PHI GAMMA DELTA IMPORTANT DATES: S P R I N G Pig Dinner February 23 Hot-Tub-a-Thon April 12 & 13, 2008 Graduation May 10, 2008 INSIDE THIS ISSUE: Grad Structure 1 Reorganized Pig Dinner 2 New Purple Legionnaire 2 Graduate Development 3 Board of Chap- 3 ter Advisors A Letter From the President Ace of Diamonds 4 2 0 0 8 F E B R U A R Y 1 4 , 2 0 0 8 Graduate Structure Reorganized For the past two years, the undergrads of the Epsilon Iota chapter of Phi Gamma Delta have consistently excelled in rush, philanthropy, and in membership development. However, one area that has been lacking is graduate relations. Newsletters come sporadically, annual events are uneven in both notice and planning, and there has been no organized structure in place to offer financial and advisory support. Over the past year, a serious effort, led by section chief Joe Weist has been made by Evansville grads to remedy this problem. The result of twelve months worth of planning, conference calls, and meetings is the Graduate Advisory Board (GAB). Essentially, this organization takes the place of the House Corporation while establishing a board of chapter advisors and other satellite committees designed to make life easier for the undergrads. The GAB is run by a threeman cabinet of Chad Perkins (Purdue ’92) serving as president, Chris Rafferty (Evansville ‘01) as treasurer, and Scott Newman (Evansville ‘00) as secretary. In addition to the cabi- net, the board includes a housing chair, a BCA chairman, a fundraising chairman, a graduate development chair, and an as yet unnamed Evansville Grad chapter chair. The board is finished with the current chapter president and another undergrad elected by the chapter. With the structure and protocol of the GAB nearly completed, real collaboration between the undergrads and grads can soon begin. The ultimate goal is to bring professional continuity to all graduate affairs, whether dealing with the university about undergrad housing or organizing Pig Dinner. We would also like the undergrads to slowly give up activities that the grads can more effectively take care of, allowing them to focus on recruitment and member development. Lastly, if the EI FIJI chapter is ever going to purchase their own house, an organized graduate structure such as this is vital. With the GAB in place, all grads will hopefully be able to look forward to regularly scheduled annual events, a more synchronized social effort in the Evansville area, and efficient collaboration between the grads and undergrads. \r\nPAGE 2 Pig Dinner 2008 We are quickly approaching another Norris Pig Dinner, the time of the year when the undergrads learn from those who came before and the grads are reminded of their fraternal bonds. The event will take place at the Cambridge County club, located at 1120 Cambridge Village Square at Evansville, IN on February 23, 2008. If you are planning on attending but have not sent back your RSVP, Ed Gabe, Ritualist Hanover 1990 there is still time. Cocktail hour will last from 5:30 pm to approximately 6:30 pm. Dinner will start at 7pm and last until 9pm. All are welcome to attend the GAB meeting, which will take place before the cocktail hour. We are all looking forward to the 2008 keynote speaker, Ed Gabe (Hanover ’90). Brother Gabe is currently the Ritualist for Phi Gamma Delta. Undergrads and grads alike can also look forward to the comedy stylings of Kyle Korkhouse (EI ’03), who will be the master of ceremonies this year. If there are any questions about directions, RSVPs, or anything else regarding the event, feel free to contact Michael Hughes at either 812-8990018 or at mh149@evansville.edu. The Brothers of the Epsilon Iota chapter hope you will join us. Shane Setnor - New PL “I’m a problem solver. I solve problems.” -Shane Setnor Shane Setnor, Epsilon Iota’s new Purple Legionnaire After a distinguished three years, Blaire Birge (Evansville ’00) has stepped aside as Purple Legionnaire of the Epsilon Iota chapter. Since then, the undergrads have unanimously elected Shane Setnor (Epsilon Iota, 2005) as the new PL. He has quickly stepped up as a role model, friend, and advisor to the men now doing the work of the chapter. The following is an interview with EI’s newest PL. fifth year senior allowed me to step away from the inner workings of the chapter while still being in a position to guide and advise my fellow undergrads. How did your undergraduate career prepare you for this position? What do you bring to the position? I’m a problem solver. I solve problems. The role of PL is designed to help cabinet facilitate certain problems, and I am well The experience of being a ACE OF DIAMONDS Why do you think the undergrads chose you for Purple Legionnaire? I’m close to not only them, but also the university in my job as UE’s intramural director. I also am only three years removed from graduating so many of the brothers were already used to seeing me around. suited to this. I’m also able to confront an issue neutrally. What are your goals for the position and the chapter? I’d like to see more consistent day-to-day chapter operations, with the ultimate goal being a seamless cabinet transition. Do you have any advice for grads who might want to become more active in FIJI? We have a group of undergrads who love to see us around, and they will flock to any grad’s advice or even their presence, so just stopping in at the house to chat would be a good start. \r\nSPRING 2008 PAGE 3 Grads Increase Role in Chapter Communications (left to right) Tyler Tynes, Mike Nestlehut, Graham Paxton, Blake