This past Saturday, February 6 2016, the Metagenes Alumni Association held the second annual Resume Workshop for active brothers. We reviewed resumes, provided edits and suggestions, and helped brothers prepare for life outside Cowgill. Special thanks to Chris Jones for conceiving of and organizing the workshop, and to Michele LeTourneur, Hunter Bristow, and Phil Buckberg for conducting reviews. Thanks also to the chapter for securing Cowgill 300 and for arriving with some very impressive resumes as well as with coffee and donuts!
Metagenes Meet-up at the APX 2016 Convention in Charlotte, NC?
Brothers,
The 2016 Alpha Rho Chi Convention is meeting in Charlotte, NC, as close to Blacksburg as the Convention has ever come. Who’s up for a Metagenation meet-up? Click here to visit the APX website convention page and find out more about registration, accommodations, and the agenda. You can spend the weekend without being a registered attendee, or you can visit for a day and hang out with brothers. Email me if you’re interested, and we’ll start to put a plan together: alumni@metagenes.org. – Phil
Alumni Update and Dues Notice
Here’s the text of the Metagenes Alumni Update and Dues Notice that went out this weekend:
Dear Metagenes Alumni Brothers,
Greetings from the Metagenes Alumni Association! On behalf of the Executive Board, I am writing to tell you that we miss you, and to let you know about the many things we’re working on to improve our alumni association, our chapter, and Alpha Rho Chi. When you read about all of the progress and the happenings, I hope you will be inspired and motivated to support our brothers with an annual dues payment and a visit to the chapter or an alumni event.
Check out the Metagenes Alumni Association page on Facebook, and at www.metagenes.org/alumni-news, to keep up with news, schedules, and other information.
Dues and Donations
It’s been a while since we collected dues or asked for donations, but we need your help now for ongoing and upcoming expenses:
- APX Annual Convention delegate registration fee
- Metagenes Alumni Association annual fee for our registered agent
- Metagenes Alumni Association annual dues to the Grand Council
- One-time IRS fee to reinstate our tax-exempt status
- Occasional support for the chapter (initiation expenses, etc.)
Future
APX is looking for ways to engage alumni across the nation, and alumni associations will be a big part of that. We have a lot of new chapters who want to create their own alumni associations, and a lot of new alumni looking for ways to connect. Metagenes can be at the front of that movement, providing connections, best practices and other wisdom to help new alumni and new alumni organizations get going. That can lead to networking and other professional opportunities as well as to social events and possibilities.
Locally, we still have the same priorities we’ve always had:
- Keep in touch with each other
- Keep the chapter strong
Conclusions
- Please pay your 2016 Annual Dues of $40 by visiting our website at metagenes.org and clicking “Metagenes Alumni Dues” (or you can go directly to http://metagenes.org/dues/.)
- Join the Metagenes Alumni Association page on Facebook.
- Send us your email address so we can keep you up to date if you’re not on Facebook.
- Come to an event!
- Let us know how brothers can help brothers!
Fidelitas, Amor, et Artes,
Phil Buckberg
President, Metagenes Alumni Association
More Founders' Day 2007 Pictures
Brian Earle presents Kim with the Master Baster award
Ray Consoli and wife Joan Pryde
Brian Earle, Matt Williams, and Kristen Ruch, lounging in the shade
Kim Clark, Ray Consoli, John Shelor
Allen McDonald, Kim Clark, John Shelor
“It has the ring of…what the…Made in China?!?”
Aaron, Kristen, Shannon Follweiller, Justin, Kent McCullough, food
2007 Metagenes Founders' Day Picnic
Phil Buckberg
Founders’ Day 2007 at Virginia Tech (held April 21) was a time for Metagenes actives and alumni to celebrate our future, honor our past, and remember the tragedy of April 16. With most college activities cancelled, we chose instead to meet at Mike’s Grill for lunch (best burgers in town!). On the clear and bright Saturday afternoon, Rick Jenkins, Jeff Kendrick and I wandered the Virginia Tech campus, visiting the old dorms, new buildings, and, of course, the bookstore. We spent a part of the afternoon viewing the many memorials on the Drill Field in the center of campus. The events of last Monday have brought an uncomfortable, unwelcome sort of attention to our campus, and I think that part of my reason for visiting was to restore my personal connection to my alma mater, separate from the very public images that now define Virginia Tech for the rest of the world.
All of the Metagenes brothers still in town planned a wonderful afternoon for us. We set up our picnic in a town park, and the active chapter brought out a feast of burgers and hot dogs, salads and desserts. The highlight of the event was a presentation by the chapter to Kim Clark, our beloved alumni brother and, now, recipient of the Dwight “Pop” Ely Award. Rick Jenkins followed by welcoming the graduating seniors into the Metagenes Alumni Association, and proud new mom and current MAA president Michelle LeTourner quickly offered them all the chance to take over board positions! Finally, alumni Ray Consoli and his wife, Joan, invited everyone to visit the Virginia Tech War Memorial Chapel after the picnic, to present flowers as a memorial from the Metagenes Chapter.
Gary Ehrlich (Vitruvius alumnus), Michelle Letourner (Metagenes alumna) with Delta Sigma pledge class member Meridian.
This was a most special day for the chapter, who insisted on holding the picnic in the wake of the tragic events. Together, actives and alumni were able to put the formal, public mourning time behind us, to celebrate with each other, and to discuss our plans for the future. At a time when Hokies most needed to come together, Founders’ Day offered the perfect venue for all of us to connect and move on. Happy Birthday, Alpha Rho Chi and Metagenes.
Click on a thumbnail to see full pic
Kim Clark, Brian Earle, Matt Williams, Kent McCullough, and Liz Norwood
Michelle Ringley, Kristen Ruch, Nate Williams, Liz Norwood, Holly Harshman, Shannon Follweiller, Regional Director and Vitruvius alumni Aaron Feldman-Grosse in back
Kim Clark proudly displaying the Pop Ely award
Relics from the 20th century: Allen McDonald, Phil Buckberg, Ray Consoli, Kim Clark, John Shelor
Jeff Kendrick, Worthy Grand Scribe Rick Jenkins, Liz Clark Lerch, Mary Brady Deverter, Ray Consoli
Brian Earle, Matt Williams’ shirt, Kim Clark, Kent McCullough’s hair (above Kim), Liz Norwood, Nate Williams, long-suffering spouse Bonnie Clark, Michelle Ringley, Allen McDonald, Hyewon Kim, Carlyn Luu, Lexa Rio, James Harte and, in back, John Shelor, Michelle LeTourner, Gary Ehrlich and Joan Pryde.
