Food Drive

Hurry, hurry! Make your contribution! Pi Gamma Mu Delaware BETA Chapter is conducting a food drive to benefit the Claymont Community Center Food Closet. Donations may be dropped off at the College of Social & Behavioral Sciences offices at the New Castle campus.

Pi Gamma Mu Updates- Fall 2012

A NEW SEASON OF PI GAMMA MU DELAWARE BETA CHAPTER ACTIVITIES: DOVER OFFICERS: President: Dayna Ludwig and Vice-President: Jazmin Ribeiro. NEW CASTLE OFFICERS: President: Sarah Cebula; Vice-President of Membership: Vanessa Hamm; Vice-President of Events: Holly Engelhart; Secretary: Dena Broadnax; Co-Chairs of the Food Drive: Sarah Cebula & Quincy Muraguri. MARCH 8, 2013 INDUCTION CEREMONY: All new members will be inducted on March 8, 2013. This event is a College of Social and Behavioral Sciences event and several other honor societies will also hold their inductions at the same time. The dress code is Sunday’s best or business casual. Pi Gamma Mu members also help to organize this event as they develop a scrolling power point slide show of PGM member’s service hours pictures, staff tables where the inductees check in, show people to their tables, and conduct the Pi Gamma Mu T-shirt sales in the back of the room. PI GAMMA MU T-Shirts: T-shirts are available for purchase from the College of Social & Behavioral Sciences office M-F 9AM- 5PM. T-shirts are $9.00 each. They are grey heather and have dark blue Pi Gamma Mu printing on them and come in generic sizes small through 2X. PI GAMMA MU PRIDE DAY: The group briefly discussed having a Pi Gamma Mu pride day sometime this year. Further discussions along with the PGM Alumni Group will be held to organize this event. A Co- Chair for this event is needed, and it would be nice for a Chair from the Alumni Group to work with the Chair from the undergrad group. FOOD DRIVE: The group has decided to immediately begin a food drive to benefit the Claymont Community Center. Members present agreed to decorate boxes and put up signs encouraging contributions of non-perishable food for the food drive. Food collection boxes will be placed in the DAC, People’s Building, the Pratt Student Center, and the Alumni Building of the New castle campus. The drive will end Tuesday, November 20 so this will be a quick drive. PGM members will also monitor the boxes. POLAR BEAR PLUNGE: PGM Delaware BETA Chapter will again be participating in the 2013 annual Lewes Polar Bear Plunge to benefit the Delaware Special Olympics. The Alumni Chapter has developed a flyer about this event, and this year PGM will host the event for Wilmington University students or faculty or staff. More will be forthcoming about the Polar Bear Plunge. INDIVIDUAL 10-HOUR SERVICE REQUIREMENT: Any “newbies” graduating in January who have completed their service hours and is actively involved in PGM activities may be able to get their honor cords for graduation, although they will not receive the official certificate of membership until inducted in March. Discussion was held about the importance of service hours and the legacy PGM has of contributing back to their communities. Individual service hours may be conducted in whatever organization any one wishes as this is an individual event. Prof Bishop shared that Pi Gamma Mu International will recognize the Delaware BETA Chapter for its outstanding record of service in the next PGM newsletter. STEWARDS OF CHILDREN: Professor Sitler attended the meeting to discuss the Stewards of Children and Delaware initiative to educate 35,000 people about recognizing child abuse. This is an opportunity for PGM members to do service hours. Anyone interested should contact Prof Sitler at Lorraine.r.sitler@wilmu.edu

Happy Veteran's Day!

If any Pi Gamma Mu Delaware BETA Chapter members have served in the military or are on active duty, please let us all say THANK YOU for your service! Let us know who you are, OK. You can simply post a comment here or email one of us to let us know who you are.

Pi Gamma Mu Member Opens Hospitality School

Rick Carter, one of the Chairs of the Pi Gamma Mu Alumni group and Administration of Human Services student has recently openened his own non-profit business.

The Hospitality School aims to educate individuals who need specialized training, in developing skills required for employment in the hospitality industry. According to The Hospitality School's website, "The goal of the program is to prepare unemployed, underemployed, previously incarcerated persons, foster care youth, at risk youth, those with disABILITIES, and homeless adults for careers in the foodservice industry." Kudos to Rick and we wish him all the best in this great endeavor!!!

Pi Gamma Mu At Faculty Development Day

Yesterday was Fall Faculty Development Day at Wilmu. If you look closely at these pics you may see one of your professors attending Faculty Development Day! In particular, you may see Ron, Scott, Stephanie, Melody, or Deb who are also Pi Gamma Mu members!!!

Faculty Development Day is a semi-annual event when adjunct faculty gather for additional training so they can be even more effective instructors! It was nice to see that Ron and Stephanie were active presenters... always Pi Gamma Mu exhibiting service to others!!!

