Chi Eta Newsletter 2022.1

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A L P H A D E LTA C L A S S | A LU M N U S O F T H E Y E A R | F I J I A C A D E M Y WKUFIJI.COM

ISSUE 2022.1

LETTER from the EDITOR Brothers,

NOT FOR COLLEGE DAYS ALONE

On-campus at WKU, we are at the point of the year when the magnolia trees along Centennial Mall have bloomed. The weather is getting warmer, more light in the evenings, spring has sprung. This is always an exciting time for life on campus, but also for Chi Eta. Our annual end-of-the-year events are upon us like Pig Dinner, Brotherhood Retreat, Greek Week, and Cups & Awards. The chapter is gearing up to finish the academic year out strong and put another mark on this campus for being the best fraternity at WKU. I have been honored to serve as publications chair for this spring semester and am excited for you to read the stories and see the visuals I have put together for our chapter. As a Photojournalism major at WKU, second-year sophomore, and second year in FIJI, I hope you take the time to find out all the exciting things Chi Eta has already done this spring semester before the annual end of year events.

In this issue, read a story about three cabinet members returning to an in-person FIJI Academy experience in St. Louis, MO. An update from Housing Corporation regarding things they have done and plans in the works to improve Fort Armstrong.

Find out who is this year’s Chi Eta Graduate Brother of the Year.

Meet our latest new member class, the Alpha Deltas. Where our brothers went for Spring Break and a recap of Philanthropy Week.

Soon I will be making a follow-up Spring 2022 newsletter. One that will capture those end-of-the-year annual events and recap how we finished the year out in awards and Greek Week competitions. As well as a summer 2022 preview of Bike4Alz ride ten.

Wishing everyone a splendid spring season, one with good grades, good news to come, and joys all around.

Let us remember who we always are, for the values we stand for, the goals we seek to meet, and the people we inspire. It is never for the applause of men. But for the strong-willed good service, we give back to this great community and place we call home here at WKU.

Your editor,

Preston Romanov Publications Chair P! 2

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Photogragh by Colin Rogers

Bid Day. January 28, 2022.

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Publications Chair Preston Romanov | Graduate Advisor Thomas Publications Committee Kyle Hodes & Elijah Hopkins Cover Photograph by Preston Romanov

I. Deaton

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

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Philanthropy We

CONTENTS in this issue

Photograph by Preston R

6 LEADING WITH COURAGE

Hear about three cabinet members visiting the FIJI Academy experience in St. Louis, MO.

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WHAT’S NEW AT FORT ARMSTRONG?

Read an update from the Housing Corporation regarding things they have done and plans in the works to improve our great home.

10 HONORING OUR PL & ALUMNUS OF THE YEAR Find out who is this year’s Chi Eta Graduate Brother of the Year.

16 WELCOME HOME, ALPHA DELTA’S

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Meet the Eight New Members we recruited this spring, the Alpha Delta class.

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eek Recap

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Meeting the Alpha Delta pledge class

Romanov

Photograph by Preston Romanov 5

Leading with COURAGE

Story by Preston Romanov

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fter a year of not having an in-person FIJI Academy, the 2022 Academy was held January 7-9, 2022, in St. Louis, MO, at the St. Louis Union Station Hotel by Hilton. Three Chi Eta cabinet members were able to attend this international FIJI conference in St. Louis. The Academy, conducted each year in early January, is designed to give new chapter officers a strong foundation so they can dynamically and courageously lead their chapters. Brothers participating are exposed to the basic elements of chapter operations as well as higher-level leadership development, providing them with the knowledge and leadership skills needed for effective chapter management.

Treasurer and WKU sophomore Drew Trapp said, “It was a really great experience getting to know not only people from other FIJI chapters but also learning about how these different chapters operate. I went to a session that was for only treasurers, and I learned every chapter has different problems here and there, and maybe it had to do with finances and things like that but being able to bounce ideas off each other and help each other out was really beneficial to do.”

Drew touched on how his conversations with other FIJI treasurers made him realize how you don’t know anything about these other chapters until you have met them firsthand. Drew hopes to grow our connections and relationships with other FIJI chapters, for that is how we can make Chi Eta even stronger as a chapter.

Sophomore and Recording Secretary Trey Englehart had to say this about his time at the Academy, “In my experience with FIJI was only limited to Chi Eta, so going there I got to see FIJI in a broader view and got to understand all the other chapters. And surprisingly I learned a lot of the other chapters are like us.”

Trey spoke on how everyone is trying to be the best chapter, but he got to see the diversity and differences in other FIJI chapters. “I met these guys from Berkely, and some were of Asian descent, and when meeting these bigger schools, it surprised me to see that they don’t see themselves as above us. They are all our brothers too, and treat us equally with respect.”

