The Scribbler Phi Chapter of Phi Gamma Delta Fall 2010 Alexander Conway ‘12, Phi Chapter President Dear Brothers and Graduate Brothers, Hello! A lot of has been going on with Phi Chapter these days. First of all the new bathroom has been a shock to all of us. The first week all the brothers were back it was a huge conversation topic, we all feel as if we are living in the lap of luxury. During the summer the 162nd Ekklesia was held and we had a couple of brothers attend. Many important fraternity by-laws were passed and amended, for information on these new laws just log-in to the fraternity website, phigam.org. Pertaining to Phi Chapter we were recognized with a John Templeton McCarty award for Chapter Proficiency, a testament to the current brothers’ commitment to improve Phi Chapter day in and day out. For right now, we are in Fall Quarter, just finished with Homecoming. It went great, for those of you not able to make it, try again next year or try out Pig Dinner. The undergraduate brothers always love talking to the graduate brothers about stories of Phi Chapters past. Recruitment is the main thing on everyone’s mind these days. Things seem to be going well and we will have to wait for winter quarter to see. If anyone has any ideas on how to help feel free to let us know. Yours Fraternally. Phi Chapter Devin Boe, ‘12, Phi Chapter Historian at Ekklesia, after accepting the John Templeton McCartyAward for Chapter Proficiency \r\nFormer President, and new BCA member for Phi Chapter Andy Feldman ‘10 Phi Chapter is stratified each Monday night during chapter meetings according to the diamond configuration and class specific seating. From the fall and many months onwards, the Freshman quarter is empty except for the Historian who is charged with guarding the door. The void serves as constant reminder of the fraternity’s immediate goal, to gain and mold new brothers. Panning across the room by the corresponding secretary, the Sophomore class typically has the best attendance. They being the most recently initiated among us. Beyond the recording secretary, the Junior class represents a blend of youthfulness, them not yet the oldest, and authority as well. Between the President and the Treasurer reside the Senior class. Up until becoming one myself, I associated allure and experience with the last quarter of the diamond. Amongst their ranks included Senior Rush Chairs, Senior Pledge Educators, Senior Social Chairs and former cabinet members. Having taken part in the most recruitment efforts, the most initiation rites, administrative tasks, university relations, and chapter operations, the collective senior voice has weight. Yet, now occupying the Seniors’ section myself, I think differently about its makeup. Rather than luminaries, this class of seniors is simply composed of my pledge brothers. We now are looked upon to shed light through past experience. A sense of accomplishment exists. A pledge class, which as part of, each joined as freshman and maintained through their college careers, now gets to reflect back. During chapter, it is most prudent to use our ac- News from the desk of Phi New Scholarship Chair, Dan Mescher ‘12 quired knowledge to the benefit of the business at hand. Be it rush, what were successful methods in the past? What were not? Similarly, how best to see a freshman class towards initiation? Yet beyond the chapter meeting, the senior perspective is manifested differently. By definition and convention, the Seniors maintain current house lore. Having been in contact with one class unbeknownst to the classes below us, the seniors have stories of Phi brothers past of interest. The multiplicative effect that, in our case the graduating Seniors of Phi Chapter, Class of 2006, we are a vestige of stories that they passed on through us. As we disseminate those histories throughout the current house, the process repeats. Further, we confirm and reinforce tales circulating below of certain brothers, events, and general minutia throughout the house. Who lived in that room? Where did that couch come from? What is Pig Dinner? Nostalgia as a Northwestern Senior has come in small doses for me. As I was on Ski-Trip with approximately 1000 Northwestern students, with a disproportionate amount being seniors, I was reminded of the multitude of relationships sewn in my four years at Northwestern. Yet even then, as I lived with two other seniors from FIJI, and three FIJI sophomores. The focal point of the trip for me was Phi Chapter. I do