XI PSI PHI PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE Supreme Chapter President’s Message


DR. RANDY P. GURROLA Supreme Chapter President 2018–2020


Good Afternoon Fellow ZIP Family Members & Friends: T


oday, I start a journey that I never dreamed about but am eager to accept, the humbling task of Supreme Chapter President 2018–2020.


First, I would like to congratulate Dr. Apolito on a suc-


cessful two years. As a friend of mine would say, “Don’t let the ship sink under your helm.” Although the ship was hit by occasional rocky waters, I assume the wheel of a vessel ready for the next voyage. Let’s go back to the year 1985, before some of those in


attendance were born. Tat was the year I started den- tal school at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF). I, like many first year students did not know what was going to happen over the next 4 years. What we did know that first week was the dental fraternities (ZIPS, Psi-O & Delts) were going to feed us as they tried to get us to join their local chapters. I did not join that first year but was good friends with classmates from each fraternity. During my 2nd year, I and two classmates/ roommates moved in together and we all rushed ZIPS. It seems like yesterday that I remember going on a Trea- sure Hunt as part of our initiation ritual. We, the class of 1989, were around 30 members strong. My senior year, I was elected Iota Chapter President and convinced one of classmates/roommates to be VP. Tis was a special year as we celebrated the 100 year anniversary of ZIPS. We held a celebration at our original ZIP House and if I remember correctly, Dr. Jerome Strain, class of 1929, attended. Having alumni attend our event celebrations/ dinners were always special as they regaled us with their past ZIP experiences. After graduating dental school, I did not leave UCSF


as I completed their AEGD program and post-graduate periodontal program. Since I was on campus those three years, I was able to attend the various fraternity func- tions. After completing my periodontal training, I joined UCSF as an Assistant Clinical Professor. Again, staying local, I was able to keep in touch with the students and Iota Chapter events. Ten, one day, I received a phone call from Dr. Stan Lawrence, the Iota Alumni Chapter President. He asked if I was interested in taking over his position. Again, I was humbled by his offer and graciously accepted. At the same time, Dr. Don Martin, Iota Alumni


2 | Volume 114, Issue 2


Chapter Secretary/Treasurer asked Dr. Penni Yip to takes his position. We then com- pleted the team by adding Dr. Charlie Arita, Alumni VP and Dr. Anne-Lise Fink, Alumni Editor. We then started the journey of helping to rebuild an Iota Chapter that dwindled to less than 20 members and a fraternity house that needed much work. Te Iota Chapter con- tinues to have great student leaders as the chapter continues to hover around 125. Te ZIP House has undergone many repairs under the leader- ship of our Honorary Member, Mr. Fred Endemann. Even with outrageous housing prices in San Francisco, we are able to offer the students monthly rents between $600- $700 vs current San Francisco housing rents of $2,500/ mos. and up. Dr. Yip became very active in the Supreme Chapter and


Dr. Randy P. Gurrola


expressed one day that the Supreme Chapter needed finan- cial assistance. Since I had not been to a Supreme Chapter Meeting, before we (Iota Alumni Chapter) considered any financial help, I wanted to know more about the organi- zation. I attended the meeting in San Antonio (outgoing President Troy Jones/incoming President Larry Doyle – 2004?). I was greeted warmly and was impressed by the commitment those in attendance showed toward the fra- ternity. Now 14 years later, many of those individuals are in attendance today which shows their loyalty to the frater- nity. However, like other organizations that I am an active member, we need as I like to say “new blood” to continue the tradition of this great fraternity. As I say to each gradu- ating class at our Senior Farewell Dinner, you are welcome to attend Iota Chapter dinners for life at no charge. But, also remember the Supreme Chapter by paying your yearly membership dues and if possible, give back financially. As I say to people all the time, I try to do my best.


At our last Senior Farewell Dinner, a young gentleman approached me and thanked me for my speech to the


(Continued on page 23) XI PSI PHI QUARTERLY


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32