Theta Xi Herald
Pi Kappa Phi Volume 2, Issue 1 March 2008
Alumni Spotlight: Michael Larsson After graduating in December, Michael Larsson continued on his path with Pi Kappa Phi with a job with the national office as a leadership consultant in Charlotte, N.C. After he worked with other chapters at Mid Year in January, Larsson made his way back to Arizona. Only this time, his route ended in Flagstaff. Larsson helped Jake Henderson (Beta Theta) create the latest associate chapter of Pi Kappa Phi at Northern Arizona University. “It was an amazing expansion,” Larsson said. “We had a lot of help from the Greek community.” Larsson said with the help from local sororities, he and Henderson received more than 300 names of students who were not yet associated with a fraternity. Once Larsson left NAU, the
NAU associate chapter had 54 members. Since his departure, the chapter has pre-initiated six more members. He even boasts the quality of men he gathered together. “Trust me, you will be impressed,” Larsson explained. After Flagstaff, Larsson went to Omaha to assist with the re-
opening of the Delta Gamma chapter in Omaha, Nebr. The expansion, while not complete due to the school’s Spring Break, is expected to bring in 20 to 25 guys. Larsson said such a number is a really great start because the school campus at Omaha is a commuter campus, so there is no entity of residential life. Since he was also a founding father of ASU’s Theta Xi chapter, Larson said his experience helped connect with the associate members in Flagstaff and Omaha. Working at the national office may have been one of the most rewarding experiences of his life, Larsson said. However, he wants to make sure that the guys from Theta Xi remember where his allegiance lies. “I am still repping ASU with a decal on my car,” Larsson said.
Inside this issue: Alumni Spotlight: Michael Larsson
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Build America: Tyler Quinn’s memorable summer
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Letter From the Archon 2
Pi Kappa Phi expands to Northern Arizona
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Gear Up Florida 2008
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Cody Compau’s future Journey of Hope
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Remembering When...
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One brother’s recount of Build America 2007 Tyler Quinn Words cannot even begin to describe the summer that I am about to recount. In our fast paced society we quickly become too engulfed in our lives and neglect those that need help the most. We fail to realize the little things that we can do that will affect the lives of those around us. A simple gesture of friendship, or even a small smile can make the biggest difference in a person’s life. This summer we constructed various accessible amenities in six different states including a fully ADA complaint fishing pier, many paths (concrete and
packed gravel), a 30’ by 60’ pole barn, wheelchair accessible horse loading platforms, wheelchair ramps, fences, and much more. Although the event is entitled Build America there is much more to the trip than meets the eye. A typical day included a 7 am wakeup and breakfast with the campers. Work generally began after breakfast and some of the team members even had an opportunity to participate in the camp activities during the day instead of working. These activities include excursions, arts and crafts, pool activities, and much
more. The team broke for lunch and then finished working before dinner. After dinner with the campers, the team participated in the evening programming activities including, scavenger hunts, talent shows, dances and much more. The team was fully integrated into camp life and was able to develop relationships with the campers during their visit. The first camp was in Strongsville, Ohio at Camp Cheerful. Here we encountered a camper that was mute and spoke only through sign language, a language that most of the team was unfamiliar with.
—See “Building” page 2
Spring 2008 Beta Class Members Congratulations and best of luck to the next class of associate members: • Brent Alex • Christopher Triem • Dan Berry • Jake Repko • Parker Young • Ronald Wright
Theta Xi Herald
Page 2 2008 Executive Council
Secretary
Letter from the Archon:
Archon
Gerald Bohulano (520) 456-7004
Jason Dolence (520) 240-5293
Warden
Vice Archon—Internal
Nick Brady (415) 874-1084
Welcome to the Theta Xi chapter of Pi Kappa Phi! It is my pleasure along with the 2008 executive council to be leading this chapter into another successful year here at Arizona State University. We started out the semester by welcoming six new promising associate members into our organization. They’re hard work and dedication to Pi Kappa Phi has shown through and we look forward to welcoming them into the brotherhood in the next coming months. With the help from Alumnus Brian Landry (Gamma Iota) Theta Xi is in the process of revamping our scholarship program to regain our top academic position with IFC. Also this semester we will be holding our 2nd Annual 48 Hour Bike-A-Thon. Last year our men raised over $5000 for Push America and we will be striving to raise over $10,000 this year. With our brotherhood retreat and Rose Ball coming up this April in San Diego this semester will sure be one to remember! Thank you for your continued support and dedication to Pi Kappa Phi.
