 Alumni Association of the
Michigan Alpha Chapter of
Phi Delta Theta
Sword & Shield
E-news |
| Volume III, No. 1 |
Winter 2010 | |
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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 Sunday, 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.
We are very pleased to have commentator and author John U. Bacon attending as our guest speaker.
Bacon is well-known among Wolverine fans for authoring "Bo's Lasting Lessons: The Legendary Coach Teaches the Timeless Fundamentals of Leadership" as well as his engaging speeches about Bo and U of M Athletics in general. He is a guest lecturer at U of M and won a prestigious award in 2009 from students for his teaching.
We look forward to hearing Bacon's entertaining tales about the Schembechler era of Michigan football and gaining insight on the Coach's strategies for success which can be applied to business, personal growth and, yes, even fraternities.
I would like to remind you that the Alumni Association greatly appreciates your support of our 2009-2010 Annual Fund. Despite the difficult economic situation, 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. It is our primary source of revenue to maintain our 107 year old chapter house.
Last December marked the 5 year anniversary of the reinstatement of Michigan Alpha's charter. The hard work of both active members and alums has reestablished Phi Delta Theta at U of M in a manner that should make us all proud.
Total active chapter membership stands close to our historic levels, actives are earning recognition for leadership in the U of M Greek System, the chapter house is in the best shape it has been for decades, and the finances of both the active chapter and Alumni Association are stable.
Most importantly, Michigan Alpha is once again shaping high-quality young men who leave U of M with the same life-long friendships, values and great memories that we gained from the fraternity during our time.
The Alumni Association has also accomplished noteworthy achievements. Building on the approximately $500,000 investment in the early 2000s to renovate the chapter house, we have funded more than $100,000 worth of further improvements during the last 5 years.
We have enhanced our alumni communications with a web site, online membership directory, content-rich printed newsletters and this e-newsletter. The Alumni Association is striving to help you keep better connected with your fellow alumni brothers as well as in touch with the active chapter.
While we will never rest on our laurels, I believe we have accomplished a great amount in a relatively short period of time. Your support for the Alumni Association's Annual Fund helps to keep this momentum going strong.
Please remember that contributions of any level are greatly appreciated, and will be recognized on our Annual Fund Honor Roll. As always, your feedback and suggestions are welcome. I hope to see you at the Founders Day Dinner 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 2010
Featuring Guest Speaker John U. Bacon
We cordially invite you to join us 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 the 146th year since Michigan Alpha was founded on campus. All Brother Phis and their guests are welcome.
Founders Day Dinner Host Committee
* John Buck '54 * Charlie Green '58 * Mike Lisull '76 * JT (Tom) Buck '77 *
* Robert Lewandowski '79 * Joe Kraus '82 * Greg Karmazin '87 *
* Jason Barley '06 * Kellyn Parker '07 * Matt Papadopolous '11 *
 John U. Bacon
Commentator and Author of "Bo's Lasting Lessons: The Legendary Coach
Teaches the Timeless Fundamentals of Leadership"
Sunday, March 7, 2010
5 p.m. ~ 7 p.m.
Michigan League (the Vandenberg Room, 2nd Floor)
Corner of North University Street & Fletcher Street
Ann Arbor
$30 per guest (checks made payable to Michigan Alpha)
Business attire is suggested
Please RSVP by March 1 to Matt Papadopolous at papadopm@umich.edu or (480) 650-3770
4 ~ 4:45 p.m.
Meet & greet at Michigan Alpha (1437 Washtenaw)
5 ~ 5:45 p.m.
Sit down dinner and non-alcoholic beverages served (Michigan League)
5:45 ~ 7 p.m.
Opening remarks, Matt Papadopolous '11, Alumni Secretary of Michigan Alpha
Active chapter remarks, Tom Hardenbergh '12, President of Michigan Alpha
Alumni Association remarks, JT (Tom) Buck '77, President of Michigan Alpha Alumni Association
Guest speaker, John U. Bacon, Commentator and Author
Founders ceremony
Closing remarks
Parking by the Michigan League
Metered parking spots are located on the Fletcher and East Washington streets by the Michigan League. There are 190 spaces in the Palmer Drive cashier-attended parking structure located a block from the Michigan League. The Palmer Drive parking 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 2009-2010 Annual Fund
Last Year's Fundraising Made $35,000 Back Parking Lot and $12,750 North Porch Renovation Projects Possible
 Since September 1 when Michigan Alpha kicked off the 2009-2010 Annual Funddrive, the response has been encouraging in view of the difficult economic climate that has reduced donations for many worthy charitable organizations.
We recognize that times are challenging, but any level of donation is very much appreciated.
All contributions of at least $25 will be recognized on Michigan Alpha's Annual Fund Honor Roll. The Alumni Association is extremely thankful for every dollar we received.
