Page 1 - The Delta Shield - Fall 2014

Tennessee Delta Chapter of Phi Kappa Psi | Vanderbilt University | Fall 2014 Alumni Relations Ofce | P.O. Box 80828, Atlanta, Georgia 30366 | 770-903-3987 From the President Alumni Spotlight: J. Davis Blanton ’03 e had a small loyal Editor’s Note: For this edition of the newsletter Wgroup of alumni we’re shining the Spotlight on brother Davis at homecoming who Blanton ’03. From the hometown of Shelby, NC, could at least enjoy the Davis came to Vanderbilt in pursuit of his degree newly renovated house in Chemical Engineering before continuing on even if the football at East Carolina University where he earned his team is not spectacular! MD. Davis served the chapter as President and The renovation is Corresponding Secretary as an active member. He complete and all bills have been paid, went on to become President of the Family Medicine but there is still a balance of $40,000.00 Interest Group at Brody School of Medicine, and remaining on the construction loan. also served as a fundraising volunteer for the Please send donations of any amount Children’s Hospital in Denver. Davis is currently to the Laurus Group or to the House creating a health program for at-risk youth and Corporation designated as a Capital works as a resident physician in family medicine at Campaign donation. Poudre Valley Hospital in Fort Collins, CO. We also need volunteers to serve on the House Corporation Board. What led you to join TN Delta? Davis hiking the Poudre River Canyon Many of the current board members with his dog, Cricket. have guided and served throughout I joined TN Delta because of the diversity of the Capital Campaign and renovation. its brothers. While rushing freshman year, I and organize school wide events through the I’ve served as President for over 20 realized I didn’t want to be pigeon-holed in my IFC. Serving as the chapter GP from my junior to years and I don’t want to be known as fraternity. Phi Psi had brothers from all over the senior year really promoted on-the-job leadership a dictator! Many of the current Board country with many varying interests. Several training. Trying to motivate 60 of your peers takes members do not want to serve much of the guys on my dorm hall took me there, and a lot of hard work and patience. This persistence longer and will gladly help younger I knew it was a good ft. I like wearing the red has helped me through my whole career. brothers take over. Most business is Chuck Taylor’s too. conducted on a monthly conference How did being in the fraternity help your After graduation, why did you decide to teach call so out of town members are leadership skills? high school? welcome and are a majority of the I always wanted to go to medical school but was current Board. If you are interested or There were endless opportunities to develop tired of sitting in classrooms. My senior year, I was have any questions, please call me at leadership skills while in the fraternity. I went approached by a recruiter for Teach for America. (615) 356-4136. to the Woodrow Wilson Leadership Academy They were looking for collegiate leaders to For the frst time the chapter is through the national fraternity twice. I also reaching out to alumni for summer helped spearhead various philanthropy events Blanton (Continued on Page 4) jobs or internships based on their career interests. They have compiled a list and if you would like a copy, TN DelTa ReTuRNs To The GaC! by Byron Cain ’70 please let me know at doughirt@ earthlink.net. Phi Psi alumni helping he biennial governing welcomed only the young men start their careers is a Tmeeting of Phi Psi, third undergraduate wonderful way of strengthening bonds the Grand Arch Council, to attend a meeting in between brothers. met in the heat of the the last twenty years, I hope that those of you who did Phoenix summer at the undergrad delegate not attend homecoming will make an renowned Frank Lloyd Chris Fitzgerald. extra effort to attend Founders Day Wright Inspired Biltmore Alienation from the Weekend. I look forward to seeing Hotel to conduct the The Banner national structure you on Friday, February 20, 2015 - Fraternity’s national of Tennessee had been one of Sunday, February 22, 2015. business. At the frst roll Delta. the symptoms of problematic behavior call of the convention, Fraternally, Tennessee Delta was that eventually led to welcomed back into the the suspension of the national fold with the hanging of our Chapter Chapter in 2009. Our return in 2014 however was Banner, the large black and gold rectangle that in full force, as a Deltan presided as the Archon Doug Hirt ’68 had hung at every GAC since 1902. from District IV, another alum was inducted President Not only was it a proud moment for the into the highly selective Order of the SC, and Tennessee Delta House Corporation Chapter and its alumni, but the Convention also GAC (Continued on Page 3)