The THIRD Degree - Spring 2011

The

Spring 2011

THIRD DEGREE The Journal of the Eta Alumni Association of Phi Sigma Kappa at the University of Maryland

Santa won’t put us back on At long last, the Eta Chapter of Phi Sigma Kappa has returned to the University of Maryland at College Park. Our letters are once again worn on campus, our undergraduate members are involved in formal “Rush,” have competed in Greek Week, and will compete in Maryland’s Homecoming festivities.

What we need to compete for additional members is a chapter house where undergraduates, alumni, parents and prospective members can walk through “Six Columns” and experience the home of

Maryland’s oldest, and finest, fraternity.

Now is the time to do more than read about our legacy...it’s time to become a part of it. Only one question remains:

Will You Help Us? Donate Today to the Six Columns Campaign http://sixcolumns.umd.edu

Contents 4 6

Letters to the Editor

Alumni Profile

9 27 41 48 58 64

Alumni Association News Well, there’s really not much going on, but we’ll try to make it interesting, OK?

A Night Like No Other See what it was like, how it was viewed and read the story behind the making of Charter Night.

Eta Chapter News New Officers. More Members. And the Secret to Their Success.

Initiate Phase 2....

Initiate Phase 2 As President Reagan once said, “Where we’re going we won’t need roads.”

Chapter Eternal .

Saying Goodbye

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editor’s desk

The

THIRD DEGREE Published By

Eta Alumni Association of Phi Sigma Kappa

The Future is Now. o much news, so many people to acknowledge and to thank, and so few pages in which to do the job adequately. Yes, this is burden that your Executive Committee bears. Well, to this we say, “Man Up!” This is the issue you’ve been waiting for, with news that you had hoped would one day come true. Yes, Virginia (and Maryland and all the other states), it’s true, “Phi Sig is back on campus at the University of Maryland.” The efforts in recruiting, member education, philanthropy, social activities, and fundraising have paid off. Your Eta Chapter is alive, active, and thriving. Things are just chugging along. Athletics are competitive, grades are exemplary, financials are solid. They’ve got advisors, and even a small alumni association. They’ve got a Charter from National. Our active members have spirit, drive, and commitment.

S

What we ain’t got is a chapter house.

What the active members of the Eta Chapter have accomplished, all of it, is simply amazing. But, now it’s time for the largest alumni group of Phi Sig’s in the USA to step up and help slam the door on the nay-sayers who thought we’d never stage a comeback, certainly not one of this magnitude, on this campus.

In this issue we’ll celebrate the re-chartering of the Eta Chapter. We’ll show what the active chapter is up to, where your alumni association is headed, and the plans already in place to enable our return to Fraternity Row. If you didn't read the past two issues of this magazine cover-to cover, well, then this is the issue you want to really study. It’s time to take our game to the next level, Brothers.

What we ain’t got is a chapter house. Well, maybe not yet.

Damn Proud,

12806 Silverbirch Lane Laurel, Maryland 20708

301-206-5472

www.alumni.psk-eta.com

alumni@psk-eta.com Executive Committee Todd B. Hoffman ‘82 Secretary Silver Spring, Maryland Peter J. Della-Croce ‘99 Treasurer Columbia, Maryland John J. B. Wright, Esq. ‘82 Second Vice-President Burtonsville, Maryland Wayne H. Bethards ‘59 First Vice-President Columbia, Maryland Joseph E. Criscuoli, ‘82 President Laurel, Maryland

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THE ETA EDITION ETA NEWS BRIEFS

He’s Working It The Eta Alumni Association of Phi Sigma Kappa is grateful for the advice and counsel of Brother J. Eric Vinson ’86.

When “The Vin” is not at or near the beach, he’s been a great help to your association as a member of our Audit Committee and in advancing our effort to attain tax-exempt status with the State of Maryland. A long-time resident of Ocean City, Eric gets an “atta boy” and a call every time we cross the bridge onto Coastal Highway.

Our Bad Your Alumni Association is pleased to have removed from our Chapter Eternal the name of Brother Daniel S. Newell ’76. Now, if we could just obtain a viable address or e-mail for him, then we would be cooking with gas. We regret our error.

Did You Know?

There are several entertaining videos and 1,911 photos (6.23 GB worth of imagery) sitting in our NEW Eta Photo Vault.

SPRING 2011

Making it Easy Supporting your Alumni Association got a bit easier. On February 1st, we activated a link to PayPal, enabling you to use a credit card to make donations right at our website. Click over to www.alumni.psk-eta.com and look for this graphic.

Mentors & Internships Still Wanted Our 2nd VP, John J. B. Wright, Esq., ’82 established a Mentors Program that gives the members of the Eta Chapter their first Big (and really much older) Brother. As the Chapter grows, so will the need for Mentors. If you’d like to offer advice and counsel for low pay and at strange hours, or if your company has an internship program, please let us know.

Help Wanted We’re still struggling with some Lost Brothers. The list has gotten shorter, but we’re in need of someone who can track down the guys we just can’t find. If you’re the kind of person who can make search engines sing, we’d like to hear from you.

Our New Goal for 2011 Our new goal is 400 paid members by December 31, 2011.

How can you help us get there?

Drop us an e-mail and ask for 3 names of alumni who have not yet joined. Make 3 phone calls and you’ve done your civic duty.

Ask for more than 3 and you’ll be a hero. Drop us an e-mail and help us meet our goal.

Can You Read the Signs...

Write Your Congressman ...er, Chapter The Eta Chapter has a mailing address (and we have it on good authority that baked goods are welcome): Phi Sigma Kappa Fraternity 4423 Lehigh Road #725 College Park, MD 20740

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Letters to the Editor Joseph, my Brother. What a terrific "The THIRD DEGREE"! A true masterpiece. I knew to expect quality from you, but never thought that what you were going to do would be so spectacular. Congratulations! Thank You!!! God Bless You!!!

- Drury Bagwell ‘64 The issue of "The THIRD DEGREE" was excellent. Very professional and interesting.

- Dave Lloyd ‘51 Congrats to you and everybody involved with publishing “The THIRD DEGREE”. It is a beautiful magazine. The quality of the publication is excellent. I like the paper stock you chose, the color pictures, and the diversity of articles. The whole thing is first class. I applaud your efforts to get us back up and running.

Even though I live in New Orleans; I have remained an avid Terp Fan. I have been a member of the Terrapin Club for 20 years and have been able to make it to both Final Fours and several Bowl games. A fact of interest; is that brother Eddie Caine probably class of 68’ or 69’ was Ralph Friedgens room mate at Maryland. I think Eddie was a lineman. I wish you much success in your upcoming events. GO TERPS!

INCREDIBLE! How would you like a job at Phi Sig Headquarters working for the SIGNET? What a great rallying collateral piece for the colony and actives alike.

This publication will really bring Eta alumni resources out in full force. You and your team have done an amazing job in all aspects over the last several months, and I know I echo the undergrads' sentiments of THANKS for both figuratively (and now literally) creating a sense of "Fraternity for Life".

They are truly realizing that what they are working to perpetuate is larger than just themselves. Great job....

Fraternally,

- Tim Vojtasko ‘85 I was very impressed with the magazine. The article on the Navy mascot was fantastic. I was at the Navy-MD game with Float and Kinsey--a great game and day. Great job and keep up the good work.

- Jim Fields ‘85

I just received my copy of “The THIRD DEGREE” and all I can say is “WOW”. What a fantastic publication, well designed and written.

I can't tell you how excited and proud I am. The amount of work you have accomplished in the past 80 days is astounding. The colony members don't have any idea of how important your work is and how it will benefit them in the future. However, I feel as if I can speak on behalf of the advisory board in saying we appreciate it more than you know. I look forward to working with you in the future and for lack of better words...DAMN PROUD!

- Roger Boothe ‘87

- Chris McBeth ‘02

- Stephen Miller ‘70

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FANTASTIC! That’s all I can say about the “The THIRD DEGREE”.

You really did an outstanding job, Thank you.

- Mike Albers ‘83 Kudos to you with a capital “K”.

Your summation of our Navy Goat escapade is absolutely fabulous. I even learned what transpired during my sojourn to visit my parents in New York that weekend. Obviously your effort in this composition meets with my overwhelming approval.

- Francis P. Zurmuhlen ‘53 I read with interest the piece on Major Emory in the Winter issue of “The THIRD DEGREE.” It was especially interesting to me because his grandson, Richard Woollen Emory, Jr. has been a good friend of mine for many years. I had heard of his grandfather early on in our relationship, as he was apparently a prominent Marylander at the time of his death, but I did not

You have written a superb tribute to my grandfather. I believe your fraternity brothers will find it an interesting and inspiring story. You selected material to quote that I, too, thought most telling as I read his story in the sources I sent to you. Obviously, you did further research. I was interested that you found a reference to my grandmother being called Dodie. We, her grandchildren, called her that, although we spelled it Dodi, but you must have found some other source indicating that it was a childhood name too! I was interested to learn that know that he had been a member of Phi Sigma Kappa.

My understanding is that it was expected that when Major Emory returned from World War I that he would receive the democratic nomination for Governor, and as a Democrat would have probably been the next Governor. Among his progeny were Richard Woollen Emory, at one time was the managing partner of Venable, Baetjer and Howard, the prominent Baltimore law firm, and Chairman of Governor’s Commissions to revamp the Maryland Constitution. His son and my friend Richard Woollen Emory, Jr., after serving stints with Venable and in the Maryland legislature, became a staff attorney with the Environmental Protection Agency and at one time was its Chief Legal Director for Criminal Enforcement.

I am giving my copy of the publication to Dick Emory. Could you send me an extra one?

Congratulations on the outstanding publications. The first was certainly not a one hit wonder, but it will be a challenge for you to match the first two.

when she moved to Biddle St. she lived with her mother and two of her three sisters.

The sister that the census called "Mary" I knew as "Aunt May". Aunt May was a nurse who never married and she shared a house with my grandmother until she died.

I am grateful that you have put this story together in such a readable form, especially your summary of his wartime service from the Blue Ridge memoir about the battalion. I don't think many of his descendants will ever take the time to read the whole book, as I did this fall, but they will be very interested in the material you extracted.

Please accept my thanks for your interest in my grandfather and your skill in writing about him. I have just taken time to read the whole of the winter edition of "Third Degree" and I want to congratulate you on all your hard work. The magazine reveals an extraordinary amount of work writing and creating the graphics. I admire your dedication, and that of your Executive Committee, to your fraternity. While I don't know anything about my grandfather's activities with his fraternity, I wonder how much his dedication to duty and to his country was influenced by the Phi Sigma Kappa Creed. I presume Brother Emory would be very pleased about the rebirth of the Eta chapter at the University of Maryland.

I continue to be moved by the article you wrote about my grandfather and it is promoting reflections among his descendants. His sense of duty was exemplary, yet very much of another era.

- Lucy Emory Ambach Granddaughter of Major German H. H. Emory Class of 1903

- Ronald G. Rayne ‘64 Spring 2011

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alumni profile

James E. “Jim” Allen Fairfax Station, Virginia Eta Class of 1977 Married: Diane Taylor on November 8, 1980 Children: Jennie, a Junior at Virginia Tech majoring in English and Theater; Dan, a Freshman at George Mason, majoring in History and a Phi Sig. Work: Physical Scientist, employed by the Army Corps of Engineers’ Army Geospatial Center in Alexandria, VA

The THIRD DEGREE: What first compelled you to become a member of Phi Sigma Kappa?

Jim Allen: On a hot August day back in ‘73, a young, shy, not yet 18 year old from Cumberland, MD was dropped off by his Dad at #7 Fraternity Row - it was a place that had rooms at a university that didn’t have enough beds for incoming freshmen. Abandoned, lonely, and a bit scared, my first week of college is a blur. The only things that I can recall are that first trepid night, the next morning wandering aimlessly around College Park looking for a place to get something to eat; even peering into a window of a place called the Rendezvous Inn to see if they were serving breakfast, and then, a few days later the absolute mayhem of class registration in the Armory.

But things settled down. I started to get to know the guys in the house. They seemed pretty nice and fairly normal, even the Ellicott City boys. I finally was given a roommate and classes had started. A short time into the semester, I noticed on the bulletin board, a signup sheet for intramural football. “Hey, that should be fun,” I said to myself, so I scribbled my name on the sheet. The first day of practice came but I didn’t go. Someone had told me that to play on the team you had to be a Brother or a Pledge. Since I was neither, I went to the TV room, a place I spent too much time my first two years in college, and turned on the TV. After a short while, Steve Burgess popped his head in the door and said, “Do you want to play football?” I explained to Steve that I heard you had to be a Brother or a Pledge to play on the team. Steve replied, “Do you want to be a Pledge?” I had no idea what I was getting into.

What was your most triumphant moment as an undergraduate?

During my first two years of school I was not as studious as I should have been and my lack of fo6

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cus pretty much relegated me to the infamous 5year Fraternity Plan (not to be confused with the Bill Gross Lifetime Plan). Things finally began to turn around for me in 1975. In the Spring, I got setup on a blind date with a young lady from Alpha Delta Pi. Diane and I went to the Alpha Delta Pi Spring Formal and began dating. We even managed to see each other a few times over the summer. She had a steadying influence on me and I began to do much better in school. Of course, the fact that she had a car and a “24-Hour card” had nothing to do with it. Honest.

That Fall, at a Chapter meeting, John Sauer announced that he knew of job openings for part-time work. I knew my parents didn’t have a whole lot of money for college so I checked into the job and ended up spending the last three years of college working nights at liquor warehouse in Northeast D.C. I worked about 80-100 hours a month, making real good pay for back then. Since work often began at 10:00 p.m., this curtailed some of my social schedule, but it also forced me to learn to make better use of my time. I became financially independent of my parents and my grades steadily improved. I even ended up getting some scholarship award money from the Chapter and eventually made the Provost’s List. 1975 stands out for me as the “moment” I grew up and learned to get my priorities straight. Diane and I would eventually get married in the small chapel at the University of Maryland, with my Pledge Brother, Dave Bourdon, as my Best Man. What's your favorite memory of life as part of Eta Chapter?

During 5 years in Eta Chapter, I can’t point to a single favorite. The friendships I made and the good times we had form a montage of memories that will always bring a smile to my face or a tear to my eye. So many good memories: Dumping buck-

ALLEN PROVIDES CAPS-BLACKHAWKS TICKETS TO HOUSING CORPORATION FOR CHARTER NIGHT RAFFLE College Park, MD - March 12, 2011 - - James Allen (‘77) donated two tickets to the NHL hockey game between the Washington Capitals and the Chicago Blackhawks, held at the Verizon Center on March 13th. The tickets were raffled-off during the Charter Night event and raised $240.00 for the new Eta Housing Corporation. The winner of the raffle was new alumni initiate Mark J. Zurmuhlen, brother of Gregg (‘85) and son of Francis (‘53). Mark and his guest had great seats to see the Capitals win as Mike Knuble scored at 3:51 in OT. ets of water onto people from the third floor roof; wisecracks from Jack O’Brien who brought a whole new perspective to the movie “Brian’s Song”; Dave “Slick” Idas, serving up the best pizza in the College Park area; Ted Reichart, for being there; “Beasties off the row!”; Fred Vogelgesang’s dry sense of humor and terrible, terrible puns; Tisch, the first Testudo; “Bloody Gray Wheel” and “Mary Lou”; Paul Brown’s, “I’ve got wings!”; Greek Week; pyramids; Steve Randal’s monotone rendition of Beatles’ songs; my Big Brother Danny Newell; “Not even!”; Michael B. and Geology Club; and Sherrod, who on appropriate occasions, would look at me, shake his head, and say, “You’re one sick S.O.B.” What advice would you want to share with our current undergraduate members?

