With the help of his charisma, charm, love, intelligence, fearlessness and most importantly, loyalty, he was loved and admired by everyone who was smart enough to take the opportunity to get to know him. He was a friend so genuine, so sincere, and so loving, it was impossible to draw the line between him from your own family; a friend who would be there when no one else was; a friend that would throw it all on the line to benefit those around him. The bottom line is that he is a friend that cannot be replaced. I was lucky enough to watch Sakib grow as a person from his junior year in college. If you looked at the progression from a superficial view, you would say that Sakib never changed and was the same person as he grew older. I knew that wasn’t true because Sakib changed and grew significantly more than almost anybody that I have ever met in my life.

Everyone that ever met him said that he was an amazing person to be around. It’s hard to describe exactly why everyone he ever met felt like that. I believe that it was truly because Sakib had an aura that attracted people towards him. That reason was why I saw Sakib filled with all the potential in the world. It was sad that his life was cut short because he had finally gotten to the verge of realizing that potential and unleashing it on the world. I can’t even say rest in peace because I know his spirit is still alive and kicking, living it up through all of us. Sakib Salim, I love you for not only what you were in my life, but for an innocence you had in your heart that the rest of the world can use so much more of.

Never afraid to speak his mind, he was selfless at the same time never letting anyone close to him feel down or depressed always keeping everyone entertained with his charm and charisma. Many people will remember him by his willingness to communicate with other, never staying quiet always having stories to tell about everything and being the life of the party. Like one of the words used to describe him, irreplaceable, is what he is to everyone who has known him. There is no one or nothing that can replace Sakib but the positives that we can learn from him is never regret our actions and live life to the fullest because that is what he would have done and would want us to do and no one knows what tomorrow may bring.

Our guest speakers were Eric Trabin, a Florida Assistant State Attorney who spoke to attendees about risk management, Margie Bruszer, the Major Gifts Officer for SOS Children’s Villages who spoke to attendees about the future of Sigma Beta Rho’s relationship with and some of the new initiatives of SOS. Anita Datta, wife of National Founding Father Anuj Datta, also spoke for our membership about a service initiative she is involved with called the Village Life Outreach Program.

Our National Convention is also the venue where awards are presented to our chapters and members for their achievements, and where new chapters and associated chapters are recognized for the first time.

Below are the achievement awards that were presented to chapters:

• Sigma Award for Outstanding Community Service - University of Washington (Iota Chapter)
• Beta Award for Chapter of the Year - Binghamton University (Beta Chapter)
• Rho Award for Diversity - Florida State University (Alpha Alpha Chapter)
• Most Improved School - St. John’s University (Gamma Chapter)

Chapter Status

• Drexel University – Upsilon Chapter
• University of Sciences in Philadelphia – Phi Chapter
• Embry Riddle Aeronautical University – Psi Chapter
• Florida State University – Alpha Alpha Chapter
• North Eastern University – Alpha Beta Chapter

Associate Chapter Status

• East Tennessee State University
• Oregon State University

Sigma Award for Outstanding Community Service

• University of Washington (Iota Chapter)

Beta Award for Chapter of the Year

• Binghamton University (Beta Chapter)

Rho Award for Diversity

• Florida State University (Alpha Alpha Chapter)

Brother of the Year

• Jamal Lama (Brother Outbreak)

Newly inducted Brother of the Year

• Gurprit Multani (Brother Chiron)

Lifetime Achievement Award

• Melvin Korattiyil (Brother Napoleon)

Regional Officer of the Year

• Maulin Parikh (Brother Done)

Most Improved School

• St. John’s University (Gamma Chapter)

King Cobra Scholarship

• Nirav Patel, Brother C-4

AWARDS AND ACHIEVEMENTS

Beta Chapter (SUNY Binghamton University)

-2010 Xcelsior Greek Community Service Award
-2010 – 20:1 Sexual Assault Education Program Awards

Gamma Chapter (St. John’s University)

-Awarded Organization of the Year by Kappa Delta Pi (International Education Honor Society)

Epsilon Chapter (Pace University)

-First place in SAMAR Greek life Grant Challenge

Theta Chapter (Rutgers University)

-Chapter Management Award
-Leadership Development Award

Lambda Chapter (Virginia Commonwealth University)

- Highest GPA among all VCU Fraternities
- MGC Strolloff Champions
- Service and Philanthropy Award (Most Community service hours/events among VCU  Fraternities)
- First Runner Up for Fraternity of the Year

Mu Chapter (University of South Florida)

-USF Greek Week Champions (Spring 2010)
-USF Greek Pride Award
-UGC’s Most Culturally Diverse Fraternity

Nu Chapter (University of Georgia-Athens)

