Chapter News: November 2016
The following are the submissions received for November 2016.
To submit chapter news, please email editor@lambdachi.org. Undergraduate officers can also report updates on their chapter by logging on to Officer Portal and accessing the “Submit Chapter News” form. If you cannot find news from your chapter, then no information has been submitted for this month.
Arkansas (Gamma-Chi)
On Nov. 4, the chapter celebrated the dedication of the chapter house renovations and expansion. The renovation was led by a $2 million gift from the Walton Family Foundation, at the recommendation of Jim Walton and Rob Walton, who are both alumni of the University of Arkansas and the chapter. Chapter members participated in the Volunteer Action Center’s Make a Difference Day by cleaning up the Botanical Garden of the Ozarks. The chapter assisted a family in need at its local Walmart and donated more than $200 worth of Thanksgiving supplies.
Auburn (Omega)
On Nov. 28, chapter advisor Dr. Fred Kam received the IFC Fraternity Advisor of the Year Award at the annual IFC banquet. Former chapter President Graham Davis received one of the two IFC annual scholarships.
Butler (Alpha-Alpha)
During November, the chapter celebrated Thanksgiving with a special dinner at the chapter house. Following, the chapter held an Initiation Ritual Exemplification for four associate members on Dec. 2.
California Polytechnic (Phi-Sigma)
The chapter hosted its annual Watermelon Bust philanthropy, raising more than 4,100 pounds of food and $4,105 for Feeding America.
California State – Northridge (Beta-Rho)
The chapter was awarded first place in Mr. CSUN, the Alpha Omicron Pi sorority philanthropy event.
Coastal Carolina (Coastal Carolina Colony)
The colony held a food drive with Sigma Kappa sorority and raised approximately 300 meals for the local food bank. The colony conducted an Initiation Ritual Exemplification for 10 associate members, bringing the colony total to 25 members.
Cornell (Omicron)
On Oct. 29, the chapter hosted a Greek Life breakfast as part of the University Trustee Council’s annual meeting. Chapter President Thomas Suesser (2018), Chapter Advisor Kosta Elefter (2009) and Alumni Association President Mark Fernau (1982) spoke at the event. On Nov. 12, the chapter hosted the second mental wellness forum with a group of both alumni and undergraduates to discuss ways to recognize and deal with the stresses involved in campus life. The chapter thanks Alex Aidun (2008) and the Matthew Patrick Omans Memorial Committee for their continued dedication to this cause. After the session, Aidun held a discussion about Five Years After College where alumni in various fields of business discussed how to pursue a career and maximize job opportunities in the pivotal first few years out of college.
Delaware (Lambda-Beta)
The chapter held its semi-annual Food Drive to raise money for Feeding America. Activities included pickups of goods at other fraternities and sororities, setting up a donation table in the student center, and creating a Go Fund Me page for the event. On Veteran’s Day, chapter members assisted the Blue Hen Veterans Club in setting up 6,902 flags on the Green on campus to honor the U.S. service members who lost their lives protecting our country following the conflicts of 9/11. Jared Medrano was elected vice president of the university’s chapter of College Republicans.
Denison (Gamma-Iota)
The chapter won Delta Gamma sorority’s annual Anchor Splash philanthropy event.
Drexel (Epsilon-Kappa)
Alumni brother Chris McCarthy is the new president of MTV. He also serves as the head of VH1 and Logo channels for Viacom. At MTV, he is tasked with revamping the programming and improving ratings.
Elmhurst (Pi-Zeta)
The chapter completed its annual food drive and raised more than 5,000 pounds of food for the Elmhurst Yorkfield Food Pantry. The chapter held an Initiation Ritual Exemplification for 11 associate members.
Embry-Riddle Prescott (Pi-Xi)
The chapter held an Initiation Ritual Exemplification for five associate members.
Eastern Kentucky (Phi-Beta)
Sebastian Torres was appointed by Gov. Bevin as a student representative for the Council on Postsecondary Education. The chapter held an Initiation Ritual Exemplification for eight associate members.