not think I am unique in asserting that Phi Chapter indeed is the focal point of most of our college careers. It is the most significant social and extracurricular activity many of us will be involved in. A class of freshman is now in the process of joining our ranks. To them, the Senior class of Phi Chapter 2010 represents their most direct link to the past. We will be the class that only they can have known, once they sit in the last quarter of the diamond. As the newly instituted Scholarship Chair of Phi Chapter, I look forward to the progress that our chapter can and will make in its pursuit of the value of knowledge here at Northwestern University. When I took the position this fall, I was already aware of the vast academic talent and motivation of the brothers of Phi chapter. This was an important impetus to the commencement of my duties, yet an even greater one was my intention of discovering new ways to maximize the potential of brothers who may be struggling with their academic pursuits. While my work has only just begun, we have already implemented a new scholarship program in which all brothers of Phi chapter have been divided into teams of four and put into scholarly competition against each other: the team with the highest cumulative grade point average will earn a prize ranging from a steak dinner to tickets to a Cubs game. It is my hope that this will be the first of many programs created by my chair position to harmoniously develop the powers of the individuals in our fraternity. 2 \r\nPhi On The Snow Dave Nebel ‘11, Spent his Winter Quarter On the Slopes of Vail As with many of my fellow snowboarders and skiers in FIJI and at Northwestern, I have dreamed of traveling out west to experience the Colorado ski bum lifestyle; snowboarding daily and working just enough to pay the bills and not have to tap into parental funding. This may be my chance, maybe the last chance, to break from the expectations of a prestigious university and drop out of the shark tank of my soon to be professional lifestyle. Last quarter I was able to find other like minded individuals and opportunities began to fall into place. How to take time off from my studies was of primary concern, but being part of the five year cooperative engineering program allowed the appropriate flexibility. Before I knew it I had moved into a three-floor townhouse in East Vail with breathtaking views of the Rockies just outside my living room windows. My backyard looks out onto numerous hiking trails surrounded by a series of mountain ranges and within twenty minutes I could find myself out of view of anything manmade. Shortly after arriving I began to work as a food runner/busser at the Larkspur Restaurant located at the base of the mountain. Working in fine dining has given me a newly acquired appreciation for the restaurant industry. Whether I’m serving a Larkburger to a snow covered boarder looking for a mid-day snack or describing the preparation of the Carnaroli Lemon Risotto with Togarashi Crusted Shrimp to my customer with high expectations, I need to be in top form. Hopefully by the time I get back to school I’ll be able to get the seasoning on my Ramen just right. In addition, learning a small but useful breadth of knowledge in the art of wine selection and tasting may come in handy. As my trip nears to an end I look forward to returning back to school and friends but can’t seem to shake the feeling that there are many good reasons why people remain here. Vail’s mountains are gorgeous and the area is abundant with friendly and courteous people who enjoy themselves to the fullest extent. During my stay I found I was introducing myself to others on the chair lift as a local, so who knows what the future will bring. The natives say, “You come for the winter but stay for the summer,” so maybe Vail, Colorado is in need of a Northwestern University graduate with an engineering degree. 3 \r\nWhere are they now? In what we hope will be a recurring article series about selected Graduate Brothers of Phi Chapter, we recently asked one Brother from the 1950’s, 70’s, 80’s, and 2000’s to update us on their current lives, while also reflecting on their lifetime membership in Phi Gamma Delta. In their own words, here are… Peter Babcock (Phi ’56) 1. When did you graduate from Northwestern, and what are you doing today? Graduated from NU on 6/18/56. Was commissioned Ensign in US Navy via NU’s NROTC program. Served 3 years in Navy and joined International Harvester Co. in 1959. Retired from that company (now called Navistar, Inc.) in 1989 as Director of Human Resources, Farmall Plant, Rock Island, IL. Now reside in Moline, Illinois. 