Delta Theta Colony of Chi Phi Parents Newsletter Winter 2017

PARENTS NEWSLETTER Volume 1 Issue 1 Parents Newsletter Winter 2017A Letter from the Presidentby Bradley Myers achieve the highest accreditation And lastly, I would like to score in the nation, I would have thank all of my brothers for allowing I find it both odd and exciting laughed. Yet that is what we have me to lead them through thisto be writing this particular letter. My done. Our commitment to excellence semester. It has truthfully been thename is Bradley Myers, a sophomore in and out of the classroom is top best experience of my life. I hope youpolitical science major from Hartsville, notch as we have achieved the 5th all enjoy your Holidays, and asSC, and I have been the President of highest overall GPA and 3rd highest always Go Tigers!the Delta Theta Colony of the Chi Phi new member GPA this past semesterfraternity at Clemson for the Fall 2017 of all 20 fraternities at Clemson.semester. Before I was the president,I was Vice President in 2016. While Now that I have introducedmy term will end at the start of the myself and the brotherhood, I mustspring semester, I would like to take also say goodbye. With my termthis time to introduce all of you to the ending, I have some people to thank.brotherhood we have built and are I would first like to thank all of you,building. We are currently a 49-man the loved ones of my brothers, forbrotherhood, and we are continuing giving me the opportunity to be in thethat growth, which is a very exciting lives of all of your sons. They are allthing to say! This Brotherhood has incredible young men who have socome such a long way in such a short many different talents and quirks, andamount of time, and it is truly they have been a joy to lead. I wouldsomething I am proud to be a part of. also like to thank our advisor,If you had asked me at the beginning Jonathan “CD” Rawls for hisof last year if I felt that it would be guidance and wisdom when I felt Ipossible for our humble colony to had no way to navigate the situation.

PARENTS NEWSLETTER | Winter 2017 2The Brotherhood2017 Executive Council Members at LargePresident (Alpha): Bradley Myers, Hartsville, SC; Dakota Avera, Columbia, SC; Freshman; EngineeringSophomore; Political Science Jack Beck, Fairfield, CT; Sophomore; Business ManagementVice President (Beta): Hunter Bond, Laurens, SC;Sophomore; Electrical Engineering Matthew Beach, Decatur, GA; Freshman; EngineeringSecretary (Gamma): Seth Hester, Greenville, SC; Jake Canavan, Scotch Plains, NJ; Freshman; ChemistrySophomore; Computer Science Jay Carl, Media, PA; Freshman; Computer ScienceTreasurer (Delta): Karl Martin, Churchville, PA;Sophomore; Mechanical Engineering Isaiah del Campbell, Flowery Branch, GA; Freshman; EngineeringJudiciary (Epsilon): Jason Brule, N. Charleston, SC; David Favrot, Birmingham, AL; Sophomore; MechanicalSophomore; Mechanical Engineering Engineering Bryan Friers, Mechanicsburg, PA; Sophomore; MathematicalHistorian (Zeta): CJ Connelly, Prosperity, SC; ScienceJunior; Industrial Engineering Noah Fuller, Laurens, SC; Sophomore; Construction Science and ManagementRisk Manager (Eta): Benjamin Bloom, Gaithersburg, MD; Daniel Greene, Greensboro, NC; Sophomore; EnvironmentalSophomore; Business Administration Engineering Jack Grozier, Haddonfield, NJ; Freshman; EngineeringNew Member Educator (Theta): Braxton Baird, Lexington, NC;Junior; Genetics Caleb Hardison, Cheraw, SC; Junior; Industrial EngineeringRecruitment Chair (Iota): Gabriel Nadolski, Barre, MA; Karr Hersh, Portsmouth, VA; Freshman; EngineeringJunior; Biochemistry Alex Hoffman, Canal Fulton, OH; Freshman; Engineering2017 Committee Chairs Ryan Irwin, Coral Springs, FL; Freshman; EngineeringAcademic: Derwin Simpson, Charleston, SC; Junior; IndustrialEngineering Mason Kingery, Goodview, VA; Sophomore; Construction Science and ManagementCommunity Service: Brandon Russ, Charleston, SC; Junior; Sohan Kotecha, Charleston, SC; Freshman; EngineeringIndustrial Engineering Colby Krimm, Greer, SC; Freshman; Mathematical SciencesFundraising: Eric Strickland, Cincinnati, OH; Sophomore;Marketing Drake Lewis, Arlington Heights, IL; Freshman; EngineeringGreek Relations: Jeremy Lutz, Marietta, GA; Sophomore; Scott Liggett, Sonora, CA; Junior; MarketingIndustrial Engineering Alex Long, Orlando, FL; Freshman; BioengineeringIntramural League: Johnny Newell, Fairfax, VA; Sophomore;Architecture Fedey Martinez, Summerville, SC; Freshman; Health SciencesPhilanthropy: Quinn Ussher, Demarest, NJ; Junior; Civil Alex Mueller, Atlanta, GA; Sophomore; World CinemaEngineering Communications Will Owen, Pendleton, SC; Freshman; Computer SciencePublic Relations: Rob Gruskos, Oceanport, NJ; Sophomore;Chemical Engineering Ryan Pendergrass, Greenville, SC; Sophomore; Industrial EngineeringSocial: Sam Ferguson, York, SC; Sophomore; Forestry Anthony Signorelli, Chester, NJ; Sophomore; Environmental EngineeringTailgate: Jonathan Pugliese, Charlotte, NC; Junior; Computer Aaron Toler, Ft. Mill, SC; Freshman; EngineeringEngineering Jack Troiano, Barrington, RI; Freshman; Mechanical Engineering Brendan Van Cleave, Troy, MI; Freshman; Mechanical Engineering Eric Vo, Aiken, SC; Freshman; Engineering Miles Weiss, Simpsonville, SC; Freshman; Economics & Accounting

