Kappa Upsilon Chi

The 2008-2009 school year is coming to a close. A chapter in the lives of the men of Kappa Upsilon Chi at the University of Florida is ending. As we elect our new officers, and seasons begin to change, we reflect on this past year of trial, happiness, perseverance and growth.

This past year Kappa Chi engaged in numerous social events. Events ranged from the annual formal dance with Sigma Phi Lambda to informal "Thursday Night Awkward Dinners."  Socials are essential as brothers get to know one another better, while also meeting people from other campus ministries and creating lasting friendships.

Service is a huge part of the life of Kappa Chi. Our service chairs this past year, Anthony Aspesi and Justin Dean, did an incredible job of keeping the men of KYX actively involved in the community and living out the words of Christ to help the poor and downtrodden. Projects included visiting nursing homes, building wheel chair ramps and feeding the homeless, among many others.

Worship and prayer is at the very foundation of our faith, and therefore plays a large role in the function of the fraternity. Weekly chapter meetings are opened with prayer and always include worship. "Worship Under the Stars" events are monthly occurrences and all 4 of the Christian Greek organizations band together in unity to praise and worship God.  Kappa Chi also actively participates in Unite NOW, a biannual campus wide worship and prayer event.

Kappa Chi frequently interacted with other chapters in the past year.  We met up with the brand new Pi chapter from the University of South Carolina during the UF vs. USC football game.  These 13 guys saw how Kappa Chi at the University of Florida has grown in the past five years and will use what they have learned to grow their chapter in the future. We also had a founder of the University of Tennessee-Knoxville chapter visit us in the spring semester and took part in the food delivery service project.

Our alumni allow our chapter to provide guidance to those who wish to join the fraternity and effectively represent Christ's image.  In the spring semester, we kept in contact with our alumni by creating our first newsletter known as The Quest, summarizing what the Theta Chapter accomplished in the spring semester. We are also proud to announce we have 14 brothers graduating in the spring and summer semesters. As they leave the University of Florida, these men will demonstrate how God has influenced their lives through Kappa Chi.

The Theta Chapter continues to be involved at the University of Florida.  We have served the community through various service projects in Gainesville, allowed our relationship to grow closer to God with the creation of Fellowship Groups, and had fun with our sisters in Christ at various socials and events throughout the year.  Our chapter got the chance to meet our fellow brothers in Christ from the University of South Carolina and the University of Tennessee-Knoxville and ended the year with congratulating 14 alumni from graduating the University of Florida.  We hope to remember what these men have done in the past, but provide more memories in the future of the Theta Chapter.

GAINESVILLE, FLA. - (April 26th, 2009) - "Go forth to love and serve the Lord."  This past Thursday, Kappa Upsilon Chi held their Alpha and Omega Alumni Party to recognize our graduating brothers from the University of Florida.

The patio greeted everyone with lit tiki torches and a poster that read "Kappa Upsilon Chi Alpha and Omega Party".  Brothers, family, and friends took part in the event, remembering all the times they had during their stay at the University of Florida.  People enjoyed eating tacos with fresh ingredients to satisfy their hunger, and water and soda to quench their thirst.  For those who were sitting inside the house, there was a slideshow of the graduating brothers on the projection screen, consisting of baby pictures and college pictures from various events.

For the rest of the night, the graduating brothers had a chance to talk about what Kappa Chi has been to them at the University of Florida.  Each graduating brother chose another brother or friend to give a story about how he had influenced his life.  While some stories were humorous, others allowed us to remember the good times these men had in Kappa Chi.  "It was an awesome and much needed way to send off the seniors. The challenge now is staying connected and continuing to build the fraternity through alumni involvement," says graduating senior Aaron Shoemaker.

The following men are graduating in the spring and summer semesters:

Drew Byrnes

Stephen Hoffstetter

Mark Lester

Aaron Shoemaker

Anders Bergmann

Wayne Carney

David Donovan

Mark Mayleban

Dennis Hall

Jimmy Sharkey

Brad Sheng

Daniel Bannoura

Jeremy Brenner

Robbie Richardson

Even though these men are leaving the University of Florida, they will always be remembered at the Theta Chapter of Kappa Upsilon Chi.

GAINESVILLE, FLA. - (April 18th, 2009) - Kappa Upsilon Chi held their biannual Family Day for the newly initiated Kappa Class.  These 6 men were commended for becoming part of the Theta Chapter at the University of Florida.

The theme was Orange and Blue because the annual Orange and Blue football game takes place every spring in Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.  Families came from all over the state to be welcomed by the Kappa Class, as well as the active brothers of the fraternity.  As families were returning from the game, they were able to sit down and relax on the front deck of the house.  Blue-covered tables with chairs filled the deck to allow the families to sit down after a fun-filled afternoon at the game.  Families got served hamburgers or hot dogs cooked and served to them with the help of active brothers.  Other items included salad, chips, soda, water, and sweet tea to replenish everyone from the afternoon heat.

