SPRING 2018
THE COLORADO GAMMA
RAMS CONNECTION Official Newsletter of the Colorado Gamma Chapter of Phi Delta Theta at Colorado State University
ALUMNUS SPOTLIGHT
LEARNING FROM YOUR MISTAKES CAN LEAD TO GREAT SUCCESS Tom Martinez 900 reflects on the life lessons he developed while at the Colorado State University and shares some wisdom learned through some failures he has endured since graduation. What has your biggest life lesson? Learning to pick myself back up after failing. Don’t be afraid to fail. Everyone fails but how you handle it, learn from it, and rebound from it is how to truly succeed in all walks of life. What career advice would you give to younger generations? You only get out of it what you put in it. Put forth the proper effort and you can always hold your head high knowing you gave it your all. How did Phi Delta Theta prepare you for life after college? Joining Colorado Gamma gave me the chance to share similar life experiences and challenge my views, thoughts and beliefs (get out of my comfort zone). In addition, it helped me learn from others including actives, alumni and other student organizations at CSU, and thus create the basis for lifelong friendships as well as professional relationships. Being an active Colorado Gamma member and holding several leadership roles (Secretary, Treasurer, President) gave me a great platform to understand financial responsibilities, how to introduce strategies, work as a team to achieve common goals, community outreach, confront inappropriate behavior unbecoming of a Phi and hold my brothers accountable for academic success. All of these activities will be encountered at one point during everyone’s professional career. Without being introduced to these opportunities as a young man I would have been ill prepared and struggled with these skills that all employers seek from potential job candidates. Knowing what you know now, what advice would you give to today’s newest Phikeia class? Branch out and get out of your comfort zone. Explore new thoughts and beliefs. Seek new knowledge and experiences by
traveling the globe. If you are unsure about your career and not finding a fit in Colorado then move away from Colorado - It is amazing what you will learn about yourself. Join other student organizations. Shadow alumni in their professional roles. Most importantly, don’t be afraid to fail. This is an important lesson. It is okay to fail because it gives you the opportunity to learn then apply those lessons to the next challenge and succeed. Just don’t making failing a habit. Why is it important to support Phi Delta Theta as an alumnus? It is important to stay engaged with Colorado Gamma in order to keep the chapter strong. This engagement gives you the opportunity to share experiences with the brothers and provide advice to help them succeed post graduation. There are no better ambassadors of Phi Delta Theta than past alumni. Each of us has certain skill sets, abilities, and experiences to assist our active chapter. Support does not always have to be financial. I highly recommend current undergraduate brothers to reach out to alumni for advice and volunteering opportunities.
PRESIDENT’S CORNER CO GAMMA REMAINS COMPETITIVE ON CAMPUS AND FRATERNITY-WIDE AT KLEBERG
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he men of Colorado Gamma are very glad to report the success and wellbeing of the chapter. The chapter ended last semester as number two in grades overall and number one in grades when comparing us to chapters of equal size. Last summer the chapter sent eight brothers to Oxford, Ohio where the Fraternity’s Kleberg Emerging Leaders Institute was held. The chapter was recognized with several awards and we were honored to remain one of the top awarded chapters in all of Phi Delta Theta. This recognition of the efforts of our brothers and our achievements as a collective chapter is what was most important to us. It has motivated us to continue to strive for success and to become the greatest versions of ourselves.
GPA of all fraternities on the Colorado State campus and continues to excel academically. We have seven brothers attending Kleberg Emerging Leaders Institute in August and greatly anticipate them sharing their knowledge and experience with us in the fall. If you are ever back in Fort Collins, we would love to see you around at 200 East Plum Street.
We have carried this momentum into this past academic year, both in the classroom and in the community. Our chapter took a Phikeia class of 26 outstanding men, bringing our chapter size to 88 members this past fall. This allows us to remain one of the largest chapters on campus. During the fall semester, the chapter participated in many Intramurals and has had the pleasure of winning championships in coed football and the Kappa Alpha Theta kickball tournament. We were pleased to welcome back our Phi Delta Theta alumni at the Homecoming & Family Weekend tailgate in the new stadium. The past two semesters Colorado Gamma has received the second highest
Yours in the Bond, Isaac Scott 1189, Chapter President Isaacscott28@gmail.com
ABOUT US
Send news, address updates and photos to: Colorado Gamma Chapter of Phi Delta Theta 2 South Campus Avenue Oxford, Ohio 45056
CHAPTER OFFICERS Isaac Scott, President Stephen Quinn, Vice-President Ryan Staab, Treasurer Sampson Briggs, Recruitment Matt Coghill, Philanthropy Eric Lawson, Phikeia Education Kurt Reed, Risk Management Jeremy Sirner, Secretary Matt Struckhoff, Warden
STAY UP-TO-DATE /PDTCOAreaAlumni @phideltathetacogamma pdtcoloradoalumni@gmail.com linkedin.com/groups/6950240 colostate.phideltatheta.org
CHAPTER ADVISERS Keith Lopez, Chapter Adviser/ Chapter Advisory Board Chairman Kayla Cothrun, Scholarship & Academic Adviser Jonathan Rust, Recruitment Adviser Marc Mores, Chapter Advisory Board Member
ALUMNI CLUB Nate Rehm, Vice President Glenn Jacobsen, Marketing
HOUSE CORPORATION Marc Mores, President Nathan Flynn, Vice President Patrick Edler, Secretary
The Colorado Gamma Rams Connection is published two times per year by the Colorado Gamma Chapter of Phi Delta Theta at Colorado State University for alumni and parents. ©Copyright 2018 Colorado Gamma. All rights reserved.