PARENTS NEWSLETTER | Winter 2017 3 Letter from the New Member Class President by Will OwenAlex Hoffman, Jake Canavan, and Jack Troiano having My name is Will Owen and the news anytime soon. This colony offun painting tiger paws outside of Death Valley reason I was chosen to write this Chi Phi isn’t just a fraternity, a club, or letter was because I served as the even just a brotherhood, this is aMiles Weiss, Bradley Myers, Fedey Martinez, and Eric Vo president of the most recent new family.giving out candy to children on Halloween in downtown member class. First, I would like toClemson say to all the parents whose sons One of my favorite memories from most recently rushed, I couldn’t have this semester was the Chi Phi asked for a better new member class Thanksgiving dinner that was held. It to share my fraternity membership truly was a great time where all of the with. All of your sons are great brothers of Chi Phi bonded. I’m brothers and will be brothers for life to positive that I made the correct me. Secondly, to the parents of the choice in a fraternity and am having a brothers who gave bids to us, your great time getting to know and bond sons showed me and the other new with all of your sons. While they might members exactly what it means to be be hard to work with sometimes there part of the Chi Phi Fraternity. They is no other group of guys I would continue to give me advice on school rather be with for my time at and college living. They are all great Clemson. brothers. Being part of Chi Phi was not exactly what I expected when I decided to rush a fraternity. With all of the recent events that have occurred within Greek life all over the nation, I am positive that you will not hear the name Chi Phi of Clemson on theFrom Left; Gabe Nadolski, DΘ’19; Past AwardsGrand Alpha Jim Soderquist, A’67; PastGrand Alpha Ron Frank, ND’83; Will by Gabe NadolskiGreene, DΘ’18; Current Grand Alpha BobWalker, ID’ 70; and Past Grand Alpha Dick This past June, I had the honor of representing the Delta Theta Colony at the ChiGilbert, R’62; pose with the National Awards Phi Congress in Richmond, VA. Along with President Will Greene, we met other Chiearned by the Colony Phi’s from all across the country. This was a unique method of learning about how to run a successful chapter. We also saw how well our colony was doing compared to other colonies nationally, and took note of the same problems they were having that we have experienced as well. These are a couple reasons why I always leave a national Chi Phi event with a lot more knowledge than when I came in. Communication among chapters is an important backbone of our fraternity, as the sharing of successes and failures strengthens other chapters who are looking to make their own success and avoid common mistakes. Speaking of success, Delta Theta had a considerable amount of recognition at the Chi Phi Congress. Brother Braxton Baird won the National Award for Athletic Excellence (originally established by the Delta Theta Chapter!) for excellence in swimming by setting six Clemson records last year. Brother CJ Connelly won the William D. Parr Outstanding Zeta Award for his amazing job as our Historian & Ritual Chair. Delta Theta was also recognized for excellent Public Relations with the Outstanding Communications & Public Relations award. Finally, our Chapter Advisor Jonathan “CD” Rawls also received a Distinguished Service Citation for his service to Chi Phi. Without his efforts, we would not have received the top Accreditation score among all the Chi Phi chapters and Colonies in the entire country!

