Volume CIX Galesburg, Illinois — Fall 2016 ​No. 2 Knox Fijis dedicate 150th Anniversary Table to highlight successful Homecoming 2016 weekend Gamma Deuteron revived one of its oldest traditions when the chapter dedicated its new 150th Anniversary Table to kick off the Knox Homecoming 2016 weekend on Friday, Oct. 14. Our 150th Anniversary Table is the third in a line of tables upon which Knox Fijis have carved their names during the past century. The new table provides a tangible connection to past eras of Knox Fiji brothers. On Oct. 14, the original two tables, which are now about 100 and 70 years old, respectively, flanked the new table during the brief dedication ceremony at 218 S. Cedar St. Marty Glickman (1980) carves his name into the 150th Anniversary Table as Alex Peck (2019) looks on. Marty Glickman (1980) ​of Chicago was the oldest among the graduates who attended the dedication, earning him the honor of being the first to carve his name into the new table. Glickman was among more than 20 graduates who donated to fund the table’s construction (see a full list on page 2). Using a combination of small hand and power tools, about two dozen graduates, and most of the current undergraduates, added their names during the weekend. Most of the remaining empty space on the new table should be filled in during ​Gamma Deuteron’s 150th Anniversary and Pig Dinner weekend on April 7 and April 8, 2017​. (Gamma Deuteron was founded on April 5, 1867.) Before the unveiling of the new table, 150th Anniversary principal organizer ​Dave Brackman (1981) explained that the new table was crafted by Scott Warren, a Galesburg carpenter and former city firefighter who Brackman, a Florida resident, discovered online, but whose shop is less than one mile from Knox’s Fiji house. Brackman, who is writing a Gamma Deuteron chapter history, explained that around a century ago, probably right after the end of World War I, the Knox Fijis began carving their names into a wooden table as a way to leave a lasting legacy. ​ ​”Homecoming” Continued on Page 4 \r\nPage 2 Fall 2016 G.D. Fiji President’s Message Many greetings to everyone this holiday season. Looking back, the fall was a successful term for the Gamma Deuteron chapter. Prominently, the 2016 Homecoming was one of the most successful ever for the chapter. The house counted at least 30 alums from different class years present and everyone enjoyed themselves. The Homecoming celebration served as a foreshadowing of the 150th anniversary celebration on April 7 and 8, 2017. At this year’s homecoming, the undergraduates entertained the alums and their family with “Chicken Toriumi,” wings, picnic items and drinks thanks to contributions from graduates. Table carving of the 150th anniversary table was a popular activity. The alums that were unable to make it to Homecoming will have the chance to leave their legacy during another table carving ceremony during April’s 150th anniversary celebrations. Furthermore, the undergraduates are working on ways we can to improve the house conditions prior to the 150th celebrations. For Halloween this year, the Gamma Deuteron house was largely involved in organizing a “Greek-and-Treats” event involving all fraternities. On that day, each chapter had a table in Standish Park (across the street from our house), where candy was handed out to about 100 kids who came to the event with their families. On the same day, Gamma Deuteron’s campus advisor, the always helpful Tianna Cervantes, graciously took a pie in the face as a fundraiser for residents of Haiti during the college soccer game. These are some of the little successes and involvements Gamma Deuteron has experienced this school year. The goal of the house is to continue in this momentum and continually uphold the values of our fraternity. Currently, plans are underway for 150th celebrations and we hope to see as many graduates as we can for the celebrations. In the meantime, I wish everyone and their families the happiest of holidays and wonderful celebrations in the coming year. A ‘Thank You’ to generous graduate brothers The Gamma Deuteron Chapter of Phi Gamma Delta Fraternity would like to thank the following alumni for their donations toward the 150th Anniversary Table, dedicated on October 14, 2016. Thanks to all who contributed! Donors are listed below: Jun Adachi (1981) Tom Bannos (1979) Dave Brackman (1981) Paul Brauer (1978) Memorial Golfers Doug Duff (1978) Marty Glickman (1980) John Gordon (1982) Bob Hawkinson (1980) Norm Hillner (1979) Bill Hurley (1977) Jim Jaeschke (1981) Jim Lofgren (1980) Steve Malecha (1981) Tom Minick (1982) Jim Mocogni (1979) Joe Nichols (1979) John Pritchard (1979) Dave Schramm (1978) Glen Thompson (1978) Dean Toriumi (1980) Mark Unangst (1982) Tom Woolwine (1981) \r\nPage 3 Fall 2016 G.D. Fiji Phi Gams celebrate Halloween with the community On October 29, Knox College and the Interfraternity Council (IFC) hosted a trick-or-treating event