CHIZETTE Fall 2010
1950s
THE CHIZETTE is published regularly for all members and friends of the Chi Chapter of Pi Kappa Phi. Alumni news, photographs, letters and address changes should be sent to Tyler Johansson at tjohanss@stetson.edu
Stetson University
1960s
1970s
Deland, Florida
1980s
1990s
“THE CHIZETTE” RETURNS AS THE CHAPTER NEWSLETTER After almost 20 years of dormancy, the Chizette returns. This newsletter has reached brothers of the Chi Chapter starting in the 1950s. Over the years advances in technology have allowed the design and format of the Chizette to evolve. Today we are able to provide the news of our chapter via e-mail signifying a new landmark in Chi history. There are several different ways to make a newsletter. In making this one, I received several tips of advice, some from past editors of the Chizette. Thank you Edgar Jones X-702 for the suggestion to do an alumni spotlight. Next time when there is not so much information to catch up on, I’ll do just that. I might be calling you. I did my research, digging through old files at the Pi Kappa Phi national office, to find that no
matter the information, whether it was an intramural victory, an alumni spotlight, a story about the fraternity house or event that took place, all news was good news to read.
are given and the connections that being an involved member of this fraternity give us. I guess we can sum that up with a number, #1.
Over the course of the four years I spent as an undergraduate, I must have started writing/creating three or four newsletters. Yet you wouldn‟t know this, because they are sitting half finished on my computer. Maybe getting my diploma has made me more efficient or capable of completing such a task. I chalk it up to the conclusion that no matter what I put together, it does not have to be perfect.
It is an honor and a privilege to be a member of Chi Chapter, and as we embark on a celebration of our 90th Anniversary, I look forward to what the future will hold for those men who choose to be a part of one of the greatest opportunities Stetson University has to offer. Hopefully there will be more news to come.
You may not like my writing style, but I hate writing. If I had my way this newsletter would be written with numbers and equations that would equal one thing: I love Pi Kappa Phi, the men I call my fraternity brothers, the opportunities we
“High Fives for Hope” Founded by Chi Alumni 8,400… 146,970… 5,760… these to some are merely numbers. To others, families rich and poor, young and old, healthy and unhealthy these are the amount of diagnosed with Testicular, Colorectal and Leukemia (A.L.L) cancers in America yearly. (www.cancer.net) We all hear of (or experience) a friend, a relative, a neighbor, or are ourselves diagnosed, battling or surviving such life altering diseases, but rarely do we realized those numbers in bulk. High Fives For Hope, Inc. added up all those friends, relatives and neighbors and realized it amounted to 161,130. This number can‟t be ignored, and this number is just a fraction of the amounts of cancers affecting us all. It is on this premise that High Fives For Hope, Inc. was established.
High Fives For Hope, Inc. (H54H for short) believes we can truly make a difference, as well as, bring awareness to these forms of cancer that seem to get overshadowed by the overwhelming support given to other forms. Without you, H54H is just another organization; with you, H54H are a community of believers that one day 161,130 is just another number, not a tragic summation. It‟s brothers like Mark Stiles, Matt Foreman and Mike Flannery that make you proud to be a Pi Kapp. Take the time to look into the work these men are doing at www.highfivesforhope.com
Yours in Pi Kappa Phi, Tyler Johansson
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CHIZETTE
Here‟s what we missed...important news from the last 10 years Five Pi Kappa Phis honored with the Stetson‟s Distinguished Alumni Award The Distinguished Alumni Award is presented annually to up to four Stetson University alumni who, through outstanding achievement in their lives and profession, have brought distinction and special recognition to Stetson University. Since 2000 five Chi alumni have been honored with this award. They are: (2000) Mr. Joseph “Jay” Landers Jr. „64 (2005) Dr. Bingham Lafayette Vick Jr. „66 has been on the faculty at Furman University since 1970, he teaches voice, conducting, choral literature, and vocal-choral methods. (2005) Dean Hollis „82 is the Executive Vice President of ConAgra Foods Retail Products. He resides in Omaha, Nebraska. (2008) Dr. James William Lea „64 is a professor of Family Medicine in the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill School of Medicine. (2009) Mr. Gordon H. “Nick” Muelller „61 is the President and CEO if the National World War II Museum, based in New Orleans. To read more about these men click on the link to visit the Alumni Association webpage.
Richard Colyer Initiated at 51st Supreme Chapter At the 51st Supreme Chapter, a close friend of Chi Chapter, Richard Colyer, became a brother of Pi Kappa Phi as the model initiate. Due to a commitment to an on-campus job, Colyer was unable to be initiated as a student. However over the years, he has been committed to Pi Kappa Phi and Push America. In 2006 he was appointed to the Push America Board of Directors, where he served for two years.
