Gamma Delta - Spring 2007

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THE ALUMNI NEWSLETTER OF PI KAPPA PHI AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MEMPHIS

SPRING 2007

STAR & SHIELD Pi Kappa Phi alumni at Gamma Delta’s Founder’s Day and anniversary celebration. L to R: Bill Finney (former National Council Member), Scott Finney, Glenn Aspinwall (Pi Kappa Phi Properties President), Tom Carter, Curt Heaslet (Gamma Delta Chapter Advisor).

GAMMA DELTA CELEBRATES ANNIVERSARIES On November 19, 2006, Gamma Delta celebrated its annual Founders’ Day and observed the 40th anniversary of the chapter’s founding and the 10th anniversary of its re-founding. The event included an open house at the chapter house, as well as a dinner and program at the University Club of Memphis. Keynote speakers from the 1966 and 1996 chartering classes were in attendance, along with representatives from Pi Kappa Phi’s national office. The event drew nearly 100 undergraduate and alumni members from Gamma Delta and other Pi Kappa Phi chapters and was the largest alumni event in the chapter’s recent history. The event was organized and sponsored by the newly formed Gamma Delta Alumni Chapter. Beginning the day-long celebration, the Gamma Delta Alumni Chapter hosted alumni at the new chapter house at 520 Brister Street for an open house, food and refreshments. Members of the active chapter’s executive council were on hand to give tours of the new facility. Also in attendance were two members from the original 1966 founding father class. Bryan Cottingham, initiate no. 7, and Jim Surprise, initiate no. 8. Several alumni from outside the Memphis area made the trip for the double-anniversary event. Those coming from out of town included Bryan Cottingham from Nashville, Tenn., Jon Simmons from Houston, Texas, and Tom Carter of Charleston, S. C.

Many brothers made a weekend of the anniversary, making city tours and casino visits part of their agenda. Following the open house, alumni from a multitude of chapters were greeted at the University Club of Memphis with a cocktail reception as a prelude to the banquet dinner program. Those brothers visiting from other chapters included David Yawn, Scott Finney, Bill Finney and Glenn Aspinwall. The opening reception was a great opportunity for alumni to re-connect with friends and meet members of the undergradute chapter. The banquet dinner began at 7:00 p.m. with a warm welcome and introduction by then- Chaplain James Wilkie. He reflected on the founding fathers and their unique qualities, an annual tradition at Gamma Delta’s Founders’ Day. Following dinner, the program continuted with remarks from a multitude of officers from the undergraduate and alumni chapters. Doug Littlejohn, president of the Gamma Delta Alumni Chapter, gave some opening remarks and the state of the alumni chapter, goals, and recent milestones. He explained how alumni are involved in a multitude of areas within the fraternity whether it is through the Housing Corporation or the Board of Alumni Advisors. Littlejohn stressed that the Alumni Chapter was open to all alumni of Gamma Delta, and other alumni in the area, and would serve as a strong support group for the undergraduate chapter. ANDe Demetriou, regional governor for the Smokey Mountain region, gave an update on the other chapters in the region as well as some initiates that the national office is coordinating.

Curt Heaslet, then-chapter advisor, spoke of the achievements and inititatives of the undergraduate chapter. Immediately following, then-Archon Ryan Crews reported on the state of the chapter and noted progress in the chapter’s financial goals and a solid recruitment. Later, he introduced each of the associate members. Glenn Aspinwall, president of Pi Kappa Phi Properties. traveled from Atlanta to represent the national office at our anniversary event. Aspinwall spoke about some national housing initiatives currently in the works and how Properties could assist Gamma Delta. The event culminated with the introduction of Jim Surprise. Surprise recalled the great impact Pi Kappa Phi made on him as a student and the impact Pi Kappa Phi continues to make on him as a professional. He reminded us of the importance of the ritual in our daily lives. Following Surprise, Bryan Cottingham also spoke for a few moments about the importance of Pi Kappa Phi in his life. Next, Gamma Delta initiate no. 367 Craig Peterson, a member of the re-chartering class of 1996, spoke of his experience in the chapter and what it was like to build a chapter from the ground up. Peterson’s comments

Founding Gamma Delta members Jim Surprise (GD #8) and Bryan Cottingham (GD #7) surround one of the newest associate members, Eric Pratt, who was initiated in Dec.

were very entertaining, as he reflected on the chapter 10 year ago. Next, Tom Carter presented the annual scholarship awards to two deserving students. Tom also commented on the recent involvement with the chapter’s volleyball court and certain “letters” to the university, which erupted the crowd in applause. Overall, the event was an absolute success and strengthened the bond of brotherhood between undergraduates and alumni members alike. Please plan to attend this year’s Founders’ Day event at the University Club of Memphis on Sunday, November 18, 2007. We can grow our Founder’s Day celebration each year with your help. Call two or three chapter brothers and bring the along with you.


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