The PHI GAMMA DELTA
Total Page：16
File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb
The PHI GAMMA DELTA VOL. 129 NO. 2 SPRING 2008 Distinguished Fijis Our Outstanding Graduates p. 26 Supporting Phi Gamma Delta 2007 Honor Roll of Donors p. 39 The Luckiest Man in the World Gene Cernan Looks to the Future p. 36 The Phi Gamma Delta Spring 2008 Volume 129, Number 2 Editor William A. Martin III (Mississippi State 1975) [email protected] Director of Communications Melanie K. Musick [email protected] Circulation 59,768 161,399 men have been initiated into the Fraternity of Phi Gamma Delta since 1848. Founded at Jefferson College, Canonsburg, Pennsylvania, on May 1, 1848, by John Templeton McCarty, Samuel Beatty Wilson, James Elliott, Ellis Bailey Gregg, Daniel Webster Crofts, and Naaman Fletcher. Phi Gamma Delta Web Site www.phigam.org For all the latest information, updates, and anything you need to know about Phi Gamma Delta. Change of Address Send any address changes to the International Headquarters by email to [email protected], by phone at (859) 255-1848, by fax at (859) 253- 0779 or by mail to P.O. Box 4599, Lexington, KY 40504-4599. AtAt RightRight Brothers of Delta Phi at Jacksonville University celebrate 25 years on campus. To make the celebration complete, the Chapter teamed up with the Northeast Florida Graduate Chapter for a Pig Dinner weekend in March. Details on p. 25. Photo credit: R.A. Sullivan (Jacksonville 1999) OnOn thethe CoverCover In December 1972, Gene Cernan (Purdue 1956) was the last man on the moon as commander of Apollo XVII. The Phi Gamma Delta (USPS 429-880) is published by Phi Gamma Delta Fraternity, 1201 Red Mile Road, P. O. Box 4599, Lexington, KY 40544-4599, (859) 255-1848. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: The International Fraternity of Phi Gamma Delta P. O. Box 4599 Lexington, KY 40544-4599. Member of College Fraternity Editors Association and 2 THE PHI GAMMA DELTA www.phigam.orggam.org Friendship, the Sweetest Influence COVERCOVER STORYSTORY The Luckiest Man in the World Gene Cernan Looks to the Future 36 Distinguished Fijis Our Outstanding Graduates 26 2007 Honor Roll of Donors Supporting Phi Gamma Delta 39 F E A T U R E S 16 Omega Returns to Columbia 18 Fiji Leadership Academy 20 Celebrating 100 Years at Iowa State 21 150th Anniversary at Gettysburg 28 Lessons in Leadership 30 6,000 Miles of Fiji Brotherhood 35 Strategic Initiatives Update 66 A Look Back at Fiji History D E P A R T M E N T S 4 President’s Message 5 GammaGram 6 On Campus 22 Graduate Almanac 32 Spotlight 67 Ad Astra 71 Fraternally Speaking The Mission of Phi Gamma Delta Phi Gamma Delta exists to promote lifelong friendships, to reaffi rm high ethical standards and values, and to foster personal development in the pursuit of excellence. Phi Gamma Delta is committed to provid- ing opportunities for each brother to develop responsibility, leadership, scholarship, and social skills in order to become a fully contributing member of society. NotNot ForFor CollegeCollege DaysDays AloneAlone SPRINGSPRI 2008 THE PHI GAMMA DELTA 3 PRESIDENT’S Archon President EUGENE D. “Buddy” MESSAGE COTE III (Maine 1981) Fraternity in Flight ... & The Sweetest Infl uence Like most frequent fl iers, I have two decidedly celebration would raise her sights beyond “Actually, quite the contrary,” I said. “We see different strategies when it comes to engag- the Animal House reunion she undoubtedly a great resurgence in interest all over, and our ing in conversation with a fellow traveler. envisioned. graduates have never been more committed or The fi rst tactic is to elude conversation with engaged, especially when we are re-establish- my seatmate at all costs. I avoid eye contact, “You don’t get paid for it then?” she asked. ing their own chapter.” Then I thought more fumble busily with my various electronics, “Oh no,” I said. “It’s strictly volunteer, avoca- carefully and added, “Except in New Eng- and bury my head in any available reading tional. I serve as my fraternity’s International land, of course, where we once had chapters material, even the dreaded airline magazine. President, so I attend quite a few such events at almost all the Ivy League and best small The second experience, far more rare, is that over the course of my term.” Now I knew she private schools, including as a matter of fact an exchange of idle pleasantries evolves into a was utterly lost, well out of her element. your institution, but lost many of them in the meaningful – even memorable – conversation. upheaval of the 1960s.” “Oh,” she mumbled. I was growing now to I had such a conversation one evening recently regret getting into this conversation, but like My mention of her own institution must have on a fl