Fall 11 - Phiota Magazine

Phi Iota Alpha Fraternity, Inc. 9322 3rd Avenue Suite 412 Brooklyn, New York 11209

www.phiota.info

Fall 2011

PHIOTA

T H E O F F I C I A L M A G A Z I N E O F P H I I O T A A L P H A F R A T E R N I T Y, I N C .

Content

From The Editor

PHIOTA! * Fall 2011

VOLUME 3 ISSUE 2

National Management Francisco Lugo Executive Director Jorlui Sillau Director of Human Resources

As the fall semester comes to a close around the country, I would like to congratulate all the brothers graduating this semester.

Finishing college is definitely a milestone any brother can appreciate but the message I’d like to leave for those of you still in school is this: Make sure you are pursuing a degree that you have an innate desire in and take that desire, as well as yourself, very seriously.

College was a time for fun I know I’ll never have again, but it was also a time where I found out what it was I wanted out of this life.

It’s great to be part of the Phiota! Magazine staff, not only because of the potential of this magazine but because I’m doing something I love. I hope everyone enjoys the articles we got for you in this issue and I hope that brothers will come to find this magazine as more of a tool for connection and insight to what’s going on around the country.

Keep reading……

Ramsey R. Rodriguez

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Engels Perez Director of Operations and Information Services Bernie Rebollar Director of Marketing Rafael Arciga Garcia Director of Member Services Alex Molina Director of Recruitment Noe Favela Director of Treasury

Phiota! Magazine Team Publications Manager Steven L. Garza spaniard@phiota.org Editor Ramsey Rodriguez Azar@phiota.org Designer Mark Melchor Natividad@phiota.org

PHIOTA NEWS ARTICLES PHIOTA Achievements Pg. 5

-Awards given to chapters/colonies

CHAPTER AND COLONY Phi Iota Alpha Photo Contest NEWS

-Check out the the winners

Pg. 12

Northeast Province

Pg. 5

West Province

Pg. 11

Midwest Province

Pg. 19

From the Archives ‘Phiota’s Core Southwest Province

-Hosting the Future Major’ Pg. 28 -Saturday Nights At LSU

Pg. 20

Crest Redesign

-History of our new crest

Convention Recap

Pg. 25 Pg. 24

-What happend at the 79th Conevention -2012 Convention New Orleans

-Lider of the Year -A Youth Poet from NYC -Unchained Warriors

-The Official Phiota Buger

-Pan American Outreach

-By Alberto ‘Demasiado’ Elvira

-Distinguished Alumni profile: Dr. Rudolph Maas 1860-1957

The PHIOTA! is a quarterly professional magazine based on the ideals of the pillars of Fi Iota Alfa. It is the official publication of Phi iota Alpha Fraternity, Inc., the Oldest existing Latino fraternity, established in December 26, 1931 in Troy, New York, with its roots beginning in 1898. All articles express the opinions of the authors, and not the fraternity, unless stated otherwise.

Phi Iota Alpha Fraternity, Inc., 9322 3rd Avenue, Suite 412, Brooklyn, New York 11209

Fall 2011

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PHIOTA ACHIEVEMENTS Presented to New Chapters

Alpha Nu: University of North Texas Alpha Xi: University of Texas, Austin Alpha Omicron: Texas State University Alpha Pi: Armstrong Atlantic State University Alpha Rho: Rutgers University, New Brunswick Alpha Sigma: Georgia Southern University Alpha Tau: University of California, Santa Barbara Alpha Upsilon: Lamar University

New Colonies

Aurora University Boston College Florida International University State University of New York Cortland Texas A&M University, College Station Texas A&M University, Kingsville

Louis Enrique Saavedra

Latino Administrator of the Year at St. John’s University

Alpha Gamma

Outstanding Greek Organization of the Year at St. John’s University

Convention Awards

Alumni of the Year: Peter Rojas University of the Year: Alpha Gamma Chapter St. Johns University Undergraduate of the Year: Rafael Martinez

Send awards and recognitions to awards@phiota.org

From Vision to Involvement to Success: A Golden Era for the Fraternity Begins As I reflect on how much has been accomplished within the past year, I couldn’t be more proud to be a Phiota or more proud to be part of our Fraternity during this incredibly exciting time in our history. The Strategic Vision rolled out during the 2010 Dallas Convention, under the leadership of then Executive Director Jason Nicolau is now starting to become a reality.

Consider this: today we have 43 chapters and 21 colonies, the most we‘ve experienced at one time.

We expect that many of these colonies will submit to become a chapter within the next academic year.

This past spring we saw the largest new member class enter the fraternity, shattering previous years.

During the past year our peers recognized us for the many accomplishments of our members and the organization as a whole.

One final accomplishment you can be proud of is the overwhelming support we have received for our National Philanthropy UNICEF; for which we have been able to raise a total of $8,6639.95 in less than a year. I’m confident we’ll see measurable progress in this area in the months and years to come.

