THE NOVEMBER 2008 NOVEMBER TheD JournalE of DeltaL Sigma TPi—America’sASIG Foremost Business Fraternity Alan Elkin Would Rather Lose Sleep Than Lose a Customer. 2008 Career Achievement Award Honoree A Journey to the Olympics: Oklahoma Runner Aldwyn Sappleton Represents Jamaica in Beijing by Beth Losik, Baker, Kansas City Alumni Chapter Brother Sappleton represented his native country of Jamaica running in the 800m track and field event of the Beijing Olympics. 2 NOVEMBER 2008/THE DELTASIG OF DELTA SIGMA PI ost of us watched the Opening Ceremonies of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games and thought they were amaz- M ing, but one brother saw them from inside the “Birds Nest” from the vantage point of an Olympic athlete. You can’t start in China to tell his story; you have to start at the begin- ning with how he got to China. The journey starts in Jamaica, heads to the United States of America, and moves to China, but the story of Aldwyn Sappleton, Oklahoma, does not end there. His journey is just beginning, but an interesting turn and recent milestone was when Brother Sappleton was able to compete in Beijing repre- senting his homeland, Jamaica, in the men’s 800m track and field event. Brother Sappleton’s interests extend beyond training for his track and field events—reaching into international business and economics. Aldwyn was previously featured in the March 2006 issue of The DELTASIG after receiving his undergraduate degree from Oklahoma (2004) and establishing a school record in the 800 meters (approximately half a mile). In 2005, Aldwyn lowered his own school record to 1 minute and 47.43 seconds, while also claiming the Big XII conference indoor record at 1 Brother Aldwyn Sappleton, Oklahoma, (3rd from left), along with fellow Jamaican track team members, enjoys the Bird’s Nest during the Closing minute and 48.25 seconds. Ceremonies of the Beijing Olympics. On your Mark = Jamaica Brother Sappleton was born and raised in Jamaica as one of “This was the best year ever for seven children. He’ll tell you he comes from a family of teach- Jamaica’s Track and Field team… ers who value education. His parents believe that sports are a privilege to be earned by good grades. So when Aldwyn took [Usain] Bolt helped reintroduce Jamaica an interest in “football”(known in America as “soccer”), he to the world… The vibes in the camp knew he’d have to keep up with his school work. Aldwyn laughs at losing that privilege in the 7th grade due to poor were electric, everyone wanted to grades. By the 9th grade, the track coach took interest in him ‘represent’ and bring their A-game.” and since his studying and scores had improved, his parents allowed him to rejoin sports. This time he would not let his grades suffer. became proficient in the 800m. In May of 2004, he proudly In 2000, he traveled to Chile for the World Junior received his undergraduate degree with a 3.55/4.0 GPA. His Championships, where he approached recruiters from parents traveled from Jamaica to celebrate. That summer, he Oklahoma. At the time, he didn’t even know where Oklahoma was disappointed when illness and injuries kept him from was—other than from references in western movies. After training “the way he needed” to make it to the Olympic stan- researching the school and learning that some of his Jamaican dard and was not selected, even though he won the Olympic track role models (Michael Blackwood and Danny McFarlane) trials. had attended Oklahoma, he was ready to apply and travel to Wanting to pursue his education and continue training in the United States to earn his undergraduate degree. Oklahoma, Aldwyn enrolled in OU’s MBA program. He also continued to attend Deltasig chapter meetings and helped with Get Set = United States of America fundraisers. He still had one more year of eligibility while in the After his second year at Oklahoma, he realized his interest MBA program and finished his tenure with a second Big XII was in helping others in less-developed countries through eco- Championship and school record. nomic opportunities. Brother Sappleton switched his major to In 2006, he was no longer eligible to compete for Oklahoma international business and economics. By fall of 2002, Aldwyn so he trained on his own with his Jamaican track role models, was recruited and initiated into Delta Sigma Pi. He served as Michael Blackwood and Danny McFarlane. He completed his his pledge class community service chair. He continued his MBA in 2007 and the following July attended the Pan American interest in community service and became the vice president- games in Brazil running his personal record along with a 6th community service. He also pursued his interest in track and (Continued on page 36) NOVEMBER 2008/THE DELTASIG OF DELTA SIGMA PI 3 THE CONTENTS DELTASIGThe Journal of Delta Sigma Pi—America’s Foremost Business Fraternity November 2008 Vol. 98 No. 1 Nearly 90 brothers, Johns Hopkins administrators, friends and family were on hand to Editor congratulate