Always remember that your education is your first priority. If you do your school work first, you will always have time to socialize, whereas if you socialize first, you will NEVER have enough time to do your school work. Do what is right, ALWAYS, for it is by those actions that you will be judged.

Why did you choose to donate so generously to the "Six Columns" Capital Campaign?

Two reasons: first, our new Brothers deserve our support and they deserve to have a house. Fraternity is just so much better, when you live together.

A Chapter is much stronger and the Brotherhood is much deeper; sharing laughs, triumphs and pains; and growing as men as they transition from college life to a life of independence and responsibility.

Second, and to be perfectly honest, the greatest reason for my contribution is one of selfishness. I want a place I can go to reconnect with my Brothers and meet Brothers I haven’t met yet. I want a place I can go to share old memories and create new ones. I don’t want to live in the past, I just want to enjoy it every now and then.

ALLEN ISSUES “SIX COLUMNS” PLEDGE CHALLENGE TO THE FALL 1973 PLEDGE CLASS "I am challenging my Pledge Brothers from the Fall of 1973 pledge class, to contribute at least $10,000 to acquire the naming rights to the Chapter Room.

To date, our class has already pledged $3,000 to the campaign. I know we can reach $10,000. I also challenge every other individual or group to beat us to the Chapter Room naming rights."

Will You Help Us? Donate Today to the Six Columns Campaign http://sixcolumns.umd.edu

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© 2011 Marvel Characters, Inc. http://marvel.com

Be Someone’s Superhero...

Give a Brother a Gift Membership in the Eta Alumni Association of Phi Sigma Kappa There are 844 living alumni of the Eta Chapter of Phi Sigma Kappa. However, you are one of just 328 alumni who will have received this magazine, and will have read this ad. Why? Well, to quote an ad for the little green card, it’s because “membership has it’s privileges.”

Only members in good standing of our Alumni Association receive each and every issue of our award-winning magazine. Our members in good standing will receive advance notice of social events, members discounts and a host of current and soon-to-be-released benefits.

Now revived and going strong, your alumni association enters its second year with a goal to retain 100% of our current members, and to grow to a total of 400 members. Reading this magazine indicates you’re someone we want as a member for “Year 2.” Inserted into this issue is a form that will enable you to renew your 8

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membership for “Year 2.” If you choose to add a bit to your contribution, you can also give the gift of membership (and a subscription to this magazine) to an alumni Brother who has not yet joined our association.

This year, you can be a hero by renewing your membership early - and you can be someone’s superhero by giving them membership in the Eta Alumni Association of Phi Sigma Kappa.

Show Us Your Superpowers, Won’t You?

Eta Alumni Association of Phi Sigma Kappa 12806 Silverbirch Lane Laurel, Maryland 20708 301-206-5472 www.alumni.psk-eta.com alumni@psk-eta.com

Eta Alumni Association - By The Numbers

328 MEMBERS OF THE ETA ALUMNI ASSOCIATION

42

MEMBERS JOINED VIA PAYPAL

10,000

Hits on the Eta Alumni Web Site During Our First Six Months On-Line

28,963 Photos & Videos Viewed at the Eta Photo Vault

106 PEOPLE “LIKE” OUR

5

BROTHERS MADE MORE THAN ONE CONTRIBUTION DURING OUR FIRST

YEAR IN OPERATION

SIZE

MATTERS

How does the Eta Alumni Association stack up in comparison with other Phi Sig alumni groups?

Top 20 Chapters by Number of Sustaining Alumni Members

ALUMNI ASSOCIATION ON 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

11.

12.

13.

14.

15.

16.

17.

18.

19.

20.

University of Maryland 328 American University 61 Clarion University 50 University of Alabama 31 Emporia State 22 University of Kentucky 16 Rutgers 13 University of Akron 12 University of South Carolina 11 Indiana University 8 University of Michigan 7 Purdue University 7 U. of Central Missouri 7 Gettysburg College 6 University of Tennessee 5 George Washington Univ.

5 Univ. of Connecticut 5 Arizona State University 5 Ferris State 5 Rennsselaer Polytechnic 4

#2 through #20 Combined 280 University of Maryland 328 Spring 2011

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Eta Alumni Association Membership Report Last Issue This Issue

217 328

MARY

New Members Since December 7, 2010 1944 1951 1952 1952 1955 1956 1957 1957 1957 1958 1959 1959 1960 1961 1962 1963 1963 1964 1964 1965 1966 1968 1968 1968 1969 1969 1971 1972 1973 1975 1976 1976 1976 1977 1977 1977 1977 1978 1978 1979 1980 10

John E. Watson Francis E. Harman Leslie E. Davies Gerald M. Isbell Charles E. Murray Joseph B. Creegan, Jr. Donald H. Berlau Walter L. Bohorfoush Robert C. Pearson Keith R. Wheeler John J. O'Brien William H. Patterson Charles C. Broadrup Richard R. Jones Richard E. Mellinger George H. Buck William F. Funk Vaughen H. Link James W. Sullivan Elwood V. Stark, Jr. Robert A. Smolinski A. James Comi Denis J. King William D. Palmer James P. Bieber James C. Hyatt Mitchell A. Roffer Kenneth C. Kohler Anthony J. Ambridge Jack O'Brien Bruce W. Beitzer Willard W. Hennemann Edwin L. Lamont Eugene A. Atwell Michael A. Boulavsky Paul B. Brown Steven A. Leslierandal Douglas P. Bach Donald G. Gies, Jr. Michael W. Miller Richard A. Brown

Spring 2011

LAND

ETAETA-1

ETAETA-1

E

TA Phi Sig ma Kap pa

1

-1 a A p E T m a Ka p Sig Phi

Our Pit Crew Has Grown.

Again.

1980 1980 1980 1981 1981 1982 1982 1983 1983 1983 1984 1984 1984 1984 1985 1985 1986 1986 1986 1987 1987 1987 1987 1987 1987 1987 1987 1988

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Michael J. Mondonedo Dennis G. Phelan David J. Uchic Paul C. Miller William Smith Mark L. Coppola Thomas E. Marin Todd M. Lang Michael Reed Greg Young Lawrence G. Kinsey John W. Meadowcroft Joseph C. Morton Max R. Peterson Tim Vojtasko David Wildermuth Thomas M. Gart Robert P. Lamolinara Glenn E. McNeelege Kirk D. Bell Kenneth A. Hall James P. McNeill Jeffrey W. Oliu Andrew Rondepierre Gary F. Smith Stuart A. Turner James D. Vinson Scott M. Frosch

1988 1988 1988 1988 1988 1988 1989 1989 1989 1989 1990 1990 1990 1990 1990 1990 1990 1991 1991 1991 1991 1991 1991 1991 1991 1991 1992 1993

Robert W. Lynn John P. McLane Thomas V. Miller III Lawrence W. Neukam Thomas E. Walters David M.Zwick Peter S. Krucoff Brian E. Le Gette Martin J. Mitchell Christopher R. Reed Kevin A. Duffy Michael T. Lawes Marcus A. Morissette Kenneth D. Parr Richard M. Schindler Sorin Schwartz Naresh G. Sunderraj William D. Castleberry Jason S. Krucoff Alan K. Kuwabara John T. Lester, Jr. Richard W. Myers Young W. Nam Daniel J. Soso Christopher R. Sugra Blake M. Wetzel Larry R. Lawrence Daniel J. Feinstein

Where you’ll find the Members of the Eta Alumni Association of Phi Sigma Kappa

1994 1994 1994 1994 1994 1995 1995 1995 1997 1998 1998 1998 1998 1999

Jason W. Brafman Jason T. Grant Andrew B. Krucoff Eric G. Madden David P. Trivett Henry L. Long Dean P. Pinson William A. Schwacke Cregan B. Fenlon Neel R. Bhattacharjee Christopher I. LaBonge Thomas R. McElroy Dev D. Shah Michael D. Kautz

Contact Your Big Brother, Contact Your Little Brother(s), RENEW Your Membership!

Help us to reach 400 Members in 2011!

Note: “Graduation” Years preceding each name are actually Eta Class Years as assigned by Phi Sigma Kappa International Headquarters. This listing was accurate as of May 30, 2011.

An updated list is always available at our website: www.alumni.psk-eta.com

You’ve Been So Very Important to Our Growth Now take a Moment and Be Sure Your Fraternal History is Recorded as a Part of...

The Eta Chapter Family Tree Measuring 4’ x 8’, the Eta Chapter Family Tree charts the relationships of big brothers & little brothers throughout our history. Simply visit the “Links” page of our website and click on the link shown below to be a part of this enormous undertaking.

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BUY ETA Be sure to List your business on your Alumni Data Sheet!

Greatest Decade awards Most Members Gold Silver Bronze

With Sincere Thanks for the Dedication and Support of Our Decade Captains and Members of Our Recruiting Team

80’s 60’s 50’s

Total Contributions Gold Silver Bronze

80’s 60’s 50’s

Wayne H. Bethards ‘59 Claude A. Bogley ‘70 Joseph E. Criscuoli ‘82 Todd B. Hoffman ‘82 John J. B. Wright, Esq. ‘82 Paul R. McGown ‘88 James W. Lomker ‘89 Andrew J. Plenn ‘90 Glenn A. Hall ‘91 Bryan C. Kissinger ‘91 Jeffrey V. Odom ‘91 David M. Schwartz ‘91 Peter J. Della-Croce ‘99

Average Contribution per Member Gold Silver Bronze

80’s 40’s 50’s

Paid Members as a % of Viable Alumni per Decade Gold Silver Bronze

50’s 60’s 80’s

Fewest Lost Brothers Gold Silver Bronze

60’s 90’s 70’s

Look for updates to these awards in our next issue and on our website.

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Want to lend a hand in the growth of our Alumni Association? Drop a note to us at alumni@psk-eta.com

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Coming Soon, we’ll be publishing an Eta Chapter Directory complete with opportunities for you to “BUY ETA” You can also promote your business in the next issue of The THIRD DEGREE! A One-Column ad (this size) costs just $35.00 An excellent way to let your Brothers know how they can steer business to you and keep it “in the family” Call 301-206-5472 For more info.

Alumni Notes

Rob Lamolinara, ‘86, writes: “I recently attended the rechartering of Eta Chapter in March. At the event I had the pleasure of having a drink with my Big Brother Bert Mondenedo as well as one of my Little Brothers, Chris Malone. I also had the chance to see my real big brother Dave (‘82), his wife Jennifer and Dru Bagwell. It was great to meet some of the talented young men that will lead Phi Sigma Kappa in the future. I have worked for Northrop Grumman Electronic Systems for 24 years where I am the Director of Product Development. This spring I followed my son Dominic and the Terp Lacrosse team on their way to winning the ACC Championship against Duke. I also have two daughters, Bethany and Alison.

Bethany is a Junior at St. Joseph University in Philadelphia where she’s had a few honors bestowed upon her. She’s made the Deans list every semester, is President of Alpha Omicron Pi sorority and has also been elected Bartenders Best Friend. I don’t know which honor I am more proud of. Alison, my youngest, is becoming very mature herself. For the first time in 15 years she does not want to go to Disney World on vacation, instead we are going to Paris and Rome in June. I am now continuing my education by taking Italian classes at the local community college. Looking forward to Homecoming and being back at #7 Fraternity Row. Damn Proud to be a Phi Sig.”

Editors Note: Also cheering on Dom was his Uncle David (’82). Both Rob & David are Past President’s of Eta. We should probably pass a note about Dom to our Rush Chairman.

Edward P. Becker, ‘70, better known as “Eddie” and/or “Fuzzy,” traveled around the United States and bummed free rooms with Jim Hyatt (Sparky) ‘69, worked at Wang Laboratories with Jimmy J. Kirlin (Jimmy J) ‘72 and sold Wangs, worked at Xerox with Mark McNutt ‘70 and Claude Bogley (my little brother) ‘70, lived with Dr. Greg Mangum (Mags) ’69 and watched him dissect pigs feet, and ate pizza at the Corner Pub with Dave Stoufa ’68.

“I sorta lost touch with everyone after moving to Texas but moved back to the Metro DC area in 1984. I had an independent IT consulting company for 15 years and have been working at Dell Services Federal Government in Fairfax, VA for the last year and a half. I’ve been playing and writing a lot of music and was lucky enough to play at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in 2006, performing a song I wrote about Hurricane Katrina that won Songwriter Association of Washington (SAW), ASCAP, and was nominated for a Washington Area Music Award ("Wammie"). The SAW/ASCAP competition winners played at Kennedy Center.

My band is a big band and we play a whole lot of music we used to dance to - check us out at (www.eddiebeckerband.com). I rushed and pledged in September

of 1966. My Big brother was Tony Yount. He was treasurer of the chapter at the time. My first little brother who you featured in the last issue was Claude Bogley.

I had one other little brother Tony (can’t recall his last name - I’ll have to look around). I held several offices including Sentinel, Social Chairman and President my senior year of ‘69 to ‘70.

Claude Bogley, by the way, was the brother who was the main carpenter when we knocked out the wall between the weight room and chapter room and repainted both the dining room and chaptersocial room with old barn wood.

We put cardboard/burlap stips between each slat. When it was first done it was stunning...before all the parties. About ten of us went to a local farm and tore down the fellows barn and hauled off the wood and got the wood fairly cheap because of the grunt labor. Claude was quite the carpenter back then. Claude, Mark McNutt and I worked for Xerox Corporation during their real hey days. I work for Dell Services now. I’d like to extend a hearty thank you to Joe Criscuoli ‘82 and all the other Phi Sig brothers who have been doing a great job of reconnecting us again. I look forward to seeing you guys soon.”

Editors Note: Eddie’s award-winning song, “Blues Down on the Delta” can be heard on the Eta Alumni Website just visit our “Media/Gallery” page and click on the link.

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The Other “Fridge” ...the One Ralph Doesn’t Get to See!

Rob Lamolinara ‘86 (see Alumni Notes) has an ACC Champion in the family, his son Dominic.

Is it true that Eddie Becker ‘70 and The Eddie Becker Band will be opening for the Rolling Stones at our Homecoming Tailgate? (see Alumni Notes)

Eric Vinson ‘86 graciously agreed to pose for photos with another famous face from Maryland, Coach Lefty Driesell.

