Gamma Mu Chapter

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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 Christiana Berardi.

Alpha Nu Induction, Spring 2015

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 70 Brothers.
  • Gamma Mu's mascot is the moose.
  • Our faculty advisor is Dr. Renee Babcock, who is an honorary Brother of the chapter.


E-Board

E-Board, Spring 2009

Committee Chairs

Ad-Hoc Positions

Past Chapter Presidents

Past Executive Board

Main Article: List of Gamma Mu Chapter Executive Board

Past Committee Chairs and Ad-Hoc Positions

Main Article: List of Gamma Mu Chapter Committee Chairs and Ad-Hoc Positions

Initiate Classes

Main Article: List of Gamma Mu Chapter Initiate Classes

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]

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.

Detroit Red Wings Fundraiser

Brothers take in a Red Wings game during Winter Break 2013.
  • In 2013, the Gamma Mu Chapter decided to partner with the Red Wings for a fundraiser to raise money for our Chapter. We hope to create this as an annual winter season event. Multiple Brothers, friends and family were in attendance this season.

Parent's Brunch

  • 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.

Alumni Banquet

  • Every semester, the Gamma Mu Chapter holds an Alumni Banquet to honor the graduating Brothers. At this banquet, the Outstanding Brother Awards is given. In addition, at the Fall Alumni Banquet, awards are given to honor those with the most improved GPA and the Outstanding GPA. At Alumni Banquet, items are willed down to Brothers to keep their memories in the Chapter. Discover local history through Gamma Mu's Willed Items.


Past Chapter Events

Main Article: Past Gamma Mu Chapter Events

Notable Alumni

Honors and Awards

  • Organization to raise the most money for the Special Olympics Polar Plunge at CMU (Spring 2009 - Present)
  • SOAR Awards: Lindsay Soave won President of the Year of a Large Organization. Emma Vincent received Outstanding Student Leader award. Emily Rambo was awarded Emerging Student Leader award.

National Awards

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

Service Award

The Service Award is given to a Brother who has exemplified outstanding community service both in and out of Phi Sigma Pi. The awarded is handed out during Parent's Brunch each Spring.

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

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

Further Resources

In the News


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