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Phikeia Gino Ardo '11
Bring it On |
Our Recruiting Team does it again
Yes, that's over 65 pledges in the last
5 semesters!
by Kevin Haslam '10
As Homecoming 2007 approaches, the actives
are starting all over again. It's been a busy semester thus far.
This week alone is jam-packed with action
at the house, as the actives work diligently on the Homecoming
float, prepare for Tuesday's preliminary Fire Inspection, and
begin working with our new 18 Phikeia!
That's right! After a long and exhausting
recruitment process, the actives have done it again - 18 new
Phikeia in the Fall alone! That's over 65 new freshmen pledges
in just the last 5 semesters.
In the last 3 years, the recruitment teams
worked hard to set the example and pass-down a working system
to the next dedicated team of Phi's.
In 2005, Paul Silber
'06, Mike Bernabe '07 and Guy
Bacco '07 were the distinguished leaders that took
charge and helped fulfill a chapter goal of 20 freshmen pledges
and set the example for all future recruiting teams.
In 2006, Kevin Haslam '10, Eli
Bohemond '09 and Tom Campbell '09 continued the success in the Fall, adding
new ideas and methods, which scored a class of 22 (21 freshmen).
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| Fall 2007 Recruiting
Team, Russell Chernick '09, Joey Boyd '10, Jeremy Hill '10
and Brandon Hill '10 netted another 18 Freshmen Pledges |
Now, in 2007, learning from their predecessors
and mentors, Russell Chernick '09, Joey
Boyd '10, Jeremy Hill
'10 and Brandon Hill '10 worked hard
and were proud to pin 18 more dedicated young
men.
“I learned that you have to keep in
contact with these guys," Chernick said. "If you lose
contact for just one weekend, they can find another place to
go. You have to stay strong, text message, and show that you
care about them.”
Learning from past experiences is always a
key to success, but implementing new tactics can also have a
positive effect on any program.
“We
went off of the same plan that Kevin Haslam and Eli Bohemond
set out for us, last year. They recruited our biggest pledge
class in, quite possibly, ever! We built off of that, and spun
it around a little bit," Boyd said.
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| Phikeia Educator
Todd Leo '09, President Dave Dunn '08, Vice President
Kyle Thomas '09 |
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| 18 young men
prepare to join our great brotherhood |
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"We
implemented more house dinners, because Sharon really does
make great meals for us. They really enjoyed those, because
it’s not as much as a party scene or a social event – it’s
the new guys coming out to meet the brothers. We also did ‘Competition
Wednesday,’ which is a night for all the guys to compete
and have fun.
Homecoming is now three days underway,
and the float is impressively coming along well; however, the
brothers are even more impressed with the new pledge class.
“Through the first couple of days,
now, they look really good. Pledge President Bob [Spellman] is
very organized. It seems like these guys are having a good time
while they’re doing it, which is good, especially since
it’s
Homecoming and it’s their first week,” Chernick
said.
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Pinned in just in time
for to help with Homecoming.
Four of our new Phikeia working in the basement on the banner.
Now I know there's a secret switch here.. somewhere.. |
The biggest indication of success, in any
active or alumni's mind, has got to be an influx of leaders in
the group. So, with many tough weeks to go, Boyd believes this
pledge class is off on the right foot.
“I’m really happy with this
class. A few have all ready defined themselves as leaders and
can really hold positions in the house. I think those guys will
bring together the pledge class, and make all want to step into
some leadership positions, as well.”
So, without further ado, we would like to
introduce the newest PA Theta Phikeia...
Francis "Bob" Spellman
Semester: 2
Major: Education, Social Studies
Hometown: Springfield, Delco, PA
Position: Pledge President
High School Activities: Crew, football, student government
Other
interests: Politics, history, football
"I hope to gain leadership skills, along with community
skills. Also, the networking that is involved [with fraternities]
will help me in the future." |
Gino Ardo
Semester: 2
Major: Undecided
Hometown: Pittston, PA
High School Activities: Wrestling,
Pep-squad, Student Council
Other interests: Football, wrestling,
hunting, fishing, IM Football, IM Basketball
"Out of this fraternity, I want to make friends,
and I hope to become actively involved in THON." |
Kevin
Bednarcyk
Semester: 2
Major: Undecided
Hometown: Doylestown, PA
High School Activities: Baseball, football
Other interests:
IM Football, IM Basketball
"I want to make friends that I will have the rest
of my life. I also wish to develop leadership skills and
a network for my future career." |
Zack Brinkman
Semester: 2
Major: Security and Risk Analysis
Hometown: Bellefonte, PA
High School Activities: Football
Other interests: Motocross,
Baseball, IM Football, SRA (Security and Risk Analysis) Club
"I want to obtain leadership skills, as well as effective
networking skills." |
Christopher Champi
Semester: 1
Major: Biology
Hometown: Pittston, PA
High School Activities: Student Council, Baseball, National
Honors Society, I.C.E Club
Other Interests: Biology Club,
traveling
"I want to make the best friends of my life and acquire
better leadership skills." |
Craig Champi
Semester: 2
Major: Education
Hometown: Pittston, PA
High School Activities: National Honors Society, Football,
Baseball, Basketball, Student Council, I.C.E. Club
Other Interests:
IM Football, IM Basketball, lifting weights
"I want to work on my time management skills and
become very close with my pledge class." |
Russell Fairchild
Semester: 1
Major: Actuarial Science
Minor(s): Math, International Business
Hometown: Yardley, PA
High School Activities: National Honors Society, Future Business
Leaders of America
Other Interests: THON, baseball, guitar
"I want to make friends and get to know people. I
want to have maximum involvement in the house, as well." |
Lonnie Finkel
Semester: 1
Major: Finance
Hometown: Potomac, MD
High School Activities: National Honors Society, Cross Country,
Track &
Field, Drumline Captain, School Ambassador
Other interests:
Blue/White Society, soccer, football, climbing
"I would like to form friends for life, and a network
through brothers and alumni." |
Jim Gould
Semester: 1
Major: Undecided
Hometown: Farmington, CT\
High School Activities: Golf, football, basketball, Future
Business Leaders of America, Junior State of America, National
Honors Society
Other Interests: Blue/White Society, THON,
exercising, X-Box, traveling
"I would like to be able to learn from the brothers,
their experiences and how to be successful at Penn State.
