Volume VI Fall 2012

America’s Leading Fraternity

~ OΥΔΕΝ ΔΙΑΣΠΑΣΕΙ ΗΜΑΣ ~

THE STARSHIELD Theta Sigma Chapter of Pi Kappa Phi

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Theta Sigma Sponsors & Partners Thank you for your continued support!

Special ‘Thank You’ to Iota Class for breaking the chapter pledge class fundraising record by donating $1,000 to Push America!

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Greetings From the President

Christopher Myrter President Myrter graduated from Mission Viejo High in June 2010. Since 2009 he has worked as a lab assistant at PLUS Diagnostics, a pathology lab specializing in cancer diagnostics. He came to Long Beach State in fall 2010. In spring 2011, he rushed and became a member of the Zeta pledge class. That May he was initiated and since then has played a key role in the chapter’s development. As an associate, he was the fundraising chair for his pledge class. When initiated, he became the first coordinator of internal and external relations. Last year he served as director of public relations. By request of the former president, Myrter sat in on all Executive Council meetings to report and give insight on all chapter matters. He reformed the Public Relations Committee in order to increase effectiveness and functionality and defined and reinforced a positive image for the chapter through the use of social media, written publications and merchandise. In addition to holding many positions, he is also a 2012 Pi Kapp College Graduate. His hobbies include surfing, camping, windsurfing, photography and long boarding.

To our family, friends and alumni:

I would like to thank you for your continued support throughout this past

semester as we would not be where we are today without you. This fall, Theta

Sigma once again proved to be the leading fraternity at CSULB. We bided 31

potential new members, which is the largest class in the history of Theta Sigma

and the largest out of 13 fraternities this fall. We successfully hosted our second

annual War of the Roses and implemented new events to make the competition

better than last year. Our alumni participation also improved tremendously

through our first Alumni Weekend. Pi Kappa Phi’s accomplishments were

recognized campus wide at Greek Awards where we won 11 awards, the most

in our chapter’s history. In addition the University noted that over the last year

we raised $27,118 for our philanthropy, Push America, nearly twice the

amount any other CSULB fraternity or sorority fundraised.

With many of our brothers graduating this coming spring, we face the challenge

of keeping our status as the largest fraternity on campus and preventing major

chapter budget cuts. I have the utmost confidence, however, in our recruitment

team headed by Chad Broking, vice president, and Loren Alberto, recruitment

chair. Currently we are working on innovative rush events and ideas for the

upcoming semester. An ongoing challenge we also face is the process of

improving our neighbor relations. In our chapter, we are fortunate to have

brothers spearheading campus-wide efforts to improve Greek Life neighbor

relations through student government and the Interfraternity Council, but our

Executive Council is now going to take more progressive steps to improve our

specific issues this coming year. As president, I plan to work closely with

Brandon Ratner, director of public relations, and the Public Relations

Committee to address our relationship with our surrounding community.

I am beyond honored to have the opportunity and privilege to lead our chapter

for the upcoming year. My dedication to our chapter’s growth means that I will

work to empower those who seek help and commit to tackling any challenges

that may arise by using all of our available resources. I plan to work with our

campus and chapter leaders to initiate more members, raise more money for

Push America and increase brotherhood all while promoting the personal and

academic growth of the brothers of Theta Sigma. Our Executive Council and I

are excited to see all we will accomplish in the New Year.

As President, I ask our brothers to self reflect and ask what you can do to truly

make this chapter the best it can be. I look forward to a fun and successful year!

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“Graduation Begins Today.” -CSULB President F. King Alexander

Alumni Weekend

Theta Sigma Alumni

Theta Sigma held its first three-day Alumni Weekend event starting on Friday, Nov. 9 through Sunday, Nov. 11. On the first day, the Iota pledge class hosted the annual Fiesta Dinner. Alumni and active members got the opportunity to spend the start of the evening at Big Daddy’s Cigar for a short mixer. They played poker and enjoyed cigars provided by Theta Sigma’s alumnus, Tom Fallon. At the Fiesta Dinner, alumni and associate members introduced themselves and conducted interviews while enjoying tacos, beer and margaritas. Saturday was the big ‘welcome back’ for all CSULB alumni at the 49er Homecoming Basketball Game. Alumni, active and associate members grilled cheeseburgers and participated in the homecoming festivities at the tailgate party. Sunday concluded Alumni Weekend with a barbeque at the Pi Kapp House.