2. What is your most memorable experience as a Fiji at Phi Chapter? Fiji Island parties. 3. Our fraternity has a slogan of “Not for college days alone.” What role has Phi Gamma Delta played in your life since graduating? What lessons did you learn from Phi Chapter? Lesson: Phi Gam pals are still some of my closest friends, even after 54 years. 4. We have another saying of “No regrets for lost opportunities,” but is there anything you wished you would have done differently at Phi Chapter? No. 5. What advice do you have for today’s Undergraduate Brothers? While in school work hard to meet high objectives. Enjoy the ride! Kurt Stiver (Phi ’70) 1. When did you graduate from Northwestern, and what are you doing today? I graduated from NU in 1970 with a BA in history. Then a JD from Michigan. Practiced law for a year, hated it, went back to pre-med, ultimately completed med school, OB-Gyn residency and maternalfetal medicine fellowship (high-risk OB) all at Indiana University. I have been delivering babies (about 7000) in South Bend since 1983. 2. What is your most memorable experience as a Fiji at Phi Chapter? Hell Week - bombadier; playing soccer/football on the basement floor with your nose, in your skivvies, on wet snow; etc. Still have fond memories of it all. Taught me teamwork, survival skills, no whining, etc. 3. Our fraternity has a slogan of “Not for college days alone.” What role has Phi Gamma Delta played in your life since graduating? What lessons did you learn from Phi Chapter? See #2 above. Took me from boyhood to manhood. \r\n5 4. We have another saying of “No regrets for lost opportunities,” but is there anything you wished you would have done differently at Phi Chapter? None. 5. What advice do you have for today’s Undergraduate Brothers? None comes to mind other than try to stay in touch with your brothers - it’s tough after 40 years, but don’t stop trying. Chris Stockwell (Phi ’83) 1. When did you graduate from Northwestern, and what are you doing today? BA, Political Science, 1983. Married 25 years; father of three; engineering firm Chief Marketing Officer (www.geiconsultants.com). 2. What is your most memorable experience as a Fiji at Phi Chapter? I was elected Fiji Island Bone King senior year, Spring Quarter. Part of my job was to present my brothers’ Fiji Island Party invitation to their dates, which would take us throughout the campus, including most of the sororities. If my brother’s date wished to accept the invitation (which of course they all did), she had to kiss me to seal the deal. It was tough duty kissing 65 coeds that day, but someone had to do it, I had been elected, and so I did the best that I could. 3. Our fraternity has a slogan of “Not for college days alone.” What role has Phi Gamma Delta played in your life since graduating? What lessons did you learn from Phi Chapter? I learned that hard work pays off, and that memories and friendships can really last forever. I still feel a special kinship. 4. We have another saying of “No regrets for lost opportunities,” but is there anything you wished you would have done differently at Phi Chapter? I never held an office. But I hope and think that I contributed my fair share. 5. What advice do you have for today’s Undergraduate Brothers? Keep a good moral compass. Life is a marathon. Don’t burn out early. Make sure that you can write well and express yourself clearly. Know your strengths, and build on them. Don’t be narcissistic. Be kind. Life is too short to work with assh_les, so avoid them. Practice your faith. Marry a nice girl who loves you for who you are. Love your children; they will need you very much. Eric Fish (Phi ’01) 1. When did you graduate from Northwestern, and what are you doing today? I graduated from Northwestern in 2001. I spent the 6 years after school in Chicago, went to grad school in upstate New York, and now live in NYC with my girlfriend, Gretchen, and our 15-month old daughter, Ezra. I work in project and risk management at Goldman Sachs. Where are they now? \r\nWhere are they now? 2. What is your most memorable experience as a Fiji at Phi Chapter? Sing-ins my freshman year – it set the tone for the rest of my time at Northwestern, and confirmed what I already knew: The Northwestern FIJIs are the best guys on campus and epitomize the slogan, “Work hard, play hard.” 3. Our fraternity