RI Beta Phi Kappa Psi

Jan 20 2012

Founders Dinner Feb. 3, 2012 keynote speaker National Fraternity President

National Fraternity President SWGP J. Tryon Hubbard, Alabama alumnus to be keynote speaker at this year's Founder's dinner. Don't miss it!

Oct 19 2011

Rear Admiral Jon Bailey Honored with Achievement Award from URI at homecoming 2011

URI has recognized our very own Jon Bailey #310 with a distinguished alumni achievement award for his efforts as US Navy Admiral in charge of NOAA. Please show up at homecoming Saturday October 22 to give a phi psi cheer to Jon. Congratulations Jon as you honor yourself you honor her our fraternity...

Sep 01 2011

AHC Mid Year Review and Pop Top Results

Dear brothers and friends: Hello again from your AHC. It’s hard to believe it is September and another summer has come and gone. It’s time for a new school year to begin and a brand new corporate fiscal year for the AHC to start. As we look back on the last several months since the year end update was sent out to you the AHC has continued stay focused on the financial and operating condition of the corporation. • As you may have already heard thanks to the efforts of Br.’s Jim Cunha and Joe Hart we have finished the replacement of all the furniture in each bedroom compliments of URI and the federal government surplus program. The storage and moving costs of approx. $20,000 is far less than what buying all the furniture for the rooms would be and a deal we could not pass up. • The AHC has adopted the amended by-laws as instructed by National. • ZTA sorority has a new house mother for the upcoming school year. From first impressions Julie seems to fit the ZTA mold as pleasant and very friendly. We wish her the best with a full house of sorority sisters moving into 4 Fraternity Circle for the year. • We continue to make needed minor repairs. Thanks to Br. Walt Augustyn we have moved the grease trap and fixed the dumpster pad area, repaired the front walk and fixed a leaky sprinkler head or two. The house continues to be well cared for by ZTA without any extraordinary wear and tear. • The front walk that was installed with the house renovation is our next repair project. The temporary walk has out lived its life and we are planning on making a permanent replacement. The AHC will send out one last brick offer under a separate email. If you pass on buying a brick this time you may never have the chance to have your name fixed in time at 4 Fraternity Circle because we will make the permanent repairs to the front walk without your brick being a part of it. Please consider buying a brick. • Thanks to the tenacity of Br. Pat Rossoni we are down to the last 3 missing composites in our effort to digitize every year of our history. Please check to see if you have a small version of the composite for 1971, 1992 or 2002 and reach out to Pat at patrick.rossoni@navy.mil The summer has come to an end and would not be complete without our social committee headed by Mike Chmura and Andy Marcoux hosting the annual Pop-Top golf event on August 6 at Fenner Hill CC. What has now become the annual tradition, Bill Bowers was on hand to once again give us the official Phi Psi salute to start the day’s events. The rumor that Team Gladney would make a late appearance to challenge the defending champions Vinny Prattico, Frank Lee, John “Goody” Goodwin, and Pat “Claydo” Clays of Team Prattico did not slow down the golf juggernaut of Team Prattico and neither did trying to find a pair of socks to dress Claydo for the match from shooting a nine under par and defending their title for another year as Pop Top Champions. Congratulations to Team Prattico. Congratulations go out to Team Chmura, Mike Chmura, Paul Shawver, and father and son Dennis and Geoff Pelletier for winning the 4 hole restart contest . Long putt contest went to Frank Lee and closest to the pin went to John Goodwin. Now we know why team Prattico could shoot such a low score Goody hitting it close and Frank making the putts…yes Vinny you are still the captain of the team…did you ever get Claydo a pair of socks? The long drive went to Chip Marsh with a huge blast on number 9. Although a prize could be given to share with Br. Tom Gaipa and Br. Don Schollin for the longest drive of the day coming from Connecticut to attend the tournament. Thanks go out to Br. Jim Downs for his generosity in sponsoring a player to be named later to the event. The event raised approximately $500 that will be used toward the needed repairs to the front walk. Thank you to the 22 die-hard supporters of this event for making this year’s tournament very competitive and the highlight of our social calendar. For those already thinking of excuses not to attend next year’s event just remember the story told by first timer Br. Lance Eskelund. You may remember Lance from Founder’s dinner last February and for his motivational speech about his life and death struggle and during his recovery connecting with Br. Lee Arnold a coincidence that speaks to brotherhood and helping each other through adversity. Well Lance had such a great time at Founder’s day he told his wife he would like to play in the Pop Top. One problem Lance didn’t have any golf clubs. Well in true Phi Psi sweetheart fashion his wife went out and bought him a set. Well the moral of the story is you don’t have to be good at golf to play in the pop top or was it to question the motivation of your wife who buys you a set of clubs so you can spend a day playing golf with your frat brothers? Lance I’m sure your wife’s motivation was purely supportive and not to get rid of you for a day. See you at next year’s Pop Top and keep the stories coming our way. Last but not least what would a Pop Top report be without an update to the antics of the Millard brothers. Br. Carl “Meat” Disanto was assigned the task of playing with Team Millard this year probably not by chance of the tournament committee to provide adult supervision. Through the haze of cigar smoke over their group I am happy to report everyone was on their best behavior and had a great time with a few great golf shots thrown in and now it appears thanks to Team Millard we have set a record for RI Beta, we are now allowed back to a second golf course in the state. Special thanks again go out to Andy Marcoux and Mike Chmura for all the efforts to arrange this year’s event. Plans for the time and place will be announced at a later date for next year’s tourney. It is still the best time to catch up and have a blast with your RI Beta brothers. Please try to join us again next year. Please continue to log on to ribeta.com and stay tuned for notices of upcoming events and updates. Thank you for your continued support. See you at Founders day! Fraternally CC#400…

