July 9, 2018
In June, Ethan Shafer (Connecticut 2020) and Nick Maou (Connecticut 2020) traveled to Nepal for four weeks with GIVE volunteers. GIVE Volunteers is a volunteer organization that recruits students across the country to travel abroad and volunteer in local communities. The first two weeks of June, Ethan and Nick volunteered in the Gorkha District of Nepal helping villagers rebuild their homes that were destroyed during the 2015 earthquake.
Pictured: After volunteering, Ethan (left) and Nick (right) spent seven days hiking to the Base Camp of Mount Everest, which is at a 17,600 foot elevation.
July 9, 2018
On June 30, 2018, 20 Xi Deuteron graduate brothers from the classes of 1970-73 gathered for a reunion at the Case Western Reserve Alumni Center. Brothers enjoyed a catered reception on the "Phi Gamma Delta Floor" (plaque pictured below) with 13 of their wives.
Pictured: Doug Montgomery (1972), Ross Pillari (1972), Arnold Danchenka (1973), Bob Niebaum (1969), Peter Burns (1970), Mitch Henn (1972), Al Belknap (1972), Ray Fenner (1971), Joe Konieczny (1971), Roger Kapostasy (1973), Paul "Fred" Ricart (1973), John Vanek (1970), John Lubahn (1971), George Yanok (1972), Stan Jonas (1973), Paul Cevasco (1972), Barry Lehto (1970), Jim Gavacs (1973), Ken Lucas (1970) and Carl Alexander (1970).
June 14, 2018
Brad Daitch (Maryland 2021) (right) shares how his relationship with his father, Charles Daitch (Maryland 1990) (left), was strengthened when they became fraternity brothers. Read Brad's article from Phi Deuteron at Maryland's spring 2018 newsletter:
From Fathers to Sons, the FIJI Family Tree Continues to Grow
Bradley Daitch (Maryland 2021)
Phi Gamma Delta had an enormous impact on my life long before I was initiated into the Phi Deuteron Chapter at Maryland. Thinking back, my childhood is dotted with memories of graduate brothers who stayed close with my dad, Charles Daitch (1990), and uncle, Brian Daitch (1984), after college. Molson, the chapter house dog from when my dad was in school, was still around during my early childhood. “Not for College Days Alone” is a real phrase and it was one of the key motivators that drove me to pledge FIJI this spring. My dad never felt the need to convince me to join this fraternity. He knew FIJI had been reinforced into my brain through the countless memories made from growing up around his own brothers. Never did I take the time to process that the people who helped raise me my whole life would one day be the brothers I would have as a Phi Gam.
Since getting initiated, I can now call my father, uncle and cousin my brothers. Whenever someone calls out “Daitch” in the chapter house, I have to ask, “which one?” as my cousin, Cole Daitch (2020), is also a current brother in the Chapter. Although it gets quite confusing, this is but a small price to pay.
Throughout pledging, I would find myself looking up at my father’s composite from when he was president in 1988, which hangs in the chapter room as a way to motivate myself to persist. During the confusion and surprise of initiation, my eyes began wandering around the room to take in my surroundings. To my ultimate surprise, my dad met my gaze with a massive smile. In this moment, I was finally able to make sense of what it means to be a part of the same Fraternity as my father. I realized that everyone in the chapter room are now my brothers: my family. Some sharing the same blood as me, some not, but brothers nonetheless. Because of the Brotherhood, I’ve felt the relationship with my dad strengthen over a hundred times. Hopefully, 25 years down the road, I will be lucky enough to share the same experience with my son.
June 4, 2018
On May 19, several brothers presented Colonel Robert B. "Bob" Sullivan USAF, Retired (UCLA 1938) with the Diamond Owl certificate, celebrating 75 years of membership, at his home in Vallejo, CA.
Pictured (L-R): Bob Arp (UCLA 1981), Dana Hesse (Virginia Tech 1986), Shawn Knight (Clemson 2016), Bob Sullivan, Archon President Brian Douglas (Tennessee Tech 1998), Dennis Whitcomb (UC Riverside 1986), Dave Dodds (Case Western Reserve 1980) and Mark Rhoades (UC Riverside 1990). Not pictured: Chuck O'Neal (UC Riverside 1988).
June 1, 2018
On May 19, the Houston Graduate Chapter held its 4th Annual Frank Norris Pig Dinner at The Forest Club in Houston. Approximately 50 brothers representing 22 chapters were in attendance, including seven brothers, who flew from out of state, and several undergraduates representing four local chapters.
Executive Director Bill Martin (Mississippi State 1975) delivered the keynote address, and Graduate Chapter President Vijay Sekhara (Connecticut 2012) presented the Exile's Toast. Additionally, William Nichols (Texas San Antonio 2009) was named Brother of the Year for his efforts strengthening brotherhood within the Chapter.
Pictured (L-R): Bill Martin and David Devine (Evansville 2011) in the pig costume.
May 15, 2018
On April 14, the Southern Star (Fort Lauderdale, FL) Graduate Chapter presented the inaugural Outstanding Undergraduate Senior Award to Parker Sheppard (Nova Southeastern 2018) and An Phan (Nova Southeastern 2018). The monetary award is given to a senior/seniors who excelled in scholarship, brotherhood, leadership and philanthropy during their undergraduate career.
Pictured (L-R): Eric Wilhjelm (Florida 1988), Derek Gordon (Arkansas 2008), Ryan Kegerreis (Nova Southeastern 2015), Parker Sheppard, Rich Wilhjelm (Florida 1984) and Mark Krill (Florida 1986).
