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September 4, 2008
Our Year: Advancing Delta Sigma Phi Fraternity Message from Scott Wiley, Executive Director
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I love this time of year! September brings so much energy and excitement as campuses all across America kick back into high gear. So to does Delta Sigma Phi as we continue in our quest of being America’s Leading Fraternity.
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The other great thing about September is great football…just ask our brothers at preseason favorite University of Georgia, or how about the upstart Pirates at East Carolina where the Delta Sig chapter’s fall recruitment success (double last fall’s results) are generating almost as much buzz as the football team. And let’s not forget this week’s upcoming battle of the Oregon Ducks traveling to West Lafayette, Indiana to take on the Purdue Boilermakers. Both teams are undefeated and are led by Delta Sigs. The Ducks under the direction of Head Coach Mike Bellotti, UC Davis ’70 and the Boilermakers under the direction of Head Coach Joe Tiller, Montana State ’63. Tiller, in his final season at Purdue, needs one more win to become the Boilermakers' all-time winningest coach. This game is sure to be one that stands out this weekend as two conference contenders slug it out. Like Delta Sigma Phi, college football has its rituals. A great Delta Sig chapter lives and performs its ritual and can be spotted a mile away. A great college football fan does the same thing. For me, my favorite Saturday ritual during college football season starts at 10:00 am EDT—ESPN’s College GameDay. It is a great introduction to the day’s big games and showcases some great campus towns and the nation’s biggest rivalries. It also highlights one of the greatest leaders and motivators of our time, Coach Lou Holtz. Coach Holtz is never at a loss for words and is passionate about the game, life and his infamous pep talks for the underdogs. In this year’s debut of GameDay, Coach Holtz imparted some great wisdom that resonates with what we are doing in our Fraternity as we continue in our mission of building better men. Coach Holtz stated, “I think that everybody needs four things in life. Everybody needs something to do regardless of age. Everybody needs someone to love. Everybody needs something to hope for, and, of course, everybody needs someone to believe in.” Regardless of age, everybody needs something to do. Regardless of age, Delta Sigma Phi needs you. In the last three years as we have set about implementing our bold new strategic plan, we have seen undergraduate membership increase by more than 25%. In addition, the number of men we are providing leadership training to is an at all time high, having increased by more than 875% since the start of this
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decade. These new members and leaders need your support and guidance. We need alumni now more than ever to join our team to ensure that the Delta Sig experience IS the winning experience on college campuses across the country. And if you are unable to give of your time, we would love to talk to you about earning your support in other ways. Delta Sigs from all over the globe are signing on to ensure that our vision of being America’s Leading Fraternity is not just something we talk about, but rather is a cause we all have a role in advancing. To learn how you can join in our effort check out the Building Better Men Campaign site. Everybody needs somebody to love. For more than a century, our Fraternity has been the beacon that supports chivalry and the sacredness of the family bond. Now more than ever these principles resonate. Everybody needs something to hope for. As we set out upon a new semester, I hope brothers all across the country will recommit themselves to the time-honored ideals of our great Fraternity—culture, harmony and friendship. Hoping won’t be enough though. Our actions will speak louder than our words and we all have an opportunity to make sure that the world is truly convinced of the sincerity of our purpose. Alumni, this means following through on your commitment to be at Homecoming or the alumni event that has been on your calendar for the past six months. Undergraduates, this means making sure those alumni and their families are welcomed back and that you, your chapter brothers and your facilities (where applicable) are impeccable in your appearance and with your word. Everybody needs something to believe in. I believe in the outstanding men of high moral character who lead our chapters and colonies at campuses across this great land. I believe in their extraordinary alumni volunteers who go above and beyond—day in and day out that drive this organization forward. I believe in the promise that comes with the installation and chartering of four chapters this fall at Missouri University of Science & Technology (Delta Epsilon), Shorter College (Theta Psi), Georgia Southern University (Theta Omega), and Georgia College and State University (Iota Alpha). I believe in the dedicated, exemplary staff of professionals who I have the privilege of working alongside as we seek to raise expectations and deliver upon a new covenant that forms the basis of America’s Leading Fraternity. Quite simply, I believe in Delta Sigma Phi Fraternity. In the weeks and months ahead we’ll be asking those of you who do believe to join us as we advance our vision of being America’s Leading Fraternity. I hope you will join us because we need and want your support. Brothers, get ready because this is our year. I proudly remain… YITBOS,
