In The News Archives: 2011

The following are archived In the News articles from 2011.

Past In the News Items: 2011

Missouri State student keeps Australia clean (News-Leader.com - 4 December 2011)
Deanne Vassalli (ΓΣ), senior marketing major from Fenton, wants to make a big difference in people's lives. Currently taking business classes and a nutrition course in a study away program in Australia, Vassalli has found time to combine community involvement with her studies.

Joplin, Mo., teen inducted into WKU honor fraternity (WKUHerald.com - 28 November 2011)
When Phi Sigma Pi recently initiated nine of its newest members into the brotherhood, it did so with a mix of sadness and pride. One of those initiates never knew any of the members, but he will forever hold a place in the hearts of PSP’s Beta Phi chapter (ΒΦ) at WKU. Will Norton, an 18-year-old graduate of Joplin (Mo.) High School, was made an honorary brother of the fraternity on Nov. 18. Norton was killed during the May 22 tornado that struck Joplin on his graduation day.

Ornament contest will deck Kentucky Museum's halls (WKUHerald.com - 14 November 2011)
As Christmas approaches, the Kentucky Museum invites all to begin spreading the season’s cheer with their annual Holiday Ornament Contest. The event will begin at 6 p.m. Tuesday in the Kentucky Room of the Kentucky Museum. WKU organizations will decorate Christmas trees inspired by their organization or another chosen theme. Middlesboro senior and Phi Sigma Pi vice president Kevin Smith (ΒΦ) said, “The ornament contest is a way for the brothers to get together, have fun and celebrate the season of Christmas.”

SHSU Update: Nov. 14 (ItemOnline.com - 13 November 2011)
Sam Houston State University’s Junior Fellows bring Texas A&M professor Jim Olson to campus to discuss the “Ethics of Espionage.” The presentation, the final of the three-part “Speaking of Ethics—2011 Speaker Series on Ethics and Social Responsibility” conceived of by management and marketing professor John Newbold, will begin at 3:30 p.m. in the Smith-Hutson Building’s Mafrige Auditorium. The series is also sponsored by the College of Business Administration, the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, Career Services, Student Services, and Phi Sigma Pi Honors Fraternity (ΔΥ), as well as professors Juliana Lilly and Mike Yawn.

Peace, Love, Green and Bates (Keystoneonline.com - 9 November 2011)
Peace, Love and Homecoming was this years theme to the annual event that had a few changes to the King and Queen being announced. Rather than announcing the winners during the football game, Senior Business major Matt Green (ΕΑ) and Senior Elementary Education major Tiffany Bates were announced the 2011 Homecoming King and Queen. “[Phi Sigma Pi] is a national honor society that strives and encourages equality and acceptance of all kind of students, we encourage friendships and brotherhood,”Green said.

Duck Derby surpasses fundraising goals (StateNews.com - 30 October 2011)
On Saturday, the star of Ernie’s song on Sesame Street and more than 600 of his little friends joined Phi Sigma Pi (ΒΣ) at the Red Cedar River in the second annual Rubber Ducky Derby. Phi Sigma Pi was able to raise about $1,000 in profit for their national philanthropies – Help a Willing Kid Foundation, or H.A.W.K., and Teach for America. H.A.W.K. is a foundation that helps underprivileged children in multiple ways, such as providing school equipment, feeding and clothing children and helping pay for childrens’ health insurance. “(Phi Sigma Pi) have been a real blessing and have really embraced our efforts,” H.A.W.K. President Ali Easley said. “It means the world to us.”

Halloween run to raise money for disability camp (WBRL.com - 29 October 2011)
Phi Sigma Pi, will be hosting the second annual 5K race and fall festival beginning at 2 p.m. on Sunday. The event raises money for Camp ASCCA (Alabama’s Special Camp for Children and Adults) in Jacksons Gap, said Phi Sigma Pi treasurer, Kristie Tingle (ΓΟ). “It services all ages of mentally and physically handicapped individuals,” she said. “For our fraternity, Camp ASCCA has something of a special meaning – two of our brothers worked at the camp this summer, and one brother has a handicapped older sister who attends Camp ASCCA each year.”

