Issue 2 • December 2009 • www.illinois-pikapps.com
Homecoming
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With their focuses on many areas, alumni relations has been the one area the undergrads have struggled. With 2009 being the Alumni Chapter’s first year in existence, this past homecoming was still planned by the undergrads - who hoped for great attendance. Problems with a printing company, however, eliminated the mailing of invitations. “We continue to have some growing pains in the communications department, but by next year, all alumni should expect frequent contact from the alumni chapter including a formal invitation to Homecoming,”
President
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versary of the chapter’s refounding in February 2010 and the 90th anniversary of Upsilon at the University of Illinois in May 2011. We are also in the early stages of planning next summer’s Pi Kapp Day at Arlington, and will be hard at work to develop undergraduate scholarships, mentoring programs, a more feature-rich Web site with stronger networking tools, and more alumnicentric social events. To this end, we are launching our inaugural fundraising drive to achieve
Anniversary
Pi Kappa Phi, Upsilon Chapter, University of Illinois • Est. 1921
Giannotta said. Despite the lack of that formal invitation, alumni who planned to come on their own liked what they saw. “As the years have passed, the distance between even close alumni has increased with marriages, children and new jobs,” Jacobson said. “The opportunity, even once a year, to see people you rarely get to see, is priceless.” The next Homecoming is set for Oct. 23 against Indiana. The Upsilon Chapter on that date will begin celebration of our 90th anniversary. The campus, meanwhile, will be celebrating the 100th Homecoming event. n
Issue 2 • December 2009 • www.illinois-pikapps.com
Upsilon on verge of 90th anniversary Gunnar Schalin (Y537) talks with former Upsilon Archon Alex Stezskal and Upsilon Historian Elliott Rill while visiting the chapter room during Homecoming 2009.
our goals in providing benefits to the alumni membership, help the undergraduate chapter, and put on a quality anniversary celebration. Enclosed you will find a form and addressed envelope for this 90th anniversary/membership drive. Your contributions allow us to ensure that the Alumni Chapter continues to support lifelong brotherhood. Mindful of the tough economic times, we understand that monetary contributions may be difficult at this time. If you are unable to make such a commitment, we invite you to donate your thoughts and ideas for how we
can better serve the Upsilon alumni community. As the holiday season is upon us, it is a perfect time to remember the Ritual that binds us all together as brothers in Pi Kappa Phi. While you enjoy the season with family and friends, I encourage you to reach out to a brother, reminisce about old times, and catch up. Have a happy holiday season and I wish you the best in the New Year! In Pi Kappa Phi, Gene Giannotta Alumni Chapter President
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er’s Day, and an anniversary weekend. If 2010 wasn’t going to be exciting enough for the chapter, it also marks the fifth anniversary of the recolonization, which will occur this February. In order for the chapter to properly observe these milestones, alumni support is needed. An anniversary planning committee is being formed by the AC board to offer guidance and assist in planning the events. Alumni from all eras are encouraged to become involved. February 20-21 To start off a great year, alumni - especially re-founders - will be invited to Champaign for the annual Re-Founders Day lunch on Saturday. In addition to usual plans, the AC is hoping to reach back to our roots and reserve the top floor of Joe’s Bar. A Sunday event is also planned. October 23 Homecoming 2010 promises to be
The Upsilon Ups
This logo will be seen frequently over the next year as the Alumni Chapter markets a major anniversary.