In this issue of Alumni Notes, Anne S. K. Turkos, University Archivist of the University of Maryland, fondly recalls a visit to College Park by Dr. Howard Knobloch ‘33.

It’s true! If you send in a photo, you could be selected to appear on the Fridge in our next issue!

It was “Standing Room Only” on Saturday, May 7th at the Ocean Pines Yacht Club, when bass player Mike Stevenson ’62 and his group “Banned from Central Parke” took the stage.

What in Aunt Fannie’s Farmhouse are these little things?

They’re all over the place! See page 57!

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Get your photo on the Fridge in the next Alumni Notes !

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15

Alumni Notes (cont. from Page 15)

Terry Chapman, ‘62, writes: “Hey guys, thanks for all the hard work to reinvigorate Phi Sigma Kappa at University of Maryland!

During my careers, I managed to try lots of interesting jobs: US Intelligence Analyst; YMCA Director; Director of V.A. hospital volunteer programs in Missouri and New York; Training Coordinator, University of Missouri Hospital & Clinics; library consultant; Manager of Education, Meeting Planners International-was able to deliver a keynote address in Acapulco, in a large ballroom that had a ceiling that was opened to the stars just as I began to speak!; Senior Trainer, Wang Labs; Professor of Cooperative Education, Northeastern University, Boston, for 13 years. Since 2008 I have provided career assistance as a volunteer at the Worcester, MA Public library, reaching over 500 persons so far.

My wife Margaret and I live on a large lake where she sails and I fish for huge fish. Two grown sons live in our area and one has twin daughters which I will not brag about! Life is very good and I am grateful!”

Editors Note: Brother Chapman has generously offered to critique and edit the resumes of our undergraduate members and reports that several members of the Eta Chapter have already taken him up on his offer.

Kudos to Brother Chapman for volunteering his talents to the benefit our future alumni brothers.

I met Dr. Howard Knobloch ‘33, and we had a wonderful visit back in 2006 when several photos were taken. He was on campus 16

Spring 2011

for Homecoming and regaled everyone with his stories of the creation of the statue of Testudo.

Brian Shook, from the University of Maryland Development Office, asked if he could bring Dr. Knobloch down to see the original Testudo, which was on display at the time in our Corps of Cadets to Testudo's Troops exhibit, and I was only too happy to host his visit. His daughter and son-in-law and another agriculture alumnus came along, and we all had a great time touring the exhibit. Dr. K. saw a freshman beanie like the one that he wore in the exhibit, and I had an extra one that he tried on for the photos. It was a terrific afternoon, and I was so delighted to have had the chance to meet him. I look forward to reading your winter issue of the The Third Degree in great detail and want to add the articles to the annual bibliography of state of Maryland resources that I co-compile for Maryland Historical Magazine, a task to complete early on in this new year.

Anne S. K. Turkos University Archivist University of Maryland Now that Jim Allen ‘77 has been the subject of our “Alumni Profile” and is now the proud Father of a Phi Sig (his son, Daniel, became a Brother at George Mason last month), he wants to “come clean” with a confession. “During Greek Week 1976, one of the fraternity/sorority pairings sponsored a pie-in-the-face fundraiser.

For a buck, you could have someone ‘pied.’ Mike Buchanan, a reporter at the time for WUSA-TV Channel 9 in D.C., came by with a cameraman to cover the festivities on Fraternity Row. I want to

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admit now that I paid to have him pied. He got pied and also ended up in the mud.”

Editors Note: You can see photographic evidence of Brother Allen’s work in the Greek Week 1976 gallery of the Eta Alumni Vault, profiled on pages 24 and 25 of this issue.

Tom Walters ‘88 writes: “My daughter is three years old and just started preschool, and I could not help but notice the similarities between my time as an undergraduate and her preschool class: There was one kid passed out in the corner, one had magic marker on his face, one had just peed his pants, one was screaming for a bottle and two of them were having a conversation and I could only understand about half of what they were saying. I felt like I was in College Park again.”

Jerry “Mumbles” Haser ‘68 wrote: “Our Eta Alumni website is really awesome. I’m so happy and proud to see Phi Sig return to the University of Maryland campus - there’s far too much tradition and great old stories not to be able to one day soon point to the house that we all shared for decades. You and your team are to be commended - but please do not burn out on the effort! Betty, my wife, and I will try to make one of the events in the future as we have to pass north to visit one of our kids families in New York we will be sure to use the website for planning.”

Editors Note: Your Eta Alumni web site reached 10,000 hits in its first 6 months of operation! Visit soon and check out all the newly revised pages at http://www.alumni.psk-eta.com

The memorial for our departed Brother Stanley W. Hames ‘57, written by Brothers Thomas O. Nichols ‘57 and David V. Swann ‘56 (see “Chapter Eternal, page 51, of our Winter Issue) was well received by Stan’s widow, Mrs. Brenda Hames. In the memorial was a reference to Brother Hames’ memory of the images of Fraternity Row, and the Phi Sig house at #7, as depicted in the movie, “St. Elmo’s Fire” (see photo at right). Shortly after our Winter Issue was mailed we received a package from Brenda.

Inside it was Stan’s VHS copy of the movie.

Speaking of movies, well, we don’t want to give away the surprise, but a few pages from now you’ll know the name Jessica MacLeod. MacLeod, a master’s student in Maryland’s broadcast journalism program, received a Fulbright award to produce a documentary in Germany. She is

THIS for Diplomats, a Washington non-profit that assists foreign diplomats and their families during their stay in the United States.

MacLeod graduated in May. She spent her final semester in the college’s Capital News Service broadcast news bureau, working as a reporter and co-anchor of Maryland Newsline, Merrill’s student-produced news program.

the third Merrill School of Journalism student or alumnus in the past two years to win a Fulbright.

MacLeod plans to produce a documentary that explores the disparity between the high school dropout rate of immigrants and native-born students. MacLeod, 27, earned a bachelor’s degree in German education from Bowling Green State University in 2005.

Before arriving at the Merrill College, she was a high school German teacher and director of

Be a part of the next "Alumni Notes" page. Tell us what you've been up to, tell us about your family, your work, your awards, or send a message to a Brother you haven't seen in a while. Send your submissions for Alumni Notes to alumni@psk-eta.com

Committed to maintaining the highest standards of integrity and professionalism.

Robert M. Troyano, CPA, CFP (Eta ‘86) 337 Market Street Saddle Brook, NJ 07663 Tel: 201-226-1040 Email: rtroyano@rmtwealthmanagement.com Website: www.rmtwealthmanagement.com Spring 2011

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17

Brotherhood Forever

by Bob Pemberton ‘58

Recently I had to fly from my home in Jacksonville Beach, Florida to Durham, North Carolina to have an ankle replaced at Duke University Medical Center.

Following three days in the hospital, I was moved to a convalescence center nearby for a long and very boring three weeks of rehabilitation before my cast could be removed.

Now, you’re probably asking yourself, “What does this have to do with ‘brotherhood’?” Well, Brother Bob Armstrong, ‘61, and I had shared a year or two of our time as undergraduates while we were active brothers in Eta Chapter. But, as we were both commuters, we saw little of each other except at parties, meetings, Homecoming, and maybe a lunch or two at the house. When I graduated in 1958, we lost touch for over 50 years, but when I had a need, he was there. Having talked by telephone several months earlier on alumni matters, I told him of my forthcoming operation in Durham in January and he offered to come from Apex, about thirty-some miles away, to help, if needed. He and his wife, Bobbie, did much more than that.

During those dreary long weeks, he and Bobbie drove up from Apex and spent several visits with me, the last being lunch at the center.

We talked about our lives, our children, and shared memories of the good times in Eta. We had some great laughs! I plan to spend some time again with them, at their invitation, when I return in April for a check-up.

Brotherhood is timeless. It can be a time to step back and remember the good times and, perhaps even some of the bad times, and how brotherhood has become woven into the fabric of our lives. When you take the oath of Brotherhood, you promise to honor it's call and be there, when you have the opportunity to once again share the good times with a brother or brothers. When you reach the "Golden Years" in life as I have, those wonderful memories of the days of Eta at the University of Maryland return and each moment with a brother is special. This was just such a time!

Brother Bob Armstrong ‘61 during one of his many visits with the author, Brother Bob Pemberton ‘58 while the latter was undergoing rehabilitation in Apex, North Carolina following ankle replacement surgery

Fraternity (I am a Phi Sig) Once I lived at home, Someone woke me Someone fed me Someone told me where to go Someone told what to do I was not alone I had boyish cares; cars, sports, girls.

I was a boy Then I was told I must leave I must go to learn, college No one was there to wake me.

No one was there to feed me No one was there to tell me where to go.

No one was there to tell me what to do.

I was alone I had many worries I was just a boy Then they said to me; We are Phi Sig's We will be your friend.

We will help to feed you.

We will help to show you where to go.

We will help to lead you.

You need not be alone.

We will help you solve your worries.

You can be a man.

Now I am part of them.

I am a Phi Sig. I have a "life of faith and purpose".

I have learned where to go.

I have learned what to do.

I have learned to help others.

I have learned to be a friend.

I am not alone.

I have become a man.

Now I am on my own.

I am still a Phi Sig. I know how to feed myself.

I know where to go.

I know what to do.

I know how to work with others.

They will always be part of me.

I will never be alone.

I will always be a Phi Sig. I am a man, I am a Phi Sig, and I will help others become men. (submitted by John J. B. Wright, Esq. ‘82)

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Eta Alumni Fashionistas Exposed...

TACKY PROM 2010

Here, without editing of any kind, are some pictures from a "Tacky Prom" Party thrown by Jonathan Esler ‘88 back in November. Eta Brothers seen at the party included Eric Vinson ‘86, Doug Vinson ‘87, Roger Boothe ‘87, Jeff Odom ‘91, and Paul Pykosh ‘89.

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19

Cornhole Tournament Scores a Hole in One

by James E. Allen ‘77

I

t may not have been the frozen tundra of Lambeau Field, but it was a miserable day; cold and rainy. Fortunately, the 3rd Annual Cornhole Tournament to benefit Special Olympics sponsored by the Xi Septaton Chapter at George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia, did not take place outside, but inside the GMU Field House. Two aged, veteran warriors, representing Eta Chapter, arrived at the Field House, eager to take on the competition. After a long, careful and studious examination of the tournament grounds, your intrepid author and Brother John Wright (‘82) prepared for the competition by engaging in an extensive training session. After about 15 minutes of training, a nap was clearly in order, but there was no time for such necessities. Food arrived and it was critical that we partake of the proper nourishment necessary to fulfill our quest for glory. Soon after consuming a sampling of various foodstuffs, none of which could really be construed as “nourishing,” the competition was set to begin.

We were ready.

The first match for Team Eta was against The Bunnies. That is not a typo. “The Bunnies!” Oh man. That’s gotta be a couple of really attractive sorority girls. We were eager to represent. Presented with our board assignment, we proceeded to search among the vast field of 110 boards, all built by the members of Xi Septaton, for our designated battleground. We located our boards - a set located at the faraway end of the Field House where, unnoticed, we could begin our march to the championship. Much to the surprise of Team Eta, we would be playing on boards sponsored by the George Mason chapter of Gamma Phi Beta. That was kinda nice. At Maryland, Gamma Phi Beta was 2 houses away, at #9 on the Row. While at Maryland, Brothers Wright and Allen had gotten to know a lot of the women from Gamma Phi Beta (no, not THAT way!). Team Eta was prepared. The Bunnies arrived.

Where were the attractive sorority girls? The Bunnies were parents of one of the Associate Members of Xi Septaton. They weren’t unattractive, but they weren’t 20

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sorority girls. We had been placed in the Open Division. There would be no sorority girls. Oh well. We grabbed our sacks and began to play cornhole. It came naturally to us. We crushed The Bunnies, 21-0! We were on our way.

We were great! We could not be beaten. We got stomped. 21-4 by a couple of young Xi Septaton alumni. We regrouped with quick and convincing wins over two other teams, both of which appeared to be made up of parents. Team Eta had made it into the playoffs.

We knew the competition in the playoffs would be tough - really tough. In the first round of the playoffs we were pitted against another group of young men, though they were not affiliated with Phi Sig. Our sacks were hot and we got off to a 16-4 lead and never looked back. Well, actually, we never did much else. Our sacks got cold - I hate when that happens. The end came quickly; 22-17.

Doing what Phi Sigs do best, we held our heads high and headed off to find a local watering hole.

We ended up at Hard Times Café in downtown Fairfax, Virginia.

As we were preparing to sit down, we heard, “Hey Maryland!” A short distance away, a group of Xi Septaton alumni, including Chapter Advisor Cory McConnell, were conversing over a few beers. We joined them and spent the next hour and a half sharing stories and enjoying the Brotherhood that is Phi Sigma Kappa.

Finally, it came time for Brother Wright and I to depart. I thanked John for making the trip from Maryland to team with me, and we were each on our way home.

In total, approximately 500 people participated in the tournament, which was comprised of three divisions: Open, GMU and Special Olympians. With the help of many supporters, who donated money, food and drink, and prizes, Xi Septaton raised $6,000; $1,500 went to GMU Special Olympics and $4,500 to Special Olympics of Northern Virginia.

N

ow is the Time for All Good Brothers to

Come to the Aid of Their Alumni Association…

...and Renew Your Membership.

The Rebirth of the Eta Alumni Association It was only about a year ago that your alumni association president, Joseph Criscuoli, began taking the first steps in building an alumni association that would be able to do more than its part in securing the re-chartering of Eta Chapter. The existence of a robust alumni association was one of the key milestones that had to be met on the way to achieving the goal of the granting of a new charter by March 12, 2011. Joe set a modest goal of building the largest alumni association in the history of Phi Sigma Kappa even though our first communication to Eta alumni did not go out until July 31, 2010. We don't know if our current membership of 328 is the largest in Phi Sig history; but it is by far the largest in Phi Sig today, larger than the next nineteen combined.

You made this happen with your tremendous response and financial support which has allowed your association to not only support the Eta Colony, now Chapter, efforts; but also sponsor various alumni events and publish our outstanding magazine, “The THIRD DEGREE.”

Why Are We Asking You to Renew Now? You can help tremendously by renewing now. The Eta Alumni Association has established its fiscal year as July 1 - June 30 and we need to move to a membership year that matches the fiscal year. Even though initial memberships were, by definition, spread throughout the past

year, we're asking that you help us make this transition by renewing your membership now. Please complete the Membership Renewal Sheet inserted into this issue and return it with your generous donation. If you prefer to contribute by PayPal or credit card, you can do just that at www.alumni.psk-eta.com. Just click on the yellow Donate button. Your financial support makes possible the continued publication of a full-color magazine and the support of the alumni and chapter members that they deserve.

