FALL 2021
THE
AUBURN PHI
Official Newsletter of the Alabama Beta Chapter of Phi Delta Theta at Auburn University
PRESIDENT’S LETTER
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long-awaited sense of stability has been reestablished in the lives of Auburn students as classes have fully returned to campus this fall. Alabama Beta has overcome COVID difficulties, and the chapter has continued to be built up by brothers that recognize the blessing it is to be a Phi at Auburn. Our chapter’s quality and improvements have not gone unnoticed. This summer at the General Convention, General Headquarters awarded Alabama Beta the Silver Star and recognized the chapter for its excellence in risk management and recruitment. While our brothers consistently work hard to better our chapter, we acknowledge and are incredibly grateful for the support from the chapter advisory board, housing
corporation, and parents club. Dwight Bassett, our chapter adviser, has been an excellent teacher and friend to our executive committee and the rest of the chapter since gaining him as a resource this past spring. We are proud to share that our Phikeias had the opportunity to travel to Dothan, Alabama, in October to serve the ALS family the chapter adopted. Our chapter has thoroughly enjoyed serving this way and plans to continue doing so each semester. In addition, the brothers of Alabama Beta are looking forward to the initiation of the Epsilon class, which will enrich the chapter and ensure its stability for years to come. We have made it our goal to promote mental health and wellness within
the chapter. We have been breaking the stigma surrounding mental health by encouraging conversations amongst brothers and educating them on mental health practices and suicide prevention. We have seen brotherhood and unification significantly increase in the chapter through these actions. One of the most successful events the chapter held this fall was Parent’s Weekend. We cannot give enough thanks to Pepper Stanford, who made the weekend possible. In addition, I cherished having my Continued on page 4
CHAPTER ADVISORY BOARD UPDATE
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uburn students returned to the classroom, and the campus was alive again. A lot of remarkable things are happening at Alabama Beta. At this year’s Phi Delta Theta Biennial Convention, Alabama Beta received the Silver Star, Excellence in Risk Management Award, and Excellence in Recruitment Award. It’s hard to imagine that in 2014 we saw the suspension of our chapter, forcing us to vacate the house for three years. It’s the second greatest comeback in Auburn history! I am pleased to announce this year’s Phikeia class has forty-seven members. Our recruitment chairman, Phillip Rehm 2393, did an outstanding job finding exceptional men from around the country and
credits tremendous chapter and alumni support. As a result, the chapter expects to initiate over forty new brothers on January 15, 2022, in the Auburn Chapel. There will be a reception at the house following the initiation. Alabama Beta invites all Phi Delta Theta undergraduates and alumni to the initiation, and the chapter would appreciate alumni involvement in the initiation ceremony. In addition, following initiation, we invite all parents, family members, undergraduates, and alumni to the reception. Former Phikeia educator and newly elected vice president, Ben Branch 2426, is the recent winner of the John Tonsmeire Award and Scholarship. Ben is an excellent example of leadership
and academics. The chapter hosted a Parents’ Weekend cocktail party and Saturday tailgate during Auburn’s Fall Family Weekend. Thanks to Pepper Stanford, our outgoing parents club chairman, who coordinated activities that drew in over three hundred guests! The Annual Phi Reunion was held on the weekend of the Georgia game with lunch, golf, and dinner on Friday. In addition, the chapter hosted a tailgate with a band before the game. It was great to see everyone. Please consider attending next year’s reunion. Continued on page 2
HOUSE CORPORATION UPDATE
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he house corporation would like to congratulate outgoing Chapter President Nick Casson 2410, House Manager Bay Cummings 2435, and our executive officers on a job well done over the past year! We are particularly impressed that the chapter has taken it upon themselves to keep the house clean; they are not using a cleaning service. We have completed the installation of paintings of all four Phi Delta Theta houses occupied at Auburn since inception. These paintings are displayed on the North wall of the living room. With Brother Booth Malone 1392 assisting, additional installations should be in evidence in 2022. While the house corporation has many plans for additional
improvements, we have stopped discretionary spending until we complete the resurfacing of the lower parking lot this summer. Resurfacing is a major expense but the last large one for the foreseeable future. As always, our priority is upkeep, and maintenance/repair/replacement of dated HVAC equipment always looms as a non-discretionary spend. We have no less than four zones, eight (8!) furnaces, and six companion condensing units to maintain. Building up reserves for this contingency is a 2022 goal. We would like to congratulate our inaugural 2021 Alumni Volunteer Group for a fine job in arresting erosion at the slopes around the lower parking lot and installing sixteen large caliper oak trees along Biggio and Lem Morrison Drives.
