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SWGP Announcements
This thread will contain general announcements made by our SWGP.
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January 12, 2004
Dear Brothers, I have just returned over the weekend in Scottsdale Arizona from a North American conference meeting of NIC , NPC Fraternity and Sorority Presidents, Executive Directors, and representatives of the AFA and FEA Associations in which to review the past year and ascertain consensus and various views and emerging trends within the North American Greek Movement for the future. I was joined by Executive Director Shawn Collinsworth and Executive Director Emeritus Dud Daniel who attended his 52nd consecutive annual meeting. I was very proud to represent our organization along with Shawn and Dud in which the Phi Kappa Psi Fraternity is held in very high regard in Interfraternity circles for the strong progress achieved in our growing member census, undergraduate leadership training curriculum now in its ninth year of development, and for our emerging proactive expansion initiatives which are being taken noticed by various groups. Our Shield magazine publication is considered to be among the very best in the Interfraternitry World in which some organizations of larger size and chapter base only have one to two issues a year of a lesser quality. Our recent inaugural Project 2025 National Housing Conference in Las Vegas was among the many compliments mentioned of our organization. I am also excited to share that Phi Kappa Psi has a very ambitious agenda planned in the next six months leading up to the 72nd Grand Arch Council in San Diego as we will be completing the work of our 2002-2004 Biennial Plan of Action and our related Appointed Officer portfolio areas in the following... January- Presidents Leadership Academy - Guest Speakers Harry Henderson and Gordon R. Letterman - Dud Daniel- Perry Copper Boys and Girls Club of America February Project 2025 Steering Committee Meeting - National Fire Sprinkler Initiative Chaired by John Zigelmeyer - Director of House Corporations Shannon Price 2004 First collective nationwide undertaking of Phi Kappa Psi Alumni Associations Founders Day Tribute to ''America's Greatest Generation '' Chairman Tryon Hubbard March Exceutive Council Meeting....Project 2025 Fire Sprinkler Initiative and new Phi Kappa Psi ''Life Loyal '' Alumni Initiative -Chairman Immediate Past President Steven E Nieslawski and Coordinator of Alumni Relations Tryon Hubbard New Volunteer Orientation - Chairman Steven O'Rourke Strategic 2004-2014 Phi Kappa Psi Fraternity Inc Plan of Action - Chairman Shawn Collinsworth April - Phi Kappa Psi National Day of Service and new Boys and Girls Club of America service intiatives....Chairman Jerry Dunlap and Ast Chairman Jim Boyle NIC ''Go To Vote in 2004'' National Presidential Campaign Initiative - Chairman Bob Marchesani May -June Phi Kappa Psi Grand Catalogue- Chairman Shawn Collinsworth Phi Kappa Psi 3rd Volume of Sesquicentennial History- Senior Editor Kent Owen, Project Chairman John Ciccarelli, Shawn Collinsworth and Rev David McDonald June Executive Council Meeting In addition we are anticipating this Spring the prospects of up to three charterings of new chapters and the announcements of planned new colonies to support our goal of 125 chapter roster within ten years and a goal by the end of the decade. The Phi Psi Headquarters Staff will also be presenting a revised plan to augment our new Hyparchos Area Advisor Program. I wish to take this opportunity to thank many of our dedicated members of our Elected and Appointed Officer and Professional Headquarters team who are working hard to advance the mission and stated goals of the Phi Kappa Psi Fraternity. I look forward to the weeks and months ahead in Phi Kappa Psi with great anticipation and a very strong sense of purpose. Fraternally, John V. Ciccarelli... 58th President of Phi Kappa Psi |
January 24, 2004
Dear Brothers, On Thursday January 22 2004, the Brothers of Indiana Zeta at Butler University hosted a special evening chapter reception on the eve of the Phi Kappa Psi Presidents Leadership Academy I was very pleased to be joined by Brother Gordon Letterman (West Virginia Alpha '72) and Executive Director Emeritus Ralph D. Daniel (Arizona Alpha '47) as we enjoyed the opportunity to meet and speak to the chapter Brotherhood. The Indiana Zeta chapter roster has just recently topped 105 members, with the addition of 30 new outstanding pledges. I wished to recognize Chapter G.P. Jared Persinger and alumni advisors Bob Marchesani, Ray Volpe, Mickey Rodgers, and John Esteb who helped organize the evening program, in which the entire Butler University campus administration was represented. I especially wish to thank University President Dr.Bobby Fong, Vice President of Student Affairs Levester Johnson, Dean of Student Life Irene Stevens and Director of Greek Life Becky Druetler who each took the time to visit Indiana Zeta earlier in the evening in an incredible display of university administration support of quality Butler University Greek Community programming. Indiana Zeta has been recognized by its host institution and the City of Indianapolis for their philantopic support of Hope Lodge and in the nationally recognized effort to assist the Butler Hillel Council in the Fall of 2002. I wish to express my appreciation to Phi Psi Brothers Stu Rhodes, Eric Sampson , Hyparchos Area Advisor Mac Mclaughlin and Phi Psi Director of Chapter Services Chad Stegemiller who also attended in the chapter tribute. Fraternally, John V. Ciccarelli... 58th President of Phi Kappa Psi |
2004 Phi Kappa Psi Presidents Leadership Academy
January 28, 2004
Dear Brothers, I am happy to share that the Phi Kappa Psi Fraternity hosted its ninth annual Presidents Leadership Academy on this past weekend in which over eighty Phi Psi Chapter and Colony Presidents participated in this outstanding leadership training learning forum at the IUPUI conference center in Indianapolis, Indiana. Our special thanks to Phi Psi Director of Leadership Development Shane Yates who did an outstanding job in organizing and facilitating this resource learning conference The program began with a special preconference on Friday Jan 23 and was followed with the opening session in which Executive Director Shawn Collinsworth addressed the conference delegates.The program kicked off with a special address by Brother Harry Henderson Indiana Epsilon '51(Honorary National Chairman 2004 Founders Day Observances and theme tribute to ''America's Greatest Generation)'' who gave an inspirational speech that highlighted the need to exemplify the virtues of Honesty and Integrity in all leadership applications and our daily lives. Later in the afternoon, Fraternity Mystagogue Brother Kent Owen, Indiana Beta '57 addressed the undergraduate audience on the need , importance and commitment to emulate the true founding principles of our Fraternity and of the role of the Chapter GP to lead by his example. At the conclusion of Kent's address it was my pleasure to present to Kent and Suzi Owen Sesquicentennial Commemorative Medallions in appreciation to their loyal support of our beloved Fraternity On Saturday, January 25, Brother Gordon R. Letterman , West Virginia Alpha '72 delievered an inspirational key note address in which he spoke of the life experiences of his great grandfather, Founder William Henry Letterman Pennsylvania Alpha 1852 and of the importance in today's interpretation of achieved success by living up to the ideals and virtues expressed in our Creed. I especially wish to thank Gordon who traveled from Northern California to personally participate in the PLA and to speak to our cadre of chapter GP's. The 2004 Presidents Leadership Academy featured a series of workshop leadership learning sessions and were led by conference facilitators Brothers John Mead, Shannon Price, Rico Hernandez,Rev. David McDonald, Tryon Hubbard, RJ Proie and Nathan Anderson . On Saturday evening , the conference delegates traveled to the Phi Kappa Psi Fraternity Heritage Hall Headquarters in Lockerbie Square to officially dedicate in perpetuity the ''Ralph D. Daniel Executive Directors Office'' to honor Dud's half century legacy of devotion and service to the Phi Kappa Psi Fraternity. It was an exceptionally joyus occassion as Dud reflected on his life long passion in Phi Kappa Psi. On the next day, it was my pleasure to announce the new strategic partnership between the Phi Kappa Psi Fraternity and the three million plus members of the Boys and Girls Clubs of America in the goal to help further enhance our Phi Kappa Psi April National Day of Service and Phi Psi 500 Service Initiatives. I wish to thank our Director of Philanthropy Jerry Dunlap and BGCA liaison Jim Boyle who compiled BGCA resource materials and especially NIC delegate Brother Bob Marchesani who presented the one hour introduction of this exciting new service initiative and included a video presentation with featured speakers Secretary of State Colin Powell, Senator Orin Hatch, and accomplished celebrity role models. The 2004 PLA Conference was an extraordinary weekend as I was truly honored to be joined by Gordon, , Dud, Kent , Harry and Shawn along with our conference participants and members of our professional staff in this wonderful learning exchange. We Live and We Flourish! Fraternally, John V. Ciccarelli... 58th President of Phi Kappa Psi |
Indiana Eta Visit - Indiana State University
January 29, 2004
Dear Brothers, Following the immediate Sunday afternoon close of the Phi Kappa Psi Presidents Leadership Academy....... Brothers Ralph D. Daniel , Gordon R. Letterman and I joined Executive Director Shawn Collinsworth on a trip to Indiana State University to visit our Indiana Eta Chapter in Terre Haute, Indiana which included a very slow drive up and back in a winter snow storm. We met with the Chapter Brothers for an arranged Sunday evening dinner which was followed by a Ritual Chapter Meeting at the Indiana State University Student Union. The Chapter G.P. and officers and committee chairs conducted an excellent chapter business meeting. Later in the evening I presented the Brothers with a gift of a Phi Psi flag...and together with Gordon Dud and Shawn addressed the assembled chapter. The highlight of the evening involved Brother Letterman's remarks in which he paused in his comments to stop and pull from his pocket the badges of his great grandfather William Henry Letterman 1852, grandfather William Gordon Letterman 1902 and his father Dr. Gordon Sparks Letterman 1938. The Brothers of Indiana Eta then heard from ''Mr Phi Psi'' Ralph D Daniel followed by an incredible display of Phi Psi shared emotion and individual reflection in the words for the Good of the Order. The memorable chapter meeting was followed by a visit to the Indiana Eta Chapter House and the great opportunity to see the 13 year old composite picture of Chapter Brother Executive Director Shawn Collinsworth ! The Brothers of Indiana Eta truly are ''Men of Excellence'' and I wish to express our appreciation for their warm hospitality and tremendous reservoir of Phi Psi kindred spirit. Fraternally, John V. Ciccarelli... S.W.G.P. |