Dr. J. Patrick Figley Honored as Mr. Pi Kappa Phi 2005 Dr. J Patrick Figley (X-617) is a former National President of Pi Kappa Phi from 1998-2000 and served on the National Council since 1994. “Doc” has also served as the Chapter Advisor for the Zeta Epsilon Chapter at the University of South Florida. He has served on the Push America and Pi Kappa Phi Foundation Board, while also volunteeing at Pi Kapp College for the past 20 years. Because of his dedication as a volunteer for Pi Kappa Phi, Dr. Figley was recognized as Mr. Pi Kappa Phi 2005, is the highest honor bestowed upon a man of Pi Kappa Phi. Dr. Figley is the first member of Chi Chapter to receive this award. Dr. Figley currently lives in Tampa, Fla., where he has been in practice as a Marriage and Family Therapist for 40 years. He is married to Janice, and they share two children and six grandchildren. “Doc” is an MG enthusiast and drives his ’52 MG TD all over the state.
Bruce Roger Honored with highest honor, Mr. Pi Kappa Phi 2008 The Mr. Pi Kappa Phi award is the highest honor to be bestowed on a member of the fraternity. In 1987 Bruce Rogers began a solo cycling trek across the United States from Florence, Oregon to Yorktown, Virginia. The following year 20 other men joined him inspiring Push America to form the Journey of Hope. Chad Coltrane, CEO of Push America, feels that without the Journey of Hope, Push America would not be where it is today. During his introduction at the 51st Supreme Chapter in Denver, CO Chad described Rogers as an accomplished businessman, a devoted family man, and a generous humble servant whose selflessness has inspired
thousands of Pi Kappa Phis to serve. Each year Bruce Rogers participates in a ride-along continuing his involvement with the amazing opportunity he is attributed with starting. This past year Bruce attended the arrival in Washington, DC where 100 men finished the Journey of Hope after raising over $500,000, riding for sixtyseven days and traveling 4,000 miles. Thousands of men across the country our fortunate to have the opportunity to be a part of such an amazing event and it all started with one man and a bold idea to ride a bike. We thank Bruce for his commitment to Pi Kappa Phi and Push America.
Fall 2010
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CHI TO CELEBRATE 90TH ANNIVERSARY with “Pi Kapp Fest 2011” The year 2011 signifies a milestone in Chi Chapter history. Ninety years ago on May 21st, a group of men embarked on a journey that has changed many of our lives. During Stetson Homecoming Weekend of March 25-27, 2011, the alumni of Chi Chapter will host Pi Kapp Fest 2011, the largest-ever Stetson Pi Kapp reunion. All Stetson Pi Kapp alumni and Little Sister alumni are invited to join us. More than 100 have already committed to return next year. If you haven’t been back in a while or come back every year, this is a great opportunity to visit Deland. Not only will Chi Chapter be celebrating 90 years and you will be able to catch up with many friends, but the University has recently undergone some improvements that make the campus look absolutely magnificent! This weekend will also accommodate spouses and children so please feel free to bring your entire family.
Registration and Payment: If you are planning to attend any of these events please send your registration fee to brother Mike Wherley at 100 South Ashley Dr. Suite 1650, Tampa, FL 33602. Golf: If you wish to play golf on Saturday morning, please contact brother Tom Kennedy at tom@patriotyachtservices.com or at (850) 261-4312
90th Anniversary
Accommodations: Many have reserved rooms at the DeLand Comfort Inn. To check room availability, please contact the Deland Comfort Inn at 386-736-3100. Be sure to mention you are part of the Pi Kappa Phi group.
Homecoming Schedule Friday, March 25 6 p.m.-8 p.m.—90th Anniversary Celebration *Cash Bar and Catered Appetizers (Cost is $10 per person)
If you plan to attend, would like to volunteer, or would like more information about the weekend’s events, please contact Lindsey Porter ‘81 (X-900) at Lporter@verizon.net You may also follow the progress of our event by visiting our Facebook page “Pi Kapp Fest 2011.”
Saturday, March 26 Morning—Golf Outing Afternoon—BBQ ($25 per person) Includes: Food, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages and more!
Alumni Updates
Jack Gibson „56 has found a passion in flying B -17 WWII airplanes. He has made three flights on the Liberty Belle based out of Atlanta. Jack currently lives in Hideaway, Texas, with his wife Carol. See a photo of Jack on a B-17 above. Jim Geiger „59 has recently published a book, The Gospel According to Relativity: Constant Value in a Changing World. The book rejects the inflexible absolutism of the past, discredits the uncommitted relativism of the present, and proposes a general theory of value for the future. For more info visit www.sezwho.org. Edgar Jones (X702) former editor of the Chizette 1968-1969 works for the Rockefeller Group Development Corporation in Miami, Fla.
