Gamma Pi Chapter Negligent Big Family

The Negligent Big Family, or NBF for short, is a segment of the Gamma Pi chapter who have descended from Nakia Coley. Initially the family was very small, with each Big Brother taking only one Little Brother. This trend continued until the Spring of 2003, when the size of the Mu Class, necessitated that Lea Miller take a second little. And from that popint on the Family continued to grow and expand. Current family matriarch is Sarah Viviani.

Family History

left to right: Megan E., Lea M. & Jennie S.

The Negligent Big Family was founded in the Spring of 1997 by Nakia Coley, a member of Gamma Pi's Founding Class. The following semester, Nakia took a Little Brother and laid the roots of the Family. The Family continued to slowly grow and persevere, with the unwritten policy of one Big and one Little being maintained. This all changed in the Spring of 2003. The incoming Mu Class started out with 21 initiates (the largest ever in Gamma Pi up to that point) and with only 27 active brothers, the unwritten policy was brought to a screeching halt. Lea Miller took a second Little and Megan Everett took a Little thereby doubling the Family's size in one semester.

At that time the Family was not named. Gamma Pi families for the most part were identified by who the current patriarch or matriarch of the family was, the exceptions being the Stanley Hanley Family and the Fish Family. The Stanley Hanley's were a massive family that nearly equaled the size of the rest Chapter's other families combined. The Fish Family, though much smaller in size, was the second largest in the Chapter at 5 Brothers. This gave people a constant identifier of lineage and family groups, and unnamed families began the hunt for names of their own. Lea Miller who was the Family matriarch was pushing for the "Weird Family," but the name never seemed to stick. Fortunes changed during a trip to Tau's Founder's Day weekend in the Spring of 2004. Debating back and forth over clever and witty sounding names and commenting on how little we knew about each other, Christina Ragan (Stanley Hanley Family) interjected, "You guys are, like, the Negligent Big Family." Instantly we knew we had a name.

The nature of the Family at that time really was one of neglect. While other Bigs and Littles were bonding and doing everything together, we were vaguely aware of our Little's existence. This was never an intentional slight or attempt to be contemptuous. It simply was an odd reoccurrence that we never seemed to bond or form close relationships with each other.

But with a new family name came a new sense of family. By the time Pi Class came along, the family had forged its identity. The camaraderie that seemed destined for other families took root in the Negligent Bigs. And the name that started as a witty self-deprecating moniker became a witty sarcastic moniker. As the initiate classes progressed, members became Big Brothers at a greater frequency, and soon became the largest family in the Chapter. Though their family bonds may fluctuate with time, and tradition of ignorance and neglect still lingers in some degree; the Negligent Bigs have managed not only to survive, but to be a force to be reckoned with in Gamma Pi.

Family Insignia

left to right: Jen Kohn, Megan Everett (original letters), Lea Miller & Joe Delozier

The Negligent Big Family has adopted the various following trappings over the years.

Family Letters: Black t-shirt, red primary letters on white background letters. Brothers nickname in white letters on back.

Originally the family letters was navy blue sweatshirt with blue and tan plaid primary letters on gold background letters. The letters underwent a change in the fall of 2002. Because of the unbearable heat during the fall rush events, it was decided that the sweatshirts had to go, and were replaced with navy blue t-shirts. These shirts continued until the Family ran out of the material that had been used for the letters and could not locate similar fabric. The current letters were adapted in 2005 from the personal letters of Austin Crise. It was a black t-shirt with red primary letters on white background letters. With his permission, they were adopted and the brother's Gamma Pi nickname was added to the back in white letters to distinguish them from his.

Family Song: Baby Got Back by Sir Mix-a-Lot

Sometime between the Spring of 2000 and the Spring of 2002, the Family adopted its official song 'Baby Got Back,' by Sir Mix-a-Lot. This was a nod to Jennie Squire who had the song requested at every Phi Sigma Pi event she attended that had a disc jockey. And, per family tradition, all members of the family must be on the dance floor during the song.

The Negligent Big Family in the spring of 2008.

Family Motto: Jackpot!

The Family got its official motto during a trip to the Tau Chapter in 2005. The line, a reference to "Family Guy," had been used frequently during the Spring semester whenever something went one's way. As fate would have it, during a Tau t-shirt sale, an old shirt was found from a casino themed event with the word "Jackpot!" written across the back.

Family Glass: A double old fashion glass

The glass has the Phi Sigma Pi logo etched in the center, the words "Negligent Big Family" arch across the top and the brothers nickname is written straight across the bottom. They were first presented to the members of the family following the Spring 2003 induction ceremony.

Family Pants: Plaid dress pants

In the fall of 2005 when it was discovered that two Negligent Bigs owned nearly identical plaid pants, which was of interest considering they were made for different sexes, in different decades. The brothers decided to wear them to an event together, and when they arrived they found another member also wearing plaid pants. It was then determined that they would be the family pants.

