The Iowa State Phi, Winter 2020

FALL 2020

THE

IOWA STATE PHI Official Newsletter of the Iowa Gamma Chapter of Phi Delta Theta at Iowa State University

IOWA GAMMA RECOGNIZED WITH MAJOR AWARDS

T ALUMNUS SPOTLIGHT

C

hris Gannon 1457 grew up in Des Moines. Two of his older siblings attended Iowa State and joined Greek life, so he knew he would be interested in fraternity life. He enjoyed recruitment and found a great home in Iowa Gamma. Among other chapter roles, Chris served as social chairman, recruitment chairman, and vice president while living in the Iowa Gamma Chapter House all four years! Since graduation, he has built a career in photography, working as a newspaper photojournalist for twenty years, covering a multitude of events, spanning breaking news, politics, athletics, and beyond. Six years ago, Chris returned to Iowa State, this time as an employee, serving as photographer for Iowa State University. He is a proud dad of two teenage sons, eldest of which is a freshman at ISU!

Why did you decide to join Phi Delta Theta?

The strong, supportive brotherhood and well-rounded social and academic success of Iowa Gamma was evident when I went through recruitment. I knew I would be welcomed and challenged by Iowa Gamma, and wanted to be a part of that environment.

Looking back at your collegiate experience, are there any specific and/or favorite memories of Phi Delta Theta that jump to mind?

Loved the communal living and the bonds of brotherhood. I lived in the 325 Welch Avenue chapter house from 1990–94. Some of my favorite memories are growth during new member education, sand parties in the basement, the house band, serenading sororities, Continued on page 4

his year Iowa Gamma was highly recognized by Phi Delta Theta and Iowa State University’s Office of Sorority and Fraternal Engagement.

These accomplishments and recognition couldn’t have been possible without the help of awards chairman Andrew Nurse 1942!

Phi Delta Theta General Headquarters awarded the chapter the following: Gold Star Chapter Excellence Award (the highest award given to chapters for operational excellence); Lubbock Trophy (for most significant continuing community service and philanthropy); Stan Brown Trophy (for most outstanding one-day community service project); Excellence in Community Service (hosted a successful service-related event); Excellence in New Member Retention (by retaining at least 90 percent of Phikeias); and Excellence in Academics (earned at least a cumulative 3.25 average GPA).

Iowa State University’s Office of Sorority and Fraternal Engagement awards included: President’s Award for Fraternal Excellence (Only fraternity to receive this honor based on chapter’s ability to excel in academics, civic engagement, friendship, leadership, and social justice); Senior of the Year Award (Ryan Ford 1946); Finalists for Freshmen (Connor Jensen 2028), Sophomore (Will Burken 2027), and Junior (Liam O’Donnell 1975) of the Year Awards.

PHILANTHROPIC EVENTS DANCE MARATHON

O

ne of Iowa Gamma’s proudest and longest-standing traditions is our participation in Iowa State’s largest student-run philanthropy, Dance Marathon. In the event, Iowa State students stand in support of families with children battling life threatening illnesses. DM was brought to Iowa State

by Phi Delta Theta in 1998 and 2020 marked the twenty-second anniversary of Dance Marathon! The event could not have been possible without the rigorous work from multiple Iowa Gamma members involved on committees.

Ryan Ford 1946 was instrumental in the success of the event by serving

as general co-director. Ryan was the thirteenth Iowa Gamma member to take on this roll. Overall, the chapter had twenty-three members attend the event with many other members donating to the cause. Iowa State Dance Marathon raised $340,552.23 and Phi Delta Theta raised $25,900!

PHI DELT PHILLIES Due to concerns, restrictions, and uncertainty surrounding COVID-19 only three total philanthropic events were held by the Iowa State Greek community this fall. Iowa Gamma was one of these three and hosted their second annual fall event “Phi Delt Phillies” on October 30.

