Volume CXVII, No. 4 Spring 2025 * TH E KNOX G.D. FIJI Published by Gamma Deuteron Chapter of Phi Gamma Delta - Knox College G.D. FIJI PAGE 2 Knox baseball roster has 20 Phi Gams THE KNOX Twenty Fijis are members of the Knox baseball G.D. FIJI team in 2025, one less than the record 21 Fijis who were on the Knox baseball roster last season. (Three Fiji members of the 2024 team returned to campus this year, but opted out of baseball in PUBLISHED BY 2025. That means 23 of our current 33 Gamma Deuteron members are either current or former GAMMA DEUTERON CHAPTER OF Knox baseball players.) See story on pages 10-11. PHI GAMMA DELTA Along with seven current Knox basketball players KNOX COLLEGE GALESBURG, ILLINOIS and a former Prairie Fire golfer in the active chapter, 94 percent (31 of 33) of the current Fiji Spring 2025 (Vol. CXVII, No. 4) roster have played intercollegiate sports at Knox, Editor: Nicholas Nitti ('27) balancing academics, fraternity and campus Contributors: David Brackman ('81), Cole involvement alongside college athletics with a Andrews ('26), Josh Rosenberg ('27), Knox College vibrant social life and solid philanthropy efforts. President: Joe Williams ('26) Treasurer: Cole Andrews ('26) Recording Secretary: Josh Rosenberg ('27) Corresponding Secretary: Nicholas Nitti ('27) Historian: Braeden Phelan ('28) Risk Manager: Tyler Kemp ('27) BCA Chairman: David Brackman ('81) House Corp. President: Steve Malecha ('81) Purple Legionnaire: Doug Franke ('06) Section Leader: Bob Schaich (Bradley '06) Field Secretary: Henry Sergent (Christopher Newport '24) Knox third baseman Andrew Garrett ('26) launches a hit for the Prairie Fire. Garrett is one of 20 Fijis on the Knox baseball team. CONNECT WITH US! Click on any of the icons above to access our website and social media channels E-mail: gdgradinfo@gmail.com Mailing Address: 2 E South St., K-Box 1805, Galesburg, IL 61401 G. D. FIJI PAGE 3 From the chapter president's desk Dear Brothers, This past term we celebrated our annual Rose Formal event. Our thanks go out to Meeks on The Gamma Deuteron Chapter has concluded Main in Monmouth. Meeks on Main once again another successful trimester after we wrapped graciously hosted the Gamma Deuteron brothers up the winter term. Brothers have taken it upon and allowed us to create a night to remember not themselves to enjoy their time outside the only for ourselves, but also for our lovely Fiji academic setting by venturing to Florida, Texas, dates as well. or even spending time at home to further their extracurricular and social aspirations. We are pleased to announce the new chapter officers (executive board) for this upcoming Philanthropic efforts and athletic achievements school year: Cole Andrews ('26) returns as defined the chapter's winter term. treasurer; Josh Rosenberg ('27) is the new recording secretary; Nicholas Nitti ('27) is the The Gamma Deuteron Chapter celebrated corresponding secretary and G.D. Fiji editor; another great St. Baldrick's fundraising event, Braedy Phelan ('28) is the new historian and where we aided in progressing the research webmaster. Tyler Kemp ('27) is the new risk against childhood cancer by raising $7,000. The manager (now an executive position). chapter stands in solidarity with those afflicted and the families of children diagnosed with We are excited to unselfishly serve our chapter different forms of cancer. For many years now, as it has served us and will continue to con- Gamma Deuteron proudly has done its part in tribute to our experience for the rest of our days. creating a better future for cancer patients. The chapter looks forward to the upcoming Knox Fijis are making large contributions on the spring term, the finale for our seniors. We plan baseball field. Notably, brothers Andrew Garrett to work with several philanthropic organiza- ('26) and Hayden Derlein ('28) have been tions in Galesburg and the Quad Cities. Don't pivotal players in the everyday lineup, while Jeff forget our 2025 Pig Dinner/Homecoming/Fam- Ripka ('26) and Brandon Ward ('25) have been ily & Friends event. SAVE THE DATE: OCT. 11. delivering winning results on the mound. Fraternally, We would also like to congratulate the graduating seniors on the Knox basketball team Doe Williams who recently concluded their final season of Joe Williams ('26) collegiate basketball, Sean Gallery ('25), Aidan Gamma Deuteron Chapter President Derry ('25) and Derek Sult ('25). Their profound impact on Knox athletics will not be forgotten. P! G. D. FIJI PAGE 4 Five Knox Fiji leaders attend snowy Academy Three Gamma Deuteron undergraduates and two PHI GAMMA DELTA of our graduate leaders traveled to St. Louis for the annual Fiji Academy leadership conference at GAMMA GAMM - the beginning of January, where they parti- cipated in leadership seminars and learned about the many resources for chapter improvement offered by Phi Gamma Delta. The only thing unanticipated was coping with a sudden blizzard (aka: Winter Storm Blair). Josh Rosenberg ('27), then the chapter historian (and now recording secretary), was joined by fellow sophomores Sammy Garcia ('27) and Lucas Fujii ('27), along with the chapter's new The Knox Fijis who attended 2025 Fiji Academy, from left: Purple Purple Legionnaire, Doug Franke ('06), and Legionnaire Doug Franke ('06), Sammy Garcia ('27), Board of chairman of the Board of Chapter Advisors David Chapter Advisors chair David Brackman ('81), Lucas Fujii ('27) and then historian and now recording secretary Josh Rosenberg ('27). Brackman ('81) for Fiji Academy at the historic downtown St. Louis Union Station Hotel. It was The Knox contingent also learned about our the first Academy for all of them. fraternity's New Model for initiation, the Built to Lead, Building Courageous Leaders and Foun- Over the weekend, the Knox Fijis learned about a dation of Courage components of Phi Gamma variety of important Phi Gamma Delta initiatives Delta. They attended a model initiation cere- and how to implement them at the chapter level. mony and two banquets, including a formal Pig Sessions included training about hazing, alcohol Dinner on Saturday night, all while interacting and sexual abuse awareness and leadership with hundreds of Phi Gam undergrads and exercises meant to breathe fresh life into graduates from across North America, com- everyday fraternity experiences and enhance the paring experiences, notes and strategies. chapter's overall mission. Undergrads partici- pated in training specific to chapter offices. A solid lineup of motivational speakers provided insights and PGD leaders touted new and existing instructional web pages. An emphasis was placed on the "why" of fraternity issues, focusing on successful outcomes. What is produced? How do you get it done? Then: Why do this? (purpose); Why is this the best plan? (action); Why is this important? (motivation). Our delegates learned how to focus on one particular purpose when deciding why to do The Knox contingent plans its getaway strategy during a something. looming snowstorm at the Fiji Academy Pig Dinner event. 'ACADEMY' Continued on Page 5