2014 Summer Newsletter

Summer 2014

Table of contents Retreat For Success ……………………………………………….….. page 2

Spotlight on Brother Ravi Bacchus …………………………….. page 4

Picture Perfect Party ………………………………………………… page 6

�1

EPSILON MU KAPPA PSI PHARMACEUTICAL FRATERNITY, INC.

Epsilon Mu Summer 2014 Newsletter

Where There is Unity There is Always Victory by: Publilius Syrus

Summer 2014

RETREAT FOR

SUCCESS  By:  Lauri  Eng  

In   four   short   years,   Epsilon   Mu   has   gone  from   being   newly   chartered,   to   becoming  the   number   two   Collegiate   Chapter   of  Kappa   Psi   in   the   world.   Despite   the  incredible   accomplishment,   and   the  incredible  amount  of  hard  work  put  towards  achieving  it  this  past  year,  it  is  not  the  finish  line   for   us.   Instead,   we   look   at   it   as   the  starEng   point   for   another   year   to   achieve  and   surpass   even   bigger   goals   for   our  Chapter.   And   achieving   those   goals,   all  begins  with  the  Annual  Epsilon  Mu  Chapter  Retreat.  

This   weekend   showcased   the   epitome   of  what   it  means   to  be   a  Brother  of   this   very  acEve  Chapter,  and  more  importantly  of  this  great   Fraternity.   Brothers   from   all   pledge  classes   were   represented,   and   Brothers  with  all  different  schedules  made  Eme  away  from  work,  rotaEons,  and  family  to  be  with  their   Kappa   Psi   family   for   the   two-­‐night  event.  We  met   just  outside  our  home  base  in  Orlando,   FL   at   a   picturesque   5-­‐bedroom  vacaEon   home   with   a   screened   backyard,  pool,  hot  tub,  and  gourmet  kitchen.  Despite  the   sweet   ameniEes,   however,   the   main  event   of   the   annual   retreat   was   to   get   to  work.  

�2

Summer 2014

A   roadmap   was   developed   for   the   year  ahead  by  each  commiQee,   including  events  for   each   month,   fundraisers,   philanthropic  prioriEes,   Orlando   Grad   socials,   and  more.  We   addressed   each   of   these   events   with  equal   importance   to   evaluate   and   debate  how  to  most  effecEvely  execute  each.  OTen  you  will  hear  Brothers  remark,  “CommiQees  are  where  the  real  work  of  the  Chapter  gets  done.”   At   the   retreat,   our   12   commiQees  demonstrated  just  that.  

More   than   establishing   the   nuts   and   bolts  for  the  year  ahead,  an  important  part  of  the  Epsilon   Mu   retreat   is   to   strengthen   and  hone   our   leadership   skills.   Brother   Daniel  Morley  led  a  “leadership  styles”  acEvity  that  was   introduced   at   the   inaugural   Southeast  Province  Leadership  Retreat.  Brothers  were  tasked   to   answer   a   quesEonnaire   that  would   determine   if   you   approached  leadership   with   a   doer,   thinker,   feeler,   or  intuitor  outlook.  More  importantly,  Brothers  were   taught   strategies   on   how   to   best  approach   a   person   who   has   a   different  leadership  style  than  you.  From  what  to  do,  to   what   to   avoid   doing,   this   exercise   was  t r u l y   i n f o rm aE v e   a n d   c e r t a i n l y  transformaEve.  

With  all  of  this,  aTer  two  long,  busy  days  of  hard  work,  it   is  no  surprise  that  the  biggest  accomplishment   from   this   weekend   was  binding   the   bonds   of   Brotherhood   even  stronger.  We  tested  our  Brother  and  Kappa  Psi   knowledge   in   a   heated   game   of  jeopardy.   We   were   able   to   catch   up   with  Brothers  who   traveled   far   to  be   there.  And  of   course,   every   meal   was   a   family   style  meal.   Being  with   our   Kappa   Psi   family  was  truly   the   most   important   part   of   this  weekend.   A   special   thanks   is   extended   to  Brother   Satrap   and   Epsilon   Mu   Alpha  Brother,   Karl   Healy,   whose   generous  donaEon   helped   to   fund   the   great   success  of   the   retreat.   Our   Chapter   is   excited   to  execute   our   master   plan   developed   at   the  retreat,   and   achieve   the   big   goals   in   our  future!

�3

Summer 2014

Spotlight on Brother Ravi BacchusQ:When  did  you  know  you  wanted  to  pursue  a  career   in  pharmacy?  

