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Delta Sigma Phi | Fall 2015
Volume 108, Issue 2
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Delta Sigma Phi launches exciting initiatives
2014-15 Foundation Annual Report
2015ConventionConvention
A Celebration of Brotherhood in New Orleans
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2 THE CARNAT ION | DELTAS IG .ORG
Brothers, This past school year was a big year for Delta
Sigma
Phi. It marked the midway point in the Fraternitys strategic
plan, Vision 2025, as we celebrated 10 years of plans put into
action and the ushering in of new initiatives for the next 10
years.
Our ultimate goal is to become Americas Leading Fraternity, and
we will do this by building strong leaders, building stronger
chapters and being the strongest frater-nity. Broken into 5-year
segments, the plan is audacious, yet attainable. At Convention
2015, Executive Director & CEO Patrick Jessee and I had the
honor of detailing our progress to this point and laying out our
metrics for 2015-2020. Here are some highlights of our talk:
What weve achieved so far: 18,000 men trained at our brick and
mortar leadership programs since 2000.
3,000 men receiving training through the national Fraternity
annually.
The creation of programs specifically for Presidents,
Recruitment Chairmen and New Member Educators.
An average chapter GPA of 3.02. Hundreds of hours and thousands
of dollars donated to the American Red Cross each year.
A 60% increase in average chapter size per chapterfrom 34-56
mensince 2005.
The goals we will accomplish by 2020 are just as aggressive: 150
undergraduate chapters with an average chapter size of 60
members.
5,000 undergraduate and alumni members engaged in our Mentoring
Program.
75% of undergraduates engaged on The LAMP. 100% of volunteers
having received education and certification.
100% of members receiving ethical and values- based
education.
50% of chapters with GPAs in the top 20% of fraternities on
their campus.
125,000 annual hours of community service by our undergraduate
brothers.
100% of chapters with a fully functional Alumni Corporation
Board or Collegiate Chapter Advisory Board.
All undergraduates receiving education on alcohol consumption,
hazing and sexual assault.
The implementation of Certified Risk Management Advisors. In
this issue of The Carnation, you will read stories
about several new initiatives that will usher us into the
future. Our online learning platform, The LAMP, now offers
educational opportunities for all members to take into their lives
and careers. The Transition Experience will provide valuable
resources for recent graduates and alumni to build skills for a
lifetime. The online Mentoring Program will leverage the power of
our brotherhood network to Build Better Men, and the new Pyramid
Program chapter assessment will give us a better glimpse at a
chapters strengths and areas for improvement.
It is an exciting time to be a Delta Sig. Our ingenuity is at a
high and the plans, programs and initiatives we have in place are
some of the best in our storied history. Thank you for being a part
of it. We are proving the power of fraternity as we continue on our
quest to be Americas Leading Fraternity.
YITBOS,Tom Cycyota, University of Illinois 77Grand Council
President
LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT
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3FALL 2015
Contributing WritersAshley MartinAmber Shaverdi HustonLogan
Hunter, Indiana University 14Nik Koulogeorge, Stetson University
08Quinn McNierney, University of Northern Colorado 11
Art DirectorShelle Design Incorporated
Address publication materials and correspondence with national
office to:Delta Sigma Phi2960 N. Meridian StreetP.O. Box
88507Indianapolis, IN 46208317.634.1899FAX: 317.634.1410E-mail:
[email protected]: www.deltasig.org
THE CARNATION OF DELTA SIGMA PHI (USPS 091-020), official
publication of Delta Sigma Phi, 2960 N. Meridian Street, P.O. Box
88507, Indianapolis, IN 46208, is published semiannually.
Publication postage paid at Indianapolis, IN and additional mailing
offices.
Postmaster: Send address changes to THE CARNATION OF DELTA SIGMA
PHI, 2960 N. Meridian Street, P.O. Box 88507, Indianapolis, IN
46208. Subscription price to non-membersis $8 per year. Single
copies $3.
Copyright 2015 by the Delta Sigma Phi Fraternity; 2960 N.
Meridian Street, P.O. Box 88507, Indianapolis, IN 46208. No part of
this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or
transmitted in any form or by any means, mechanical, electronic,
photocopying, recording or other-wise, without prior written
permission of the copyright owner.
THE CARNATION and Delta Sigma Phi are registered trademarks of
Delta Sigma Phi Fraternity, Inc.
CARNATIONTHE
Pyramid Program Chapter Assessment
Convention Recap
45Foundation Annual Report
Contents
DEPARTMENTS
2 Letter from the President5 Pause for Applause6 Delta Sigs in
the Military8 Charterings14 Fraternity Growth
16 Chapter Report Card20 Undergraduate Profile37 Alumni
Profile40 McKee Scholarships54 Bond Eternal
Mission: The Carnation is a lifestyle magazine meant to
entertain, educate and inspire the members of Delta Sigma Phi to
become better men and lead better lives, while also educating and
entertaining other readers who may not be members.
/DeltaSigmaPhiHQ
@DeltaSigmaPhiHQ
@DeltaSigmaPhi
Volume 108, Issue 2
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4 THE CARNAT ION | DELTAS IG .ORG
techtalkSocial media is a great way to stay in touch with Delta
Sigma Phi. Follow us on Twitter at @DeltaSigmaPhiHQ and like us on
Facebook (facebook.com/DeltaSigmaPhiHQ) to keep up-to-date with the
triumphs and happenings of Delta Sig, as well as to interact with
the National Fraternity and one another.
Brothers of all ages had great takeaways from Convention 2015.
From guest speakers to awards and more, attending a Delta Sig
Convention is a cant miss event.
Join the Conversation! Like us on Facebook at
facebook.com/DeltaSigmaPhiHQ, follow us on Instagram @DeltaSigmaPhi
and and follow us on Twitter @DeltaSigmaPhiHQ for your chance to
have your name appear in this section.
MIKE TOMASELLO, PURDUE UNIVERSITY 95
Loved speaking in New Orleans Delta Sigma Phi National
Convention.
Police escort & marching band closed streets!
Tech Talk
DAVID EVANS, UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA AT MONROE 12 Want to give a
huge thank you to Delta Sigma Phi for allowing the Zeta Pi and Beta
Kappa chapters the
opportunity to co-host this past Biannual Convention
that just finished. While I had an amazing time
and learned a ton of crucial facts about the
fraternity while enjoying the brotherhood
in NOLA, nothing beats being
home in your own bed.
ALEXANDER RILEY, UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN-LA CROSSE 12 To me,
this photo really captivates the mixing of the two biggest
influences of my life. Im always
proud to wear the green and white when the bell
rings. The melding of these two worlds helps
improve my leadership and communication
skills on a constant basis.
BLAKE PEDERSON,
PURDUE 10 [Patrick Jessees Convention
speech was] one of the most powerful and rooting speeches
Ive heard from one of our own. And that was even after hearing a
handful
of brilliant deliveries from Scott Wiley in my recent
undergraduate days. Took me completely out of
the work I was buried in at the office.
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5FALL 2015
Do you have an item to submit for Pause for Applause or the
Delta Sig Library? Please email us at
[email protected].
ALUMNI Robert Bacik, Grand Valley State University 99, was
ordained as a priest
by the Catholic Church. Ralph Cindrich, University of Pittsburgh
68, published his memoir,
NFL Brawler: A Player-Turned-Agents Forty Years in the Bloody
Trenches of the National Football League, in August 2015.
David Hahn, The University of California, Davis 99, was named
President and Chief Product Officer at GoFundMe.
Mike Hoffman, Arizona State University 85, was announced as the
chairman of the National Order of the Arrow Committee for the Boy
Scouts starting in June 2016.
Larry Mace Mason, Morningside College 70, is the mens and womens
tennis coach at Morningside and recently had tennis courts on
campus named for him: Mason Family Tennis Complex.
Aaron Payment, Lake Superior State University 86, received a
prestigious 2015 National TRIO Achievers Award, which honoring
individuals of distinction who, as students, made the most of their
TRIO participation.
Michael Rother, University of Missouri 71, was named Business
Devel-opment and Sales Manager of Scheck Industries
(www.goscheck.com), a national, full-service industrial piping,
mechanical, boiler and process controls construction
contractor.
Randall Watson, Kansas State University 78, was named the Kansas
Commissioner of Education.
UNDERGRADUATES Hunter Post, Kansas State University 13, was
selected as a K-State
Alumni Association Student Ambassador.
CHAPTERS Beta Mu at Transylvania University, took 37 children
from Big
Brothers Big Sisters of the Bluegrass with them to a Taylor
Swift concert in Lexington, Kentucky, on Oct. 22. Swift had given
the chapter tickets for each brother and a guest following its
viral lip-dub video of her song, Shake it Off.
Eta Omicron at University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, garnered
media attention for helping alumnus Luke Henning, University of
Wisconsin-Eau Claire 97, after he lost his house in a fire. Henning
did not personally know any of the undergraduates, but after
hearing of the fire, the chapter decided to help.
DELTA SIGMA PHI LIBRARY
Pause for Applause
AUTHOR Bryan Oliver, California State
University, Fullerton 90
TITLE Habits: Create What You Need To Succeed In Life
WHERE TO BUY Amazon
ABOUT THE BOOK Habits: Create What You Need to Success In Life
is the first in a series of books by Bryan Oliver. Originally, the
book was to be called FLIGHT, an acronym that stands for Focus,
Leadership, Intentional, Goals, Habits and Thoughts. However, once
into the writing process, Oliver decided it was best to create a
series of short reads on each of the topics. Because good habits
are at the core of creating success, he lead with H, the fifth
letter in the acronym. These books are very short, quick reads. Its
not going to be an in-depth study, but will give [readers]
practical points they can take with them without getting into a
information-heavy text book, Oliver said. Olivers Flight4Success
movement also builds a community at www.flight4success.com, where
users can find blog posts and other resources on each piece of the
FLIGHT acronym.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR Bryan Oliver is an alumnus of Zeta Epsilon
Chapter at California State University, Fullerton. After finishing
his degree from University of Phoenix, he began his career in the
technical arena before moving into project management roles. He is
now a strategic lead for a Dallas-based consulting firm where he
trains other managers and consultants on how to become better
leaders. In his personal time, he started Flight4Success and is
self-publishing each of the books in the series.
