EPSILON IOTA OF PHI GAMMA DELTA IMPORTANT DATES: FIJI Golf Classic September 26, 2009 Pig Dinner April 17, 2010 INSIDE THIS ISSUE: Natural Disaster 1 Ace of Diamonds S U M M E R 2 0 0 9 U N I V E R S I T Y O F E V A N S V I L L E Phi Gam Grad Helps Stave Off Natural Disaster By Joel Hagan (EI 2002) Fargo, N.D - After a wet fall and snowy winter, the Red River swelled the week of March 23, eventually rising to a record breaking 40.8 feet. Flood stage is at 18 feet. The flood wasn’t expected so soon, and volunteers scrambled to fill more than 1 million sandbags (this would keep rising over the weeks as well) and set up dikes along the river. Students at the three colleges in Fargo and Moorhead, Minn., came back from spring break to find classes cancelled for the week. Streets and neighborhoods were closed. As people worked together on slings and bags, each day was a mix of good and bad news. They filled 500,000 sandbags a day, far exceeding the expected 300,000 per day rate officials thought was possible. But then 8 inches of snow fell on Tuesday, clogging up roadways. By some miracle, dikes were built to 42 feet in time for the expected crest. Then the National Weather Service raised the predicted crest to 43 feet. The back and forth between man and nature continued, the river rose – volunteers came from as far as Chicago – the snows fell – evacuation plans were set – the river rose – a town of 90,000 had 80,000 volunteers help with the flood – the river rose – neighborhoods were voluntarily evacuated – the river rose. The dikes were set. Now most people just had to wait and see if they would hold. Schools and businesses were called off for another week to keep roads open for emergency vehicles and trucks filled with clay for contingency dikes. For my part as a writer for North Continued on page 3 Pig Dinner 2 Announcements 3 Fargo citizens fill sandbags to hold back the rising flood waters. \r\nPAGE 2 Another Year, Another Successful Pig Dinner Even though it appeared that God did not wish it, Phi Gamma Delta brothers gathered at Cambridge Country Club to celebrate our 2009 Pig Dinner. Despite the threat of severe weather, including a tornado warning, months of undergrad planning, led by Pig Dinner Chairman Jesse Miller (2010), culminated in a Saturday night full of camaraderie and brotherhood. After cocktails and dinner, the nearly 100 brothers in attendance sat down to listen to keynote speaker Archon President Bill Miller (Indiana 1962, Purdue 1996), who served as Fraternity Ritualist for three decades. He detailed for everyone IHQ’s plans to aggressively grow the Fraternity. IHQ has set the goal of 170 by 170, or 170 chapters by our 170th anniversary in 2018, and with the help of an increase in Headquarters staff, several new colonies are founded every semester. Additionally, IHQ has implemented the same pledge education program that Epsilon Iota used in the fall, which resulted in a 100% retention rate. When applied to new colonies, the plan is to keep pledges in the Fraternity. He also implored graduate brothers to get involved with their respective chapters and with the graduate community. With everyone in attendance from an Indiana chapter, we all have reason to be proud that a fellow Purple Valley native is leading the way. The evening wrapped up with the presentation of the Graduate Brother of the Year. This year, the undergrad vote came to a tie. Jeremy Buente (2008) was recognized for making his home available to the undergrads throughout the year, from rush events and the scholarship dinner to grilling the pig the night before Pig Dinner. Matthew Snodgrass (2005) was also recognized for keeping his trademark upbeat spirit and generosity in the face of personal tragedy. Continued on page 3 Phil Crone (2007) tells Kevin Hay (2006), Bryan Hartman (2006), Rance Brown (2006), and Shane Setnor (2005) about his latest mountain climbing trip. ACE OF DIAMONDS \r\nSUMMER 2009 PAGE 3 Pig Dinner Natural Disaster Even as another Pig Dinner ended, plans for the next one have been in the works for months. April 15, 2010, will mark the 10th anniversary of receiving our charter at the University of Evansville. The 2010 Pig Dinner is scheduled around this occasion. We will be gathering again at Cambridge on April 17, 2010, to celebrate our