During   my   Eme   at   Seminole   Community   College   (now  Seminole   State   College),   I   developed   an   affinity   for   the  sciences.   What   I   enjoyed   the   most   was   the   hands-­‐on  acEviEes  that  the  classes  provided.  In  college,  I  was  a  Jack  of   all   trades,  master   of   none.   Flash   forward   a   few   years  and   I   landed   my   first   job   as   a   pharmacy   technician   at  Walmart   Pharmacy.   During   my   sEnt   there,   I   became   an  expert   at   premier   customer   service   and   I   really   enjoyed  what  I  did.  By  this  Eme,  I  knew  that  I  wanted  to  pursue  a  career  in  the  medical  field  but  I  knew  that  I  didn’t  want  to  do  the  tradiEonal  MD  route  as   I  am  averse  to  blood  and  personal  contact.  Pharmacy  seemed  like  a  happy  medium  and   aTer   taking   the   PCAT   and   doing   alright,   I   knew   this  was  the  path  I  would  blaze  in  life.    

Q:  What  are  your  plans  in  the  next  couple  of  years?  

More  than  anything,  I  would  like  to  remain  in  the  Central  Florida   area   aTer   I   graduate   as   most   of   my   family   lives  here  and  it  would  be  hard  to  leave  all  of  them  behind.  In  addiEon,  they  depend  on  me  for  emoEonal  and  financial  support.   I   was   born   and   raised   in   Central   Florida   and   I  absolutely   love   it  here.   I  want  to  have  a  strong   influence  on   Epsilon  Mu   when   I   transiEon   to   a   Graduate   Brother  and  I  fully  intend  on  joining  the  ranks  of  OG  SWAG.  As  far  as   my   career   goes,   I’m   completely   open   to   whatever  opportunity   life  will   throw  my  way.   I’m  very   intrigued  by  the   possibility   of   becoming   a   ConsulEng   Pharmacist   and  am  currently  leaning  towards  that.  No  maQer  what  sector  of   pharmacy   I   end   up   in,   I   know   that   I   will   flourish  because  I  consider  myself  very  versaEle.    

Q:  What  made  you  decide  to  join  Kappa  Psi?  

Growing  up,  I  never  quite  fit  in  anywhere  I  went  whether  it   be   church   or   school.   I   was   always   the   oddball   and  forever   yearned   to   find   somewhere   I   belonged.   All   I  wanted  was  to  be  uncondiEonally  accepted.   I  spent  a   lot  of   my   teenage   years   just   keeping   to   myself   with   video  games  being  my  escape  from  reality.  Flash  forward  to  the  beginning  of  pharmacy   school:   I   saw   this   as   a   chance   to  redefine  myself  and  step  outside  of  my  comfort  zone.  The  first  Brothers   I   ever  met  were  Marissa  and  Adrian  at  my  interview   at   the   old   Apopka   campus.   They   were   so  welcoming   and   helped   to   assuage  my   uncertainly   about  the   interview   process.   When   I   came   to   the   Orlando  campus   for   a   campus   tour,   I   met   Jennifer,   Nam,   and  Timmy.   They   too   were   very   welcoming   and   I   began   to  noEce  a  trend  (although  I  had  no  idea  they  were  Brothers  

at  the  Eme).  Flash  forward  to  Rush  week  and   I  was  truly  treated  like  family  by  the  Brothers  even  though  I  was  just  a  rushee.  The  camaraderie  that  I  saw  in  the  Brotherhood  was  exactly  what   I  had  searched   for  my  enEre   life.  From  that   point   on,   I   never   had   a   doubt   in  my  mind   that   this  was  the  family  I  wanted  to  become  a  part  of  and  the  rest  is  history.    

Q:  What  challenges  did  you  face  while  pledging?  

Pledging  was   the  most   tumultuous   yet   rewarding  period  of  my  life.  One  challenge  I  faced  iniEally  and  sEll  deal  with  to   an   extent,   is   the   trepidaEon   of  my   parents   regarding  what  I  do.  My  parents  are  immigrants  and  the  concept  of  a   Fraternity   is   certainly   a   foreign   one   to   them.   ATer  having  met   some  of  my  Delta  Brothers  and  hearing  how  much   they   supported   me   when   I   was   struggling  academically,   their   concerns   were   quelled   to   a   degree.  Another  challenge  I  faced  was  trying  to  balance  being  in  a  relaEonship  with  everything  else  that  I  had  going  on.  Let’s  just   say   it   was   rough   sledding   and   leave   it   at   that.   The  biggest   struggle   I   faced   was   academically   and   I’m   not  ashamed  to  say  that  I  struggled  mighEly.  I  put  100%  of  my  effort   into  pledging  and  my  grades  suffered  as  a   result.   I  have  no  idea  how  I  managed  to  survive  academically  but  by  God’s  grace   I  made   it.  Pledging  was  hell  on  earth  but  I’d  do   it   all   over   again   in   a  heartbeat  because   I’ve  never  

�4

Summer 2014

felt  more  connected  to  others  than  I  did  during  that  Eme.  I  honestly  miss  it  someEmes.  Deltas  4  life!    