Alumni, active and associate members enjoyed the afternoon watching football, socializing and eating lots of food. Former Historian Loren Albento and Brother Brad Rock coordinated the weekend. With their diligence in communication, planning and executing, they were able to bring together the largest group of alumni in Theta Sigma’s history.

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Fall 2012 Graduates

Founding Father #18

Major: Business Marketing

Career Plans: Currently a real estate agent. He plans to open up his own brokerage firm.

Founding Father #21

Major: Accounting

Career Plans: Currently working at Califano Financial Group, a tax and investment firm. He plans on obtaining his Certified Financial Analyst and Certified Public Accountant designations.

Paul Michael Iacono

Cary Schultz

Bryan Garcia

Alpha #45

Majors: Business Economics & Political Science

Career Plans: Pursue a master’s degree in economics. He plans to follow a career in economic development for LA County.

Christopher Smith

Alpha #55

Major: Accounting

Career Plans: Currently looking for a position at a Certified Public Accountant firm to earn hours toward his certification. He will take his first CPA test in May 2013.

Brandon Mundy

Beta #65

Major: Communication Studies with a minor in Criminal Justice.

Career Plans: Currently on track to be admitted into the Orange County Sheriffs Academy in March 2013. Eventually he would like to work as a homicide detective.

Garrett Higginbotham

Beta #66

Major: Business Economics

Career Plans: Pursue a master’s degree in sports management. He plans to become a sports agent.

Christopher Gimenez

Beta #64

Major: Business Economics

Career Plans: He plans to work in music production, In-n-Out Management or LA City Fire.

Jovani Tejada

Gamma #71

Major: Sociology

Career Plans: Pursue a master’s degree at CSULB in sports management. He plans to work in a front office of a professional sports team.

Blake Bruenning

Delta #89

Major: Communication Studies with a minor in Marketing.

Career Plans: Currently working in Hollywood for BWR Public Relations as a PR professional.

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Order of Omega Honor Society

Scholarship

Order of Omega was founded at the University of Miami in fall of 1959 by a group of outstanding fraternity men, who felt that individuals in the Greek community should be recognized for their academic excellence to the fraternity system and the university.

The purpose of this society is to recognize members of the Greek community who have attained high standards in academics and involvement in the Greek community. In order to qualify, members must at least be in their third year at CSULB with 60 or more graded course units and have at least a 3.0 GPA or higher.

Theta Sigma is proud to have brothers Matthew Kresky and Jeff Wong be inducted into Order of Omega this fall!

Fall President & Dean Scholars

Students who are placed on the President’s List each fall and spring term have to meet 12 or more graded course units and obtain a GPA ranging from 3.75 to 4.0. Theta Sigma is proud to have several President scholars this fall semester. Congratulations to:

Students who are placed on the Dean’s List each fall and spring term have to meet 12 or more graded course units and obtain a GPA ranging from 3.5 to 3.74. Theta Sigma is proud to have several Dean scholars this fall semester. Congratulations to:

Andrew Carnes

Matt Cutaia

Bryan Garcia

Mitchell Danford

Eddie Kelly

Daniel Renfer

Eddie Villatoro

Patrick Magno

Scott Snider

Jaime Varela

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Brotherhood

Pi Kappa Phi of the Month

September October November

Adam Cooper & Mitchell Danford Jovani Tejada Miles Boyer

Brotherhood Retreat

Adam & Mitchell were recognized as Pi Kapps of the Month for their extraordinary work renovating the Pi Kapp House and reforming the renter’s contract & housing fiscal procedures with the Executive Council during summer.

Jovani was recognized for his accomplishments as athletics chair and standards of excellence administrator. He was directly responsible for coordinating the largest attendance records Theta Sigma has ever had in IFC sports. He also successfully put together the SOE Packet that qualified the chapter for the most Greek Life awards ever.

