THE POTPOURRI Xi Deuteron Chapter Case Western Reserve University Fall 2014 PIG DINNER 2014 —BEST IN RECENT MEMORY By: Ryan Brubaker (2017) Xi Deuteron’s Pig Dinner 2014, held April 14, at Judson Manor, was widely regarded as the best Pig Dinner in recent memory, with over 110 brothers in attendance. Class reunions were abundant and helped bring joy and laughter to the night. Our speaker, Dr. Jason Prigozen (CWRU 1997), was engaging and insightful. A fellow Xi Deuteron, he was more than happy to share some choice photos of his work as a plastic surgeon, which elicited hearty rounds of laughter and in a couple instances, some intense hisses. When one can see all of the tendons in a hand, it is understandable that some people may get a little uncomfortable. However, his enthusiasm was infectious and his passion for life and brotherhood was apparent. As the evening drew to a close, there was much to celebrate after the event ended. Many undergraduates shared “twits” in chapter about the awesome graduate brothers they had sat with the previous night and how great it will be to see them again come April 2015. Our hope is that you always remember that Phi Gamma Delta is “not for college days alone,” and will continue to come visit us every April. The chapter would like to thank BCA Pig Dinner advisor Chairut Vareechon GRADUATE SPOTLIGHT DR. JASON PRIGOZEN (1998) Dr. Prigozen graduated cum laude from CWRU in 1997 with a BA in Sociology and Biology. During that time, he joined FIJI (1994) and would go on to serve as Corresponding Secretary and as Co-Chair of Rush and Philanthropy. In 2002, Dr. Prigozen graduated from CWRU School of Medicine and afterwards completed a General Surgery Residency at WVU Charleston Area Medical Center. He then completed a Plastic Surgery Residency at Northeast Ohio University College of Medicine in 2009, and in 2010 finished a Microvascular and Breast Reconstructive Surgery Fellowship at the Cleveland Clinic. During his time in training, he made a point to give back to Xi Deuteron by funding the Super Pledge Fund, a scholarship that grants $250 to one outstanding pledge each semester. Today, Dr. Prigozen resides in Charleston, (Continued on page 3) (CWRU 2010) for his oversight and help in planning Pig Dinner, and for his continued mentoring as Pig Dinner 2015 ramps up in its planning stages. Xi Deuteron will continue to reach out to its long lost graduates, so that next year, Pig Dinner 2015 will be even better. Inside this issue: Graduate News 2 2015 Pig Dinner Info 5 Lost Brothers 6 Undergraduate News 7 \r\nPage 2 THE POTPOURRI GRADUATE NEWS GRADUATE LEADERSHIP The Chapter could not operate as well as it does without the strong support of graduate brothers. We thank those who are listed below. If you’re interested in giving back to the Chapter by volunteering your time, please contact one of the following brothers: Matthew Von Duhn (1989) - Xi Deuteron’s 2015 Pig Dinner Speaker says: “I just restored my Kawasaki motorcycle which hadn’t run in 20 years!” Brandon Patterson (1995) - He just recently moved back to his hometown of Pittsburgh working as a consultant for Deloitte. James Flinn jrf116@case.edu Bob Niebaum robert.niebaum@case.edu Ken Kovach thekovachcompany@wowway.com Purple Legionnaire James Petras (2012) Board of Chapter Advisors Ken Kovach (1967) - Chairman Max Chernyavskiy (2010) Chairut Vareechon (2010) Jim Petras (2012) Michael Kottman (2012) Jeremy Pomerantz (2012) Shaji Arumpanayil (1995) - Currently teaches at CWRU and resides in Mentor, Ohio, with his wife and three children. House Corporation John Stefanchik (1992) - Is running his own chinchilla ranch with life partner Richard Vernon Harley (1992). Karl Udris (2011) - Married his girlfriend Kirsten in September 2014. The couple currently resides in Denver, Colorado. Pat Carney (1980) - President Bob Niebaum (1969) - Treasurer and COO John Saganich (1979) - Secretary Bob Barclay (1959) - Architect Ken Kovach (1967) - Ex-officio James Petras (2012) - Ex-officio Mike Magness (1970) Bob Morgan (1995) Max Chernyavskiy (2010) Section Chief Bob Niebaum (1969) \r\nPage 3 GRADUATE SPOTLIGHT continued... (Continued from page 1) WV, with