The Alumni Newsletter of Pi Kappa Phi at Longwood University
SPRING 2010
LONGWOOD UNIVERSITY
ΠΚΦ FRATERNITY EPSILON GAMMA CHAPTER
EPSILON GAMMA GAZETTE ARCHON’S LETTER: Thank you for picking up a copy of the Epsilon Gamma Gazette, spring 2010 edition. We hope to continue publishing a newsletter in this format in the years to come, and hope this will serve as a great tool for information regarding Epsilon Gamma Alumni and undergraduates. Spring 2010 is going to be a big semester for us. Our EC started it off by attending Pi Kappa Phi Mid Year Leadership Conference in Baltimore the weekend before classes started and learned some key skills that will be crucial for our success in the months to come. Recruitment is starting early this spring and we are working hard to take a large number of new members the first week in February. We also have big plans for Push America this year with another Bike‐a‐Thon in the works and our continuing local relation with Heartlands Horse Heroes. As many of you know we are looking to re‐charter this semester and have set a date for April 24th as our official re‐chartering date(more details inside the newsletter). At this point all that we have left to do is raise our numbers and the necessary funds. So recruitment and fundraising are our two main focuses this semester and I am very confident that we can far exceed both goals. We appreciate all the support and assistance that
you have offered and we hope that our re‐chartering will be twice as big as our 30th anniversary was in the fall. If I can ever be of assistance, please don’t hesitate to contact me at bressinrk@gmail.com; I will be more than happy to answer any questions you may have. God Bless the Fraternity,
Rob Bressin Archon‐Epsilon Gamma
MYLC‐BALTIMORE Pi Kappa Phi hosted its annual Mid Year Leadership Conferences in early January. These conferences are a great opportunity for chapters to come together and collaborate on ideas; additionally all chapter officers receive extensive training regarding their roles and responsibilities. This year, our chapter traveled to Baltimore, where the conference had relocated to from Philadelphia. The hotel was in a prime location— right on the Baltimore Harbor. We sent eight officers to the conference and all eight came away with ideas and suggestions on how to fulfill our roles within the chapter. In addition to picking up useful ideas, we came away
with a sense of motivation in preparation for our chartering later this spring semester. During the conference, we had the opportunity to meet with Mark E. Timmes, the CEO of Pi Kappa Phi. During our meeting, he encouraged us to continue to work hard towards chartering, and that the National Organization looked forward to re‐ chartering at Longwood. We also received several updates from the National Organization, including information about the upcoming Supreme Chapter in Orlando, FL (August 5‐9). Furthermore, they informed us about the restructuring of Pi Kapp College as an emerging leader’s institute, with a beta test this summer. We look forward to continuing to attend Mid Year Leadership Conference each year, and to use it as an opportunity to strengthen our chapter!
Members & Alumni at the Spring Gala Weekend 2009
PUSH AMERICA In 1976, Thomas Sayre created Push America, an organization which continues to define Pi Kappa Phi as the only fraternity with its own philanthropy. Epsilon Gamma has taken to hear the mission of Push America—building leaders of tomorrow by serving people with disabilities today. In spring 2009, we held our first ever “Pedal for Push”—a 48‐hour bike ride. Held on Brock Commons, brothers took shifts to keep our stationary bikes continually in motion for the 48 hours. During this time, we collected over $900 for Push America, and collectively rode the equivalent of San Francisco to Tennessee. Plans are already under way to continue this event this spring, while continuing to make it bigger and better. We are looking into holding a 72 hour bike ride on March 24, 25, & 26, 2010. Our goal is to raise over $1500 for Push America, and we are looking at a variety of ways to achieve our goal. We are already starting to look into corporate sponsorships from area businesses. And we are hoping to involve the campus fraternities and sororities in a competition to raise money—as a prize, they will receive a donation made directly to their own philanthropy. Additionally, we are hoping to create a “Sponsor by Mile” program, where individuals can pledge a certain amount of money for the amount of miles biked by an individual. It is our hope, that these new ideas will increase our fundraising total for Push America, and continue to make this an annual event. To find out more about Push America, visit www.pushamerica.org, or to make a donation to the on behalf of Epsilon Gamma to Push America, visit www.secure.pushameria.org/getinvolved/Chapters/c hapfr/profile.cfm?rID=1099181. Continue to look for more information on our Push America efforts this coming spring!
