TAUKUTAM G.D. FIJI PAGE 2 THE KNOX Heger plays in Senior Baseball World Series Fred Heger ('79) played in the Men's Senior G.D. FIJI Baseball League World Series in Arizona in November and his team came home with the second-place trophy. A longtime MSBL player (and former Knox baseball player who also PUBLISHED BY still plays hockey), Heger, who lives in St. GAMMA DEUTERON CHAPTER OF Louis, played left field for a Las Vegas- branded team in the MSBL national tourna- PHI GAMMA DELTA ment. They went a perfect 6-0 in the round KNOX COLLEGE robin games, hosted at Major League Baseball GALESBURG, ILLINOIS spring training sites in the Phoenix area, December 2024 (Vol. CXVII, No. 3) advancing to the semifinals, where they Editor: Joe Krantz ('26) claimed a 10-1 win, before losing in the Desert Contributors: David Brackman ('81), Fred Heger Division final 11-5 to a team from Seattle. ('79), Nick Stan ('25), Cole Andrews ('26), Josh Heger batted .381 with 14 RBIs in eight games, Rosenberg ('27), Knox Office of Advancement while playing solid defense. Way to go Freddie! President: Nick Stan ('25) Treasurer: Cole Andrews ('26) Recording Secretary: Jeff Ripka ('26) Corresponding Secretary: Joe Krantz ('26) Historian: Josh Rosenberg ('27) Purple Legionnaire: Doug Franke ('06) BCA Chairman: David Brackman ('81) House Corp. President: Steve Malecha ('81) Section Leader: Bob Schaich (Bradley '06) Field Secretary: Henry Sergent (Christopher Fred Heger ('79) prepares to take a swing during the Men's Newport '24) Senior Baseball League World Series in Arizona in November. CONNECT WITH US! X 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, We now embrace Phi Gamma Delta's New Member Education model, which emphasizes a As another successful fall term concludes, most warm and meaningful introduction to our of our brothers have dispersed across the fraternity's history, values and brotherhood. country for the holiday season. Our basketball players (three starters and two more on the I am also thrilled to share that we have begun roster) are staying on campus and we send our fundraising efforts for the redevelopment and best wishes as they begin their season. renovation of our chapter house! This project represents a monumental step forward for This fall was marked by several noteworthy Gamma Deuteron, providing a space that reflects achievements for Gamma Deuteron. Our the dedication and hard work that have brought ongoing partnership with the Purple Hanger us to this point. We hope this inspires not only thrift shop continues to make a meaningful our undergraduate brothers but also our impact in the community. Additionally, we graduates, affirming that Gamma Deuteron is united to raise over $5,000 for Derek Sult's here to stay, thriving as a pillar of Knox and the ('25) older brother, Chad, who is currently greater community. This endeavor would not be battling leukemia. This initiative served as a possible without the steadfast support of our powerful reminder of the difference we can graduates, and for that, we are deeply grateful. make when guided by our shared values. Finally, as my tenure as president and as a Knox One of the highlights of the fall was Pig Dinner, student winds down, I want to express my held in conjunction with Knox College Home- heartfelt gratitude to everyone who has made coming. We announced the appointment of a this experience so extraordinary. This chapter new Board of Chapter Advisors (BCA) and house has been like a second home to me, a place introduced Doug Franke ('06) as our new where I've forged lifelong friendships, grown as Purple Legionnaire. With their guidance and a leader, and been inspired every day by the leadership, we are poised to achieve even values of Phi Gamma Delta. Representing this greater success and growth as a chapter. chapter has been one of my greatest honors, and I am immensely proud of all we have As we turn our attention to winter term, the accomplished together. I look forward to leading current executive team is preparing for an us through a meaningful, impactful winter term. exciting slate of events, including recruitment and plenty of other activities to keep brothers Fraternally, busy. Recruitment is particularly important, as we prepare to welcome a new group of men into the fraternity. A diverse array of individuals Nicholas Stan ('25) have already expressed interest, and we are Gamma Deuteron Chapter President eager to add a unified and qualified class of new leaders to the chapter. P! G. D. FIJI PAGE 4 Knox to lead drive for $2M+ renovation of Fiji chapter house Longtime quest to restore century-old Fiji "castle" at 218 S. Cedar St. is endorsed by college brass 10/17/2024 100 - 0" A101 PHI GAMMA DELTA. COLLEGE 32 BLDD 218 5 Cedar St. Galesburg 61401 ARCHITECTS A rendering of a restored Gamma Deuteron chapter house, left, provided by BLDD Architects, which Knox College engaged to create plans for a $2M-plus renovation, is accompanied by a suggested first floor plan diagram, right. The college has endorsed the project and is actively seeking contributions from graduates to fund the project, which could begin as soon as June 2026, depending on donations. Another rendering of a restored chapter house - which would retain its exterior look - appears on the cover of this issue of the G.D. Fiji. For more than a century, the Knox College Phi On the day of the Homecoming/Pig Dinner/Fam- Gams have been identified with their chapter ily & Friends weekend event at the chapter house house at 218 S. Cedar St. While generations of Fiji on Oct. 26, Knox leaders for the first time graduates moved on to successful careers, the unveiled detailed architectural drawings and Fiji "castle" started to show its age and its floor plans for all four levels of a completely future has been somewhat uncertain for several refurbished Gamma Deuteron chapter house. A years, despite the dedicated efforts of the price tag of $2 million ("or maybe a little more") Gamma Deuteron House Corporation. was eventually disclosed. Now we are proud to announce that the 103- IT'S ON! The longtime quest to restore the Fiji year-old home of the Gamma Deuteron chapter chapter house is a collaborative effort with the of Phi Gamma Delta at the southwest corner of college! We're sure the men who founded the Cedar and Tompkins streets will continue to be a original Gamma Deuteron House Corporation in monument to our 157-year-old fraternity 1904 are smiling down on us all. chapter for many more decades - and (hope- fully) another century. FLOOR PLAN: The plan is to preserve the classical exterior appearance as much as possible while In October, Knox College formally announced completely upgrading and renovating the that it has embarked on a capital campaign to interior. The hope is to preserve an enduring raise at least $2 million dollars to restore the legacy while integrating modern innovations and structure, which is owned by the college and amenities for a full capacity of 20 members, the leased to our House Corporation through 2118. 'RESTORATION' Continued on Page 5