Phi Delta Theta - University of Maryland

SWORD AND SHIELD Fall 2018 u m d p h i d e l t . c o m One Man Is No Man Gary Swart #1235 talks about his time in College Park "One Man Is No Man." This motto rings true as Gary Swart #1235 reflects on his time in College Park. "I joined Phi Delta Theta because of the people. I learned a lot about supporting teammates and colleagues and built long-lasting friendships that are alive and well today," Gary said. Like most of us, Gary sought to surround himself with brothers who had positive and honorable characteristics and immediately felt at home with Maryland Alpha. Now living in California, thousands of miles and a couple time zones away from College Park, Gary admits he has lost touch with a few brothers, but holds the memories from his time with brothers close to heart. "I've managed to stay in touch with many of the brothers and regret having grown apart from others. I do not find myself in College Park as often as I'd like. Although we are separated by distance, I look back on my time at Maryland fondly." Teamwork, innovation, and a competitive edge among brothers laid the groundwork that ultimately led to Gary's career as a general partner at Polaris Partners, a venture capital firm located in Boston and San Francisco. He transitioned to a Venture Capital after decades of operating technology startups, most recently as a CEO of UpWork. "There was a competitive spirit and a motivational culture that helped shape my desire to succeed," Gary said. "I learned a ton from my colleagues about business and hard work that still plays a role in my career today." When Gary is not spending time with his wife, Kathryn, or children Alex (23), Michael (21), Hannah (19), and William (14), you can find him traveling or enjoying the outdoors. Gary admits he is somewhat of an outdoor enthusiast with interests ranging from surfing, skiing, cycling, and hiking. Gary's passion for the outdoors and travel has not changed much since his time as an active brother. One of Gary's most cherished memories from his time in the Phi Delta Theta house were the spring break sailing trips in the Florida Keys. "We would charter a large sail boat with eight Phis and sail for the week. I was always impressed with the sailing prowess of some of my brethren and always learned a ton on those voyages, in addition to having tremendous fun." Gary offered current undergraduates the following advice: "Learn as much as you can, and it is never too early to start. Learning tends to happen when you put yourself in uncomfortable positions where your skills and knowledge are stretched to their limits. With this in mind, I would seek out these opportunities. I regret not having more meaningful internships during my undergraduate years and would advise the learners of today to leverage their relationships to seek interesting and impactful internship opportunities in fields that are exciting to them. Pursuing your passion will enable you to thrive and also be excited about what you are doing on a daily basis." Lastly, Gary encourages brothers to stay in touch. "With work and kids, it gets harder, but those are just excuses," Gary said. "Make the effort. When you do you never regret it." It is evident the motto "One Man Is No Man" carries on for life, along with the friendships created in the Phi Delta Theta house. Whole Man Scholarship Winner Kenneth Garner #2191 Junior Cumulative GPA: 3.6 Major: Accounting What Morrison's Philosophy Means to Him: Morrison's Philosophy encompasses how I carry myself in every walk of life. It's more of a lifestyle than it is a philosophy to me, guiding my choices and decisions in the face of adversity no matter how serious the task at hand may be. Many times we find ourselves in situations where the bystander effect is evident, leaving entire groups sidelined and inactive believing someone else would step up. Now, instead of standing with the crowd, I feel it is my duty to step in and take on the challenge. I carry this refusal of inaction in my work life, school life, and definitely within my chapter. The new belief I hold is that if I don't step up, no one else will. Relying on others to accomplish something you know needs to get done is a dangerous way of thinking. Rather, standing as a leader and someone who will take on any given task, regardless of recognition or difficulty, is something I pride myself in and always mention when asked about myself and my character. I like to ask Phikiea what their loose translation of the phrase means to them, as well as where they feel it could be most used or evident. My hope is that they will take this philosophy to heart and apply it to our chapter and fraternity once initiated. So far, it's shown wonders as I believe we do an excellent job of getting necessary tasks done simply from the thought that it is our duty. To me, Morrison's Philosophy means doing something you know needs to be done without having to be asked or told, and carrying this sense of duty through all walks of life. To me, Morrison's Philosophy is a way of life.

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