Graduate Almanac

Graduate Almanac

Akron | Akron, OH

On April 1, Alpha Omicron hosted its Not for College Days Alone Dinner to allow undergraduate brothers to bond with local graduate brothers.

Arizona State | Tempe, AZ

John Raidt's (1983) book, Politics Inc: America's Troubled Democracy & How to Fix It, was released in February 2022.

Case Western Reserve | Cleveland, OH

^ Jack Vanek (1970) released his latest mystery novel, Bedeviled, in December 2021. Bedeviled is the fourth book in the Father Jack Austin series.

Cincinnati | Cincinnati, OH

^ On January 9, Bruce Ziegler (1971), Chi Omicron's first Colony President, was married at Burnt Shore Marina in Punta Gorda, Florida. Several of the Chapter's founding fathers attended the wedding, where they were surprised to receive their Gold Owl pins, celebrating 50 years of membership. Pictured (L-R): Marvin Larry Sprague (1971), Bruce Ziegler, Chuck DeWitt (1972), Robert Lamar (1971), Dan Adovasio (1971), Bill Dowdney (1971) and Steve Crowe (1972).

Colorado | Boulder, CO

On November 5, 2021, the Beta Kappa Chapter held their second Pig Dinner since their rechartering. Over 250 graduate and undergraduate brothers attended.

Embry-Riddle | Daytona Beach, FL

^ Jordan Neely (2018) graduated from Air Force pilot training in 2021. Jordan said, “It was a very rewarding feeling to see all my hard work pay off, and I feel I owe it to FIJI for setting me up for success.”

European Graduate Chapter | Europe

^ On March 20, the European Graduate Chapter hosted their first Pig Dinner. Brothers from seven chapters, spanning four countries, attended the virtual event.

The Graduate Chapter also plans to host an in-person Fiji Weekend in Amsterdam this fall. The weekend will include activities for brothers of all generations, as well as opportunities for business discussions, networking and socializing.

Georgia | Athens, GA

^ On October 15, Executive Director Rob Caudill (Akron 2004) traveled to the Kappa Deuteron Chapter for the Distinguished Fiji Award ceremony honoring Bill Bracewell (1968) and Kessel Stelling (1978), who were recipients of the 2020 and 2021 Distinguished Fiji Award, respectively. The Fraternity was unable to hold an award presentation for Bill in 2020 due to the pandemic. Bill has since passed ad astra in December 2021. Pictured (L-R): Kessel Stelling, Bill Bracewell, University of Georgie President Jere Morehead (1988) and Rob Caudill.

Peter Stoddard (1979) produced an audio humor CD and wrote two books about Lewis Grizzard, a writer and humorist who was a Sigma Pi at UGA. In January, Peter was an invited guest on ESPN's The Paul Finebaum Show for the third time to discuss his work on Lewis Grizzard. Peter aspires to produce a Lewis Grizzard documentary.

Hanover | Hanover, IN

Rory Mannering (2012) was named defensive coordinator and linebackers coach at DePauw University. Previously, he served as defensive coordinator & defensive backs coach at Denison University.

John Fawbush (2017) graduated from the University of Louisville School of Medicine on May 8 and is beginning his residency at Med Center Health in Bowling Green, Kentucky. John’s goal is to specialize in med/peds (a combination of internal medicine and pediatrics) and continue his specialization in congenital cardiology.

On April 18, Sam Krieg (1998) started the 126th Boston Marathon at the front of the pack with the world's elite runners. He earned this position because he was accepted into the Pro Start Field after earning a time among the top 50 Open Runners and the top 10 Masters Athletes competing in the race. Sam earned the Master’s distinction at the 2019 Chicago Marathon with a time of 2:59.59, the last marathon he ran before the pandemic. This time ranked 8th in the 40+ Masters division and 48th in the Open field.

Idaho | Moscow, ID

On March 11, Mu Iota hosted their 102nd Pig Dinner. There were 125 brothers in attendance, including a trio of brothers from the same pledge class: Andy Christensen (1991), David Burns (1991) and John Nelson (1991). John supported Andy a year ago by traveling to his home in southeastern Idaho when he was dealing with a serious illness. David was also a keynote speaker at this year's Pig Dinner. The other keynote speakers were Kent Valley (1962) and John Mansanarez (2022), and Ken Nuhn (1975) delivered the Exile's Toast.

^ George Ngalamulume (2020) (right), a former refugee from Africa, started his first year at the University of Idaho College of Law this year. George is following in the footsteps of his brother, Patrick (2017) (left), who passed the Idaho State Bar in 2020 and now works as an associate attorney at Parsons, Behle & Latimer in Boise. For more on George and Patrick’s inspiring story, read the spring 2017 cover story here: www.phigam.org/ TheMostGenerousThing.

Illinois | Urbana-Champaign, IL

^ On October 7, 2021, Steve Spontak (1985) (left) and his son, Nicholas (2019) (right), summited Pico de Orizaba in Mexico. Pico de Orizaba is the highest peak in Mexico and third highest peak in North America at 18,491 feet.

