 Alumni Association of the
Michigan Alpha Chapter of
Phi Delta Theta
Sword & Shield
E-news |
| Volume II, No. 1 |
Winter 2009 | |
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Quick Links |
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Michigan Alpha Alumni Association's Online Membership Directory:
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Dear Michigan Alpha Brother:
The Alumni Association and the active chapter invite you to attend our annual Founders Day Dinner that will be held on Saturday, March 7, 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. in Ann Arbor. There will also be a "meet and greet" at the chapter house from 4 p.m. to 4:45 p.m. before the dinner.
This event will be one of the highlights of the year. We are very pleased to have former Michigan football star Jamie Morris attending as our guest speaker.
Jamie works in fundraising development for the U of M Athletic Department and is an inspiring speaker. He still holds Michigan's career record for all-purpose yards gained, and found success in the NFL.
We look forward to entertaining tales from the Bo Schembechler era of Michigan football and insight on where the program is headed today.
I would also like to remind you that the Alumni Association greatly appreciates your support of our 2008-2009 Annual Fund. Despite the tough economy, many of you have been generous in helping us to make progress toward meeting our fundraising goals for the year.
The Annual Fund is our only source of money for alumni services and communications programs. Most importantly, it is our primary source of revenue to maintain our 106 year old chapter house.
Please remember that contributions of any level are greatly appreciated and will be recognized on our Annual Fund Honor Roll. I hope to see you on March 7th.
Yours in the Bond,
JT (Tom) Buck '77
President
Alumni Association of the Michigan Alpha Chapter of
Phi Delta Theta |
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Phi Delta Theta Founders Day Dinner
Featuring Guest Speaker Jamie Morris
The Michigan Alpha active chapter and the Michigan Alpha Alumni Association
cordially invite you to join us on Saturday, March 7th to renew old friendships and make new ones as we commemorate the vision of the Founding Fathers to establish an enduring organization dedicated to achieving excellence and shaping future leaders.
This special event will be one of the highlights of our 124th year on campus. All Brother Phis as well as their guests are welcome.
Founders Day Host Committee
* John Buck '54 * Charlie Green '58 * Roger Dooley '76 *
* Mike Lisull '76 * JT (Tom) Buck '77 * Robert Lewandowski '79 *
* Joe Fattore '79 * Joe Kraus '82 * Greg Karmazin '87 *
* Jason Barley '06 * Kellyn Parker '07 * John Sturgis '11 *
* Jacob Allweil '11 *
Guest Speaker
Jamie Morris
Michigan Football's Career All-Purpose Yards Leader and Former NFL Player
Phi Delta Theta Founders Day Dinner
Saturday, March 7, 2009
5 p.m. ~ 7 p.m.
Michigan League (the Hussey Room, 2nd Floor)
Corner of North University Street & Fletcher Street
Ann Arbor
$25 per guest (checks made payable to Michigan Alpha)
Business attire is suggested
Program
4 ~ 4:45 p.m. Meet & greet at Michigan Alpha (1437 Washtenaw)
5 ~ 6 p.m. Sit down dinner and non-alcoholic beverages served (Michigan League)
6 ~ 7 p.m. Opening Remarks, Jacob Allweil '11, Alumni Secretary of Michigan Alpha
Active Chapter Remarks, John Sturgis '11, President of Michigan Alpha
Alumni Speaker, JT (Tom) Buck '77, President of Alumni Association
Guest Speaker, Jamie Morris
Founders Ceremony
Closing remarks
Parking at the Michigan League
There are metered spots on the Fletcher and East Washington streets by the Michigan League. Visitor parking may be available at the Fletcher Street parking structure located directly across the street from the Alumni Center which is adjacent to the Michigan League. There are also 190 cashier-attended parking spaces in the Palmer Drive structure located across the street from the Alumni Center on Fletcher. The visitor section of the Palmer Drive structure can only be accessed from Washtenaw Avenue, north of Geddes. For more information on parking, view the U of M parking map for central campus at http://pts.umich.edu/maps/central_south.pdf.
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Contribute to the Michigan Alpha 2008-2009 Annual Fund
Last Year's Record Success was the Foundation of $40,000 in House Maintenance During Summer of 2008
 Michigan Alpha kicked off the 2008-2009 Annual Fund in September and the response to date has been positive. Despite the tough economic situation in Michigan and across the nation, many alums still view supporting the fraternity as a priority. We recognize that times are challenging, but any level donation is very much appreciated. All contributions of at least $25 will be recognized on Michigan Alpha's Annual Fund Honor Roll.
