October 17, 2010
Volume 1, Issue 1
The Theta Rhose Theta Rho Chapter Photo
Executive Board Officers Archon– Victor B. Nguyen Vice Archon– Alec M. Piliafas Treasurer– Kevin A. Pollack Secretary– Martin A. Seal Warden– David J. Buday Historian– Christopher W. DeCarlo Chaplain– Brett B. Hartranft Push Chair– Christopher C. Rettich
Letter from the Archon Brothers of Pi Kappa Phi, With midterms already approaching; there is much to reflect on as well as look forward to for the upcoming year. Before the semester even started, brother Brett Hartranft and myself traveled to Orlando, Fl for the 52nd Supreme Chapter. Theta Rho was recognized as a Red Rose Club Chapter for our continued efforts for and donations to PUSH America. There were few important legislative changes, with the exception of increased dues and election of our national council. The results of the election as well as the legislative changes enacted can be found on the Pi Kappa Phi national website. The start to our fall semester began with much anticipation as Pi Kappa Phi was recognized as the fraternity with the highest GPA on campus at a 2.83 cumulative. Our regional governor Paul Johnson commended Theta Rho on being the only chapter in the state of Michigan that met all Minimum Chapter Requirements. This means that in accordance to the Seven Objective Report, our chapter fulfilled all standards regarding fraternal aspects including rituals, risk management, philanthropy, etc. We followed up our achievements with a strong start to recruitment. Our members recruited 10 highly recommended men of class as our Epsilon associate class, including several Emerging Leaders and a Medallion Scholar. Our chapter looks forward to seeing the progress of our associates as they continue on their journey of Pi Kappa Phi. We have many events scheduled for the upcoming year including PUSH Week, Founder’s Day, a spring formal, and much more. Thank you to everyone who attended our Homecoming tailgate. I appreciate your support to our chapter and look forward to seeing you at our future events. Fraternally, Archon of Theta Rho Chapter Victor Nguyen
Inside this issue: PUSH America
2
Chapter Events
2
Alumni Spotlight
3
Recruitment News
4
Calendar of Events
4
To donate to Push America and support Theta Rho’s fundraising efforts, please visit our fundraising profile at http:// secure.pushamerica.org/wmu or send checks payable to Push America to: Pi Kappa Phi Attn: Christopher Rettich 1503 Fraternity Village Drive Kalamazoo, MI 49006
The Theta Rhose
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Chris Rettich (middle) and Brett Hartranft (right) ride in the 2009 Pedal for Push.
Front: Devon Sanborn Back from left to right: Will Aldridge, John Wolgamont, Brett Hartranft, Colin Engel, Chris Rettich
Brother Blake Williams (right) joins the 2010 Miss Push America Contestants onstage I shall walk down any street in America, or any place in the world, with my head up high - proud that I am a member of Pi Kappa Phi.
-Tommy Lasorda
During the 2009-10 school year, Theta Rho successfully raised $1,200 for Push America through events like Pedal for Push and the Miss Push America Pageant. Through Push America’s Circle of Giving Grant, 25% of all funds raised by the chapter are given back to the chapter’s local partner organization. The brothers of Pi Kappa Phi proudly presented a check for $300 to Disability Network Southwest Michigan at our October 3 meeting. Over the summer we were proud to have alumni Blake Williams on the Journey of Hope – South Crew. For more details about this amazing experience, see the Alumni Spotlight. Our chapter fundraising goal for 2010-11 is $2,500, or $50/brother. Brothers are also working to do a minimum of 10 service hours each per semester. We are striving to raises funds and awareness for disabilities on Western Michigan University’s campus. This semester, Theta Rho is hosting it’s first ever Push Week from October 24 – 30 with three exciting events. All week 20% of all purchases made at the Campus Point Panda Express (Howard/W. Michigan) with our flyer will donated to Push America. Pedal for Push, which is our biggest fundraising event annually, will be getting a boost this year. Our 3rd Annual Pedal for Push will be a 48-hour bike-a-thon with sorority guest riders and possible appearances from WMU administration. Brothers will kick off pedaling at 2 p.m. Monday, October 25. Through Western Student Association allocations of SAF funding, Theta Rho is brining disability awareness speaker Johnnie Tuitel to campus. He will be speaking on overcoming disabilities, getting involved on campus, and going greek. The event, “ABILITY to Lead”, is free to all students, faculty and community members and will be at 8 p.m. Wednesday, October 27 in Chem Building Rm. 1720. We are looking forward to a great year for Push America at WMU. Like us on Facebook for more information on upcoming events!
