 UPCOMING Jam4Cam 2023 We are now only nine days away from Jam4Cam, and with that being said, we are prouder than ever. With $150,000 raised so far, final details and preparations in place, and a swarm of red, black, and blue coming into Athens for Georgia vs. Ole Miss, it will be a weekend to remember! That being said, tickets are selling out quickly, and there is no guarantee for wait times and/or availability at the ticket counter on the event day, so if you are still looking to buy some tickets, read more on the history of the event, or donate, please use the link below. I would like to give a special shoutout to the 4x4x48 team for their incredible running and donation efforts for this year’s event, the executive council of Jam4Cam for putting in a tremendous amount of work planning and fundraising, and anybody who has helped spread the message. While this event heavily focuses on the importance of the Athens community working together, it is also a great reminder of the lengths we will all go to in honor of our beloved brothers. We can’t wait to see everyone there!!! https://givebutter.com/FZo8ah/huntleyking September Skate Night Pictured: Junior Mu Men at Fun Galaxy Roller Rink On Thursday, September 14th, Mu Brothers and their dates turned back the clock with the annual 80s RollerDisco Skate Night. Armed with the cheapest wigs Amazon sells, jean jackets, disco pants, headbands, and about 40 Marty McFly impersonators, everyone descended upon the Fun Galaxy Skating Rink for a fun night. As has now become a recurring tradition, those who have not lost the timeless art of rollerskating quickly strapped up and hit the floor at full speed, whereas the rest of us took a minute to mentally prepare for the bruises to come. As one may expect, it did not take long to see Brothers and their dates begin slamming, sliding, tripping, flipping, whamming, and crashing in a montage-like fashion with the soundtracks of Def Leopard, David Bowie, Springsteen, Duran Duran, and many others echoing around to cover up the choice words from the fallen. In case anyone was wondering by the summary of the night, yes, I am part of the group of non-gifted skaters who woke up the next morning covered in tender purple bruises. Nonetheless, it was a night to remember, and the post-skating recap conversations we had in the morning were nothing short of hysterical. However, I would be remiss if I failed to mention the undisputed highlight of the night, which was when Rush Chairman Charlie Woocher (Mu 2901) lowered a shoulder on an incoming Head Rush Chairman Nic Sapp (Mu 2875) and laid him out flat on the cold wood floor. Whether the collision was an intentional way for Charlie to settle a score with Nic or an “accident” has been widely debated; however, when asking Nic about the incident, he told me, “I may forgive for now, but I will not forget.” Looks like skating next year is going to be a blast!! Michael Barry and Judge Kevin Morris Pictured: Vice Regent Michael Barry (Right) and the Honorable Judge Kevin Morris (Left) With New Members On September 13th, Mu Brothers Judge Kevin Morris and Vice Regent Michael Barry returned to Athens to speak with members of Mu Chapter. In addition to leading a L.E.A.D. session focusing on Mu History, National Fraternity Operations, and Career Development, they were gracious enough to share stories of their college and professional careers. Within their session filled with laughter and lessons, a deeper meaning shone through to many of us that in this rollercoaster of life, it is crucial to be driven and focused while also knowing how to mix in good times with friends, family, and hopefully thunderous laughter along the way. Among other lessons we were left with included that it is okay not always to have a plan, personal and professional relationships are not to be taken for granted, and that no matter how tempting a thank you text may be to save time, the dying art of a thank you note will go further than our screen-obsessed generation may believe. October Initiation Pictured: The 2023 Initiate Class On Sunday, October 1st, Mu Chapter welcomed 40 initiates, 10 of whom are legacies. We are proud of this group of young men we have brought together from all over the country, including California, South Carolina, Colorado, North Carolina, Arizona, and Massachusetts. This class is very capable and well into developing as a great group of young men that will continue to make Mu Chapter great. Among enjoying the fruits of the freshman experience Athens has to offer, these young men have jumped into activity in the chapter by competing for positions on committees, taking careful note of the chapter’s operations, and getting a jumpstart on academic excellence on campus. While many of us are envious of the abundant time ahead in Athens, initiation always serves as a great reminder of the wonderful process of developing as a member of the school, fraternity, and society alongside dozens of best friends during one’s time at UGA. Congratulations to these young men, and I believe I speak for all older members of Mu Chapter when I urge them not to skip class, even 8:00 a.m., try to get some sleep every once in a while, and not do anything that would embarrass their mothers. Parent’s Weekend Pledge Classes of 88′ and 89′ Pictured From Left:Tim Quinn, Noel Williams, Scott Veal, David Sellars, Charles Tumlin, Eric Ferrara, Patrick Pierce, Hodges Bradberry, and Frank Jackson Friday the 6th and Saturday the 7th of October served as parent’s weekend for Mu Chapter this year. Among traveling hibachi food trucks for the juniors, a private event at Paloma Park, and a fantastic tailgate with a top-shelf bar that Mu brothers aren’t used to, it is safe to say the weekend was a success. When asking Social Chair Dimitri Nakis what the key to this fall’s success was, he said, “It truly is a miracle what can be done when you rally a team of great moms to help plan the event paired with the motivation of getting cut off from grocery money if I don’t make sure everything is perfect.” In all seriousness, thank you, parents, for treating us to a great weekend of family, nice meals, a Dawgs win, and helping teach us how to hang clean shirts instead of leaving them in the basket. With a regrown connection to legacy in recent years, this weekend also turned out to be a great alumni gathering, as many now fathers of the chapter were able to reconnect with friends in the beautiful town that holds so many memories and will hopefully continue producing more for Mu Men for centuries to come!! Photo Credit to Dr. Eric Ferrara Big Brother Night Pictured Mu Family From Left: Jack Mcward, Payton McKemie, Sam Shelton, and William Cowart On Monday, October 9th, we hosted one of the most highly anticipated nights of the year, Mu Chapter’s annual Big Brother night. While some literal younger brothers were added to their siblings’ families within the chapter, the rest of the freshman class embraced their families and their sophomore bigs. Beyond this night is associated with many great memories ranging from family traditions and big brother impersonations; this night is a fun way to urge the new initiates to be comfortable reaching out to and relying on older guys. While the festivities can sometimes become hectic, as naturally happens when 160 college men are gathered together in the house, freshmen learn that senior members of the chapter are mentors, motivators, and caregivers for when things go awry. Highlights of the night include being together on the back porch as a whole fraternity, impromptu wrestling matches, a well-timed Austin Riley home run mid event giving us a little happiness in an otherwise bleak Braves performance, and Sophomore Luke Tredennick introducing a red snapper into his family. Oktoberfest Pictured: Senior Mu Men and Their dates During UGA Football’s bye-week, Mu Chapter planned its annual invasion of Helen, Georgia, for Oktoberfest. Among lederhosen as far as the eye can see, brothers enjoyed German beer, bratwurst, minigolf, and mountain coasters before gathering in the beer hall for dancing under the serenade of a live performance of Bavarian music. This annual tradition has won the hearts of almost every brother, as it allows for a change of scenery, culture, and routine for a day in the quest to continue the event’s reputation among sororities as the best date night of the year. When I asked Junior John Bowling his thoughts on the event, he told me that “there is no way to beat the day. I mean, how can you beat having 160 of your friends and their dates all dressed up, dancing, and hollering around the town while everyone else is sitting on their couches in Athens, trying to figure out how to spend the week off of Georgia Football?” Adding to John’s point, the real key to success is the combination of having a day that allows for maximal chapter attendance, fantastic execution on the part of the Executive Council, and excitement that brothers build throughout the weeks leading up to ensure that the day always exceeds expectations. |
