ACACIA FRATERNITY AT THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS • SPRING 2009

Over $1.5 Million Pledged to Secure the Future of Acacia Illinois

We are pleased to report that as of March on several potential building purchase to be required to comply with the new 20, 2009, over 200 Acacia alumni and opportunities. However, to date, none of local fi re sprinkling ordinance, requiring friends have pledged over $1.5 million to the these opportunities have been deemed to be meaningful capital expenditures. Having Acacia Illinois Securing the Future Campaign. acceptable for either structural or fi nancial $500,000 of cash in hand along with $1 Of this amount, approximately $500,000 has reasons. Th e Board remains optimistic that million in committed pledges gives our been collected to date (approximately 96% a solid acquisition opportunity will become Board a strong position in negotiating a of billed amounts). Th ese funds have been available as fraternities and sororities begin favorable real estate acquisition from an invested in conservative assets with the goal organization that may not be able to comply of preserving the principal. with the new housing requirements. Th e fact that we have been able to raise We continue to ask for support from approximately 87% of our $1.75 million those alumni that have not yet participated goal thus far is remarkable given the short in the Capital Campaign. We recognize that time that the Capital Campaign has been in for some alumni, seeing an actual rendering existence and also taking into account both of a new house or the Board’s purchase of the current diffi cult economic environment a specifi c property is important to their and the deteriorating stock markets. In participation in the Capital Campaign. We the face of these diffi cult economic times and personal fi nancial sacrifi ces, Acacia continued on page 5 brothers have nevertheless stepped forward to support our eff orts to fi nd a permanent home for our fraternity. As many of you are aware, since 1991, Chapter Adviser’s Report Acacia at the University of Illinois has been By Joe Scavuzzo ’05 forced to lease temporary housing. We have had no permanent home to call our own. Good Brothers of the past and the improvement. Signifi cant and noteworthy In 2005, the Acacia Board of Directors present, I am sincerely enthused to fi nd strides are currently being taken in order to obtained a four-year lease (subsequently myself in my present position. Acting as ensure Acacia Illinois’ name is synonymous extended) and moved into the unoccupied a chapter adviser to the Acacia Illinois with giving back on the UIUC campus SAE house at 211 East Daniel. While Chapter, I can claim fi rst-hand witness to and in the greater Champaign/Urbana this home has exceeded all anticipated several remarkable happenings taking place metropolitan area. expectations, from the onset of the move, in Champaign. Just as the Corporation Rather than focus solely on monetary we knew it was only a temporary fi x for Board had hoped, the active chapter was collections or volunteering man hours, the Chapter. remains invigorated by our most recent win of the Acacia Illinois has developed a philanthropy determined to recolonize their chapter, and Malcolm Award. Rather than allowing strategy encompassing several facets. So far we must move out by the Fall 2010. Th ough complacency into the halls of Acacia, the this academic year, Acacia Illinois has logged we are taking the necessary measures to active chapter has utilized this momentous approximately 498 man hours of voluntary ensure Acacia Illinois is not without a success as a new benchmark to strive toward community service – ranking Acacia 11th Chapter home at that time, further planning over the coming months and years. out of the 46 fraternities belonging to the and action is required to secure permanent Ever mindful of the oath taken upon IFC. We are currently on track to log the housing. activation, community service has been a most service hours our chapter has seen in At this point, considerable time and major focus for the active leadership over nine years. energy is being expended by the Board of the past few months. Drawing upon the In conjunction with this, the current Directors pursuing all housing alternatives. foundation set in place by the Acacia Illinois philanthropy chair, Patrick Couture ’07, is Board member Mike Duncan ’74, is leading strategic plan, “Realizing Our Potential”, coordinating a food drive with the women of the real estate search eff orts on behalf