APRIL 2008 UPCOMING EVENT UNC Reunion Weekend May 9-11, 2008 Save the date! ANNUAL FUND Get Your Name on the 2007-08 Honor Roll! Since September 1, 2007 we have raised $17,150 from 132 gifts. We need your support to help us reach our goal of $30,000. Donate today by calling our toll-free hotline at 800-975-6699, visiting our website, www.epsilonpgd.com, or by sending your check to: Phi Gamma Delta at UNC Graduate Relations Processing Center P.O. Box 7007 Albert Lea, MN 56007-8007 2007-08 Annual Giving $35,000 $30,000 $30,000 $25,000 $20,000 $17,150 $15,000 $10,000 $5,000 $0 Current Goal Brother Surry Woods Suits Up for the Tar Heels North Carolina fans may have been disappointed when the Tar Heels lost in the semi-finals, but Phi Gams were proud as Brother Surry Wood ’08 suited up for the team. Surry played 14 games this year averaging one point a game. One of his more memorable plays came during this year’s first round game of the NCAA tourna-ment against Saint Mary’s. Surry threw down a two-handed dunk after catching an alley-oop pass from fellow walk-on Marc Campbell. Surry also has two brothers, Ed and Phil, who are Phi Gam graduates. Phi Gamma Epsilon is extremely proud of Surry for all of his hard work! SCHOLARSHIP ANNOUNCEMENT Scholarship Fund Established in Memory of Three Undergraduate Brothers Award Based on Chapter Service, Leadership, and Academics The Epsilon House Corporation and the Phi Gamma Delta Educational Foundation announced at Pig Dinner the establishment of THE MARK STRICKLAND, JOSH WEAVER, AND BEN WOODRUFF MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP FUND in memory of Mark Briggs Strickland, Robert Joshua Weaver and Benjamin Watson Woodruff and their brotherhood in Epsilon who lost their lives in the Mother’s Day fire of 1996. The scholarship will be awarded annually to an undergraduate Brother based on an equal combination of scholarship, and Chapter service and leadership, the scholarship portion based on grade point average and the Chapter service and leadership portion based on a vote of the undergraduate Brothers. The scholarship will be initially $10,000 each year and the first award will be this coming June. Epsilon is the first fraternity at UNC to recognize in such a tangible way the attributes that embody being a leader at Carolina and potentially making a difference in our future society. That after all is what being a Phi Gam is all about, and there is no better way to recognize those qualities than in the memory of our fallen Brothers. The scholarship will be endowed for $200,000 with the funding coming from the original $132,142 in graduate tax deductable gifts made to the Phi Gam Foundation CHEF fund that has grown to over $250,000 due to the investment yield achieved by the Foundation. The last year’s yield on this fund was approximately 16% and with the scholarship award at 5% of the total, hopefully the fund will grow and allow us to award an additional scholarship at some point in the future. The remaining $50,000 in the CHEF fund will be used to fund the Phi Gamma Delta Gift Fund at the Phi Gam Foundation. This fund will be available for fraternity education, service, safety, and leadership development. More importantly, this fund may receive tax deductable contributions on an ongoing basis from graduate Brothers and we encourage graduates to consider this opportunity to give back to Epsilon. We have also set up an Epsilon of Phi Gamma Delta Gift Fund through UNC whereby graduates may contribute on a tax deductable basis directly to UNC-CH and designate their Carolina gift for Epsilon. Contributions to this fund will similarly be used for Chapter education, service, safety and leadership development. Examples of this fund’s use would be to install wireless internet in Vance Hall, send Chapter officers to the Fiji Leadership Academy or to the Ekklesia, sponsorship of speakers, participation in the UNC Greek Affairs Leadership Training, and the support of fire safety training and education at other colleges and universities. All gifts to the UNC Epsilon fund would also count for a Brother’s contribution towards UNC campaigns such as Carolina First. Since this fund is new, your UNC development officer might not yet know about it. Jim Ervin, the Director of Development for the Division of Student Affairs at (919) 966-4045 is the point person on this fund. You can also obtain information on any of these funds from John Hughes at jhughes@vistatm.com or (919) 933-9959. I want to thank all of the graduates who contributed to the CHEF fund, to Lindsay Sewell ’96 who worked to gain permission from the donors to alter the use of the fund, and to Ben Robinson with the Phi Gam Foundation who helped put the scholarship together. This scholarship will stand forever as a reminder for Epsilon Phi Gams to understand the outstanding character and leadership of Mark, Josh, and Ben. \r\nGREEN REPORT Phi Gamma Delta is Leading the Way in Establishing Environmentally Sound Practices Small Changes One Day at a Time Reduce Waste, Energy, and Costs (Adopted from the Daily Tar Heel) Phi Gamma Delta is leading the way at UNC, becoming the school’s first Greek organization to adapt an environmentally sound lifestyle. The idea to turn the fraternity into a more environmentally friendly organization came about after a few members realized how much money could be saved in reducing energy loss. “We are not trying to change the world by going green, we just want to be responsible citizens in Chapel Hill and try to encourage others to do this, too,” said junior Penn Clarke, Phi Gamma Delta’s president. In moving towards its goal