PHI GAMMA DELTA IMPORTANT DATES: Ace of Diamonds S P R I N G Pig Dinner March 28, 2009 UE Greek Reunion April 17 - 19, 2009 Hot Tub-a-Thon April 24, 2009 UE Graduation May 9 Ride Across the Purple Valley May 10 - 13, 2009 INSIDE THIS ISSUE: EI at Obama’sInauguration 1 Spring Events 2 Graduate Devlopment 3 Board of Chapter 3 Advisors 2 0 0 9 M A R C H 2 , 2 0 0 9 Evansville FIJI’s Represented in D.C. During Inauguration By Ray Baker (EI 2008) … much going on to rest. On Saturday, my friend from Chicago was able to get us a I was in Grant Park on November private tour of the Capital. Everything 4th. I had the great pleasure of witnessing was already set up for the ceremony. It then-President-elect Barack Obama give was surreal to walk across the same path his acceptance speech in front of thouthe president-elect would be walking a sands of ecstatic supporters. This was few days later. On Sunday, we attended truly a memorable experience, but little the pre-inaugural concert in front of the did I know I would take part in a more Lincoln Memorial. Along with hundreds momentous and historical event a few of thousands of other people from all months later in Washington D.C. walks of life, we listened to historical As a fellow Chicago native, I was speeches and cheered the nation’s biggest always a big fan of musical performers. Obama. Therefore, On the big day, the idea of going to January 20th, we made his inauguration was our way to the Naabsolutely something I tional Mall to try and wanted to do. Howget to our spots early. ever, many others We ended up pretty across the country close to the Capitol, would also love to go. and passed the time I needed a ticket. taking in our surroundThankfully, a high ings. We marveled at school friend of mine the universal good works for a congressmood of the crowd. woman in a nearby Everyone we met over district, and he was the whole weekend able to get me in. I was friendly and then remembered that cheerful. We also my Greek little laughed at the ridicubrother, Peter lous Obama-mania Hanscom, also worked knick-knacks the street Ray Baker during the Inauguration for a politician. He vendors were selling, was involved in Coneverything from calengressman Brad Ellsworth's reelection cam- dars to bobbleheads and action figures. paign, and he was rewarded for his diliAround noon, the ritual of the inauguragent efforts with an inauguration ticket. tion began and the most powerful people We met up in Indianapolis and headed to in government were shown to their seats. the nation’s capital. Finally, Obama emerged from the Capitol When we arrived in D.C., we and took his place at the microphone. Afwere tired from driving but there was too ter being offiContinued on Page 2 \r\nPAGE 2 Spring Events Frank Norris Pig Dinner March 28th Announcements • Nick Jones (EI 2008) celebrated his marriage to his wife Megan on December 31, 2008. • Ryan Wininger (2004) and his wife Breaha are expecting their first child in late July. • Shane Setnor (2005) has moved south from Evansville to Atlanta to pursue a new career. He’s now working with the Atlanta Braves. • Thomas Bever graduated from UE in December 2008 with a degree in neuroscience. He is now working in Wisconsin doing home therapy with kids who have autism spectrum disorders. ACE OF Pig Dinner is only a few weeks away! We have the honor of hosting Archon President Bill Miller (Indiana ’62, Purdue ‘96) this year, and we look forward to sharing in his vision of Phi Gamma Delta as it faces an optimistic future. Brother Miller was also the Ritualist for three decades, so he undoubtedly has a great wealth of FIJI knowledge and anecdotes worth sharing. Invites were sent out in late January. If you plan to attend but have not notified the chapter yet, please mail in your RSVP as soon as you are able. If you have lost your invite or you never received one, all is not lost. Pig Dinner chairman Jesse Miller can be reached at (765) 623-8884 or by e-mail at jm351@evansville.edu. Don’t miss out! University of Evansville Greek Reunion April 17th-19th The student life center at the University of Evansville is hosting the first annual Greek Reunion. Courtesy of the generosity of John H. Schroeder (Wabash 1942), John C. Schroeder (Wabash 1969), and Dr. William Ridgeway (Indiana 1943), the campus has undergone several new changes and now is as good a time as any to see our old stomping grounds. Events are scheduled throughout the