The Astonisher MU ALPHA CHAPTER OF PHI MU DELTA Susquehanna University 514 University Avenue, Selinsgrove, PA SPRING 2013 MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT Hello from the Mudhouse! We know it has been several years since you have heard from us, but we return with exciting news! Since recolonizing in 2007 we have grown to be the largest fraternity at Susquehanna and the largest chapter of Phi Mu Delta nationally. Our current membership is made up of the best and brightest minds at Susquehanna. In the past few years, Mu Alpha won several of Phi Mu Delta’s national awards, including the coveted Chapter of the Year award in summer 2011. No award we have received can stand up to the accomplishment we have most recently earned. It is with pride that I share with you today that we are the recipients of the 2013 North-American Interfraternity Conference (NIC) Chapter of Distinction Award.
Given to only five NIC chapters a year, this award recognizes only the best fraternity chapters in North America! That is out of over 5,500 active fraternity chapters! Former Chapter President Ethan Sentz ‘13 and former VP Finance Teague Emery ‘13 accepted the award in St. Louis, MO this April alongside SU Greek Life Coordinator and alumni brother, Joe Thompson ‘08. - Jeremy Hargest ‘14, President
BROTHERHOOD REPORT This year we initiated 26 new members, bringing our membership to 66. Not only are we the largest fraternity on campus, Mu Alpha proudly boasts a 3.46 GPA. Seven brothers earned a perfect 4.0 in the Fall semester. We also lead the fraternity community in service hours and have a very positive reputation on campus. Since 2007 in fact, three brothers have even been Student Government President and three others have been Interfraternity Council President.
We have had brothers on several athletic teams, including soccer, track & field, lacrosse, baseball, golf, ice hockey, football and ultimate frisbee. Brother Dan Sosa ‘13 helped the soccer team make it to the National Sweet 16. This April, brother John Rehm ’15 was selected from a national pool and traveled to Washington, D.C. where he met with members of congress and lobbied for the Collegiate Housing & Infrastructure Act. In Summer 2012, brother Teague Emery ’13 received the National Phi Mu Delta Outstanding Undergraduate Award and this spring just received Susquehanna’s Greek Man of the Year Award. As you can see, our brothers have worked very hard these past few years. - Hunter Hoffman ’14, VP Membership
SERVICE “I believe in Service…service to the college; service to every group organized for the common good; service to the individual.” As one of the three main ideals of Phi Mu Delta, service continues to play an important part in our fraternity. In the fall 2012 semester, 42 brothers performed over 1500 hours of volunteer work. Some of the events that semester included fall orientation team and helping to move freshman into their dorms, “Fall Fest” at a local park, ushering for plays on campus, and our first Phi Mu Delta 5K. With a beginning goal of 1000 hours, the brothers went above and beyond, exceeding our goal. As for the current spring 2013 semester, brothers have had the opportunity to attend service events weekly since the start of the semester. Events have included a trip to Haven Ministry—a homeless shelter in Sunbury, cleaning horse stalls at Farpoint Animal Rescue, and playing Bingo with residents at a local nursing home. The biggest event of the semester occurred on April 13th, when a group of 20 brothers traveled to Union Beach, NJ to work with Susquehanna alumni to help clean up the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy. We have already begun to work on this fall’s costumed 5K for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, which will take place the weekend leading up to Halloween. - Skyler Deitrick ’14. VP Service
Our advisor, Dr. Michelle DeMary receiving the Phi Mu Delta National Advisor of the Year Award in 2012
HOUSE RENOVATION In other news, thanks to the efforts of Alpha Sigma Omega, our beautiful chapter house was given a total renovation and expansion this past summer. At the entrance of the house, a wall was built that proudly displays our name as you enter. Behind the wall we have turned the foyer into a room for our new pool table.
The former dining room is now our new lounge and meeting room, with a large flat-screen TV and several couches and chairs for brotherhood bonding. The barroom has a new kitchenette area with sinks and mini-fridges for social events, along with a large flat-screen TV as well and a shuffleboard table. As the brothers now eat in the SU dining hall, our commercial kitchen was no longer needed. Some of that space is now part of the lounge/meeting room, and the rest is a more residential kitchen brothers use when not eating on campus. Our beloved former cook Terrie Reich still visits us on occasion -- brothers attending Homecoming 2013 will witness a ceremony naming the new kitchen in her honor.
ALUMNI RELATIONS A special thanks must be given to those alumni who have put their time and energy into the house remodeling project, especially that of Alpha Sigma Omega Vice President, Jim Harris ‘87. Thanks Jim! This house means a lot to our chapter and we are forever thankful. With our first years of renewal behind us, we are happy to reestablish our connection with you, our alumni brothers across the country, without whom we would not be who we are today. It is with great pride that we are able to again send to you “The Astonisher”. The second floor porch has been enclosed to create a new library and study room. As it replaces the old computer room that bore his name, this space will be dedicated to our brother and long-time advisor Dr. Tom Walker -- also during Homecoming 2013.
Even with the Astonisher, we have big news. This will be our last paper edition of the alumni newsletter, so make sure you keep it (collectors edition!). Beginning this fall, we will be moving to an enewsletter that will be housed online and emailed out several times throughout the year. This will allow us to do newsletters more often.
A new side porch has been built on the patio -- creating a new enIf we do not have your updated email address, please contact the trance facing campus and an outdoor space where brothers can hang chapter at: PMDMuAlpha1918@gmail.com to update it. out together. Alpha Sigma Omega, our Mu Alpha Alumni Association also has a We could go on forever about the other enhancements, but you will group on Facebook. It is private group, so please Facebook message Jim Harris (Harry) to be added! just have to visit and see for yourself! Remember, Homecoming is just around the corner! - Derek Butler ‘15, VP Housing We hope you will join us on Saturday, October 19, 2013 for Homecoming! - Evan Nelson ‘15, Alumni Chair