his wife Amanda, his son Solomon (age 2), and daughter Jaqueline (age 1). He is currently the Chairman of Academy of Physicians in Wound Healing Legislative Committee. Recently, graduate brother Chairut Vareechon (2010) caught up with Jason to talk with him about his current endeavors. How was Xi Deuteron’s Pig Dinner 2014 for you? Awesome! It was awesome and I think we had a great time. I really enjoyed getting to know some of the younger brothers that I did not know and that I had not met previously. I thought that it was absolutely wonderful to see multiple generations of FIJI’s coming together and sharing comradery and brotherhood as if we had all lived in the house together. How was your experience being the 2014 Pig Dinner speaker? I think I was well received considering the speech. I liked it and I had a good time. I enjoyed the conversations that the speech started and enjoyed being up there and interacting with the older dudes. Do you remember how long it has been since you were initiated as a Xi Deuteron brother? How long has it been? It was ninety (pause) eight that I was initiated. No sorry, ninety-four, ninety-four that I was initiated. I apologize…I was initiated in ninety-four. So it has been twenty years huh? Yeah, I guess it has been huh!? I never thought about but yeah. Twenty years? How does that make you feel? Um, well it doesn’t make me…well I don’t know. It’s a hard one Chairut. Um, how does it make me feel? Well, it makes me feel like twenty years go by really quickly. (Laughter) That’s how it makes me feel. Did you know that in 1994 the movies Forrest Gump and Lion King debuted? How does that make you feel now? Well it doesn’t seem to be that long because they haven’t remade any of those movies yet. When they remake Lion King then I will start feeling like that age. And Forest Gump, like you know whatever, no one cared when it came out. In 1994, I’m trying to think, in 1994 Tom Petty’s Wildflower came out, um Nirvana’s Unplugged came out, Tribe Called Quest put out there first big album…I mean things that I would have noticed and not Forrest Gump. (Laughter) Any fond memories of the house you would like to share? You know what, I’m going to have to interject but you can put this in however you want Chairut. Last week, Bob Morgan (1995) and I, we were initiated together twenty years ago and we were pledge brothers, and last weekend, Bob and I, as we do every year, went and spent a weekend at a music festival together. And we have been doing that for like ever, so myself, Bob, and Dave Seemann (1988), twenty years after I leave the house, go to this music festival as if we just left college except we’re…well they’re older, balder, and fatter. I’m just older. (Laughter) So anyways, I don’t know how to fit that in the context of your question and interview but at the same time I think that says a lot about our house as a whole. You know, that its twenty years later and I’m still hanging out with the guy I pledged with and he’s not the only one I regularly keep in touch with. I’ll fit that in somewhere don’t worry. (huge sigh) But man, I have so many fond memories of the house. Let’s see, I remember the purple felt pool table. I lived in what was then called the “Psychedelic Ward” but I think it is referred to as the “Psycho Ward” now but I’m not sure. It’s “Pscyho Ward” now. Ok, well back then, when I lived there it was the “Psychedelic Ward” down in the basement and I have very fond memories of people before, during and after classes on any given day of the week playing pool as part of your break time. And a game can be picked up just about any hour of the day or night for those of us who lived in the basement. I have very fond memories of winning a game against Chris Gravius (1996) and taking the table championship that I held on to for most of the time I lived in the “Psycho Ward.” But that was a very fond memory because no else had one of those you know and it was very unique. When I first met you as a new recruit, James Schmidt (1997) was talking about the tattoo on your lower back and made you show it to us. I know the story behind the tattoo but I think the younger guys would like to