Dr. Stan Gryskiewicz is a practicing consultant, keynote speaker, and an international authority in creativity, leadership, innovation and change management. He is president of Positive Turbulence and received his Ph.D at the University of London. He is currently the president and founder of the Association for Managers of Innovation (AMI), a learning network of professionals who manage innovation process within their respective organizations. Stan can be contacted via e-mail at Stan@positiveturbulence.com Dr. Ralph M Cline „70 (X707) is the Director of Global School Services and resides in Bethesda, md.
John Hewett ‟74 is president/CEO of Hewett Consulting, Charlotte, N.C. He works with nonprofits nationwide in strategic planning, fundraising, board development, professional negotiation, and staff training. He also produces and hosts a weekly television program, “Convergence,” on Charlotte‟s public television station. John is married to Andrea Stevenson, president of Charlotte‟s Community School of the Arts. .
William Schwind is currently living in Manizales, Colombia, with his wife of five years Janeth, who is a native of Colombia. His three daughters Melissa, Mary Anne and Maddie all live in the Tampa area. He is a jack of many trades working in real estate sales and rentals while also publishing four novels. His books are written under the pen name, Steuer Gray and can be found on Amazon.com In addition William has written eight screenplays that he is currently trying to sell in Hollywood. He also has a professional recording studio for his original music that he has been writing since his days at the Pi Kapp House. He wrote dozens of songs back then with Jack Wilkerson who recruited him to Pi Kapp and then later with Ken Harrell. Ken who had a rock band and wrote and recorded dozens of songs together. If you would like to contact William he would be glad to send a PDF of his novels: he can be reached by e-mail at williamschwind@yahoo.com or wgsgator@yahoo.com. Or if you would like to Skype his user name is william.schwind.
John Hewett „74 (hewettconsulting.com)
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Alumni Updates Cont‟d Anthony J. Pannella „79 (AKA Tony P) is very hopeful that he will finally be paroled this fall from the Deland local lockup, after 30 years, for his multiple Denny's restaurantrelated senior citizen hour streaking convictions. Unfortunately, he will then have to answer the longstanding 1978 pending charges relating to streaking the Business School (specifically, his statistics teacher's classroom). With luck, he will get credit for time served. If not, fellow Chi brother, William Ward (aka Big Billy) (Chi, 1981), now President of Ward Trucking in Pa, has semi-publicly stated he intends to drive a Ward double-axle trailer rig straight through the lockup and bust Tony P outta there. And if anybody wants to know who the previously unnamed female co-streakers were, they were none other than Chi little sisters Heidi Haines and Tricia Phillips. Matt Smith „89 (X-1013) relocated to Irvine, Calif., on July 1, 2010. He is working as the Senior Director of Real Estate for Wal -Mart Stores, Inc. Tony Biancarosa (X-1014) has recently celebrated his 20th wedding anniversary with his wife George. Both brother Steve Kilpatrick and Gabe Gehret currently work as associates with Kilpatrick Advisors an Investment Management Firm in Atlanta, Ga.
Angelito Nepomuceno X-1104 has moved out to Raleigh where he will be going back to school at NC state for his PhD in Chemistry.
On June 5, 2010 brother John Lenehan „01 married Stefanie Cole „01, on the beach in Miami. Six of the groomsman are Pi Kappa Phis including Matt Lenehan, Joe Berklund, John Carrick, Jason Dietrich, Kort Brown and Steve Sperry. John was a past archon of the chapter and currently works as a financial advisor with VALIC. Stefanie, who was a Pi Beta Phi as an undergrad, now is the youth program director for the non-profit organization Hands on Miami. Both or their fathers were Sigma Nus during their years at Stetson, both graduating in „73.
William Hunter Hill „08 is currently working at Clay High School teaching American History. He was the defensive line coach for the 2009 district champion football team and the coach of the distric and regional chapion wrestling team. He saw two of his wresteler become state champions while three others placed. Hunter and Alexandra Vita „07 had their first son, Howard Colton Hill on May 4th, 2010. They will be getting married on December 18th, 2010 and currently live together in Fleming Island, FL. This past February the chapter welcomed three alumni initiates. Erik Flitman is the senior software developer for Carmorza LLC in Ft. Lauderdale. Kort Brown is the treasurer of Bank United in Miami and Matt Lenehan is a real estate professional with the Corcoran Group in Manhattan.
