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Kansan.com > News Monday, October 04, 2004
Published Monday, October 04, 2004
Campus men get calendar
Delta Gamma hopes to raise money with philanthropy venture
By Ross Fitch
Kansan staff writer
Wayne Sclesky, from Kansas City, photographs a few of the Men of Destinction from left, Scott Shorten, Stillwell junior, Justin Arnett, Dallas TX junior, Jason Simon, Andal senior, and Mark Lyda, Denver Colo. senior beside the Campanile. The Delta Gamma sorority has selected the men who will be featured in their Men of Distinction Calendar which will contain men who have greatly contributed to the University of Kansas. (Steven Bartkoski/KANSAN)
More than 30 men struck a pose for the camera last week for the University of Kansas’ first all-male calendar.
The Delta Gamma sorority selected 37 men to grace its “Men of KU” calendar. The men will be spread over 12 months for sure, with a possible 13th month being added, said Jaimie Johnson, Lincoln, Neb., junior, and vice president for Foundation at Delta Gamma. The variety of the men selected range from fraternity members, students strongly involved in organizations and a few athletes, she said.
The applicants included those involved in music, engineering, business finance and athletics, specifically those on the track and field, baseball and football teams.
“It was definitely worth it,” Johnson said. “All the hard work so far has paid off. It’s good just knowing they are being honored for their community involvement.”
The members of Delta Gamma don’t have a goal dollar amount for the calendar because they don’t have anything to base their project off of, said Johnson. The calendars will sell for $8 each.
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Some of the men chosen for the calendar said they were looking forward to being recognized, but felt nervous about the reaction from some of their friends for posing for a calendar.
“I’m pretty excited about it, but I’m a little weary of the Zoolander comments that are to come,” said Scott Shorten, Stilwell junior.
Shorten said he was sure he would receive jokes about being a model from his friends. He also said the calendar was a good idea because it brought attention to men who are busy and heavily involved with many areas of service and academics.
“People might not know how hard we work and the depth and variety of the things we are involved with,” Shorten said.
Though they fulfilled all of the requirements, some of the men said they were still surprised when they got selected.
Brian Bizjack filled out an application, but did not expect to actually get selected. He said he thought people might see him in a different light now. Bizjack’s achievements include being involved with Jaywalk, the National Society of Collegiate Scholars and the Student Union Activities’ Live Music Committee.
“Hopefully, a lot more people will realize I’m talented,” said the Tulsa, Okla., sophomore.
Going into the photo shoot was a little nerve-racking, Bizjack said, but he felt relieved when he discovered he wouldn’t be wearing a Speedo.
Being on the calendar was not so much a culmination of achievements, but rather another achievement they could be proud of, some of the men said.
“It’s critical,” Jason Simon, Andale senior, said. “Nine out of 10 people work in programs that need positive reinforcement.”
The more you recognize students for their successes, the more you can push them to work more and give more back to the University, he said. He also said he liked the idea of contributing to a good cause.
“I really hope Delta Gamma gets a lot of money for their philanthropy,” Simon said.
Johnson said the applicants who were not chosen were sent a letter in the mail thanking them for their interest in the calendar and in Delta Gamma’s philanthropy, Site Conservation and Aid to the Blind.
“We had a great application pool, which caused us to be selective in our choices,” Johnson said. “We are very impressed with applicants’ involvement at KU and in the Lawrence community and their strong academic records.”
Pursuing another men’s calendar next year would depend on the success of this year’s calendar, she said, but the experience was worth making another calendar.
“It’s something we truly hope to continue,” she said.
The calendars will be sold from Monday, Nov. 1, through Thursday, Nov. 4, at Wescoe Beach. People can also buy calendars at the Delta Gamma house, 1015 Emery Road.
— Edited by Ryan Greene
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