Jun 10 2011

Congratulations Br. Kevin McBride #345 named commander of R.I. National Guard

Apr 19 2011

Founders Day 2011 Recap

Dear brothers and friends: Founders Day dinner held February 11 at Spirito’s restaurant was our best one yet. The change in venue thanks to Br. Carl Disanto made for such a delicious meal we have already booked the place for next year. Please mark Friday February 3, 2012 on your calendar. To all the brothers that attended thank you and to those brothers that attended this year after not coming to the dinner in many years it was great to reconnect with all of you. Please visit the national web site phi psi.com you will see they used our Founders day dinner for the front page of the national web site. Guess it helps to invite the National Director to our dinner. Unfortunately it looks like they used last year’s picture oh well fame is fleeting… Thanks go out to our National Director of Alumni Affairs Kevin Marks for arranging his busy schedule for a visit to “little’ Rhody and for his presentation and National’s support of our re-colonizing our chapter. Once again I am honored to write this letter on behalf of the new board of directors of our house corporation. The following were elected February 11, 2011 at our Founder’s Dinner and the selection of officers held at our first meeting on March 23; Chris Conti #400 – President Tom Linhares #142 – Vice president Joe Hart #431 – Treasurer Jim Grueb #169 – Secretary Bruce Tavares #250 – National chapter advisor Ray Marshall #171 – By-laws committee co-chairman Lee Arnold #28 – By-laws committee co-chairman Mike Chmura #118 – Social committee co-chairman Andy Marcoux #134 – Social committee co-chairman Walter Augustyn - #258 – Building committee chairman Patrick Rossoni #260 – Historical committee chairman John Spagnolo #126 – Member at large William Bowers #15 – Honorary member at large James Norman #8 – Honorary member at large Please congratulate each of these brothers for their willingness to serve our brotherhood. We all look forward to a year that will bring much hard work as we prepare for the return of our chapter. As you have all read in my year end report we have several pressing issues to tackle in the immediate future: • By-laws revision • Zeta lease extension • Chapter advisors council • Historical artifact replacement • Pop-Top – August 6, 2011 • Memorial brick sales The one item you notice left from the list is the acquisition of furniture. I am proud to report that thanks to the efforts of Br. Jim Cunha to notify us that furniture was available and the efforts of Steve Simo the Greek advisor at U.R.I. to cut the bureaucratic red tape we have obtained surplus furniture from the Navy. This furniture as described by our moving company is “like new”. You can imagine the navy cadets did not put the same “stress” test to their dormitory furniture as our former members did to what is left at 4 Fraternity Circle and some of our pieces go back to 1969. We have acquired desks, chairs, beds, dressers and closets enough to out fit every room in our house. Thanks to the support of URI we will have only paid for the moving and storage of this furniture. You can imagine the cost if we had to buy all this furniture at retail. The replacement of furniture is almost the last piece of the renovation plan that was hatched on Bill Bower’s back porch back in 2005. We can all be very proud that although having some set backs that moved the timeline forward by a couple of years your AHC has seen to complete the renovation plan and restore our house to brand new and capable now to compete with any facility on campus. I say almost the last piece because there is still the one item that is dear to most of our memories of the original house. The Deck. If you remember from my earlier reports due to the damage of our departing undergraduates we spent the $45,000 that was in the budget for the deck. The current status for the deck replacement thanks to the great work of Walt Augustyn we have a complete spec. and updated estimate for a new deck. Unfortunately at this time of continuing to pay down our mortgage it does not appear likely that the deck will be forthcoming this year. But the AHC will continue to try and raise money through the sale of bricks and any other means to recoup the $45,000 that was originally budgeted for the deck. A quick update on the replacement of composites, Pat Rossoni has contacted the photographer and we are able to acquire the digital format for almost all the years we need for a complete record. Pat will give an update in the near future for any years that might still be missing. Alumni update: For those of you from the era of the early ‘80’s you remember Br. Carl "Scooter" Ruggieri's (RIP). Well hard to believe that time has gone by and his eldest daughter Ashley is about to graduate high school. She was just appointed by Rep. Langevin to the U.S. Air Force Academy. Out of 10,000 or so applicants, only 400 were accepted. Carl would be extraordinarily proud. Side note: Rumor has it that a surprise “mystery” guest showed up several weeks ago for a quick visit while on campus. Well there should be no mystery when Tony “Hollywood” Horton Mr. p90x is around. Apparently Tony had some business at the University and decided to stop by to see the house. Although Tony’s visit was very brief he was spotted by several Zeta girls on his way out headed back to his book tour. By the way catch a copy of his new book “Bring It” for your summer reading list also check out the latest edition of the Quadrangles for a profile on Br. Horton. Well anyway back to the point of the story. When the girls asked who the visitor was Mo the chef informed them it was Mr. p90x. Well the girls ran through the house to notify everyone including the house mother who I am told is now on daily watch to snag a hug and kiss or more should Tony decide on a return visit. Although the undergraduate girls wanted to know what room Tony lived in while he was an undergraduate Phi Psi. The rumor that the Zeta’s have created a shrine to Tony in room 10 is not confirmed at this time. Congratulations again to you Tony and thanks for stopping by. We look forward to you visiting when we have a chapter of undergraduate phi psi’s to motivate and inspire. At least by then there should be no concern as to the motivations of the house mother.. As you all can see this year starts out where the last year left off with great accomplishments of your AHC and all the support of the University and National to thank as well. Thank you all for your continued support for the mission of your AHC and R.I. Beta. Look forward to seeing you all at the Pop-top golf this summer. Fraternally, CC…#400

Apr 16 2011

Br Carl "Scooter" Ruggieri

Br. Carl "Scooter" Ruggieri's (RIP) eldest daughter is about to graduate high school. She was just appointed by Rep. Langevin to the U.S. Air Force Academy. Out of 10,000 or so applicants, only 400 were accepted. Carl would be extraordinarily proud!

