July 30, 2010 Dear Brothers of Eta Chapter, It is my distinct privilege to have the opportunity to write to you with exciting news about the return of Phi Sigma Kappa to the University of Maryland. Following a slow start, but bouncing back with a memorable Spring 2010, the Eta Colony now boasts 30 active members. These are quality undergraduates with diverse backgrounds and interests, and as a group they have attained a cumulative G.P.A. of 3.34 - ranking near the top of all fraternities on campus. With planning already underway for a tremendous Fall 2010 Rush, the men of Eta Colony are working hard towards their target of returning the Eta Chapter to College Park in March of 2011...just 8 months from now. Helping Hands, Guiding Lights The Eta Colony and your alumni association have been well served by Brother Erik Sederstrom (South Carolina, ’08), Director of Expansion for Phi Sigma Kappa. Erik has done a terrific job laying the groundwork for the development and growth of the colony, and the re-emergence of our alumni association. Eta is truly blessed with strong alumni advisors serving in key roles as mentors to the group, including: Chris McBeth (Maryland, ‘02) in the role of Chapter Advisor; Michael Williams (South Carolina, ’09) serving as Financial Advisor; Dr. Drury Bagwell (Tennessee, ‘64) as Recruitment Advisor; Drew Cameron (Maryland, ’89) as Risk Management Advisor, and Tim Vojtasko (Indiana University of Pennsylvania,’85) as Membership Development Advisor. In addition, John J.B. Wright, Esq. (Maryland, ’82) is once again involved in the Eta Housing Corporation, this time as President, and Dr. Terry York Zacker, an alumnus of the University of Maine (’81) and Chi Omega Sorority, is providing academic guidance to the Colony in the role of Faculty Advisor. I recently joined this experienced and professional team when I accepted an invitation to revive the Eta Alumni Association of Phi Sigma Kappa and to serve you in the role of President. Our First Steps While it has been a short time since I accepted this responsibility, we’ve already taken several important steps in the development of our Alumni Association. We secured Articles of Incorporation, a federal tax identification number and recognition of our corporate charter by the State of Maryland. A talented and dedicated Executive Committee was recruited, we have launched our own website and developed and distributed this initial mailing. I have also spoken with over 100 alumni members from across our country, and from many different decades. For me, this has been a most rewarding endeavor. I have listened to their concerns, their advice, and their offers of assistance...and I am humbled by their good wishes for, and their dedication to, the success of this endeavor. Eta Alumni Association of Phi Sigma Kappa
12806 Silverbirch Lane
Laurel, Maryland 20708
-2What We Hope to Accomplish As you can imagine, the immediate future and long-term success of Eta at Maryland depends largely on the creation of an active and sustainable Alumni Association. To this end, the Executive Committee will develop several specific and measurable goals, including: Improve and maintain the accuracy of our membership listing Support the initiatives of the advisory board guiding the colonization effort Publish and distribute a quality alumni association newsletter Launch and maintain an alumni association website Publish and distribute a comprehensive membership directory Encourage business contacts amongst alumni members Sponsor, plan, and execute several social/networking events prior to the re-chartering event Ensure that no less than 100 alumni members attend the re-chartering event Establish, promote and maintain a scholarship program benefitting the undergraduates Assist our housing corporation in the search, and financing, for a chapter house Where Can You Help? Where do we need your help right now? Well, listed squarely on the “Liabilities” side of our balance sheet are two important items. First, our membership database is sorely in need of updating. We are so very lucky that Brother Wayne Bethards (‘59) has contributed a listing that he has expertly maintained covering two decades of alumni. However this list has not been used of late, and there are too many alumni for whom we do not have a working phone number, a verified mailing address, or an e-mail. I would like to ask if every Brother receiving this letter would please complete the Alumni Data Sheet, included as part of this document, and mail it to me at your earliest opportunity. Please also inform all the alumni you know about this entire eight-page document. With your help we will be able to connect with most of our Brothers. Even if you believe we have correct basic information on you, please complete the Alumni Data Sheet and mail it back. This sheet will collect an expanded amount of information designed to enable us to reduce the costs associated with alumni communications, speed breaking news to our alumni, encourage networking on a professional and personal level, and provide our national headquarters with an example of how effective our outreach program has been. Our second liability is, in a word, funding. During my recent conversations with selected alumni, I have refrained from asking for funds of any kind. However, the costs associated with incorporation, our web site and this mailing have gone straight to my credit cards. Now that we can accept donations, I would like to invite you to contribute to the Eta Alumni Association of Phi Sigma Kappa. Any amount will be most welcome and greatly appreciated. If your donation is $35 or more, we will list you as a Member of our association and remit $5 to our Fraternity’s Headquarters in your name, which will qualify you as a Sustaining Member - and also provide you with a one-year subscription to the Signet magazine. The Executive Committee also needs to hear from you with ideas and suggestions. What details should we be considering upon your review of our goals? What should we know about your experiences and talents as we plan the path toward achieving our goals? How can you contribute, in even a small way, to helping us reach these goals? I hope in the coming weeks that you will take the time to write me and let me know what’s on your mind.