Many thanks to Brothers Philemon Croft 2002, Chris Sheedy 1982, Jeremy Burns 2072, Joel Seawell 1974, and Sam McAllister 2057 for getting this done! Our financial position is strong but always in need of consistent cash flow so please continue to support your Alumni Club of choice with annual donations and join a club if you are not yet a member! Yours in the Bond, Malcolm Marsh 1519 House Corporation President
CHAPTER ADVISORY BOARD UPDATE: continued from page 1 I am gratified to report that the chapter is in good condition. The house corporation is to be commended for their hard work updating the house. The chapter is financially stable. The undergraduates are doing well academically and are involved on campus and in philanthropy. The undergraduates and Phikeias continue to be involved with ALS. In addition to ALS, the chapter has been raising money for several local charities. Recently, the chapter elected new officers. Zane Springer 2441, former treasurer, is now president. Zane will be replacing Nick Casson 2410. Nick did an outstanding job, and I applaud him for his transparency and willingness to work with the chapter advisory board and the house corporation. I will miss working with Nick. The new executive group has big shoes to fill, but I am sure they will do great. Despite my protest, Pepper Stanford is stepping down as chairman of the Parents Club. Pepper’s son, Clark Stanford 2396, is graduating this year. Thank you, Pepper, you did a great job! Pepper recruited three amazing ladies and moms, Meredith 2
Auburn Phi » Fall 2021
Hatfield, Annabelle Robinette and Ashley Wall, whose sons, Evans Hatfield 2469, J. Edward Robinette 2489, and Aubrey Wall 2490 are current undergraduates. You can tell from the tone of my article that I am bullish on Alabama Beta. Alabama Beta has returned to prominence on the Auburn campus. Unfortunately, the malicious acts of a few affected so many. The chapter understands what is at risk if we behave in a manner that is inconsistent with the terms of our return. Please consider becoming active in rebuilding Alabama Beta. When asked, the chapter would appreciate financial donations; if you have a great life story to share, bring it to a chapter meeting; internship opportunities; during football games, park at the house and tailgate; and most importantly, please recruit for Alabama Beta. These are fine young men. I work with these young men almost every day, and they have all treated me with gratitude and respect. Yours in the Bond, Dwight Basset 1644 Chapter Advisory Board Chairman
PARENTS AND FAMILY CLUB UPDATE
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he Alabama Beta chapter Parents Club had their inaugural Cocktail Party and Tailgate on the weekend of September 24. Parents and family members traveled from around the country to meet other chapter members and alumni at a local venue. The event was hugely successful and plans are underway for more opportunities for families and actives to get together. I am pleased to announce our newest co-chair members: Meredith Hatfield, Annabelle Robinette, and Ashley Wall. Pepper Stanford Alabama Beta
MEET OUR NEWEST MEMBERS 2021 FALL PHIKEIAS CLASS Blake Adams, Wilmer, Alabama Davis Ashcraft, Mobile, Alabama Alex Asher, Decatur, Georgia Jack Bell, Paducah, Kentucky Reed Bhavsar, Brentwood, Tennessee Baylor Black, Birmingham, Alabama Grant Blackwell , Birmingham, Alabama Matt Burns, Aliso Viejo, California Chase Cervasio, Miami, Florida Miles Connor, Atlanta, Georgia Bryars Cooper, Mobile, Alabama Garrett Derbes, Metairie, Louisiana Colledge Elliott, Birmingham, Alabama Emory Halford, Atlanta, Georgia Cass Hansford, Birmingham, Alabama Michael Hawkins, Birmingham, Alabama Grant Houser, Brentwood, Tennessee Wells Isbell, Raleigh, North Carolina Luke Jenstead, Roswell, Georgia Sean Kelly, Ramsey, New Jersey Devin Killeen, Chesterton, Indiana Ethan Kuhnel, Dallas, Texas Alex Ledbetter, Brentwood, Tennessee Bryce Lehner, Newport Beach, California
Graham Matthews, Birmingham, Alabama* Cole McDuffa, Florence, Alabama Alex Mette, Roswell, Georgia Jake Miller, Mobile , Alabama Ford Milne, Jacksonville, Florida* Eli Mount, Aliso Viejo , California Frederick Osborn, Gulf Shores, Alabama* Michael Pineyro, Milton, Georgia Rainer Radtke, Boca Raton, Florida Patrick Railey, Mobile, Alabama Jacob Saavedra, Fresno, California Michael Schepps, Boca Raton, Florida Thomas Seibt, Auburn, Alabama Hayden Sellers, Mobile, Alabama Dawson Shirley, Gulf Shores, Alabama Tyler Simons, Roswell, Georgia Jake Sollie, Auburn, Alabama Drew Stowers, Roswell, Georgia Will Stratton, Atlanta, Georgia Chris Valdes, Miami, Florida Cole Van Holland, Carver, Minnesota Max Vernon, Birmingham, Alabama Aaron Werkheiser, Roswell, Georgia
REFER A PHI!
