Difference between revisions of "Alpha Rho Chapter"

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(→‎The Active Chapter: added additional content)
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=== Early Years ===
 
=== Early Years ===
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=== Adversity ===
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Alpha Rho has faced it's share of adversity in dealing with multiple tragedies during it's relatively short existence.
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In the Summer of 1998, Brother [[Mike Perry]] was killed with his friend Mike Dove in Blacksburg by a drunk driver while riding his motorcycle.
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On May 15, 2006, Alumna [[Emily Specchio]] died unexpectedly as the result of a brain aneurysm just two days after she graduated from Virginia Tech.
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On April 16, 2007, the Chapter was rocked by the tragedy at Virginia Tech that left 33 students and faculty dead as the result of a mass shooting.  [[Erin Peterson]], member of the Alpha Eta Initiate Class, and Reema Samaha, sister of Alpha Rho Alumnus [[Omar Samaha]], were among the 32 victims.  Erin passed Final Vote less than 24 hours earlier and was scheduled to be inducted as a Brother three days later. She was inducted posthumously with the rest of her class.
  
 
=== The Active Chapter ===
 
=== The Active Chapter ===

Revision as of 09:21, 28 April 2007

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

Founding

Early Years

Adversity

Alpha Rho has faced it's share of adversity in dealing with multiple tragedies during it's relatively short existence.

In the Summer of 1998, Brother Mike Perry was killed with his friend Mike Dove in Blacksburg by a drunk driver while riding his motorcycle.

On May 15, 2006, Alumna Emily Specchio died unexpectedly as the result of a brain aneurysm just two days after she graduated from Virginia Tech.

On April 16, 2007, the Chapter was rocked by the tragedy at Virginia Tech that left 33 students and faculty dead as the result of a mass shooting. Erin Peterson, member of the Alpha Eta Initiate Class, and Reema Samaha, sister of Alpha Rho Alumnus Omar Samaha, were among the 32 victims. Erin passed Final Vote less than 24 hours earlier and was scheduled to be inducted as a Brother three days later. She was inducted posthumously with the rest of her class.

The Active Chapter

The current Chapter generally fluctuates between 55 and 70 Brothers each semester. It's Brothers are very active within Phi Sigma Pi and typically are involved in several other organizations on-campus as well ranging from honor societies to social fraternities/sororities to academic department related interest groups to a capella singing groups.

Alpha Rho carries out multiple large events each semester (as described below in the Chapter Events and Activities section), as well as numerous smaller activities on a more frequent basis. These activities include but are not limited to:

  • Weekly mentorship program at a local elementary school
  • Monthly trash clean-ups at the Virginia Tech Duckpond, the organization's Adopt-A-Spot
  • Scholarship nights and road trips
  • Open Brother lunch every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at an on-campus dining facility
  • Annual Brotherhood Retreat
  • Annual Semiformal Banquet
  • Intramural sports
  • Monthly theme parties
  • Tailgates for every home football game
  • Participation in other student organization philanthropic events and competitions

Chapter Colors and Mascot

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

Chapter Chant

Brothers, Brothers, Brothers, We
Purple, Gold, Can't You See
Tech, Tech, VPI
Alpha Rho Platypi
HUH!

Executive Board

The Chapter currently has a ten member Executive Board. Officers are elected each spring to serve the following academic year. The composition and size of Alpha Rho's Executive Board has continually evolved as the Chapter has matured. Unwilling to settle for the status quo, the Chapter has added officer positions and shifted responsibilities to meet new challenges.

Alpha Rho pioneered the concept of a split Vice President model in the 1990s, moving from one Vice President overseeing six committee chairs, to separate Vice Presidents focused on different aspects of the Chapter's activities. The Vice President Internal (VPI) coordinates the internal matters of the Chapter, overseeing the Leadership, Scholarship, and Fellowship committees. The Vice President External (VPE) manages the external facing relations of the Chapter, overseeing the Interchapter Relations and Special Events committees.

In 2004, in an effort to better meet the needs of an ever-expanding Alumnni base, Alpha Rho created the Alumni Development position, transitioning it from a semesterly chair position under the VPE to a year-long Executive Board position.

In 2007, in response to challenges in planning and acquiring sponsors for the Chapter's special events, the position of Community Relations was created. This officer oversees the Public Relations committee as well as the Chapter's Student Government Association member.

2007-2008 Alpha Rho Executive Board

Alumni Advisory Board

The Chapter has an Alumni Advisory Board "to guide, counsel, and support the chapter in matters that affect the chapter's present and future viability through regular communication with and advisement of the brotherhood." The board is comprised of the previous Chapter President and four elected alumni. The elected alumni serve two year terms, with two positions turning over each year.

2007-2008 Alpha Rho Alumni Advisory Board

Past Chapter Presidents

Chapter Events & Activities

Founder's Weekend

Alpha Rho celebrates the Chapter's founding each November 3rd. The Chapter holds a large-scale Founder's Weekend open to other chapters each year between mid-October and mid-November. 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 demonstrates the highest level of spirit and embodiment of the tripod. Each Chapter selects it recipient by vote of Active Members with the winner being announced 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 held the first Emily C. Specchio 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 event raised approximately $2,000 which the chapter donated to Teach for America in Emily's name.

The second Dance-A-Thon is scheduled for Fall 2008 with the intent of holding the event on an annual basis each subsequent fall.

Relay For Life

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 A. 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 A. 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
Loren P. Johnson Outstanding Alumni Award
Rexford J. Card Exemplary Local Alumni Award
Alpha Rho Tripod Scholarship
Spirit Award

Further Resources

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