THE AZURE & ARGENT

A quarterly publication of the Maryland Delta Chapter of Phi Delta Theta

Words from the Scroll By Justin Shen

Johns Hopkins University recently held its end-
of-the-year awards ceremony for
undergraduates and Maryland Delta did
extremely well. Congratulations to Brothers
Alexandros Afthinos, Isaac Jilbert, Craig
Sadler, Simmy Hundal, and Justin Shen for
winning Greek Man of the Year, Outstanding
Greek Sophomore, Senior Leadership
Excellence, Outstanding Greek Junior, and
Order of Omega, respectively. Never have the
brothers at Maryland Delta been prouder to be
Phis!
Also, Maryland Delta Phis have recently taken
it upon themselves to all become Iron Phis. In
what is sure to be a tradition for years to come,
Maryland Delta, in conjunction with Alpha Phi
Sorority, organized its very first Iron Phi 5K, a
5K run on campus that raised over $1,000 for
The ALS Association. Both the brothers of
Phi Delta Theta and the sisters of Alpha Phi
are proud of their success and hope to spread
ALS awareness for years to come.
Finally, at Johns Hopkins University's recent
Relay for Life, Brother Craig Sadler of
Maryland Delta biked 12 hours nonstop on a
stationary bike to promote awareness for
cancer as part of The 4K for Cancer's
fundraising efforts. The 4K for Cancer is an
extremely noble cause and major
philanthropic organization, and as part of the
4K for Cancer, Brother Sadler will bike
across the country from Baltimore to San
Francisco--a 4000 mile journey.

Iron Phi 5K Volunteers and Participants from Alpha Phi and Phi Delta Theta.
Phi Delt brothers pictured, from left to right…
1st Row: Cameron Hudson, Isaac Jilbert
2nd Row: Stephen Reilly, Ehsan Dowlati, Saumya Gurbani, Craig Sadler, Michael Lou, Tony Battaglia
3rd Row: Hector Mejia, Justin Shen, Ankit Vartak, Alex Yang, Clayton Branche, Khalid Rich, Tim Munuhe
4th Row: Nick Berlon, Bo Zhang, Makoto Tanigawa

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Volume #2, Issue #3 (Summer 2010) Page 1
jhuphidelts@gmail.com Johns Hopkins University
 THE AZURE & ARGENT
A quarterly publication of the Maryland Delta Chapter of Phi Delta Theta

The Alpha Class Experience By Rob Valdés

The Alpha class Phikeia education was
definitely one that offered the Phikeia plenty of
opportunities to bond not only with other
Alphas, but with the Founding Fathers of Phi
Delta Theta as well. One of the first things
that we did as the Alpha class was the creation
of the Alpha Class Banner, which was shown
in the Iron Phi 5K. As part of its design, we
included words that described us, which
ranged the gamut from “fancy” to “endowed,”
and topped them with the three Cardinal
Principles of Friendship, Sound Learning, and
Rectitude. We also competed in the Inter-
Fraternal Synchronized Swimming
Competition, where we got fourth place for our
much-rehearsed performance of the Pokémon
Theme Song!
In order to prepare for next semester and the
upcoming Beta class, our Treasurer Dorian
Bogdanovski directed a recruitment video that
featured all of the Alpha class, showing—as
much as could be done with a scripted
filming—all of us in our most natural
environments. And our Brotherhood
Chairman, Truc Duc Nguyen, organized a
Super Smash Bros tournament and Chili fest,
with each Big and Little playing as a team in
the popular Nintendo game.
Part of our Alpha class experience was being
introduced into fraternity life as smoothly and
efficiently as possible, and our introduction
happened by no less than a complete
incorporation into fraternity events. Ever
since the Alpha class was created, we have
been involved in every Phi Delt event at
Hopkins. We worked alongside full-fledged
brothers at Relay for Life, the Spring Fair
concert set-up and break-down, and with the
wonderful sisters of Alpha Phi in the Iron Phi
5K.

