e B.C.Fiji mar 29 J993 Beta Chi Chapter of Phi Gamma Delta at Lehigh University Lthlehem. p..*®""""'*' HEAmmia March 1993 I. House Renovations Started By Bob Davies Atthe last three Beta Chi Association Board meetings,renovations to the house were discussed and it was determined that a need has risen ^ ==n Note: The Pig Dinner date HAS BEEN CHANGED TO SATURDAY, May 1(one week later) Seepage 2for related article. to make the necessary improvements. Working closely with the undergraduates and Lehigh's Facilities Services Department a careful examination ofour house was done. A list of improvements was compiled that, when completed, will make our chapter house both a more safe and attractive place to live. Conversion of the cold dorm into two study rooms was deemed most important. Dorm style hving is no longer used and in order to maximize the number of people living in the house, this change was necessary. When completed, these two study rooms will be a fine addition to our house. Another major project will be the replacement ofthe windows throughout the house with energy-efficient and maintenance-fi-ee windows, this improvement will be cost effective through lower heating bills and the ehmination ofcostly painting. We also intend to replace the living room and sun porch carpet, which was installed in 1976. Some changes in the TV/pool room and commissary are also planned.(See Mike Danjczek's related article which begins below.) We'll continue to keep you informed ofour progress. For your information,listed below are the significant house improvements done over the last seven years along with the cost. •Installation of updated fire detection and alarm system-$Il,400 •Exterior painting - $9,000 •Rebuilding offront porch brick wall - $7,800 •Refinishing main hallway and dining room hardwood floors - Changes Greet New Chapter President Andrew Twiggar'94 Greetings from the Hut! When elected to serve as chapter president, I knew that not only did I have a big job ahead of me, but I also had to fill a big pair ofshoes. Ted Durkin '93 was an amazing president arid though forced to deal with some hairy situations, kept the house far ahead ofthe other fraternities. With the spring semester upon us and rush concluded,I hope I can begin to follow in the Beta Chi tradition ofstrong leadership by announcing that 19 outstanding men have pledged themselves to join the brotherhood ofPhi Gamma Delta. These men represent inany interests and backgrounds and are sure to make the graduate brothers proud. After a brieflull, our grade point average is agairi climbing to the top. The house's average rose nine places during the fall semester to place us at 10th academically among the 26 fraternities. Recently, many changes sparked by AtCs retirement have occurred in the Beta Chi kitchen. $4,700 •Replacement ofstairway to basement - $7,000 •Replacement ofsewer fines - $5,900 •Replacement ofshower pans (floors) - $3,400 •Replacement ofkitchen appliances (stove, refrigerator and ice machine) - $6,800 Along with the kitchen now being fully open and the addition ofa salad bar, a new chef,Violet JohnSon, Was brbught in as AK's replacement. Although the • dining room walls still echo the chant,"AA - KK," new cheers of"Vi - o - let" can now be heard at mealtime expressing the brother's appreciation and gratitude. We are lucky to find such a wonderful lady Not for Fraternity Days Alone By Michael H. Danjczek '72 Itis my pleasure to serve as chairman ofthe fund drive that will be conducted to benefit the chapter house. Each of us has had the privilege of and extraordinary cook. Starting this semester^ a BYOB social policy is in full effect for Lehigh's fraternities. This represents a sigm'ficant change in party style for Lehigh, but I'm confident that it won't ruin the Fiji's fun or status as social leaders. Generally, parties run as before, but living in a house that was provided for us by graduate brothers who accept kegs are no longer permitted on the Elill and cans have their responsibility ofownership and brotherhood. Our chapter house was rebuilt in 1942 after a disastrous fire and it has replaced cups as containers ofchoice. The undergraduate brotherhood is as strong as been renovated from time to time as our graduate brothers thought ever, and our morale is through the roof. I look forward to seeing as many ofthe graduate brothers as possible this semester. If you have any questions, necessary. The last major renovation was in 1967 and one less extensive was completed in 1976. CoNnNUED ON PAGE THREE. please feel free to contact me at the Hut. \r\nMarch 1993 A.K. Recognition Update 107th Pig Dinner ~ Saturday, May 1,1993 Committee chairman George K(Rod) ... The Tradition Continues Hanlon '69 reports that his committee is dose to reaching their goal and plan on making a presentation to Andy during our Hg Dinner program on May 1. Our sincere thanks to Rod and his committee ofPete Hondru VI,John Graham *71, Dennis Biggins '75,Bob Currie V6,Bill Bast V9 and Jim Shunk V9 for their efforts - as well as the contributors-in making this well deserved recognition a success. By MarkW.Torie '78 This year's annual get-together should be something spedal. Dave Tanis'63 is our speaker and AK will be honored for his 25 years ofservice to the chapter as our chef. Mark