Despite the chilly winds, Phi Gamma Delta, also known as FIJI, hosted its third annual Pig Roast April 24. The roast was one of three events that made up FIJI’s “Islander Week.”
FIJI held the event on Baker Quad for the Pig Roast and sold plates of pulled pork, potato salad, baked beans and fruit drinks for $5.
“I wish it was a little warmer and a little sunnier, although this isn’t the first time we’ve had bad luck with the weather,” senior computer science major and chapter president Zach Burtle said. “But despite the less-than-tropical temperature, we’ve been doing pretty well.”
The Pig Roast raised more than $300 for the United Service Organization (USO), according to Burtle.
“The USO really resonates with us, and that’s why we try to support them each year,” senior chemistry major and pledge educator Bryce Egan said. “We just really like the simplicity, directness, and lack of red tape that comes with USO.”
Occuring in conjunction with the Pig Roast was FIJI’s Rocking Chair-A-Thon. FIJI members sat in rocking chairs in shifts for 24 hours on Baker Quad to raise money through community donations.
This event replaced the annual Teeter-Totter Marathon FIJI usually hosts. FIJI was forced to switch to rocking chairs because their teeter-totter has gone missing, according to Egan.
“We believe our teeter-totter has been stolen, although we’re not sure how exactly, considering how heavy and big it is,” Egan said. “We currently believe that someone from the area took it and sold it for scrap metal.”
Despite these difficulties, Burtle said he remains optimistic.
“Things have been a bit lackluster lately, but these difficulties are not going to stop us from staying true to our pledge of scholarship, fraternity and self,” Burtle said. “Plus, we’re getting a new teeter-totter next semester.”
