Phi Gamma Delta - University of Colorado

A PLACE FOR BROTHERHOOD A PLACE FOR BROTHERHOOD G REG NIERLING '8 0 BELIEV ES IN THE BOULDER FIJ I CA MPA IG N "They need a space where they can all gather under one roof. Otherwise, why be a Fraternity?" B eta Kappa had just rechartered at the University of Colorado when Greg Nierling '80 decided to join, having met some of the members already. "I think the idea of a small group starting from the ground up appealed to me more than joining one of the larger houses on campus," he recalled. The new Boulder FIJI started in a small residential home that could only house six or seven brothers. A year after Greg's initiation, Beta Kappa moved into a true Chapter House with room for all its members. Plenty of work went into establishing their new home; a lot went smoothly—and a lot didn't. "That process, building something from the ground up with no blueprint, taught us a lot about life," Greg said. "Creating something out of nothing, working things out, learning to work together—it gave us a protected yet real-world experience on managing things that weren't so easy." Greg became the Chapter's Purple Legionnaire soon after graduating, feeling an obligation to further stabilize what his era built. This helped his younger brothers learn from past mistakes and avoid the growing pains of previous years. Today, Greg serves Beta Kappa again as the lead graduate advisor for Built to Lead—Phi Gamma Delta's new education and training program for undergraduates. "I'm kind of a liaison between the undergraduate and graduate brothers to find potential mentors and help accomplish the Chapter's goals," Greg explained. He described the program as a way to build an even more fruitful Chapter experience for the future. "The nature and perception of fraternities has to change for them to survive." Looking back on his early years, Greg also knows a Chapter needs a quality, affordable home. He contributed to Boulder FIJI: Not for College Days Alone! campaign so that our youngest brothers can focus on the Built to Lead program in the comfort of a new permanent home. "They need a space where they can all gather under one roof. Otherwise, why be a Fraternity?" Greg and his pledge class have stayed close for over 40 years after graduating. He credits this to continued interest in one another's lives and families—not just remembering the good times in college. "To me, that's really important because there's not a lot of those relationships in the world we live in today," he said. "We need to provide this house so today's brothers can have that in 40 years as well. Then they can look back with the same fondness I do." Greg lives in Timnath, Colorado, and can be reached at gnierling@aol.com. FROM THE DESK OF THE HOUSE CORPORATION PRESIDENT Updates and Recaps Recent Events and Undtakings A t long last, we have secured our commercial lease on The Hill and have taken occupancy of the FIJI Lounge! Move in commenced in December with work parties in January to clean and paint the space. Three televisions have been procured to complement the two billiard tables, air hockey table, and dart board, and we are currently shopping to furnish the Study Hall. We held a formal meeting in December, and the undergraduates recently hosted Dad's Weekend in February, which was a great event. For anyone who has been "on the fence" and waiting to see what we could procure, wait no more because the Lounge is here! The Lounge has already turned heads during recruitment, and we are still in the early stages of getting everything trimmed out. Graduate mentoring opportunities are being planned and tested this spring for larger scale rollout in the fall. If you would like to participate in any way or would simply like to make arrangements to see the Lounge, please let me know. Sincerely, Dolf Kahle House Corporation President dolfkahle@gmail.com

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