Spring 2019 Parent Newsletter

PHI DELTA THETA PARENT NEWSLETTER

Greetings Parent(s) & Guardian(s)

semester in August during freshman move-in day, helping hundreds of incoming students get settled in to begin their USD experience. To follow that on September 22nd we participated in the annual ALS walk located at Sertoma Park in Sioux Falls, SD. The walk is held for people who suffer from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis commonly known as ALS, this debilitating disease affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord, usually leaving the person affected with the loss of many common motor skills. Phi Delta Theta was proud to donate $3,000 to the ALS Association, this money goes towards research on ALS that will hopefully lead towards finding a cure. In late October, USD’s Promote Awareness/Victim Empowerment (PAVE) held its Personal Care Drive to help fundraise for everyday household items for the local shelter in Vermillion. Among the eight fraternities and sororities that participated Phi Delta Theta raised the most items. We capped off the fall semester by welcoming 21 new members to our brotherhood. These young men are not only future leaders of our chapter, but role models of the entire USD community. We could not be prouder to have them as a part of our brotherhood.

First and foremost, the men of Phi Delta Theta would like to thank you for all the time, effort, and resources that attribute to the success of our members. Phi Delta Theta was founded on three cardinal principles: friendship, sound learning, and moral rectitude. The young men that are a part of our brotherhood exemplify those values on a consistent basis. Our chapter was founded in 1906 and has changed the lives of the many young men that have used the endless resources our chapter has to offer. From the friendship that is fostered, to the charitable events that help change the lives of others and the emphasis on academia, Phi Delta Theta has stayed true to the principles it was founded upon. Academic Recap Since the Fall Semester started, Phi Delta Theta has remained busy focusing on our three cardinal principles, and how we can use these both on and off campus. Phi Delta Theta puts pride on its academic excellence and to maintain that excellence we held our semiannual scholarship dinner on October 17th. This event is meant to help strengthen ties between our members and their professors. Phi Delta Theta has achieved first in grades among all fraternities on campus for the second consecutive semester with a 3.2 GPA. Among the eight fraternities on campus Phi Delta Theta produced the most 4.0 students with 12 this past fall. This is something we are very proud of and would like to thank our Scholarship Chairs: Sam Swier of Hartford, SD and George Konidas of Sioux City, IA. We are committed to our academics as students and it shows with the number of men who have decided to pursue graduate school and grow their education. Fall Recap Phi Delta Theta took part in some notable events this past Fall. We kicked off the

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Spring Schedule

Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals. The money raised by Dakotathon goes towards covering medical expenses for kids who have experienced extreme medical hardships in their young lives. Dakotathon culminates with a 24hour period where students participate in dancing, games, and listening to the miraculous stories that each child has experienced. Last year alone, Phi Delta Theta raised just over $12,000 and this year we have set an initial goal for $10,000 but hope to raise that goal before April 13th. In its entirety, Dakotathon last year raised just over $184,000. This event is something the entire USD community takes pride in as all the funds raised are for the kids (FTK). If you wish to donate towards Dakotathon a link will be provided at the end of this newsletter.

The Spring semester schedule will include many fun and exciting events. To begin, Phi Delta Theta hosted its annual Chislic Feed on February 13th to help raise money for individuals who suffer from ALS. This year all proceeds from the Chislic Feed went to Beth Anderson of Lavergne, Minnesota. Beth’s struggle began at the age of 60 when she was diagnosed with ALS. Before her diagnosis, Beth was active and motivated to achieve any goals she had set out. Once Beth was diagnosed, the muscle loss accompanied by the loss of independence was a major challenge to overcome. To go along with the physical challenges, Beth’s medical expenses began to stack up. However, Beth still finds joy in the time spent with her kids and grandkids. The internal strength Beth possesses to continue her fight against ALS is tremendous and a fight that she plans on not quitting. The Chislic Feed helped raise $4,500 that will go directly to the Anderson family and their medical expenses. Phi Delta Theta would like to thank both Blake Coughenour of Maxwell, IA our Philanthropy Chairmen who helped plan this event and Riley Nordstrom of Garretson, SD our historian who helped promote it. To follow the Chislic Feed, on April 6th, Phi Delta Theta will be holding parents day, this will be similar to the parents day that was held during the Fall. Stay tuned for more information as April 6th quickly approaches. The following week on April 13th Phi Delta Theta will be participating in Dakotathon, USD’s biggest charitable event held on campus. Dakotathon is an event held by the USD student body to help raise money for the

Upcoming Graduates This May 4th, Phi Delta Theta is proud to announce the graduation of eight members. These members have spent countless hours in their studies and contributed mightily towards Phi Delta Theta and the USD community.

List of Graduating Members Seth Titus of Hartford, SD will be graduating with a degree in nursing. Seth will pursue a career in the Army following his ROTC graduation. He is also planning on attending PA School to one day become a physician’s assistant. Andrew Smith of Mitchell, SD will be graduating with a degree in strategic communications. Andrew has the goal of either opening his own bar or to specialize as an advertising strategist.

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Jeff Garreans of Sioux City, IA will be graduating with a degree in international studies. Jeff has set out to have a career within the Army following his ROTC graduation with hopes of becoming an army officer. Jeff has also expressed interest in attending law school in the near future as well.

Brian Kuyper of Sioux Falls, SD will be graduating with a degree in finance. He will be enrolling in graduate school seeking to become a business consultant. Ethan Beck of Sioux Falls, SD will be graduating with a degree in Health Services Administration. Following graduation, Ethan will be working with Avera as a human resources administration specialist.

Cole Clemiston of Sioux City, IA will be graduating with a degree in medical biology. He will follow up his ROTC graduation and undertake a career with the military.

Layne Miller of Lemmon, SD will be graduating with a degree in medical biology. Layne will attend pharmacy school upon graduation with the goal of becoming a pharmacist.

Nate Dusini of Wiesbaden, Germany will be graduating with a degree in medical biology. Upon graduation, Nate will be enrolling in Medical School with the goal of becoming a physician.

Dakotathon Fundraising Page: https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fevents.dancemarathon.com%2Findex.cfm%3Ffuseacti on%3Ddonordrive.team%26teamID%3D33248%26fbclid%3DIwAR1U_yEf6SFUwxAFKrQByMFYJtd3wwPp w5k0nMnCCo2wJK5GdmP0aXrUsaM&h=AT0rWyAA5tdjEUTe4pAVt0g0Z5Ck93QDpHqAh879L3m4vFxnBPK2HN1khUx7CSkqH1KflrXfvqvldOetbregEC7mnqd2Ik7SXoF-5t1VEU5wiEhWT6EpdoWRZbVtvYE7jm Contact Information: Mailing Address: 202 E. Clark St. Vermillion, SD 57069 Follow us on Facebook: @USDphidelts Chapter President: Dylan Hageman: Cell – (605)-860-8235

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