We cannot reach our fundraising goal for this year without the support of donors at all giving levels.
Last year, the strong response to the Annual Fund appeal enabled the Alumni Association to invest $35,000 in replacing the crumbling asphalt parking lot, rear entrances and window wells with all new concrete.
Dick Young '51, John Buck '54, Doug Roby '56, Bob Leland '58 and Bernie Rinella '58 earmarked $12,750 in contributions to the Annual Fund that paid for the  long-planned renovation of the North Porch which was dedicated during Homecoming 2009.
We would like to make a similar level of investment on important maintenance projects at the chapter house during the summer of 2010, but we need your help now.
The current Annual Fund Honor Roll reflects gifts made to the 2009-2010 Annual Fund since September 1, 2009. Within each Giving Club, donors are organized by graduation year rather than by gift amount.
The Alumni Association's web site features past Honor Rolls, and we are planning to do more in the future to recognize alums who have consistently support us for years.
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 2009-2010 Annual Fund but would like to do so, please CLICK HERE. |
| Alumni Updates
USN CAPT. Chip Fowler '79 Completes 30 Years of Service
Navy Officer's Final Tour of Duty is in Afghanistan
After three decades of distinguished service to our nation, U.S. Navy Captain Chip Fowler '79 definitely earned his retirement which he celebrated during a small ceremony in January at the Army Navy Club in Washington, D.C. While some senior officers choose to finish a long career in the comfort of the Pentagon, Captain Fowler was "in theater" to almost the end. The above picture was taken last fall when he joined a "mountain climbing expedition" in the Hindu Hush mountains in Afghanistan bordering Kabul and Parwan Provinces, and carried a small U of M flag for display at the summit."
Although separated by distance, he communicated frequently with brothers from his era and consistently contributed to the Alumni Association's Annual Fund. Thank you Captain Fowler for your outstanding service to our nation, and loyalty to Michigan Alpha. You can wish him well in this retirement by e-mail at cwfsleddog@aol.com.
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Dr. Bill Libby '54 Honored
Professor Emeritus Receives Award for Contributions to California Forestry
 Dr. William J. "Bill" Libby '54 was honored in October by the California State Board of Forestry and Fire Protection which presented him with its highest honor, the "Francis H. Raymond Award for Outstanding Contributions to California Forestry."
Dr. Libby is Professor Emeritus of Forest Genetics having taught forestry at the University of California, Berkeley between 1962 and 1994. His pioneering work in the field of forest tree genetics is internationally recognized and respected. Dr. Libby has practiced forestry on several continents and is well known for his work with California's coast redwood and Monterey pine trees.
Though he officially retired in 1994, Dr. Libby has continued to educate and advance knowledge in his field. He currently sits on the Board of the Save the Redwoods League with a focus on promoting research on redwood forest disturbance effects and the impacts of climate change on California's coast redwood and giant sequoia forests.
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Alumni Updates for Spring 2010 Sword & Shield Wanted!
Share Your News, Memories or Best Wishes with Michigan Alpha Brothers
 This is the 80th year that the Alumni Association has published the Sword & Shield newsletter to keep alums better connected with each other and informed about the status of the active chapter. But, we can't make this newsletter a success without your input!
Whether you recently got married, expanded your family, received a promotion, moved, saw old pledge brothers, remembered a great memory to share or just want to say hello, please feel free to submit anything you want (including pictures) to the Sword & Shield by e-mail at pdtumich@gmail.com.
We look forward to hearing from you!
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| News in Brief
Sword & Shield Printed Newsletter Now Only Available to Chapter Supporters
New Policy Rewards Loyalty and Saves Money
During December, Sword & Shield 2009 Fall printed newsletter was mailed to all 2009-2010 Annual Fund donors, alums who graduated from the Class of 1959 or prior years, Chapter Advisory Board members and current/past Alumni Association Board members.
From now on, only alums falling into at least one of these categories will receive the printed version of the Sword & Shield. This change will provide a benefit for Annual Fund donations while saving the Alumni Association money that is needed for future maintenance and improvement projects at the chapter house.
In order to view an electronic vision of the Sword & Shield 2009 Fall printed newsletter, please CLICK HERE.
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Heritage Project Makes Progress
Son of 1936 Michigan Alpha President Donates Historic Photos to Alumni Association; Ken Copp, Jr. '55 Contributes Active Chapter Photos from the '50s
During early 2008, the Alumni Association established the Heritage Project to better document, preserve and understand the history of the chapter. To date, the response from alums has been very positive.
We've received historic photos, old postcards, written memories and even the long-lost 1982-83 IM All-Sports Championship trophy.
While recently going through a collection of his father's old photos, the son, Bob Young, of Michigan Alpha's President, Robert C. Young '36, during the 1935-36 school year came across pictures of the Phi Delta Theta chapter house believed to have been taken during the mid-1930s.