Families also got to tour the house to see where we have our chapter meetings, worship, and just to see who lives in the house.  They were instantly greeted with our first fraternity composite, a picture frame which has a picture of every active brother during the school year.  Other family members took part in tailgate games in front of the house during their free time, allowing people to talk about the fraternity.  "We enjoyed being with each other's company.  She met a group of guys at the Orange and Blue game in the stands.  We had a good time meeting Tyler Payne's family and Kevin Baker's family.  She enjoyed talking to Robbie Richardson and David Hidalgo and got to see what Kappa Chi is all about." says Shawn Crews, a Kappa Class member.

Family Day was filled with food, fun, and games that the entire family enjoyed.  We hope to have many more successful ones in the future.

NEWBERRY, FLA.- (April 4th, 2009) - "3...2...1...Go!" shouted the referee to start the game.  The Paintball Brotherhood Event took place this past weekend at First Strike Paintball on Newberry Road in Newberry, Florida.  The day allowed the brothers to play paintball and encouraged brotherhood growth during the event.

Some of the brothers knew how to paintball, while many brothers had never used a paintball gun before.  During the game, everybody had to follow a few rules, such as not being able to shoot a player within 15 feet of walking distance. In order to get someone out, someone would have to shoot the opposing player.  The team with the most players left at the end won the game.  About 15 brothers drove to the event and had a great time.  The first two games were on a smaller field with silver barrels covering the field while the other two games were on a much larger field.  The larger field allowed the brothers to hide in better spots and required better aim to shoot the opposing team.  The last game took place on the smaller field and was a free-for-all, meaning the game was over when a player ran out of paintballs or compressed air to shoot from the gun.  "We really bonded together in brotherhood by going out there.  Steven Hoffstetter, who might be an ex-navy seal, acted as an opportune leader by showing courage under fire", said David Barrett, Brotherhood Chair of Kappa Upsilon Chi.

All in all, the brothers left the playing field, acquiring new paintball skills. They enjoyed shooting each other in the heat of battle and hope to return in the near future.   "The event went really well.  Brothers were able to bond together through teamwork and leadership while having a fun day paintballing", said Brent Litchfield, Internal Vice President of Kappa Upsilon Chi.

GAINESVILLE, FLA. - (March 29^th, 2009) - Kappa Upsilon Chi and Sigma Phi Lambda held their Spring Formal this past weekend at Steve's Café American, located at the intersection of Main Street and University Avenue.  The main attire found at formal consisted of coats, ties, slacks and dresses.  Food, music, and fun filled the space, allowing brothers and sisters of Christ to have fellowship with each other.

Before going to formal, people planned their night accordingly.  Some decided to eat at a fancy restaurant with their dates while others posed in pictures of their suits and dresses.  "A group of about 10 of us went downtown to eat at Harry's seafood and grill. We wanted to get pictures taken but most of the girls (including myself ha-ha) were late and it was raining so we had to forgo that. It was still a lot of fun catching up with everyone", said Amanda Winkler from Sigma Phi Lambda.  Guys and girls cherished the time with each other, and continued their night by walking or driving to formal.

Despite the rainy weather, everyone braved through the storm on Saturday night.  People were greeted at the door with a sign that read "Phi Lamb and Kappa Chi Spring Formal" created by the beautiful ladies of Sigma Phi Lambda.  Upon entering, there was a line of ladies who got people excited for what was to come for the evening.  The common area consisted of tables covered with white cloth, a wide array of foods to choose from, water as a beverage, and a Mediterranean-Style theme to top off the event.  For the rest of the night, everyone danced to the music, ranging from pop to swing to songs with dance patters.  "The venue gave an ambiance that encouraged a lot of fun and dancing", said David Donovan, President of Kappa Upsilon Chi.

Overall, the event was a night to remember.  People got to eat at their favorite restaurant looking their best and ended the occasion by dancing the night away.

GAINESVILLE, FLA. - (March 21st, 2009) -  The brothers of Kappa Upsilon Chi and the sisters of Theta Alpha joined together for a time of dancing, dessert, and classic rock. The theme of the biannual social was 50's night. It was held at the KYX fraternity house. Attendees wore 1950's era garb and danced the night away to songs by Elvis, Jerry Lewis and Chuck Berry. The event was a great opportunity for new members of both organizations to make connections with people they do not frequently encounter.

