PHI DELTA THETA Alpha Star

University of california, berkeley Fall 2009

FDQ California Alpha Chapter Established 1873

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Emerging Leaders Institute
For the last 19 years, Phi Delta Theta
has hosted its Emerging Leaders
Institute at none other than Miami
University of Ohio. This year, I got the
honor of representing California Alpha
with brother Nima Rejali. Held over the
first weekend in August, the institute is
geared towards building Phi pride and
giving emerging leaders the tools and
skills they would need to strengthen
their chapters. Most chapters send two
representatives, and with nearly 200
chapters, the institute hosted roughly
400 Phis from all over the nation, and
even some from Canada.
I have many memories from that weekend, from
my Iraq-veteran roommate from La Verne to a
few hilarious speeches by a fellow Greek.
However, the one that stands out most was
doing ritual in the Founder’s Room. I don’t think
there is anything that could make one more
proud to be a Phi (except maybe Burt
Reynolds). The entire experience was great, the
high point of my summer, and hopefully Nima
and I are up to the challenges of being leaders
in this house.
Yours In The Bond
Jack Odlum

Arriving early in the morning on 1338

Saturday, August 1, brother Rejali and I
were greeted by a Phi Delt
representative, and shortly thereafter
boarded a bus to Miami. Throughout my
pledge semester, I wondered if I would
ever get the opportunity to see all the
sights Miami has to offer: Founder’s
Room, GHQ, the local chapter, and
everything else in the pledge manual.
The institute failed to disappoint. The
first day was mostly mingling, letting the
Phis of the world chat about their
chapters, schools, and lives in general.
The following days were a series of
speakers and meetings that successfully
got us proud as anything to be a Phi.

2726 Channing Way • Berkeley • California • 510-540-9036 • www.calphidelts.org

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Alpha Star Fall 2009
The SF Alumni Club holds a luncheon on
the first Friday of every month (the
next one will be on October 2nd). Lunch
is served at the famous Schroeder’s
Restaurant, which is located at 240
Front St. in downtown San Francisco.
Lunch is informal and begins at noon.

“One Man is No Man”

President’s Report
Brothers,

We once again find ourselves at the start of an To improve the house, the chapter has

exciting and eventful semester. The actives redone the backyard, cleaned up the back

have really come together to pull off a great rush basement area and painted the front deck. We

and kick off the gameday season against are all committed to making the house better
Maryland. Let me be the first to invite you all to and upholding the cardinal principles of our

support our Cal Bears by attending the game fraternity. Many of the younger members are

events at the chapter house. I am looking going to be serving on the executive committee

forward to seeing many of you there and at and it is great to see the level of enthusiasm that
our annual Duck Dinner. has proliferated around the house.

I am happy to report that the chapter
remains highly decorated and respected
throughout the campus community. We have
been working with the Interfraternal Council and
the university to foster positive relations by
participating in sponsored functions like the
officer training camps, Greek move in day,
Greek Carnival, and others. We are also looking
to hold an additional fundraiser for ALS at the
house this semester and increase parent
relations by organizing a parent weekend. This
will raise the level of parent involvement and
celebrate the community that is Phi Delta Theta.
I would like to thank all the alumni for
their continued support and involvement over
the years. It is your dedication that makes Phi
Delta Theta the great fraternity that it is and
ensures that our legacy stays strong. Our valued
housing corporation in particular, remains an
inspiring and essential part of keeping the
chapter running successfully. I am grateful for
your continued commitment and look forward to
another awesome semester.
Daniel Pitsch #1327

2726 Channing Way • Berkeley • California • 510-540-9036 • www.calphidelts.org

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Alpha Star Fall 2009

House Furnishings — Got Junk?

The Chapter House is constantly in need of new supplies and we graciously accept donations
of furniture and other equipment in working condition. We are continually trying to improve
the appearance of the house and would gladly accept any donations. If you would like to make
a contribution, please contact Matt Mueller at (818) 486-7527 or at mattmueller@berkeley.
edu. We could use the following:

Kitchen Appliances - Furniture - Electronic Appliances - Tools

The Transition
After a month, I was used to wearing my black collared shirt and pants around campus. Although
the Delta Chi pledges also wore a black shirt and black pants, the white tie let everyone know that we
were the pledges from Phi Delta Theta. Looking back on the pledge process, I realize that I learned so
much about the history of Phi Delta Theta, and I also learned a lot about myself. It took great courage to
hold my guitar and sing with my three pledge brothers in front of hundreds of girls from various sororities.
It took great diligence to mop the floor with muddy footprints and dust. It took great strength to realize
that the pledge process was preparing myself for becoming a better man, and an honorable Phi. I
understand now exactly how the pledge process works. It unifies the pledges forcing them to work
together under their common goal, to one day become loyal members of Phi Delta Theta. Now that I
have transitioned from the pledge phase to the brotherly phase, I appreciate how the process made me
stronger, and how it drove home the reasons to become a Phi.

