etters

Kappa Delta Celebrates a Successful Recruitment Weekend!

Volume 4Issue 1September 2012

UIFI

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letters.isu@gmail.com

@ISUGreek

Greek Community -­Iowa State University

Ashleigh Belin Pi Beta PhiMary-­Kate Burkert Alpha Delta PiAlyssa Czapla Pi Beta PhiAbby Ehrler Sigma KappaJana Horstman Gamma Phi BetaMelissa Gofforth Delta Delta DeltaJackie Howell Kappa DeltaJamie Lauten Gamma Phi BetaChris Lightfoot Sigma Phi EpsilonMichael Mulvihill Alpha Tau OmegaChelsey Rouse Gamma Phi BetaKristine Roush Pi Beta PhiAmelia Thorne Kappa Alpha Theta

CPC VP of Marketing Megan McDonagh and

CPC VP of Communications Sara Schlueter

IFC VP of CommunicationsCaleb Evers and

IFC VP of Marketing

As Greek students at Iowa State, we come across many issues, internally and externally, facing our organizations on a daily basis. These may include stereotypes or members not living up to the organizations’ values. Fraternity men and sorority women from around the nation are given the opportunity to enhance and explore

in Bloomington, Indiana, the Undergraduate Interfraternity Institute (UIFI). They work together to confront these issues and create “blueprints to success,” or positive action plans, to solve these issues. This year, Ben Freese of Delta Tau Delta, Zach Mlcoch of Sigma Alpha Epsilon and Nate Bucsko of Theta Chi all attended the institute.

Through his experience, Freese realized it isn’t always easy to confront issues or problems within the Greek Community and each individual chapter.

“Throughout UIFI, you are forced to step out of your comfort zone,” said Freese. “Our facilitators kept telling us, ‘Trust the process,’ and once we were able to do this, we grew incredibly close.”

UIFI helped Freese establish connections to other Greeks across the nation who he knows will be willing to share advice with him as needed.

“These people have already been a huge help to me in my journey to improve my chapter and community as a whole,” he said.

Because of his rewarding experience, Freese encourages all up-­and-­coming Greek leaders to consider attending UIFI in the future.

attended the institute last year as a participant and enjoyed the experience so much he continues to be involved with the program.

“I have gained a perspective that I never would have gotten if I stayed here at ISU

I was proud, and now I am ready to lead the change.”

used his experiences and knowledge gained from UIFI to help enhance recruitment for his chapter. He was also driven to run for the Interfraternity Council, of which he now holds position of Vice President of Marketing.

“Nothing has changed my life to the extent that UIFI has.”

BY SAM STONEHOCKER

Ben Freese with UIFI Participants

BY MELISSA GOFFORTH

This year, 657 women went through the

After a long week of communicating what the Panhellenic community has to offer, 493 women were welcomed into the Greek Community.

Working together the Vice President’s of

Council spent all summer preparing for this one week. The recruitment team, which is comprised of the Panhellenic President, Vice President of Judicial Affairs, Vice President

Counselors and Vice President of Membership Development assisted with recruitment and spirit week.

“My favorite part of recruitment was all the

worked so hard to prepare for the week and everything went well.”

all chapters this year. Each chapter was able to reach the recruitment quota of 40 new members with some chapters offering a few extra bids to women. After such

Collegiate Panhellenic Council voted to increase the panhellenic chapter total to 115 women from 99.

Part of Recruitment Exec Under the Campanile

!e Rho Gammas Prepare to Welcome Potential Members to the Greek Community

!e Vice Presidents of Recruitment Sam Stonehocker and Katie Henry A"er Rho Gamma Reveal

BY ALYSSA CZAPLAEach fall, the National Pan-­Hellenic Council (NPHC) and Multicultural Greek Council (MGC) host Meet the Greeks, an opportunity allowing students to learn about chapters within these councils. This year, all seven NPHC chapters attended Meet the Greeks as well as three MGC chapters.

“Coming to an event like [Meet the Greeks] is a great opportunity to come meet the chapters here on campus and learn about

said Jordin Parker, the Vice President of Delta Sigma Theta and the President of NPHC at Iowa State.

Welcoming Everyone into Meet the Greeks

!e New Dean of Students, Dr. Pamela Anthony, Speaks at Meet the Greeks About Her Positive Experience with Greek Life

NPHC on the Iowa State campus is comprised of seven Greek lettered African American fraternities and sororities, while

are all cultural interest based chapters.

chapters differ from Panhellenic Formal

from the informal recruitment used by IFC fraternities. Each intake process for these chapters is different;; some

well as an established Iowa State GPA.

will occur in either fall or spring, and occasionally during both.