It would have been easy for Bob to just keep these photos in his family's archive forever; however, he decided to find out if the photos were meaningful to the owners of the fraternity house. Bob's research on the Internet enabled him to find the Alumni Association's web site and e-mail address which he used to provide us with copies of the photos.
In the course of discussing the discovery of these photos, the Alumni Association learned from Bob about his father's noteworthy career in journalism. After graduating from Michigan, Young went on to a distinguished 46 year career with the Chicago Tribune.
To learn about Brother Young's interesting accomplishments and view the historic pictures he posthumously donated to the chapter, please CLICK HERE.
In addition, last fall, Ken Copp, Jr. '55 visited Michigan Alpha's chapter house and dropped off several well-preserved pictures of the active chapter membership during 1953 and 1954. To view the photos provided by Brother Copp, please CLICK HERE.
If you have stories, photos, Sword & Shields or memorabilia that would help to tell the story of Michigan Alpha's history, we ask that you send this information to the Secretary of the Alumni Association, Greg Karmazin '87, at 26110 Harbour Pointe Drive S., Harrison Township, MI 48045. He can also be reached by e-mail at gkarm@aol.com. Greg will copy and return all materials that he is provided (if you want items returned).
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Active Chapter President's Report for Fall 2009
Michigan Alpha is Having a Great Year
 Active Chapter President John Sturgis '11 wrote an encouraging article featured in the Sword & Shield 2009 Fall printed newsletter. Here are the highlights: * Active chapter membership stands at more than 60. Strong fall rush yields 12 outstanding new actives.
* Chapter house is fully occupied by 25 active members and one resident advisor.
* Active chapter honored for leadership in the U of M Greek Community by influential community organization.
* Michigan Alpha in 4th place in IM sports standing and closing in on 3rd place.
* Defeated SAE to win the "A Team" Championship in soccer.
* Many positive social, philanthropic, and leadership activities.
To read Brother Sturgis' full report, please CLICK HERE. |
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Phi Delta Theta & Ann Arbor Active Against ALS to
Co-Host 2nd Annual Boxcar Derby on March 20
Philanthropy Event will Raise Money to Fight Lou Gehrig's Disease (ALS)
 Following up on the success of the inaugural event last year, Michigan Alpha and Ann Arbor Active Against ALS (A2A3) are partnering once again to co-host the 2nd annual Boxcar Derby to raise money for promising research to combat Lou Gehrig's Disease (ALS). The Derby will take place on Saturday, March 20, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The race course is on South University between Oxford and Walnut near the chapter house. The entrance fee for the race is $25 per team, payable to A2A3 which is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. In addition, sponsorships and donations are welcome.
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.
The Derby marks the fifth straight year that Michigan Alpha has raised funds to benefit efforts to defeat ALS. All combined, Michigan Alpha's ALS philanthropy events have raised more than $36,000.
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"Beilein's Battalion" Cheers Michigan Basketball
Tradition Started by Active Chapter Members Four Years Ago Still Going Strong
 If you're watching a U of M Basketball game this season on TV, and see U of M students dressed for combat cheering wildly in the stands, chances are pretty good that they're Michigan Alpha actives.
During the 2005-2006 U of M Basketball season, a hardcore group of Phi fans including Kellyn Parker '07, Cameron Young '08 and Jacob Bach '08 showed their team spirit by establishing "Amaker's Army" as a part of the "Maize Rage" student cheering section in Crisler Arena. Dressed in vintage camo fatigues, the Phis' boisterous support for Michigan's upset of MSU that season attracted coverage on ESPN and other media outlets.
Thus the tradition was born, and the group expanded as more active brothers joined the fun. The change in U of M coaches led to the new name, "Beilein's Battalion," but the dedication to aggressively supporting the Wolverines' fight for victory remains the same.
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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. During 2009, 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. During fall of 2008, 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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Chapter Grand
Michigan Alpha Mourns the Passing of Loyal Brother Charles (Chuck) T. Klein '36
 On December 2, 2009, Charles (Chuck) T. Klein died in Tulsa, Oklahoma at the age of 95. He was one of the oldest living alums of Michigan Alpha, and a loyal supporter of the fraternity. Brother Klein activated in Kansas Alpha in March of 1933 and affiliated with Michigan Alpha following his transfer to U of M. After earning a B.A. in 1936 and a J.D. in 1939, he practiced law for several years and married before joining the U.S. Army Air Corps where he saw combat during WW II in the South and Southwest Pacific Theaters.
After the war, Brother Klein had a long, successful career as an attorney and executive in the oil and gas industry. He was a regular contributor to the Michigan Alpha Annual Fund until only months before his death. His full obituary can be found in the Chapter Grand section of the Alumni Association's web site. In coelo quies est, Brother Klein.
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