NUP NEWS NU UPSILON CHAPTER OF PHI GAMMA DELTA Message from the President Dear Brothers, Table of Contents Kappa Class: Building a Bond Introduction of New PL Year in in review: events, accomplishments, school standings Brotherly accomplishments Pig Dinner Highlights Senior Farewell Contact updates 2 2 2 3 3 4-5 5 I have the pleasure of writing this in good spirits, as I could not be more proud of what the Nu Upsilon chapter has accomplished in the past year. We have raised over $4,000 at our annual Miss Black Diamond Pageant for Broward Partnership for the Homeless and $500 during our Fijianthropy Week donated to USO. Furthermore, we had multiple brothers recognized at our university’s Leadership Awards Ceremony for outstanding community service. Being on a campus that has a young Greek Life Community, our chapter has had the ability and taken the responsibility, to pioneer wet mixers off campus through our diligent risk management and responsible brotherhood. Moreover, we have bridged the social gap and invited other cultural sororities to do joint events; such as our Race to the Beat with Lambda Theta Alpha Latin Sorority, Inc. The final numbers are not posted yet but the chapter keeps in the top two GPAs on campus staying above the all men’s average and all Greek average as well. Although we have been very successful this past year we are already looking forward to the Fall ’16 semester for recruitment. We have also worked with our SGA and secured $2,000 in funds for our events on campus in the fall. We have grown closer as a chapter tremendously in the past year. Choosing excellence rather than mediocrity, and persistence in the face of adversity. Fraternally, Jacob Scheler (2017) Perge! “All growth depends on activity. There is no development physically or mentally without effort, and effort means work.” Kappa Class: Building a Bond “The Kappa class was one of the smallest classes I have ever recruited within a fall rush semester, with their size being limited, it enabled them to grow and bond during their pledge probationary period. This class bonded so well together that they increased brotherhood within the chapter while they were still pledges. This just goes to show that a small number of guys can lift a chapter up while it is struggling and that’s exactly what they did.” -Kj Sekou (Fall 2015 Recruitment Chair) 2015 - 2016 Cabinet President Jacob Scheler Class of 2017 Corresponding Secretary Karanja Sekou Class of 2017 Next Page: Bios according to the order in the photo read top to bottom (Not pictured: Mohammad Farraj) Treasurer Austin Cannoy Class of 2017 Recording Secretary An Phan Class of 2018 Historian Adam Hillyard Class of 2018 \r\nKappa Class: Building a Bond Christopher Weigman Class of 2017 Human Service Administration Major “I joined Phi Gamma Delta because I wanted to get the brotherhood that the army gave me, needless to say, they gave me that.” Zavier Bernal Class of 2019 Marine Biology Major “I did not think I would join a fraternity, but joining this fraternity was the best choice for me.” Amar Sidhu Class of 2018 Biology Major “I joined Fiji looking for brotherhood, during rush week it just felt like they had a true tone of brotherhood.” Mohab Idriss Class 2017 Biology Major “Where do I start, Phi Gamma Delta, the fraternity life was new for me, but the brothers made me comfortable. I knew I could grow and learn from them.” Christian Charles Class of 2019 Biology Major “Fiji was my first choice no doubt, I wanted to grow this fraternity, I look up to the founding fathers.” Introduction of the New Purple Leagionnaire A special thank you goes out to our new Purple Legionnaire Byron Valle (University of Central Florida ’05). His dedication to upholding the obligations and responsibilities bestowed upon him in his new position have helped this chapter continue to grow over the past semester. Among coming to chapter meetings and offering advice when asked, he has gone above and beyond graciously opening his house to us to have a space to gather when we do not have a house of our own yet. His knowledge as a two term president at the Omega Phi chapter has helped us incredibly with structuring meetings and increasing the strength of the Nu Upsilon chapter infrastructure. We look forward to working with him in the future years and growing our chapter at Nova Southeastern University. Year in in review: Chapter Accomplishments September 2015: Brother Shane Wolfe (2016) wins Delta Phi Epsilon’s annual Mr. Fintastic Pageant extending our chapter’s win streak to 3 straight. October 2015: Our chapter’s 5th annual Miss Black Diamond philanthropy pageant raises over $4,000 for the Broward Partnership for the Homeless. The event drew a sold out crowd and was nominated for best Pictured is Nu Upsilon and the winner philanthropy event at NSU’s Student of the 5th annual Miss Black Diamond Leadership Awards Pageant from Delta Phi Epsilon Albert Baldoni Class of 2019 Computer Engineering Major “I joined Phi Gamma Delta because they gave me the best opportunity to excel. So many of their graduates are going to graduate school, I just want to follow in their footsteps.” Mohammad Farraj Class of 2018 Biology Major “Phi Gamma Delta does not fit the stereotype of the American fraternity, we are such a diverse group of men and that’s really what stood out to me.” 2 Winners of the last 3 Mr. Fintastic pageants: Adam Hillyard (2018), Shane Wolfe (2016), & Bairon Madrigal (2016) February 2016: Our chapter’s 3rd annual FIJIanthropy week raises over $500 for USO (United Service Organizations). April 2016: 10 brothers headed up to Highlands Hammock for a brotherhood camping trip. Our chapter participated in NSU’s annual Relay for Life and raised $215.38 Our chapter cohosted “Race to the Beat” with Lambda Theta Alpha Latin Sorority Inc. and helped celebrate their 15th year at NSU Brothers participating in Phi Sigma Sigma & Phi Beta Sigma’s annual Stroll Off. \r\nChapter accomplishments - End of the Year Ranked 3rd out of over a hundred student organizations in community service hours Ranked 2nd best GPA in IFC Achieved Silver Fin status on campus Brotherly Accomplishments This year was truly an amazing year for our chapter; a very decorative year as brothers received awards, were elected into student organization and honors societies, and earned University hires. They can be found below: Shane Wolfe (2016) 2016 Delta Phi Epsilon Mr. Fantastic 2016 SGA Executive Secretary of the Year NSU Experience and Identity Award NSU Service Award Adam Hillyard (2018) Hired: Admission Ambassador for Nova Southeastern University Amar Sidhu (2017) Mission Trip: Ecuador 100+ community service hours Andy Phan (2018) Elected: Student Government IFC Senator Reelected: Treasure of Pre-pharmacy Society 50+ Community Service Hours Albert Baldoni (2019) Deans List: College of Engineering and Computing Robert Willis (2017) Elected: IFC Treasurer Successfully started club: College Republicans Inducted in the NSU Order of Omega Greek Honors Society Christian Osorno (2017) Most improved GPA within chapter Elected: Student Government E-board: Vice President of Judicial Affairs Christian Charles (2019) Hired: Admission Ambassador for Nova Southeastern University Chris Joyce (2018) Hired: Coordinator of Finance and Administration for the Division of Advancement and Community Relations at Nova Southeastern University Karanja Sekou (2017) Nominated: Greek Fraternity Man of the Year 50+ community service hours Sarthak Parikh (2018) Elected: Honors Student Association Greek emerging leaders Sujay Kamisetty (2017) Awarded: Most Improved Organization on campus as acting President (MedLife) Awarded: Service Project of the Year (Medlife) Inducted: Tri Beta Beta Biology Honors society Elected: Co President of Medlife 100+ service hours Viktor Pavlidakey (2016) Inducted: Tri Beta Beta Biology Honors Society Inducted: Delta Epsilon Iota Honors Society Dean’s List Recipient College of Biology 5th Annual Frank Norris Pig Dinner We welcomed back 15+ graduates, our new purple legionnaire, members of the BCA, the northeast Section Chief. Words of wisdom were heard from Robert Bogdanoff (1973) & Mark Krill (1986) who also gave the Exile’s Toast Brotherhood awards: Awards were given out to brothers that played significant roles in this year’s successes: Chairman of the Year- Mohab Idriss (Social Chair, 2017) Leading with Courage- An Phan (2018) Most Improved Brother- Forrest Newman (2016) Brotherhood Devotion- Kevin Zhou (2018) Brother of the Year- Albert Baldoni (2019) 3 \r\nSenior Farewell The future dentist, doctors, lawyers and vets- these are our graduating Phi Gams. With an average graduating GPA of 3.5 and all being accepted into their graduate school of choice, our seniors leave an everlasting impression and set a standard for excellence. 8 of the 9 graduates are founding fathers and will never forget what they built. We look up to these young bright men and are excited to see what their futures holds. -Not For College Days Alone Forrest Newman Kj Sekou – Corresponding secretary Graduate receiving: Bachelors in Biology Graduating GPA: 3.4 Next step: Attending Nova Southeastern University College of Dental Medicine graduate program. Frankie Demma Graduate receiving: Bachelors in Legal Studies Graduating GPA: 3.42 Next step: Attending the University of Baylor Law program “FIJI has helped me find the balance between having fun with my brothers while at the same time still pushing one another to accomplish the highest level of academic success as possible. Through this, we as a senior class, have not only made countless memories with one another but also been accepted into all of our graduate schools of choice.” P! Bairon Madrigal Graduate receiving: Bachelors in Biology and Marine Biology Graduating GPA: 3.23 Next step: Nova Southeastern University Master program in Maine Biology “FIJI has given me some of my best friends. It has allowed me to grow and prosper and ultimately become a better person. Joining this fraternity has given me so much, the memories with my brothers will forever be indeed, not for college days alone.” Fernando Reachy Graduate receiving: Bachelors in Biology Graduating GPA: 3.65 Next Step: Attending Med School at Nova Southeastern University or in the Caribbean “Phi Gamma Delta gave me my best friends, knowledge and morality. It taught me how to be a true gentleman of quality and gave me the skills to be successful in the future in every aspect of my life.” 4 “Phi Gamma Delta has done so much for me, I have made long lasting brothers, being able to build a fraternity from the ground up meant a lot. I hope I return to a prospering fraternity, good luck brothers!” Viktor Pavlidakey Graduate receiving: Bachelors in Biology Graduating GPA: 3.6 Next Step: Attending Nova Southeastern University College of Dental Medicine