Chapter Events So far this semester the chapter has been active on and off campus, hosting events as well as participating in others. The chapter held the Alumni Homecoming BBQ at the chapter house on Oct. 2,where alumni were able to engage with active brothers as well as the new associate class at the house. Several alumni attend and enjoyed some food before heading over to Waldo Stadium to watch the Broncos take on the Idaho Vandals in the homecoming football game. Several brothers also participated in the Campus Classic, a 5k event that covers most of the main campus. Steward Sandstrom joined the brothers in the run, and everyone finished with a respectable time. With upcoming events such as Pedal for Push and our very first Push Week, the chapter is excited and becoming more involved in the community. We will also be holding a cleanup with our philanthropy charity, the Southwest Michigan Disability Network. All of our alumni are welcome to attend any chapter event, and we look forward to seeing more brothers participating and putting on events in the future.
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Volume 1, Issue 1
Alumni Spotlight Gerald Blake Williams is a founding father of Theta Rho, and recently graduated from Western Michigan Universtiy in May 2010. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Comparative Religion and Psychology and is currently living in New Orleans. Born October 9, 1987 and originally from Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Blake lived in Michigan for six years and graduated for Garber High School in Bay City, MI.
...we have given you the past as we know it. The future we leave with you.
- L. Harry Mixson
A founding father of the Theta Rho chapter of Pi Kappa Phi, Blake served as the first recruitment chair for the Chapter and then served as the first Vice Archon following the chapter’s chartering in April 2008. This summer Blake took a step not only for himself but for the entire Theta Rho chapter by becoming the first Theta Rho member to participate in Journey of Hope. Blake raised enough money for Push America to participate as a team member along the southern route for the summer long trip. Blake has said it was one of the most worthwhile experiences in his life, and he has expressed his hope that other brothers will follow his lead and participate in future JOH’s. A letter from Blake is available on the website, and the following is a brief synopsis of his journey. “This summer the Journey of Hope raised over half a million dollars for people with disabilities. Through the personal fundraising efforts of more than 90 Pi Kapps from across the country, we’ve spread disability awareness and accessibility awareness to everyone we’ve met. Over the course of 67 days, three teams of men cycled from Seattle and San Francisco to Washington, DC stopping in towns, spreading our message, and meeting with those we’ve raised funds for. After traveling an average of 75 miles a day through some of the roughest terrain imaginable, the cyclists and crew had enough energy and heart to keep going through the afternoons spending precious time with these individuals. Without them the team wouldn’t have had the heart to keep going. Every team converged in Washington DC on the lawn of the Capitol Building, where the CEO of Push America made a speech about the importance of funding local organizations across the country.”
Blake (blue shirt on right) is our first member to participate in the Journey of Hope ride as a part of Push America.
Blake (far right) is also a founding father of Theta Rho.
We’re on the Web:
Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity Theta Rho Chapter
wmupikapp.com
Rush/ Recruitment News Leaders By Choice This semester has been one of the best recruitments we have had so far. Almost all of our actives were out recruiting the entire welcome week, and held a very strong presence at the Greek Carnival. We had great turnouts at our barbeque, and several other low-key events. After the first week, we had a list of twenty-five names who were interested in Pi Kappa Phi. The number only grew with an even better Bronco Bash, where we acquired the contact information of over 125 people. After spending a lot of quality time with the potentials, we chose to be very selective, and did not extend bids to the majority of them. The end result is a group of the best ten men this campus had to offer, who received and signed bids. We are expecting our selection to pay off in the future by means of even further chapter growth. Theta Rho is pleased to welcome Epsilon class and is already anticipating a large class next semester; and we are currently planning future recruitment events to ensure that we choose Men of Class to join our chapter. Below are the photos of the new chapter and their big brothers.
Pi Kappa Phi– Theta Rho 1503 Fraternity Village Dr. Kalamazoo, MI 49006 Phone: (616) 990-2102 E-mail: historian@wmupikapp.com
Calendar of Events 10/24– 10/30
Panda For Push
10/24
Pedal For Push 48 Hours
10/28
ABILITY to Lead Speaker
12/11
Founders’ Day Potluck 3pm – 6pm Multicultural Center
For a complete calendar of Chapter Events, visit the online calendar at www.wmupikapp.com/calendar
Top: Fall 2010 Big and Little Brothers Top left: Hartranft Family Top right: Lyons Family Left to right: Grant Family, Krueger Family, Kaiser Family Bottom: Buday Family