-Most Philanthropic Organization of the MultiCultural Greek Council

-Highest MGC GPA

Pi Chapter (University of Florida)

-Multicultural Greek Council Chapter of the Year 2009-2010

Drexel University Associate Chapter

-Outstanding Community Service Programming Award for Be the Change

Florida State University

-Voted as Full Members of the FSU Multicultural Greek Council

ORDER OF OMEGA INDUCTEEES

Justin Zacharias- Brother Slumdog (University of Florida)
Mihir Pathak- Brothe Quake (Georgia Institute of Technology)
Kunal Parbadia- Brother Vulcan (Georgia Institute of Technology)
Vedant Gupta- Brother Breeze (Georgia Institute of Technology)

LEADERSHIP

-Ajith Thomas (Brother Fatality)- President, Indian Subcontinent Student Organization (St. John’s University)
-Sameer Sahrudayan- Treasurer, Indian Subcontinent Student Organization (St. John’s University)
-Ryan Chowdhury (Brother Pacience)- President of Distressed Children International and Secretary of Biomedical Engineering Society (Stony Brook University)
-Arun Sunny (Brother Trifecta)- 2010-2011 MGC Community Service Director (University of Florida)
-Yogi Patel (Brother Sugar Daddy)- 2010-2011 MGC Scholarship Director (University of Florida)
-Anil Patel (Brother Adamantium)- Southeast Unity Mixer Co-Chair (Florida State University)
-Chirag Patel (Brother Volatile)-Southeast Unity Mixer Logistics Chair (Florida State University)
-Arjun Patel (Brother Flamethrower)-President Indian Student Association (Florida State University)
-Junaid Raja (Brother Warhead)- Secretary Muslim Student Association (Florida State University)
-Dawari Zuokemefa (Brother Heisman)- President Multicultural Greek Council (Florida State University)
-Rohaid Nanji (Brother Polo)- MGC President, E-board member for Greek Ambassadors Program and APIA (University of Georgia-Athens)
-Anthony Prasetio (Brother  Static Shock)- MGC Parliamentarian, Member of the Greek Ambassadors Program, APIA Board member (University of Georgia-Athens)
-Roshan Bhakta (Brother Reconstrukt)- MGC Historian, Member of the Greek Ambassadors Program, APIA Board member (University of Georgia-Athens)
-Adam Gustafson (Brother Ostinato)- Winner of the Mr. Diversity Pageant and Member of the     Greek Ambassadors Program (University of Georgia-Athens)
-James Savier (Brother Grim Reaper)- Social Chair for Indian Cultural Exchange (University of Georgia-Athens)
-Kris Patel (Brother Pelikan)- Student Government Association Senator (University of Georgia-Athens)
-Tushar Patel (Brother Pendulum)- Leadership Resource Team Executive Board (University of Georgia-Athens)
-Dipesh Patel- APIA Board Member (University of Georgia-Athens)
-Jai Patel- APIA Board Member (University of Georgia-Athens)
-Shayan Samani (Brother Drifer)- APIA Board member (University of Georgia-Athens)
-Nabir Babbar (Brother Flipside) – Indian Students Association President (Virginia Commonwealth University)
-Sagar Shah (Brother Roadkill) – ISA Vice President (Virginia Commonwealth University)
-John Choi (Brother Alkatraz) – MGC Vice President (Virginia Commonwealth University)
-Syed Ahmed (Brother Shield) – Indian Student Association Secretary (Virginia Commonwealth University)
-Saajan Patel (Brother Rocket) – Vice Chair of the Unified Greek Council (Oregon State University)
-Dan Cheung (Brother I.Q.) – Webmaster of the Unified Greek Council (Oregon State University)
-Aditya Rane (Brother Virus) – Secretary of the Indian Student Association (Oregon State University)
-Vishal Gandhi (Brother Xplode)- MGC President- Fall 2010-Spring 2011 (University of Houston)
-Shazam Khaleel (Brother Akademix)- Multicultural Greek Council Relay for Life Coordinator (Florida International University)
-Arvind Rampersaud (Brother Architect) – International Student Association Co- President (Florida International University)
-Alvin Alex (Brother Bloodshed) – MGC Stalker Award & ISA Secretary (Florida International University)
-Vikyat Miryala (Brother Illuminati) – ISA Public Relations (Florida International University)
-Pavan Patel (Brother Reflex) – MGC Historian (Florida International University)
-Ben Utterback (Brother Undertaker) – MGC Most Spirited Award (Florida International University)
-John Wolff (Brother Basilisk)- President of Multicultural Greek Council (Boston University)
-Neil Shah (Brother Aurum)  - VP of Indian Student Association (University of Pittsburgh)
-Ken Nakajima (Brother Belligerent)- Operations Chair of ASA (University of Pittsburgh)
-Chirag Shah (Brother Smoooth) – Cultural Chair of ISA (University of Pittsburgh)
-Ashish Joseph (Brother Rejuvenate)- President of Variety of Indian Cultural Expressions (VOICE), Vice President of MGC (Drexel University)
-Parin Patel (Brother 4-Sight)- Treasurer of VOICE, Treasurer of MGC (Drexel University)
-Varun Pitre (Brother V-Box) – President of Multicultural Greek Council (Embry Riddle Aeronautical University)
-Ramiche Ramsay (Brother Overtime) – Vice President MGC (Embry Riddle Aeronautical University)
-Daniel Brijlall (Brother Osiris) – Secretary MGC (Embry Riddle Aeronautical University)
-Daniel Reid (Brother Duas Caras) – Treasurer MGC (Embry Riddle Aeronautical University)
-Yash Ghogre (Brother Cathartic) – Multicultural Greek Council President (Georgia Institute of Technology)
-Jvaneel Parekh (Brother Dryce) – Indian Cultural Exchange President (Georgia Institute of Technology)
-Ahmad Haram (Brother Kingfisher) – Undergraduate Consulting Club President (Georgia Institute of Technology)
-Soumon Rudra (Brother Kronos) - Asian American Student Association President (Georgia Institute of Technology)
-Akshal Patel (Brother Legacy) – Multicultural Greek Council President (University of Maryland-BC)
-Shirish Patel (Brother Fallout) – MGC Treasurer (University of Maryland-BC)
-Kavit Kothary (Brother Euphoric) - South Asian Student Association President (University of Maryland-BC)
-Mansoor Muhammad (Brother Primetime) – South Asian Student Association Vice President (University of Maryland-BC)
-Vishal Patel (Brother Xposure) - South Asian Student Association Events Coordinator (University of Maryland-BC)
-Vladislav Azimhodjaev (Brother Nu-matic) – SGA Finance Board (University of Maryland-BC)
-Udit Pandya (Brother Pandemic) – Best Buddies Int’l Organization Treasurer and SGA Treasury Board, Taal Acapella Club Vice President (University of Maryland-BC)
-Emil Chacko – Indian International Student Union President 2010-2011 (SUNY Binghamton University)
-Eric Chacko – Indian International Student Union Public Relations Chair 2010-2011 (SUNY Binghamton University)
-Mithun Sivadasan – Hindu Student Council Public Relations Chair 2010-2011 (SUNY Binghamton University)
-Harish Bhojwani (Brother Anarchy) – MGC Brother of the Year (Drexel University)
-Ricky Mathew (Brother Everlast) Secretary of the MGC at Temple University (Temple University)

