TOMAHAWK NEWSLETTER
May 2012
Official Tally:
Chapters – 76
Colonies – 23
Fraternity Reaches New Milestone
– 76 Open Chartered Chapters
There was a saying in the Fraternity in the late 1960’s – 75 chapters by ’75. It
took 37 years but we have finally made good on that promise.
With the recent chartering ceremonies at Colorado State University, Georgia
Institute of Technology, Northwood University, and the University of Arizona, for
the first time in our 167 year history, the Fraternity now has 76 active chapters.
We will surpass that number when Oregon State is re-chartered this June and
the University of North Carolina – Asheville is chartered in the fall bringing the
total to 78 chapters.
Colorado State University, Zeta Epsilon Chapter
“We have exceptional alumni who are
volunteering their time to support our
new groups, a Grand Council focused
on growth, and cutting edge resources
and support to ensure our new groups
are successful. Some were initially
skeptical that our growth would be
sustainable but with 18 chartering
petitions approved in the past three
years, we are firmly on a path of
growth. I am confident that we will
continue to charter more colonies in
the months and years to come and will
soon surpass 100 chartered”
Colorado State officially colonized November 4, 2010 after the
expansion effort started in September. The chapter boasts a
Gordy Heminger
cumulative GPA that is the highest among fraternities on campus.
President and Chief Executive Officer
With the addition of their latest new member class this spring,
they have 32 men who can call themselves Founding Fathers. The
chartering ceremony was held on Saturday, April 28th at the Hilton in Fort Collins, Colorado.
Georgia Institute of Technology, Zeta Eta Chapter
Georgia Tech. officially colonized in October of 2011 after beginning
expansion in August. They are the second chapter of Alpha Sigma
Phi in the state of Georgia. The men have achieved success with
recruitment, academics, campus involvement, and participation in
national leadership conferences. With their immediate successes
and strategic plan for growth and development, the 34 Founding
Fathers of the Zeta Eta Chapter have laid a strong foundation for
future accomplishments at the Georgia Institute of Technology. The
chartering ceremony was held on Saturday, April 21st at the Trinity Presbyterian Church in Atlanta.
Northwood University, Zeta Zeta Chapter
Northwood officially colonized in October of 2011 after the first group of men
went through the Pledge Ceremony earlier in the year. They have worked well
as a group and took an efficient, business-minded approach to achieving their
goals. With the addition of their latest new member class this spring, they
have 25 Founding Fathers. The chartering ceremony was held at the Midland
Convention Center on April 21, 2012.
University of Arizona, Gamma Iota Chapter
Arizona officially colonized October 26, 2011 after efforts to restart the group began in August. Since
then, the men have been extremely active on campus by participating in fundraisers, philanthropies,
and community service projects. They have demonstrated a strong understanding for Fraternity and
brotherhood while maintaining stellar attendance at all meetings and events. The group hopes to be one
of largest chapters on campus and within Alpha Sigma Phi for years to come. The chartering ceremony
was held at the Bear Down Gym on the campus of the University of Arizona on Saturday, April 28th.
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TOMAHAWK NEWSLETTER
500 Undergraduates and Alumni
to Attend Grand Chapter
In what will be the largest
gathering of Alpha Sigs
ever, more than 500
undergraduates and alumni
will gather at this summer’s
Grand Chapter and Elevate
– National Leadership
Conference.
The historic event will take place at the Hyatt Regency
Hotel in Schaumburg, Illinois just a short drive from
downtown Chicago and a few minutes from O’Hare
Airport. Things will kick off on Thursday, August 2nd
with a yacht dinner cruise departing from the historic
Navy Pier. Friday’s events include Opening Ceremonies,
an etiquette lunch hosted by the Alpha Sigma Phi
Foundation, and an alumni reception at a nearby
restaurant. On Saturday, CLVEN, the Fraternity’s national
housing corporation will host three “workshop” sessions
for alumni interested in student housing. That evening the
Fraternity will host the awards banquet at which individual
and chapter awards will be presented, and two chapters
will be crowned the “best in the country” when awarded
the Grand Senior President’s Trophy. Seven educational
tracks will be conducted during the three day event.
