ace of diamonds phi gamma delta EI Grad Soon to Dominate World Important Dates: National Bologna Day October 24 Nelly’s 40th Birthday November 2 Epsilon Iota Pig Dinner November 15 23rd anniversary of the dissolution of the USSR December 8 FALL 2014 David Sena graduated from UE only four years ago, but he’s already assembled an extensive résumé . A serious man with a serious plan, Brother Sena (EI 2010) has been repeatedly recognized within his home country of the Dominican Republic as an emerging leader. He has founded his own company in Edupass (begun in 2014), been invited to discuss employment issues with the UN Secretary-General, and teaches university-level courses in his spare time. The Ace of Diamonds David Sena meeting Ban ki-Moon is very impressed with his achievements, as he continues to make the University of Evansville and few chances for those that want to Epsilon Iota proud. pursue a more global education. For such reasons, I decided to create Describe Edupass and its mission. an instrument that could guide Edupass is the first hub for Dominican students and mentor any Dominican that interested in pursuing their studies in foreign wanted to expand their educational universities. In other words, it provides tailored opportunities at the international guidance to enable students to identify and level. find their ideal educational opportunity. Our vision is to empower Dominican students to What are your goals for your compete internationally, ultimately boosting the business? development of the Dominican Republic. My primary goal is to provide better educational and job opportunities to What spurred you to found Edupass? Dominican students both nationally Edupass comes from the idea of providing and internationally. Additionally, I Dominican students the same opportunities that want to support and guide students I had. Having had the privilege to study in the US on their academic paths, create a and the UK, I have come to appreciate how those talent network in the Dominican opportunities played a role in the way I think Republic that can identify those who and act today. I believe that these educational would most benefit, and be an agent of advantages opened so many doors, while they also change in the Dominican education gave me great experiences that motivated me to and unemployment sectors as they continue fighting for the growth and development become more transparent and of my country. Additionally, Dominican higher modern. education is highly fragmented and there are \r\npage 2 EI Grad Soon to Dominate World (Con’t) David Sena, as photographed for Forbes magazine. What kind of challenges does your business face? Becoming an entrepreneur in a developing nation is a very difficult task. Besides the normal barriers any young entrepreneur will face, like the high cost of developing your business idea, a complex tax system, and limited financial resources, there is also a greater obstacle: the motivation to keep things running! These obstacles are so draining that you think about them every day before you wake up and continue your journey. What other endeavors are you involved in? In 2011, I was selected to be the Dominican Republic Youth Delegate to the United Nations. During this life-changing experience, I had the opportunity to meet Secretary General Ban Ki-moon and to discuss best practices to address youth unemployment. That same year, I was chosen as a selected member of the Global Shapers Community, a network sponsored by the World Economic Forum and developed and led by young people who are exceptional in their potential, their achievement and their drive to make a contribution to their communities. In 2012, I was chosen as a Chevening scholar, allowing me to further strengthen my academic qualifications and pursue and obtain a master’s degree at the London School of Economics. In 2013, I was chosen to become the Delegate of the Dominican Republic for the 2013 One Young World Summit in Johannesburg, South Africa. One Young World is the preeminent global forum for young leaders aged 18-30 and gathers the brightest young leaders from around the world, empowering them to make lasting connections and develop solutions to some of the world’s most pressing issues. What has driven you to accomplish so much in your short professional life? In general, throughout my past experiences, the key variable that has set me apart has often been my capacity to build meaningful relationships that catalyze positive