Mu Mumbles University of Wisconsin - Phi Gamma Delta Fraternity - Summer 2012 Edition A NOTHER RIVALRY RUN SUCCESS ! By: Leo Warman (2012) After much hard work, we are pleased to report that the 2011 Fiji Rivalry Run raised over $9,000 for the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund. Again beating the University of Minnesota's fundraising total, the replica Paul Bunyan's Axe Trophy remains at 16 Langdon. Bolstered by a generous donation from Badger head football coach Bret Bielema, numerous personal donations from family members and grads alike, as well as multiple on-campus fundraisers, the Phi Gams have garnered unprecedented awareness for the annual philanthropy. Running over 270 miles from Madison to Minneapolis is no easy task, as sororities noticed and took part in the many local fundraisers. Realizing the ceiling has not yet IMPORTANT DATES July 28 Brewers Game August 27 Recruitment Starts October 27 Homecoming been reached, preparations for this year’s run are already underway. At the Norris Pig Dinner, $650 was raised, serving as a great launching pad for the 2012 effort. We are soliciting corporate sponsorships and looking to improve on the buzz that last year’s run received here at UW. In the works is a promotional video with Athletic Director Barry Alvarez and possibly an on-field ceremony in which a giant check is given to Tom Mooney, CEO of the Badger Chapter Red Cross. Graduate support for this event has been a big part in the run's success over the last three years, and we expect it to also have a big impact on the 2012 event. Please continue to aid us in our efforts to achieve the full potential of this admirable cause. We are currently accepting donations by credit card at www.fijirun.com or by check sent to 16 Langdon. UPDATE YOUR CONTACT INFO If you have not already done so, please update your contact info by emailing Corresponding Secretary Luke Nevermann at lnevermann@wisc.edu. HOMECOMING - SAVE THE DATE! The weekend of October 26-27 is the University of Wisconsin’s Homecoming. On Saturday the 27th, the Badgers will be taking on the Michigan State Spartans in what is sure to be a great game. We will have a cookout at the house after the game, so throw on your Badger red and make your way to Madison for a great weekend! Family and friends are more than welcome. Please feel free to contact Luke Nevermann at lnevermann@wisc.edu if you have any questions. \r\nM U M UMBLES P AGE 2 SPRING FORMAL - MU’S NEW TRADITION By: Rolf Ieuter (2014) - Chapter Treasurer This past semester, we had our first outof-town formal since our re-chartering. This exciting new addition to our social calendar is something we will be continuing. The anticipation of our spring formal was almost unbearable, as it was the weekend after many of us had midterms. However, after hitting the books hard, our spring formal was a much needed vacation weekend. On March 24, we packed two doubledecker coach busses with Mu Chapter’s own FIJI gentlemen and their stunning dates. After a four-hour bus ride full of car games and flirting, we finally arrived at our destination about 200 miles north of Madison: Eagle Waters Resort in Eagle River. We rented three giant cabins and hotel suites for the graduat- ing seniors. The beautiful resort was located directly on Eagle Lake. We also rented the ballroom, complete with a bar and appetizers, and had an amazing evening. Our spring formal was a complete success. Stories of FIJI formal were heard up and down Langdon throughout the following weeks. Even more importantly, a few days after our return to Madison, the resort manager called with nothing but positive remarks. To our delight she said, “Your group was the most polite group of guests I have dealt with all year,” and asked us to come back again. So with our spring formal already planned for next year, I have started planning our fall formal, which hopefully will be even better than our spring formal and most importantly will allow us to continue spreading our FIJI charm. THANK YOU, MOM’S CLUB! By: Jackson Rohde (2013) - Historian In order to get our mothers involved with the well-being of the chapter, the Mom’s Club was started in the fall of 2011. They haven’t done any dishes or helped with house cleanings, but through the Mom’s Club, our mothers have graciously provided financial support directed toward house improvements. The moms were very happy to become involved and the club is off to a great start. At their first meeting in October, they created a list of objectives, and since then many improvements have been made. Objectives high in priority were an organized kitchen, a furnished foyer, curtains for the Great Hall, and matching dining room chairs. Since October, the moms have raised enough money to purchase six dozen plates, forks, spoons, and knives, new dishwasher holders, and new kitchen cabinets. The moms continue to brainstorm new improvements. We are very thankful to have them contribute to the long term well-being of the house. PIG DINNER 2012 - OVER 100 BROTHERS ATTEND By: Bryan Mette (2012) On April 28, the brothers hosted the annual Frank Norris Pig Dinner, garnering an attendance of over 100 brothers. The ceremonies were located at the Edgewater Hotel, where brothers from around the country and spanning decades from the 1950’s to the 2010’s feasted upon the finest fare and libations. Various speakers gave updates about the fraternity, including President Martin Uraga (2012) who gave the annual state of the Chapter. Also, brothers John Siewert (1950) and Bryan Linton (2015) had the honor of kissing the snout and rump of the porker, respectively. It was also announced that the undergraduate brothers had approved the purchase of a new dock. The brothers hope that this phenomenal improvement to 