has a slogan of “Not for college days alone.” What role has Phi Gamma Delta played in your life since graduating? What lessons did you learn from Phi Chapter? When I was still in Chicago, I was actively involved with Phi Chapter as PL, on the BCA, and with the Chicago Graduate Chapter. It’s become tougher and tougher to stay actively involved as I’ve moved, and my other responsibilities have increased, but I try and keep abreast of recent news from Phi Chapter and NU. The most important lesson I learned at Phi Chapter is: Reputation is everything. If the people with whom you have relationships don’t trust you, or respect you, or like you, or have confidence in your abilities, then those relationships, along your potential for success in life, are going nowhere. Reputation is built by repeated acts that earn trust, respect and/or confidence (to name a few), and while it will almost always take many, many repeated acts of this kind to build your reputation, it can often take just the single slightest misstep to wash your good reputation away. 4. We have another saying of “No regrets for lost opportunities,” but is there anything you wished you would have done differently at Phi Chapter? I wish I’d spent more time “just hanging out” with my brothers. I think I was always more concerned about participating in organized activities around campus, and I definitely missed out (and still miss) those days of just hanging out in the Common Room or in one of the big rooms at 2331 Sheridan. 5. What advice do you have for today’s Undergraduate Brothers? Savor every minute of it – you’ll never experience anything like it again… Phi Graduate Brothers: If you would like to be included in a “Where Are They Now?” article for a future issue of The Scribbler newsletter, please send an e-mail message to Phi Chapter Alumni Association President Skip Buckley (’80) at gabjr33@comcast.net. Note From The Editor As an international student coming into a new environment Phi Gamma Delta exceeded all my expectations of life at university and interaction amongst my peers. These are skills I will never lose, because there is nowhere else I could gain them. To those who have helped us over the years - the tougher ones and the brighter ones - through renovations, donations and just general advice, we are, and remain, grateful. Fiji was the best decision I have made at Northwestern. When I’m gone, I will only want to be back. Perge! Onwards. Blaise Hope ‘12, Corresponding Secretary 6 \r\nFiji From Afar Daniel Weller ‘12, is one of several Phi brothers studying abroad this quarter. Currently in London, we asked him to write about what Fiji means to him before he left. I’ve heard that it’s important to make every second count. When I hear this, I imagine some man, scurrying about the earth accomplishing every goal his mind can come up with. But that’s not the real recipe for a life lived to the fullest. Arbitrary accomplishments are worthless, and that is why we must give a great deal of thought to the sorts of goals we set for ourselves. If there is any time when every second counts just a little bit more, it must be in college - for those lucky enough to be there. It is in college that we are expected to decide what to do with the rest of our lives. Classes and advisers help us make these professional decisions. But to whom do we go to for guidance on women, parents or any part of life outside the professional sphere? For me, advice comes from no one person, but from all of my Fiji brothers. This might come as a surprise to the professors who make snide remarks about Greek culture, but most of what I have learned in the past two years I have learned outside of lecture. Some may see Fiji as a sort of boys club with some subversive agenda; one in direct conflict with academics. But in reality, Fiji is the institution providing me with a well-rounded education. I want to learn as much as I can about the world during my brief time here. I want to know which goals to pursue and which ones to forsake; I want to make every second count. My Fiji brothers have taught me more than I ever knew about the world, and I know I will continue to learn from them till the day I die. Other Phi Brothers Abroad Gregg Dovolis ‘11 - Melbourne, Australia Jack Davis ‘12 - Kampala, Republic of Uganda Will Dombai ‘12 - Florence, Italy Daniel Mescher ‘12 - Edinburgh, Scotland Guy Liechty ‘12 - India Recently Returned: Phil Jacobsen ‘11 - Buenos Aires, Argentina & Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam Joe Stein ‘11 - Buenos Aires, Argentina Matt Stephens ‘11 - Cape Town, South Africa 7 \r\nThe New Phi Chapter Pledge Class After Formal Initiation The 2010 Cabinet and Purple Legionaire at Fiji Academy in St. Louis this January. Thanks to them and all those too many to be named For a Great YEAR. 8 \r\n9 Eric Fish ‘01, recalls Undergraduate Fridays I was asked to write about my favorite memories from undergrad days at Phi Chapter. I was asked to keep it, um, “clean,” and that kept me from taking the easy way out by talking about Fiji Island, or the Purple Spirit Run. However, as I thought more about fun things we did of which our mothers would not be ashamed, I realized how much fun I had and how much I missed hosting our Friday afternoon tailgates. On Friday afternoons in the fall, we used to pass up a formal, cooked dinner in exchange for pounds and pounds of burgers, hotdogs, chicken, and all the related fixings. Our Tailgate Chairs would hook up the CD player and speakers, drag the 5-foot grill out in front of the house, load it up with charcoal, and prepare for the unofficial start to the weekend (for those who didn’t have class on Friday morning, the unofficial start was usually Thursday night at The Keg of Evanston and/or the Mark II Lounge – “The Deuce,” but like I said, I’m keeping it clean here). The fire would probably get lit around 5:00, and we’d keep it burning as long as people came by to hang out and grab a bite to eat. The glory of these TGs is that they were a good social scene for everyone. We were able to host people at 2331 Sheridan, which made for a low cost, low key, recruitment event and a good way for the brothers to just chill out at the end of the week. Our friends – sorority girls, non-sorority girls, and other guys from around campus knew that they could come hang out, get some dinner, and start the weekend off right. Plus, for those of us fat kids, it was a great way to take down 3-4 burgers without having anyone call you out for totally stuffing your face. Just plain fun. The memory of one TG in particular (and its aftermath) still makes me smile: It was the night before homecoming in the Fall of 1999. Most of my pledge class was living together in the Chapter House, and after a successful TG, we went out to Sheridan Road to watch part of the Homecoming Parade. After a little while, we went back to the house, pulled a couple of couches out into the quad, and put some music on to liven up the evening. Several minutes later, as students poured back past FIJI toward the North Campus dorms, they saw we were still hanging out and came by to see what was going on. A couple of people started dancing to the music coming off of our front porch, and then a few more people started dancing, and then a few more, until we had probably 50 people having an all-out dance party in front of FIJI. The dancing went on for some time, as people came and left and then came back again to dance some more. All we heard from people for the next few days was, “We had so much fun at Fiji on Friday night!” It made all of us mighty proud! I bring up this specific event because 10 years later, it still reminds me of how special my time was as an undergrad at Phi Chapter. In my current world filled with work, a kid and other adult responsibilities, I find that spontaneous dance parties after TGs don’t occur that often, making the memories of this one that much more special. Eric Fish, ‘01 From all Phi undergraduates to all Phi graduates: Thank you for everything, now and in the Future.. Phi Chapter still functions as always \r\n10 = u Phi Chapter Alumni Association of Phi Gamma Delta Fraternity The International Fraternity of Phi Gamma Delta - Phi Chapter at Northwestern University “Building a Better Future for our Brothers... Preserving our Legacy at Northwestern” November, 2010 114 Center Road Streamwood, Illinois 60107 E: gabjr33@comcast.net Dear Graduate Brothers of our Phi Gamma Delta/Fiji Chapter at Northwestern: You have been absolutely amazing with your support in recent years! Consider... 