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Delta Sigs in the Military
J FIRST LEUITENANT (PROMOTABLE)* JOSHUA ST. JOHN SELLERS, UTAH
STATE UNIVERSITY 08FIRES DIRECTION SECTION OFFICER, FORT BLISS,
TEXAS, U.S. ARMY
Tell us about your military responsibilities as a Fires
Direction Section Officer.I am an Air Defense Officer assigned to
the Patriot Missile System. I am the lead tactical expert for over
550 soldiers. I am the Tactical Director in charge of several
Patriot Radar systems and dozens of launching stations and
interceptors. I coordinate Tactical Ballistic Missile defense of
multiple military and civilian assets against threats like Iran and
North Korea. I create defense plans and training plans, and
coordinate efforts with the Navy and Air Force. I recently returned
back from
a deployment to the GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) in the
Persian Gulf.
Why did you enlist? I joined the armed services after a church
mission to continue serving and protecting not only the United
States, but also those who cannot protect themselves.
Why do you continue to serve?I enjoy what I do. We provide a
vital defense in many locations, and its rewarding to know I am a
part of that.
What has been the biggest lesson youve learned because of your
service?The biggest lesson I have learned is no matter how smart or
proficient you are at your job, you are always better with a team.
While you can do things yourself, you and your teammates will grow
and develop as leaders if you delegate and work together.
How does your membership in Delta Sig affect your role in the
armed forces or how do they relate?The lessons I learned as a
Chapter President and the leadership experiences I had set me up
for suc- cess. Many of my peers did not have the opportunity and
needed to develop and practice the leadership policies learned in a
classroom. In contrast, I knew what worked and didnt and
immediately went to work, opening opportunities for special
assignments. I have met many Delta Sigs and other fraternity men,
and it has provided me with opportunities as they know what values
I stand for. The armed services and Delta Sigma Phi have many
commonalities in vison to prepare and be better men.
At the time of interview, First Lieutenant St. John Sellers was
promotable, which means he had been selected to become a Captain
with a pin-on date in January 2016.
For years, this publication tracked our brothers who either
volunteered or were drafted into military service. As a National
Fraternity, we take tremendous pride in the work our brothers do
for the world and would like to extend a special thanks
to those who fought for their country. In each issue we will
continue to highlight brothers who have served. Tell us your story
or provide the name of a brother or brothers who have served by
emailing us at [email protected].
Sellers with his wife, Bryte, when he returned home from duty in
fall 2015.
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7FALL 2015
J LIEUTENANT COLONEL ERIC P. GALLUN, UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND
90MILITARY JUDGE
Tell us about your role as a judge. Military judges perform
duties similar to those of a U.S. Federal District Court Judge. I
preside over courts-martial and conduct evidentiary hearings and,
in trials without members (juries), I determine the guilt or
innocence of the accused and adjudicate a sentence. As a Reserve
Judge assigned to the 2d Judicial Circuit of the Army, I travel
from my home in Maryland to preside over courts-martial in the
southeastern U.S. Most of my cases take place in Georgia and North
Carolina.
What is the process for becoming a judge with the
military?Military judges are selected by The Judge Advocate General
of the Army (the Armys top lawyer) with recommendations from the
Chief Trial Judge of the Army and the Commander of the Reserve
Military Judges unit. Officers recommended for military judge
assignments generally have extensive experience in military
justice. What made you decide on this career path?Since graduation
from law school, Ive worked almost exclusively in the field of
criminal law. I began my career as a Public Defender in Baltimore,
then worked as a local prosecutor in Washington D.C., and then as a
federal prosecutor in D.C. During my career, Ive tended to embrace
a judicial perspective, meaning that Ive always tried to analyze
legal issues and case facts from the viewpoint of the trial judge.
I joined the Army Reserve in 1998 and have served in many different
roles during my military career, including trial counsel
(prosecutor), defense counsel and legal assistance attorney. Ive
appeared before many great and some not-so-great judges, and Im
honored and humbled to be able to carry on the traditions of the
great ones. Plus, I think I look really good in a robe.
What do you like most about your job?There is almost nothing I
dont like about serving as a trial judge. I enjoy wrestling with
novel and complex legal issues, as well as the more routine
questions. I enjoy interacting with civilian and military counsel.
I love being back in the courtroom and observing exceptional
advocacy on both sides. I most enjoy serving as a guardian of a
process that strives to be fair to everyone involved.
What has been the biggest lesson youve learned because of your
service?Always pack an extra belt.
How does your membership in Delta Sig affect your role in the
armed forces or how do they relate?Delta Sigma Phi set me on a path
to a successful career in the law. Ive been attracted to
organizations that identify and develop young talent. Being a part
of Delta Sigma Phi at Maryland provided me with real leadership
opportunities. Ive been impressed with Delta Sigma Phis recent
efforts at teaching brothers how to be better men and strong
leaders. Similarly, the Army JAG Corps provides opportunities for
immediate responsibility for its newest lawyers. The JAG Corps is
an excellent place for young lawyers to gain experience and to
cultivate the essential qualities of a dynamic leader. To that end,
I see myself as a teaching judge, and I take the time to mentor
counsel in the art of trial advocacy. Both Delta Sigma Phi and the
Army JAG Corps symbolize core values: selfless service, honor and
integrity.
For years, this publication tracked our brothers who either
volunteered or were drafted into military service. As a National
Fraternity, we take tremendous pride in the work our brothers do
for the world and would like to extend a special thanks
to those who fought for their country. In each issue we will
continue to highlight brothers who have served. Tell us your story
or provide the name of a brother or brothers who have served by
emailing us at [email protected].
Gallun (right) with his father MSG (Ret.) Gerald Gallun.
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8 THE CARNAT ION | DELTAS IG .ORG
Charterings
BY LOGAN HUNTER, INDIANA UNIVERSITY 14
M embers of the Delta Sigma Phi Iota Psi Chapter at Indiana
University joined one another to establish a chapter that would
rev- olutionize the way fraternity/sorority life at the university
operates and is accepted under public opinion. In the chapters
short history, it has begun to accomplish just that. In fall 2013,
Delta Sigs new chapter development efforts began as Headquarters
staff members David Kuczmanski, Indiana University South Bend 10,
and Kenny Traber, Georgia College 09, led member recruitment
efforts and other staff secured alumni advisors for the new
chapter. By the end of that academic year, the chapter had more
than 50 members. Indiana University, known for its deep culture and
diverse student pop-ulation, enabled the new chapter to envelop the
culture and build a multi-lateral approach to building its
member
base. In its first year, the new chapter was led by Chapter
President, Brady Bair, 13. He and the rest of the first executive
board laid the groundwork for the future success of the chapter,
standardizing operations and planning events that made a positive
impression on the campus community. The first executive board
consisted of Bair, Evan Chang (Vice President), Matt Reisdorf
(Secretary), John Mathias (Vice President of Recruitment), Dillon
Salge (Sergeant at Arms), Zach Huston (New Member Educator), Stuart
Jackson (second semester Secretary), Jake Roberts (Vice President
Member Development), and Zach Bowman (second semester VPMD).
Admittedly for the chapter, initial chapter-led recruitment efforts
were rough, but through perseverance and determination, it was able
to maintain a high standard of membership while also improving
recruitment efforts. Once recruitment was completed, the new
chapter met in the business school for regular meetings.
As with any new chapter, the men at IU did experience setbacks,
but they were swiftly combatted with a strong push from the
executive board and members to obtain transparency and
collaboration. The executive board began to host office hours once
a week where members could discuss issues and work through friction
points. Not all problems could be fixed, but with time and
determination, compromise was found. Then, on Jan. 31, 2015, Iota
Psi Chapter was granted its charter, making it one of the fastest
chapters to be chartered in recent Delta Sigma Phi Fraternity
history. The chartering banquet for the chapter of more than 60 men
was held at IUs Memorial Union. Family, friends and university
administratorsincluding Steve Veldkamp, IU Assistant Dean of
Students and Directorwere in attendance for the event. Delta Sigma
Phi Grand Councilmen Jim Knoll and John Knowles, Chapter Advisor
Josh Edge, and Risk and Education Advisor Luke Baker were
Iota Psi CHAPTER
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9FALL 2015
also on hand to celebrate the occasion. During his address at
the banquet, then Chapter President Matt Sparling, 13, had this to
say of the chapter and his experience. I always knew I wanted to
join a fraternity. Coming from a football background, I was looking
for that communal sense of brotherhood as I transitioned to IU.
However, I wanted it to be the right experience, something that
challenged me to be a gentleman and to push myself to grow so that
I could better serve the community around me. This is one of the
main reasons that Delta Sig stuck out to me. They not only preached
a Better Men. Better Lives. lifestyle, they seemed to live it. They
provided a balanced take on the traditional fraternity lifestyle,
giving you ample time to excel in both the classroom and in
leadership positions within the organization. In addition, the
opportunity to be a Founding Father provided the unique chance to
leave my mark on the Indiana University campus while
also helping to create an organization from the ground up that
challenged the ideal Greek lifestyle and worked to make the Greek
community a better place. Ultimately, what has kept me in Delta Sig
besides the values and the mission, has been the brothers. It would
be an understatement to say that we have a wide range of brothers
with diverse backgrounds and diverse perspectives on the world.
