to get back to Denison to tive and specifically living and see the Rest of their brothers studying in a new society, which again. Juniors Brain Collins and created exposure to new cultures,” Chris Tissue will be following in a he continued. few of their pledge brother’s footThe location of Spain and steps this February by enjoying Italy allowed Geronimos and Marthe 100o+ days in sunny South tin to not only enjoy what their Australia. respective countries had to offer - Cameron Ramsdell 2008 but enabled them to easily travel outside of their countries and around Europe on the EuRail. “The passes were affordable and allowed you to go practically anywhere in Europe that you wanted to see,” Martin said. “The EuRail let me see the majority of Europe for just a couple hundred dollars. You can’t beat that,” Geronimos added. Additionally, it allowed for Geronimos to travel to Germany for Octoberfest. “I know it was a valuable experience,” explains Geronimos, “although I don’t re- \r\nPAGE 4 T HE L AM BD A D E U T E RO N F I J I 103rd Pig Dinner Wrap-Up continued... tory, attended by over one-hundred brothers spanning seven decades. cock was then awarded the special Diamond Owl Certificate, commemorating seventy-five years of brotherhood. The dinner began with lots of singing and marching as the sophomores continued the tradition of “Bringing in the Pig.” This was followed by several great speeches, includBrothers bring in the Pig ing a very memorable address by Brother Chester (Continued from page 1) Umbaugh (’83), and the presentation of Silver and Gold Owl certifiOverall, the weather, the turn cates to those brothers who were out, and the positive feedback for initiated twenty-five and fifty the outing foreshadow its continyears ago, respectively. ued presence in future Pig Dinner weekends. So if you plan on comThe dinner ended with a ing out next year for the dinner, very historical and well reyou might want to pack your clubs searched film documentary that and some funny clothes. was put together by Brother Jack Once again, the current actives would like to thank all of the alumni who showed their support and dedication to the house by attending the 103rd Pig Dinner. It was, without a doubt, the most memorable event any of us have experienced thus far as members of Phi Gamma Delta. We loved listening to stories (albeit enviously) about what Denison and the house used to be like and greatly want to bring back many of the traditions that were reminisced about. The weekend culminated, as it always does, with the Pig Dinner itself. As previously noted, the 103rd dinner was the largest in Lambda Deuteron his- Oest (’74). In the film, Brother Oest interviewed our oldest living alum, Hartley Laycock (’29), about college life during the “roaring twenties”, prohibition, and the Great Depression. Brother Lay- It was extremely encouraging to see the great alumni support for our house during the course of our rebuilding efforts. Moreover, it was a great pleasure and a great honor for the current actives to meet such a fun and close-knit group of graduates. We extend our gratitude and urge any and all alumni to attend the 104th next year. Perge! - Alex DeMarino 2008 Fijis from the 40’s and 50’s Emma Jean \r\nT HE L AM BD A D E U T E RO N F I J I PAGE 5 Missing Brothers We currently do not have addresses for the following brothers. If you have information on their whereabouts, please contact us at demari_a@denison.edu. Walter L. Bell 1921 William J. Moore 1954 William J. Murphy III 1971 Robert B. Patterson 1987 Fred T. Brien 1922 Thomas S. Clark 1955 William C. Sliger, Jr. 1971 R. P. Carter 1988 Harry Nicholson 1924 Joseph H. Thomas 1956 Patrick K. Egan 1972 Thomas A. DeGray 1988 Clarence T. Risley 1925 Thomas M. James 1957 Douglas C. Hepper 1972 John E. Jayme IV 1988 James C. Sanford 1926 Wayne M. Spade, Jr. 1957 Ernest B. Kelly III 1972 Seth C. MacDonald 1988 Donald E. McCollum 1930 George B. Stillwagon III 1957 Neville A. Lewis 1972 E. G. Olcott, Jr. 1988 William J. Rathje, Jr. 1931 C. R. Ayars 1958 William R. Nummy, Jr. 1972 Charles E. Baker III 1989 James T. Raymond 1931 George A. Gescheider 1958 R. M. Henry 1973 Bradford F. Cover 1989 Paul R. Cherney 1933 Richard L. Jennings 1958 David H. Lanner 1973 C. R. Muth 1989 Robert W. Tollerton 1934 Thomas F. Menge 1958 Steven E. McBride 1973 Paul A. O'Connor 1989 Floyd K. Haas 1936 Frank B. Murphy 1959 Thompson Shea,Jr. 1973 James W. Wressell 1989 Harvey Marette, Jr. 1936 Frederick W. Turner III 1959 Jeffrey M. Mindlin 1976 Michael S. Holmes 1990 John E. Hughes 1937 David S. Cooper 1961 Johannes G. Derksen 1977 Matthew A. Hulbert 1990 Kenneth M. Jones 1938 Mark G. Dowie 1962 Robert C. Mitchell, Jr. 1977 Andrew K. Kramp 1990 Richard K. Corson 1939 Robert C. Morrison 1962 Carl W. Tobias 1977 J. M. Cadden 1991 John M. Kinney 1943 James M. Rich 1962 Randall J. Laco 1978 David E. Rumsey 1991 Charles B. English 1944 John K. Upham 1962 Norman