Minnesota Greek Alumni Partnership

News (Articles and TV)

The following are news stories so far from the spring semester. Click this link to the MGAP web site to see the stories, http://umngreekalumni.com/greeks/News/default.aspx.

Students cite advantages to alcohol-free greek housing, Minnesota Daily, Marc 2 2006

University sororities recruit members at informal event, Minnesota Daily, February 6 2006

U greeks mix charity, competition, Minnesota Daily, February 15 2006

Sorority outfits girls with prom threads, February 13 2006

University sororities recruit members at informal event, Minnesota Daily, February 6 2006

Black greek organizations on campus step up age-old tradition, Minnesota Daily, January 31 2006

Newly elected leaders for greek councils plan year, Minnesota Daily, January 23 2006

Greek Village complex on hold, Minnesota Daily, December 14 2005

Ryan Bade Update

Ryan Bade, a member of Phi Gamma Delta is making steady progress as he recovers from his serious jet-ski accident which took place in late June.  Ryan began to come out of his coma toward middle of August and since that time is getting better and stronger each day.

He is staying in a group home in Omaha, Nebraska which specializes in helping people with traumatic brain injuries recover and return to leading a normal life.  Ryan seems to be well on his way, but it will be a long process.  Ryan is awake and alert and is aware of what is happening around him.  He smiles, laughs at jokes, watches TV (he loves the Family Guy and the Simpsons), arm wrestles, reads, and still demonstrates his sense of humor at times.  He will even give you a kiss if you ask for it.   

He has a rigorous schedule of various therapies during the week including speech and physical.  For a few months Ryan has been able to speak, and while he has difficulty getting full sentences out, his speaking ability is constantly improving.  When he speaks you can clearly hear his voice, although his speaking may be slow.  He has also starting singing and is amazing many with the fact that he knows the words to so many songs. 

As part of his therapy Ryan walks and stands quite a bit with the assistance of therapeutic equipment and the staff at the group home.  According to fraternity brothers who have visited him recently, you can see the look of determination in his eyes as he tries to walk further and further each day.   Ryan clearly demonstrates the resilience which appears on blue bracelets made in his honor and the persistence which his fraternity values highly.

While in high school Ryan was actively involved in theater productions.  His former teacher brought some current students to meet Ryan in Omaha.  A number of them saw him perform when he was in school and they were inspired to follow in his footsteps.  With the help of their teacher, the students put together a one-act play called "Patience" about Ryan, his family, the accident and its aftermath.  The play and the cast won several top awards at a regional competition and was featured on the local TV news in Sioux Falls.

While in Omaha, Ryan's mother is by his side most of the time during the week and his father and step-mother visit on the weekends. Ryan receives visitors on a regular basis and they help to brighten his day.

If you have any questions about Ryan, his condition, or how to help support him and his family during this time, please contact Amelious Whyte, Academic Advisor, Phi Gamma Delta at [email protected] or 612-624-2678.  Remember to keep him and his family in your thoughts and prayers.

Ryan’s family has been posting updates on their web site multiple times per week and has had 55,000+ visits so far. The site is, www.caringbridge.org/visit/ryanbade.

MGAP Blog Turns Four

Four months that is having logged 1828 hits since its inception. If you have something you would like to see added please drop us a message, [email protected].

Block Party Press Release

For Immediate Release                                                Contact: Abby Weinandt

August 31, 2005                                                                         University of Minnesota

                                                                                                                                 (612) 237-1453

MEDIA ADVISORY

Second Annual “U Light Up the Night Block Party” Makes Final Push for Lower Level Lighting on 15^th Avenue

City Council Members vote Friday to approve instillation of lower level lighting on the U of M campus

MINNEAPOLIS / ST. PAUL – For the second year in a row, the Greek community has partnered with the University of Minnesota to promote increased lighting and safety initiatives in the Marcy Holmes neighborhood.  This year, the block party happens to fall the day before City Council members will be voting on the lower level lighting initiative for 15^th Avenue, which runs right through campus.  The University community is hopeful that the block party will bring attention to safety issues and increase awareness for students.  Because most students are gone in the summer, during National Night Out, the block party provides student renters the chance to mingle with neighbors and discuss safety. 

            WHO:   Mayor R.T. Rybak

                        Councilmen Paul Zerby

                        Minneapolis/U of M Police Departments

                        Marcy Holmes neighborhood

                        University of Minnesota Greek Community/Panhellenic Council

                        University of Minnesota students and staff/Office of Community Relations

            WHAT: Second Annual “U Light Up the Night Block Party”

            WHEN: Thursday, September 1 from 6:00 – 9:00 p.m

            WHERE:Fifth Street S.E. between 10^th Avenue S.E. and 12^th Avenue S.E.