2007: We needed to raise $50,000 to pass the City of Evanston inspection — You did it! 2008: We needed to raise $65,000 for the required installation of fire sprinklers — You did it! 2009: No emergencies, but you raised $38,000 to cover needed maintenance, fire-safety upgrades, and more! 2010: So far, 30 Brothers have donated a total of $19,400! So far in 2010, here is a list in priority order of what renovations/repairs we were able to accomplish: Completely renovated 2"-floor bathroom (long overdue, looks great! — $27,000) New secure, electronic key-lock for front door ($900) Roof repairs (had some leaks — $4,000) New refigerator/freezer (old one just recently broke down — $1,200) New dining chairs (old ones were falling apart — $1,100) New “Phi Gamma Delta” sign over entrance, new entryway paint, miscellaneous house/fire-safety repairs ($2,500) As you can see, we had to dip into our Northwestern Fund 4805 to cover these expenses this summer/fall. So, anything donated now will go toward rebuilding our reserves (currently totaling about $6,000.) As soon as we raise enough money, our plans are to renovate the (A) guest bathroom on the 1° floor, and then (B) the 4"-floor bathroom. Please use the enclosed Reply Form and donate whatever you can. Remember, you have three main options to donate: 1. Phi Chapter Alumni Association (not tax-deductible) - send check via Reply Form 2. Northwestern University Fund 4805 Account (tax-deductible) - send check via Reply Form 3. Online Donation to Northwestern University (tax-deductible) - see Reply Form for instructions Yes, | realize the economy has been terrible the past couple of years. However, we still have an obligation to do what we can for our Undergraduate Brothers. Your financial support is very important to Phi Chapter’s ongoing legacy at Northwestern! Thank you in advance for your consideration. Please contact me if you have questions. Fraternally, George A. (Skip) Buckley, Jr. ('80) — gabjr33@comcast.net President, Phi Chapter Alumni Association of Phi Gamma Delta Fraternity Perge! P.S. Your help was absolutely critical to Phi Chapter’s success in recent years! If you haven't already donated in 2010, or if you would like to make a tax-deductible donation before December 31“, we would appreciate it. Thank you! \r\n11 =X yw Phi Chapter Alumni Association of Phi Gamma Delta Fraternity The International Fraternity of Phi Gamma Delta Phi Chapter at Northwestern University “Building a Better Future for our Brothers... Preserving our Legacy at Northwestern” Reply Form 1. Phi Chapter Financial Contribution — Four Options (please return form regardless of option) a YES, | would like to contribute to the goal of raising funds to make improvements at Phi Chapter. $1,000 $500 $100 Other: OPTION A - DONATE TO PHI CHAPTER ALUMNI ASSOCIATION Enclosed is my check made payable to “Phi Chapter Alumni Association of Phi Gamma Delta”. (This option gives the Phi Chapter Alumni Association more flexibility in applying the funds in a timely manner to best uses and priorities. This is NOT a tax-deductible contribution. We assure you that all donations will be used wisely and only for improvement of the House. Mail to the address below.) OPTION B — TAX-DEDUCTIBLE CONTRIBUTION TO NORTHWESTERN Enclosed is my check made payable to “Northwestern University — Fund 4805.” (Donations via this option will be deposited in the fraternity’s “4805” building fund account with Northwestern University and will be restricted to house improvements. All donations are tax-deductible. Northwestern will send you a receipt. See your tax advisor for details. Mail check to the address below.) OPTION C — ONLINE TAX-DEDUCTIBLE CONTRIBUTION TO NORTHWESTERN Go to https://nualumni.org/donate Enter "Fund #4805" in the field titled "My Designation" Enter your gift amount in the box to the right of the "My Designation" field Follow the instructions on the screen to continue entering donor information and payment details To help us track online donations, please complete and return this form with the date/amount of your donation. Mail to the address below. OPTION D — MATCHING CONTRIBUTIONS Your company/employer may have matching contributions available for donations to Northwestern University since it is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization. Please check with your employer, and just be sure that your donation is ear-marked for “Northwestern University — Fund 4805.” 2. Contact Information Name: Street Address: City: State: Zip: E-mail Address: Class Year: Please complete and return this form to: Skip Buckley, Phi Chapter Alumni Association President, 114 Center Road, Streamwood, IL 60107 “Building a Better Future for our Brothers...Preserving our Legacy at Northwestern” \r\n Nonprofit Org, Phi Gamma Delta Fraternity US Postage Paid 1201 Red Mile Road Lexington, KY Lexington, KY 40504 Permit # 540 Pledge Class Basketball BOBB COURTS, SPRING 2010