Dec 12 2010

AHC President's 2010 Year End Report

Dear brothers and friends: As the year comes to an end for the current AHC Board at our next Founder’s Day dinner on Friday, February 11, 2011, and without the flair of Br. Booth’s writing style back in the days of publishing the “Link” but perhaps provide the same type of reading material for those moments in your private “reading rooms” I want to continue the tradition and take this opportunity to summarize the events of this past year and allow you to measure our accomplishments and review the tasks that remain for Rhode Island Beta. So here goes the annual State of the AHC address: Chris Conti #400 – President Tom Linhares #142 – Vice president Joe Hart #431 – Treasurer Jim Grueb #169 – Secretary Bruce Tavares #250 – National chapter advisor Ray Marshall #171 – By-laws committee co-chairman Lee Arnold #28 – By-laws committee co-chairman Mike Chmura #118 – Social committee co-chairman Andy Marcoux #134 – Social committee co-chairman Walter Augustyn - #258 – Building committee chairman Patrick Rossoni #260 – Historical committee chairman John Spagnolo #126 – Member at large William Bowers #15 – Honorary member at large The year has gone by quickly and not as quietly as we might have wished for when this board was elected in February. After a good humored threat by Br. Spagnolo to capture the presidency and the reigns of the AHC after suffering through countless hours of Presidential “ramblings” at the AHC meetings, the attempted coup to install Br. Spagnolo as dictator for life failed once it was learned our treasury was so poor that we couldn’t afford the lifestyle for the new dictator or even a ferry ticket to exile the current president to Hog island. All joking aside be proud of your AHC board for working throughout this past year in full support of each other, the University and always in the best interests of R.I. Beta. Priority #1 retain and preserve the chapter house: • Zeta Tau Alpha sorority took possession of the house on July 1, 2009. It is hard to believe ZTA is in its 2nd year of its 3 year lease. ZTA in only its 2nd year as a sorority at U.R.I. has already become the strongest sorority on campus with 35 pledges the largest fall pledge class of any sorority. No doubt in part because of having 4 Fraternity Circle to call home. ZTA loves the house and all the attention given by Joe Hart to make them feel loved. We will find out next year if ZTA will extend the lease for one of the two 1 year renewal options in the lease. Be assured the sorority has treated the house with tender loving care. The house never looked or smelled nicer! • We continue to add improvements to the house. o Thanks to Walt Augustyn we rebuilt the two exit doors at each end of the residence halls. They are now fully insulated and secure. o The most noticeable improvement is we repaved the driveway. No one can remember having this done before. Imagine that old driveway went back to 1969. The house has never looked better! • I am happy to report that we ended on August 31, 2010 our fiscal year end with revenues in excess of expenses of $14,686. Thanks go to Joe Hart and his strict adherence to cost control and timely monitoring of our monthly financial reports. Please join me in thanking Joe for his efforts and the great job he is doing as treasurer. • We have completed the second year of our mortgage and with the operating surplus I am proud to announce we met our cash flow covenant with the bank. • We started September 2010 the new fiscal year with an operating budget that again meets the bank loan requirement for cash flow. To date we continue to work at meeting our cash flow projections. Other agenda items: • Our social committee headed by Mike Chmura and Andy Marcoux ran our annual Pop-Top golf event in August. The event was a huge success and for those that missed my wrap up here are the highlights: o The Millard brothers keeping their clothes on! o Special thanks to Bill Bowers for appearing and giving us the official Phi Psi salute to start the day’s events. o Congratulations to Team Prattico, the Champions of this year’s event with an 11 under par round of 59. Congratulations to Vinny, Frank Lee, John “Goodie” Goodwin and Pat “Claydo” Clays. o Special mention goes out to Team Marcoux/Downs for giving both teams a run for their money and winning the 4 hole re-start match. o The putting contests went down to the wire with Dave Binns and Don Schollin having the right the touch. Thank you to the 27 die-hard supporters of this event for making this year’s tournament very competitive. Special thanks to Andy Marcoux and Mike Chmura for all the efforts to arrange for this year’s event. We will be moving the venue 1 exit down route 95 to Fenner Hill C.C. August 6, 2011. If you have not been to a pop-top or it’s been awhile since you have, make next year’s tourney. It is still the best time to catch up and have a blast with your RI Beta brothers. Traditionally funds raised at the social events go to our national scholarship fund, again this year the funds were applied to the repair costs to the house. Net proceeds of approximately $500 was used to help pay for the new driveway. • Historical Artifacts As you have heard over the past 2 years we no longer have most of our historical artifacts of R.I. Beta. As you have seen from the email announcements throughout the year, Br. Pat Rossoni has undertaken the digital restoration of our composites. To date we are in the process of restoring 9 of the 40 years. Only your help will complete this project. Thanks to the following brothers: Lee Arnold 1965 Lee Arnold 1966 Mike Chmura 1970 Jack Monahan 1973 Walter Augustyn 1975 Walter Augustyn 1976 Walter Augustyn 1977 Walter Augustyn 1978 John Martin 1978 Vinny Prattico 1979 Joe Hart 1980 Joe Hart 1981 Emile Poisson 1982 • 2010 Grand Arch Council - July 2010. In case you missed my recap last summer or the one in the Shield here are some highlights: The biennial National Phi Kappa Psi GAC was held July 27 – August 1 attended by Brs. Tavares and Conti on behalf of the Rhode Island Alumni Association. As always “little” Rhode Island Beta as always made its presence known to all in attendance. o Bruce has begun to network with National and has its full support with that of prominent alumni from other chapters for the creation of his advisor’s committee to re-charter our chapter. Bruce thank you for your continued efforts at the National level of our great fraternity. o National passed a by-laws change affecting the voting members of the AHC. As such we will need to revise our by-laws. o We all can be proud of the RI Beta representation at GAC by Tony “Hollywood” Horton, Guy “Minnow” Minardi and Jeff Morgan. Jeff was named to the order of SC. Tony won one of the distinguished alumni awards. Congrats to Tony for all his success. Go P90X. Guy is trying to charter the Greater Miami Alumni Association. Any brothers in the area should reach out to Guy. But it was not only for his alumni efforts that Guy was recognized. When Guy was an undergraduate he was elected by National as and Educational Leadership Consultant (ELC) or as we know it fondly called “ELK”. As and Elk in 1976 he was sent to Stanford to start a brand new chapter for National. Brothers, at the 2010 GAC Stanford was named Grand Arch Chapter of the year the highest award for a chapter. The acceptance speech by the alumni advisor related Guy’s efforts for the chapter’s success. Great job Guy. The work to do from the GAC for our Corporation has begun. Brs. Arnold and Marshall have undertaken the re-write to our by-laws in accordance with the mandate and guidelines set forth by National. As directed by our new National President Br. Hubbard to establish chapter advisory committees wherever possible, Bruce Tavares continues to establish the Chapter Advisor’s Council. The council will act independently from the AHC but provide a committee report to the AHC. o The primary purpose of this council is to provide the undergraduate members with the support needed to be a successful chapter of Phi Kappa Psi. A secondary benefit is that the undergraduate chapter will no longer be directly supervised by the AHC. This will allow the AHC to concentrate on its primary responsibilities to preserve the financial security of the corporation and retain and preserve the chapter house. Please consider becoming a part of the Advisory Council. I believe the success of re-establishing our undergraduate chapter will depend on the success of this council. Please contact Bruce at tavaresfamily@cox.net • Furniture Thanks to Br. Jim Cunha we started the process to bid for surplus government furniture to replace all the furniture in each bedroom. This process is a long journey and will need the full attention of the next AHC board. • Inter-fraternity Alumni Council This group was started by Bob Marshall (Fiji) several years ago to foster more communication and cooperation among the Greek alumni house corporations. Phi Psi has always played a leadership role in this organization with Bill Bowers as co-author to its by-laws. Now congratulations to Bruce Tavares continuing the Phi Psi alumni leadership tradition on campus by being named treasurer of this group. We still have much to do in the remaining time left for the term of this board and will have much unfinished business to pass to the new board. Many items remain from last year not from lack of effort but constant vigilance to the items that must remain as core objectives each and every year: • Restore the sinking fund budget of funds necessary for the future needs to physical structure of the building. • Phase 2 of the brick campaign. • Continue to meet our bank obligations and prepare for the refinancing of the mortgage. • Complete the By-law revision project. • Replace the lost or stolen historical artifacts. • Replace furnishings in each room that date back to 1969. • Resolve lingering legal issues related to the general contractor for the renovations and prior building committee agreements. • We must continue to be a gracious and supportive landlord to our tenant. ZTA. They will be an important partner for our rush needs when we re-colonize. • Increase continued interest in our social events to strengthen the bonds we share as alumni and hope to recruit more volunteer support. • Assist the University to complete the expansion and improvement plan for Fraternity Circle though our continued participation in the Inter-fraternity Alumni Council. • Welcome our new neighbors with 2 new houses to be built on Fraternity Circle. • Continue improving the communication of alumni and chapter reports to the Shield and URI Quadrangles magazines and RI beta.com. • As a rush tool we need to increase participation in contributing to the RI Beta Chapter scholarship fund with National. As we all reach that time in life to begin estate planning please keep in mind “where there’s a will there’s a way” Please remember the R.I. Beta Scholarship fund held by our National Endowment Fund and also the Alumni House Corporation as a great legacy with R.I. Beta. • Complete the Chapter Advisor Council to prepare the steps necessary with National and the University for the re-colonizing of our undergraduate chapter. Please continue to log on to ribeta.com and stay tuned for notices of upcoming events and updates. Thank you to all the AHC members for their tireless efforts throughout the year and to all the alumni for your continued support. Happy holidays and a very happy, healthy and prosperous new year to all. See you at Founders day! Fraternally, CC #400…