Matt Vivian (571) 244-1194
Historian
Vice Archon—External
Jeff Burns (520) 471-2130
Greg Richards (480) 246-2074
Chaplain
Treasurer Timothy Ramos (732) 977-6576
Tyler Quinn (480) 495-5881
By the Star and Lamp, Jason Dolence Archon Theta Xi – 6
Push America Alex Schutten (503) 806-1557
Pi Kappa Phi expands to Flagstaff at NAU Note: This article originally appeared at www.pikapp.org FLAGSTAFF, Ariz.—Pi Kappa Phi’s colony at Northern Arizona University has become the fraternity’s newest associate chapter and joins Beta Theta (Arizona) and Theta Xi (Arizona State) as the third chapter of Pi Kappa Phi in the Grand Canyon State. Senior Leadership Consultant Jake Henderson, Beta Theta (Arizona), and Leadership Consultant Mike Larsson, Theta Xi (Arizona State), led the expansion effort, which yielded a chapter of 54 men—
Building through 2007 He was excited to have us at camp this week and even more excited for the fireworks; so excited that he went around to just about every team member and asked if we would be going to the fireworks. Now every team member knows how to say fireworks in sign language! At another camp there was a camper named Peggy that stood off to the side and refused to participate in the evening’s events. A couple of the team members went over and started talking to her. It was her first time at camp and she really did not want to be there; she just wanted to go home. After some discussion the team members asked Peggy
the third largest among Northern Arizona’s 14 NIC/FLA groups. On February 21, at the end of the four-week recruitment process, the new associate chapter participated in an installation retreat facilitated by Leadership Consultant Derek Berger, Beta Xi (Central Michigan). Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity would like to thank the NAU Office of Student Life and Residence Life for their overwhelming support during the colonization, as well as the Interfraternity Council and Panhellenic Council for their commitment and assistance throughout the Pi Kappa Phi’s expansion process. what she liked about camp and she responded “The boys in the red shirts.” The team members then took Peggy around to the rest of the team and she gave everyone a hug.
After that Peggy would come up to us anytime she saw us and would give us a high-five or a hug and ask how our day was. By the end of the week she wanted to come back to camp next year. This story is a testament to the little actions
Eric Pacheco, Levi Onyiah, Kyle Buscho, Nicholas Ashjian and Alex Schutten prepare for tug-of-war during Alpha Phi’s philanthropy
that make the biggest difference in someone’s life. At this point I realized that the trip is not solely about construction, but rather the people whose lives you touch. This feeling became more evident when we built accessible horse platforms at Camp Barnabas in Missouri. These platforms were designed so a wheelchair could travel up the ramp and then the person could be transferred from the chair to the horse. We finished these ramps and five minutes later we saw them in use. After working hard to build these, it was probably the most rewarding experience of the trip to see the smile on the young woman’s face as she rode off on the horse. Build America is the heart of —See “Building” page 3
Volume 2, Issue 1
Page 3
Three members aim for Florida this summer Michael Cavaleri
Three Theta Xi members from Arizona State University hope to participate in Gear Up Florida this summer. Juniors Dane Klett, Tyler Quinn, and Andrew Garlington are all raising money to participate in the bike ride across Florida May 15 to May 31. The money the students raise goes to Push America, Pi Kappa Phi’s non-profit philanthropic organization. Push America is dedicated to educating, raising money and promoting awareness for those with disabilities. Friendship visits take place during the nights of the bike ride, where brothers participating will meet with those with disabilities. Klett participated in Gear Up Florida in 2007.
