FALL INDUCTION AND BANQUET 2014

We recently inducted our newest class, Alpha Tau!

Alpha Tau Class

After the ceremony, we celebrated the closing of fall semester with a banquet in the Ohio Union. We laughed, we cried and we ate eggplant lasagne. Awards and recognition chairs Fallon Zakeri and Lindsay Scheinbach did an incredible job organizing the carnival-themed event.

Lindsay and Fallon

Alpha Pi Class

Alpha Omicron Class

In tradition, we gave a farewell to our four graduating seniors: Rianne Mendoza, Alison Boyd, Michael Schuler and Alex Mann.

Rianne, Michael, Alison and Alex

Plenty of Brothers won superlatives--some goofy, others more focused on the tripod!

Ryan Klamet won biggest clown!

Newly initiated Brother Eric Vinyard won best leadership and Amber DuPree won most creative!

And at the end of the night, Kim K showed up...

#MemberMonday

Dan Boberek

4th Year majoring in City and Regional Planning

Given the choice of anyone in the world, whom would you want as a dinner guest and why?

• Natalie Portman. I feel like that counts as a date and I can't pass up the opportunity.

What would constitute a perfect day for you and why?

• This is a funny question because I've had a ton of conversations with people about whether a perfect day can exist. But regardless, a perfect day for me would be a busy day where I have a lot to do with people I love spending time with, but nothing on my mind or nothing I have to do. The best days in my life are days where I can forget about my big obligations and things that are worrying me or stressing me out, even for a little bit.

If you join the circus, what would perform and why?

• I actually always wanted to be a lion tamer as a kid. I realize now how terrifying that is but I would still probably pick it anyways. That or trampolining. 

What’s your most embarrassing childhood memory and why?

• Ohhhh I have plenty to choose from hahaha. One morning, I wasn't feeling well and I did not want to go to school. But my mom never let me skip school unless I was practically dying so I had to go anyways. On the bus ride to school, I vomited everywhere. And the inertia on the bus from stopping and starting at the stops really helped spread the love to the rest of the bus... It was really embarrassing that day but its been a really funny memory ever since then.

Natalie Temme

4th year double majoring in Political Science (Comparative Politics) and Spanish (Iberian Studies)

Given the choice of anyone in the world, whom would you want as a dinner guest and why?

• OBAMA YO MAMA! Our dear leader, President Barack Obama. Why? Disregard all the haters, because this man is amazing. He is noble; he is wise; he is resilient; he is majestic. ABOVE ALL, he is one of the few people who truly, truly cares about the citizens of our nation and of the world. I do not believe that he is looking for leverage or power. He is trying to do what is right, and America needs him. Regardless of your opinion on his policies, he is a bright figurehead of hope. Sometimes when I'm really stressed out I have dreams where I meet him, and we hug, and it's great. One of my strange secrets! MERICA!

What would constitute a perfect day for you and why?

• My perfect day would be in October (my favorite month, duh). I would wake up early, around 7 am, and not be sleepy. I would then eat a breakfast sandwich and drink black coffee while watching the news. After that, I would get my hair professionally done (because that's a good time, let me tell ya). Aside from those basic necessities for a perfect day, it would also involve a visit to the bookstore, dinner at a restaurant, and a film at the movie theater. Lots of laughter, friends, sunshine and more laughter. Annnnd I definitely sound like my perfect day is taking myself out on a date. No regrets. Maybe I'd get to meet Obama AND Ben Affleck.

If you join the circus, what would perform and why?

• I would be the Ring Master, because I RUN STUUUUUFFF. There would also be no animals involved, because animal cruelty is NOT COOL.

What’s your most embarrassing childhood memory and why?

• Being a child in general. If that's too self-deprecating, then we'll go with my hideous bowl haircut. My mom denied me luscious locks as a child.

#MemberMonday

Gia Fantozzi

4th year in Strategic Communication

What's your favorite book? 

• The entire Harry Potter series because growing up with a book series is so cool. 

What's your favorite spot on campus? 

• I really enjoy the Union. It's a great place to study, meet friends and just hang out! You also never know who you will see there (ex. SHAQ). 

What's your most vivid childhood memory? 

• Sadly my most vivid childhood memory is getting my finger tip cut off when I was 5. Kinda traumatizing. 

What's the best advice you were ever given? 

• Be yourself! It's a common one, but I think it's the key to happiness

Melissa Landsman 

Sophomore majoring in Neuroscience and minoring in Art Studio

What is your favorite meal you've ever had?

• The meatball at Marcella's. Basically, it is heaven in the shape of a ball.

If you won the lottery, what would you do with the money?