Q:  How  do  you  plan  on  being  involved  beyond  pharmacy  school?  

I  want   to  have   a   strong   influence  on   Epsilon  Mu  when   I  transiEon  to  a  Graduate  Brother.  The  chapter  has  given  so  much  to  me  and   I  want  nothing  more  than  to  give  back.  I’d  like  to  be  a  part  of  a  Chaplain  Advisory  CommiQee  and  be  a  resource  to  the  current  Chaplain  and  the  Chapter  as  a   whole.   I   absolutely   love   what   I   do   right   now   as   a  Chaplain   and   I   want   nothing   more   than   to   share   my  knowledge  and  experiences.  I  also  have  my  sights  set  on  a  grander  stage:  at  some  point,  I’d  like  to  run  for  a  Province  posiEon  and  my  dream  is  to  one  day  become  part  of  the  Grand  Council.   I   aspire   for   greatness   and   I  want  nothing  more   than   to   serve   my   Brothers   in   whatever   capacity   I  can.    

Q:  What  has  being  a  Brother  done  for  you  and  how  has  it  shaped  you  into  the  person  that  you  are?  

It’s   impossible   to   fully   quanEfy   this   but   I’ll   do   my   best.  Kappa   Psi   has   truly   breathed   life   into   me.   Before  pharmacy  school,   I  was  a   follower  and  someone  without  any   real   passion   or   purpose.   I   was   not   confident   in   my  abiliEes   and   I   was   very   insecure.   The   pledging   process  most  certainly  changed  all   that  and   the  adversity   I   faced  only   made   me   stronger.   With   the   support   of   my   Delta  Brothers,   I   took   up   several   officer   posiEons   as   a   pledge  and   each   really   helped   me   to   grow   as   a   leader.   The  experiences  I  garnered  from  each  would  have  never  been  possible   if   it   weren’t   for   the   words   of   encouragement  from  Dominick  and  Kristal.  Being  a  Brother  has  given  me  the   chance   to   realize  my   full   potenEal   and   I   believe   I’m  well  on  my  way  to  unlocking  it.  Being  a  Brother  has  given  me   the   opportunity   to   do   something   I   enjoy  more   than  anything   in   the  world:  mentoring.   Not   only   have   I   been  blessed   with   the   opportunity   to   have   mentored   the  Epsilon  class,  but  I’ve  had  the  opportunity  to  mentor  the  Alpha  classes  of  Zeta  Gamma  and  Zeta  Delta.  I  want  those  who   come   aTer   me   to   never   repeat   the   mistakes   I’ve  made   and   to   ulEmately   be   beQer   than   I   am.   In   every  Brother  lies  great  potenEal  and  I  will  do  whatever  it  takes  to  help  them  unlock  it.  I  believe  that  my  purpose  in  life  is  to  help  others  get  the  most  out  of  theirs  and  I  know  that  to   be   true   now.   I   never   hesitate   to   take   Eme   out   of  my  day  to  mentor  because  if  I  don’t  do  it,  they  might  miss  out  on  a  chance  to  grow  as  a  person.  Kappa  Psi  has  given  me  an  invaluable  support  system.  I  surely  would  have  flunked  out   of   pharmacy   school   if   it   weren’t   for   by   Brothers  helping   to  carry  me.  Kappa  Psi  has  opened  up   the  doors  of  employment  and  I  have  Mikel  to  thank  for  helping  me  

land  my  current  job.  That  is  the  true  testament  to  the  pay  it  forward  mantra  that  we  preach.  Kappa  Psi  has  given  me  a   reason   to   wake   up   every   day   and   is   what   keeps   me  Ecking.  I  thank  God  every  day  that  I’m  a  Brother  of  Kappa  Psi   and   it’s   something   that   I   will   never   ever   take   for  granted.   If   I   had   to   start   my   journey   all   over   again   I  wouldn’t   change   a   single   thing.  Who   is   Kappa   Psi?   I   am  Kappa  Psi.    

Q:   What   interesEng   stories   do   you   remember   as   a  pledge?  

The  most  memorable  moment   I   had   as   a   pledge  was   at  the   Inaugural   SEP  Conclave   that  Epsilon  Mu  hosted.  This  was  the  moment  that   I  came  to  realize  how  fearless  and  gregarious  I  really  was.  In  the  lobby  outside  of  where  the  Masquerade  Ball  was  taking  place  stood  several  members  of   the   Grand   Council:   the   then   Grand   Vice   Regent   Eric  Gupta,   Grand   Ritualist   Latha   Radhakrishnan,   and  Collegiate  Member  at  Large  Johnny  Wong.  In  typical  Brave  Eagle  fashion,  I  went  up  to  them  and  immediately  joined  their   conversaEon   and   ended   up   spending   quite   some  Eme   going   back   and   forth.   Of   course   they   grilled   me  iniEally   but   aTer   that   was   over,   we   had   such   a   great  conversaEon.  I  remember  it  like  it  was  yesterday.  To  think  that   a   lowly   pledge   could   be   talking   with   a   several  members   of   the   Grand   Council   seemed   illogical   yet   I  made  it  happen.  “Anything  is  possible!”        