Aug 15 2010

2010 Pop Top Results

Breaking news the Millard brothers kept their clothes on!... Special thanks to Bill Bowers for appearing and giving us the official Phi Psi salute to start the day’s events. The perennial favorite each year Team Gladney was not able to mount a defense for Team Prattico, the Champions of this year’s event with an 11 under par round of 59. Congratulations to Vinny, Frank Lee, John “Goodie” Goodwin and Pat “Claydo” Clays. Rumor around the pro shop is Team Prattico was no stranger and had put in a few practice rounds at Beaver River to prepare for the competition. Goes to show hard work does pay off…or maybe it was just the Mike’s Hard Lemonade Vinny was pushing…. Thanks go out to our house sweetheart for the day, Lisa “Ms. Goodie” Goodwin for getting John to the 1st tee just in time to meet his group and being the designated driver to get John home after the champion’s celebration. Lisa please keep John in 1 piece so he can come back and defend his title next year…. Special mention goes out to Team Marcoux/Downs for giving both teams a run for their money and winning the 4 hole re-start match. The putting contests went down to the wire with Dave Binns and Don Schollin having the right the touch. Thank you to the 27 die-hard supporters of this event for making this year’s tournament very competitive. Net proceeds of approximately $500 will be used to help pay for the new driveway being installed this summer. Thank you to Andy Marcoux and Mike Chmura for all the efforts to arrange for this year’s event. The hats look great too. Although we are invited back to Beaver River C.C. for next year’s Pop Top Open, thank you Bob and Bruce Millard for your good behavior, we will be moving the venue 1 exit down route 95 to Fenner Hill C.C. August 6, 2011. Please mark your calendar for next year and don’t forget Founder’s Day coming in February 2011. Thank you to all for a great time at this year’s event. CC#400…

Aug 15 2010

Paul Shawver #129

Congratulatons on being named to the R.I. Interscholastic Hall of Fame for all his dedication and hard work coaching basketball at Ponagansett H.S.

