The R ho A lpha R eport The Rho Alpha Chapter of Phi Gamma Delta at Virginia Tech - Spring 2013 40th PIG DINNER BRINGS RECORD ATTENDANCE By: Brac Webb (2005) With a record number of attendees (300 brothers and guests), our 40th annual Pig Dinner was a momentous night and a memorable weekend. As is our tradition, a few brothers descended upon the golf course Friday morning. Upon their return from the links, many had already be- Things to Know gun to gather at Hokie House where we kicked off the annual Grad Party … and eventual grad bar crawl. After the Graduate Association meeting Saturday morning, we held this year’s barbeque on the patio bar of • Rho Alpha raised $31,001.84 for the V Foundation at the 2012 Run Across Virginia - a chapter record! • The 40th Pig Dinner had over 300 attendees. • Take the 1972 challenge by committing to donate $19.72 monthly to Rho Alpha. • Plan now to attend the 41st Pig Dinner on April 27, 2013. (Continued on page 3) TAKE THE 1972 CHALLENGE 100 MEMBERS BY PIG DINNER 2013 There have been some new developments with regard to the funding of our new chapter house, which we will announce at the Graduate Association meeting on April 27. Having said that, the sole purpose of this article is to ask for your help. The Graduate Association set an aggressive yet realistic goal of increasing our 1972 club membership to 100 by the start of Pig Dinner 2013 and we need your help getting there. For those of you who don’t know, the 1972 club is a group of donors who graciously donate $19.72 or more to the Rho Alpha Graduate Chapter each month. While $19.72 (the cost of a couple drinks for you Northern Virginia folks!) doesn’t sound like a lot individually, almost $2,000 per month in donations would go a very long way in helping the Graduate Associa- tion and undergraduate chapter achieve their financial goals for 2013 and 2014. There are the three important expenses these donations will fund: 1. One of the most important traditions of our fraternity is in jeopardy at (Continued on page 3) Inside this issue: 2012 Run Across Virginia - Biggest Yet! 2 Meet the Leadership 4 Financial Report 5 Thank You Donors 7 \r\nRho Alpha Report Page 2 2012 FIJI RUN ACROSS VIRGINIA - BIGGEST YET! The Rho Alpha Chapter raised a total of $31,001.84 for the V Foundation, which is a chapter record. The event total reached $52,506.84, which is also a record. www.fijirunacrossvirginia.com. The website includes a run synopsis, V Foundation information, video and photos from past years and donation and sponsorship information. The Brothers of FIJI created a new website for the football run: The bus was filled with brothers awaiting their opportunity to carry the game ball home to Lane Stadium. Dick Vitale also known as “Dickie V,” an American basketball sportscaster, got in on the Rho Alpha action as well. He sent the FIJIs at Virginia Tech a signed basketball as well as a congratulations and thank you for our efforts. PHOTO CAPTION NEEDED PHOTO CAPTION NEEDED \r\nPage 3 TAKE THE 1972 CHALLENGE continued... (Continued from page 1) Rho Alpha. During a recent graduate advisory trip, we discovered that the chapter was conducting very few “formal” meetings. While they have identified locations on campus that can accommodate the 90-100 brothers our chapter has grown to, they lack the equipment to conduct proper formal meetings. This poses a serious threat to the traditions of Rho Alpha and Phi Gamma Delta. This special equipment must be purchased through IHQ and is very expensive. The undergraduates need approximately $7,500 to expand their inventory of equipment and the Graduate Association board of directors ensured the undergraduate cabinet that we would help them fund this purchase. 2. Pay off balance on home equity line of credit tied to the chapter house. The current balance of this loan is approximately $20,000. We are in the process of refinancing this note, which will drastically increase the rate at which we can pay down principal. It’s great to have an emergency buffer, but with a graduate base as big as ours with an impressive track record of involvement, there’s no reason why we can’t eliminate this debt. 3. Fund expenses associated with maintaining our existing chapter house. Let’s face it, our beloved chapter house is fragile and needs a fair amount of tender love and care on an annual basis. It’s also our duty as landlords to provide a SAFE, comfortable place to live and study to our tenants. While we stress the importance of accountability when it comes to undergraduate inflicted damage, its only realistic to expect that a substantial amount of upkeep will be required annually in an old house that sees lots of traffic. Please enroll now at www.phigam.org/ VATechDonations so we can all celebrate our accomplishments together in Blacksburg in just a few short months. Donors will receive free glassware at Pig Dinner as well as having their names displayed during the event. 