Gamma Mu Chapter (Founded 15 October 1996) is located at Central Michigan University in Mount Pleasant, Michigan. The Chapter was founded by Kate Blatnik and is a member of the Great Lakes Region. The region consultant is Christopher A. Crout.

Induction, Fall 2010

Chapter History

Founding

Gamma Mu was founded October 15, 1996 by Kate Blatnik. On October 15, 1996, the Gamma Mu Chapter was established with the induction of 207 charter members. Kate was honored to read the President's part in the ceremony. There were 8 Brothers from the Alpha Phi Chapter who read in the ceremony and helped pin all 207 new members!

Early Years

Kate Blatnik (now Holloway) initially found out about Phi Sigma Pi in the Fall of 1993 from Karen Lessnau at Eastern Michigan University. She was a sophomore at EMU. Kate attended a few rush nights in the Winter of 1994, became a pledge of the Delta class, and was inducted on March 26, 1994 into the Alpha Phi chapter.

Kate transferred to Central Michigan University in January 1995. CMU did not have a chapter of Phi Sigma Pi, so in the Spring and Summer of 1996, Kate contacted Phi Sigma Pi's National Headquarters about starting a chapter at CMU. Kate then obtained the go ahead in Summer 1996 to proceed with chartering the Gamma Mu Chapter. In August 1996, a handful of Alpha Phi Brothers came up to CMU and helped with the Student Organization Fair to introduce Phi Sigma Pi to the campus.

It was Betsy Robinson (now Jacquith) who was the Director of Expansion, and an instrumental help getting the chapter started. Dates for meet nights were set along with an induction date for October 1996. Kate obtained mailing labels for qualified CMU students and sent out letters for the meet nights and general information regarding the Fraternity. Betsy was there for the meet nights and she gave a speech along with Kate and gave information about Phi Sigma Pi. Over 400 students attended the meet nights.

Continued Growth

The Chapter started it's first 5K Pi Run to benefit Teach For America in the Spring 2007. Just breaking even with the money donated versus money spent, the Gamma Mu Chapter donated $200 to Teach For America out of their funds to support the philanthropy and all of their efforts.

To get more involved with Teach For America, The Gamma Mu Chapter began sponsoring a classroom in the Spring 2009. After all of the wonderful experiences the Chapter had with Ms. Lieberman and her seventh graders at Chicago International Charter School called Washington Park in Chicago,the Chapter decided to continue their efforts and sponsor another classroom for the 2009-2010 year.

In the Spring of 2009, Alumna Brother, Megan Sanderson founded a Epsilon Psi at Grand Valley State University, where she is a Hall Director.

In the Fall of 2009, the Chapter has taken great strides and has introduced an alumni advisory board to reconnect with our alumni and ask for their help. 3-5 Alumni Brothers were elected, and are headed by the alumni advisor. They will have the honor of determining the recipients of scholarships and awards given out by the Gamma Mu Chapter.

The Active Chapter

The Chapter currently has approximately 60 Brothers.

Gamma Mu's mascot is the moose.

Our faculty advisor is Dr. Renee Babcock, who is an honorary Brother of the chapter.

Current TFA classrooms: tba.

E-Board

E-Board, Spring 2009

President- Alyssa Chrisman
Vice President- Abi Liepshutz
Secretary- Kimmy Ehlke
Treasurer- Regina Saunders
Parlimentarian/SGA Rep.- Bryan Page Fall 2011
Historian- Kimmy Ehlke
Initiate Advisor- Corey Charkowske

Committee Chairs

Alumni- Lindsay Barta
Fellowship- Scott Spencer
Fundraising- Zachary Lizenby
Inter-Chapter Relations Co-Chairs- Anne Graham & Kayla Copsey
Leadership- Shannon Crane
Public Relations/Rush- Tricia Clemons
Scholarship- Jennifer Haynes
Service- Erica Smith

Ad-Hoc Positions

Alumni Advisor- Beth Nowland
Philanthropic Development Chair- Maryalice Sherlock
Webmaster- Alicia Carlston

Past Chapter Presidents

Alyssa Chrisman (2011-present)
Bryan Page (2010-2011)
Rachel Pelto (2009- 2010)
Jennifer Travis (2008-2009)
Tiffany Wood (2007-2008)
Kevin Kwolek (2006-2007)
Kirk Beckstrom (2005-2006)
Mary Ready (2004-2005)
Mary Bradley (2003-2004)
Marcy Mierzejewski (2002-3003)
Sarah Baldwin (2001-2002)
Leah Schultz (2000-2001)
Jamy Marske (1999-2000)
Kim Goble (1998-1999)
Shannon Brandt (1997-1998)
Kate Blatnik (1996-1997)

Chapter Events & Activities

Pi Run

Brothers and participants at Pi Run, Fall 2009

On October 4, 2008 The Gamma Mu Chapter raised over $600 at it's 2nd annual Easy As Pi Run/Walk to raise money for Teach for America. This event gathered Brothers, Alumni, Friends, Classmates, and people from the community. A silent auction was held, and all of the proceeds went to Teach For America as well. [1]

Polar Plunge

Every year the Brothers participate in raising funds to go towards Special Olympics by participating in Polar Plunge. At Polar Plunge, not only do the participants raise money and awareness for Special Olympics, they also plunge into icy cold water to show their support and dedication. This year will mark Gamma Mu's third appearance at Polar Plunge.