Mark Stiles „04 received his CPA certification earlier this year. He is one of the cofounders of High Fives for Hope that has had great success raising over $3,000 for Testicular, Colorectal and Leukemia cancers. Mark currently resides in Orlando, Fla. Omar Reslin is currently working in Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates.
William “BJ” Glicher ‟04 and his wife, Leigh Ann, welcomed Lucas James Glicher into the world on May 18, 2010. He weighed 8 pounds, 5 ounces. Another future Pi Kapp.
Recent graduate Erich Holland „10 is currently working for SEI Global Investments in Philadelphia, Pa. Tyler Johnson „10 accepted a position with Keefe McCullough & C0., LLP working as a staff accountant. He has relocated to Fort Lauderdale, Fla., to accept the position.
Brandon Waters (X1152) a former Archon, and his wife Amber recently had a baby daughter, Charlotte, born on May 11, 2010. They have been married six years in August and also have a 2-year old son named Isaac.
(Lucas Gilcher)
Tyler Johansson „10 accepted a position with Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity working in the National Office as an expansion consultant and has started chapters at the University of Oklahoma and Marshall University. In the spring Tyler returns to Florida to start chapters at University of South Florida and Florida Southern. If you know any students at these universities that would be good men for Pi Kappa Phi please contact him at tjohansson@pikapp.org.
Fall 2010
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Chi Chapter Brother is Cast on Survivor: Nicaragua In January of 2010, Pi Kappa Phi welcomed brother Matthew Lenahan, brother of John Lenahan to the Chi Chapter. In an alumni initiation ritual on an unbearably cold night, the brothers were honored to grant the wish of a fraternity brother to welcome his blood brother to become a member of Pi Kappa Phi. Little did anyone know that Matt‟s life would soon change. Currently Matt‟s life is kept in secret because he is a cast member of this fall‟s Survivor Nicaragua, which aired it‟s 12th episode last week. Known as “Sash” on the show, Matt has made himself to be a key player in this reality TV game and has made it quite far to this point. He has a strong alliance with only seven members left he has aligned himself with a group of four making them the dominant majority. There are just a few episodes left, and Matt is definitely a strong contender. Be sure to tune in Wednesdays at 8/7c and watch to see if our fellow brother can make it to the finale and win the million dollar prize! Best of luck Matt the brother of Pi Kappa Phi are cheering for you!
Survivor Cast Bio Name: Matthew "Sash" Lenahan (30) Tribe: La Flor Current Residence: New York, N.Y. Occupation: Real Estate Broker Personal Claim to Fame: Being one of the fastest distance runners in the country and one of the youngest brokers ever on Wall Street. Inspiration in Life: My Mom Hobbies: Extreme Adventures, Running, Dating Beautiful Women Survivor Contestant you are Most Like: Tyson, because I have some great oneliners and because I'm awesome. Reason for being on Survivor: For the adventure and for the glory of winning the greatest game in the World. Why you think you will be the sole SURVIVOR: This game is something people have in their blood. Either you've got it or you don't. Count me in!
SUPREME CHAPTER IN ORLANDO, FLORIDA The 52nd Supreme Chapter of Pi Kappa Phi was held in Orlando, Fla., this past August. Two undergraduate men from each of the 155 current chapters attended this conclave to hear legislative proposals, receive educational training and meet alumni from all over the country. In total the event played host to over 750 guests. At this Supreme Chapter, several people were recognized: Jerry Brewer of the Sigma Chapter at the University of South Carolina was honored as Mr. Pi Kappa Phi for his exceptional work as the designer of the Greek Village at the University of South Carolina amongst other things. We also celebrated Honorary fourth founder, Durward Owen‟s, 80th birthday with a cupcake and a traditional singing of “Happy Birthday.” The 53rd Supreme Chapter will be held in Washington, D.C. in the summer of 2012, which will also be the 25th Anniversary of Chi brother Bruce Rogers‟ inaugural Journey of Hope cycling ride across the continental United States.
Picture
Chapter Eternal Charles T Henderson ’57 former Pi Kappa Phi National President in 1968. ● Joseph Wyatt Courson ● Frank Clyde Deen Sr. ● J. Neal Faircloth Robert Henry Goughan ● W.D Griffith ● Charles Wesley Gunn Jr. ● James Thomas Owen
Chapter Update
In a series of thanks for the month of November, the Pi Kappa Phi national office recognized Chi Chapter Archon Connor Tuck. In the photo here Connor was pied by a member of Pi Beta Phi sorority during their annual philanthropy event “Beta Barbecue.�
Star & Lamp Do you receive a copy of the digital Star and Lamp? Want to see the Fall issue? Click Here: Star & Lamp In this issue is a synopsis of the current state of the fraternity, a recap of supreme chapter, a story on the new Pi Kapp College and much more!
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