Phi Kappa Theta - Iowa State University

CLONE PAGE 2 T he 2016 Phi Kap Open was a huge success. Nearly 50 alumni and undergraduates made the trek to Ames this year, almost doubling our turnout from last year. Tee off was at 10 a.m. at Veenker Memorial Golf Course and with beautiful weather. Competition was tough, but Mike Biegger '87 and Paul Fisher '87 unseated the previous two-year champions, Greg Burgess '11 and Cory Millmier '12, to take the title. Everyone had a great day of food, fun, and brotherhood! We hope you can join us next year—it's never too early to call brothers and make plans to attend! Fraternally, Nate Kemmer '03 Alumni Corporate Board Secretary/Golf Czar nkemmer@gmail.com Phi Kap Open Sees Increased Attendance Christian Petersen Crucifix on Display at Chapter House C hristian Petersen, a Danish sculptor who was Iowa State's sculptor-in- residence from 1934 to 1955, made his mark on the ISU campus like no other artist. He was featured in a recent issue of the Iowa State Alumni Magazine, Visions. This last summer, while visiting the ISU booth at the Iowa State Fair, I had the opportunity to speak with one of its authors, Lynette Pohlman, director and chief curator of University Museums, about one of his works in particular, the Crucifix, which currently hangs in the Iowa Xi chapter house. She was aware of this carving and even had someone from her department visit the chapter house to confirm that it was still there. I asked if they knew when the piece was completed and she estimated between 1954, when Christian converted to Catholicism, and his death in 1961. Since it is known that the carving was given to the Iowa Xi Chapter, the date range can be further refined from 1954 to 1959, when the merger occurred. Lynette is glad to have the Crucifix remain at the chapter house as long as it is safe and cared for in a respectful manner. She went on to mention that Iowa State would be interested if the chapter ever wants to donate it to the University Museums. Alumni, we have some more questions about the Crucifix. • Can anyone from that era 1954 to 1959 provide details of how the chapter was presented with the Crucifix? • Lynette also mentioned that University Museum's records show two smaller works, both of a religious nature, were also presented to the chapter by Christian. These are not at the chapter house and no one seems to know anything about them. Can anyone active in the late '50s provide information on these? If you have any insight, please contact me directly. Fraternally, Kirk Thomas '76 kirk.thomas@optonline.net Congratulations to Paul Fisher '87 and Mike Biegger '87, Phi Kap Open champions! Nate Kemmer '03, KC Gerlitz '88, Manni Balignasay '01, and Ryan Veenstra '01 hit the green during the Phi Kap Open. University Advisor Puts Iowa Xi on the Right Path I owa Xi is excited to introduce our undergraduate university advisor, Jenny Gibbs. Jenny works in the Hixson-Lied Student Success Center as an academic advisor. She was recruited by Davis Arbogast '19 after she advised Davis during his freshman year of engineering. Jenny is a UNI graduate and really enjoys developing relationships with students and helping them succeed. Jenny started with the chapter at the end of the fall 2015 semester. She works with the scholarship chairman, holds individual meetings with members, and attends periodic house dinners and/or chapter meetings. It has been quite a while since the chapter has worked with a university advisor and we are thrilled to have Jenny with us. Fraternally, Paul Peterson '01, Alumni Corporate Board Vice President paulpeterson13@gmail.com / (913) 522-0271

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