of the active membership has identifi ed the Board and has conducted due diligence philanthropy as a key area which needs continued on page 4 second half. We were not able to keep up Updates from the Undergraduate Chapter and they were able to pull away. Our last New Members for Spring 2009 and mentally infi rm of the local community. game is against and if we win that game there is a good chance we will be By Mike Frumm ’07, Head Pledge Educator Th e men of Acacia have maintained this relationship with Circle of Friends Adult in the playoff s. Six freshmen are pledging our chapter Day Center and are continuing to volunteer this semester. We are about a month into into the current Spring semester, doubling Spring Social Calendar the pledgeship and the pledges are all doing the amount of time they served the prior By Scott Staiton ’07, Social Chair extremely well. Two pledges reside from weeks. Lindenhurst, IL: Brett Scheffl er and Kyle In addition to the commitment at Circle Our chapter this semester is participating Gallagher; one from Mount Prospect, IL: of Friends, Acacia also pledged to volunteer in one of the best social calendars in years. Collin Burdick; one from La Jolla, CA: at the local Champaign community Acacia’s positive relationships with the Lucas Barra; one from Highland Park, IL: Salvation Army Center. Every week, sororities on this campus have led to the Dylan Carrigan; and one from Chicago, Acacia members visit the Salvation Army ability to host exchanges with every house IL: Wyatt Harris. Harris is the only pledge Headquarters and do whatever necessary to we ask. As a result, we are fortunate to having declared a major thus far and has assist the staff of the Salvation Army. have large, off -campus events planned with decided to study Speech and Hearing In terms of philanthropic events, Acacia Kappa Alpha Th eta, , Science. hosted two events in the Fall semester. Th e , and Gamma Several other men are considering annual Acacia Bowl, a football tournament Phi Beta. We also have smaller, on-campus pledging Acacia. Th ese men are exploring for charity, was a tremendous success. events planned with , their options before making anything Six other larger fraternities and sororities , and offi cial. Th e pledges are quickly getting to attended. Th e second philanthropy, Acacia . know all of the active members in the house Claus, is quickly becoming the biggest and Events this semester range from ice and are in the process of learning the Acacia most infl uential philanthropy event of the skating with Alpha Chi Omega in early ways. Th e house is really trying to help these Fall semester. Over 300 toys were collected March to a barn dance with Gamma Phi freshmen adjust to college life by stressing and donated through our eff orts to Toy for Beta in April. Th ese exchanges allow us to the importance of time management and Tots. As the Spring semester begins, Acacia strengthen the ties we have formed with our how there needs to be a balance between is extremely optimistic for the future of its brothers as well as create new ones with the school and recreational time. philanthropy eff orts and results. sororities we have the privilege of hosting. Pledge educators have implemented Currently, a food drive to benefi t the a ‘study hours’ system where pledges are Eastern Illinois Food Bank is in progress. Report from the required to go to the library a few nights So far, over $500 in canned food has been Venerable Dean each week in order to stay on top of their raised for this cause. Every member of Acacia By Matt Schild ’07, Venerable Dean studies. All pledges were presented with is extremely excited for the future of Acacia the option of being socially active and service and philanthropy. Acacia Illinois is off to fi ve decided to do so. By being socially another excellent semester. active, the pledges are meeting a lot of new Intramurals Rush has gone very well sorority women and are building their social By Casey Savatski ’07, Intramural Chair and our new member networks. Th e six pledges are all great men education process is and the chapter is anticipating they will Acacia’s 2009 underway. Operationally, eventually become contributing members to Intramural basketball team we are really working to Acacia. is off to a terrifi c start. make sure everything in the house runs Our team at the moment smoothly as a place of residence. Some Philanthropy has a 2-1 record with 1 improvements over the last couple of By Pat Couture ’07, Philanthropy Chair game still to go. In the fi rst months include