In order to maximize safety, the chapter faced numerous logistical hurdles planning the event to adhere with local and university guidelines. At the event, safety precautions included holding the event outside for increased ventilation, mask requirements, pre-packaging food prior to serving, and

ABOUT US

2

regular disinfection of contaminated surfaces. In the midst of a pandemic, the event turned out to be a massive success!

For a $5 entrance fee, guests were provided with a philly cheese steak, pretzel fries, and hot apple cider.

The chapter members set up seating and activities for guests across the lawn and parking lot and kept them engaged through conversation and music. At the conclusion of the event, the chapter raised well over $2,500 for funding Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) research through the LiveLikeLou Foundation.

The Iowa State Phi is published two times per year by the Iowa Gamma Chapter of Phi Delta Theta at Iowa State University for alumni and parents. ©Copyright 2021 Iowa Gamma. All rights reserved.

STAY UP-TO-DATE /PhiDeltaThetaISU /isuphidelt @ISUphi linkedin.com/groups/95210 iastate.phideltatheta.org

Send news, address updates and photos to: Iowa Gamma Chapter of Phi Delta Theta, 2 South Campus Avenue, Oxford, OH 45056

CHAPTER ADVISORY BOARD Steve Good, Chairman Thomas Woodruff, Academics Pat Morrison, Alumni Relations

The Iowa State Phi » Fall 2020

Kevin Boeckhoelt, Finance Jackson Mores, Phikeia Education Logan Driscoll, Recruitment Austin Javellana, Philanthropy/Service Collin Hueser, Strategic Planning CHAPTER OFFICERS Ben Zellmer, President Connor Jensen, Vice President Steven Price, Treasurer Zach Witte, Warden

Joe Ferraro, Secretary Nate Stoufer, Phikeia Educator Matt Dodge, Scholarship Jacob Weisshaar, House Manager Luke Busse, House Manager Collin Clough, Recruitment Chairman Connor Jensen, Recruitment Chairman Ryan Harald, Risk Manager Ben Newman, Social Chairman Nate Cornwall, Social Chairman Pranav Anilal, Public Relations

Nick Romine, IFC Representative Liam O’Donnell, Alumni Relations Sam Messbarger, Senior Liaison Bennett Fate, Awards Chairman HOUSE CORPORATION BOARD Scot Alexander, President Toby Geiger, Treasurer Bob Sperry Jim Unzeitig

Iowa Gamma

PRESIDENT’S LETTER

O

ver the past few months, our chapter and all our members have faced hardships that we could not have even fathomed just a year ago. With the outbreak of COVID-19, which caused our spring semester to be moved entirely online after spring break, we knew we had to adapt as a chapter. When we first started planning for the fall 2020 semester, we did not even know if there would be a semester.

Thanks to countless Zoom calls with our housing corporation, housemother, house chef, and our internal chapter executive team, we developed the plan regarding house operations for the fall 2020 semester. We included implementing new procedures that we would closely monitor and adjust throughout the semester. These new procedures included, but are not limited to, routine house cleanings, improved meal delivery, reduced kitchen availability, distanced chapter meetings, and quarantine procedures.

With all these new procedures in place, we were all eager to start the new semester and see each other since it had been months since we were sent back in March. During the second week on campus, we had a member come down with symptoms of COVID-19 and immediately went into isolation while waiting to hear back results from the test. Thanks to our planning and preparation before the semester started, we had a plan to isolate symptomatic members and allow them to quarantine away from the rest of the house, so it didn’t spread.

During this second week of classes, many other Greek chapter

houses were having members test positive, and some had around fifteen to twenty cases. Iowa State University and the Sorority and Fraternity Engagement office had also planned for this scenario.

After talks with our chapter liaison, who works in the SFE office, we decided to go on an all-house quarantine.