Know any young men who would be great Phis? Refer them to Recruitment Chairman Ryan Patel: rdp0030@auburn.edu. Then, send them to our Greatest U recruitment campaign: futurephidelt.org.
ABOUT US
The Auburn Phi is published two times per year by the Alabama Beta Chapter of Phi Delta Theta at Auburn University for alumni and parents. ©Copyright 2021 Alabama Beta. All rights reserved. Send news, address updates and photos to: Alabama Beta Chapter of Phi Delta Theta, 2 South Campus Avenue, Oxford, Ohio 45056. STAY UP-TO-DATE /phideltauburn @PhiDeltAuburn phideltauburn.com
phideltauburn.com
CHAPTER ADVISORY BOARD Dwight Bassett, Chairman Ray Briscuso, Secretary Brent Barringer William Boyt Jeremy Burns William Busbin Robert Corrigan Jr. Frank Feagin Gregory Harris John Hornsby Donald Jackson Richard McDowell Charles Maynard Buck Marsh Michael Ramsey Ken Stephens Jimmy Webb J.R. Wright
CHAPTER OFFICERS Zane Springer, President Ben Branch, Vice President Will Maurin, Secretary Harrison Hitson, Treasurer Sam Stokley, Warden Tyler Noles, Phikeia Educator Ryan Patel, Recruitment Chairman Payne Thrift, Social Chairman Will Banks, House Manager HOUSE CORPORATION Malcolm Marsh, President Frank “Bud” Powada, Secretary Robert Miller, Treasurer Russell Cunningham Tim Hunt Marvin Thomas Buck Marsh
CENTURY BALL CAPS AVAILABLE A tip of the Ball Cap to Br. J.R. Wright 1560 for initiating and executing the Phi Delta Theta ball cap program this fall! The hats are a way of promoting membership and showing appreciation to our new and sustaining alumni club members. Brother Wright and chapter President Zane Springer sold about fifteen ball caps at various fall get togethers to alumni who donated or pledged $100 to sustain, upgrade, or join one of our three alumni clubs (Century/1848/1879). At last count we added three new Century Club members and collected twelve sustaining club member donations. 1848 and 1879 ball caps are in the works! Plenty of Century Club hats in inventory; watch for an email blast or get your ball cap today by contacting J.R. or Zane. Venmo or Paypal to @AlBetaPhiDeltTheta. Mail checks Phi Delta Theta, Alabama Beta Chapter, PO Box 242464, Montgomery AL 36124. Yours in the Bond, Jimmy Webb 1509 Alumni Club Chairman
Auburn Phi » Fall 2021
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PRESIDENT’S LETTER UPDATE: continued from page 1 family in Auburn, introducing them to my brothers, and showing them the chapter house; I know many other brothers felt the same. Our involvement on campus has been steadily increasing these past few semesters. Currently, we have brothers serving the university through Freshman Forum, SGA Cabinet, IFC Cabinet, and IFC Court. We are excited to campaign for brother Jake Darling 2436 for SGA Treasurer, and our brothers are excited to campaign for him during elections this upcoming spring. I enjoyed serving as treasurer this past term and could not be more grateful for my fellow brothers. They served on the executive committee alongside me and taught me authentic leadership and loyalty to Phi Delta Theta. In addition, I am appreciative of one of my best friends, Nick Casson, who did an exceptional job of serving as president and is hoping to serve as IFC Court Chair this upcoming term. His leadership will be marked as a vital point in the history of Alabama Beta. I am humbled and honored to have the opportunity to serve as president of the Alabama Beta Chapter of Phi Delta Theta. The Fraternity has already given me immensely more than I ever expected, and my goal is for it to continue to do the same to other young men for years to come. Proverbs 27:17 says, “As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.” I believe our chapter has a massive amount of potential, and I am excited to lead and serve my brothers, who seek to sharpen and be sharpened by those around them. Yours in the Bond Zane Springer, President zps0001@auburn.edu
WE WANT YOUR NEWS! In preparation of the next edition, we are looking for any news and updates in your life. Please email any content to Alabama Beta Chapter Advisory Board Secretary Ray Briscuso at raybriscusojr@gmail.com.
PRESORTED STANDARD U.S. POSTAGE PAID PERMIT #248 DAYTON, OH Alabama Beta Chapter of Phi Delta Theta 2 South Campus Avenue Oxford, Ohio 45056 Address Service Requested
ALABAMA BETA WINS FOUR AWARDS AT GENERAL CONVENTION Our men won the following awards of excellence: Silver Star (Alabama Beta Chapter is in the top 20 percent of Phi Delta Theta chapters), Improvement in Recruitment, Excellence in Recruitment, and Excellence in Risk Management. Congratulations men of Alabama Beta! Pictured: Joe Fimiani 2473, Awards Chairman Ben Maggard 2431, and Chapter Advisory Board Member Ray Briscuso 1606.