PARENTS NEWSLETTER | Winter 2017 4Chi Phi Chili Cook-Off!by Quinn UssherThis fall semester the brothers of organization, will give them with water mission and variousChi Phi at Clemson University more funds to help see theirplanned and hosted a Chili Cook- mission of enabling all young other water treatmentoff philanthropy event on December people, especially those who2, 2017, at the Pier at Clemson. need the help the most, to organizations, won first place,The fraternity sponsored both reach their full potential asWater Mission in Charleston, SC productive, caring, responsible with brother Mason Kingery inand The Boys and Girls Club in citizens. The event was a fun-Greenville, SC. Water mission is an filled morning with competitors second, and the team oforganization that does hurricane coming with some deliciousrelief and water treatment for recipes and guests coming to Brothers, Gabe Nadolski andcountries in need of fresh water. sample the array of chilies. OutRaising money for them to help of 17 competitors, Autumn Sam Ferguson, in third place.their goals of installing pure water Brown from CEDC, a creativefacilities in countries that don’t have inquiry that works hand in hand Overall the event was a hugethe money or technology of theirown as well as their goals of success! Over $800 was raisedhelping many people affected bythe three most recent hurricanes and a great time was had by allthat hit our nation the in latter halfof 2017. Raising money for the who participated in the event.Boys and Girls Club, Chi Phi’snational philanthropic sponsored We look forward to doing more philanthropic events in the future.Homecoming This year was the Colony’s first year participating in the Annual Clemson Homecoming Float Build! We had an amazing time partnering with Alpha Phiby Jeremy Lutz sorority and Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity for this year’s event. A little background about Clemson University’s homecoming: each of the floats are built on Bowman Field. Organizations get one entire week from Noon on Sunday, October 1st to Friday afternoon, October 6th. A week for this huge amount of time definitely equates some late nights and early mornings! The theme for this year’s float build was “Orange Crush.” The theme centered on the play that won Clemson the 2016 National Championship: the symbolic throw of Deshaun Watson to Hunter Renfrow — The play that was constantly broadcasted throughout the nation. Every Clemson fan will forever remember that play and it will go down in history as one of the most exciting final minutes in college football we have ever seen. The theme also was about the general crush everyone has towards Clemson. Delta Theta had all our members constantly working on the float throughout the entire week. In total, we put in over 750 hours towards building our float with the help of our other two partners. We interpreted the theme as our full out love for Clemson and how SOLID we believe in the school. Even Coach Dabo Swinney stopped by to admire our work! Overall, an amazing week, an awesome Float build, and some great memories! We can’t wait for next year!

PARENTS NEWSLETTER | Winter 2017 5Community Serviceby Brandon RussHello, my name is Looking ahead, we have a ton of events planned for theBrandon Russ and I’m the current brotherhood. In January alone, we already have 14 serviceCommunity Service Chair of the opportunities lined up! Personally, I’m networking as much asDelta Theta colony. A lot of possible with on and off campus organizations, getting involvedchanges are happening to our every chance we get. Coming up soon, we plan on working withcommunity service system, and Special Olympics, Clemson Life, the Boys and Girls Club ofI’m excited to update everyone Greenville, and the Botanical Braxton Baird finding ways to lift and get his hours in Gardens. In the end, the Deltawith our current progress. Being a Theta colony achieved a lot this Bradley Myers and Johnny Newell Cleaning the dog semester! Overall our brothers kennel at Crossroads Animal Rescuemember of Chi Phi means we have donated 89 hours at the Boys and Girls Club in Greenville,emphasize service and helped raise almost $2000 for various nonprofits and helpfulphilanthropy, and so far our organizations, and obtained a colony average of 16 hours perbrothers show that. In one short brother! This semester was a huge improvement from previoussemester, our brothers were able semesters, and we have high hopes looking towards the future!to donate 785 hours to helping I hope this report is successful in showing how dedicated ourClemson’s community and the colony is, and the goals we’ve set forth for the year. Go Tigers!surrounding areas. Our new community Quinn Ussher and Anothony Signorelli Scott Ligget and Bryan Friers cafting tiger pawsservice system focuses on getting having fun with some hayinvolved with other organizationson campus. We require everybrother to achieve 15 hours persemester, and 30 for the year.One thing we just started thissemester was rewarding hours forgetting involved in philanthropyevents, and percent nights. If oneof our brothers enters anotherGreek organizations philanthropyevent, they will receive 2 hourstowards their 15-hour goal. These2 hours reflect their impact, byraising money for an organization,and getting Chi Phi involvedacross campus. By doing this, ourbrothers get to bond over fun andmeaningful events, as well asnetwork with other Greekorganizations. The same ideagoes for percent nights. It’s verycommon for Greek life to holdpercent nights at surroundingrestaurants, such at Groucho’s orChipotle. A brother will receive 1hour for spending $10 at a givenpercent night, where all theproceeds benefit a charitableorganization.