the purchase of a George game, we convincingly beat Foreman grill, increased vegetables in our Th roughout the course the Delts 45-32 behind Aaron Mechling salad bar and an orange juice dispenser. Our of the past semester, Acacia ’07 and Casey Savatski ’07. In the second movie nights at the house are also greatly fraternity refocused the game, we destroyed Alpha Delta Rho by the improved thanks to the popcorn machine goals of the chapter to slaughter rule, which is winning by 15 points that our chef gave us for Christmas. more properly serve the with two minutes left . Th e scoring in this Finally, with intramurals, social events community. game was led by captain Michael Spires ’07 and other extracurricular activities in full At the start the Fall who had 25 points. swing, our members are really cracking term, Acacia committed to volunteer on Unfortunately, in our third game we down on the library time in order to ensure a weekly basis at Circle of Friends Adult suff ered an agonizing defeat to Sigma our grades can set us apart in this tough job Day Center in Champaign-Urbana. Over Chi. While we were only down by two market. the course of the Fall semester, Acacia men at halft ime, they increased the pace in the dedicated themselves to serve the elderly Focus on an Active Focusing on the Alumni Chapter Member Editor’s note: Choosing alumni on whom to focus attention in Th e Hello is a random process. By Alex Chiang ’08 – New Initiate Since inaugurating this series, your editors have found it sometimes takes a bit of brotherly cajoling to get our candidate to agree that their story is worth summarizing and that recollections can help bring back memories of college days for others as well. To date, our requests for participation have been met with success, though we acknowledge that each issue’s candidate has required our very best convincing. So here is the updated insight on… Ron Maurer ’56 Asked what he considered to be among the strongest assets or Only a relatively few Acacia benefi ts he received that carried alumni have had the good fortune over to post college life, Ron experienced by Ron Maurer ’56 quickly responded: “Being able who, aft er college and the U.S. Navy, to adjust rapidly and comfortably was able to return to the home to unique or unusual social circumstances and being able to Alex Chiang ’08 and friend. in which he was raised to earn a living thereaft er right in his home step forward in situations that might otherwise cause a person to hold My name is Alex Chiang ’08 and I am a community. In Ron’s case, that was Delavan, Illinois where he has been engaged in back.” He credits his pledge training and the new initiate of Acacia Illinois. Th roughout subsequent chapter practices that allowed my fraternal experience, which is still at its farming ever since his release from the Naval Security Group (the USN “spook group”) him to achieve such confi dence. Of only beginning stages, I have learned a lot about operating for the majority of his naval career slightly lesser importance, and although he myself and the opportunities Acacia can on Okinawa collecting information. thought he had been trained well at home, provide for me. Th is experience has been Having been raised on the farm in was his mastery of good table manners one of the most rewarding in my life and I Delavan, Ron decided to attend the U of I (except for Friday night dinners of course). am eager to see where these next few years and major in agriculture. However, it was Th ose issues are probably ones which most take me as a young man, as a student, and as not until he was in college that he made the Acacians will agree were defi nitely a benefi t an Acacian. decision that he would like to make farming to them as well. Still, while in a speculative I am one of the few out-of-state students his career. During Ron’s freshman year mood, Ron wondered how many Acacians here at U of I. I was born and raised in he met a college coed named Carol while might remember “Methyl Blue?” North Potomac, Maryland and I must say participating in a bowling league. Th e couple Fast forward several years and Ron and I am very happy with my decision to come dated throughout college and ultimately got Carol remain on the original farm where study in the Midwest. I am a fi nance major married aft er graduating. Ron was raised and remain active farmers in the business school. Th e reputation of While in school, Ron participated in today where they grow corn and soybeans. the business school along with the overall the U of I Men’s Glee club