To sustain this success, we need dedicated alumni willing to lend a few hours a month to mentor and guide our undergraduate chapters and colonies, to serve on the National Management Team, and to create Alumni Associations or Chapters.

This is an exciting time to be a Phiota and I hope you’ll take the time to get involved.

Francisco M. Lugo Carmona Executive Director Phi Iota Alpha Fraternity, Inc.

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Northeast Province

Phiota & Hispanic ‘Líder of the Year’ Contender Determined to Save Son’s Sight Columbia, Maryland personal fight against blindness, hopeful that cutting-September 2011 edge gene therapies and other areas of promising

research can restore JJ’s vision—and the sight of MillerCoors has millions more. Jason, who spearheaded the unique recognized Jason ‘Pitching for a Cure’ event at Yankee Stadium in “Electrico” Ferreira, August, will lead the ‘JJ’s Angels’ team at the Long (Kappa Fall 1996) Island VisionWalk on October 23 and is chairing the a Foundation first-ever ‘Vision for the Future’ dinner gala this winter.

Fighting Blindness volunteer and owner In addition to receiving recognition for of numerous Met mentoring Latinos, Foodmarkets in Ferreira bridged the Greater NY area, as one of the 2011 MillerCoors a partnership Líderes for his exceptional contributions to the to implement Latino community. The public can visit www. the Hispanic MillerCoorsLideres.com from September 12 through Health Festival in October 31 to vote for Ferreira. If Jason is chosen as Washington Heights, NY, where more than 500,000 the MillerCoors 2011 Líder of the Year, the Foundation attendees have received free health screenings and Fighting Blindness will receive a $25,000 grant to develop information over the last several summers. The festival and implement a chapter leadership program within the has raised awareness of available health coverage Hispanic community in partnership with MillerCoors. for low-income families in the Latino community.

“I am honored to be chosen for this year’s MillerCoors Líderes program,” said Ferreira, a Long Island resident. “MillerCoors has made a commitment to the Hispanic community by investing in leadership, and I’m grateful to them for highlighting my achievements and giving me the opportunity to inspire future generations of Latino leaders.”

“This year marks the 5th anniversary of the MillerCoors Líderes program, and we couldn’t be more excited about having such an incredible group representing true Latino leadership. Each one of them deserves to win the MillerCoors 2011 Líder of the Year award – it’s going to be a tough competition,” says Joedis Avila, multicultural relations manager for MillerCoors.

“We are proud to continue highlighting those who

Ferreira was chosen as one of the 2011 contribute to their communities, while excelling in their MillerCoors Líderes because of his involvement in careers and serving as role models for future generations.” the fight for sight and other community initiatives.

Devastated by the unexpected news that his infant Since 2006, MillerCoors Líderes has raised son was diagnosed with a rare, blinding disease called awareness and highlighted the achievements of national Leber congenital amaurosis (LCA), Ferreira has helped and local leaders within the Hispanic community the Foundation Fighting Blindness raise awareness and through an online public voting program and a advance promising research toward treatments and national advertising campaign. The program offers cures for inherited retinal conditions like LCA. Through up-and-coming Latino professionals leadership tools, events such as VisionWalk, Banking on a Cure, Dining counsel and the opportunity to network through www. in the Dark, and Pitching for a Cure, he has raised close MillerCoorsLideres.com, Facebook and LinkedIn. to $100,000 for cutting-edge research that could help restore his son’s sight and the sight of millions more.

Now, he’s rallying the supermarket industry and the Greater NY community to help with his Spring 2011

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Northeast Province

“A Youth Poet From NYC” Samuel “Samson” Maldonado

Samson has been writing songs for some time but has been performing poetry for the past three years. He receives inspiration from everyday situations and most commonly uses a blend of issues while twisting happiness and drama to reflect upon life.

Samson has been featured and is also now a part of the Urban Voices Heard Write-Out Loud Open Mic Showcase [UVH]. He has also been featured at The SoulSweet Sanctuary in the Bronx.

Samson has had the opportunity to grace the stage at places such as The Nuyorican Poets Cafe, La Pregunta Arts Cafe, Inkwells Loser Slam in Long Branch, New Jersey, The Red Room, 449LA Scat, and Herkimer County Community College and Humphreys in New Haven, Connecticut, just to name a few.

Samson has also been blessed to have guidance from El Grito De Poetas, an all Latino poetry group, and has also opened for them. He has been published on www.retrowrites.com , Pioneer Magazine, and www.spokenwordnewyork.com. Sam attends Utica College in Utica, New York where he helped found Open Moments, a poetry oriented group of diverse young male and female artists at Utica dedicated to the craft and performance of poetry, rap, Love Music dance and song. He was also a 2010 McCafe Poetry We Met Yesterday Slam Finalist. On September 18, 2010, Samson along Today She told Me She Loved Me side a few other poets opened up for new hiphop I Told Her How Could It Be Possible sensation, B.O.B. The confidence Samson brings to any To Love Someone So Quickly… stage is what makes him a performer worth watching.