They are young men who push themselves day in and day out to grow
individually and give back to the community around them. I have so
much admiration for the way that they represent what it truly means
to be a Delta Sig, and how they go above and beyond to help out
their fellow brothers when needed. In my opinion, they not only fit
the mold to a tee of what a Delta Sig is, they redefine what it
means to have character as a young adult on a college campus. Their
passion, their commitment and their willingness to be challenged
are what inspires me everyday to better serve them and the
community around me. The infancy of the chapter has not deterred
the men of Iota Psi from aspiring to fulfill its fraternal values
and become one of the Fraternitys strongest chapters. In the short
time of the chapter, it has accomplished
the following, setting a standard of excellence on the IU
campus.
Second highest GPA (3.39 in spring 2015) out of 34 IFC
fraternities Delta Sig Snowball Philanthropy More than $4,000
raised for the Red Cross Conversations on Race with Alpha Omicron
Pi and Alpha Phi Alpha Sexual assault prevention discussion with
Alpha Gamma Delta, Alpha Kappa Alpha and Theta Nu Xi 100 percent of
chapter becoming certified in Bystander Intervention Best Values
Integrated Chapter (2015 Greek Awards) Best Cross Council
Collaboration (2015 Greek Awards) Member serving on the Greek IFC
board as Vice President Member Development Yearly brotherhood
Olympics and Brotherhood Retreat Yearly professional development
clinic with advisor Dave Harrison
Through its accomplishments, it is clear Iota Psi Chapter
encompasses the ideas of Courage, Action and Excellence in
everything it does and serves as an example of what hard work and
alignment of values can do for the betterment of brothers and those
they impact every day.
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Charterings
The redevelopment of Zeta Pi Chapter at the University of
Louisiana at Monroe is a shining example of passion. From the early
2000s to 2010, Zeta Pi Chapter had been struggling with membership,
academic performance was declining, and the member experience was
suffering. At this time, a group of Zeta Pi alumni who wanted to
see the chapter flourish once more, collaborated with the National
Fraternity to make the difficult decision to redevelop Zeta Pi
Chapter. While never an easy decision to make, this redevelopment
decision also meant that the chapter would be dormant for a short
time until plans were put into place. Then, in 2011, Headquarters
staff members Kevin Parks, Georgia College 07, Vincent Woods, East
Carolina University 06, and Amber Shaverdi Huston began working
with the alumni to identify potential new
members, recruit and train the Founding Fathers. Admittedly for
staff, Zeta Pis redevelopment was a challenging recruitment
experience at the start. During the recruitment process, staff will
meet with numerous other student organizations to cultivate a list
of potential members. However, at ULM, this strategy didnt yield a
high number of referrals. The campus IFC, while not hostile, was
also not overly welcoming of Parks and Woods efforts, and previous
perceptions of Delta Sigma Phi created fewer open-ings than staff
had typically found during other recent developments. Staff
recruited an initial group of 21 men, with that number decreasing
to 14 leading up to initiation. Because of these setbacks, it would
have been natural for the Zeta Pi alumni to feel defeated or for
the new members of the chapter to become discouraged; however
the
exact opposite occurred. The new members were excited and eager
to learn about their chapters history, engage with the alumni, and
truly create an atypical Fraternity experi-ence at ULM. In my four
and half years as a staff member, I have yet to experience another
group of men demonstrate the same level of energy and zeal in their
attempts to recruit high quality men, said Huston, now the
Fraternitys Chief Operations Officer. Working with the Zeta Pi
Founding Fathers taught me a great deal about the character of
young men; members who truly aspire to be different, unique and
proud. Zeta Pis success was largely due to the passion and drive
from chapter alumni. A group of men, lead by Mark Neal, 90, and Dan
Thibodeaux, 83, assisted with recruitment by helping the Founding
Fathers plan for IFC formal recruitment, training the members in
proper conversation
Zeta Pi CHAPTER
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11FALL 2015
skills, and even meeting with potential members one-on-one. The
alumni were present in every aspect of the rebuilding process. They
attended informational sessions led by staff to help reinforce the
message of lifelong membership; and as each new mem-ber class has
joined the new chapter, alumni were present to welcome the new
members, provide guidance, and ultimately give the members a place
to live. They served as an invaluable resource to Headquarters
staff member Albert Kotchish, James Madison University 10, who
supp- orted the chapter following its initial recruitment. Dan and
Mark worked relentlessly to ensure that the new chapter was filled
with men of high character, Huston said. In addition to the
significant support and guidance being given as advisors, the
alumni were also fundraising in the background to build a new
chapter house.
Since its redevelopment, each semester, the men of Zeta Pi have
worked to steadily increase chapter membership, academic
performance and campus honors. The men truly used each academic
term as a stepping-stone. Today, Zeta Pi Chapter is incredibly
competitive on campus and continually yields the highest Fraternity
GPA on campus. It has aligned itself with civic-based campus
organizations to make a lasting impact at ULM. 2014 and 2015 served
as a highlight for this Louisiana chapter. During the course of the
year, Zeta Pi celebrated the 30th anniversary of its initial
founding date, the dedi- cation of a new chapter house, and the
chapters re-installation, which was held at the newly constructed
Zeta Pi pyramid on April 25, 2015. Alumni representing five decades
of membership joined the chapter for the reinstallation Ritual and
celebra-
tion. In addition to the Zeta Pi alumni, ULM President Nick
Bruno was on hand to acknowledge the chapters tremendous success
and quality of membership. He also accepted the formal invitation
to join Delta Sigma Phi as an alumni initiate. Following the Ritual
reinstallation, the chapter hosted the Carnation Ball and
Chartering Dinner at the Monroe City Civic Center. Grand Council
Director John Knowles and Executive Director Patrick Jessee
represented the national Fraternity along with Woods and Kotchish.
I feel confident in saying we all learned a great deal from the
redevelopment of Zeta Pi, Huston said. We learned that a small
group of men can truly make a difference; that the power and
passion of alumni are the keys to Delta Sigma Phis success; and
through a shared vision, an atypical Fraternity can thrive.
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Charterings
BY QUINN MCNIERNEY, UNIVERSITY OF NORTHERN COLORADO 11
Everyone knows things are always bigger in Texas. Many Texans
would argue that everything is better in Texas, too. That includes
Delta Sigma Phi pride. The Theta Upsilon chapter at Texas A&M
University was originally chartered in 2001 with great success
until declining membership numbers left that charter suspended for
the fall 2013 semester. However, in the true Texan spirit, there
was no quit to be found in the Aggies. Just a semester later, Delta
Sigma Phi was back on campus, ready to succeed with a renewed
spirit. In 2013, Delta Sigma Phi Headquarters staff members Ross
Klein, Georgia College 09, and Kenny Traber, Georgia College 09,
were dispatched to College Station, Texas, to bring back Theta
Upsilon Chapter. During this process Klein and Traber reached out
to established sororities on campus to figure out what the ladies
of Texas A&M thought were
the most important qualities for a gentleman to have. After
asking the ladies for any references, Klein and Traber set out in
search of the high- est caliber of men to fill the ranks. The
purpose of bringing Delta Sigma Phi back to the Texas A&M
campus was, as current Chapter President Micah Robles, 13, put it,
Was to build a fraternity of men who wished to abolish the idea of
a stereotypical frat. By early April, Klein and Traber had taken
the Founding Fathers of Theta Upsilon through Delta Sigs beloved
and sacred Initiation Service in Rudder Tower on campus. Theta
Upsilon quickly made itself at home while simultaneously standing
out at Texas A&M. The first Chapter President, Brett Worrell,
13, guided the chapters efforts toward community service and
philanthropy, a direction that would be continued by the subsequent
president, Mitch Powell, 13, With both feet, the chapter jumped
into fundraisers and philanthropies including Chi Omegas Songfest,
benefitting The American
Red Cross, as well as teaming up with Alpha Zeta Chi (a social
service sisterhood) to start their own program called Paws for the
Cause. Paws for the Cause brings adoptable pets to the Texas
A&M campus to raise money and awareness for the Aggieland
Humane Society. Theta Upsilon has maintained a focus on community
service and philanthropy since its redevelopment. The chapters
re-chartering banquet was held May 2, 2015 at the La Salle Hotel in
downtown Bryan, Texas, about 12 miles from the heart of campus.
Representing the National Fraternity were special guests Grand
Council President Tom Cycyota, Director of Chapter Advancement
Amber Shaverdi Huston, Klein and Traber. Also in attendance was
Cameron Morrison, Chapter Advancement Specialist for Greek Life at
Texas A&M, as well as Evan Harmon, the campus IFC president.
Mr. Cycyota gave an empowering speech to the members and their
guests before presenting the charter National Headquarters also
presented
Theta Upsilon CHAPTER
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13FALL 2015
the chapter with an official gavel and ritual equipment, Robles
recounts. The path of a newly chartered or re-chartered chapter is
full of obstacles and challenges, and Theta Upsilon is no
exception. According to Robles, one of the chapters biggest
challenges has been integrating its recruitment goals with the
universitys recruitment policy. Using his Army ROTC experience,
Robles also helped to revamp the chapters communication structure
and enhance operations across the board. While there are never any
assurances relating to the survival of a chapter, the true measure
of its success is determined by how the men meet the challenges
with which they are presented. Since its redevelopment, the
founders and current members of Theta Upsilon Chapter have and will
continue to uphold Delta Sigma Phis values and beliefs through
their commitment to community service, involvement and, in true
Texas fashion, steadfast belief that they are members of the
greatest fraternity in America.