of being less wasteful, the fraternity installed new energy- efficient showerheads and switched to compact fluorescent light bulbs. Members also placed blankets around water heaters to reduce energy loss by about 35 percent, Clarke said. “If everybody joined in and did this, so much energy could be saved,” he said. The fraternity also appointed a green committee which meets weekly to discuss new ways to raise money and implement environmental change. “Becoming less wasteful in general,” Clarke said, “is also a big part of the fraternity's environmental consciousness.” Members regularly take leftover food from meals to a homeless shelter to cut down on waste. This week, the fraternity will begin a new recycling program to ensure that any disposed recyclables will be taken to a recycling center. “They’re leading by example. It is really cool that someone is finally stepping up and doing it” said Matthew Putterman, president of Alpha Epsilon Pi fraternity. So far most of the changes Phi Gamma Delta has made have been inexpensive. But with more funds, Clarke said the fraternity hopes to purchase energy-efficient appliances, such as washers, dryers, and refrigerators. The idea to turn the fraternity into a more environmentally friendly organization came about after a few members realized how much money could be saved in reducing energy loss. “It seems like whenever you hear about fraternities in the news, you hear about hazing or negative aspects,” Clarke said. “We wanted to change that.” GRADUATE BROTHER UPDATES ’40s Dixie Greene ’48 (88 Barnes St., Greenville, NC 27858-6104; woman24@hotmail.com) My new phone # is (252) 756-1676, or drop me a note. Bill Hedrick and I have been in frequent contact. If there are those who wish to join us in 2007 for our reunion, please give me a call. ’60s ncparrott@gmail.com) I’m trying to retire –I’ve been traveling three states doing employee benefits for a large nursing home company. Hell, I’m scared they’re going to try to put me in one of the nursing homes. Cotten and I have been married for forty years with two daughters--Pleasants lives in Nassau and Georgia lives in Wilson. They both have three children. I haven’t had a drink since 1974. No, really, I totally quit when I was 28 years old. Let me hear from some of you old guys. I love all my Brothers! david@divinestoltz.com) My family recently moved to Raleigh back in August 2007. I also left York Properties in September 2007, after 10 great years, and started Divine Stoltz Building & Development and Divine Stoltz Realty. We specialize in custom home building, land development, investment properties, and real estate brokerage. We have been blessed w/ three beautiful children, Mary Frances (5), Stanton (4), and Ansley (2). ’70s What's New With You? William “Willie” Hobson ’64 (2435 Danbury St, Charlotte, NC 282112212; willieph@infionline.net) I’m a retired estate planning and probate lawyer. I live in Charlotte. My wife and I spend a good deal of time baby-sitting our grandchildren. We have five (all living in Charlotte). I play tenor and alto saxophone twice a week in a big band jazz ensemble at CPCC (Central Piedmont Community College). Thomas L. Caldroney ’70 (924 Rolandvue Ave., Baltimore, MD 212046813; tom.caldroney@ferguson.com) Gini is a breast cancer survivor and I am a prostate cancer survivor. We have two grandchildren and are enjoying every day. J. Hubert “Mad Dog” Parrott ’68 1203 Sutton Dr., Kinston, NC 28501-2605; David Divine ’90 (1729 Brooks Ave, Raleigh, NC 27607-6617; 2 Make sure that your update is included in the next issue of The Epsilon Owl. Visit www.epsilonpgd.com and post a graduate update today! ’90s www.epsilonpgd.com April 2008 \r\nGRADUATE BROTHER Q&A Judge W. Allen Cobb Jr. ’74 Remembers Road Trips, Fiji Islands, and Crazy Times Phi Gamma Delta was the Best House on Campus Graduate Brother W. Allen Cobb, Jr. ’74 is a Superior Court Judge for the State of North Carolina. Here’s what he has to say about his Phi Gamma Delta experiences at the University of North Carolina. Why did you join Phi Gamma Delta? I was lucky enough to be extended a bid to what I considered the best house on campus. The Brothers were very friendly and seemed to get along well with each other. I joined in the spring of 1971. Did you live in the house? Who were your roommates? I lived in the house for three years. My roommate during my sophomore year was Walter Brindell ’74. I didn’t have a roommate my junior and senior years because I lived in the “crackerbox,” a one-man room. What other activities were you involved in during your college days? I was a member of the Gorgon's Head Lodge. I got to know a lot of great guys in other fraternities on campus. What influence has the fraternity had on your life since graduation? It taught me the value of friendship. Some of my best friends today are the ones I made at 108 West Cameron Avenue. What was the greatest benefit of your fraternity experience? Learning to get along with a large group of people from diverse backgrounds, all with fascinating life experiences. Tell us your favorite memory of fraternity life. My favorite memories include road trips, sorority mixers, Fiji Islands, intramural sports, sitting on the bench, and all the fun and crazy times I had with Harrison Gaskins ’73. Have you stayed involved with the Chapter? In what ways? I’ve gone back to the fraternity house for football weekends and enjoyed seeing old friends there. Also, I was honored to be the guest speaker at Pig Dinner in 2003. Did you hold any offices in the Chapter? The year I was Rush Chairman, about 15 quality guys pledged. I hear from time