Scott D. Wiley Executive Director
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Second Undergraduate Member Named to Grand Council On August 7, the Fraternity announced the appointment of Tom Seto, Purdue ’05, to the Fraternity’s Grand Council as the second undergraduate member with a two-year term that expires May 30, 2010. He joins Jared Thomas, Kentucky ’04, the current undergraduate member whose term expires at the conclusion of the Fraternity's 2009 Convention. About his appointment, Seto said, "I am extremely excited to have the opportunity to serve on Delta Sigma Phi's Grand Council. To have an opportunity to make a difference for the organization in this role is outstanding, and I look forward to contributing to the Board in a positive way throughout my term." Seto's leadership experiences on campus and in the fraternity community are extensive. He has served as both the vice president of operations and vice president of administration for Purdue's Interfraternity Council, as an intern at both the Undergraduate Interfraternity Institute (UIFI) and the Mid-American Greek Council Association (MGCA) Conference, as a lobbyist during the North-American Interfraternity Conference's (NIC) Day on the Hill, and as the vice president for the Fraternity's Delta Delta Chapter at Purdue. In addition, prior to his appointment, Seto served on the Delta Sigma Phi's national Undergraduate Advisory Committee (UAC), and graduated from the Pi Class of the Fraternity's Leadership Institute in early August 2008. Delta Sigma Phi National President Mike Hoffman said, "The Grand Council is happy to have Tom Seto join our ranks as our newest undergraduate member. He will join Jared Thomas, our current undergraduate member, to continue to ensure that we are keeping the undergraduate membership's needs at the forefront of our conversations and decision-making process." [return to top]
Fraternity Hires Four New Staff Members Delta Sigma Phi recently hired four new staff members to enhance the chapter and colony operations of the Fraternity for the 2008-09 academic year. Ry Beck, a 2004 initiate of the organization's Gamma Xi Chapter at North Texas, and Kyle Libra, a 2005 initiate of the Beta Mu Chapter at Transylvania University, have been hired as Regional Directors. In this role, they are responsible for providing training in fraternity operations and risk management to the organization's chapters and colonies in specific regions of the country. John Regner, a 2005 initiate of the Alpha Lambda Chapter at Millikin University, and Matt Kearney, a 2005 initiate of the Alpha Chi Chapter at Stetson University, have been hired to serve as Expansion Coordinators. Their responsibilities include the identification of potential new university partners and redevelopment opportunities of campuses where the Fraternity has had a presence in the past, as well as the recruitment, training, and development of the new groups on these campuses. In addition to these hires, the three Regional Directors from last year remain on staff to http://newsmanager.commpartners.com/deltasig/issues/2008-09-04.html (3 of 6) [10/1/2008 11:46:25 PM]
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continue providing enhanced service to the Fraternity's chapters and colonies. Matt Katsaros, Georgia '02, has assumed the role of Director of Chapter Development, while Chris DeMartino, Johnson & Wales '97 and Beau Hanger, Millikin '03 have become Senior Regional Directors. For more information, and to see the bios of all of the Fraternity's staff members, click here. [return to top]
Four Delta Sig Colonies Approved to Become Chapters The Fraternity is pleased to announce that the following colonies have been approved by the Grand Council to become official chapters of Delta Sigma Phi. Their new chapter designations are in italics and parentheses below. Delta Epsilon Colony - Missouri University of Science & Technology (Delta Epsilon Chapter) Shorter College Colony - Shorter College (Theta Psi Chapter) Georgia Southern Colony - Georgia Southern University (Theta Omega Chapter) Georgia College and State Colony - Georgia College and State University (Iota Alpha Chapter) Installation Ceremonies are still being planned, but please help us congratulate the above colonies on their hard work and dedication to become Delta Sigma Phi's next Chapters! [return to top]
