PHI GAMMA DELTA IMPORTANT DATES: S P R I N G Pig Dinner April 17, 2010 Hot-Tub-a-Thon April 23-24, 2010 Graduation May 8, 2010 INSIDE THIS ISSUE: FIJI Running for State Senate 1 Pig Dinner Plans 3 Finalized A Letter From the President Ace of Diamonds 4 2 0 1 0 M A R C H 2 3 , 2 0 1 0 Local FIJI Running for State Senate At the recent Christmas Luncheon, Brother Andrew Wilson (Indiana 1999) was in attendance and spoke to the assembled Phi Gam’s about his campaign for Indiana State Senate. Brother Wilson is currently traveling around Posey, Gibson, and Vanderburgh counties spreading the word about his candidacy. Originally from New Harmony, a graduate of Indiana University, and a proud member of the Zeta Chapter, Brother Wilson took time out of his busy schedule to answer a few questions. 1. What sparked your interest in public service? I have been civic minded since I was a young kid in New Harmony that continued into my days at IU. Upon returning from IU to start my career in southern Indiana, I started volunteering with a few non-profit organizations. In 2009, I made a couple of trips to the Indiana Statehouse to provide testimony and lobby against a bill that involved public education. It was then that I got excited about doing my part in public service. So, in many ways I am discovering that I have always had a strong calling to service. Truthfully, if you would have asked me a year ago, I would have had no idea I would be running for Indiana State Senate in 2010. 2. What do you hope to accomplish if elected? My goals as an elected official are centrally, to make a difference for the people of Indiana. My approach to politics is open-minded and reality-based. I hope to create a mindset that we can embrace and promote for future generations of Hoosiers. We must develop a world class education system; create a business friendly environment; and cultivate a well-rounded live/work lifestyle to allow young Hoosiers to recognize the opportunities they can create for themselves in Indiana. 3. What's been the most difficult part of political life? Political life is very intoxicating. Each public appearance makes a certain statement. Each conversation yields a unique public opinion. People are watching. Now, more than ever, it is vitally important to stay grounded and focused. 4. How's the campaign going so far? I am pleased with the progress and encouraged by the response. We announced the campaign in late October of 2009, and raised $25,000 in the first eight weeks, outpacing others in the race 5-to-1. This, I believe is an indication of one, how hard we are prepared to work, and two, the response on the part of voters \r\nPAGE 2 and people for a fresh, and aggressive approach to representation. “Politics is about vision, character, and leadership – qualities 5. Who are you running against, and what sets you apart from your opponent? that were strengthened through I have a primary election on May 4, which is the first major milestone. The general election will be in November of 2010. I believe the single biggest advantage we have for the race is our energy and approach. I’m 30, and I think that is a good thing. I believe that anyone who knows me would say that in anything I do, I have aspirations to leadership. Evansville and SW Indiana deserve good leadership. my involvement with the Phi Gam network.” -Andrew Wilson (Indiana ‘99) 6. Did you learn anything from your undergrad days that prepared you for politics? Politics is about vision, character, and leadership – qualities that were strengthened through my involvement with the Phi Gam network. Mostly, however, politics is about relationships, and I learned the importance of relationships at Zeta and IU. I maintain strong relationships with many Phi Gams, which have proven important and vital as I endeavor into politics. New EI President, Ben Deutsch (2012) ACE OF DIAMONDS Brother Andrew Wilson (IU 1999) Running for Indiana State Senate 7. If an Evansville Phi Gam was interested in contributing time or money to your campaign, how could he help? Interested parties can contact me personally, via Andrew@hoosiers4wilson.com or my direct line, 812.457.9909. Our campaign is interested in the connections, and the financial resources the Phi Gam network can help us achieve. We are seeking volunteers for our grassroots organization, and specifically people who can go door-to-door or make phone calls to help us spread our message. We are also looking for speaking engagements and people to host meet-andgreet parties, or the all important fundraisers. Financial contributions can be made payable to Friends of Andrew Wilson, and mailed to: PO Box 130 New Harmony, IN 47631 \r\nSPRING 2010 PAGE Pig Dinner Weekend Plans Finalized The 10th anniversary celebration of the Epsilon Iota Chapter, coinciding with our annual Frank Norris Pig Dinner, promises to be a full and memorable weekend. Led by Pig Dinner Chairman Tyler Condrey (EI 2011), the undergraduates have worked for months to put together a full slate of events. On