Winter Meeting- Phi Kappa Psi Project 2025 National Housing Steering Committee
February 4, 2004
Dear Brothers, I would like to take this opportunity to thank the members of the Phi Kappa Psi Project 2025 National Housing Committee - Chairman John Zigelmeyer Kansas Alpha '70, Wynn Wiegand Missouri Alpha '74, John Henebry California Delta '85, Matthew Shaw California Kappa '93, Richard Bower Oklahoma Alpha '56 and newly appointed Director of Chapter House Corporations Shannon Price -Alabama Alpha '83 who met at Heritage Hall Indianapolis for the Annual Winter meeting of the Project 2025 Steering Committee along with Executive Director Shawn Collinsworth and Director of Alumni Services Mark Solomon. As for organization reference, the Project 2025 initiative was created in 2002 and approved by Executive Council action to serve as an immediate and long range planning resource committee to address the comprehensive housing sphere of the Phi Kappa Psi Fraternity. I had asked Brother John Zigelmeyer in the winter of 2002 to help organize this new initiative whose project name and mission reflect our ultimate goal in Phi Kappa Psi to create the highest standard of undergraduate chapter housing in the InterFraterity World by this first benchmark in the 21st Century. In less than one year...the branding mantra of Project 2025 is already well established in Phi Kappa Psi and among our NIC contemporaries. This National Housing Resource Committee is comprised of some of the most experienced and talented Phi Psi volunteers whose individual housing expertise is already helping our Fraternity to identify and prioritize our immediate and long term fraternity housing needs in terms of capital campaign fundraising, housing safety issues, and chapter physical plant management. In September 2003 the largest attended Housing Education Conference in the history of the Phi Kappa Psi Fraternity assembled in Las Vegas , Nevada in what has been described as the best organized and most resource program driven curriculum ever conducted on fraternity housing issues ranging across entire housing spectrum. I wish to take this opportunity to thank Project 2025 Chairman John Zigelmeyer, members of the steering committee and our Staff Director of Alumni Services Mark Solomon for their outstanding efforts in the past year. The recent Winter Meeting saw the passage of a recommendation to the Executive Council of a Fire Sprinkler Initiative in which to provide special cost savings to our nationwide House Corporations in the installation of Fire Sprinkler systems which will be presented at the upcoming March Executive Council Meeting. Mark your calendars as the weekend following Labor Day of September 10-12 , 2004 has been set for the 2nd Annual Project 2025 National Housing Education Conference in Las Vegas, Nevada. I wish to also thank our new Director of House Corporations Shannon Price who has assumed his duties with great dispatch and as an official member of the Project 2025 Steering Committee. I am also very pleased to announce that Brother Jim Trigilio who had served on the Phi Psi Headquarters Staff for four years has accepted my and Zig's invitation to join as a member of our Project 2025 Steering Committee. Jim brings a wealth of experience and great zeal and will prove to be an immeasurable asset to the Project 2025 Committee. Please join me in special congratulations for this outstanding group of Phi Psi volunteers whose hard work and dedicated efforts has been tremendous. We Live and We Flourish! Fraternally, John V. Ciccarelli... 58th President of Phi Kappa Psi |
2004 Founders Day Letter from President Ciccarelli
Dear Brothers,
In 2002, the year of our Sesquicentennial Celebration, past National Fraternity President Tom James Texas Alpha '48 remarked in a special commemorative publication that ''No great institution will long endure, certainly not for 150 years , unless it is committed at its very foundation to ethical and moral principles of the highest order. Phi Kappa Psi core principles find eloquent expression in the Creed.'' On the eve of our 152nd Anniversary of the founding of our Fraternity, I am again reminded of this true reflection, as men of various ages, different races, nationalities and religious backgrounds are joined together under the universal banner of Phi Kappa Psi to help become achieved students, good citizens and important role models in which to make positive contributions within our host institutions, local communities and in the world in which we share. In honored recognition of the preceding generations of many living and departed Phi Psi Brothers who epitomize the Phi Psi fraternal virtues of Loyalty, Honesty, Integrity, Commitment, Consideration, Service, and Brotherly Love ... the Executive Council of Phi Kappa Psi has dedicated the February 19, 2004 , Founders Day Observance and our inaugural nationwide Founders Day theme celebrations in special honor and in a ''Tribute to America's Greatest Generation''. In 1998, NBC nightly news anchor Tom Brokaw wrote the best selling book '''The Greatest Generation'' and is a study and a series of reflective essays of ordinary men and women , military heroes, famous people of great achievement and community leaders in extraordinary times. ''They came of age during the Great Depression and the Second World War and went on to build modern America......men and women whose everyday lives of duty , honor and achievement and courage gave us the world we have today. '' Our examples of America's Greatest Generation within the Brotherhood of Phi Kappa Psi are countless as I am reminded of lives of many individuals who represent this special era. Among these remarkable human stories is reflected in the military services service record of past Fraternity President Robert E. Lazzell West Virginia Alpha '42 who served in the World War 2 Italian peninsula campaign in the (First Special Service Force and forerunner of today's Special Forces) and in Southern France, and who became the youngest second lieutenant and was awarded the Purple Heart. Bob went on to serve in the Korean and Vietnam conflicts. His military awards also include the Legion of Merit and Meritorious Service Medal. He has served Phi Kappa Psi as the District 3 Archon and the 52nd SWGP. There is the remarkable account of Gordon Sparks Letterman Missouri Alpha '38 the grandson of Fraternity Founder William Henry Letterman who served in the Okinawa and Iwo Jima Pacific Theater campaigns on LST 931, a flat bottom boat with bow doors that delivered tanks and troops to the landing beach and evacuated wounded soldiers and was torpedoed in action and did not sink. The future wife of Brother Letterman who he met after the war was a twenty-two year old navy flight nurse named Elma who was stationed in Guam and whose service unit (to be recognized by President Truman) would be immediately deployed in areas where an island airfield was captured to evacuate severely wounded. Gordon and Elma Letterman were then to receive the American Theater, Asiatic Pacific Theater and the Philippines Liberation Ribbons. After the war, Brother Letterman went on to serve in a distinguished career in medicine in which he later became the Professor Emeritus at George Washington University in Washington, DC. There is the example of Brother Clyde M Reedy who attended the University of Minnesota and was initiated in 1940 at Minnesota Beta and who then served on active duty as a Navy Aviator from 1942 until 1946. He flew PBY Catalinas (Black Cats) at Saipan and Iwo Jima where he participated in patrol, air sea rescue, and bombing and strafing runs. His crew lost six men on a patrol in the Philippine Sea and those who survived joined another crew to finish out the tour of duty in the Central Pacific. Brother Reedy's crew was the air rescue plane for the Enola Gay's atomic bomb flight in 1945. Today fifty nine years later and after a long accomplished business career.....Brother Reedy continues to serve his beloved fraternity and the Minnesota Beta chapter in which he recently spoke to the new chapter pledge class and is currently being interviewed by many Minnesota schoolchildren in recognition of his life long accomplishments. The opening address of the recent 2004 Phi Kappa Psi Chapter Presidents Leadership Academy in Indianapolis was recently delivered by Brother Harry Henderson Indiana Epsilon '51 Valparaiso University, who as our nationwide Honorary Chairman of the 2004 Founders Day Celebration joined the Navy December 7, 1943 , in bitter South Pacific action and was the second American ashore at Sasebo, Japan , immediately after the surrender, and in the ensuing fifty years of global business enterprise and self less volunteer service with many organizations and youth groups that has earned him a special distinction in Phi Kappa Psi. These reflections are among the many examples of individuals within the vibrant and proud 152 year old history of our Brotherhood and whose personal accounts further remind us to strive and help build the next ''Greatest Generation'' of young men to wear the lifelong badge of Phi Kappa Psi In recognition of the supreme sacrifice of many Phi Psi Brothers who represent this important generation in the history of our nation , I consider a great privilege to accept the invitation of the Phi Kappa Psi Washington DC Alumni Association to participate in a special Phi Kappa Psi Founders Day Memorial Observance at Arlington National Cemetery on Sunday February 15, 2004. I wish to also take this special opportunity on the eve of our Founders Day to thank each of you for your deep abiding interest and loyal devotion. Our Fraternity continues to achieve very marked progress in our Scholarship, Leadership, and Community Service initiatives and is laying a very strong foundation in the 21st Century. Together we are building a very bright future in Phi Kappa Psi. I invite our Phi Psi Brothers, Phi Psi Ladies , family members and special Phi Psi guests to start making summer plans to attend and participate in the 72nd Grand Arch Council in San Diego, California on July 7-11, 2004. Happy Founders Day! Fraternally, John V. Ciccarelli, California Theta '72. 58th President of Phi Kappa Psi |
Report of the S.W.G.P.
