Chi Eta Newsletter 2020.2

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Strength IN NUMBERS ALPHA ALPHA CLASS | CABINET INTRODUCTIONS | MORE WKUFIJI.COM

ISSUE 2020.2

LETTER from the EDITOR Brothers,

REVISIONS & INTRODUCTIONS

As this year comes to a close, I find myself in a state of reflection. Although this season has been characterized by loss and chaos, there is still growth, hope, and progression to be celebrated.

It is in these times when it is imperative we lean on one another and the solid foundation found in Chi Eta. Regardless of our global predicament, this brotherhood will be a consistent pillar of morality, friendship, and excellence on which to rely.

With this in mind, it is my goal as the Publications Chair to highlight the positivity and advancement of this brotherhood for everyone to enjoy. It is important that our community celebrate one another’s honor and humility, which I feel is accomplished with this piece—perhaps bringing a familiar sense of “home” to those more removed from their time in FIJI. In this issue of the Chi Eta Newsletter, we will introduce our newly elected Cabinet, hear from a brother who exudes positivity, meet our Alpha Alpha class, and celebrate the accomplishments of some esteemed brothers.

As we look forward to a new era in Chi Eta, it is crucial we also look back on the growth of this semester and the brotherhood it still maintained.

Wishing you a happy and healthy New Year!

Your editor, MILES NEWTON Publications Chair P!

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PHOTOGRAPH BY CHANEY RUBY

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Publications Chair Miles Newton | Editorial Design Thomas Special Contributor David Weafer Cover Photograph by Preston Romanov

I. Deaton

LAST-MINUTE RECRUITMENT PLANNING AT FT. ARMSTRONG, AUGUST 30, 2018.

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Highlighting accomplishments on campus and beyond

CONTENTS in this issue

6 NEW NORMAL, NEW CABINET

14 DOUBLE TROUBLE

12 AROUND THE TABLE

24 SIX SNAPS FOR THESE BROTHERS

Get to know our new chapter leadership.

Chi Eta’s first double-letter pledge class (Alpha Alpha).

David Weafer dishes up pandemic positivity with his “cake tours.”

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Catching up on accomplishments from the past semester.

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Meeting the Alpha Alpha pledge class

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NEW NOrmal NEW CABINET 6

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Catch up with Chi Eta’s newest cabinet in this quick Q&A.

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Ken Barlow President

Q: How have you been able to make the most of this brotherhood despite our global predicament?

A: I believe the brotherhood has been the same, but in smaller numbers. With brotherhood events being 10 people or less, it has created opportunities to know brothers more personally rather than in a group setting. Additionally, I served as a pledge educator this semester which allowed me to get to know the newest pledge class on a weekly basis. This was really great for me because I was able to get to know brothers consistently.

Q: What has been one positive thing that has happened this fall?

A: One positive thing this semester was the creativity the chapter used to have socially distanced brotherhood. One example of this was when I started weekly Call of Duty tournament nights.

Guys would sign up and be randomly assigned teams. For several weeks we would have fun and game together. It was fun and felt like brotherhood from a long distance. Our brotherhood chair, David Weafer, also did a great job of creating virtual and small outdoor events such as rap battles and Kan Jam. Q: What has been the most important thing you’ve learned this semester?

A: I have learned to always enjoy the little moments. I think the pandemic has made me realize what is truly important in my life. Little things like Cookout runs and dancing at the Castle are all things that during a normal semester I could experience regularly. Those are moments I wouldn’t trade for anything. Now, I am sure to spend time with those I care about whenever I am lucky to.

Q: Moving forward, how will you take what you’ve learned in Chi Eta to serve this brotherhood and leave it better than you found it?

A: One of the biggest things I have learned from serving in Chi Eta is that having a passion for a position pushes me to do my best. Being in the chapter with this group of guys makes it easy to be passionate. I am not driven by the letters we wear on our chest or a title. I am driven by the people I love and care about in the chapter. I will make sure that I make this the best experience possible for everybody and improve the chapter where I see fit. Covid-19 makes things difficult, but I’m confident the rest of Cabinet and I can make this semester an enjoyable experience.

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JOHN DOWNING Treasurer

Q: How have you been able to make the most of this brotherhood despite our global predicament?

A:This semester has for sure been hard not only on cabinet but for every person in the chapter. A ton of unknowns throughout the last 5 months, and waiting to see what we can and cannot do. As a cabinet, we tried to do everything we could to ensure a strong and safe semester for everyone.

