The Chi Upsilon FIJIGRAM University of Chicago ‐ Phi Gamma Delta Fraternity ‐ Winter 2015 Edition BROTHERS FROM AROUND THE COUNTRY By: Brock Appenzeller (2016) - Corresponding Secretary The Chi Upsilon chapter of Phi Gamma Delta has always attracted talented men from the University of Chicago, who come from different locations and have vastly differing interests. Here are some statistics from this year’s current chapter:  The majority of our chapter is originally from Texas and New Jersey, with Illinois being a close competitor. Many members are from the West Coast as well, including San Diego, Los Angeles and Portland. The Midwest is also highly represented.  The major of choice for our chapter is Economics. This is unsurprising considering our school is still ranked the number one economics school in the country. Behind economics, public policy and political science are the runners up.  The most popular extracurricular activity is Varsity Football. A large percentage of our brothers play Football for the University. We also have of other athletes in our chapter, including baseball and basketball players. Many of our members participate in other extracurricular activities including the Sports Business Club (the co-president is a brother) and UCIB.  The average GPA of the chapter is 3.2, which is on par with the all male GPA of the University. This is an achievement considering the wide variety of activities we are involved in. The fall semester is always an especially focused one academically due to the football season. This year members seem to be performing just as well in the classroom as they are on the field.  With two of our largest pledge classes ever last year, the Chapter is at it’s largest in recent history, with 76 and should be around 100 by the end of this year. We forecast a Inside this issue: Brother Profiles Continued 2 Letter from the President 3 Job Spotlight 3 Senior Football Spotlight 3 FIJI Philanthropy and Cleaning up the Neighborhood 4 large pool of prospective members next semester, and we are intentionally recruiting non-athletes to strengthen the Chapter. BROTHER PROFILES Ian Kolata (2016) cine, but after experiencing the difficulties and rigors of college life, wound up majoring in economics. After Bob Manix-Cramer (2010) helped me get an internship in his consulting firm, I soon realized that I would not be happy in a job in the financial world. I was surprised by how supportive my brothers were when I discussed my desire to change directions on my academic journey, even though it Hometown: Rockford, IL would take an extra year of Major: Economics (Preschooling. They convinced me to make the difficult transition med) back to a career in medicine. Late in my 3rd year and at the After I made the decision, I received positive reinforcevery end of my economics major requirements, I decided ment from every brother in the to flip the script and pursue a fraternity. career in medicine. I had iniThe transition was made tially planned to study medi- smoothly too by the generous help of many graduate brothers, especially my mentors Dr. Jason Jagodzinski, MD (2005) and Jack Stockert, MD, MBA (2005), who gave me exposure and insight into what it’s like to be a doctor and helped solidify my difficult decision. Without the support of my brothers and the fraternity, dealing with this major change would have been a much more difficult and painful process. Kelton Anderson (2017) Hometown: Lakeville, MN Major: Public Policy As a non-athlete and generally unathletic person, I may ap- pear like the odd man out in the Chapter. Many may see what is deemed the “Football Fraternity” on campus to be a weird fit for a member of the Debate team, but his is far from the truth. While FIJI may have an athlectic exterior its general ideals and traditions are what bonds all members of our brotherhood (be it white, ...Continued on page 2 \r\nFIJIGRAM Page 2 BROTHER PROFILES continued... Last summer I was privileged enough to work as a research assistant in three labs. In Dr. Atique Ahmed’s neuroscience research lab, I assisted in studies aimed at advancing the knowledge and treatments of glioblastoma multiforme, a viscous type of brain cancer. As the median life expectancy for those diagnosed with these aggressive tumors is 14.6 months, knowing that the work I did each day could improve this rate was very rewarding. While I was a research assistant, Dr. Ahmed’s lab discovered that what makes glioblastoma so aggressive is that fact Every member of FIJI has that living cancer cells engulf proven, to me at least, to be cancer cells that are killed durincredibly hard working and ing chemotherapy treatments. focused on achieving whatever Because of this, the tumors goals they set before thembecome very hard to contain or selves. This attitude of excelkill. It was absolutely fascinatlence is what makes FIJI the ing to be present for this disinstitution of success that it is covery, as being one of ten peoand an institution of which I ple in the world to know a critiam mighty proud to call myself cal feature of malignant brain a member. cancer cells is both amazing and humbling. The most rewarding philanthropy I participate in was tutoring at Hyde Park Academy. This high school has a 4% graduation rate, and being able to mentor a student who has experienced so many challenges has perhaps taught me more than I ever could have taught my mentee. Seeing my student’s face light up as we discuss his day or solve problems really shows that friendship is the sweetest influence. Robert Hall (2017) Rhodwin Chungag (2017) black, Hispanic, Asian, athletic, unathletic, gay, straight, smart, stupid, big, or small). We are all bonded together through the same ideals and beliefs. Every brother in this fraternity is here to support and care for every other brother and that is the kind of love that breaks down barriers or differences that could ever stand in our way. Moreover, Fiji does not merely breed a football attitude; it breeds an attitude of success. One that runs parallel with those seen on the football field, but an attitude of success nonetheless. Hometown: Chicago, IL Major: Biological Sciences Being a FIJI man means being part of a great tradition of excellence. We have a history of building successful men. FIJI has given me my best friends and allowed me to learn and grow as a collegiate man. The memories, relationships and values Phi Gamma Delta have given me compose so much of who I am, and I would not have it any other way. In addition to the neuroscience department, I also worked in two psychology labs. I was the assistant to a PhD student in behavioral science, as well as an assistant in the Decision Research Lab at Booth. In the former I conducted research on motivation, more specifically examining the effects that priming has on persistence. These experiments we very fun, as I was able to engage with people about their eating or exercise habits and note how different stimuli influenced their behaviors. In the decision research lab I conducted a wide variety of studies most of which examined the effects of group rituals. guys in the fraternity because they are a great group of people, who see me as just another one of the guys. The collective effervescence, felt when I am with my brothers, is a contagious feeling that helps me get through hard times. Because we are united and share common sentiments, goals, aspirations and dreams, it is easy to relate to my Fiji brothers, and that's why I can proudly say to myself, "I am mighty proud to be a BROTHER of Phi Gamma Delta." Additionally, participating in philanthropy with our chapter is something I will always treasure. Picking up trash with Scott Manquist (2015) your best friends allows too many laughs to be exchanged for it to be considered work. Finally, my work as Order of the “C”’s concession chair has allowed me to organize events that show the athletic staff how much athletes appreciate them, as their hard work for us often is taken for granted. Hometown: San Diego, CA Major: Public Policy I believe that success on the football field is definitely helped by the sense of brotherhood and dedication cultivated in the fraternity. Many of the experiences I had as a Fiji were intertwined with the experiences I had on the football field. Since many of my brothers are football players as well, the process of gaining enHometown: Detroit, MI trance into and being a brothMajor: Biological er of Phi Gamma Delta strengthened many of the Sciences bonds of friendship and loyalRaised by my African mother ty I had with players on the I feel very fortunate to have and having the support of my football team. These ties of been given such great opportuCaucasian Godparents my en- friendship were huge motivatnities to advance the understanding of disease and mental tire life, I don't see the world in ing factors that contributed to terms of race, but in terms of our success as a team this processes. Additionally, these good and bad people. So when year, achieving an 8-1 record positions have allowed me to I consider the question about and winning the UAA, and my work with some of the brightest people in the world— help- what it is like to be black in the individual success as an Allfraternity, I can honestly say American. ing shape my own mind. that I fit in well with all the \r\nPage 3 LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT Dear Fellow Phi Gams, over the past two years. I would like to acknowledge every Chi Greetings, brothers. It has been both an Upsilon Phi Gam that has come before honor and a privilege to serve as Chapter me. From 1902 to the graduates of 2014, President, and I look forward with enmen of high quality have walked the thusiasm to serving the rest of my term. halls of our homes and have carried the I would like to thank our graduate board, torch of Friendship, Knowledge, Service, the Chi Upsilon Alumni Association, for Morality, and Excellence to every genertheir unwavering efforts in working toation succeeding them. I am grateful for wards a brighter future for our chapter. my experiences in the fraternity and owe I recognize the challenges that being on it all to these men that were initiated such a board can bring, and I speak for before me. the entire undergraduate chapter when I I take great pride in leading the talented say that we truly appreciate the board’s and unique collection of brothers in our efforts. chapter. This year, our chapter has set The Chapter would like to thank all the goals that we hope will strengthen our graduate brothers that have given back organization before the closing of the to The Fraternity. “Not For College Days Chapter House so that we will rise above Alone” is not a phrase but rather a creed this challenge. We have focused on imthat holds tight the links of our chapter proving ritual, having a formal meeting through the years. Without the generos- at least once a month and increasing ity of graduate brothers, this chapter participation by instituting an absence would have ceased to exist and with it all policy for meetings. We continue to grow the extraordinary experiences, friends, and diversify our chapter with