Aug 05 2010

2010 Grand Arch Council (GAC)

Brothers The biennial National Phi Kappa Psi GAC was held July 27 – August 1 attended by Brs. Tavares and Conti on behalf of the Rhode Island Alumni Association. As it was disappointing not to have an undergraduate chapter at this most important National event let me assure you “little” Rhode Island Beta as always made its presence known to all in attendance. As you know at each GAC a new executive council is elected to the National Fraternity. Paul Wineman as departing president will be missed. Both Bruce and I have got to spend time with Paul at the Cabo leadership academy and he has provided many RI Beta undergrad’s with hours of his time at Cabo. However, not to fret. Bruce through his years of attending GAC’s and Cabo along with the positions held on various National committees has a personal connection with each of the new officers of the National executive board and our executive director. Not many chapters can make this claim. Bruce with this GAC has begun to network with National and has its full support with that of prominent alumni from other chapters for the creation of his advisor’s committee to re-charter our chapter in 2 years. Bruce thank you for your continued efforts at the National level of our great fraternity. My attendance at GAC for the AHC brought home more work for our “little” corporation. Attendance at the AHC committee meeting provided a laundry list of to do’s namely National passed a by-laws change affecting the voting members of the AHC. As such we will need to revise our by-laws. We all can be proud of the RI Beta representation at GAC by Tony “Hollywood” Horton, Guy “Minnow” Minardi and Jeff Morgan. Jeff was named to the order of SC which is the select fraternity within a fraternity at National for his participation at 8 GAC’s or more way to go Jeff. Tony won one of the distinguished alumni awards. A video presentation with Tony was played at the formal banquet. Not only did Tony impress with his acceptance interview and praise for URI the pictures of him alongside his brothers leave it to John “Tinz” Martin to get in front of the camera at 4 Fraternity Circle was second to none in a hall full of all the other chapters around the country. Congrats to Tony for all his success. Go P90X. Guy was the biggest surprise of the evening. Not only that he attended but for his participation. Guy is trying to charter the Greater Miami Alumni Association. Any brothers in the area should reach out to Guy. But it was not only for his alumni efforts that Guy was recognized. When Guy was an undergraduate he was elected by National as and Educational Leadership Consultant (ELC) or as we know it fondly called “ELK”. As and Elk in 1976 he was sent to Stanford to start a brand new chapter for National. Brothers, at the 2010 GAC Stanford was named Grand Arch Chapter of the year the highest award for a chapter. The acceptance speech by the alumni advisor related Guy’s efforts for the chapter’s success. Imagine his efforts as an undergrad 34 years ago and the effect on the number of brothers who have had the chance to be a Phi Psi and all the brothers yet to join them at Stanford. As our creed in part says, as you honor yourself you honor her, not sure there is any higher honor Guy could bring to himself and as he does to RI Beta. Great job Guy. Well much work to do before the next GAC in 2 years both for the AHC and the undergraduate Chapter. Look forward to all your continued support. Fraternally, CC#400…

Mar 04 2010

AHC Board elected for the 2010-2011 Year.

Rhode Island Beta Chapter Phi Kappa Psi Fraternity The Alumni members of the 2010 - 2011 AHC board are: Chris Conti – President Tom Linhares – Vice president Joe Hart – Treasurer Jim Grueb - Secretary John Spagnolo – Member at large Ray Marshall - Member at large Bruce Tavares - Member at large Mike Chmura - Member at large Andy Marcoux - Member at large Walter Augustyn - Member at large Patrick Rossoni - Member at large Lee Arnold – founding member for the chapter and construction of the house in 1969

Jan 13 2010

Navy Capt. Jim Cunha - New Command

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) -- The Navy has named a new commanding officer for the > U.S. Naval Academy Preparatory School in > Newport, R.I. > > Navy Capt. Jim Cunha of Rumford, R.I., is stepping in for Capt. Anthony > Barnes. > > Barnes temporarily held the job after Capt. Leland Hart Sebring was relieved > of duty in August. > > The preparatory school is responsible for strengthening academic skills of > about 300 potential candidates each year for the Naval Academy. A year at > the school can improve a candidate's chances of receiving an appointment to > the academy in Annapolis and succeeding there.

Dec 27 2009

Congrat's to Br. Ray Marshall for Narr. Bay Comm. Overflow Award

If you missed the announcement lets all congratulate Br. Ray Marshall for his overflow tunnel project at the Narr. Bay Commission has been voted Best Civil/Public Works project for 2009 by New York Construction magazine the top award for this industry publication. Ray all the best for the new year and phase 2 of the project.