16 Langdon demonstrates a commitment to the house in the long term. After the dinner, the brothers went to Hawk’s on State Street to continue the festivities. From there, brothers continued on to other Madison institutions like State Street Brats (The Brathaus) for a red brat, the Kollege Klub for swamp water, and Parthenon for a gyro. All in all, the event was a resounding success and paved the way for an even larger Pig Dinner in 2013. Special thanks goes to Archon Councilor Mike Lucas (Bradley 1983), who delivered the keynote address and PL Mike Wygocki (Western Michigan 1986), who was named Graduate Brother of the Year. \r\nP AGE 3 A MESSAGE FROM THE CHAPTER PRESIDENT By: Martin Uraga (2013) - Chapter President Like a phoenix, reborn from its own ashes, the Mu Chapter is back in action here at the University of Wisconsin. On April 4, the Chapter celebrated its third anniversary since re-chartering in the spring of 2009, and since it has pledged nine classes (Alphas through Iotas), reaching an impressive current membership of 78 brothers. As the fifth brother since the recolonization to be elected to the position of Chapter President, it has been incredibly encouraging to witness the progress that all the brothers at 16 Langdon have achieved in such a short span of time. Nonetheless, we are reminded every day that we are a young chapter, still learning the ways to conduct operations, how to maintain a balance between scholar- ship and Fraternity life, as well as keeping up with the old Mu traditions. formal, and of course keeping our chapter GPA well above the 3.0 mark. Most importantly, we have a plan. After finishing up a very successful semester this spring, we have all our expectations clear for next fall. By the end of 2012, we aim to have initiated 30 more members, to finally reach the 100-brother mark. Starting the school year in 2013-14, the house at 16 Langdon will be home to 42 brothers, the first time since re-chartering that the house has been at maximum capacity. Along with our very successful Rivalry Run philanthropy, we are planning to incorporate two more events, a blood drive with the Red Cross in the Great Hall, and a philanthropic concert at the house with The Madhatters. All of this, on top of a full social calendar, overnight Lastly, but just as important, we are committed to reach out to all our graduate brothers who have not had a chance to be involved with our chapter lately. The house at 16 Langdon is always open to visitors, and we are already looking forward to our Homecoming event in the fall. As undergraduates, we need all the help and support possible from our graduate brothers in order to live up to our motto that Fiji “Is Not For College Days Alone.” We are back, and on our way to becoming the best fraternity at the University. Please join us in the process. PROJECT HOME: HAMMER WITH A HEART By: Mike Wygocki (Western Michigan 1986) - Purple Legionnaire This May, 11 Mu FIJI's participated in Hammer with a Heart, sponsored by NARI of Madison, for the Project Home charity of Dane County. This year's house was remodeled to provide access for the owner, who has MS. The remodeling included a universal design kitchen, bathrooms, doorways and a ramp to the outside. Also included in the work were landscaping and the rebuilding/ adding of screens to the porch off of the main living area. Brother Charlie Vaughn (1986) organized the Mu Chapter involvement and said that the project would not have been completed without the involvement of the brothers. Over the course of the semester, brothers also spent time at a variety of philanthropic events that included volunteering at a local Madison food bank, donating blood, and participating in Pi Phi’s Trivia Night, Relay for Life, and Alpha Phi’s Cardiac Arrest. IOTA PLEDGE CLASS - SPRING 2012 By: Eric L. Lied (2014) - Pledge Educator This spring, we were proud to initiate 9 gentlemen as new brothers in FIJI. The Iota Pledge Class consists of Jared Borislow (Class Secretary), Bryan Davia, Daniel Ebsen, Maximilian Fanning (Class Treasurer), Cody Jorgenson, Connor Kepchar, and Alex Newell (Class President). As a pledge project, the Iota class stained the Snark Deck and the picnic tables (built by the Delta’s) on the deck, as well as cleaning and painting a section of the basement. They were initiated on April 27, 2012, the night before Pig Dinner. After spending three months with these young men during their pledgeship, I am proud of the progress they have made and to call them my brothers. I have been especially impressed with the level of involvement of the Iota’s, and the tightness of their pledge class brotherhood. Their friendship exemplifies our motto: “Friendship - the sweetest influence.” \r\nPhi Gamma Delta Fraternity 1201 Red Mile Road Lexington, KY 40504 Nonprofit Org US Postage Paid Lexington, KY Permit # 540 Mu Mumbles is a biannual publication of the undergraduate members for the graduate members, parents, and friends of the Mu Chapter of the Fraternity of Phi Gamma Delta. All correspondence regarding this publication should be directed to Corresponding Secretary Luke Nevermann at lnevermann@wisc.edu. Undergraduate Officers Martín Uraga (2013) - Chapter President Rolf Iueter (2014) - Chapter Treasurer John Williams (2014) - Recording Secretary Luke Nevermann (2013) - Corresponding Secretary Jackson Rohde (2013) - Chapter Historian Purple Legionnaire Mike Wygocki (Western Michigan 1986) mikew@demco.com Mu Mumbles Contributors Luke Nevermann Martín Uraga Rolf Ieuter Jackson Rohde Leo Warman Bryan Mette Eric Lied For more information and to stay up-to-date with your chapter, please visit www.madisonfiji.com or www.mugrads.com. Design, printing and mailing services provided by the International Fraternity of Phi Gamma Delta.