Delta Tau Chapter at Southern Methodist University DELTA TAUKS Spring 2010 61 YEARS OF EXCELLENCE By: Roger Stephen Meek III (2012), Corresponding Secretary Highlights • • • • During the weekend of April 9, 2010, Delta Tau celebrated its 61st anniversary and long tradition of excellence. The weekend activities began on Friday, April 9 with a brotherhood event at the Palomar Hotel, and continued on Saturday with the celebration of the annual Norris Pig Dinner at the Radisson Hotel. The Pig Dinner drew approximately 150 and the chapter welcomed the following representatives of the International Fraternity: Section Chief Bill Kramer (Gettysburg 1978) and Archon Secretary Orsen Paxton (Texas at Arlington 1971). Stanley Stevenson (1976) presided over the Dinner as Masters of Ceremonies, entertaining all in attendance. The following awards were announced during the evening: Golden Goose Award (most contribution by an undergraduate) presented to Roland St. Louis (2010); Grey Goose Award (most contribution by a graduate) presented to Ralph Shanks (1963); Overall Sports Contribution Award presented to Jarrett Daniel (2011); and the Walter Ditzler Award (most contribution by a graduating senior not on the cabinet) presented to Alex Holland (2010). Special thanks to Brother St. Louis for providing the State of the Delta Tau Chapter Address, Tyler Reed (2010) for delivering an outstanding Exile’s Toast and to Kyle Sullivan (2010) for his efforts in planning this spectacular weekend. The chapter members thank all who were in attendance and look forward to Delta Tau’s 62nd year at Southern Methodist University. BOARD OF CHAPTER ADVISORS UPDATE By: Joshua Sepkowitz (2002), BCA Co-Chairman The Delta Tau Chapter has matured over the past 12 months, overcoming significant adversity. In January, the chapter was placed on deferred suspension by the University, for numerous violations of the Student Code of Conduct. Two other houses received deferred suspensions, Phi Delta Theta and Lambda Chi Alpha, and Kappa Alpha Order was removed from campus. Despite significant challenges this spring in the broader SMU Greek community, the chapter members rallied and challenged each other to behave more responsibly and to refocus on the values of Phi Gamma Delta. The BCA is proud to report (Continued on page 2) • Delta Tau has the largest membership of any fraternity at SMU, with 130 undergraduate brothers. Over 150 graduates and guests attended Pig Dinner. 29 new brothers were initiated this spring. The new cabinet’s main areas of focus are improving organizational structure, risk management, graduate relations and ritual. Help us update our alumni database and find lost brothers so we can stay in touch with everyone! Visit www.fiji-smu.org to update your contact information. INTRAMURALS 2010 Basketball First Place Softball First Place Flag Football Second Place Golf Second Place Overall Second Place \r\nDELTA TAUKS Page 2 Board of Chapter Advisors Update continued... “All brothers, graduate or undergraduate, should be very proud of the positive steps the chapter made this semester.” (Continued from page 1) that since January, the chapter has received no charges of misconduct by the University. All brothers, graduate or undergraduate, should be very proud of the positive steps the chapter made this semester. Delta Tau is at a precipice, and the BCA believes the challenges and ensuing triumphs of this year have set the chapter on a strong course. Despite the setbacks experienced this school year, the chapter has excelled in numerous areas. Delta Tau has the largest membership of any fraternity at SMU, with 130 undergraduate brothers. The chapter revamped the Pledge Education program, and initiated 29 members this spring. Brothers participated in numerous community service projects, including Hearts of Haiti, Trinity Church Ministries, Dallas Afterschool Network and Relay for Life. Robert Hayden (2010) served as the Student Trustee on the SMU Board of Trustees this school year. Brothers Andrew Biskind (2011), Stephen Meek (2012) and Eric Sabandal (2013) received Student Senate Scholarships for academic excellence and