Kappa Psi Epsilon Epsilon Newsletter WINTER 2010 VOLUME 1, ISSUE 2 Inside this issue: Looking Forward to 2010 2 Project Lifeline and Ronald 3 McDonald House Pop-Tabs Pledging with Gamma Class 4 A Kappa Psi Thanksgiving 8 Kappa Psi Family Pictures 9
Page 2 Message from the Regent Brothers, Whatever challenges lie ahead, I know the able hands of Kappa Psi will be ready. We are We may have to make the Message from the Regent an annual feature rather than including it in each newsletter; I fear I will sound like a broken record from constantly sharing the praise I have for our Chapter. Of course, if that is the greatest problem I might face as Regent, I have no complaints! It should go without saying that our success this past semester gives me many reasons to look forward to 2010. Each of those success came about from your efforts, my Brothers. I have said numerous times that this Fraternity does not solely belong to Alpha class - Kappa Psi is as much yours as ours. This Chapter is built on the hard work and good times we Brothers share; the strong showing we enjoyed during the pledge period is proof that our enthusiasm is infectious. The high ideals to which we hold ourselves attracts not only the best and brightest, but it connects us to colleagues in which we can place our greatest trust. Now that we are joined by our Brothers in Gamma class, it is time to ramp things up and show what our Fraternity is made of. We have many exciting projects, socials, and events planned for the semester, and I know that we will make the best of these opportunities. Of course, this hardly means these projects will be easy - quite the opposite! But whatever challenges lie ahead, I know the able hands of Kappa Psi will be ready. If it becomes difficult to see the light at the end, remember the words that a wise man once told me: cream rises to the top. We are already at the top, my Brothers - all we have to do is stay there. -Tu Nguyen, Regent already at the top, my Brothers - all we have to do is stay there. Kappa Psi brothers and friends at the ASHP 2009 Midyear Clinical Meeting in Las Vegas (from left to right): Ramiro Garza, Adam Brown, Zahra Katharine Kazerani, Tu Nguyen, Abygail Cardenas, Mina Guirguis, Laura Sanders, and Dan Ly.
Page 3 VOLUME 1, ISSUE 2 Service Project Lifeline, Fall Semester By Mr. Stern Yeh Each year the brothers of Kappa Psi, Epsilon Epsilon Chapter host a blood drive for the Coastal Bend Blood Center in anticipation of hurricane season or other natural disasters that will require the use of blood. Immediately after hearing about the unfortunate incident at Fort Hood and the existing shortage of blood donations, the brothers of Epsilon Epsilon heeded the call and got in contact with the local blood bank and hosted a three-day blood drive on the Texas A&M- Kingsville Campus. The target goal was twenty-five donations a day but with the large amounts of fliers handed out and public announcements made, the donation bus received 145 donations in (above) The Coastal Bend Blood Center donation bus, parked near the Texas A&M- Kingsville student center. (Right) Kappa Psi brother vishal patel, post-donation. three days. We thank everyone who contributed to this lifesaving cause. Ronald McDonald Pop Tab Collection By Mr. Tu Nguyen Each year, many families travel great distances to get the advanced medical treatment that their injured or sick children need. These families often need a place to stay during this stressful time, and the Ronald McDonald Houses provide a way to stay together, by hosting families so that they can concentrate on their children s health. Last year, a Kappa Psi chapter challenged each Province VII chapter to collect the most pop -tabs before the year s Province meeting. Building off of that success, the Epsilon Epsilon executive board decided to continue the pop-tab collection as a Chapter initiative. We look forward to reporting the results of our collection within the coming weeks. One of two pop tab collection boxes, crafted by 2008 09 Spirit Award winner Yleana Lana Garcia.