Last year, more than 160 alums contributed an all-time record total of $28,035 to the 2007-2008 Annual Fund. The average donation amount was approximately $175.
The Alumni Association is extremely thankful for every dollar we received. Alums contributing between $25 and $50 accounted for approximately 10% of the total raised for the 2007-2008 Annual Fund.
We cannot reach our fundraising goal for this year without the support of donors at all giving levels.
We would like to make a similar level of investment in important maintenance projects at the chapter house during the summer of 2009, but we need your help.
The current Annual Fund Honor Roll reflects gifts made to the 2008-2009 Annual Fund since September 1, 2008. Within each Giving Club, donors are organized by graduation year rather than by gift amount.
The list of all the names on the 2008-2009 Annual Fund Honor Roll as of January 31, 2009 can be viewed by CLICKING HERE.
In order to make it easier for you to contribute, the Alumni Association accepts donations made by credit card (Visa and MasterCard) through our secure web site.
We express thanks to all of our donors for their generosity and loyalty. If you haven't yet contributed to the 2008-2009 Annual Fund but would like to do so, please CLICK HERE.
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Alumni Updates for Winter 2009
Michigan Alpha Mourns the Passing of Brother Don Johnston '57
 Loyal Michigan Alpha brother Don Johnston '57 passed away on December 28, 2008 at his home in Ann Arbor with his family and friends at his side. Brother Johnston was popular with his fellow Michigan Alpha brothers and a member of the Wolverine football team while on campus. He was solid supporter of U of M his entire life and will be greatly missed. To read Brother Johnston's obituary published in the Ann Arbor News, please CLICK HERE.
Bill MacFarland '56 Named to the Michigan Hall of Honor
 In late January, the U of M Athletics Department inducted Brother Bill MacFarland '56 along with five other outstanding former Wolverine athletes into the Michigan Hall of Honor. All six inductees were honored at halftime of the Michigan-Northwestern basketball game in Crisler Arena.
Brother MacFarland was a fierce competitor on the 1954-56 Michigan Hockey teams.
Enforcer," MacFarland was an integral part of Michigan's 1955 and 1956 NCAA champion teams. His leadership and distinguished play resulted in him twice being named a team captain while earning three All-America and All-WCHA honors. To view the U of M Athletic Department's short video clip about Brother MacFarland's outstanding sports career, please CLICK HERE.
Brother MacFarland is the 10th Michigan Alpha member to receive this top honor from the U of M Athletic Department. Other Michigan Alpha members to receive this recognition include:
Bob Ufer '43 (inducted 1978, Track)
Tom Harmon '41 (inducted 1978, Football)
Alvin Wistert '50 (inducted 1981, Football)
Albert Wistert '42 (inducted 1981, Football)
Francis Wistert '34 (inducted 1981, Football)
Don Lund '45 (inducted 1984, Football, Basketball, Baseball, Baseball Coach)
Bob Chappuis '45 (inducted 1984, Football, Baseball)
Ben Smith '43 (inducted 1985, Golf)
John Greene '44 (inducted 1989, Wrestling, Football)
The U of M Hall of Honor was established in 1978 to recognize those who have made significant contributions as athletes, coaches and administrators to the tradition of Wolverine athletics while enhancing the image and reputation of the University of Michigan.
Have an Update to Share?
Submit it to the Alumni Association by updating your membership information in our online membership directory or e-mail it to Secretary of the Alumni Association Greg Karmazin '87 at gkarm@aol.com.
In order to read all alumni updates, please view Michigan Alpha's online membership directory by CLICKING HERE.
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Michigan Alpha Heritage Project
Alums Provide Memories, Pictures and Items that Tell the Story of Fraternity Life
The Alumni Association announced the Michigan Alpha Heritage Project in the Spring-Summer 2008 issue of the Sword & Shield that involves collecting, or copying, materials as well as documenting memories about our fraternity's rich history on campus. Items recently obtained include:
* A digital recording of Michigan Alpha's singing team that took top honors in the 1947 inter-fraternity singing contest. To hear the " Drums of Phi Delta Theta" and other class fraternity songs, please CLICK HERE.
Chapter President Bob Chappuis '45 (originally class of 1945, the WW II veteran graduated in 1948) is pictured below with the trophy from the 1947 contest. Members of the illustrious team were later invited to perform this winning song live on a Detroit radio station.
* A 1920s circa postcard of the Michigan Alpha chapter house (see above).