Q:  What  advice  do  you  have  for  brothers?  

Never  take  what  we  have  here  at  Epsilon  Mu  for  granted.  This   is   truly   a   special   family   and   I’m   so   blessed   to   be   a  part  of  it.  Always  strive  to  not  only  beQer  yourself,  but  to  beQer  those  around  you.  Make  an  impact  not  only  within  the   Fraternity,   but   on   campus,   in   the   community,   and  wherever   life   takes   you.   You   never   know   who   may   be  looking  up   to   you   for   inspiraEon  and  whose   life   you   can  touch.   Live   every   day   so   that   the   all-­‐seeing   eye   looks  down   upon   you   and   sees   you   living   a   clean,   useful   life.  That  is  how  I  approach  every  day  of  my  life  and  why  I  am  so  on  fire  for  this  Fraternity.  

SALAI    

�5

Summer 2014

PICTURE

PERFECT PARTY by:  Jeanine  Garcia  

In   the  world  of   charity,   it   is  not  oTen   that  you  will  actually  see  the  results  of  your  effort.  DonaEng  food  for   a   canned   food   drive,   clothes   to   a   shelter,   or  money  to  an  organizaEon,  or  walking  for  a  cause  are  all  worthwhile   acEviEes,   but   rarely   do   you   see   the  families   who   are   fed,   the   individuals   who   are  clothed,   or   the   supplies   that   are   able   to   be  

purchased   because   of   your   donaEons.     There   is  something   to   be   said   for   donaEng   your   Eme.   Just  your  Eme.  Being  able  to  spend  Eme  with  those  less  fortunate   is   something   that  you  cannot  put  a  price  tag  on.  We  may  not  have  an  overabundance  of  this  intangible  item,  but  how  we  choose  to  use  it  speaks  volumes  about  us  as  human  beings.  

The   brothers   of   Epsilon   Mu   found   out   first-­‐hand  how   rewarding   it   is   to   spend   some   Eme   with   the  residents  of  the  Russell  Home,  which  is  a  residence  for   special   needs   individuals.   On   a   Saturday   night  over   the  summer,  we  supplied  decoraEons,  a  cake,  some  sodas,  a  camera,  and  our  Eme,  and  we  had  a  party  with  the  Home.  We  decided  to  have  a  “picture  perfect”  theme,  so  we  brought  feather  boas,  gliQery  hats,  wooden  picture  frames,  mustaches,  over-­‐sized  

�6

Summer 2014

glasses,   and  other   various  props  with  us.  We  hung  up   a   Hollywood-­‐esque   backdrop   so   we   could   take  pictures   of   the   residents   in   front   of   it.   We   had   a  cake,   which   was   generously   donated   by   a   kind  stranger,   that   said,   “Say   cheese!”,   and  we  also  had  temporary  taQoos,  mustache  straws  (also  donated),  and  beaded  necklaces  for  everyone.  There  was  a  DJ  and  pizza  provided  by  the  Home.  And  we  had  such  a  great   Eme!   We   danced   with   everyone,   we   were  amazed   by   the   karaoke   abiliEes   we   saw,   and   we  were   touched   by   how   something   so   simple   could  translate   to   so   much   joy.   I   had   copies   of   all   the  pictures  made  to  give   to   the  Home.  As   I  was  going  through   them,   I   found   myself   with   a   huge,   goofy  grin  on  my  face  as  I  was  brought  back  to  that  night.  The   smiles   on   everyone’s   faces   were   absolutely  

radiant,   and   their   eyes   were   so   full   of   life   and  happiness.     Even   now,   as   I   write   this,   I   remember  how  Benjy   belted   out   Stevie  Wonder,   and   how  his  buddy   did   an   Elvis   impersonaEon   that   had   us   all  cheering.   I   loved   seeing   a   trio   of   women   with  Down’s   hugging   each   other   with   their   Earas   and  boas   worn   with   such   pride.   The   joy   in   that   Home  was   contagious,   and   was   captured   perfectly   in  photos  of  our  Brothers  and  the  residents.  

There   are   so   many   things   about   that   night   that  touched   my   heart.   Mostly,   though,   I   realized   how  much   joy   and   happiness   we   are   able   to   bring   to  others.  All  of  us  are  capable.  We  just  need  to  make  the  Eme.  

�7