Eta Alumni Association of Phi Sigma Kappa
12806 Silverbirch Lane
Laurel, Maryland 20708
-3Making the Commitment The three pages of this document that follow my letter are very important. The first of these pages is a statement of intent and ideals - the reasons behind the effort to revitalize our alumni association. This page was sent as a draft to each of the alumni with whom I spoke during the past few weeks. Following this page are two pages that present the names of alumni who graduated as recently as 2002 and as long ago as 1944, each of whom have answered my call and who stand as one in support of a new and vital alumni association. As a result of what you see on these pages, I sincerely hope that you will take the first steps in making a commitment to become a part of a permanent and revitalized alumni association. We really need to receive your Alumni Data Sheet at your earliest opportunity. Your e-mail address will enable us to deliver news to you without massive expenditures in printing and mailing. Are we off to a good start? Yes. Can we reach our mutual goals? Stay tuned. Do we need your help? Absolutely. Thank you for taking the time to review this document, and I hope that this letter found you and yours in good health and high spirits. I look forward to your anticipated support as, together, we build a strong alumni association...your alumni association. Damn Glad to be a Phi Sig,
Joseph E. Criscuoli ‘82 President
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Eta Alumni Association of Phi Sigma Kappa
12806 Silverbirch Lane
Laurel, Maryland 20708
We believe... In the firm conviction that it is time, and perhaps never before has there been quite so important a time, when a strong alumni association is needed in the effort to rebuild the Eta Chapter, we the undersigned seek to contact our Brothers with this important message. Admittedly, since the time when we were undergraduates much within the fraternity system, as in everyday life, has changed. What has always been, and what will always be, a constant in our lives are the fraternal ties that bind us together. Yes, each of us has stories to tell and experiences to share from our days as undergraduate members of Phi Sigma Kappa. While some of us have gone our separate ways since we left the University of Maryland, others have turned fraternal acquaintances into lifelong friendships. But all of us took with us a sense of unity, a bond. We took with us the life skills that enabled us to take a higher road, to serve our communities as good citizens, and to fashion cohesive and supportive families. We believe it is time for the Eta family to once again come together. At this critical time, the positive impact that a strong alumni organization can have is incalculable. However, we can easily imagine the challenges our undergraduate members can face without the guidance and support that we can so readily provide. We invite the undergraduates dedicated to the colonization effort to ask for our advice and counsel. We will do our best to guide you correctly. We invite the alumni members actively engaged in this endeavor to call upon us for assistance. We will give it freely. We invite all our Brothers reading this message to join with us in support of the Eta Colony. We will welcome you one and all. We can contribute to the future success of Eta, and it will be our privilege, our duty and our sacred honor to do so. We ask that you join with us, the undersigned, in making the commitment to the start, and to the continuation, of a strong alumni association...the Eta Alumni Association of Phi Sigma Kappa. By these things we stand.
