Fall 2015 Alumni Newsletter of the Wisconsin Chapter

(continued on page 2)

by Steve Bova, President - Housing Corporation There is a defined future direction for our Wisconsin DU chapter!

In August, before fall classes began, the Wisconsin Chapter held a

strategic planning retreat at the Lowell Center, attended by mem-

bers of the Housing Corporation, DU of Wisconsin Foundation, the

undergraduate officers, and Karl Grindel, associate executive

director of Delta Upsilon International Fraternity.

Twenty-five people participated in a four-hour, interactive session

with objectives to build camaraderie and trust; establish a clear

vision and direction for the chapter; and clarify roles, responsibili-

ties and accountabilities for each Housing Corp. and undergrad officer position.

After a brief get-acquainted session, the group discussed ways to overcome generational

differences and effectively communicate with each other. Mutual respect and effective

communication are foundational ingredients essential to building a cohesive and aligned

leadership team. Additionally, a social media policy is being crafted to ensure proper

communications and public relations of the DU of Wisconsin brand.

Setting a course for the future

Before the meeting, participants answered a six-question survey about the current and desired

future state of the chapter. During the meeting, participants broke into four groups to discuss

what the ideal future of the chapter would look like. Some of the common themes that

emerged from the exercise follow:

DU of Wisconsin will be the top fraternity at the University of Wisconsin by 2018. We will

achieve this goal by becoming more respected throughout the university community, including

students, faculty and alumni. We will build pride in the house and the fraternity, creating and

sustaining momentum through effective membership recruitment, retention and innovative

education programs, and by establishing and enforcing high standards of behavior through

effective leadership.

• Ideal size: 70-80 members with a diverse and geographical mix of good men.

• Involvement: Members will be involved in and participate in DU, UW and Greek life.

• Public Relations: Generate positive PR through philanthropy, community service and

social media. We want to control the message and practice solid risk management.

• Education and Academics: Be consistently ranked in the top three fraternities

academically. Participate in and deliver innovative education programs, especially

in the area of leadership development.

INSIDE2 President’s Report

2 New Members

3 2016 DU Dinner

3 2015 DU Dinner Highlights

4 New Donor Plaque

Wisconsin Chapter sets vision, clarifies roles�� LeadershipHousing Corporation Steve Bova (’85) President Bruce Briney (’92) Chapter Advisor Chris Prestigiacomo (’91) Treasurer Charlie Cox (’86) Secretary John Brussock (’08) Loss Prevention Advisor Eric Flanagan (’09) External Relations Advisor Chris Hoffman (’07) Member Education Advisor Jeff Stoltman (’84)

Chapter Officers Nick LaCourt (’17) President Kyle Nemeroff (’17) VP Finance Nate Spingler (’17) VP Administration

Foundation Trustees Charlie Cox (’86) President Eric Flanagan (’09) Vice President Chris Prestigiacomo (’91) Treasurer Wayne Wiese (’75) Secretary Richard Day (’72) Steve Holtan (’71) Rick James (’72) Warren Nesbitt (’76) Robert Perry (’68)

Milwaukee Area �� Club Charles Munkwitz (Indiana ’68) President (262) 513-0198 Rick James (’72) Vice President Kevin Miller (Carthage ’99) Secretary

�� News Editor Rick James (’72)

Steve Bova

President’s ReportThis September, we were happy to welcome 19 new members into Delta Upsilon

Wisconsin Chapter. The new freshmen come from all across the country, and

of course, several guys are from Wisconsin, Illinois and Minnesota (see list at

right).

We hosted some laid-back rush events such as wing nights at the house, watch-

ing football, hanging out on the dock and playing volleyball in the lake. Every

bid we issued was accepted and signed. I believe we found new members who

will bring leadership, character and enthusiasm to the chapter.

Vice Presidents of New Member Education, Jake Glading ’16 and Brian

Schlagel ’16, are excited to teach the new freshman the history of our house

and our proud legacy as a chapter. As highly regarded leaders in the chapter, I

am confident they will guide these young men through their first year in college.

As a chapter, we are all looking forward to the upcoming social calendar. The

social team has put a lot of planning into ensuring the events are fun and safe.

Some highlights include socials with various sororities around Madison, date

parties at the house and a formal in Lake Geneva.

Our game-day events continue to be strong in fun and safety. Additionally, we

welcome all alumni to come by, check out the new house and get to know their

new brothers. We always look forward to hearing stories from the past and to

meeting brothers who helped build the DU Wisconsin Chapter..

Finally, I speak for the whole chapter when I say we are looking forward to a

new semester that brings new brothers, new experiences and more opportuni-

ties to give back.

Fraternally, Nicholas LaCourt ’17

2

• Strong Operations: Develop policies and guidelines that clearly

outline the rules and expectations of the undergraduate community,

resulting in consistent operations from year to year.

• Principles: Remain true to the fraternity’s four founding principles.

• Alumni: Maintain a strong (and growing) alumni base and continuous

source of fundraising to maintain the house and build future leaders.

Wisconsin Chapter sets vision, clarifies roles (continued)

The overarching vision is to rebuild the DU of Wisconsin brand.

Throughout history, the Wisconsin Chapter has been among the most

respected on the UW campus and throughout the international fraternity.

We aim to restore that pride and stature, quickly.