ight from Washington DC, to my home the forced conversation on an elevator, I was caught her attention, because she continued airport in Providence, RI. My seatmate, a compelled to continue the dialogue, if for no the conversation now with more vigor. middle-aged woman, confi ded that she was re- reason other than to pass the time. turning from an educational seminar attended “By ‘upheaval’ I suppose you mean the reality by professors and administrators of “like- “I noticed your stationery,” she said, gesturing check that took place when our administra- minded” private institutions. Intrigued by her to the cards featuring the Phi Gam crest that tion fi nally had the backbone to do away with description, I had to ask what she meant by I use to send thank-you notes to my hosts. an anachronistic, privileged social structure?” “like-minded.” She hesitated, then allowed, “So … there is such a thing as an International (Those were her precise words, because I jot- “Small. Private. Mostly well-endowed col- President of your Fraternity … and you … ted them down later, still incredulous and not leges.” volunteer your time … to do what, exactly?” wanting to forget them.) Her condescending attitude was beginning to I had to ask: “Are you on the teaching side or seep through. The battle had now been joined! I lit into a the administrative?” She replied that she is a furious defense against the myth held by the professor of Ancient Studies. “And at what I gave her my best summary of the Fraternity: ignorant, Animal House-obsessed public and school?” She named a prestigious, notoriously its 110 or so chapters in North America, an press, and the bogus claim of anti-intellectual- liberal private college in western Massachu- International Headquarters staff, a volunteer ism. I told her that Phi Gamma Delta has over setts. She turned the conversational table board of directors, a veritable army of loyal 5,000 undergraduate men with a combined quickly on me then, asking the purpose of my graduate volunteers, the works. I could feel GPA of 3.0, that we meet or exceed the all travel that late evening. “I am coming back myself beginning to work into “persuasion men’s average on 70% of our 110 campuses, that from a reunion and speaking engagement.” mode.” we are dedicated to philanthropy and our host communities, and that we produce the kind “Oh really,” she said, feigning a modicum of “I see,” she said, in her perfect professorial of young men and leaders that she would be interest. “Is that your regular profession?” tone. “And this fraternity … this chapter … proud to teach, to know, and to take into her has been around for 150 years on what cam- home or to date the daughter she had hast- “No,” I said. “I attended a reunion for my pus?” The University of Virginia, I said. “Oh,” ily mentioned was a graduating senior at her fraternity, and they asked me to speak.” she replied. “Well that’s a fi ne school.” institution. “That must be odd,” she said, “making a I considered showing her a list of the Fraterni- Mildly impressed, but as yet unmoved, she banquet speech in front of your own college ty’s other 110 or so fi ne schools, but thought asked why fraternities and sororities insisted buddies.” I explained – still reluctant to get in better of it. Instead I gave her a brief primer on their single-sex status, and even more too deep, knowing so few people understand on our growing expansion efforts. curiously, why they persist as secret organiza- the greater fraternity world – that it was not a tions. It is a fascinating challenge to explain to reunion of my own chapter, but of another in “That must be like shoveling against the tide,” a non-Greek how we were founded as secret my fraternity celebrating its 150th anniversary. she sniffed. Her iconoclastic anti-Greek bias continued on p. 27 I felt sure that stressing the sesquicentennial could evidently no longer be suppressed. 4 THE PHI GAMMA DELTA www.phigam.org Friendship, the Sweetest Influence GAMMAGRAM NEWS, EVENTS, FEEDBACK Memorial Garden Honors Zerman FEEDback “I don’t know who does the magazine, but this last issue was superb. Good photos, engaging articles. I found myself saying, ‘I didn’t know that guy’s a Phi Gam!’ Thanks for the good work and best wishes to all.” –Ben Harper (Kentucky 1969) “The two ambitious goals [Archon President Buddy Coté] outlined [in the fall issue’s President’s Message], (1) having 170 chapters by our 170th anniversary (2018), and (2) increasing our average chapter size to 60 men from 54, is something to look for- The Zerman Memorial Garden garden as it nears completion. ward to. I hope we as a fraternity will stay the course and make these goals ince long-time greatly enhance the appearance of the happen down the road.