More About the Green & White Ball

If you are able to, please think about attending the Green and White Ball! This is a great scholarship fund-raising event for students at Wilmu! The entire DAC will be redecorated and classrooms will be transformed into gourmet eateries, each featuring a different country or theme. We have received amazing support from great restaurants and other food vendors in the community who will be providing food and drink for this event. This is the 3rd annual Green and White Ball-- it has become a Wilmu featured event, so come dance, and eat, and enjoy!

Pi Gamma Mu at the Green & White Ball

At Wilmu, our thoughts and attention are geared toward the upcoming Green and White Ball being held on Saturday, October 27! This is our annual scholarship fundraiser. Since Wilmington University is a non-profit institution that provides educational opportunity, being able to provide tuition assistance is part of helping those who would otherwise not be able to earn a degree in higher education. THIS YEAR I AM PROUD THAT SEVERAL PI GAMMA MU MEMBERS WILL BE "WORKING" AT THIS EVENT AS POURERS. Stay tuned as I will be running around taking pictures to post after! If you're looking for a fun evening and want to contribute to a worthwhile cause, please consider attending the Green and While Ball.

Homecoming & Upcoming Gathering October 11

September started a new academic year and Wilmington University's first ever Homecoming Weekend! The Pi Gamma Mu Alumni Chapter was there on a glorious sunny day supporting our soccer team at the new athletic facility on Pulaski Highway! The stands were filled with Wilmu students and alumns enjoying this wonderful day! Our next gathering will be on October 11 at the Harrad's Casino in Chester, PA. Stop by and say "Hi" to your colleagues from Pi Gamma Mu.

Gathering with alums is a wonderful networking opportunity! Come join us for some fun! Hope to see you there :)

2013 Polar Bear Plunge

It's not too soon to think about the 2013 Polar Bear Plunge! Team Pi Gamma Mu at Wilmington University will again be plunging... the date is February 3, 2013-- so SAVE the DATE!

PGM As Commencement Speaker

Stephanie did all of Pi Gamma Mu very proud today as the commencement speaker for the College of Social & Behavioral Sciences commencement ceremony! Shown here with Board of Trustees President Irenee DuPont, Stephanie emphasized on going learning and giving back in her adress. She has exemplified the ideals of Pi Gamma Mu through her service to others, exemplary scholarship, and her inspiration to all to be the best you can be. Congratulations, Stephanie!

2012 Spring Commencement

Oh Happy Day! This was the day Wilmington University graduated almost 1200 students and among them were plenty of Pi Gamma Mu students proudly wearing their honor chords.

Students were full of smiles and happy to be be "done" with classes, but as PGM-ers we all know that service projects are yet to be done :)!

Adjunct faculty member and Pi Gamma Mu Chapter Advisor George also made the trip upstate to attend commencement.

Service Hours- Walk for Autism

Yay! Another Service Project completed! Hanna participated in the Walk for Autism in Spring 2012.

Thanks for helping Pi Gamma Mu lead the way regarding service learning at Wilmu!

Service Projects

This is just a reminder to PGM members to do their service projects... it can be anything you choose...

On this Mother's Day I chose to donate and drop off old towels I'd been collecting to the Faithful Friends no-kill animal shelter. I came to know about this shelter because one of the PGM members had done an internship with them a few years ago. Please remember that no matter what or no matter where, any service work you do will help the community! Please don't forget to let us know about it.

NJ PGMers

Pi Gamma Mu Election of Officers meeting: April 3 at 4 PM in Cumberland. Please contact mary.s.berridge@wilmu.edu for more information.

Service Project Ideas

Did you know that you can claim service project credit for organizing something? If you are a pet lover and want to collect items for an animal shelter, or organize a PGM team to participate in a walk-run event, or put together a team to participate in a veteran's remembrance or service project, you can claim that as service hours. As a college graduate, you will be expected to take a leadership role in society-- so here is your training ground-- learn to be a leader right here, and right now!

Induction Speaker- Stephanie S.

If you think her name is familiar, it's because she has been a 2-year veteran Polar Bear Lunge organizer, BETA Chapter VP, and one of four PGM Alumni Chapter co-founders. For this Spring's induction ceremony, she took time out of her busy work schedule to give the keynote speech. She represents what PGM is about- scholarship and service, and we thank her for everything she has done and continues to do for our chapter! Thank you, Stephanie!

Service Hours

Pi Gamma Mu members are expected to complete 10 service hours to a project or cause of their choice. As you complete your service hours, please comment on this blog to tell us what you did. If you have pictures to share, please email them to johanna.p.bishop@wilmu.edu so that she can post them on this blog. Your photo will then be used in a future power point showing of all service projects completed. Just a few things to remember: The ALumni Picnic is in September-- please join us for good food and socializing-- and it's FREE! Remember that as a group, we will continue to conduct a food drive to benefit a local food closet during November. Anyone interested in ringing bells as Santa during the holidays? The annual Polar Bear Plunge is in February 2013-- please join us at the beach even if you don't want to plunge.

First Mixer!

A small, but very dedicated, group of Pi Gamma Mu Alumni Chapter members met at Kid Shelleen's last Friday to get to know each other and discuss possibilities!