We started off strong with recruitment by being able to split up into groups at different houses to make sure we could meet new guys but also follow guidelines. I really think that recruitment set the tone for the semester and get us all the way through finals week. Even after that we continued to enjoy our time this semester by being able to split up at different houses to enjoy this brotherhood.

Q: What has been one positive thing that has happened this fall?

A: A positive that came out of this semester was definitely that we stayed within the guidelines of not only the University but the state as well. It makes cabinet proud to see our guys taking it seriously but also being able to have fun. It makes it easier on us when we have a great group of brothers to follow those rules.

Q: What has been the most important thing you’ve learned this semester? Moving forward, how will you take what you’ve learned in Chi Eta to serve this brotherhood and leave it better than you found it?

A: Over the last semester, I have learned to not take anything for granted. In my year as Corresponding Secretary and now as Treasurer, I see how COVID has affected everyone and especially the seniors. When it came to a point where restrictions were put in place and the social aspect of Fraternity life dwindled, it makes you realize that 4 years goes by quickly, and it can be taken away from you in an instant. In my upcoming year as Treasurer, I want to strive to make sure that we can have a great semester regardless of the circumstances, to make sure that these seniors have something to remember.

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RILEY CRAWFORD Recording Secretary

Q: How have you been able to make the most of this brotherhood despite our global predicament?

A: This semester, some brothers and I have been serving with Curbside Ministries. We have enjoyed serving in Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas events during this semester and are excited to continue to make relationships within the ministry! We are thankful for the work that Curbside does and providing opportunities for us to serve the community.

Q: What has been one positive thing that has happened this fall?

A: This semester I was hired for a tutoring position in the Kelly Autism Program at WKU. I am excited to teach the students and, more importantly, learn from them as friendships can be formed. This will be a great experience, and the knowledge I gain will most definitely be applicable to a career in medicine focused on patient-care.

Q: What has been the most important thing you’ve learned this semester?

A: This semester emphasized the need to be disciplined. In-person classes provide a means to keep students on track with class material. However, with professors utilizing recorded lectures, it is the student’s responsibility to keep up with the lecture material, rather than just physically attending a lecture period. Staying on track with material required discipline to prioritize learning and knowledge over the distractions of a house.

Q: Moving forward, how will you take what you’ve learned in Chi Eta to serve this brotherhood and leave it better than you found it?

A: From Chi Eta, I have experienced the influence that older members have on new members.

Throughout my time in college, older members have been there to provide advice and push me to be a better man. I have matured and grown in areas that I had never thought about. As an upperclassman, I will first lead by example: staying consistent with my words and actions. Also, I will charge members to ask more out of themselves. A fraternity that has leaders and members striving for more will no doubt do great works.

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CHANEY RUBY Corresponding Secretary

Q: How have you been able to make the most of this brotherhood despite our global predicament?

A: I’m beyond excited to serve our chapter as the Corresponding Secretary for the 2020-2021 school year. Despite this past semester being our first transitioned semester & first ever online recruitment, I feel as though our brotherhood is still as strong as it’s ever been regardless of the pandemic. Personally, I have had the opportunity to live in a house off-campus with three brothers to which we used to our advantage in the recruitment process. We were able to host prerush events to meet PNM’s that also met the CDC guidelines. This led to our house being a spot where brothers could meet members of the Alpha Alpha class and showcase as much brotherhood as we could despite the predicament.

Q: What has been one positive thing that has happened this fall?

A: One positive thing that happened this year personally is the opportunity to grow a close, oneon-one relationship with my little I took this semester. In a “normal” semester on the hill, it’s easy to take social interaction for granted, and with the guidelines we followed this semester, it allowed for more intentionality with those we were able to interact with on the regular.

Q: What has been the most important thing you’ve learned this semester?

A: This past semester has shown me how crucial it is to trust your brothers and to rely on them no matter the circumstances. I’ve learned that being in a brotherhood goes deeper than the ones you may see more than others. Every brother brings a unique perspective and impacts our chapter differently.

Q: Moving forward, how will you take what you’ve learned in Chi Eta to serve this brotherhood and leave it better than you found it?

A: As Corresponding Secretary, I plan to highlight our brothers and make our presence stronger on social media. In the upcoming year, you can expect a more consistent content style as well as an updated website showcasing every pledge class and each member. I’m uberly excited to bring a younger point of view into this leadership position and help continue the transition to our upcoming digital semester.