Thursday, April 15, the chapter will be thanking the university for its support over the last decade. From 4 PM to 6 PM, the undergrads will be welcoming administration and faculty into Olmstead Hall for drinks and refresh- ments. Any graduate FIJIs are welcome to attend. On Friday, April 16, as our out-of-town brothers begin coming into Evansville, the undergrads have arranged for a reception at Kipplee’s Party House of Boeke Rd. Starting at 6 PM and lasting until whenever everyone decides to leave, appetizers and pizza will be provided. A cash bar with beer and wine will also be available. Significant others are also welcome at this event, and will cost $10 a person. On Saturday, April 17, a full day of events is planned. On the University of Evansville campus, the annual Bike Race will be taking place. For the first time this year, there will be an alumni race preceding the men’s race. Ed Allen (EI 2005) has organized a team of Epsilon Iota and local Evansville Phi Gam grads to test their mettle against a swarm of Sig Ep’s and Lambda Chi’s. The EI undergrads are also competing with two teams in the premier UE intramural event of the year at 1:30. They have been preparing for months and would appreciate any support they can get. A golf scramble has also been arranged at Eagle Valley Golf Course on the north side of Evansville. The first tee time is at 11 AM and the cost of 18 holes will be $40, payable at the course. There are only 20 spots available, and they may fill fast, so quickly contact Jon Kissel (EI 2006) at (812) 5504476 or at jonkissel1848@gmail.com to reserve your spot. Later in the afternoon at 5 PM, the GAB will be meeting at the Cambridge Country Club. All are welcome to attend and give advice or counsel. Cocktail hour will then start at 5:30, to be followed by Pig Dinner at 7 PM. Chris Rafferty (EI 2001) and his new baby girl, Clare Elizabeth. Lastly, on Sunday, April 18, the undergrads have prepared a farewell reception at the Fraternity house at 1 PM. The pig will be served, along with sides and drinks. RSVPs for the weekend can be made through the invites that were mailed in the last few weeks. The undergrads have also added a link to their chapter website at www.uefiji.org. By following the links from the homepage, you can RSVP and pay the dinner fee of $45 and/or the $10 Kipplee’s fee. We hope to see many of you in a few weeks! 3 \r\nA Letter From the President Brothers, during spring recruitment, Musical Madness was where we showed The spring semester has been an our true colors. Paired with Zeta exciting one for the Epsilon Iota Tau Alpha, we swept the awards Chapter, with many good things in this contest for the second year occurring and many more things to in a row, taking first place in best look forward to. overall performance, first in crowd pleaser, best actor, best actress, This semester began with the reand best director. turn of 13 of our brothers various countries abroad, including HarBesides our chapter-wide accomlaxton and Japan. Their return plishments, we have also had a helped to strengthen our brother- few shining stars among our chaphood and greatly increased our ter, most notably Junior Brad Kaspresence on campus. During the trup’s election as IFC president. first few weeks of the semester, He has worked hard to revitalize our main focus was on recruitment IFC to make it a useful institution. and Musical Madness. While we Working closely with school advipledged three additional fine sors, he has helped rewrite the young men for the spring semester constitution and even attended the national conference for interfraternity councils across the nation. In addition to this great accomplishment, we added two brothers to Order of Omega, had a brother named to an RA position, and had an additional brother become an orientation leader. David Riedford (EI 2011) in a squirrel costume, in the process of winning Musical Madness award for Best Actor for the second year in a row. There are still many more things to look forward to this semester. On April 17, in addition to Bike Race, we will be celebrating our 10th anniversary Pig Dinner since our chartering. The following weekend we will have our annual Hot-Tub-a-Thon philanthropy, where we hope to raise $10,000. We are also looking forward to a brotherhood retreat, our parent’s dinner, as well as formal in St. Louis. I want to thank you for all of your support during my term as chapter president of Epsilon Iota. I hope you continue to carry Fiji in your heart as we try to live excellence everyday. I encourage you to stay in contact with me, at (812) 4572308 or dr77@evansville.edu. Thank you. Fraternally, David Riedford University of Evansville ‘11 Outgoing Chapter President Perge! Epsilon Iota Outgoing President David Riedford Phi Gamma Delta 227 S. Lincoln Park Dr. Evansville, IN 47714 Visit Epsilon Iota on the web at http://www.uefiji.org “Not for college days alone.” President Ben Deutsch bd102@evansville.edu Hot-Tub-A-Thon Chair Ryan Ebersole re19@evansville.edu