Charlottesville 6th Graders Experience a Day in the Life at UVA (NBC29.com - 26 October 2011)
Some Charlottesville students are getting a jump-start on college life. About 40 sixth graders left Walker Upper Elementary Wednesday to spend a day on grounds at the University of Virginia. "For some kids, college is never really an expectation or a goal for them and I hope at least maybe one kid out of the 30 that are here now wants to go college," said Phi Sigma Pi Vice President Jamie Dean (ΑΟ). Each year the fraternity also offers free tutoring to students in Charlottesville and Albemarle County.

Phi Sigma Pi hosts Think Before You Drink (CM-Life.com - 25 October 2011)
Hammond was speaking during a segment of Think before You Drink, a presentation on the dangers of drunk, impaired and distracted driving presented by Phi Sigma Pi. About 100 people attended the event. Sterling Heights senior and President of Phi Sigma Pi Alyssa Chrisman (ΓΜ) said part of her job is to put on an event every semester for risk management. In the past, the event was titled Sober in October, but because people misinterpreted the title as an anti-drinking event, the name was changed to Think Before You Drink. “I was hoping people would realize that drunk driving is prevalent,” Chrisman said. “A lot of people think tragedies cannot happen to them, so this opened peoples eyes to see that this can happen to anyone.”

Fraternity hosts autism awareness event (HoustonianOnline.com - 11 October 2011)
Twenty-five runners braved the cold Saturday morning to participate in the Phi Sigma Pi National Honor Fraternity’s first annual Autism Awareness Run at Tiguex Park. Phi Sigma Pi collaborated with the New Mexico Autism Society to host the run, which raised $700 to be donated to autism awareness. Event organizer student Shawnna Gaffney (ΔΙ) said she became interested in autism awareness and research after volunteering at Camp Rising Sun, a summer camp in New Mexico that caters to children diagnosed with autism.

Students organizations to address social issues (HoustonianOnline.com - 10 October 2011)
Fourteen campus organizations are joining NAACP Chapter 6816 to present "If You Really Knew SHSU 2" today to break down several social issues facing students. The event will attempt to tackle a variety of social issues facing students, such as social peer pressure and the stereotyping of subgroups. Organizations involved include: SHSU NAACP, Khaos, Alpha Phi Alpha, Royalty, The Exceptional Men of the Talented Tenth, Sigma Sigma Sigma, BSA, Sigma Lambda Gamma, Act One, Delta Xi Nu, Omega Delta Phi, Sociology Club, African Student Association, Phi Sigma Pi (ΔΥ) and Fade to Black Dance Ensemble.

WKU instructor, Phi Sigma Pi students spending fall break reconstructing Joplin (WKUHerald.com - 8 October 2011)
A group consisting of David Serafini (ΒΦ), the advisor for WKU’s chapter of the Phi Sigma Pi National Honor Fraternity, and seven members of the fraternity traveled to Joplin at the end of June to help with relief efforts. Now Serafini and about 15 students are ready to go back and spend their fall break assisting with reconstruction efforts in Joplin. While in Joplin, the members of Phi Sigma Pi plan on meeting with members of two other chapters from universities in Missouri.

Non-greek fraternity seeks you (The Northerner - 28 September 2011)
Phi Sigma Pi (ΕΡ) has many similarities to its Greek counterparts. It entails weekly meetings, formals, and social gatherings such as a Halloween and Christmas party and the payment of dues each semester, that are considerably lower than the dues of Greek sororities and fraternities. PSP also holds many community service events such as their recent alcohol awareness event. The fraternity hosts events with alumni, and won Best in Region at the 2011 nationals for its events held, chapter moral and timeliness in meeting requirements.

Syracuse places 20th for most graduates in Teach For America (Daily Orange - 19 September 2011)
Syracuse University ranked high on Teach For America's "Top Contributors List" this year, with 41 graduates placed in teaching jobs. The high ranking can also be attributed to TFA's presence on SU's campus, as the organization has done a good job of branding itself, Cahill said. TFA is the philanthropy of Phi Sigma Pi National Honor Fraternity (ΒΕ) and is supported yearlong by SU's chapter. TFA representatives come to campus often; Kopp has come to Syracuse twice to speak to students.