Brothers Rachel Pelto and Sara Pettipas taking the plunge at Polar Plunge 2010.

Relay For Life

Cancer is a subject that is close the the heart of the Brothers in the Gamma Mu Chapter. As a result of this, the Brothers annually participate in Relay For Life to raise money and awareness towards the research of cancer. This year the Brothers will be walking in honor of a Brother who has recently lost the battle against cancer, Ashley Koss.

Spring Banquet

Every spring, the Brothers of the Gamma Mu Chapter invite their families up to Central Michigan University for a parent's brunch. The parents are then able to gather information about the organization that their child is actively involved in by meeting Brothers, listening to various positions speak at the brunch, and watch a powerpoint that shows the Brothers being actively involved in the chapter. At the Spring Banquet, there is a silent auction. Items are donated to the chapter by separating Brothers, or are made and donated by active Brothers. All of the money from the silent auction is donated to Phi Sigma Pi's National Philanthropy, Teach For America. In the Spring 2010, Gamma Mu was recognized for this outstanding event when they received the Claude A. Phillips Fellowship Award.

Brothers Carissa Schultz, Samantha Brzozowski, and Alena Fear at Relay for Life, 2010.

Rent-a-Puppy

Spring of 2011 was the first semester for the Gamma Mu Chapter to hold the Rent-a-Puppy Fundraising event. The event was open to the college community and had a great turn out, despite the set-backs due to Michigan weather. The event was held both as a fundraiser for the chapter, as well as for students to relieve stress. The event also raised money for Humane Animal Treatment Society and hopefully helped H.A.T.S. get some pets adopted. Read more at Central Michigan Newspaper
- Kimmy Simons was the committee chair at the time.

Past Chapter Events

Main Article: Past Gamma Mu Chapter Events

Notable Alumni

Kate Blatnik, founder of the Gamma Mu Chapter.
Megan Sanderson, founder of Epsilon Psi at Grand Valley State University.

Honors and Awards

Organization to raise the most money for Special Olympics. (Spring 2009 and Spring 2010)

National Awards

2010 Joseph Torchia Outstanding Chapter Award
2010 Claude A. Phillips Fellowship Award
2010 Outstanding Regional Event Award
2010 Top In Region Award
2004 Top in Region Award
2004 Steven A. DiGuiseppe Administrative Award

Gamma Mu Awards

Outstanding Brother Awards

The Outstanding Brother Award is given to a senior based upon votes of the chapter. When submitting their votes, Brothers must include a reason why the Brother is deserving of the award. The award is handed out at Alumni Banquet every semester.

Phi

Rachel Pelto (Spring 2010)
Emily Brown (Fall 2009)
Lauren Miller (Spring 2009)
Brittany Floer (Fall 2008)
Amanda Newman (Spring 2008)
Sara Yonker (Fall 2007)
Jacqueline Whitaker (Spring 2007)
Nicole DuBrock (Fall 2006)
Kara Wingett (Spring 2006)
Jessica Hunt (Fall 2005)
Mary Ready (Spring 2005)

Tripod Scholarship

The Tripod Scholarship is chosen based on submitted applications from the Brothers. A winner is then chosen based on their responses, and a $200 scholarship is given to the Brother. This scholarship is handed out annually at the Spring Alumni Banquet.

Sigma

Sarah Breen 2010
Tiffany Wood 2009
Kati Chapin 2008
Laura Schulz 2007
Michelle McManaway 2006
Niki Brunink 2005
Mary Ready 2004
Heather Kinghorn 2003
Suzan Kurtz 2002
Sarah Baldwin 2001
Kristy Ott 2000
Jessica Bowhall 1999
Stacy Petrimoulx 1998

Outstanding GPA

Evey semester the Brothers submit their grades. Based on those submissions, the Chapter recognizes a Brother's scholarly efforts by awarding them with the Outstanding GPA award of the semester. This award is handed out at Alumni Banquet every semester.

Pi

Rachel Pelto GPA 4.0 Spring 2009
Brian Steib GPA 4.0 Fall 2008
Jennifer Travis GPA 3.82 Spring 2008
Wendy Wichert GPA 4.0 Fall 2007
Sommer Reed GPA 4.0 Spring 2007
Amanda Kmetz GPA 3.92 Fall 2006
Liz Elam GPA 3.85 Fall 2005
Emily Haney GPA 4.0 Spring 2005
Krystin O'Dell GPA 4.0 Fall 2004
Krystin O'Dell GPA 4.0 Spring 2004

Further Resources

In the News

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Gamma Mu Chapter

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