Both Drew and Trey got to experience their first Pig Dinner at the conference, which they described as one of the best meals they’ve ever had and got to see what they read about in New Member Education.

President of Chi Eta JT Stoll was the third cabinet member in attendance, along with graduate brother and Purple Legionnaire Bryan Hartzell. Our cabinet represented our chapter and brothers well, and we are proud of their dedicated service and commitment to their positions this new year.

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The 2022 FIJI Academy in St. Louis, MO, (left) Trey Englehardt, (center left) JT Stoll, (center right) Drew Trapp, (right) Bryan Hartzell. January 9, 2022.

“I was able to help people based on things we’ve done well, and they were able to help me out based on things they’ve done well, so it was a very mutually beneficial experience.”

- Treasurer Drew Trapp

“Going through sitting and talking to everybody, we know that Chi Eta is a special and unique FIJI chapter, but there are also other special chapters. It was encouraging to see that other people care about FIJI as much as we do.”

- Recording secretary trey englehardt

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What’s New at Fort Armstrong?

The Chi Eta House Corporation has been busy recently with big plans ahead.

Here is what Housing Core President Davis Taylor had to say, “In the past year, we have had some exciting additions and movements within the house corporation. Graduate brother Jack Blair was installed as Treasurer, graduate brothers Nate Robb and Noah Rudloff were added as members, Ben Howard was added as the Parent Representative. I moved up to President after Kent Jones stepped down to do Secretary, while graduate brother Kyle Allen remained as a secretary.”

We have a few projects in the coming months, which tentatively include: ⁃ New roof installation ⁃ New flooring in some rooms of the house ⁃ New mattresses “We just recently finished remolding the brick around the house and added new siding and a window to the dormer on the roof.

We’re excited to keep adding more recent graduate brothers to grow the relations between the house corporation and the undergraduate chapter and are always open to hearing about any ideas brothers have that can improve the house.”

- Davis Taylor

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Honoring Bryan Hartzell Chi eta

Purple legionnaire alumnus of the year

We want to honor Bryan Hartzell as Chi Eta’s graduate brother of the year for his continuous service to the Chi Eta chapter and his brothers.

After the summer of 2021, the Purple Legionnaire position for the chapter was left open, and Bryan studiously stepped in and took over the role. He has done a great job so far, helping set up the board of chapter of advisors, working with cabinet transitions, and helping the chapter move forward.

We appreciate all the hard work, time, care, and energy put forward in our chapter this academic school year and look forward to seeing what Bryan will do next!

Thank you.

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SPRING BREAKERS Spring Break returned this academic school year after not having one last year due to the pandemic, and our brothers took advantage of getting out of town! Spring Break was March 14-18, and the brothers traveled from Fort Lauderdale to Palm City Beach in Flordia to the NASA Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama. A group of brothers also visited the Grand Canyon National Park.

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DOUBLE

WELCOME HOM ALPHA DELTAS MEET THIS SPRING’S INTRODUCTION OF EIGHT NEW MEMBERS! Words & Images

by Preston Romanov

ME,

New member Joel Hornback waves his arm as President JT Stoll shouts at a car driving by holding a FIJI brother honking at his wheel on Bid Day at College St. on January 28, 2022.

Photograph by Preston Romanov

ALPHA DEL Tyler Baldwin

Year: Sophomore Hometown: Madisonville, KY Major: Accounting Why FIJI? Because FIJI was unique and stood out from other fraternities.

Favorite spot on campus? Van Meter Favorite go-to meal on campus or at the food trucks? Chick-fil-A sandwich with waffle fries and a blue powerade.

Interesting Fact? I’m left-handed, but I play sports with both hands.

Jacob Burrows

Year: Sophomore Hometown: Louisville, KY Major: Computer Science Why FIJI? FIJI is the best fraternity on campus, full of men who will make me better.

Favorite spot on campus? The big steps outside of FAC. Favorite go-to meal on campus or at the food trucks? Burrito Bowl Interesting Fact? I lived in Alaska.

Kyle Hodes

Year: Sophomore Hometown: Louisville, KY Major: Film BFA Why FIJI? FIJI has genuinely the nicest group of guys I have ever met. They also put their grades before anything else. FIJI presents the opportunities to serve others. I believe it will mold me into an overall more social and open-minded person.

Favorite spot on campus? Jody Richard’s Favorite go-to meal on campus or at the food trucks? Que-Pasa Interesting Fact? In my latest movie that I am directing, my band and I created a song for the credits. Though I am the main bassist, I can play electric guitar.