She Told Me That “We Fall In Love With Songs

On August 19, 2011, Samson will release his Instantly” second book of poetry, “Listen Up Pt 2” at the PeaceLove Your Heartbeat Is My Favorite Genre Of Music.

Cafe, located at 617 Melrose Avenue (Btwn 151st & 152nd Street) in Bronx, New York. The book release It’s Been On Repeat In My Pandora’s Box will be hosted by Latanya DeVaughn and will feature From The Moment My Ear Drums Samson and some of NYC’s dopest, young poets: A. Created A Rhythm With Your Lyric, SoSoon, Speakers Of The House & Omni Blaize.

Instrumental.

One Fact About Samson’s Poetry: He Writes All Of His Poems In All Caps Because He Believes His Words Create Statements. To Samson, Capital Letters Help Make A Point And It Makes Him Standout From Other Writers.

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Your Song Has Officially Made My All Time List Now A Kiss To My Billboard Will Secure It’s #1 Spot.

Yesterday You Debuted Your Love Song.

Today I Downloaded It Into My Heart’s iPod. Now I’m Listening To The Sound Of Your Soul Everyday.

I Am [What I Am]

I Am Motivation

Motivation For Those With Desired Goals I Am Purpose

A Purpose To Guide Those With Intended Plans I Am a Man

Who Play’s a Significant Role In My Environment To Set An Example I Am a Leader

A Leader Who Rules Guides And Inspires Others To Become Whatever There Hearts

Tell Them To Be I Am Teacher

Exposing Knowledge To Those Who’s Minds Are Dumbfounded By Society I Am a Friend

Showing Love & Advice To Those Whose Pale Hearts Are In Need For Color I Am a Brother

Both Socially & At Heart I Am There When Needed, Behind You Every Step Of The

Way Through This Mountain Hike You Call Life & Right With You Throughout This Journey I Am Producer

Mass Producing Our Youth To Stay True To Themselves & Never Forgetting Who and

Where They Come From I Am a Tree

Over Looking Upon This Surface To Get a Better View Of The Things We Observe

Each Day To Make The Following a Better One. I Am Lover

Opening My Pool Of Affection So Others Can Swim With My Love So They Can Feel Wanted I Am a Trendsetter

Transcending How We As People Are Suppose To Act & Should Act Towards One Another I Am a Unifier

Bringing People Together Through One Important Cause Which is to Discuss &

Express Our Feelings & Thoughts About Our Everyday Lives I Am a Writer

A Poet

A Speaker

A Man Full Of Many Things You Can Just Say I’m Revolutionary.

But I Don’t Do It For The Fame Though

I Do This So I Can Enlighten People Lives

Paint Pictures Like Every Word I Spit Was Made From a Rainbow

Making This Cold Blooded World, Warm Like a Sweater That We Can Cover Our Upon Our Souls.

That’s My Reason For Doing This…

Despite That I Am All Of These Numerous Things

Most Importantly…

I Am Human

Now Can You Tell Me What You Are???

I Am… Peace.

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Unchained Warriors

By: Daniel Prieto

Latin America is a region in the western hemisphere that is comprised of various countries that share many similarities linguistically, culturally, historically, and politically. Many of these countries’ foundation were built not only by indigenous populations and Europeans but also by the hands of imported African Slaves from the western coast of Africa. With the harsh treatment of the slave trade many enslaved blacks revolted against their slave masters and created revolutions of their own that are not publicized amongst the Latino population here in the United States. Within this article I will be focusing on two important figures of African descent whose legacy lives on today in their respective countries. These two revolutionaries are that of Zumbi dos Palmares, a freed slave of Brazilian descent and Joseph Chatoyer (Satuyé in Spanish) a Garifuna chief who led a revolt against the British colonial government of Saint Vincent in 1795 which also led to the dispersion of the Garifuna people to the Caribbean coast of the present day countries of Honduras, Belize, Guatemala, and Nicaragua.

Zumbi, also known as Zumbi dos Palmares, was born a free black in the Quilombo dos Palmares in Palmares, Brazil in 1655. Eventually being kidnapped by the Portuguese, he was baptized under the name Francisco and was taught the Portuguese language and Latin. Fed up of being under the vigilance of the Portuguese Missionary, Zumbi fled and in 1670 returned to Palmares. Growing up in the Quilombo (Portuguese for a free African refugee settlement) Zumbi sought to enlighten other quilombos to fight for equality.

