Pi Kappa Alpha Eta Alpha Newsletter In this Issue: Alumni Updates Page 2 New Initiates Page 3 Graduates Page 3 Honors & Awards Page 4 Housing Updates Page 5 Pike University Page 6 Announcements Page 6 Eta Alpha Has Another Successful Semester Eta Alpha has had a very successful spring semester. We have been working very hard in all aspects of the fraternity ranging from community service, in which we hosted our first annual Casino Night in order to raise money for Relay for Life, to the continual improvements to the house. Throughout the semester, we have received many awards through both and the International Fraternity. We have established a firm spot on the Clemson Campus and are recognized as being a top fraternity. Eta Alpha is living the true definition of being a Pike in the aspects of scholars, leaders, athletes, and gentleman. Founder s Day A Success This year marked our first annual alumni softball tournament in celebration of Founders Day. The event was a success with 22 alumni participates along with many brothers from the chapter. Following the softball tournament, bar be que was served at the New Shack and our own Doug Jones provided entertainment with music lasting into the night. Special thanks goes out to all who participated and we look forward to making the event an even bigger success next year. 1
Alumni Updates Brothers Go Into Business Together Brian Casey and Ben Craddock (both Fall 93) have started Legacy Ironworks LLC, a decorative iron construction company headquartered in Greenville, SC. We will be building custom-made fences, porch railings, deck railings and balcony railings. Please contact either of us if anyone is interested or is in need of our services. Brian: (864) 331-9308 Ben: (864) 275-7357 Graduation Brad Hoover 82 and Leigh Anne Whitlock Hoover 83 recently celebrated their daughter, Jennifer s, graduation from Clemson. The Hoovers live in Kingsport, Tennessee and currently serve as co-presidents of the Parents Development Board Location Update Kevin Ritter ( 92) lives in Chester Springs, PA with his wife, Caroline and son Miles (2). He is the owner of Timeless Kitchen Design (timelesskitchendesign. com), specializing in custom kitchen cabinetry based on antique furniture. Births Allen Dryden and his wife Melissa just had a boy on May 9th. His son s name is Dean Harper Dryden. He has a 2 year old brother named Henry. Would you like for your updates to be in the next newsletter? If so, please contact Alumni Relations Chairman Jeremy Butdorf at jbutdor@clemson.edu or Internal Vice President Scott Brannock at jbranno@clemson.edu 2
Spring 2008 Initiates Will Bailey Columbia, SC Kevin Schweiker Oakton, VA Jack Vogelzang West Orange, NJ Business Nick DiPietro Easley, SC Biological Sciences Duncan Olsen McClane, VA Geology Witt Cox Kingstree, SC Chemistry Chris de la Croix-Vaubios Dallas, TX Marketing Gavin Wait Herndon, VA History Trey Hemphill Irmo, SC CSM Major Spring 2008 Graduates Patrick Napolski Lisle, IL Psychology pnapols@clemson.edu Clay Parkes Franklin, TN cparkes@clemson.edu Jayson Jordan Lancaster, SC jaysonj@clemson.edu Logan Mueller Roanoke, VA loganm@clemson.edu 3 Chris DeGiovanni Flemington, NJ Economics cdegiov@clemson.edu
Honors and Awards Alumni Relations Chapter Award The Eta Alpha chapter won the Alumni Relations Award at the annual Order of Omega award ceremony. This was given for Scott Brannock s work with our alumni golf tournament and Jeremy Butdorf s work in planning our first annual Founder s Day event. We look forward to winning additional awards and thank you for your support to allow our chapter to continue to thrive. Special Olympics Outstanding Organization Eta Alpha received the outstanding organization award given to us by the Special Olympics. This award was given for our participation in the 2007 South Carolina Special Olympics Games. The chapter had 80+ men go to Anderson, where the games were taking place, and run Olympic Town, which is composed of fun games for participates to enjoy in between competition events. Matthew Alexander: Greek Man of the Year Matthew Alexander, former SMC and current IFC President, was named Greek Man of the year at the annual Order of Omega award ceremony. Matthew earned this award for his diligent work in Pi Kappa Alpha, Blue Key Honor Society, Order of Omega Executive Board, Leadership Council, Omicron Delta Kappa, SAA, and for his work as IFC President. Matthew represents the values taught by Pi Kappa Alpha as a scholar, leader, athlete, and gentleman. We should all celebrate his award and be proud to call him brother. Matt can be reached at mjalexa@clemson.edu or ifc@clemson.edu JT Clark: Student Body Vice President Our very own JT Clark was recently elected Student Body Vice President. In his race, brothers helped set up events, pass out platforms, and helped get the word out of JT for VP. This leadership position in helps get Pi Kappa Alpha s name out on campus and allows us to have a voice in student government. JT is the first Student Body officer Eta Alpha has had since 1995. JT can be reached at jdclark@clemson.edu. 4
Housing Updates Chapter Claims House of the Quarter Award After many new renovations, the New Shack won the 2007-2008 House of the Quarter award for the hard work and commitment to restoring the house to pristine condition during the semester and participating in the international work day. In recognition of our housing accomplishments, our chapter received a plaque, a $250 grant, and we became a finalist for the House of the Year Award. The top annual winner is awarded a $2000 grant, coverage in the Shield & Diamond and an impressive trophy. The winner will be announced at the International Convention in Memphis, Tennessee in summer 2008. Housing Renovations This summer will mark many new changes and updates to the house. There has already been two workdays in which a handful of guys from the chapter have worked with Brother Chuck Weaver to correct lighting problems, makeover the trophy cases, mount the T. V., build an entertainment center, and a bar to eat at. The rest of the summer will result in more updates to things such as bedrooms, bathrooms, gate repairs, and other renovations 5
Pike University Eta Alpha would like to personally ask for your support in our attempt at becoming a Smythe-winning chapter. We understand the contributions that each of you already make and appreciate these contributions greatly. However, we would encourage you to support our bid at winning a Smythe by helping us with the financial burden of Pike University. These events, which are crucial to winning awards, cost on average of $400 a man. As one could imagine, sending three to five brothers to each of these events can become quite costly. Your contributions to Eta Alpha are not taken lightly; an Awards Team has been created that is geared strictly towards gaining prominence in the International Fraternity. If you are willing to contribute or donate any money, please contact Chris Burke, SMC or Scott Brannock, IMC. Without your help, our success is limited. Announcements Save the Date: Alumni Golf Tournament Eta Alpha will host their 3rd annual alumni golf tournament in October 2008. This great event has continued to grow with numbers doubling with each year. The date will be release mid-summer so be looking for a specific golf tournament email. Spread the word so we can continue to grow this event. Rush Recommendations With summer now upon us, Eta Alpha is on the search for the most best men for our fraternity. We have various summer rush events coordinated, which are planned in several areas in the state. As always, we are looking for any recommendations from Alumni. If you know of a guy that you would like for us to contact or any recommendations, please contact Rush Chairman, Chase Downs at cdowns@clemson.edu. Want to be More Involved? Rush Pike If you are wanting to be more involved with the chapter, please contact our Chapter Advisor, Chris Peters, at petersc@clemson.edu. Your involvement can range from the Alumni Council Board, Housing Committee, House Workdays, Sponsorships, and any other special events. We are very eager for your involvement so contact us soon! Check us out at www.clemsonpikes.com. You can stay up to date with the chapter along with seeing alumni updates. 6