the best in several years as the Alumni Chapter reclaims planning and marketing of the event. A full day of activities will be planned at the chapter house with food and drinks. December 2010 As Pi Kapps across the country celebrate the fraternity’s 106th anniversary, Upsilon will join together in Chicago to celebrate how our chapter contributed to that for 90 years. May 2011 A anniversary weekend is being
planned with assistance from the national headquarters. Three days of events in Champaign will include a banquet, golf outing, campus tours and more. This event is perfect for alumni who want to visit campus but avoid the hassle of Homecoming. Familyfriendly events will also be included. The AC appreciates any input brothers would like to give. Contact Gene at gwgiannotta@gmail.com for more information or if you’d like to be involved. n
Push America from 2
Pi Kappa Phi, Upsilon Chapter, University of Illinois • Est. 1921
HOMECOMING 2009
Planning underway for Homecoming, committee needed By Gene Giannotta Alumni Chapter President
preparation for their bikeride. “Alex and I will be riding a few days a week, building up our mileage over the course of the semester,” Carrato said. “It will be great riding together, keeping each other company as we try to cycle 1,000 miles each for training.” Each rider has to raise at least $5,000 for Push America in order to ride. However, both riders have committed to raising well over the minimum amount. Stezskal, who trekked 800 miles across Florida in Gear Up Florida 2008, is no stranger to going above and beyond for Push America. In fact, he raised more funds than any other rider on the 2008 Gear Up Florida event. “Beyond just preparing yourself for a long bike-ride, it’s important to keep the focus of this event in mind,” said Stezskal. “My personal goal is and has always been to help raise as much funds and awareness as possible for Push America.” The riders have started their fundraising but definitely need your support. Visit their support pages at https://secure.pushamerica. org/alexstezskal and https:// secure.pushamerica.org/tommycarrato to make your donation today. n
In seventeen months, the Upsilon Chapter will reach a milestone. At the University of Illinois in 1921, Pi Kappa Phi colonized its twentieth chapter. For those counting, that’s 90 years of Upsilon brotherhood. To celebrate, the Alumni Chapter is planning a year-long observance of the anniversary. It will center around three events - Homecoming, FoundSee ‘Anniversary’ • Page 4
PRESIDENT’S LETTER
Alumni Chapter hard at work; needs your help Fellow Alumni Brothers, I hope the second edition of the Upsilon Ups finds you well. The undergraduate chapter is going strong, as you can see from outgoing archon Tommy Carrato’s letter in these pages. Brother Carrato is the newly elected president of the campus Interfraternity Council, bringing Pi Kapp leadership in the University to a new level. As we note the accomplishments of the undergrads, we also see opportunities to strengthen the brotherhood of alumni. The next two years will see two major milestones – the fifth anniSee ‘President’ • Page 4
Upsilon alumni gather on the front patio of the chapter house at 306 E. Gregory during Homecoming after the football game against Michigan State on Oct. 10.
Champaign bound
Brothers make annual return to campus By Adam Nekola
Alumni Chapter Vice-President
CHAMPAIGN – Returning to the University of Illinois, the first things an alumni notices are the differences - the towering apartments, new stores, a changed campus. And at Pi Kappa Phi, a new house - only four years old - and a young chapter. But change is only skin deep some times, and the same Pi Kapp brotherhood was alive and well as alumni returned for Homecoming on Oct. 10. “The house is what puts the home in homecoming,” said alumnus Kevin Jacobson (Y969). “It gives us a central meeting point to rally around and an image with which to identify. Things weren’t the same when we didn’t have a functional house at which to
gather. Now the property lives and undergrads heard stories about the brings homecoming to life too.” chapter in it’s hay day. The property is certainly alive In turn, the undergrads were these days, with a chapgiven the opportunity to ter bordering on 80 update alumni on their members. But although I want to do achievements as well it’s nice to hear how the whatever we national awards, local chapter is doing, Homecan to build awards, fundraising milecoming is about much stones and - perhaps most enthusiasm important - a full house. more. across the “It’s worth it to recon“This has become the nect with the brothers brotherhood chapter we envisioned you went to school with when we voted for recoloand reminisce about col- Gene Giannotta nization. A lot of people AC President legiate years back on campaid a price for that decipus. For me, it just feels sion but many more are like going home, and has an appeal benefiting now,” Jacobson said. “I that’s hard to put in words,” said can’t say enough about how far the Gene Giannotta (Y1030), Alumni undergrads have come so fast. I am Chapter president. so happy to hear that we have a viThis year’s event brought a large brant and growing chapter, a full group of alumni to campus. Several house and a very good GPA.” decades of membership were represented, as alumni connected and ‘Homecoming’ • Page 4