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14 THE CARNAT ION | DELTAS IG .ORG
Fraternity Growth
Recently Chartered ( )Iota Lambda, Appalachian State University,
August 22, 2015*Beta Iota, Wittenberg University, September 26,
2015*
*Full chartering article to appear in the Spring 2016 issue of
The Carnation
Current Fraternity Growth Projects ( )Those with a Greek-letter
designation signify a recolonization.
Established Spring 2013 The University of North Carolina at
Greensboro
Established Fall 2013 Alpha Nu Oglethorpe University
Established Spring 2014 Beta Alpha Iowa State University Bradley
University
Established Fall 2014 Omega University of Pittsburgh Alpha Theta
University of Michigan Eta Chi New Mexico State University
University of South Carolina Aiken
Established Spring 2015 Zeta Nu Missouri State University Eta
Upsilon Indiana State University Theta Sigma LaSalle University
State University of New York Plattsburgh
Kennesaw State University
Fall 2015 Florida International University Eta Eta Rochester
Institute of Technology
Eta Rho The University of North Carolina at Charlotte
George Washington University
Spring 2016 Methodist University University of California,
Irvine Theta Eta Texas State University
/////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
Chapter ClosuresGamma Sigma Chapter California, DavisIn early
August 2016, the Grand Council voted to revoke the charter and
close Gamma Sigma Chapter at The University of California, Davis.
In 2014 and 2015, a series of incidents highlighted behavior
inconsistent with the high standards Delta Sigma Phi demands.
Specifically, the chapter violated the Fraternitys Risk
Management and Alcohol-Free Housing policies by hosting multiple
social events at the chapter house, where minors reportedly were
permitted to consume alcohol. Gamma Sigma Chapter was placed on
conditional registration with UC Davis and still failed to adhere
to laws regarding the underage consumption of alcohol. In May 2015,
the chapter hosted a social event with alcohol that resulted in
reports of assault and two underage guests needing medical
treatment for their consumption of alcohol. In its investigation,
the university found not only egregious policy violations in the
2014-2015 academic year, but also frequent violations dating back
to 2011. In its findings, UC Davis noted that the chapter
demonstrated an inability to comply with university expectations
and to provide a safe environment for both chapter members as well
as other members of the University community. Despite the chapters
strengths, poor decision-making and repeated disregard for the
universitys policies on alcohol use ultimately led to an indefinite
loss of campus recognitionprompting the Grand Councils decision to
close the chapter.
FraternityGrowth
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15FALL 2015
Pyramid Program
As a National Fraternity, Delta Sigma Phi is stronger than the
sum of its parts. On the Fraternitys quest to become Americas
Leading Fraternity, the success of each of its undergraduate
chapters is vital to the fulfillment of that goal. To better
measure that success, in fall 2015, the Pyramid Program was
launched as an update to Delta Sigs annual chapter accreditation
assessment. Designed to incorporate suggestions taken from
students, staff, volunteers, and professionals working with
fraternities and sororities, the Pyramid Program streamlines the
collection and organization of chapter data in a manner that will
enable more relevant coaching for all chapters of Delta Sig. The
new assess-ment module is designed as a pyramid with the most
foundational elements in the base. Those com-ponents in the
Membership and Fraternal Standards sections signify base elements
for a chapters operational success. In the middlethe Vision &
Impact section base operations are expanded upon and help develop
chapters for continued structure and support, as well as campus and
community involvement. The top section, Elevation, offers
suggestions for tailored chapter and member development
programming. In total, the sections contain 20 components. Chapters
that come closest to completing 20 components will be considered
for a Pyramid of Excellence, the Fraternitys top honor for an
undergraduate chapter.
By assessing our chapters with the Pyramid Program, Fraternity
staff will be better able to assist individual chapters in the
areas where progress is needed, said Director of Fraternity Growth
& Services Nik Koulogeorge. Our Chapter Support and New Chapter
Support Specialists will focus their work from the base of the
pyramid to the top, ensuring each chapter works off of a solid
foundation, is a solid contributor to the community and has a solid
support system for its members. Unlike previous Fraternity
accreditation assessment models, Headquarters staff will collect
much of the chapters informa-tion during their chapter visits. This
will help ensure chapters receive credit for all of the things they
are doing, not just what is reported. Submission forms will collect
all other infor-mation and items
that may have occurred after the staff members visit. Since
Delta Sigma Phis Vision 2025 launched in 2005, the Fraternitys
assessment model has gradually adjusted to the metrics laid out in
the plan. The Pyramid Program continues that trend and offers new
ways to simplify and personalize how chapters are assessed and
coached. In the coming years, components may be adjusted, added or
replaced. The Pyramid Program will grow and adapt to fit new
expectations for an ever growing Fraternity. Resources further
detailing the Pyramid Program can be found on www.deltasig.org and
within The LAMP. There, you can find a webinar recording explaining
the program and PDFs on each of its components.
PYRAMID PROGRAM enhances Delta Sigs chapter assessment
By assessing our chapters with the Pyramid Program, [we] will be
better able to assist individual chapters in the areas where
progress is needed. Our specialists will focus their work from the
base of the pyramid to the top, ensuring each chapter works off of
a solid foundation,
is a solid contributor to the community and has a solid support
system for its members. Director of Fraternity Growth &
Services Nik Koulogeorge
/////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
/////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
-
16 THE CARNAT ION | DELTAS IG .ORG
Chapter Report Card
-
17FALL 2015
-
18 THE CARNAT ION | DELTAS IG .ORG
Chapter Report Card
CHAPTER REPORT CARD
B Columbia 3.54 YES 3% 95% 40.58E Penn State 3.19 YES -1% 100%
26.77H Texas - - -14% 64% 36K Auburn - - 26% 84% -Hilgard Berkeley
3.04 YES -7% 100% 27.6
R NC State 3.025 YES 2% 100% 30S Thiel 3.12 YES -26% 92% 43.7T
Hillsdale 3 YES -17% 100% 26.17U Franklin & Marshall 3 YES -40%
100% -W Pittsburgh 3.03 YES N/A - 17.43AA Illinois 2.42 - -7% 45%
16.9AG Georgia Tech 3.16 YES -6% 64% 13.6AD North Carolina 3.1 YES
-27% 92% 27.9AE Duke 3.37 YES 18% 100% -AH Ohio Northern - - 4% 91%
33.7AQ Michigan 3.28 YES N/A - 19.8AI Ohio State 3.32 YES 5% 96%
27.47AL Millikin 3.14 YES 5% 87% -AM Virginia 3.3 YES 17% 95% 32AN
Oglethorpe 2.52 - 186% 93% 30AP Michigan State 2.95 - 0% 96% 21.5AS
Maryland 3.18 YES 3% 100% 30AT Albion 3.18 YES -2% 84% 22.6AU
Kansas State 3.23 YES 3% 100% -AC Stetson 3.05 YES 10% 100% 63.8BA
Iowa State S&T 2.95 YES 31% 100% -BB Missouri - - -1% 86% -BG
UCLA - - 25% 100% -BI Wittenberg 2.7 - -14% 100% 3BK Alabama - -1%
71% 36.58BM Transylvania 3.39 YES -5% 77% 34.9BN CSU, Fresno - -
-4% 85% 16.6BP Michigan Tech 2.75 YES -32% 100% 12.6BY Arizona
State 3.17 YES 13% 79% 25.9GE San Jos State - - 13% 88% 29.3GZ
Rutgers - - 23% 91% 16.3GI Idaho - - 43% 163% 31.9GX North Texas -
- 42% 87% -GT Eastern Michigan 2.76 YES 5% 89% 34.9GU SD School of
Mines - - 5% 106% 7GR Gannon University - - 28% 100% 44.9GC Drexel
University 3.05 YES -7% 100% 22.2DD Purdue 2.76 - 8% 100% -DE
Missouri S&T 3.27 YES 15% 93% 13.18DL Utah State 2.96 - -10%
63% 24.08DM Loyola Marymount 3.29 YES 7% 100% 50DO Western Carolina
2.7 YES 39% 88% 8.8DW Cleveland State 2.76 - 18% 92% 19.63EB
Wisc-Oshkosh - - 24% 82% 45ED Wisc-Platteville - - 54% 85% 40EI
Wisc-La Crosse 2.98 YES 7% 80% 45.5EK Loyola - Chicago 3.15 YES 7%
90% 13.18
Michigan State
Maryland
Albion
Kansas State
Stetson
Missouri
UCLA
Alabama
Transylvania
Fresno State
Michigan Tech
Western Michigan
San Jose State
Rutgers
Idaho
North Texas
Eastern Michigan
2.82
3.19
3.31
3.26
3.09
2.84
3.20
3.14
3.39
2.20
2.61
2.80
2.98
2.77
3.09
2.86
3.19
2.89
3.05
2.91
2.85
2.94
2.67
88
59
58
83
67
122
28
91
85
44
32
35
103
29
53
32
43
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
18
19
26
50
15
32
22
33
28
1,522
872
2,236
1,518
540
240
2,000
702
67
370
492
AP
AS
AT
AU
AC
BB
BG
BK
BM
BN
BP
BT
GE
GZ
GI
GX
GT
GP
GS
GU
GR
GC
GY
DD
DE
DZ
DL
DO
DW
EB
ED
EZ
EI
EK
CHAPTER REPORT CARD CHAPTER ALL-CAMPUS CHAPTER ACCREDITATION
CAMPUS TOTAL SERVICE ADVISING/CHAPTER UNIVERSITY GPA GPA MEMBERS
CRITERIA LEADERSHIP* HOURS ACBCHAPTER SCHOOL CHAPTER ALL-CAMPUS
GROWTH RETENTION SERVICE GPA AVERAGE % % HOURS/MEM
-
19FALL 2015
EL NW Missouri 2.77 YES -17% 113% -EP Woodbury 3.07 YES -11% 75%
22.8ER Cal Poly, SLO - - 42% 98% 22.35ET Grand Valley State 2.93 -
-10% 96% 68.45EF East Carolina 2.78 - 34% 125% 23.6ZZ Texas Tech -