change, either for myself or for others. In other words, I firmly believe that the people you know and the many ways you nurture those relationships are a powerful tool to make you impact the world. To make a change in the world has always been one of the fundamental values of my life and I have chosen to try as much as I can to improve the lives of those that surround me. Repeat Victors at the Epsilon Iota Open The Epsilon Iota Open continues to grow as an event and a fundraiser, but as a competitive field, it’s grown repititive. This year’s excellent turnout of 33 golfers and various donors contributed to nearly $1250 raised for the chapter. However, time is truly a flat circle, as the events of the day very closely resembled those of 2013. Overall champions Nick Burch (friend of the chapter and four-time winner), Christian Farley, and Dave Knox (EI 2008) cruised to a comfortable lead and maintained it. For the second straight year, AllFIJI champs Steve Sanders, Brandon Uzarek, and Dan Kinser needed the 18th hole to seal their victory. A par or better was needed to hold off a three-team playoff, but the trio crushed the hopes of those behind them by scoring a birdie. Despite the predictable result, a good time was had by all, and those lucky Phi Gam’s who went to the Tropicana Casino that night witnessed an epic diceroll by Peter Hanscom (EI 2010). In 2015, there may be rule and/or venue changes, which could break the stranglehold by the winning teams. Don’t miss out on witnessing history! Chris Watkins (EI 2010), Jesse Miller (EI 2010), Jeff Bennett (EI 2008), and Peter Hanscom (EI 2010) losing at the Open, but still having a good time. \r\npage 3 Have You Heard The Good News? Drew Elliott (EI 2012) received his Masters of Education from Arizona State in May and currently is teaching in Indianapolis. Jason (EI 2002) and Michelle Rainey welcomed their first child Leah in May. Blair Setnor, wife of Shane (EI 2005), gave birth to their first child Geoffrey in June. Sarah and Will Snider (EI 2006) welcomed their second daughter Elle in June. Daniel (EI 2010) and Jennifer Kinser welcomed their first child Emmalyn in June. Katelyn Jones and George Oeth (EI 2013) were engaged to be married in July. Nate Biondi (EI 2012) and Taylor Hamilton were married on the UE campus in August. Bryan Hamann (EI 2012) has enrolled at Western Kentucky University in pursuit of his Master’s degree in Higher Education Administration. Mike Murillo and his fiance Jenna Jay Kennedy (EI 2008) started a new job in September at Anixter in Glenview, IL as a project manager for their global e-mail marketing. Dave Knox (EI 2008) is the proud father of a flock of sheep. His parenting is mediocre at best, as some of the children are sold to a slaughterhouse. James McDaniel (EI 2008) and Jody Heib were married in August. Jenna Stratman accepted Michael Murillo’s (EI 2011) proposal of marriage in September. Nick Seibert (EI 2012) and Erin Copeland were married in September. In the non-Good News pile, Hilary Fisher, wife of Ryan Cramer (EI 2012), is in need of a lung transplant as a result of her cystic fibrosis. In addition to all the arrangements and inpatient care, the surgery will be quite expensive. Anyone interested in helping can learn more at https://www.giveforward.com/fundraiser/58p5/fishy-needs-a-lung. What’s Distracting FIJI’s? This issue, the Ace of Diamonds caught up with Ed Allen (EI 2006), a staffing specialist with HRConnects in Evansville. When Brother Kissel asked me to write for our newsletter, we joked and I asked: “Can I talk about my father who is a great man?” Brother Kissel laughed and said, “It wouldn’t be from Ed Allen if his dad didn’t come up.” In that vein, I want to speak with you about one of the greatest lessons I learned as a FIJI. “The slogan ‘Press On’ has solved and always will solve the problems of the human race.” This line from Calvin Coolidge has been written in every notebook, dry-erase board and note pad my entire professional career. We all share the five values and we exhibit them in different ways, but the main thing I’ve internalized as a FIJI is our ability to persist. I’ve tried to keep it in mind through my job struggles, and it’s led me to my current career in which I thrive and enjoy. I mostly see it embodied by my father. He has lost one of legs, had a heart attack, battled a septic infection and most recently had a stroke. Even with an army of doctors telling him he should be dead, he persists. I think my dad