hear the full story. Ah yes, that is an interesting story. At the era that I arrived in college, before my time at the FIJI house, per Dave Seemann (1988), generally the FIJI’s would tattoo the inside of their right foot with Phi Gamma Delta so that it (Continued on page 4) \r\nPage 4 THE POTPOURRI GRADUATE SPOTLIGHT continued... (Continued from page 3) was hidden under shoe wear. Well, as the generation passed, it moved up the ankle and so people started getting Phi Gamma Delta on the ankle. And then Bob Morgan and I decided to up the ante a little bit more. Bob got a Xi Deuteron added to his and I added the diamond and star to mine in addition. At this point, the next generation comes along and Martin Woyczynski (2000) went got his little tattoo and entered a free tattoo contest. He dropped his name in a fishbowl and well it turns out that he won. He won $350 worth of free tattoo work from Moving Line Studios in Wooster, OH. So, at one night having lived in the house you would know…oh you wouldn’t know! You guys don’t have Denson meals! Oh, I’ve got to revisit my earlier answer and switch it. My fondest memories of the house were meal times…Denson and meal times. Denson meals were just huge for us…it was a big deal for us. Yeah we don’t have Denson meal times but we do have Al’s cooking now… So Martin wins his thing and one night Martin goes “Tattoo up.” Everyone is looking at him and says he won this tattoo thing and that already got mine and doesn’t want any other tattoos. Everyone kind of looks over at me because I’m the only guy in the house with tattoos other than the Phi Gamma Delta tattoo. Bob didn’t want any more tattoos and I was the guy that was like “a free tattoo sure! It’s free it’s got to be good!” Where I came from a free tattoo, a free anything other than a kick in the nuts is a good deal. So anyway, I accepted it. So I thought 350 bucks what can I do? I knew what I wanted and I knew where I wanted it. I wanted a tattoo of Atlas holding the world and so my friend drew it up. I took the drawing to the tattoo parlor and asked them can I get this in full color and how big can I get it for 350 bucks. And that’s what I got and here I am with the tattoo on the lower end of my back. When I’m wearing pants looks just like I have a tramp stamp of world right on my lower back which has caused quite a few ribbings over the years. So we are going to shift gears from FIJI life to your professional life. What made you to decide to attend medical school and become a reconstructive surgeon? You know what? I have always intended to become a reconstructive surgeon ever since I was in grade school. Um, when I broke (pause) I made the decision when I was eleven and I broke my arm. So yeah, I broke my arm when I was eleven and the guy who pinned it back together I thought was really cool and what he did was really neat. I was always kind of been a tinkerer and a fixer and I just made up my mind. Oh and he drove a Lamborghini Coutach 5000S and this was back in eighty-six when, you know, no one in Dayton, OH had one. In 2010, after you completed your surgical training, you moved to Charleston, WV to be part of a reconstructive microsurgical team. That went on for ten months but then you had a very serious accident that has put you out of clinical work. After working Charleston for ten months, on August 1, my wife and I had taken into possession our new home and so we had a very large empty home that we had just taken over. I came home early from work on August 3 to hang up my wife’s two 12 point buck trophies that were mounted. So I came home from work early, got out a ladder that was not mine and went to set it up. I went up the ladder and as soon as I hit the second extension the hinges gave out and I went from being in the air to being on the ground as quickly as possible. I landed on my left heel and broke my heel bone which then shifted into the tail bone (base of the ankle) causing substantial injury. So I was then casted and foot elevated for three months, then non-weight bearing for another three months, and then I did my rehab for six months. At that point I was over a year out any my partners did not want me to