Also, I wish to have close and long-lasting relationships." |
Jonathan Halcovage
Semester: 2
Major: Undecided
Hometown: Hatfield, PA
High School Activities: Future Business Leaders of America,
Ping Pong Club, Baseball
Other Interests: Football, golf,
basketball
"I want to make friends that I will have for the
rest of my life, and become involved in THON and other
outside activities available on the Penn State campus." |
Ryan "Boston" Lang
Semester: 2
Major: Political Science
Hometown: Dartmouth, MD
High School Activities: Class President, football, basketball,
lacrosse, National Honors Society, Student Council, School
Council, Track & Field, School Resource Officer
Other
Interests: IM Basketball, IM Softball, IM Football
"I would like to become close to each and every brother,
as well as obtain networking skills and improve my leadership
qualities." |
Sontino "Sonny" Latorre
Semester: 2
Major: Undecided
Hometown: Belle Vernon, PA
High School Activities: National Honors Society President,
Internet Club Secretary, 3-year Varsity Soccer Letterman
Other
Interests: Division of Undergraduate Studies Student Council
"I want to meet people and build friendships. I also
want to get involved with many activities around campus." |
Kyle Lewis
Semester: 2
Major: Pro-Golf Management
Hometown: West Chester, PA
High School Activities: Golf team
"I would like to obtain leadership and networking
skills." |
William "Bill" Nunez
Semester: 1
Major: Physics, Forsenic Science
Hometown: Yardley, PA
High School Activities: Soccer, Track &
Field, National Honors Society
Other Interests: Schreyer's
Honors College Student Council, Cru, football, baseball
"I wish to build meaningful friendships with my brothers
and also build leadership skills for life."
Son of Eduardo Nunez '77 |
Anthony Scarpino
Semester: 1
Major: Undecided
Hometown: Bloomsburg, PA
High School Activities: Tennis, basketball, Student Council
Other
Interests: IM Football, IM Basketball
"I want to know how to become a part of this brotherhood
and organization. I also want to have a good network with
other Phi Delta Theta members." |
Jeff Shuhler
Semester: 1
Major: Undecided
Hometown: Newtown, PA
High School Activities: Track & Field, National Honors
Society
Other Interests: Football, baseball, track
"I would most want to get long-lasting friendships
out of this fraternity. I also want to have good connections
for after finishing college." |
David Walton
Semester: 1
Major: Engineering
Hometown: Downingtown, PA
High School Activities: Marching Band, baseball, National
Honors Society
Other Interests: IM Football, baseball
"I want to build character and responsibility. I
also wish to improve my social skills and get involved
around the Penn State campus."
Brother of William Walton '09 |
Brad Wydra
Semester: 2
Major: Finance
Hometown: Bloomsburg, PA
High School Activities: Soccer, tennis, water polo, Student
Council, Future Business Leaders of America, French Club
Other
Interests: IM Football, IM Basketball
"I would like to obtain the proper networking skills
for my field of study, and most of all, I want to have
a good time." |
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| It still amazes me what Matthew Amick
'10 and Tony Cercone '10 can make out of some 2x4's and chicken wire |
Homecoming '07 is Well Underway!
Kevin Haslam '10
Phi Delt and Omega Phi Alpha got 9th place
overall in 2005 with their Super Mario Brothers theme.
In 2006, they teamed with Phi Mu to obtain
a 2nd place price with a Sesame Street theme.
This year, the actives get together with
Alpha Delta Pi, hoping to win it all with their Flintstones theme.
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| Alpha Delta Pi
members, Wilma, Betty, and Pebbles, go to town on the
pomps |
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| The airband team
practices for the competition, held Tuesday evening
at Schwab Auditorium |
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Homecoming chairs Steve
Feight '08 and Shane
Goodenough '07 hope to use their extensive engineering knowledge,
with the help of '06 Homecoming Chair and current President Dave
Dunn '08, to boost Phi Delt to their 1st place goal!
The smell of glue and wood chips fill the
chapter house as the pomping and construction is all ready underway.
With three days under their belts, the actives and girls are
moving at a quick pace, and are ready for an impressive parade.
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| Dave was always fascinated
by Lego's as a small child |
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| The new pledges working on the banner,
so this is what I went to college for... |
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| Pebbles putting the finishing touches
on the Banner |
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| The finished banner - Yabba Dabba
Doo! |
Once again, please join us this weekend to meet our 18
new members and to see our Mad Hatter Fred Flintstone (carried by Rob Leo '09)
lead our float around campus. Click
here for the details...
Any comments for our 18 new Phikeia..
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