On August 23, the Greek Community celebrated its annual Watermelon Fest as students gathered around the Greek Triangle for watermelon, barbeque and to meet fellow Greeks.

a band of Delta Tau Delta brothers jammed for all in attendance.

“This event allows new members to see the Greek Community together

year and to meet new members from other Greek letter organizations,” said David Moore, a sophomore on the Emerging Greek Leadership Council (EGLC).

The event was hosted by EGLC, with

their donations and the students that came out to support the event.

By CALEB EVERS AND MEGAN MCDONAGH

On August 24th, NPHC and MGC showcased their organizations through their annual Yard Show. Traditionally, yard shows occur at different campuses to show the current chapters that are on the ‘yard’, meaning which chapters are active at the school. It is a time for all organizations to come together to not only have fun but also show potential new members what their organizations are about through their strolls, step, or salutes. Sororities and fraternities perform in the order of the year they were founded. The Yard Show is a form of entertainment for the community but also a time for MGC and NPHC to show pride in their chapters.

By ABBY EHRLER

After 6 years, the Tau Sigma chapter of Beta Theta Pi at Iowa State received their charter during the 173rd General Convention of Beta Theta Pi in Chicago. The chapter has been at Iowa State since 1905, but closed in 2005. In the fall of 2006, the chapter recolonized at Iowa State and began the long, rigorous process of receiving its charter.

to this status,” said Sean Hickey, a sophomore in Beta Theta Pi. Before petitioning for a charter, Beta Theta Pi had to be reestablished as a colony. This required approval from the Board of Trustees and an authorization at their General Convention to achieve full colony status.

Once established as a colony, the men of Beta Theta Pi could then petition for their charter. The procedure of receiving a charter is different for each organization, but to receive one for Beta Theta Pi, it was requires recommendations by two of the three nearest chapters on campus.

A petition has to be reviewed by a Board of Trustees, and after a majority of the members vote in favor, the petition was then taken to the next General Convention.

Finally, the chapter was granted their charter after three-­fourths of the Beta Theta Pi chapters represented voted in favor of the charter.

“This is really good for us because it takes away the question of how we are going to stay around,” said sophomore

because now the traditions and legacies of Beta Theta Pi are sure to carry on at Iowa State.”

This fall the Gamma Pi chapter of Delta Tau Delta celebrated their 100th anniversary with an alumni dinner on September 14. Two hundred

celebrate the fraternity.

The Gamma Pi chapter of Delta Tau Delta was

as the Omega chapter in 1875. In 1891, President Beardshear banned Greek organizations from Iowa State forcing Delta Tau Delta to close its doors. After the ban was lifted, Delta Tau Delta reopened their doors as the Gamma Pi chapter.

“Technically, 2012 marks the 101st year of our chapter, but we are celebrating it as the successful completion of 100 consecutive years as the Gamma Pi chapter,” said Gregory Vose, Alumni Chair for the chapter. At the dinner, the International President of

the event to show support and congratulate the chapter on its accomplishments.

“Gamma Pi has been an exceptional chapter for many years, and has a very bright

members. Eight out of the last nine years

Gamma Pi has earned a spot in the top ten Delta Tau Delta chapters in the nation.

“We have aspired to something different than others on campus and have aligned to our values, standards and practices,” said Michael

Pi. With 100 years of history on the Iowa State campus, the chapter has left their mark on the university and the Greek Community

“We have historically been known for our strong academics, and I am proud to be a part of this

member of the 1956 pledge class.

“The Gamma Pi chapter of Delta Tau Delta is indeed a unique group of men,” said Chapter President Joseph Langner. “As a chapter at Iowa State we pride ourselves in producing leaders to represent our university in as many different lights as possible.”

A 100th anniversary marks a big accomplishment in any fraternal organization, and the Delta Tau Delta chapter has much to be proud of as they continue their impressive legacyat Iowa State.

“We have aspired to something different than others on campus and have aligned to our values, standards and practices.” -­Michael Kupustka the Chapter Advisor for the ISU

Delta Tau Delta chapter.r

By SARA SCHUELTER

!e Kappa Delta leadership development consultants MacKenzie Van Dam (le") and Hillary Yetter (right)

“This weekend showed me what true sisterhood was since we had our Missouri KD sisters and the national team come here to help us out.” -­Carly McKinney, Junior

“I am most excited for the connections in Kappa philanthropies

concluded their recruitment weekend on September 23. Their Bid Day celebration was booming with 80 new members eager to make a lasting impact on the national organization.