Miles was recognized as Pi Kapp of the Month for coordinating the first Winter Formal Theta Sigma has ever hosted. He worked extraordinarily hard as coordinator of special events to make sure the event went off without a hitch.

Brotherhood Retreat was held at the Bandido campgrounds in the Los Angeles National Forest. The three-day camping trip included the traditional campfire stories, hiking, grilling and socializing. Election speeches, which are traditionally held at retreat, were moved to a separate date in order to increase alumni participation. Overall, more than 25 combined alumni, active and associate members attended. Best part of the trip: No thunderstorms!

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PUSHing to Change America

War of the Roses 2012

Semester Total Donated to Push America:

$6,425

Throughout the year, every chapter works hard to raise thousands of dollars for Push America. Many even go a step further by forming close partnerships with local charities that support people with disabilities. In order to increase volunteerism, Push America created the “Circle of Giving” program. This program recognizes a chapter’s efforts by awarding a grant to their local organization in the name of the chapter. The donation is always 25% of the total amount raised annually by each chapter. Theta Sigma is honored to present a check of $1,025 to AbilityFirst for the 2012 year!

Circle of Giving Grant

Theta Sigma held its second annual War of the Roses competition this past November. War of the Roses is a weeklong series of events that sororities at CSULB compete in. The competition kicked off on Tuesday with Pedal for Push, which drew in more than $5,000. The Dancing with the STARShield event was hosted Thursday night at the University Student Union. Sorority members from each of the four participating sororities choreographed a dance routine based off of their specific diva. AOPI won the overall competition with its Katy Perry performance. Tri Delta won the Most Spirited Award and Sigma Kappa won the Best Dress Coach Award. On Friday, the chapter hosted an informational speaker series where professionals spoke on various topics regarding people with disabilities. The speakers for the day included: Dave Sanfilippo, director of Disabled Student Services at CSULB, Mary Zendejas, Ms. Wheelchair California 2012 and April Stobver, paraprofessional at Ability First. The competition concluded on Sunday with the Field Wars event. This event was a daylong “battle” between sorority members, which included an inflatable obstacle course, inflatable jousting and tug-of-war. The winning sorority for Field Wars and the entire weeklong competition was Sigma Kappa. The sororities were judged on participation, money raised and competitions won. As the winner, Sigma Kappa was presented with a trophy, a banner displaying its name and a check of $640,which will benefit Alzheimer’s research.

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Theta Sigma 2013 Election Results

Executive Council Officers

President (Archon)

Vice President

Christopher Myrter

Chad Broking

Treasurer

Erik Hayhurst

Secretary

Kyle Johnson

Historian

Michael Balalis

Warden

Andrew McCracken

Chaplain

Andrew Carnes

Chief Justice

Jonathan Pedersen

Dir. Of Push America

Michael Potts

Dir. Of Public Relations

Brandon Ratner

Risk Manager

Jeff Wong

House Manger

Adam Cooper

LEADERS BY CHOICE

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Greek Life Achievements

Greek Awards

Most Improved Standards of Excellence

Pi Kappa Phi received the most awards in its five-year history at CSULB for its success during the 2012 year. The chapter collected 11 awards during the annual Greek Awards ceremony held at Wilson High School Auditorium. Some noteworthy moments included former Warden Jonathan Pedersen receiving the President’s Choice Award for his success in reforming the Theta Sigma pledge program. Another highlight included brother Blake Bruenning being presented with the Be Greek Award for his commitment to upholding the values of being a fraternity man. Finally, former President Jaime Varela was recognized with the Greek Man of the Year Award for his notable contributions to CSULB through his leadership roles as Pi Kappa Phi Chapter President, Associated Students Senator, University Student Union Board of Trustee member, Learning Alliance Peer Mentor and as a President’s Ambassador. President Varela received a standing ovation and he noted his gratitude and appreciation for the Greek community’s recognition and his nomination made by brother Loren Albento. Other Awards the Chapter was recognized with included:

Outstanding Chapter Management Award

Philanthropy Award Community Service Award

Outstanding Alumni Relations Award Greeks Going Green Award

Best New Member Program Award Outstanding Public Relations Award

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Sigma Kappa: Fireman’s Challenge

