The N ittany F iji Pennsylvania State University ‐ Gamma Phi Chapter ‐ Phi Gamma Delta Fraternity ‐ Winter 2011 GAMMA PHI YEAR END REVIEW By: Bill Oliver (1967) - House Corporation President Current Officers As we say goodbye to 2011, Gamma Phi ends on a high note with much to look forward to in 2012. In other places throughout this publication you will find more information on these items of interest. President Tyler Schmitt (2013) Treasurer Kevin Hougland (2012) Recording Secretary Frank Santoriello (2012) Corresponding Secretary Ben Bastian (2014) Work on the house this past summer was held to a minimum due to the economy and several outstanding pledges. Due to the economy, I have not contacted anyPhoto taken of the house in 1964 by Jim Thomas (1965). one over the past few years regarding their baltinued publications. renovating rooms next sumances due to the Campaign. mer. However, if you still owe Pig Dinner is set for the money on your pledge, please weekend of April 20-21, While writing about money, do whatever you can this year. 2012 to be held at the Days please remember our annual We would like to continue dues that permits these con(Continued on page 2) Historian Jeff Glusman (2013) House Corporation Officers President Bill Oliver (1967) Vice President Matt Nee (1999) Secretary Charles Harte (1964) Treasurer Bob Knechtel (1972) A NOTE FROM THE CHAPTER PRESIDENT Inside this issue: By: Tyler Schmitt (2013) - Chapter President My name is Tyler Schmitt and I am currently the president of our Gamma Phi Chapter. I am a junior and have been a brother for two years now. Over those last two years, the brotherhood has not been in its most prosperous state and I think many of us are aware of that. At times it seemed as if we may not emerge from this for a long time, but this is not the case. We initiated 19 new brothers last school year and have 16 pledges this fall. The house has gone from 16 brothers living in last year to 22 this semester. With the current recruitment numbers, we plan to have the house back at full capacity, around 40 next fall. Over the last calendar year, the main focus of the cabinet has been to get everyone back involved and committed to the chapter we all know and love. I think we have reached and even surpassed this goal. (Continued on page 2) Thank You Donors 3 National Proficiency Recognition 4 Summer 2011 Renovations 5 Lost Brothers 7 \r\nNittany Fiji Page 2 A Note from the Chapter President continued... (Continued from page 1) We are committed to regaining our prestige on campus and striving to always have an impact on the university and surrounding community. We are happy with what we have accomplished to this point and are even more enthusiastic about what we will achieve in the future. It is a great time to be a Fiji but even more so to be a Gamma Phi. We hope you to see each and all of you back at the lodge soon and are looking forward to this year’s Pig Dinner. 12 of the new 16 pledges in front of the house. Gamma Phi Year End Review continued... (Continued from page 1) Inn. “Save the date” postcards will be out just after the first of the year and formal invitation in February. Fall recruitment resulted in 16 of the finest young men on campus. The Brothers and pledges are already working towards spring rush. “Plan ahead now, 2013 is the 125th anniversary of Gamma Phi and a fall celebration is being planned.” International has awarded Gamma Phi the John Templeton McCarty Chapter Proficiency Award for last year’s achievements. Congratulations to the current brothers! And more congratulations go to the Chapter for its success in working with several philanthropies this year! Plan ahead now, 2013 is the 125th anniversary of Gamma Phi and a fall celebration is being planned. AD ASTRA Gamma Phi was notified of the following deaths since January 2011. These brothers will be greatly missed and we extend our deepest sympathies to their families. William J. Dorworth (1941) - Indianapolis, IN Jack E. Morgan (1942) - Lewiston, NY William E. Stohldrier (1940) - Mooresville, NC \r\nPage 3 THANK YOU DONORS Gamma Phi would like to thank and recognize our donors. Your generosity has resulted in contributions of over $4,200 since November. If you would like to make a donation to Gamma Phi, visit www.phigam.org/netcommunity/PennStateDonations or send a check along with the form on the back page. Robert R. Hutchison, Jr. 1939 Gerald A. Curtin 1969 Roy D. Bertolet 1944 In Memory of Lydon H. Beam 1920 David E. Freas 1971 E. Robert Emmers 1948 A. Wayne Cole (Washington & Jefferson) 1950 Frank H. McKean 1951 Edward E. Birkinshaw, Jr. 1955 Peter S. Miller 1971 Robert K. Knechtel 1972 Stephen J. Gamble 1974 Thomas M. Kirsch 1974 Charles V. Henry 1956 Michael F. Leisey 1974 In Memory of Marguerite Leisey Richard J. Shutt 1959 Robert S. Buxton, Jr. 1976 Louis C. Tronzo 1959 Gregory M. Kubas 1977 Louis J. Curry 1960 Jeffrey A. Miller 1978 Samuel E. Kellams 1961 Alan W. Gesalman 1979 Gregory P. Kelley 1961 Edward C. Graham, Jr. 1979 A. William Kettenring, Jr. 1961 David B. Watson 1979 Larry R. Bason 1962 Terence P. Curley 1982 James D. Bruce 