It is so hard to believe that it has been 44 years since old Delta Phi Kappa, a local Clemson fraternity, traded in its letters to become the South Carolina Gamma Chapter of Phi Delta Theta. In truth, we only had to trade in the Kappa for a Theta since we already had the Phi and the Delta in our names. David Tibbs ’70 (‘1’) has recalled those exciting days in his memorable recollection that is now part of our fraternity’s history.

We were one of the youngest fraternities on the quad back then and were still trying to develop our own identity as a fraternity. Our wonderful chapter advisor, Vic Bost (‘57’) was a great young professor, but had no fraternity ties of his own, so unlike the other chapter advisors on campus, we did not have the most experienced leadership to assist us in the selection process that was developed by the university at that time. We were on our own… but we did great.

ALUMNI REFLECT ON PERSONAL SC GAMMA EXPERIENCEFast forward to 2014. Why does the South Carolina Gamma experience still matter? I think we can all agree that it mattered to us in making lifelong friends, in having a good time, and in putting together some great parties. That

PHI DELTA THETACLEMSON UNIVERSITY | SC GAMMA CHAPTER

ORACLETHE

is not a bad agenda for a social fraternity. But, does it matter beyond that? That is a question that can only be answered in reflection and I have asked many of our brothers to give me their perspective.

The experience certainly mattered to Jim Douglas ’70 (‘11’), as he has spent countless hours serving as Chairman of the Chapter Advisory committee. He has made his mark on the Chapter and has lived up to his commitment after almost 50 years. Mike Winburn ’70 (‘20’) recalls that it mattered because he learned the value of teamwork during our preparations for becoming part of a national fraternity. We learned the power of having a purpose, having goals, and having higher expectations for ourselves as individuals. For Johnny Ward ’73

WHY THE FRATERNITY EXPERIENCESTILL MATTERS

1

George A Long III, Indiana Alpha 1413

George A Long, Indiana Beta 10/19/12

08 #332

Granville Moody Jr. Illinois Eta, 3/7/1914 #232

George A Long Jr., Illinois Eta, 6/6/1939 #586

Edward C. Loy, Indiana Theta, 4/5/1

934 #504

Herbert Strawbridge, Indiana Theta, 4/19/1936 #531

Robert Strawbridge, Indiana Theta, 3/18/1937 #539

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Dallas Ryan Long, Florida Gamma, 4/22/2007 #1663

PAGE 1Why the Fraternity

Experience Still Matters

PAGE 2Phil Francis ’74 (‘91’)

Looks Back

PAGE 3Actives Strive Towards Continued Excellence

PAGE 4SC Gamma Phi Focuses

on Helping Others

PAGE 5Spring 2015 Active

Chapter Leadership

PAGE 6Welcome Phikeia, Pledge

Class Fall 2014

SC Gamma Connections

MAILING ADDRESS2185 University Station

Clemson, SC | 29632

IN THISISSUE

Phi Delta Theta at Clemson University, 1970 Active Chapter

WINTER 2015

ALLEN EDWARDS ’70 (‘2’) REFLECTS ON 44 YEARS OF SC GAMMA

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SC GAMMA FOUNDANTION NEEDS YOU!ALUMNI INPUT CRITICAL TO ACHIEVING

STRATEGIC VISION FOR CHAPTER

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*Legacy; (relatives in parentheses)

PHIL FRANCIS ’74 (‘91’) LOOKS BACK AT SC GAMMA MEMORIES OVER 40 YEARS AFTER GRADUATION, FRATERNAL BONDS STILL STRONG

(‘67’) it means embracing and resuming old friendships with ease after 40 years absence from them. He remembers a plaque that hung on the chapter house wall, inscribed with, “The crest and crowning of all good, life’s final star is brotherhood.” He has discovered the truth in it again and again as we get further from our undergraduate days.