along with Th ey are the parents of two children, David reputation of the University played a large numerous house activities. To his dismay, he and Dianne (both U of I graduates) and also role in my decision to attend school here. discontinued playing the saxophone while in have four grandchildren, a daughter-in-law Th is spring break, I am going to China college, but did pick up the skill again later and a son-in-law. to visit family and to set up a study abroad in life, playing regularly in a Shrine Brass While the children were being raised, Ron and Carol decided to “see the world”. venture for my junior year. I have met with Band. He has been a member of his local Not only did they cover the country coast my advisor about this and feel my interests Hopedale Masonic lodge for over 40 years to coast and border to border numerous in business lie overseas. My uncle owns and is a member of the Peoria Scottish Rite times each year over a ten year period, but a publicly traded manufacturing fi rm in and Mohamed Shrine. Among his unique memories of college they served as willing “tour guides” to other Hong Kong and my goal is to be able to Americans who did not want to venture intern in Hong Kong with either my uncle’s was the opportunity to be delivered to class via an army tank! It seems that Ron forth alone. company or a consulting fi rm during the purchased a chance during “Stunt Show” Ron has observed that the experiences summer before my senior year. I want to be (remember those held in the Armory of those trips could fi ll more than a book able to learn more about China during my each spring with fraternities and sororities as they helped address the needs of fellow spring break visit and even more about it jointly participating in the carnival like travelers AND those same travelers during my study abroad trip. With China’s atmosphere?). Ron had the winning ticket sometimes problematical idiosyncrasies. emerging economy, I want to be able to but aft er hearing the concern from his future In summary, Ron noted that among the utilize my ability to speak the language, my wife, Carol, Ron decided not to take the greater benefi ts he has enjoyed as the result soon to be acquired knowledge of China ride. Conclusion: never underestimate the of being a member of Acacia is the on-going and my knowledge of the to impact of your girlfriend’s advice. life-long relationships he has established do business domestically as well as in the Far Still other favorite memories include with many brothers across the country. East. dances at Huff Gym, the annual Plowboy He concluded his comments during this Prom, Big name bands playing at Huff Gym, interview by saying, “Acacia made a very big Illini Union dances and particularly the University seem small.” fraternity and sorority “party hops”. Treasurer’s Report additional level of review, transparency and By Skip Heaver ’01 accounting. Notably, every dollar held by the Corporation – whether from our corpus or For fi scal year 2008-2009, we planned obtained though the capital campaign – is for a decrease in corporate net worth backed by the FDIC or SIPC, insulating by approximately 12% due primarily to our fi nances from any possible failure by our the engagement of Omega Financial for fi nancial institutions. our Capital Campaign management and Finally, I would like to thank Dennis consultation, and secondarily to lower Bone ’02 for all of his hard work and interest rates on deposits. As the fi scal year assistance in both corporate and chapter Visit the Acacia Website comes to a close (June 2009), we expect to fi nancial aff airs. Should anyone have any questions, please Visit www.AcaciaIllinois.com, the offi cial be in line with our target. alumni website, to: feel free to contact me at skipheaver@yahoo. Since the publication of our last Hello, Learn more about the chapter com. we received the completed audit report for Search for alumni the 2007-2008 fi scal year, complete with Update your address, phone number and praise and constructive advice from Clift on e-mail address Gunderson. All matters were addressed Find out about upcoming events by our Corporation and Chapter Liaison Post noteworthy accomplishments (a Treasurers. new baby, a recent marriage, a recent Managing, monitoring and protecting promotion, etc.) our assets are of paramount importance; Support the fraternity’s capital campaign and our now yearly audits provide an