March 1, 2004
Dear Brothers, I would like to take this opportunity to express my heartfelt thanks to each of you on the Executive Council, Appointed Officers, Professional Headquarters, Trustees and Advisory Networks_ that comprise the Phi Psi official_ family that have been working hard in the effort to have Phi Kappa Psi_ succeed and achieve marked accomplishments. It has been extremely gratifying to see the incredible display of selfless Phi Psi volunteer service that is literally changing the perception of an American college fraternity and Phi Psi ambitious plans and our mission for the future. Overview Our Fraternity is growing at an unprecedented rate as we are anticipating multiple chartering this spring and have created new colonies at outstanding institutions. The Biennium of 2002-2004 will be remembered as the period in which our Phi Kappa Psi_ Alumni Associations programs have been greatly enhanced as our 2004 ''Tribute to America's Greatest Generation''_ has resulted in a record nationwide attendance and of which received_ alumni audience comments at many gatherings have been jointly enthusiastic'' We are excited of the direction of our Fraternity''.......''What has happened. ?.''....''As an alumnus I am very happy to read in The Shield where Phi Kappa Psi is heading........''_ I am pleased to see that values and virtues are being emphasized in our organization''. Similar to our success in recent years on chapter accreditation programs geared to undergraduate programming.....Phi Psi Alumni Associations are being held ''accountable '' and to a much higher standard in which are alumni groups have responded very favorably and are reinventing the past ''traditional role'' of Phi Psi Alumni Associations of once a year gatherings into active engaged ''alumni chapters'' that are helping to foster the '' Phi Psi Family Community '' Initiative. I wish to especially thank Director of Alumni Association Tryon Hubbard for his hard work and program oversight. In addition our Director of Alumni Services Mark Solomon will also be reviewing at our upcoming meeting the continued progress and new developments within the Phi Psi Hyparchos Network - Alumni Affairs Area Coordinators that have played an important part in the liaison Alumni Association program progress. The recent 2004 Indianapolis_ Presidents Leadership Academy and chapter visitations with Dud and Gordon Letterman have been inspirational as Phi Kappa Psi_ has without a doubt become a very relevant force for good in the lives of many young men. Our rising census and improved retention is a great indication that we are succeeding in our mission. The announcement of our strategic relationship with the Boys and Girls Club of America has been enthusiastically received in which we will now begin a concentrated effort to incorporate the BGCA plank in our umbrella April Phi Kappa Psi National Day of Service and Phi Psi 500 community service initiatives. It is indeed gratifying that the many steps taken within the Executive Council in the preceding years and in our current 2002-2004 Biennium are helping to transform our organization. In addition ....I am pleased to announce that for the first time in the history of the Fraternity that we will be heading into a Grand Arch Council in what will be an approximate zero receivable due to the last year's adoption of the May 31 2003 Executive Council Aged Receivable Resolution. My thanks to SWP Steven O'Rourke and Director of Administration Claude Warren for an outstanding job. March 5 2004 - Executive Council Meeting Our upcoming_ Friday, March 5, Executive Council Meeting will include many agenda business items that reflect the outstanding work of our Appointed Officer team family. They include the Project 2025 Fire Sprinkler Initiative by John Zigelemeyer , Hyparchos Network Program enhancements, and the expanded Phi Psi Loyalty Fund and new Phi Psi ''Life Loyal'' AlumnI Support Program recommendations report by immediate past president Steven E. Nieslawski._ Also...we will be updated on refinements on our ''Men of Excellence'' values based learning curriculum in which we plan to recognize chapter_ enrolled participation and accomplishment at the July 7-11 San Diego Grand Arch Council In addition, we will be receiving an update on the upcoming Phi Kappa Psi Sesquicentennial Grand Catalogue publication as well as the Fall distribution of our 3rd edition of the Sesquicentennial History of Phi Kappa Psi and planned Grand Arch Council presale announcement. March 6-7 Phi Kappa Psi 2004-2014_ Strategic Plan Session We are pleased that Mary Peterson of the University of Iowa will be facilitating our strategic planning session that includes representatives of Phi Psi organs including the Permanent Fund and our Endowment Educational and Charitable Education. Over the past four months Mary has been compiling solicited and canvassed information from within Phi Psi publics to help us formulate short and long term identified organization objectives to guide Phi Kappa Psi in the next ten years and beyond. It is our plan to present the Phi Psi Strategic Plan to the upcoming 72nd San Diego Grand Arch Council. Summary I am very excited of the progress and prospects within our organization. The Phi Kappa Psi Leadership Programming under the direction of Shane Yates continues to garner outstanding results. The recent announcement in the December 2003 Envision magazine of the separate entity American Leadership Academy in Cabo San Lucas_ not affiliated with the Phi Kappa Psi Fraternity and supported by generous Phi Psi alumni support is providing a strong forum for Phi Psi House Corporation_ capital campaign retreat exchanges and niche undergraduate student learning. This is an exciting period in Phi Kappa Psi and I wish to take this opportunity to especially recognize and thank Executive Director Shawn Collinsworth and his staff for doing an exemplary job in meeting our goals of the 2002-2004 Biennium in what will be an extremely busy period leading up to the summer Grand Arch Council . I wish to thank each of you again for your loyal devotion and for what we will accomplish together in the coming weeks and in the future of our beloved Fraternity. We Live and We Flourish! Fraternally, John V.Ciccarelli... 58th President of Phi Kappa Psi |
Band of Brothers- Alabama Alpha 40th Anniversary Celebration
March 13, 2004
Dear Brothers, I would like to take this opportunity to express my deep appreciation to the undergraduate and alumni Brothers of Alabama Alpha_ hosted a spectacular 40th Chapter Anniversary Celebration and Founders Day Observance in Tuscaloosa, Alabama on the weekend of February 27-29. I was very pleased to accept the invitation to attend and was joined by Executive Director Emeritus''Mr Phi Psi''_ Dud Daniel Arizona Alpha '47 and Deputy Attorney General Lee Reid Louisiana Gamma '93 for a special three day chapter anniversary reunion in which almost every living founding chapter charter member was in attendance. The weekend events at the Alabama Alpha Chapter House and the University of Alabama included a Friday evening chapter house reception that was highlighted by a visit and gracious remarks by the University President Dr. Robert Witt who complimented the reorganization of the chapter and our Phi Psi student members who have distinguished themselves in strong scholastic achievement and host institution relations. On Saturday, February 28, 2004, the chapter hosted a Ritual Chapter Meeting in the beautiful newly renovated Alabama Alpha Chapter House in which Phi Psi alumni brothers of the original charter group shared some very inspirational and_ personal reflections of life long Phi Psi experiences in the presence of it's young members. A special Chapter House Corporation report led by longtime Alabama Alpha stalwarts Brothers Fred Clay Alabama Alpha '67, Shannon Price Alabama Alpha '83, Tryon Hubbard Alabama Alpha '64 and Chapter Advisor Jay Massingill Alabama Alpha '68. included a discussion on future physical plant plans and chapter educational foundation goals. (Twelve years ago the Alabama Alpha Chapter House Corporation that also included members Mark Moore , Freddie Stakes was faced with the daunting and successful task of moving its three story red brick chapter house across campus to its present day location) At the conclusion of the Chapter Meeting......we all joined together outside the spacious front lawn and dramatic setback of the Alabama Chapter House and dedicated a tree in memory of the Dr. John Ramsey , California Gamma '28 who served as \ the original colony advisor - chapter mentor and served on the University of Alabama faculty. Each spring the Dr. John F. Ramsey Award is presented by the campus administration in recognition of outstanding university students. Later that evening ....over 125 Phi Psi Brothers, spouses and guests joined and enjoyed a wonderful banquet in which it was my distinct honor to present Executive Council proclamations in honor of the 40th Chapter Anniversary_ to Chapter G.P.Thomas ''Buz'' Miller Alabama Alpha 2003 (who that evening donated his received $500.00 Alabama Alpha Foundation check back to the Chapter Capital Campaign) and to Brothers Fred Clay and Jay Massingill for their_ tremendous volunteer service and immense loyal devotion rendered over several decades to the Alabama Alpha Chapter and to Phi Kappa Psi. It was indeed a very enjoyable and happy occasion and the banquet culminated into a dance reception that went into the early hours. The next day.....The Brothers of Alabama Alpha then traveled and gathered together for an early morning breakfast trip to the historic family farm cabin home of Brother Farley M. Snow Alabama Alpha '64 in which they sang songs, posed for pictures and shared good-byes. It was a truly inspirational weekend and one that I will never forget as the Band of Brothers within our Alabama Alpha chapter truly reflect the life long friendships and Brotherhood that we are proud to share in Phi Kappa Psi. Fraternally, John V. Ciccarelli... 58th President of Phi Kappa Psi |
2004 Founders Day "Tribute to America's Greatest Generation"
March 14, 2004
Dear Phi Kappa Psi Alumni Association Presidents, I would like to take this opportunity to express the appreciation of the Executive Council and Professional Headquarters Staff on the tremendous response to our 2004 inaugural theme Founders Day Celebrations and in the collective tribute to our Phi Psi Brothers of America's Greatest Generation. The individual program undertaking by many of our metropolitan Phi Psi Alumni Associations has been tremendous in which many groups have reported a large increase in alumni attendance We are very pleased in the received positive comments and email correspondence. A little more than a month ago, we began our special Founders Day tribute with a solemn blessing at Arlington National Cemetery sponsored by the Phi Kappa Psi Washington D.C. Alumni Association. I am happy to share with each of you of the renewed spirit and strong enthusiasm of the past four weeks in which Phi Psi undergraduate and alumni members have joined together to celebrate the founding ideals of our Brotherhood and to help build the next Greatest Generation of young men to wear the life long badge of Phi Kappa Psi. Our Fraternity has made a major commitment to redefine the role of our Phi Psi Alumni Associations in today's fast paced modern world as we look to help assist in the mission of a true ''Life Loyal'' Phi Psi alumni experience and one which will provide and derive benefits to our undergraduate, alumni, host institution and local community publics. The addition of a new Headquarters Staff position of our new Phi Psi Director of Alumni Member Services Mark Solomon Missouri Alpha '98 is designed to provide assistance to each of you. In addition our Fraternity will also be hosting the second annual Indianapolis New Volunteer Orientation scheduled on the weekend of March 26-28, 2004 in which to provide a resource support training track for identified Alumni Associations. In the coming weeks...we will be looking to many of our Phi Kappa Psi Alumni Associations to help support the April 17, 2004 Phi Kappa Psi National Day of Service in which Phi Psi Chapters, Colonies and Alumni Associations will be working together in various local hands on philanthropic endeavors that also include our new strategic partnership with the Boys and Girls Clubs of America. In addition, we plan to entertain discussion and the submission of ideals for a theme undertaking for our 2005 Founders Day Celebrations to be announced at the 72nd Grand Arch Council in San Diego, California. On behalf of Executive Director Shawn Collinsworth, Honorary Founders Day Chairman Harry Henderson Indiana Epsilon '51, Director of Alumni Services Mark Solomon, Director of Alumni Associations Tryon Hubbard, we wish to sincerely thank you and the members of each Alumni Association in Phi Kappa Psi and extend best wishes for continued success in the long term future. We Live and We Flourish! Fraternally, John V. Ciccarelli... California Theta '72 |
Welcome Pennsylvania Phi - Lycoming College!