Tom Hash ’69 (‘640’), recalled that his experience mattered a lot to him. At an important interview for his first job out of college, he was asked, “What did he learn from his fraternity experience?” He was able to talk at length about taking on leadership roles in the fraternity and about how that helped him grow as a person. For Gene Moyer ’70 (‘6’) and Tommy Gaither ’69 (‘47’), the experience has lasted a lifetime. The bonds formed during those college fraternity days have persisted and grown into lifelong friendships between these men and their families as well. Jack Mansmann’s ’72 (‘37’) experience still matters to him as he remembers how a group of young men from South Carolina opened their door and their arms to him, a New Jersey yankee, making him feel part of the fraternity and the university community. North and South were well represented in old

Delta Phi Kappa and, thanks to that diversity, the tradition is alive in South Carolina Gamma today.

Lastly, I did my own reflections and know that my fraternity experience mattered as an undergraduate and it matters to me now. I had the opportunity and privilege to be the first president of the Chapter. I was by no means a great fraternity president, you have to look to Bobby Hunt (‘5’) and the others who followed me for those qualities, but I learned a lot from the experience. It mattered that not only did I celebrate with my brothers, but also that I had to propose discipline for some brothers who forgot what we were truly all about. I learned that no single brother is more important than the fraternity as a whole. I had never had to make hard decisions like this before and it was an experience that ultimately molded me into who I am today. I grew from those experiences and I am grateful that I had the opportunity to learn my first hard lessons in SC Gamma.

Phi Delta Theta at Clemson University, 2010 Active Chapter

Phil Francis ’74 (‘91’)

SC GAMMA EXPERIENCE STILL TIMELESS TRADITIONIn conclusion, I find in story after story that the South Carolina Gamma experience meant a lot to its brothers from the start. It is not the social events that the alums recall in detail, but rather it is the comradery and friendships, the opportunity for leadership experience, and the bond of working for a greater good that lasts through the years.

It is this timeless yet critical experience that we need not only cherish and preserve, but build upon for future generations of Clemson Phis as we reminisce. After my own reflections, I now encourage all of our alumni to ask yourself the same question; what did your South Carolina Gamma experience mean to you?

Coming to Clemson in the fall of 1970, Phil Francis ’74 (‘91’) joined Phi Delta Theta at Clemson University in the spring of 1971. “My roommate Alan Hambright ’73 (‘96’) brought me over to the fraternity house, where I also met Biff Sowell ’73 (‘65’), who I had met many a years ago at a basketball camp. From there, I knew South Carolina Gamma was something I wanted to be a part of.”

After initiation, Phil served as Phikeia Educator for the Chapter, earning him an unexpected trip down to the University of Alabama with his Phikeia. “Being able to be in a position where I had the opportunity

to reinvest my fraternity experience in the next generation of young men to come through was truly something special. I really enjoyed the opportunity to serve my Chapter.”

CLEMSON PHI URGES UNDERGRADUATES TO SET GOALS Upon graduating with a degree in Administrative Management from Clemson University in 1974, Phil went on to enjoy a 41 year career with the National Parks Service, spanning from a seasonal ranger at Kings Mountain National Military Park to retiring as the superintendent of the Blue Ridge Parkway in spring 2013.

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My fellow brothers, I am humbled and honored to announce that the South Carolina Gamma Chapter of Phi Delta Theta is concluding yet another successful fall campaign, finding success in the tumultuous times at Clemson this past year. South Carolina Gamma finished its second consecutive fall pledge class of over 25 members, with 27 of the best and brightest young men at Clemson University.

CONTINUED CHAPTER RISK MANAGEMENT EFFORTS PUT SC GAMMA ON TOP

As many of you are aware of, Greek Life at Clemson University was suspended for the vast majority of the fall semester, bringing additional university oversight to the fraternal community at Clemson. I am proud to say that because of our past and continued emphasis to police ourselves as a brotherhood through risk management and judicial code, combined with our solid foundation for new member education, Phi

Delta Theta at Clemson can proudly say it was one of the few fraternities on campus to maintain excellent standing with the university through-out the entire semester.

ACTIVES HOLD CHAPTER RETREAT TO CONTINUE ALUMNI ENGAGEMENT

In approaching our plan for 2015, the Chapter is looking towards the spring and setting individual and fraternal goals to accomplish. To continue improving and stewarding our alumni, we will hold an under-graduate Chapter retreat, coming together to discuss what makes Phi Delta Theta great, what we want to improve about our chapter, and how we can effectively see those changes through. We look forward to sharing those with you and are excited for what the future has in store for South Carolina Gamma at Clemson.