John E. Watson '44 Seaford, Delaware
Thomas O. Nichols '57 Bethesda, Maryland
Dr. Philip R. Rever '63 Sarasota, Florida
Giles L. Chapin '44 Chatham, Massachusetts
Dr. Stewart C. Bushong ‘58 Houston, Texas
Roland N. Shumate '63 Lakewood Ranch, Florida
J. Edward Thomas '45 Greenville, South Carolina
Robert G. Pemberton '58 Jacksonville Beach, Florida
John R. Tydings ‘63 Potomac, Maryland
Robert P. Haines '49 Fort Myers, Florida
Wayne H. Bethards '59 Columbia, Maryland
Dr. Drury G. Bagwell, Jr. ‘64 Washington, D.C.
Thomas M. Russell '50 Fripp Island, South Carolina
Vernon M. Briggs, Jr. '59 Ithaca, New York
Hon. Robert H. Heller, Jr. ‘64 Severna Park, Maryland
Warren J. Tripp '50 Centerville, Ohio
John M. Capants '59 Basking Ridge, New Jersey
Hon. Thomas V. (Mike) Miller ‘64 Chesapeake Beach, Maryland
David B. Lloyd '51 Berlin, Maryland
John J. Humbert III ‘59 Mantua, New Jersey
William E. Nichols '64 Ocean Pines, Maryland
William S. Mitchell, Jr. ‘51 Hendersonville, North Carolina
Thomas J. Morgan '59 Seal Beach, California
Ronald G. Rayne, Esq. '64 Salisbury, Maryland
John S. Bingham, Jr. ‘52 The Villages, Florida
John R. Wicklein '59 Sunset Beach, North Carolina
Thomas W. Arata '65 Gaithersburg, Maryland
Gerald M. Isbell ‘52 Braedonton, Florida
Robert A. Yellowlees ‘60 Atlanta, Georgia
Walter E. Laake, Jr., Esq. '65 Hyattsville, Maryland
James C. Pearson ‘52 Moultrie, Georgia
John P. Bailey ‘61 Bensalem, Pennsylvania
J. Robert Manuel III '65 Georgetown, South Carolina
Dr. Richard D. Walker '53 Blacksburg, Virginia
Lance W. Billingsley '61 Rehoboth Beach, Delaware
Robert C. Mister '65 Laguna Beach, California
Francis P. Zurmuhlen '53 Annapolis, Maryland
Phillip A. Cole '61 Eden Prairie, Minnesota
John N. Rever '65 Fairfax Station, Virginia
John M. Hayes '54 Arnold, Maryland
Cal Hook '61 West Fenwick Island, Delaware
Joseph E. Smith, Jr. '66 Fallston, Maryland
Robert A. Margulies ‘54 Tustin, California
Richard M. Johnston '61 Wellington, Florida
Gerald D. Haser '68 Hickory Valley, Tennessee
James E. Starnes '54 Silver Spring, Maryland
William B. Binch ‘62 Santa Cruz, California
Roland S. Adkins '69 Salisbury, Maryland
Hon. James E. Kenkel '55 Spotsylvania, Virginia
Terry H. Chapman ‘62 Worcester, Massachusetts
John S. Mathews III '69 Haddonfield, New Jersey
Grady A. Vickers, Jr. '55 Vero Beach, Florida
Nicholas Limar '62 Cooperstown, New York
Frank C. O'Brien '69 Long Lake, New York
Robert C. Cooke '56 Hackettstown, New Jersey
Richard E. Mellinger ‘62 Scotts Valley, California
Mark W. McNutt '70 Alexandria, Virginia
Dr. Richard J. Kelly '56 King George, Virginia
Michael J. Stevenson '62 Ocean Pines, Maryland
Stephen L. Miller ‘70 Metairie, Louisiana
Lary L. Acker '57 Chester, Maryland
Warren B. Wimer '62 Newport Beach, California
David J. Crowley '71 Olney, Maryland