March 23, 2004
Dear Brothers, On Saturday, March 20, 2004, the Phi Kappa Psi Fraternity installed its newest chapter with the charter presentation of Pennsylvania Phi at Lycoming College located in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. The entire Executive Council and members of our Professional Staff participated in the weekend activities which was highlighted by a church ceremony and great banquet celebration that included many parents, faculty administration and the President of Lycoming College. The keynote speaker included Excessive Director Emeritus Dud Daniel Arizona Alpha '47 and a presentation of Phi Psi congratulatory gifts from across the country. A special highlight of the charter installation included the visit of a large contingent of New York Kappa colony members of State Oneanta who traveled three hours to attend the Pennsylvania Phi banquet celebration. The birth of Pennsylvania Phi represents our 15th active chapter in the state of Pennsylvania and in which the Fraternity is enjoying renewed activity within many local Alumni Association groups. Our special thanks to Pennsylvania Phi Chapter Advisor Jose Rodriquez Pennsylvania Beta '87 and Faculty Advisor Timothy S. Carter Pennsylvania Phi 2004 of the Lycoming Faculty Administration who he himself was initiated as a founding father of Pennsylvania Phi and who together with Brother Rodriquez have been a strong guiding resource in the growth and success of Pennsylvania Phi. Our congratulations for a very bright future to the Brothers of Pennsylvania Phi! Fraternally, John V. Ciccarelli... S.W.G.P. |
Pennsylvania Rho York College - Pennsylvania Epsilon Gettysburg
March 27, 2004
Dear Brothers, On the occasion of last weekend's chartering of Pennsylvania Phi at Lycoming College , I rented a car for a few days and visited Phi Psi chapters in the vicinity of Harrisburg Pennsylvania enroute to Philadelphia and Trenton - Rowan New Jersey. Pennsylvania Rho - York College On Sunday evening March 21, I enjoyed the opportunity to attend the Pennsylvania Rho Chapter Meeting at York College in which the new pledge class also participated. I was joined by newly appointed Chapter Advisor Damien Lynch who is following in the great footsteps of retired advisor Ernie Thompson of who I had the pleasure of speaking by phone prior to the meeting. Pennsylvania Rho continues to be a very good chapter. Brother Jared Caracappa is an alumnus of the chapter and served recently as a member of the Hyparchos Network and is active on the York Pennsylvania Alumni Association which enjoyed a very good recent Founders Day event. I wish to thank Brother Damien Lynch and the Brothers of Pennsylvania Rho for their wonderful hospitality. Pennsylvania Epsilon - Gettysburg College The following morning I traveled to our Pennsylvania Epsilon Chapter at Gettysburg College for a visit to talk to chapter members and see Miller Hall the first chapter house built and owned by the Phi Kappa Psi Fraternity in 1882. The opportunity to set foot in Miller Hall was a wonderful and memorable experience in which the chapter members explained the various historical facts surrounding its 120 year history. The Winter 2004 Issue of The Shield includes a wonderful article by past District One Archon Steve McDermott New Jersey Epsilon '00 in which Steve and Pennsylvania Epsilon House Corporation President Nick Modha and Fraternity Historian Mike McCoy Indiana Beta '57 undertook a restoration of fraternity archives stored at Miller Hall. The year 2005 will mark the Sesquicentennial Celebration of the Pennsylvania Epsilon Chapter with plans now underway for a great reunion observance. After a quick visit to the Gettysburg Battlefield National Park I was again reminded of the great historical connection of our Fraternity and passages in our nation's history. On the outskirts of Gettysburg is a fairly new highway sign named Camp Letterman Road which is named in honor of Jonathan Letterman the older brother of Founder William Henry Letterman who both served as Surgeons in the Army of the Potomac. Jonathan Letterman and the Camp Letterman Gettysburg site is where the practice of battlefield medical treatment for the wounded was introduced and became the forerunner of Army M.A.S.H. medical units that has continued to evolve today. Fraternally, John V. Ciccarelli... S.W.G.P. |
Pennsylvania Iota Chapter Meeting
March 28, 2004
Dear Brothers, On Monday evening March 22, 2004, I attended the Pennsylvania Iota Chapter Meeting at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia in which members of the Pennsylvania Sigma Chapter also participated. I was joined by Pennsylvania Iota Chapter Advisor Bill Staples who has served faithfully in this capacity for sixteen years and Philadelphia Hyparchos Alumni Affairs Area Coordinator Paul Sanborne of Pennsylvania Sigma. I enjoyed the opportunity along with Bill and Paul to speak to the undergraduate members in attendance and hear of future plans to incorporate and encompass Philadelphia Phi Psi area undergraduate and alumni association activities including our newest Phi Psi Philly Chapter - Pennsylvania Upsilon at Drexell University installed two years ago. After the chapter meeting, Brothers Staples, Sanborne and I walked on the University of Pennsylvania campus in which we stop to see the statue of Brother Edgar Fahs Smith Pennsylvania Epsilon 1873 who served as the University of Pennsylvania Provost from 1910 - 1920 . Brother Smith along with Brother Otis Kendall , Pennsylvania Iota 1878 together conceived the idea of our national Phi Kappa Psi fraternity magazine The Shield which is currently celebrating its 125th Anniversary. The current spring 2004 125th Commemorative Anniversary Issue of The Shield includes an interesting feature article of the contributions of Brothers Smith and Kendall authored by Phi Psi Director of Alumni Services Mark Solomon. I wish to express my deep appreciation to the members of Pennsylvania Iota and Pennsylvania Sigma for allowing me the privilege to join together. I especially would like to extend a note of special thanks to Bill Staples and Paul Sanborne for their continued loyalty and support of Phi Kappa Psi in the long tradition of local area Phi Psis including Brothers Walter Lee Sheppard, Jr., Bayh Graff and many dedicated individuals in the Phi Psi ''City of Brotherly Love''. We Live and We Flourish! Fraternally, John V. Ciccarelli... S.W.G.P. |
New Jersey Delta - New Jersey Epsilon Meeting Exchanges
March 28, 2004
Dear Brothers, I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Brothers of New Jersey Delta and New Jersey Epsilon for their tremendous Phi Psi spirit and warm reception upon a final travel leg that started in Williamsport, Pennsylvania and ended in Rowan, New Jersey and a flight home to Los Angeles from Philadelphia. I wish to thank Brothers Chris Hammer who along with Paul Sanborne, Mark Modha, Bill Staples, Steve McDermott greatly assisted in making arrangements with our local groups. New Jersey Delta - College of New Jersey On Tuesday morning March 23, 2004 I traveled to the College of New Jersey in Trenton and joined the immediate past GP David Dziengowski and chapter GP Matthew Dox for a campus meeting at the Brower Student Center (named in honor of past president of the former Trenton State College, Brother Clayton Brower New York Beta '42) with the Greek Affairs Advisor Tim Wilkenson to discuss the state of campus Greek affairs and the overall standing of our New Jersey Delta Chapter which is again leading in academic honors among a Greek system of over 25 campus organizations. It was great pleasure to hear of the high regard that Phi Kappa Psi Fraternity is held and of the great cooperation between the chapter leadership and university administration. Following the chapter meeting, I enjoyed the opportunity to meet the many chapter Brothers who joined for a special lunch reception in the 1855 room in Eickhoff Hall hosted by New Jersey Garden State Alumni Association President Chris Hammer. Our New Jersey Delta chapter was chartered 14 years ago during the tenure of past SWGP Bob Meserve and has earned an outstanding record in campus and fraternity awards. Our congratulations to the Brothers of New Jersey Delta under the guidance of Chapter GP Matthew Dox and Chapter Advisor Mark Kadetsky for doing an outstanding job. New Jersey Epsilon - Rowan University Later that evening I jumped on the New Jersey Turnpike to head back to Philadelphia and to revisit our four year old New Jersey chapter at Rowan University. I was greeted by Brothers Russ Pocaro and Chapter GP Rick Peletier for a campus tour and the site of the famous 1967 Glasboro Summit between Lyndon Johnson and Andrei Kosygin. The Brothers had held their Ritual Meeting the evening prior but arranged a restaurant dinner reception with the entire chapter including many of the charter members and Phi Psi guests.I was joined by Educational Leadership Consultant Robert Nagle and truly enjoyed the wonderful opportunity to reminisce about the New Jersey Epsilon chartering as an installation team member under SWGP John Watt in 2000 with charter members Steve McDermott and Richard Rozycki. New Jersey Epsilon is working hard in many areas and has an outstanding reputation in Phi Psi regional, District, and National related activities. I wish to thank Chapter G.P. Rick Peletier and Chapter Advisor Charlie Zimmerman for their strong efforts in helping New Jersey Epsilon grow and succeed. Fraternally, John V. Ciccarelli... S.W.G.P. |
Congratulations 125th Anniversary Commemorative Issue of The Shield
March 29, 2004
Phi Kappa Psi Fraternity 510 Lockerbie Street Indianapolis, Indiana 46202 Director of Publications Phi Kappa Psi Fraternity Ted C. Jones Dear Ted, I just received my 125th Anniversary Commemorative Issue of The Shield and I wanted to take this opportunity to congratulate you, Shawn and Trish Acton on the beautiful magazine. Each issue of The Shield seems to reach a new elevated plateau in terms of true readership interest and information quality which has been shared in many positive and complimentary comments in this Biennium within our undergraduate, alumni, parent, N.I.C. and Host Institution publics. The Spring 2004 Issue highlighted articles of Shield cofounder Edgar Fahs Smith authored by Director of Alumni Services Mark Solomon and "Living to be 125" by our newly appointed Phi Kappa Psi Surgeon General Dr. William Blanke were outstanding. I find the fact in terms of the reported generous contributions of our members as reflected in the annual support of the Endowment Fund Educational Foundation and a record Loyalty Fund solicitation year to be a tremendous testimony to the value and relevance of our overarching organization and in the vital role that The Shield is playing to help reach our audience. I wish to thank you for the tremendous effort, hard work and marked success that has without a doubt given our Fraternity the right to claim that it has the best organization magazine in the entire Intefraternity World on this the 125th Anniversary Year of The Shield. Fraternally, John V. Ciccarelli... 58th President of Phi Kappa Psi |
Congratulations on the 2nd Annual New Volunteer Orientation!
