WKU FIJI March 2011 Newsletter

March 2011

Volume 2 Issue 4

2nd Annual Weekend in the Chi Eta Heads to Gatlinburg Chi Eta Pig Dinner

Mountains

April 30th 2011

Please Register by April 15th Friendship. Knowledge. Service. Morality. Excellence.

The Chi Eta Chapter of Phi Gamma Delta at WKU Cordially invites you to the

2nd Annual Frank Norris Pig Dinner Guest Speaker Archon Councilor Brian M. Douglas (Tennessee Tech 1998) Saturday April 30th, 2011 Reception 5:30 pm CT Dinner 6:00 pm CT $30 Per Person

Holiday Inn University Plaza 1021 Wilkinson Trace Bowling Green, KY 42103 Registration requested by Friday, April 15th, 2011 Online: www.wkufiji.com/pigdinner Full Weekend Itinerary Coming Soon

Business Attire

graduate@wkufiji.com

Getting Connected The Brothers of the Chi Eta Chapter stand by the motto that Phi Gamma Delta is not for college days alone. We appreciate all of the support we receive from our Graduates and parents.

Stay up to date with news from Chi Eta by following us on Twitter, Facebook, and our website wkufiji.com.

If you’re interested in becoming more directly involved, please email us at graduate@wkufiji.com

Chi Eta stands outside the Mt. Leconte lodge on the Weekend in the Mountains brotherhood retreat

A

fter five weeks of classes, the Chi Eta chapter was ready for a weekend getaway.

So 54 brothers packed their bags on February 25 and drove to Mt. Leconte Lodge in Gatlinburg, Tenn. for the chapter’s Second Annual Weekend in the Mountains.

Brotherhood chairman Luke Gilliam, a Russellville junior, said that the Gatlinburg trip has become a tradition the whole chapter looks forward to every year.

“The spring term is a busy time because of all the events that happen during the semester,” Gilliam said. “So the brothers all look forward to a weekend of unwinding and enjoying themselves.”

Brothers were able to do plenty of activities at the spacious cabin.

Brothers played cards in the kitchen,

relaxed in the hot tub, watched movies and basketball games on big-screen televisions, shot billiards, and sang favorite fraternity songs on a large back deck.

Brentwood, Tenn. freshman Dallas Wilson, one of Chi Eta’s six spring pledge brothers, said the highlight of his weekend was playing guitar with the brothers.

Wilson and other guitar-playing Chi Etas played selections from Luke Bryan, Old Crow Medicine Show, Hootie and the Blowfish, and other popular artists.

“I love music, so I think it’s awesome that I’m in a fraternity where there are lots of guys who love to play and sing,” Wilson said. “Making music with the guys was true brotherhood, and it was proof to me I made the right decision by pledging Fiji.”

Chi Eta brothers got to spend 1

March 2011

Volume 2 Issue 4 Saturday afternoon out and about in Gatlinburg and neighboring Pigeon Forge.

Some groups rode go-karts and played miniature golf; other groups shopped at outlet malls and enjoyed ribs at Calhoun’s, a local smokehouse.

One large group of brothers spent the afternoon on a hike, which Glendale sophomore Justin Cave said was his favorite part of the weekend.

“I love being outdoors, and the Great Smoky Mountains are one of the most beautiful sights in all of nature,” Cave said.

“When you get to experience such amazing creation with your best friends, that’s something you’ll remember for a lifetime.”

The brothers were treated to a steak dinner Saturday night courtesy of the chapter.

Following dinner, Chi

Eta seniors spoke to the group and gave motivational advice to the rest of the chapter.

“It was great to hear from the older guys,” Wilson said. “They have a lot of experience in the fraternity, and hopefully we younger guys can carry on their legacy.”

The brothers returned to Bowling Green Sunday after a successful weekend of brotherhood.

Gilliam said events like the Weekend in the Mountains showcase the qualities of what makes Chi Eta such a successful chapter.