Note: “Graduation” Years following each name are actually Eta Class Years as assigned by PSK Headquarters
David H. Whitehill '71 Alexandria, Virginia
Dr. Anthony D. Becker '81 Northfield, Minnesota
Joseph Eric Vinson '86 Ocean City, Maryland
Anthony J. Ambridge '73 Baltimore, Maryland
Guy L. Copperthite '81 Laurel, Maryland
Roger L. Boothe ‘87 Frederick, Maryland
Oscar L. Reksten '73 Windermere, Florida
Michael K. Miller ‘81 Brookeville, Maryland
James A. Charanis ‘87 Atlanta, Georgia
Leon A. Boulavsky '75 Arlington, Virginia
Robert R. O'Haver '81 New Canaan, Connecticut
John H. Parsons ‘87 Bear Creek, Pennsylvania
Allen S. Kogut '75 Glen Burnie, Maryland
Steven P. Baker '82 Pedricktown, New Jersey
James M. Deorio ‘88 Havertown, Pennsylvania
Jack O’Brien ‘75 Medford Lakes, New Jersey
Joseph E. Criscuoli '82 Laurel, Maryland
Jonathan L. Esler ‘88 New Market, Maryland
Morgan A. (Drew) Connor '76 Cooper City, Florida
Todd B. Hoffman '82 Silver Spring, Maryland
Andrew D. Cameron '89 Pocopson, Pennsylvania
Stephan P. Malloy, Esq. '76 Huntingtown, Maryland
John J. B. Wright, Esq. '82 Burtonsville, Maryland
Brian E. Le Gette '89 Baltimore, Maryland
James E. Allen ‘77 Fairfax Station, Virginia
Gordon H. Green ‘83 Sterling, Virginia
Andrew J. Plenn ‘90 Lake Worth, Florida
Michael A. Boulavsky '77 Houston, Texas
Patrick L. McGeough '83 Basking Ridge, New Jersey
Richard M. Schindler ‘90 Lafayette Hill, Pennsylvania
David G. Bourdon '77 Huntingtown, Maryland
Michael Reed ‘83 Annapolis, Maryland
David M. Schwartz '91 Edgewater, Maryland
Frederic W. Vogelgesang ‘77 Brentwood, California
John K. Schneider '83 Kinnelon, New Jersey
David A. Shirey '91 Severna Park, Maryland
William R. Walsh '77 Silver Spring, Maryland
Greg Young '83 Tampa, Florida
Peter A. Gobell '92 Ellicott City, Maryland
Robert G. Coffman '78 Greenville, South Carolina
John W. Meadowcroft '84 Forest Hill, Maryland
Stephen A. Borger '93 Perry Hall, Maryland
William Gross '78 Huntingtown, Maryland
Jim H. Fields, Esq. '85 Audubon, Pennsylvania
James A. Borger '94 Rockville, Maryland
Stephen O. Cooper '79 Bowie, Maryland
Richard M. Schindel '85 Round Rock, Texas
William A. Schwacke ‘95 West Chester, Pennsylvania
Dennis G. Phelan '79 McLean, Virginia
Norb Garrett ‘86 San Clemente, California
Joseph A. Campanella '97 Baltimore, Maryland
Richard A. Brown '80 Spring Lake, New Jersey
Christopher Malone ‘86 Newtown Square, Pennsylvania
Christopher I. LaBonge '98 Quakertown, Pennsylvania
Gary A. Fuchs '80 Austin, Texas
Nicholas D. Mirabile ‘86 Fairfield, Connecticut
Peter J. Della-Croce‘ 99 Columbia, Maryland
John B. Ostaffe '80 West Palm Beach, Florida
Phillip N. Scott ‘86 Silver Spring, Maryland
Christopher P. McBeth ‘02 Chantilly, Virginia
Matthew R. Smalley '80 Ellicott City, Maryland
Robert M. Troyano ‘86 Saddle Brook, New Jersey
...will you be the next to step forward?