Did you know that you can give alumni association memberships to brothers who have not yet joined? Think of it as a gift subscription to “The THIRD DEGREE “ magazine as well as the other information resources of the association. Recipients of your gift subscriptions will receive a copy of this issue while supplies last.

By renewing now you will be assured of receiving the Signet and “The THIRD DEGREE” for another full year. We sincerely hope that you have enjoyed this issue of the magazine and the special video presentation we’ve included in this issue. Your generous donation will allow the Eta Alumni Association to continue the work of this association at the level of quality, in events, support and communications, that you deserve.

Wayne H. Bethards ’59 Membership Chairman First Vice President Eta Alumni Association 410-730-2173 waynebethards@comcast.net Spring 2011

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21

Upcoming Events Sponsored by the Eta Alumni Association of Phi Sigma Kappa

July 9, 2011

COME SEE A GAME WITH YOUR BROTHERS

Night Out with the Nats

Event Coordinator: James Allen ‘77

Come out to Nationals Park in Washington, D.C. on July 9th at 7:05 p.m. and see the Nationals “rock” the Rockies. Bring along the family for an evening with the Alumni of Eta Chapter...at a price of just $15 per ticket. It’s a terrific opportunity to re-connect with your Brothers, and a chance to experience a major league game without a major financial burden.

Proceeds from ticket sales will be donated to the Eta Housing Corporation.

For more details call 703-495-8814 or see the “Breaking News” page of our website at www.Alumni.PSK-Eta.com.

SEPTember 11, 2011

2nd Annual Alumni - Chapter Cookout at the Hoffman Ranch in Silver Spring, Maryland

Come Meet the Colony Members Reunite with Fraternity Brothers Help with Eta Chapter’s Fall Rush An RSVP is Required to Todd and Ann Hoffman to receive the location for this special event.

Call 301-989-1305 or Send an E-Mail to todd.hoffman@microsoft.com october 15, 2011

Alumni Homecoming Tailgate and Maryland vs. Clemson in College Park, Maryland

RSVP to alumni@psk-eta.com to receive event time and location and to offer assistance and support.

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In search of assistance

Alumni Golf Tournament !

We’d love to host a golf tournament, but none of the guys on your alumni executive committee ever graduated from putt-putt. If you’d like to help us to make the arrangements and promote this event, please write to alumni@psk-eta.com to let us know how you’d like to proceed.

We have a bit of knowledge about recruiting and promotion…...but golf, not so much.

SPECIAL NOTICE - A CHANGE IN PLANS MARCH 9 - 11, 2012

Founder’s Day / Grand Reunion A Weekend Full of Events Reunite with Alumni Celebrate the Return of Eta to Maryland

Please register your interest via E-Mail (to alumni@psk-eta.com) so you’ll receive Breaking News about this event from the Eta Alumni Association The Executive Committee of the Eta Alumni Association has “called an audible,” deciding to postpone the Grand Reunion that we had planned to hold in October of 2011. There were a number of reasons for this, but the primary one is that the fall calendar of Association and University events is very full without the reunion and we just can’t do it all to the degree that we would like, and that you deserve.

The Association plans to have our annual BBQ at the home of Todd Hoffman for alumni and active chapter members on September 11th.

Homecoming has been announced as the weekend of October 15th with a home game against the Clemson Tigers. There are also home football games on September 17th and 24th, October 1st and 29th, and November 5th.

Another factor in our decision is that we have received considerable interest from alumni in attending one or more Maryland football games.

In short, we believe that we can better serve our alumni this fall by offering a variety of activities in lieu of one large reunion. In this regard, we will promote and support alumni attendance at the Homecoming game with an Eta Alumni Association tailgate before the game...with more details to follow. We believe that this approach will allow us to address the interests of those who want to attend a football game in spite of the fact that the game time will not be announced until two weeks (or less) before the date of the game.

STAY TUNED FOR MORE DETAILS !

Be sure to add our E-Mail address (alumni@psk-eta.com) to your address book and send us a “test” e-mail so you’ll be sure to receive all the Breaking News from the Eta Alumni Association of Phi Sigma Kappa Spring 2011

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23

G

ive me your photos, your videos, your archived images yearning to be shared, the wretched refuse and sacred mementos of your undergraduate years.

Send these, the unfocused, and torn-apart to me, I lift my lamp beside the ETA PHOTO VAULT!

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INTRODUCING a NEW Alumni Member Benefit

http://EtaAlumniVault.smugmug.com The Eta Alumni Association of Phi Sigma Kappa, with special thanks to our sponsor, Dr. Vernon M. Briggs, Jr. ('59), is pleased to introduce a brand NEW home for photographic images and advanced media chronicling the history of the Eta Chapter of Phi Sigma Kappa.

This NEW member benefit allows you to view, download, and purchase copies of media of all types. And, for our Members in good standing, this Vault is where all your images can be saved and shared with others.

To access the Vault, go directly to the website listed above.

There’s no login, just click on a Gallery and go. To contribute to the Vault, just mail your images on disk (no emails, please) to the Eta Alumni Association and we'll handle the details. Proceeds from any sales will be donated to our Alumni Association to offset costs associated with this Vault, and will be donated to "Six Columns: The Capital Campaign to Benefit the Eta Chapter of Phi Sigma Kappa."

Check out the Vault!

Send Your Images!

Welcome...one and all.

Damn Proud.

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25

Eta Alumni Gather Before the “Big Event”

Lunch at Ledo’s on Initiation Day included (left to right) Jim & Janice Kenkel (’55), Betty & Wayne (‘59) Bethards, Barbara Bohorfoush, John J. B. Wright (‘82), Walt Bohorfoush (’57), Lowell Hinchliffe (’57), and Bob Pemberton (’58).

Above: Bob Pemberton, Wayne Bethards and Joseph B. Creegan, Jr. (‘56) review a very special list (more about that later).

Above: Bob Pemberton and Robert Manuel III (’65) at The Oasis.

Below: Chris McBeth (’02) and Peter Della -Croce (’99) are just not enthused by the performance of the Terps on the TV.

Below: John J. B. Wright (‘82) and Grand Council Director & Eta Membership Development Advisor Tim Vojtasko share a laugh about the scores attained

by Eta candidates on their final brotherhood exam.

Above: “Bert” Mondonedo (‘85) made sure that alumni from the 80’s knew where the party was by strapping this banner to his iconic and memorable set of wheels.

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Crab Cake Sliders at The Oasis, amongst other things, brought a smile to the face of Todd Hoffman (’82).

A

THIRD

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PHOTO

ESSAY

A Night Like No Other

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27

“The entire chartering event was impressive, but I am most impressed by the new members of the Eta Chapter. The work they have done and the dedication they have shown in building the Eta Colony and now Eta Chapter is just outstanding. The chapter is in good hands. Their accomplishments and their enthusiasm for the future of the Chapter has only furthered my excitement in supporting the efforts of the Eta Alumni Association and the Eta Housing Corporation to secure a house on Fraternity Row with a strong financial base.”

Wayne Bethards ’59 First Vice President, Eta Alumni Association

“Our chartering night was one of the most memorable experiences I have ever had. For two years I was able to watch the colony grow and start taking shape, and to witness our colony officially become a chapter was extremely moving. The fact that we had finally gotten our charter was something to be proud of in itself, but seeing all of the parents and alumni who had traveled all over the country to celebrate our accomplishment was also inspirational and rewarding. Overall, the chartering event instilled in me a great since of pride for being associated with the re-founding of the ETA chapter of Phi Sigma Kappa.”

Zach Gorrell ‘12 Eta Chapter Alumni Chairman

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Previous page: Grand President Todd Simpson presents the Eta Charter to Jay Gobeil (‘12), President of the Eta Chapter.

This spread (clockwise from upper left): Even the desserts were customized for the event; the Ernie Elizondo Trio entertained guests at the pre-event cocktail reception; the room was packed during the cocktail reception; an elegant place setting for each attendee; tables readied and waiting for the big event.

“I was very impressed with the camaraderie, commitment and enthusiasm of our new Eta brothers. The numbers they’re adding to the “ever growing throng” isn’t too shabby either.

We have every reason to be optimistic about the future success of the chapter.”

Lance W. Billingsley ‘61

“Chartering weekend was really a great experience. The actual ceremony was definitely worth the time and effort we spent putting the event together. It was really awesome to see some of Eta's past alumni and to interact with so many brothers.

I do not think I will ever forget such a memorable event or the people that worked to put it all together.”

Logan Miller ‘13

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“The anticipation had been building for almost two years and then the day had finally come. Chartering was something which will never be forgotten - and passed down from class to class as Eta moves onward.”

Chris Flood ‘13

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Opposite page: The University of Maryland Air Force ROTC Color Guard; a stirring rendition of the “Star-Spangled Banner” by new Brother Derrick Abban (‘12); and a panoramic view of Charter Night.

This page (counter-clockwise from top left): Matthew Supple, Director, UM Department of Fraternity & Sorority Life; John J.B. Wright, Esq., (‘82) President, Eta Housing Corporation; Joseph E. Criscuoli, (‘82) President, Eta Alumni Association; Christopher P. McBeth, (‘02) Eta Chapter Advisor; Dr. Drury G. Bagwell, Past Grand President and Eta Recruitment Advisor; Tim Vojtasko, Grand Council Director and Eta Membership Development Advisor; Vojtasko presents the Charles V. Loring Interfraternal Service Award to Dr. Terry York Zacker, Chi Omega, Assistant to the Director of the Adele H. Stamp Student Union and Academic Advisor to the Eta Chapter.

“The chartering event for the Eta Chapter of Phi Sigma Kappa was a wonderful event. It really went above and beyond any of my expectations. I wasn't sure what exactly to expect from the event, but I was definitely impressed.

I'm very proud of all my brothers, especially those who helped do most of the planning of this event. Both my parents came to the chartering event, and were very impressed with how nice the event was. The event really represented how much potential we have as a chapter to become even greater and achieve so much more. The chartering event made me realize that we as a fraternity truly created history on the Maryland campus .”

Marcus Hobson ‘13

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31

“Charter night was just incredible! It was great to see and experience the results of two years of hard work. To finally be incorporated into the proud tradition that is the Eta Chapter was powerful, and to connect with those alumni that came before us was an experience that I'll never forget! I'm Damn proud to be a part of Phi Sig, and I'm humbled to be even a small part of its future success here at Maryland.”

Jay Gobeil ‘12 President, Eta Chapter

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“Chartering was a great experience for everyone involved. I was not expecting it to be the huge event that it became, but it was excellent.

Overall, chartering was an event and moment in my life that I will never forget.”

Cameron Vollmuth ‘13

“I had a great time at the chartering event! I was so happy to have a great alumni turnout - it really made me feel like I was joining an organization rich with history. I especially appreciated the scholarship award I won. It really gave me the sense of belonging and appreciation. Overall, if I could charter again, I would!”

Jared Lindenberg ‘12

Opposite page (clockwise from top left): Grand President Todd Simpson; Master of Ceremonies Omer Ad (‘12); Chapter President Jay Gobeil (‘12) with Grand Chapter Director Sean Shingler as Gobeil was presented the Phi Sigma Epsilon President’s Badge. Grand President Simpson and Grand Council Director Vojtasko at the head table. Chapter President Jay Gobeil (‘12) addresses the audience.

This page: Members both new and old applaud the successful recitation of “The Phi Sigma Kappa Creed”; New Brothers Jared Lindenberg (’12), Jay Gobeil (’12) and Nathan Blaker (’11) receive the Scholarship, Character, and Brotherhood awards bestowed upon the three by members of the Eta Chapter.

The Phi Sigma Kappa Chartering event was one of the most spectacular banquets that I have ever attended. Among the repertoire of events were a host of remarkable and motivating speeches, a dinner to die for, and some touching interactions between the newly initiated brothers and the alumnus that brought tears to one’s eyes. It was great to be able to interact and get to know the alumnus during the cocktail hour, and to be able to see the delight on their faces knowing that we had finally succeeded in bringing the Eta Chapter back to the University of Maryland. Furthermore, the speeches made by the Grand Chapter President Todd Simpson and by our own Chapter President Jay Gobeil did an excellent job of putting into perspective just how far we’ve come since our beginnings as a colony, and also of the legacy that we must build together to arise as one of the truly great fraternities that has or ever will exist on campus. Generally speaking, the Eta Chartering event was by and large one of the most outstanding and professionally run banquets that any and all of the attendees could have recalled from recent memory. Damn proud.

Cameron Merriman ‘13

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33

ETA ALUMNI PINS PROGRAM: A HIGHLIGHT OF THE EVENT

BY WAYNE H. BETHARDS ‘59

The past and present officers of the Eta Colony, now the Eta Chapter of Phi Sigma Kappa, were honored in an emotional surprise ceremony at the Chartering Banquet following their initiation on March 12th. Joe Criscuoli, President of the Eta Alumni Association, introduced the "Rings & Pins Program" during his prepared remarks. In a presentation ceremony that many called the highlight of the evening, Joe called ten chapter members and ten alumni members to the front of the room arranged in pairs, in a line that stretched from the far left to the far right in front of the head table.

  



 

At this point, the purpose of this mysterious alignment of alumni and chapter members was known only to the alumni donors and presenters, and there was a sense of anticipation in the room about what was going to happen next.

Joe then asked the pairs of alumni and chapter members to turn and face each other. Next, he asked each donor/presenter to remove an envelope from his pocket and present it to the chapter member. Joe announced that each envelope contained the original of a biographic sketch prepared by a dedicated member of our alumni association.

Joe then asked each donor/presenter to reach into their right-hand jacket pocket and retrieve a jewelry gift box and present it to the chapter member. Upon opening the box the recipients were surprised to find a fully jeweled Phi Sigma Kappa fraternity pin which had been donated by certain alumni. This was an emotional and memorable moment for all in the room and not likely to be soon forgotten.

Those who received the pin awards and those who donated and presented the pins were:  Jay Gobeil, ‘12, pin donated by Robert P. Haines, ‘49, and presented by Wayne H. Bethards, ‘59.  Adam Elbaz, ‘12, pin donated and presented by Robert G. Pemberton, ‘58.

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



Logan Miller, ’13, pin donated and presented

by Joseph B. Creegan, ‘56.

Gavin Bedell, ‘13, pin donated by Thomas O. Nichols, ‘57, and presented by Lary Acker, ‘57.

Ryan Kief, ‘12, pin donated by Grady A. Vickers, Jr., ‘55, and presented by Todd B. Hoffman, ‘82.

Roshan Shah, ‘12, pin donated by William B. Binch, ‘62, and presented by Peter DellaCroce, ‘99.

Mark Matovich, ‘12, pin donated and presented

by Lowell B. Hinchliffe, ‘57.

Dom Cercone, ‘12, pin donated and presented

by James E. Kenkel, ‘55.

Zach Gorrell, ‘12, pin donated by Robert A. Margulies, ‘54, and presented by John J. B. Wright, ‘82.

Omer Ad, ‘12, pin donated by Lucian S. Heflin, Jr., ‘61 and presented by Lance Billingsley, ‘61.