come back to partial duty and I was unable to pull full duty and so they said we don’t want you back. So the hospital said I can work in the Wound Division and work my way back into the practice and after working there for a little under a year they decided to lay me off. It must feel weird not being able to perform surgeries anymore. It is but at the same time I think it has given me the opportunity to get out of clinical medicine. I think, unfortunately, in this country that clinical medicine is just a miserable place to work. So what have you been doing postclinical medicine? Well I’ve been fixing up cars, lobbying work, publishing articles and researching about blood alcohol content with regards to accidents. At this point I’m getting use to the fact that I may well never be in clinical medicine again because my foot and ankle do not tolerate linoleum flooring. I just don’t have the standing tolerance to spend hours standing like I used to. So I’m looking into the next opportunities such as teaching. Well I wish you luck with your future endeavors. Lastly, what’s the one thing you miss about Xi Deuteron? Do I have to miss anything? I’m no longer in the house but I am still so much a part of the community of brothers that I don’t feel dissociated… \r\nPage 5 TOP 5 WITH JAMES OCHSENDORF (2010) Top 5 Guns to Own Top 5 Reasons to call Cleveland home 1. 2. 3. 4. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 5. Wilson Combat AR15 rifle Benelli Montefeltro shotgun Kimber Master Carry pistol John Manton & Son of London SXS Percussion double barrel M2 Browning machine gun Not pretentious Neighborhoods and their history The people of NE Ohio Food scene It’s where family is Top 5 National Parks 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Yellowstone National Park Grand Canyon National Park Bryce Canyon National Park Everglades National Park Glacier National Park Top 5 Reasons to live in Texas 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Weather Taxes Politics Jobs It’s not California Top 5 Foods 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Steak Red Wine Calamari Bacon French Fries XI DEUTERON PIG DINNER WEEKEND April 10-11, 2015 Pig Dinner Speaker: Matthew Von Duhn (1989) For more information and to register visit: pigdinner.org Email: ccv@case.edu Phone: 773-793-2974 Registration will be available 12/2014 Formal invitations and a complete schedule of events will be included in the Spring 2015 Potpourri. \r\nPage 6 THE POTPOURRI LOST BROTHERS We currently do not have a valid address for the brothers listed below and would love to reconnect with them. If you happen to know the current whereabouts for one of these Lost Brothers , please send a quick email to address@phigam.org so we can update his record. Frank L. Robinson 1935 Robert W. Mears 1956 David E. Tripp 1979 Russell D. Squire 1935 Donald T. Popovich 1956 Steven J. Frantz 1983 Robert N. Allen 1936 Michael Skowronsky , Jr. 1956 Michael J. Dunleavy 1984 Jack L. Coleman 1937 P. Michael Voute Gary S. Dipersi 1985 Wilbur H. Ficken 1938 Andrew C. Terranova, PhD 1957 Robert W. Hillman 1985 John R. Halstead 1938 John M. Walsh 1957 Andrew J. Noniewicz 1985 John W. Whelan 1939 Nils S. Melin 1958 David L. Oistad, Jr. 1985 Marvin G. Gardner 1942 Joseph V. Charo 1959 Jeffory S. Hopp 1986 Buhl L. Chenoweth, Jr. 1943 Michael R. Ray 1961 Peter H. Gingras 1988 James D. Haupt 1944 Ronald R. Brown 1964 Steven M. Noto 1988 Gordon A. Stevens 1944 Tom M. Hagesfeld 1964 Paul H. Acosta 1989 Joseph S. McKelvey 1945 Michael E. Heimbuch 1964 Kevin W. May 1989 Norman O. Reese 1946 Shun R. Kanda 1964 David A. Bower , Jr. 1990 James E. Walters 1946 John E. McGuire 1964 Michael D. Dion 1990 Arthur C. Faber, Jr. 1948 William B. Betz 1965 Burel Gomillion, II 1991 William K. Kumberger 1948 Dale H. Rice , MD 1965 Peter J. McKenna 1991 Carl A. Larson , Jr. 1948 Lee W. Allison 1966 Craig A. Bitter 1992 Henry P. Leighton , Jr. 1948 John D. Grozdina 1968 Lincoln D. Gisel 1992 Donald F. Muentz 1948 David G. Kachel 1968 Eric J. Neuner 1992 Warren H. Miller 1949 Bruce A. Kauffman 1968 William J. Casey , III 1994 Charles R. Snider , II 1950 Christopher W. Maillefert 1968 Matthew