- 6% 73% 25.6ZK Northern Colorado 2.42 - -30% 100% -ZL Rose-Hulman
3.08 YES -3% 81% 22.5ZN Missouri State 2.91 - N/A - -ZX St. Cloud
State 2.89 YES -9% 100% 47ZP ULM - - 6% 75% 59.95ZU Eureka 3.14 YES
-15% 100% 37ZC UAB 2.83 - 11% 100% 9.4ZW UNC - Wilmington 3.16 YES
18% 89% -HA MSOE - - 10% 90% 47.6HB CSU, San Bernardino 2.91 - 27%
79% -HK Michigan, Dearborn 2.41 - 34% 70% 11.6HX Towson 2.65 YES
36% 100% 7.86HO Wisc-Eau Claire - - 41% 100% -HU Indiana State 3.03
YES N/A - -HC New Mexico State - - N/A - -HY Gallaudet - - 67% 96%
5.54HW Johnson & Wales - - -5% 180% 25.33QG SUNY-StonyBrook - -
0% 400% -QE Wingate 2.85 YES -25% 100% 17.8QQ Hartford - - 38% 100%
-QK SUNY-Oswego - - -15% 100% 23QL Dickinson 3.05 YES 2% 107% -QM
Kentucky 3.18 YES 3% 100% 22.4QR Oregon - - 6% 85% -KD Virginia
Tech 3.2 YES -4% 92% 7.2QS LaSalle - - N/A - -QU Texas A&M - -
-8% 100% 16.5QC UGA 3.44 YES 13% 100% -QY Shorter 3.25 YES -18% 94%
-QW Georgia Southern 2.78 - -17% 100% 14.9IA Georgia College 3.14
YES -13% 96% 20.87IB Binghamton - - 33% 100% -IG IU-South Bend - -
25% 67% 72.2ID James Madison - - -9% 94% 31.3IE UCF 2.97 - 0% 83%
28IZ Miami 3.03 YES -1% 89% 9.7IH IUPUI - - 25% 78% 25IQ Boise
State 3.05 YES 51% 95% -II Case Western Reserve 3.47 YES 36% 164%
9.6IK Utah 3.01 YES 14% 100% 30IY IU Bloomington - - 22% 67%
28.2App State Appalachian State 2.77 - 31% 73% 24.59
North Carolina Greensboro - - 31% 89% -
Bradley University 3.19 YES 6% 100% 54
Kennesaw State University 3.14 - N/A - -
CHAPTER SCHOOL CHAPTER ALL-CAMPUS GROWTH RETENTION SERVICE GPA
AVERAGE % % HOURS/MEM
The information provided was reported as a part of the
Fraternitys 2015 accreditation assessment. A - denotes that the
information was either not submitted, unavailable or the chapter
did not meet the criteria. For the 2015-2016 academic year,
Headquarters Staff will collect as much of this data as possible
during our chapter visits to provide an even better snapshot of all
chapters work throughout the year.
-
20 THE CARNAT ION | DELTAS IG .ORG
Undergraduate Profile
Designinga successful futurea successful future
Applicants for the Raymond Waites Design Competition had two
months to complete
their project and submit their
materials. Joseph Danielsen,
Iowa State University 14,
only needed two weekstwo
weeks to win the competition.
While the interior design competition opened in early April, it
wasnt until mid-
May that the ISU student received an email with competition
details from the schools internship coordinator. Out of school for
the summer, Danielsen figured hed try his hand at the competition,
if only to gain more experience and a new portfolio piece. Little
did he know, the experience would be a major stepping stone in
achieving his dreams of becom-ing a residential interior designer.
The Raymond Waites Design Competition is hosted by the
Inter-national Furnishings and Design Association (IFDA) and
geared
toward college students working toward a career in interior
design. In this third and final competition in the series,
applicants were tasked with designing a 2,500 square foot space
that included an indoor, gourmet kitchen and luxury outdoor living
space. The overall design had to include both modern and
traditional elements, as well as an original outdoor piece of
furniture. Custom renderings of the project, a fictional client
profile, and a printed 11x17 paper portfolio were also
required.
/////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
////////////////////BY ASHLEY MARTIN
-
21FALL 2015
Daunting to some, the require- ments didnt bother Danielsen. I
saw the requirements, and based on my experience and passion for
residential life, I took immediate inter- est and started working
right away. For the next two weeks, Danielsen worked day and
nightsometimes through all hours of the dayto put together his
submission. I remember staying up until 6 a.m. some nights, then
going to bed, Danielsen said. Im very passionate about these sorts
of projectsresi- dential interior projectsand I guess my
determination made up for having to pull all-nighters and sit
through [program] rendering time. I tried to set a timeframe so
that I knew while some pieces were rendering in my computer
programs, I could work on other things like the portfolio layout.
When it was all said and done, Danielsen created a space that
incor-porated French Provincial and English Neo-Palladian
architecture and interior design, drawing inspiration from his
education and home neighborhood out-side Chicago. The competition
asked for three to six design renderings. Danielsen provided 12. It
also called for one original outdoor piece of furniture. Danielsen
created a couch, then an accompanying set of armchairs. And while
he did use computer programs to do many of his renderings, for
some, he opted to sub-mit his hand-drawn sketches so they had a
more artistic quality to them. All of this done in two weeks. For
wining the competition, Danielsen won a $5,000 cash prize and an
expense-paid trip to the 2015 High Point International Home
Furnishing Market, the nations largest furnishings industry trade
show in October. On top of getting to attend the trade show, sit in
on seminars and meet some of Americas top designers, Danielsens
work was also honored during an award reception hosted by Raymond
Waites himself, owner of a New York-based home and design shop.
Winning this competition has given me exposure to these type events
and
the ability to not only meet designers but get feedback on what
they thought I did well and what kind of things I could improve on.
The designers I met are the best in the field in terms of furniture
design. I think this project is a very high-quality project that
reflects my attention to detail as a designer and my knowledge of
architectural and interi-or design styles. Danielsen plans to use
the prize money to help fund his participation in a week-long
interior design workshop in Parisperhaps his favorite citywhere he
will meet with more designers; attend seminars in textiles,
furniture, lighting and more; as well as tour archi-
tectural phenomenon he has studied for years. Based on the
Raymond Waites Design Competition, its clear Danielsens future
knows no limits. Even from a young age, with his aptitude for
draft-ing and penchant of finding floor plans online just to
recreate and design them, Danielsen has impressed his teachers and
now others in the interior design industry. And no matter the
project, whether for class or a prestigious design competition,
Danielsen knows hes putting his energy in the right place. Every
project I complete, it assures me I am in the right profession.
-
THE CARNAT ION | DELTAS IG .ORG22
Convention
-
23FALL 2015
W hen Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans in August 2005, a group
of Delta Sigs were determined to lend a hand. Led by then
Undergraduate Grand Councilmanand current
Executive Director & CEOPatrick Jessee, undergraduates were
spurred to action and became
the catalyst for the Fraternitys national partnership with the
American Red Cross. While the
dangers of the aftermath prevented Delta Sigs from going to New
Orleans, 10 years later, Delta
Sigma Phi celebrated its return to the city in grand
fashion.
July 9-12, 2015 New Orleans, LA
-
24 THE CARNAT ION | DELTAS IG .ORG
CONVENTION
was A Celebration of Brotherhood, taking all of the host
citys charm to heart. With a second-line parade, jazz music,
Cajun food, friendship, recognition and a vision toward the
future, Delta Sig celebrated all the Fraternity has to
offer.
Tradition: The city of New Orleans is known for its
tradition, and so is Delta Sig. Like any other Delta Sigma
Phi Convention, 2015s event played host to fabulous
Delta Sigma Phi traditions, including: Pilgrims Degree,
the Singing Pilgrims, Fraternity Ritual, the election of
Grand Council and the presentation of national awards.
Celebration: Every day is a new day to celebrate
in New Orleans; it doesnt have to be Mardi Gras. At
Convention 2015, the Fraternity was able to celebrate
the accomplishments of our members, chapters, National
Fraternity and Foundation in grand fashion. Thursday
evenings
Welcome Reception featured traditional Mardi Gras Indians,
and Convention ended with a second-line parade from the
New Orleans Marriott (our host hotel) to the nearby House
of Blues, where brotherhood was celebrated with a private
concert from New Orleans band Big Sams Funky Nation.
Growth and Ingenuity: Since Hurricane Katrina, New
Orleans has become a source of inspiration and growth.
2015 not only marked the anniversary of our beginnings
with the Red Cross, it signaled the half-way point in the
Fraternitys strategic plan, Vision 2025. Convention gave
everyone the chance to reflect on the first 10 years
of that plan, as well as the Fraternitys trajectory for
the next 10. With the launch of The LAMP, our online
educational platform; the Transition Experience and
Mentoring Program to provide lifelong support to brothers;
and the Delta Sigma Phi Foundations own strategic plan,
Convention 2015 marked a turning point in Delta Sigma
Phi becoming Americas Leading Fraternity.
In the pages that follow, learn more about Convention
2015, the Fraternitys newest initiatives, and the men
and chapters we honored throughout the weekend. And
remember: in Delta Sigma Phi, every day is A Celebration of
Brotherhood.