40th Pig Dinner Brings Record Attendance continued... (Continued from page 1) PKs. We wanted to try a venue outside of the house, and for the same cost, we were able to step the occasion up a bit without having to clean up after ourselves! Everyone enjoyed the full bar and barbeque service on PKs sunny patio. If you missed out, do not worry – we plan to return in 2013! Last, but not least, we had another wonderful dinner at the Inn at Vir- ginia Tech. Our keynote speaker was Brother William A. Martin III, Mississippi State ’75. Bill has served as the Executive Director of IHQ for over 20 years. He gave an amusing and informative speech about the history of fraternities and offered us inspiration on the future direction of our Chapter. We are thankful for the time Bill gave us and for the wisdom he imparted during his weekend in Blacksburg. Before dinner, we gathered for pictures on the courtyard at the Inn. The picture featured here is one of many taken. To see more, please visit our Facebook group page, Rho Alpha Graduate Association, at http:// www.facebook.com/ rhoalphagraduateassociation. Don’t miss our 41st annual Pig Dinner, April 27, 2013. Registration will be open at www.phigam.org/ VATechPigDinner by the end of February. When you register, you can also order t‐shirts and glassware. STAY IN TOUCH WITH RHO ALPHA Graduate Facebook Page - http://www.facebook.com/rhoalphagraduateassociation Twitter - @VTFIJI Undergraduate Website - http://vtfiji.com/ Football Run Website - www.fijirunacrossvirginia.com \r\nRho Alpha Report Page 4 MEET THE LEADERSHIP Graduate Board of Directors At the Graduate Association meeting Saturday morning of Pig Dinner, elections for the Board of Directors for the term from 2012 to 2014 were held. Each member of the Board was re-elected to his same position. President – Brac Webb – Gamma Deuteron ‘05 - As an undergraduate, Brac served on cabinet as Recording Secretary. He graduated in 2005 with a BS in electrical engineering and in 2006 with an MS in electrical engineering. As a graduate brother, Brac has served on the G.A. Board as Secretary (06‐08), Treasurer (08‐10), and President (10‐present). He currently lives in the DC area. Vice President Development – John Tabb, III –Beta Chi ‘04 - As an undergraduate, John served on Cabinet as President. He graduated in 2004 with a BS in finance and in 2005 with an MS in construction management. As a gradu- ate brother, John has served as V.P. Development since 2006. John and his wife Jessica reside in Charleston, SC. Vice President Advisory – Ross Millikan – Gamma Theta ‘09 - As an undergraduate, Ross served on cabinet as President. He graduated in 2009 with a BS in civil engineering. As a graduate brother, Ross has served as V.P. Advisory since 2008. Ross lives in Richmond, VA and is recently engaged – congrats brother! Vice President House – Matthew Lewis – Gamma Iota ‘08 - Matt graduated in 2008 with a BS in mechanical engineering. As a graduate brother, Matt has served as V.P. House since 2008. Matt resides in Lynchburg, VA. Treasurer – Jonathon Edge – Gamma Zeta ‘08 - As an undergraduate, Jon served on cabinet as Treasurer. He graduated in 2008 with a BS in finance. As a graduate brother, Jon has served as the Treasurer since 2008. He currently lives in the DC area. Secretary – Phil Talarico – Gamma Zeta ‘08 -As an undergraduate, Phil served on cabinet as President. He graduated in 2008 with a BS in marketing. As a graduate brother, Phil has served as Secretary since 2008. He resides in the DC area. Chapter Support Advisory – Eric Willoughby – Gamma Mu ‘11 -As an undergraduate, Eric served on cabinet both as Treasurer and as President. He just recently graduated in 2011 with a BS in accounting and information systems and in 2012 with an MS in accounting and information systems. Eric joined the board this last Pig Dinner to act as an experienced resource for the undergraduates to contact regularly on day‐to‐ day operations. Eric lives in the DC area. Undergraduate Chapter Officers Peter Petras- President- Peter was born and raised in Richmond, VA. Throughout his life he has enjoyed playing sports such as baseball, basketball, football, and snowboarding. Once attending Virginia Tech, he pledged FIJI his fall semester freshman year. He is currently pursuing a degree in marketing management, and will graduate in May, 2014. Mitchell Carney- Treasurer- Mitchell is a finance major anticipating to graduate