Saturday, May 1,on your calendar and make an efiRart to be among those sure to have a most enjoyable evening. We will again have the dinner at Rathbone Hall, behind Old Taylor Stadium and not far from the house. Parking is plentiful. Cocktails begin at 6:00 p.m. followed by a prime rib dinner and program. The cost of dinner,including cocktails, is $35. In addition to Saturday night's festivities, the Beta Chi Assodation will host a cocktail party and reception for Dave Tanis and his wife and invited University guests at the chapter house on Friday, April 30,at 6:30 p.m. Alumni and guests are cordially invited. In order for us to make the necessary arrangements, and there are many,we need to have you return the enclosed card with your check, payable to "Beta Chi Chapter ofPhi Gamma Delta," to Mark W.Torie, 702 Shearer St., North Wales,PA 19454 no later than April 24. 1993 Chapter Officers Andrew Twiggar'94 Nominations Sought for Distinguished Fiji Award President Shamokin,Pa. Mechanical Engineering Stan Weiland '94 Treasurer Chappaqua, N.Y. History Todd Goldberg'94 Recording Secretary Morristown, N.J. Finance Jeffrey Casella '94 Corresponding Secretary Cherry Hill, N.J. Materials Engineering By Bob Davies IfPhi Gamma Ddta molds leaders,then how does it recognize those that go on to excd in what they do.> By awarding the Distinguished Fiji Award to deserving graduate brothers. Do we have a graduate brother who truly exemphfies the ideals ofPhi Gamma Delta.' A brother who has gone on to "be aU that he can be?" For many years, I have been reading the Phi Gamma Delta magazine articles that recognize outstanding Fijis. I believe that we have many such men among our alumni, but have not nominated them. I urge you to give thought to this opportunity. Through this newsletter, nominations for the Distinguished Fiji Award are being solicited. The Archon poUcy on this award is: Hhe Distinguished Fiji Award will he presented annually to no nwre than six Graduate brothers who shall be deserving ofreco£[nitionfor theirfaithful and unselfids service to Phi Gamma Delta or their special contribution to mankind and society at lar£ie." We encourage you to nominate those men whom you would so honor by the Distinguished Fiji Award. Send the following information to: Robert W.Davies, 1435 Dartmouth Drive,Bethlehem,PA 18017.Include any quality news articles c«" stories on your nominee that apply to his nomination. Also include: John Babson '95 Historian Pittsburgh, Pa. Mechanical Engineering 1. Nominee(s) name,address,chapter and year. 2. Statement ofjustification for nomination to include a short, but fully explanatory biography of your nominee. This statement will be taken into consideration in the final ballot by the Archons. Ready to Sbkve: 1993 Beta Cm Chapter President Andrew Tw^ar ^4, Treasurer Stan Weiland '94 and Historian John pLon ^95. \r\nB.C. FIJI Page 3 In Perspective ... OBSEKViOiONS Br Jim Mirenda'69 T have been for 27 yea»r|^edged in ^65,made a }»otherin The House X:*66» graduated in *69. 1 can honesdy say that my fraternity, afrxT myfrfflily, has been the mostimportant fiwce in my Hie.To this day,I enjoy weekly contact with at least a halfdozen ofmy The Piji house is now 50 years old. Naturally,itlocks older and more in need o€rqpair-halfa century ofhard use has badly aged the building. It is harder to keep up and keep dean than it brothers. In die past,I viated the Hut an average ofonce a year for Lafriyette Weekend,and so on.This changed in 1989 when my scm,Jim Jr.,entered Lehigh and pledged Eji,and I became a conspicuously frequent wsitor. Jim i^a)« hodcey.We go to his games and to a few football games as well. After a hazing incident in October 1991,a "graduate trusteeship** had to be created in CM'der fcH: the Beta Chi Chapter to continue atLehigh.In this arrangement,a team ofgraduate brothers^ ofwhich I am a member,manages the afi^ ofthe chapter,working with the brotherhood and the cabinet but having the final say on all issues. I am now in foe imusual position ofhaving rdated to otur firatemity as a student,as an alumnus,as a parent and as a trustee. Each ofthese rdes has its own point ofview. Obvioudy,itis impossible to sort out fo^issues and satisfy all points ofview,but maybe myinsists can hdp some graduate brothers understand this phydcally familiar^ but,perhaps^ culturally sn^ge place we still was 25 years ago. not own our own house any longer. We had to deed it to Ac University in the 1970s tofund badly needed renovations. OfAe approximate $54,000 annual rent we pay to Ae Univer^ty,about $15,000 goes back into Ae house in the form ofrepairs, maintenance and improvements. Nota lot for an old mansion wiA 30-35 young men in residence. Eottcd windows,dd doors and worn floors can contribute to the impression Aat?Acy don't have Ac same respect for Ac house Aat we That is untrue.Today's Fiji has Ac same rcqpcctfor Ac Hut; Ac Aflfercncc is Aat Acy have come after a time, nottoo long ago,when the house was shown much less care. Some ofAe cleaning traAtions we inherited -- butcher's wax on the floors, gleaming windows four times a year,room checks befcx-e sodai weekends- have been gone for well over a decade. In my opinion, Ac broAers do need to take better care ofAe house. They are learning to do this and have made g