There is still time to attend what will be an event for the
history books. Registration forms are on the national
website by clicking on Grand Chapter in the quick links
menu. Hurry, hotel accommodations and space is very
limited. We expect to start a wait list after May 15th.
Appalachian State and North Carolina
Chapters Honored
On Friday, May 13th the Grand Council traveled to WinstonSalem, North Carolina for their semi-annual face-to-face meeting.
On Friday evening, the Epsilon Rho Chapter at Appalachian
State University
joined the Grand
Council at a
local restaurant.
During dinner,
the Chapter was
presented with
a Grand Senior
President’s Citation
by Grand Senior President Rich Ritter, Toledo ’91 and Ohio
Wesleyan ’93, commemorating the chapter’s sixth anniversary.
Following that presentation, Grand Senior President Ritter than
presented Justin Pallansch, Appalachian State ’11 with a citation
for being the chapter’s 100th initiated member.
Following their business meeting on Saturday, the Grand Council
hosted undergraduates and alumni from the University of North
Carolina – Asheville, the University of North Carolina – Charlotte,
Wake Forest University, and Appalachian State University to honor
the six chapters and two colonies that call North Carolina. In
addition, local alum and past Fraternity and Foundation Executive
Director John Chaney, Indiana ’67 was on hand for the event.
Following dinner, Grand Senior President Ritter presented Terry
Matthews, Wake Forest ’72 and Byron Hughes, Salisbury ’06
with the Grand Chapter Advisor lapel pin. Just before his final
presentation, Brother Ritter announced to the twenty plus UNCAsheville members in attendance that earlier in the afternoon the
Grand Council approved their petition to charter.
Ralph Burns 100th Birthday on May 12th
Ralph F. Burns, Ohio Wesleyan ’32, left an indelible mark on the Old Gal. Shortly after
his passing, the Fraternity decided to create a national new member education program
in his honor. At the 2012 Burns Institute, his two sons W. Bruce Burns, Ohio State ’63
and Jonathan K. Burns, Member-at-Large ’84 provided opening remarks.
In 2002, the Fraternity named the headquarters building in his honor, called the Ralph
F. Burns Alpha Sigma Phi Headquarters in Carmel, Indiana. Ralph’s official portrait
hangs in the foyer along with the medallion he was presented at his retirement and the
roster book he signed at Ohio Wesleyan. He is a 1938 Delta Beta Xi recipient, the 1976
Distinguished Merit Award recipient, and the 1980 Evin C. Varner, Jr. Distinguished Service Award recipient.
It is said that every organization needs a conscience. In many ways Ralph Frank Burns was Alpha Sigma Phi’s conscience. Its
heart and soul. For 61 years Brother Burns pledged his life to the principles and ideals that bind us as a fraternity. And his life
exemplified what is good about the fraternity movement in our nation.
Every man who pledged our Seven Points and entered the Mystic Circle for the 61 years of Ralph’s service has been influenced
by Ralph’s guidance and unfailing commitment to an unparalleled experience of brotherhood. His commitment to Alpha
Sigma Phi was deep, his love of our Fraternity broad, and his belief in our Ritual complete. You could see it in his smile, feel
it in his touch, and experience it, as thousands of undergraduates and alumni did at scores of conventions and leadership
conferences when Brother Burns gave his signature greeting and extended the grip of our brotherhood. The entire organization
is encouraged to wear their Badge on May 12th in honor of Ralph Burns and commemorate what would have been his 100th
Birthday. His efforts have contributed to the strength and growth we see today.
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TOMAHAWK NEWSLETTER
Chapter and Colony Update
News and Notes
Cornell University, Iota Chapter
Binghamton University, Epsilon Nu Chapter
UNC-Asheville and Oregon State
Chartering Petitions Approved
A few months ago an article in the Tomahawk Newsletter showcased
Harvey G. Stenger Jr., Cornell ’77,
the new President at Binghamton
University. On March 20th, the Iota
Chapter at Cornell University hosted
the new university president. During
his visit, Brother Stenger shared a
few Iota Chapter stories. Chapter
President Nick Gordon, Cornell
’10 shared that Brother Stenger
commented that seeing the Iota Chapter renewed his faith in the
values a Greek community can bring to Binghamton and abroad. The
chapter presented him with a plaque commemorating his achievement
as an Iota Chapter Brother.
