Bluegrass Regional Conference 2015: From a First-Time Attendee’s Perspective
By Sydney Hartley, ΕΞ ‘13
A couple of weekends ago, I attended my very first regional conference. We started off on a road trip down to Nashville. The van was loaded up with the Chemistry dream team (all of us either currently work for or have been employed at ETSU’s chemistry department) and off we go. We have a pleasant drive and decide to get dinner at Cracker Barrel. It was a nice and filling stop but afterward we knew we would still want some snacks for the rest of the drive. Most of us suggested we simply visit at the gas station that is at the same exit we stopped to eat. Ryan, however, had something much better planned for us. We got on the road went down four more miles and pulled off to stop at the world renowned Pilot station at exit 4. Boy we sure would have missed out had we not been patient and simply went to a gas station for snacks at the same exit as Cracker Barrel. Luckily Ryan was looking out for us.
Pilot – Exit 4 on Interstate 40
SAAC Members at Centennial Park
Sydney picking the winning card.
National Convention 2014: Atlanta
By Josh Moore, ΕΞ ‘12
Being a member of a somewhat geographically isolated Collegiate Chapter and Alumni Chapter makes it easy to forget exactly how large and diverse our Brotherhood actually is. Since most of SAAC’s membership is comprised of ΕΞ Brothers, and the relationship between SAAC and ΕΞ is incredibly strong, we sometimes forget that there are other amazing Brothers to interact with.
National Convention is an excellent reminder of all that is great about Phi Sigma Pi. The 2014 iteration did not disappoint.
SAAC and Epsilon Xi Brothers arrived in a series of 4 waves (because who doesn’t love extending the #SAACWatch2014), with two waves arriving in the picturesque city of Atlanta, GA on Tuesday July 29th. This was a little bit of a departure from our normal travel arrangements, but with Convention being located within a 300-mile drive from our area, it gave us a little more flexibility in scheduling our week. The remainder of SAAC’s contingent arrived by Friday.
Though I have attended 3 Conventions, this was my first time getting to see what actually goes on in the Grand Chapter Meetings. The days were long, filled with amendments to amendments of amendments, but it was a great opportunity to see what actually goes on during the Grand Chapter sessions. If you have attended Convention before, but like me, have never witnessed the beauty of Robert’s Rules of Order in its full glory, I highly recommend that you do a full registration next year.
We, as a Fraternity, took steps toward becoming more inclusive. A floor resolution was passed to refer to our Brotherhood as a “gender-inclusive” entity. We discussed our National Philanthropy, and whether we wanted to keep things the way they were, or change to something different. For a first-time peanut, it was amazing to see all the delegates and alternates working in such unity and with such purpose.
We elected a new National Council. It is with great pride that I say that our first SAAC president, Ryan Alexander, was elected to serve for the next two years as Vice-President of Alumni Development. To think, I knew him when…
As amazing as the business side of Grand Chapter was, there was also time to take in the sights and fellowship with outstanding Collegiate and Alumni brothers from across the country (shout-outs to Capital, DVAC, and NYMAAC for inviting SAAC into their Tri-Chapter Event in October). It’s always great to see familiar faces from Conventions past, and create new memories with our outstanding Brothers.
By Saturday, it was time for LiA modules and a visit to the World of Coca-Cola Museum. However, nothing compared to the Awards Banquet that evening. Seeing our ΕΞ Brothers win the Dr. Eldo Hendricks Award for Excellence in Scholarship and Programming was a fitting end to the amazing week we had, and there weren’t many dry eyes when we watched Ryan officially transition into his National Council position.
All in all, Convention has the same effect on me each year; it renews my desire to live the ideals of the Tripod, and to do great things as a Alumnus. If you haven’t had the joy of attending Convention, 2015 is as good a year as any to start, and you’ll be an old pro by the time our Centennial Convention rolls into Kansas City in 2016.
From Brother to Alumnna
By: Tina Bouthillier, ΕΞ ’13
The question everyone keeps asking me is, “what are you going to do now?” What I really want to say is not exactly positive but I reply with, “Joder, I wish I knew.” I am sure that all new alumni of a university think the same thing. Who really has their life mapped out? We all have goals and aspirations, but an actual map that leads us to our desired destination that does not exist! One thing I have learned from “life experience” or what some refer to as just being older, is that we cannot possibly know how our life will end up. So what do we do? Do we wait around and hope we get to where we want to be? Psht…NO! We do as we are trained to do. We apply for those jobs, and we work and wait tables in the mean time. We make a living as best we can with hopes we don’t lose that drive that got us through our undergrad careers. And we look at what we have done along the way with a sense of pride that yes, we made it through!