from Virginia Tech's Pamplin College of Business in 2014. He is the current treasurer of Fiji, and has held other roles such as Fiji's philanthropy chair. Mitchell is striving to live a long prosperous life and hopes to put smiles on the faces of all he sees on the way. Brian Siepka- Recording SecretaryBrian is a junior finance major with aspirations for a communications minor. He is heavily involved with many of the Chapter’s activities. Before joining cabinet, he held the scholarship position and always maintains himself as a fixture on Fiji's intramural softball B team. He enjoys spending quality time with pledges and creating life memories with his fraternity brothers. Michael Swartz – Corresponding Secretary – Mike pledged in the spring of 2012 in the Gamma Phi pledge class. He is currently a junior majoring in biological systems engineering. Mike plans to attend medical school after graduating in spring of 2014. Mike played soccer, swimming, basketball, and lacrosse throughout high school in Norfolk, VA, and continues to play soccer and basketball on the chapter’s intramural teams. \r\nRho Alpha Report Page 5 GRADUATE ASSOCIATION FINANCIAL REPORT With the undergraduate chapter beginning the second semester of the 2013 academic year, the Rho Alpha FY13 budget is in it’s sixth month of execution. However, with some of the largest expenses expected during the Spring semester, the $40,093 FY13 budget has only incurred $7,894 worth of expenditures. Rho Alpha is budgeted for a $16,000 undergraduate liability payment, $3,900 property insurance, and an additional $1,721 worth of property taxes coming due sometime between now and the end of the academic year in May. Some of the smaller expenses have been to plan, with no accounts showing a material amount of over or under budget. That comes with one notable exception, the account for house repairs. At the bequest of the undergraduates, the Rho Alpha board approved repairs ? with StellarOne bank, refinancing would allow Rho Alpha to reduce our HELOC’s rate from 9.5% to 4% while increasing our credit line from $30K to 50K. Total fees for the refinance are estimated to be $2,500. Refinancing the HELOC will make it easier to pay down the current balance, while providing Rho Alpha the stability of easily accessible and historically cheap credit. to our venerable Chapter house totaling $2,916. This amount accounted for a new sectional for the living room, new upstairs carpet, and a thorough gutter cleaning. While not originally budgeting for at the beginning of the fiscal year, the expenses were approved by the board with confidence that the excess expense could be covered by the fundraising account if necessary. Collections in parlor fees, rent, and bad debt from previous years has, as expected, been an on-going process. Parlor fees are current, which is great news and three of the five house brothers are current in their dues. Communication with all the holders of all outstanding dues has not been an issue, and I consider this to be of low risk. Lastly, all bad debts from previous years, totaling $1,284 in both rent and outstanding parlor fees, have been collected. Rho Alpha Financial Highlights: Wells Fargo Operating Account: $ 6,265.28 Wells Fargo Fundraising Account: $ 9,763.48 Stellar One HELOC: $ 20,533 The major priority of the Spring semester is to refinance the HELOC to take advantage of the historically low rates. In speaking 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. William L. Watts 1973 Glenn T. Kinnear 1994 Robert W. Gaines 2007 Robert J. Iantosca 1974 Steven R. Butera 1995 Harrison Moon 2009 Thomas C. Payne 1974 Steven R. Fitzgerald 1995 Nathan S. Norman 2009 William E. Echelberger, Jr. 1975 Christopher A. Woolridge 1996 Jason W. Trinh 2009 Scott D. Ritchie 1976 Matthew J. S. Drew 2005 A. Nicholas Vlattas 2009 Michael L. Guilfoyle 1978 Byung K. Kim 2006 Andrew I. Stevener 2011 Michael E. Walton 1985 Jason M. Moore 2006 Daniel M. Hutton 1986 Brian D. Quinlan 2006 Terry E. Harris 1987 Jeremiah D. Tarrant 2006 \r\nRho Alpha Report Page 6 FALL 2012 RECRUITMENT Fall fraternity recruitment was again a success for the Rho Alpha Chapter of Phi Gamma Delta. Thanks to the Recruitment Committee compromised of Deniz Babaoglu, Max Berney, Billy Dvorkin and Wes Steenburgh who headed another successful recruiting campaign for FIJI. The Rho Alpha Chapter began its efforts on September 12 kicking off the twoweek rush period with an all-you-caneat wings event at Hokie House. This event is among the most successful that the brothers of FIJI host. Over 90 prospective members came out to indulge themselves in nearly 500 wings. Other events that commenced afterwards included a