This chapter promises to be a growing force in the coming years-- as it seeks to establish a Pi Gamma Mu community for social and professional networking. Look for our future gatherings and come back here to check for updates often!

Kid Shelleen's Mixer Tomorrow!

Hi Everyone- This is just a reminder that there is a FIRST TIME EVER Pi Gamma Mu Mixer tomorrow at Kid Shelleen's in Wilmington. The event is from 5:30-7:30 PM. It is FREE!!! Address: Kid Shelleen's, 1801 West 14th Street Wilmington, DE 19806 • Phone: 302-658-4600 Please RSVP to Stacey Stickel at stacey.b.stickel@wilmu.edu to let her know you'll be coming. See you there! JPB

March 2012 Induction

25 new members were inducted into Pi Gamma Mu today, and one of the "old" Pi Gamma Mu member who has moved on to the graduate program was inducted into the AHS honor society.

Now on to next week's mixer at Kid Shelleen's!!!

MARCH 9th Kid Shelleen's Mixer! Come, Join!

Come join us the the first ever Pi Gamma Mu Alumni Mixer at Kid Shelleen's in Wilmington on Friday, March 9. You don't have to be an alum to attend, just come if you are a Wilmington University student who is a Pi Gamma Mu member. Please RSVP to Johanna Bishop if you plan to attend johanna.p.bishop@wilmu.edu

More Polar Bear Pics

Polar Bear Album on Snapfish

Polar Plunge photo updates... please click on this link for the complete album... http://www5.snapfish.com/snapfish/thumbnailshare/AlbumID=6019103025/a=8940544025_8940544025/otsc=SHR/otsi=SALBlink/COBRAND_NAME=snapfish/

Polar Bears Plunge in 2012

Pi Gamma Mu Polar Bears plunged into the frigid waters of the Atlantic on February 5, 2012 to benefit the Delaware Special Olympics.PGM DE BETA Chapter members raised $1295.00 for this event.

To keep overly enthusiastic polar bears from plunging in ahead of time, the beach was guarded by strong men making sure no one jumped into those waters ahead of time!

Unlike 2011, when the air temp was actually colder but the sun shone brightly, the 2012 plunge was dominated by grey skies, dark swirling water and frisky waves, wind blowing from the north-- which altogether made for a frigid plunge at Rehoboth Beach. Bodies were braced against the cold, and feet stung with ice needle-like prickles as bare feet stood on the sand. Faces grimaced in the cold air and feelings of "What in the world am I doing?" were displayed in hunched shoulders looking at the angry grey waters beating the shore. Family and friends joined BETA Chapter Polar Bears as they struggled to put up a Wilmington University banner and keep it upright in the strong winds.

BETA Chapter officer, and plunge organizer, Stephanie Sczcerba's husband, Pete, and a niece work to outwit the wind in keeping the banner upright and from blowing away. Many thanks to Pete for working so hard to make sure that Wilmu had its own place on the beach!

We are already looking forward to next year, when we promise to have crazy polar bear hats available for all who want to wear them :)

Polar Bear Plunge Next Sunday

Once again, Pi Gamma Mu honor society members will be plunging into the frigid Atlantic to benefit the DE Special Olympics! The plunge will take place next Sunday, Feb 5th in Rehoboth Beach. Please come join us to either plunge with us or cheer us on. If you plan to join us, PLEASE WEAR WILMINGTON UNIVERSITY APPAREL SO THAT WE CAN IDENTIFY YOU. We will meet at the Wilmu Rehoboth Beach site at Noon for some refreshments. Please RSVP to me, Johanna Bishop, if you plan to be there. If you are so inclined, you may support us with a donation to our team effort by going to http://www.firstgiving.com/plungede/2012-lewes-polar-bear-plunge-for-special-olympics To donate, you can look for team The Pi Gamma Mu at Wilmington University. Thank you for your support- I know you will be sending warm thoughts our way 

Alumni Chapter Mixer

Pi Gamma Mu DE Beta Chapter’s newly formed Alumni Chapter is hosting a mixer at Kid Shelleen’s in Wilmington on Friday, March 9, from 5:30-7:30. While this is most applicable to students about to graduate, all PGM members are welcome – after all, eventually you will all be alumni! This is a great way of meeting fellow PGM members in a relaxed atmosphere; and it’s never too early to start networking. So remember to join us: Friday, March 9, 5:30 PM

2012 Polar Bear Plunge

It's here again!!! Time to get ready for the annual Polar Bear Plunge in Rehoboth Beach, DE. PGM- BETA Chapter will again be plunging for a good cause-- the Special Olympics. Please come down and cheer us on-- we need your support, and if you can plunge with us, all the better!

Graduation Day :)

Today was a happy d ay for many Wilmington University students, as 1,550 of them graduated. Among them were quite a few Pi Gamma Mu grads. The smiles on their faces say it all... Congrats to all of you! Notice they are wearing their blue and white honor chords?