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NATE ROBB Historian

Q: How have you been able to make the most of this brotherhood despite our global predicament?

A: This semester, some brothers and I have been serving with Curbside Ministries. We have enjoyed serving in Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas events during this semester and are excited to continue to make relationships within the ministry! We are thankful for the work that Curbside does and providing opportunities for us to serve the community.

Q: What has been one positive thing that has happened this fall?

A: This semester I was hired for a tutoring position in the Kelly Autism Program at WKU. I am excited to teach the students and, more importantly, learn from them as friendships can be formed. This will be a great experience, and the knowledge I gain will most definitely be applicable to a career in medicine focused on patient-care.

Q: What has been the most important thing you’ve learned this semester?

A: This semester emphasized the need to be disciplined. In-person classes provide a means to keep students on track with class material. However, with professors utilizing recorded lectures, it is the student’s responsibility to keep up with the lecture material, rather than just physically attending a lecture period. Staying on track with material required discipline to prioritize learning and knowledge over the distractions of a house.

Q: Moving forward, how will you take what you’ve learned in Chi Eta to serve this brotherhood and leave it better than you found it?

A: From Chi Eta, I have experienced the influence that older members have on new members.

Throughout my time in college, older members have been there to provide advice and push me to be a better man. I have matured and grown in areas that I had never thought about. As an upperclassman, I will first lead by example: staying consistent with my words and actions. Also, I will charge members to ask more out of themselves. A fraternity that has leaders and members striving for more will no doubt do great works.

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around the table David Weafer details how to keep up the brotherhood when social gatherings feel like a thing of the past.

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pandemic has obviously limited large group gatherings, including chapter meetings, where I usually get to see my brothers. Instead, I’ve used my hobby of baking to stay connected. This fall, I baked a cake each week and took it to a different house of FIJIs so we could talk for an hour or two over dessert.

It was odd to think that each of these visits was likely the first and last time I would see many brothers for the entirety of the semester, so it made me cherish each moment I had with them even more than normal. Especially in a digital age where folks spend much of the time on their phones, every conversation on my “cake tour” led to a desire to stay disconnected, because I started realizing how special these moments were. Although the pandemic has inhibited a lot of normal life functions, it has taught me to value my time with my brothers more than any event in my college career.

Going forward, I hope to continue to come up with more ways to be intentional with my brothers—even after graduation. I hope to try and utilize my usually empty time cooking or cleaning as opportunities to call and talk with brothers in the future. Overall, I’ve realized there are always ways to stay in touch; sometimes you just have to think outside the box—or plate—a little bit. • CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=490157

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AA AA AA A AA AA AA A DOUBLE AA AA AA A AA AA AA A AA AA AA A AA AA AA A AA AA AA A

AA AA AA AA AA AA AA AA AA AA AA AA ELBUORT AA AA AA AA AA AA AA AA AA AA AA AA AA AA AA AA In a wave of firsts, the chapter hosts a virtual fall recruitment and reaches a new era of pledge class names.

Introducing: the Alpha Alpha pledge class.

ALPHA ALPHA CLASS Adam McGuffey

Year: Sophomore Hometown: Scottsville, KY Major: English and Political Science Why FIJI? FIJI represents my moral values and code as a man.

I wanted to surround myself with brothers that will be a good influence on my life, and I hoped that I could also add a benefit to their lives as well.

Favorite thing about Chi Eta thus far? Every brother I have met has embraced me with open arms, and I truly feel a part of something bigger than myself.

Andrew Birkhead

Year: Freshman Hometown: Owensboro, KY Major: Biochemistry Why FIJI? I joined FIJI because FIJI allows the weird to be weird and the smart to be smart. FIJI lets individuals be individuals.

Favorite thing about Chi Eta thus far? My favorite thing about Chi Eta is the sense of community. Everyone in FIJI has everyone else’s back, all of the time.

Brayden Brown

Year: Freshman Hometown: Liberty, KY Major: Biology Why FIJI? FIJI is full of people who encourage you to better yourself and never become complacent. This is something that I value a lot.

Favorite thing about Chi Eta thus far? Getting my big, Justin Geilear.

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Cade Ashman

Year: Freshman Hometown: Franklin, TN Major: Mathematical Economics Why FIJI? Honestly Fiji is full of guys that I want to surround myself with.

Favorite thing about Chi Eta thus far? The amount of support gained.

