Phi Kappa Tau - Gamma Nu Chapter

The Brothers of the Alpha Tau Chapter at Cornell University have invited us down to their "Phi Tug" philanthropy event for a number of years now, and it is always an event to look forward to. Phi Tug is the Alpha Tau Chapter's annual philanthropy. Essentially, they host a big tug-of-war competition open to all the greek organizations and sports teams on campus. They charge $30 per team and all of the money is donated to the Hole in the Wall Gang Camps. In addition, they have a raffle with prizes that are donated by local businesses to further the cause.

This year, the Gamma Nu Chapter arrived at Alpha Tau mansion on Saturday around 3 and hung out for some time before venturing out to explore downtown Ithaca. Needless to say, Ithaca is a stark contrast to Rochester, with many beautiful women strolling the streets...it was a nice change in scenery! Later that night, various forms of entertainment were provided by the Alpha Tau Brothers, including a campfire until the wee hours of the morning. It was definitely a night to remember!

Congratulations to the Fall 2008 Associate Members for receiving their Big Brothers!

Eric Wolcott - Chris Brietzke
Luke Allessi - Ben Muratet
Andrew Nock - Luke Dordai
Mike Statt-Lane - Johnny Casale
Lee Gruensfelder - Emmett Coakley
Ryan Shaw - Jason Costanzo

This past weekend the Gamma Nu chapter held a Brotherhood Retreat. It included Spring 2008 Neophyte initiations, risk management presentations, brotherhood activities, and most importantly our “Milestones or Millstones” discussions. With the exception of the initiations, the weekend was completely voluntary, however all of the Active Brothers, some local Alumni, the Fall 2008 Associate Members, and some members from the University of Rochester Colony were in attendance.

The main reason for the retreat is that the Chapter was rated as a 'below basic' chapter last year due to deficiencies in four of the fourteen Borradaile Challenge categories. At Convention this past summer, other chapters who have continually been below basic were brought to show cause meetings where they had to explain their continual problems to National and beg not to have their charters revoked. Penn State lost their charter while other chapters were put on probation, including neighboring Rho Chapter at RPI - it was definitely an eye-opener.

At the RIT Staff Recognition Awards Ceremony held in the Ingle Auditorium yesterday, October 2^nd, long-time friend and former Advisor Gary Gasper, Director of Student Union Dining Services, was recognized with the Dancy Duffus Outstanding Citizenship award. The Dancy Duffus Outstanding Citizenship Award recognizes a staff member of the utmost integrity who consistently shows imagination, creativity and innovation which embody the RIT Spirit. The recipient provides exceptional service to students and the University constituents, exhibits outstanding leadership qualities, and is a model of service to the RIT Community.

Gary has previously won the Dr. Edgar Ewing Brandon Award twice and the Phi Award from Phi Kappa Tau National, and two other service awards from RIT. For his guidance in the development of the fraternity, Dr. Edgar Ewing Brandon is known as the "Architect of Phi Kappa Tau." The fraternity gives the Edgar Ewing Brandon Award to outstanding faculty advisors in the fraternity each year. The Phi award is presented to a Brother for outstanding service to one’s own chapter.

"All of these awards and recognition are great, but the real reward comes from assisting students in getting through the maze we call RIT!"