weekend, starting with a campus tour at 3:00 Friday afternoon, several meals, the annual Sunset Concert, and UE’s premier intramural event, Bike Race, on Saturday. The FIJI house will also be open all weekend for tours for UE and non-UE grads. Those interested can find more information at: www.evansville.edu/alumni/ greekreunion.cfm. Ride Across the Purple Valley May 10th-13th The Beta Sigma chapter at Ball State University has organized a philanthropic event to support the fraternity’s international philanthropy, the American Red Cross. The annual Ride Across the Purple Valley is a biking expedition of over 570 miles that includes stops at all eight Indiana FIJI chapters. The ride starts in Muncie at Ball State and continues around the state, ending at Indianapolis with the presentation of a check to a Red Cross representative. A monetary donation can be made or a material one. The participants are in need of food, water or sports drinks, helmets, and bike repair equipment. Even a pair of old bike shorts would be appreciated, provided they go through the wash first. If you wish to donate anything, the local representative is Tyler Condrey (EI 2012). He can be reached at (618) 554-3983 or at tc87@evansville.edu. Checks made out to “Ride Across the Purple Valley” can be sent to Phi Gamma Delta Ball State – Beta Sigma Chaper, c/o Bryan John, 900 W Riverside Ave, Muncie, IN 47303. Inauguration cially sworn in as the 44th President, he gave a stirring inaugural address about the coming age of responsibility. He repeated his oft-stated conviction that we are one nation and that we can overcome any obstacle. After the speech was over, we began to make our way back home after a long few days. Even in that gigantic forum, I still felt the impact of my FIJI experience. Listening to Garth Brooks sing American Pie at the Sunday concert reDIAMONDS minded me not only of our fraternal brotherhood, but also of the brotherhood of all mankind. Hearing President Obama tell the nation that is it was time to “put away childish things” reminded me of the universal applicability of our ritual. I am glad I could share that experience with my brother, Peter, and I am still in awe that I had the opportunity to witness such an historic event. \r\nSPRING 2009 PAGE 3 Grad Development Committee’s First Year By Jon Kissel (EI 2006) The graduate development committee has had a productive first year of operation. As chairman, my main goal was to improve communication and ensure the smooth operation of graduate events. Both of these areas experienced varying levels of success. In communication, my original goal was to send out four newsletters a year. Regrettably, only three were mailed in 2008, but I can guarantee enough updates, interviews, and pictures to fill four newsletters in 2009. To fund these mailings, we have instituted a system of graduate dues to defray the cost of paper, ink, and stamps. Twenty-one generous Phi Gam’s contributed enough money to pay for one and a half newsletters. A good start to a new program, but there is still room to grow. Event organization has also had highs and lows. On the positive side, there has been a great deal of collaboration between the grads and undergrads on Pig Dinner. On March 28th, we will all celebrate the next Pig Dinner, an event that has been worked on since the 2008 gathering. Nearly six months of advance notice have been given, and we have arranged for Archon President Bill Miller to take time out of his busy schedule to serve as our keynote speaker. On the less positive side, mailing delays dramatically shortened the amount of notice given for the Christmas Luncheon in late December. Those who were able to be present all agreed that more notice would certainly increase future attendance. This is a lesson I will take to heart for the 2009 Christmas Luncheon. With a year of learning what works and what doesn’t, I am looking forward to serving another year as chairman of graduate development. I especially look forward to helping the undergrads plan for our tenth anniversary Pig Dinner in 2010. Special thanks go to Bryan Hartman (EI 2006) for helping over the last year with newsletter layout and to everyone who has contributed content over the last year. Board of Chapter Advisors Off to Great Start By Scott Gurgol (EI 2003) After a year of operation, the Board of Chapter Advisors has seen positive results. The BCA was officially voted into action by the newly formed