In 2010 the Eta Alumni Association adopted a legacy "Rings & Pins Program" developed and proposed by Robert G. "Bob" Pemberton ‘58.

Under the program Phi Sigma Kappa fraternity pins, donated by alumni of the Eta Chapter, are awarded to Chapter members for outstanding performance.

Remarkably, the Alumni Association was able to keep the existence of the entire program a secret from the Eta Colony.

It is our hope that the program will be sustainable over time so that it becomes a traditional recognition element and an important part of the initiation process.

We look forward to your support of this special program! If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at 410-730-2173 or waynebethards@comcast.net

This page: Omer Ad, ’12 (right) offer thanks to Lance Billingsley, ‘61, upon receipt of the pin donated

by Lucian S. Heflin, Jr., ‘61.

Lowell B. Hinchliffe, ‘57, accepts thanks for the pin he donated to Mark Matovich, ‘12. A special moment is shared when Joseph B. Creegan, ’56 sees the look in the eyes of Logan Miller, ‘13 as Miller receives the pin donated by Creegan. The ten donated pins captured together in one image for the last time.

“The Pin Ceremony during the Re-Chartering banquet left me speechless. About three-quarters of the way through Joe Criscuoli's presentation, wherein he alternately announced and brought up an alumni Brother (or a representative of one who could not attend), and then a newly initiated Brother, I turned to Bill Gross (‘78) and said, "Where is Joe going with this?" Bill shrugged that he didn't know, but we soon found out. This was a wonderful way to represent both the re-birth and the continuation of the Eta Chapter of Phi Sigma Kappa. It was also especially rewarding to have with me my son Dan, an Associate Member of the Xi Septaton Chapter at George Mason.”

James E. Allen ‘77

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“My impression was: I was amazed how none of us had changed at all since college.”

Paul C. Miller ‘81

" It was a wonderful event. I was very impressed by the "classy" evening the undergraduates put on. It was terrific to get to meet so many of these fine young men and their parents. The highlight for me was getting to see and visit with so many Alumni that attended. I hope that the Alumni can get together again before the year is out."

John J. B. Wright, Esq. ‘82 President, Eta Housing Corporation

The chartering banquet was one of the most memorable nights of my college career. It highlighted Eta's motivation to succeed throughout the two years, and every brother was recognized. It has signified an important part of my life, where my hard work has come into fruition. I cannot imagine a better chartering experience, and look forward to the future of the Eta Chapter!

Roshan Shah ’12

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This spread (clockwise from upper left): Dru Bagwell enjoys a laugh as Eta Chapter returns to Maryland; Brothers Bill Walsh (‘77), Bill Gross (‘78), Michael Mondonedo (‘80) and Drew Connor (‘76) were on hand to welcome the new initiates into the fold, and the Eta Chapter back to Maryland; New Brothers Cameron Vollmuth (‘13) and Gavin Bedell (‘13) and their dates attempt line-dancing at the conclusion of the evening; “Ladies and Gentlemen, may I present the Eta Chapter of Phi Sigma Kappa”; Three Charters - the New Eta, the Eta Alumni Association, and the original Eta - on display for all to see; a rousing chorus of “When the Phi Sigs Come Back Home”...and they have; Amongst those seen warming up the dance floor were Eta Alumni Treasurer Peter J. Della-Croce and his guest, Robyn Butler.

See More Photos at the Eta Alumni Vault!

...now, you can share in the evening none of us will soon forget.

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You are Cordially Invited to View

A Celebration of the Return of the Eta Chapter of Phi Sigma Kappa to the College Park Campus of the University of Maryland Executive Producers: David B. Lloyd '51 William S. Mitchell, Jr. '51 Lary L. Acker '57 Philip R. Rever '63

James E. Allen '77 Robert G. Coffman '78 Dennis G. Phelan '80 Russell R. O'Haver '81 William Smith '81

Patrick L. McGeough '83 James V.Gilder '84 H. Christopher Malone '86 Glenn E. McNeelege '86

Special Thanks to: The Members of the Eta Alumni Association of Phi Sigma Kappa, for your support of the production of this film.

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From the Re-Chartering Chairman

RE-CHARTERING

How it All Went Down.

A behind-the-scenes look at Charter Night.

I

t feels as if it was just yesterday when we took over the responsibility of organizing Eta Chapter’s Re-Chartering. Both of us looked at each other and said, “So, what do we do?” This was the theme of our campaign – uncertainty. We were two college students without a clue as to how to prepare an event, let alone something of such magnitude. Nevertheless, with the help of our advisors and others, Eta Chapter is now chartered. March 12, 2011 is a day that will live in the memories of Phi Sigs everywhere. This is the story of the Re-Chartering of the Eta Chapter at the University of Maryland.

by Omer Ad (’12) & Gavin Bedell (‘13)

RSVP’s, envelopes, and stamps. Since I had just gotten back from winter break, the last thing I wanted to do was put together nine hundred invitations. However, after a week of doing this by myself, action had to be taken. In Monday’s meeting, I asked for ten members to come help me put them together that night. Without doubt, I had ten ablebodied men ready to lick and stamp our envelopes.

Our very own President Jay Gobeil had licked so many envelopes closed he was starting to get delirious and light-headed. At the end of the night, all invitations were done and ready for shipment. The day was February 1st, just a month and a half away from Chartering. This is when myself, Omer, Joe, John, and National Regional Coordinator Justin Linne began our weekly conference calls.

Complete with an action list almost three pages long, these calls were both productive and entertaining Joe’s poor moustache took a beating a couple times from Omer. Overall, these calls were the most important part of the event. They were a way for all parties to get on the same page to get things done. I found that it was the little things that were the toughest, things that would otherwise be overlooked until the night before.

“This was the theme of our campaign... ...uncertainty.”

Gavin: It was over Summer break 2010 when we began surveying the College Park area for the location of our event. Quickly, we found the perfect place, the Marriott Inn and Conference Center right in our own backyard. When we returned for the semester, I walked into a meeting to see two gentlemen with moustaches.

My initial reaction was, “Who brought Mario and Luigi?” Little did I know how influential and important these two men would be – Joe Criscuoli and John Wright. As President and Second Vice President of our Alumni Association, Joe and John were of immediate help. I went with them to the Marriott to canvas the building, and upon being forced to eat way too much to “try the food,” the location was set.

The next difficult process was sending out over nine hundred invitations. I remember sitting at the desk in my apartment with boxes and boxes of invites,

Easily the most difficult part of this process was my fruitless attempts to reserve us rooms for our test and initiation. Going through the Campus Reservations Office in The Stamp Student Union, I asked for available rooms with certain requirements. To my surprise, I was told there were no rooms to re (continued on page 28) Spring 2011

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How it All Went Down. (from page 39) serve on campus. I said to myself, “there have to be 6,000 rooms on this campus, and no one is available?” I went once or twice more to see if I could weasel myself into getting a room, but my attempts failed. For whatever reason they had a problem with working with me. This had the potential to be catastrophic. However, I used what contacts I had, Brother Dru Bagwell, and Grace Criscuoli, the First Lady of the Alumni Association, to find a loophole and get us the rooms we needed. Without these two, this event would not have been possible, and I thank them whole heartedly.

Omer

Did we mention uncertainty? Oh yeah, we did. In all honesty we got lucky. I took a lot of guesses when it came to financing the event, and luckily they worked out. Budget was an issue that was downplayed in conference calls with alums and in the group meetings, but it kept me up at night like a KD during Greek Week. The only experience I have with business and economics is from solving some differential equations for interest loans in one of my math classes. I was by no means an expert. But with the help of Dru Bagwell and the Mustache Twins (who I owe so much to for the incredible help and support), I think I excelled at making sure that the event remained within the budget and was as enjoyable as possible.

April 2010 Location: Bio-Psych Building (Executive Board Meeting) Reason: The Usual Colony Mumbo-Jumbo Adam Elbaz (VP):

“I put you down as our Chartering Chairman. I think it’s a good fit.”

Omer (Ex-Inductor): “Why? I thought I was supposed to be Athletics Chair.”

Well, that’s how my experience as Chartering Chairman began. Truth is, I had no idea what my job was, who I was supposed to contact, and what a budget was. After all, what in the world does a Chemistry major learn in college that is of value in the real word? Except for the fact that my career choice could leave me “wife-less” until my early 30’s, nothing. But there I was, in charge of an event for 250 people with a budget of over 18 grand….

For a moment I considered taking the money and running to Mexico. Then, I received a phone call from a new associate, Gavin Bedell. I knew Gavin fairly well, as he was already an associate for a month or so, but in the next year, we got a lot closer.

In his portion of this article, Gavin has thanked all of the people who worked so very hard to help and advise us throughout the process. So I would like to now take the time and thank Gavin, because without him, I would have been lost and this event would not nearly have been as memorable as it was.

Let’s fast forward to December 2010.

Location: FedEx Kinko’s Reason: Invitations Roshan Shah (Treasurer): “You spent that much on the invitations?!”

Omer (NOT the Athletics Chair): “Yeah, is that too much?”

Roshan Shah (Treasurer): “I don’t know…”

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March 12, 2010 Location: Check-in Table at UMUC Banquet Hall Reason: Re-Chartering!

Justin Linne (Mr. Awesome Advisor): “You nervous?”

Omer Ad (Nervous Wreck): “Understatement of the Century”

For those who haven’t met me (which is most of you), I have quite the mouth on me. I find myself a cross between Will Ferrell in Old School and Seth from Superbad. So the fact that I was going to MC the event did not really surprise anyone. In fact, I was happy to do it. I get to talk all night and not have to listen to our President, Jay Gobeil, deliver one of his state of the union addresses every time he takes the podium. But boy was I nervous! I even forgot to pick up my date before the event (do not worry, she made it…) This was a BIG DEAL for Gavin and me. In fact, it was a big deal for all of Eta and for PSK in general. As I was mumbling along making jokes and acting like a grown man, I realized I was one. This was a tremendous accomplishment that the 46 of us achieved. All of the recruiting, lack of socials, and 3 hour weekly meetings paid off. And we are DAMN PROUD. Conclusion: So there you have it. The story of how two mildly bright, but very attractive, members of the Eta Colony of Phi Sigma Kappa created a memorable event designed to celebrate our re-chartering. We learned a lot, had a good time and, most importantly, we completed the goals we set out to achieve.

Phi Sigma Kappa is back at Maryland, we are damn proud, and cannot wait to take over this campus once again!

ETA CHAPTER NEWS News Briefs from the Eta Chapter of Phi Sigma Kappa at the University of Maryland 4423 Lehigh Road

#725

College Park, MD 20740

Eta Chapter Elects New Officers for Fall 2010 Semester As a result of elections held on May 9th, the following men will lead the Eta Chapter this Fall: President Vice President Secretary Treasurer Sentinel Inductor Chapter Chairmen Alumni Athletics Away Weekend/Formal Brotherhood Chair Homecoming Chair Philanthropy/Comm. Svc. Recruitment

Jay Gobeil Gavin Bedell Logan Miller Cameron Vollmuth Omer Ad Chris Flood

Zach Gorrell Andrew Roberts Garret Lewis Justin Lewis Ryan Kief Joe Keenan Dom Cercone Doug Astler Will Glatz Brandon Madsen Charles Ng Adam Elbaz Nathan Blaker

The Eta Chapter has so many different examples of leadership because it has so many different leaders.

Scholarship Social Web Administrator IFC Representative Parliamentarian Public Relations Chair

Keaton Pavier Cameron Merriman Scott Hoffman Jon Shover Zach Boldyga Miraj Patel TBA Adam Elbaz Jared Lindenburg

Eta Colonists Hike and Study Along the C&O Canal

by Zach Gorrell, Eta Alumni Chairman Eleven of Eta’s finest took a hike one fine Saturday morning on the Billy Goat Trail, a 4.7 mile trail that follows the Potomac River and the C&O Canal. The hike was one of many brotherhood events undertaken by the members of the Eta Colony, and specifically designed as an opportunity to study for the chartering test. We spent the hike learning and reciting the greek alphabet, the Phi Sigma Kappa Creed, our founders, and many other things. At the end of the hike, a photo was taken of this memorable event.

Back Row (left to right): Zach Boldyga, Zach Gorrell, Nate Blaker, Ryan Kief, Scott Irace, Taylor Johnson, & Mark Matovich Front Row (left to right): Logan Miller, Eric Harvey, Brandon Madsen, and Keaton Pavier Spring 2011

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Eta Legacies Keeping Fraternity in the Family

Raymond Bounds ’14

Boyd I. Bounds ’57 Come Out and Meet the Active Chapter and Alumni Members at the

2nd Annual Alumni - Chapter Cookout at the Hoffman Ranch September 11, 2011

An RSVP is Required to Todd and Ann Hoffman to receive the location for this special event.

Call 301-989-1305 or Send an E-Mail to

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Spring 2011

Within the Eta Chapter there are two Brothers with last names that are familiar to the long list of Eta alumni. The first of these two legacies is Raymond Bounds ’14 (left, above). Raymond hails from Hockessin, Delaware and he attended Salesianuum High School in Wilmington, Delaware.

Raymond’s major is Aerospace Engineering. He joined the Eta Chapter in April and is now a rising sophomore. Raymond is the grandson of Boyd I. Bounds ‘57 (left, below). Boyd became a member of the Eta Alumni Association on October 8, 2010 and lives in Salisbury, Maryland with Shirley, his wife.

Our second legacy is actually our first. Scott Hoffman ‘13 (right, above) played an important part in the re-colonization of the Eta Chapter, serving as Alumni CoChair and twice as the Social Chairman for the Colony and Chapter. Scott attended Gonzaga College High School in Washington, D.C. and is majoring in Political Science at Maryland. His father, Todd B. Hoffman ‘82, (right, below) was the 34th alumni to join our association, and serves as Secretary on our Executive Committee. Todd is an Account Manager with Microsoft, is married to his college sweetheart, Ann (an alumni of Delta Gamma), and lives at the Hoffman Ranch in Silver Spring, Maryland.

Supplying potential legacies with information about Phi Sigma Kappa is a terrific way to “Keep Fraternity in the Family.” Please let us know if we can send any information to potential legacies as they make their way back to College Park this fall.

The THIRD DEGREE

Scott Hoffman ’13

Todd B. Hoffman ’82 Do you know a potential Legacy who might be interested in membership in the Eta Chapter of Phi Sigma Kappa?

If so, we’d like to know !

Fall Rush is coming soon and our Chapter would really appreciate any referrals from our Alumni Members Please Send an E-Mail to alumni@psk-eta.com with any suggestions you may have.

Members of Eta Chapter sent greetings and thanks to Dr. Howard T. Knobloch (‘33) shortly after they read about the oldest member of our alumni association in the last issue of “The THIRD DEGREE”.