Preserve Our Heritage, Tell Your Story
Here are some topics about which we've been collecting information:
- Mud Bowls. Did you beat that "house across the street" in the homecoming tradition that we established? Do you know the scores from games during your years in the chapter?
- IM sports championships, sports stories and Greek Week competition. Were you a member of a winning Phi Delt team (or at least one that had fun competing)?
- Life in the chapter house, house renovations and house rules. What was your experience living in the chapter house?
- Philanthropy and special projects of the chapter on campus. Did any good deeds?
- Memorable social events, formals and general activities. Enjoyed the college life?
- Phis who were campus leaders or members of a Wolverine team. Contributed to making Michigan the leaders and the best?
If you wish to submit materials (photos and other items can be copied and returned) or memories for this initiative, please contact the Alumni Association at pdtumich@gmail.com. |
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Phi Delta Theta and Ann Arbor Active Against ALS to Host 1st Annual Boxcar Derby
Michigan Alpha Philanthropy Event will Raise Money to Fight Lou Gehrig's Disease (ALS)
 Michigan Alpha and Ann Arbor Active Against ALS (A2A3) are partnering on the first annual Boxcar Derby and Picnic to raise money to for Lou Gehrig's Disease (ALS) research. The derby will take place on a Saturday in late March or early April.
The race course begins where South University meets Oxford and ends near the chapter house. A picnic will be held on the lawn of the fraternity. The entrance fee for the race is $25 per team, payable to A2A3 which is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.
Phi Delta Theta is a fraternity with a strong commitment to both community and philanthropy. Michigan Alpha hopes to honor the legacy of our fellow fraternity brother, Lou Gehrig (Columbia '25), by working to battle the disease which claimed his life.
It is worth noting that May 2, 2009 will mark the 70th anniversary of the end of Gehrig's long-time record 2,130 consecutive game playing streak. The streak ended when Gehrig removed himself from the lineup against the Detroit Tigers in Briggs Stadium.
The derby marks the fourth year that Michigan Alpha has raised funds to benefit efforts to defeat ALS. All combined, these events have raised more than $35,000.
A2A3 is a non-profit organization founded in September of 2008 by a group of volunteers from the Ann Arbor community in order to raise money for ALS research. All proceeds from the event will be donated to ALS research centers that are aggressively seeking a cure or effective treatment for ALS.
If you are interested in participating or being a sponsor/donor, please contact Michigan Alpha active member and derby Co-Chair Patrick Moore '09 by e-mail at pwolfram@umich.edu.
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Michigan Alpha Alumni Association is on Facebook
Social Networking Site is Part of Alumni Association's Enhanced Web Presence
Understanding the tremendous potential for web-based social networking to reconnect alums, the Phi Delta Theta General Headquarters (PDT GHQ) recently established a Facebook page specifically for the alumni associations of local chapters. The Michigan Alpha Alumni Association joined the PDT GHQ's initiative by starting a page that is linked to theirs on Facebook. According to media reports, Facebook currently has more than 150 million users worldwide.
Our Facebook page is part of the Alumni Association's improved presence on the web. Last fall, we established a new web site -- www.pdtumich.com -- with blog software that enables us to better control and manage information.
The Alumni Association's old web site -- www.pdtma.com -- is fully integrated into the new site and continues to feature a passcode-protected online membership directory that has the best available information about approximately 1,000 living Michigan Alpha alums.
Given the many cost and speed advantages of electronic communications, the Alumni Association would like to make greater use of this medium in the future. If you have any suggestions about, or want to help maintain, the Alumni Association's web efforts, please contact us at pdtumich@gmail.com.
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Senior in the Spotlight: Samuel Deutsch '09
Plans a Career in Marketing
 Hometown: Armonk, New York Major: Sports Management GPA: 3.5, University Honors three semesters Pledge Class: Winter of 2006 Bond Number: 1896 Activities and Leadership Positions in Michigan Alpha Rush: Recruitment Chair Winter '07, Fall '08
Career Plans:
After graduating in May of this year, I plan to obtain a challenging position in the field of Marketing.
Experience in Michigan Alpha:
Phi Delta Theta has afforded me an opportunity to meet some of the best men on the U of M campus. It is a privilege to call them my brothers. I look forward to keeping the strong friendships that I have made in the fraternity throughout my life.
Michigan Alpha has also taught me valuable leadership skills that students don't learn in a classroom. I'm particularly proud to have been Rush Recruitment Chair and contributed to helping to grow and strengthen the chapter.
The fraternity has been a key part of my education at U of M.
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