“We have a group of guys who genuinely love each other, and love being around each other,” Gilliam said. “Friendship truly is the sweetest influence, and as long as our chapter remembers that we’ll be striving for excellence for years to come.” t Story By Brad Stephens (2013)

Achieving Academic Excellence Chi Eta Earns Highest GPA on Campus for 5th Consecutive Semester

M

onday March 14th, WKU Greek Affairs held its 34th annual Greek Academic Recognition Program. In order to be eligible to attend this event, Greek students needed to have a 3.3 GPA the preceding semester. The program consisted of brief introductions of officers, short speeches by special guests, and appetizers; all of this before the awards were presented.

Phi Gamma Delta had 39 of its members listed in the program, 16 of which made the Academic Hall of Fame. When it came to overall awards for the Spring and Fall semesters of 2010, Phi Gamma Delta did not disappoint.

They received six awards as an overall fraternity including best GPA for active

members, new members, and combined members. They received first in each of these three awards for both of the academic semesters in 2010. In addition to this, three of its members, Trip Carpenter, Dylan Ward, and Ben Aroh, also received individual awards for the highest GPA for their respective class.

This banquet served as a tribute to the collective hard work and dedication that the brothers of the Chi Eta Chapter of Phi Gamma Delta continue to express through their quest for knowledge. The tradition

of maintaining the highest fraternity GPA on campus is one that the Chi Eta Chapter will not easily forget. t

2

March 2011

Volume 2 Issue 4

Bringing in the Zetas Spring Recruitment Story By Nick Bratcher (2014)

R

eplace yourself— a simple saying that guides each chapter of Phi Gamma Delta in its pursuit of excellence.

The challenge itself is not so simple though, but it sets the Chi Eta chapter apart from any other organization.

“Recruit a man even better than you to help take your chapter to the next level,” charges our trusted Purple Pilgrim.

This Spring’s Zeta Class is evidence of just that.

Pledge Educator Bo Armstrong said he’s surprised each semester by the heightening in quality of young men the Chi Eta chapter attracts.

“What excites me about the Zeta class is that each successive pledge class continues to amaze me more than the last one,” he said.

“Not to say that the previous pledge classes are lacking in any area, but each class rises with our rising standards as a chapter.”

The six young men that

The Zeta Class with their Big Brothers: Front Row, Zeta Class, (Left to Right) Damon Parr, Sam Wells, Eric Hughes, Ben Harris, Dallis Wilson, Kaleb Moore. Back Row, Big Brothers, (Left to Right) Nick Serroque, Dylan Ward, Mitch White, John Whitaker, Corey Johnson, Chris Heil.

form the Zeta class pledged on Feb. 4.

Junior pledge brother Eric Hughes said he joined FIJI for the quality of men he had met.

“I wanted to surround myself with good men who wanted to lead great lives after college,” he said.

“I felt this experience will build me up to be the best possible man I can be.”

FIJI has all ready begun that process with its new pledge brothers.

Freshman pledge brother Kaleb Moore said joining FIJI has helped him to get more involved.

“FIJI has already helped me to be more outgoing, and it has made it easier for me to talk to people that I don’t know,” he said.

“Overall my college experience has been better since I joined the fraternity because I am more involved on campus and I have met a lot of new people.”

The Zeta class is currently planning its pledge class project and pledge class retreat to increase brotherhood.

Armstrong said the Zetas’ activism and drive will push the fraternity to a new level of success.

“They are all certainly very well rounded and involved and will create a strong supporting structure for the Fraternity,” he said. t

3

March 2011

Volume 2 Issue 4

Brothers in Arms

ROTC Strengthens the Bonds of FIJI Brotherhood Story By Tyler Lockhart (2014)

C

hi Eta prides itself on the diversity of its members. The chapter’s brothers are involved in various campus organizations.

Recently I had the opportunity sit down with brothers Ryan Torres, Peter Drance, and Blaine Routt, all of whom are involved the WKU Reserved Officer Training Corps (ROTC.) I got to learn how ROTC and Chi Eta have influenced the lives of these three men.