Family Tree

• I. Nakia Coley - ? (Founding Class)
  • II. Chris Griffith - ? (Alpha Class)
    • III. Stacey Goldberg - ? (Delta Class)
      • IV. Jennie Squire - ? (Zeta Class)
        • V. Lea Miller - Vitality (Iota Class)
          • VI-A. Megan Everett - Yefty (Kappa Class)
            • VII-A. Jen Kohn - Striker (Mu Class)
              • VIII-A. Mike Kegan - Flash (Pi Class)
                • IX-A. Chris Bezak - Robin (Sigma Class)
                  • X-A. Frank Bowen - The I.S. (Upsilon Class) (expelled)
                    • XI-A. Marielle Griggs - Bru (Phi Class)
          • VI-B. Joe Delozier - Lipton (Mu Class)
            • VII-B. Rick Schaffer - Dr. Lecter (Xi Class)
            • VII-C. Christine Ruszin - Brigadoon (Pi Class)
              • VIII-B. Kristi Sims - Ciel Azul (Rho Class)
                • IX-B. Tara Spinelli - Darwin (Sigma Class)
                  • X-B. Melissa Novak - Simba (Upsilon Class)
                    • XI-B. Katie DeHaven - Nimbus (Chi Class)
                      • XII-A. Brittany Spector - Satyr (Alpha Beta Class)
                        • XIII-A. Christina Camp- Pieces (Alpha Delta Class)
                          • XIV-A. Janine Mohlhenrich - Tink (Alpha Epsilon Class)
                            • XV-A. Ashley Ibrahim - Genie (Alpha Zeta Class)
                              • XVI-A. Melissa Nickolaus - Lilo (Alpha Theta Class)
                                • XVII-A. Tessa Robillard - Rosebud (Alpha Kappa Class)
                                  • XVIII-A. Erin Wills - Sunshine (Alpha Lambda Class)
                                    • XIX-A. Kayla Scannell - Raven (Alpha Mu Class)
                                      • XX-A. Austin Isom - ??? (Alpha Xi Class)
                            • XV-B. Sam Storer - Prints (Alpha Iota Class)
                              • XVI-B. Nicole Staton - Primer (Alpha Kappa Class) (Expelled)
                    • XI-C. Lindsay Arold - Mariposa (Chi Class)
                    • XI-D. Bridget Bernard - Apple (Alpha Gamma Class)
                      • XII-B. Jen Rudolph - Charm (Alpha Delta Class)
                        • XIII-B. Meg Arneman - Destiny's Child (Alpha Zeta Class)
                          • XIV-B. Rachel Lilly - Anchor (Alpha Eta Class)
                            • XV-B. Taylor Roden - Glass Slipper (Alpha Lambda Class)
                              • XVI-B. Paige Kruger - ??? (Alpha Xi Class)
                • IX-C. Allison Lyons - Jujube (Phi Class)
                  • X-C. Christine Chun - Ecco (Chi Class)
                    • XI-E. Hannah Yingling - Po (Alpha Gamma Class)
                      • XII-C. Katy Bloom - Button (Alpha Epsilon Class) (expelled)
                        • XIII-C. Paige Cragen - "Ellie" (Alpha Theta Thunderbirds)
                    • XI-F. Celia Bai - Oso (Alpha Gamma Class) (expelled)
              • VIII-C. Carly Ryan - Mocha (Sigma Class)
                • IX-D. Aileen Prunesti - Princess Peach (Upsilon Class)
                  • X-D. Kelly Beever - Rosebud (Chi Class)
                • IX-E. Kaitlin Konecke - Luna (Chi Class)
                  • X-E. Matthew Markey - Knight (Alpha Alpha Class) (expelled)
                  • X-F. Liz Price - Darcy (Alpha Gamma Class)
                    • XI-G. Shannon Fiscus - Hoops (Alpha Epsilon Class)
                      • XII-D. Megan Hollister - Rebound (Alpha Eta Class)
                    • XI-H. VaLencya Clark - Aqua (Alpha Zeta Class)
                      • XII-E. Sam Scotland - Maksi (Alpha Theta Class)
                        • XIII-E. Shea Gaffney - Pitch (Alpha Iota Class)
                          • XIV-E. Gretchen Compere - Remedy (Alpha Lambda Class)
                            • XV-E. Alex Rockefeller - ??? (Alpha Nu Class) (Transferred)
                              • XVI-E. Jessica Donnelly - Moon (Alpha Omicron Class)
              • VIII-D. Liz Converse - Pinkie (Chi Class)
                • IX-F. Lindsey Barr - Nina (Alpha Beta Class)
                  • X-G. Alyson Marks - Belle (Alpha Delta Class)
                    • XI-I. Haley Ennis - Dory (Alpha Eta Class)