The ladies of Theta Alpha provided the desserts for the night. All of the baked goods were entered into a June Cleaver baking contest. Stephanie Floyd, who prepared multiple delicious entries, won the baking contest. Costumes varied from docile housewives to Ivy League gentlemen to spray paint toting gang members. Renee Berens, a member of Theta Alpha, said "I really liked the theme because it gave both guys and girls alike a chance to dress in a variety of different fun outfits while also giving us the opportunity to interact with you guys through conversation and dancing..."

The Kappa Chi house was thoroughly decorated for the event. Banners of 50's era celebrities adorned the walls. A graffiti wall outside the front door completed the theme. Most of the party attendees left their mark on the wall using the provided spray paint.

Thanks to the creative theme and the interaction between the brothers and sisters, all in all, the entire night was enjoyable. We look forward with expectation to next semester's social.

KEYSTONE HEIGHTS, FLA. – (February 22nd, 2009) -25 degrees. That was the low for the first night of the Spring 2009 Kappa Upsilon Chi retreat. 25 degrees is really, really cold for a bunch of Floridians, despite the fact that they happen to be the intrepid men of Kappa Chi. In spite of the weather, retreat was a moving time for both actives and pledges.

Spring Retreat 2009 took place in Keystone Heights State Park, midway between Gainesville and Jacksonville. “From the Inside Out” was the theme for the weekend, and was highlighted by a profound testimony delivered by Drew Byrnes. Drew used his personal life experience to illustrate how obeying God in the little things, and turning your heart toward Him, allows God to mold our lives to His desires to produce a larger picture that brings glory to God and satisfies our desires as well. When asked his thoughts on retreat Drew replied, “Retreat was incredible. I saw God move in new ways in my brothers and myself. I can’t wait to see what he has in store for the rest of the semester!”

An integral part of every Kappa Chi retreat is the experience of the new pledges. Joseph Thompson, one of the Kappa pledge class members, related some of his thoughts on retreat, “I thought retreat was a very moving experience, and as a pledge, a very trying one as well. For the first time, I was able to truly connect with my brothers on a more personal level, as the secluded nature of the campsite enabled us to disconnect from the hectic nature of the outside world and allowed for more meaningful conversation and fellowship. The tasks given to us as pledges were challenging, but filled with purpose, and I came away a stronger man because of them. KYX retreat definitely left an indelible impression on my mind, one that is positive in every way.”

Frisbee, football, fires, food, ninjas, sub-zero temperatures, big brothers, tents, crosses and turning left all had their place at retreat; but the lasting effect that Spring 2009 Retreat will leave on the men of Kappa Chi is that they grew together as brothers and as men of God.

GAINESVILLE, FLA. - (February 1st, 2009) - Kappa Upsilon Chi had its first ever Day-Glo event at the Kappa Chi House this past Friday, January 30th. The house became a glow-in-the-dark haven with neon lights in the common areas and walls filled with neon paper, along with dance music filling the air. At the front door entrance, a wall read "Kappa Upsilon Chi and Sigma Phi Lambda Day-Glo" in bright neon colors. People got the chance to use paint bottles and squirt each other with this glow-in-the-dark material. Guys and girls wore white shirts, white pants, and white shoes; some chose to wear white socks or go barefoot for the event.

It was great to spend time with our sisters in Christ, Sigma Phi Lambda, while creating works of art all over each other. Colors ranged from bright pink to lime green and some in between. A paper wall was available to write and draw on so everyone could document this awesome event. "We put a lot of work into organizing the event and we were glad that it worked out. Just because we are Christian doesn't mean we cannot have a good time with our brothers and sisters in Christ. "says Social Chair Craig Blocher.

All in all, we had an unforgettable time and it will not be the last time we see this bright material taking over the house.

GAINESVILLE, FLA. - (January 20th, 2009) - This weekend, Kappa Upsilon Chi was pleased to announce 7 pledges that are part of the Kappa pledge class. The 7 pledges come from diverse backgrounds, but share the common goal of glorifying Jesus Christ in Kappa Chi.

Currently, the Theta chapter has 49 active members. "I look forward to my pledgeship in Kappa Chi. I hope to come closer to God in the process as well as to meet a lot of great guys in the fraternity. Kappa Chi has already done great things in my life and I can't wait to see what else God has in store for me and this fraternity." says Tyler Payne, a Kappa class pledge member.

The pledges will take part in a 10-week program on their way to becoming actives. This leadership-intensive program is meant to instill the characteristics and virtues of a Kappa Chi into the soon-to-be brothers.

Young to the World, but Mighty with God

"Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith, and in purity.”

- 1 Timothy 4:12

Below is the schedule of activities to occur during the week of Rush, January 12th - 16th

• Speech - Monday, 1/12 @ 7:00pm
• Life - Tuesday, 1/13 @ 7:00pm
• Love - Wednesday, 1/14 @ 7:00pm
• Faith - Thursday, 1/15 @ 7:00pm
• Purity - Friday, 1/16