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Kappa Psi Pharmaceutical Fraternity

52nd Grand Council Convention

"Seeing the Possibilities"

Host Chapters: Beta Kappa, Delta Epsilon, Pittsburgh Grad

Host Hotel: Sheraton at Station Square

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

August 9-13, 2005

Province IX commends the convention chairman, David Maszkiewicz, and the host chapters on all the hard work done to organize this Grand Council Convention.  We had 26 graduate chapters and 42 collegiate chapters in attendance (354 total registrants, 208 collegiates, 123 graduates, 23 guests).  Province IX was represented by brothers from Beta Gamma (Stephanie Villanueva*), Gamma Nu (Ethan Anderson*, Dean Pham*, Paul Shapazian), Gamma Rho (Michelle Chavez*, Jeff Norenburg, Chris Trujillo), Delta Sigma (Michelle Boeck*, Keith Kolimaga*, Michael Dietrich, Megan May, Josh Rolin, Kristy Straw, BJ White, Jessica Wilson, Jessi Wilts), Delta Tau (Jeff Mandel*, Allison Welder), Delta Phi (Sanaz Farhadian*), Arizona Grad (Brett Rathi*, Stephanie Stephenson*, Bonita Shin, Lonny Allis, Kristl Tom, Debra Davis, Dave Carrick) and Pacific Grad (Derrick Egi*, Eric Gupta*, Sunny Bains, Ominder Mehta, Roland Lee, Kenny Morin).  Gamma Upsilon was represented with a proxy to Delta Sigma.  The theme of this year's GCC was "Seeing the Possibilities."  Throughout the week we explored the possibilities for new and innovative ideas, greater achievements, and continued growth.

The week started off with a bang, as Brothers reunited in Pittsburgh, PA.  Brothers arrived into town Monday and Tuesday to check into the Sheraton Station Hotel.  The opening general session was held at 5pm.  Brothers were welcomed to Pittsburgh, presented with the house rules, and introduced to the brothers nominated for international office. The keynote address was presented by Brother Robert Hunter who spoke of leadership opportunities that Kappa Psi offers brothers.  This session was followed by the welcoming reception where brothers were treated to some of Pittsburgh's favorites: Italian sausage, pierogies, bean salad, BBQ ham, breaded chicken skewer, and lots of desserts.  The Steel City River Cruise, hosted by Pittsburgh Grad, left the dock behind the hotel at 11pm Tuesday evening.  Brothers enjoyed the three deck, paddle-wheeled riverboat, the Majestic, as it cruised up and down the Monongahela Capital River and Allegheny River.  Brothers enjoyed the view along the river, socialized at the bars, got jiggy with it on the dance floor, and relaxed on the upper deck.

Wednesday morning started with a spouse & children breakfast in the Pointview room.  The second general session was held at 9am.  Brothers attending GCC for the first time had the opportunity to participate in the Grand Agora Ceremony, which honored brothers who have passed away.  The grand executive committee and committee chairs provided reports about their activities during their term.  They also presented a few challenges for the upcoming term.  Brother Chrisann Rauzi presented the scholarship committee report and provided a summary of the chapters that submitted information. In the last 2 years, Progress Report Form submissions have increased by over 25%.  In 2005, Province IX was one of three provinces that had each chapter submit a progress report.  Unfortunately, Province IX was one of two provinces that lacked a chapter with a Scholarship Tray submission.

Following the general session was the Fifth Biennial Scholarship/Awards Luncheon.  Brothers enjoyed sandwiches, macaroni salad, pasta salad, mixed fruit and an array of tasty desserts.  Congratulations to Gamma Nu for being awarded the "Province IX Chapter of the Year" award.  Other awards presented include: Eby Scholarship Tray Award, Nicholas Fenney Industry Improvement Award, Frank H. Eby Award, Kappa Psi Foundation Scholarships Awards, Graduate Chapter of the Year Awards, Collegiate Chapter of the Year Award and various recognition awards.

