THE MARCH 2006 DThe JournalE of DeltaL Sigma TPi—America’sASIG Foremost Business Fraternity PeakPeak PerformancePerformance John Christiana Conquers Mt. Everest Peak Performance Cal State-Fullerton Brother Conquers Everest by Patrick Bonfrisco, Cal State-Fullerton ount Elbrus is the highest point How did you develop an interest on the European continent. in mountain climbing? M Kilimanjaro is the highest point in It all started in the Boy Scouts when Africa. Denali and Aconcagua are the we climbed mountains. My love for the highest points in North and South outdoors and mountain climbing, as America, respectively. Mount Everest, on well as the feeling I get when I climb the border of Tibet and Nepal, is not and have the goal of attaining the sum- only the highest point on the Asian con- mit, then naturally led to me organizing tinent, but at 29,028 feet, it is the highest local climbs with friends, then climbs all elevation in the world. Brother John over the West, then climbs all over the Christiana, Cal State-Fullerton,has world. climbed them all. John is an avid participant in just What was the first mountain you about every outdoor sport imaginable. ever climbed? From snow skiing, to canoeing, to raft- I think it was San Jacinto in Southern ing, to biking, he does it all. He has California. This is just above Palm completed three marathons, several Springs, although I went up the back 10K’s, plays tennis, and participates in side from Idyllwild. This is a good starter bowling, baseball, and soccer leagues. mountain. Somehow, in the midst of all that activi- Let’s talk about Mt. Everest. When ty, Brother Christiana finds time to climb did you first know you wanted to mountains—and answer some ques- make the climb? tions for The DELTASIG. On his Mt. Everest climb, John Christiana Actually only about three years ago. I reaches 27,000 feet. On the descent, John’s tent had the idea of climbing the Seven Let’s first talk about the collapsed at this altitude, forcing him to spend the night outside. Summits, that is, the highest point on Fraternity. How did you get the seven continents. As for really involved in Delta Sigma Pi? climbing Everest, it was just over a year Were you involved in any other With my major in marketing man- ago that I put my deposit down and that organizations in college? agement, I wanted to join a professional was when I knew I was really going to business organization that would also I was very active in the Catholic do it. I know we must live in the pre- serve as a social group where I could Newman Club where I was president sent. When did I know I was actually meet people and make friends. and treasurer, as well as holding other going to make it? About 10 minutes positions along the way. before I reached the summit. What positions did you hold? I was the pledge president and senior Climbing and other outdoor How did you prepare for the vice president. activities are obviously your Everest climb? passion. What is your profession? In the long-term, my experience as a With your busy schedule, do you I am a marketing director for Eckland teen, climbing mountains in the Scouts ever get to see your Fraternity Consultants Incorporated, a commercial was a start. Then I climbed many moun- brothers? real estate company in Irvine, Calif. tains in my 20s with friends. Then, in my Yes, I still get together with friends 30s, I began climbing the highest point from the Pier 9-Long Beach Alumni Has being a Deltasig helped your in every state, the 50 state highpoints Chapter. Andy Wilson, Cal State-Long career? (completed about half). From there, at Beach, climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro with me The social setting of Deltasig, where age 40, I began climbing the highest and Tanya Chuang, Cal State-Long Beach, you are surrounded and influenced by point on the seven continents. The first sponsored my Mt. Everest climb. I go mature professionals with the same four continents I climbed are all high skiing with my alumni chapter and help business goals is always positive for altitude, above 18,000 feet, so that was a organize our annual rafting trip. your career. good base of experience. 