RE‐CHARTERING UPDATE After celebrating the 30th Anniversary of our chartering this past spring, Epsilon Gamma is set to re‐charter as a chapter of Pi Kappa Phi in late spring 2010. The dates have been set, and plans are being made for the banquet later this semester. The Ritual of Initiation will be held on the night of Friday, April 23, 2010. This portion of our chartering weekend will be facilitated by staff from the National Office, as well as our Chartering Officer, Dudley Woody (Xi‐Roanoke College), who currently serves as the National Treasurer. On Saturday, April 24th, we hope you will be able to join us for the Re‐Chartering Banquet, where we will be formally presented our new Pi Kappa Phi Charter. Current plans call for the event to be held in the Grand Dining Room on campus, with a catered meal and reception. Numerous guests from the University will be in attendance, and we are hoping to have one of the largest Alumni attendances of any re‐chartered chapter. In order to prepare for chartering, we are responsible for a $2000 chartering fee, which covers ritual equipment, our charter and other necessary supplies. While we are working diligently to raise this money on our own, any help is greatly appreciated. If you think you might be able to help, please send contributions to our Chapter Advisor: Angela Jackson—Lancaster G13, Residential & Commuter Life; 201 High Street, Farmville, VA 23909. As preparations continue, we will be sure to get you information about how to reserve your spot for this important weekend. Continue to look for more information about this weekend in forthcoming e‐ mails and mailings. We hope you will plan on joining us!
ALUMNI UPDATES Brother Mark Wrighte, EΓ‐248 currently works as a Security Specialist for Diplomatic Security in the Department of State. He received a heartfelt thanks and praise from Secretary of State Hillary Clinton while working on the Haiti Task Force alongside colleagues. He was also recently selected to coach a 14 year old National Showcase Team (Basketball) in Florida this winter which is comprised of players from 5 separate states.
Brother Danny Ansell, EΓ‐352 moved from Northern Virginia to Richmond at the end of January. He and his wife are looking forward to setting into their new home in Midlothian, VA Brother Pete Edgette, EΓ‐161 has been working with Law Enforcement since graduating Longwood in 1991. He has worked for the City of Newport News for over 18 years and was recently promoted to a Lieutenant, while also serving as a Shift Commander. Brother Nick Ciucci, EΓ‐035 is proud to report that his daughter Mary Paige, will be attending Longwood University in fall 2010. She chose Longwood over many other schools because of its size, location and academics. As a result, Nick is looking forward to spending even more time in Farmville and looks forward to meeting the newest members of Pi Kappa Phi. Brother Jeff Aleksa, EΓ‐200 currently lives in Williamsburg, VA with his wife, 6 year old son, and 2 year old daughter. Brother Bryan Street, EΓ‐330 is married to Heather Rumuly Street, a Delta Zeta from Longwood. They have been married for eight years and have a four year old daughter named Abby. They currently live in Mechanicsville, VA and Bryan works at HP as a Quality Assurance Analyst. Brother Dale Rankin, EΓ‐040 is still married to Yvonne and has 2 daughters –Whitney who is 23 and Meredyth who is 9. Meredyth keeps them busy with soccer, softball, and running club. And with their responsibilities at Church (Treasurer, Deacons, and Choir), they are always on the go. He is excited to hear that chartering is being planned , especially after reuniting with brothers at the 30th Anniversary event in Septemeber. Brother Matt Brashares, EΓ‐337 since graduating in 2002 has moved to the Hampton Roads area of Virginia and working as a Client Relations Manager with Harris Connect. At Harris, he specializes in managing the continuity and affinity for online
services with Colleges and Universities, as well as Greek and large membership organizations. He is currently working with Pi Kappa Phi in producing an upcoming Alumni Directory.
FROM THE HISTORIAN Brothers of Epsilon Gamma, I am pleased to introduce our first alumni newsletter of the New Year. My name is Trevor Haupt I am the newly elected Historian. I pledged Fall of 2008. Throughout the past few months I have spoke to some of you through our e‐mail account (pikappaphi.epsilongamma@gmail.com). I check that regularly so please keep the e‐mails coming. To make this newsletter better for all of you I would like to know any news, stories or accomplishments any one would like to share so we can put it on future newsletters. Epsilon Gamma, as most of you might already know is in the process of re‐chartering and we are all working hard to achieve this goal. Your support is greatly appreciated and we thank you all. We will also be in talks of another alumni event possibly for the spring time—similar to the successful event last spring. Stay tuned for more information in the coming months; meanwhile, make plans to attend our re‐chartering banquet on April 24th. Thanks again for all your support. I hope this newsletter finds you all well. Brotherhood Never Dies,
Trevor Haupt Historian‐Epsilon Gamma