Spino 1994 Russell J. Keeler 1951 William S. Walcott 1968 Uri M. Davillier 1998 David L. Olson 1951 Alfred A. Budka 1969 Suman Tandra 1998 William L. Smith 1951 Judd F. Crosby 1969 Eric J. Thorlin 1998 Thomas C. Durbin , Jr. 1954 Gary J. Swiatek 1969 Anokh Pahwa 2001 James E. Kelley 1954 Terence McNulty 1974 Scott A. Roberts 2001 Richard S. Breed 1955 Charles G. DiBella 1976 Emanuel J. Rudy 2003 Albert N. Covelli , Jr. 1955 Theodore D. Kazantzis 1976 Paul M. Wolf 2005 Edward Y. Fulton 1955 Thomas W. Muir 1976 Ted S. Kim 2009 Bruce A. Lauter 1956 James Stanton 1976 Jack C. Loesch 1956 Wayne T. Sasso 1978 1956 \r\nPage 7 UNDERGRADUATE NEWS XI PLEDGE CLASS Xi Deuteron is excited to welcome six pledges to the chapter with hopes that they will promote the Fraternity’s values of Friendship, Knowledge, Service, Morality, and Excellence in every aspect of their lives! Alexander Awad—Freshman, Class of 2018 Andrew Ibibo—Freshman, Class of 2018 Deniz Dosluoglu—Freshman, Class of 2018 Edwin Zhang—Freshman, Class of 2018 Matthew Keri—Junior, Class of 2016 Sejoon Park—Freshman, Class of 2018 GRADE REPORT Overall Chapter GPA: 3.079 XI DEUTERON BY THE NUMBERS 44 6 Brothers Pledges Allen Vanmeter (2015) is the president of SpatanTHON; the fastest growing philanthropy organization at CWRU. “In partnership with Children's Miracle Network Hospitals, we fundraise, raise awareness, and volunteer year round for Rainbow Babies and Children's Hospital. Our efforts culminate in a 12-hour dance marathon every February where we raised $30,000 last year.” For more information visit: spartanthon.org Kevin Wang (2015) and Eric Vennaro (2014) cofounded Consult Mango, Inc. in May of 2014. Mango is a digital advertising platform that helps colleges recruit international students by posting sponsored ads and content on International Social Media. Through the platform, colleges have access to a much-needed valuable student market and international students can discover American universities. The company’s current markets are China, South Korea, and Brazil. For more information visit: consultmango.com Josh Rogers (2016) is the starting nose tackle for the CWRU Spartan varsity football team. At 6’2” and 255lbs the junior from Illinois has twelve tackles and 0.5 sacks on the 2014-15 season. Eric Rauert (2016) is captain of the Fighting Gobies. The Fighting Gobies is CWRU’s ultimate frisbee team and travels all throughout the Midwest and East Coast competing in tournaments. The chapter won AXO’s 2014 Annual Kickball Tournament fundraiser that raised awareness for domestic violence. Sam Haese (2013) is the director of the Case Footlighter’s production Evil Dead: The Musical. The musical is based upon Sam Raimi’s 8o’s cult classic films and stars Jacob Lang (2016) as the character Scott/Moose. Production runs November 6-8,, 2014. For more information and tickets visit: footlighters.case.edu Annual Xi Deuteron retreat in August 2014 held at Streetsboro KOA. Xi Deuteron placed 4th in Rope Pull during Spring 2014 Greek Week. \r\nNonprofit Org US Postage Paid Lexington, KY Permit # 540 Phi Gamma Delta Fraternity 1201 Red Mile Road Lexington, KY 40504 SAVE THE DATE! Xi Deuteron Pig Dinner Weekend: April 10-11, 2015 The Xi Deuteron Chapter is hosting its annual Pig Dinner at Judson Manor, the same location where the 1936 Ekklesia was held! Matt Von Duhn (1989) will be the keynote speaker. For more information and to RSVP, visit pigdinner.org. Please contact Chairut Vareechon (2010) at ccv@case.edu if you have further questions. Eta Graduate Chapter Monthly Lunch The Cleveland graduate chapter holds lunches on the second Tuesday of each month at The Harp (4408 Detroit Ave) on the Cleveland’s west side. For more information, contact Brother Roger Peckinpaugh (Ohio Wesleyan 1967) at RTP8500@aol.com. General Contact Information Xi Deuteron Chapter 11317 Bellflower Rd Cleveland, OH 44106 House Phone : 216-754-3454 Website: cwrufiji.com If you have questions or would like to submit graduate news, please contact BCA Newsletter Advisor Chairut Vareechon at ccv@case.edu. Design, printing and mailing services provided by the International Fraternity of Phi Gamma Delta.