Fraternal brothers and sisters, friends, and families are encouraged to join NAPA in sending a gift to help children and families impacted by these devastating events. Please spread the word! Forward this message to all your contacts, a simple email can go a long way!

[big_button url="https://www.wepay.com/donate/NAPA_Japan_Relief"]Donate to World Vision[/big_button]

[quote author="from WorldVision.org"]
In the wake of a disaster, World Vision is often one of the first organizations to begin relief work by distributing
emergency supplies and sending highly-trained staff to assess and respond to the most urgent needs.
[/quote]

For more information please contact Maria S. Iglesia, Executive Chair of NAPA.

UPDATE (March 11, 2011, 10pm CST) :

Ways to Help

[basic_list]

• Visit Redcross.org or text ‘REDCROSS‘ to 90999 to donate $10 from your phone
• Visit Internationalmedicalcorps.org or text ‘MED‘ to 80888 from any mobile phone to give $10.
• Text ‘JAPAN‘ or ‘QUAKE‘ to 80888 to make a $10 donation or visit SalvationArmyUSA.org

[/basic_list]

Stay Informed

[basic_list]

The United States Geographical Survey (USGS) keep an up-to-the-minute log of all seismic activity. Click here to see a current list of all earthquakes that have hit Japan this week.

[/basic_list]

UPDATE (March 13, 2011, 11am CST) :

Two more major Earthquakes have occurred off of the east coast of Honshu, Japan in the past 12 hours. The first, approximately 12 hours ago with a magnitude of 6.2, and the second just 4 hours ago, with a magnitude of 6.0. This is becoming an increasingly dire situation for the victims of this disaster, and these earthquakes occurring in the aftershock of the initial earthquake make it very difficult for aiding organizations and governments to reach victims. We urge all brother and visitors to provide whatever help they can to Japan.

I entered the 100-person classroom at 8:35 AM, sat down on one side of the room and placed my green messenger bag, without stirring anyone’s attention. I reached down to take out a pen and notebook and carefully unfastened the Velcro that binded my bag together.

Silence dawned upon the classroom. I froze. An outburst was imminent.