1962 Graham C. Parsons, II 1984 W. John Soost 1962 Marc A. Rossow 1991 Charles R. Harte, III 1964 Kevin M. Hanson 1995 Richard L. Stover 1965 Christopher J. Strom 1999 Robert L. Andronici 1966 Jason T. Gahres 2003 Raymond H. McCune 1967 Michael F. Niznik, Jr. 2009 David C. Necker 1967 Jeffrey C. Neyhart 1967 William L. Oliver 1967 A. Bennett Orme, Jr. 1967 Robert J. Abraham 1969 \r\nNittany Fiji Page 4 NATIONAL PROFICIENCY RECOGNITION On the night of April 22, 1848, six ambitious men and scholars in their early years at Jefferson College met with one common objective in mind. On this Saturday night, these men, who would eventually be referred to nationally as the “Immortal Six”, exchanged perspectives on the subject of fraternal association resulting in the principal of secrecy, in which only men with distinguished talents and acquirements, granted a high sense John Templeton McCarty of honor and righteous ambition should be admitted. A week later on May 1, 1848, these men met once more to ratify the constitution of Phi Gamma Delta thus resulting in the first chapter of our historic Fraternity. John Templeton McCarty was our Fraternity’s youngest founder in 1848 and was known to be the most open-hearted, generous and sociable of the “Immortal Six.” Today, he is still highly recognized by International Headquarters and his name is associated with the chapter proficiency award, recognizing those chapters which demonstrate efficiency in operations, adhere to Fraternity Laws and promote the high standards of Phi Gamma Delta. The Gamma Phi Chapter is proud to have been recognized with this certificate of proficiency in 2011 and we believe this is the first concrete sign of positive growth in the upward march of humanity. GRADUATE NEWS Donald Bartoo (1961) - Retired and living the good life in Tampa, Florida. Donald invites any Fijis vacationing or living in the area to stop by. You can contact him at dbartoo2@tampabay.rr.com. James Nash (1974) - Living in Atlanta, Georgia, and working as a Loss Prevention Specialist for Publix Supermarkets. Glenn Merritt (1977) - Daughter Katy was accepted into nursing school at the University of Alabama. Do you have news you want to include in an upcoming edition of The Nittany Fiji? Return the form on the back of the newsletter or go to www.phigam.org/PennStateGradNews. \r\nPage 5 SUMMER 2011 RENOVATIONS By: Chick Harte (1964) - House Corporation Secretary Due to a shrinking Campaign fund, the Gamma Phi advisors decided to minimize the work performed this past summer. We are hoping for various pledges to still come in so room renovations can continue in 2012. • 18 windows were replaced (replica thermo pane windows are replacing the old leaded glass units. Unless you look closely, you can not see the difference.) • A new stone wall was built around the flag pole. • All dining room table tops were given a protective coating to make them waterproof. • New doors were installed between the dining room and kitchen and between the reception room and the dining room. Again, we hope to be able to continue with full room renovations next summer! If you still owe on your campaign pledge, please remit whatever you can this year. Pictured: The house then and now. GAMMA PHI AAA SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS Academic Achievement Awards (AAA) are just one benefit the Phi Gamma Delta Educational Foundation provides to undergraduate brothers - a $250 check to new initiates for achieving at least a 3.0 GPA during their pledge term. Phi Gamma Delta is the only national fraternity or sorority to offer this blanketed scholarship that helps get our new brothers focused on their academics. Thanks to those donors who support the Phi Gamma Delta Educational Foundation. Since its inception in 1999, AAA scholarships have been awarded to 58 Gamma Phi brothers, including the brothers listed below who received the AAA this year: Benjamin P. Bastian 2014 Roby L. Bradford 2012 Pranoy Mohapatra 2014 Andrew B. Brucker 2014 Sebastian V. Rolotti 2014 \r\nNittany Fiji Page 6 PHILANTHROPY AND THE RED CROSS This year has been productive and very successful. We have held multiple philanthropies raising over $26,000 in the past year alone. As a chapter, we have logged in well over 1,800 community service hours. We started the semester off with a 9/11 philanthropy that benefitted the Families of 9/11 Organization. All day Sunday, hotdogs and hamburgers were sold for a dollar each. The brothers came out, cooked, played catch on the front lawn, and advertised while raising money for the cause. The total raised was $382. The Chapter took on the challenge of reestablishing connections with its national philanthropy, The American Red “As a chapter, we have logged in well over 1,800 community service hours.” Cross. Although the Red Cross had been missing our services over the past few years, the workers and organization as a whole were extremely pleased to see that new leadership and young members at FIJI were beginning to make moves towards reestablishing connections with its national philanthropy. This relationship was reaffirmed on the 