PARENTS NEWSLETTER | Winter 2017 6Music Midtownby Eric Strickland The Delta Theta Colony recently Brothers and new members had to runparticipated in an amazing fundraiser at registers and serve beverages for tens ofthe Music Midtown festival in Atlanta this thousands of people — and all tipsSeptember. It was one of the biggest benefitted the chapter. Once the workevents the colony has done together to began it was a long and busy weekend,date, with the funds raised going towards but despite the hard work the brotherschartering expenses for the Colony. The had a great time working so close to onefundraiser consisted of selling beverages another and being there for each other.to concert goers all weekend at the On top of that, the amount of funds raisedfestival craft beer garden. A lot of greatly exceeded expectation, so theplanning went into this event. Our location fundraising event was a big success forhad to be approved, and vendors’ the colony. Many thanks to the parentscredentials had to be given to every who hosted some 40 members overnightmember; nearly all brothers and new to allow us to make this project amembers participated, and with the event success!being in Atlanta—two hours away fromClemson— transportation, work andbreak schedules, and managers andtraining had to be a part of the planning.New Member Programby Braxton Baird Delta Theta finished a successful New Member process by initiating 20 new Brothers into the Fraternity on October 8th, 2017. This class almost doubled our size and is composed of men that are looking forward to bettering the fraternity and the campus as a whole. Many of the new brothers are in the Honors College and others are involved in other organizations across campus. We did not just get quantity, but we also recruited quality this semester. They were initiated the weekend of Homecoming here at Clemson, thus ending the five-week New Member Education program. It is not a normal practice for a colony to be allowed an extension on the four weeks that is customary for the current National new member program. We were granted permission from the National office to have five weeks for the brothers and new members get to know each other more effectively, and to allow more time for the new members to learn what it means to be a Chi Phi. We had one of the largest new member classes among Clemson fraternities this fall, which is an incredible achievement for a colony. But it is not just about the numbers. We have received a group of men that are determined to Be the Best at whatever they do. They all strive for good grades, and for Delta Theta to be admired and respected by everyone at Clemson as a model for what a fraternity should be.

PARENTS NEWSLETTER | Winter 2017 7Letter from the Having Fun at the Chi Phi Tailgate for Parents WeekendPublic RelationsChairby Robert Gruskos My name is Robert (Rob) Gruskos and I am the Public Relations Chair for the colony. That means I run the Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter accounts. We would love if you followed us on social media so you can see what we are up to. On top of it all we have also made a website for you to look at. With the help of Clayton Curtis, a Delta Theta Alumni, we now have a Website up and running! https://ClemsonChiPhi.org This is my first time managing a website so there may be some formatting issues as we are always making constant improvements, however this will be a great tool for you to check up on what we have been up to by looking at the news tab. I encourage you to give it a look and you are always welcome to give feedback to our committee by reaching us at [email protected]. Academics by Miles Weiss Being a part of a fraternity can make for an incredibly hectic schedule. Amid functions, rush, and keeping up with the operations of the colony day-to- day, it can be quite easy to forget that academics play an important role in Greek life; that said, it seems that the Delta Theta colony has not forgotten the importance of maintaining a strong academic record. This semester, Delta Theta saw a dramatic improvement in our average chapter GPA, climbing to #5 on campus! Academics is also a major part of our New Member Program. We work hard to ensure our new members are attentive to their studies and that activities do not tamper class attendance or time to work on homework and projects. This past semester our New Member class ranked 3rd of all fraternities at Clemson. As we begin the long process of petitioning for a charter, it’s nice to know that we have the right mindset and goals. While the colony seeks to build better men, at the same time we seek to build better students. The re-implementation of mandatory study hours has been a strong step in the right direction as numerous brothers have found the academic assistance they need and have made excellent use of this time to get homework done and prepare for upcoming tests. It’s always a welcome sight to see brothers assisting one another with an assignment or studying together; it just goes to show the strength of our brotherhood and our common commitment to excellence, whether academic or otherwise. I am confident that this is only the beginning of Delta Theta’s academic development; with the right leadership, and by maintaining our desire for improvement, we can reach greater heights every semester. When we put forth our best effort, and combine it with the strength of our brothers, we can achieve not only the victory of continual existence, but the victory of academic greatness.