UPDATE YOUR CONTACT INFO! Please visit phideltatheta.org/members/update-your-info/ to update your contact information.
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Rams Connection » Spring 2018
FALL EVENT
CO GAMMA ALUMNI GAME On November 11, 2017, a group of over 50 Colorado Gamma alumni and friends met to attend the CSU vs. Boise State football game. What started of as a salute to the old Hughes Stadium (in 2016) gave way to getting a group of alumni together again to check out the new stadium on the Colorado State University campus and in the process has launched an annual tradition of catching a game and connecting with brothers. The gathering was a complete success with all tickets in the block spoken for and brothers from California, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Minnesota, Nevada, New York, Oregon, and Utah all traveling in to attend. This fall, the tradition will be continued and we hope you will be able to attend. If you are interested in being included on the details or planning, please contact Nate Rehm at Rehmos@gmail.com.
Colorado Gamma
UNDERGRADUATE SPOTLIGHT SENIOR PHI LOOKS FORWARD TO CONTINUING TO LEAD PHI DELTS AFTER GRADUATION Grayson Burrow 1124 was born and raised in Peoria, Arizona. After years of escaping the Arizona heat every summer to visit his aunt’s family in northern Colorado, Grayson decided to pursue his undergraduate degree in beautiful Fort Collins. In the first few weeks of class, Grayson became friends with an older student on campus named Scott Drees. Upon conversation, Grayson found out that Scott was a member of Phi Delta Theta—the same fraternity Grayson’s brother joined at Northern Arizona University four years earlier. Grayson immediately chose to pursue recruitment and then initiation in the fall of 2014. Soon after initiation, Grayson was elected as the risk management chairman where he created an innovative program for members who chose to help decrease risk at social functions and events. Later in the semester he was elected to the executive board as treasurer. As a young member, Grayson developed as a leader, and his passion for solving problems grew during his term as a member of the executive board. As treasurer, Grayson led the charge to bring the chapter’s tax status as a nonprofit organization into compliance. The following summer, Grayson worked as an orientation leader for Colorado State University, where he learned new skills and found a passion for group management. He ran for another
executive board position in the fall: warden. As the chairman of the judicial board, Grayson looked to remove bias or influence from the judicial process and worked to develop younger members into leaders who could enact change in the chapter. In the summer before his senior year, Grayson also attended the Shaffer Honors College as a Whole Man Scholarship delegate from Colorado Gamma. Phi Delta Theta was a great tool for him to become the greatest version of himself, and he will do his best to make sure members have better opportunities after he leaves. Grayson dedicated most of his time and effort to Phi Delta Theta and looks forward to being an involved alumnus after his college career ends. Grayson received his bachelor’s of science in health and exercise science in May 2018.
FOUNDERS DAY CELEBRATION On April 7, 2018, the Colorado Area Alumni Club hosted the annual Founders Day event on the Colorado State University campus in the new campus stadium. Undergraduate members and local alumni from various Phi Delta Theta chapters and their guests celebrated the event together, which included undergraduate members from both Colorado Gamma and the newly established Colorado Alpha colony at the University of Colorado Boulder. President of the General Council Jeff Davis,
Southeast Missouri State ’94, served as the keynote speaker and provided an update on the state of the Fraternity. Glenn Jacobsen, Arizona ’92, from the alumni club served as the coordinator of the event and the event was an incredible success to bring everyone together to celebrate Founders Day!
Glenn Jacobsen receives his silver legionnaire pin during Founders Day.
Proud Phi Delts greeting each other during the Founders Day event.
colostate.phideltatheta.org
Rams Connection » Spring 2018
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Colorado Gamma Chapter of Phi Delta Theta 2 South Campus Avenue Oxford, Ohio 45056 Address Service Requested
REFER A PHI! Know any young men who would be great Phis? Refer them here: colostate. phideltatheta.org/join/refer-someone/. Then, send them to our Greatest U recruitment campaign: futurephidelt.org.
WE WANT YOUR NEWS! In preparation of the next edition, we are looking for any news and updates in your life. Please email any content to CO Gamma Chapter Advisory Board Chairman Keith Lopez at lopez.keith@gmail.com.
Bob Biggs, left, presents Bert Miller with a plaque commemorating his years of service to the Fraternity.
BERT MILLER HONORED On April 30, 2018, during a Frank J.R. Mitchell Scroll Endowment Fund Trustees meeting, two trustees were honored and thanked for their years of service. Fraternity Executive Vice President & CEO Bob Biggs, Georgia Southern ’76, presented a plaque to Albert “Bert” R. Miller 503 for 25 years of volunteer service. Bert Miller’s leadership has helped the fund grow to over $5 million. The Mitchell Fund was established to provide funding for The Scroll and other communication vehicles of the Fraternity. Thank you Brother Miller for doing what ought to be done!