TL: Why did you all get started in the ROTC program?

RT: Well, my family is predominantly a military family.

I always saw my dad putting the uniform on every day, and I just took pride in watching that, and enjoyed watching him wear it. It inspired me to go into the military.

BR: Like Ryan, my family is a military family, I was a military brat growing up, moving around a lot.

So, it just naturally became a part of my life. I just knew that being in the military was what I was meant to do.

TL: Why Chi Eta? Why not some other chapter on campus?

RT: Well, a lot of the other fraternities on campus were the

There are currently three Fiji men in the WKU ROTC program. Pictured (from the left) Graduate Brother Michael Snyder, Peter Drance, Blaine Routt, a fellow cadet, and Ryan Torres. After Graduation the men will be commissioned officers in the U.S. Army.

typical frat. I didn’t want to be involved in something like that. The Military demands a higher standard, as did I when it came to rushing a fraternity. Chi Eta was that higher standard. It wasn’t just about partying every night, it was about the brotherhood.

BR: The Brotherhood was by far the most important thing I saw with Chi Eta. That is what I wanted. The high standard really made it attractive. Also, being a founding father was very nice as well. I really wanted to take my Military experience into the fraternity. With all the judicial experience I had, I wanted to help with that part of the fraternity, and make Chi Eta just all around better.

TL: What is your favorite aspect of both organizations?

RT: Being a mentor. I loved being a big brother. It is a great program within Chi Eta that should never die. You get to learn

so much from everyone. I have become so much more open minded with my years in Chi Eta. Without Chi Eta or ROTC, I wouldn’t be the man I am today.

BR: Chi Eta has been great to me. It has humbled me a lot. Seeing so many great leaders and men around you, it really makes you feel you are a part of something great, and I certainly was. So, just having the privilege to be with these men, has been my favorite part.

TL: So, what is next for you all? After Graduating, going into real life, it must be a little intimidating. So, what is next?

RT, BR and PD: Commissioning is our next step, after we graduate we get to go into officer training school, and then become true commissioned officers. We will definitely stay in touch with Chi Eta, and try to be a part of it forever. Phi Gamma Delta is not for college days alone. t

4

March 2011

Volume 2 Issue 4

A Day at the Ballpark Graduate and Parent Weekend Story By Austin Lanter (2014)

O

n Saturday, March 19, 2011, the Graduate Relations Committee held their first event of the Spring semester.

The chapter invited all the parents of the undergraduate brothers, as well as graduate brothers, to Bowling Green for a fun and relaxing day while enjoying a WKU Topper Baseball Game.

Thanks to the efforts of the committee, the brothers and their guests were able to take in the game from the deck

The Brothers of Chi Eta enjoyed a WKU Topper baseball game from the Third Base Deck along with a large number of Graduates and parents

located on the third base line.

Admission for all guests was paid for by the Chapter, and the crowd was able to watch as the Hilltoppers came away with a 10-4 win over their rival Middle Tennessee State University.

The event was the first for the families of the newly pledged Zeta

Class. The game served as a great way for these parents to meet some of the older members, as well as their families, and to see what Fiji is all about. All in all, over 100 brothers and family members were in attendance. t

Achieving Excellence Chi Eta Step Team- 1st Place, Unity Step Show Jake Ryle- WKU Greek Man of the Month Trip Carpenter- Highest Fraternity Freshman GPA Fall 2010 Dylan Ward- Highest Fraternity Sophomore GPA Fall 2010 Ben Aroh- Highest Fraternity Junior GPA Fall 2010

Not For College Days Alone Graduate News Graduate Brothers, although you are no longer an undergraduate Brother, you will always have a place in the Chi Eta Chapter. Please keep us updated on important news in your lives by sending an email to graduate@wkufiji.com.

Josh Amos and Erin Pennington- 2nd Place, Sigma Kappa’s “Can You Duet” Friendship. Knowledge. Service. Morality. Excellence.

Photos By Brian Campbell, Craig Lonas