Each of our undergraduate members receives a personal and complimentary copy of every issue of our magazine. This issue, like the last, has been mailed to the home addresses of our new Brothers and, we imagine, will also be read by members of their families - so, “Hi, Mom and Dad”.

Let it never be said that the members of Eta Chapter don’t have spirit. While your Editor was paid off handsomely to withhold the identity of the Brother sporting this unique haircut, that does not mean that Jon Shover (’11) (at left) would turn away a sizable offer for this information.

Cameron Vollmuth (’13) (at right) strikes the pose that begs a caption - and that leaves no doubt in the mind of Gavin Bedell (’13) (at left) and others as to whether Cameron enjoyed himself at the Eta Chapter’s Charter Night event.

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Help the Eta Chapter Continue to Grow The Eta Chapter now boasts 48 members. Take a moment to review this listing - if you know of a potential member for the Eta Chapter, perhaps someone from a hometown or a high school listed below, please let us know at alumni@psk-eta.com and we’ll forward the name to our Rush Chairman.

Name Abban, Derrick Ad, Omer Albright, Steve Alonso, Victor Andemicael, Philip Astler, Doug Bedell, Gavin Bhatia, Bunty Blaker, Nathan Boldyga, Zach Bounds, Raymond Bur, Sean Cercone, Dom Cowan, Matt Elbaz, Adam Flood, Chris Glatz, William Gobeil, Jay Gorrell, Zach Harvey, Eric Hobson, Marcus Hoffman, Scott Irace, Scott Johnson, Taylor

Grad. Major Hometown 2012 Government Columbia, MD Long Reach High School 2012 Chemistry N. Bethesda, MD Walter Johnson High School 2013 Letters & Sciences Woodstock, MD St. Paul’s School 2013 Kinesiology Silver Spring, MD Our Lady of Good Counsel 2013 Psychology Rockville, MD Rockville High School 2013 Aerospace Eng. Westlake, OH Westlake High School 2013 Markets & Society East Islip, NY East Islip High School 2013 Mechanical Eng. Frederick, MD Urbana High School 2011 Accounting Chapel Hill, NC Hidden Valley High School 2012 Computer Science Annapolis, MD Broadneck High School 2014 Aerospace Eng. Hockessin, DE Salesianuum High School (Wilmington, DE) 2012 Kinesiology Rockville, MD Gonzaga High School 2012 Biology Wexford, PA Central Catholic High School 2012 Art History Centreville, MD Queen Anne's County High School 2012 Mechanical Eng. Merrick, NY Sanford H. Calhoun High School 2013 Areospace Eng. Elkton, MD Salesianuum High School (Wilmington, DE) 2014 Biochemistry Rockville, MD Richard Montgomery High School 2012 International Bus. Kennebunk, ME Cheverus High School (Portland ME) 2012 Economics Ipswich, MA Ipswich High School 2012 Government Columbia, MD Long Reach High School 2013 Criminology LaPlata, MD North Point High School 2013 Political Science Silver Spring, MD Gonzaga High School 2014 Letters & Sciences Great River, NY East Islip High School 2012 Mktg. & Int’l. Bus. Rockville, MD Richard Montgomery High School

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Name Keenan, Joseph Kief, Ryan Lee, Jonathon Leikin, Ryan Lewis, Garrett Lewis, Justin Lindenberg, Jared Madsen, Brandon Magno, Benny Manski, Scott Matovich, Mark McCullough, Seth Megaw, Mark Merriman, Cameron Miller, Logan Monteil, Chris Ng, Charles Patel, Miraj Pavier, Keaton Roberts, Andrew Shah, Roshan Shover, Jonathon Struder, Eric Vollmuth, Cameron

Grad. Major Hometown 2014 Kinesiology Clark, NJ Arthur L. Johnson High School 2012 History Eden, MD Snow Hill High School 2013 Letters & Sciences Belle Mead, MD Montgomery High School 2012 Letters & Sciences Owings Mills, MD Jemicy High School 2012 Criminal Justice Camp Hill, PA Camp Hill High School 2012 Business Berlin, MD Stephen Decatur Senior High School 2012 Mktg. & Acctg.

Scotch Plains, NJ Scotch Plains - Fanwood High School 2014 Biology West Windsor, NJ West Windsor North High School 2012 Journalism Gaithersburg, MD Gaithersburg High School 2012 General Biology Reisterstown, MD Beth T’filoh Dahan Community School 2012 Environmental Sci. Adamstown, MD Tuscarora High School 2013 Civil Engineering Denton, MD North Caroline High School 2013 Comm. & Econ.

Wayne, PA Radnor High School 2013 Physics & Astron. Marydel, MD North Caroline High School 2013 History Egg Harbor, NJ Egg Harbor Township High School 2011 Biological Sciences Sykesville, MD Century High School 2012 BioChemistry Perry Hall, MD Perry Hall High School 2012 Neurobio.& Physiol. East Meadow, NY James M. Bennett High School 2013 Mechanical Eng. Ocean City, MD Stephen Decatur Senior High School 2012 Fire Prot. Eng. Perry Hall, MD Perry Hall High School 2012 Biology Rutherford, NJ Rutherford High School 2011 Marketing Camp Hill, PA Camp Hill High School 2014 History Mount Airy, MD South Carroll High School 2013 Accounting Great River, NY East Islip High School

ALUMNI CHAIRMAN

From the Alumni Chairman

Our Success?

It’s all about Leadership.

T

his semester has been both the most rewarding semester and the most challenging semester in our past two years as a colony and now chapter. During the transition from a colony to a chapter, we participated in our first Greek Week, educated our first class of new members, conducted our first initiation, and developed a new member education plan that will govern how our fraternity develops new members for years to come. All of these challenges, in addition to many others, were accomplished with great success due to the leadership and hard work of our Brothers. They deserve to be acknowledged, and you probably want to meet them. The following Brothers represent a small sample of the many Brothers who have contributed to our chapter's successes.

by Zach Gorrell ‘12

vast amount of work he has put in over the last year, planning and organizing our chartering event.

Gavin Bedell Gavin is from East Islip, NY, and is a junior economics major. Gavin worked with Omer as a cochairman of chartering, putting in a large amount of time to ensure that our chartering event was something we'd never forget. Gavin is also a new member of our executive board having been elected for the position of Vice President.

“...the most rewarding and most challenging semester in our past two years…”

Leaders of Phi Sigma Kappa Ryan Keif Ryan is a history major from Eden, MD, and is a senior. He has held many positions over these past two years, including inductor for the last two semesters. Ryan has not only prepared the entire fraternity for our final examination prior to chartering, but he is also our first inductor to educate associate members, a daunting task that he handled with great care and diligence.

Omer Ad Omer is a senior chemistry major from North Bethesda, MD. He was elected to be our Sentinel for the upcoming semester, which is a testament to the

Chris Flood Chris is from Elkton, MD, attended Salesianuum High School, and is a junior majoring in aerospace engineering. Chris, along with input and help from Ryan and Dru Bagwell, developed our new member education program that was voted into place by the chapter. Chris will be implementing this plan next semester as our chapter's Inductor.

Brandon Madsen Brandon is a sophomore biology major from West Windsor, NJ. He has been selected to be our Recruitment Chair for the upcoming semester, which will be an extremely important position for the chapter.

Scott Manski Scott is a senior general biology major from Reisterstown, MD. Scott has excelled as Community Service Chair over the last several semesters.

Scott's work has resulted in our chapter mandating (continued on page 46) Spring 2011

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It’s all about Leadership.

The Future

(cont. from page 45)

As we look ahead to next semester and the semesters that follow that, our chapter has several goals to strive for. Obtaining a chapter house is one of our primary goals, as living together will not only enhance the brotherhood in the chapter but also simplify fraternity operations. Recruitment is another area our fraternity will continue to focus on.

While we have successfully gotten to around 50 active brothers, and our goal for the upcoming year will be to expand to over 65, rivaling many of the other fraternities on campus. Finally, our chapter wishes to continue to promote brotherhood, stimulate scholarship, and develop character, just as we have been doing and as we will continue to do.

Fifteen hours of community service for every brother every semester. One of Scott's accomplishments has been contacting the Red Cross to ensure that Phi Sigma Kappa will sponsor three of their blood drives every semester.

Cam Vollmuth Cam is a junior accounting major from Great River, NY. Cam served as our Greek Week Chair, leading our chapter through our first experience with the week-long event. He was also elected to serve as our Treasurer for the upcoming academic calendar.

Jon Shover Jon is a senior from Camp Hill, PA, and will be graduating at the end of the fall semester with a degree in marketing. Jon is the founder of the football season button sales our chapter has and will continue to be doing. More recently, Jon has been our Social Chair, coordinating our first semi-formal as well as several other social events with both greek organizations and club sports teams.

Logan Miller Logan is a junior history major from Egg Harbor Township, NJ. Logan has served as our Secretary and will continue to be our Secretary for the fall semester. Logan has set up and organized a variety of different communication tools for the chapter, including getting our chapter an official mailing address.

Andrew Roberts Andrew is a senior from Perry Hall, MD whose major is fire protection engineering. Andrew created the chartering petition, which national headquarters said was one of the best chartering petitions they had ever received. Andrew has also been our Recruitment Chair this semester, helping to recruit many of our new Brothers.

Roshan Shah Rosh is from Rutherford, NJ, and is a senior biology major. He has served as our Treasurer since our initial association two years ago. The position has many challenges and difficulties and Rosh has done an excellent job handling our finances and ensuring that all of our chapter fees are paid in a timely manner.

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(L to R) Top Row: Brothers Leif, Ad, & Bedell; 2nd Row: Flood, Madsen, & Manski; 3rd Row: Vollmuth, Shover, & Miller; 4th Row: Roberts and Shah.

Help the Eta Chapter to Grow Eta Alumni can help to build our Chapter by keeping their eyes and ears open for students headed to, or heading back to, College Park this fall...and every semester.

Supplying potential members, especially legacies, with information about membership in Phi Sigma Kappa is a terrific way to build our active membership - and help to build our future alumni association. Please let us know if we can send any information about Phi Sigma Kappa to potential members as they make their way, or way back, to College Park this fall by writing to Alumni@PSK-Eta.com

GOT PHOTOS ?

Finally, there’s a place for all your photos from your days as a Phi Sig! If you have scanned images you’d like to share, just put them on a CD and mail them to us. If you have photos you’d like to share, but no scanner in sight, mail them to us and we’ll scan them! Either way, you can contribute to the growing photo vault being created by the Eta Alumni Association.

Be sure to visit from time to time to see what we’ve added to

The Executive Committee of the Eta Alumni Association of Phi Sigma Kappa ...your Alumni Association

http://EtaAlumniVault.smugmug.com Spring 2011

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ETA ALUMNI ASSOCIATION. . . . . .

COMMAND AND CONTROL DISPLAY . . .

FLASH TRANSMISSION//////////////// Directive: Initiate Phase 2 Goal: Return the Eta Chapter of Phi Sigma Kappa to its rightful place on Fraternity Row. Timeline: Highest Priority Strategy:

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Campaign Chairmen: James E. Allen ‘77 Drury G. Bagwell ‘64 Wayne H. Bethards ‘59 Lance J. Billingsley ‘61 Terry J. Billingsley ‘63

Joseph E. Criscuoli ‘82 Peter J. Della-Croce ‘99 Bruce L. Gordon ‘79 Todd B. Hoffman ‘82

H. Christopher Malone ‘86 Patrick L. McGeough ‘83 Phillip R. Rever ‘63 John J. B. Wright, Esq. ‘82 Francis P. Zurmuhlen ‘53

Dear Eta Brother,

Co-Sponsored by:

Several months ago, in anticipation of the receipt our new Charter, plans were put into motion to move the Eta Alumni Association forward into “Phase 2,” raising the funds needed to secure a Chapter House on Fraternity Row. With the help of the Division of Student Affairs at the University of Maryland, we created “Six Columns: The Capital Campaign to Benefit the Eta Chapter of Phi Sigma Kappa.”

In College Park, on March 12th, over two hundred people in attendance at our Re-Chartering event heard a group of Phi Sigs recite the Phi Sigma Kappa Creed, beginning with the words, "In the firm conviction that my Fraternity demands of me a life of Faith and Purpose....".

Eta Alumni Association of Phi Sigma Kappa 12806 Silverbirch Lane Laurel, MD 20708 301-206-5472 alumni@psk-eta.com www.alumni.psk-eta.com

On March 18th, acting on the sense of purpose proclaimed just six days earlier, we mailed to all our alumni an attractive brochure, along with a cover letter and Gift Form, describing the fund in detail.

Since that time, the members of the Executive Committee of the Eta Alumni Association and Phil Rever (‘63) have been actively involved in fund-raising activities. The results of their efforts, and the generosity of those with whom we have spoken, have been simply outstanding.

Eta Housing Corporation of Phi Sigma Kappa 15117 Old Columbia Pike Burtonsville, MD 20866 301-476-9479

When you look back at your time as an undergraduate at the University of Maryland, you can recall friendship, education, growth and experiences that have shaped you throughout your life. Now you can give back to the fraternity that has been such an important part of our life, and help to return our chapter to its rightful place on the College Park campus, with your generous tax deductible* contribution to “Six Columns: the Capital Campaign to Benefit the Eta Chapter of Phi Sigma Kappa.”

The next few pages will bring you up to date on our Capital Campaign. We look forward to speaking with you during the next few weeks, and we thank you in advance for your anticipated support of our efforts.

Division of Student Affairs Office of Fraternity & Sorority Life 8400 Baltimore Ave., Suite 200 College Park, MD 20740 301-314-7918 TEL 301-314-0222 FAX www.StudentAffairsGiving.umd.edu

Joseph E. Criscuoli President Eta Alumni Association

John J. B. Wright, Esq ‘82 President Eta Housing Corporation

* Gifts in support of the University of Maryland are accepted and managed by the University of Maryland College Park Foundation Inc., an affiliated 501c(3) organization authorized by the Board of Regents. Gifts are tax deductible as allowed by law. Please consult your tax advisor.

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Our Campaign - by the Numbers

65 Pledges Received To-Date

$50,200 Raised To-Date

90 Days of Active Fund-Raising (06/18/11)

$50,000

$267,300.00

Buy-In Fee Required by the University of Maryland

Still To Be Raised So We Can Outfit a New House on the Row

45 Opportunities for Naming Rights

864 “Six Columns” Brochures, Cover Letters and Gift Forms Mailed to Eta Alumni

Ready to Make Your Gift?

799 Pledges Still to Go

Need an Official “Six Columns” Gift Form? Get one TODAY by sending an E-Mail to Alumni@PSK-Eta.com

CONTRIBUTE ONLINE at http://SixColumns.umd.edu 50

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HOUSING CORP.

