Phi Gamma Delta - University of Kansas

www.kufiji.org 3 Stag Pig Event Brings Brothers Together T he largest Stag Pig in over 20 years occurred on October 4th at The Oread Hotel in Lawrence. More than 150 attended the event, including 80 graduates. Several Gold Owl recipients from the graduating class of 1967, and all but one of the Silver Owl recipients from the graduating class of 1992, made it back this year. The class of 1967 made a generous donation to the House Corporation in memory of two deceased brothers. Rob Riggle '92 attended the reunion and spoke to the audience before departing for Allen Fieldhouse to serve as emcee for Late Night in the Phog. Kevin Mitchelson '79 presented Steve Heeney '78 and Tom Walsh '80 with Certificates of Appreciation from the Board of Archons for their leadership of the now-dissolved Graduate Trusteeship. Bill Thompson '51 from Wichita earned the honor of kissing the pig's snout, while pledge Jack Goodwin '17 of Albuquerque, New Mexico, had the distinction of kissing the pig's hind quarters. The program concluded early so that everyone could watch Brother Riggle, Coach Self, and the 2013-14 men's basketball team perform at Late Night in the Phog. Over $45,000 in scholarships were awarded, including the long-standing June Ritchie Scholarships, the David R. Morris Scholarships, the Payne Scholarships, and the John and Stewart Horejsi Scholarships. It is never too early to start looking ahead to next year. The graduating class of 1968 will be receiving their Gold Owls, while the class of '93 will be receiving their Silver Owls. For other classes considering a reunion, Stag Pig is a perfect time to do it. Next year's date is to be determined, but it will be next fall during a game weekend. We hope to see you there in 2014! Heywood "Woody" Davis '52 was awarded the John Kapfer Award for the Graduate of the Year for his decades of support and involvement with Pi Deuteron and Phi Gamma Delta. Pi Deuteron was once again truly honored to hear the finest "Exile's Toast" rendition in America by Dave Claflin '85. The presentation is incredible, but the performance is even more impressive when you realize it is all from memory. Memorizing the "Exile's Toast" is like memorizing the Gettysburg Address—in Arabic. Rob Riggle '92 presenting his pledge educator paddle that was made by the pledge class of 1993. Pledge Jack Goodwin '17 and Bill Thompson '51 earned the honor of kissing the pig on the backside and snout, as is tradition. Visit our website, www.kufiji.org, for more photos of Stag Pig. Pi Deuteron Trivia Answer: Famed artist and Brother John B. Martin '59 designed the logo when his brother, Dick Martin, served as West Virginia athletic director in 1979. John was inspired by the West Virginia mountains to create the "Flying WV" logo. The distinctive emblem was implemented in 1980. FIJI FAMILY: AARON '87 AND CONNOR '14 GRANTHAM TALK ABOUT THEIR LEGACY BOND A aron Grantham '87 is an interventional cardiologist at Saint Luke's Mid-America Heart Institute in Kansas City. He is the director of the Cardiovascular Disease Fellowship Training Program for the University of Missouri Kansas City. He practices cardiology and teaches advanced angioplasty techniques all over the world. Aaron and his wife, Sheila ('89 pharmacy), dated throughout their four years at KU and have been married for 24 years and have four children. Connor '14 is the eldest and a human biology major with plans to graduate this spring. He is living in the Chapter House for his fourth year; Emily is 19 and a sophomore Delta Gamma at KU; Dillon "Future Pledge" Grantham, as Connor's pledge brothers call him, is a sophomore at Blue Valley West High School; and Aidan turned 11 in September. 2. Have you had a chance to get back to campus or the Chapter House lately? Has anything changed or are you surprised by how little things have changed? What is your overall impression of the Chapter? Aaron: We have had lots of fun together and it has been very nostalgic for me to visit the house on Parent's and Dad's Weekends or a brief visit on game day. One of my favorite memories of the past few years is when Connor took me back through some old chapter archives from my days in the chapter. 1. What is it like to have your son in Phi Gamma Delta? Aaron: Having Connor become a brother in Phi Gamma Delta is a source of immense pride. When he joined, the house was in need of change. It has been incredible to watch as he has contributed in several ways to a real, and hopefully sustainable, resurgence in the Pi Deuteron Chapter. 3. What advice did you give your son when he joined? Aaron: I asked him to do everything he could to be a respectful, zealous pledge, then be an agent for positive change. I told him he would make the best friends in his life and he should cherish every moment with them now. (Continued on page 4)

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