Yours in the Bond,

Matt Mueller

#1345

Fall Recruitment
The Rushing period of Fall 2009 will be a time to remember. From barbeques to sushi night to
the hog roast, the brothers and new recruits were having a blast. During the rush period we met
fellow Cal students ranging from their freshman year to their senior year, and invited them to join
the festivities at our beautiful house. We are excited to announce the admission of seven new
pledges, all of which we greatly believe have the potential to become honorable Phi’s. I am
extremely excited to see what this next semester will bring, but until then, I believe that our new
pledges will serve the house well, and see what it means to be a part of Phi Delta Theta.

Yours in the Bond,

Alex Tenorio #1325

2726 Channing Way • Berkeley • California • 510-540-9036 • www.calphidelts.org

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Alpha Star Fall 2009
Phi’s Just Wanna’ Have Fun
As your returning External Social Chair, I am excited to
start a new semester with my brothers, new pledges and
new opportunities for social interactions with our fellow
Greeks here at Cal. Unlike previous semesters, I plan on
exploring new ways of conducting exchanges with
sororities and enhancing relations with our fraternal
neighbors. Plans are currently underway for Karaoke,
Sushi outings, and other exciting events to strengthen the
reputation of our great Fraternity (and have a little fun as
we go). I am also beginning talks with other fraternities and
sororities to plan a block party on Channing Way as a dual
fundraising event and social outing for the residents of the
street. The semester has just begun, yet I am very pleased
with the manner in which our Fraternity is conducting itself
externally and very pleased with the quality and energy of
the brothers in the house. With such a dynamic, talented,
and determined brotherhood, our house’s future remains
bright.

Yours in the Bond,

Matthew LaCoste

Bond #1323
Euro-Trip!
Early this summer brothers Tom Moran, Konrad Knusel, Todd Andrich and I made a 3-week trip
across 9 cities in 5 European countries. The trip started earlier for me as I spent a week prior in
my birth country of Armenia. Although not as modernized, Armenia proved to be fun and cheap,
which is nearly as important. Aside from the city life, Armenia provides a beautiful countryside,
with an amazing view of Mt. Ararat, Lake Sevan, and the centerpieces of its tourism industry, the
churches that are nearly 2000 years old.

Our group united in Zurich, Switzerland on the 3rd of June, where we spent the
first couple days of our trip. The city is beautiful, the quality of life is very high, but in turn so is
the cost of living. Luckily we were able to stay with Konrad’s grandparents. His grandmother was
generous enough to make us lunch every day, which ultimately led to our introduction to Swiss
tuna mayo (Yeah! It’s tuna flavored mayonnaise). Outside the quarters, our time in Zurich was
primarily spent at the Lake, where we swam, rode on pedal boats, and enjoyed the view of the
amazing city and most importantly, its beautiful women.

2726 Channing Way • Berkeley • California • 510-540-9036 • www.calphidelts.org

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The next stop was Italy, where we visited Rome and Florence. Rome
seemed like a city built for tourism. Full of Americans, English, and
people from all over the rest of Europe, it definitely boasted the biggest
youth crowd. Our sightseeing ranged from the Coliseum and Ruins to
the Pantheon and Spanish Steps to the Vatican, each with beautiful
architectural design, crowds out the entrance, and numerous street
performers and gypsies surrounding the perimeter (except at the holy
site). Our only day in Florence was highlighted by the trip to Academia
and the chance to see Michelangelo’s David.
Phi Delta Theta
France was the next country on the list, with stops in Lyon and Paris.
Current House Officers
510-540-9036 Paris proved to be the most diverse and biggest metropolitan part of
Europe and a sightseeing galore. We visited the tower, the palace and
President the Arc of Triumph. We also had the chance to visit Louvre and Orsay
Daniel Pitsch #1327 museums, getting to see the Mona Lisa and multiple Monets. The most
Vice President
amazing thing about the museums was the shear massiveness of the
Nima Rejali #1342
Secretary Louvre. The last country that we ventured to was Germany, visiting
Veer Bawa #1329 Munich, Dresden and Berlin. In Munich we split up with Konrad and were
Alumni Secretary united with alumnus KC Cagney. The final stop before we all split was
Matthew Mueller #1345 Berlin, the largest city we visited. Our last day was spent at the zoo,
Treasurer
largest in Europe, and let me tell you, watching a tiger feast is really
Jack Odlum #1338
something. From there we went our separate ways, Todd and KC to
California Alpha England, Tom and I back home.
Association Robert Yegiazaryan, # 1304
Board of Directors
Brothers Tom Moran, Konrad Knusel, Robert Yegi-
President azaryan, and Todd Andrich (left to right) in Europe with
Dennis Sidbury #1150 Alumnus KC Cagney (second to the far right).
Vice President
Adam Garfinkle #1203
Secretary
Terry Maiken #1060
Treasurer
King Tuck #860
Chapter Advisor
Evan Basakis #1301
Directors
Rodney Pimentel #1050
Derek Molnar #1191
Decker Flynn #1139
Daniel Pitsch #1327