Cade Morgan

Year: Freshman Hometown: Spring Hill, TN Major: Financial Planning Why FIJI? There are a lot of like-minded people I could connect with.

Favorite thing about Chi Eta thus far? I have already made a lot of really good friends.

Carson Strunk

Year: Freshman Hometown: Buckner, KY Major: Marketing Why FIJI? It was a bunch of people that weren’t afraid to be themselves. It wasn’t people putting up a front to look good. It was a genuine chapter.

Favorite thing about Chi Eta thus far? I love the friendliness of everyone. Everyone is willing to make an effort for you.

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ALPHA ALPHA CLASS (cont.)

Evan Goetz

Year: Freshman Hometown: Owensboro, KY Major: Finance Why FIJI? This is where I felt like I would be able to get the most out of my next 4 years.

Favorite thing about Chi Eta thus far? The brotherhood.

Evan McNaughton

Year: Freshman Hometown: Bowling Green, KY Major: Biology Why FIJI? I found the greatest opportunities for brotherhood and myself.

Favorite thing about Chi Eta thus far? The real and authentic brotherly connection.

Grant Johnson

Year: Freshman Hometown: Paducah, KY Major: Mathematical Economics Why FIJI? We are the true essence of brotherhood. Like a family away from home. Just full of genuine guys!

Favorite thing about Chi Eta thus far? The sense of brotherhood and familiarity that I have with all of the guys.

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Jace Lancaster

Year: Sophomore Hometown: Somerset, TN Major: Marketing (Sales concentration) Why FIJI? I wanted to join a brotherhood to push me to be a better person and strive to be the best I possibly can be in the community and the classroom.

Favorite thing about Chi Eta thus far? How well connected the brotherhood is and how we are all a family.

Jack McCoun

Year: Junior Hometown: Smithfield, KY Major: Psychology Why FIJI? I chose FIJI because it is a diverse fraternity with men who care about their responsibilities on and off campus.

Favorite thing about Chi Eta thus far? Doing the scavenger hunt with my fellow brothers.

Jacob Guminski

Year: Freshman Hometown: Lancaster, KY Major: History and Social Studies Why FIJI? I picked FIJI because of the brothers that were there.

They seemed to be like genuine men trying to make each other better.

Favorite thing about Chi Eta thus far? Growing relationships with my new brothers.

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ALPHA ALPHA CLASS (cont.)

Kendall Wheeler

Year: Sophomore Hometown: Murray, KY Major: Biochemistry Why FIJI? I’m a person who is focused on self-improvement, and my brothers in FIJI are the sort of men who are always pushing me to do better than I did yesterday.

Favorite thing about Chi Eta thus far? My favorite part of Chi Eta has been being able to link with a table full of brothers in Fresh.

Killian Ledford

Year: Sophomore Hometown: Harlan, KY Major: Exercise Science Why FIJI? FIJI provides me a wide variety of perspectives in one chapter. I feel like you could walk up to a random brother and their story would be completely unique. This coupled with every person pushing me to be a better version of myself allows for me to strive for growth in all aspects of my life.

Favorite thing about Chi Eta thus far? Chi Eta is a very welcoming chapter and brothers are always down to go run some games at the community courts, workout, study, or hangout.

Logan Johnson

Year: Freshman Hometown: Newburgh, IN Major: Forensic Psychology Why FIJI? I thought FIJI stood out since they had a heavy emphasis on morals and academics.

Favorite thing about Chi Eta thus far? My favorite thing has been feeling like I fit in with many of the guys.

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Preston Romanov

Year: Freshman Hometown: Louisville, KY Major: Photojournalism Why FIJI? Despite having Fall Rush 2020 virtual this year, I had a terrific time getting to know the guys at FIJI, who left such a great impression of the fraternity for me. I really love what FIJI stands for and the five core values they believe in. FIJI is everything I wanted in joining a fraternity, and so I was honored to get offered a bid from them.

Favorite thing about Chi Eta thus far? The friendships and networking I’m able to have with such a driven fraternity both academically and personally in goals and big dreams. It’s a brotherhood that can last a lifetime, and I’ve really enjoyed getting to know so many of the guys

Will Howard

Year: Freshman Hometown: Bowling Green, KY Major: Nursing Why FIJI? My older brother was a member and I wanted to be a part of this special brotherhood.

Favorite thing about Chi Eta thus far? Finding new friendships.

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ALPHA ALPHA CLASS (cont.)