“If I hear one more noise, whether it’s static, or clicking, or whatever, I’m turning on my mic!”

Standing over the whole classroom, her short stature seemed larger than life as her eyes glared into mine. I sunk into my seat, attentively listening to the rest of the two hour lecture without any way to record it. I still recall everything I learned from that day, about agenda-setting in television, how it is done, and various techniques.

The previous week, I was assigned by my editor to cover the impact of budget cuts on tuition and how it is affecting students. As the ace reporter I was for the school newspaper, I jumped into the assignment, heavily researching budget cuts in the state of Washington, the increases in tuition so far and potentially in the future, where specifically the tuition is going towards, why specifically there are tuition increases and no other alternatives in place, and so on and so forth.

At the University of Washington, there is an 11 percent increase in resident tuition this year, and an additional $842 per quarter for non-residents. Next year, it is proposed to increase another 14 percent for residents and an undefined number for non-residents. Gov. Gregoire also proposes to cut Washington state federal aid, such as loans and scholarships, to in-state students.

Furthermore, the amount of teaching assistants (TAs) and lecturers for certain upper division classes have been cut, along with the salaries of the remaining lecturers and TAs. Numerous departments have had trouble adequately staffing math and writing centers, leading to the closure of a few writing centers across campus.

The more research I did into the topic, there was only one question to ask people: Are you receiving the worth of education you are paying for?

Of course, this is based on the perspective of the individual. To obtain a general idea, I asked my fellow brother Ankur Gupta (Brother 12-Gauge) to gain a general idea of public opinion.

“UW is one of the top ten for computer science, so I think it’s worth [coming here], especially since big companies recruit straight out of UW,” Gupta said.

For others, they believe they are paying “more for less”. One student I interviewed has a class with a TA unavailable for help for students outside the classroom, and another class that was supposed to have a TA but it does not.

In the end, after interviewing numerous people from a variety of backgrounds, it was the out-of-state people indifferent about paying $9000 per quarter, and the in-state students reacting heavily to increases in tuition, even though the in-state tuition increases are approximately one-third the increase in out-of-state tuition.

Odd? Not really.

Many of the out-of-state students are either financially well off, or expected to pay so much, thus saved up for college starting in high school. Numerous in-state students were valedictorians or were accepted to a prestigious private or out-of-state public university, but could not afford the price tag.

Furthermore, after interviewing so many people, it was the out-of-state students with majors such as business, engineering, computer science, or pre-medicine, and the in-state students studying social work, English, international studies, and other liberal arts majors.

Therefore, this question arises: what is a college education?

Is it cramming as much information as possible and aimed towards the next step, purely focused on the routine for rest of your life?

Or is it in the process, the little things you pick up along the way over the four, five or six years, while laughing, crying, learning and doing what you want on a daily basis in college?

Sure, the engineering major enjoys what he or she learns just as much as the English major, because it’s all personal interest—but clearly there is an ulterior motive for why the engineering major comes specifically to the UW over their local in-state university. It’s the fact that major corporations recruit UW business and engineering students without them even finishing their final year, or that the UW has such a strong medicine program. This was clearly the case for my own brother, the random selection of people I interviewed who were out of state, and well… myself when I entered the UW.

I came into the UW with aspirations to major in accounting, just like my uncles and grandfathers on both sides of my family. I chose the UW because of the numerous Fortune 500 companies based in the area, and the recognition of the business program at the UW. However I came to the realization that I could never become a successful businessman because (1) I’m way too nice and not nearly competitive enough to survive in the cutthroat nature of business (example: I would probably fire someone, but then help him find a job at another company, because people need jobs to survive, literally. Like I said, way too nice), and (2) I needed to actually do well in math classes, not scrape by with a 75% and barely understand the concepts.

Right now, I’m a journalism major. I’m happy with what I learn and what I do on a daily basis. I take advantage of my lecturers and TAs, and ask questions outside the classroom to clarify the subject matter and gain more knowledge. The journalism field, even at the college level, is pressure-filled, but it’s the pressure that drives me to continue to learn, develop and work as a reporter. In the long run, I hope to work for a major publication, and continue to write.

I came to the realization that higher education is a bit of both of those questions: have fun at doing what you love on a daily basis. It’s about going to class and listening to the lecturer like you would your own brother and taking in every word of it. It’s about learning from the little things in the classroom and outside the classroom, live each day to its fullest without regrets, but still have a long-term goal with an idea of where you want to be in five years or ten years, and a general plan to achieve it.

In the end, it doesn’t really matter what you major in in college. It’s what you take out of every single experience in college, including classes, the people you interact with, and the events that occur in your life, and how you apply it to what you love to do for the rest of your life.

By Ravi Venkataraman | Brother Speakerboxx

MORE DETAILS COMING SOON!