five newly and lessons that our chapter has attained initiated fall pledges and 28 in the cur- rent spring class, with a number of men from outside our traditional channel of the football team—and some outside of athletics altogether. It is our mission to mold these men, through a shortened pledge period and more thorough post initiation training, so they can lead us through the coming transition in our chapter. Our Chapter’s success hinges upon the ability of our brothers to maintain and strengthen the values of Phi Gamma Delta without the aid of the Fraternity House. To do this, we must support each other, and look to our graduate brothers for leadership and guidance so we can return to a fully renovated house as a revitalized Chi Upsilon! Fraternally, Chris Dengler Perge! JOB SPOTLIGHT By: Ben Shenwick (2016) It has been a great start to the school year for our senior class. Many FIJI seniors have already received offers or are in the thick of the interview process. After successful summer internships at J.P. Morgan in the Private Banking division, Bryan Tisdale and Tom Sutrinaitis accepted full time opportunities at the bank. Ian Hartitz recently locked in a full time offer from Accenture as a management consultant, in the Chicago office. Isaac Stern received an offer from Peak 6, a proprietary trading firm headquartered in the Loop, where he will start this summer as a junior trader. offer from the Chase Commercial Bank and is pursuing a full time opportunity in private wealth management. Patrick Ryan received and rejected an your future endeavors. Eric Kim received and rejected a full time opportunity at the Joe and Rika MansueMorgan Stanly offered Brandon Bolock a to Library, as a librarian specializing in full time position in their wealth man19th century African Literature, to puragement division, where he can utilize sue a Masters in Art History during the the network he created as the graduate Korean Jeungmi righteous war. relations chair at FIJI. Congratulations to and best of luck with SENIOR FOOTBALL SPOTLIGHT By: Mitchell Vashon (2016) The University of Chicago Maroons had one of their best football seasons ever, finishing with an 8-1 record and the UAA championship title. The Maroons secured a victory over the Washington University Bears, in St. Louis, winning the Founder’s Cup for the first time since 2010. The Maroons also won the Blue’s Bowl Guitar, another notable accolade, by defeating Rhodes College. Schuyler Montefalco, Scott Mainquist and Jake Winkel, all senior brothers, were the 2014 captains. Montefalco and Mainquist line up on the defensive side of the ball, at linebacker and defensive tackle respectively. Brandon Bolock, another senior brother, played defensive end, regularly pressuring the quarterback and racking up sacks and tacklesfor losses along the way. Montefalco, Mainquist and Bolock have led the Maroons’ defensive unit to a top 10 national ranking. Stern. Patrick Ryan, the former Treasurer of the fraternity, was the Maroon’s starting quarterback. Also aiding on the offensive side of the ball is Zak RossNash, helping the Maroons average over 150 yards rushing per game. Bryan Tisdale, the former fraternity President, Tom Sutrinaitis, Mike Maseda and Tom O’Neil contribute to the Maroons’ exploFor special teams, Ben Cheaney provided sive pass and run game. consistent and solid punting, allowing The senior brothers of Phi Gamma Delta the Maroons to bury their opponents in their own territory. anchored the formidable defensive and offensive units, and their dedication and Winkel battled in the trenches as an ofeffort were integral to the Maroons’ UAA fensive tackle. He leads a squad of expeChampionship. rienced lineman, including senior Isaac \r\nDesign, printing and mailing services provided by the International Fraternity of Phi Gamma Delta. Nonprofit Org Phi Gamma Delta Fraternity 1201 Red Mile Road Lexington, KY 40504 US Postage Paid Lexington, KY Permit # 540 Save the Date - Pig Dinner - Saturday, June 6, 2015 FIJI PHILANTHROPY - CLEANING UP THE NEIGHBORHOOD Rob Hall (2017) Scott Mainquist (2015) L to R: Greg Marshall (2017), Scott Mainquist (2015), Justin Waney (2016), Rob Hall (2017), Patrick Ryan(2015), Bryan Tisdale (2015) FIJI PHILANTHROPY The Chapter is committed to giving back to our community and enriching the lives of the less fortunate. Our brothers have supported a number of causes aimed at improving overall quality of life around the Chicago area. In January, we partnered with the Kappa Alpha Theta sorority to host a blood drive. Over 200 hundred people donated, providing the blood necessary to save numerous lives. Several of our brothers made a trip to the St. Thomas of Canterbury Soup Kitchen, a volunteer-driven organization that provides food and shelter to the impoverished of Chicago. They assisted with the preparation and distribution of food over the course of an afternoon and evening in January. In addition, our chapter has been participating in a school-wide clothing drive. Among the other participants is The Order of the C, a male athletic organization on campus. The clothes gathered are taken to shelters around the city in an at- tempt to provide warmth and protection from the harsh winter. As we move into the New Year, the Chi Chapter is exploring a multitude of other philanthropic activities, including regularly scheduled visits to the Ronald McDonald house. We are dedicated to giving back to the community that has provided us with the opportunity to attend one of the best schools in the country and be brothers of the best fraternity in the nation.