Phi Kappa Theta - Iowa State University

PAGE 3 1990 Daren L. Grothaus '90 Todd D. Senne '90 Participation: 22% 1991 Leon D. Brink '91 John R. Davidson '91 Participation: 18% 1992 Eric J. Fahning '92 Kendall A. Griffith '92 Matthew J. McCoy '92 Marc A. Muilenburg '92 Thomas TenHoeve '92 Participation: 28% 1993 Timothy S. Davidson '93 Tal D. Kovarna '93 Shawn G. Kuhlman '93 Participation: 20% 1994 David R. Chumbley '94 Brian J. Streich '94 Participation: 17% 1995 Robert L. Carter '95 R. Todd Eliason '95 Louis D. Shell '95 Participation: 27% 1996 Scott A. Shuler '96 David R. Sonka '96 Participation: 29% 1998 Matthew L. Braafhart '98 Matthew A. Van Berkum '98 Eric Weisenhorn '98 Participation: 43% 2000 Jeffrey T. Brown '00 Gregory S. Marso '00 Ou W. Meksay '00 Participation: 60% 2001 David M. Abendschein '01 Manni K. Balignasay '01 Ryan A. Daedlow '01 Troy D. Henry '01 Eric J. Newendorp '01 Paul D. Peterson '01 Joshua A. Sterling '01 Eric L. Van Gorp '01 Ryan C. Veenstra '01 Ian C. Young '01 Participation: 59% O ver the last 30 years, Greg Stein, New York Eta '70, has become a common presence at the chapter house of Iowa Xi. In fact, no one has lived in the chapter house longer than he has. As a retired inner-city school teacher from New York City, Greg's visits are now limited to one week, twice a year; but his stays have been much longer over the years. Greg's journey with Phi Kappa Theta has been varied, but there is no question of his dedication to the fraternity. He earned a bachelor's in economics from City College of New York, where he was a member of the New York Eta Chapter. As an undergraduate, Greg volunteered with the national office and spent some time during his summers there. He also earned his master's in mathematics education from Saint John's University. Greg obtained a public school teaching position while growing his involvement within Phi Kappa Theta. From 1971-95, Greg was a Phi Kappa Theta Foundation trustee and foundation president from 1987-93. In 1993, Greg was honored with the Distinguished Service Award, the highest honor bestowed upon an alumnus from the national fraternity. Through his work with headquarters, he met former District Governor Joseph Rude '81 who would later become a foundation trustee, as well as former Executive Director Kirk Thomas '76; both of whom introduced him to Iowa Xi Chapter. As a public school teacher in NYC, Greg had the opportunity to go on sabbatical every 14 years. This presented Greg's first opportunity to visit Iowa State in 1984 to reconnoiter and decide if a city boy could enjoy country living. It was one of the best decisions he ever made. He spent the 1985-86 academic year in the annex. During his second sabbatical in 1999, Greg often helped some of members of the chapter with math classes. Inspired by their encouragement in his teaching abilities, he returned to Iowa State to teach math, following his retirement from his NYC teaching position in 2002. All the while, Greg stayed at the Iowa Xi chapter house, for three years as an instructor and the following fall as a student. Since New York Eta Chapter closed in the early '70s, Greg has considered himself adopted by Iowa Xi. His new chapter has welcomed him with open arms and his role at Iowa State has been varied over the last 30 years. Since 1985, Greg has met every member of the chapter. "I knew every initiate, and everybody knows me," he said. "I'm unique in that regard." Through his abundance of firsthand experience, Greg is keenly aware of the need for chapter house improvements. The capital campaign has provided him with the opportunity to support the chapter that has given him so much over the years. "I am a beneficiary of the campaign because I stay in the house," he said. "The house is a lot safer now with the sprinkler system and is more comfortable with the new HVAC system." Greg reciprocates the hospitality he has consistently received. In December 2011, ISU was in a bowl game at Yankee Stadium and seven Xi undergraduates stayed at his apartment for three nights. Greg is also glad to invest in the future of the chapter and take the financial stress off of the current members. "If we didn't raise the money, the chapter would be encumbered with a large mortgage that students, compared to alumni, are least able to afford. Alumni are in a better position to help and keep the chapter competitive on campus. We're not staying competitive if the fees are too high." He believes that the high participation rate in the campaign shows that membership at 2110 is a positive experience and important to a student's development. Greg is looking forward to his next visit to the chapter house in April for the graduating senior ceremony and enjoys celebrating the scholastic accomplishments at the end of the semester. He hosts a dinner for the brothers after the ceremony. "I think it's important that the fraternity puts an emphasis on intellectual development and academic success." Greg is also proud of the retention and graduation rates of the chapter, which are well over the campus average. "I'm really happy with the fact that we retain our members and they graduate. I look forward to going back and meeting the new members in the fall and seeing how the house is." Greg is a lifetime resident of New York City. He is currently the copy editor of the Temple Magazine and is enjoying his retirement. A HOUSE TO CALL HOME Former Foundation President Greg Stein, New York Eta '70, Is Grateful for His Iowa Xi Family You can contact Greg at gstein@ nyc.rr.com. (Continued on page 6)

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