REPORT ON THE CORPORATION

A

by John J. B. Wright, Esq. ‘82

To ensure that Eta continues, and remains, as "Maryland's First and Finest", we must obtain a home for the chapter. The active Brothers, our undergraduate members, are an excellent group of men - as all who attended the re-chartering event can attest. They are committed to reaching a membership of over 60 members during the upcoming school year. They have the third highest GPA of all Fraternities: 3.34. Their goal is to be the best fraternity at the University of Maryland. Only a ...my experiences chapter house can promote the level of brotherhood, leadership and in the fraternity growth that will produce and sustain house have made a fraternity of our high standards.

s the President of the Eta Housing Corporation of Phi Sigma Kappa, I feel a little like "an Admiral in the Swiss Navy". I am, however, honored to hold this position and excited to see the day when we are managing a new Chapter House.

Our goal, given the history of Eta, is to put Eta Chapter back in a Fraternity House on Fraternity Row, with #7 being our prize. Conversations with officials at the University of Maryland indicate that they support our goals and ensure us that they are obtainable. We hope to be on the Row within a year and, if not in #7 initially, back in #7 eventually.

me who I am today...and I want others to have that experience.

Eta Chapter has accomplished so much over the last two years. From having no presence on the campus of the University of Maryland to now boasting a chartered chapter of over 45 men. From having no operating Alumni Association to one having over 300 members, making us the largest Alumni Association for Phi Sigma Kappa in the Nation. These are truly great accomplishments in which we all can take great pride.

But these cannot be our only accomplishments. Eta, the first fraternity at the University of Maryland, existed for over 100 years before being disbanded.

We must all strive and give our support to our fraternity to ensure that it will continue, successfully, for the next 100 years.

There are many reasons that clamor for your support and contributions towards our efforts towards obtaining a chapter house. All of you, by now, should have received materials requesting your support of the Six Columns Capital Campaign and listing many of the reasons you should contribute. If I know Joe Criscuoli, our talented Editor-in-Chief, there will be a listing of "Links" at the end of this article that will allow you to view these materials again.

For me, my association with Phi Sigma Kappa, my sense of brotherhood with Eta Chapter and my experiences in the fraternity house have made me who I am today. I benefited greatly from my time in the Chapter and I want others to have that opportunity and experience. I want them to be able to build a chapter that I can take pride in, and in turn, thereby (continued on page 52) Spring 2011

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REPORT ON THE CORPORATION (cont. from page 51) Be proud of my membership as an Eta Alumni. I selfishly want a chapter house as a symbol of the bonds I have with other alumni and as a focal point where we all can gather to renew those bonds, when visiting our University.

Please take a moment to again review the Capital Campaign materials sent to you, or navigate the links below. Please remember your days in the Fraternity House and what it meant to you (just don't hold all the memories against us). Think about what your friendships with your fraternity Brothers have given you over the years. Help us to put Eta Chapter back into a fraternity house on Fraternity Row.

SIX COLUMNS

Wall of Donors

(through 06/17/11)

J. Edward Thomas David B. Lloyd Francis P. Zurmuhlen Allen J. Krowe Philip R. Lamb James E. Starnes James E. Kenkel Robert C. Cooke Allyn H. Myers Robert O. Whiteley Lary L. Acker As any good Admiral in the Swiss Navy would say, Thomas O. Nichols “Anchors Aweigh!”

Robert G. Pemberton Joseph D. Brown Thank You. John W. Dorsey, Jr. Stewart C. Bushong Wayne H. Bethards Fraternally Yours, John M. Capants Thomas J. Morgan John J. Humbert, III John R. Wicklein Robert M. Payne Lance W. Billingsley John J. B. Wright Richard M. Johnston President J. Hill Eta Housing Corporation James Phillip A. Cole of Phi Sigma Kappa Warren B. Wimer, Esq. William B. Binch Leslie David Young LINKS 4 U Philip R. Rever Terry J. Billingsley Review the materials mailed on March 18, 2011: John R. Tydings http://tinyurl.com/SixColumns William F. Funk Russell T. Aaronson Make a contribution to the "Six Columns" fund online: Thomas V. "Mike" Miller http://sixcolumns.umd.edu Adrian G. Teel Walter E. Laake, Jr. Learn more about Naming Rights: John P. Smith http://tinyurl.com/EtaNamingRights Make a donation to the Eta Housing Corporation: http://tinyurl.com/EtaHousingCorp Join, Renew your Membership or Give the Gift of Membership in the Eta Alumni Association: http://alumni.psk-eta.com (to the right you will see a "Donate" icon please click on this icon)

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1945 1951 1953 1954 1954 1955 1955 1956 1956 1956 1957 1957 1958 1958 1958 1958 1959 1959 1959 1959 1959 1960 1961 1961 1961 1961 1962 1962 1962 1963 1963 1963 1963 1963 1964 1964 1965 1965

Albert W. Zahaniser, III 1965 Robert C. Mister 1966 Joseph E. Smith, Jr. 1966 James D. Reese 1967 William H. Brewster 1968 James C. Hyatt 1969 Edward P. Becker 1970 Claude A. Bogley 1970 James E. Allen 1977 Bruce L. Gordon 1979 Russell R. O'Haver 1981 Harry L. Geller 1981 Joseph E. Criscuoli 1982 Todd B. Hoffman 1982 John J. B. Wright 1982 Patrick L. McGeough 1983 Jim H. Fields, Esq. 1985 H. Christopher Malone 1986 Robert P. Lamolinara 1986 Robert M. Troyano 1986 John H. Parsons 1987 Etan Z. Gopstein 1992 Eric G. Madden 1994 Joseph A. Campanella III 1997 Peter J. Della-Croce 1999 and Carol Joan Folio In Memory of Dr. William Franklin ‘54 Dr. Anthony Fusaro Phi Sigma Kappa Court of Honor

We’d like to add your name to this list in the next issue of “The THIRD DEGREE”

A

P U B L I C

S E R V I C E

M E S S A G E

Consider it a Challenge...

Several of our Members have asked if they could join together in a group gift to the “Six Columns” campaign in order to secure the naming rights to one of the 45 such opportunities we’ve established.

Naming rights can be a terrific way for any group, from two Brothers to a Pledge Class, to an entire decade, to establish a legacy in, or on, our new Chapter House. Consider making a challenge...like this one:

“I would like all of the past Presidents to join together in a group gift to the campaign with a goal of securing the naming rights to one of the columns. The naming rights for one column are $20,000. There are 49 living past Presidents of Eta Chapter, 37 of which have joined the Alumni Association. If we all contribute, such will go a long way towards the goal of obtaining a home for our fraternity.”

Jim Fields ‘85

May 17th Letter to Past Chapter Presidents

3 Group Challenges Currently in Place Send Your Pledge Challenge to Alumni@PSK-Eta.com and We’ll Make it Part of Our Next E-Mail to All Alumni!

SAVE THE

WOLVES They hunt as a pack, they’re efficient and they’re effective. Together, they form a truly remarkable and invincible team. But, this is a pack of wolves you need not fear.

Shown above, in a rare photo from the archives of the National Geographic Society, are the members of the Executive Committee of the Eta Alumni Association of Phi Sigma Kappa. In their spare time, they’re responsible for building our alumni association, for meeting our goal of 400 paid members in 2011, and for membership renewals for “Year 2” of operations of your alumni association. They’re also responsible, along with Phil Rever (’63), for fundraising for “Six Columns - the Capital Campaign to Benefit the Eta Chapter of Phi Sigma Kappa”.

SAVE THE

WOLVES FROM BEING FORCED TO CALL YOU ON EVENINGS AND WEEKENDS RENEW

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53

WANTED net·work·ing [net-wur-king] - noun 1. a supportive system of sharing information and services among individuals and groups having a common interest: Eta Alumni members use networking to help themselves to stay in touch..

On our website, we have a list of Lost Brothers - we call it our “Wanted” List.

Please click on the link shown below and lend us a hand.

Eta Alumni Association of Phi Sigma Kappa

Eta Alumni Association of Phi Sigma Kappa

www.Alumni.psk-eta.com

P! L HE

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!!

As we enter “Year 2” your Alumni Association is in serious need of volunteer support to assist in a number of areas necessary to the efficient operation of our group. If you have even the smallest amount of time to provide assistance to our Executive Committee, we’d like to hear from you. Just send us a quick e-mail, Subject: ‘Volunteering”, to alumni@psk-eta.com Thanks!

Our Editor Could Use a Break…

On the Internet at www.alumni.psk-net.com

The Eta Alumni Association of Phi Sigma Kappa ...your Alumni Association.

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Publishing is an ugly business...just take a look at our Editor, here. But you can help to tell our story by writing an article for “The THIRD DEGREE” Got an idea? Think you can write? Why not pitch in and help us to stay on deadline. Our Editor was a bit late getting this issue out the door. Hey, take a look outside, does it look like “Spring” to you? Midway through this issue he had to enter rehab...again. Send your story idea to Alumni@PSK-Eta.com and help to give our Editor a break...hey, if you’re game we’ll even let you pick which leg. Seriously.

A Very Special Thanks for a Job Well Done to Our Eta Chapter Advisors Dr. Drury G. Bagwell Recruitment Advisor

Drew Cameron (‘89) Risk Management Advisor

Chris McBeth (‘02) Chapter Advisor

Tim Vojtasko Member Development Advisor

Michael Williams Financial Advisor

Dr. Terry York Zacker Faculty Advisor

Your guidance, leadership and volunteer spirit are an inspiration to us all.

Your contributions to Eta, as a Colony and now as a Chapter, can never be repaid in full.

Breaking News & About Us & To Our Alumni & Events & Contribute & Media/ Gallery & Contact Us & The THIRD DEGREE & Links & Events & Contribute & Media/ Gallery & Breaking News & About Us & To Our Alumni & Contact Us & The THIRD DEGREE & Links Breaking News & About Us & To Our Alumni & Events & Contribute & Media/ Gallery & Contact Us & The THIRD DEGREE & Links

A Place for All Your Photos from Your Days as a Phi Sig! If you have scanned images you’d like to share, just put them on a CD and mail them to us. If you have photos you’d like to share, but no scanner in sight, mail them to us and we’ll scan them! Either way, you can contribute to the growing photo archive being created by the Eta Alumni Association.

Be sure to visit from time to time to see what we’ve added to Spring 2011

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.

Memories Linger On In..

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Maryland Ranked 5th Best Value in Public Education

by Kiplinger's In-state, out-of-state -- University of Maryland a "stellar education at an affordable price" College Park, Md. -- The University of Maryland has continued its impressive rise in Kiplinger's Personal Finance magazine's annual ranking of the 100 Best Values in Public Colleges -- ranking 5th among four -year institutions for providing outstanding education at an affordable price. This is a significant rise from 8th place in 2010; 9th in 2009; and 28th in 2008. Equally impressive is Maryland's 6th place ranking for out -of-state value. The university advanced from 11th in 2010.

According to the magazine, "Maryland has held the line on costs, keeping the total for in-state students to $19,040 (tuition, room, board and books), only a few hundred dollars over last year's cost. The school's proximity to Washington, D.C., its engineering and journalism programs, and its top athletic program are among the strengths that keep Maryland on a winning streak."

University of Maryland President Wallace Loh noted, "We are pleased to be recognized nationally for what our students and prospective students, and their families, have long known: Renowned academic programs, amazing out-of-classroom experiences, and affordable cost provide a value that is quite hard to beat."

Maryland was selected from a pool of more than 500 public four-year colleges and universities. The magazine ranked each according to academic quality, including admission and retention rates, student-faculty ratios and four- and six-year graduation rates, as well as on cost and financial aid. The annual public school rankings appear in Kiplinger's February issue and are available online.

"Despite rising tuition costs, there are still many first-rate institutions providing outstanding academics at an affordable price," said Janet Bodnar, editor of Kiplinger's. "Schools like these on the Kiplinger 100 list prove graduates can enter the workforce with a great education -and without a huge cloud of debt."

During the past year, Maryland has received significant recognition by several other national publications, including The Wall Street Journal and Newsweek. The WSJ ranked the university 8th in its 2010 listing of Top Recruiter Picks -- praising Maryland's focus on teaching practical skills, plentiful pipeline of graduates, and eagerness to forge corporate partnerships. And Newsweek Education named Maryland to the 15th spot on its 2010 list of Most Desirable Large Campuses.

No, they’re not from Dr. Rorschach...

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

They’re called QR codes. A QR code (abbreviation for Quick Response code) is a specific matrix barcode (or two-dimensional code) that is readable by dedicated QR barcode readers and camera telephones. The code consists of black modules arranged in a square pattern on a white background. The information encoded may be text, URL, or other data.

Although initially used for tracking parts in vehicle manufacturing, QR codes now are used in a much broader context, including both commercial tracking applications and convenience-oriented applications aimed at mobile phone users (termed mobile tagging). QR codes may be used to display text to the user, to add a vCard contact to the user's device, to open a Uniform Resource Identifier (URI), or to compose

an e-mail or text message. Users can generate and print their own QR codes for others to scan and use by visiting one of several free QR code generating sites.

QR codes storing addresses and Uniform Resource Locators (URLs) may appear in magazines, on signs, buses, business cards, or almost any object about which users might need information. Users with a camera phone equipped with the correct reader application can scan the image of the QR code to display text, contact information, connect to a wireless network, or open a web page in the telephone's browser.

And you thought we just wrote about fraternity stuff...

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Chapter

Eternal

The Executive Committee regrets to report that the following Brothers of Eta Chapter have entered the Chapter Eternal since the publication of the last issue of The THIRD DEGREE, and ask that you join us in prayers for our departed Brothers and their families.

Gabriele, John F. ‘75 Harris, Paul E. ‘62

Hart, Vernon T. ‘43 Knobloch, Howard T. ‘33 Ludlow, Francis W. ‘37

Mesmer, Martin J. ‘68 Richter, Frederick F. ‘63

A complete listing of the Brothers of Eta Chapter who have entered the Chapter Eternal is available on our website. Please provide any updates or corrections to this list to Wayne Bethards, via e-mail at waynebethards@comcast.net or via U.S. Mail addressed to 10521 Morning Wind Lane, Columbia, MD 21044-2416, or via phone at 410-730-2173.

An Heirloom Returned Mrs. Karena Schreiner Clemes 1941 Watson Road Owings, MD 20736-9720

February 18, 2011

Dear Karena, It was a pleasure to speak with you this morning and, as promised, I will be mailing to you your Father's University of Maryland Class Ring.

As we discussed, during a visit to campus a few months ago I had been given a Class Ring, with the letters of our fraternity encrusted in the stone of the ring, by Mr. Matthew Supple, Director of the Department of Fraternity and Sorority Life at the University of Maryland. With only the Class Year (1957) and three initials inscribed on the inside of the ring (GNS) we established that the ring was indeed your Father's and, sadly, that he had passed away. Acting on my request for assistance, Mr. Ari Kroop and Mr. James Rychner, of the University of Maryland Department of Student Affairs, used a number of research methodologies in order to locate Brother Schreiner's family, such that I could contact you this morning and attempt to return this article to his heirs. As you know from my call, our collective efforts reached a successful conclusion this morning.

