The PHI GAMMA DELTA the PHI
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
TTheThehe PPHIPHIHI GGAMMAAAMMAMMA DDEDELTAELLTATA VVOL.OL. 112828 NNO.O. 1 FFALLALL 22006006 158th158th EkklesiaEkklesia A Return to Minneapolis p. 28 2006 Wilkinson Award Winner Wes Crawford (Oregon State 2006) I’mI’m HavingHaving TroubleTrouble RememberingRemembering See his speech on p. 22 A Pledge Class Faces Alzheimer’s Together p. 36 TheThe BestBest ofof thethe BestBest Fijiland’s Annual Award Winners p. 18 The Phi Gamma Delta Fall 2006 Volume 128, Number 1 Editor William A. Martin III (Mississippi State 1975) [email protected] Director of Communications Melanie K. Musick [email protected] Circulation 49,467 158,103 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 Mc- Carty, 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, log on to our updated web site. Change of Address Send any address changes to International Headquar- ters 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 The 1972 pledge class of Mu Iota Chapter at the University of Idaho. These are the broth- ers of Andre “Andy” Pedersen (1976), back row/second from left, who came running when he sent out an urgent request. OnOn thethe CoverCover Wilkinson Award winner Wes Crawford (Or- egon State 2006) as he joined the head table at the closing banquet of the 158th Ekklesia in Minneapolis this past August. 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 Intenational Fraternity of Phi Gamma Delta P. O. Box 4599 Lexington, KY 40544-4599. Member of College Fraternity Editors Association and the North American Interfraternity Conference 2 THE PHI GAMMA DELTA www.phigam.org Friendship, the Sweetest Influence COVERCOVER STORYSTORY 158th Ekklesia A Return to Minneapolis 28 I’m Having Trouble Remembering A Pledge Class Faces Alzheimer’s Together 36 The Best of the Best Fijiland’s Annual Award Winners 18 F E A T U R E S 16 Tau Re-charters at Hanover 21 Project Phi Gam! 22 Words from Wilkinson Winner Wes 24 Who’s Leading Phi Gamma Delta 26 Lessons in Leadership 34 40 Years at Ohio University 39 Paying It Forward 42 From the Fiji Bookshelf D E P A R T M E N T S 4 President’s Message 5 GammaGram 7 On Campus 30 Graduate Almanac 40 Spotlight 45 Foundation Focus 51 Ad Astra 55 Fraternally Speaking TheThe MissionMission ofof PhiPhi GammaGamma DeltaDelta 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. Not For College Days Alone FALL 2006 THE PHI GAMMA DELTA 3 RESIDENT’S Archon President P EUGENE D. M E S S A G E “Buddy” COTE III (Maine 1981) When PINK Meets PURPLE [Brothers, I hope you will forgive this more personal would not only take her to lunch, but that And as my family and I still navigate our article, rather than the typical inaugural Archon I would also join her for her appointment way through these uncertain waters, they President’s message; please be assured I will address just prior as well. That turned out to be a have not stopped calling. I know they are our fraternity’s strategic priorities in our next issue fateful offer. there, helping me nurture my own strength and via the Phi Gam website very soon.] of spirit, shielding my family and me from In the space of just a couple hours thereaf- our own sudden misfortune. My sweetest, In the months leading up to the Ekklesia ter, and in the anguished days that followed sweetest infl uence. in Minnesota this past August, I consulted as we awaited lab results, I found out that with countless Fijis about the possibility of my Fiji sweetheart has breast cancer. This is brotherhood expressed lovingly my being nominated, and possibly elected, and long beyond the walls and halls of my to the position of Archon President. I was My mind wheeled in a sudden rush of chapter house in distant Orono, Maine. concerned about the commitment level unwanted adrenaline, a potent mixture of Their calls have come, and continue to required and determined only to accept a fear and compassion, on hearing the news come, from Kentucky and Michigan and nomination if I could know that I would Lisa tearfully delivered to me that day. And Indiana; from Memphis and British Colum- commit all of my available time and talents then, peculiarly, what immediately came bia and both Carolinas and