Well it has been three weeks to the day since I walked across that stage in the mini dome wearing my cap and gown that was decorated by supplies from Michael’s and by one symbol that lets me know I succeeded in my undergrad career at ETSU, my Phi Sigma Pi honor stole. From the moment I put it on over my gown I felt ten feet tall. My head was high and I walked through the halls of the mini dome like a prize bird with its chest puffed up and its feathers showing. I was proud to be wearing it! It not only symbolized that I was a part of a great organization, but that I had my time within the Chapter of Epsilon Xi, and that my time as an undergrad had come to an end. It symbolized that in one way or another I left my mark on the Chapter and that I was moving on to being a part of an elite group, The Alumni.
I will never forget my very first time meeting the Brothers of Epsilon Xi in the Fall of 2011. In fact I still reminisce when I drive through campus and see the volleyball court where I first gave them a glimpse of how bad I was at volleyball but also how much I loved to play. That group of Brothers made me feel welcomed, like I was a long lost friend. I knew from that first day of recruitment that I was meant to be a part of Epsilon Xi. That volleyball court was only the start of my journey with Phi Sigma Pi and walking across the stage in December would not be the end.
Leading up to the end of the Fall semester 2013 my anxiety about letting go of my duties within the Chapter began to build. When I gave up Recording Secretary in Spring 2013 I was having doubts that I would be able to just step back and let the current Brothers run the Chapter. I wanted so much for Epsilon Xi to continue strong and I felt like I needed to continue to help lead the way and at the same time I needed to step back. Holding any sort of active responsibility within the Chapter was important. So after Fall 2013 semester started, I let go of my responsibilities as much as I could, which was not a whole lot. I still ended up holding a position and heading a committee. This is because I was not ready to let go and, for me, Eta Class, my rush class, really aided the recovery of Epsilon Xi. We grew not only in numbers but in every aspect a Chapter could only hope to grow in. Not only were we successful as a Chapter on campus but at a National level within the Fraternity. Our efforts as a Chapter were recognized as well. We all know what a fantastic feeling that is!
I was worried that as an Alumnna I would not feel as though I am a part of the Chapter. Then I began to look back on my perspective of the Alumni from the beginning. Ryan and Jillian were the Alumni. The mother and father of Epsilon Xi, if you will. They were practically sitting on a throne with fur cloaks and gold crowns with purple jewels and white diamonds in them. I laugh now that I had thought of it like that, but that is how I would explain it to my six year old. They walk in the room and they get the highest respect, as they should. I am not putting them on the level of a dios but when I was rushing, that is how I thought of them. As I continued thinking of what it would be like to be an Alumna, I could only hope for the same level of respect. Not every Alumni Member can be as active as they are but I can completely understand why they are. Epsilon Xi is like their baby. They helped bring it up from the time it was chartered. They stumbled and fell as all parents do, but they fought on. As an Alumna of Epsilon Xi, I only hope that my efforts to continue the magnitude that is Epsilon Xi are visible and that one day I too will be seen as a great Alumna.
I owe my sanity and success as an ETSU graduate to Phi Sigma Pi. They got me through the toughest time in my college career. The Brothers of Epsilon Xi are my family and I love them just the same. While there are some I put on the same level as that cousin I don’t like to see except on holidays that occur twice a year, they are family none the less and having a strong family tie is embedded deep into my core values. I am extremely proud to say that I am a Brother in Phi Sigma Pi and that I held myself to the highest standards within the Brotherhood.
I thought that being an undergrad Brother of Epsilon Xi was only the start. When in all reality crossing the stage wearing my purple stole with the gold letters PSP sewn carefully on it would be the beginning of a new path within the Fraternity. My excitement to graduate was fueled by this thought. I simply made it through the first stage of my life within the Brotherhood and I am excited about being a part of an elite group of Brothers in SAAC.
Phi Sigma Pi is not a name to carry, not an organization to simply be a part of, not even a group of friends you sometimes get along with. Phi Sigma Pi is a beat in the heart of ETSU that has Active Brothers an Alumni running through the veins of the student body. If you are a Brother of Phi Sigma Pi then you hold a great honor in our society of students and adults.
2013 November Social Event: Catching Fire
By: Ryan Alexander, ΕΞ ’10
Getting to see my fellow alumni is always a special time for me. We have way too much fun, and there is never a dull moment. Our social event for November, watching the second installment of the Hunger Games, Catching Fire, was no exception.
The night started off with the Epsilon Xi’s annual Thanksgiving potluck luncheon, where everyone (myself included) ate way more food than any one person should. It is just so hard to stop when everyone’s dishes were so scrumptious! It was also nice for the undergraduates to meet some of the alumni that they have never seen before but heard so much about. It really felt like a family meal.