Once more, please accept my condolences, however belated, upon the passing of your Father and our Brother.

I am hopeful that possession of his class ring will bring to you and your family fond memories of times gone by, as well as an appreciation for his affiliation with the University of Maryland and Phi Sigma Kappa Fraternity. If I may be of any further service to you, I hope that you will feel free to call upon me at your earliest convenience.

Thanks again for speaking with me, Joseph E. Criscuoli President Eta Alumni Association of Phi Sigma Kappa

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Howard Thomas Knobloch It is with great sorrow that we learned that Dr. Howard T. Knobloch (‘33) passed away on April 3, 2011. Dr. Knobloch graduated from the University of Maryland, and became an alumni of the Eta Chapter of Phi Sigma Kappa, 78 years ago. On November 10, 2010, he became the 198th member of the Eta Alumni Association of Phi Sigma Kappa.

At the time of his passing Brother Knobloch was 99 years young, and was also the senior-most member of our alumni association.

Brother Knobloch was the 421st member of Eta Chapter to sign our Roll Book. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree on Saturday, June 3, 1933 during Graduation Exercises for the Baltimore and College Park Divisions that began at 3:30 p.m. and were held in Ritchie Coliseum. He returned to College Park, and Ritchie Coliseum, to obtain a Doctorate in Medicine (with Honors) from the University of Maryland on June 6, 1936. For over 60 years he practiced medicine in his hometown of Bay City, Michigan.

Brother Knobloch completed his Alumni Data Sheet in his own hand, indicating that he had retired just ten years ago. It was just five years ago, at the age of 95, that the good doctor decided to change careers, becoming an author. Dr. Knobloch published his 339 page autobiography "An American Pediatrician's Odyssey: My Life and Memoirs Composed at Nine Decades." His book was featured in the “By Alumni” section of the Fall 2008 issue of Terp Magazine, and is available for purchase on Amazon.com.

Howard Thomas Knobloch was born in Trafford, Pennsylvania, to Margaret Haines Knobloch, 18, and Howard Harrer Knobloch, 25, a factory worker.

One of his first experiences was surviving the flu epidemic of 1917. At high school in Greensburg, PA, he specialized in English, was sports editor of his high school newspaper and participated in the usual teenage high jinks of the 1920s. He entered the University of Maryland at College Park, taking a pre-med course.

Brother Knobloch was also partially responsible for the original Testudo. “After the stock market crash of 1929, our class had no money for a class gift.” So

Eta Class of 1933 the Class of 1933 went to President Byrd for his approval to name an official mascot. With Byrd’s blessing, the class donated the original bronze diamondback terrapin. “It took three days to bring the live turtle up the East Coast for the mold, but it worked out beautifully,” said Knobloch.

Completing medical school in 1935, he interned at the Maryland TB Sanitarium at Sabillasville and Union Memorial Hospital in Baltimore, gaining his M.D. degree in 1936. Deciding to specialize in pediatrics, he interned at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and then the University of Michigan Hospital, Ann Arbor, and, finally, was chief resident at the James Couzens Children's Hospital, in Marquette, Michigan.

In his book, Dr. Knobloch described the years from 1930 to 2000 as "The Golden Age of Medicine”.

"Like firemen, we were on call 24 hours a day and ready for all medical demands at a moment's notice.

As long as we had the bare necessities of life, we were content and did not strive to build up an empire of wealth. Honesty, loyalty, kindness, and faith in human nature were our prime values."

However, toward the end of that time his practice dwindled and was increasingly under pressure from the bureaucratic forces that plague many physicians.

Dr. Knobloch taught pediatrics to University of Michigan interns at Saginaw hospitals for about 15 years. He was elected Associate Clinical Professor of Pediatrics at Michigan State University College of Human Medicine in 1982 and was named "Michigan Pediatrician of the Year" in 1996.

The Eta Alumni Association was honored to profile Brother Knobloch in the Winter 2010 edition of this magazine. When reached by phone just weeks before his death, Brother Knobloch expressed great joy at the news that the Eta Chapter was returning to the University of Maryland and, a true “Phi Sig for Life”, he looked forward to viewing a copy of the video recording of the event.

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Martin J. Mesmer Marty Mesmer died of cancer on February 8, 2011.

Marty was a Phi Sig at the Eta house, my pledge brother and roommate. Marty was also a loving husband and father, active and loved in his community, prosperous in his work, and a friend to everyone who he met. I was able to spend time with Marty and his family before he died, and remember and laugh over old times. As always, the stories got better with age. Marty was very courageous and told me that he was ready to die.

We have all met Marty even if we haven’t been in his presence. We have seen his charm and wit and persona portrayed by many actors in many movies, Animal House, Old School and Hangover come readily to mind. Marty was born with the ability to appear and to act 21 years old when he was just 12, a skill that endeared him to many of the Brothers at the time. Many Brothers looked to Marty as the “keeper of the cool enough seal of approval” and without his seal of approval you just really weren’t happening. He was the credential that said you belonged. Easy going, kind, laid back, quick to offer a hand and always looking for the fun in life he became known to most of us as Chicks. His favorite color was Madras and you could see him wear it any Thursday night at the Rendezvous Inn where Marty and most of the Brothers were hanging out with the 21 year old poser drinking twenty six cent draughts. Asking Marty the usual “what’s happening” opening line was always met with the beer shifting to his left hand with a borrowed cigarette in it and the smooth move of the right hand to check the collar button while he replied “Chicks, Chillies, Good Times”.

After Marty got out of the hospital, I called to set up a visit at his home. I asked Marty if I could bring anything and he said he didn’t need anything where he is going. He was grateful for all of the wonderful people he has known in his life. During my visit Marty was in great spirits and of course nothing held him back from telling great stories of past exploits punctuated by his signature laugh.

Marty and I had a third roommate, Jimmy Myers, and we were in the large third floor room, on the right in the back at No 7. Jim and I visited together and we told great stories about the days when the 60

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Eta Class of 1968 three of us were roommates. Stories such as: Regularly cutting class due to overcast (there was a war on), our GPA combined together one semester (maybe due to overcast), Hood College raids, Camp Roosevelt on the Chesapeake, dateless night on Yom Kippur and more. Marty laughed his usual as each story was recalled.

Marty’s wife Elaine handled all of the care management and was holding up as the true champion that she is. Elaine managed to have Marty checked for eligibility for a clinical trial at Johns Hopkins University Hospital, through the efforts of Jimmy Myers who has significant contacts in the medical community.

After Marty returned from Hopkins I spoke with him and he told me to come over to visit because he would be home for a couple of weeks, in good humor, typical of Marty. Elaine mentioned how Marty was tired from too much partying and Marty said that there is no such thing as too much partying, again typical of Marty. Marty was at peace.

Marty had plenty of friends and family around. Two sons, Mike and Mark, and a daughter. Katie. were always attentive. Marty’s brothers and sister visited as often as they could and Elaine’s brother, Pete, was always helping with Marty’s care. Lifelong friends and business partners came to visit.

Marty was an athlete, loved sports, and coached many of the youth sports teams in his community.

Marty played basketball for the House intramural team and he is shown as the second from the left in the first row in the team picture on the facing page.

It was a privilege to have known Marty Mesmer in my life and an even greater privilege to spend time with him through the final days of his illness. We will always miss Marty and he certainly left the world a better place.

- Denis J. King ‘68

The Eta Chapter Basketball Team - 1966

Front Row (left to right): Harvey J. Gannon (’69)*, Martin J. “Marty” Mesmer (’68)†, Francis N. “Bones” Denvir (’68), Robert L. “Bobby” “Charmer” Charmella (’68), and Elwood V. “Woody” Stark (’65)* Back Row (left to right): Thomas W. Arata (’65)*, Michael R. Hoch (’69), William D. "Blonde Bill" Palmer (’68), Michael W. “Jerry” Burke (’64), Charles F. "Tuna" Trayers (’68), Matthew "Mo" Arbutina (‘65), and Bruce Springer (Referee and Terrapins Football player). * Members of the Eta Alumni Association of Phi Sigma Kappa † Deceased





Those who would like to prepare a tribute to a Brother of Eta Chapter who has entered the Chapter Eternal may submit content for publication in The THIRD DEGREE via e-mail to alumni@psk-eta.com or via U.S. Mail addressed to 12806 Silverbirch Lane, Laurel, MD 20708.

Manuscripts and photographs are submitted at the sender’s risk.

Please enclose a self-addressed, stamped envelope for return of materials.

Submission of material implies a right to edit and publish all or in part.

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When speed and accuracy are required, there’s only one team to call.

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Joe Criscuoli ‘82 Vice President

301.206.5472

jcriscuoli@epicolorspace.com

Photo Credits

Don’t Make Us Come After You... 

Renew your membership for 2011-2012*



Make your contribution to the “Six columns” fund



become a Mentor to an Undergraduate



help with Alumni Recruiting



help with Undergraduate Recruiting



Help to put on or sponsor an Alumni Event



Send in an idea for an Alumni Event



Write a Feature Article for “The THIRD DEGREE”



assist with “six columns” Fundraising



research some of our Lost Brothers



Visit our website and our image vault



Check our List of Members - if your Big Brother and Little Brother(s) aren’t on the list, contact them and let them know about this magazine and how they need to join our association yesterday.

...Tank You Velly Much! * There’s an excellent chance that if membership renewals meet our budgets, that our next issue of “The THIRD DEGREE” will be more colorful than this public service message. We’re just saying...

Front Cover: Thai Nguyen Inside Front Cover: Grace M. Criscuoli Page 2: Courtesy of Todd B. Hoffman Page 3: John Wright by Joseph Criscuoli Page 4: Grace M. Criscuoli Page 5: Courtesy of the Maryland Historical Society Page 6: Courtesy of James E. Allen Pages 14 & 15: Courtesy of the Subjects except: Eric Vinson and Lefty - Courtesy of Doug Straub; Dr. Howard T. Knobloch and Anne S. K. Turkos - Courtesy of Melissa K. Meder Page 17: Jessica MacLeod Courtesy of UMTV / Capital News Service Page 18: Courtesy of Bob Pemberton Page 19: Courtesy of Jonathan Esler Page 20: Courtesy of James E. Allen Page 26: All images by Grace M. Criscuoli except upper left - Courtesy of Wayne Bethards Pages 27 - 33: Thai Nguyen Page 35: All images by Thai Nguyen except lower right - Courtesy of Wayne Bethards Page 36 & 37: Thai Nguyen Page 38: Courtesy of Video Labs, Inc. Page 39: Courtesy of the Subjects Page 41: Courtesy of Zach Gorrell Page 42: Courtesy of the Subjects except Todd B. Hoffman by Joseph E. Criscuoli Page 43: upper left: Courtesy of Zach Gorrell; middle: Bob Nichols University of Maryland Department of Fraternity & Sorority Life; lower: Thai Nguyen Page 45: Courtesy of Zach Gorrell Page 46: Courtesy of the Subjects Page 48: Logo Design by Joseph E. Criscuoli Page 51: Joseph E. Criscuoli Page 56: Courtesy of Nick Mirabile and others.

Page 57: Courtesy Kiplinger’s Page 58: Joseph E. Criscuoli Page 59: Courtesy of Melissa K. Meder Page 61: Courtesy of Denis J. King Page 64: Courtesy of Melissa K. Meder Other photos and illustrations not mentioned above were obtained via internet search and do not represent an effort to violate or infringe upon any prevailing copyrights.

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Saying Goodbye

The

THIRD DEGREE could very well be published three times a year by the Eta Alumni Association of Phi Sigma Kappa if, and only if, the financial support is there to allow it. Barring the emergence of the support necessary, future editions may be limited to Sustaining Members only, the publication may be reduced to an all black and white document, or the publication may be available only as a digital document available for downloading from the internet.

S

aying goodbye to old friends is never very easy. Having to say goodbye to a new friend can be twice as hard.

In our last issue, I had cobbled together two pages introducing you to Dr. Howard T. Knobloch, M.D. (’33). On November 12, 2010, and at the tender age of 99, he had become the 198th member of the Eta Alumni Association. I had spoken with his daughter, Melissa, and received all the help I could want in constructing an “Alumni Profile” without the direct help of the Brother being profiled.

When she received her copy, Melissa called me with great appreciation for both the article about her Dad and our magazine as a whole. With her encouragement, I dialed the phone to introduce myself to our oldest living alumni. He answered on the second ring and, once I had introduced myself, well you would think we were a pair of long lost… well, Brothers. He was so excited to have been featured in our magazine and to be a part of the revitalization of our chapter and our alumni association. When I told him about our plans for the rechartering celebration, and that I would send him a video of the event, he was thrilled beyond belief. We talked about “Testudo”, Maryland football and his disappointment with both of the football teams from Michigan.

Sadly, my first telephone call to Brother Knobloch was also to be my last. Melissa called me, and I learned that Brother Knobloch passed away just twenty-two days after the re-chartering of the Eta Chapter. I think he would have really enjoyed seeing the video of our Charter Night celebration. I imagine when you watch it for the first time that he may be peering over your shoulder, just as I felt he was peering over mine.

So, to a new friend, I say a sad goodbye...and I hope he can look in on us from time to time and see that we continue to “do fraternity right.”

Joseph E. Criscuoli, ‘82, Editor 64

Spring 2011

The THIRD DEGREE

Subscription rates for the USA: a minimum of $35.00 per year, of which only $30.00 is retained by your Alumni Association. Larger donations are eagerly sought. Subscription requests and donations, along with an Alumni Data Sheet should be sent to: Eta Alumni Association of Phi Sigma Kappa, 12806 Silverbirch Lane, Laurel, MD 20708 This publication was written and designed without any financial cost to the Eta Alumni Association of Phi Sigma Kappa, beyond those associated with reproduction and mailing, and was produced exclusively on a Hewlett-Packard Personal Computer running the Microsoft Windows System 7 operating software, using Microsoft Publisher software for design and layout resulting in a 89MB file that was converted to a 62MB Adobe Acrobat print-ready file.

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By these things we stand.

328

MARY

Alumni Members

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Our Pit Crew Has Grown.

Again.

So Has Our Active Chapter.

Help Us to Find Them a Home.

We know you can do it. We have faith. Once again...We Believe. We know that we picked the very worst time in the past ten years to re-start an alumni association. But you made it the largest alumni association in the country. We know this economy is rough. And we know it hasn’t gotten any better since we started our Capital Campaign. We know it seems like you’re often being asked for money. But we know that each of our members will do their best to help to put Phi Sig back on Fraternity Row. You know we will do our best to guide this association to the next plateau and this campaign to success. We thank you for your support during “Year 1” and hope you will be with us throughout the coming year.

By these things We stand.

Damn Proud,

The Executive Committee of the Eta Alumni Association of Phi Sigma Kappa

The

THIRD DEGREE The Journal of the Eta Alumni Association of Phi Sigma Kappa at the University of Maryland

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Congratulation to our Association, and sincere thanks The Executive Committee of the for your support of this publication.

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