Phi Gamma Delta THE BUCKEYE FIJI Volume 1, Issue 1 Summer 2008 ANOTHER GREAT TRADITION... REBORN Omicron Deuteron is proud to bring back yet another great tradition of the chapter, the publication of “The Buckeye FIJ.I” This biannual publication will be a newsletter designed to inform graduate brothers regarding the state of the chapter, Graduate news, and other important FIJI information. -This year, our chapter has contributed over 1,000 man hours of service. PIG DINNER OCTOBER 24th This year, the annual Frank Norris Pig Dinner will be returning to the Athletic Club of Columbus. Festivities will be held on the evening of Friday, October 24 2008. The traditional tailgate will be held at the chapter house before the game against Penn State. If you did not receive your invitation, please let us know by e-mail at ohiostatefiji@gmail.com 2008 Greek Awards For the 2nd year in a row, and the 3rd time in the past 4 years, Phi Gamma Delta came home from the Greek awards banquet with the prestigious William H. Hall Chapter of the Year award. It was incredibly reassuring to see that the university recognizes the huge strides that the chapter has made in the past year. Other awards won by the chapter include Best Greek Collaboration for the relationship abuse awareness program that we hosted with the ladies of Alpha Chi Omega, Outstanding Philanthropy for the FIJI Rivalry Run, and the Outstanding Membership Development Award, recognizing our extensive new member program. Several individuals shined at the awards banquet as well. Junior Andrew Aten (Centerville ‘05) and freshman Nicky Menon (Wyoming, OH ‘07) both won Outstanding New Member. Sophomore Rob Bonacci (Akron ’06) won the University Involvement award. 2008 Homecoming Court For the 6th year in a row, the Omicron Deuteron Chapter will be represented on the 2008 OSU Homecoming Court. This years representatives are Andrew Aten (Centerville ‘09), Daniel Do (North Olmsted ‘10), and Gregory Ebersole (Stongsville ‘10). The Chapter is very proud of these three and looks forward to seeing them represent FIJI at the many Homecoming Court events throughout the fall and on the field for the Homecoming game this October. Keep your eyes peeled for details on the Homecoming tailgate scheduled for the OSU vs. PSU game on October 25. Inside this Issue: RIVALRY RUN 2 GRADUATE NEWS 2 INVOLVEMENT 3 GROWTH 3 ATHLETICS 3 PRESIDENT’S REPORT 4 \r\nPage 2 THE BUCKEYE FIJI RIVALRY RUN ENTERS ITS 5TH YEAR The FIJI Rivalry Run Against Cancer is a philanthropy, co -founded by the chapters at Tony Zimmerman-President Ohio State & Michigan, to Zimmerman.266@osu.edu benefit the American Paul Brandstetter–Treasurer Cancer Society. This year, on the Friday morning Brandstetter.5@osu.edu before the M*ch*g@n game, Matt Stolz-Recording Sec. brothers in Pi Kappa Alpha Stolz.11@osu.edu and FIJI from “that school Doug Winters– Corresponding Sec. up north”, will begin to run Winters.110@osu.edu an official game ball, relay style, south towards Ohio Greg Ebersole-Historian Stadium. When the ball Ebersole.25@osu.edu reaches Findley, Ohio, it will be handed to Ohio State brothers who will continue 2008 Officers running throughout the early morning into Columbus for the pre-game celebration. This year, our efforts have increased exponentially, in hopes that we might eclipse the $60,000 that was raised last year. In addition to corporate sponsorship packets being sent out, an autumn golf outing is in the works, so be on the lookout for further information. approach for sponsorship or that would like to donate to the ACS, please contact Tony Gallenstein at gallenstein.6@osu.edu. We are always open for ideas! He will gladly talk with you about how you can best help us in our fight against cancer! If you have any suggestions of companies that we could Letter From the President Graduate Brothers, It is with great pleasure that we bring to you yet another great Omicron Deuteron tradition… The Buckeye FIJI. When originally formulated, this mailing was used to keep Graduate Brothers updated on the many happenings of the undergraduate chapter. We am proud to say that years later, we are able to use this same means to connect brothers over various generations. Since the re-chartering in 2005, the Chapter has been blessed with great success. Within only a few months of chartering, the chapter received the IFC Chapter of the Year Award, which was again awarded to the Chapter in 2007 & 2008. Omicron Deuteron has also continued to expand the influence of Phi Gamma Delta across the Ohio State University’s campus, raising its total chapter membership to a record high since rechartering 70 men. The many accomplishments of the Chapter would not have been possible without the continuous assistance offered from our Graduate Brothers. Through this means of support, the Chapter has built itself as one of the strongest fraternities on Ohio State’s campus, as well as one of the strongest chapters in the International Fraternity. However, as we pursue the continuous efforts of becoming an even better chapter, we require an even stronger base to build upon. Your support can make the difference as we continue to grow. This support is by no means only financial, rather, support as simple as attending a Pig Dinner at The Athletic Club, offering advice to the chapter officers based on your