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Issue 2 • December 2009 • www.illinois-pikapps.com
Pi Kappa Phi, Upsilon Chapter, University of Illinois • Est. 1921
Issue 2 • December 2009 • www.illinois-pikapps.com
Pi Kappa Phi, Upsilon Chapter, University of Illinois • Est. 1921
UPSILON ALUMNI PROFILE
ARCHON’S REPORT
Upsilon recognized
ANNOUNCEMENTS
On campus and nationally In the last issue of the Ups, I spoke about how much progress Upsilon chapter had made. The national office seems to think so too. At Pi Kapp College this summer, Upsilon chapter won a total of eight awards, including the Thomas Sayre Society for raising over $150 for Push America per man, the Undergraduate Chapter Newsletter of the Year, and the Theron Houser Most Improved Chapter of the Year. It is our hope that we continue to build upon these successes and make even greater strides towards becoming one of the strongest chapters at Illinois and in Pi Kappa Phi. As our chapter continues to mature, we have also begun to see the first large classes graduate, but we have maintained and increased our membership due to a strong recruitment program. The Iota class of 20 new members (our largest class since refounding in 2005), has grown our
membership to 75 active brothers. Our participation in the Greek community at Illinois that the chapter and officers emphasized last semester has begun to pay off, catching the attention of increasingly prominent sororities and giving Pi Kappa Phi some influence within the Greek houses on campus. Beginning this December, Sam Lyons, our Warden, will be serving on the IFC Executive Board as Vice President of Membership Development, and I will be serving as the Executive Board President. As always, the undergraduates appreciate all the support from our alumni, and we would like to extend a special thanks to the Alumni Chapter for all the work that they have done and continue to do to keep the lifelong brotherhood in Pi Kappa Phi strong. In Pi Kappa Phi, Tommy Carrato Y1056
Tommy Carrato volunteers at a Give-a-Push Weekend and Sam Lyons volunteers for Best Buddies. The two undergrads decided not to run for Upsilon office, but rather were elected to the Inter-Fraternity Council board.
Two officers make history
Carrato, Lyons elected to Illinois’ Interfraternity Council Board By Adam Nekola Alumni Chapter Vice-President
CHAMPAIGN – Neither university records nor recent memory can tell when the university’s Inter-Fraternity Council board last boasted a member of Pi Kappa Phi. Yet it is fair to assume that two members just made history this fall. Archon Tommy Carrato and Warden Sam Lyons were both elected to positions on IFC board; Carrato as president, and Lyons as VP of member development. “It definitely gets [Pi Kappa Phi’s] name out there; shows the rest of the campus that we’re leaders and a growing house,” Lyons said. “It’s nice that we finally have Pi Kapps on the IFC Exec when previously it was always filled with
Aggers, Pikes, ATOs, etc.” Over the past few years, the chapter has improved on several fronts. The two Pi Kapps are hoping they can reproduce this success on a campus level and also help Pi Kappa Phi from the outside. “It’s one thing to improve things within your own fraternity, but I’m definitely excited to work on IFC and improve other chapters as well as strengthen IFC as a whole,” Lyons said. Carrato echoed his sentiments. Both brothers are not only true Pi Kapps, but believe strongly in the values of brotherhood. “I realized the potential help IFC could bring to our chapter,” he said. “I also saw the flaws in the council and realized my experience in Pi Kappa Phi gave me the tools to
hopefully bring some positive change to the organization.” The IFC and Panhellenic Council have been struggling the past several years to unite the Greek community - which is the largest in the nation. This year they successfully implemented their first Greek Week in some time, with a 5K and carnival for the Boys and Girls Club of Champaign. Alcohol enforcement during rush week has also improved, with more chapters being cited by the judicial board. Greek Oscars, the annual awards show, has been victim of poor attendance from fraternities in recent years. This is one area Lyons is excited to improve. In their elections, Carrato was elected over Brad Bizjack of Delta Chi; Lyons over Rafael Gnatek of Psi Upsilon. n
Upsilon undergraduates preparing for Journey of Hope By Sky Opila Former Upsilon Archon
It’s not every year that Upsilon chapter members and brothers choose to ride in the most prestigious Push America event, but this year we have two. Alex Stezskal and Tommy Carrato are gearing up and getting ready to ride from coast to coast
• Dan French (Y929) was married to Kelly (King) on Oct. 10, 2009. “The day of the MSU-UI football game. We had a bet - whichever team won, got their fight song played. Sadly, it wasn’t UI. Russ Tomes made us sing ‘The Rose.’ It was ugly, but fun,” he said.