Indiana | Bloomington, IN

^ Last summer, 20 brothers from the class of 1990 gathered for a long weekend to celebrate their 30th anniversary (one year late due to the pandemic). Brothers played golf at the new Pfau Golf Course, which honors Ned Pfau (1965) and his family's long history with IU. Ned's son, Chip (1990), was one of the 20 brothers at the reunion.

Gene Thweat (1954), Dr. Jim Links (1954) and Jim Cummins (1954) met for lunch in Indianapolis to celebrate their 70th pledge class reunion last summer.

Brothers from the class of 1965 have been gathering for reunions every five years since their graduation - only missing one reunion in 1980. This year, the reunion started on October 22, 2021, with a dinner, where they remembered 10 of their deceased brothers. Twenty-nine attended the dinner, including brothers, some of their wives, and the wives and daughter of some of the deceased brothers.

Johns Hopkins | Baltimore, MD

^ Last summer, Bill Marsh (Lehigh 1955) (left) and Tom Bloomer (2002) (right), gathered at a family member's wedding in Stowe, Vermont. Bill and Tom are the grandfather and uncle of the bride, respectively.

Kettering B | Flint, MI

On October 9-10, 2021, Alpha Gamma graduate brothers celebrated their 50th anniversary at the home of Rex Luzader (1971) in the Outer Banks, North Carolina.

Lehigh | Bethlehem, PA

Bill Marsh (1955) and Tom Bloomer (Johns Hopkins 2002), reunited at a family member's wedding last summer. Bill and Tom are the grandfather and uncle of the bride, respectively.

Michigan State | East Lansing, MI

During summer 2021, Epsilon Lambda graduate brothers from the classes of 1972-76 gathered for a reunion. These brothers have been close for 50 years, and they have gathered every other summer since 2004. Each reunion lasts about three days, and typically about 10 brothers and three wives attend. Brothers in attendance in 2021 were Tom Brennan (1974), Mike Closz (1973), Tom Condit (1971), Rich Lively (1973), Andy Munro (1976), Dave Pequet (1974), Ralph Shaheen (1972), Bruce Tolbert (1972) and Jeff Williams (1985).

Mississippi State | Starkville, MS

Sigma Mu hosted the first graduate brother event since February 2020, holding a graduate tailgate on March 26. Brothers and their families were invited to the chapter house after the Mississippi State vs. Alabama baseball game to enjoy a night of brotherhood.

North Carolina | Chapel Hill, NC

In September 2021, William E. Ellington III (1950) received his Diamond Owl certificate, celebrating 75 years of membership. William has since passed ad astra on December 19, 2021, at the age of 94.

Northeastern | Boston, MA

In February, 40 Nu Eta graduate and undergraduate brothers gathered for the Chapter's annual ski trip, called Skiji. The event took place at the Sunday River Ski Resort in Maine, where brothers enjoyed a weekend of skiing, snowboarding and brotherhood.

Ohio Wesleyan | Delaware, OH

^ On October 15, 2021, James Pry (1963) and his wife, Janet Peckinpaugh Pry, were inducted as life members of the Henry Solomon Lehr Society at Ohio Northern University (ONU). James was inducted by ONU President and Phi Gam Dr. Daniel DiBiasio (1971). James attended ONU for law school, graduating in 1970. James and Janet have several Phi Gam relatives, including Janet's father, Ralph Peckinpaugh (1942); uncles Walter (Michigan 1939) and John (1953); brothers Roger (1963) and David (Colorado College 1980); and nephews Scott McDonald (Colorado College 1989) and Bryan (Cincinnati 2000). James' brother, Nick (1963), passed ad astra on December 22, 2021.

Oklahoma | Norman, OK

Denny Cresap (1956) was inducted into the University of Oklahoma Hall of Fame.

Purdue | West Lafayette, IN

Lambda Iota graduate brothers gathered at Acme Seed & Grain in Nashville, Tennessee, for the Music City Bowl: Bob Foster (1991), Don Hollensbe (1988), Dan Kelly (1989), Tom Kelly (1991), JT Kinkel (1991), Darrin Sheetz (1989), Nik Souris (1988) and Jeff Tucker (1989).

Rose-Hulman | Terre Haute, IN

Nachi Hosahatti (2021) helped the Rose Grand Prix Engineering Team build elements of a formula race car for the 2021 racing season during his senior year. Now that he has graduated, Nachi is using his mechanical engineering degree to help the Arrow McLaren SP team become a top competitor in the NTT IndyCar Series.

Southern Methodist | Dallas, TX

Highland Park Independent School District's newest elementary school, Boone Elementary, was named for Michael Boone (1964). Mike was honored for his deep involvement in public school finance matters. A prominent attorney in Dallas, he received the Distinguished Fiji Award in 2007.