in Standish Park with members of the Galesburg community. The purpose of the program was to promote fraternities and allow them to interact positively with the community. The event was a success for the Gamma Deuteron chapter as dozens of children stopped and said hello at our table. Brothers ​Jonathan Damota (2019)​, Brandon Perez (2018), Uduak Ekanem (2017), and Jack Barecca (2019) ​were all present for the event, passing out candy and interacting with the children and their families. The event was the brainchild of Knox Fiji President Uduak Ekanem and Greek Life advisor Eleanor Kahn as a way to promote Greek life in the community, and it turned out to be quite successful. “I thought the turnout was great,” said Brandon Perez. “There were a lot of kids in costumes, and it was great for Knox to be able to send a positive message about Greek Life to the community. Along with that it was more or less our event and that really helped improve our image on campus and around the Galesburg community.” Jonathan Damota (2019), Brandon Perez (2018), and friend Nejla Ghane joined Gamma Deuteron’s Halloween community service project. Or click the image on the right to see our new website and 150th Anniversary countdown clock. Send your graduate news to: ​knoxfijigradnews@gmail.com Editor: Theo Mills (2018) Contributors: David Brackman (1981), Andy Van Buskirk (2017), Tom Janczur (2018) \r\nPage 4 Fall 2016 G.D. Fiji “Homecoming” Continued From Page 1 Members who graduated in the late 1910s, 1920s, 1930s and 1940s carved their names into Gamma Deuteron’s original table, which includes an imbedded brass insert that bears the fraternity’s Greek letters and chapter designation, also in Greek. Graduates from earlier years who visited the chapter house also engraved the table. An etching by ​J. Jay Hammond (1897)​, a Galesburg dentist and chapter advisor for decades, appears to be the oldest to adorn the original table, although it is unknown exactly when Hammond carved his name. After the original table was engraved by dozens of Gamma Deuteron brothers, the chapter acquired a second table sometime around (probably right after) World War II and members who graduated in the 1940s, 1950s, 1960s and early 1970s carved their names into that table, until it was retired to the archives. (The legs of both antique tabletops have been missing for decades.) Gamma Deuteron’s original table, left, is about 100 years old and features an embedded brass insert. The second table was probably acquired soon after the end of World War II. By the late 1970s, table carving was only a memory in Knox Fiji history, although chapter presidents and treasurers did carve their initials into the drawers of the huge “Wheels Room” desk from the 1960s until around 2000, when the desk was removed from its third floor room. (It appears that the desk carvings were not saved.) But now, as the Fijis approach the 150th anniversary of their founding at Knox College, the Gamma Deuteron table carving tradition has fresh life in the 21st century. Table carving continued on the afternoon of Saturday, Oct. 15, when more than 30 graduates and their guests returned to the Fiji house for an Open House reception after the football and soccer games. The undergrads treated the grads to a grilled chicken feast, including the famous “Chicken Toriumi” recipe (thanks to a donation from ​Dean Toriumi, 1980​) on the house veranda and under a tent erected on the lawn just west of the house. Needless to say, “A good time was had by all” who attended Homecoming 2016 and ventured over to the Fiji house. A group of Knox Fiji graduates carves the 150th Anniversary Table during Gamma Deuteron’s Open House under the tent on the lawn next to the Fiji house on Saturday, Oct. 15. \r\nPage 5 Fall 2016 G.D. Fiji Janczur represents Knox Fijis at 168th Boston Ekklesia Outgoing Archon President Mike Lucas (Bradley, 1983), left, met with Knox’s Tom Janczur (2018) at the 2016 Ekklesia in Boston in August. A former chapter historian, Janczur was Gamma Deuteron’s lone representative at the biennial convention. He says he brought home important lessons about leadership, organization, management, and responsibility that will resonate with his undergraduate brothers on the Knox campus. By​ ​Tom Janczur (2018) The 2016 Ekklesia was held at the Westin Boston Waterfront Hotel from August 11-14. Due to travelrelated issues, I was the only Knox Fiji to attend this year’s Ekklesia, which marked the fraternity’s 168th year, but I came away thinking it was one of the best experiences I ever had — interacting with hundreds of undergraduate and graduate brothers from across the country and beyond and learning important lessons about leadership, organization, management and responsibility. A former Gamma Deuteron chapter historian, I had the opportunity to meet with outgoing Archon President ​Mike Lucas (Bradley, 1983)​, who was a charter member of the Bradley chapter and its first chapter