Fall 2024 No. 2 KNOX volume of by G. D. FIJI PAGE 2 Newest Fiji continues international ties THE KNOX Gamma Deuteron's number of new initiates G.D. FIJI for 2024 increased from nine to 10 when Vladimir (Vlad) Marinov ('27) was added to our chain late in the spring. Marinov, now a sophomore, hails from Sofia, Bulgaria, and is a PUBLISHED BY reserve point guard for the Knox men's GAMMA DEUTERON CHAPTER OF basketball team. He continues a long tradition PHI GAMMA DELTA of Knox Fijis with international origins. KNOX COLLEGE GALESBURG, ILLINOIS Vlad was someone the chapter was very excited to add and he has helped Gamma Fall 2024 (Vol. CXVII, No. 2) Deuteron in many different ways. Since initiation, Vlad has taken over social media Editor: Joe Krantz ('26) responsibilities and has also joined the social Contributors: David Brackman ('81), Cole board to help with planning chapter events. Andrews ('26), Nick Stan ('25) President: Nick Stan ('25) Vlad's roles go hand- Treasurer: Cole Andrews ('26) in-hand with the Recording Secretary: Jeff Ripka ('26) ability to plan and Corresponding Secretary: Joe Krantz ('26) promote events when Historian: Josh Rosenburg ('27) they are finalized. Vlad is a member the Purple Legionnaire: Randy Cox ('88) chapter cannot wait to Section Leader: Bob Schaich (Bradley '06) see grow during his Field Secretary: Henry Sergent (Christopher time involved in our 25 Newport '24) brotherhood. Vladimir Marinov '27 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, Looking ahead, we are eager to apply the lessons learned at Ekklesia to elevate our chapter's As we begin another promising school year at success even further. Reflecting on both our Knox College, I can't help but reflect on the achievements and challenges from last year, we sense of optimism and energy that fills our are committed to growth, improvement, and chapter house. making a lasting impact. It feels like just yesterday I was moving into With 25 brothers returning to Knox this fall, we Knox, full of anticipation for what lay ahead. know our recruiting efforts are paramount to our Now, having seen brothers before me graduate success. We also look forward to fully imple- and pursue their goals with great success, I find menting Phi Gamma Delta's "new model" of myself more motivated than ever to lead our member education and "Built to Lead" program. chapter forward alongside an incredible group of brothers. We are also engaging with our graduates and leaders at international headquarters and This past summer, I had the privilege of throughout Phi Gamma Delta about managing attending Phi Gamma Delta's Ekklesia in all the aspects of growing our chapter, which is Chicago, where I was joined by Cole Andrews already one of the premier small chapters in the ('26), our chapter treasurer, Joe Krantz ('26), fraternity; our goal is to be the best. our chapter corresponding secretary, and long- time chapter advisor David Brackman ('81). On a final note, I want to remind everyone about our upcoming Pig Dinner/Homecoming, taking We were fortunate to connect with Fiji brothers place on October 26. We are excited to reunite from across the nation, gaining invaluable with our graduate brothers and celebrate our insights and inspiration from their experiences. I shared brotherhood. The reception at the was honored to serve on the Committee of chapter house begins at 4:00 p.m. with a short Expansion and had the distinct opportunity to Pig Dinner program followed by a pork dinner. speak at the lectern on behalf of the committee, a Mark your calendars and join us for what moment I'll never forget. promises to be an unforgettable evening. The Gamma Deuteron chapter members are eager to Additionally, our chapter received an honorable see you there! mention for the Coon Plaque, recognizing our publication efforts over the past year. Beyond the Fraternally, formalities of Ekklesia, we enjoyed un- forgettable moments like attending the Cross- Town Classic game between the Cubs and White Nicholas Stan ('25) Sox (a 7-6 Cubs victory), strengthening the Gamma Deuteron Chapter President bonds that make Phi Gamma Delta so special. P! G.D. FIJI PAGE 4 Knox Fijis make impact at Windy City Ekklesia Phi Gamma Delta's biennial convention, the 176th Ekklesia celebrating 176 years of our fraternity, was held in Chicago on Aug. 8-11 at the Marriott Marquis hotel adjacent to McCor- mick Place in the city's South Loop. The Knox contingent was among hundreds of Phi Gam undergrads and graduates from across the U.S. and Canada who attended from 132 chapters and nine provisional chapters. Knox Knox sent three undergraduate members to Ekklesia: chapter president Nick Stan ('25), chapter treasurer Cole Andrews ('26) and chapter corresponding secretary and G.D. Fiji From left, Knox Fijis Cole Andrews ('26), Joe Krantz ('26) and Nick editor Joe Krantz ('26). Chapter advisor and Stan ('25) settle in for an Ekklesia business session. House Corporation vice president David Brackman ('81), a Chicago-area native, now a Our G.D. Fiji newsletter, which was edited in Florida resident, joined them. the past year by Andrews and then Krantz with contributions by Stan and Brackman - Our tiny Knox chapter made quite an impact at and won an Illinois State Historical Society Ekklesia: award - was recognized for "outstanding performance" in the Coon Plaque compe- Chapter president Stan stood at the podium tition for best chapter publication. And. Friday to introduce new chapters as spokes- man for the expansion committee. And... Our former longtime faculty advisor, Tianna Cervantez, also won an "outstanding per- formance" award in the Crowder Cup com- petition for top faculty advisor in Phi Gamma Delta. (She won the Crowder in 2022). And Our chapter's Section Leader (former Section Chief) Bob Schaich (Bradley '06), was honored with a Certificate of Recognition for his work on the Section Leader committee. Knox was proud to be by far the smallest chapter to win awards at Ekklesia, both by school enroll- ment (~1,100) and undergraduate chapter size Gamma Deuteron chapter president Nick Stan ('25), at (25). (See more Ekklesia photos on next page.) podium, was honored to address Ekklesia as spokesman for the fraternity's expansion committee. 'EKKLESIA' Continued on Page 5