The Phi Delta Theta Synchronized Swimming Team!

Rob Valdés, Michael Leibel, Noah Dennis, Makoto Tanigawa, Khalid Rich,
Dorian Bogdanovski, Aaron Enten, and Tim Munuhe

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Volume #2, Issue #3 (Summer 2010) Page 2
jhuphidelts@gmail.com Johns Hopkins University
 THE AZURE & ARGENT
A quarterly publication of the Maryland Delta Chapter of Phi Delta Theta

Maryland Delta Chapter Announces New Leadership

By Ricky Wat
After almost 4 hours of deliberations on Sunday, May 2nd, Maryland Delta elected the following officers for the
Fall 2010 Semester:

President - Andrew Sender Public Relations Chair - Sang Nam

Vice President - Clayton Branche
Secretary - Scott Heyman
Treasurer - Aaron Enten
Recruitment Chair - Cameron Hudson
Warden - Khalid Rich
Social Chair - Dorian Bogdanovski
Risk Management Chair - Robert Valdés
Fundraising Chair - Luke Ginocchio
Brotherhood Chair - Truc Nguyen
Alumni Relations Chair - Simmy Hundal
Community Service Chair - Tony Battaglia
Philanthropy Chair - Joseph Watabe
Career Development Chair - Ricky Wat
Phikeia Educator - Young Koh
Scholarship Chair - Bo Zhang
Awards Chair - Adam Epstein
Historian - Dylan Goldberg
IT Chair - Marcus Sanchez
Chorister & Chaplain - Timothy Munuhe
Intramurals Chair - Jack Aguilar

Regarding future goals of the chapter, the President-elect, Andrew Sender, exclaimed, “Now that we've beaten
the challenges of getting installed and experienced our first semester as an official chapter, I plan on having
Hopkins seeing our true blue colors. Phi Delta Theta is going to redefine fraternity life by giving back to the
Baltimore community through service & philanthropy, maintaining academic excellence, and of course having
social and brotherhood events that no one will want to miss out. I'm really stoked to be president for the fall
semester and work with the officers elected.”

Reflecting upon his presidential experience, Ehsan Dowlati remarked, “It was great serving as the president for
the first official semester of the Maryland Delta chapter. It was quite the experience keeping the momentum of
the chapter going after installation. During recruitment, it was great meeting so many new people and working
with Exec board was enjoyable. There was a great amount of understanding and support from the brothers
throughout the semester. Relay for Life, Iron Phi, and all the Phikeia events were great. I believe that the
fraternity is in the right direction of redefining fraternity on the Hopkins campus and I'm excited to see what's in
store for us next.”

CONGRATULATIONS JHU PHI DELT GRADUATES!

From L to R: Nick Generous, Nick Berlon, Stephen Reilly, Craig Sadler, Hector Mejia, Andrew
Garcia, and Nezar Alsaeedi – All proud members of the JHU Phi Delt Class of 2010
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Volume #2, Issue #3 (Summer 2010) Page 3
jhuphidelts@gmail.com Johns Hopkins University
 THE AZURE & ARGENT
A quarterly publication of the Maryland Delta Chapter of Phi Delta Theta

Get to Know a Chapter Phi: Hector Mejia (#11)

By Jimmy Corines
What are your future plans/career goals?
I plan to eventually go to medical school and
become a neurosurgeon.

What are some of your hobbies? What do

you do for fun?
I‟m a recreational shooter and greatly enjoy
honing my marksmanship by running IPSC
courses which combine precision shooting with
true to life scenarios involving handgun self
defense.

What is your favorite food?

My favorite food is a typical dish from my
country called a baleada, which consists of a
flour tortilla wrapped around refried beans,
scrambled eggs, sour cream, and cheese. Full Name: Hector Mejia-Morales
Hometown: San Pedro Sula
What is your favorite sport? Country: Honduras
My favorite sport is Racquetball, although I do
Major: Neuroscience Class: 2010
also enjoy soccer and American football a lot. make it a great event for everybody involved.

