Alumni Association of the Michigan Alpha Chapter of Phi Delta Theta

Homecoming 2011 at Michigan Alpha

2011-10-31T10:00:00-07:00

Homecoming 2011 at Michigan Alpha

Four Decades of Alums Visit Chapter House, USMC Veteran Honored

[Posted October 31, 2011] The Alumni Association hosted the Homecoming Open House to provide alums and their guests with an opportunity to visit the chapter house, meet fellow alums, enjoy breakfast refreshments and share good memories. Alums representing graduating classes from the 1960s through the 2010s attended.

During a brief program that started at 10 a.m., active chapter president Will Hardenbergh '12 and Alumni Association President JT (Tom) Buck '77 welcomed alums and gave them an overview of Michigan Alpha's outstanding progress during the past year as well as plans to keep the momentum rolling.

Alumni Association Secretary Greg Karmazin '87 initiated a new tradition for Homecoming by reading the names and Bond Numbers of alums who moved on to the Chapter Grand during the past year. A moment of silence was held to honor these loyal alums.

Another highlight of the program was Karmazin introducing attendees to Jim Izen '89 who was visiting the
chapter house for the first time since 1990. After graduating from the Reserve Officers' Training Corps
(ROTC), Izen entered the U.S. Marine Corps (USMC) where he had a distinguished 20 year career.

His USMC service included the combat mission of leading the first A1M1 tank platoon into Kuwait during Operation Desert Storm. Everyone gave Izen a hearty round of applause to thank him for his service to our nation.

Other alumni attendees included Dr. Ted Ludwig '61, Pat Hayden '66, Jon McLain '77, Joe Fattore '80, Nat Love '81 (PDT Province President), Andrew Brandner '93 and James Alsobrooks '10.

The Alumni Association was pleased with the event, but hopes to see more alums attend the 2012 Homecoming Open House on October 13 when the Wolverines battle the Fighting Illini. We are considering ideas to expand the Open House to attract more alumni participation. Mark your calendars!

To see more pictures of Homecoming 2011, please CLICK HERE.

2011-2012 Annual Fund

2011-10-20T12:45:50-07:00

2011-2012 Annual Fund

[Posted October 1, 2011] The Annual Fund is the main source of financial resources for major renovations and improvements to our 108 year old chapter house. It is also the only source of funding for the Sword & Shield newsletter as well as the Alumni Association's web site and e-newsletter.

We encourage your continued support by contributing to the 2011-2012 Annual Fund which began accepting donations on September 1, 2011 by CLICKING HERE.

Thank you for keeping Michigan Alpha strong!

Homecoming 2011

2011-09-27T21:52:51-07:00

Homecoming Open House 2011 on October 29

Alumni Encouraged to Attend Brief Program at 10 a.m.

[Posted September 28, 2011] If you're in town for Homecoming 2011 when the Wolverines take on the Purdue Boilermakers in the Big House at noon on October 29, please be sure to stop by our Homecoming Open House in the morning.

The chapter house will be open for viewing, and complimentary breakfast food, coffee and juice will be served starting at 10 a.m. (the house may be open starting at 9 a.m.). There will also be a short program starting at 10 a.m. to welcome alums and make announcements.

As always during football Saturdays, free parking on the front lawn is available for PDT alums. Please understand that the house is locked at all times, so unless you visit in the morning, someone may not be around to let you in.

2011 Spring-Summer Sword & Shield

2011-09-27T10:00:00-07:00

PDT Sword & Shield 2011 Spring-Summer issue

50 Years Ago... Homecoming 1961 at 1437 Washtenaw

2011-09-01T10:00:00-07:00

Michigan Alpha Heritage Project

50 Years Ago... Homecoming 1961 at 1437 Washtenaw

Photo courtesy of Dr. Anthony Petrilli '63

[Posted September 1, 2011] Do you have pictures, old Sword & Shield newsletters or just great memories that tell the story of Michigan Alpha? If so, please consider sharing them with the Alumni Assocation to help us advance the Heritage Project.

Established in 2008, the Heritage Project is designed to document the rich history of Michigan Alpha, and ensure that future generations of Phis know our long-standing tradition of leadership in the U of M Greek System.

If you have materials or information to share, please contact Alumni Association Secretary Greg Karmazin '87 at gkarm@aol.com.

Active Chapter President’s Report

2011-08-01T10:00:00-07:00

Active Chapter President’s Report

Successful Winter-Spring Terms, Great Momentum for 2011-2012 Year

By Will Hardenbergh ’13

[Posted July 1, 2011] On behalf of the active chapter membership, I would like to thank our alums who have been generous in donating their money, time and moral support to Michigan Alpha. Your backing is critically important and tremendously appreciated.

I especially wish to thank the leaders of the Alumni Association/House Corporation and the Chapter Advisory Board for donating countless hours of your time to help the active chapter stay focusedon the right direction while also keeping our historic 108-year-old chapter house in outstanding condition.