Alan Elkin on Bill Schilling his Career Achievement Associate Executive Director/Executive Award including (from left): Vice President of Leadership Foundation Northeastern Provincial Vice Shanda Gray President Onuka Ibe, Baltimore Alumni Chapter President Assistant Director of Communications Jennifer Holt, Elkin, Lois Elkin, Stacy Donahoe Grand President Mitch Art Director Simmons, Leadership Jody Toth Foundation Trustee and banquet emcee Bryan McMillan and Contributors: Capital Region Vice President Gunjan Bagla Jay Langhammer Frank Hodas. Story on page 38. Dale Clark Beth Losik Ashley Korn Claire Roberts Member of: A Journey to the Olympics – 2 AACSB International–The Association to Advance Oklahoma runner Aldwyn Sappleton represents his home country of Jamaica Collegiate Schools of Business, Fraternity Communications Association (FCA), in the Beijing Olympics. Professional Fraternity Association (PFA), Professional Fraternity Executives Association Kansas Alumnus Adolph “The Baron” Rupp— (PFEA) Honoring a Coaching Legend – 6 Adolph Rupp, Kansas, served as head coach of the Kentucky Wildcats from 1930–1972 and is regarded as one of the best college basketball coaches in history. THE DELTASIG of Delta Sigma Pi is published by Doing Business in 21st Century India – 20 the International Fraternity of Delta Sigma Pi. ©Copyright 2008 by The International Fraternity Gunjan Bagla, Southern Illinois, discusses the work environment of India, which he of Delta Sigma Pi, Inc. Produced by Maury Boyd calls “the next frontier for American business.” & Associates, Indianapolis. The DELTASIG of Delta Sigma Pi is distributed to Springtime Brings Fraternal Growth— all collegiate chapters, life members, national honorary initiates, faculty and honorary initiates Celebrating Two Installations – 22 for five years following initiation, national Delta Sigma Pi welcomes Pi Rho Chapter at Massachusetts-Amherst and Pi Sigma officers, Golden Council members, current Chapter at California-Irvine! Leadership Foundation donors, Fraternity leaders and new grads for one full year follow- ing year of graduation. It is also sent to numer- Celebrating Excellence – 38 ous business schools and Greek organization 2008 Career Achievement Award honoree Alan Elkin, Colorado-Boulder, was honored headquarters. at a June 14 banquet held at Johns Hopkins. The magazine is available online at www.dspnet.org/site/alumni/deltasig.asp. Send address changes, articles, letters and pictures to: DEPARTMENTS, etc. Assistant Director of Communications Fraternal Forum...5 Delta Sigma Pi 330 South Campus Avenue Celebrating the 2008 Individual and Chapter Award Winners!...8 Oxford, OH 45056 (513) 523-1907 FAX: (513) 523-7292 Press Releases...10 email: [email protected] On Campus...14 Visit us online at: www.dspnet.org Beyond Campus...16 On the Cover: LeaderShape/National Volunteer Leadership Retreat Highlights...18 Alan Elkin, Colorado-Boulder, was named the 2008 Delta Sigma Pi Career Achievement Award Brotherhood Network...19 honoree for his success with Baltimore-based Fraternity Annual Report...24 Advance Business Systems. A version of this 1980s ad campaign—one of an ongoing series—made Leadership Foundation Annual Report ...26 the creative Elkin a local area TV icon. Water Cooler...35 www.dspnet.org...36 4 NOVEMBER 2008/THE DELTASIG OF DELTA SIGMA PI Fraternal Forum Understanding the Revised Risk Management and Conduct P0licy What do you think of when you think of Conduct. This Code clearly out- requirements for Risk Management? Rules? Insurance? lines the expectations for the obtaining separate Hassles? Let’s look at it another way. professional conduct of all insurance. The When you have something of value, you organizational members and National Fraternity will want to protect it. Each of us values our expectations for behavior at now include these Delta Sigma Pi experience whether it is Fraternity events. large events in its over- measured in weeks, months or years, so Events and activities involv- all insurance coverage it is important we protect our Fraternity, ing alcohol present higher risk, and the host chapter our chapters and our current and future so several additions were made will pay an additional brothers. The purpose of the Risk to clarify the rules around those premium to the Management and Conduct policy is to activities.The changes include: National Fraternity to manage the risks we all face as we con- • National Officers and the Claire Roberts cover the related costs. duct Fraternity business, including plan- Central Office staff receive It is important each of ning for all types of Fraternity events. inquiries about the definition of a us realizes we all need to take responsi- The Board of Directors first adopted a ‘Fraternity Event’ and ‘Open Party’ on bility for protecting our Fraternity. Risk Management Policy in 1993. The a regular basis—so a definition of Therefore, the Communications Policy world has changed a lot since then and each was added.