Alpha Star
University of California, Berkeley
Phi Delta Theta
California Alpha Chapter
SPRING 2009
Established 1873
Recently, Vice President Adam Woo and I had the opportunity to visit one of our brothers in the bond, Gen- eral Curtis O'Sullivan (#558). General O'Sullivan entered Cai in 1939 and was quickly rushed by fraternities such as Sigma Chi, Beta Theta Pi, Delta Kappa Epsilon, and of course Phi Delta Theta. Luckily, Curtis's father, Curtis Dion '16 (#208), and Curtis's brother, Cornelius Dion '41 (#501), were both past Phis and Curtis chose to uphold the tradition of the O'Sullivans' within the bond of Phi Delta Theta.
Curtis and his fellow Phis were versed in the principles of Phi Delta Theta as we all have been. In addition, Curtis and his fellow Phis had regular formal Monday meetings, mandatory weekly study hours and tutoring, and additionally were required to be involved in at least 2 extra-curricular activities and a sport. Additionally, to uphold their relations with other houses, broth- ers of Phi Delt would go out to weekly lunches with members of other fraterni- ties. Many of us can see aspects of our own semesters at Phi Delt which closely resemble Curtis's years at Cal, going to show that while brothers may come and go, tradition never graduates.
After the attack on Pearl Harbor, Curtis stopped his ROTC training and decided to rather just immediately enlist in the armed forces. Curtis was assigned to field artillery and was then sent to North Africa with his outfit of fel- -low soldiers. Curtis served in battle until the war's end and returned to Cal in 1946 to complete his degree. During his time in the theater of war, Curtis was stationed at places such as North Africa, Italy, and Southern France. By the end of the war, Curtis had spent over 525 days in front-line combat. Curtis continued his miltary career after the war and worked his way up to the ranks of Brigadier General, serving 32 years in the armed forces. Curtis has not only done his nation a great service but has also served and honored the bond of Phi Delta Theta, maintaining the principles of friendship, sound learning, and moral rectitude throughout his years at Cal. Adam and I are greatly thankful for the opportunity to meet with Curtis and we wish him the best. Yours in the bond,
Nima Rejali #1342
Alumni Secretary
2726 Channing Way • Berkeley • California • 510-540-9036 • www.calphidelts.org
An untimely Demise It is with great sadness that we report the passing of Cory Satin (bond #1147) on January 27, 2009. Cory bled blue and gold and was truly proud to be a Phi. He was a loyal friend who will be missed.
I must also regrettfully inform you that Mr. Harold A. Ellis Jr. (bond # 729), passed away on January 6, 2009. "Hal," as he was known by his friends, founded Grubb & Ellis with his partner and friend John Grubb (bond # 702). Together they estab- lished the largest real estate firm in the US. His presence will be remembered by those in the community.
The Silence of the Ducks
Duck Dinner. A night of brothers, old and new. A night of catching up with a few old friends. A night of ducks, and lots of them! I would like to thank all the Alumni and active brothers who were able to make it to this fun night on the Berkeley campus. With the wonderful work of the previous Alumni Secretary, Brian Wantz, the brothers were able to enjoy a delicious dinner and had the op- portunity to dine with Phis from years past. I was still a pledge during the dinner so my brothers-to-be and I also had the chance to belt out some notes and sing the glorious songs of the chapter, keeping the tradition of the "Singing Frater- nity" alive and strong. In addition, Alumnus of the Year Decker Flynn and Phi of the Year Marius Lungu were both recognized. With a splendid combination of duck, steak, and chicken, our Phis, new and old, had the pleasure of enjoying a delicious meal while conversing with the brothers in the bond over a wide range of topics. Did you miss Duck Dinner this year? Don't worry. Keep your eyes open for the upcoming Fall 2009 Alpha Star and send back the invite with your intent to attend. See you there!
Yours in the Bond,
Nima Rejali #1342
Alumni Secretary
House Furnishings — Got Junk?