2726 Channing Way • Berkeley • California • 510-540-9036 • www.calphidelts.org

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Alpha Star Fall 2009

Thank You from Cal Alpha

#526 Mr. Edward F. Willi*
We would like to thank the brothers listed #552 Mr. Edwin C. Callan*
to the right for their generous gifts to the #722 Mr. Sidney R. Petersen
Building fund last semester. We hope that
#741 Mr. Donald F. Dorward
you will consider a contribution to the Cali-
#803 Mr. Jerry L. Becker
fornia Alpha Building Fund as part of your
#1150 Mr. Dennis D. Sidbury
annual donations.
*Posthumously

PLEASE HELP US LOCATE THE FOLLOWING PHIS. IF YOU KNOW THEIR

Lost Phis CURRENT ADDRESS, PLEASE SEND IT IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE OR
EMAIL IT TO SIDBURY@CAL.BERKELEY.EDU.
Bond # Name Bond # Name
627 Mr. Jack D. Griffith 868 Mr. John B. Nance
649 Mr. Gordon W. Nelson 897 Mr. William E. Dempsey
661 Mr. Richard W. Henley 918 Mr. Jeffrey M. Brennan
667 Mr. George A. Leatherman Jr. 954 Mr. Joseph A. Wharton
691 Mr. Ben E. Foster 957 Mr. Richard A. Potts
710 Mr. Ruben L. Navarro 959 Mr. Alan C. Doscher
736 Mr. Nathaniel M. Ball 965 Mr. Craig S. Nelson
757 Mr. Robert A. Smith 1128 Mr. Lasse B. Kjelsaas
818 Mr. Donald B. Shea 1159 Mr. John M. Houkom
829 Mr. Donald M. Howard 540 Mr. Edmund R. Sewell
832 Mr. James D. Rhoades 706 Mr. Robert N. Whitehead
Brothers,
Take a close look at the names on the list.
Every year this list becomes smaller. Let’s make
sure that every Phi is found!

2009 HOME FOOTBALL SCHEDULE

Date Time Opponent

10/03 5:00 p.m.

10/24 TBA Washington St.

11/07 TBA Oregon St.

11/14 TBA Arizona

2726 Channing Way • Berkeley • California • 510-540-9036 • www.calphidelts.org

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Alpha Star Fall 2009

What’s New?
Has something interesting happened to you in the past
year? If so, please contact us and let your brothers know
what’s new. We are always curious to learn about the various
experiences or accomplishments of our fellow brothers.
Please contact Matt Mueller at mattmueller@berkeley.edu

Duck Dinner!
A Night for Brothers and Alumni to Enjoy a Hearty Meal
Please mark you calendars. The annual Duck Dinner will be held at the Faculty Club. We are hoping for
a great turnout like last year, so come enjoy dinner with your fellow brothers. If you plan on attending,
please return this form or send an email to mattmueller@berkeley.edu by October 31st.
WHEN: Thursday, November 19th
WHERE: Alumni House
Yes, I will be attending Duck Dinner. Enclosed is my check payable to Califor-
nia Alpha Association for $60.

Name:
Please select an entrée:
Roast Duck N.Y. Steak Fish

YES!
I would like to make a lasting commitment to the
Brothers of Phi Delta Theta, Cal Alpha!

Please accept my donation of:

$500 $200 $100 $______

Please make your check payable to the California Alpha Association, with a
memo entry of “Building Fund” and mail to:
California Alpha at P.O. Box 4338, Berkeley, CA 94704.
Thank you for your generous support.

2726 Channing Way • Berkeley • California • 510-540-9036 • www.calphidelts.org

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Alpha Star Fall 2009

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PO Box 4338
Berkeley, CA 94704
Phi Delta Theta

2726 Channing Way • Berkeley • California • 510-540-9036 • www.calphidelts.org