April 16, 2018
In honor of National Volunteer Week (April 15-21), Phi Gamma Delta wants to recognize our extraordinary volunteers and the important work they do for the Fraternity. Here is a list of several graduate brothers who were recently recognized for the outstanding volunteer work they do:
- Jeff Butterworth (Sam Houston 2016), Faculty Advisor, was awarded Outstanding Advisor of a Student Organization from SHSU.
- Steve Caine (New Mexico 1997), Chapman's Purple Legionnaire, was named Advisor of the Year.
- Dave Elmore (Indiana 1955), former Archon President, received IU's Herman B. Wells Greek Legacy Award for his consistent dedication and service to the IU Greek community as an alum.
- Steve Gay (Old Dominion 1990) (pictured above), Purple Legionnaire, won the Donald K. Marchand Outstanding Alumni Award from ODU's Fraternity & Sorority Life Awards.
- Sean Nicholl (Western Michigan 2013), BCA Chairman, was awarded Outstanding Chapter Alumni by WMU's Order of Omega.
- William "BJ" Sterling (North Texas 2013) won UNT's IFC Greek Advisor of the Year Award.
- Dr. Amelious Whyte (Minnesota 1990), Scholarship Advisor won UM's IFC Advisor of the Year.
April 12, 2018
The Atlanta Graduate Chapter held its 6th monthly meeting since its revival at the Hudson Grille in Sandy Spring, GA on April 10. Seventeen brothers representing 13 chapters were in attendance.
The next monthly meeting will be held at the Georgia Bulldogs vs. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets baseball game at the SunTrust Park on May 8, 2018 at 7:00 pm.
Pictured: Tom Adams (Emory 1970), Jackson Wood (Georgia 2013), Bill Gurley (Arizona 1970), Patrick Harvey (Florida State 1986), Tommy Owings (Georgia 1984), Stephen Hart (Cincinnati 1973), David Massey (Florida State 2003), Mark Forbes (Arkansas 1984), Mitchell Williams (Florida State 1983), John Ficken (Tennessee 1980), Chuck Pettis (Miami 1961), Bruno Haring (Bradley 1997), John Bonin (Louisiana State 1977), Scott Murray (Auburn 1969), Patrick Love (Texas Dallas 2013), Michael Fligg (William Jewell 1961) and Peter Stoddard (Georgia 1979).
April 5, 2018
During the WPI Greek Awards Night, the Pi Iota Chapter won Most Improved Chapter of the Year for the second consecutive year and Most Outstanding Leadership Development. They were also recognized as the runner-up for Most Outstanding Member Development.
March 29, 2018
During Western Michigan's Standards of Excellence banquet, the Kappa Mu Chapter was awarded with Chapter of the Year for 2017-18, Highest Council GPA for 2017-18 and Highest New Member GPA for the spring 2017 semester. Additionally, Thye Fischman (2018) won Outstanding Chapter President and Sean Nicholl (2013) won Outstanding Chapter Alumni.
March 20, 2018
On March 2, Executive Director Bill Martin (Mississippi State 1975) presented Curtis Mewbourne (Oklahoma 1958) with the Distinguished Fiji Award during the Nu Omega Chapter's annual scholastic and leadership recognition luncheon. The luncheon, which is hosted by Brother Mewbourne, recognizes Oklahoma undergraduate brothers who have achieved a GPA of 3.5 or higher. This year, 45 brothers received $65,000 in scholarships from the Mewbourne Scholastic Excellence and Leadership Scholarship Fund and 25 graduates attended the event to celebrate their achievements.
Since the Fund was established in 2013, over $252,000 has been awarded to more than 235 deserving undergraduate brothers.
March 8, 2018
John Vanek's (Case Western Reserve 1970) novel, Deros, was recently released worldwide (paperback and E-book). Deros is the first book of the three-book Father Jake Austin mystery series. For more information about John, visit www.JohnVanekAuthor.com, and to order Deros from Amazon, click here.
March 6, 2018
From February 15-18, undergraduate brothers from the Alabama Birmingham, Auburn, Austin Peay, Charleston, Clemson, Florida, Georgia, Georgia Tech, Louisiana State, Mississippi State, Nebraska, North Alabama, Texas A&M, Texas Christian and Western Kentucky Chapters traveled to Atlanta, GA to attend the Southeastern Interfraternity Conference's (SEIFC) 2018 Leadership Academy. Carson Lance (Ball State 2010) also attended as a facilitator.
February 22, 2018
On February 17, the Houston Graduate Chapter held its first brotherhood event of the year. Ten brothers representing six chapters visited the Constellation Field in Sugar Land, TX to watch the Houston Sabercats rugby team defeat the New York Athletic Club, 39-38, in their inaugural season.
Pictured L-R: Ryan Mercer (Illinois 2010), Chad Heins (Illinois 2012), Robert Moore (North Texas 2014), Bill Gassman (Arkansas 2009), Jason Hills (Arkansas 2009), Paul Hains (Texas Christian 1997), Carlos Rodriguez (North Texas 2011) and Donnie Amfahr (Illinois 2011).
February 19, 2018
When Louis Preysz (Wisconsin 1968) (left) visited Virginia Tech, he happened to cross paths with Christian Muckerman (Virginia Tech 2019) (right), who was wearing a FIJI sweatshirt, so he decided to say hello. The two brothers spent time together talking and reminiscing about their respective chapters.