Moving on past COVID news, our house had a 3.63 GPA that tied us for the fifth-best for all fraternities at Iowa State. This semester has shown us all firsthand how important it is to work together as one and to be able to react to any new challenges thrown our way. As a chapter, we are eager to take on any challenges the spring 2021 semester may bring our way.

Yours in the Bond, Ben Zellmer 2025 bzellmer@iastate.edu

Fall 2020 Phikeias, front row: Aidan Bergstein, Ryan Wellner. Middle Row: John Pancini, Kyle Sipe, Collin Carroll, Ethan Haack, John Imerman.

Back Row: Ethan Wink, Nate Molde, Johnny Hart, Matthew Cavins, Alexander Rienks.

MEET OUR NEWEST INITIATES AND PHIKEIAS 2020 FALL INITIATES

Luke Anderson 2050, Des Moines, IA Jacob Wulffen 2051, Glen Ellyn, IL Addison Angel 2052, Chicago, IL Mason Barkhaus 2053, Altoona, IA Bryce Kohls 2054, Norwalk, IA Bennett Fate 2055, Norwalk, IA Kyle Hein 2056, Arlington Heights, IL Josh Honkamp 2057, Rockford, IL Daniel Richter 2058, Omaha, NE Pranit Upadrashta 2059, Plymouth, MN Josh Lorenzini 2060, Mount Prospect, IL iastate.phideltatheta.org

2020 FALL PHIKEIA CLASS Aidan Bergstein, Northbrook, IL Colin Carroll, Arlington Heights, IL Matthew Cavins, Bettendorf, IA Ethan Haack, Mt. Prospect, IL Johnny Hart, Ames, IA John Imerman, Boone, IA Nate Molde, Council Bluffs, IA John Pancini, Mt. Prospect, IL Alexander Rienks, Chicago, IL Kyle Sipe, Wayzata, MN Ryan Wellner, Chanhassen, MN Ethan Wink, Cedarburg, WI

Graduating seniors, left to right: Dan Haugen 1944, Logan Heim 1955, Riley Johnson 1985, Spencer Heim 1960, and Nick Worrall 1953.

The Iowa State Phi » Fall 2020

3

participating in the annual Varieties show, building the VEISHEA float, tailgating and football games, meals together, earning leadership positions in the chapter and on campus, and never moving out of the house, as many of my class stayed in all four years. I lived my senior year in room 00: the basement apartment next to the chapter room in the old 325 Welch house!

How did your Phi Delta Theta experience shape who you are today?

My Phi Delta Theta experience taught me to strive for excellence, face challenge, work hard, and play hard. A big takeaway was to always embrace a state of growth in life. We should never stop evolving, striving to be a better version of ourselves every day!

If you could provide any piece of advice to undergraduate members, what would it be and why?

First, savor every day as a member of the chapter. Time flies, and your undergraduate experience will be over before you know it! Get involved, get out of your comfort zone, challenge yourself, work hard and play hard. After graduation, stay connected with your pledge class and chapter brothers. My 1990 and surrounding pledge classes are still well connected thirty years since pledging, and our shared brotherhood and support for one another has made all the difference in my life!

How do you define success?

Believing in yourself, and approaching each day with genuineness, generosity, and gratitude will lead you down the path of success.

What is the last book you read?

The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz.

Chris lives in Johnston, Iowa. He can be contacted at christopheregannon@gmail.com.

REFER A PHI!

Know any young men who would be great Phis? Refer them here: phideltatheta.org/ join/refer-someone/. Then, encourage these young men to visit futurephidelt.org.

Top left: in-housers enjoy some three on-three basketball. Top right and middle left: members took some first day pictures in front of the house. Middle right: Vice President Connor Jensen and President Ben Zellmer. Bottom: spring break trip to Colorado.

PRESORTED STANDARD U.S. POSTAGE PAID PERMIT #248 DAYTON, OH Iowa Gamma Chapter of Phi Delta Theta 2 South Campus Avenue Oxford, Ohio 45056 Address Service Requested