Eureka (Theta-Chi)
Thanks to several chapter members, the men’s varsity football team boasted a 8-2 record and was placed second in the conference. Ray Vogel earned an all-conference award for his performance at defensive end. Tyler Willdrick and Kyler Walle started on offensive line that had the second best conference rushing total. Colton Johnson, Joe Scott, Joey Rasmussen, Tristan Rose, and Chris Fleischman were also members of the team.
Evansville (Iota-Mu)
Chapter members participated in the university’s Make a Difference event, a day devoted to reaching out into the Evansville community and giving back. Chapter members volunteered at the Oak Hill Cemetery cleaning the grounds and adding landscaping. Other chapter members volunteered at the St. Vincent Center for Children and Families. The chapter held a canned food drive and raised more than 2,000 pounds of food.
Franklin (Kappa-Gamma)
To date, the chapter has raised more than 700 pounds for the local food pantry.
Georgetown (Kappa-Omega)
The chapter held a food drive in the community and raised approximately 2,500 pounds for the The Gathering Place, a local homeless shelter.
Georgia Tech (Beta-Kappa)
The chapter placed third in the homecoming Pomp competition. Using only wood, chicken wire and parade pomp the chapter built a 30-foot tall Mayan temple, with an 8-foot tall “Buzz” mascot on the top.
George Washington (Delta-Xi)
The chapter hosted a Founders Day celebration with local alumni and raised approximately $18,000 for conferences, scholarships and other chapter needs.
Gettysburg College (Theta-Pi)
The chapter co-hosted a “massage day” fundraiser with the campus’s Office of Multicultural Engagement with proceeds benefitting Feeding America. The chapter also hosted a Toys for Tots drive that involved all fraternities and sororities on campus.
Illinois (Chi)
On Nov. 16, alumni brother Rob Kennedy, president and co-CEO of C-Span, served as the distinguished speaker at the ACES Alumni Association’s annual luncheon. In 2012, Kennedy received a Distinguished Alumni Award from the UIUC Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering and now serves on the Board of the Illinois Alumni Association. Kennedy (pictured 2nd from left) was joined by longtime friends and brothers Matt Murphy, Hernando Moreno, Larry Prast, Pete Kale, Mike Lembke, Kim Kardas, and Rich Knitter. The chapter elected new officers:
Iowa (Iota-Chi)
On Nov. 5, the chapter hosted a parents day with a barbeque and formal dinner.
John Carroll (Pi-Eta)
The chapter held and Initiation Ritual Exemplification for seven associate members. The chapter held its annual Pumpkin Bust philanthropy event that raised more than 3,000 pounds of food for Feeding America.
Johnson & Wales – Charlotte (Pi-Upsilon)
On Nov. 5, the chapter hosted its inaugural Pumpkin Bust with all proceeds and benefitting Second Harvest Food Bank. The event raised more than 150 pounds of canned food in two hours.
Kansas (Zeta-Iota)
On Oct. 22, the chapter hosted an alumni homecoming tailgate. The chapter held an Initiation Ritual Exemplification for four associate members.
Kutztown (Sigma-Gamma)
The chapter won the 2016 Turkey Bowl defeating Sigma Alpha Epsilon in the finals. The chapter held an Initiation Ritual Exemplification for 12 associate members. Chapter member Antonio Santana won the inaugural Pretzel Revolution challenge by consuming 3.5 pounds of a buffalo chicken stuffed pretzels with ghost pepper sauce on top.
Louisiana – Lafayette (Iota-Omega)
The chapter held an Initiation Ritual Exemplification for 10 associate members.
Louisville (Zeta-Sigma)
The chapter held an Initiation Ritual Exemplification for 13 associate members. The chapter held a Watermelon Bust philanthropy event that collected 5,000 cans of food.
Lycoming (Iota-Beta)
The chapter raises approximately 7,000 pounds of food for the Central PA Food Bank.
Maryland – Baltimore County (Phi-Delta)
On Nov. 18, the chapter held an Initiation Ritual Exemplification for five associate members.