accomplishments in those 10 years. We hope that everyone who made it this year can make it again, and we hope that all the rest of our exiles can return to Evansville to commemorate how far we have come. Dakota State University, I wrote about the student volunteers, the faculty helping in the fight, and the emergency management department heading up the main volunteer call center and help line. I spent time passing sandbags bucket-brigade style from people’s driveways to their back yards. I helped fill sandbags at the local indoor arena. My house was in the part of town not expected to see water even if the dikes broke, but we were still worried about sewer backup, water shortages, and getting out of the city if it came to that. Luckily, all the work was worth it in the end. A few places flooded, including a middle school near the river, but for the most part, the people of FargoMoorhead were able to hold back the river. A 20 foot section of the interstate highway north of Fargo is still covered with water as of this writing, May 5, and 80 summer positions opened to help take down the dikes over the next few months, but other than that, things are back Announcements       Congratulations to May 2009 graduates: Michael Hughes, Marc Sapoznik, and Eric Cioffi. Geoff Keller (2008) is employed as a consultant with Exxtreme Consulting. Sean Riley (2005) is employed with the University of Southern Indiana in the admissions office. Graham Paxton (2003) and his wife Becca celebrated the birth of their daughter Alexandra Ellen on March 20th. Rance Brown (2006) is now engaged to his fiancé Mellissa Giles. Save the Date! The Evansville FIJI Golf Classic will be on September 26 at Clearcrest Pines golf course. Official invites will be forthcoming. Graham Paxton with his new daughter, Alexandra Graduate Dues Correction In the recent letter notifying everyone of the 2009 graduate dues campaign, the PayPal e-mail address was incorrect. Online donations can be made to clrafferty@gmail.com. \r\nLetter from the President Brothers, In my first letter to you about the state of the chapter, I am proud to say that Epsilon Iota is maintaining its high level of achievement. First, allow me to introduce myself. My name is David Riedford, and the chapter has entrusted me with the role of chapter president. I am an Evansville native going into my junior year, majoring in Music and Business Management. If you feel the need to contact me, I am available anytime at (812) 4572308 or dr77@evansville.edu. I would be happy to answer any questions or field any suggestions you might have. It is my pleasure to inform you that our chapter has capitalized on the momentum created last August at the beginning of this academic year. At our most recent Pig Dinner on March 28, we had the pleasure of hosting Archon President Phi Gamma Delta 227 S. Lincoln Park Dr. Evansville, IN 47714 Visit Epsilon Iota on the web at www.fiji.evansville.edu “Not for college days alone.” Bill Miller as our guest speaker. We also had nearly 50 graduate brothers in attendance. Thank you for all who attended, and we are already looking forward to our 10th anniversary Pig Dinner coming up in 2010. Hot-Tub-a-Thon was also a success, with our chapter raising nearly $8,000 to benefit Easter Seals. All this would not have been possible without your support. The university has rewarded our brothers for their accomplishments. EI Brothers were recognized by the university as Greek Man of the Year and Student of the Year, in addition to oth- Fraternity President David Riedford er individual awards. IFC also recognized our chapter with Best Philanthopy, Best Pledge Education, and Best President awards. Most recently, our chapter participated with the Beta Sigma chapter of Ball State in their Ride Across the Purple Valley philanthropy to benefit the American Red Cross. Two of our undergraduate brothers as well as grad Ryan Wininger (2004) took the challenge to ride to all of the Fiji chapter houses in Indiana. Through the combined efforts of all Indiana Fiji chapters, we helped raise over $7,500 for the American Red Cross. On behalf of our chapter, I would like to thank you for your continued support as we look forward to another successful year. Fraternally, David Riedford University of Evansville ‘11 Chapter President Perge!