March 31,2004
Dear Brothers, Over the past weekend, approximately thirty-five nationwide new Phi Psi alumni_ volunteers gathered together to participate in the 2nd Annual Phi Kappa Psi New Volunteer Orientation at Heritage Hall Headquarters in Indianapolis Indiana. The newly established training program was created and is designed to help orient, assist and support new Phi Psi volunteers who comprise our Chapter Advisory, House Corporation and Alumni Association Officer Networks. Building upon the success of the inaugural NVO_ program initiative started in Spring_ 2003, the new Phi Kappa Psi_ local volunteer training curriculum includes workshop and forum exchange discussion sessions that review individual Phi Psi volunteer job descriptions, new fraternity program initiatives i.e. Men of Excellence, Chapter Accreditation, Phi Kappa Psi National Day of Service, Boys and Girls Clubs of America, Founders Day, available resource options, and the important opportunity to interface with professional staff personnel and with other Phi Psi volunteers. I wish to take this opportunity to thank our Director of Chapter Services Chad Stegemiller, Director of Alumni Services Mark Solomon and Fraternity Treasurer Steve O'Rourke who did an outstanding job in organizing the weekend exchange volunteer skills learning program hosted by facilitators Shawn Collinsworth , Shane Yates, Jason Pierce, Shannon Price and Tryon Hubbard. Our thanks to the following Brothers for attending the 2004 New Volunteer Orientation. Eric Miller North Carolina '00 Andrew Wojewodzic New York Theta '98 Joe Kaiser Missouri Alpha '98' Karl Marschel Missouri Alpha '97 Steve Meyers Texas Alpha '01 Douf Fish Pennsylvania Theta '98 Bill Reinecke Missouri Alpha '87 Chip Impastato Louisiana Alpha '90 Neal Glazier New York Theta 99 Albert Cuneo Pennsylvania Alpha '76 Rob Long Missouri Alpha '94 Dan Qulette Texas Gamma '69 Mike Burrell Illinois Epsilon '91 John Pontius Pennsylvania Epsilon '99 Larry Ziaser Michigan Beta '62 Damien Lynch Pennsylvania Rho '97 Michael Ley Pennsylvania Xi '86 Dino Vervitsiotis Pennsylvania Theta '98 Jason Simmons New York Theta '97 Marc Smith Wisconsin Gamma '79 Rob Fleming North Carolina Beta '92 Tom Kegler New York Theta '96 Derek Meixell New York Theta '99 Wayne Cook Pennsylvania Lambda '65 Nick Modha Pennsylvania Epsilon '98 Eric Smith California Delta '79 Robert Pallasch California Delta '79 Russell Adkins Pennsylvania Beta '99 Jonathan Ziehl New York Theta '95 Alex LaRoche Pennsylvania Theta '95 Cord Nuoffer Indiana Epsilon '96 Chris Hessenflow North Carolina Beta '91 David Viglione New York Theta '98 Sean Liddle New York Theta '95 Matthew Naylor New York Theta '98 We are looking forward to continue to building this outstanding pogram with plans to incorporate a Hyparchos Network advisory learning track in the 2005 New Volunteer Orientation. We Live and We Flourish ! Fraternally, John V. Ciccarelli... S.W.G.P. |
(From the SWGP's Wife) Grand Arch Council Ladies and Guests Program
Dear Phi Psi Brothers and Spouses,
I would like to invite each of you and your spouses and family members to attend the upcoming San Diego Grand Council on July 7-11, 2004 at the U.S. Grant Hotel in downtown San Diego. The U.S Grant is a beautiful Hotel in downtown San Diego that is nearby to wonderful area tourist attractions that include the world famous San Diego Zoo, Sea World, Coronado Island, Old Town, Balboa Exposition Park, San Diego Wild Animal Park, San Diego Rail Museum, Sea Port Village and Legoland Amusement Park. For more information please contact the San Diego Convention and Visitors Bureau at www.sandiego.org. Public transportation, MTS buses, trolleys and coasters provide convenient transportation throughout San Diego County. Disneyland and the new Disney California Adeventure, Knotts Berry Farm and the Long Beach Queen Mary are located just an hour and slightly more drive north of San Diego toward Los Angeles. The cost of attending Phi Psi official scheduled events for spouses and guests which include the GAC Welcome Event, Awards Luncheon, Presidents Reception and Grand Arch Council Banquet is $150.00. We have organized a Grand Arch Council Ladies Committee that will be contacting GAC guest registrants in the month of May to help coordinate Phi Psi family activity options while Phi Psi Brothers attend day convention sessions. We are in the process of obtaining discount passes for various San Diego tourist attractions that individuals may be interested in participating. San Diego, California is a true family vacation destination that offers a wide array of great activities and gorgeous scenery that I know that you and your family members will have great fun and will always remember. I hope to see you and your family at the Phi Kappa Psi San Diego Grand Arch Council this July and enjoy a very special family holiday. Sincerely, Susan Ciccarelli |
Project 2025 Phone Conference
April 11, 2004
Matt Shaw John Henebry John Zigelmeyer. Wynn Weigand Richard Bower Jim Trigilio Shannon Price Dear Matt, John, Zig, Wynn, Richard, Trig and Shannon I wanted to take this opportunity on the eve of the Project 2025 Conference Call to express my deep appreciation to each of you for the outstanding job that has accomplished in the creation and devolpment of the Phi Kappa Psi Project 2025 National Housing Initiative. When I approached Zig eighteen months ago on this proposed initiative.....I felt that it was imperative that our Fraternity adopt a very proactive stance in addressing the immediate and long term needs of our chapter house corporartions and the entire Phi Psi housing sphere whose individual housing assets are in the excess of 35 million dollars. Within one Bienieum, the Project 2025 Initiative task force has undertaken, created and implemented the largest chapter housing education resource forum in the existence of Phi Kappa Psi as realized last September in Las Vegas with plans for an annual track and second conference scheduled at the same time this year. With public saftey as a number one goal, the Exceutive Council approved the Project 2025 endorsed National Fire Sprinkler Initiative at its Spring March 2004 Meeting in which our local chapter house corporations will now have a preferred and available resource option that will enhance public saftey, provide lower insurance costs and meet growing city and state ordinances. In addition, I have made mention to Zig and Jim Trigilio this past week of a suggestion to incorporate within Project 2025 a comprehensive undertaking to help improve the apperance of our chapter house properties that fall into the range of outstanding and attractive facilities to the other side of the spectrum of glorified foosball parlors.In that vein, the many contributions of Brothers Jerry Nelson, Bruce McMahon, Paul Wineman in the creation of installed chapter computer labs sponsored by the Endowment Fund have in fact helped provide a valuable catalyst to instill a true learning enviroment within many of our nationwide Phi Kappa Psi chapter houses. In that umbrella goal, I would also ask that Project 2025 take under advisement the need to promote the betterment of chapter house conditions in terms of quality furniture, carperting, draperies, kitchen equipment etc that will improve the living condition, apperance and attractiveness of our chapter houses in the eyes of our undergraduate tenants, parents, prospective members and our host institutions. Perhaps the concept of an instituted "Phi Psi Operation Sparkle," furniture buying clubs, Parents Committees, could be solutions advanced by Project 2025 that can take seed now in preparation of Fall 2004 and well beyond. The benefits of doing so will naturally assist our respective groups in the form of additional tenants, increased member recruitment and alumni related support. In addition. I would like to offer as a suggestion the opportunity for Project 2025 to utilize the upcoming July San Diego Grand Arch Council to disseminate information to promote the upcoming 2nd Annual Project 2025 Housing Education Conference September 10-12 2004, newly approved Simplex Fire Sprinkler Program and the myriad of chapter housing corporation resource materials. I wish you all a very productive deliberations and want to express my heartfelt appreciation to Project 2025 Chairman John Zigelmeyer, Director of House Corporations Shannon Price and to each of you for the tremendous job in getting this vitally important initiative established and advanced in the support of our beloved fraternity. Thank you very much..... Fraternally, John V.Ciccarelli... 58th President of Phi Kappa Psi |
Empire State
April 25, 2004
Dear Brothers, On the occasion of the New York Iota chartering last weekend in Binghamton New York, I was joined on Sunday, April 18 in a Phi Psi caravan with Brothers Dud Daniel, Eric Parker, Russell Warshay, Robert Parada, Ron Dinino, and Joe Hochberg throughout upstate New York which included visits to our New York Alpha, New York Theta and New York Eta Chapters. It was day of great Phi Psi spirit and hospitality in the Empire State in which a growing regional dynamic is occurring in our Fraternity in the creation of new colonies, chapters and alumni associations. New York Alpha The Brothers of New York Alpha at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York provided a very warm welcome in which to tour the outstanding chapter house facility and the magnificent Cornell campus. Almost half of the Cornell football team is made up of Phi Psi Brothers and the chapter has occupied a prominent and honorable position in the university throughout its history. Seven years ago, SWGP Brother Greg Knapp visited New York Alpha to help officially dedicate the beautiful new high cathedral chapter meeting room addition named in honor of Brother Joseph Benson Foraker. New York Theta The afternoon trip to Rochester, New York at the Rochester Institute of Technology was very enjoyable in which the Brothers of New York Theta hosted a special reception. The chapter house is located on a recently created R.I.T.Greek Row owned by the University in which Phi Psi has a prominent location and is only among a small group of Greek organizations to occupy. The New York Theta Chapter House is beautiful. It is among one of the nicest facilities that I have had the privilege to visit. New York Theta was founded twelve years and its Brothers hold a very deep respect for the ideals of Phi Kappa Psi. Dud and I enjoyed the opportunity to speak to the Chapter Brotherhood and we wish to express our appreciation for the gift of the New York Theta ''Decade Book'' which is beautiful hard bound chapter publication of letters, photos and documents that highlight the founding and first ten years of this outstanding chapter. I wish to thank Hyparchos Director and New York Theta House Corporation President Robert Parada for his tremendous and loyal service to New York Theta and Phi Kappa Psi. New York Eta Following our trip to Rochester , Dud and I then arrive later in the evening to visit New York Eta at the Suny Buffalo campus. The Brothers of New York Eta including District Archon Joe Hochberg met us at the New York Eta chapter house which is currently undergoing a physical house renovation that will include new heating equipment, room improvements, carpeting and draperies. The Brothers of New York Eta are looking forward to the upcoming Grand Arch Council in San Diego and the completion of the housing renovation to reoccupy the chapter house this upcoming Fall. It was a pleasure to speak to the members of New York Eta and express the appreciation of those who had traveled to Binghamton University as did individual members of New York Theta to assist in the chartering of New York Iota. I wish to especially thank our Coordinator of Chapter Advisors Ron Dinino who helped to arrange the Sunday tour of New York State area Phi Psi Chapters. I spoke to the Chapter G.P. of New York Beta at Syracuse University whose Brothers were attending a Chapter Formal at Niagara Falls and the Colony President of our New York Kappa Suny Oneanta who both expressed very good reports of Phi Psi activity at their host institutions. The colony members of New York Kappa enjoy a 3.26 grade point average and just recruited another five new members on top of a strong organization campus average. In addition, the recent Spring 2004 Phi Kappa Psi New Volunteer Orientation in Indianapolis included many New York State area alumni advisory volunteers. The newly created New York City Gotham City Alumni Association continues to grow. Phi Kappa Psi Lives and Flourishes in the Empire State ! Fraternally, John V. Ciccarelli... 58th President of Phi Kappa Psi |
Pennsylvania Xi & Ohio Epsilon Chapter Visitations
April 25, 2004
Dear Brothers, Following the trip to the upstate New York area Phi Psi chapters, Brother Dud Daniel and I drove to Cleveland, Ohio to visit the Ohio Epsilon Chapter at Case Western Reserve University. On the way, we were able to stop at Endiboro University south of Erie, Pennsylvania and meet our Pennsylvania Xi Brothers for lunch at the Student Union. The Pennsylvania Xi Chapter is steadily growing its membership that operates on a campus without formal Greek housing. The Chapter is actively involved on the Edinboro campus. We enjoyed the opportunity to speak to the Brothers and Chapter G.P. Joshua Beach who I had met two years ago at the inaugural September 17, 2002, Constitution Day Banquet that was held in close proximity in Meadville Pennsylvania at Pennsylvania Beta at the onset of the Biennium. Later in the afternoon, we drove into Cleveland Ohio and joined Phi Kappa Psi Director of Fraternity Education Wes Schaub Ohio Eta '80 who is the Director of Greek Life at Case Western University and administers its large Greek system and our Fraternity Deputy Attorney General Jim Miller Ohio Delta '85 for a barbecue reception at Ohio Epsilon. I enjoyed the opportunity along with Dud to review the Ohio Epsilon Chapter collection of Meeting Minutes, The Shield, Fraternity Education Manuals, Fraternity- University History Books and Phi Kappa Psi Grand Catalogues. Of particular interest was the turn of the century 1904 meeting minutes of the Omega local fraternity that became the Ohio Epsilon Chapter at Case University in 1906. Present at the meeting was Otto Donnell, Ohio Epsilon '07 the Phi Psi father of Brother John R. Donnell, Sr. Ohio Epsilon '31 a past Trustee of the Permanent Fund and the grandfather of past SWGP John R. Donnell Ohio Epsilon '59 and current Senior Trustee of the Permanent Fund. I wish to thank Chapter G.P. Chad Zavitch for inviting Dud and I to speak at the Chapter Meeting in which we together discussed ideals for the coming Ohio Epsilon Chapter Centennial Celebration in 2006. We Live and We Flourish! Fraternally, Chic... |
California Epsilon - U.C.L.A.
