Brother Dan Allen '13, Does Spring Break Mission Work in Nicaragua

Dan Allen ’13 – FIRMC in Nicaragua – Buenas! I can full-heartedly say it was another wonderful day in paradise. Once again the day began quite early. What I have come to really appreciate though is that early isn’t that early. The reason I say this is because it is nearly pitch black here by 7:30 with no streetlights, so it seems like our nights have been a little earlier than what one would consider to be a “Wabash Night.” Wrapping up the evenings early along with the tropical bird alarm clock I have sitting outside my window have made it quite easy to wake in the morning.
This morning began like most every other day we have had. The breakfast was phenomenal thanks to the staff here at the resort, and after we began our day. Upon arriving at the clinic some people worked in the pharmacy and a group of others, including myself, got to sit in the room with the doctor as he diagnosed the patients. (Obviously the only thing they have guarding the doctor -patient confidentiality is my lack of understanding of the Spanish language!) But today was a great success. After sitting with the doctor for a few hours we all got into the van and traveled about 20 minutes down the road to see another doctor. For a long time her work was considered illegal until later in history when people found that doctors using natural remedies were blessed with great success. During the trip we all got to be assessed by the doctor as she diagnosed us with no technology only nature and science. After leaving and after seeing the monkeys near the woman’s house we returned back to the clinic where we were greeted by another fabulous meal prepared by our neighbor. The native dish today was rice, beans, homemade flour tortilla shells, and steak. The food was divine and after we carried on with our day.
The last stretch of the day a group of us traveled to a lady’s house in town and waited with the nurse, Gloria, to issue vaccines for Hepatitis to the patients. Many people came and went which made the afternoon very exciting to talk to everyone. Overall the day was a great success. I have become closer to a lot of people in the group and the community, my Spanish has improved surmountable amounts, and we have made a difference in so many people’s lives.

Hastaqueotravez (Until another time),

Dan
AK 1441

White Rose

Recently we held our White Rose Formal at Culver Cove in Culver. Our arrival to the venue did take a few hours in the car, but the whole weekend served as great bonding time between our brothers. It appeared as though everyone who went had a great time. A special thanks goes out to seniors, Luke Robbins and P.J. Tyson, for their part in planning this event!

With the excitement of Spring Break building, we also have to deal with the nervous anticipation of midterms approaching. With just one week separating us from beaches, foreign countries, or just time away from the classroom, we have to curb the excitement and make it through one more week.  The conclusion of this next week brings forth an exciting time at Wabash with Spring Break, the warmer weather, the opening of the new baseball stadium, Greek Week, and a slew of outdoor intramural sports. We would like to encourage our alumni to visit campus this semester. We look forward to seeing you around this spring!

In ZAX,

Brandt Warner '13

Bell Chapel Talk

As most everyone knows, the Chapel Talk the Thursday of Bell Week is the most attended chapel of the year. It is a chance for the Senior football captains and head coach Eric Raeburn to get the campus fired up for this weekends game. Although we did not have any brothers up on stage giving speeches, it is always a great Wabash tradition to listen in on these speeches. This year the talks were no exception. The captains delivered great pep talks to the campus and everyone left with spirits high looking forward to Saturday's game. Although we did not have any brothers up on stage speaking, there were two brothers who did their part by carrying in the 300lb bell to be rung loud and proud to begin the festivities. Grant McCloskey '12 and myself, Sam Starbuck '12 both Sphinx club Rhynies are pictured below, as is Coach Raeburn and the coveted Monon Bell.

On another note, make sure to stop by the house on Jennison Street on Saturday and pick up some tailgate food. There will be plenty to be had, as the brothers will have hot dogs, hamburgers and brats all prepared for your enjoyment. Hope to see you then.

Ding, Ding, Ding

BELL WEEK!!!!

For those of you who don't know, and those of you who do, it's BELL WEEK here at Wabash. With that being said do you have your parking spot reserved? Your RSVP in for the tailgate? If not you should by now. Spots are filling up quick. RSVP to myself at slstarbu12@wabash.edu.