Pledging Page 4 (Right) Brothers Vishal Patel and Abigail Cardenas Preparing Fruit cups (above) Delicous Fresh Fruit cups! (Left) Brothers MiKe Muniz and Dan Ly Pledge-Active Picnic By Mr. Yi Qun Danny Guo Epsilon Epsilon s second annual pledge picnic was held on October 24, 2009 at Mustang Island State Park in Corpus Christi, TX. It was a perfect Saturday with a gentle breeze and the sun beating down on us. It had been a while since anyone had seen the beach and this opportunity gave us an excuse to have a great time with our brothers. With Alpha class commanding the grill, Beta class and Gamma class enjoyed football and volleyball as everyone waited for lunch. After chasing each other and running around, the pledges and the actives then proceeded to devour the seemingly endless amount of burgers and hot dogs coming off the grill. After lunch, the pledges went through the traditional routine of finding out who their big brothers were. At the end of the day, the chapter not only grew new branches to the family tree but also allowed the pledges to truly develop and strengthen the fraternal bonds we proudly call Kappa Psi.
Page 5 VOLUME 1, ISSUE 2 Pledging Pledge Fundraisers By Ms. Anh Ann Vu Kappi Psi Epsilon Epsilon Chapter s Gamma class pledges held a breakfast bake sale and fundraiser the morning of October 29, 2009 at the Texas A&M HSC Rangel College of Pharmacy. Several of the pledges worked together as a team through the night to bake delicious breakfast foods for the staff and students. The assortment of items sold included: homemade waffles, muffins, cookies, kolaches, bagels, coffee, and orange juice. The fundraiser was successful in the role of raising funds for Kappa Psi and its future endeavors, and helping the pledges bond as a pledge class. It was a wonderful opportunity to raise awareness about Kappa Psi as well. Great job Gamma class pledges! [Editor s note: pictures are from the second pledge fundraiser, held at the annual Texas A&M-Kingsville fair.] (Top) pledges Huina Chen, Thao Thanh Nguyen, Lacy Rudd, and Courtney Landry help kick off the fundraiser. (Right) Delicious N.E.R.D. energy drinks! Get yours today! (Left) pledges Mike McLaughlin, Shyreen Dulanya, Chi-Dung John Nguyen, Anthony Nguyen, and Rumman Anwar show their dedication and help close out the concession stand. Three Fishes: Gamma class with Dr. Michael Veronin and the three mascots of Epsilon Epsilon: Blue Regard, Red Gary, and Big Poppa.
rvice Page Pledging Page 6 6 Conducting the crossover ceremonies were: (Back) Daniel Mata, Stern Yeh, Vishal Patel, Michael Paul Muniz, and Tu Nguyen. (Front) Dr. Michael Veronin, Katherine Wang, Kevin Vu, Victoria Galaviz, Zahra Katharine Kazerani, David Thedford, and Thomas Garza. Pledge Social By Mr. Matthew Tran Epsilon Epsilon s Gamma class pledges held a social for their upperclassmen brothers two months into the semester at Javelina Station clubhouse. The purpose of the social was not to just go out and have fun amongst one s own class, but to also give an opportunity for the brothers of Alpha and Beta class to get to know their little brothers on a more intimate level. Helping to facilitate that goal, Gamma class held a Did you know? blackout bingo-type game, with squares containing statements such as: Loves sushi, Car addict, or Same birth month. With grid-sheets in hand, actives and pledges went out to find another that matched the description in each square, allowing the chance to strike up a conversation with a member of another class. After the fun and games, Epsilon Epsilon all settled down and enjoyed a family meal consisting of BBQ, sides, and topped off with ice cream cake. After eating, the pledges and actives explored the amenities of the club house where fiercely competitive games of pool, foosball, and cards occurred between the prideful classes.