Colorado, and to serving Phi Gamma Delta with the best to my mind was the prophetic line I had countless other states and provinces and that is in me. memorized years before from the poem Fiji places from which Phi Gam brothers Desiderata: and wives have reached out, day and night. To state that I was overwhelmed by the I am forever grateful for these timeless, experience of being elected by the delega- …Nurture strength of spirit to shield you genuine friendships characterized by a tion of brothers at the Ekklesia in Min- in sudden misfortune. genius our Immortal Six envisioned far neapolis is not hyperbole. I have always beyond our wildest dreams – or even our believed that the greatest compliment ever A gripping and telling question is, when worst nightmares. bestowed upon us is to be chosen by our faced with sudden personal trauma or own peers to lead – whether to chair a adversity, whom do you call fi rst? Thank you all, my brothers. I am so much chapter committee, to become recruitment more than “Mighty Proud to be a Fiji” and chairman, a sports team captain, Chapter Immediate family, of course. Your mother your Archon President. I am grateful be- President – or Archon President. Both pride and/or father, if you are blessed to still have yond words for the support of allied souls and, more importantly, humility come from them. Then who? in a brotherhood we call Phi Gamma Delta. knowing that your peers choose you to lead despite knowing well all your human faults For me, and for so many of you, I am sure, Turns out there is no contest when pink and failings. it is my brothers. My Fiji brothers. – the omnipresent color for breast cancer awareness – meets purple. A past Archon President whom I consulted In my own case, I am blessed to have told me that he had committed twenty- great friends and brothers both from my The sweetest infl uence, indeed. one weekends to Phi Gamma Delta in the own Omega Mu Chapter as well as from second year of his tenure. Even given my innumerable other chapters across North Fraternally, modest math skills, I quickly calculated America. So I made some anguished calls. that would represent committing nearly Brothers listened, sympathized, and some half of my weekends to myriad meetings, could even empathize, as they too had chapter installations, anniversaries, and loved ones of their own – a mother, sister, keynote events for Phi Gamma Delta. Was I sweetheart, aunt, or some regrettably their Perge! truly prepared to do that? own wives as well – who had been stricken by cancer. None of us is untouched today I decided that I was. However, what I was by the scourge and terror of cancer. Cancer, not prepared for was the news I would in all its disparate forms, has unfortunately receive just weeks later when my Alpha become the Nth degree of dreaded new Phi wife of 21 years, Lisa, called me at connectedness. Brother Coté knows that there are also many other brothers and their loved ones who work during an otherwise routine day. She have been profoundly affected by battles asked if I would meet her in the city for So these brothers listened, supported, with cancer. If you would like to share your lunch, after a routine “womanly” exam she sent follow up emails, offered countless story, email Director of Communications was having that morning. I told her that I thoughts and prayers, called to check in. Melanie Musick at [email protected]. 4 THE PHI GAMMA DELTA www.phigam.org Friendship, the Sweetest Influence GAMMAGRAM N E W S , E V E N T S , F E E D B A C K Rob Caudill Assumes New Phi Gam History Available Director of Education In the 1920s, Fraternity Histo- rian William F. Chamberlin (Denison 1893) wrote and Rob Caudill compiled the monumental (Akron 2004) has works Tomos Alpha and Tomos been selected to Beta, chronicling the fi rst 75 succeed Josh years of the Fraternity in great Goldman detail. In 1998, thanks to the (Indiana State masterful work of Historian 2001) as Di- William E. Parrish (West- rector of Edu- minster Faculty 1957), the cation on the Fraternity published Tomos Headquarters Gamma, covering the second staff. Rob, who graduated from Akron 75 years, as part of our 150th with a degree in biology, just completed Anniversary celebration.