Delta Tau maintained a GPA above 3.0. Additionally, the chapter recently held its 61st Norris Pig Dinner, where Stan Stevenson (SMU 1976) served as Master of Ceremonies. Thank you Stan for the time and energy you have committed to vastly improving Pig Dinner the past two years. Current members and graduate brothers have contributed much this year to Delta Tau and the SMU community and “Snaps” for their efforts. The newly elected cabinet, led by President Costa Kontoulis (2011) is focused on a variety of areas, including improving organizational structure, risk management, graduate relations and ritual. The BCA is currently undertaking a complete reorganization, due to the retirement of Ralph Shanks (1963) as BCA Chairman, Jerry Ray (1961) as BCA Treasurer and Cole Stephens (1961). Without the commitment and service of these brothers, the chapter’s future would look much different. 2010 DELTA TAU CHAPTER PLEDGE CLASS • Kristian Edwards Andaas Charlotte, NC • Michael Collin Quigley Scottsdale, AZ • Terrence Robert Andersen San Antonio, TX • Sam Edward Quinif Phoenix, AZ • Kevin Michael Burton Dallas, TX • Blake Preston Rankin Houston, TX • Christopher Myles de Vilder Arlington, TX • Albert Corey Rasmussen Pacific Palisades, CA • Jack Corrie Dowling Wailuku, HI • Eric Karl Dorotheo Sabandal Indianapolis, IN • Gerald Walter Fawcett Chicago, IL • John Steven Sabo Jr. South Bend, IN • Phillip Friis Gulf Stream, FL • Brian Thomas Snee Long Beach, CA • Sean Michael Higgins Houston, TX • Samuel Aspinwall Welles Wellington, FL • Craig Adam Jackson Newport Beach, CA • Trev Thomas Wilgus Evansville, IN • Jeffrey Lawrence Jones Newport Beach, CA • Kristopher William Lowry Ada, OK • Charles Anthony Margiotta Jacksonville Beach, FL • Wyatt Lee Mesh Kansas City, KS • Joshua Alexander Moore Springfield, IL • Jeremy Joseph Moran Greenwich, CT • Andrew Walter Nollman New York, NY • Jacob Colin O’Dell Oklahoma City, OK • St. John Scott Ogilvie Pacific Palisades, CA • John Rex Potts IV Houston, TX • Cameron Jaryd Purcell Jacksonville, FL \r\nDELTA TAUKS Page 3 ALUMNI OUTREACH PROGRAM HELP US FIND LOST BROTHERS One of the chapter’s primary goals is to increase overall graduate involvement. There are many Delta Tau graduates who have requested more information on the happenings at the chapter. To that end, Delta Tau is first working to update its entire contact list. Fraternity Management Group has been hired to assist the chapter in vastly improving its graduate relations pro- gram. The chapter now has an official website, www.fiji-smu.org, where graduates can update their contact information, view news and photographs and much more. Delta Tau plans to begin sending a biannual newsletter to all graduate brothers, but updated contact information is needed. The chapter is currently recruiting class chairs to help get the word out about the website and the need to update contact information. If you have an interest in serving as a class chair, please contact Stephen Meek, Recording Secretary, at (479) 651-4368 or rmeek@mail.smu.edu. Thank you for your continued support. DELTA TAU CABINET From Left to Right: Andrew Biskind (2011) - Chapter Historian abiskind@smu.edu Jon Aker (2012) - Recording Secretary jaker@smu.edu Costa Kontoulis (2011) - Chapter President ckontoulis@smu.edu Stephen Meek (2012) - Corresponding Secretary Rmeek@smu.edu Tyler West (2010) - Chapter Treasurer twest@smu.edu Information Update Please send us your new contact information so we can update our records. Updates can also be made any time at www.fiji-smu.org. Name________________________________________________________ School/year__________________ Address_________________________________________________________________________________ City/State/Zip_____________________________________________________________________________ Phone (H)______________________________________(W)_______________________________________ E-mail__________________________________________________________________________________ Send to: Josh Sepkowitz, 3401 Armstrong Ave., Dallas, TX 75205 Design services provided by the International Fraternity of Phi Gamma Delta.