                    • XI-J. Jessica Camm - Squirt (Alpha Epsilon Class)
                      • XII-F. Andrea Pickett - Olivia (Alpha Eta Class)
                        • XIII-E. Emma Haviland - Mrs. Butters (Alpha Theta Class)
                          • XIV-D. Kelsey McGonigle - Lizzie (Alpha Iota Class)
                            • XV-D. Michelle Boyd - Lola (Alpha Lambda Class)
                        • XIII-E. Kimberly Vogt - Selina Kyle (Alpha Kappa Class)
                          • XIV-G. Paige Pacheco - O'Hara (Alpha Lambda Class)
                            • XV-G. Caitlin Bittinger - Duchess (Alpha Mu Class)
                      • XII-G. Amanda Engel - Celebrity (Alpha Theta Class)
                        • XIII-G. Shelby Burton - Starlet (Alpha Kappa Class)
                          • XIV-G. Julie Ansorge - Regal (Alpha Mu Class)
                            • XV-G. Dana Kresslin - ??? (Alpha Nu Class)
                  • X-H. Melissa Carballeira - SVU (Alpha Delta Class)
                    • XI-K. Sarah Borowiec - Cheerio (Alpha Epsilon Class)
                      • XII-H. Janelle Hartman - Mylo (Alpha Kappa Class)
                        • XIII-H. Aubrey Baird - Leo (Alpha Mu Class)
                          • XIV-H. Charlie Thompson - Lilo (Alpha Xi Class)
                            • XV-H. Maddie Pamfilis - Keiko (Alpha Omicron Class)
                        • XIII-H2 Bianka Juarez - Merlin (Alpha Xi Class)
                          • XIV-H2 Jasmine Garris - Murphy (Alpha Omicron Class)
                    • XI-L. Alyssa Higgins - Cruz (Alpha Eta Class)
                    • XI-M. Jess O'Neill - Shell (Alpha Eta Class)
                      • XII-I. Maggy Kay - Pearl (Alpha Iota Class)
                        • XIII-H. Amy Baldwin - Mr. Ray (Alpha Lambda Class)
                          • XIV-H. Sandra Schenning - ??? (Alpha Xi Class)
                          • XV-H. Jenn Bowers -
                        • XIII-H2 Sierra Egan - Sea (Alpha Omicron Class)
                • IX-G. Sarah Eastman - Callie (Alpha Gamma Class)
                  • X-I. Sarah Viviani - Twizzle (Alpha Epsilon Class)
                    • XI-N. Megan Burleigh - Mrs. Bing (Alpha Eta Class)
                      • XII-J. Hannah Cline - Pawnee (Alpha Lambda Class) (Transferred)
                    • XI-O. Laura Stec - Sunshine (Alpha Theta Class)
                    • XI-P. Julie Garrity - Feather (Alpha Iota Class)
                      • XII-P. Shannon Moore - Shutter (Alpha Mu Class)
                        • XIII-P. Carna Hogan - Sonas (Alpha Nu Class)
                          • XIV-P. Delaney Berryman - Aoiheneas (Alpha Omicron Class)
                          • XIV-P. Mitch Lannon -
                  • X-J. Dare Ajayi - The Doctor (Alpha Zeta Class)
                    • XI-Q. Shannon McVeigh - Kaiserin (Alpha Theta Class)
                      • XII-K. Megan Humphries - Match (Alpha Lambda Class) (Self-expelled)
                        • XIII-K. Maureen Hegarty - ??? - (Alpha Mu Class) (Transferred)
                • IX-H. Kristy Roberts - Tally (Alpha Epsilon Class)
                  • X-K. Emily Farley - Twirl (Alpha Eta Class)
                    • XI-R. Liz Terrell - Melody (Alpha Iota Class)
                      • XII-L. Christine Klapka - Poco (Alpha Kappa Class)
                        • XIII-L. Shauna Williams - Vitani (Alpha Mu Class)
                          • XIV-L. Martha Labram - Mezzo (Alpha Xi Class)
                          • XV-L. Lynly Lovelace - Tempo (Alpha Omicron Class)
                      • XII-M. Yuyi Zhu - Staccato (Alpha Lambda Class)
                        • XIII-M. Queenie Luu - Magnifico (Alpha Omicron Class)
            • VII-D. Peng Zhao - Sssssss (Chi Class) (expelled)

Notes:

• Chris Bezak, Frank Bowen and Marielle Griggs formed a cadet line named "Down to (Explative Deleted)," or DTF, applying to themselves and their descendants.
• Alumni/Alumnea are in bold.

Family Awards

• Best Big/Little: Fall 2004 (Joe Delozier & Rick Schaffer)
• Best Big/Little: Fall 2007 (Tara Spinelli & Melissa Novak) and (Chris Bezak & Frank Bowen)