Frisbee tournament benefits fight against domestic violence (Lehigh Valley Live - 12 September 2011)
A benefit frisbee tournament held on Sunday at the STEPS front lawn raised money for Turning Point of the Lehigh Valley, a haven for victims of abuse and their children. Phi Sigma Pi sponsors the local philanthropic organization, which provides shelter and consulting services for domestic violence victims in the Lehigh Valley area. The fundraiser, spearheaded by Public Relations Chair of Phi Sigma Pi Kara Twing (ΔΧ), '13, raised over $100 for Turning Point through the help of the participants and local restaurants in the area.

A is for Ambassador: Students serve as role models at WKU (WKUHerald - 2 September 2011)
Alvin Farmer (ΒΦ) was soon hired as a peer advisor in the Academic Advising and Retention Center, joined Phi Sigma Pi honors fraternity. Lastly, he applied to become a Spirit Master, a position that makes him an ambassador for WKU. As an ambassador, Farmer said he strives to hold all the values of the school along with his own.

Farming for a change (The Daily Campus - 2 September 2011)
The Lutz Children's Museum is located in a schoolhouse in Manchester, and is catered toward bolstering the knowledge of young children. Its exhibits are filled with historical artifacts and artistic displays that are changed on a regular basis. Faiella said that the current exhibit is a set up of downtown Manchester from the 1940s. Faiella has been getting help from UConn students as well, primarily from the Phi Sigma Pi (ΒΠ) and Alpha Phi Omega fraternities, she said.

Phi Sigma Pi chapter advisor receives national award (WKUNews - 10 August 2011)
David Serafini (ΒΦ), a history instructor at WKU, was honored with the Phi Sigma Pi 2011 Outstanding Chapter Advisor Award on Saturday at the Phi Sigma Pi National Banquet in Washington, D.C.

WKU students will travel to Joplin, Mo., June 26-27 to assist in tornado relief (WKUNews - 15 June 2011)
Students from WKU’s Beta Phi Chapter (ΒΦ) of the Phi Sigma Pi National Honor Fraternity will be heading to Joplin, Mo., on June 26-27 to volunteer in the wake of the May 22 tornado.

Karen’s Walk at RIT raises $1,800 for heart research (WHEC.com - 29 April 2011)
The event was sponsored by Phi Sigma Pi (ΔΑ) fraternity members, who have donated nearly $23,000 to raise awareness of and support research in postpartum cardiomyopathy, a rare disease of the heart muscle that develops in some women after childbirth. More than $1,800 was raised at the event to benefit the Karen Decker Research for Cardiomyopathy Fund at the University of Rochester Medical Center.

Phi Sigma Pi hosts Rent-A-Puppy to relieve students’ stress (Central Michigan Life - 29 April 2011)
Phi Sigma Pi National Honor Fraternity hosted their first Rent-A- Pet. The 6-hour event drew in stressed out students looking to take a break from studying for their final exams. Since petting animals is thought to relieve stress, Phi Sigma Pi Fundraising Chair Kimberly Simons (ΓΜ) helped coordinate the event for students to participate in during the tense times.

Phi Sigma Pi Race (KTVO - 17 April 2011)
A 5k race at Truman State University raised money for Teach for America. Truman service fraternity Phi Sigma Pi coordinated the race. Service chair Katlyn Anderson (Β) said they chose a short race as a fundraiser because almost anyone can train and participate.

April 30 Karen’s Walk, 5K Benefits URMC Heart Failure Research(URMC.Rochester.edu - 15 April 2011)
The event is held in memory of Karen Decker, who died of a form of heart failure in 2002. It is sponsored by Phi Sigma Pi National Honor Fraternity (ΔΑ) at RIT to raise awareness of postpartum cardiomyopathy, a rare disease of the heart muscle that develops in some women just after childbirth. There is no known cause.