Maryland – College Park (Epsilon-Pi)
The chapter hosted a Pumpkin Bust to raise money for Feeding America. The event was co-sponsored by two other fraternities and four sororities.
Miami-OH (Zeta-Upsilon)
The chapter raised more than $6,700 in donations on behalf of Feeding America for the Oxford Community Choice Pantry.
Middle Tennessee State (Middle Tennessee State Colony)
Through the Murfreesboro Parks and Rec Department, chapter members helped cleanup Old Fort Park where they collected hundreds of pounds of trash from the local park. They also staffed a local Acorn Festival providing minor security detail.
Missouri Science and Technology (Alpha-Delta)
The chapter hosted a parents’ day at a local restaurant. Brothers invited their families for dinner and trivia. Academic honor certificates were also presented to brothers for scholastic excellence. The chapter hosted its 56th Annual Chicken Benefit Dinner that raised more than $3,000 for Choices for People and the Gingerbread House charities.
Montevallo (Sigma-Epsilon)
Neal Van Marter was recognized by the university. He currently serves as a first sergeant in the college Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC). Van Marter, who grew up in San Juan, Puerto Rico and Anniston, Alabama said his grandfather, a WWII veteran, instilled within him a profound love and sense of duty to his country at an early age. When he’s not busy with ROTC or class responsibilities, Van Marter also serves as chapter and IFC vice president.
New York (Theta-Upsilon)
The chapter raised more than $5,000 for B+ Child Cancer Foundation/New York Dance Marathon.
New Hampshire (Alpha-Xi)
The chapter hosted a Pumpkin Bust and annual bag drop food drive. Together, these events raised more than 600 pounds of food and $250 for Feeding America. Chapter members participated in was the Kappa Sigma’s Hoops for Heroes a three-on-three basketball tournament and philanthropy event. The chapter’s two teams earned first and second place. In the photo are first place captain Malik Rochelle (left) and second place captain Dave Rodenhizer (middle). On Oct. 24, more than 35 chapter members were recognized by the IFC for earning over a 3.14 GPA for the spring semester.
North Dakota (Epsilon-Zeta)
The chapter held an Initiation Ritual Exemplification for 16 associate members. The chapter received the Excellence in Citizenship Award and Outstanding Chapter Award at the university’s annual Greek Awards.The chapter held a brotherhood pig roast.
Oklahoma State (Alpha-Eta)
Chapter members collected hundreds of cans of food that were donated to the local Salvation Army.
Oregon State (Alpha-Lambda)
The chapter added 53 associate members, the largest number of new members in the chapter’s history. The new members come from near a far, including Washington, Oregon, California, Australia and England.
Pennsylvania (Epsilon)
The chapter held an Initiation Ritual Exemplification for 12 associate members. On Nov. 17, the chapter hosted a Greeksgiving holiday dinner with the members of Alpha Sigma Alpha sorority. Cole Hurley and Carson Scott were elected IFC executive positions.
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (Epsilon-Eta)
The chapter held an Initiation Ritual Exemplification for 11 associate members. The chapter raised more than 700 pounds of food and $70 in donations for the local food bank.
Richmond (Alpha-Chi)
The chapter hosted its annual Watermelon Bash philanthropy, raising nearly $1,000 for Feeding America. Chapter members volunteered at East End Cemetery and Feedmore.
Shippensburg (Phi-Tau Colony)
On Dec. 3, the colony held its chartering banquet.
South Dakota (Alpha-Gamma)
Together with the men of the Lambda-Theta chapter at South Dakota State University, the chapter held a joint food bank philanthropy event that collected thousands of donated meals for Feeding South Dakota. The chapter held elections and the new chapter President is Jace Jerome. Vice presidents are Ezra Voigt and Jackson Dziedzic. The photo shows chapter’s annual holiday photo.
South Dakota Mines (Pi-Mu)
The chapter held an Initiation Ritual Exemplification for three associate members. Partnering with Alpha Omega Epsilon sorority, chapter members handed out donation bags and collected food and donations for Feeding South Dakota to go along with the totals from the Trick or Treat for Canned Goods event. Chapter members participated in Greek Games and held a volleyball night with Alpha Delta Pi sorority.