With the help of two leadership consultants, Hillary Yetter and Mackenzie Van Dam,

National Leadership Team and a member of the sorority’s National Council, the Sigma Sigma chapter gained, “women who

women have been sharing for more than 100 years,” Yetter said.

In order to prepare for the sorority’s fall recruitment, the leadership consultants went through extensive training and became involved with all aspects of the Greek community.

“Mackenzie and I were very excited when we were told of the opportunity to rebuild

Deltas’ Sigma Sigma chapter. So, at training in June we jumped at the chance to be in residence at Iowa State University throughout the fall and spring semesters,” Yetter said.

The duo shadowed several chapters during

their fall recruitment at Destination Iowa State and ClubFest. To gain a better understanding of Iowa State’s Greek life, the leadership consultants attended Collegiate Panhellenic Council’s weekly meetings.

“I am most excited for the I will make Delta and the

philanthropies that are

week of classes, [the leadership consultants] set up coffee dates with potential members to meet women, talk

Delta, and sign them up for the weekend.

We utilized Gabby Greek to spread that

The sorority conducted their fall recruitment in

one included both open house and house tour. On day two, philanthropy and in depth information was covered, and both preference

successful recruitment weekend, but Iowa State’s entire Greek community is ready to welcome the new members.

“We are so grateful for the abundance of support coming from Iowa State and the Greek community,” Van Dam and Yetter, said. “It is so humbling to see the unity and camaraderie of the Panhellenic chapters. We are excited to collaborate and work with different chapters and integrate our newest members into this fabulous Greek family.”

By MARY KATE BURKERT

“I knew this reorganization would be a success because of the caliber of the female students attending Iowa State as well as the incredible support from

Panhellenic and IFC communities. We are so excited about Kappa Delta’s incredible new members and believe that a stronger Kappa Delta makes a stronger Greek Community at Iowa State.”-­Alison Argensinger, National Vice

President of Membership for Kappa Delta

New Kappa Delta members throw the KD sign on bid day!

!e National Kappa Delta Headquarter team in charge of the recolonization process.

David Stollman, co-­founder of

speaker at Live Greek 365, an event hosted by the Emerging Greek Leadership Council for new members of the Greek Community. His interactive presentation, “Buy In or Get Out”, encouraged members to step up and lead with integrity. He confronted the issue of stereotypes and shared some tips for creating a positive Greek image on Iowa State’s campus.

Stollman called for the audience to name the stereotypes for both fraternity men and sorority women – some garnering a laugh, but most creating silence. . “I don’t like these stereotypes hung around my neck,” said Stollman, “so stop perpetuating the stereotypes. Break them.”

Stollman’s presentation also suggested that no one should be a bystander. He said, if you see a sister or brother in need, you should confront them – no matter how hard it is.

“The secret to being a good Greek,” said Stollman, “is that sisters and

brothers say what you need to hear. They say the tough things.” Stollman concluded the keynote by saying, “Buy it, don’t rent your letters.

from it for the rest of your life.”

After Stollman’s presentation, Live Greek 365 continued with a break out session led by various leaders in the Greek Community. The break out session offered new members the

presentation and interact with other Greek students and leaders.

By JACKIE HOWELL

By KATIE HENRY

This year marks the 100th anniversary of Iowa State’s Homecoming celebration. Thanks to the hard work of the Student Alumni Leadership Council (SALC) and the Homecoming Central Committee (HCC), the centennial celebration of Homecoming is ex-­pected to be memorable. General Co-­Chairs Alicia Snyder, member of Alpha Gamma Delta, and Morgan Foldes, member of Pi Beta Phi, have been working hard with HCC to plan this year’s Homecoming events.

“We have been working together for a long time on this coming fall’s celebration -­ from selecting out 26 committee members to working with SALC and others in the Ames community to make this year special,” said Snyder. “We meet weekly with our commit-­tee as well as our executive members of SALC in order to have every base covered. We want this to be a seamless event that everyone can enjoy!”

Foldes and Snyder are focusing on bring-­ing all Cyclones, past and present, to Ames for the big ‘Cytennial’ celebration. With the help of the Alumni Association, SALC, and HCC, the centennial celebration will have several fun events such as class reunions, a pep rally, ExCYtement in the Streets, and many more. Foldes and Snyder are bringing their own new ideas while maintaining Iowa State’s traditions.

“We are having a huge Friday night event that we never have had before,” Foldes said. “We are working closely with the Alum-­ni Association to make sure there is avail-­

ability to have reunions for any classes that wish to put one on for their graduating class.”