Dec 20 2009

AHC President's Year End Report

Dear brothers and friends: As this year comes to an end for the current AHC Board at our next Founder’s Day dinner on Saturday, February 6, 2010, I want to take this opportunity to summarize the events of this past year and allow you to measure our accomplishments and review the tasks that remain for Rhode Island Beta. Chris Conti #400 – President Tom Linhares #142 – Vice president Joe Hart #431 – Treasurer Jim Grueb #169 – Secretary Bruce Tavares #250 – National chapter advisor Ray Marshall #171 – Leasing committee chairperson Mike Chmura #118 – Furniture committee chairperson Steve Macchioni #271 – Social committee co-chairperson Carl Disanto #300 – Social committee co-chairperson John Spagnolo #126 – Member at large Andy Marcoux 134 – Member at large Lee Arnold #28 – Member at large William Bowers #15 – Honorary member at large Our #1 priority continues to be to retain and preserve the chapter house: • ZTA sorority took possession of the house on July 1. ZTA has a 3 year lease with options for two 1 year renewals. The lease term matches the expiration of our National suspension and expected time to re-charter our chapter. The sorority painted and moved in new furnishing including a grand piano with thanks to Joe Hart for coordinating the move in. The place looks great. • Installed the bricks from phase 1 in our front walk. If you have already bought a brick thank you but please consider buying another one if you haven’t bought a brick don’t miss phase 2 and buy a brick today. • I am happy to report that in light of the inherited operating deficit from the fall 2008 semester of $69,000 we ended on August 31 our fiscal year end with only a slightly higher deficit of $82,000. The turn-around was due to: o A board philosophy adhering to strict cost controls. o Although we had fewer occupant and had to accept a lower room and board reimbursement rate from the University boarders the key was having occupants for the spring 2009 semester that cared for the house by not causing excessive damage. o The board’s demand for timely monthly financial reporting. o Joe Hart’s tireless efforts as treasurer. • We have completed the first year of our new mortgage and in light of the operating deficit we missed a key cash flow covenant with the bank. The board worked throughout the year to reestablish our credibility with the bank and our loan remains under credit review. • We started September 2009 the new fiscal year with an operating budget that meets the bank loan requirement for cash flow. To date we continue to work at meeting our cash flow projections. Other agenda items: • As usual the annual basketball game held in February 2009 was also a great success thanks to Br. Guglietta. This has become an important social event for alumni of R.I. Beta since the demise of homecoming events. Thanks Bill looking forward to the next one maybe URI will win this time. • Our social committee headed by Steve “Big Mac” Macchioni and Carl “Meat” Disanto held a new event a beer tasting event in June and our annual pop-top golf event in September. Traditionally funds raised at the social events go to our national scholarship fund, this year funds were applied to the repair costs to the house. Great year for R.I. Beta’s social calendar and thanks to the hard work by Steve and Carl. Stay tuned for both of these events in the new year. • Under the direction of Bruce Tavares, Br.s Andy Marcoux and Mike Chmura have created the Chapter Advisor’s Council. The council will act independently from the AHC but provide a committee report to the AHC. o The primary purpose of this council is to provide the undergraduate members with the support needed to be a successful chapter of Phi Kappa Psi. A secondary benefit is that the undergraduate chapter will no longer be directly supervised by the AHC. This will allow the AHC to concentrate on its primary responsibilities to preserve the financial security of the corporation and retain and preserve the chapter house. This council has much work to do: o Plan and prepare for the re-charter of our chapter. and plan and prepare for the re-charter of our chapter. o Attend national education programs. o Coordinate the National response team for re-colonization. o Promote the ideals of our National Fraternity to the undergraduate chapter. o Promote the adherence to the University guidelines for a fraternity. o Maintain the guidelines for the R.I. Beta national scholarship fund. o Provide support and guidance for the new rush program. o Provide support and guidance for the successful operation of an undergraduate chapter of Phi Kappa Psi. o Recruit new members to the advisor’s council. • We have utilized the ribeta.com website to regularly post updates and items of interest. If you have not visited the site please make it a habit so you can stay up to date with the chapter. We still have much to do in the remaining time left for the term of this board and beyond. • Restore the sinking fund budget of funds necessary for the future needs to physical structure of the building. • Continue to meet our bank obligations and prepare for the refinancing of the mortgage. • Replace the lost or stolen historical artifacts. • Replace furnishings in each room that date back to 1969. • Resolve final legal issues related to the general contractor for the renovations and prior building committee agreements. • We must continue to be a gracious and supportive landlord to our new tenant. ZTA is a new national chapter at URI and with our help to foster a great relationship they will prosper and become a life long partner to RI Beta. ZTA can become an important partner for our rush needs when we re-colonize. • Foster continued interest in our social events to strengthen the bonds we share as alumni and hope to recruit more volunteer support. • Assist the University to complete the expansion and improvement plan for Fraternity Circle though our continued participation in the Inter-fraternity Alumni Council. • Improve the communication of alumni and chapter reports to the Shield and URI Quadrangles magazines. • As another rush tool we need to increase participation in contributing to the RI Beta Chapter scholarship fund with National. • Energize the Chapter Advisor Council to prepare the steps necessary with National and the University for the re-colonizing of our undergraduate chapter 4 years from now. Point of information: As we all reach that time in life to begin estate planning please keep in mind “where there’s a will there’s a way” Please remember the R.I. Beta Scholarship fund held by our National Endowment Fund and the Alumni House Corporation as a great legacy with R.I. Beta. Please log on to the new ribeta.com and stay tuned for notices of upcoming events and updates. Thank you to all the AHC members for their tireless efforts during this difficult year and to all the alumni for your continued support. Happy holidays and a very happy new year to all. Fraternally, CC #400…

Jun 26 2009

Beer Tasting

Brothers: With all the experience we have with those 100 keg parties back in the day no suprise our 1st annual beer tasting went off without a hitch. Many thanks to the hard work and dedication of Steve "Big Mac" Macchioni and Carl "Meat" Disanto. Not only was there plenty beer but the lovely beer pourers were a nice touch. Narragansett's Boch Beer definitely had the longest line. Must bring a smile to Vinny Prattico that after all these year we Phi psi's still drink 'Gansett... Hat's off to Mike "Dougie" Douglas and John "Goodie" Goodwin. They definetly take the prize for making it from one end of the room to the other and tried every one of the selections...of course "Disco" Joe Natale was in mourning for MJ's passing but didn't leave the event empty handed. To all who attended it was great to see you all at this social event and to those who could not attend hope to see you at our next event. Stayed tuned for coming events. Fraternally CC #400

