On January 21, over 250 Bucknell students, including 90 Delta Chapter brothers, attended a special showing of “Rising Hope,” a documentary directed by Theodore “Theo” Avgerinos (2000).

Six years in the making, “Rising Hope” is a collaboration among distinguished talents: Academy Award-winning documentary producer Lynn Appelle, Emmy Award-winning composer Alex Wurman and festival award-winning director Theo Avgerinos. “Rising Hope” premiered to critical acclaim at the 2024 Oxford Film Festival in Mississippi, where it earned Best Mississippi Film and the Audience Award. Later, the documentary earned Best Documentary at the LightReel Film Festival, in Washington, DC, and Best Documentary and Best Director at the Golden Gate International Film Festival, in San Francisco. Most recently, the documentary was recognized with the Outstanding Excellence Award at the Documentaries Without Borders International Film Festival.

Learn More and Watch the Trailer

After the January 21 showing, several undergraduates brothers gave positive reviews:

• “The film opened my own eyes to a different side of America and the stories of people living in a region where so many of the cards are stacked against them. It made me reflect on how fortunate I am to have resources and a strong support system in place. With that being said, there’s a human element to the film that is truly inspiring, such as Rod’s journey to become a travel photographer and even going to college, something that his mother wasn’t able to do. The film is worth seeing as it not only sheds light on the history of racism and generational inequalities but also gives a personal perspective on the strength, joy, hopes, and dreams of people who are there.” – Jackson Kizilbash (2025), Chapter President
• “The film sheds light on the incredibly impoverished Mississippi Delta region and its residents, largely African American, who have been subjected to extreme economic impoverishment due to the ramifications of Jim Crow laws and other immoral practices of the past. While this was incredibly sad, the film also highlighted some people who are making changes in their communities for the better and hoping to lift themselves and those around them. Overall, this was an incredibly insightful experience, and I found it very interesting to learn about this community and the change that is taking place within it.” – Theodore Seitz (2027)
• “Rising Hope, directed by Theo Avgerinos, sheds light on how neglected the residents and communities surrounding the Mississippi Delta are. While it did not provide much statistical data, it did a great job utilizing the vibrant testimonies of the area’s residents. Hearing the locals’ stories helped me better understand how the area faced extreme economic downfall over the years. It highlights the issues with the area, the power of those in the community, and their efforts. Even though the area is declining, the residents stay hopeful and strive for change.” – Chris Bujdud (2027)
• “Rising Hope directed by one of our graduate brothers, made me prouder than ever to be a Fiji. The stars’ efforts to thrive in the society they were put into is truly inspiring. The film made a mark on me and everyone else in that theater.” – Brad Trager (2026), Chapter Treasurer
• “The movie was a great experience! It was a truly incredible documentary that resulted in many conversations that I would never have expected to have. Theo is really good at what he does.” – Lars Kikoski (2025)

This November, Krisjanis Ule (Quinnipiac 2020) will be running the New York City Marathon to benefit the Release Recovery Foundation (RRF).

One out of four people in the United States suffer from substance use disorder and/or mental illness, and 90% of those suffering are not able to access treatment due to financial barriers. RRF, a 501(c)3 nonprofit, is dedicated to ensuring all who are ready and willing to seek professional treatment are able. RRF provides scholarships that unlock access to treatment at NAATP-vetted facilities across the country for individuals demonstrating financial need. The average scholarship granted for a single person’s recovery journey is $7,500.

Krisjanis has set a fundraising goal of at least $15,000 to support RRF, meaning by running the marathon, he would be able to provide two people with the life-saving care they would not otherwise be able to afford.

Click here to learn more about Krisjanis’ marathon journey.

In August, the Archons appointed Dan Mossop (Akron 1989) as the Fraternity’s Director of Volunteer Advancement & Engagement. In this new Appointed Volunteer Leader position, Dan advises the Archons and staff on the implementation of volunteer recruitment, support and training initiatives. He provides updates on the status and needs of volunteer Section Leaders and chapter-level advisors, and he coordinates efforts to develop initiatives with the Section Leader Executive Committee. Prior to Dan’s appointment, he served the Fraternity as Section Leader, from 2020-24, and as a BCA member for the Alpha Omicron Chapter, from 2006-10. Professionally, he has served Momentive Technologies as Vice President & Chief Information Officer since May. Previously, he served as the Global Director of IT Vendor Management for the Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company. He is also the District Deputy Grand Master of the 22nd Masonic District of Ohio.

Jason Isbell (Memphis 2001), of Jason Isbell & the 400 Unit, won two Grammy Awards for Best Americana Album, Weathervanes, and Best American Roots Song, Cast Iron Skillet.

The Delta Chapter at Bucknell recently built and named a half basketball court behind the chapter house in honor of Purple Legionnaire Ed Robinson (1986) for winning the 2022 Durrance Award as the Fraternity’s most outstanding Purple Legionnaire. The court will be used for undergraduate pick up games and the 3×3 basketball tournament, which is held annually each spring.

Eugene D. “Buddy” Cote (Maine 1981) received the NIC’s Gold Medal, which is the highest honor the Conference can bestow and recognizes lifelong service to the interfraternal community and/or the NIC.

Buddy spent four years working on the Fraternity’s staff – as a Field Secretary and then Director of Chapter Services. Since then, he built a career in the fraternal jewelry market, turning customers into friends and friends into customers. Buddy has been a visionary and consequential leader for Phi Gamma Delta, including as a board member and Archon President. He continually promotes the importance of interfraternity cooperation, through the NIC and Interfraternity Councils, the importance of strengthening the Greek movement and each fraternity. Within the NIC, Buddy served on the board of directors and as chairman from 2014-15 when the NIC moved from a volunteer-driven board to the current Governing Council. After the move to the new governance system, Buddy served until 2022 as Phi Gamma Delta’s representative on the Governing Council.