//////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
Convention
-
25FALL 2015
FRIDAY, JULY 10Fridays In Convention Assembled sessions saw the
Convention delegation vote on amendments to the Delta Sigma Phi
Ritual and Constitution & Bylaws. Changes included amending
language to align with our long-established language of new member
and new chapters. New chapters were also given Convention votes
based on chapter size, like chartered chapters. During Fridays
Foundation Lunch, Foundation President Mike Hoffman unveiled the
Delta Sigma Phi Foundations strategic plan. (2) For the first time
in its history, the Foundation now has a strategic plan that
mirrors that of the Fraternity. Joe Bertolino, East Stroudsburg
University of Pennsylvania 94, pres-ident of Lyndon State College,
joined National President Tom Cycyota for a question-and- answer
session (3) about current trends facing both the fraternal and
higher education systems. The Delta Sigma Phi Foundation hosted a
silent and live auction for
attendees at the National World War II Museum Friday night. The
auction, casino games, food and museum exhibits in The Freedom
Pavilion (1) provided a great setting to honor both the Foundation
and American heroes. From an Apple Watch to vacation packages, the
Foundations silent auction had something for everyone. Items were
donated by Delta Sigma Phi members and friends, and in total, the
silent and live auction raised $32,079 for the Foundation.
THURSDAY, JULY 9Traditional Mardi Gras Indians kicked off
Convention with gusto during the Welcome Reception. The historic
New Orleans fixtures entertained guests with live jazz music,
singing and dancing. At the event, the Singing Pilgrims also
serenaded the crowd during the Welcome Reception. As is tradition,
this chorus of members held practices throughout the week for
Convention first-timers, with the big performance happening during
Saturday at the Awards Banquet.
THURSDAY, JULY 9Traditional Mardi Gras Indians kicked off
Convention with gusto during the Welcome Reception. The historic
New Orleans fixtures entertained guests with live jazz music,
singing and dancing. At the event, the Singing Pilgrims also
serenaded the crowd during the Welcome Reception. As is tradition,
this chorus of members held practices throughout the week for
Convention first-timers, with the big performance happening during
Saturday at the Awards Banquet.
1
2
3
-
26 THE CARNAT ION | DELTAS IG .ORG
Convention
SATURDAY, JULY 11Brothers braved the warm weather to meet in New
Orleans famous Jackson Square Saturday afternoon for the official
Convention photograph. (1) A tradition at Convention, this photo
was a not-to-miss event. To honor the 10th anniversary of Hurricane
Katrina and Delta Sigma Phis partnership with the American Red
Cross, nearly 50 Convention attendees partnered with the New
Orleans Red Cross (2) and local fire department to install smoke
detectors in New Orleans homes. Spouses and guests of Delta Sigs
attending Convention were treated with special events throughout
the weekend. For example, they took part in a painting event as
well as a New Orleans cooking and cocktail-making demonstration.
Its not A Celebration of Brotherhood without recognizing the
accomplishments of Delta Sig members and chapters. The formal
Awards Banquet Saturday recognized brothers (3) for their
outstanding service and operations. For a complete list of award
recipients from the week, see pages 28-30.
//////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
//////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
1
2
3
-
FALL 2015 27
SUNDAY, JULY 12
Sunday morning, mem-bers and guests heard an empowering speech
from the 2015 Career Achieve-ment Award recipient, John Walden,
University of Illinois 79. Walden spoke of his career trajectory
and how to be an impactful leader. Kyle Reynolds, Kansas State
University 08, led the Bond Eternal Service Sunday morning. This
service honors all Delta Sigs who have passed away and entered the
Bond Eternal (3) since the previous Convention. Educational
sessions (2) throughout Convention focused heavily on profes-sional
development for both undergraduates and alumni. Topics ranged from
personal branding, financial security, career transition,
networking and mentoring. A highlight of each Convention is the
election of Grand Council. The 2015-2017 Council includes (from
left) Felix Navarro, John Knowles, Jim Knoll, Tom Archer
(Secretary/Treasurer), Tom Cycyota (President), Jim Larson (Vice
President), John Jenkins, Nicholas Sweetman and Chris Edmonds (Past
President). (4) What better way to end A Celebration of Brotherhood
than with a private concert at the New Orleans House of Blues? (1)
Local jazz/funk band Big Sams Funky Nation rocked the house as
Delta Sigs and guests spend one last evening together in The Big
Easy.
/////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
//////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
//////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
1
2
4
3
-
28 THE CARNAT ION | DELTAS IG .ORG
Recipients
Convention
/////
/////
/////
///////////////////////////////////////////
INDIVIDUAL AWARDS
Mr. Delta Sig AwardLouis Ripberger, Purdue University 74
The Mr. Delta Sig Award is the highest award the Fraternity can
present to an alumnus. This award recognizes an individual who has
given extraordinary service to the Fraternity over a sustained
period of time. This award was first given in 1969. Ripberger
served on Grand Council for eight years, and as Grand Council
President, he helped lead the development of our Alcohol- Free
Housing Policyone of the most important policies in the Fraternitys
history. He has also served as a Commissioner, District Governor
and currently as an Alumni Corporation Board member for Delta Delta
Chapter at Purdue University.
E. Allen James Outstanding Undergraduate Award 2015Greg Bokar,
Case Western Reserve University 13
Honorable mentions: Felix Navarro, San Jose State University
& Brian Speckhard, Utah State University
The highest award the Fraternity can present to an undergraduate
member, the E. Allen James Outstanding Under- graduate Award is
given annually to a brother who has contributed the most to his
chapter and the Fraternity. The award is named for E. Allen James,
North
Carolina State University 65, who served the Fraternity as
Executive Director, member of the Grand Council and Delta Sigma Phi
Foundation President. Bokar is a Founding Father of Iota Iota
Chapter and served as the chapters first Vice President of
Recruitment. He led the chapter to the largest new member class on
campus and a 100 percent retention rate. As Chapter President, he
guided the chapter to success at a record-setting pace and to
receive its chapter just two years after development.
Harvey H. Hebert Memorial AwardCharlie Gilbert, Georgia
Institute of Technology 59Michael Hoffman, Arizona State University
85Mark Kipp, Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology 80
The Harvey H. Hebert Awards are presented to alumni brothers who
have performed an outstanding act for the good of the Fraternity or
whose diligence persevering work have made them worthy of the
award. The award was established in 1931 as a memorial to Harvey H.
Hebert, an undergraduate who lost his life in a tragic automobile
accident. It was the highest award an alumnus could receive until
the Mr. Delta Sig Award was created in 1969. Gilbert has served as
a member of the Alumni Corporation Board for Alpha Gamma Chapter at
Georgia Institute of Technology for many yearsincluding as the ACB
Presidentand was an 8-year member of the Foundation Board of
Trustees. Hoffman has served Delta Sigma Phi as both Grand Council
President and President of the Delta Sigma Phi
Foundation. In these roles, he was instrumental in the
development of strategic plans for both entities and aligning their
visions and goals. Kipp has volunteered with the Fraternity for
more than 20 years. He has served as an ACB President, Deputy
Commissioner, Regional Commissioner, National Commissioner (when
that position existed) and member of numerous national
committees.
Francis Pete Wacker Inter-fraternity AwardJim Ewbank, Phi Delta
Theta Fraternity
This award for interfra-ternal service is presented to a member
or nonmember who has made a signifi-cant contribution to the
advancement of interfraternal cooperation or the improve-ment of
his/her own fraternity, sorority or Greek world. The award is named
for past Executive Director Francis Pete Wacker, Pennsylvania State
University 33, who was well known in the interfraternal world
having served as president of both the Fraternity Executives
Association and the College Fraternity Editors Association (now the
Fraternity Communications Association). An advocate for
fraternities and sororities for decades, Ewbank has helped
formulate law on fraternity liability and develop policy that has
become standard in the Greek world. In 2008, he authored Delta
Sigma Phis Membership Dispute Resolution program. In 2012, Ewbank
again worked with Delta Sig and a small group of FRMT, Ltd. members
to draft insurance policy language that creates greater protection
and lower rates for members.
-
29FALL 2015
Russell T. Roebuck Outstanding National Volunteer AwardBarry
Kalian, California State University, Sacramento 85
This award is presented to a national volunteer who has
performed out-standing service in his volunteer efforts. It is
named for Russell T. Roebuck, Barton College 58, who served the
Fraternity as National President. Kalian has been a valued
Fraternity volunteer for decades, proving that Delta Sigma Phi is
forever. A frequent facilitator at Regional Leadership Academies
and Leadership Institutes, Kalian is a beloved brother. As the
Pacific Regional Commissioner from 2013-2015, he helped implement
Collegiate Chapter Advisory Boards and changes to ACB structure.
Then, in fall 2014, he joined the Delta Sigma Phi Foundation Board
of Trustees.
Charles G. Bartell Outstanding Chapter Advisor AwardMarc West,
Wittenberg University 84
This award recognizes a Chapter Advisor or Alumni Corporation
Board member for exceptional service to undergraduate chapters. It
is named for its first recipient, Charles G. Bartell, University of
Idaho 54, who served as Chapter Advisor for his home chapter for
three decades. West has provided exceptional service to Iota Iota
Chapter at Case Western Reserve University by serving as its
Chapter Advisor since its development, guiding the chapter and its
officers. In his nomination, the chapter said: Marc fosters
leadership, and is more responsible for our chapters success than
anyone else.
Executive Directors AwardCody Dawson, Michigan State University
02
Given at the discretion of the Executive Director, this award
gives special recognition to individuals for the work they do to
advance the Fraternity and in committing to our values in an
inspiring way. As the Alumni Corporation Board President for Alpha
Pi Chapter at Michigan State University since 2012, he has helped
grow the group to eight total officers and has inspired the
undergraduate membership to reach impressive heights of community
service. He also served as a valuable member of the Transition
Experience Committee, developing that important alumni engagement
initiative for the Fraternity.