graduate program “Fiji has taught me that family is more than blood. My brothers kept me grounded, helped in hard times, and appreciated me for being myself. The last four years I have learned that sometimes you have to make sacrifices for the good of others in order to accomplish a common goal. My fraternity taught me that a little can go along way. Giving back to my community while serving with my brothers is one of my best accomplishments” Fabian Sarrias Graduate receiving: Bachelor in Biology, Bachelors in Neuroscience Graduating GPA 4.0 Next Step: Graduate School at Johns Hopkins or USF for Neu-robiology “Study Hard and Play Hard” P! \r\nSenior Farewell Continued Shiva Morisetty Josh Samuels Graduate receiving: Bachelors in Biology, Minor in Leadership Studies Graduating GPA: 3.3 Next step: Midwestern University, Masters in biomedical sciences Graduate receiving: Bachelors in Biology Graduating GPA: 3.65 Next Step: Attending Nova Southeastern University College of Dental Medicine graduate program “Upon reflection, I joined FIJI because of networking opportunities and to be apart of something much bigger than myself, and the title of Founding Father was the icing on the cake. But now, I realize it’s given me much more. I know how insight that will continue to be useful throughout my life. I strive to be a better brother, a better man, and human being every day by stepping out my comfort zone and learning new things about myself. But perhaps the most influential people around me where my brothers, who held me accountable and challenged me in reaching my goals and to never stop achieving. My core values are more clearly defined and I can truly say that the impact this organization has made on my life is truly remarkable.” “Being so far away from home, this fraternity has made me feel so welcome. They were what I needed these four years to keep me sane. I was given the opportunity to lead in this fraternity, an experience that will never be lost. I cherish all my brothers and will be happy to come back a see the new brothers that have been accepted. Not for college days alone guys, remember that!!” Contact Us! For questions about chapter status, or future fall events give Karanja Sekou, Corresponding Secretary a call at 240-601-1057 or email him at ks1695@nova. edu. The cabinet will try to get dates for fall events including our annual graduate cookout by late June, so be on the lookout. Cabinet contacts and Email Jacob Scheler Phone: (850)-520-0600 Email: js3496@nova. edu KJ Sekou Phone: (240)-601-1057 Email: ks1695@nova. edu Austin Cannoy Phone: (561)-350-8499 Email: ac2140@nova. edu Adam Hillyard Phone: (952)-388-9094 Email: Ah1645@nova. edu Andy Phan Phone: (757)-773-7589 Email: ap1802@nova. edu Byron Valle Phone: (954)-646-6509 Email: Byron.valle@ gmail.com Shane Wolfe Graduate receiving: Bachelors in Biology Graduating GPA: 3.37 Next Step: Attending Nova Southeastern University Masters Program of Biological Studies “This Fraternity gave me courage, it gave me the courage to step outside my comfort zone, be myself, and to show myself that I can be involved in things 4 years ago I would not have been in. The memories that I have shred with these group of guys will always have lasting memories on me and my family. I thank all you guys for helping me and bringing me out my shell. I love and will miss you all.” Social Media Instagram: @nsufiji Facebook: @nsufiji Excited to announce the Our Official Website will be dropping THIS SUMMER Created By Kj Sekou – Corresponding Secretary Edited by An Phan – Recording Secretary Special Thanks to Luke Francis and all at IHQ for bringing this newsletter to life P! 5 \r\nPhi Gamma Delta Fraternity Nu Upsilon at Nova Southeastern University 1201 Red Mile Road P.O. Box 4599 Lexington, KY 40544 Nonprofit Org US Postage Paid Lexington, KY Permit # 540 NUP NEWS Spring 2016 NU UPSILON AT NOVA SOUTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY MAKE YOURSELF IMMORTAL! Phi Gamma Delta is teaming up with Donate Life to increase the number of organ donors across North America. This joint venture is called the Immortal Phi Gam project. There are more than 125,000 people waiting for an organ transplant in the United States and Canada, with approximately 150 names added to the waiting list every day. About 79 organ transplants take place every day, but sadly, approximately 22 people die every day because they did not receive an organ in time. The good news is that together Phi Gams can make a tremendous difference. One organ donor can save or improve the lives of up to 50 other people! Making yourself immortal is an easy 3-step process. 1. Go to www.phigam.org/immortalphigam and register at the bottom of the web page. 2. Click on the link on the same web page that will take you to Donate Life’s map page. Click on the state or province where you are licensed to drive or live and register to become an organ donor. This step is unnecessary if your driver’s license in the U.S. or insurance card in Canada already shows that you are an organ donor, but register again if you are uncertain. 3. Tell your parents, spouse, family members, and loved ones that you want to donate your organs when you die. If you are already a registered donor through your state or province, please register with the Fraternity as well at www.phigam.org/immortalphigam to help track the number of brothers who have made this life-saving decision. 6