PHI GAMMA DELTA. Welcome. Chapter Overview

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1 PHI GAMMA DELTA Tau Chi Chapter Est Fall 2016 Welcome The Tau Chi Chapter of Phi Gamma Delta is in the midst of another great semester. From strong social and brotherhood events within our chapter, to alumni involvement, to success in philanthropy events throughout the TCU community, and developments in the brand new fraternity housing plans, it is an exciting time to be a part of FIJI at TCU. Chapter Overview Q: How many active members are there currently? A: 88 Q: What is the chapter GPA? A: I got my education at Ohio State, but it was through Phi Gamma Delta that I really learned how to be a friend and appreciate people from all walks of life. - Jack Nicklaus ( 61) Q: When will the new chapter house be completed? A: Tau Chi will move into their new chapter house in August 2018 Casino Night 2016 In This Issue: Pg. 1 - Welcome Pg. 2 - New Members Pg. 3 - Philanthropy Pg Grad Spotlights Pg. 6 - Pig Dinner 2017 Pg. 7 - Ekklesia 2018 Pg. 8 - New Chapter House Pg. 9 - Thank you Pg How to stay connected 1

2 Fall 2016 Pledge Class Nothing can take the place of persistence We had another successful Fall recruitment and pledge-ship, thanks to the hard work of our recruitment chairs Tom de Boer '18 and Tristan Saint '18 and our pledge educators Nate Clark '17, Joe Stout 17, Cameron Wilson 18, and David Laughlin 19. We are excited to welcome into the brotherhood the following 31 young men: 1. AndrewAdamson 11. Jake Kammersgard 21. Justin Raff 2. Mason Baty 12. Ben Kuhn 22. Colin Russo 3. Austin Brown 13. Beau Lasater 23. Michael Sabia 4. Christian Caliendo 14. Glenn Lostritto 24. Austin Simons 5. Trey Fearn 15. Kyle McGough 25. Andrew Slate 6. Caelan Freeman 16. Bernie McNamara 26. Will Swanson 7. Patrick Frey 17. Thomas Millen 27. Brady Tehan 8. Brandon Goolsby 18. Michael Moore 28. Peter Trevino 9. Jack Halquist 19. Cam Mutchler 29. Brandon Ucker 10. Hunter Ince 20. Phil Olson 30. Bryce Watson 31. Jack Wilson These young men have exemplified what it means to be a FIJI Gentlemen, which we are continually striving to be every day. We are excited to see them develop into future leaders in both the chapter and TCU community! 2

3 Delta Gamma Anchor Bowl The Tau Chi Chapter took part in the annual DG Anchor Bowl at the beginning of October this year, which raises money for Service For Sight, a Delta Gamma founded organization which helps children who are blind or visually impaired learn specialized skills. Tau Chi is proud to have come out on top for the second straight anchor bowl in a row, and is honored to be apart of such a great cause. Delta Gamma Anchor Bowl 2016 No person was ever honored for what he received. Honor has been the reward for what he gave. - Calvin Coolidge (1895) Mr. ZTA Each Fall, the ladies of TCU Zeta hold their annual Mr. ZTA competition, which includes several different events over 3 days, where fraternities compete to raise money for breast cancer awareness and education. The main event of the competition is held midweek in the TCU BLUU Ballroom and allows each fraternity to submit a team to compete in a question and answer segment, a themed dress segment, and a talent show segment. Tau Chi is proud to announce that for the fifth year in a row, it came out victorious for the overall competition, raising the most money for the philanthropy and holding on to its Mr. ZTA reign. Mr. Zeta 2016 Team 3