April 29, 2004
Chapter G.P. Jason Peterson California Epsilon Dear Jason, I would like to thank you and the Brothers of California Epsilon for the opportunity to attend your Monday evening Chapter Dinner and Meeting. The fact that your cook from Senegal who speaks seven languages arranged to have a main course of Lasagna was not lost on me. I believe it was twenty-four years ago that I attended a similar chapter meeting with SWGP John Donnell and we had a wonderful meal. California Epsilon has a long and proud history in Phi Kappa Psi. I wish to compliment the undergraduate chapter and your advisory alumni volunteers for the quality Phi Kappa Psi Family Community chapter programming which include a Mother/Son, Father/Son Phi Psi event exchanges, California Epsilon Alumni Career Night, and the Annual Alumni Induction Ceremony. The fact that California Epsilon has a Chapter Scholarship Fund of over one million dollars and is the largest CSF in our Fraternity is a wonderful testimony to our fraternal mission and the long term future of Phi Kappa Psi at the UCLA Westwood campus. Our Southern California Chapters in San Diego, Orange County and Los Angeles are accomplishing great things and we look forward to California Epsilon to helping lead the way and to a great summer convention. Fraternally, John V. Ciccarelli... S.W.G.P. |
Congratulations Robert Marchesani!
April 30.2004
Dear Brothers, I am very pleased to announce that Phi Kappa Psi Fraternity NIC delegate Robert F. Marchesani Indiana Zeta '94 (Pa Nu '79) has been recently elected to the North-American Interfraternity Conference Board of Directors at the April 24 Meeting of the NIC in Washington DC Representing our Fraternity at the 2004 House of Delegates Meeting with Bob was our very own ''Mr. Phi Psi'' Executive Director Emeritus Ralph D. Daniel Arizona Alpha '47. The election of Brother Marchesani to the NIC Board of Directors is a tremendous honor to himself and our entire Fraternity, as the North-American Interfraternity Conference House of Delegates is made up of representatives of over 64 Men's College Fraternities in North America representing 350,000 members at 800 college campuses. Brother Marchesani has attended over 20 Annual House of Delegate Meetings and is currently serving on the NIC Public Relations Committee responsible to promote many of the new exciting NIC programs and initiatives advanced by NIC President Ed Pease and Executive Vice President Jon Williamson. Bob has been a very strong advocate of the North-American Interfraternity Movement for two decades and his election to the NIC Board of Directors is a wonderful tribute to his personal and collective efforts to support the mission of the NIC '' To Advocate, Promote, and Enhance the Excellence and Effectiveness of the Men's College Fraternity Movement'' in this exciting new era. Brother Marchesani was assigned in this Biennium to chair the Phi Kappa Psi National Philanthropy Initiative in which has created our new strategic long term Phi Psi partnership with the Boys and Girls Clubs of America. The inaugural BGCA community service program is currently enjoying a strong introduction with our undergraduate Chapters and Alumni Associations. Brother Marchesani has been employed by Eli Lilly Pharmaceutical Company in Indianapolis for twenty years and is primarily responsible for new product information introduction. Brother Marchesani follows in the footsteps of past Fraternity SWGPs Harry Gorgas, Phil Cornelius, John Donnell, and Dick Ong who have served with distinction and have represented Phi Kappa Psi in the North-American Intefraternity Conference. Our congratulations to Bob and his family on this wonderful accomplishment. Fraternally, John V. Ciccarelli... 58th President of Phi Kappa Psi |
Arizona Alpha & Arizona Beta Chapter Visits
May 8, 2004
Dear Brothers, Earlier in the week, I had the pleasure to attend the final semester chapter meeting of our Arizona Beta Chapter at Arizona State University. Brother Dud Daniel and I arrived on Tuesday and enjoyed the opportunity with Chapter Advisor Matt LeRoy to tour the beautiful chapter house and landscaped grounds that was renovated six years ago in donation by Brother Jerry Nelson . Later in the evening we participated in a great attendance turnout of the final chapter meeting of the academic year in which the graduating seniors spoke highly of their undergraduate experience in Phi Kappa Psi. It was an emotional evening of high Phi Psi spirit in which the Arizona Chapter has earned many campus awards and is planning to send a good delegation to the summer Grand Arch Council. I wish to thank Brother LeRoy for his outstanding volunteer efforts in assisting the chapter which is committed to a very successful year ahead. Following the next day on Cinco De Mayo I drove to Tucson Arizona to visit our Arizona Alpha Chapter at the University of Arizona in which I joined Chapter Advisor Joel Davis Arizona Alpha '85 and the outgoing and incoming Chapter G.P's for dinner. Afterwards we attending an enjoyable reception with the Arizona Alpha Brothers at their newly acquired and beautiful chapter house that is 100 years old and in excellent condition. Past National Fraternity Secretary Phil Davidson Arizona Alpha '59 had lived in the same house as an undergrad when it was formerly occupied by the Chapter. I enjoyed the special opportunity to speak to the Brothers as our Arizona Alpha Chapter continues to make great progress and now has over fifty members. It was originally 30 years earlier that I had come to Tucson upon return of my first Executive Council Meeting in Denver at the Brown Palace Hotel as the District Six Archon and in which our current Attorney General Richard Nelson then Archon of District Five also attended. I flew from that meeting in Denver and visited the Arizona Alpha colony members who were in the process of re-chartering and included colony members Richard Christ Arizona Alpha ''77 and former Chapter Consultant Steven Fowler Arizona Alpha '77. I joined Brother Fowler in the evening as we reminisced about our undergraduate days. I wish to express my appreciation to Arizona Alpha Chapter Advisor Joel Davis who is doing an outstanding job and who earlier in the year accepted the Hyparchos Director position for the state of Arizona. In February of this year, Brother Davis assisted the Tucson Alumni Association that hosted a special reception at the Pima World War 2 Vintage Air Museum in honor of our Phi Kappa Psi ''Tribute to America's Greatest Generation'' My thanks to the Brothers of Arizona Alpha and Arizona Beta for their warm hospitality and in the special recognition of our Phi Psi volunteers who help served them. Fraternally, John V. Ciccarelli... 58th President of Phi Kappa Psi |
2005 Founders Day Theme
May 17, 2004
Dear Brothers, The upcoming 2004 Summer Issue of The Shield will feature a great article on our recent nationwide 2004 Founders Day Observances and inaugural theme undertaking which was based upon the success of the 2002- 2003 Sesquicentennial Celebration. Our 2004 theme '' Tribute to America's Greatest Generation'' has received many compliments in which we experienced a huge spike in Founders Day attendance and in the quality and creativity of Phi Kappa Psi Alumni Associations Observances. Among these included the Washington D.C. Alumni Association Arlington National Cemetery Blessing, Beloit Wisconsin AA ''USO Canteen Show'' , and Tucson AA Pima Vintage World War 2 Air Museum reception. Our Founders Day theme for 2004 was announced at the 2003 summer WWLS in Ames Iowa which allowed many undergraduate chapters and area alumni groups adequate time to organize plans and dates early enough to meet an early Fall Shield submission deadline that would in effect be in the hands of our member readership at the end of the year in time to publicize the February dates.... We have already received many great theme suggestions for the 2005 Founders Day nationwide observances and plan to utilize the summer 2004 San Diego Grand Arch Council and our large ''captive'' undergraduate and alumni Phi Psi audience to announce and maximize a selected theme to initiate good planning and encourage Speakers Bureau keynote participant schedules. The Executive Council will review an Ad Interim Motion in early June that will include a summary of submitted theme suggestions in which we openly encourage your ideals and suggestions. Please forward your recommendations to Director of Alumni Services Mark Solomon ( mos@Phi Kappa Psi.com) and Director of Alumni Associations Tryon Hubbard (John@jehubbard.com) by May 25, 2004 We look forward to receiving your suggestions! Fraternally, Chic... |
72nd Grand Arch Council Letter
June 1, 2004
Dear Brothers and Friends of Phi Kappa Psi , Over the past twenty-three months, I have had the sincere privilege and genuine pleasure to serve as the S.W.G.P. of the Phi Kappa Psi Fraternity. It has been a truly an exhilarating and unique experience in which has allowed me the special opportunity to visit over fifty of our nationwide chapters and speak to many of our undergraduate members and our dedicated local alumni volunteers. I am pleased to share that all across the country and everywhere I encountered, Phi Kappa Psi is truly experiencing a reawakening based upon our ''recommitment '' to our founding core values. To paraphrase my predecessor Steven Nieslawski two years ago ''We have re-found ourselves.'' The first Biennium following our 2002 Sesquicentennial Celebration has been marked in record organization growth and in the strong collective spirit to forging new partnerships with our important publics. We have listened and responded to your comments. The entire Executive Council Elected & Appointed Officers, Permanent Fund and Endowment Foundation Trustees, and our nationwide family of local dedicated alumni volunteers that comprise the entire fraternity leadership team have worked together to further revitalize Phi Kappa Psi and help prepare our Fraternity for the challenges and opportunities that we will face in the 21st Century. I wish to especially thank Executive Director Shawn Collinsworth and our professional staff in their strong dedication and hard work. The 2002-2004 Phi Kappa Psi Biennial Plan has created and/or introduced the following new fraternity programs and initiatives to address an ambitious agenda for the future, in the development of the Phi Kappa Psi Project 2025 Housing Initiative, New Volunteer Advisor Orientation, Men of Excellence Values Based Curriculum, Hyparchos Area Coordinator Network, Dab Williams Alumni College, 2004 Phi Kappa Psi Grand Catalogue, Permanent Fund Resolution, Phi Psi Web Portal, Sesquicentennial History Book Project, New Alumni Association Accreditation, Boys & Girls Club of America Community Service Partnership, Strategic Assessment Review, Headquarters Speakers Bureau and Theme Founders Day Celebrations. I am also very proud to share that Phi Kappa Psi enjoys the distinction of having the largest average chapter size of 45 in the North American Inter-fraternity Conference. Our census has topped four thousand student members for the first time in two decades. We will have chartered a record five new chapters and initiated the building process of four additional new colonies in this exciting period of growth bringing our total chapter roster to the approximate level of one hundred groups and in the stated strategic goal of establishing an additional twenty-five more chapters in a decade. I am also pleased to announce the creation of eight new metropolitan and regional Phi Psi Alumni Associations and in the revitalization and planned development of many more in the near future. The 2004 Grand Arch Council in San Diego will be represented by over 40 Accredited