Consul: Mike Trewyn
Senior Tribune: Rob Jennison
Junior Tribune: Joe Schwartz
Praetor: Brad Brzuchalski
Quaestor: Chris Arendoski
Risk Manager: Kevin Clinton
Propraetor: Steve Bardelline
Pontifex: Steve Gamalski
Centurion: Dan Judge
Historian: Matt Vincent
As Kappa
Delta Rho went into the year 2000, they were determined not to have a
repeat of winter rush 1999. Rob Jennison led the new recruiting effort
for winter rush with such events as “New York Night” and “Cigar and a
Movie.” Kappa Delta Rho gained 6 pledges to start out the New Year, a
vast improvement from the year before, proving that winter rush could be
very successful.
The year
got off to a great start with Chris Miller visiting UDM in late January
to discuss goals of the chapter and meet with officers. Chris gave us
some final pointers about what it takes to become a fully chartered
chapter of Kappa Delta Rho. He warned us that chartering is something
that should not be rushed. However, the UDM Provisional Chapter had
great enthusiasm about becoming a fully chartered chapter and a
chartering committee was set up the following week.
The
Brothers of the UDM provisional chapter thought that having a local
philanthropy would be a great way to reach out to the surrounding
community. During February, we decided that Selma’s Home in Detroit
would be a great charity to contribute to. Selma’s Home gives children
from the inner city a drug free environment to live in with positive
role models. The Brothers started working events at The Palace of
Auburn Hills to raise money for charity and for the fraternity. Some of
the events included Piston’s games and concerts (one of which included
Brittney Spears!). Some of the other fundraising and charity work that
the Brothers participated in was working Las Vegas night in the student
ballroom at UDM and answering phones at a PBS telethon. KDR also took it
upon themselves to landscape a section by Holden Hall on the
University’s campus.
The 2000
Regional conclaves were held the last weekend of February at the
University of Illinois in Champaign, Illinois. The conclaves were a
great experience for brothers of the UDM provisional chapter to interact
with chapters at other schools.
The weekend
of March 7-9 was when the Brothers of KDR took off for a weekend and
went to Toronto, Ontario. It was a great bonding experience between all
of the Brothers. The weekend was tipped off by a group meeting in
Toronto where the Brothers bonded and did such things as “pass the
gavel.” There were many things to do and see in Toronto such as the CN
tower and Hard Rock Cafe.
The month
of April was filled with many special events. To start the month, was
the campus wide celebration of Greek Week. KDR had a strong showing in
all of the different events. Unfortunately, KDR finished second but
looks like it has a strong potential to take first place next year! The
first weekend in April also was the time for the Annual Rose Formal. 57
people attended the event. It was a great time to let loose and relax
and put schoolwork to the side for a few hours.
The time
for the UDM provisional chapter finally came on April 15, 2000. The hard
work of many was rewarded, as the UDM provisional chapter of Kappa Delta
Rho became the Alpha Gamma chapter of Kappa Delta Rho!! The festivities
included an alumni lunch that was held at Mr. B’s. This lunch invited
many KDR alumnus’s from the Metro Detroit Area. Later in the evening,
all of the Brothers attended the formal initiation to the fraternity
with national officers present. There was also a banquet in the Titan
Club after the ceremony. All of the brothers received their plaques of
admission to the fraternity at the banquet. It was a special day in the
history of Kappa Delta Rho at the University of Detroit Mercy.
The summer
of 2000 included many awards received at the National Convention in
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Alpha Gamma chapter cleaned the house by
taking home 8 awards! They include the following: Donald C. Wolfe -
Best Newsletter, John L. Blakely - Philanthropy (2nd), George E. Kimball
- Social Service (2nd), Leo T. Wolford - Campus Involvement, Individual
Scholastic Awards - GPA above campus all-male average, William I. Myers
- Highest Chapter GPA in KDR, Executive Directors Award - Recruitment,
Grand Consul’s Award - Chapter of the Year!
The fall of
2000 was a very special time for the Alpha Gamma chapter of Kappa Delta
Rho because it was the first semester as a fully chartered chapter.
There were many exciting rush events such as a private screening at the
Star Theater and the traditional “cigar and a movie night” to get the
semester going in the right direction. All said and done, Kappa Delta
Rho gained 7 pledges at the end of rush. One of the pledges, Ben
Borowiak, was involved in a serious car accident and will be welcomed
back for the next semester. Some of the highlights of the fall 2000
terms included a formal dinner, paintball, road trip to Chatham, and a
cancer walk.
One of the
best ways to escape the stresses of school is to get out and play some
paintball! About 20 brothers experienced this at Paintball World in
Chelsea. There were many different games played and many stories
generated from the experience. A couple of the favorite games among the
brothers were “capture the flag” and “destroy the terrorist”. Another
popular social event for this semester was the formal dinner at
Andiamo’s Restaurant. All of the brothers and their significant others
were dressed in sharp formal wear ready for a night of fine dining.
Another major social event was the trip to Chatham, Ontario after the
completion of finals. This was a great way for all of the brothers to
relax after a tough semester at school. These events were complimented
by the continuation of traditional events such as “South Park and
Xochi’s.”
The Alpha
Gamma chapter of Kappa Delta Rho also participated in many service
events throughout the semester such as Selma’s Home. One of the
highlights was the Cancer Walk on November 11. Many brothers asked their
family and friends to donate money to the event with a goal of $200 for
each brother. Many of the brothers also made the trip over to Macomb
Community College for the walk. Some of the brothers walked for a
majority of the time remembering loved ones that have died or recovered
from cancer. Paula Gillis was named the new sweetheart. The brothers
presented her with flowers and serenaded her with the sweetheart song. |