Hooper Previously, Pig Dinner and graduate communications have been run solely by the undergrad chapter. This has led to a great deal of irregularity in both of these areas. This issue has been taken into consideration by the GAB, and has led to the creation of the Graduate Development committee. This committee is involved in any asIt is my honor and privilege to write to you on behalf of the newly formed Board of Chapter Advisors (BCA) of the Epsilon Iota chapter of Phi Gamma Delta. On 12/28/07, at the inaugural GAB meeting, it was voted upon and passed to create a BCA for the EI chapter, and to give the BCA power to begin normal proceedings. The BCA was established to remedy a problem in the previous graduate network. The old grad structure did not have a branch that extended directly to everyday chapter operations. This left only the Purple Legionnaire to advise the entire chapter, thus pect that blends the grads and the undergrads, and is divided into Newsletters, Pig Dinner, and the website. As the chairman of the Graduate Development arm of the GAB, I have several plans, goals, and ideas for improvement. First and foremost, the chapter needs a formal manual for Pig Dinner. I have been working closely with the undergrad Pig Dinner chairman to achieve this end. Also, the chapter will soon begin writing monthly newsletters to EI overextending the position. Now, under the new structure, the BCA will advise the chapter in day-to-day operations, and will allow the Purple Legionnaire to work specifically with the cabi- grads in the form of an e-mail sent to the grads’ mailing list. This will be solely about undergrad issues instead of graduate issues that are more appropriate for this forum. Evansville-area grads can also look forward to casual social events with the undergrads in the near future. Ideas for improvement in any graduate development areas are encouraged and can be sent to me at my e-mail address jk90@evansville.edu. I look forward to continued collaboration with the undergrads and more effective communication with all of my grad brothers. “As the chairman of the Graduate Development arm of the GAB, I have several plans, goals, and ideas for improvement.“ -Jon Kissel jk90@evansville.edu and Chapter Operations. BCA membership will be on a rotating two-year system. The first BCA roster consists of myself as chairman, Chris Board of Chapter Advisors Started net. The BCA will help to establish continuity to the chapter's daily operations, and aid FIJI in fulfilling its purpose; to mold its members into better men. The BCA will be made up of a chairman, and seven board members. The se members will be split into three committees; New Member Development, Membership Development, Rafferty (Epsilon Iota’01), Andrew Epperson (EI ’03), Blaire Birge (EI ’00), Phil Love (EI ’05), Scott Gurgol Sean Riley (EI ’05), BCA chairman Matt Snodgrass (EI ’06), and Phil Crone (EI ’07). I would like to thank these brothers for reminding us that FIJI is "Not for College Days Alone." \r\nA Letter From the President Brothers, The chapter is currently preparing for the endeavors of the upcoming semester while enjoying the success of previous accomplishments. Since signing 24 pledges last fall, the largest class in chapter history, we have initiated eleven of these young men, making them the newest brothers of the Evansville chapter. These include many up and coming chapter and campus leaders, including one of the current co-recruitment chairs. Spring recruitment has also taken place. We have signed four new men and anticipate more in the coming weeks. In addition to any new pledges that we sign, we will also be working with seven fall pledges as they work to improve their grades and achieve full membership in the Fraternity. The chapter is also working to improve the documentation and organization of its committees, thus improving continuity and transition in coming years. This goal will be assisted by the aid of brothers affiliated with the newly created Board of Chapter Advisors and the Graduate Advisory Board (GAB). The new structure has already been helpful to the chapter in several diverse areas, from the website to pledge education. I attended the first GAB meeting at the Christmas Luncheon and am very pleased at the unified show of support. I look forward to working with all involved. We are currently planning for several upcoming events. The annual Norris Pig Dinner on February 23 is always a great opportunity to reconnect with the graduate members of our Fraternity. Our seventh annual Hot-Tub-a-Thon is on the horizon as well, and we hope to meet our goal of $10,000 raised for Easter Seals. As always, your support is greatly appreciated. Fraternally, Brother Jeff Bennett Epsilon Iota President Jeffrey Bennett Perge! Graduate Updates -Dom Thompson (2002) and his wife Erin had a new baby girl, Anna on January 24, 2008 -Zach Hall (2005) is now employed in his hometown of Madison, IN as a high school health teacher. -Jonathon Kissel (2006) is on his way to Bloomington, IN to begin work as a quality analyst at Baxter Healthcare -Bryan Hartman (2006) is currently pursuing his Master’s in Secondary Education at North Park University in Chicago Phi Gamma Delta 227 S. Lincoln Park Dr. Evansville, IN 47714 Any other announcements can be sent to jk90@evansville.edu. They will be included in the next newsletter President Jeffrey Bennett jb351@evansville.edu Visit Epsilon Iota on the web at www.fiji.evansville.edu “Not for college days alone.” Graduate Relations Chair: Daniel Purdy dp51@evansville.edu