Apprehensive of the ongoing conflict with Palmares, Pedro Almeida, governor of the state of Pernambuco, attempted to bring about a truce between Palmares and the Portuguese government. Almeida approached Palmares’ leader Ganga Zumba and promised him that if he surrendered to the Portuguese government he would grant all runaway slaves freedom. Zumbi, discouraged by the agreement, challenged Ganga Zumba’s authority and rejected Almeida’s proposition. Becoming the new leader of Palmares, Zumbi then encountered various attacks from the Portuguese government primarily in 1694 from Domingos Jorge Velho and Bernardo Vieira de Melo who attacked and dismantled the quilombo settlement. Zumbi was able to escape and continue

the rebellion until he was capture by Portuguese forces. To show the rest of the black population that Zumbi was not immortal the Portuguese beheaded him on November 20, 1695 in the central plaza of the capital city of Recife.

November 20 is now a national holiday and it commemorates the Afro-Brazilian Consciousness. Zumbi is not only seen as a national hero but a source of inspiration for millions of Afro-Brazilians who continue to fight against adversity and prejudices that they face on a daily basis.

The Garifuna are a community made up of Carib and African descent, the latter stemming from a shipwreck of enslaved blacks off the coast of St. Vincent who intermarried with the already present Carib community of the island. A national hero of the island nation of St. Vincent and the Grenadines and a hero to the Garifuna communities of Honduras, Belize, Guatemala, and Nicaragua is that of Joseph Chatoyer (Satuyé) who was a Garifuna chief who resisted the British government during the colonization of his native island of St. Vincent.

After various attempts at colonizing the island by the French and the British, the native population rebelled in 1772.

Chatoyer was able to push the British time after time out of the mountains, where the community inhabited, causing the soldiers to retreat. Surprisingly, the war against the British was put to a halt after the British colonizers came to an agreement with the indigenous population and signed an accord with them. This is the first time that the British ever signed an accord with an indigenous populace. However, knowing the British were not going to stick with the agreement the Garifuna continued to fight. Joined now with French forces, inspired by the French Revolution,

the Garifuna led by Chatoyer continued to fight against the British in order to claim full sovereignty of the island.

Sadly, on March 14 of 1796 a multitude of British soldiers ransacked Dorsetshire Hill, where Chatoyer was staying during the night, and killed him in his sleep. The rebellion continued until June of the same year; yet, the French forces eventually gave up and withdrew from the island surrendering full power to the British government. Viewing the Garifuna as enemies, the British deported the group to the Honduran island of Roatán, located off of the coast of Honduras (Honduras was still under Spanish rule at this time). Due to the small size of the island the Garifuna petitioned the Spanish government to settle in the mainland. With permission granted the Garifuna settled in the Caribbean coast of Honduras and eventually spread to neighboring countries such as Belize, Guatemala, and Nicaragua. Today, the Garifuna continue to live along the Caribbean coast of Central America as well as multiple cities in the United States such as New York City, New Orleans, Miami, and Los Angeles. They have preserved their culture, traditions, language, history, and have also influenced the identity of their Central American countries.

These two heroes of Latin America and the Caribbean have both left their mark in the history of their respective countries and in the hearts of their fellow countrymen. Let us not forget these resilient warriors of glory who shed their blood for our history.

Received from the Journal entitled Phylon: Zumbí and the Republic of Palmares by Irene Diggs May 23, 2011.

Received from the world wide web http://www.garifunaheritagefoundation. org/285.html May 23, 2011.

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West Province

The Official “Phoita Burger” bbq sauce, hot sauce, lettuce, tomatoes, pickles and onions. All the ingredients hand picked and selected by the brothers of the Alpha Tau Chapter. The burger also reflects the preference of many of the Latino students who attend Javan’s.

It’s official….Phi Iota Alpha has a burger named after the fraternity!

The “Phiota Burger” is part of the Phiota Special offered at Javan’s, a well known restaurant conveniently located within walking distance of the UC Santa Barbara campus in the golden state of California. The “Phiota Burger” will be making its debut this Spring Quarter.

Thanks to the great success of the Javan’s fundraisers, the Alpha Tau chapter of Phi Iota Alpha Fraternity, Inc. has been able to generate outstanding funds to our UNICEF Philanthropy since being founded in the Spring of 2010.

A year later, they are well established on their campus and earned their chapter letters just this past 2011 National Convention in Miami. The news of the “Phiota Burger” is a symbol of the hard work and dedication this chapter, and the California region has demonstrated in the last year. We are sure that we will be featuring their accomplishments for years to come.

Phiota Convention 31 Day Countdown Picture Context Winning Picture Cover Picture

2nd Place Western Province “Phiota in da House”

Stopping by Santa Barbara? Check in to Javan’s to try the “Phiota Burger”

The owner expressed that this is a way of showing his gratitude for the business and the amazing fundraisers that the Alpha Tau Chapter of Phi Iota Alpha Fraternity, Inc. has brought to his business. He hopes to see many students order it and make it a classic at his location. The brothers at Alpha Tau have a great relationship with the owner and plan to continue organizing many more fundraisers in the years to come in this venue.

