Alumni Association of the Michigan Alpha Chapter of
Phi Delta Theta
Sword & Shield E-news |
Volume II, No. 2 |
Spring 2009 | |
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Michigan Alpha Alumni Association's Online Membership Directory:
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Dear Michigan Alpha Brother:
I wish to thank all the alums who attended our annual Founders Day Dinner that was held on March 7. This is an outstanding annual event, and the Alumni Association hopes that alumni participation will continue to increase in coming years.
This weekend, Michigan Alpha's active chapter members are co-sponsoring the first annual Boxcar Derby on South University to raise money for, and awareness about, research to fight Lou Gehrig's Disease (ALS). I encourage you to attend, or support, this very worthwhile endeavor.
The race, which is co-sponsored by a highly respected local non-profit organization, will be held on Saturday, March 28, 10 a.m. to noon. Be sure to read the below article about this innovative new philanthropy initiative.
I would also like to remind you that the Alumni Association greatly appreciates contributions to our 2008-2009 Annual Fund. Despite the tough economy, many brothers 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 Michigan Alpha's historic 106 year old chapter house.
Please remember that contributions of any level will be recognized on our Annual Fund Honor Roll.
Once again, thank you for your support and loyalty to the fraternity.
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 & Ann Arbor Active Against ALS to Host 1st Annual Boxcar Derby on March 28
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 to raise money for promising research to combat Lou Gehrig's Disease (ALS). The Derby will take place on Saturday, March 28, 10 a.m. to noon.
The race course begins where South University meets Oxford and ends near the chapter house. After the race, a picnic will be held on the lawn of the fraternity during which Kevin Szawala '07 will give a motivational speech and presentation about ALS in conjunction with U of M Public Policy Professor Bob Schoeni.
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 seeks 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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Founders Day Dinner 2009 a Success
Alums and Actives Gather to Celebrate Fraternity's Accomplishments and Hear Guest Speaker Jamie Morris
 The Michigan Alpha active chapter and the Michigan Alpha Alumni Association hosted our annual Founders Day Dinner on Saturday, March 7. The event was attended by more than 45 active chapter members as well as 15 alums and guests.
Alums in attendance included John Buck, Sr. '54, Charlie Green '58, JT (Tom) Buck '77, John McLain '77, Frank Bock '78, Joe Kraus '82, Jeff Post '82, Greg Karmazin '87, Jason Barley '06, Greg Lavigne '06, Matt Scarlata '07 and Jon Buck '08.
The event started with a brief "meet and greet" at the chapter house before dinner at the Michigan League. Active chapter Alumni Secretary Jacob Allweill '11 organized the event and introduced the program which included "state of the fraternity" speeches by active chapter President John Sturgis '11 and Alumni Association President JT (Tom) Buck '77.
Buck talked about the hard work of the active chapter members paying off as the fraternity is growing in size and positive reputation for achievement on campus. He also thanked alums for their strong financial support of the Annual Fund that has played a vital role in maintaining the 106 year old chapter house in excellent condition.
The greatest tribute of the night made by Buck was for the generosity of the 1950s alums who have stepped up to raise nearly $10,000 for the renovation of the north porch of the chapter house. Donors include Dick Young '51, John Buck, Sr. '54, Doug Roby '56, Bob Leland '58 and Bernie Rinella '58. Work on this long-planned project is expected to start in the spring.
Buck also recognized the energetic efforts of Jason Barley '06 to lead the Chapter Advisory Board that works with the active members to implement fraternity policies, goals and risk management actions. The Alumni Association Board of Directors named Barley "Alumnus of the Year" for his outstanding contributions to the fraternity.
The highlight of the evening was an inspiring speech by former Wolverine Football great Jamie Morris who still holds Michigan Football's career record for all-purpose yards gained.
 Morris provided interesting insight on the status of the Michigan Football program and praised Coach Rich Rodriguez. He said the program is solid and getting stronger every day despite the difficult first year of the coaching transition. Morris is currently working in fundraising development for the U of M Athletic Department.
Beyond football, Morris made moving remarks about leadership and the value of focusing on excellence. He commended Michigan Alpha's leadership in the U of M Greek System to promote social responsibility, community involvement and philanthropy.
Morris said that the fraternity should rightfully be proud of these actions that are upholding U of M's high standards. He compared the challenge that Michigan Alpha faced in rebuilding the fraternity to Coach Rodriguez's goal of restoring the Wolverines' tradition of achievement and glory.
Morris emphasized that Coach Rodriguez has embraced Coach Schembechler's philosophy that "Those who stay will be champions." He encouraged the active members to remember that achieving greatness is not easy and overcoming adversity is a test of character.
The evening was capped by the Founders Day ceremony re-enacting the establishment of the fraternity by the Immortal Six.
The Alumni Association was pleased with the turnout for this event and hopes that the 2010 Founders Day Dinner will continue the momentum for this annual celebratory gathering.
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Alumni Updates for Winter 2009
Michigan Alpha Mourns the Passing of Brother David Krupp '53
The following is Brother Krupp's obituary that was published in the Detroit News on March 15, 2009:
 David Krupp, age 78, was born in Fremont, Ohio on February 2, 1931, the son of Walter and Mary Krupp. He spent most of his early life in Port Clinton, OH, where he graduated from HS as a member of the National Honor Society. He earned 12 varsity letters in football, basketball and track and was named to the second All-Ohio teams in two of these sports. He attended U of M on a basketball scholarship and was a member of the varsity basketball team for 3 years. He as a member of Phi Delta Theta fraternity. Afterwards becoming publicity mgr. at Greenfield Village, and later spent 35 years in public relations with Ford Motor Co. including 9 years as regional mgr. of its west coast PR office where he kept a home in Newport Beach, CA. After retiring from Ford, he was a consultant for J. Walter Thompson. In his later years he kept homes in Bloomfield Hills, MI, and Rancho Mirage, CA, where he was a member of The Springs Country Club. He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Jacqueline; son David Krupp Jr. and daughter-in-law, Cindy; daughters, Katherine Frasher and Claire Brull, son-in-law, Douglas Frasher, and grandchildren, Garrett, Olivia, Elizabeth, Rebecca and Grace; sisters, Elizabeth Fagan and Jane Ewers, and brother-in-law, Conrad. A funeral mass was held at Sacred Heart Church, Palm Desert, CA followed by a reception at The Springs Country Club. Donations to The Women's Committee for Hospice Care, www.wchcinc.org
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 Alumni Association is on Linked-in & Facebook
Social and Professional Networking Sites are Part of Alumni Association's Enhanced Web Presence
Thanks to efforts of Dan Recinella '81, Michigan Alpha alums now have a Linked-in page that expands our online professional networking potential. Earlier this year the Alumni Association started a Facebook page as a part of the Phi Delta Theta General Headquarters' initiative to connect alums online.
Our Linked-in and Facebook pages are 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 contact 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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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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