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1 Issue 2 | March 2009 | Special Middle States Regional Awards Edition

Hello My Fellow Phi Theta Kappans!

Maria Conneran, Chapter President
grateful for her dedication to making
We recently returned from our trip to re-
our chapter a success.
gional convention in Baltimore, Maryland.
We were fortunate to hear speeches
Imagine this: Diana, Joe, Chris, Ana, Profes-
from Pastor and former NFL player Joe
sor Stokes and me on stage in front of 300
Ehrmann, Lt. Colonel Dennis Devery of
people, while dancing to our version of Salt-N-
the NJ National Guard, and scientist Ken-
Pepa’s 1987 hit “Push it.” It’s hard to believe, I
neth Fink. Mr. Ehrmann delivered an
know. We flaunted our matching black Iota Xi tees,
emotionally charged speech that touched
while Chris rapped our chapter chant into the
on the value of prioritizing human relationships,
microphone. This is one of my many priceless
while recounting a particularly painful
memories of regional convention in Baltimore.
memory of his own brother’s tragic pass-
The opportunity to network with other chapter
ing. Lt. Colonel Devery presented a speech
officers was a major benefit. Joe, as our vice presi-
focused on leadership
dent of publicity, took advantage of
this with great enthusiasm. He was 22nd Middle States Region skills, as he conveyed his
own anxieties when
often seen campaigning for Feed- Awards Banquet Gala
faced with the responsi-
the-Mind, and with impressive
 bility of dispatching
results. I am excited to see Feed Iota Xi helicopters on 9/11.
the Mind growing to meet its true Union County College One of the highlights
potential. I am so proud of our Nicole Stokes-Dupass, Paragon Chapter Advisor
Chapter Awards for me was a presenta-
chapter for its success! Our chapter
tion by Kenneth Fink, whose attend a presentation of one chapter’s revitalization project
garnered plenty of recognition this 5-Star Chapter
Four Leaf Clover Chapter enthusiasm was contagious. He is in New Orleans, in addition to a “Relay for Life” workshop. I
year; we snagged quite a few Four Leaf Clover Fellowship
Diamond Chapter president of a science-education was able to pick up some useful ideas for our own fund-
awards! Let us all congratu- Service Hallmark outfit called Wondergy that uses raising efforts as the date of our relay event approaches.
late Professor Nicole Hall of Honor
exciting demonstrations to get Other memories: surviving Baltimore’s rush hour drivers,
Stokes-DuPass for Maria Conneran, President
Diana Gonzalez, Officer people interested in science. Our freezing in the gale-force winds, practicing our 80’s dance
her top-notch ser- Joseph Eulo, Distinguished Member
show included one very loud moves in the hotel room mirror, staying up past 3:AM (and
vice as advisor to
explosion that must have woken everyone in the hotel. being ready by 7!), being silly all weekend, taking a 15
Iota Xi. She was recognized with the
We were given the opportunity to take part in educa- minute dip in the hotel pool, and eating way too much
Paragon Award for new advisors at
tional workshops, which focused on a number of catered food. Good times!
the awards ceremony, and we are all
timely issues and service project ideas. I chose to

Phi Theta Kappa Iota Xi’s Chapter Newsletter CHAPTER CHAT T ER

 Next Year,
It’s Yours!
Take Advantage of the
Phi Theta Kappa
Experience
and Unleash
5 FACTS YOU SHOULD KNOW
Your Potential.

1
ABOUT E-CYCLING

“You can do it!”

Recyclers recover more than 100
million pounds of materials from
electronics each year. Cell phones BY JOSEPH EULO, VP OF PUBLIC RELATIONS
were recycled at a rate of approxi- Joining Phi Theta Kappa has compass and guide me through my
mately 10 percent. been the best decision I have ever choices. I am privileged to be among
- Electronics TakeBack Coalition

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made, second only to deciding to
attend college, the experience has
profoundly changed me. My partici-
pation in Iota Xi has transformed
me from an asocial lost soul into a
Recycling electronics helps reduce
confident and goal oriented person.
pollution that would be generated
The relationships that I have forge
while manufacturing a new product
will last a lifetime, the experiences
and the need to extract valuable and
that I have shared with other Phi
limited virgin resources.
Theta Kappans will live on in my
you all, and honored to share the Phi
Theta Kappa experience with you.
The trip to the Middle States Re-
gional convention in Baltimore,
Maryland last month was an event
that I will never forget. I was happy
to meet other Phi Theta Kappans
from chapters around the region, and
fortunate enough to
share those mo- “ the first time in
t h a t
moment, I realized this was the first
time in my life that I won an award.
The experience reached a fever
pitch when I was called a second
time and presented with the 2009
Distinguished Chapter Member
Award.
I carry the medallion

3
- Electronics TakeBack Coalition memory forever, and the contribu- ments with my Iota around in my pocket,
tions that I have made to my chap- Xi family.
my life that I won as a reminder of my
ter and my community will have Just being there an award…, the achievement. I use it
impacted many. was enough for me. as an instrument to
In 2005, approximately 61 percent I have internalized Phi Theta So when my name experience has encourage others. The
(about 107,500 tons) of CRT monitors Kappa’s hallmarks and made them was called during potential that I see in
and TVs collected for recycling were my own. Scholarship, leadership, the awards gala as
changed me!” myself, I also see in
exported for remanufacture or refur- service, and fellowship are more one of ten chapter you. I implore you to
bishment. than just words to me, and my member Hall of Honors Award recipi- take advantage of the Phi Theta

4
hope is they will ents I was shocked. As I stood there Kappa experience. Become active in
- Electronics TakeBack Coalition
be more than just with the other recipients, I reflected Iota Xi and unleash your potential.
words for you. on my academic achievements and Next year, the award is yours!
They serve as my participation in Phi Theta Kappa. At

One metric ton of electronic scrap from

personal computers (PC’s) contains
more gold than that recovered from 17
tons of gold ore.
E-Cycling event. If you have any questions, feel free to ask me or any
other Iota Xi officer. We will
- Electronics TakeBack Coalition Chris Mauro, VP of Fundraising be collecting these devices

5
The e-cycling event will begin Monday and will be giving them to a
March 23rd, 2009 and last until friday. The company that has a "No
top 3 devices to be recycled are Dump" policy, which is
cell-phones, PDA, and handheld organizers. Those who important to all recy-
Donating used (but still operating) are interested in donating these devices should put place clers. If you would like to
electronics for reuse extends the lives them in the Cranford or Elizabeth Library donation box. Or you help please contact me at
of valuable products and keeps them can be proactive as a Iota Xi member and collect them in the f u n d r a i s -
out of the waste stream for a longer “operation green” bag we will be selling for $5. Proceeds of the ing@PTKIotaXi.org. and
period of time. e-cycling event will go towards Relay for Life. Members are don't forget Saturday March
- Electronics TakeBack Coalition
needed to speak to their classes to 28th is Earth Hour, celebrate
raise awareness and promote this it by Voting Earth, Thank you!
http://www.goodcleantech.com/