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LTA CLASS Joel Hornback

Year: Sophomore Hometown: Louisville, KY Major: Biology Why FIJI? I chose FIJI because they were more genuine and impressive than any other fraternity that I encountered.

Favorite spot on campus? Burrito Bowl Favorite go-to meal on campus or at the food trucks? Burrito Bowl; white rice, chicken, everything on it except for tomatoes, shredded cheese.

Interesting Fact? I started my own pre-medical organization on campus.

Dylan Jackson

Year: Sophomore Hometown: Bowling Green, KY Major: Civil Engineering Why FIJI? I always thought I would never be apart of Greek life, but I knew

that I wanted to get more involved on campus. Eventually me and one of my best friends from high school decided to go through recruitment and just test the waters on what Greek life was really like. When we first met the Fiji guys I immediately knew I had found the right people. They valued the same things as me and talking to them felt like I was talking to close longtime friends and not people I just met. I’m really glad I met these guys and I’m proud to be apart of this fraternity!

Favorite spot on campus? Anytime I have down time I like hanging out in my moms office on the 4th floor of COHH, it has a great view of campus.

Favorite go-to meal on campus or at the food trucks? Chick-fil-A grilled chicken sandwich meal is gas.

Interesting Fact? I have a fraternal twin brother (he didn’t rush).

Reed Marple

Year: Freshman Hometown: Bowling Green, KY Major: Marketing Why FIJI? I chose FIJI because of not only the fun I have with the members of FIJI, but also how the people I am around can build me up, keep me accountable, and make me a better person overall. Being in FIJI has also provided me with awesome opportunities to impact those around me and make the best of not only my college years but also my future after college. There’s something about FIJI that makes me feel very comfortable and makes me want to better myself and my peers.

Favorite spot on campus? Chick-fil-A Favorite go-to meal on campus or at the food trucks? Taste of Europe Interesting Fact? Won Class Comedian in High School Superlatives.

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ALPHA DELTA CLASS (cont.)

Blake Mitchell

Year: Freshman Hometown: Louisville, KY Major: Biology Why FIJI? I wanted to join FIJI because I felt like all the people I met genuinely cared about me. unique and stood out from other fraternities.

Favorite spot on campus? Honors College Favorite go-to meal on campus or at the food trucks? Burrito Bowl Interesting Fact? I have a twin sister.

Aziz Umarov

Year: Sophomore Hometown: Bowling Green, KY Major: Electrical Engineering Why FIJI? Throughout the whole pre-recruitment and recruitment process, I made sure to visit as many fraternities as possible, and very quickly FIJI made it up the ranks. I felt very welcomed the first night I was there and every other time I went. That being said, every time I went back, I felt more and more that was where I belonged, and that was how I made my decision.

Favorite spot on campus? EBS Favorite go-to meal on campus or at the food trucks? Chick-fil-A Interesting Fact? I was born in Russia.

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Group picture of the Alpha Delta Class on Bid Day at the Chi Eta FIJI chapter house on 1311 College St in Bowling Green, Ky. Photograph by Preston Romanov

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BID

On a frigid January evening, snowflake brothers are hiding in the alley of Van and on to the new members brought will shout and jump and

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Chi Eta welcomed eight new membe the Alpha Delta class. The fraternity we successful recru

DAY

es trickle down from the sky, and our n Meter Hall. Soon they will run out t into this great brotherhood. They d sing the Scottsman.

ers during spring recruitment 2022: ent eight for eight in bids and had a uitment week.

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Edmonds

Serving the Community & Raising Money for a Good Cause

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n the week of March 21-26, Chi Eta held its annual spring philanthropy week. This year featured a variety of daily events ranging from a doggie play date to the wheel of misfortune, roller skate night, a watermelon eating competition, and a color run. In recap, FIJI raised $550 in total donations. All proceeds went towards the American Red Cross in response to the deadly tornadoes that affected the Bowing Green community this past December.

And the United Service Organizations (USO) for our troops.

Wheeler Junior Jacob Guminski served as philanthropy chair this spring semester and helped schedule and put on every event that week.

In reflection, new member Blake Mitchell said it was a great way to connect to the WKU community and an overall great cause to support. One of his favorite parts was spending quality time with his brothers. “This week was a smart and fun way to raise money for some great organizations,” Blake said.

Story by Kyle Hodes & Elijah Hopkins

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Doggy Play Date The puppies were provided by The Humane Society.

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F O L E E H W E N U T R O MISF

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e l a s e k a b sorority

WATERMELON EATING CONTEST

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Phi Ben Betts gets doused with color during the Purple Run at Keriakes Park on March 26, 2022.

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WORDS TO LIVE BY

“We are what we repeatedly do.

Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.”

By Greek philosopher Aristotle.

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