trip to Cox Driving Range down Prices Fork, Basketball at Collegiate Suites and soccer at Hunters Ridge. As per usual the brothers of FIJI hosted a BBQ at the house which included socializing and a many spirited matches of volleyball. Something new that was hosted at 202 Church Street was a hotdog eating contest. While many competed valiantly, it was Tim Fowler who ultimately came out as the hot dog eating contest winner. More than ever, social media was a lynch pin in getting out FIJI’s rush events and schedule. The FIJI Facebook page garnered a high volume of traffic, likes and attendance numbers and was integral in making fall recruitment a success. Amongst the major events that were put on, the recruitment committee continued the most important aspect of their recruitment process; interviews. A myriad of prospective members were thoroughly examined by the recruitment committee and narrowed down the list from the hundreds. Rho Alpha gave out the closed rush bids to only a small percentage of hopeful men. ment, over 45 prospective members who had been hand-picked came out to closed rush. After much discussion and even more difficult decisions, the brothers finally produced the final bid list. Out of 25 bids handed out, 20 prospective members accepted their bids. Spring recruitment began early February and leading the campaign for the Rho Alpha Chapter will be Stephen King, Billy Dvorkin and Michael Lombardo. On September 23, the last day of recruit- WELCOME PLEDGES throughout the NOVA areas. Alex Berry - Freshman Major - Art Played football since 8 years old and made Chase Robbins - Sophomore Major - Building Construction all district in high school. Helped estimate two multi-million dollar projects for a construction firm that were David Rann - Freshman eventually awarded. Major - Engineering Qualified as an All-American swimmer in Matt Whitehurst - Sophomore high school. Major - Business Management Won MVP of his lacrosse team as a senior. Nick Hughes - Sophomore Major - Finance Scott Baker - Sophomore Born in England. Major - Accounting Is double-jointed in both thumbs. Jon Soistman - Sophomore Major - Civil Engineering Phil Yesbeck - Sophomore First in his family to attend a four-year Major - Management university. In high school, was voted top 205 rising sophomores in the nation in lacrosse. Ryan Cunningham - Freshman Major - University Studies Matt O’Brien - Sophomore Has his own band that plays shows Major - Finance Is a master chef and his best dish is baked ziti. Matt Louis - Freshman Major - Business Has an undiscovered singing talent. Michael Nardacci - Sophomore Major - Mining Engineering Is a very talented snow boarder. Josh Rodman - Freshman Major - Undecided Can rip a phone book with his hands. Patrick Gibson - Freshman Major - Engineering Was chosen for a job at the Trump International Golf Course for this upcoming summer. \r\nRho Alpha Report Page 7 THANK YOU DONORS Rho Alpha would like to thank and recognize our donors for the 2012 calendar year. Your generosity has resulted in over $9,500 in contributions. To make a donation visit www.phigam.org/VATechDonations or send a check along with the form on the back page. Steven M. Garnsey 1972 David S. Harrison 1992 Douglas M. Hill 1972 Mark A. Mennuti 1993 Robert F. Salter 1972 Michael J. Morrone 1993 Andy Stowasser 1977 Michael M. Meyrowitz 1996 Daniel M. Kallick 1980 Brent M. Holoviak 1997 Richard G. Eskelund 1982 Michael J. Romano 1998 Edwin A. Hardell 1982 Brendan J. McMurrer 2001 Henry H. King, Jr. 1982 Daniel J. Kehler 2002 Michael Rooney 1982 John M. Tabb, III 2004 Paul T. Zawistowski 1983 J. Alvaro Pinto 2005 Jeffrey D. Carter 1984 J. Braxton Webb 2005 Christopher S. Tilghman 1984 Jonathan L. Edge 2008 Dana W. Hesse 1986 Matthew R. Lewis 2008 Roel T. Cuejilo 1988 Casey M. Rafter 2008 Stephen Klosky 1989 Philip A. Talarico 2008 Michael D. Maret 1989 Justin M. Longest 2009 Robert M. Paine 1989 Christopher J. Perry 2009 William P. Woodward 1989 Andrew T. Ransone 2011 Dennis L. Reece 1991 Register now for the 41st Pig Dinner April 27, 2013 www.phigam.org/VATechPigDinner \r\nPhi Gamma Delta Fraternity 1201 Red Mile Road Lexington, KY 40504 Nonprofit Org US Postage Paid Lexington, KY Permit # 540 If you have not already done so, be sure to keep us informed of any changes in your contact information. Just go to www.phigam.org/ AddressUpdate. DONATE TO THE RHO ALPHA CHAPTER I am pleased to make a contribution to Rho Alpha 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/VATechDonations, by phone at (859) 255-1848 ext 136 or send checks payable to Phi Gamma Delta - Rho Alpha to: Virginia Tech/Rho Alpha 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.