Acacia Fraternity of Syracuse

Big Dirt enjoys flowers thoroughly

A few brothers, who are staunch advocates of taking everything literally, put in a day’s work to help make 781 Ostrom a little nicer. Brothers Manny Mock, Ken Smith, Simon Phillipose, Dhavie Shah, Croc Tuan Nguyen, Marcus Lee, Derek Li, Matthew Gerty and perhaps more all chipped in to the effort.

What was accomplished? The front yard (pictured above) now has some yellow flowers. And the attic now has some “tile”. Come by and see the awesomeness yourself if you can.

This past weekend the Syracuse Acacians returned to the Carrier Dome for their 5th consecutive year of supporting Relay for Life. Much more than a walk around the track, Relay served as a time to celebrate those who have battled cancer and to remember those lost. In an effort to create a friendly competition within the chapter to see who could raise the most funds, the actives divided into two teams: the Caldean Magi and the Knights of Cylon. Combined the chapter was able to raise over $1,100 to be used by the American Cancer Association to help fund research for what we all hope will one day be a cure. In general, a great time was had at the event as brothers and close friends played board games, shared stories, and tossed around a football on S.U.’s home field at the Dome.

Photos courtesy of Jackie Miyasaki

In celebration of National Orange Day, the Office of Alumni Relations, the Traditions
Commission and the Mary Ann Shaw Center for Public and Community Service are
sponsoring a community service project to collect needed items for Partners in
Learning, a local nonprofit organization that oversees the West Side Learning Center,
and the MANOS Dual Language Early Childhood Program. A list of needed items is
available at http://alumni.syr.edu, and items may be brought to the Office of Alumni
Relations, located in the Goldstein Alumni and Faculty Center, until March 31. Pictured
above at the National Orange Day celebration on March 24 are, from left, Theresa
Pagano, director of the West Side Learning Center and the MANOS Program; Barry L.
Wells, senior vice president and dean of student affairs at SU; Marlene Goldenberg,
president of the SU Student Association, Andrea Latchem, SU’s assistant vice
president for alumni relations; Tuan Nguyen; and Charles Cutshall.

Today is another one of those days when we are all proud to be Acacians. This morning Brother Ventura and pledges Philipose and Ghosh braved the arctic winds to help CSTEP Director Larry Thomas and Chapter Adviser Bro. Cutshall collect school supplies for the West Side Learning Center and the Manos Dual Language Program. Standing together soliciting donations outside of the Cicero Wal-Mart they managed to collect over a thousand crayons and just as many pencils and colored markers. In addition, people generously donated a number of other supplies such as notepads, glue, pens, scissors and sharpeners.

Monday 3/24 is National Orange Day and Acacia and CSTEP will continue to accept donations in the Schine Atrium from 11:00 am – 3:30 pm. Please drop any additional donations off at this time.

Brothers who found themselves in Syracuse this spring break decided to voyage outside of the city to hit the Toggenburg slopes. Spurred on and in cases dragged out of bed by Chapter Adviser Bro. Cutshall, the brothers accompanied by the lovely Jackie Miyasaki made their way to the mountain. As they drew near their destination hopes were high in anticipation of the fun that would undoubtedly ensue. 4 hours later, battered and bruised, everyone was happy to take off their equipment and head on home. Despite a few bump and the harsh realization that not being able to stop typically resulted in tragic consequences, a fantastic time was had be everyone. Who’s up for next year!?

As potential new members (PNMs) began to filter in, Brother Derek Li couldn’t help but take advantage of his new audience. After having already thoroughly exhausted the active brotherhood he hastily picked up the guitar and let loose on the newbies. His dedication to the art stirred memories in the minds of the older actives who recalled when Brother Jordan Rennert did much the same thing…except with a real guitar and a significantly enhanced repertoire of songs. Memories of Jordan aside, Brother Li’s efforts are appreciated and his attempts will live on in infamy.

Looking for a good place to get some work done? Great news! No longer is there a need to bundle up and head to Carnegie: the Acacia Study as it was envisioned from the start is now your place to hit the books. Special thanks go to recent alumni Brother Ben Peskin for donating the awesome computer and to Brother Dhaval Shah for being willing to part with his beloved room.

To strengthen the ties of friendship and foster a better understanding of the unique working style the recently elected executive board, Chapter Advisor Brother Charles Cutshall facilitated the chapter’s first e-board leadership workshop. Brothers gave up their Sunday to come out and engage in a meaningful conversation about some of what they thought were upcoming challenges for the chapter and how they planned to lead the fraternity during their tenure. Said Brother Tuan Nguyen, “It was a time to reflect on where we have come from, where we want to take the chapter, and how we plan on doing it.” Special thanks go to Refounding alumnus, Brother David Flagg, for participating and providing the brothers with a great lunch, and to recent alumni, Brother Gemayel Jean-Paul, for allowing the chapter to use the retreat house where he currently resides as a space to hold the academy.

While most of the campus was just waking up from an added night of the usual weekend activities, the brothers of the Syracuse Chapter of Acacia Fraternity were already out and about helping to prepare and deliver meals to the less fortunate and elderly people of Syracuse. The director of MOW volunteer services, Ed Brown, made the conscious decision to give the day off to all of the everyday volunteers. The brothers of Acacia, always ready to do some Human Service, heard the call and came out in great numbers. Many brothers volunteer regularly at Meals on Wheels and the great turn out for MLK day only helped to strengthen the already good relationship that we share.

The gentlemen of Acacia wined and dined the lovely ladies that, in most cases, willing joined them for their Fall Formal at the Double Tree hotel. Brothers and their dates had the option of either having a strip steak or something fishy. Those that were most aware of the finer things in life had no trouble passing on the fish and heading straight to the steak. The others, less experienced, enjoyed the fish and felt that it was a wonderful dinner. Dinner was followed by an intimate party back at the house where brothers and their dates were able to sit back, kick off their shoes, and enjoy a friendly game of Twister. All in all a great time was had by all. Thank you Bro. Matthew Hagerty for making it happen!