Chi Psi - University of Mississippi

Chi Psi Marks Historic Return to Ole Miss T Returning to campus this fall, members of the colony continued their recruiting efforts and have pledged 27 additional men. In other words: Alpha Gamma is back! The pioneering colonists—soon to be an Alpha—were initiated at Bryant Hall on the Ole Miss campus the evening of November 1 and the morning of November 2. Some 25 Gamma alumni assisted Brothers Daniel B. Alhberg, M.D., N '67, #7 of the national fraternity, Brad Beskin, S '05, Todd Falls, TD '89, W.S. Hattendorf, AD '69, Brian T. Heil, E '80, Adam Lewis, TD '86, Nathan Stewart, TD '15, and current members of the Central Office staff, including Executive Director Sam Bessey, HD '97. he sounds of "Hotty Toddy" and "Fair Chi Psi" rang out from the Continental Ballroom of The Peabody in Memphis on November 2, heralding the reestablishment of Alpha Gamma of Chi Psi at the University of Mississippi after an intense, 30-week effort that resulted in the initiation of 42 new brothers—and three alumni initiates—into the bonds. "This night was a historic occasion for Alpha Gamma, Ole Miss, and Chi Psi. To be granted a charter after being in existence for less than 30 weeks is nothing short of astounding, and is "In one historic weekend, due to the diligence and hard work of our new brothers. The fervent efforts we remembered why of the Central Office, Alpha Gamma Purple & Gold is in fact alumni, the University, and especially a perfect complement to the undergraduates have proven that no task is insurmountable, that we can Red & Blue. Old stories accomplish anything we set our minds and new memories took me to if we want it badly enough," said Douglas Buglewicz '96, chairman of back to late nights in the the Alpha Gamma Alumni Advisory Levings Room: dreaming Board. "We believed in the ideals of Chi Psi. We believed we could bring something better to Ole Miss. We believed in ourselves. That made all the difference." big, talking bigger, and creating the kinds of friendships that can only be forged in fraternity. Alpha Gamma is back!" –Eric Epperson '91 The presentation of the Alpha's charter at the installation banquet culminated an effort that began on the Ole Miss campus in January, when Brothers Justin Froeber, PD '10 and Derek Taylor, PD '09 of the Chi Psi Central Office staff arrived and implemented a values-based recruiting model already used in successful revival efforts at other Alphas. A cornerstone of the model is an interview that determines if a prospective member is aligned with the Chi Psi values of academic excellence, community engagement, and gentlemanly demeanor. By mid-July, members of the Gamma colony were heading to the 172nd Convention of Chi Psi Fraternity at Wake Forest University, armed with a second-place ranking among all fraternities in grade point average and seeking approval for reinstallation as an Alpha of Chi Psi—which the Convention endorsed unanimously. icing on the cake." "The reinstallation of Alpha Gamma was a momentous achievement for Chi Psi," said Bessey. "It proved that Chi Psi can line up against our much larger peer organizations on a competitive campus and win." But the real story, for Bessey, is the quality of the men in the Alpha. "They personify Chi Psi," he said. "They reflect the best of what the male student body has to offer, and they have changed the game at Ole Miss. And that the rebirth of Gamma was celebrated in the very room which housed the 2000 Convention banquet—with the number of attendees rivaling a national Convention banquet—is For the #1 of the Alpha, Ruben Ruiz '15, the weekend was comparable to no other he had ever experienced. "To have officially been brought into the bonds of the brotherhood of Chi Psi was an incredible feeling. It was almost like a homecoming for all of the newly installed members of Alpha Gamma. We have all finally found our family, our home. I cannot believe that my involvement in Chi Psi has blossomed so quickly, but I am extremely excited for what is to come in the future. I can proudly say on behalf of my Gamma brothers that this has been one of the greatest things that has ever happened to me." View photos of the event at http://tinyurl.com/ntfu2mr. pg. 3 Alpha Gamma

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