• First I would donate 1/4 of the money to Rainbow Babies and Children's Hospital, and I would save 1/4 of the money. I would use the rest to buy my parents a house in Key West, Florida and travel the world with my family.

Where is your favorite place to be in the world?

• My favorite place to be is at my lake in my neighborhood back at home when the sun is setting.

What celebrity do you get mistaken for?

• Beyonce, obviously ;)

#MemberMonday

Albert Lee

Senior majoring business with a specialization in logistics management and a minor in general psychology

If you could paint a picture of any scenery you’ve seen before, what would you paint and why?

• I would paint something like this (see attached image, and not my picture by the way). This is the main city square in Ljubljana, Slovenia also known as Prešeren Square. I really enjoyed my one week in Ljubljana, its such a beautiful city. It felt surreal when I first got there and took my breathe away for sure. I'd paint it because I want to inspire other people to visit Ljubljana!

What’s the best gift you’ve ever given and why?

• My sister and I gave our mom a digital photo album once for mothers day. It was filled with pictures from my parents wedding all the way up to my senior year of high school. I think it got to her and she still uses it to this day.

If you were a type of animal, what would you be and why?

• I'd be a Marmot hands down. Just because they are freaking awesome I mean come on, just look at them and tell me they aren't awesome. Plus they also live in the mountains and eventually I'd like to live near the Rocky mountains.

Where do you most want to travel, but have never been and why?

• I'd love to travel around in Germany because I took 3 years of German (even though I forgot most of it) between high school and college. It would be nice to try the local foods and explore the country side. 

Tyler Parker

Third year majoring in Arabic

If you could paint a picture of any scenery you’ve seen before, what would you paint and why?

• I would paint my view from the Columbus Park of Roses this past week as I sat on one of the benches because the scene was surreal with its -beauty.

What’s the best gift you’ve ever given and why?

• I gave my girlfriend a gold ring with an inset pearl for her birthday this past week. I think it's been the best gift I have given because I worked hard to find it and she seems to really love it.

If you were a type of animal, what would you be and why?

• I would be a gemsbok, an antelope that resides in the Kalahari Desert. I'm not entirely sure why I would want to be a gemsbok; I suppose they are pretty majestic and of course, they have an awesome name!

Where do you most want to travel, but have never been and why?

• I want to travel to the United Arab Emirates because I want to see the mixture of traditional Arabian culture and rapid westernization they have there. In one day I could go from buying a Polo shirt from one of the largest malls in the world to speaking Arabic in a desert village, and to me that's pretty cool.

#MemberMonday

Sam Posa

Fourth year majoring in Computer Science & Engineering

What's the best meal you've ever had?

• I had toasted coconut waffles with mango syrup on the south end of Central Park. It was like $22 for one medium-sized waffle but it was so good I didn't even care. Go to Sarabeth's if you're ever in Manhattan!

If you won the lottery, what would you do with the money?

• I would pick a random person and spend most of the lottery money hiring amateur actors to be in public places where the victim is and, slowly but steadily, convince him he's dreaming and needs to wake up. The rest I'd spend on a house where all the floors are trampolines #priorities

What is your favorite place to be and why?

• A large lake/ocean with lots of trees and zero other people or signs of civilization in sight. Pure, uninterrupted peace.

What celebrity do you get mistaken for?

• Jesse Eisenberg. And Brad Pitt of course

#MemberMonday

Breanna Soroka

4th year majoring in journalism with minors in music and fashion

What about yourself do you find the most pride in and why?

• I think I take pride most in my style--I love trying new things with what I wear and feel like most of the time it works out okay! (Unless I look like a crazy every day and no one is telling me. Oops.) 

What is the craziest thing that you have ever done in your life?

• The craziest thing I've ever done is drive to New Jersey for Warped Tour to see one specific person perform. I'm from Youngstown, Ohio and had to leave at like 2 or 3 in the morning to pick up my cousin in New York and then shimmy on up to the venue in Jersey. It was so worth it though, I got to meet one of my favorite artists and see a ton more great bands. And I learned that I hate New Jersey. A lot.

Who would play you in a movie about your life and why?

• If my life was made into a movie, I would want Aubrey Plaza to play me. She is even more awkward than I am (if that's even possible) and I think her cynicism is the greatest. Really she is just deadpan and dark and everything I want to be. 

What is your favorite book and why?

• My favorite book is all of them. I can't pick just one! I would feel too badly about leaving any of them out, like the books themselves would be offended.

Lindsay Scheinbach

 4th year studying Marketing and French

What about yourself do you find the most pride in and why?

• I have to take pride in my persistence. It may cause me a lot of stress, or may bug my friends some times, but it makes me who I am, and I think all of the great things that have happened in my life is because I've pushed through. I wouldn't be where I am today without being persistent to be the best person, student, and friend that I could be.