Robert Weigand '95 to Speak at Commencement(NorthCentralPA.com - 11 April 2011)
Four-time Emmy Award winner Robert Weigand (Θ), a 1995 Mansfield graduate, will be the speaker at Mansfield University's 146th Commencement on Saturday, May 7 at 11 a.m. at Karl Van Norman Field. Weigand is senior manager of project planning and administration at ABC. Weigand held the roles of chief engineer and general manager for WNTE-FM radio and participated in Marching Band, Concert Band, Choir and MUTV. He was a member of Phi Sigma Pi national honor fraternity and the recipient of the Garrity and Television Academy scholarships.

Fraternity formal gathers donations for Goodwill (BGNews.com - 7 April 2011)
Phi Sigma Pi National Honor Fraternity hosted a Goodwill Formal Sunday night to gain money and clothing donations for Goodwill. "I think it went really really well," said junior Brandii Halliburton (ΕΒ), who was in charge of planning the event and also a regional delegate in the fraternity. "I think we had a really good turnout, we had a lot more people come than in previous years ... they brought a lot of clothes."

Casey Feldman benefit concert April 9 (Delco News Network - 4 April 2011)
Phi Sigma Pi (ΑΕ) honors fraternity at West Chester University will host the second annual Casey Feldman Benefit Concert from 7-10 p.m., Saturday, April 9 at the Sykes Student Union on campus. Casey Feldman was a 2006 SHS graduate and a senior at Fordham University when she was struck and killed in Ocean City, N.J. in July 2009. Visit CaseyFeldman.com for more information.

Relay For Life Aims To 'Change The Channel On Cancer' (shsu.edu - 28 March 2011)
Last year’s event raised more than $30,000 for The American Cancer Society. The goal for this year is $40,000. This event is one of the top fundraising events on campus, raising more money than any other single event run by a student organization, according to Angie Taylor, associate director for Student Activities. (see photo: Phi Sigma Pi (ΔΥ) shows their support for cancer awareness during last year's Relay for Life at Bowers Stadium.)

UCF fraternity participates in Brevard beach cleanup (MyHometownNews.net - 10 February 2011)
Armed with garbage bags, gloves and trash pickers, more than 35 college students will scour Pelican Beach Feb. 12 in search of as much litter as they can find. "First off, we hope to create a clean beach," Celysse Mackey (ΓΧ) said. "And secondly, it's about fraternal bonding time. We always strive to be closer as a brotherhood and the types of events we host are important in having this time together."

Vanderbilt recognizes MLK Day with first Weekend of Service (VanderbiltOrbis.com - 26 January 2011)
The new Weekend of Service came from a special MLK committee and the Office of Active Citizenship and Service (OACS). There were 16 student groups partnering with 12 community organizations. 315 students participated for a total of 843 hours of service. "The coordinator said he expected seven people," said Yeon-Sil Yi (Ε), a brother of Phi Sigma Pi, an honor fraternity, "but there were more than forty. There was even an entire family there to volunteer."

Mississippi, Alabama students honored by retired MSU faculty (MSState.edu - 21 January 2011)
Mariah R. Baird (ΔΤ), is receiving the Charles E. Lindley Leadership Award, named for the former dean of agriculture and home economics. Now pursuing an MSU master's degree in floral management, Baird was an undergraduate member of the Shackouls Honors College, Phi Sigma Pi honor society and various College of Agriculture and Life Sciences organizations.

Student Org Spotlight: Phi Sigma Pi (CSU Cauldron - 13 December 2010)
According to Katie Kantor (ΖΓ), the corresponding secretary for the organization, the fraternity was founded last spring and had its first initiate class inducted in April. "It's a great opportunity to get involved and help out Cleveland and the CSU community," said Kantor. "It's also a great way to get in touch with members from other colleges and universities around the country."

PSP helps students stay relaxed (The Flat Hat - 13 November 2010)
The honor fraternity Phi Sigma Pi will host CenteredTribe this Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Campus Center. For a two dollar entry fee, the program offers hours of classes, food, raffles and information about wellness. The event’s proceeds will benefit Teach for America, PSP’s philanthropy. “We see the event as killing two birds with one stone,” President of PSP Weston Loehr (ΓΨ) ’11, said. “[We’re] giving some much needed aid to some TFA teacher and educating the campus about mental health and how to stay healthy during high stress times — times that all students are familiar with.”