Iowa State University, Phi Chapter
Phi Chapter Earned Top Honors at Iowa State University, paired along
with Delta Delta Delta Sorority and Farmhouse Fraternity. Together
they swept the annual Greek Week awards for spring semester 2012
following a third place showing last year. Phi Chapter was crowned
Overall Greek Week Champions and, together with their partners,
raised $10,604 for Iowa Special Olympics in the Polar Bear Plunge.
Farah Ishaq, Iowa State ’10, received individual recognition for his
Continued on p 4
Be a Part of the Success
As Alpha Sigma Phi continues to Better the Man – chartering new
chapters, establishing new groups in states that have never had an
Alpha Sigma Phi chapter, record participation at Academy, the Burns
Leadership Institute, and now Grand Chapter; increased alumni
participation on chapter councils, and a record 923 men recruited
in the fall and an astonishing 867 men recruited this spring making
the 2011-12 academic year the most successful recruitment year on
record with nearly 1,800 men being recruited to join our chapters.
There are more men waiting to join and wanting to participate in
the Fraternity’s educational programs. There is a similar story to tell
about financial aid scholarships and other leadership skills training
programs. Demand is outpacing supply. With a gift to the Alpha Sigma
Phi Foundation, alumni can meet the demand. Your gift assures
continued growth in the quality of brotherhood as Alpha Sigma Phi
grows in numbers. Strong chapters and strong leaders are two crucial
components to success. You are another. Your gifts provide the
infrastructure for growth and impact the lives of our undergraduate men.
To make a gift you can go online and click donate or send an email to
foundation@alphasigmaphi.org to receive more information about giving
options. Thank you for partnering with the Foundation to make the lives of
good men better.
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During the face-to-face Grand Council Meeting
in April, the Grand Council voted to approve both
the UNC-Asheville and Oregon State Chartering
Petition. Oregon State was first chartered in 1920,
so they will retain the Psi Chapter designation
when they re-charter this summer. UNC-Asheville
is a new chapter and will be the Zeta Theta
Chapter when they charter in the fall.
Longwood Completes Sanctions,
Downgraded to Administrative
Probation
On March 19th, the Delta Iota Chapter was put
on Administrative Suspension and given 30 days
to complete ten sanctions for not meeting the
Fraternity’s minimum standards, specifically in
the areas of scholarship, recruitment, financial
management, and chapter operations. The
Chapter completed all ten sanctions by the April
19th deadline which included paying more than
$4,000 in past due debt. The Chapter now has
one year to work with their Chapter Council and
pay off the remainder of their debt.
Northwood Chapter Endowment
Established
On April 28th, Zeta Zeta Grand Chapter Advisor
Rodney Rusk, Central Michigan ’93 announced at
the Chapter’s Chartering Banquet that a Chapter
Endowment Fund had been established for
Northwood and that the first significant gift had
been received. Rusk then asked those alumni and
parents in attendance to match the donation and
contribute towards the new chapter endowment.
When the endowment is fully funded, it will be
able to help send undergraduates to leadership
programs like Elevate, provide scholarships, and
provide resources for chapter retreats.
Grand Chapter Advisors at Every
Chapter and Colony
In April, the Fraternity reached a new milestone.
Every vacant chapter and colony Grand Chapter
Advisor position had been filled by an alumnus.
With our continued growth, we are always looking
for volunteers to serve as a Grand Chapter Advisor
or to serve on the Chapter Council. If interested in
volunteering, please contact Denis Beaudoin at
dbeaudoin@alphasigmaphi.org.
TOMAHAWK NEWSLETTER
Chapter and Colony Update
Continued from p 3
leadership of Greek Affairs at
Iowa State and was named
Most Valuable Greek Week
Person. Phi Chapter also
won the Best Scholarship
Program for 2011-2012 for
Iowa State University. Phi
Chapter President Drew Hem, complimented Scholarship
Director Farah Ishaq, saying “he lives our values and
created an environment for the brothers to strive to reach
their full potential.”