Tri Delta: Rock the Runway for St. Jude

Pi Kappa Phi Brother Named Sigma Kappa’s 2012 Colby Gentleman

Brother Phillip Contreras was named Colby Gentleman at the annual Sigma Kappa fall formal. This designation is awarded to a man who has shown outstanding service and representation of the sorority and Greek Life values. In the past, this title was awarded to as many as two or three fraternity men. The previous two years, however, Sigma Kappa has awarded the title to only one gentleman. Last year, brother Eddie Kelly was crowned Colby Gentleman. Theta Sigma is proud to have had a total of six brothers receive prestigous sorority titles in the past five years.

Pi Kappa Phi won the Best Represented Fraternity Award at the first-ever Rock the Runway for St. Jude event. Eleven fraternities and four sororities participated in the runway fashion show, which was put on by Delta Delta Delta Sorority. Brothers Christopher Myrter, Mitchell Danford and Robbie Zdjelar modeled as representatives of Pi Kappa Phi. The event brought in $1,300 from ticket sales, a silent auction and merchandise. All proceeds were donated to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Its mission is to advance cures, and means of prevention, for pediatric catastrophic diseases through research and treatment. Tri Delta is one of the most important contributors to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. In the past two and a half years it has donated $16 million nationally.

Pi Kappa Phi took first place in the first-ever Sigma Kappa Fireman’s Challenge. The competition, which was held at Recreation Park near Blair Field, consisted of various activities like a sandbag toss, three-legged race and various other relay races. Eight fraternities participated in the competition. Brothers Ryan Longworth and Wes Mathison fought to the finish with the three-legged race, earning Pi Kappa Phi the final overall winning point. The proceeds fundraised from registration fees and t-shirt sales went to firefighters who are burn survivors.

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CSULB Achievements

Homecoming 2012

Pi Kapp Brother Plays Major Role in Residential Housing

Improvements

LBSU 3v3 Basketball Competition

Theta Sigma was awarded the Best Overall Tailgate Award at this year’s 49er Homecoming Tailgate Party. Pi Kappa Phi was paired up with Gamma Phi Beta Sorority and the theme was “Bringing Home the Gold,” a tribute to the 2012 Long Beach State Olympians. The chapter had the most in attendance out of 13 fraternities with more than 35 combined alumni, active and associate members. As the best represented houses at the event, Pi Kappa Phi and Gamma Phi Beta were awarded a free exclusive reservation at the Walter Pyramid VIP lounge. Brother Chad Broking was also one of three fraternity men on the Homecoming Court. Unfortunately, Broking lost the crown by a few votes, but he was still able to garner a lot of support and positive attention for himself and Pi Kappa Phi.

Pi Kappa Phi enlisted six brothers to compete in the Long Beach State three-on-three basketball competition. The LBSU Women’s Basketball team sponsored the competition in order to fundraise for this year’s season. Brothers Jeff Delaunay, Blake Bruenning and Irvin Castillo made up the first team, which made it to the College Elite Bracket (top bracket) and ended up taking second place out of 15 teams. Brothers Daniel Renfer, Yassine Bouzarif and Angelo Escalona were on the second team, which did not make it as far but still played well. Pi Kappa Phi was the only fraternity to compete in the daylong tournament.

Brother Aaron Wong, residential coordinator, was selected to sit on two committees that were focused on improving residential housing at CSULB. The first committee he sat on was the Crest Design Selection Committee. On this committee Wong voted on the three winning crests now displayed throughout each residential college. The second committee he sat on was the Parkside Dining Research Committee, which designed the layout for the new residential dining hall in Parkside College. In addition, Wong was in charge of finalizing the crest designs to meet the university president’s standards and he also designed the crest t-shirts and banners for each residential college. The Parkside College Dining Hall is scheduled to open in fall 2013.

Volume VI Spring 2012

THE STARSHIELD

Est. 2009

Pi Kappa Phi Foundation

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Michael Balalis, Editor in Chief

Chris Myrter, Writer

Jaime Varela, Writer & Design

Brandon Ratner, Dir. of Public Relations

Matt Cutaia, Photographer