            WHY:    To raise safety awareness in the Marcy Holmes neighborhood and to show support for the 15^th Avenue lower-level lighting initiative.  City Council will be voting on the initiative Friday, September 2. 

"I'm glad to support the 'U Light Up the Night' block party,” Mayor Rybak said.  “Public safety is about more than police, it needs to involve all of us.  By working together and building stronger relationships with our neighbors, we can build a city where every person can feel comfortable walking down every street in Minneapolis."

“I very much appreciate the efforts of the Panhellenic Council and the Marcy Holmes Neighborhood Association in support of better lighting and improved safety in the University neighborhoods,” Councilman Zerby said.  “Because of the support and testimony of these groups and others, I am very optimistic that the entire council will join me on Friday in formally approving the 15^th Avenue lighting project at the City Council meeting.” 

“The block party is a great chance to bring the community together for free food and music, and also spotlight our largest safety concern, lack of lighting in the neighborhood,” Kat Baugher, executive vice president of the Panhellenic Council said.  “We are concerned for the safety of sorority women, and other students, especially when walking home from late night classes,” Baugher said. 

###

Stadium Update

For current information on the status of the on campus stadium click this link. You will be directed to the U of M Stadium page. Here you can see a slide show and sign up for email updates.

Homecoming 2005

For a complete list of events for this year’s Homecoming, “Center Stage”, click this link. You will be directed to the U of M Homecoming page.

MGAP August Board Meeting Agenda

MINNESOTA GREEK ALUMNI PARTNERSHIP, INC.

UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA

Board Meeting Agenda

August 18, 2005

6:30 pm - 8:00 pm

Pi Beta Phi

1109 5^th Street SE

Introductions

Minutes

Financial Report                                                                                    

-Checking Account balance:  $2,613.09

-Tax forms

Nicole Nelson:  Minneapolis 2nd Precinct Crime Prevention Specialist         

Panhellenic Council/IFC                                                                   

-Recruitment Plans

-U Light Up the Night:  Thurs., 9/1

UGPB Update   

MGAP Membership

-Officer Recruitment

-Delta Gamma Collegiate and Alumni - new members

Greek Village Working Group Organization

-Work Group meeting:  8/23

City Ordinances

Marcy-Holmes

MGAP Planning & Misc. Topics

-Officer Priorities 2005-06

-E-mail message to Headquarters

-By-Law Revision

-Fall Social Event

-Fall General Membership meeting:  Thurs., 10/20?

-Restorative Justice

-Fall Chapter Advisor & House Corporation Meeting

Motions

-Move to contribute $150 for Light up the Night on September 1, 2005

-Move to accept the revised By-Laws

Announcements/Communications

Future Meeting Dates

-Planning Meeting:  Thurs., 9/8, 6:30 pm

-MGAP Board Meeting:  Thurs., 9/15, 6:30 pm

-MGAP Board Meeting:  Thurs., 10/20, 6:30 pm            General Membership Meeting

Upcoming Meetings And Events

15th Ave Lighting Project

Aug 23rd, 9:30 am at Council Chamber, Room 317 Minneapolis City Hall

2nd Annual U Light Up the Night

September 1, 6:00 - 9:00 pm on 5th Street between 11th and 13th Avenues. 

Contact: Kat Baugher, VP PHC, [email protected]

MGAP Planning Meeting

September 8, 6:30 pm Location TBD

Contact: Lorna Fox, President, [email protected] 

MGAP Board Meeting

September 15, 6:30 pm Location TBD

Contact: Lorna Fox, President, [email protected]

Homecoming Parade and Game

September 24

MGAP Fall Membership Meeting

October 20, 6:30 pm Location TBD

Contact: Lorna Fox, President, [email protected]

Ryan Bade Update and Article

Amelious Whyte, FIJI Academic Advisor, recently spent a few days in Sioux Falls, SD with Ryan and his family. He is showing many of signs of being close to coming out of his coma. Ryan will be temporarily be moving to Madonna Rehabilitation Hospital in Lincoln, Nebraska. This is a fantastic facility and specializes in rehabilitation of patients with brain injuries.

Ryan’s CaringBridge site has been visited more than 17,700 times and is updated frequently by Ryan’s family.

Click here for a Minnesota Daily article published Aug 10^th on Ryan.

MGAP Blog Turns Three

Three months that is having logged 1620 hits since its inception. If you have something you would like see added to the blog please drop us a message, [email protected].