Syracuse | Syracuse, NY

^ Ken Murawski (1973) received the Association of National Accounts Executives' (ANAE) National Account Executive Lifetime Achievement Award, the organization's highest honor. Pictured (L-R): Ken Murawski and ANAE President John Pritchard.

Texas | Austin, TX

Back Row (L-R): Jack Nash (1975), Skipper Nelson (1974), Rick Halden (1977), Gil Lundquist (1975), Clay Smith (1975), Stan Caskey (1975), Peter Barbour (1975), Bruce Hotze (1974), Gary Pugh (1975), Scott Shaeffer (1975), Jackson Hooper (1975), John Thomas (1975) and Ras Redwine (1975). Front Row (L-R): Steve Pearce (1975), Doug Barnes (1975), Chris Sharp (1975), Joe Flack (1973), Roger Lutz (1975), John Gordon (1977), John Newton (1975), John Peloubet (1975), Frosty Moore (1975), John Patton (1976) and Clark Covert (1975).

^ On October 15, 2021, Tau Deuteron brothers from the 1971 pledge class gathered at the chapter house to celebrate their 50th pledge class reunion. There were 25 brothers in attendance including three of the recruitment captains from that year.

Texas Tech | Lubbock, TX

^ In October 2021, the Fraternity presented Glenn Moor (1984) with the 2019 William A. Martin III Distinguished Fiji Award. Glenn received this award for his contributions to Phi Gamma Delta as a volunteer, a member of multiple boards, and a former staff member. He previously served in multiple volunteer roles, including Purple Legionnaire and Archon Treasurer. He currently serves as Vice Chairman of the Educational Foundation board of directors. Pictured (L-R): Former Archon President Clark Robertson (Nebraska 1982), Glenn Moor, Executive Director Rob Caudill (Akron 2004) and Executive Director Emeritus Bill Martin (Mississippi State 1975).

Toronto | Toronto, ON

On February 23, Greg White (2000) and Myron Genyk (2004) co-founded Evermore and Canada's first target date Exchange- Traded Funds (ETFs). They are the only target date ETFs in North America. The organization donated 100% of their revenues in March, April and May to humanitarian support in Ukraine. Myron, Evermore's CEO, is of Ukrainian descent and is very involved in the Canadian-Ukrainian community.

Union College | Schenectady, NY

^ In February, John Robbins (1971) hosted a Chi Chapter reunion at his home on Lake Winnipesaukee in Meredith, New Hampshire, and 13 brothers attended. This was the 23rd consecutive February gathering. Brothers enjoyed dining out, watching a sled dog race, ice fishing and reminiscing about their undergraduate years. Pictured (L-R): Top row: Steve Pierce (1971), Hank Riehl (1974) and Drew Hanelink (1971). Bottom row: John Seay (1967), Ken LaBarge (1969), Walt Hennings (1969), Al Britton (1974), Bill Palmer (1969), Doug Tosh (1972), Bob Herron (1970), John Robbins, Mark Curry (1969) and Bob Farnum (1968).

Utah State | Logan, UT

^ Luke Huffman's (2019) fiction book, Holt's Almanac, was published on January 31. Luke will give the bulk of his book proceeds to his chapter. Luke also has written several songs, one of which, "College With a View," is about his undergraduate career at USU. It has nearly half a million streams on Spotify.

Western Ontario | London, ON

On November 16, 2021, Ken Fidlin (1971) was inducted into the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame, receiving the 2019 Jack Graney Award. He received the award as a longtime baseball columnist for the Toronto Sun. The presentation was delayed until November 2021 because of the pandemic.

William Woods | Fullton, MO

^ Kappa Chi celebrated their 20th anniversary during the fall 2021 semester. Approximately 50 undergraduate and graduate brothers attended the anniversary weekend.

WPI | Worcester, MA

On November 20, 2021, the Pi Iota Chapter, which was the first fraternity at WPI, celebrated the 130th anniversary of their chartering. They also hosted the groundbreaking for a new chapter house. The old chapter house, which was built in 1899, was demolished on October 28, 2021.

Rho Alpha Celebrates Their 50th Anniversary

The Rho Alpha Chapter at Virginia Tech, chartered on May 13, 1972, celebrated their 50th Anniversary Norris Pig Dinner on April 30. There were 395 people in attendance at the banquet, including 114 graduates brothers and 120 undergraduates. This included Douglas S. Painter (1974), who was recognized for his perfect attendance at all 50 Pig Dinners since chartering.

The anniversary celebration was a three-day affair complete with a founder’s dinner, golf tournament, winery tour, on-campus BBQ, awards luncheon and, of course, the main banquet. Over $2,000 was raised for various charities, and a new chapter scholarship fund was established at the Phi Gamma Delta Educational Foundation by Jeffrey D. McMahan Jr. (2003) and his wife, Kim. Executive Director Rob Caudill (Akron 2004) gave the keynote address, and former Archon Councilor Dana Hesse (1986) and former Archon Secretary Josh Holly (Tennessee 1997) were in attendance.