Mid-Semester Newsletter (October 31th, 2019)

Theta Deuteron Chapter of the Fraternity of Phi Gamma Delta Mid-Semester Newsletter

October 31th, 2019

Back Row (left to right): Ben Loeper ’20, Jared Hileman ’20, Phoenix Huron ’21, Jack Foley ’22, Joseph Brush ’20, Peyton Larkin ’21, Ryan Hulesman ’21, and Grant Brooks ’22; Middle Row (left to right): Adam Yingling ’20, Jose Matute ’21, Bradley Wolford ’22, Joseph Patterson ’22, Jay Welch ’21, Jack Funderburg ’21, and Chase Dusek ’22; Front Row (left to right): Ben Sobotka ’21, Brody Kannally ’22, Jarrod Ferstl ’20, Eli Rajotte ’20, Jordan Auriemma ’20, and Justin Petty ’22. 

*Only 20 out of 38 brothers are shown* (Photo by Paul Vernon)

Greetings from the Brothers!

This newsletter covers and features the following:

Meet the Fall 2019 Pledge (Recruitment),Jordan Bowl (Celebration Event), Research, Internships, Events, Athletics, Intramurals, and Editor's Note.

Meet the Fall 2019 Pledge!

Name: Max Salerno Age: 21 Major: Business with a focus in Marketing Class: 2021 Hometown: Medina, Ohio

Max's passions are cars, hunting, and his studies. He is the prime example of a gentleman. We are glad to call him a "Fiji to be". 

Recruitment for Spring 2020:

Our low recruitment numbers and the graduation of 20 brothers this year is an understood problem! We are actively working around the clock to bring in a well needed, large, spring pledge class! 

Some things we are doing include:

- Throwing backyard BBQs; which are possible with the new outdoor furniture, grill, and basketball hoop.

- Tabling to gain attention; for example giving free donuts and coffee from 7:30am to 10am.

- Participating in intramural sports.

- Participating in school held events; such as tailgates, tabling, etc.

- Philanthropy events.

- Currently a Fiji hosted, campus wide gaming event, sponsored by Microsoft, is being planned.

Jordan Bowl

The Theta Deuteron Chapter was awarded the Jordan Bowl for 2018, the second international award since our rechartering. This is awarded to the undergraduate chapter which is judged to have achieved the highest comparative scholarship among the undergraduate chapters for the preceding academic year. Our chapter requires .25 more than the minimum required in the school's bylaws. We have a house average GPA of 3.52.

In response to the Jordan Bowl, the Chapter hosted a Greek Academic Excellence Celebration on Friday, October 25 at 4:30 pm on the third floor of Merrick Hall. This event recognized our two awards as well as the Greek community's academic achievements. 

Research, Internships, and More!

Jack Funderburg (Class 2021)

During this past summer I was an Assurance Specialist Intern at BDO. I audited employee benefit plans for their clients.

Peyton Larkin (Class 2021)

This summer I volunteered at my hometown's fire department. I rode on an ambulance and recieved my nationwide Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) certification.

(Shown to the left)

Jarrod Ferstl (Class 2020)

I worked as a Market Research and Business Consultant who helped start-up companies in the Dayton, Ohio area with industry analysis. I also worked 100 hours at a hot food service called House of Bread. I helped stock perishables in the back as well as serve food and clean dishes in the front.

Jack Foley (Class 2022)

This summer I started a new social media platform called Fora Social. All summer long I sought to raise investment money. Unfortunately because I'm a college student I didn't get anything! Like all Fiji's, I don't just give up! I gave some equity to developer(s) and the platform is on it's way! Release is expected May 2020.

Also, I have an office in the new

Delaware Entrepreneurial Center.

(Shown to the right)

Adam Yingling (Class 2020)

Over the summer, I assisted with trial maintenance at Strawberry Hill Nature Preserve in pennsylvania. I'm also currently helping at the Common Grounds Free Store every Tuesday and Thursday in Delaware. I recently returned back to the States this summer after a semester abroad! I visited a total of nine different countries.

(Shown to the left)

Sam Miller (Class 2020)

I did Research this summer in Houston with an alumnus from the university (Herbert DuPont '61). We looked at probiotics and their effects on treating a bacteria called C. diff, which is the leading cause of hospital and antibiotic associated diarrhea worldwide. We are in the process of getting the research published. I will be presenting my research at the Summer Science Research Symposium at the end of September.