After a brief break, the brothers from across the nation gathered for a group photo session.  After some initial confusion, the group photo was taken in the hotel lobby.  Then, brothers took a trip to Kennywood for a brotherly evening out.  Brothers filed into 4 buses and traveled to the amusement park.  Brothers enjoyed an afternoon of roller coasters, water rides, fries with gravy and cheese from The Patch and more.  At 9pm the inaugural poker tournament got underway.  Congratulations to Bonita "River Rat" Shin for finishing first in the tournament.  Province IX dominated the tournament with 6 brothers placing in the top 10 finishers: Stephanie "Queen of Clubs" Villanueva (2nd); Sunny "San Dawg" Bains (6th), Eric "The Professor" Gupta (8th), Roland Lee (9th), and Paul Shapazian (10th).

The assembly on Thursday started at 8:30am and marked the halfway point of the convention.  Each province presented their reports, with Province IX being the only one to accompany their presentation with music.  After the morning session, Brothers were treated to a career fair and Chapter sales.  Gamma Nu, Gamma Rho and Delta Sigma sold Kappa Psi Paraphernalia.  Gamma Nu sold shot glasses. Gamma Rho sold "Get Some" T-shirts.  Delta Sigma displayed a variety of products: "Kappa Psi for Life" wristbands, pharmacy ties, playing cards, ID badge clips, 52nd GCC poker chip magnets and picture frames.

After the lunch break, workshops and CE's were provided to all brothers interested.  The workshops included: Fraternity Communication, The Ritual - Yesterday and Today, Conflict Resolution, and Seeing the Possibilities.  The workshops involved discussions between the brothers in attendance.  Brother Becky Fahrenbruch led the Ritual workshop.  It featured a walk through the ritual ceremony and a demonstration of a ritual ceremony from the "early years."  Becky shared copies of the ritual manual from the 1930's.  Brothers Andy Frasco and Erick Sousa led an interactive workshop where brothers rotated groups and brainstormed innovative ideas to continue and advance the fraternity.  The CE's included: Pharmacy Law, COX 2 Inhibitors, and Anemia.

The evening started with the Graduate and Benefactor's Reception where graduates gathered to hang out before the traditional GCC ice cream social and Pharmacy Pheud (sponsored by Rite Aid).  Province IX was represented by Brothers Keith Kolimaga, Josh Rolin and Jessi Wilts.  The Province II team was the victor this year with Province X and V coming in second and third, respectively.  After the social, many brothers walked to Margaritta Mamas and/or the Matrix.

The fourth general session was held at 8:30am on Friday morning and was devoted to a legislative hearing.  Following the general session was a CE about laxatives and a leadership workshop led by Brothers Dawn Erdman and Eric Gupta where brothers shared ideas about running province meetings and discussed graduate involvement.  The 6th Kappa Psi Foundation Golf Tournament was held at noon at the Westwood Golf Course.  Tee sponsors from our province included: Province IX, Delta Sigma, and Bonita & Brett.  The winning team included Brothers John Grossomanides, Lawrence Brown, Brett Rathi and Bonita Shin.  The GCD Reception was held Friday evening in the Fountainview Room.  Friday night was also spent at the "Bushwacker and Peckerhead" Party, hosted by the Gamma Nu and Pacific Graduate Chapters.

Saturday morning started with a continental breakfast sponsored by Provinces II and V.  Saturday's morning session was spent going over committee and workshop reports.  Then, Brothers worked through the legislative hearing.  After this meeting, Brothers took a break for lunch and returned for the sixth session for officer elections.  The credentials committee reported that 90 votes (out of 178 total votes - 84 collegiate, 52 graduate, 9 provinces, 33 others) were needed to elect.  Congratulations to our new international officers!

Saturday night was spent at the Alpha Chapter Reception and 125th Anniversary Banquet.  After Brothers were treated to a tasty dinner and dessert, the new international officers were installed.  It all ended in a slideshow of "special moments" throughout the week and a dance.  Following the banquet, the final raffle drawings took place.  The raffle committee reported raising over $4,500 for the Kappa Psi Foundation (largest so far).  Brothers were then treated to a live band until early morning.

This convention was very productive and enjoyable.  Brothers are now looking forward to reuniting in San Diego for our next province meeting.

            *  Grand Council Convention Delegates

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