previous experience, or even joining a local Graduate chapter in your area to spread the good news of Phi Gamma Delta and Ohio State. Each of these is equally desired. I encourage you to recall fond memories of Phi Gamma Delta and to contact those brothers with whom you shared a special bond. After all, friendship is the sweetest influence. I thank you again for the great support you have offered to us so far and I hope to see you this year at the Frank Norris Pig Dinner on October 24th 2008. Fraternally, Tony Zimmerman Perge! If you know an Omicron Deuteron graduate who did not receive this newsletter, please have them contact our International Headquarters at (859) 255-1848 to update their information. \r\nPage 3 Volume 1, Issue 1 FIJI EXCELS IN ACADEMICS AND INVOLVEMENT When evaluating the academic strength of the Chapter, there is no question that brothers spend a fair amount of time studying. In spring quarter, the Chapter achieved an average GPA of 3.45, earning Phi Gamma Delta the top spot when compared to every other Greek chapter on campus. As if this were not impressive enough, the in -house average GPA of 3.54 also put FIJI at the top of the “chapter house” grade report. With all of this accomplished, one might think that the chapter members do nothing except study, however, this could not be further from the truth. FIJIs are recognized as top leaders in Residence Hall Advisory Council, Mirrors Sophomore Honorary, Chimes, Sphinx Senior Honorary, Order of Omega Greek Honorary, and the Student-Alumni Council. Our very own Andrew Aten is Brutus Buckeye, and cheered on the Buckeyes at the National Championship in New Orleans, as well as the NIT tournament in NYC. Though brothers are very dedicated to the Chapter, some find time to participate in club sports, Undergraduate Student Government, Campus Crusade for Christ, as volunteers at local elementary schools, and as Resident Advisors. Overall, the chapter members have done a phenomenal job at expending the influence of Phi Gamma Delta across campus. “I feel like even though I’m no longer Andrew Aten as soon as I put on that Brutus head, it’s a great way to get out and show people just how passionate FIJIs are” SIGN UP FOR MONTHLY OSU FIJI UPDATE Over the past year, the Chapter was looking for a way to spread the good chapter news to its many graduate brothers. This materialized into the “OSU FIJI Update,” which is a brief memo-style e-mail sent at the beginning of every month to inform graduate brothers of recent happenings in the chapter, as well as to communicate important dates for the future. If you are currently not receiving this update and would like to, please send an e -mail to ohiostatefiji@gmail.com to be added to the list. Many graduate brothers who currently receive this communication compliment it as a brief, yet informative way to stay involved with the Chapter. PHI GAMS SHINE IN ATHLETICS Through everything, Phi Gams still had a bit of time to have fun. After leading a successful regular season, the two FIJI softball teams found themselves playing each other for the intramural championship! The flag-football team advanced all the way to the quarter finals. Unprecedented success was Omicron Deuteron Chapter at Winter Formal seen in basketball, as the squad went undefeated in the regular season, but eventually lost in the final four. Several brothers also did the Chapter proud by winning two separate intramural ice hockey championships in an open class tournament for their respective teams. Chapter brothers from both FIJI softball teams after the championship game. \r\nPhi Gamma Delta Fraternity 1201 Red Mile Road Lexington, KY 40504 Nonprofit Org US Postage Paid Lexington, KY Permit # 540 GRADUATE NEWS Iota pledge class at the FIJI formal in March Robert (Bob) Prior (1963) reports that he is enjoying retirement after 44 years of running businesses. He spent most of his career in the distribution business, including as the CEO of the distributor for Trane heating and air conditioning products. Distribution rights included the southern half of the state of Ohio plus parts of Indiana and Kentucky. Brother Prior is married (Patti) with three children (one still at home) and two granddaughters. He and Patti spend their summer months at Lake Erie enjoying their condo and SeaRay boat. He closed by saying that last year's Pig Dinner was the best one he has ever attended and would like to encourage more brothers to make plans now to attend the next Norris Pig Dinner, October 24. Bob wanted to warn his pledge brothers that he intends to put the "full Brother Dennis DiTullio court press" on them to return to (2005) competing in the Columbus next fall to take part. Boston Marathon -David Faulkner (2005) got married in June. -Matt Miller (2005) is recently engaged. -Justin Burns (2007) after serving one year as a Field Secretary has recently been promoted to Director of Expansion at Phi Gamma Delta International Headquarters in Lexington, Kentucky. Justin was promoted to assist the Fraternity in achieving its strategic goal for expansion of 170 chapters by its 170th anniversary. Dennis DiTullio (2005) recently completed the Boston Marathon in 3 hours 47 minutes and 7 seconds. If you would like to be included in the next FIJI e-mail update or the next Buckeye FIJI, please send an e-mail to ohiostatefiji@gmail.com.