The “Phiota Burger” consists of half a pound of Gaucho beef with really thick bacon, Fall 2011

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Midwest Province

Phiota’s Pan-American Outreach

As a

student with the opportunity to live and study in the United States, it always struck me weird that students, particularly of Latino descent, aren’t consistently doing enough to help our neighbors south of the border. Personally, I hold the belief that we should not only give back to our local communities, but that it is equally important to stretch that friendly hand to South America and the Caribbean. I was involved in multiple organizations as soon as I began my freshman year at Michigan State University, but they were not fulfilling that particular desire to work with Latin American countries.

Things changed after I became a brother of Phi Iota Alpha Fraternity, Phi chapter. In Phiota (Phi Iota Alpha Fraternity), I found an organization that placed a strong emphasis on Pan-Americanism like myself. PanAmericanism can be briefly summed up as the basic unity of the countries in our hemisphere. My personal interest was to work with Latin American and Latino communities both here and abroad.

Our chapter had already been fundraising for yearly causes in Latin America, but around the Fall of 2008 we decided to begin physically taking trips to the countries we fund-raised for. The international engagement began with a project in which brothers provided school materials and built a small playground for an elementary school in Tamaulipas, Mexico. The following academic year, in the Spring of 2010, we teamed up with MSU’s ‘Latinos on The Move’ and organized a similar project in El Salvador. This was my first time attending our now annual “Aide To The Americas” and it was truly humbling experience.

Our group worked with a community in Potrerillos de la Laguna, Coatepeque, Departamento de Santa Ana, El Salvador. In short, we just referred to

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it as ‘La Comunidad’. This community is located on a small mountain next to the large and beautiful Lake Coatepeque. It is a rural community to which most government help never arrives. The beauty here was that we would be living in the community while we helped build the park. Women, men, and even the elementary school children who the park was built for, aided in the efforts, showing us the strength and Corazon (heart) present all over our beloved Latin America. As a group, we were able to turn a pile of dirt into a playground with swings, a miniature soccer field, and multiple trees that children would take care of, among other toys. This experience renewed all the brothers’ commitment to ensure we do our part to help those communities that need it most. Two and a half days later of hard working from morning until sunset left us with a park that many of us doubted could even be completed.

This past Spring Break we focused our efforts on the Dominican Republic. Specifically in the community of “La Piedra” located in the Capital of Santo Domingo.

Like in El S a l v a d o r, this is a community where most government help never reaches. We assisted them through the non-profit agency named the Centro Cultural Guanin that was working on establishing a children’s club in the area. Aside from donating money we raised by way of contributions from our fellow MSU students; our brothers worked on laying the foundation for the future building of the children’s center. Once again community members worked on the project to better their future.

We left both communities tired, but invigorated with a renewed sense of why we joined the brotherhood.

Our vision of a more united hemisphere is partially based on the economic and social mobilization of Latin American communities world-wide.

social mobilization of Latin American communities world-wide. Our efforts as a chapter are small in comparison with all the help needed, but we want to ensure that we do our part.

We can put all our efforts together, but Latin America’s current state that demonstrates helping is a commitment that will last a lifetime. It is my belief that we as students in the United States are in a unique position to give back. Our schools are filled with different types of organizations to the point that one needs to only look for the right one to join. Creating your own is another alternative if you cannot find one who meets your community goals. Involvement as students locally, nationally, and abroad is a key piece to understanding how our community struggles are connected. A broader goal is to hope involved students become involved professionals who ensure that the best interests of underprivileged communities are respected and addressed in any profession they enter.

Hosting the Φuture By: Carlos “Suazo” Villegas

In the spring of 2010, there were only six universities in the Southwestern Province of Phi Iota Alpha Fraternity Inc. Our fraternity is now heading into the fall 2011 semester and to say that our province has had extensive growth would be an understatement. In one year, Louisiana State University, Lamar University, the University of Houston Downtown, Texas A&M, Texas A&M Kingsville, and the University of Houston were added to our province. Phi Iota Alpha has always valued quality over quantity and the young individuals who are leading this new wave of Phiotas in this region are definitely men of quality. On August 6, a regional meeting between all the newly established Universities was held in Houston, Texas. The topics discussed ranged from UNICEF, campus involvement, graduation rates, internship opportunities, scholarships, budget plans, and ways to become recognized in the community.

Our brotherhood is reaching out to communities and college campuses around the nation in ways no one could have imagined. With these schools setting a small example of where we are headed as an organization, a movement, or just as young Latinos in general, I must say the future is looking bright.

ince v o r P t s e Southw

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o M n r u e o y Can Bu y Y t a h W 8¢ Will give a child a notebook and pencil to use in a classroom

48¢

$16.25 Can buy a cold-storage box to make sure medicines do not spoil in the heat $18.18 Can provide 3 bed nets to protect families from mosquitoes carrying deadly malaria

Supplies an emergency first aid kit

$24

You can help kids who need it most!

