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.
Contents
Chapter History
Founding
On November 3, 1991, Alpha Rho Chapter was founded with 195 Brothers. Initially, there was a split among the membership, with some Brothers wanting Phi Sigma Pi to serve primarily as an attractive organization on their resumes, while some wanted Phi Sigma Pi to serve a much larger purpose in their college careers. After much debate and reduction of the initial membership, a smaller, more dedicated group began the journey to making Alpha Rho Chapter what it is today.
Early Years
Through strong chapter leadership, Alpha Rho quickly earned recognition within the national organization. In 1993, just two years after the Chapter's founding, Alpha Rho won its first national award, the Steven A. DiGuiseppe Administrative Award. Over the next several years, Brothers such as Josh Marder, Britt Marder, Jeff Sugar, and Herb Higginbotham among others continued to build the programming, membership, and chapter standards within Alpha Rho. In 1996, Alpha Rho was recognized with its first Top Ten Outstanding Chapter Award. The following year, the Chapter was recognized with another Top Ten Chapter Award, the Jeffrey L. Johnson National Chapter Fellowship Award, and its first Joseph Torchia Outstanding Chapter Award. The bar was set for future Alpha Rho Brothers to follow.
Continued Growth
The honor of the 1997 Torchia Award proved not to be a highwater mark; rather it was just the tip of the iceberg, as the Chapter continued to push itself to greater heights. Over the following decade, Alpha Rho continued to grow and become more involved within the Virginia Tech campus, the Blacksburg community, and the national fraternity. In the Spring of 1998, the Chapter was recognized by Virginia Tech for its excellence in service and programming as the university's Student Organization of the Year.
Alpha Rho has continually challenged itself to develop and expand its programming to include a blend of small scale scholarship, leadership, and fellowship events covering virtually every day of the week, each week of the academic year. In addition, the Chapter plans several large events each semester which incorporate one or more legs of the tripod, as well as one or two philanthropic events to benefit a charity or scholarship fund established by Alpha Rho for Virginia Tech students.
For its quality and quantity of programming, beginning with the 1997 Torchia Award, Alpha Rho proceeded to win seven consecutive Torchias. During this time, the Chapter was also recognized with another DiGuiseppe Award, a C.H. McClure Single Service Award, and four Charles W. Chance Alumni Awards for its excellence in alumni relations. In 2006, Alpha Rho was honored with its eighth Torchia Award shortly after celebrating its 16th birthday.
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.
In the face of heartbreak, the Chapter has proven to be united, strong, and resilient. Commented Phi Sigma Pi Executive Director Suzanne Schaffer in the May 2007 Phi Sigma Pi Newsletter, "This is a very strong chapter both in character and action." Through tragedy, the bonds of brotherhood in Alpha Rho have only been strengthened.
The Active Chapter
In recent years, the size of the Chapter has generally fluctuated between 55 and 70 Brothers each semester. Alpha Rho Brothers are very active within Phi Sigma Pi as well as other organizations on-campus, ranging from honor societies to social fraternities/sororities to academic department organizations 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 Alumni base, Alpha Rho created the Alumni Development position, transitioning it from a semester 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 representative.
2007-2008 Alpha Rho Executive Board
- President - Bill Hamilton
- Vice President Internal - Amy Cheung
- Vice President External - Zach Schwind
- Secretary - Jenna Hess
- Treasurer - Stefanie Bartholic
- Parliamentarian - Jeremy Conrad
- Initiate Advisor - Kate Wooldridge
- Historian - Megan Caligiuri
- Alumni Development - Sara Stevens
- Community Relations - Juliette Fitzsimmons
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
- Pete Gingrich, Chair
- Michael Brody
- David Spracher
- Robert Montgomery
- Lisa Gryncewicz (Past President Member)
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)
- Jeffrey 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 (2006-2007)
- Bill Hamilton (Present)
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 $2,358 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
In 2003, Alpha Rho began participating in the American Cancer Society Relay for Life at Virginia Tech and quickly became one of the top fundraising teams at the event. In 2006, under the organization of team captain Emily Specchio, the Phi Sigma Pi team raised nearly $5,000, placing it in the top 3 fundraising groups at the event. In 2007, the team raised the bar even higher, raising over $7,000 under the leadership of team captain Megan Wicks, good enough to finish as one of the top 5 fundraising teams.
Notable Alumni
- Paige Bayliss (Founder: Fall 1991) served as Chapter Alumni Relations Chair and Service Chair. Awarded a Chapter Service Key.
- Andrius Benokraitis (Theta Class: Fall 1995) served as a Chapter Interchapter Relations Chair, PR Chair, Infosystems Chair, and a member of the Alpha Rho Alumni Advisory Board. Awarded Loren P. Johnson Outstanding Alumni Award in 2002 and Chapter Service Key in 2006.
- Ted Daniels (Epsilon Classs: Spring 1994) is the songwriter of the officially adopted fraternity song Brother. Awarded the Distinguished Service Key in 2001.
- Herbert Higginbotham (Epsilon Classs: Spring 1994) served as Chapter Treasurer, Vice President, and a member of the Alpha Rho Alumni Advisory Board. Awarded Loren P. Johnson Outstanding Alumni Award and Chapter Service Key in 2001. Current Director of Fundraising of the Phi Sigma Pi Foundation.
- Loren Johnson (Founder: Fall 1991) was awarded a Chapter Service Key. Namesake of the Chapter's Outstanding Alumni Award, of which he was the first recipient in 1996.
- Britt Marder (nee Martin) (Delta Class: Fall 1993) served as Chapter Initiation Chair and Initiate Advisor. Awarded Chapter Service Key in 1998. Served as Vice President of Alumni Development (1996-1998) and Senior Vice President (2000-2002). Awarded the Distinguished Service Key in 2000. Member of the Phi Sigma Pi Foundation.
- Joshua Marder (Gamma Class: Spring 1993) served as Chapter Initiation Chair, PR/Inter-Chapter Chair, Alumni Relations Chair, President and a member of the Alpha Rho Alumni Advisory Board. Awarded Chapter Service Key in 1996. Served as National Secretary (1998-2000), National President (2000-2002) and Vice President of Finance (2004-Present). Awarded the Distinguished Service Key in 2002. Member of the Phi Sigma Pi Foundation.
- Justin Nemmers (Kappa Class: Fall 1996) served as Chapter Fellowship Chair and Infosystems Chair. Awarded Chapter Service Key in 1999.
- Jeffrey Sugar (Epsilon Class: Spring 1994) served as Chapter Treasurer, President and member of the Alpha Rho Alumni Advisory Board. Awarded Loren P. Johnson Outstanding Alumni Award in 1998. Current Director of Membership of the Phi Sigma Pi Foundation.
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