Yours truly, Mark Schimmoeller II Chapter PresidentColumbia, S.C.mschimm@clemson.edu (803) 807-3261

ACTIVES STIRVE TOWARDS CONTINUED EXCELLENCE

Actives Hold The Phi Delt 500, benefitting the ALS Foundation

Actives Hold The Phi Delt 500, benefitting the ALS Foundation

Active chapter, Fall 2014

CHAPTER RECRUITMENT AT AN ALL TIME HIGH

“After graduation from Clemson, I moved to Washington, DC, to be part of a management training program. I served in various parks such as Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park, Shenandoah, Yosemite, and Great Smoky Mountains National Park and the Southwest Regional Office in Santa Fe, New Mexico,” he said, “Looking back at my opportunity, I would encourage our next generations to be involved and find something that they can be passionate about. A career should be fun and pay comes in more ways than a paycheck. What you learn in school can be important if you use it. Set goals and reach for them!”

FRANCIS AVID SUPPORTER OF ALUMNI GOLF TOURNAMENT Now enjoying retirement, Phil still keeps active, serving on board of the Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont, committees at Clemson University, the Executive Council of the Coalition of National Park Service Retirees, and is a stalwart attendee at the South Carolina Gamma alumni golf tournament every fall. “To this day, some 40 years after graduation, I tell stories about my fraternity and Clemson experience. The most important memories for me are the special friends I made in the fraternity. When we are together, we tend to tell the same stories over and over and it has been really great having such

special lifelong connections. I see Alan and Bob Hambright ’70 (Delta Phi Kappa), Marc McIlwain ’73 (‘115’), Jim Douglas ’70 (‘11’), David Tibbs ’70 (‘1’), Ken Peeples ’75 (‘117’), and Jeff Stocks ’74 (‘92’) from time to time, and have the amazing opportunity to see a number more brothers at the golf tournament every year. It is so important for us to work hard to keep in touch and remember how we were all brought together.”

Phil currently resides in Sevierville, Tennessee with his wife, Becky. In their spare time, they enjoy playing golf, hiking, traveling, and seeing friends and family. You can contact Phil at pfran42152@aol.com or 865-850-3327.

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Steve Colson ’78 (‘184’)

SC GAMMA PHI FOCUSES ON HELPING OTHERS

Photos from the Chapter’s 2014 Homecoming Float. The Chapter once again finished tops among active fraternities at Clemson.

Active chapter, Fall 2014

STEVE COLSON ‘78 (’184’) INSPIRED BY PROVIDING OPPORTUNITIESComing to Clemson in the fall of 1974, Steve Colson thought that he had his mind made up about which fraternity he wanted to pledge when he came to campus. “My grandfather on my mother’s side was a Phi, and without me knowing, my grandmother called the chapter at Clemson and gave them my information. I received a call from Frank Adams ’75 (‘119’), who invited me to a rush event. I at the time was rushing Chi Psi and wanted to be a Chi Psi because my Dad’s father was a Chi Psi. I went to the Phi event because of Frank, but honestly I had no interest in going,” he said. “Well, after one evening with the Phis, I never went back to the Chi Psi House. I was going to be a Phi or I was not going to be a member of

any fraternity. I was beyond impressed with the brothers from Phi Delta Theta.”

CAREER FOUNDATION BUILT ON UNDERGRADUATE LEADERSHIP Going on to serve as Vice President and President of the Chapter during his undergraduate days, Steve sees a bright future ahead for the current and future young men of South Carolina Gamma. “The two most important decisions that I have ever made were to go to Clemson and to join Phi Delta Theta. I was a young 18 year old kid from New Jersey when I joined the fraternity and I knew nothing. I am forever grateful for those brothers that took me home with them and who open heartedly welcomed me into their lives. I can close my eyes and still live the moments.”