to time about how successful each one is, and that makes me very proud. With whom do you stay in contact from the fraternity? I stay in touch with Harrison Gaskins ’73, Allen Rippy ’73, Rusty Carter ’71, John Merritt ’72, Ren Williamson ’73, Mike Easley ’72, and Ben Alford ’73. I consider them all good friends. Tell us about your family. My wife is Debbie Cobb. She recently took early retirement from Progress Energy. Our son is W. Allen Cobb III ’03 and our daughter-in-law is Emily Gammon Cobb ’02. We’re all avid Tar Heel fans. Tell us about your career. I am a Senior Resident Superior Court Judge for the State of North Carolina. I have been on the bench for almost 18 years, presiding over all types of cases. I’ve held court in over fifty counties. What other affiliations do you have? Any community service activities? I have tried to stay active in my community. I have been the president of the North Carolina Azalea Festival, of the Cape Fear Council, Boy Scouts of America, and of the Wilmington Executives Club. I am currently a member of the board of directors of the University of North Carolina General Alumni Association, the UNC Board of Visitors, the UNC Morehead-Cain Scholarship Regional Selection Committee, the board of trustees of Cape Fear Community College, and the UNC Wilmington Board of Visitors. My wife and I are members of First Presbyterian Church in Wilmington, NC. UNDERGRADUATE REPORT New Officers Plan to Improve Phi Gam’s Image and Give Back to the Community By Penn Clarke, President 2008 Elected as new cabinet members in January, Andrew Batchelor, Treasurer, Will Duckett, Corresponding Secretary, Harrison Schenck, Recording Secretary, Charlie Winn, Historian, and I have strived to give back to the community and to improve our image at the university. In February, we became the first Greek house on campus and the first Phi Gam chapter in the nation to “go green.” Please see the article on page 2 for more details. In April we hosted an IFC barbeque cookThe Epsilon Owl off involving eight fraternities to benefit the Chapel Hill Fire Department and fire safety initiatives. The event raised nearly $2,000. Notable guests included members of the CHFD, Jenny Levering, Assistant Dean of Students, Vice Chancellor Christopher Payne, Edwin Braswell, Marvin Carver, and Bonnie Woodruff, mother of Ben Woodruff and national fire safety advocate. Although much has changed at Vance Hall, many things remained the same this semester. www.epsilonpgd.com We received yet another perfect score on our fire inspection in March; we hosted another successful Red Cross Blood Drive in April; and we raised nearly 2,000 dollars for the Harper Williams Scholarship at the fourth annual Harper Williams Benefit. Please send any rush recommendations to our rush chairs or me and please stop by the house any time you are in Chapel Hill. 3 \r\n778-090 SN PM BROTHER’S MEMORY LIVES ON Harper Beall Williams arrived on campus at the beginning of the fall 2004 semester. He quickly bonded with another new face on campus, Surry Wood ’07, who had just transferred to North Carolina, and the two pledged Phi Gamma Delta that semester. Life on campus was good for the two young men who had finally started to settle in at Raleigh. Their futures looked bright as the semester ended and students began to venture home for their winter break. Harper Williams prematurely left the world on December 29, 2004, a victim of a drunken driving accident. Williams was ejected from the passenger seat of his best friend Harrison Palmer’s vehicle on his way home from campus. The accident occurred just a few blocks from Williams’ house. He was 19 years old. Just a few days later, every fraternity member traveled to Williams’ hometown of Wilmington for a New Year’s Eve service. The only Brother who missed the service was in Europe at the time. Bert Williams, Harper’s father and a Phi Gam himself, remembers the feeling he got when the brotherhood filed into the service. “That’s why people join a fraternity, to build those friendships,” he said. “Every single one of them came, some traveling hundreds and hundreds of miles.” “That’s why people join a fraternity, to build those friendships,” The fraternity soon faced another question in how to honor the life of the young man they all cared for so dearly. They soon decided on starting a needbased scholarship in his honor. In order to raise money for the scholarship, the fraternity began to sell light blue bracelets much like the yellow Lance Armstrong bracelets that say “Livestrong.” The bracelets are engraved with a phrase that applied to Harper. Along with his initials, the bracelets read “Be Somebody.” Surry Wood, a North Carolina basketball player, decided to take the tribute a little bit further. He approached basketball coach Roy Williams and asked if the coaching staff would wear the bracelets in honor of Harper. Williams quickly agreed and the staff wore the bracelets for a home game against UNC-Asheville. The coaching staff has continued to wear the bracelets on the game closest to Dec. 29 for the last three years. Besides being the name of the family boat, “Be Somebody” was a phrase that Harper lived his life by. Wood elaborated on the meaning of the phrase in a recent “Star News” article. “He was friends with everybody,” Wood said. “People still talk about him. He seemed like he cared about you, even if he had just met you.” 778-090 Address Service Requested Graduate Relations Processing Center P.O. Box 7007 Albert Lea, MN 56007-8007 University of North Carolina Phi Gamma Delta Scholarship Honors the Memory of Three Brothers. See Details Inside.