Seton Hall University, Zeta Alpha Chapter
Marshall University, Beta Delta Chapter
University of Arizona,
Gamma Iota Chapter
The Beta Delta Chapter set a precedent for Greek life and
involvement at Marshall University over the past few years like
no other, and this year was no different. For the sixth year in
a row, the Beta Delta Chapter won the University’s Chapter
of Excellence Award. The victory was by the largest margin
since the streak started, and was accompanied by multiple
other awards and achievements. It was the year of the “Greek
Sweep” as one would say, winning all three; Chapter of
Excellence, Greek Sing, and Greek Week, an accomplishment
achieved in two of the last three years. Beta Delta was also
the recipient of the Campus and Community Involvement
Award, Community Service Award, Greek Unity Award, and
Recruitment and Retention Award. Two members were also
given individual awards; Josh Damron, Marshal ’11, current
IFC President, was the winner of Greek Man of the Year, and
Derek Ramsey, Marshal ’10, current President, was named
Greek Week MVP. In an event spearheaded by Alumnus
Johannes Fahrmann, Marshall ’05, in which each Fraternity
and Sorority was challenged to raise as much money possible
for the American Cancer Society. Alpha Sigma Phi won this
competition as by raising $1,493.85, adding to the Greek
Community’s total funds raised to over $11,000.
New Jersey Institute of Technology,
Alpha Rho Chapter
During a campus awards
ceremony the Alpha Rho
Chapter was awarded the
Excellence in Scholarship
Award for having the
highest GPA out of all of the
Fraternities at NJIT. In addition, Jordan Brosch, NJIT ’09 was
awarded the Standout Senior Award for showing outstanding
service to the fraternity and overall Greek community.
Humberto Baquerizo, NJIT ’91 was also recognized as the
Campus Based Chapter Advisor Award for outstanding service
to the fraternity and Greek community. In addition to receiving
these honors, the chapter took third place in the campus Greek
Week Competition. The chapter also reports that on May 1st
they participated in a ground-breaking ceremony for the new
Greek Village being built by the university. The chapter plans to
move into a new facility within the next year.
The Zeta Alpha Chapter
will soon make a $1,000
donation to the Fraternity’s
national philanthropy
LIVESTRONG – The Lance
Armstrong Foundation for
winning Greek Week. The
winning chapter is given $1,000 towards their charity or
national philanthropy. The chapter clinched the title on April
23rd during a campus awards ceremony.
The Gamma Iota Chapter held
its first official philanthropy
fundraiser in early April to
support cancer research
and The Lance Armstrong Foundation. Sorority Warriors, a
five-day event, allowed active sorority members to compete
against each other in a variety of events to help raise
money for the Lance Armstrong Foundation, which funds
cancer research. Each sorority received a few “coaches”
from the fraternity and purchased clothes that members of
Alpha Sigma Phi designed in support of their philanthropy.
Additionally, sorority members participated in “field day”
events like a water balloon toss and an obstacle course,
where they were able to get to know other members of
Greek Life. With the help of parents, sorority members and
students, the fraternity was able to raise $2,000 from the
event, and all proceeds were donated to LIVESTRONG.
University of Pennsylvania,
Omicron Chapter
In mid-April Time Magazine published a list of the 100 most
influential people in the World. Brother Warren Buffett,
Pennsylvania ’48 was included on that list, but not for his
role in business alone. The article mentioned his enormous
philanthropic efforts and noted that at age 81, he reminds us
that life is not just about the value you seek, it is about the
values you stand for.
Wake Forest University, Beta Mu Chapter
On April 18th, the Beta
Mu Chapter successfully
hosted BikeStrong, a
24-hour bike-a-thon to
benefit LIVESTRONG –
The Lance Armstrong
Foundation. Along with
members of more than a
dozen other organizations,
the chapter biked for a full 24 hours on three stationary
bikes. The goal was to bike a total of 1,440 miles (20mph on
average), and that mark was eclipsed with 1,478.
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