Klett and Quinn are both trying to raise enough money to participate in Build America this summer as well.
Klett (above) after his trek across Florida in 2007 “It’s a trip you wouldn’t trade for a million bucks,” Klett said. Quinn participated in another summer event last year, Build America. “It’s a summer greater than one’s self,” Quinn said of his experience in 2007.
Our 2nd Annual Bike-A-Thon will be held from noon on Tuesday, April 8 to noon on Thursday, April 10. Come by Hayden Lawn to check it out!
To donate for our brothers this summer, visit www.pushamerica.com. Click the Gear Up Florida tab and each participant will have their own Web site. To donate money for Cody Compau and the Journey of Hope, visit secure.pushamerica.org/codycompau
Compau prepares to take on the nation through the Journey Cody Compau This summer I will be undertaking the daunting, yet exciting task of cycling over 4,000 miles from San Francisco, CA to Washington, D.C. over two months on the Journey of Hope. Along the way, I will meet with many individuals and groups in order to bring a greater awareness to our peers and community about what it means to have a disability with the hope of abating social stigmas attached to those disabilities. Although we will be doing plenty of biking, the main focus of this venture is to build hope for people with disabilities as well as the organizations that serve them. We will be cycling up to 120 miles in a day, but the most important part of our day begins when we finish our riding. Almost every evening we will be participating in
friendship visits with people with disabilities. These friendship visits are what makes this journey such a unique and rewarding experience as we are able to connect with the people whose lives we are impacting. I have committed to raising at least $5000 and I need your help. It is my hope that you will consider making a tax deductible contribution to support my efforts. Your donation will go directly towards benefiting the lives of some very special people. With a simple contribution you will be able to brighten the futures and smiles of thousands of Americans with disabilities. Please take a minute to browse my Web site and learn more about how PUSH America is "Building leaders of tomorrow by serving people with disabilities today." Please feel free to contact me at any time with any questions you may have. Thank you for your support!
Above: Members of Pi Kappa Phi meet after the ASU Best Buddies Dance in February on Hayden Lawn “At this point I realized that the trip is not solely about construction, but rather the people whose lives you touch.” Building Continued
what Push America aims to accomplish. It is an opportunity to hang out with people with disabilities and develop a relationship with them so you can see through their disability and experience their abilities. It is a chance to make them smile and a chance to make their day better. Furthermore, it is a chance to build something that makes
their lives easier. Build America allows you to experience more than yourself; it is a summer of service greater than all the amenities you enjoy at home. The trip made me realize how the smallest gestures in life make the biggest difference. Build America has been, by far, the best experience of my 20 years of existence and I owe it to each and every one of you who were able to support me in this journey of a lifetime.
Pi Kappa Phi
Jeffrey Burns 1303 E. Donner Dr., Tempe, AZ 85283 Phone: 520-471-2130 E-mail: Jeffrey.T.Burns@asu.edu
Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity “Leaders By Choice”
Theta Xi Visit our new Web Site at www.asupikapp.org
The Man in The Glass When you get what you want in your struggle for self. And the world makes you king for a day, Just go to the mirror and look at yourself And see what man has to say. For it isn’t your father or mother or wife Whose judgment upon you must pass. The fellow whose verdict counts most in your life Is the one staring back from the glass. You may be like Jack Horner and chisel a plum And think you’re a wonderful guy, But the man in the glass says you’re only a bum If you can’t look him straight in the eye. He’s the fellow to please—never mind all the rest, For he’s with you clear to the end. And you’ve passed your most dangerous, difficult test If the man in the glass is your friend. You man fool the whole world down the pathway of years And get pats on the back as you pass, But your final reward will be heartache and tears If you’ve Cheated the Man in the Glass
Remembering When: The original five families gather during the 2006 Fall brotherhood retreat in northern Arizona. Clockwise from top left: The Dog Pound, Pi Rhos, Bears, Monkeys and Dukes.