Alumni Associations up from 20 groups recorded two years ago. We have invested heavily in our future in the form of new Phi Psi member services, communication forums and resource support programs. Our emphasis in values based student leadership development, alumnus advisory training, scholastic excellence, new alumni association programming, physical plant upgrade and in the enhanced priority of philanthropic and community service endeavor is defining our organizational path. In 2003, Phi Kappa Psi announced its stated Project 2025 goal to create the most attractive, competitive and safe fraternity housing on our nation's college campuses which includes the feasibility of the Phi Kappa Psi National House Corporation on the drawing board. In 2004, our fraternal organization entered a long term strategic service partnership with the Boys and Girls Clubs of America in which to further elevate our Phi Psi commitment to the ''Great Joy of Serving Others'' as ''Men of Excellence'' in Phi Kappa Psi. I am deeply thankful and will be forever inspired by the level of dedication and loyalty that exists in our beloved Fraternity. I wish to take this opportunity to thank you for the privilege in serving in this role and in the lifetime of memories that it has provided. I am looking forward to the future and in my personal goal to help facilitate the return of my own California Theta Chapter and in the active participation of the Phi Kappa Psi Speakers Bureau Outreach Program. I invite you to attend the upcoming 72nd Grand Arch Council in San Diego as we are expecting a very strong attendance at this summer's convention and will join together to share in some exciting new announcements and by marked accomplishments. Let us enjoy our success and be ever reminded of each of our individual responsibility to insure that Phi Kappa Psi will live and flourish in what will be indeed be a very bright and vibrant future. I am proud to be a Phi Psi! Fraternally yours, Chic... John V. Ciccarelli California Theta '72 58th President of Phi Kappa Psi |
Grand Arch Council - San Diego California
June 2, 2004
Dear Brothers, I just returned home from a quick one and half day turnaround trip to Heritage Hall in Indianapolis in which I had the opportunity to discuss the upcoming Grand Arch Council plans with Executive Director Shawn Collinsworth. I also joined with him, Brother Mike McCoy , Mystagogue Kent Owen and his wife Suzi in a ''thank you'' luncheon for the hard working men and women of the Phi Kappa Psi Fraternity Professional Headquarters Staff. I wish to express my very deep appreciation to all of these wonderful people for their immense dedication and for the tremendous job they performed on a daily basis. Special congratulations to our Director of Chapter Services Chad Stegemiller and his lovely fiancee Anna who will be getting married on this Saturday. Also we extend congratulations to Brother Ben Nicol who has finished his tour of duty as an Educational Leadership Consultant and will be working with Endowment Fund Director of Development Tom Pennington at the newly located Phi Kappa Psi Fraternity Endowment Fund Office in downtown Indianapolis Monument Circle. Excitement is building as the upcoming 72nd San Diego Grand Arch Council is taking great shape. We have an exciting program being planned as the July 7-11, 2004 Convention will witness the first ever Phi Kappa Psi Fraternity official Chapter Chartering Ceremony with the installation of New York Kappa of SUNY Oneanta. The Grand Arch Council Program includes a special undergraduate summer Padre Baseball Night as well as an Alumni Reception San Diego Harbor Cruise. On Saturday, July 10, 2004 , will mark our Grand Arch Council Memorial which will be observed and fall on the exact One-Hundredth Anniversary of the passing of Phi Kappa Psi Fraternity Cofounder Charles Page Thomas Moore. In addition to the presentation of a Biennial and GAC record of five new chapters and eight new alumni associations, I am also pleased to announce that two outstanding chapters will be receiving the inaugural ''Men Of Excellence'' Recognition Banners. We are also pleased to announce the first ever hosted Phi Kappa Psi Alumni Association and Hyparchos Alumni Affairs Network Breakfast in recognition of a record of forty accredited Phi Psi Alumni Associations attending the San Diego Grand Arch Council from the previous level of twenty. In addition to an anticipated large induction into the Ancient Order of The SC, the Grand Arch Council Ladies Committee is hard at work to make this the most fun filled family vacation convention for the wives, children and Phi Psi guests. The next GAC registration date of June 15, 2004 is fast approaching so please make your reservations if you have not already done so and contact our Headquarters Staff if you have any questions or need assistance. Looking forward to a great Grand Arch Council! Fraternally, John V.Ciccarelli... S.W.G.P. |
Sesquicentennial History Book Project
June 7, 2004
Dear Brothers, I wanted to take this opportunity to provide a full status update of our Phi Kappa Psi History Book Project and of the future work plan being undertaken to finish the Sesquicentennial Edition representing our last five decades. In November 2002, Brother Shawn Collinsworth and I met with Brothers Kent Owen, Mike McCoy, Bob Marchesani, Phil Davidson and John Mead at Heritage Hall in Indianapolis to discuss history book ideals and agreed to pursue a Harry Gorgas -J Duncan Campbell ''Biennial Chapter'' historical treatment for our latest fifty year installment as exercised in the prior 1952 Centennial History Edition. Sesqui History Book Chairman Hal Dick and a group of Phi Psi volunteers had spent the preceding Biennium writing resource materials that have since been incorporated into the current biennial chapter history book template. From that original Indianapolis planning meeting, History Book Project Senior Editors Haldon Dick and Kent Christopher Owen agreed to provide project and editorial consulting assistance under the supervision of Project Manager Executive Director Shawn Collinsworth. I would like to now take this opportunity to especially thank Shawn, Kent and Hal and recognize the very hard work in these past eighteen months of Sequi History Book Section Chapter Writers - Brothers Mike McCoy, Rev. David McDonald, Phil Davidson, Steven Nieslawski, and Terry Harper who have each literally donated hundreds of hours in exhaustive research and submitted writings based upon the historical reference resources offered in past issues of The Shield, Executive Council Meeting Minutes, and Grand Arch Council text proceedings etc. I wish to also thank our Director of Scholarship Brother Rico Hernandez who has agreed to finish one vacant writing assignment and is busy at work. Last week I flew into Indianapolis and Heritage Hall to meet with Brother Kent Owen and spoke to Hal Dick by phone in which we were joined by Deputy Attorney General John Mead (Former Ast Editor of The Shield ), Mike McCoy and Suzi Owen along with History Book Project Manager Shawn Collinsworth and Director of Publications Ted Jones to review project progress of an estimated 800 to 1000 page preliminary draft. At this juncture...we are now nearing the full completion of the entire 25 chapter preliminary text draft as provided by our cadre of dedicated volunteer writers. The project will now immediately fall under the full supervision of Executive Director Shawn Collinsworth and assigned staff who will be responsible for overseeing the final stages of the History Book Project in consultation with Senior Editors Hal Dick and Kent Owen and a forthcoming book distribution scheduled in next Biennium. We have already solicited publishing bids and have allocated funds in the next General Fraternity Fiscal Budget to help fund the publication project in which will finally provide our Fraternity with have a competent historical account of the last 25 Biennium's that begins with our Phi Kappa Psi Centennial Celebration and culminates with the closing ceremonies of the Phi Kappa Psi Sesquicentennial Celebration and dedication of the Phi Kappa Psi Bicentennial Time Capsule and segway to a future fourth history edition. The Fraternity will be undertaking an advanced pre order of the Sesquicentennial Edition of The History of Phi Kappa Psi at a point in the future that will correspond with its approximate distribution. This has been an incredible undertaking and I wish to recognize and especially express my deep appreciation to the aforementioned Brothers who have given so much of their time and talent to help bring this ambitious undertaking to closer reality. Fraternally, John V.Ciccarelli... 58th President of Phi Kappa Psi |
A Conversation with J. Duncan Campbell (Pennsylvania Epsilon '34)
June 21, 2004
Dear Brothers, I enjoyed a very special Father's Day yesterday in which after having a family breakfast with my parents, wife and children we spent the afternoon in Pasadena, California shopping and sightseeing. Later in the evening, I placed a call to Brother J. Duncan Campbell, Pennsylvania '34 Gettysburg College to wish him a special Phi Psi Father's Day whose son and grandson are Phi Psi legacies at Cornell University and who together attended the Sesquicentennial Grand Arch Council in 2002.. Brother Campbell's wife Margaret had recently passed away this past March and for purposes of our Sesquicentennial Edition of our future forthcoming History Book , I had wanted to interview him for historical inclusion as he was one of the two living authors along with Brother Harry Gorgas of the preceding ''Centennial '' issue published fifty-two years ago. We had a wonderful and insightful conversation in which I had a hard time ''keeping up'' with Brother Campbell and a marvelous memory, as he recited by the month and year particular facts of Phi Psi interest including the background of the project undertaking of the Centennial History Book. It had been just a few years earlier as an undergrade that he had been asked by Fraternity Secretary Dab Williams to undertake a Phi Psi history research project at Virginia Alpha and Virginia Beta that precluded him being asked to help co- author the Centennial History of Phi Kappa Psi. In our exchange I had asked him for a few quotes in which he made mention of his own Phi Psi undergraduate experience at Gettysburg College in the 1930's in which he shared the salient testimonial '' Where else than in Phi Kappa Psi could a motherless seventeen year old learn to become a man'' ''It was in Phi Psi that my philosophies and all my values in life were formed'' ..... We talked about the direction of the fraternity movement today and Brother Campbell made the noted point '' Our greatest critics of the concept of ''fraternity'' are made by those who know the least about us''.......''Every father wants what is best for his children.....Why in fact are there so many Phi Psi legacies today including sons, grandsons, nephews if the purpose wasn't important, as the valuable Phi Psi experience has demonstrated repeadetly to help build men.'' Brother Campbell made mention that at eighty-eight years of age he has just finished in collaboration with fellow Phi Psi Mike J. O'Donnell a new book to be released later this summer "American Military Headgear and Insignia" that followed a release ten years ago by the same authors ''American Military Beltplates''. My conversation with Brother Campbell was the perfect way to finish a great Father's Day in which I look forward to submitting this interview to Brother Collinsworth in the planned completion of our Sesquicentennial History Book. Fraternally, John V.Ciccarelli... S.W.G.P. |
California Delta House Rennovation- Congratulations John Henebry!
