The Iowa State Phi, Spring 2019

SPRING 2019

THE

George A Long Jr., Illinois Eta, 6/6/1939 #586

George A Long III, Indiana Alpha 1413

George A Long, Indiana Beta

#539 Theta,

C. Loy,

#332

Edward

10/19/1208

3/18/1937

Indiana Strawbridge,

Indiana

Robert

Theta, 4/5/1934 #504

Strawbridge,

Indiana

Theta, 4/19/1936

#531

Dallas Ryan

Long, Florida

Gamma,

4/22/2007

#1663

Russell

Strawbridge,

Indiana

Theta,

4/27/1947

#749

Herbert

Granville Moody

Jr. Illinois

Eta,

3/7/1914 #232

IOWA STATE PHI Official Newsletter of the Iowa Gamma Chapter of Phi Delta Theta at Iowa State University

ALUMNUS SPOTLIGHT BELIEVE IN YOUR GREATNESS AND YOU WILL GO FAR

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aised in a family of Hawkeyes in Davenport, Iowa, Ben Fleming 1685 decided to break the mold and attend Iowa State, a family first. After graduation, he moved to Denver to take advantage of mountain hiking and ski season, and also to pursue a career in advertising at the Integer Group. After almost seven years in Denver, Ben had the opportunity to move with Integer to Paris, France in early 2012, where he currently lives. Still proud to be an American, but loving life in France, Ben received French citizenship in January of this year.

What is your educational background and what is your current role within the workforce today?

I have a double major in advertising and French. Today, I am an account director with the Integer Group, an advertising agency, managing clients and our internal creative teams to deploy marketing programs for the retail space or online for brands like Michelin and Lenovo. Although it all just kind of fell into place, I use both degrees on a daily basis.

Looking back at your collegiate experience, are there any specific and/or favorite memories of Phi Delta Theta that jump to mind?

When I think back to my time at Iowa State, being a part of Phi Delta Theta is one of the first things that comes to mind. My experience there made my time at Iowa State a great one. I met so many new people, had the opportunity to be a part of many different organizations and events, not to mention all the memories and stories that came from living in the house, and even to studying abroad with several other brothers in Australia.

Outside of Phi Delta Theta, what was your favorite on-campus or volunteer organization to be involved with and why?

I joined the VEISHEA publicity committee and was a part of that for three different years. I originally joined because I always liked planning and organizing events, but it also allowed me to get more hands-on experience similar to what I was looking to do as a career. On top of that, it was also a good outlet to meet plenty of other new and interesting people across campus.

Ben Fleming

How did your Phi Delta Theta experience shape who you are today?

I think there are many things from my experience in the chapter that shaped who I am today. I think you learn quickly how to live and interact with people with diverse personalities and ways of doing things, which in the end, helps with life after college. I also think it showed me the importance of giving back and helping others, whether it’s volunteering your time to help out a friend or even a stranger. It also taught me the importance of finding good role models in life, and also maybe even more importantly, to be a good role model.

If you could provide any piece of advice to undergraduate members, what would it be and why?

Someone once told me that you should never doubt your greatness. I think it’s a good reminder of self-confidence, as I think a lot of people (myself included) can spend more time saying we’re unqualified for something, and Continued on next page

we waste energy on coming up with excuses why we can’t have or do something. In the end, we persuade ourselves to not do a lot of things, whether it’s applying for that dream job, or joining some club, trying a new hobby, approaching someone. I think we’d all surprise ourselves on how much we can achieve and how many doors can open if we ignored those excuses and used that energy to just go for it.

Since graduating, have you remained in touch with many Phi Delts? If so, what has been like or has there been anything you’ve done together?

My family now lives in the Minneapolis area, as do quite a few of Phi Delts that were in the chapter at the same time as I was.

Since I never lived in the Twin Cities, it’s nice to have some great friends that I can see or reach out to when I visit. Also, as Paris gets quite a bit of visitors from time to time, I’ve seen a handful of Phi Delts over the years when they make a stop in Paris. Recently, I saw Bronk Harms 1609 and his wife Jess, and had lunch with our house parents, Bill and Lindy Good, who were kicking off a two-week European trip. If you’re in Paris, drop me a note! It’s always good to see people from back home.

Who inspires you to become the greatest version of yourself?

My twin brother, Luke. I admire what he’s achieved in life. As twins it’s common to constantly get compared to one another, but he reminds me that it’s important to have your eyes fixed on your own goals, and I think we motivate each other to keep evolving and growing into better people.

What is the coolest or most important trend you see today?