during the 2010 Journey of Hope. The Journey of Hope is a 4,000 mile cross-country cycling event that starts in San Francisco and ends in Washington D.C. with stops at over 50 cities in between to interact with people with disabilities. The cyclers ride about 75 miles a day for 60 days. “Pi Kappa Phi and Push America have helped me develop as a
person during my college career. I feel that the Journey of Hope is the perfect event to give back to the fraternity while touring the country and helping people with disabilities,” said Carrato. The two undergraduate chapter members will be spending their spring semester training hard in ‘Push America’ • Page 4
Sponsor Alex and Tommy 1. Go to www.pushamerica.org 2. Click on “Donate” 3. Go to the “Journey of Hope” team roster 4. Find Tommy Carrato or Alex Stezskal
In the bleachers of Memorial Stadium in 1992, brothers Steve Wyent, Darren Marsh, George Couris, Chris Sloss, Sassan Attari, Ed Contreras and Russ Tomes pose with some friends.
Pi Kapp reconnects online Facebook group allows alumni to find each other By Adam Nekola
that were members of the chapter. “What’s surprising is how often Mike Reedy post messages whilst To some alumni, brotherhood sitting on a plane, how often Cass is taken for granted. On any given Drew seems to visit Vegas, and how weekend in Chicago, several groups many songs Mike Eagleson knows of Pi Kapps can be found hanging the words to,” he said. “I’m also surout together. But for Adrian Nelson, prised that some guys in particular brotherhood takes work. managed to find a wife “Life has changed a little and then have kids – I since college days. Home wouldn’t have predicted is back in Melbourne, that with some of them!” Australia,” said Nelson Nelson, along with sev(Y900), who joined Pi eral other alumni, have Kappa Phi as an exchange shared photos from their student in 1993. time in school on the As the only member of ‘Pi Kappa Phi - Upsilon the Upsilon Chapter liv- Adrian Nelson Chapter’ Facebook group. ing in Australia, staying in Nelson is one of 127 memtouch with brothers can be a little bers in the group. The photos have challenging. For the better part of spurred conversation and memories. 15 years he did his best. “I think the guys are a bit shocked “We relied on e-mail or visiting. I at our physical changes. And I think guess over time there are 2 or 3 you secretly we’d love to be back in the stay great friends with, but you tend house in a Pineapple Phi hot tub to lose touch with the others, par- party,” said Nelson of the responses ticularly living in a different hemi- he received. sphere,” he said. Other responses have been posted But luckily, in early 2004, Face- on the group itself. book was invented. Now, instead of “Keep the old pics coming! I’ll try trying to find e-mails or hoping to to gather some up and post them. see people on a random visit, Nelson Might be a while, this was before can keep track of all his brothers. digital cameras were everywhere,” He’s connected with about 25 men said Patrick Withrow (Y972). Alumni Chapter Vice-President
“It is really neat to see what everyone is up to. I will have to dig up my old pics and post,” said Chris Johnson (Y877). “I will look for my old photos and post as many as I can find. Looking forward to getting caught up with everyone,” said Boyd LaFoon (Y810). As for Nelson, he’s interested in catching up as well. For several years after graduation, he was able to visit Chicago fairly regularly as a management consultant. Now he’s in the family business, managing five family funeral homes - Nelson Bros. Funeral Services. The company is one of the ten oldest family businesses in Australia; having celebrated it’s 150th anniversary last year. Nelson is now married. He and his wife, Louise, have two sons Harry, 4, and Charles, 2. Now a family man, having time to visit may be harder than ever. Luckily, that won’t mean he’ll have put his past behind him. “Being geographically so far away from everyone, I can accept that I probably won’t see the guys in person so often. However with Facebook, I’m able to continue a connection and continue some great friendships.” n
• Adam Rosenberger (Y1004) and his wife, Pamela, welcomed their daughter Emily Jane on Aug. 25, 2009. • Patrick Withrow (Y972) and his wife Sarah are expecting identical twin girls on Jan. 10.
CONTACT INFORMATION Your Alumni Chapter officers are here to help. If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to contact them. President Gene Giannotta (630) 329-7516 gwgiannotta@gmail.com Vice-President Adam Nekola (630) 479-6975 anekola@gmail.com Treasurer Nick Stoczanyn (847) 840-9722 stoczanyn@gmail.com Secretary Kevin Spitz (847) 989-5463 kspitz2@gmail.com Chaplain Joe Themig (757) 650-5889 themig@illinoisalumni.org Housing Corp. President James Nelson (630) 334-0177 james.nelson.ii@gmail.com