First Recruitment Numbers Are In The Fraternity has already begun receiving some impressive recruitment numbers from our chapters and colonies across the country. See below for some of the top numbers that have been received through the Pledge Report at www.deltasig.org/pledgereport. Alpha Gamma Chapter - Georgia Tech - 17 official pledges Epsilon Omega Chapter - Illinois State - 20 official pledges Theta Chi Chapter - Georgia - 23 official pledges Shorter College Colony - 16 official pledges If your chapter or colony has already pinned your newest pledges, be sure to report them so you can be listed here in next month's issue of Delta Sigma Philes. Once again, go to www.deltasig.org/pledgereport to officially report your newest pledges. [return to top]
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Fraternity Continues to Enhance Its Online Presence Delta Sigma Phi continues to provide excellent opportunities for members to connect with one another and the Fraternity online. With the Delta Sigma Phi Circle online community, undergraduate and alumni brothers can connect with one another in a social atmosphere to find brothers with similar interests and continue to enhance the bonds of brotherhood. Over 3,800 members have joined so far, created their profile, and engaged in conversations and networking with their fellow brothers. Be the next to do so today! The Fraternity also has a presence on the online professional networking site LinkedIn. With over 800 members of the Delta Sigma Phi Group, brothers are able to connect with one another in the professional and business networking site to enhance their network of business contacts. LinkedIn is a perfect place to meet brothers in your area of expertise to engage them in conversations and to network. Join the LinkedIn Group by clicking here. In addition to these two online applications, Delta Sigma Phi has developed an account within Twitter, the online social messaging utility. You can join to follow what both your fellow brothers and friends, and now, the Fraternity, are doing in real-time. The Fraternity is using the service to push out the news of the organization to its followers, and we hope you will join at http://twitter.com, and follow DeltaSigmaPhiHQ. [return to top]
Upcoming Event Dates Delta Sigma Phi is excited to announce the dates for a number of events that will take place during the 2008-09 academic year for chapter leaders. More information on the specific events can be found in the Meetings & Events section of the Fraternity's web site as the dates approach. The second annual Summit program for chapter presidents and recruitment chairmen will be held January 9-11, 2009 in Indianapolis. For more information on The Summit, click here. In addition, the dates and locations of the 2009 Regional Leadership Academies (RLAs) have been finalized. Please see below, and click here for more information and future updates on each specific event. January 17, 2009 – Atlanta, GA January 24, 2009 – Chicago, IL January 31, 2009 – St. Louis, MO February 21, 2009 – Los Angeles, CA February 21, 2009 – Philadelphia, PA The Fraternity's Convention will also take place in 2009 from July 22-26 at the Hilton St. Louis at the Ballpark in St. Louis, Missouri. We hope to see you at one of these events in 2008-09! [return to top]
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Undergraduate News Zeta Xi Chapter Promotes Alcohol Awareness During Campus' Welcome Week Delta Sigma Phi's Zeta Xi Chapter at St. Cloud State University, in conjunction with the Delta Zeta Sorority on campus, developed a new Welcome Week program called UChoose-A-Palooza. The event is focused on helping prevent alcohol related deaths and negative consequences for high risk drinking, and is focused on furthering the campus' cutting edge alcohol prevention program, U-Choose. The event took place during Kick-off Week on August 26, from 5 - 8 p.m. on the Atwood Center mall on St. Cloud State's campus. A nationally-renowned speaker, Harlan Cohen, took the stage following the event at 9 p.m. where he discussed "The Naked Roommate: And Everything Else You Might Run Into in College." For more information on the event, click here. To see the local newspaper's story on the event, click here.
Kappa Delta Chapter Ends Spring 2008 Semester #1 on Campus Delta Sigma Phi's Kappa Delta Chapter at Virginia Tech had the highest GPA of the 37 fraternities on campus this past Spring semester. The Chapter's 3.24 GPA put them .1 ahead of the second highest Fraternity on campus, and placed them well above the All Fraternity (2.90), All Men's (2.96), and All Undergraduate (3.06) Averages for the semester. Congratulations to the Kappa Delta Chapter on their great work!
Gamma Xi Chapter Begins Stand Against Leukemia The Gamma Xi Chapter at the University of North Texas began its Stand Against Leukemia Philanthropy event on Thursday, September 4, 2008. The event, where brothers from the chapter will stand on a decorated box for 100 hours on the Campus Green to raise money for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. We'll be sure to include a follow up in next month's issue with the amount that was raised! [return to top]
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