The necessity to change human consumption and the impact that has on the environment. I’m seeing cities and brands taking actions on a large scale, but there are also smaller day-to-day things people are doing to help. Paris for example has no car days where no privately-owned vehicles can drive in the city center—just from one day, there is a noticeable drastic reduction in air pollution. Other examples include restaurants that no longer provide plastic straws and plastic bags are banned in grocery stores in France, which motivates shoppers to bring their own.

It could also be things like eating less meat to taking shorter showers. If people make an effort, it all makes an difference, we just have to do it.

How do you define success?

I think success is simply always having different goals in mind that you’re trying to achieve. They can be big or small goals. It could be buying your first house, landing a new job, learning about investing in the stock market, trying to cook something new, or even getting around to do some long-needed spring cleaning.

Having goals provides motivation and helps you evolve and grow as a person.

Ben lives in Paris, France and enjoys meeting Phi Delts when they travel to his adopted country. He can be contacted at benjfleming@gmail.com.

NEWS

What’s something about you that not many people know?

I’ve become a real morning person and wake up each day at about 6 a.m., normally without an alarm. It might not be too early for us back in the States, but in Paris, our work day starts around 10 a.m. so things are pretty quiet at that early hour. I find it’s a good moment to have time to myself or to get a workout in. At the end of the day, these things can often get pushed back or we just don’t feel like doing them.

ABOUT US

The Iowa State Phi is published two times per year by the Iowa Gamma Chapter of Phi Delta Theta at Iowa State University for alumni and parents. ©Copyright 2019 Iowa Gamma. All rights reserved.

Send news, address updates and photos to: Iowa Gamma Chapter of Phi Delta Theta 2 South Campus Avenue, Oxford, Ohio 45056 STAY UP-TO-DATE /PhiDeltaThetaISU @ISUphi linkedin.com/groups/95210 iastate.phideltatheta.org CHAPTER ADVISORY BOARD Steve Good, Chairman Thomas Woodruff, Academics Pat Morrison, Alumni Relations Kevin Boeckhoelt, Financial Jackson Mores, Phikeia Education Logan Driscoll, Recruitment Austin Javellana, Philanthropy & Service Collin Hueser, Strategic Planning

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The Iowa State Phi » Spring 2019

PHILANTHROPY CHAPTER OFFICERS Andrew Nurse, President Logan Lynch, Vice President Matt Dodge, Treasurer Liam O’Donnell, Warden Ben McCullough, Secretary Scott Ritter, Phikeia Educator Nick Stasi, Scholarship Chairman Jake Roum, House Manager Sam Messbarger, Recruitment Chair Jackson Bridie, Recruitment Chair Logan Heim & Jackson Bridie, Philanthropy Jon Mennecke, Risk Manager Noah Mayer & Javier Rodriguez, Social Chairmen Nate Stoufer, Public Relations Jensen Petros, IFC Representative Matt Martin, Alumni Relations Alex Ziebell & Trevor Jensen, Senior Liasion Jimmy Nolan, Awards HOUSE CORPORATION BOARD Scot Alexander, President Toby Geiger, Treasurer Bob Sperry Jim Unzeitig

This semester Iowa Gamma was able to host its first ever spring philanthropy event which benefited the LiveLikeLou Foundation. The LiveLikeLou Foundation raises money to fund research on amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, commonly known as ALS or Lou Gehrig’s Disease.

The spring philanthropy event, titled Burgers and Fries with the Phis, was huge success on campus. Guests paid five dollars for admission and received two sliders, waffle fries, and homemade strawberry lemonade. Along with awesome food, informational posters explaining what ALS is and what it does were scattered throughout the event. A video highlighting the LiveLikeLou Foundation was shown to help raise awareness and show guests what the Foundation stands for. In total, we were able to raise just over $1,200, with 100 percent of the event’s profits going straight to LiveLikeLou!

Iowa Gamma

PRESIDENT’S LETTER

At the Iowa State Sorority and Fraternity Communities Fraternal Awards of Excellence ceremony, Iowa Gamma’s name rung in the ears of the audience present. Senior Gary Wynne was awarded the sorority and fraternity community’s Senior of the Year; an award for the most exceptional senior who exemplifies the values this community holds. Along with this prestigious award, Iowa Gamma was honored to receive Excellence in Social Justice and a Certificate of Merit for our other accomplishments within the community this past year.

One of the most outstanding events Iowa Gamma will pass onto future years is the hiring of our new house mother, Mary Jo McCully. All of the active and new members are excited to see to what heights our new house director will take Iowa Gamma. Her refreshing perspective on sorority and fraternity life along with her enthusiasm she brings to the table will bring a positive and inclusive environment for those living in the chapter facility.