June 28, 2004
Dear Brothers, Earlier this evening I had the pleasure to take a short drive to the USC Greek Row in Los Angeles to join Brother John Henebry California Delta '85 and take a tour of the California Delta Chapter House currently in the finishing stages of a complete physical plant renovation. John and I had the opportunity to walk among the open corridors and expanded dining area as well as see the additional improvements to one of the nicest chapter rooms in Phi Kappa Psi. I was very impressed in the quality of the major upgrade of the fifty-four year old structure that will total a one and half million dollars and related capital campaign that addresses important life safety issues i.e. fire sprinkler protection, house security and creating a fraternity chapter living environment that encourages individual study as well as creative common area interaction among residents and invited guests. California Delta has a very strong dedicated alumni base which includes the generous loyal campaign support of Brother Bruce McMahan Cal Delta '57 . The Chapter House Corporation and has done a first rate job in organizing their capital campaign in which Chapter alumnus Karl Bresenski has been responsible to oversee and lead the very successful fundraising effort. I wish to thank Brother Henebry who is a past president of the Cal Delta House Corporation and has been a tremendous stawlart over these many years for California Delta and for his most recent volunteer service as a member of the newly established Phi Kappa Psi Project 2025 National Housing Steering Committee. John has been recently asked to serve as the Chairman of the new separate entity American Leadership Academy created by interested Phi Psis to help provide and facilitate valuable life skill learning sessions held in Cabo San Lucas. I am excited to hear of his view of how it will be further developed as a continual benefit to its many undergraduate and alumni participants. Our congratulations to Brother Henebry and the Brothers of California Delta ! Fraternally, Chic... |
Grand Arch Council Ladies Program & President's Alumni Reception
July 1, 2004
Dear Brothers, I wanted to take this quick opportunity to provide information and a preliminary schedule of the Grand Arch Council Ladies Program & President's Alumni Reception, and would ask if you would share the information with your spouses. I am very happy to make mention that we have a very large attendance for the San Diego Grand Arch Council and with over 50 spouses registered. We will kick off the Grand Arch Council on Wednesday afternoon July 7th with a President's Alumni Reception San Diego Harbor Cruise at 5 p.m. Phi Psi alumni and guests will board buses in front of the hotel's main lobby at 4:30 p.m. and will return to the hotel after the event is over. Each morning of the Grand Arch Council, the GAC Ladies Program will host a Continental Breakfast for the registered spouses and guests in the Grant Grill Hotel Lounge. Our schedule for the continental breakfast will be from 7:30 a.m. to 12 noon on Thursday, July 8, and from 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. on Friday, July 9 and Saturday, July 10. The continental breakfast and daily information orientation will allow the opportunity in which the various guests and families can make individual and group plans amongst close friends and new acquittances to sight see and visit the local attractions. I would like to especially extend this opportunity to invite all Phi Psi spouses and family members including children to join and view the Opening Ceremony and Processional March of 72nd Grand Arch Council that will take place on Thursday, July 8, 2004, in the Grand Ballroom from 8:00 a.m. to 8 :45 a.m. in which there will be available seating in the alumni gallery area. Immediately following the July 8 Grand Arch Council Opening Ceremony, the GAC Ladies Committee Program will begin in the Grant Grill Hotel Lounge in which to enjoy breakfast and a special program presented by Brother Paul Wineman . In addition, we are in the process of securing discount coupons for many of the San Diego area attractions to distribute at the daily morning sessions and I would mention that Automobile Club Card offers the best affinity theme park discount program. We are looking forward to seeing many of you and your families in our growing ''Phi Psi Family Community'' in San Diego next week. Travel safe and Happy Fourth of July! Fraternally, John V.Ciccarelli... S.W.G.P. |
On to San Diego!
July 2, 2004
Dear Brothers, I wanted to take this opportunity to send this email on the eve of the 72nd Grand Arch Council in San Diego to bring you up to date on some final items of business and to thank all of you for your hard work and volunteer service to our beloved Fraternity. It has been a very busy period in these last few weeks and the excitement is building as our anticipated registration for the 72nd San Diego Grand Arch Council is nearing an incredible 600 undergraduate, alumni and members of the Phi Psi Family Community......On the same note....I heard yesterday from our Director of Alumni Associations Tryon Hubbard that we will have over 100 Phi Psi Brothers as members of nationwide Phi Psi Alumni Associations attending our inaugural Grand Arch Council Alumni Association-Hyparchos Director Breakfast on Saturday morning July 10 . We are also very pleased that our Ladies and Guest Program has a record group of participants...... In the past month your Executive Council and Professional Headquarters Staff have been busy at work .....To give you a quick summary .....The Executive Council has approved by Ad Interim Motion in the creation of a new Phi Psi Award named the ''Dr Gordon S. Letterman 'Men's Health Awareness Award '' named in honor of Brother Gordon S. Letterman, Missouri Alpha '38, our Surgeon General Emeritus and the grandson of Founder William Henry Letterman . The new award will be presented annually to chapters promoting health awareness among its membership starting at the 2005 WWLS. The Executive Council is also currently reviewing an Ethics Policy for consideration and for an application in its internal Executive Council Bylaws and Official Guide. Plans are also being made for the first chartering of a new Chapter at a Grand Arch Council with the Installation of New York Kappa-SUNY Oneanta in which twenty-four outstanding colony members will be traveling from all points in the country to be present for the great event. On the housekeeping front.....I wish to especially thank the Brothers of Oklahoma Alpha and its tremendous chapter advisory leadership led by the Chapter Advisory members Carlos Elwell and Richard Bower who in the past twelve months raised $37,000 to erase the past aged chapter receivable debt amassed over a few years to have a zero balance and have its full voting rights for the Grand Arch Council.....Carlos and Richard deserve the Phi Psi Congressional Medal of Honor and represent the many unsung heroes of this great fraternity who work hard behind the scenes to support our local groups. In addition and for your information, Phi Kappa Psi had conducted a Strategic Assessment Exchange among our related Phi Psi organ entities earlier this yearin March which has already helped to prioritize many of our existing and the newly established programs of the 2002-2004 Biennium in the immediate and long term future. One of our discussion items related to the value of increase communication among our entire Phi Psi Leadership Team that includes our Professional Staffs, General Fraternity Permanent Fund and Endowment Fund Educational Foundation. I have requested as President of the Phi Kappa Psi Fraternity that we utilize a discussion exchange to share various strategies amongst our related boards and in our prescribed roles to help keep Phi Kappa Psi moving forward. This is presently done as prescribed in our Constitution in which our Council Vice President and Treasurer act as liaisons with our Endowment Fund and Permanent Fund entities and in other additional formats.As an example in the last Biennium, our Executive Board met with our Educational Foundation Board of Trustees at the Chicago home of Trustee Don Fites and we had a productive exchange. I enjoyed the opportunity to meet with Foundation Chairman Wayne Wilson in Detroit last year and with Permanent FundTrustees John Donnell, Fred Clay and Tom Rogers in Chicago in our annual meetings with the Harris Bank Trust. Our next leadership exchange session scheduled this fall will include representatives of all of our entities in which to share planning information. I wish to thank Foundation Trustee Bruce McMahan who has offered and will be providing his beautiful home in Fisher Island Florida for this exchange forum as we look forward to a very productive session. I wish to take this opportunity to thank each of you who serve as our Elected and Appointed Officers, Trustees, Staff Members, Hyparchos Directors, Alumni Association Presidents, Chapter Advisors, Faculty Advisors, and as members of the Loyal Order of The S.C for the human contribution that each of you make to help Phi Kappa Psi grow and succeed. We have much to be proud in Phi Kappa Psi and I have no doubt that our fraternity's best days lie ahead.... I am looking forward to seeing many of you in San Diego next week as we work together now and in the future and live up to the Phi Psi motto....''We Live and We Flourish" May God Bless the Phi Kappa Psi Fraternity and each and every one of you. Happy Fourth of July! Fraternally, John V. Ciccarelli... 58th President of Phi Kappa Psi |
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