president. A contingent of Knox Fijis was among the members who recruited Lucas to join the fraternity about 35 years ago. As Archon President, Lucas had the honor of wearing the Phi Gam pin (pictured at left) that originally belonged to ​Calvin Coolidge (Amherst 1895)​, who served as the 30th President of the United States from 1923-1929. Phi Gamma Delta executive director ​Bill Martin (Mississippi State, 1975) ​addressed the more than 500 attendees at a banquet on the first night of the convention and spoke about what is expected from today’s fraternities and how expectations have changed over the years since his time as an undergrad. After the banquet, brothers heard presentations from colonies that were looking to become chapters. Awards were conferred on the second day of Ekklesia. Gamma Tau at Georgia Institute of Technology won the Cheney Cup (best overall chapter efficiency in scholarship, campus activities and fraternity relationships) and the Coon Plaque (best chapter publication). Sigma Tau at the University of Washington went home with the Baker Cup (excellence in religious, ethical and social service activities), Brightman Trophy (best graduate relations) and the Zerman Trophy (excellence in extracurricular activities). The Condon Cup went to the Gamma Phi chapter at Pennsylvania State University (best all-around improvement), Chi Eta at Western Kentucky University left Boston with the Jordan Bowl (highest comparative scholarship), and the Owen Cup (greatest improvement in scholarship over the previous year) was awarded to the Alpha Iota chapter at Iowa State University. After the luncheon, brothers participated in a community service project that sent them around Boston doing different charity work. I got assigned to go to a Boston public high school where I helped clean their weight room and their locker rooms. We were then rewarded with the chance to attend the Boston Red Sox game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at historic Fenway Park (a 9-4 Red Sox win). The third and final day of Ekklesia was dedicated to the business of the fraternity, including voting on the important issues at hand. All six colonies that petitioned to become chapters were approved in unanimous fashion. Finally, the new archons were elected and Lucas presented incoming Archon President ​Brian Douglas (Tennessee Tech 1998) with the Coolidge badge before the final gavel of an incredible experience, I was grateful to have shared it with many different brothers. \r\nPage 6 Fall 2016 G.D. Fiji Four Fijis spark Knox soccer team’s 2016 success By Andy Van Buskirk (2017) Four Knox Fijis played important roles on a successful 2016 Knox men’s soccer team that went undefeated (7-0-2) in regular-season conference games and finished with a 13-4-2 record. As a senior, I am extremely proud of how the team has made such an impressive turnaround since winning just one game five years ago. While we were again unable to capture an elusive conference tournament championship (and automatic bid to the NCAA Division III national tournament), I can look back on my years playing soccer at Knox as helping ignite positive change and fueling a winning attitude that will no doubt achieve greater post-season glory sometime in the near future. Our 2016 season began with a pre-preseason trip, as a majority of the team traveled to Costa Rica for a unique experience training and playing in a different country. The landscapes, mountain ranges, and beaches give Costa Rica some of the most breathtaking views in the world. One of the games the team played was at a technical university whose pitch overlooked one of the active volcanoes on the island. Playing with a backdrop as gorgeous as the plush green valley below a volcano is any athlete’s dream. We lost that game, but I was fortunate enough to score a goal in that idyllic setting and Kendall Davidson, a Fiji and a junior defender from Fayetteville, Ga. added our team’s only other goal. Johnny Banham, a Fiji and junior defender/midfielder from Malaga, Spain, and Shane Bollini, a Fiji and sophomore goalkeeper from Godfrey, Ill., also made the trip to Costa Rica. One of the most memorable experiences of our time in Costa Rica – aside from the all-inclusive, beach-side resort and the opportunity to play internationally – was the training the team undertook early on in the trip. The training was an early morning session in a part of the country nicknamed the “Hot Pot.” I don’t know where this nickname originated, but it is accurate; that morning, well before midday, the temperature was pushing triple digits with humidity in the mid- to high-80th percentile. Talk about sweating out a summer’s worth of questionable decisions, that morning certainly set the tone for the entire season. After we returned to campus in September, Davidson scored his only goal of the season in our first regular-season game and we were 2-0 before three straight one-goal losses crushed us – but not our determination. Miraculously, we responded by notching eight straight wins before a tie (I had a goal and an assist during that stretch), then won three more in a row, an incredible 11-0-1 late-season run. Despite a 2-1 win against Lake Forest in our only head-to-head matchup, the Foresters claimed the regular-season Midwest Conference title with an 8-1-0 record to Knox’s 7-0-2. We tied St. Norbert 1-1 in our final regular-season game, but lost to them 3-2 six days later in the semifinals of the Midwest Conference post-season tournament, ending our season. \r\nPage 7 Fall 2016 G.D. Fiji 150th Anniversary Dinner menu will please your palate Dinner Menu for the 150th Anniversary Celebration and Pig Dinner of the Gamma Deuteron Chapter of Phi Gamma Delta at Knox College — Saturday, April 8, 2017 at Soangetaha Country Club, Galesburg, Illinois Hors D’Oeuvres (Butler Service) at 5 p.m. Prosciutto Wrapped Cheese and Melon Bites Shrimp Cocktail Lamb Lollipops (Asian Marinated Ground Lamb with Pineapple Sauce) Spicy Crab and Corn Poppers Meatballs (with Sweet and Sour Sauce) Cash Bar with $1.50 Bud Light on Draft Salad Classic Caesar Salad (Table Service) Homemade Pasta Salad (Buffet) Dinner Buffet at 6:15 p.m. Beef Tenderloin with Port Wine Sauce — (Medium Rare — Served at Carving Station) Pecan Crusted Chicken Breast Vegetarian Lasagna Sides Baked Potato with Sour Cream Spinach Soufflé Rolls and Butter Iced Tea, Lemonade, Coffee Dessert G.D. Fiji Cheesecake (Table Service) Almost 50 years ago, Knox Fijis gathered at Galesburg’s Soangetaha Country Club to celebrate the chapter’s centennial on April 2, 1967. More than 100 graduates from all across the country attended the 100th Anniversary Celebration, and they posed for this photo outside the club. The 150th Anniversary Celebration and Pig Dinner on April 8, 2017 will also be held at Soangetaha. \r\nPage 8 Fall 2016 G.D. Fiji Start planning now to attend the 150th Anniversary Weekend and Pig Dinner on April 7-8, 2017 With only about four months to go until Gamma Deuteron’s 150th Anniversary Weekend, we wanted to share as much information as we can so you can register and sign up to attend this momentous Knox Fiji event. Many of the details are already set, but please review the schedule below very carefully so we can have accurate head counts for the various events that we have planned. Then click the blue link near the bottom of this page to register and pay securely through the Knox College website. Please register no later than March 1, 2017. Friday, April 7 ● Gamma Deuteron Golf Event at Soangetaha Country Club, 258 N. Soangetaha Drive, Galesburg; Brothers should arrive by 12:30 p.m.; First tee time at 1:30 p.m ($65 fee includes range balls and cart) ● G.D. Fiji Party (food and drinks) at the home of Galesburg Mayor J ​ ohn Pritchard (1979)​ and his wife, Jane, 345 Park Lane Drive, Galesburg Party begins at 7 p.m.; with live music by Bits & Pieces blues band, featuring L ​ es Hunter (1977) Saturday, April 8 ● Community Service Project, 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. (details to be announced) ● Reception and Picnic (food and drinks) at Fiji house, 218 S. Cedar St., 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. ● Cocktails at Soangetaha, 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. (Cash bar with $1.50 draft beer) ● Gamma Deuteron 150th Anniversary Group Photo, 6 p.m. ● 150th Anniversary Pig Dinner Banquet at Soangetaha, 6:15 p.m. — $109 * ● Guest speaker: ​Bill Martin (Mississippi State, 1975)​, Executive Director and Editor, Phi Gamma Delta * — There will be one comprehensive price of $109 for the Friday night party, Saturday afternoon picnic and Saturday night Pig Dinner banquet. Wives and families are invited to attend all events for ​free ​except Cocktails, Photo & Pig Dinner on Saturday evening. The menu for the Pig Dinner banquet is listed on page 7 of this edition of the ​G.D. Fiji. (Members please wear suit and tie with Phi Gam badge to the Pig Dinner banquet.) The 150th Anniversary Table will be available for carving all weekend. In addition, the Knox College library will have a special display of Gamma Deuteron memorabilia and artifacts from the school’s archives. Fiji undergrads will lead guided tours of the campus and library exhibit on Saturday afternoon. Invitations for the 150th Anniversary will be mailed and/or emailed in January 2017. But you can securely register and pay by credit card for all 150th Anniversary events now via the Knox website at: http://www.knox.edu/alumni/phi-gamma-delta-anniversary-weekend After you register, hotel information will be sent to you via email. We hope to see you the first weekend in April, because Phi Gamma Delta is “Not For College Days Alone.” If you have questions, comments or concerns about the 150th Anniversary and Pig Dinner Weekend, contact Dave Brackman (1981)​ at: ​david.brackman@yahoo.com​ or call him at 813-326-9628. Perge!