Alpha Rho Chapter

Alpha Rho Chapter (Founded 3 November 1991) is located at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Virginia. The chapter had 195 Founding Brothers and is a member of the Capitol Region.

Chapter History

The Active Chapter

The current chapter...

The chapter's official colors are red and black. The chapter mascot is a platypus.

Past Chapter Presidents

• Christine Abom (1991)
• Laura Zatkin (1992)
• Brian Keel (1992-1993)
• Bill Patterson (1993-1994)
• Kristi Perri (1994-1995)
• Josh Marder (1995-1996)
• Jeff Sugar (1996-1997)
• Brandon Rash (1997-1998)
• Jeff Owen (1998-1999)
• Sarah Hagedorn (1999-2000)
• Katie Rossini (2000-2001)
• Dave Johnson (2001-2002)
• Meghan Riley (2002-2003)
• Afton Dawson (2003-2004)
• Rich Harris (2004-2005)
• Rachel Mitnick (2005-2006)
• Lisa Gryncewicz (Present)

Chapter Events & Activities

Founder's Weekend

Alpha Rho celebrates the Chapter's founding each November 3rd. In 1997, chapter leadership of Alpha Rho and Beta Delta agreed to combine Founder's Weekend celebrations due to proximity of the chapters in regards to both location and founding dates. The event was a success and became a standing tradition, with the location alternating each year between Blacksburg, VA and Raleigh, NC.

In 2000, the chapters began awarding an annual Spirit Award to a brother that demonstrated the highest level of spirit and embodiment of the tripod. Each chapter selects it recipient by vote of active members with the winner being announce at the formal banquet held Saturday night of Founder's Weekend.

Alumni Weekend

Alpha Rho hosts an annual Alumni Weekend each spring, inviting it's alumni to return to Virginia Tech, reconnect with fellow alumni and meet new brothers and initiates. The main event of the weekend is a formal banquet on Saturday night, featuring a formal dinner, speakers, slide shows, and dancing. Awards are also presented including the Loren P. Johnson Outstanding Alumni Award, Rexford J. Card Outstanding Local Alumni Award (if applicable), and the Alpha Rho Tripod Scholarship. The incoming Alumni Advisory Board members are also announced at the banquet.

Other activities for the weekend typically include a social gathering on Friday night at a Blacksburg bar, a variety of activities during the day on Saturday, and a farewell brunch at a local restaraunt on Sunday.

Michael B. Perry 5K

Alpha Rho holds this annual 5K race each fall in Blacksburg. The race is named for Alpha Rho Brother Mike Perry who was tragically killed by a drunk driver in the summer of 1998. Proceeds from the event are donated to charity.

Leadership Connection

Alpha Rho held the first annual Leadership Connection in Fall 2005. Leadership Connection is a leadership conference sponsored by the chapter for student organizations at Virginia Tech. The conference features a keynote speaker and breakout discussion groups focused on topics that commonly challenge organizations such as fundraising, diversity, philanthropy and risk management. The conference is provided at no cost to participants through funding by the Virginia Tech Student Government Association, sponsorships by local businesses, and donations by Alpha Rho Alumni.

The Price is Right

Alpha Rho held the first annual VT The Price is Right event in Spring 2006. This event mirrors the format of the popular longstanding TV show of the same name. Proceeds from the event fund an annual scholarship awarded by the chapter to a freshman at Virginia Tech.

Emily C. Specchio Dance-A-Thon

Alpha Rho will hold its first annual Dance-A-Thon on March 31, 2007. The event is named for Alpha Rho Alumna Emily Specchio who tragically died as the result of a brain aneurysm on May 15, 2006. The proceeds of the event will be donated to Teach for America in Emily's name.

Other Event or Activity

This activity is...

Notable Alumni

• Name (Chapter year)

Founding Member

• Name (Chapter year)

DSK year

• Name (Chapter year)

Office Held (year-year)

Chapter Honors and Awards

National Awards

• 1993 Steven Diguiseppe Administrative Award
• 1996 Top Ten Outstanding Chapter Award
• 1997 Jeffrey L. Johnson National Chapter Fellowship Award
• 1997 Top Ten Outstanding Chapter Award
• 1997 Joseph Torchia Outstanding Chapter Award
• 1998 Steven Diguiseppe Administrative Award
• 1998 C.H. McClure Single Service Award
• 1998 Top Ten Outstanding Chapter Award
• 1998 Joseph Torchia Outstanding Chapter Award
• 1999 Charles W. Chance Alumni Award
• 1999 Top Ten Outstanding Chapter Award
• 1999 Joseph Torchia Outstanding Chapter Award
• 2000 Top Ten Outstanding Chapter Award
• 2000 Joseph Torchia Outstanding Chapter Award
• 2001 Charles W. Chance Alumni Award
• 2001 Top Ten Outstanding Chapter Award
• 2001 Joseph Torchia Outstanding Chapter Award
• 2002 Charles W. Chance Alumni Award
• 2002 Top Ten Outstanding Chapter Award
• 2002 Joseph Torchia Outstanding Chapter Award
• 2003 Charles W. Chance Alumni Award
• 2003 Top Ten Outstanding Chapter Award
• 2003 Joseph Torchia Outstanding Chapter Award
• 2006 Best in Region Outstanding Chapter Award
• 2006 Joseph Torchia Outstanding Chapter Award

University Awards

• 1998 Student Organization of the Year

Other Awards

Internal Awards

Chapter Service Key

• 199x Paige Bayliss
• 199x Loren Johnson
• 199x Josh Marder
• 199x Britt Marder
• 1999 Justin Nemmers
• 2001 Herb Higginbotham
• 2006 Andrius Benokraitis

Loren P. Johnson Outstanding Alumni Award

• 1996 Loren Johnson
• 1997 Brian Doss
• 1998 Jeff Sugar
• 1999 Jamie Brother
• 2000 Bill Patterson
• 2001 Herb Higginbotham
• 2002 Andrius Beonkraitis
• 2003 Amy Polishuk
• 2004 Pete Gingrich
• 2005 Dave Spracher
• 2006 Heather Grice

Rexford J. Card Exemplary Local Alumni Award

• 2002 Heather Grice
• 2002 Amy Polishuk
• 200x Rex "Joey" Card
• 2006 Jamie Peck

Spirit Award

• 2000 Katie Rossini
• 2001 Rex "Joey" Card
• 2002 Pete Gingrich
• 2003 Rachel Mitnick
• 2004 Michael Fulton
• 2005 Dan Spracher
• 2006 Zach Schwind

Further Resources

• Alpha Rho Chapter Home Page