Career Achievement AwardJohn Walden, University of Illinois
79
The Career Achievement Award honors Delta Sigs who have achieved
outstanding success in their professions. Walden is the Chief
Executive Officer of Home Retail Group, the United Kingdoms leading
home and general merchandise retailer. Walden has previously served
in the U.S. Army Reserves, as an attorney, and in the C-Suites for
companies like Best Buy and Peapod.
Order of the SphinxThe Order of the Sphinx is given annually to
undergraduates nominated by their chapter or national officer for
outstanding contributions to their chapter, campus and the
Fraternity.
Josh Adams, Shorter University 12Christopher Andris, Drexel
University 12
Elliott Christopher Beach, Thiel College 12Adam Bechert,
University of Alabama- Birmingham 12Brad Bertke, University of
Alabama-Birmingham 11Steven Brady, University of Central Florida
12Matthew Chrostowski, SUNY Oswego 12Christopher Cottitta, Drexel
University 13Sam Deary, Millikin University 12Ryan Denver, Western
Carolina University 12Michael Doherty, Millikin University 12Nik
Duffle, Millikin University 12Dominic Faust, University of Missouri
13David Fisher, University of Utah 12Alex Frey, University of
Wisconsin- La Crosse 13Jos Garcia, University of Central Florida
11Anthony Ginella, Ohio Northern University 12Darrow Goff,
Appalachian State University 13Fernando Gonzalez, Zeta Xi, St.
Cloud State UniversityJacob Hall, Transylvania University 13Ryan
Hanson, Transylvania University 13Nick Hinkle, Cleveland State
University 13Michael Hwang, Rutgers University 12Kendal Kendrick,
University of Wisconsin- Platteville 11Alec Khoury, Kansas State
University 12Erjon Llaveshi, Rutgers University 13Barton Lynch,
Transylvania University 13Benjamin Lyvers, Transylvania University
12Daniel Lyvers, Transylvania University 12Kyle Maisano, Texas Tech
University 13Dakotah Martyn, St. Cloud State University 13Joshua
McDowell, University of Louisiana at Monroe 12Kevin Moore,
Transylvania University 13Cody Nagel, The Ohio State University
12Alex Offenbach, Purdue University 11Alex Ostendorf, Georgia
College 13Zachary Pelczar, University of Maryland 13Hunter Post,
Kansas State University 13Brice Prather, Shorter University 13Nick
Ramsey, Kansas State University 13Beau Rath, University of
Wisconsin- La Crosse 12Jay Raxter, Western Carolina University
13
Recipients
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THE CARNAT ION | DELTAS IG .ORG
Convention
30
Aaron Ridgeway, Drexel University 13Ben Riesmeyer, Loyola
University Chicago 12Alexander Riley, University of Wisconsin- La
Crosse 12Jason Rohner, University of Maryland 11Parker Ryle,
University of Kentucky 11Patrick Savidge, University of California,
Berkeley 13Eric Skipworth, University of Kentucky 13Eric Smith,
University of Central Florida 13Levi Smith, Indiana
University-Purdue University Indianapolis 13Ethan Sutton, Albion
College 14Dominic Tenette, Woodbury University 11Max Timm, Loyola
University Chicago 12Cam Tober, Purdue University 12Chris Vernick,
North Carolina State University 13Thomas Lightfood Vidal, Gamma
Chi, Drexel UniversityAdam Weaver, University of Utah 14Arthur
White, Kansas State University 12Noah White, Purdue University
11Chayce Wynn, Kansas State University 12
CHAPTER AWARDS
Pyramid of Excellence Award The highest award given to
undergraduate chapters for excellence in all areas of
operation.
Sigma, Thiel CollegeAlpha Iota, The Ohio State UniversityAlpha
Sigma, University of MarylandAlpha Upsilon, Kansas State
UniversityBeta Mu, Transylvania UniversityGamma Rho, Gannon
UniversityTheta Mu, University of KentuckyTheta Psi, Shorter
University
Chapter Distinction Award Iota Kappa, University of UtahDelta
Epsilon, Missouri University of Science & TechnologyGamma
Epsilon, San Jose State University
Grand Council AwardGiven at the discretion of the Grand Council,
this award honors meritorious service to a chapter of the
Fraternity.
Alpha Pi, Michigan State University Alumni Corporation Board
Robert R. Harris Recruitment AwardThis award recognizes chapters
who have made an effort to Pay the Debt by bringing men better than
themselves in the Fraternity. It is named for Robert R. Harris,
Saint Louis University 88, who served his chapter as Rush Chairman
and President, as well as the National Fraternity as Regional
Leadership Director and Director of Expansion.
Epsilon Kappa, Loyola University ChicagoHonorable mentions:
Alpha Iota, The Ohio State University & Iota Delta, James
Madison University
Overall Chapter GrowthAlpha Nu, Oglethorpe University (186%
growth)
Top Men InitiatedEpsilon Rho, California Polytechnic State
University, San Luis Obispo
Blood, Sweat & CashFor outstanding philanthropic service to
the American Red Cross.
Epsilon Tau, Grand Valley State UniversityHonorable mentions:
Iota Delta, James Madison University & Theta Upsilon, Texas
A&M University
Outstanding Community ServiceAlpha Chi, Stetson
UniversityHonorable mentions: Alpha Upsilon, Kansas State
University & Beta Kappa, University of Alabama
Outstanding PhilanthropyBeta Kappa, University of
AlabamaHonorable mentions: Epsilon Rho, California Polytechnic
State University, San Luis Obispo & Alpha Pi, Michigan State
University
Strong Leaders AwardBeta Mu, Transylvania UniversityHonorable
mentions: Eta Omicron, University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire &
Bradley University New Chapter
Academic SustainabilityPresented to chapters with a chapter GPA
above 3.0 all semesters of biennium.
Beta, Columbia UniversityEpsilon, Pennsylvania State
UniversityHilgard, University of California, BerkeleySigma, Thiel
CollegeAlpha Delta, The University of North Carolina at Chapel
HillAlpha Epsilon, Duke UniversityAlpha Iota, The Ohio State
UniversityAlpha Mu, University of VirginiaAlpha Sigma, Maryland
UniversityAlpha Tau, Albion UniversityAlpha Upsilon, Kansas State
UniversityBeta Mu, Transylvania UniversityBeta Psi, Arizona State
UniversityDelta Epsilon, Missouri University of Science &
TechnologyGamma Rho, Gannon UniversityGamma Chi, Drexel
UniversityDelta Mu, Loyal Marymount UniversityEpsilon Kappa, Loyola
University ChicagoEpsilon Pi, Woodbury UniversityZeta Lambda,
Rose-Hulman Institute of TechnologyZeta Upsilon, Eureka
CollegeTheta Lambda, Dickinson CollegeTheta Mu, University of
KentuckyTheta Chi, University of GeorgiaIota Alpha, Georgia
CollegeIota Iota, Case Western Reserve UniversityIota Psi, Indiana
UniversityKappa Delta, Virginia Tech University
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31FALL 2015
60TH & BIENNIAL CONVENTIONJuly 6-9, 2017
Baltimore Marriott Waterfront
Thank you to our Convention
Sponsors!
Silver Sponsors
Platinum Sponsors
Gold Sponsors
Official Audio/ Visual Team
Official Photographer
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32 THE CARNAT ION | DELTAS IG .ORG
The LAMP
Imagine the scenarios. After a few years with his current
employer, a Delta Sigma Phi alumnus has decided to look for a new
job. His interview skills are rusty, and it has been awhile since
hes had to negotiate a salary. Another Delta Sigthis one an
undergraduateis worrying about how to manage his bud-get after
graduation. Hes never truly been on his own, and rent, groceries,
student loans and the other financial obligations about to hit him
have him stressed. There are resources all over the Internet both
men can turn to, but they each choose Delta Sigma Phis website to
find all of the resources they need. Sound like an unlikely place
to turn? It shouldnt. At Convention 2015, Delta Sigma Phi launched
The LAMP, an online learning center built just for Delta Sigs.
Taking a comprehensive approach to member development, The LAMP
provides content for all membersundergraduate and alumni aliketo
help them succeed in numerous areas of life. [The LAMP] begins the
next phase of Delta Sigma Phis educational reach, said Executive
Director & CEO Patrick F. Jessee. Delta Sigma Phis mission is
Building Better Men, and we have seen the need for a progressive
tool to reach all members for some time. Today it is a reality. The
LAMP will engage all members through personal development in areas
like financial literacy, professional development and more. It will
also offer resources and training to Delta Sigma Phi chapter
officers and volunteers, better equipping those men to lead
chapters to success. One can think of the platforms courses like a
college course. The course is not just one class, but a series of
classes that gradually increase someones knowledge
on a subject. On The LAMP, each course contains multiple modules
to effectively progress a members learning.
At launch, The LAMP contained six courses. General officer
training for undergraduates
Financial Preparedness With courses in paying for college and
money management
New Member Education Volunteer Training Professional Development
With courses in rsum building, interviewing, developing a personal
brand, the graduate school application process, how to market your
Fraternity experience to help your job search and career, and
more.
Leadership Institute post-event learning outcomes
refreshers.
BUILDING BETTER MEN: The LAMP offers free, online educational
content to all members
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33FALL 2015
Strategic initiatives for The LAMP call for new courses to be
developed each year, expanding the catalogue of available course
offerings and continually refreshing the courses already in place.