Looking back fondly on the glory days, Steve recounted a sailing trip to and from the Bahamas that he took with Ron Winburn ’77 (‘176’), Jody Hunter ’79 (‘207’), Clark Allen ’79 (‘204’), and Andy Ronemus ’80 (‘1167’) Utah Alpha), and others. “It’s a long story, but sailing back to Florida from the Bahamas we found ourselves in an unbelievably violent storm. I guarantee that all of us at one time on the trip thought we weren’t going to make it in. Short version is we did and arrived safely with an ambulance waiting for us upon our arrival,” he said. “And since, Andy White ’82 (‘259’) mentioned me in the summer edition, I want to let him know that I have such great memories with him. If you can’t have fun with Andy, you can’t have fun.”

Upon graduation in 1978 from Clemson with a degree in accounting, Steve returned back home to New Jersey to help grow the family business. Now in 2014, he finds himself leading and running a number of various companies, with my brother, including a couple lumber yards, a wholesale engineered wood products company, and a swimming pool panel

manufacturing company, jointly owned with a friend.

COLSON A RENOWNED PHILANTHROPIST However even with his successes, Steve always remembered where he came from and the opportunities afforded to him at every phase of his life. “I hate to see somebody that has talent but doesn’t have opportunity,” he said. “It’s not fair. I want people to be rewarded for their work and efforts. So, if you’re willing to work but you don’t have opportunities, I want to give you that opportunity. I learned a lot by becoming brothers with such a diverse group of young men. I learned to see that the differences that we had were not good or bad necessarily, just differences. Everyone deserves a chance.” That’s why, over the years, Steve has had 13 Somali refugees camping out in his three-bedroom home for more than a month, as well as six Vietnamese family members who stayed even longer.

Now phasing out his company obligations, Steve is looking forward to his next undertaking, opening and running Cresthaven Academy Charter School which will begin in late summer of 2016. The school will start with 75 kindergarten children the first year and looks to add 75 new students each year, maxing out at 675 students. “I have been so fortunate with my opportunities in life, through Phi Delt and others. I look forward to providing those same choices and opportunities to future generations.” Steve resides in Warren, N.J. and you can contact him at Steven56@optonline.net.

VISIT US ONLINEWEBSITE | http://www.scgamma.org/FACEBOOK | Phi-Delta-Theta-South-Carolina-GammaTWITTER | @CU_PhiDelt

George A

Long III, Indiana Alpha 1413

George A Long, Indiana Beta 10/19/1208 #332

Granville Moody Jr. Illinois Eta, 3/7/1914 #232

George A Long Jr., Illinois Eta, 6/6/1939 #586

Edward C. Loy, Indiana Theta, 4/5/1934 #504

Herbert Strawbridge, Indiana Theta, 4/19/1936 #531

Robert Strawbridge, Indiana Theta, 3/18/1937 #539

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ell S

traw

brid

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, 4/2

7/19

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Dallas Ryan Long, Florida Gamma, 4/22/2007 #1663

5

PRESIDENTMark Schimmoeller II ’17 (‘881’)Columbia, SC | mschimm@clemson.edu (803) 807-3261

VICE PRESIDENTSean Osler ’17 (‘893’) Boca Raton, FL

TREASURERKevin Butkus ’16 (‘839’) Dallas, TX

SECRETARYNicholas Galgano ’16 (‘866’)Roxbury, NJ

SOCIAL CHAIRMANAlex Enter ’17Charleston, SC

PHIKEIA EDUCATORPaul Cucco ’17 (‘882’) Flemington, NJ

SPRING 2015 SC GAMMA UNDERGRADUATE OFFICERS PHIKEIA TRAINERRyan O'Hare ’16 (‘885’) Jupiter, FL

WARDENRiley Koran ’17 (‘878’) Gilbert, SC

ALUMNI SECRETARY John Barre ’16 (‘875’)Fort Mill, SC SCHOLARSHIP CHAIR Parker Jones ’17 (‘892’) Amherst, Mass.

RECRUITMENT CHAIRMANMichael Bonini ’17 (‘870’)Fairfax, VA | mbonini@clemson.edu (703) 300-6730

2014 Phi Golf Tournament- Alumni Participants in the 14th Annual SC Gamma Alumni Golf Tournament

2014 Phi Golf Tournament Winners- (L-R) Jay Holloway '02 ('609'), Kevin Jones, Carson Vaughan '02 ('606'), Mike Lunderville '02 ('611'), with Jeff Mackin '89 ('399').

