Deltasig July 09 - Delta Sigma Pi

OF THE YEARSoutheastern– GeorgeGilchrist, GeorgiaSouthwestern– NavidLadha, North TexasSteel Valley– Renee Staul,Penn State-ErieChapter HonoreesAlbion– Jeremy LevineArizona– Elizabeth TanoriArizona State– JessicaTusanne BlankBellarmine– Loren MoodyBentley– John WarwickBoston– Rachel KatzBowling Green State–Jessica NobleBryant– Andrew NosackBuffalo– Emma DonnellyCalifornia-Davis– BrianChengCalifornia-Irvine– JohnLoughCalifornia-Los Angeles–Stuysonnie LamCalifornia-Riverside–Dante Sanchez Jr.California-San Diego–Charles Po-Chia ChenCal Poly-Pomona–Christopher Kevin HaCal Poly-San Luis Obispo–Kyle BrockmanCal State-Chico– CassidySmithCal State-East Bay– GarrettLewCal State-Fresno– MaryKolesnikovaCal State-Fullerton–Michael TanabeCentral Florida– KatrinaPersaudCentral Missouri– CarliePhillipsChristian Brothers– BurtonBridgesCincinnati– Austin FrancisColorado-Boulder– JenaPassColorado-ColoradoSprings– Terrie WolskiColorado State– MonicaDelahantCornell– Jessica PrueDelaware– Andrea LogsdonDenver– Jennifer NgDrake– Korey DeBergDuquesne– Shawn LupiEvansville– Allison CookFlorida International–Andrea LeeFlorida State– ChristopherSandsFrancis Marion– ShardaeNelsonFrostburg State– KaylaPetersGeorge Washington– BetsySmithGeorgia– George GilchristGeorgia College & State–Amber MoutonGeorgia Southern– RebeccaGellHouston– Brisa MoralesHoward– Krystal OriadhaIllinois-Urbana– AmarGandhiIllinois State– VanessaContrerasIndiana-Purdue atIndianapolis– NicoleLemertIndiana State– Ryan WagnerIowa State– AmandaMickelsonJohns Hopkins– Nora TaylorKansas– Christy VongphakdyKent State– Dustin FowkesKennesaw State– BrandonNunleyLewis– Ryan WolbingLouisiana Tech– DeniseEverettLongwood– AshleyHilbreathLouisiana State– GriffinSmithLoyola-Chicago– KatherineBuchholzLoyola-Marymount–Samantha VoorheesMassachusetts-Amherst–Kathryn StantonMcNeese State– MakinzyYeatesMiami-Ohio– Bill BeaufaitMercer– Kimberly Rogers(continued on page 10)Learn to Seize Every OpportunityWhat transformations we have experiencedthis year! As a country, we are grapplingwith high unemployment, a recession,and war. On the whole, our mindsets havespun 180 degrees in the past 12 months,from living in times of security to times ofuncertainty. Despite these drastic changes,there is one staple that remains a source ofcomfort for us all, and that is the brotherhoodwe share in Delta Sigma Pi. By taking the time to utilizethe resources and network we all share by being a brother of thisinternational Fraternity, we can learn and grow.In my Epsilon Psi chapter (Christian Brothers–University ofMemphis), our 30-some members represent eight different countries,seven languages, and five religions. While being diverse initself is a positive attribute, it is how you utilize this trait thatmakes it special. I have tried to seize the opportunity to personallyconnect with my fellow brothers, and have discovered the mostinteresting nuances about people. Whether your conversationsinvolve political debates, or determining if Elvis or the Beatlesshaped rock and roll, socializing enhances your knowledge.Through my experience in Deltasig and my collegiate years, Ihave learned that seizing every opportunity available will defineyou as a more interesting person. Opportunities can range fromlistening and conversing with others in a coffee shop, traveling toanother country, or applying for that grandiose internship youthink is out of your league. Try to invest your maximum in all youdo—do not just take 125 credit hours, take 145; do not just join asociety, serve as its leader; do not just live on campus, studyabroad. I know it can be extremely worrisome to take risks withoutthe encouragement of others. Personally, I have surroundedmyself with mentors and close brothers who offer constructivecriticism and urge me to keep pushing the envelope in all of myambitions.With this, I am ecstatic to serve as your 2009 NationalCollegian of the Year! I cannot wait to begin my term serving inthis national capacity as a resource and representative for all collegiatebrothers. I look forward to meeting, getting to know, andreconnecting with as many brothers as I possibly can.Additionally, I am eager to widen my scope of the Fraternity andassist in maintaining Deltasig’s success through these challengingeconomic times. Through it all, I am proud to be a part of thiswonderful organization where every member has a special connectionto one another.I look forward to seeing you in our nation’s capital at GrandChapter Congress this August! ▲Fraternally,Burton Bridges, Christian Brothers2009 National Collegian of the YearJULY 2009/THE DELTASIG OF DELTA SIGMA PI 9