Graduate Advisory Board at the Christmas Luncheon in 2007. The BCA is a subcommittee of the GAB, and the members are advisors to the individual committee heads of the Epsilon Iota chapter. Members of the first BCA include Chris Rafferty (EI 2001), Andrew Epperson (EI 2003), Phil Love (EI 2005), Phil Crone (EI 2007), Sean Riley (EI 2005), Matt Snodgrass (EI 2005), Blaire Birge (EI 2000), and myself as chairman. The timing for creation of a BCA could not have been better as problems within the undergraduate chapter surfaced in early 2008. It was apparent that the chapter needed assistance in moving in a new direction. The BCA’s main focus for the upcoming year was to help EI improve its recruitment and pledge education programs. With guidance from Brother Rafferty, David Reidford (EI 2011) led the chapter to success in fall recruitment for 2008, in which EI recruited 21 new members. However, the chapter has had several years of successful recruitments. The real test was pledge education. Over the last summer, Andrew Epperson worked hard with pledge educator Eric Cioffi (EI 2009) and Section Chief Joe Weist to create a new pledge education program. Andrew put in countless hours at chapter & pledge education meetings, backing up Eric when requested. The result was 100% retention of the fall pledge class, a first in the history of the EI chapter. With the beginning of the spring semester, the BCA has a new fo- cus. The chapter’s annual philanthropy, Hot Tub-o-Thon, raised a record low amount of money. The BCA wants to assist the chapter in restoring this valuable event. We would like to see the chapter once again earn rewards for best philanthropy and service on campus. BCA also wants to assist the chapter in meeting its goal of highest Greek GPA among all UE Greek organizations. The first year was a success, and it seems the chapter will grow stronger than before with the BCA behind it. I would like to thank Brothers Epperson, Birge, and Love, who have terms ending this May. We look forward to the addition of new members, and the challenges that lie ahead. \r\nLetter from the President The Epsilon Iota chapter of Phi Gamma Delta has continued to dominate the Evansville campus as we’ve started the spring semester. With the welcoming of the new AlphaDeuteron pledge class, our chapter has completed the Greek alphabet. We can look back on the 26 previous pledge classes with pride and look forward to the next 26. Our new pledge class, the largest one assembled on campus this recruitment cycle, is comprised of three men, consisting of a Division I athlete and a UE cheerleader. After attending this year’s State Day awards early in February, our chapter was awarded Best Attendance, Best Recruitment and Best Pledge Education out of all the Phi Gam chapters in the Purple Valley. We also received honorable mention recognition in Graduate Relations and Commu- Phi Gamma Delta nity Service. As a chapter, we’re very pleased with these accomplishments, and we are looking forward to collecting international awards as the semester continues. On campus, our brothers have just finished a successful IM basketball season. We entered four teams, one of which won the B-league championship, and after our return from spring break, we look to bring home more honors in floor hockey, bike race and Fraternity President Peter Hanscom softball. March will be a very busy month for our brothers as we look forward to our first weekend long brotherhood retreat, the visit of our field secretary, meeting the Archon President, Brother Bill Miller, and gathering for another Frank Norris Pig Dinner. As I write my last letter to you, the graduate brothers, I am filled with pride for all that our chapter has accomplished so far this school year. I’m confident that we exceeded everyone’s wildest expectations as we faced down every challenge we were confronted with. Our perpetually strong brotherhood and overwhelming desire for excellence have truly shown us the meaning of Persistence. I thank you for all your assistance and I look forward to seeing everyone at Pig Dinner. Peter Hanscom Perge! Dave Knox (EI 2008), Ray Baker (EI 2008), and Joe Molnar (EI 2006) celebrate Nick Jones's (EI 2007) wedding. 227 S. Lincoln Park Dr. Evansville, IN 47714 Visit Epsilon Iota on the web at www.fiji.evansville.edu “Not for college days alone.” President Peter Hanscom ph41@evansville.edu Hot Tub-a-Thon Chair: Chris Childers cc112@evansville.edu