For more than 60 years, America’s kids have taken to the streets on Halloween, collecting change to help children around the world who don’t have enough food to eat, safe water to drink, or medicine to keep them healthy.

There are so many ways to get involved. Learn more and download free resources at trickortreatforunicef.org.

You can also donate right now by scanning this Microsoft Tag using a smart phone or web enabled device.

$86.25 Can provide a bicycle to get important medicines to remote places $500

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Provides 1 packet of special powder that, when mixed with water, can save a child from deadly dehydration

$17 Keeps a kid safe from 6 killer diseases Pays for protein biscuits for a starving child

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Can provide a soccer ball and air pump so children in refugee camps can play together and be kids

Supplies a box of 10,000 tablets that purify water for kids to drink

Buys enough lifesaving high-protein peanut paste for 400 under-fed kids for one day

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See what else your money can buy at trickortreatforunicef.org.

Get the free mobile app at

http:/ / gettag.mobi Fall 2011

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Southwest Province

Saturday Nights at LSU By: Miguel “Smygrs” Bermudez

During the fall, Saturday nights at LSU are practically sacred, especially when there are home football games at the storied, Tiger Stadium. What makes the night so special is the buildup prior, in particular, the tailgates.

The LSU campus becomes the second largest city in the state with thousands of fans tailgating all over campus in their RV’s and tents, cooking and grilling the local favorites- gumbo, jambalaya, red beans and rice with sausage and, undoubtedly, burgers and hot dogs. It is the ultimate experience in college football and, to top it off, as the sun comes down, the LSU Tigers march into Death Valley, the “Pantheon made of Concrete and Steel.”

Last fall, one of my experiences of Saturday night football at Tiger Stadium was one that I will never forget. On Saturday, November 13, 2010, my life changed forever. I witnessed true brotherhood, friendship, and, most important of all, unity. I was invited to the Phiota Homecoming Tailgate on campus and at that time I knew little about Phi Iota Alpha Fraternity Inc. I had learned that they had just returned to campus and I also personally knew one of them, Marlon “Verdadero” Boutin.

It was my first semester as a fourth year student, and I had never seriously considered joining a fraternity. It was not ‘my thing.’ Arriving at the tailgate, I felt welcomed all at once. Their hospitable approach, which matches how I interact with other people, had a big impact on me. The sense of brotherhood that I perceived when I learned they had brothers who’d come from Georgia and Texas to participate in their prime tailgate of the year was something that I really appreciated. Overall, I had a great time at the tailgate.

The food was delicious and, unequivocally, the Phiota Punch too!

After I left the tailgate on route to Tiger Stadium, I had already made up my mind on pledging the following semester. The connection that I had with them that day at the tailgate was very strong and I instantly knew that I would become a brother in the future. At the start of the following semester, I recall my brother, Daniel “Cristiano” Toro, contacting me to hang

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Phiota Alpha Louisiana Roots By: Carlos ‘Kacike’ Martinez

out.

To their surprise, I was already committed and didn’t need any recruitment. I told him, with earnest, that I was going to pledge if given a bid. Today, I can proudly say that I am a Phiota.

This upcoming Fall I will be welcoming brothers from across the United States and Latin America to our Homecoming Tailgate along with my brothers here at LSU. As chairman of the tailgates, I look forward to hosting an exceptional tailgate for my visiting brothers and our local community, so that they can experience the local culture and the Saturday night atmosphere to its fullest. This year’s Homecoming Tailgate will be on November 12 against Western Kentucky, so mark your calendars.

If you would like to join us for that special occasion, contact me at mbermu2@tigers.lsu.edu. Below is the schedule for the 2011-2012 season. For all home games, tailgates will be planned so RSVP with us if interested in attending.

Date Opponent Time Sat, Sep 3 Oregon 7:00 pm Sat, Sep 10 Northwestern St 7:00 pm Thu, Sep 15 at Mississippi St 6:30 pm Sat, Sep 24 at West Virginia TBA Sat, Oct 1 Kentucky 7:00 pm Sat, Oct 8 Florida 7:00 pm Sat, Oct 15 at Tennessee TBA Sat, Oct 22 Auburn 7:00 pm Sat, Nov 5 at Alabama TBA Sat, Nov 12 Western Kentucky 7:00 pm Sat, Nov 19 at Mississippi TBA Fri, Nov 25 Arkansas 1:30 pm

Home games are in bold.

New Orleans, Louisiana. Birthplace of Jazz, Mardi Gras, and the world famous Gumbo!