C. Maschner 1978 Michael S. Hanrahan 1992 Robert C. McGraw 1944 Ferguson R. Jansen, Jr. 1963 David J. Rudolph 1978 Stephen W. Hatfield 1992 Philip L. Ward 1944 Brian F. McCarthy 1963 Gregory M. Burnell 1979 Peter T. Joseph 1992 George F. Johnson 1945 John W. Parrish, Jr. 1963 Eric L. Fladen 1979 C. A. Carlson 1993 Philip B. McGraw 1946 Jack R. Wilson 1963 James D. Hunziker 1979 Christopher M. Shea 1993 Norwood E. Meyer 1946 Ben W. Perks 1964 Carter S. Kegel 1979 Randall C. Cross 1994 Richard R. Pfeiffer 1946 Kenneth K. Bartholomew 1965 Peter H. Pawlick 1979 David P. McLain 1994 Jack S. Geneser 1947 James D. Brown 1965 Robert W. Pike 1979 Andrew G. Randak 1994 Robert K. Hurford 1947 Eugene J. Carella 1965 Thomas C. Ratcliff 1979 Andrew A. Boyd 1995 Jack M. Townsend 1949 Frank B. Sinclair 1965 Marc Sperry 1980 Christophr T. Konow Robert R. Bridge 1950 John S. Weltmer 1965 Mac Donald C. Heston, Jr. 1981 Thomas H. Murray David H. Eaton 1950 James J. Fais 1967 Roger A. Weisman Robert S. King 1950 George M. Jones III 1967 Robert D. Collins H. R. Reid, Jr. 1950 Lawrence G. Kincheloe 1967 Louis McGinnis Robert L. Shannon 1950 Carvel F. Tefft 1968 Sidney D. Wise 1950 Arthur N. Weyand 1968 1995 1995 1981 John T. Salter 1995 1996 1982 Damon H. Bethel 1982 Todd N. Hatfield 1996 Taylor J. Stevenson 1982 Joseph B. Kropp 1996 1997 James M. Sullivan 1982 Adam M. Hyers Charles A. Buechner, Jr. 1951 Alexander B. Curchin III 1969 Andy H. Hood 1983 William C. Michels 1997 Cyril A. Dyer, Jr. 1951 Laurence J. Faso 1969 Mark W. Schumacher 1983 Daniel J. Olds 1997 John H. Slater 1951 James W. Higbie 1969 Christopher D. Anderson 1984 Christopher B. Wright 1997 Richard F. Boughton 1952 Bruce R. Madson 1969 Stuart P. Erwin III 1984 Marc E. Alexander 1998 Roger P. Johnson 1952 George R. Ramsayer 1969 Scott S. Schuster 1984 James G. Hammer 1998 James M. McDowell 1952 Rowland E. Starr, Jr. 1969 Gregg M. Gaulocher 1985 Justin P. Wilson 1999 Harold F. Mosher, Jr. 1952 David L. Zeemer 1969 Richard F. Gray 1985 M. A. Jones 2000 Edward J. Peterson 1952 Peter R. Caugherty 1970 Robert F. Sposito, Jr. 1985 Timothy J. Minogue 2000 David G. Sherman 1952 Stewart T. Hondorp 1970 Robert S. Koehler 1986 Thomas J. Gillespie 2002 Charles R. Spross 1952 Douglas S. Johnston 1970 W. B. Myers 1986 Benjamin H. Haas 2002 Joseph H. Yearling 1953 K. A. Larson 1970 David C. Anderson 1987 Aaron M. Sawyer 2003 Charles A. Brickman 1954 Michael B. Martay 1970 Kevin P. Downey, Jr. 1987 Thomas A. Ducro 1954 Jonathan C. Lewis 1971 William M. Huston 1987 \r\nPAGE 6 T HE L AM BD A D E U T E RO N F I J I Soccer 2006: A Recap The Denison University Men’s Soccer Team is coming off one of its most successful seasons in recent years and several Phi Gams were right there leading the way. Juniors Brett Castano, Brian Collins, and Ryan Linn are all members of the varsity squad. The team finished the year with an overall record of 13-5-2 and 71-1 in the NCAC conference. The men returned to the NCAA tournament for seventh time in school history and the first since ’03 (it must be noted that the 2003 team also happened to boast several FIJIs as well). A spot in the NCAA National Tournament was secured after Denison won the NCAC tournament by first defeating Oberlin 2-0 in the opening round and then edging out Allegheny 3-2 in the championship match, with Linn scoring the game winning goal in overtime. Denison would end up losing in the second round of the NCAAs to Case Western, the top ranked team in their division, after having beaten Bethany College in the first round. Linn and Collins both finished the year with 3 goals and 1 assist for DU while Castano helped the Big Red defense hold its opponents to just 13 goals all season---one of the lowest goals against averages in the country. Castano also received AllNCAC honorable mention honors. Linn was named first team AllNCAC and second team AllRegion. The team looks forward to another successful season next year and thanks all the brothers who came out this past season to cheer them on …..and heckle their opponents. PERGE! - Ryan Linn 2008 Top Reason’s You Don’t Want to Miss the 104th Pig Dinner ♦ You might miss the opportunity to enjoy the famous Emma Jean cheesedogs. ♦ Good speakers, good food, (good?) golf, great brotherhood. ♦ Seeing over 100 of your closest Fiji friends and reminiscing about “the good ol’ days.” ♦ A rare opportunity to listen to Oest ramble on about something. ♦ A chance to see the house, if you haven't in a while. ♦ You may be in the running to kiss that swine between the eyes (you might have to beat out some other oldies though)! ♦ Come belt out some Fiji tunes with the guys, and maybe teach the younger brothers some of the classics. \r\nT HE L AM BD A D E U T E RO N F I J I PAGE 7 A Few Final Notes I echo Brother DeMarino’s assessment of last October’s Pig Dinner. The actives and SS Chamberlin Association made a major push to get many alumni brothers involved