May 13 2009

AHC President's 100 Day Report 5.16.09

Dear brothers and friends: I am honored to write this letter on behalf of the new board of directors of our house corporation. The following were elected February 7, 2009 at our Founder’s Dinner and the selection of officers held at our first meeting on February 16; Chris Conti #400 – President Tom Linhares #142 – Vice president Joe Hart #431 – Treasurer Jim Grueb #169 – Secretary Bruce Tavares #250 – National chapter advisor Ray Marshall #171 – Leasing committee chairperson Mike Chmura #118 – Furniture committee chairperson Steve Macchioni #271 – Social committee co-chairperson Carl Disanto #300 – Social committee co-chairperson John Spagnolo #126 – Member at large Andy Marcoux 134 – Member at large Lee Arnold #28 – Member at large William Bowers #15 – Honorary member at large For those of you that have not been keeping up with the events from 4 Fraternity Circle here is a brief summary: • Fall 2007 received $900,000 bank loan and renovations began to exterior siding and windows of the house. • February 2008 new board elected to the house corporation. • Sept 2008 $1.2 million renovation completed to the house and undergraduate members move in. First damage reported within 24 hours of undergraduates moving in. • December 2008 undergraduate member arrested on drug charges. • January 2009 Chapter suspended by URI and National Phi Kappa Psi with total damage to house at $32,000 and a fiscal operating deficit of $69,000. • February 2009 new board elected to house corporation. The agenda for our new board this year has been ambitious: • #1 retain and preserve our house for our alumni and the eventual return of the chapter: o We have repaired all damage done to the house. o Installation of a laundry room removed from the original plan during the renovation at approx. cost of $10,000 is being directed by Tom Linhares. o Secured a lease with ZTA Sorority that will insure our financial ability to meet our bank loan obligations and utilize the house until we have completed re-colonizing our Chapter. o Completed our first capital campaign with the installation of 73 bricks in our new front walk planned for the end of May. Proceeds used to pay for laundry room. Thank you to all who participated. o Sourced approximately 50 bed frames to replace many of ours that date back to 1969. o Recognition must be singled out for Joe Hart who has worked to hold the line on the inherited operating deficit while managing the everyday responsibilities that are required to run house. • Rebuild our relationship and credibility with the University, FMA, National and the bank: o We have initiated a letter campaign and conversations with all of our partners to begin rebuilding their confidence in our management. We have seen and incredible response of support from all of these partners with all their assistance in our accomplishments to date. o As a partner with ZTA, the University and FMA to strengthen the Greek community on campus we have pledged our support in any way we can for the success of the new ZTA chapter at URI. • Prepare for the bank review of our mortgage: o As a result of the operating decisions of last year we will miss a financial cash flow covenant on our bank loan this fiscal year. We face a credit review for a waiver of this covenant and a refinancing of the loan within 48 months. • Reorganize the Alumni Association: o We have met National’s guidelines to re-charter the Rhode Island Alumni Association after the recent suspension by National. The need for an alumni association is to have voting rights at the GAC meetings. Thanks to Bruce “The Beast” Tavares with his National position has worked through the red tape with National and has filed the application necessary for recognition. This was only possible with the additional support for the Alumni Association board of Robert Ferri #301, David Gorgone #283 and Nick Capezza #278. Thank you all for your help for us to once again be a recognized participant at National. o Addition of new social events to restore alumni support of the chapter. “Big Mac” Steve Macchioni and Carl “the Meat” Disanto have created our social committee and have some great events in the works including our old favorite the pop-top. Billy Guglietta #399 has also continued to support this mission with keeping the tradition of the annual URI basketball game held with a brunch at the house each February. • Update the RI beta website ribeta.com: o Thanks to Frank Lee #343 who continues to volunteer a significant amount of his time has rebuilt the site with new features and more functionality. Thanks to Joe Hart and David Leaver #273 for their valued input with this project. The goal is to provide consistent updating of the site as a constant communication link for the house corporation and chapter. This letter has been posted to the site as our start to accomplish this task. In addition we will broadcast correspondence from the email addresses that register on our website. We have completed 14 weeks of our term as a new house corporation board and you can see from above our accomplishments in our first 100 days. More importantly I trust you can see the renewed energy every one of our board members has brought to our mission along with all the alumni and partners that have stepped up to make these accomplishments happen. To our new committees to our ongoing projects every member has taken on a role in our success. As I am, you too should be very proud of this board and all those working with us. We still have much to do in the remaining time left on the term of this board. • First and foremost is to meet our obligations to the bank and our responsibilities of our mortgage agreement. • Restore the sinking fund budget of funds necessary for the future needs to physical structure of the building. • Replace the lost or stolen historical artifacts. • Initiate phase 2 of our on going capital campaign to sell bricks to complete the front walk. • Replace furnishings in each room that date back to 1969. • Resolve final legal issues related to the general contractor for the renovations and prior building committee agreements. • We must be a gracious and supportive landlord to our new tenant. ZTA is a new national chapter at URI and with our help to foster a great relationship they will prosper and become a life long partner to RI Beta. • Foster renewed interest in our social events to strengthen the bonds we share as alumni and hope to recruit more volunteer support. • Assist the University to complete the expansion and improvement plan for Fraternity Circle though our continued participation in the Inter-fraternity Alumni Council. • Increase participation in contributing to the RI Beta Chapter scholarship fund with National as a rush tool. • Create a Chapter Advisor Council. • Prepare the steps necessary with National and the University for the re-colonizing of our undergraduate chapter 4 years from now. Please log on to the new ribeta.com and stay tuned for notices of upcoming events and updates. Thank you for your continued support. Fraternally, CC #400…

Apr 20 2009

The Brick Campaign IS BACK!!!!

Below & to date are the requests that we have received so far! I know there is still one more name that was lost in transition, so if you don’t see your name, please let me know ASAP. I haven spoken to the brick company and would like to place an order before the year is out. The more we order, the bigger the discount; not to mention that prices will probably rise in 2009! So far we have only received 34 orders; this represents only 25 brothers or .02% of the entire Phi Kappa Psi Brothers (1966 to 2008)! I personally would like to put a challenge out there! Let’s get to 100 bricks by Thanksgiving and 200 by Christmas!!! I am also personally challenging all AHC Board Members past & present and all bothers who lived in the house during my years of 1978 to 1984. We have risen to so many occasions over the years and most recently – The Carl Ruggieri Family Fund. So let’s make this happen!!! Brick costs are $250 per brick and as you can see, multiple brothers have bought more than one!!! What a great idea it is to donate a brick to one of long lost brothers!!! What does this $250 actually include? Well, it includes 2 bricks with one being sent back to you for your memories (only if so desire) as well as installation of the brick. If you don’t desire a second brick, please let me know. We anticipate using this money to fund or partially fund the completion of the deck! The house is now complete and while we did not furnish all he room, we were able to purchase all new mattresses and new furniture for the formal Chapter Room. Lastly, I have received a few emails and recognize the times of our economy. If you would like to make other arrangements, please contact me personally. I hope this answers all the questions I received and please reach me at the following addresses and numbers and PLEASE – forward this to any brother you may have contact with!!! Amici, Joe Hart