Another notable accomplishment for this past academic year was Iowa Gamma’s involvement with our national philanthropy, the LiveLikeLou Foundation. The men of Phi Delta Theta have been able to successfully hold two separate philanthropic events raising money for the LiveLikeLou Foundation, raising over $4,000 for the organization. We have also had the privilege of connecting with a family affected by ALS and being able to spend time with their family and doing household chores

for them as a community service event. It’s great to make this connection so the chapter can understand the hardships of ALS and why raising funds for the foundation is so important.

All composite photos by Vantine Imaging.

T

hroughout this past semester, there have been many accomplishments for Iowa Gamma. Creating a positive image for the Fraternity as a whole has been one of the key goals of the men this semester. We were able to achieve this in a variety of ways, including members holding leadership roles in on-campus organizations, the 3.14 average GPA our chapter holds, or the unbreakable bond of friendship each member has with one another.

Without the leadership of so many, this chapter would not be where it is right now. Our past president, Ryan Ford, has taken over the role of executive co-director for Iowa State Dance Marathon. He will be the thirteenth Phi Delt that has been in this position in the past twenty-three years. Aside from campus involvement, this year we will see twenty-three senior members graduate. This year’s senior class has left big shoes for future new members to fill. They have truly shown what it is like to become the greatest version of themselves.

They will be missed and there is no way to adequately thank them for the good they have done for this chapter.

I want to say how grateful our entire active chapter is for consistent support from our alumni. Without our alumni, we would be nowhere near where we are today.

Yours in the Bond, Andrew Nurse 1942 Chapter President asnurse@iastate.edu

MEET OUR NEWEST INITIATES & PHIKEIAS 2018 FALL INITIATES

Jensen Petros 1994, Apple Valley, MN Mason Kenkel 1995, Omaha, NE Zachary Witte 1996, Sioux Falls, SD Michael Hurst 1997, Aurora, IL Samuel Corey 1998, Lake City, IA Jackson Bridie 1999, Grimes, IA Sam Schilmoeller 2000, Omaha, NE Noah Mayer 2001, Spirit Lake, IA Alex Sipe 2002, Wayzata, MN

REFER A PHI!

Peter Fucigna 2003, Fairfield, CT Nathan Stoufer 2004, Council Bluffs, IA Trey Comito 2005, West Des Moines, IA Shawn Chambers 2006, Nebraska City, NE Jake Weisshaar 2007, West Des Moines, IA Jimmy Nolan 2008, Mount Prospect, IL Joseph Baeza 2009, Munster, IN Michael Horman 2010, West Des Moines, IA Samuel Ellis 2011, Albert Lea, MN

Know any young men who would be great Phis? Refer them here: iastate.phideltatheta.org/join/refer-someone/. Then, encourage these young men to visit futurephidelt.org.

iastate.phideltatheta.org

2019 SPRING PHIKEIA CLASS Maison Ashton, Mount Pleasant, IA Nathan Carlson, Downers Grove, IL Derek Iwasko, Hastings, MN Nicholas Maki, Chatfield, MN Rahul Menta, Normal, IL Carter Newton, Cedar Falls, IA Kevin Pritt, Chicago, IL Spencer Saunders, Oswego, IL Braxton Steveson, Johnston, IA

Logan Trisler, Omaha, NE Joseph Wellman, West Des Moines, IA Jacob Wulffen, Glen Ellyn, IL

UPDATE YOUR CONTACT INFO!

Please visit phideltatheta.org/members/update-your-info/ to update your contact information.

The Iowa State Phi » Spring 2019

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PRESORTED STANDARD U.S. POSTAGE PAID PERMIT #1315 DAYTON, OH

GIVING BACK ON SPRING BREAK IN COSTA RICA Over spring break, Collin Coffey 1910, Nathan Miklo 1945, and Gary Wynne 1911 traveled to Costa Rica on an all Greek mission trip with FOCUS (Fellowship of Catholic University Students). They spent a few days in San Jose feeding the homeless, but most of the time was spent in a small mountain village near Buenos Aires. While in Buenos Aires they built an irrigation system, taught English to local students, and helped develop agricultural practices with local farmers. Collin Coffey said “The simple happiness the locals display even in poverty showed me how much we take for granted in the US.”

Clockwise from the top: Another successful Dance Marathon completed. Serving at Meals for the Heartland. Special Olympics athletes dinner.

Iowa Gamma Chapter of Phi Delta Theta 2 South Campus Avenue Oxford, Ohio 45056 Address Service Requested