VOLUME 1, ISSUE 2 Page 7 Congratulations to Gamma class of Epsilon Epsilon! No longer pledges! The proud Beta class of Epsilon Epsilon! Pledging
rvice Page Pledging Page 8 8 A Kappa Psi Thanksgiving By Mr. Stern Yeh Nearing the Thanksgiving break, Epsilon Epsilon decided to host a Kappa Psi Thanksgiving potluck feast open to the whole pharmacy school with Kappa Psi providing the turkey and ham. Over sixty students showed up presenting a large assortment of dishes ranging from creamy sweet potato casserole to delicious chicken curry to spicy jambalaya. After eating, the brothers and guests watched the University of Texas versus Texas A&M football game and played games such as foosball, Cranium, and pool. The feast was a delightful break from school bringing all the brothers together for stress relieving fun and games, and a tummy filling experience.
Page 9 VOLUME 1, ISSUE 2 Family Pictures The brothers of Epsilon Epsilon chapter came together on December 12, 2009, to welcome their new brothers. We now count more than fifty members amongst the alpha, beta, and gamma classes. Alpha class: Kevin Vu Beta Class: Min Luke Kim, Yi Qun Danny Guo, Ajay Ahuja, Duy Luu, Matthew Tran, Morgan Nguyen Gamma class: rawan abu elheiga, thao thanh nguyen, ngoc phung, huina chen, linh le
Family Pictures rvice Page Page 10 10 Alpha class: Dan Ly Beta Class: Mina Guirguis, Isidro John De La Cruz, Megan Rhyne, Yleana Lana Garcia, Elizabeth Ha Gamma class: Anthony Nguyen, Aaron Zajicek, Lacy Rudd, Anh Ann Vu, Rumman Anwar Alpha class: Thomas Garza Beta Class: Michael Paul Muniz, Jaime Steven Trevino, Victoria Galaviz, Tracy Nguyen, David THedford Gamma class: Michael McLaughlin, Joseph Martinez, Calista Aguilar, Justin Redding
Page 11 VOLUME 1, ISSUE 2 Family Pictures Alpha class: Tu Nguyen Beta Class: Adam Brown, Laura Sanders, Zahra Katharine Kazerani, Abygail Cardenas, Anne-Cecile Mingle Gamma class: Travis Ulrich, Courtney Landry, Ha Yeun Jessie Jang, Diem Yimmy Nguyen Alpha class: Vishal Patel Beta Class: Stern Yeh, Daniel Mata, Katherine Wang, Genevieve Bohmfalk, Ryan Nguyen Gamma class: Chi Dung John Nguyen, Shyreen Dulanya, Lisa Le
Kappa Psi Pharmaceutical Fraternity, Inc. Epsilon Epsilon Chapter est. August 23, 2008 Kappa Psi and the College of Pharmacy By Mr. Tu Nguyen No organization exists in a vacuum, and Kappa Psi is no exception. Our Brothers are members of several organizations, and as such you will find many of them attending, socializing, and volunteering at many events in and around the College. Epsilon Epsilon brothers attended the COP Silver Star Gala as volunteers and guests. Pictured: Daniel Mata, Jaime Steven Trevino, Tu Nguyen, Zahra Katharine Kazerani, Anne-Cecile Mingle, Dan Ly, Laura Sanders, Courtney Landry, Calista Aguilar, Katherine Wang, and Abygail Cardenas. (Photographer: Andrew Ramirez) Among the organizers, participants, and referees of the first annual SSHP Irma bowl were (from left to right) Kappa Psi brothers Lisa Le, diem yimmy Nguyen, Ha Yeun Jessie Jang, Adam Brown, Vishal Patel, Jaime Steven Trevino, Daniel Mata, and Tu Nguyen. (Photographer: Nancy Vuong) Kappa Psi Epsilon Epsilon Newsletter Vol. 1. Issue 2 Winter 2010 Edited by Stern Yeh and Tu Nguyen yeh@pharmacy.tamhsc.edu Located at the Texas A&M Health Science Center Rangel College of Pharmacy http://epsilonepsilon.kappapsi.org/ Special thanks to Tu Nguyen, Ann Vu, Matthew Tran, Danny Guo, Calista Aguilar, Thao Thanh Nguyen, Katherine Wang, Nancy Vuong, and Andrew Ramirez. Dedicated to Blue Regard, Beta class mascot.