What is the craziest thing that you have ever done in your life?

• I decided to study abroad in New Zealand. I didn't know anyone, I was really far away from home, and didn't realize what I was doing until basically the day before I left for that summer. Then I went, hiked volcanoes, swam under waterfalls, went to Australia and snorkeled in the Great Barrier Reef, jumped into lakes that were actually extinct volcanic craters that had filled up with water...Yeah I'd say that was pretty crazy.

Who would play you in a movie about your life and why?

• Totally Zoe Deschanel. Don't you see the resemblance? She also dresses adorably and is super awkward, which I totally envy in her, so I want her to be me.

What is your favorite book and why?

• I don't think I could decide on just one, but one would be Oh the Places You'll Go by Dr. Seuss. I think it's an inspirational book for anyone, no matter how old you are, to not be afraid of the next chapter in your life, to strive for something even better for yourself, and to be proud of who you are and what you've accomplished. Or maybe it just means I'm a kid at heart. Either way, it always makes me feel good to read it.

Big/Little Bonding: Pumpkin Carving Take 2!

On Sunday, Beta Iota held their first Big/Little Bonding event! We took advantage of a beautiful fall day and carved pumpkins! Since nothing is fun without a little competition, we're going to have a PUMPKIN CARVING CONTEST!

Please vote for one of these pumpkins by October 27th, and the winner will get a special prize at Chapter :)

Pumpkin 1                                                                                        Pumpkin 2

Pumpkin 3                                                                                        Pumpkin 4

Pumpkin 5                                                                                        Pumpkin 6

Pumpkin 7                                                                                        Pumpkin 8

Pumpkin 9                                                                                        Pumpkin 10

Pumpkin 11                                                                                      Pumpkin 12

Pumpkin 13                                                                                      Pumpkin 14

Pumpkin 15                                                                                      Pumpkin 16

Pumpkin 17                                                                                      Pumpkin 18

Cast you vote here!!

#MemberMonday

Alec Raymond

3rd Year studying Finance

What is your most embarrassing childhood memory?

• I pulled the fire alarm by accident in fifth grade.

What is your favorite movie and why?

• My favorite movie is Blue Velvet. A dark classic coming of age tale stooped in mystery, sensuality, and dark symbolism.

If you could choose, what would your last meal be?

• Ideally, my last meal would be a well cooked French bouillabaisse with thick slices of bread.

What do you hope to achieve by 50?

• By 50 I hope to be working a job doing financial analysis and to have traveled through and worked in a significant portion of the world.

Eric Mohler 

5th Year studying Psychology 

What is your most embarrassing childhood memory?

• Of the many embarrassing moments I had as a child, the most embarrassing would be when I had to stand up in front of the church congregation and sing backstreet boys songs with my brother. Single. Most. Embarrassing. Moment. EVER!

What is your favorite movie and why?

• My favorite movie of all time is Love Actually. Christmas has always been my favorite time of the year and I am a diehard romantic so the movie is a perfect blend of both. (The scene when the kid runs through the airport to say goodbye to his childhood crush and the card scene with Natalie Portman are the best.)

If you could choose, what would your last meal be?

• My last meal would be a perfect steak wrapped in bacon, my grandma's sweet potato casserole and baked apples, then a slice of peanut butter pie.

What do you hope to achieve by 50?

• One thing I desperately want to achieve by the time I'm 50 is backpacking across Europe.

#MemberMonday

Grace McIlwain

Fifth year studying Pharmacutical

 Sciences

What is your biggest fear and why?

• My biggest fear is heights! Unfortunately this means Cedar Point is much more frightening than it is fun for me.

If you had a brainwashing machine, who would you use it on and why?

• If I had a brainwashing machine I would use it on the people who made it to make them forget how to make it and then destroy the machine because that is some terrifying technology and it should not exist.

If you could be reincarnated as a fruit, what would it be and why?

• I would be reincarnated as a pomegranate because it’s a really strange fruit but is also delicious and very good for you.

Who are you closest to in your life?

• I am closest to my mother. She is my role model and my rock and I would be very lucky to become half the woman she is.

Katie Lewis

Fourth year studying nursing

What is your biggest fear and why?

• My biggest fear lately is failing. There is so much in my life that I am terrified of messing up. What's so scary for me is knowing that the things that I screw up now could cause lasting damage.

If you had a brainwashing machine, who would you use it on and why?

• Hmm this is interesting. Haha I would probably brainwash Darren Criss to love me. I would probably do something more important too like brainwash millionaires to donate their money to those in need. 