Why did you join Phi Delt?
I have been a Phi Delta Theta since our
establishment as a chapter because of my
desire to be part of a different type of fraternity
and for the chance of forging strong bonds with
men of like principles, bonds that would last
long after graduation.
What was your favorite Phi Delt event?
I enjoyed the ALS Walkathon we helped to
organize and run. It was a great day for
brotherhood and teamwork, and we pulled
through on a rainy, cold, and dreary day to
What officer positions did you hold and for
how long?
I held the position as Warden from the time
we became and until the end of our first
semester as a Chapter.
What direction would you like to see from
Maryland Delta go in? What are your
expectations for the chapter?
I want Maryland Delta to continue expanding
and cementing its presence on campus, and to
further evolve into a stable and unique
fraternity on the Hopkins campus. It is my
hope that a few years from now Phi Delta
Theta will be one of the strongest and most

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 THE AZURE & ARGENT
A quarterly publication of the Maryland Delta Chapter of Phi Delta Theta

Get to Know a Chapter Phi (Continued)

admirable fraternities on campus, and that it
will continue to uphold the virtues instilled into
it by the legacy of the Founding Fathers.
What is your proudest Phi Delt moment?
It would most definitely have to be the day I
was formally inducted into the fraternity. The
sense of brotherhood and gravitas that
permeated the proceedings as well as the GHQ
presence really helped to drive home the fact
that this was a brotherhood for lifetime. The
lessons learned also reflected all that was
taught to me as a Phikeia and at that moment I
knew that I was honored and proud to become
a Phi.
What have you learned from your
experiences at Maryland Delta?
I have learned the importance of discipline and
organization, and most importantly the fact
that teamwork plays a crucial role in
accomplishing the goals. Although one man
can do much, the strides that can be taken
with the help of your brothers are truly
outstanding. I learned that when you gather
together a group of hardworking, disciplined,
and trustworthy individuals, nothing is
insurmountable.
What advice would you give to current
brothers of Maryland Delta?
To always keep the cardinal principles close
to hear and to always remember that one man
is no man, and that we are brothers not only to
have fun together but also to hold each other
up in trying times and to cooperate with each
other to achieve great things.

MD Delta Chapter & BAC News & Updates!

 The Phi Beta Kappa Society, the nation‟s oldest academic honor society, recently selected its
Class of 2010 initiates, which included none other than Brother Nick Berlon (#7)! Phi Beta
Kappa claims to invite only “one college senior in a hundred, nationwide.” Thus, as a
Neuroscience and French double-major who finished in only 3 years, you can rest assured that
Nick worked hard for the honor. CONGRATULATIONS NICK!
 The Baltimore Alumni Club recently appointed Brother Abhi Singh (Kent State „99) as its
President and Brother Ben Kaufman (University of Michigan ‟09) as its Secretary!
 The petition for the BAC to be officially recognized by GHQ is almost complete. We only need
a few more signatures and an appointed vice-president and treasurer. If you are a current alum
in the Baltimore area, have not yet signed the petition, and/or are interested in serving as the
BAC Vice President or Treasurer, e-mail phideltbaltimore@gmail.com today!

While I am psyched to graduate, I unfortunately cannot continue my efforts with the

Editor’s chapter or the BAC as the Alumni Relations/Career Development Chair. I wish I could
remain in Baltimore, but I am happy to announce that I have accepted an offer to work

Note…
with the Saudi Arabian Fertilizer Company in Jubail, Saudi Arabia, as a Process Engineer.
Phi Delta Theta has been a rewarding experience for me so far, and I am excited to live the
Three Cardinal Principles in a new land, so brothers, make sure to stay in touch!

- Stephen Reilly, #19

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