An improved structure and reporting relationship

An organization chart was presented to illustrate how the Housing

Corporation, in addition to tending to house-related matters, will serve as

advisors to each of the undergraduate officer positions, thereby increas-

Chapter welcomes 19 new members

Sam Brennan Janesville, WI

Jack Burgess Santa Barbara, CA

Daniel De Lara Evanston, IL

Sam Filkouski Aurora, OH

Max Gelfman Scarsdale, NY

Jimmy Grove Los Angeles, CA

Matt Herro Apple Valley, MN

Josh Halpert Short Hills, NJ

Christian Llorente Swampscott, MA

Turner Longyear Manhattan Beach, CA

Marcello Porter-Dunning Evanston, IL

Will Rosean Mequon, WI

Parker Shefveland Hudson, WI

Nick Shein Phoenix, AZ

Alex Thomas Wilmette, IL

Michael Thompson Wauwatosa, WI

Eli Williams New York, NY

Ben Winters Scarsdale, NY

Jake Zinda Waukesha, WI

A successful fall rush resulted in 19 new members

joining the DU Wisconsin Chapter. Total membership

now numbers approximately 80.

ing accountability and improving relationships between under-

graduates and alumni.

A document was distributed that maps position descriptions

for each office, drawn from the International guidebook and

customized for our chapter. Finally, a set of needed policies

and procedures has been established to record expectations

regarding alumni events, initiation week and house maintenance,

among other things.

The Housing Corporation works for the alumni and is open to

your ideas and suggestions about how to ensure the long-term

viability of our chapter house and the DU chapter as a responsi-

ble, well-respected brand at Wisconsin. The retreat was the first

step in this ambitious and necessary process.

Please feel free to contact me (sbova@smithbucklin.com) with

your thoughts, ideas and/or questions.

3

2015 DU Dinner highlights

Approximately 100 brothers attended the 2015 DU Dinner last April in Madison. Eric Flanagan ’09 served as emcee; Brewster Shaw ’67

was the keynote speaker; Bill Becker ’69, Jim Kahler ’69, Richard Koehn ’64, Bob Rasmussen ’70, Steve Harvey ’68 and

Brewster Shaw received their 50-Year Certificates; Dave Herzer ’54 was awarded the Distinguished Service Award; and John Egbert

’16, William Chizek ’17 and Bryan Dolan ’16 received scholarships of $1,000, $750 and $500, respectively.

2016 DU Dinner set for April 15 in MadisonWe’re sticking with a winner in 2016.

The 91st Annual DU Dinner will be held on Friday, April 15, in the Alumni Lounge of the Pyle Center in Madison – the same location as the 2014 and 2015 dinners. Positive feedback drove the decision to keep the dinner in Madison in 2016, rather than move it back to Milwaukee.

Following is the tentative schedule for the evening’s events:

Additional details about the dinner – including a reservation form – will be available around March 1 in the next issue of the DU News and on the DU Wisconsin website – uwdeltau.com.

If you’re planning ahead and you’ll need lodging, suggested lodging is listed on the bottom of page 4. More lodging is available through the Madison Convention and Visitors Bureau (visitmadison.com). Please note: We have not arranged for any special rates at any of the venues listed on page 4.

• 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Social Hour (full cash bar)

• 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. Dinner

• 8:00 to 9:30 p.m. Program

50-Year Men at the 2015 Dinner

�� News: Alumni may submit information, suggestions and feedback to �� News by contacting the editor, Rick James ’72, by email at rickjamesuw72@gmail.com . Published by the Delta Upsilon of Wisconsin Foundation. ©Copyright Fall 2015

VISIT THE UW DELTA UPSILON WEBSITE: www.uwdeltau.com

DU of Wisconsin Foundation c/o Chris Prestigiacomo, Treasurer933 Winding WayMiddleton, WI 53562

PRSRT STDUS POSTAGE

PAIDMADISON WI

PERMIT NO 2944

New donor plaque unveiled at Homecoming

Suggested lodging in Madison for DU Dinner on April 15, 2016

A new bronze donor plaque was unveiled at Homecoming and is prominently displayed next to a previous donor plaque in the alcove off of the living room.

The new plaque is dedicated with “Sincere thanks to the brothers and friends listed here for their support of the 2014 DU of Wisconsin Chapter House renovation.”

It lists more than 330 brothers and friends of DU who supported the recent renovation of the House. Donors are listed alphabetically under each giving level:

Thanks, again, to everyone who made this much-needed renovation possible – especially John Morgridge ’55 and his wife, Tashia, whose leadership and generosity inspired hundreds of other Wisconsin DUs around the world to support this important and necessary work.

644 Club ($250,000 or more)

Founders Club ($100,000 -

$249,999)

Cornerstone-

Club ($50,000 -

$99,999)

Presidents Club ($25,000 - $49,999)

Sponsors Club ($10,000 - $24,999)

Platinum Club ($5,000 - $9,999)

Gold Club ($2,500 - $4,999)

Silver Club ($1,000 - $2,499)

Bronze Club ($500 - $999)

Delta Club (under $500)

THE LOWELL CENTER 610 Langdon St. Madison WI 53706

• Online at conferencing.uwex.edu. Click on ‘Lodging.’

• Call 866-301-1753 toll-free

• Or call The Lowell Center Guest Services Front Desk: 608-256-2621

THE FLUNO CENTER 601 University Ave. Madison WI 53715

• Online: Go to fluno.com, select ‘Guest Services’ at the top and go to ‘Reservations’

• Email: reservations@fluno.com

• Phone: 877-773-5866 or 608-441-7117

DOUBLE TREE 525 West Johnson Street Madison WI 53703

• Phone: 608-251-5511

GRADUATE MADISON 601 Langdon St. Madison WI 53704

• Online: graduatemadison.com

• Phone: 608-257-4391

HAMPTON INN AND SUITES 440 W. Johnson St. Madison WI 53703

• Phone: 608-255-0360