Spring Hill (Delta-Delta)
The chapter held a Watermelon Bash and raised more than 4,000 canned goods for the Mobile Bay Area Food Bank. On Nov. 30, chapter members volunteered at the Mobile Bay Area Food Bank to help sort and pack food. Zach Scarborough (2017) and Victor Villareal (2017) were captains of the junior varsity soccer team who had an 8-2-2 record. John Rogers serves as SGA vice president.
Tampa (Tampa Colony)
The colony hosted its inaugural Cardboard City philanthropy event, benefitting Feeding America and the Tampa-Hillsborough homeless initiative. The event involved a 15-hour fast and an evening construction of a cardboard structure to symbolize all those who go hungry and have to sleep outside in the Tampa community.
Texas-Austin (Alpha-Mu)
Partnered with the spirit groups known as the “lassos” and the “darlins,” the chapter helped collect more than 15,000 pounds of food and then sorted and packed another 7,600 pounds of food for the local Capital Area Food Bank.
Texas Christian (Iota-Pi)
Chapter members are collecting donations for Toys For Tots, hosting a drop-off bin outside of the chapter house On Dec. 5, chapter members volunteered and assembled toys for the Christmas Wish Project of Tarrant County.
Texas-El Paso (Zeta-Epsilon)
On Nov. 12, the chapter conducted an Initiation Ritual Exemplification for 20 associate members.
Valparaiso (Iota-Sigma)
The chapter held a Thanksgiving dinner with the Chi Omega sorority. Social Chairman Stephen Sekoulopoulos organized a self-defense class with the Valparaiso University Police Department.
Virginia Commonwealth (Pi-Tau)
The chapter raised more than $1,000, 1,500 pounds of food for Ram Pantry, the university run and operated food bank. The chapter also packaged more than 1,500 meals to be shipped across the country for Stop Hunger Now.
Virginia Tech (Sigma-Lambda)
Chapter members participated in Greeks Giving Back, a student-run organization that seeks to promote unity between the community of Blacksburg and the Greek Life at Virginia Tech through a day of service. Chapter members also participated in DHOP, Tri Delta’s philanthropy event that seeks to raise money for St. Jude Children’s Hospital. Brody Casper was elected the new chapter president.
Wabash (Alpha-Kappa)
The college has implemented a new recruiting process and the chapter held its first Scarlet Honors Day, hosting 17 prospective students and providing a dinner with faculty and the students to discuss the benefits of Wabash and Lambda Chi.
Western (Delta-Eta)
On Nov. 26, the chapter held an Initiation Ritual Exemplification for 14 associate members: Filip Zuvic, Matthew Arnold, Tyler Brown, Evan Hogg, Shea Lyons, Daniel Stretton, John Watson, Andrew Cox, Joe Goodis, John Polemidiotis, Jeremy White, Josh Mills, Cole Timchuk, and Jonathan Behr.
Western Kentucky (Lambda-Lambda)
On Oct. 27, the chapter hosted a pumpkin bust philanthropy event that raised $1,500 for Hope Harbor, a shelter for abused women, and 2,000 can of food for Feeding America. On Nov. 4, the chapter held an Initiation Ritual Exemplification for 19 associate members. The ceremony included one honorary, Dr. Keith Hewitt. He was an associate members 30 years ago but was unable to go through Ritual as he was accepted into medical school. Chi Omega’s Sarah Hardison was selected as the chapter’s new sweetheart.
Wisconsin – Whitewater (Lambda-Iota)
Partnered with Alpha Sigma sorority, the chapter hosted a teeter-totter-a-thon benefitting Feeding America and American Cancer Society.
Wyoming (Delta-Rho)
The chapter held its local food drive for Feeding America and collected more than 2,609 pounds of food. The chapter held an Initiation Ritual Exemplification for five associate members. The chapter held a food drive in the community and raised approximately 2,500 pounds for the The Gathering Place, a local homeless shelter.
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