If you could be reincarnated as a fruit, what would it be and why?

• I would want to be reincarnated as a pear. I love pears. They are such an underappreciated fruit. They smell and taste delicious and are a lovely color. Also, pear is fabulous curvy woman shape. 

Who are you closest to in your life?

• I am closest to my sister Danielle. We are not quite 2 years apart in age so we have grown up together and been through a lot of tough things in our lives together. She's my baby sister, my biggest supporter, and best friend. She is one of the few people that I can 100% say I would do anything for.

Sparking New Ideas Thanks to our Chapter Consultant

Last week, Beta Iota had a visit from our Chapter Consultant, Christiana. Christiana presented us with fresh and innovative ideas to improve and grow as a Chapter. We enjoyed meeting and learning from her, and are looking forward to putting Christiana's suggestions into action.

Thank you so much for coming Christiana, and we can't wait for you to visit again! Make sure to represent The Ohio State University at the Phi Sigma Pi national offices by wearing your sweatshirt often :)

#MemberMonday

Julie Magnuson 

Senior studying Psychology 

If you could sing one song on American Idol, what would it be and why?

• The way you make me feel by Michael Jackson since I sing that all the time in my head anyway.

If you could wake up tomorrow having gained one quality or ability, what would it be and why?

• I wish I could talk to pups.

If you could go back in time, what year would you travel to and why?

• I'd go back relive my junior year of college as many times as possible.

If you could have been a child prodigy what would you have wanted to be skilled at and why?

• Probably computers so I could invent an app and make enough money that I don't have to go to grad school.

Katie Caldwell

4th year health sciences major and biology minor

If you could sing one song on American Idol, what would it be and why?

• Oh definitely Like a Bridge Over Troubled Water...remember when American was still cool and everyone watched it, and Clay Aiken sang that song in the finals or something...all the gospel singers came out of nowhere! It was so triumphant. Look it up if you've never seen it-life changing. 

If you could wake up tomorrow having gained one quality or ability, what would it be and why?

• Honestly..I think the ability to never be tired.  I could just be so much more productive and efficient if I were never tired. We could all probably do some big stuff with 7 or 8 more hours in the day-maybe change the world. But we'll never know because naps and sleep are just too necessary and great. 

If you could go back in time, what year would you travel to and why?

• This is kind of a non-stereotypical answer but I would really love to go back to the 1920's-30's when my grandparents were little and growing up on a farm.  Times were pretty tough then but they produced tough people, and the concept of living on a farm and growing everything you eat and need is so fascinating to me..and so far-fetched from the world we live in today.  Life was simpler then in a lot of ways, and I think it would be a really cool perspective to get!

If you could have been a child prodigy what would you have wanted to be skilled at and why?

• Either playing the piano or being a gymnast.  I still wish I could play the piano to this day!  Music is such a moving and beautiful thing! And every time I watch the Olympic gymnasts I just feel like they're such super stars and that I've done nothing with my life because they're like 15 and world-class athletes on a global stage!  I think that ship has sailed for me..maybe piano someday though! haha

#MemberMonday

David Friedhoff

4th year Industrial and Systems Engineering major

If you could have personally witnessed anything from history, what would you want to have seen and why?

• The development of the first school

For what in your life do you feel the most grateful and why?

• The support of my friends and family

When you were little, what did you want to be and why?

• Professional Athlete, my family loves sports

What would you name the autobiography of your life and why?

• "The Story of How Some Kid Changed the World From the Ground Up"

Ben Schumann

Third year and Economics/Political Science

If you could have personally witnessed anything from history, what would you want to have seen and why?

• I would have loved to see the collapse of the Berlin Wall - seeing that quintessential moment of freedom and reunification must have been awe-inspiring.

For what in your life do you feel the most grateful and why?

• I am most grateful for the power of forgiveness - we all screw up and do stupid things now and again, but that doesn't usually mean that a given person should be written off from your life.

When you were little, what did you want to be and why?

• I wanted to be President of the United States when I was little, because I thought I was a nice person who would be super good at helping people!

What would you name the autobiography of your life and why?

• I would name my autobiography "Chasing Clouds," because my life up until now has always been focused on reaching high aspirations yet trying to enjoy the landscape along the way.

Top 5 Memories from Fall Retreat!

This past weekend, Beta Iota traveled to Camp Falling Rock to attend our Annual Fall Retreat! We shared many laughs and special moments together as a Chapter! Here's a countdown of the top 5 memories:

  5. Brother Candids

4. Canoeing 

3. S'mores

2. Brother Bonding

1. Almost having these spiders as roommates

A big thank you goes out to Katie and Krissy for organizing a great retreat! Thanks to you we all had a wonderful time!