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The Gamma Iota Star and Lamp Written by John Bennett Download a PDF version by clicking here. View Summer 2009 Newsletter by clicking here.
Gamma Iota led by Archon
John Farrell in 2010
As President, John Farrell has strived to be stern when necessary but to ultimately have the respect and trust of every brother. This is a lifelong lesson, he explains: "The most important lesson I have been taught is to always put others above yourself. Being the Archon of Gamma Iota is a privilege because without the support and respect of my chapter brothers, there would be nothing to lead."
Members of the chapter have certainly seen these principles of leadership and appreciate them. At Gamma Iota's Rose Ball Formal in Panama City, Farrell was awarded Brother of the Year.
In addition to earning this individual award, the senior Finance major from Plano, Texas has earned the fraternity several awards and distinctions. Under his guidance, PUSH Chair John Bennett's Strongman and PieKappture the Flag events were named the best IFC philanthropy event at LSU. Because of Farrell's strong advocacy, Housing Corporation Treasurer Brent McDougall won LSU’s most outstanding IFC house corp member. In Farrell’s first term as president, Pi Kapp attained a 3.03 GPA, the third highest among IFC fraternities.
Farrell served as Chaplain in 2009 and Alpha Alpha Class Secretary before that. He has attended two Midyear Leadership Conferences and will be going to Supreme Chapter in August.
Pi Kapp Leads the Greek Community: IFC President Kenny Durio
After a year of serving as IFC's Vice President of Public Relations, Kenny Durio of Omega class decided to take on the responsibility of governing the entire IFC body as President.
Durio, a senior Management major from The Woodlands, Texas, did not serve any specific position in Pi Kapp but was able to learn leadership skills by observation. He has learned from the mistakes and successes of previous PiKapp leaders: "I think it’s really important to see both good leadership and bad. I've just tried to emulate the good and that seems to be working."
Durio is proud of the way Pi Kapps have distinguished themselves, "While other fraternities are getting caught up in feuds with other groups, we have done a pretty good job of staying out of that stuff and emphasizing to new members that that’s not what we do here."
Durio's term will last until December '10, when he is also set to graduate.
Parents & Alumni
What Goes on at Homecoming?
In 2009, we began with the Friday night Pasttime Pizza Parent’s Party, a tradition that will continue in 2010.
Saturday starts early as the fall class of new members rides by on decorated floats with our partner sorority while everyone watches from the front lawn tailgate up until game time. We wrap up the weekend with a Sunday skeet shooting tournament to raise money for our philanthropy, PUSH America.
Homecoming 2010
PUSH America
Spring Philanthropy Evolves; becomes two events in one day
In 2010, Gamma Iota decided to revamp its' spring philanthropy event. Years past had brought a lot of recognition, nationally and regionally, to the chapter for its' Strongman Competition but similar events in the area were beginning to overshadow Pi Kapp's. That is when the chapter decided to take the next step and make the event a North American Strongman-recognized competition. This designation attracted a much more widespread competitor-base. Strongmen from as far away as New York competed in the event which had novice, lightweight, and heavyweight divisions. By earning NAS recognition, Pi Kapp Strongman served as a qualifying event for the national strongman competition. Weightlifters benefitted from this, earning tickets to Reno, Nevada for the Strongman Olympics. Nearly all of the 20+ participants commented that they planned on returning next year and spreading the word to others. In addition to ramping up the Strongman aspect of the spring philanthropy event, Gamma Iota decided to do away with the sorority pentathlon competition previously associated with Pi Kapp Strongman. In its' place, "PieKappture the Flag" was born. In its' first year, over 220 sorority girls participated, eventually crowning Delta Zeta as the champions. The format was simple: a capture the flag tournament between teams of ten girls but the twist was that instead of tagging each other out, the girls threw paper plates covered in whip cream at the opposition, hence the name. By all accounts, the girls loved the competition and are looking forward to next year to name a new winner. Gamma Iota’s great success in the spring was not only shown by an outstanding fundraising total of $9,600, which is equal to $100/member, the chapter was already recognized by LSU as putting on the best Fraternity Philanthropy event in 2010.
Pull For PUSH 2010 This year’s Pull for PUSH skeet shooting tournament will be held November 14, the day after LSU’s Homecoming football game. Teams are forming now so get a group together and come compete. Prize and silent auction donations are also welcome!
If you are interested in donating or sponsoring an event, please contact John Bennett at jbenn32@tigers.lsu.edu or 559-301-1954, any donation of time or monetary value is much appreciated.
Inside The Chapter
Midyear Leadership Conference in St. Louis
Bid Day 2009, Rush 2009
Chad Gourgues and his girlfriend Maria Wink
(Rose Queen)
Brent McDougall Honored by LSU and Pi Kappa Phi At LSU’s Spring Greek Awards Ceremony, Brent McDougall's instrumental work in purchasing the fraternity house on Lakeshore drive was honored with the Order of Omega Best IFC Housing Corporation Member award. At August's Supreme Chapter in Orlando, Brent was given a Certificate of Distinction by the national fraternity for the same great work. Brent works tirelessly to stabilize the finances for the chapter through changes at the Treasurer position, purchase the house from Pi Kapp Properties, and strengthen relations between alumni and actives.
Supreme Chapter 2010
Supreme Chapter 2010 At Pi Kappa Phi's 52nd Supreme Chapter, three delegates and one alumnus were on hand to collect several awards given to the chapter. At the convention, held in Orlando, the men were asked to vote on several issues regarding the fraternity’s national policies, trained in leadership and recruitment skills, and allowed to brainstorm and share ideas with other chapters across the county. Headlining the chapter's awards was the Champion Master Chapter recognition, give to chapters who meet the seven crucial criteria of a well run chapter. Gamma Iota’s recruitment and scholarship programs were also recognized as being some of the best in the nation. Gamma Iota's PUSH America efforts were recognized with several awards. For creating the new PieKappture the Flag/Strongman event in the spring, Gamma Iota was recognized with the Innovator’s award for most creative fundraising event. The chapter’s contributions to PUSH were also recognized with the Centennial Society award for donating over $100/man. The chapter also attained the Red Rose Society award for service to the community while PUSH Chairman John Bennett was given the Emerging Leader Award for his work in the spring.
Throughout The Year...
Going On This Summer
2010 Vice Archon Colin Hotard looks to continue achieving his high aspirations
own goals." Kepper gave out 36 bids at the end of his tenure, a number Hotard hopes to surpass.
With the help of his rush committee, Colin has two goals for 2010: "to achieve a spring pledge class and to have 45 rushees accept bids in fall recruitment" but he insists that in getting 45 guys, "we will not sacrifice quality for quantity." Task one is done as Gamma Iota initiated the spring pledge class of Alpha Delta in April. To facilitate a more organized rush process for recruiters and recruitees, Hotard put together a geographically spread out group of members who will all coordinate the process of introducing potential new members to the brothers.
Keep In Touch
Contact Us If you have any questions, comments or submissions for the newsletter, please email John Bennett at jbenn32@tigers.lsu.edu.
House Wish List Gamma Iota is inching ever-closer to
buying the Lakeshore house and Housing Board Brent McDougall is
working tirelessly with the national fraternity to secure the
purchase. With the upcoming purchase in mind, the need to upgrade
and improve the house’s accessories and furnishings becomes even
more prevalent. With that in mind, here is a short list of items the
fraternity would love to
To submit updates for future newsletters, please email John Bennett at jbenn32@tigers.lsu.edu.
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