4 Phi Gamma Delta has been instrumental in shaping me as a person. From pledgeship to active brotherhood to serving my graduate chapter, I have met and sustained friendships with some of the finest men in the world. Phi Gamma Delta taught me to make the correct decisions at the toughest times, and for this I am eternally grateful. Giving back is not only the right thing to do, but building future leaders is its own reward. I remain Damn Proud. - David Symonds David Symonds Tau Chi 2016 Alumni of the Year Throughout 2016, David Symonds ( 97) has been the most engaged and giving alumni of the Tau Chi chapter. David has made significant donations to start the fundraising for our new chapter house, sponsored the 2016 Pig Dinner Golf Tournament, serves on the chapter graduate trustee council, and is a member of the chapter s board of chapter advisors. This involvement, leadership, and vision has been crucial to the chapter in the past year, and can be seen in everything David does. David, an entrepreneur, is the current owner of Simplistic AV in Houston, TX. David started the company in 2002 and has overseen its growth and success ever since. Outside of work and his Tau Chi involvement, David is involved in many other facets of Phi Gamma Delta. At present, David serves on the BCA of the FIJI chapter at Sam Houston State University and is a founding member of the FIJI Graduate Chapter in Houston, which was recognized as the best new graduate chapter at Ekklesia this past August. We are honored to have brother Symonds s involvement and support. It is brothers like David, who exemplify Not for college days alone, that ensure the continued growth and success of our great chapter. 4

5 Jack Ambrose Recent Graduate Success Since graduating in May of this year, brother Jack Ambrose ( 16) is already creating a positive impact in his company and soon to be around the world. Originally from Milwaukee, Jack came to TCU as an undergraduate to study finance and economics. After multiple internships during college and graduating this past May, Jack began working for GE in Cincinnati, where he is a part of their Financial Management Program (FMP). This coming summer, Jack is getting the unique opportunity to take his work abroad in pursuit of helping impoverished communities. For 2 weeks in May 2017, Jack will accompany coworkers to Malawi, Africa with a nonprofit called buildon. While staying with a host family, those on the endeavor will work to build schools for some of the most impoverished and least developed communities imaginable. The educational infrastructure that those there will be building will help to give the gift of education to many, in hopes of offering them a better future and lifting them out of poverty. Fundraising for Jack s adventure has already begun, and includes events such as a 5k, silent auction, and a gala in the coming months. More information on Jack s trip and a donation page to help support him can be found at and Jack can be contacted at jack.ambrose@ge.com. 5

6 FIJI Pig Dinner and Casino Night April 29th, 2017 The Tau Chi chapter is very excited to announce plans for its 2017 Pig Dinner and Casino Night. Both of these great events will be taking place on April 29 th, 2017 at the MOPAC event center in Fort Worth. This new and improved venue is just minutes away from TCU, and will allow us to put on what we hope to be the largest and most successful pig dinner and casino night yet. The weekend will feature dinner from Ruth s Chris, the pig ceremony, chapter/alumni awards, our casino night fundraiser which benefits the USO, and the annual golf tournament. Every year we are overwhelmed with the amount of brothers who show up and amazed by the support they give the chapter and the USO. After great speakers such as Chris Del Conte in 2015 and Victor Boshini in 2016, and the explosive success of those years, we can t wait to see how high we can go this year. Be on the lookout for info such as the announcing of our keynote speaker, the specific agenda for all events during the weekend, and registration details, which will be sent out via and posted on the Tau Chi website in the coming months. We can t wait to see you in April, brothers! 6

7 Ekklesia Dallas, TX July 26-29, 2018 The Tau Chi chapter is very excited to announce that in 2018, Ekklesia will be headed our way! Set to be held at the Sheraton in downtown Dallas, the Tau Chi chapter and its brothers will have a significant role in the planning and execution of the semi-annual conference that has not been held in Dallas/Fort Worth since the 114th Ekklesia in The conference, which brings around 600 FIJIs together to conduct the business of the fraternity and plan for the next 2 years, will give ample opportunity for Tau Chi to make its mark and showcase its recent successes. Just this past year, at the 169th Ekklesia in Boston, Tau Chi was honored to be with our very own Section Chief, Bill Kramer, as he was awarded the prestigious Haynes Award. The Haynes Award is awarded every other year to the most effective section chief in the entire nation. We cannot wait to dive into this project and help put on what is sure to be a premier Ekklesia conference, and we hope that the Tau Chi brothers will join in with us in both the planning and attendance of this event. 7

