FIJIGRAM CHI UPSILON CHAPTER OF PHI GAMMA DELTA UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO SPRING 2016 House Update, Pig Dinner and the Interfraternity Sing Competition The Chi Upsilon chapter of Phi Gamma Delta is set to hold its annual Norris Pig Dinner at the University of Chicago Quadrangle Club on Saturday, June 4, at 4pm. The cost of attendance will be very similar to last year, although if you have made a major gift or pledge to the Revitalize Chi Upsilon Campaign ($1,000+), you are welcome to attend the event for free. If you have not yet RSVPd for the dinner and still wish to do so, you can email uchicagofiji@gmail.com or call Brother Bernie DelGiorno (1955) at either (312)-525-4414 or (312)659-4850 in order to confirm your attendance. In addition to attending the dinner, the Chapter would like to invite you to an informal pre-dinner reception at Woodlawn Tap (formerly known as Jimmy’s) located at 1172 E 55th Street. The reception will begin at 2:30 pm and is within walking distance of the Quadrangle Club. Immediately following the dinner, the annual Interfratnerity Sing competition will take place in Hutch Courtyard at 7 pm, where the undergraduate chapter members, as well as any graduate brothers in attendance, will look to defend their Men’s Quality Cup Championship from 2015. We encourage all brothers who attend the dinner to come and participate in the sing competition in order to continue the strong Phi Gam tradition at the event. The song ensemble will be led once again by Brother Rick Rayfield (1974), so expect for the Phi Gams to preform with a strong presence yet again under his leadership. The day should serve as a wonderful opportunity for brothers to come by and see how the chapter house is progressing. As it currently stands, the interior demolition is around 90% complete, masonry at around 50% complete and the work on the roof just began a few days ago. All permits have been secured aside from one, which should be coming in the near future. If for some reason you are not able attend the dinner and would like to stay updated on the house progress or donate to the capital campaign, you may visit http://uchicagofiji.org for more information. Updates about the chapter house progress should be posted, along with photos, throughout the summer. TABLE OF CONTENTS SENIOR SPOTLIGHT: .......................... 2 PHILANTHROPY ..................... 3 \r\nSENIOR CLASS SPOTLIGHT This June, we will bring the departure of 26 high-quality Phi Gam gentleman from our undergraduate ranks. This resilient group of men has been an integral part of a defining era for our chapter; given the current state of Greek life around the country and on campus. This group has served as excellent an example of the five values of Phi Gamma Delta: Friendship, Knowledge, Service, Morality and Excellence. They have been leaders in the classroom, in their respective athletic arenas, in the chapter and in the community. As they leave Hyde Park and transition into their lives as graduate brothers of Phi Gamma Delta, we asked them to look back on their college experience and reminisce on the good times, the tough times, and their time as a Fiji. Here is what some had to say: Name: Colin Macri (2016) Major: Economics Title/Company: Incoming Analyst at Credit Suisse Other Organizations: Letter winner for the Varsity Football Team and member of Project Rousseau …on what he will miss most about your time as an undergraduate FIJI? “Pledging. I feel like throughout my pledgeship to the Fraternity, I got much closer to my entire pledge class and in the chapter as a whole. It was an experience I will cherish for the rest of my life.” Name: Brock Appenzeller (2016) Major: Political science Fraternity Position: Corresponding Secretary (2014–2015) Title/Company: Incoming Junior Analyst at American Street Capital Other Organizations: Three year starter and letter winner for the Varsity Football Team …on his FIJI affiliation affecting his college experience: “Being a member of FIJI gave me a really solid friend group throughout my college experience and it was great to add new classes of brothers that became some of my best friends over the years.” Name: Nick Pielech (2016) Major: Political science Title/Company: Gas Scheduler at CIMA Energy Other Organizations: Letter winner for the Varsity Football Team …on his favorite memory from his time as a FIJI at the University of Chicago? “I really enjoyed playing wiffle ball at the chapter house during the spring. Those days were great because I was able to enjoy the beautiful Chicago spring weather with my best friends at the house, and I will miss those times after I leave Hyde Park.” \r\nPHILANTHROPY This year, the Chi Upsilon Chapter has made a concerted effort to improve their philanthropic efforts and to build on what was a monumental year for the chapter’s presence on campus and in the community. The efforts began with our sister sorority, Kappa Alpha Theta, as we raised $16,748 for their Mr. University competition, the most of any Greek organization on campus. We followed up this performance with strong showings in various other Greek philanthropy events on campus, such as: Alpha Omega Pi’s “Alpha Games”, Delta Gamma’s “Anchorslam” and Pi Beta Phi’s “Arrowfest”. We followed up these events when on March 6, when the Chi Upsilon chapter sent a group of 23 young men to spend their Sunday morning volunteering at the annual Polar Plunge. With a showing of roughly 5,000-10,000 people, including special guests Al Roker of the Today Show and Lady Gaga, the brothers volunteered by doing crowd control for the event as well as managing concessions in the post-plunge tent. This opportunity was a very fulfilling experience as it gave everyone involved the chance to contribute to an event that helps special needs organizations, as well as interact with the Chicago community. Chi Upsilon men volunteering at the Ronald McDonald House in Hyde Park on March 11, 2016 Philanthropic efforts continued March 11th, when the brothers volunteered at the Ronald McDonald House right in our backyard in Hyde Park. While there, the brothers aided the workers at the house by moving and stocking items that came in a large shipment. The work of the brothers was pivotal in the smooth operation of the house, as they were able to complete what would normally take the housing staff several days of manual labor in just a few hours. Finally, our chapter, in coordination with the Psi Upsilon Fraternity, came together to throw a party, with all proceeds being split between the American Red Cross and the French Foundation. The organizations received approximately $2500 a piece through our donations. All in all, this year’s philanthropic efforts by the Chi Upsilon men have proven to be immensely impactful and will set the precedent for our continued service for years to come. Chi Upsilon men volunteering at the Polar Plunge in Chicago on March 6, 2016 \r\nPHI GAMMA DELTA University of Chicago Chi Upsilon Nonprofit Org US Postage Paid Lexington, KY Permit # 540 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.