What most outside the bonds of the Phi Iota Alpha brotherhood do not know is that New Orleans is also the birthplace of Sigma Iota; the first Latino greek lettered organization in the United States. Sigma Iota was established on November 27, 1904 as a secret society for students known as la Colonia Hispano-American that then changed it’s name to Sociedad Hispano-Americana the following month. It was on March 12, 1912 that the members decided to transition themselves from a social club into the fraternity known as Sigma Iota. On December 26, 1931 these men would take another bold leap and merge with Phi Lambda Alpha to create the brotherhood of Phi Iota Alpha.

Upon hearing that our 80th Anniversary Convention was being held in new Orleans, nothing short of excitement filled my heart as a proud Phiota man. Our history in the city is distinguished and some of our members have left an impressive legacy still remembered today.

Although Tulane, Loyola, and Louisiana State University were the base of our operations, brothers were visible in various areas around the city. One of the most visible was Dr. Rudolph Matas; a world renown surgeon who served as national leader of Sigma Iota on multiple occasions. Brothers would host social events for incoming international students, give out awards for best Spanish essays, and even coordinate speeches by prominent Latin American figures.

During the first few decades after our establishment, Phi Iota Alpha was so well organized that Latin American consuls and university representatives would routinely attend Phiota events. Some that stand out include speeches by renowned Mexican Philosopher and statesman, Jose Vasconcelos, and another by Salvador

Mendieta; the founder and former president of the Central American Unionist Party. Mendieta was even initiated into Phi Iota Alpha as an honorary member!

Many of our past conventions have been held in the city, but this will be the first since the re-establishment of our undergraduate chapters. All brothers should look forward to this opportunity and be sure to attend as we continue making history in New Orleans. We are also looking forward to the company of our fellow Greek community as we take another step forward in Latino Greek history.2 During the 1929 Sigma Iota Silver Anniversary convention; the intentions to negotiate a merger with Phi Lambda Alpha was publically announced. An aftermath of the 1936 convention in New Orleans was a public announcement by the fraternity asking the United States to recognize Puerto Rico as independent and for the removal of it’s military forces on the island. Three years later at another New Orleans Phiota convention; we publically announced a request for the release of Puerto Rican nationalist Pedro Albizu Campos, along with the result of a passed vote to “co-operate for the union of Latin American republics.”

What sort of changes or announcements will the 2012 convention bring? I’m not too sure at this point, but I plan on being there to find out! Our storied legacy is great to learn from, but fortifying our thriving present and promising future will be what brings about greater progress in our ΦamIliA! I hope to see you all in New Orleans!

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Convetion Recap MIAMI FLORIDA

On July 21, 2011 Phi Iota Alpha, the Oldest Latino Fraternity in existence, celebrated it’s 79th Anniversary Convention in Miami, Florida. Phi Iota Alpha We also would like to thank the Fraternity, Inc. is the oldest intercollegiate Greek-letter fraternity, established many vendors and presenters that for Latino Americans in the United States. It was founded December 26, 1931 at came to this year’s convention: Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, New York.

• Federal Bureau of Investigation • United States Secret Service

Over 200 members of Phi Iota Alpha Fraternity, Inc., from all over the • Metropolitan Life country gathered together at the Miami Marriot Biscayne Bay for educational • Verizon Wireless workshops, motivational speakers, celebrations, sun, surf, and community service.

• Greek Nation

• Sons of 31 LLC

Convention weekend was capped off with the annual convention banquet.

• Inlet Wines LLC The Keynote speaker was Bro. Tiberio Faria. Mr. Faria pledged for Phi Iota Alpha in 1 955 at Lousiana State University. Bro. Tiberio was a member of the fraternity’s Board of Trustees from 2005 until 2007. He is a public Speaker, trainer, translator and editor, of bilingual publications in Spanish and English. His latest title is “Our Espanglish.” A book about the “Lingua Franca” of a very large part of the Hispanic community in the USA.

It was also announced that Phi Iota Alpha will be returning to its Southern home of Louisiana in 2012. The 80th anniversary Phi Iota Alpha convention will be in New Orleans, Louisiana.

Highlights of the annual awards ceremony included: Undergrad of the Year: Rafael “Unido” Martinez, Alumni of the Year: Peter “Incendio” Rojas Chapter of the Year: Alpha Gamma Chapter St. Johns University In addition eight colonies were chartered as new chapters of Phi Iota Alpha: AN: University of North Texas AX: University of Texas, Austin AO: Texas State University AP: Armstrong Atlantic State University AR: Rutgers University, New Brunswick AS: Georgia Southern University AT: University of California, Santa Barbara AU: Lamar University

Our heartfelt thanks goes to our premier convention sponsor Verizon Wireless. Verizon Wireless was in attendance at the 79th Anniversary Convention held an interactive presentation on “Expansion and Awareness via Social Media.” In addition Verizon Wireless phones and tablets were raffled off to convention attendees.