It is clear that fraternities with strong alumni participation and support enjoy a significant advantage over other houses. Based on what I’ve seen and heard as president, I think Michigan Alpha’s alums are best in the U of M Greek System.

There is no question in my mind that a big part of Phi Delta Theta’s success on U of M’s campus has been made possible because of our alums. The active chapter is mindful that your support must be earned every year – we take nothing for granted.

I am pleased to say that the fraternity is continuing to grow and improve. Michigan Alpha is fulfilling its mission to be a leader in the U of M Greek System while making a positive impact on the campusand the Ann Arbor community.

It is my hope that you will find our achievements worthy of your continued support and make you proud to say you are a Michigan Alpha alum. The following outlines highlights of the first half of 2011.

Intramural Sports

PDT was highly competitive in the Fraternity League, making the “A” team playoffs in volleyball, wallyball, water polo and broomball. Our collective efforts resulted in a 3rd place finish in the Fraternity League for the 2010-2011 year.

With many veteran athletes returning this fall, we expect to be in the hunt for an IM Sports Championship. Given that PDT finished among the top 3 in the Fraternity League for two straight years (2nd place during the 2009-2010 year), we have solidified our reputation as aggressive competitors.

Grade Point Average

During the winter term, the chapter maintained a GPA of 3.27, which places us above the all-fraternity campus average of 3.17, all-men campus average of 3.19 and overall campus average of 3.24.Even more impressive was our freshman class GPA of 3.34 that soundly beat the all-male freshmen average of 3.16.

Winter Rush

The chapter placed a renewed emphasis on winter rush, and our hard work paid off with one of the largest pledge classes for that time of year in the history of the fraternity. We recruited an excellentpledge class of 14 men who are all assets to our fraternity.

The majority of the pledges are from the state of Michigan, but the class features diversity with men hailing from as far away as Sweden and Portugal.

Total Membership and House Occupancy

After the 2011 graduation, our active membership totals 56; this places us close to the all-fraternity average of 62 members. It has never been our goal to be the largest fraternity on campus, as we believe that one of the hallmarks of Michigan Alpha’s historic success is the opportunity for men to participate in multiple activities and leadership positions.

Most importantly, we have achieved a size that allows us to know every member of the fraternity -- a feat not possible in some houses that strive to be the biggest in numbers rather than best in quality.

A testament to our close-knit philosophy is the fact that 52% (29 men) of our total membership will be living in the chapter house during the 2011-2012 year. In some “big” fraternities, less than half of the members ever live in the chapter house even one year – they never really get to know the majority ofthe members.

In addition to keeping busy with activities in the chapter, Michigan Alpha members are involved in campus activities such as the Hockey Club, Crew Team, Rugby Club, ROTC, Investment Club, Debate Club, Michigan Triathlon Team, Snowboarding Club, Fishing Club and many other organizations.

Social Events

In January, we held our annual ski trip which gave brothers stories to last the rest of the year if not longer. During February, we hosted a date party formal, and throughout the balance of the semester we hosted multiple mixers with sororities such as Delta Gamma, Pi Phi, Chi O, Alpha Phi, AD Pi, Zeta and D Phi E. In summary, we had a good time...

Philanthropy

Michigan Alpha’s commitment to philanthropy remains solid as we held three large philanthropy events during the winter semester. In the middle of March, the brothers paired up with the ladies of Delta Gamma to host the Banta Bash, which honored the memory of George Banta, Sr. and raised money for charitablecauses.

Later in March, we co-hosted with Ann Arbor Active Against ALS, the 3rd Annual Boxcar Derby that brought children and their parents from all around Ann Arbor to South University to race and promote awareness of ALS. The event continues to grow, and this year we raised more than $4,000 to fight LouGehrig’s disease.

We finished the semester by partnering with Phi Sigma Rho sorority to participate in Relay for Life, which benefited the America Cancer Society.

Awards

Michigan Alpha’s progress has been measured by numerous awards during recent years, and 2011 continued this trend. The U of M Interfraternity Council presented the chapter awards for OutstandingAchievement in Philanthropy and Outstanding Involvement with IFC.

The PDT General Headquarters named Michigan Alpha as the top “Iron Phi” chapter among all Phi Delt chapters in the nation in recognition of our successful athletic-based fundraising to combat Lou Gehrig’s disease.

Upcoming Events and Alums Always Welcome to Visit

During the fall semester, the active brothers look forward to seeing alumni visit the house on football game Saturdays or any time for that matter (although the house has a security system and the doors arelocked most of the time, please knock and someone will let you in).

Come by the house, meet the guys, and share some of your stories. Remember, this is still your house on campus.

I encourage you to attend the Homecoming Open House on the morning of October 29 before Michigan takes on the Purdue in the Big House. Also, mark your calendar for the Founders Day Dinner that will be held in March of 2012.

As always, proud to be a Phi!