1993 Volume 116 No 1–4 - Phi Delta Theta Scroll Archive

On Campus
Illinois Alpha reinstated at Northwestern
A new chapter continues a rich tradition
It began on a drive
through Indiana. Mike
Kuzniewicz, Ducan
Rolph, and Scott Goldstein
were returning to Northwestern
University in
Evanston, Illinois, after
visiting friends at Miami
University's 1991 Homecoming
weekend. They
discussed the coming
winter rush and the
commitment and stress of
pledgeship, when one of
them joked that Duncan
Rolph should start his own
fraternity in order to avoid
pledging. That joke
sparked a serious conversation.
68
Scott Goldstein, who
worked for Northwestern
Greek advisor and Phi
Delta Theta scholarship
commissioner, Jim Hoppe,
McMaster '87, told the men
about Phi Delta Theta's
interest in reestablishing its
chapter at Northwestern.
The chapter had been
suspended for disciplinary
problems in 1990.
The discussion that
began in Mike
Kuzniewicz's car led to the
reinstatment of Illinois
Alpha more than a year
later. But it came at the end
of a year of hard work and
hope and countless
moments of self-doubt.
When the three men
returned to Northwestern,
Scott arranged for Duncan
to meet with Jim Hoppe,
and the two discussed the
possibility of reestablishing
the chapter. The requirements
for chapter status
and reclaiming the chapter
house, which was renovated
by the university and
slated for student housing,
seemed daunting. But
Duncan, Scott, and Mike
formed an interest group,
enlisted other men from
their residence hall, and
joined forces with a
previous interest group
which had made an Ulfated
attempt to recolonize
the year before.
The expanded group
With help from General
Headquarters, local alumni,
and the university administration,
the colony eventually
achieved that goal as
weU.
The members moved
into their beautiful house
this past autumn. After
making improvements to
it, the colony established
rules for its maintenance.
Guided by chapter adviser.
Back on campus. The Northwestern Phis after the
reinstallation ceremonies on November 14, 1992.
held a se; ies of pre-rush
meetings at various
locations around campus,
where they met former
chapter adviser, Jim Siegel,
Miami '88, province
president. Brad Belcaster,
Tampa '85, and alumnus
Bill Rdcmc, Northwestern
'66, all dedicated to helping
the group achieve its goal.
The group organized a
very successful winter
rush, pledging enough men
to be installed as a colony
un January 25,1992.
Reclaiming thi' house
from the University was
the group's next objective.
Drew Satherlie, the colony
began to rival the chapters
on campus.
The Illinois Alpha
chapter of Phi Delta Theta
was finally reinstated at
Northwestern University
on November 13,1992.
Initiated were: Kevin
Adrian, Rohit Agrawal,
Dick Bell, Tim
Bhattacharyya, Venugopal
Botla, Sean Craig, Michael
Fackler, Scott Goldstein,
Greg GoUa, Jeremy Graf,
Kevin Henretta, Bryson
HuU, Hugh Jedwill, Brian
Kavanaugh, Michael
Ku/nicvvii./, EiK Laro,
Chad Lilly, Matthew
Potter, Duncan Rolph, BUI
Rosanna, Sajjad Roshanali,
Kimo Sanderson, Dave
Scalzo, Dan Schwarzlose,
Rob Slater, Greg Stelzer,
Vitaly Vishnitsky, and
NadimZayed.
At the reinstallation
luncheon on November 14,
Anthony Ambrose,
Kentucky '67, General
Council treasurer, presented
the charter to
President Duncan Rolph.
Duncan was then honored
with the first William E.
Racine Leadership Award,
and Greg Stelzer earned
the first James C. Hoppe
Scholarship Award.
Northwestern dignitaries
attended the luncheon,
including the vice president
for student affairs, the
university provost, the
director of housing, the
assistant dean of students,
and the women's fraternity
advisor. Alumni, panhellenic
officers, Illinois Beta
chapter members, and
friends and family were
guests as weU.
The first fraternity in the
state of Illinois, Illinois
Alpha has rich history at
Northwestern, a university
with a strong Greek
tradition. The new chapter
can only hope to equal the
achievements of its past.
But thanks to the support
and guidance of the
alumni, the university
administration, and the
General Headquarters staff,
the members have a head
start on making Illinois
Alpha better than it has
ever been. •
TheScroU • Spring 1993