Apr 20 2009

Terry Hermans

COL Mark Barbosa writes: “Greetings, apologize for taking so long to write, but events have kept us pretty busy lately. Just wanted to pass along that I had the pleasure of hosting a visit from COL Terry Hermans (a URI Grad) a couple of weeks ago here at Contingency Operating Base (COB) Adder, Iraq (see attached Photo). I now Command the 7th Sustainment Bde out of Ft. Eustis, Virginia which is responsible for all Logistics South of Baghdad and North of the Kuwait Border. Terry Hermans commands the 4th Sustainment Bde out of Ft. Hood, Texas which is responsible for the movement of all Theater Commodities and equipment out of Kuwait to every corner of Iraq - he and his folks are doing awesome work and we couldn't do what we do without him. COL Charlie Flynn (another URI Grad) was tied up when Terry stopped by is also here at COB Adder. Charlie Commands the 1/82nd Brigade Combat Team out of Ft. Bragg, North Carolina. He and his Devil Team have the largest brigade area to control in Iraq, but they've done an incredible job and will be a tough act to follow when he's replaced. In short, URI has 3 Brigade commanders either here in Iraq or Kuwait commanding at the same time. Many have asked - who’s left in Rhode Island with you three here?! Please know, a positive difference is being made each and every day. We all miss and frequently reminisce about our college years at URI. Take are and Hooah! MARK J. BARBOSA COL, LG Commander, 7th Sustainment Brigade Contingency Operating Base (COB) Adder, Iraq DSN: 833-5093 (Unclass)

Apr 20 2009

Bowers’ legacy at URI

Journal Sports Writer SOUTH KINGSTOWN — Many colleges and universities have an institutional face, that man or woman whom students, alumni and community leaders instantly identify with the school. Dave Zucconi was the face of Brown University for 50 years until his death, in 2003. Bill Bowers was the face of the University of Rhode Island for almost as long until his retirement this month. Bowers was assistant director of athletics for operations at the time of his departure, but he is best known for his years of work in the alumni office and for about a decade in marketing and promotions in the athletics department. Among his many responsibilities, he directed the halftime activities for football and basketball games, organized bus trips to away games, and was the contact for events ranging from the URI Athletics Hall of Fame Dinner to fundraising golf tournaments. Bowers attended URI in the 1960s and was a member of Phi Kappa Psi fraternity. He remained involved in fraternity activities and several years ago secured a grant for computers. In addition to Bowers and Lauren Anderson, senior associate director of athletics, other department employees who retired this month are Jeanne Helma, assistant to the athletics director, who worked at URI for 28 years, and Dave Bascom, a member of the grounds crew. Sue Bergen, associate director of athletics for finance, has assumed Anderson’s role as senior woman administrator, and Gina Sperry, an academic adviser, has been promoted to associate director of athletics and associate senior woman administrator

Apr 20 2009

Mr. Chace is probably every student's happy school memory

Gym teacher David Chace is retiring after 35 years By ELIZABETH ABBOTT, Valley Breeze & Observer, Correspondent GLOCESTER - David Chace knew something was up. Co-workers would stop talking when he entered a room. He saw his daughter collecting money from fellow teachers at West Glocester Elementary School. Little things like that. But no way did he expect to see 250 people gathered at Wright's Farm last Thursday night to celebrate his retirement after 35 years of teaching gym in Glocester's elementary schools. The turnout staggered him, embarrassed him, shocked him, he said, even though he suspected some sort of party was being planned. "I was humbled that so many people were there," Chace told The Valley Breeze & Observer last week. But for the people who attended the party in Chace's honor, it wasn't at all surprising to see such a large crowd. Not for a kind-hearted teacher who has left his imprint on thousands of schoolchildren over the years, a man who always made gym class an exercise in laughter and imagination and tried, always, to see things from a child's point of view. "He just had a way with children. He could relate to them whether they were in kindergarten or in 5th grade," said Deb Autiello, a secretary at West Glocester Elementary School, whose children had Chace for a teacher. "He treated everyone like they were special," recalled Amber Kelley, a former student. "Mr. Chace is probably every student's happy school memory," she said. A Warwick native, Chace began his teaching career as a substitute in the Glocester school system after he got out of the Army reserves in the early 1970s. He thought he wanted to teach at the middle and high school level but after spending time at the elementary school, "my heart was alive," he said, adding, "I fell in love with elementary school." So he stayed, teaching the Hustle during the disco years, square dancing at other times, volunteering to run the school's annual Field Day and bike hike, supervising games of dodge ball, all the while using "Mr. Chace's Rules" to keep his young charges in line. Kids like to pretend, so he often used imagination and acting in his classes, never exempting himself from the fun. "If I have to pretend I'm crying, I'll pretend I'm crying," he said. Chace found himself in the northern part of the state because he had married a Chepachet girl. "She's still my girl," he said of his wife Cindy. In time, they had four children. His two daughters, Lisa and Amy, followed him into teaching and now both work in the Glocester school system. His sons, Jesse and David, are serving in the military, stationed at Fort Meade and Fort Bragg, respectively. David was not able to make it to the party, but Jesse did. Jesse has been to Iraq twice since the war started. "My wife had to warn me that Jesse was coming because she knew I'd cry," Chace said. Chace was always more about laughter than tears, though. "He always told his students, 'I'm the prettiest gym teacher in the state,'' said Autiello. So he was funny, right? "Absolutely," she said. The crowd at Wright's Farm included current teachers and former teachers, current students and former students, family, friends and school administrators. Some people he hadn't seen in 20 years, Chace said. When he entered the room, they all blew their gym whistles and at the end of the party, to celebrate Chace's famous love of sports, they sang "Take Me Out to the Ball Game ... Take Me Out to the Park...' The day after the party found Chace at home with a day off from work, thoughtfully arranged ahead of time by his family. In a manner at once modest and wry, he described his teaching philosophy as simply trying at all times to understand what his students are going through, to put himself in their shoes. "I remember the very first year I was teaching. I had a girl who broke her glasses. She was so sad,' Chace recalled. So he took her by the hand and talked to her about how she felt. He didn't dismiss her. "You have to have empathy for the kids," Chace said. In the beginning, when he started teaching, Glocester was "an old country town, where everyone knew everyone," Chace said. Judging by the turnout at Wright's Farm Thursday night, that small town feeling is still very much alive, at least when it comes to saying goodbye to a beloved teacher.