SALC will be organizing several reunions which in-­

-­

and Centennial Celebration, ExCYtement in the

big football game against Baylor. The 100th cele-­bration of Iowa State’s Homecoming will be one full of memories for Cyclones of all ages to enjoy.

-­ebration, 5-­9 PM

Friday, Oct. 26 -­ ExCYtement in the Streets, 8 PM

Friday, Oct. 26 -­ Pancake Feed, 8 PM

Friday, Oct. 26 -­ Fireworks and Mass Campaniling, Midnight

Saturday, Oct. 27 -­ Cyclone Central Homecoming Tailgate, 3 hours prior to kickoff

Saturday, Oct. 27 -­ Cyclome Football vs. Baylor, kickoff time TBD

Kristie Syring

Year: Senior

Major: Apparel Design

Sorority:

-­ments you have had at your years in college?

A: College offers some wonderful oppor-­tunities and I am grateful that I was able to take advantage of some of them. My experiences on my internships, study-­ing abroad, and being involved with The Fashion Show have really enriched my college experience. The common thread through all of these experiences has been the support and anchoring that I

house was my home away from home and my sisters have been there to sup-­port me through it all.

the past few years at college?

A: My semester in London offered me irreplaceable opportunities with classes, offers to work with local designers, and to broaden my horizons. I learned so much about myself through that experi-­ence and it will always be near and dear to my heart.

“Don’t be afraid to jump right in. I regret not jumping in faster for different clubs or organizations. As a freshman I always thought maybe I would do it next semes-­ter or next year. I am a Senior and it is now or never, time is of the essence. So apply for that position. Be in that club. Push yourself or bring somebody if you are nervous about going alone.”

By JACKIE HOWELL

Kristie has recently done an internship for Vera Bradley & was a part of the Disney College Experience!

Brian Skalak

Year: 5th Year

Major: Advertising

Fraternity: Sigma Pi

accomplishments that you’ve had in your years at college?

A: When I joined, we were very low on members, almost going to get our char-­ter taken away, so I was able to come in and work with a lot of other really good guys and revitalize the fraternity with not only members but also establish-­ing philanthropies and revitalizing the scholarship program. We’ve gone from 18 members when I joined to around low 50s. Like I said, there’s been a lot of other key players in the game, but that’s been motivation to see my fraternity be proud of where we’ve gone and where we’ll continue to go. Outside of that, my experience on IFC was great, really fun time and a bunch of work but it was cool to see the Greek community from the outside. You’re not concerned with just your chapter but, where the community is going to go as a whole. It was a great

that to anyone.

the past few years at college?A: I don’t have one singular favorite memory but my favorite thing that we have in the Greek community is lipsync.

year doing lipsync.

Words of Advice from Brian:

“Never overlook an opportunity. Every-­one says it, but you will get out what you put in. You’re going to work really hard, you’re going to build a resume, you’re going to make friends, you’re going to have a good time. If you don’t really do it, you’re going to be there, but you’re going to be on the side lines, and that’s not what Greek is about, being Greek is about stepping up to the plate and getting those leadership skills.

By AMELIA THORNE

In 2012, Brian won Sigma Pi’s Brother of the Year Award & he took home the Man of the Year Award at Vespers!

By ASHLEIGH BELIN

Nathan joined Sigma Lambda Beta International Fraternity, Inc. in the Spring semester of 2007 at Bowling Green State University. He graduated from BGSU with a Bachelor’s of Science in Human Development and Family Studies in 2009. He worked at Iowa State

Jenni joined the Chi Zeta chapter of Chi Omega at Colorado State University in the fall of 2008. While there she served in three

Cardinal Cabinet of Student Activities and The Cardinal Cabinet of

-­elor of Science in Human Development and Family Studies and minored in French.

Question Jennifer McDermont Nathan OlmedaWhat is your dream vacation? “I have always had a thing for

Australia. I would love to go and see the Indigenous people and experience their lifestyle.”

“I actually just had my dreamvacation. My family and I wentdown the East Coast and visited bunch of places including D.C.”

What’s one thing on your bucketlist?

“I’m a singer. So when I wasyounger I always wanted to put out a platinum album, but

album.”

Skydiving

What’s your favorite Greekmemory?

“Good question…I would haveto say being a part of Crossedin Spring 07 in Bowling GreenUniversity. We were really involved in a local High Schooland did salsa lessons. The High School students were all about the Salsa and it was cool to see them getting involved.”

“My favorite Greek memorywould probably be being on

being in charge of that. Your’re recruitment only has a few little differences from ours.”