Note: “Graduation” Years following each name are actually Eta Class Years as assigned by PSK Headquarters
ALUMNI DATA SHEET
Make sure we have your e-mail address so you can receive our newsletter!
About You: Dr. Mr.
First Name:
M.I.:
Last Name: Home Address: This info will not be published, or provided to any party outside of Phi Sigma Kappa Eta Chapter and our National HQ, without your prior approval.
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Cell Phone:
Home Phone: Email Address:
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Please check this box to reduce costs and receive future announcements online/via e-mail.
About Your Professional Life: Retired from: Currently Employed by: Company: Title:
Type of Business:
Work Phone:
Work E-Mail:
There are Internship Opportunities at My Company:
Yes
No
Please contact me about Mentoring an Undergraduate interested in a career in my industry or having a similar undergraduate major or having graduate degree aspirations.
About Your College Education: Undergrad. Degree: Type: Year: Graduate Degree: Type: Year: Graduate Degree: Type: Year:
Major: From (Institution): Major: From (Institution): Major: From (Institution):
I’d Like to Contribute: Any amount will be most welcome and greatly appreciated. If your donation is $35 or more, we will list you as a Member of our association and remit $5 to our Fraternity’s Headquarters in your name, which will qualify you as a Sustaining Member - and also provide you with a one-year subscription to the Signet magazine. My Contribution: (please make checks payable to: Eta Alumni Association of Phi Sigma Kappa) $35.00 $______ Please contact me about My Contribution.
Once complete, please mail this document to: Eta Alumni Association of Phi Sigma Kappa12806 Silverbirch LaneLaurel, MD 20708 L1-ISSUU
(Last Minute) Programming Notes Send a Brother a Copy! Think you know someone that didn’t receive this letter, but should? Even if we didn’t have their address, they can still give this a read. Just refer them to this document in it’s on-line format at http://issuu.com/jcriscuoli Keeping Down the Cost of Communications Your Eta Alumni Association is committed to providing timely and informative communications to you, the alumni Brothers of Eta Chapter. In the future you may expect to receive (via e-mail) status updates, event announcements, and the publication of our very own Newsletter, as well as “heads-up” on breaking news at our new website. These e-mails will come to you directly from Joe Criscuoli, our President. Since most of you have not yet received emails from Joe, we are concerned that many of you may find his first e-mail directed to your spam or junk folders. Emails originating from Joe may be coming to you from jcriscuoli@comcast.net and/or alumni@psk-eta.com . Please take a moment to add these e-mail addresses to your email address book and/or reset your spam/junk mail settings to allow incoming email from these two e-mail addresses. We Could (Really) Use Your Help By our count we are missing up to 911 e-mail addresses and 346 mailing addresses. To effectively reach all our alumni, we could really use your help. How? Give us a call and volunteer to take 10, 20, or even 30 names from our database (and your Eta decade) and help us to contact alums, research their whereabouts, and make sure they receive the news about Eta. It’s a great way to volunteer and a great way to get back in touch with your Brothers. Are You Interested? We also want to find out if you’d like to know more about these events currently in the planning stages for this fall: Golf Outing or Tournament Sunday Brunch with the Brothers Home Football Game Tailgate Gathering to Watch an Away Game Want to Stay in the Loop? There’s now three great ways to connect with the Eta Alumni Association of Phi Sigma Kappa!
alumni.psk-eta.com Eta Alumni Association of Phi Sigma Kappa 12806 Silverbirch Lane Laurel, Maryland 20708 301-206-5472 Todd B. Hoffman ‘82 Secretary Silver Spring, Maryland Wayne H. Bethards ‘59 First Vice-President Columbia, Maryland
Peter J. Della-Croce‘ 99 Treasurer Columbia, Maryland
John J. B. Wright, Esq. ‘82 Second Vice-President Burtonsville, Maryland Joseph E. Criscuoli, ‘82 President Laurel, Maryland