After the over indulgence, we collectively headed out to the movie theater for some good old fashioned cinematic entertainment. Between the buckets of popcorn (yes, there were literally BUCKETS of popcorn, even after a thanksgiving meal), the sodas, and the quintessential sour patch kids, every one quickly settled down to enjoy Catching Fire. And I would just like to say that the movie was amazing. Between the special effects and cinematography, not to mention acting, the movie was fantastic. Once we left the theater, all we could do was look dumbfounded at one another as we tried to wrap our heads around all of the little details in the movie.
Seeing Catching Fire with my fellow SAAC members is one of several memories that I will cherish, especially every time I watch the Hunger Games movies in the future. It was a whole lot of fun, and I am sure that we will be returning to the theater when the final two Hunger Games movies are released.
Novemeber 1-3, 2013 SAAC Retreat
By: Chris Dean, ΕΞ ’10
I woke up Friday morning excited and glad that this was finally the weekend for the SAAC retreat. After getting everything packed in my car, I headed towards Roan Mountain for the weekend. Interestingly enough I lost all cell phone service right before I got to the house we were staying at which in a way was nice because it feel like more of a getaway. After arriving at the house, I met Bill, the caretaker, and his friend that took him to the store earlier that afternoon. Bill, the caretaker, showed me around the house and then I started unpacking the car and waiting for everyone else to arrive. I did not have to wait long for Joanne to show up and just a few minutes later Dawn and Kat arrived. I showed everyone the house and we started catching up while we waited for everyone else to arrive.
Then one of the most hilarious moments of the weekend happened. We decided to call Jessica and Thorne and ask them to bring a bag of ice. While I was on the phone, I heard these blood curdling screams coming from the bathroom. Joanne found a spider in the bathroom and was freaking out. After I took care of the spider, we all died laughing from how freaked out Joanne was about the spider. Jessica and Thorne arrived soon after the spider incident and we ate some very spicy taco meat. We started playing card games waiting on Ryan and Jillian to show up. We ended up playing cards and Cards Against Humanity until we all went to bed.
Saturday we spent most of the day snacking and playing card games. We even had a SAAC meeting and Jessica was hard at work planning a big event for the summer. Thorne, Ryan, and I watched football and was, at first, angry that we couldn’t watch the UT football game until we saw the score and how bad they were losing. While we watched football, the girls played cards, Jenga, Quelf and who knows what else. Then we tormented old man Ryan because he went to bed so early. Eventually we all turned in for the night.
Sadly, Sunday was upon us meaning that our retreat was over. The girls finished a card game from the night before while Ryan, Thorne, and I sat in the sun room discussing how the house would make a could defensive fort for the zombie apocalypse. Sadly we started saying our goodbyes and we all left the little oasis in the mountains looking forward to the next time we would get together.
2013 Tri-Chapter Event
By: Elizabeth “Liz” Dukes, ΕΞ ’13
On the first weekend of October, members of DVAC, NYMAAC, and Capital Chapter converged on New York City in order to experience the Big Apple for the annual Alumni Tri-Chapter event. Even though I am a member of Capital Chapter, I was still able to represent SAAC in my own small way, and I wanted to share my weekend with the rest of the Chapter.
Friday morning, myself and Jeanette Gaida, the main representative for Capital Chapter, traveled to New York via bus, and we navigated the city’s subway system and managed to make it to the hotel in Queens in one piece. After a few hours of resting, we got ready to meet up with members of DVAC and NYMAAC, and we made our way to the Cock and Bull, one of the British pubs in Manhattan. We had a small room reserved in the back of the pub, and the three chapters mingled with each other. Kate McConnell from NYMAAC was especially thrilled to hear that I was a member of Epsilon Xi, stating that the chapter is one of her favorites because of their reactions to winning the Torchia at Nationals. After a few Moscow Mules and games of Heads Up (available in the iTunes Store), we all went our separate ways for the night..
Saturday’s events did not officially start until noontime, so we had the morning to either sleep in or wander around NYC and take in some sights. Jeanette and I chose the latter, and we visited the 9/11 Memorial and Times Square.
From there we caught up with the other alumni at the Social Bar, ate lunch, and watched some college football. Then, half of the group split up and went to the Museum of Sex, myself included. I think I learned more about sex than I ever wanted to know, especially animal sexuality. It was very interesting to say the least. Afterwards we went back to the hotel to get ready for dinner at Zero Otto Nove, one of the many fancy Italian restaurants in Manhattan. I never would have thought of it, but sausage, gorgonzola cheese, and butternut squash are surprisingly delicious together. Once we were all done with our dinner, we went a few blocks down to the Stout Bar for karaoke. A few of the alums got up and belted out some Fleetwood Mac and Stone Temple Pilots, but it was a lot of fun singing along with the other Brothers and the drunk people who were on the mic. Two guys even got up and sang A Whole New World from Aladdin, and the guy who sang Jasmine’s part really hit those high notes. Finally, at around 2 in the morning, we all went back to the hotel and tried to get some sleep.