(Shown to the right)

Jordan Auriemma (Class 2020)

This summer I interned at DHL Supply Chain in Columbus, Ohio. I worked in Operations in the Retail industry with cosmetics companies. I had the opportunity to perform a capstone event where my team studied generations and tried to find solutions in bringing the gig/part-time work economy to DHL. I met some great people and have accepted a full-time offer with them.

Phoenix Huron (Class 2020) 

(Shown to the left) This past summer, I worked as a Legislative Intern for Senator Joe Manchin III of West Virginia in the United States Senate. It was my second summer in a Capitol Hill office. I primarily worked on the 2020 Appropriations Bill and compiled funding requests from the twelve different subcommittees, the House Committee on Appropriations, and the President's proposed budget to

assist in the progress of the bill. Along with this, I wrote letters to Chairman Ajit Pai of the FCC on behalf of both Senator Manchin and his constituents regarding inaccuracies of the FCC's broadband coverage maps and lack of coverage in particular areas of West Virginia. I also took on smaller projects regarding highway funding and blockchain and distributed ledger technology. I also cannot forget the classic intern duties of answering phones and providing Capitol tours to visiting constituents, lobbyists, and close family members of Senator Manchin's staff. It was a true honor to serve my great state of West Virginia and I look forward to returning to The Hill upon graduation this coming May. 

Duncan Copeland (Class 2020)

(Shown above)

I worked as a Wealth Management Intern at Ameriprise Financial over the summer. I also attended the College Ethics Symposium, on behalf of the economics department, in Hilton Head Island, SC from October 17-19. As scholarship chairman, I will be implementing an ethics discussion for the Chapter inspired by this trip.

Athletics, Philanthropy, and Intramurals

Athletics

Men's Golf

Six out of ten members on the golf team are Fijis: Max Berry, Nick Braydich, Will Efkeman, Aunders Erickson, Jack Funderburg, and Jay Welch. Jack Funderburg was recently named to the All-NCAC Academic Team and Great Lakes All-Region Team.

(The entire Men's Golf Team shown above)

Men's Soccer

There are currently 7 Fijis on the Men’s Soccer team: Jarrod Ferstl, Joe Brush, Adam Yingling, Jared Hileman, Ryan Huelsman, Ben Sobotka, and Brody Kannally. The team is currently 8-3-2 overall and 3-0 in their conference. 

(The entire Men's Soccer Team shown above)

Cross Country (XC)

There are currently 4 Fijis on the Men's Cross Country team. Most notably, Ryan Lesmez. In the 8k race at DeSales University Invitational on Oct. 12th, he came in 2nd with 25 min and 46.5 seconds. He also came 57th in All-Ohio Cross Country Championships in September.

(The entire Cross Country Team shown above)

Philanthropy

Our involvement

Fiji's have participated in Delta Gamma's Anchor bowl (flag football) and won (by weather technicalities)! We have also have won & participated in other Greek philanthropy events including Sig Ep's Water Wars. Brothers also volunteer at local food banks and places such as Big Brother Big Sister.

What we are planning

We are in the process of planning a philanthropy event for this semester. Next semester we are hosting a Microsoft sponsored video game tournament. Teams will have an entrance fee. Of that fee: 75% goes to charity and 25% goes to the prize pool. (Amounts are not set in stone and we are still planning everything currently)

Intramurals

Fiji's participate in intramurals! Such as soccer, volleyball, and dodgeball. However, it is often difficult to emerge victorious. Most of our athletes are in Fall sports and people who play Fall sports cannot play intramural sports. We show up, we try our best, and call it a day.

Editors' Notes

On behalf of the brothers of the Theta Deuteron Chapter of Phi Gamma Delta, I sincerely hope you enjoyed reading through our newsletter. Our brotherhood is always looking to achieve greatness, and it is not always possible without the help and support from our alumni and friends, just like you. We look forward to our Graduate Brothers joining us on campus for Pig Dinner!

If you would like to contact our President, Max Berry, with any questions, comments, or concerns, his contact information is as follows:     Email: mwberry@owu.edu

Graduate Relations Co-Chairman: Duncan Copeland     Email: dscopela@owu.edu

Corresponding Secretary: Jack Foley     Email: jafoley@owu.edu

Newsletter written by Duncan Copeland and Jack Foley.