was a FIJI all along and just didn’t know it. I challenge you to take an objective view of your life and see how you’ve persisted. You will see that our slogan of ‘Not for college days alone’ is not just about the relationships and bonds formed. It’s about intangible lessons learned and applied to our adult lives, lessons that this FIJI has taken to heart. Ed Allen, persisting The Ace of Diamonds was sorry to learn that Ed’s father Ron passed away shortly before this issue went to publication. Our thoughts are with him and his family. \r\nA Letter From The President Greetings Brothers, The fall semester is off to an outstanding start! As usual, the first month of classes was dominated by recruitment efforts. Utilizing the system that was implemented in the fall semester of 2013, the chapter’s hard work paid off for a second straight year. Fifteen men signed FIJI bids, bringing the chapter size to fifty-five. Recruitment Chairman Nick Schuetz (EI 2016) did an outstanding job, and deserves much of the credit for the chapter’s success. We are extremely excited about the potential of this new pledge class and look forward to overseeing their growth and development this semester. Immediately following this year’s Passover festivities, the brothers and new members returned to the house for a graduate-sponsored picnic. The turnout for the picnic was fantastic, and we are grateful to the graduates who planned and attended the event. Despite the significant amount of time dedicated to recruitment, brothers have also found time to serve the community this fall. In the first six weeks of school, the chapter has cooked multiple meals at the Ronald McDonald House, mentored 1st graders at Caze Elementary, and participated in the Walk for Alzheimer’s, the Bethel Church Family Fun Night, and Harper Elementary School’s Walka-Thon. Each brother must contribute at least fifteen hours to community service this semester, and most are well on their way to meeting and exceeding that standard. Additionally, a dual graduate-undergraduate service project is being planned for the morning of Pig Dinner, so please be on the lookout for details about that. Overall, it has been a momentous year for Epsilon Iota and we are poised for even more growth and improvement. Hot-Tub-a-Thon is the most successful philanthropy event on campus, we donate more community service hours than any other organization, we have posted the highest fraternity GPA in two of the last three semesters, and we are now one of the largest and most visible fraternities on campus. We are very excited to take on the rest of the school year and establish ourselves as the premier Greek organization at the University of Evansville. If you ever have any questions or would like a more detailed update on the current state of the chapter, I would love to personally discuss our progress. I’m looking forward to seeing many of you at Pig Dinner in November! Fraternally, Ben Broadhead (EI 2015) 2014 Pig Dinner Hotly Anticipated (812) 629-8373 Perge! Informal polling in 2013 found that that year’s Pig Dinner was very wellreceived. Changing venues always adds uncertainty, but the chapter has Fraternally, found a worthy partner in the Tropicana Casino. A delicious dinner, central location for pre- and post-dinner activities, and the professionalism of the Ben Broadhead (EI 2015) staff mixed beautifully with the jovial atmosphere of our yearly reunion, Phone: (812) 629-8373 creating a great experience for all involved. More informal polling suggests Email: jb568@evansville.edu that expectations are high for this year’s Pig Dinner, and there’s no reason to Perge! expect it will be less successful. Phi Gamma Delta 227 S. Lincoln Park Drive Evansville, IN 47714 Visit Epsilon Iota on the web at www.eifiji.org Ably coordinated by Nick Smith (EI 2017), this year’s event is scheduled for November 15 at the Tropicana. The Board of Chapter Advisors will have a meeting at 5:00, open to all interested. Cocktail hour will start at 6:00 with dinner scheduled for 7. Our keynote speaker will be section chief Joe Weist (Rose Hulman 1987, EI 2001). Registration fees are $50, payable at the door. Invitations have been sent out, and we hope to hear from you. If necessary, RSVP’s can be made directly to Brother Smith at (812) 3068465. Don’t miss out on a great weekend, full of brotherhood, buffets, and blackjack! Jon Kissel, Ace of Diamonds editor jonkissel1848@gmail.com Hot-Tub-O-Thon information phigamhtot@gmai.com