again with our house and the result was the largest Pig Dinner in our chapter’s history. Those alums who attended were enthusiastic about the weekend. The extended nature of it, such as the barbecue and the golf outing, gave many more alumni opportunities to meet each other and the current active chapter as well. Our success was due to many things: the expanded nature of the dinner, the extremely encouraging support from a wide range of alumni, but most importantly to the hard work of a number of dedicated brothers, who spent many evenings calling, cajoling and persuading their classmates to come. It was particularly great to see the strong attendance from Phi Gams from the 50’s, and even the 40’s! Of course we still have work to do. For reasons I don’t quite understand, we were not able to attract any Fijis from the 1960’s and only or two from the 1990’s. We need to engage brothers from those eras too so that our alumni support from the house can truly be seen to encompass everyone. Brother DeMarino mentioned a DVD we played at the Pig Dinner of an interview I had with Hartley Laycock. Hartley is our oldest living alumnus and pledged our house in 1925 and his class was the last class which spent its entire Denison tenure at the old Fiji house downhill. It was a real treat to spend an afternoon with that man. Not only did I learn in great detail what it was like to be a Lambda Deuteron Fiji during the roaring 20’s, but listening to him speak also confirmed what a long list of customs and traditions binds together the many generations of those who became a part of our house: the songs, Fiji Island, pledge walks, Hell Week, the chapter meetings, the pins, the chains. Actually one of the most heartening things about the Pig Dinner weekend was listening to the number of current actives who told me after the dinner how much they could relate to Hartley and how similar their respective fraternity experiences had been. For those who have not already done so, please visit our chapter’s website at www.denisonfiji.org. This site is still a work in progress and we will be gathering and posting additional content shortly. Within the next six weeks or so, technology willing, we will post the interview with Hartley for those of you who couldn’t make it to this year’s dinner. In the next issue, I’d like to detail some of the goals which the alumni and actives have been mutually pursuing for the house. But for now let me say only that I encourage any and all our brothers to re-involve themselves in whatever way they can, including donations to the SS Chamberlin Association and attending our next Pig Dinner. The house is making great progress but whatever success we achieve will only be strengthened by a large and concerned group of alumni brothers standing behind it. - Jack Oest 1974 www.denisonfiji.org FIJI ♦ Read about the history of the Lambda Deuteron Chapter. Find out how it was founded, who founded it, and see photos of the early chapter houses. ♦ Watch for upcoming Pig Dinner information. ♦ View photos from this past Pig Dinner in the interactive photo album, where you can even upload some pictures of your own! ♦ Submit website suggestions to purple@denisonfiji.org. \r\nPAGE 8 T HE L AM BD A D E U T E RO N F I J I Letters to the Editor To The Editor, Brothers, It’s been twenty years since I graduated from Denison and nearly 10 years since I been back on campus. I didn’t attend my class reunion in June, instead I decided my time would be better spent coming out to the 103 Norris Pig Dinner. It was great to get on out to Granville, visit the lodge, meet the active chapter and kick around with brothers I haven’t seen in almost 20 years. Golf was so much fun I didn’t really care what I shot. This is besides the fact that my game is really much more of a hobby than a sport at this point. The active chapter organizing abilities went above and beyond my expectation for the weekend. Congratulations on a job well done. I just wanted to drop a quick note to congratulate the undergraduate Brothers on an extremely successful Pig Dinner this year. It was great to see such a great turnout of Brothers from all classes. I'm fortunate to be from the greatest group of Brothers that has continued to get together now for several years and we always have a great time no matter where we gather. Perge! Tim Kelly 1986 Acton, MA I was very impressed with the undergrads! They are a very strong group under very difficult circumstances. I don't know how well my Brothers would have done if we weren't at least living in the same house. I believe the bond these undergrads are developing will be even stronger than those that have gone before them, and they deserve our continued moral and financial support. Perge' and keep up the great work and synergy you have going! Peter Childs 1974 (The Dr. from Amsterdam) PHI GAMMA DELTA Lambda Deuteron Chapter Slayter Box 0731 Denison University Granville, OH 43023