The goal is for members to consistently log into The LAMP and find
new, relevant programming to develop him as a better brother and
man. Some courses will be developed by Fraternity staff, while many
others will leverage strategic partnerships with organizations and
corporations that already have created adaptable content. For
example, much of the current Financial Preparedness course was
adapted with permission from PricewaterhouseCoopers. Digital
Ignite, the same company that has built online educational
platforms for companies such as McGraw-Hill Professionals, Cornell
University, J.D. Power & Associates, and more, powers the LAMP,
Major corporations are now using learning management tools like The
LAMP to train their employees, said Jessee. This new platform puts
the Fraternity at the cutting edge of continual learning and gives
our members a leg up in the work environment. With the power of the
Digital Ignite software, members will log into The LAMP from
www.deltasig.org. Once inside, The LAMP and the Fraternitys
membership database connect to display the members individual
information. Here, he can update his contact infor-mation and share
more
information with the Fraternity than ever before. The platform
then uses his personal information and interests to suggest LAMP
content relevant to him. The LAMP is a major turning point in our
mem-ber development, said Jessee. All of our educational
initiatives will be enhanced through this platform, and it allows
us to build on a lifetime of brotherhood in Delta Sig. Modules
within The LAMP
are not just videos or PowerPoint pre-sentations. Throughout the
interactive modules, you can find embedded videos, question and
answer opportunities, polling, short answer responses, and so much
more. The goal is to keep members truly engaged in the content, and
understanding and retaining the information shared. Nonmember
Chapter Advisors and campus-based professionals will also have
limited access to The LAMP to find chapter and officer-specific
resources. The LAMP has been a project on the Grand Councils radar
for many years. In Vision 2025, the need for a progressive tool to
reach all members was identified, and past and present Councilmen
and staff worked diligently to make it a reality. Grand Council
Vice President Jim Larson, California Polytechnic State University,
San Luis Obispo 72, has been one of the strongest advocates for a
program like The LAMP. He and his wife Greta have pledged $75,000
to the Delta Sigma Phi Foundation to fund the platform and course
develop- ment over the next few years.
Launched at Convention 2015, The LAMP educational portal
connects members to important Delta Sigma Phi resources as well as
a host of
educational courses geared for personal and professional
development.
At launch, The LAMP contained six educational courses. Each
year, more courses will be added to expand the
educational offerings Delta Sig offers all membersundergraduate
and alumni alike.
Interactive modules take members through learning outcomes for a
course. Video, question and answer sections, polling, and more will
keep members engaged with the educational content.
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The LAMP is available to all Delta Sigs, and accessing
its content is easy!
1. Go to www.deltasig.org.
2. Click The LAMP in the upper right.
3. Use your existing Members Only password or create a new
account.
4. Inside The LAMP, make sure to update your personal
info in the box on the left.
5. Search for courses in the Courses tab.
6. Find Delta Sig information in Fraternity Resources.
7. Choose My Learning to view courses youve already taken.
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34 THE CARNAT ION | DELTAS IG .ORG
Transition Experience
TransitionTransitionCREATES PROGRAM FOR LIFELONG FRATERNITY
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35FALL 2015
CREATES PROGRAM FOR LIFELONG FRATERNITY
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When you join Delta Sigma Phi, you hear, Delta Sigma Phi is
forever. But what does that really mean? For some alumni, they
fulfill that statement by becoming a Fraternity volunteer, serving
as a national officer, member of an Alumni Corporation Board or
Collegiate Chapter Advisory Board. Others donate money and give
their time and friendship to build a stronger brotherhood. However,
there are thousands of other men across the country who dont have
that same relationship with Delta Sigma Phi. For too many members,
once they graduate and enter into a world largely unknown to them,
Delta Sigma Phi begins to get lost in the shuffle. While we love
our alma maters, arguably, our academic institutions do not
adequately prepare students for post-graduate life. They help us
with the book smarts, but not always in the major life lessons a
person must learn to be the best version of himself. Our colleges
and universities do not excel at teaching interview skills, strong
interpersonal skills, teamwork, financial planning and so much
more. As a result, as Delta Sigs leave college, they still have a
ways to go to catch up to the learning curve, and Delta Sigma Phi
becomes the last thing on their minds. Then, as members lose
interest, the Fraternity loses its relevance, member contact
information goes bad, and the life-long membership experience gets
put on hold. But what if Delta Sigma Phi can change that? As a
national Fraternity, we aim to Build Better Men. So what can we do
to better prepare our men for the real world and the lifelong
experience of Delta Sigma Phi? In the year leading to Convention
2015, the Fraternity devel-oped an initiative to help us solve this
problem. With a group of dedicated alumni, Delta Sigma Phi
developed an outline for a transformational experience called the
Transition Experience. This experiencecomprised of various
programs, touch points and engagement opportunitieswill be rolled
out sequentially over the next several years, guide men from
college to alumni life, provide brothers with the tools and
connections needed to succeed, and develop a deeper connection to
the Fraternity. Delta Sigma Phi is the first fraternity or sorority
to create an initiative of this magnitude. This is a truly trail-
blazing experience. The Transition Experience takes a four-pronged
approach to help us better prepare our members for a life-time of
success and brotherhood in Delta Sigma Phi. Educate Congratulate
Connect Repay
These areas can be thought of as the base of a pyramid. Each is
equally important and connected to create a solid, lasting
structure.
> EDUCATE The Transition Experience will develop educational
courses targeted toward members at all stages of lifepreparing for
interviews and writing resumes, creating career strategies,
navigating career transitions, buying a home, investing in the
stock market, retirement and more. This education must begin while
brothers are still in college, Executive Director & CEO Patrick
F. Jessee said during the Transition Experiences launch at
Convention 2015. With a greater emphasis on empowering our
sophomores, juniors and seniors with critical skills, knowledge and
perspective; providing them with tools to excel in their
professional lives; and balance their careers with life aspirations
as well, we continue to build the transitional bridge for our
members to seamlessly cross the threshold from undergraduate
brother to lifelong engagement. The Transition Experience will
reach members through a host of avenues, including from The LAMP,
expanded content at national programs, and training for local
chapters and volunteers. Alumni education is also a key component
of the Transition Experience. Most topics are not only applicable
for undergraduates, but provide great refreshers for alumni. Others
will be alumni-specific. To engage and Build Better Men for life,
continued education is critical to succeeding in providing lifelong
fraternity.
> CONGRATULATEThe Transition Experience also emphasizes
recognition of members beginning at the time they toss their caps
and collect their diplomasa time when the Fraternity traditionally
critically loses connection and impact with our brothers. The
initiative will develop avenues for delivering messages to
graduating seniors, sharing tokens of appreciation for making
EDUCATE
1 2CONGRATULATE
34CONNECTREPAY
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36 THE CARNAT ION | DELTAS IG .ORG
Transition Experience
Delta Sigma Phi a part of their lives, and inspiring them to
maintain their fraternity engagement for life. This outreach also
provides the opportunity to collect information on members career
goals, their interests for engage-ment, where they will be
relocating to, and how we can maintain contact with them.
> CONNECTInformation collection and relationship cultivation
is the third side of the pyramid for this Transition Experience.
Delta Sigma Phi cannot create a lifelong experience if members are
not connected to the National Fraternity and brothers across the
globe. As members graduate, automated connections will be made to
alumni associations, ACBs and Collegiate Chapter Advisory Boards.
An online graduating seniors report will congratulate these men and
also identify their career aspirations, creating potential
opportunities to leverage Delta Sigs network of brothers across the
country. The Fraternity aims to create engagement opportunities for
members to create new social circles, develop mentoring
relationships, and identify opportunities to volunteer and remain
active in our brotherhood.
For more information on the Fraternitys Mentoring Program that
was launched as a piece of the Transition Experience, see the
callout box to the left of this article.
After members graduate, many lose perspective on the Fraternitys
relevance in their lives, and engagement on any level of the
Transition Experience program relies on the connections the
National Fraternity makes with brothers. Delta Sig will begin to
offer more updates from the national and chapter level, make
information on the Delta Sigma Phi story more accessible, provide
more resources on how to get involved, and simply have a bigger
presence in our members lives through improved communications and
marketing.
> REPAYLifelong engagement made through strengthened
connections supports the final side of the Transition Experience
pyramid. When Delta Sigs are initiated, we become aware of our
obligation to Pay The Debt to this great Fraternity. As members
transition into the next phase of their journey, there are so many
opportunities to engage in paying that debtboth in giving back in
service as volunteers, mentors and leaders, as well as in
contributing our treasure to help support opportunities for the men
of the future. In the coming years, Delta Sigma Phi will build
numerous resources to help make that engagement effort more
seamless and ensue undergraduate members are exposed to the what,
why and how of the Delta Sigma Phi Foundation at an early point so
they are inspired to engage in that culture of giving. As more and
more men become connected to the Fraternity and are inspired to Pay
the Debt, the cycle starts over; the bases of the Transition
Experience pyramid are relational. Men continue to be educated,
share their love of Delta Sig with others and make even more new
connections. The Transition Experience is Delta Sigma Phis future,
said Jessee. This is our opportunity to deliver on the promise of a
lifelong Fraternity experiencecreating the bridge for our members
to experience a meaningful transition to the next phase of their
journey. Delta Sigma Phi is for life, and we must make every effort
possible to make sure it remains that way for every brother in this
great Fraternity.
DELTA SIGS NEW MENTORING PROGRAM
A key part of the Transition
Experience was also
launched at Convention
2015, an online Mentoring
Program that serves as a
resource for all members
and has the power to have
an exceptional impact on
Delta Sigma Phis mission.
For years, every frater-
nity and sorority has touted the power of their
alumni network, while admittedly struggling with
how to truly connect their members together,
explained Delta Sigma Phi Executive Director
Patrick Jessee. Delta Sig is the first to find a
significant solution. The biggest, most exciting
piece of the Transition Experience is our online
mentoring platform.
Through the mentoring platform, under-
graduates and alumni alike can create profiles
and build mentoring relationships through the
site based on their location, career field and
more. Mor