8 New Tau Chi Chapter House Coming August 2018 Tau Chi is thrilled to announce the coming of its new chapter house, which is set to open in August In the planning stages for years now, TCU has finally broken ground on the new Greek circle, which is set to be completed in several phases. The first houses set to be completed will open in the Fall of 2017, with the rest finishing up in time for opening in August These beautiful new houses will bring much needed improvement to the existing living quarters, and will offer more room and amenities for all those who reside there. Some notable enhancements include a fourth floor dedicated solely to chapter officers that includes a study room and kitchen, a larger chapter room on the main floor, and elevator access. Fundraising for the new house is already underway and is being done in two areas. Alumni and parents interested in helping with funding for the new house can donate to our donation account with TCU or to the chapter s New House Savings Account dedicated specifically to the furnishing of the new house. On top of outside donations from alumni and parents, the chapter has also already donated $20,000 towards the cause itself, and plans to donate $5,000 more per semester until completion of the house. The chapter fully realizes the importance of this effort, and our need to invest in its cause. Together, we will be able to provide the chapter a state-of-the-art house, that both active members and graduates can be proud of and use to advance the causes of the chapter. 8

9 Outgoing 2016 Cabinet President - Austin Wallis ( 17) Austin served as President during the 2016 school year, leading the chapter through some very hard challenges in a year in this role. Austin was a constant voice of motivation and encouragement for all members. Regarding his time as President, Austin said, I enjoyed being able to represent the chapter on a daily basis in my interactions with administration, the chapter, and the TCU community. Serving as chapter president has been one of the best experiences of my life." Treasurer - Caleb Chappell ( 17) Caleb served as Treasurer for two terms during the 2015 and 2016 school years, overseeing a successful campaign to collect on outstanding balances from both alumni and active members. Caleb was able to reduce the chapter s outstanding balances by more than half. He was also a part of the foundation of the chapter s New House Savings Account, to which the chapter has currently donated $20,000, with the goal of donating $5,000 more per semester until completion of the new house. Caleb says, Being able to serve the chapter and leave it better than I found it was an honor. The experience I received and the relationships I made as an officer, and as a member of the Tau Chi chapter in general, will stay with me for the rest of my life. I am damn proud to be a FIJI. Recording Secretary - Nick Jones ( 17) Nick served as Recording Secretary for two terms during the 2015 and 2016 school years. During his time on cabinet, Nick drafted multiple much-needed bylaw amendments that the chapter has since passed and are currently in place today, and oversaw the chapter s justice board. In addition, Nick took steps to digitize all chapter bylaws for easier accessibility and use, and he served as the chief justice for the TCU Interfraternity Council. Nick says of his time on cabinet, Being on cabinet for two years taught me the true meaning and value of being a FIJI gentleman. I am thankful to have had the opportunity to give back to the chapter that has given me so much. Corresponding Secretary - Nate Clark ( 17) Nate served as Corresponding Secretary during the 2016 school, in which he also served as the head pledge educator. As Corresponding Secretary, Nate was in charge of external relations, including running the chapter social media accounts and website. Of his time on cabinet, Nate says, I most enjoyed the leadership aspect of my executive position. During my time spent on cabinet, I found it personally rewarding to be able collaborate with my fellow cabinet members and to have a direct impact on the improvement the chapter. Historian - Jordan Zeledon ( 17) Jordan served as Historian during the 2016 school year. In his role, Jordan was responsible for all ritual experience in the chapter, taught and tested the new members over post initiation education (PIE), and assisted in maintaining the chapter website. Jordan says, My time as historian allowed me to deepen my understanding of the history and rituals, which are the foundation of this fraternity, and which make it so special. Thank you to each of the above guys for your dedication and leadership over the past few years. The past year has been one of great trial for the chapter, and there is no doubt we would not be in the wonderful position we are today without these men at the helm. Because of their work, they are leaving the chapter better than they found it, and the best days are yet to come. Thank you! 9

10 2017 Officers President Barrett Koerner Treasurer Tom de Boer Recording Secretary Cameron Campbell Corresponding Sec. Nic Ross Historian Evan Rodriguez Stay updated! Tau Chi Website and Facebook page: Tau Chi Parent Facebook group: Recruitment Chairman Cameron Campbell Purple Legionnaire Landon Dipprey BCA President Travis English Search Facebook for TCU FIJI Parents or visit Tau Chi Mailing Address: TCU Box , Fort Worth, TX Tau Chi Physical Address: 3504 Pond Street, Fort Worth, TX Perge! 10