Logan Majors

Year: Sophomore Hometown: Grayson County, KY Major: Exercise Science Why FIJI? Coming into college I didn’t want to get involved with a fraternity because of the stigma associated with them, so I decided not to rush my freshman year. Going into sophomore year however, I knew a lot of FIJI brothers from my first year and realized that FIJI was different. I wanted to join a brotherhood with guys who cared about their academics and placed a high expectation on morality. FIJI was just what I was looking for, because it strays away from that normal fraternity association, and I’ve loved every moment since rushing.

Favorite thing about Chi Eta thus far? I’ve definitely formed lifelong friendships with these amazing brothers, and I may not have had the opportunity to if I didn’t join FIJI!

Trent Edmonds

Year: Freshman Hometown: Bowling Green, KY Major: Marketing Why FIJI? Stood out from the rest. Different. Simply the best. All around great guys.

Favorite thing about Chi Eta thus far? The brotherhood and friendships I have already made.

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PHOTOGRAPH BY NICK LEE

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SNAP SNAP SNAP SNAP SNAP SNAP

Edmonds

McClard

Wininger

Wheeler

Taking a moment to highlight THE ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF FOUR UNDERGRADUATES REPRESENTING US ACROSS CAMPUS & BEYOND

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GARRETT EDMONDS – STUDENT BODY PRESIDENT AND STUDENT REGENT Brother Garrett Edmonds has recently been elected the Student Body President and Student Regent for the 2020-2021 academic cycle. Edmonds comments, “2020 has been a difficult year for everyone as we have faced challenges varying from the pandemic to racial injustices to an inability to socialize with friends and family. As the Student Body President and Student Regent for WKU, I felt it was my mission to work to make the most of this very different academic year. My administration has worked proactively to provide students and student organizations with resources to stay active on campus in a COVID friendly manner. Since coming to WKU in the fall of 2017 I’ve worked to propel myself into this role. I’m grateful for all the student support, especially the support from my brothers in [FIJI]. As Student Body President I strive to exemplify the values of Phi Gamma Delta: friendship, knowledge, service, morality, and excellence.”

TATE MCCLARD – IFC PRESIDENT Brother Tate McClard was recently elected to be President of the Interfraternity Council. McClard states, “My position consists of running biweekly meetings with delegates from all fourteen chapters, overseeing my other council members and their tasks, and helping the fourteen chapters in any way I can. I was first introduced to IFC by graduate brother Jake Edmunds. He encouraged me to represent FIJI as the delegate in the biweekly meetings giving chapter reports. Through Edmunds’ leadership, he paved a path for me to ultimately run and serve on IFC. I first served in the awards chair position for the council last year and now have transitioned to president. I appreciate the Chi Eta chapter for encouraging me to use my leadership skills outside the chapter to better the Greek system as a whole.

I look forward to representing Phi Gamma Delta and the Chi Eta chapter in this capacity and use the skills and talents that this chapter embodies to make each chapter and the Greek system as a whole a place for all men on WKU’s campus.”

MATTHEW WININGER – BENJAMIN A. GILMAN SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT Brother Matthew Wininger received the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship in December of this academic year. The Scholarship, issued by the US Department of State, awards $5,000 to students who exhibit a strong interest in pursuing a global education and have demonstrated a passion for service. This summer, Wininger will be studying abroad in the Czech Republic, Austria, Hungary, and Poland. Wininger is a junior majoring in Agriculture, Political Science, and International Affairs and is eager to examine the similarities that exist between international trade agreements and the impact foreign imports have on domestic farmers. Wininger credits his FIJI experience as a major factor in procuring the Gilman Scholarship, including the stellar examples set by graduate brothers.

KENDALL WHEELER – BENJAMIN A. GILMAN SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT Brother Kendall Wheeler is also a recipient of the Benjamin A. Gilman scholarship for this Winter 2020 cycle. Wheeler comments, “The Gilman Scholarship will fund my summer studying abroad in the KIIS Tanzania, which is a program focused on public health in Tanzania intended for pre-health majors like myself. In FIJI, one of our most strongly held values is Excellence, and the Gilman Scholarship would have been beyond me without my brothers in Chi Eta pushing me forward and compelling me to climb to greater and greater heights.”

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PHOTOGRAPH BY ANDREW MERRITT

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WORDS TO LIVE BY

“We cannot do everything at once, but we can do something at once.”

By United States President and Phi Gamma Delta Brother Calvin Coolidge.

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