The coveted tradition of Bell Week is even more special this year with that constant Ding, Ding, Ding going in the background as we sit through class, walk across the mall and practice our sports. The Bell is there as a constant reminder of what this week is all about. For all the upperclassmen it brings back vivid memories of staying up all night with your best friends and guarding campus from the evil empire of the south. For the underclassmen, they look forward to becoming part of the age old tradition. They hear the stories and look forward to making their own. This week is a special one for all here at Wabash. Everyone walks around with that little extra hop in their step, looking forward to arguably the biggest day of the year here at Wabash on Saturday. The bleachers have been installed, the bell is on the chapel steps and the ringing has begun. All that's left to do is take care of business on Saturday.

So to everyone out there, It's BELL WEEK!!!

Wabash Always Fights!!!

Challenge of Excellence Dinner

On Friday night six undergraduate brothers were give the opportunity to attend the Challenge of Excellence Dinner with the trustees of the college. At the dinner Brother Ted Grossnickle concluded the evening with a very exciting announcement pertaining to the 60 million dollar Challenge of Excellence Campaign that was officially kicked off on Friday night. It was a great experience for all six of us. Senior PJ Tyson gave a couple remarks about his experience at the dinner on Friday night.

" On the night of Friday, 0ctober 29, 2010, I was fortunate enough to attend the kickoff dinner for the Challenge of Excellence, Wabash’s newest capital campaign effort to raise $60 million.  The dinner was hosted in the KnowlingFieldhouse, where numerous trustees, faculty, alumni, and students were in attendance.  The evening represented a celebration and challenge to raise money for providing scholarships, maintaining teaching excellence, encountering the global community, and enriching education for career success.   I was truly honored to be in attendance.

            This event from a student’s perspective was awe-inspiring.  I would describe it as the best display of educational endeavor and Wabash spirit that I have ever witnessed.  The evening was marked with an extravagant four-course meal and priceless speeches and film segments by trustees, faculty, and students.At the end of the night, brother Ted Grossnickle ’73, a co-chairman of the Challenge of Excellence Committee, announced that Wabash alumni had already raised over $35 million of the total goal.  These selfless gifts by alumni, in what some would deem tough economic times, stuck me to the core.  No matter what the cause, Wabash men always seem to answer the call.

            The dinner not only announced what great opportunities that these gifts would provide to students, but also gave students like me the opportunity to mingle among our college’s most respected alumni and faculty.  I could personally tell how important this campaign is to them, ensuring that Wabash continues to thrive in the future. To see alumni of our house like Ted Grossnickle ’73, Greg Castanias ’87, and Greg Estell ’85 standout in the grand scale of the Wabash family is special to me.  I couldn’t be more blessed to be part of such a driven and influential community.  It will be great to see our excitement of this campaign turn into excellence that will continue forever."

Below are some photos of the dinner courtesy of Wabash College.

Brother Ted Grossnickle -- Co-Chair of Campaign

Brother Joe Emmick -- Dean of Advancement for Wabash College

Food Donations

The Brothers of Alpha Kappa have taken Philanthropy to a new level this year. We have decided to use our location across from the football stadium to our advantage on Saturday's of home games. We began selling parking spots in our parking lot and using that money to donate to various organizations in the Montgomery County area. Our most recent donation was to the F.I.S.H. food pantry. We were able to raise upwards of three hundred dollars. With this money we went to the local Walmart and purchased as many canned goods as possible to take and donate to the food pantry. This is also helps out our chapter in the North American Canned Food Drive that Lambda Chi Alpha takes part in nationally every year. On a beautiful sunny day last week some brothers were able to take some time after class to deliver nearly 600 pounds of canned foods to F.I.S.H. Below are some photos of the day.

IM Football Champs

A week ago, the brothers of Alpha Kappa set out to do something that has rarely happened before. To take down the mighty force of Sigma Chi for our second straight IM Football Championship. We were successful is doing so and brought home the hardware for the second year in a row.

For the brothers in the house IM's are something that we look forward to on a regular basis. Whether it be Chess, Darts or Football, they are all taken seriously by the men of Alpha Kappa. The IM season kicks off with football which tends to be the most coveted trophy of them all throughout the year. Last year with the help of Coach Kav and Fern Lambda Chi brought home the championship trophy with a huge win over Beta. For a second straight year we found ourselves in the championship game (on the turf), but this year was a bit different. We were without our two key coaches from the previous year who have moved on to bigger and better positions in the league. But, we were not going to let that stop us. Coach Kessler assembled a top notch group of guys that were able to assemble the winning combination and bring IM Football glory to its rightful home.

Back 2 Back Champs !!!