The Chapter House is constantly in need of new supplies and we graciously accept donations of furniture and other equipment in working condition. We are continually trying to improve the appearance of the house and would gladly accept any donations. If you would like to make a contribution, please contact Nima Rejali at (949) 813-6759 or atnimarejali@berKeley.edU. We could use the following: Kitchen Appliances - Furniture - Electronic Appliances - Tools
2726 Channing Way • Berkeley • California • 510-540-9036 • www.calphidelts.org
President's Report
Brothers,
I am proud and very excited to be the new president of our fine chapter. Having been a member for three semesters now, I have truly come to love our house and appreciate all that Phi Delta Theta has to offer. I attended the Presidential Leadership Confer- ence in St. Louis, Missouri overwinter break and met many of the other chapter presidents during my three day stay. I am happy to report that our house contin- ues to be a highly decorated and respected one, hav- ing once again received the Gold Star, the GHQ Trophy, and other GHQ recognitions. Besides chatting with the other chapter representatives, I had the chance to get inspired by the many speakers and alumni that attended the conference. More than ever before did I feel honored to be a part of this great Fraternity and internalize the calling to make it even stronger. We have continued a very active and suc- cessful recruitment process to attract future members that are friendly, respectful, and who embody our Three Cardinal Principles. Just last week, we initiated the eight man pledge class of Fall 2008. They are all exceptional young men who have demonstrated strength of character and a passion for the Frater- nity. Nima Rejali has already taken up the position of Alumni Secretary, Aaron Kavanaugh has become the new Secretary, and Jake Toy has been working to get Phi Delt more involved in the community as the Philan- thropy Chair. All of them have become active members of the house and I am proud to call them my brothers. Members of the chapter continue to be involved in the Greek community, philanthropic events, and around the college campus. We are already planning our annual Spring Music Festival to benefit ALS and are participating in the Adopt a School program. As President, I plan on strengthening the reputation of Phi Delta Theta by en- couraging our members to attend community service events and wear their letters proudly around campus. I would like to increase alumni and parent relations by hosting events at the house to celebrate the com- munity of Phi Delta Theta and further encourage the attendance on game days. We are bringing back study hours as part of Phikeia education and, staying true to our dedication to sound learning, posted a 3.2 aver- age GPA for last semester. I am working to reorganize the internal operations of the chapter and hope to further vitalize the spirit of our ideals. As part of this, I am working more closely with I FC and the university to promote our good standing and positive reputation. The house continues to become better as we work hard to make it a comfortable, clean place to live and socialize. This of course is not just achieved alone, but through the fantastic help we receive. I would like to thank all the alumni for their continued support and involvement. It is the bond and the principles that we all share that make this Frater- nity as great as it is. Our valued Housing Corporation has worked tirelessly to improve the house and keep the chapter functioning to its full potential. I am grate- ful for their continued commitment and look forward to what we can achieve in the future. I invite you all to visit us at the house and I am looking forward to having a very successful semester.
Yours in the Bond,
Daniel Pitsch #1327
President
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Spring Recruitment
Spring Recruitment has been both fun and successful. This semester we took a more low key personal approach in an attempt to recruit a handful of quality guys. We kicked off rush with our tradi- tional Hog Roast. We stuck to the theme of using the stomach to lure in new recruits by holding nightly barbecues, a pizza night, and a catered formal dinner. Hookah and cigar night was one of the highlights of rush and a great way to sit down and get to know some of the new potentials. Finally, we closed out rush with a Superbowl barbecue and party. Overall I think both the brothers and the new recruits had a great time during rush and I look forward to getting closer to our five new pledges.
Yours in the bond,
Miles Barker #1334
Spring Rush Chair
Founders Day!!!!
Golf Tournament and Awards Presentation
Please mark you calendars. Phi Delta Theta recognizes our 25, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, & 75 year legionnaires. The Brothers of California Alpha that will receive these awards are listed below.
WHEN: Saturday April 25th
WHERE: Tilden Goli Course
Name:
Yes, I will be attending the golf tournament. Enclosed is my check payable to California Alpha As-
sociation for $ 70. First Tee Time will be at 8:00 AM.
Yes, I would like to attend the BBQ and Legionnaire's Award Presentation at Tilden. BBQ will begin at
1:00 PM
Handicap:
Phi Delta Theta recognizes our 25,50,55,60,65,70 & 75 year legionnaires.
75 Year Legionnaire Mr. William R. Bueermann Mr. William N. Taylor
Mr. Julius C. Deubner Mr. James C. Wyatt 50 Year Legionnaires
70 Year Legionnaires55 Year Legionnaires Mr Hector L Cordova
Mr. James R McQueen
Mr. Terry J. Knoepp
Mr. Chas R. De Lorimier
Mr. Stanley M. Hakmiller
25 Year Legionnaires
Mr. Bruce D. Kuyper
Mr. Terrence T. Maiken
Mr. Michael K. Smith
Mr. Matthew M. Pribyl
Mr. Louis C. Pena
Mr. Gregory G. Smith
Mr. Michael J. Burkland
Mr. Steven P. Berkowitz
Mr. Fred C. Roberts
Mr. Edward F. Willi
Mr. William H. Fairbank Jr.