Convetion 2012 New Orleans, Louisana Fall 2011

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Raices By: Miguel Castro

Patria Grande Esperanza de todos Yo soy Latino and I made it

American tree

Notice the differences Notice the similarities Pride is more than appropriate Diversity is our identity Derived out of an inevitable Embrace its beautiful colors struggle I refuse to be an abstract entity Roots deeply grounded in the that denies the inextricable history of our people connection between our panA history that started long before American roots—there is no need Columbus sailed the ocean blue in to fear the giant with seven league 1492 boots A history that is deeply embedded The leaves fall from the tree in the soil that provides us with The wind blows them left and right the sustenance of life—We have The anxiety of separation breathes learned of the armed strife and heavily our generation has lived through Defy the strength of the wind the weaponless strife of the mind Lucha day and night Whistle the song of victory Pa’lante, Siempre pa’lante Let us be leaves of substance Despierta-Rise Let the blood flow through the Dig the roots out of the ground veins Refresh the memory Breathe life into the story Gently brush the dirt off We are free Feel the natural shape and Do not fall far from the tree architecture Caress every imperfection Patria Grande Let your soul take in the moment Transcend time and become one with the organ of the PanFall 2011

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From The Archives Distinguished Alumni profile: Rudolph Matas 1860-1957

Dr.

By Alberto Elvira

Dr. Rudolph Matas was born in Bonnet Carre, Louisiana, a short distance from New Orleans, on September 12, 1860. His parents, natives of Spain, his early childhood was spent in France and Spain. In 1867, his family moved back to New Orleans. In 1877 he began his medical training at the Medical School of the University of Louisiana, now known as Tulane University School of Medicine, receiving his medical degree in 1880 at the age 19.

Dr. Matas was a world-renowned surgical giant. He was the first doctor to use a vascular surgical technique for aneurism, a suturing method called “The Matas Operation.” He was the first to understand the need to control the rate of intravenous infusion -- he invented “The Matas Clamp” to regulate the rate of flow. Dr. Matas performed surgery using spinal anesthesia, a first in the United States. He was the first to prescribe a pre-surgical regimen for abdominal surgery.

Dr. Matas also became an authority on Yellow Fever, an advocate of Carlos Finlay’s hypothesis that the Mosquitoes spread Yellow Fever. He saved the life of Major Gorgas, who later cleared the Panama area of Yellow Fever to prepare for the construction of the Panama Canal.

He is generally referred to as the “Father of Vascular Surgery.” Dr. Matas was a founding member of the American Association for Thoracic Surgery. The Rudolph Matas Award in Vascular Surgery is considered the world’s premier award for cardio-thoracic surgery. Dr. William Mayo founder of the famous Mayo Clinic described Dr. Matas as “The best doctor the world had produced at that time.”

Dr. Matas’ life remained at all times intimately associated with Tulane and Greater New Orleans. He was the chairman of the Department of Surgery at New Orleans’ Charity Hospital for 32 years. He taught at Tulane University Medical School for 42 years. At Tulane Dr. Matas served as the Frater in Facultate of the Tulane Chapter of Phi Iota Alpha Fraternity. Staying involved in the Fraternity for almost 40 years.

Dr. Matas received decorations from more than fourteen countries.

He presided as president of medical societies here and abroad, including: The New Orleans Medical Society, The Louisiana Medical Society, The American Surgical Association, and The International Society of Surgery. The American Medical Association gave Dr. Matas its first Distinguished Service Medal.

He was named by the New Orleans Times-Picayune as one of the individuals that defined New Orleans in the 20th Century. Tulane’s surgical interest group is named in his honor, Rudolph Matas Surgical Society, as is the Rudolph Matas Health Sciences Library, Tulane’s medical library.

Dr. Matas died on September 23, 1957, at the age of 97, distinguished brother and physician.

Phi Iota Alpha Fraternity, Inc. Visa® Platinum Rewards Card We’re excited to announce a brand new way that you can support Phi Iota Alpha!

When you apply for and use the new Phi Iota Alpha Fraternity, Inc. Visa® Platinum Rewards Card, our issuing bank (UMB) will make a $50 donation to the fraternity. Then for the life of the program, Phi Iota Alpha will receive a portion of every dollar that every cardholder charges! This great new card has no annual fee and a competitively low interest rate making it a smart choice for showing your Phi Iota Alpha pride.

Enjoy enhanced Visa Platinum benefits and rewards – earn bonus points for FREE airline tickets, merchandise, cash-back and more at participating merchants. No Annual Fee. Low Introductory APR on purchases and no balance transfer fees for 6 months. Enhanced Visa Platinum benefits, including 24/7 Emergency Customer Service, 100% Fraud Protection, Auto Rental and Travel Accident Insurance and much more. See our FAQ for more information.

All the benefits of a platinum Visa card will be yours, along with the satisfaction of showing your support of Phi Iota Alpha Fraternity’s mission every time you use your card.

This program is only open to U.S. residents 18 and over.

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At Verizon Wireless, you’ll see your potential realized.

Your dreams achieved.

To learn more, visit vzwcampus.com

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