Lambda Nu Today Fall 2017 Edition Pledge Class & Current News Page 1 & 2 112th Frank Norris Pig Dinner Page 3 Philanthropy Page 3 Newly Initiated Brothers Page 3 Freshman Scholarship Page 4 Lambda Nu Chapter of Phi Gamma Delta Overcoming all Odds, & Rushing a Pledge Class of 35 As the Lambda Nu Chapter of Phi Gamma Delta completed Spring 2017, a semester filled with debate, disgust with the University, and a philanthropy which raised $10,000 for I’ve Got a Name, the chapter pivoted to the future. One of the chapter’s foremost goals was to ensure the future of the chapter with or without the University by our side and to show those outside the chapter that we were not the chapter portrayed by the University and the media early last year. One of the questions which was consistently asked by both members of the chapter and graduates was how many new brothers with the current situation could we honestly rush. As a chapter, the task, in theory, seemed daunting, but realistically it came more naturally than one may have thought. Rushing this fall was untraditional as the chapter no longer had access to the university rush lists including potential rushees’ phone numbers, emails, and other information. The chapter was also excluded from events like the Greek Preview led by the university. None the less we pushed on holding our own Greek Preview open house, using our own contacts for rush, and holding numerous very successful summer rush events at the house, and at brothers’ lake houses. This year’s rush chairs Cooper Netsch, Brett Renner, Will Ruffalo, and Drew Kortus took on the challenge and over the course of the rush season rushed an incredible pledge class of 35 brothers. (Continued Next Page) Below: 2017’s Fall Pledge Class with House Mom Cindy \r\nOver the course of the semester the pledge class, which has members from as far as Texas, North Dakota, and California, took on normal pledging responsibilities even as they live in university dorms for their first year, moving in as sophomores the next. The pledges have also achieved a very high activating pledge class GPA of above a 3.2. With this in mind, the fact the chapter was operating as usual and the fact we had one of the most successful rush seasons in recent history didn’t please the university leadership as they watched from right across the street. The fall semester has been quite the adjustment for the chapter as we no longer have pledges living in the chapter house (a trend implemented in most colleges nationwide) and navigating more hurdles throughout the semester. F I J I The chapter house also had a low of around 35 members living in the house. The main cause of the low is the transition we have found ourselves in as the freshman lived in the dorms and upperclassmen moved out leaving a gap in capacity. We hope to move this number closer to 40-50 for next year and return to full capacity in the coming years as the chapter flushes out the events of the past year. This semester we also encountered challenges when planning socials with other Greek houses due to the suspension. Often the members of other chapters as individuals wanted to include us when planning events, but as usual, there has been pressure on other Greek chapters by the University and even their nationals to not formally associate with our chapter due to the suspension. With this said we did hold Islander, in the Lake of the Ozarks, had numerous other social events and are working around the politics of our suspension to have formal events with other Greek organizations next semester. And finally, in general as a chapter, and as a part of the Greek community, we can see the university and the city of Lincoln working hard to change Nebraska traditions which have lasted many decades. The UNL Greek System is under attack, student’s rights have been diminished, and the university has extended its surveillance and interference in student’s activities far beyond campus. Many of the traditions of the past including tailgating or block seating, Greek life events, social events, and other long-held Nebraska establishments are fading into the past due to a lack of University of Nebraska educated leadership. Often these changes push students farther from campus making what would be a safe situation dangerous as well as taking away from our college traditions and experiences. With this said the Lambda Nu Chapter of Phi Gamma Delta is here to stay and make a difference. We look forward to the future and are thankful for all the graduate support. Perge! ˆ “Nothing Can Take the Place of Persistence.” \r\nLambda Nu Today Page 3 112th Frank Norris Pig Dinner Undergraduate and Graduate Brothers Gathered to Celebrate the Oldest Tradition in the Entire Greek Community On Friday, October 13, our Lambda Nu chapter of Phi Gamma Delta celebrated the 112th Frank Norris Pig Dinner. Almost 30 graduate brothers from all around the country traveled to Lincoln to enjoy the oldest tradition in the Greek community with our undergraduate chapter. Following the festivities at Chez Hay, undergraduate and graduate brothers watched the Husker football game the next day against Ohio St. ! Fall Philanthropy This semester we continued to show our support to a charity local to Lincoln, I’ve Got a Name. I’ve Got a Name educates and helps fight sex trafficking in Nebraska especially along the I-80 corridor where girls are trafficked through our state to reach others. To raise awareness, I’ve Got a Name held a rally at the Capitol building in which several members attended early in the semester. The Chapter also held a fundraiser through the downtown Chipotle which donated a percentage of their profits to the cause. Newly Initiated Brothers This Past September, we Initiated Eleven New Members into our Chapter “More Phi Gam Less Self.” \r\nLambda Nu Today Page 4 Freshman Scholarship Recognition This semester many of the pledges made scholarship a top priority and achieved many great feats during the semester. With an average activating GPA of 3.28 the future is bright for many undergraduate members. Receiving a 4.0 for the semester and the Phi Gamma Delta Triple A Scholarship (3.2 or above for $250) • Sam Nelson • Jarett Mari Receiving the Phi Gamma Delta Triple A Scholarship (3.2 or above for $250) • Jackson Peterson • Hunter Christensen • Trent Brown • Drew Borchers • Alec Sanger • Jack Simone • Blake Hamel • Diego Galvan • Harrison Smith • Jeff Carpenter • CJ Wright Special Thanks to Scholarship Chair Jordan Redler “More Phi Gam Less Self.”