After waking up and checking out of the hotel, some of the alumni met in Long Island City for brunch at El Ay Si. They served everything from omelets to breakfast burgers, with a complimentary mimosa or bloody Mary to go with it. I don’t remember eating anything else for the rest of the day because the meal was so filling. We all then traveled back to Manhattan to drop off our luggage with John and Jeremy from NYMAAC and went to see Jersey Boys. I did not know much about Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons, the band the play is based off of, but I was surprised by how many songs I knew. I really enjoyed the show, especially how each act is narrated by a different member of the band. By the time the play ended, Jeanette and I only had an hour to get to the bus, so we did not stick around for very long, but we were able to make it with a few minutes to spare. I’m honestly happy that I was traveling with someone who was comfortable with traveling subways, or else my Gatlinburg experience would have looked like a cake walk in comparison.
Overall, I had a fantastic time in New York City. I loved getting to meet alumni from NYC and Philadelphia, and also getting to take in the city more than I did last time I visited. There is more I probably could have added about my trip, like the subway dancers and the tiniest cupcakes I’ve ever seen, but I feel like I have written a novel already. Plus, I have some stories I can save for later. I’m glad that I was able to go, and I hope y’all can go with me next year.
National Hazing Prevention Week
We, the Southern Appalachian Alumni Chapter of Phi Sigma Pi, stand for both individuality and unity.
April Service Event
By: Jillian Quirante, ΕΞ ’10
When thinking about the fraternity, often one thinks about the social aspects first. However, I have noticed that our Members are highly dedicated to service in their lives outside of Phi Sigma Pi. This inspired me to merge the two together for SAAC’s second service event of the year.
What is Mission of Hope – Philippines?
The Mission of Hope – Philippines is an organization that was started about five years ago when my family found that there was a need at my dad’s alma mater in the Philippines, Adventist University of the Philippines (AUP). Like any university, there are hundreds of students coming from all different backgrounds. However, there is a group of students, the Working Student Association members, who caught our eyes. These students work in order to go to school (I’m talking 60-80 hour weeks). Because of their heavy work load, they are often left with only being part-time students causing them to delay graduation up to 15 years! Because the money earned by working is used for tuition, many times these students cannot afford the necessities (food, toiletries, school supplies, etc.). The first year, my family (this includes SAAC president, Ryan Alexander) brought several boxes of school supplies hoping to significantly reduce the worry and stress of a hard, working student. However, when we arrived, we saw the need was much greater. Since our first trip, we have added several more team members and incorporated into a charitable non-profit organization.
This year we will be providing much more than school supplies. We will meet with individual groups of working students at their place of work, giving thousands of dollars in scholarships to assist students finish school and graduate earlier than expected, providing English classes, giving many goodies (toiletries, school supplies, allotments of food, clothes, and so much more), and of course having spending a lot of time just interacting with them.
How is Phi Sigma Pi helping this year?
One of the items that the Mission of Hope brings every year is Hershey chocolate bars. The chocolate in the Philippines is very different from that here in the States. It is truly a treat for them! This year, SAAC will be collecting these chocolate bars to be sent this year to AUP. In addition, SAAC has challenged the undergraduate Phi Sigma Pi Epsilon Xi Chapter to a competition as to who can collect the most chocolate bars. The winning Chapter will be recognized at the Epsilon Xi Founders’ Day formal, recognized in all Mission of Hope media, and will win a special prize.
How can Phi Sigma Pi Members help Mission of Hope?
Phi Sigma Pi Members can help the Mission of Hope in three ways. The first way is to participate in the Hershey bar war (you don’t have to be a member of SAAC or Epsilon Xi to do so). For more information and for updated counts, please see the Facebook event. The second way is give a monetary donation. There are still several projects that are not funded and we are always accepting donations for scholarships. Please contact me at missionofhopepi.jq@gmail.com for more information on how to make a monetary donation. Lastly, Mission of Hope goes to the Philippines every year around the end of May, beginning of June. If you are interested in joining the team for the 2014 trip, please contact me as soon as possible.
I would like to thank all of my Brothers who have helped the Mission of Hope – Philippines and shared my dedication to service in this way.
Phi Sigma Pi Southern Appalachian Alumni Chapter 