Ron Maday '89 ('392') and Jack Samuels '88 ('373') at

Tiger Town Tavern after the Golf Tournament.

6

SC GAMMA CONNECTIONS

WELCOME PHIKEIA, PLEDGE CLASS FALL 2014

We want to hear from you! To be in SC Gamma Connections, simply reply back to the official e-mail from the South Carolina Gamma Foundation. We look forward to reconnecting with you.

JAKE ADAIR ’18Packaging Science The Woodlands, TX

RHETT ANDERSON ’18 Pre-Business Wilmington, DL

MICHAEL AYLETT ’18BioEngineering Southington, Conn.

JOHN BAIR ’17 English Bethesda, MD

JOSEPH BALAWAJDER ’18Accounting Simsbury, CT

ALEX BERNHARDT ’18Industrial Engineering Athens, GA

AUSTIN BUSCH ’17Civil Engineering Burlington, VA

RICHARD COFFEE ’18Computer Engineering Acton, MA

ANDREW DEPATIE ’17 Financial Management Guilford, CT

A Publication of the South Caroline Gamma Foundation, a not for profit corporation dedicated to providing off campus facilities for Alumni and Active Brothers of the SC Gamma Chapter.

In order to ensure that you are receiving future newsletters and updates from the SC Gamma Foundation, please take a few minutes to update our database. The Foundation thanks you for your time and thoughtful consideration!

CONNECT WITH FELLOW CLEMSON PHIS

manufacturing company, jointly owned with a friend.

COLSON A RENOWNED PHILANTHROPIST However even with his successes, Steve always remembered where he came from and the opportunities afforded to him at every phase of his life. “I hate to see somebody that has talent but doesn’t have opportunity,” he said. “It’s not fair. I want people to be rewarded for their work and efforts. So, if you’re willing to work but you don’t have opportunities, I want to give you that opportunity. I learned a lot by becoming brothers with such a diverse group of young men. I learned to see that the differences that we had were not good or bad necessarily, just differences. Everyone deserves a chance.” That’s why, over the years, Steve has had 13 Somali refugees camping out in his three-bedroom home for more than a month, as well as six Vietnamese family members who stayed even longer.

Now phasing out his company obligations, Steve is looking forward to his next undertaking, opening and running Cresthaven Academy Charter School which will begin in late summer of 2016. The school will start with 75 kindergarten children the first year and looks to add 75 new students each year, maxing out at 675 students. “I have been so fortunate with my opportunities in life, through Phi Delt and others. I look forward to providing those same choices and opportunities to future generations.” Steve resides in Warren, N.J. and you can contact him at Steven56@optonline.net.

DANIEL DEZZI ’18Packaging Science Greenville, SC

CONNOR FLOM ’18Pre-Business Atlanta, GA

DANIEL FRICK ’17Management Fairfax, VA

EMILIO FYTOPOULOS ’18 Political Science Dover, MA

LUCAS HELANDER ’18Architecture Westfield, NJ

JAMES HOOKS ’18Accounting & Finance Nashville, TN

TIMOTHY HULETT ’18Biology West Friendship, MD

JACK JOHNSTON XII ’18 Financial Management Bethlehem, PA

FRANCIS KRAL ’18Mechanical Engineering Charleston, SC

MORGON KAUFMANN ’18 Mechanical Engineering Greenville, SC

SAWYER LEE ’18Packaging Science Aiken, SC

NOAH MAYBERRY ’18Mechanical Engineering Nashville, TN

DAVID MCELVEEN ’18 Computer Science Charleston, SC

DYLAN RICE ’17Financial Management Franklin Lakes, NJ

WILLIAM STICKLE ’18 Mechanical Engineering Trumbull, CT

PETER SULLIVAN ’17Pre-Business Hingham, MA

DONALD TUCKER ’17Financial Management Fairfax, VA

MATTHEW WEBB ’17Economics Westfield, NJ