10thof November after a successful donor blood drive sponsored by FIJI down the street at Rec Hall was accurately recorded and documented for Penn State University’s 18th Annual Blood Cup Challenge. The PSU-MSU blood donor challenge is a friendly competition between Penn State and Michigan State to see who can collect the most blood during three weeks in November. During the same time as the PSU-MSU Challenge, Penn State has the Alpha Epsilon Delta Blood cup, which is a competition within organizations and clubs at Penn State. FIJI placed 1st runner up for Greek organization and was recognized for its significant contributions at the Blood Cup awards banquet on December 5. Our recent success can be accredited to Pranoy Mohapatra (sophomore pre-med) and Garuth Acharya (sophomore Nuclear Engineering), who both put in significant time and effort in order to integrate the Red Cross back into our philanthropic efforts. Our runner up success with the PSU-MSU Challenge has only motivated us to do more for the PSU-OSU Challenge in April and will hopefully further strengthen our connections with the American Red Cross. We also hosted the IFC first gingerbread house competition at our Lodge where families from the local community came to see the winter festivities. The Mayor of State College and many important members of Penn State and the surrounding area visited the FIJI house as well. We will celebrate the 125th anniversary of Gamma Phi in the fall of 2013. Committee members are needed to start planning this special event. If you are interested, contact Bill Oliver at ollierock1@verizon.net or 610-496-7043 (cell). VISIT A PLACE OF FIJI HISTORY It is said the Immortal Six frequented the Log Cabin in 1848 and discussed the founding of Phi Gamma Delta. The Log Cabin is located in Canonsburg, PA, at the intersection of Greenside Avenue and East College Street. It is easiest located by proceeding to the Canonsburg Middle School. The log cabin sits outside the school. The school’s address is: 25 E College St Canonsburg, PA 15317-1392 \r\nPage 7 HELP US FIND LOST BROTHERS We currently do not have valid addresses for the following brothers. If you have information on their whereabouts, please email address@phigam.org. Wells H. Denney 1928 Richard S. Charles 1975 Joel E. Mitchell 1928 James M. Funk 1978 Malcolm H. Townsend 1928 James M. Musser 1979 Ralph C. Scotney , Jr. 1929 Kevin J. Murray 1981 Arthur R. Cunningham 1931 Tom Oprendek 1981 E. Parke Montague , Jr. 1931 Callas Richardson 1981 Samuel Enion 1932 James R. Rhodes 1983 Harry M. Wilson 1933 Brian Cornog 1986 Bryson M. Filbert 1936 J. Drew Bycoskie 1987 William Armstrong , III 1937 Michael A. Mosko 1987 Robert E. Schuler 1940 Matthew R. Sowash 1987 Robert P. Kapp 1944 Jason M. Scarpello 1988 Juan M. Quiros 1947 David P. Hughes 1990 Ross D. Pillsbury 1949 Mark E. Baer 1991 Raymond G. Husted 1950 Jonathan B. Leslie 1994 Roger D. Mulhollen 1951 Alexander H. Schoonmaker 1994 Robert W. Patton 1951 Cory S. Hillegass 1999 Richard M. Tomb 1953 Jonathan K. Whitenight 2001 Randell Washburn 1955 Nicholas A. Mahoney 2002 Richard A. Rivers, Jr. 1956 Matthew A. Kicinski 2006 John A. Lessig 1957 Geoffrey C. Cherry 2008 William M. Nace 1961 Jerome E. Scott 1961 Jonathan D. Stern , Jr. 1963 Thomas L. Parry, Jr. 1964 Peter J. Herrmann 1966 Steven L. Taylor 1968 Kenneth M. Thomas 1969 Thomas J. Haddad 1970 James R. Engel 1974 Joseph D. Santinoceto 1974 \r\nNonprofit Org Phi Gamma Delta Fraternity 1201 Red Mile Road Lexington, KY 40504 US Postage Paid Lexington, KY Permit # 540 HAPPY NEW YEAR FROM GAMMA PHI Information Update - Tell us about you! Please detach and return with your contact information so we can update our records. We will feature graduate updates in upcoming newsletters. If you want to share your recent news, fill in the news section for your information to be published. Name________________________________________________________ School/year__________________ Address_________________________________________________________________________________ City/State/Zip_____________________________________________________________________________ Phone (H)______________________________________(W)_______________________________________ E-mail__________________________________________________________________________________ News to share with classmates: ____________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________ Occupation ______________________________ Employer _________________________________________ CONTRIBUTE TO THE GAMMA PHI FUND I am pleased to make a contribution to Gamma Phi of : $1,000 $500 $250 $100 $50 $25 Other $_______________ I would like my donation to be used in the following area: _______________________________________________. Donations can be made on-line at www.phigam.org/netcommunity/PennStateDonations, by phone at (859)255-1848 ext 136 or send checks payable to Phi Gamma Delta - Gamma Phi to: Gamma Phi/Pennsylvania State Donations, PO Box 4599, Lexington, KY 40544 and include this form. Design, printing and mailing services provided by the International Fraternity of Phi Gamma Delta.