Chapter Adviser’s Report ’07 successfully ran for Robbie’s vacant On a fi nal note, I would like to share continued fr om page 1 Student Senate seat in the College of Liberal with all alumni that the Corporation Arts and Sciences. Junior Matt Fitterer ’07 Board is striving to keep an open line of Alpha Chi Omega, with the goal of raising comfortably won the election for a spot communication with the current Executive $5,000 cash or the food equivalent. In order on the Student Organization Resource Board and active chapter at all times. In to accomplish this goal, Patrick has members Fee (S.O.R.F.) Board. Th e S.O.R.F. board keeping with this ideal set forth in our in place to collect non-perishables/cash consists of thirteen members: eight students strategic plan mentioned earlier, several from participating chapters; commonly elected annually at a campus-wide election, board members, myself included, traveled being referred to as the “$5 or 5 Cans three faculty/staff , one ex-offi cio member to Champaign on January 26th. We met Campaign.” Also, discussions to involve from the U of I accounting staff and an with the Executive Board and entire active university professors with this drive have ex-offi cio member appointed by the Vice chapter to discuss, among other things, the begun as well. Patrick is hoping to negotiate Chancellor for Student Aff airs. Th is board Capital Campaign and the active chapter’s with several professors of popular campus- is responsible for the appropriation of a current strategic focus. Along with this, wide classes in order to give a small amount signifi cant amount of student tuition to Brother Phil Chapman ’71 is consistently of extra credit in exchange for donations. diff erent University programs. Please join facilitating regular round table discussions Admittedly a loft y aim, Patrick will settle me in congratulating Max and Matt on their between alumni, new initiates and active with professors agreeing to place collection nice wins for both themselves and the active members. Over breakfast, these round baskets within lecture hall vestibules. Finally, chapter. table discussions address any and all issues the chapter has assembled a door-to-door Changing gears a little bit, I would like ranging from the active chapter grade point task force to connect with the Champaign/ to welcome 27 newly minted members average to campus sporting events. Brother Urbana community. Several members have into the Acacia Illinois brotherhood. Th ese Chapman is consistently receiving positive volunteered to campaign door-to-door young gentlemen pledged during the Fall feedback from the active chapter regarding within the residential community to spread 2008 semester and were initiated during these meetings. Please feel free to contact the word about this drive. the fi rst full week of January. Building me at [email protected] or Acacia Illinois is excelling in several other on the achievements of Fall rush, the active Brother Phil Chapman ’71 at pchapman@ areas – including campus involvement. chapter also had a successful Spring rush. highlandil.com should you feel the call to, Senior Robbie Keller ’06 will soon end We currently have six Spring 2009 new once again, serve Acacia Illinois. his term on the Student Senate. Taking on members. Rush strategies set in place over I truly hope this correspondence fi nds all many active roles and immersing himself the recent years are truly paying dividends my Good Brothers and their loved ones in into the Student Senate, Robbie has sparked today and the future of our chapter in the good health and in great spirits. interest in a few younger members to take hands of these young members looks as on campus-wide leadership roles. Following bright as ever. Kudos to the current Rush in Robbie’s footsteps, Junior Max Molloy Chairs and Pledge Educators. Harrison Pappas ’05 Researches Acacia History

Harrison Pappas ’05 has been working hard to uncover some lost pictures of former Acacia homes at Illinois. Harrison heard from a friend about the University library’s photo archive. He spent time looking through the archives and came across several photos of the old house(s). One of the three pictures he discovered is published here. Harrison is fi nishing his thesis for his M.S. in Nuclear Engineering this summer. He will be attending U of I again in the fall to start his MBA. He’s looking to take some time off this summer aft er fi nishing his thesis, spending his time in Cape Cod, Champaign and throughout Chicagoland Original Acacia Fraternity house at 505 East Green Street at the time of founding April 28, with his pledge brothers. 1906. Photo courtesy of University of Illinois Archives.