65 Year Legionnaires
Mr. Bingham Kirk
Mr. Robert L. Cuttle
Mr. Loring E. Hanson
60 Year Legionnaires
Mr. James H. Llewellyn
Mr. Walter M. Tindell
Mr. Thomas T. Trowbridge
Mr. John R. Enright
Mr. Alan B. Jenkins
Mr. Paul C. Jones
Mr. John N. Lawton Jr.
Mr. Lee A. Miller
Mr. Raymond B. Pike
Mr. Milton J. Raugust
Mr. Jack A. Western
Mr. Richard L. Carver
Mr. Grant V. Cook
Dr. James A. Holt
Mr. Lawrence J. Melvin
Mr. Richard C. Orear
Mr. Richard A. Laezman
Mr. Peter M. Blakely
Mr. Rodney A. Borges
Mr. Arnfinn Austeford
Mr. Frank G. Benson
2726 Channing Way • Berkeley • California • 510-540-9036 • www.calphidelts.org
Page 5
Home Sweet Home
We're into the Spring semester of 2009 now, and it's an exciting time for house repairs. Our recently initiated fall pledge class made it their personal project to give our kitchen a whole new look, and after a week of scrubbing and painting, our facilities look better than ever. With the help of dedicated alumni Adam Garfinkle and Evan Basakis, we have also wrapped up the remaining projects left over from installing our new shining tower of a fire escape, such as putting in a brand new fence along the property line shared by Beta Theta Pi, and building a new back porch leading to our hot tub.
What remains for Phi Delt California Alpha? We're working on plans for a comprehensive backyard patio, featuring a cozy camp-fire pit and possibly a basketball hoop for some big bro-little bro one-on-one matches. There are also improvements that can be made in our basement/dance-floor area in the form of built-in party lighting to replace our current unflattering fixtures and make the room more inviting to guests. But every extra dollar helps to make these dreams reality, so please consider making a donation to the Phi Delta Theta House Improvements fund this semester, and help us to continue making this house the pride of every member.
Yours in the Bond,
Robbie LaBare #1317
House Manager
Who Said a Phi Can't Have Some Fun???
This is an exciting new year for the Phi Delta Theta California Alpha chapter! As this semester's external social chair I am pleased with the progress that the house is making. More importantly, I am pleased with the fun that the brothers and their friends are having. Most believe college, especially Berkeley, to be a place of only school, stress, and work. I am happy to say that the brothers of California Alpha are not only demonstrating their prowess in academics, but enjoying a fun, engaging, and once-in-a-lifetime experience as a college student and as a Phi. We are opening new doorways with sorority relations and solidifying the friendships we have already made. Furthermore, our involvement within the fraternity community is ensuring that we enter the new semester with new friendships and a new sense of inclusion within the Greek community as a whole. I am lucky to have such a dynamic group of brothers with which to live, learn, and experience what college is really all about.
Yours in the Bond,
Matthew LaCoste #1323
External Social Chair
Brothers Robert Yegiazaryan, Patrick Cento, Charlie Litchfield, Todd Andrich, Eric Michal, and Robert Ebin (left to right) spend- ing a quality night with Alumnus Daniel Keegan (far left).
2726 Channing Way • Berkeley • California • 510-540-9036 • www.calphidelts.org
Page 6
Thank You from Cal Alpha
We would like to thank the brothers listed to the right for their generous gifts to the Building fund last semester. We hope that you will consider a contribution to the California Alpha Building Fund as part of your annual donations. We very much appreciate the feedback we receive regarding lost Phi Delts. If you sent in updates, please be sure that we received them. If you have provided information on a brother who continues to appear on this list, it means the information that was provided is either the same information we already have as their most recent address which is no longer valid, or that we confirmed that the new information provided is out of date. Thank you.
Donors
519
Mr. James H. L'Hommedieu
Jr.
526
Mr. Edward F. Willi
552
Mr. Edwin C. Callan
558
Mr. C. H. O'Sullivan
602
Mr. William G. Robinson
662
Mr. Richard W. Strong
787
Mr. John N. Lawton Jr.
837
Mr. John T. Hokom
851
Mr. Henry M. Giudice
951
Mr. J. E. Holmes III
1050
Mr. Rodney S. Pimentel
1060
Mr. Terrence T. Maiken
1150
Mr. Dennis D. Sidbury
Lost Phis
Bond # Name
PLEASE HELP US LOCATE THE FOLLOWING PHIS. IF YOU KNOW THEIR
CURRENT ADDRESS, PLEASE SEND IT IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE OR
EMAIL IT TO SIDBURY@CAL.BERKELEY.EDU.
Bond # Name Bond # Name
512
Mr.
Laurin F. Tolman
897
520
Mr.
George W. Shipley
902
541
Mr.
James E. Hug
918
553
Mr.