2 MARCH 2006/THE DELTASIG OF DELTA SIGMA PI Peak Performance Brother Christiana, and fellow camp members, at 23,000 feet. In the short-term, besides staying in a financial sponsorship. In exchange, I relatively good shape, I worked out took pictures on the summit and of my every day for about three months before tent, with the SanDisk logo. I used the the climb. I kept a chart on the wall, SanDisk flashcard in my digital camera, with my progress, to motivate me. Then for all five of the continental summit I read as much as I could to help pre- pictures I have. pare me. How do you find time to do all What were the specific challenges that you do? faced in your climb—beyond the I don’t know. I have this passion to “ordinary?” climb the Seven Summits right now, so I There was a death in our expedition, make the time. We all can do whatever SanDisk, one of Brother Christiana’s many as one of my fellow climbers, God bless we choose, and make the time for that sponsors, helped make his dreams of climbing his soul, let his desire to summit the choosing. I have been consumed for the Mt. Everest a reality. mountain overtake the unwritten rules past two and a half years with these of safe mountain-climbing. climbs, but really, I have still carried on a five continents on my first attempt, I also had my tent collapse at 27,000 social life at the same time. As my which is rare, because I have prepared, feet, on my way down. This caused me friends say, my fierce determination car- fought through obstacles, and had a lit- to spend the night outside my tent, in ries me through. I have summitted all tle luck with weather and health. L extreme temperatures and winds. All my fingers and toes became numb for four weeks—they have since healed com- In addition to climbing five of the Seven Summits, Brother Christiana has also pletely. climbed a number of state high points, including Mt. Rainier, Borah Peak, Mt. Whitney, Mt. Hood, Mt. Elbert, Wheeler Peak, Guadalupe Peak, King’s Peak, Boundry How are you able to afford all Peak, Mt. Humphries, Denali, White Butte, Harney Peak, Mauna Kea, and more. these climbs? John, age 44, lives in San Francisco. When he’s not scuba diving in Hawaii or Many companies will donate equip- climbing mountains in Asia, John delivers motivational presentations using maps, ment or financial assistance, in information, music, and hundreds of slides from his nine-week Mt. Everest expedi- exchange for exposure for their firm. Cal tion. In addition, he’s preparing to climb Vinson Massif, the highest point on State-Long Beach brother Tanya Antarctica. He is currently raising funds and hoping to make the climb this Chuang works for SanDisk and gave me November. MARCH 2006/THE DELTASIG OF DELTA SIGMA PI 3 THE CONTENTS DELTASIGThe Journal of Delta Sigma Pi—America’s Foremost Business Fraternity March 2006 Vol. 95 No. 2 A Deltasig Tops Everest—and More! Editor Bill Schilling COVER STORY Associate Executive Director/Executive Cal State-Long Beach Vice President of Leadership Foundation brother John Christiana, Shanda Gray an avid mountain climber, Assistant Director of Communications Stacy Donahoe has scaled five of the Art Director Seven Summits, including Jody Toth Mt. Everest (shown in Contributors: background)! Patrick Bonfrisco Beth Losik Charles Farrar Lauren Montgomery Amy and Jeff James Prescott Charles Farrar’s Memoirs – 6 Gallentine Mitch Simmons Dave Glanzrock Shannon Starling Shortly before his death on June 13, 2005, former Executive Director and 2003 Rob Heaton Kathy Lazo- Lifetime Achievement recipient Charles Farrar shared some special moments and Brad Karsh Thompson memories from his 48 years as a brother. Member of: AACSB International–The Association to Spotlight on Fraternal History – 10 Advance Collegiate Schools of Business Our Centennial Series continues . learn the history of Delta Sigma Pi College Fraternity Editors Association (CFEA) Professional Fraternity Association (PFA) from 1940–1945. Professional Fraternity Executives Association (PFEA) Relive 2005 LEAD School Highlights – 12 Brothers enjoyed exciting speakers, motivating sessions and rewarding community service activities at events held in Philadelphia, Omaha, Dallas, COLLEGE FRATERNITY EDITORS ASSOCIATION Charlotte and Colorado Springs. The DELTASIG of Delta Sigma Pi is published by The Merging of Business and Sports – 34 the International Fraternity of Delta Sigma Pi. ©Copyright 2006 by The International Fraternity For Kyle Fernandez, Oklahoma, Stephanie Menio, Pittsburgh, and Aldwyn Sappleton, of Delta Sigma Pi, Inc. Produced by Maury Boyd Oklahoma, their love of business is rivaled only by their love of sports. See how & Associates, Indianapolis. Deltasig has helped them pursue their other passions. The DELTASIG of Delta Sigma Pi is distributed to all collegiate chapters, life members, national honorary initiates, faculty and honorary initiates for five years following initiation, national DEPARTMENTS, etc. officers, Golden Council members, current Leadership Foundation donors, Fraternity Fraternal Forum...5 leaders and new grads for one full year follow- ing year of graduation. It is also sent to numer- How to Build Your Successful Career (AMA)...8 ous business schools and Greek organization headquarters. On Campus...14 The magazine is available online at Beyond Campus...19 www.dspnet.org/dspmarket/alumni/deltasig.asp.