Obituaries Albert Scharf ’41 University of Illinois. He will be truly missed by wife, Phyllis Sue, daughters; Albert Scharf ’41, 87, of Scottsdale, Becky and Kerrie, grandchildren; Amy Arizona passed away on December 11, (husband Jon & son Jarrod), Libby, Ryan 2008. He received his Doctorate in and Sara. Memorial service was held Education from Arizona State University. Friday, January 16, 2009 at Paradise Valley His career focused on mentoring, United Methodist Church, Paradise teaching and coaching high school and Valley, Arizona. Albert was a 1941 initiate college students. He was an advocate of Acacia Illinois. for children with mental and physical disabilities and was instrumental in Dick Ewan ’54 passing Arizona state legislation to obtain equal education for all children. He Brother Dick Ewan ’54 passed away ended his career counseling the Arizona on October 30th from a heart attack. Dept. of Public Safety police force. Dick was a retired Animal Science He loved sports and excelled at many Professor at in including swimming, tennis and golf. He Ames, Iowa. Dick was a 1954 initiate of wrestled and pitched baseball while at Acacia Illinois. Congratulations to Tim Weselak ’94 and his wife Elizabeth who were married on the beach in Maui on Feb 14, 2009. $1.5 Million Pledged If you have not yet made a donation to continued fr om page 1 the campaign, you may do so on our website at www.AcaciaIllinois.com or by contacting **** look forward to sharing this information one of the co-chairmen at: Michael Duncan Do you have news you’d like to share with with you as events unfold during 2009. We ’74, [email protected], (312) 953- your brothers? Post interesting information are grateful to those 209 alumni that have 9403 or Dan Bayston ’80, dan.bayston@ about yourself online at www.AcaciaIllinois. given us their vote of confi dence thus far lcbcapital.com, (312) 560-2124. A complete com. Did you recently get married? Have a – giving us a strong hand in negotiating the list of current donors and available giving baby? Change jobs? Retire? Let us know. best opportunity for securing a permanent levels may be found at www.AcaciaIllinois.com. Post your news today. home for Acacia Fraternity at the University of Illinois. ADDRESS CORRECTION REQUESTED

Acacia Fraternity University of Illinois #695 PO Box 2187 Columbus, GA 31902-2187

Help us keep our alumni records up-to-date! Parents, please forward this newsletter to your son. Edit your member profi le online at www.AcaciaIllinois.com, or clip this form, place it in a stamped envelope and send to: Acacia Fraternity #695, University of Illinois, P.O. Box 2187, Columbus, GA 31902.

Name ______

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Illinois Alumni: Facts…and Figures

In December of this past year, living of 3,711 web site visits were made to the when alumni remember to keep fellow alums Illinois alumni numbered 1,490. Th at’s a lot Acacia web site (www.AcaciaIllinois.com). posted on their whereabouts through the of names, addresses, phone numbers and Use of e-mails is one way we can help reduce system. We hope each of you will be a part of e-mail addresses to track. Obviously great communication costs while maintaining a that eff ort. reliance is placed on alumni keeping Acacia good level of information fl ow. Incidentally, if you do not receive posted when their contact information Also in 2008, 11,867 diff erent items were periodic e-mails from Acacia, it is likely changes. By updating your contact mailed to our members. Th is is up from because we do not have your e-mail information at www.AcaciaIllinois.com, 6,218 in 2007. An additional 4,293 items address. Th at can be easily corrected by you are updating your information with were e-mailed. Unfortunately, only 5 news updating your contact information at www. both Acacia Illinois and Acacia National items were received at www.AcaciaIllinois. AcaciaIllinois.com or by forwarding your – as changes are sent to the national offi ce com in the “Brother to Brother” section. e-mail address to Ronnie Klein at Omega quarterly. Th at’s a number that we are hoping will Financial via his e-mail, rklein@omegafi .com. Major progress was made with the increase this year. Why not do it today? publication of the most recent Acacia We are assisted in keeping track of this Illinois Directory, spearheaded and information through a company called developed by Adam Powers ’98 and Omega Financial, Inc. Omega has also HOMECOMING 2009 distributed to all members by the assisted Acacia with the Capital Campaign Corporation Board. Time changes many and the publication of Th e Hello. October 20 things and tracking alumni is a formidable Th e information retrieved from vs. MSU and on going task. Consider the following: Omega Financial is periodically shared Make plans and In 2008 alone, there were 567 alumni and cross checked with data that has (38%) who had provided their e-mail been accumulated and retained by Acacia hotel reservations addresses to date; there were a total of 3,338 National headquarters. It’s a formidable now!! information updates received, while a total endeavor but one that is made much easier