Richard W. Steere
946
566
Mr.
Richard E. Baum
954
627
Mr.
Jack D. Griffith
957
632
Mr.
Richard C. Apman
958
645
Mr.
Henry A. Kinnison Jr.
959
648
Mr.
Marion E. Willson
960
649
Mr.
Gordon W. Nelson
964
651
Mr.
Warren E. Davis
965
652
Mr.
Roger H. Ransom
966
661
Mr.
Richard W. Henley
968
667
Mr.
George A. Leatherman Jr.
969
669
Mr.
George W. Smith
970
673
Mr.
Jack R. Howell
976
691
Mr.
Ben E. Foster
977
710
Mr.
Ruben L. Navarro
1001
721
Mr. James R. Payne
1002
736
Mr.
Nathaniel M. Ball
1042
749
Mr.
Richard N. Peterson
1068
757
Mr.
Robert A. Smith
1070
792
Mr.
David K. Brown
1075
800
Mr.
Curtis K. Townsend
1079
801
Mr.
Robert M. Watkins
1085
818
Mr.
Donald B. Shea
1086
829
Mr.
Donald M. Howard
1092
832
Mr.
James D. Rhoades
1115
839
Mr.
Laurence D. Oliveri
1125
868
Mr.
John B. Nance
1128
890
Mr.
Richard B. Griffin
1132
892
Mr.
James J. Kennington
1134
896
Mr.
Mark C. Covington
1142
Mr. William E. Dempsey
Mr. Thomas J. Seed
Mr. Jeffrey M. Brennan
Mr. James E. Richards
Mr. Joseph A. Wharton
Mr. Richard A. Potts
Mr. John Wisnom IV
Mr. Alan C. Doscher
Mr. Steven C. Morrell
Mr. Clayton T. Rowley
Mr. Craig S. Nelson
Mr. Michael P. Schelp
Mr. H. D. Roebuck
Mr. Robert L. Johnson Jr.
Mr. Dennis J. Fitzgerald
Mr. Richard L. Armstrong
Mr. Carl A. Northcraft
Mr. William P. Leary
Mr. Mark R. Thorp
Mr. Matt E. Clark
Mr. Timothy E. Salter
Mr. Stephen D. Machado
Mr. Mark D. Fowler
Mr. Bradley W. Coburn
Mr. James W. Fannin
Mr. James M. Hirst
Mr. Dennis G. Lee
Mr. Eric C. Hoffmann
Mr. Jeffrey T Han
Mr. Lasse B. Kjelsaas
Mr. Frank R R. Avenilla
Mr. Felix A. Torres
Mr. Christopher S. Brown
1144 Mr. Lee S. Roberts
1149 Mr. Vladimir Douhovnikoff
1159 Mr. John M. Houkom
1161 Mr. Jason M. Redd
1164 Mr. Philip S Mah
1189 Mr. Manuel R. Lozano
1200 Mr. Jason Shuster
1201 Mr. Alex B. Szeto
1219 Mr. Clayton A. Everline
1233 Mr. Nicholas Cravalho
1234 Mr. Neil H. Ogimachi
1254 Mr. Ryan Carney
Brothers,
Take a close look at the names on the list. Every year this list becomes smaller. Let make sure that every Phi is found!
2726 Channing Way • Berkeley • California • 510-540-9036 • www.calphidelts.org
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What's New?
Has something interesting happened to you in the past year? If so, please contact us and let your brothers know what's new. We are always curious to learn about the various experiences or accomplishments of our fellow brothers.
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING
TO: Members of California Alpha Association
Please take notice that the annual membership meeting will be held at the chapter house, 2726 Channing Way, Berkeley, CA, on Monday February 23, 2009, at 6:00 P.M., for the following purposes:
1 .Election of directors.
2.To consider reports of the affairs of the corporation.
3.To transact such other business as may come before the meeting.
If you do not expect to be present in person and you desire to appoint a proxy, please fill in the information below and return in the enclosed envelope.
I appoint Dennis D. Sidbury, President CAA. Or (strike through if you fill in another name) my agent and proxy for the purpose of voting at the annual membership meeting.
Dated: , 2009
Signature
Please print your name
YES!
I would like to make a lasting commitment to the Brothers of Phi Delta Thêta, Cal Alpha!
Please accept my donation of:
~$500 | |$2 O O I |$1QO | |$_
Please make your check payable to the California Alpha Association, with a memo entry of "Building Fund" and mail to:
California Alpha at P.O. Box 4338, Berkeley, CA 94704.
Thank you for your generous support.
2726 Channing Way • Berkeley • California • 510-540-9036 • www.calphidelts.org
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