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Despite recent low temperatures and winter storms, 40 members of Phi Delta Theta (Phi Delt) can be spotted around campus these days sporting freshly shaved heads.

Motivated by their brother Victor Krivitski ’12’s recent diagnosis with a rare form of cancer, the Phi Delts decided to brave the cold and shave their heads “to show Vic that we were standing with him and further demonstrate that one man is no man,” said fraternity president Andrew Wylie ’12.

“After a few brothers had shaved their heads, people began realizing what an incredible show of solidarity it would be to grow the movement. When brothers were given the choice to hold on to their luscious locks or support their brother, we didn’t have to think twice,” said Wylie.

A geology major, rugby player, member of the 51���� Geological Society, WRCU radio host, and recruitment chair of Phi Delt, Krivitski was diagnosed with a mediastinal germ cell tumor in December. He has since started a three-month regimen of aggressive chemotherapy, which will be followed by chest surgery.

During winter break, friends and alumni regularly kept Krivitski’s hospital room crowded, including William Baker ’70, who offered Krivitski and his parents the guest suite of his New York City apartment so that they wouldn’t have to commute back and forth for treatments. Baker is vice chairman of the New York Zeta Fund of Phi Delta Theta Foundation.

According to men’s rugby captain Mike Danahy ’11, the support shown to Krivitski is “as much a testament to Victor’s remarkable character as it is to the character of his friends and the 51���� community.”

The rugby team recently hosted a fundraiser for Krivitski called Victorpalooza.

“It seemed like a good way to pool our funds and our support to make a more unified gesture to Vic and his family that the 51���� community is thinking of him, misses his presence, and is eager to help,” said Danahy. More than $1,200 was raised, and a number of photos and a video will be sent to the family.

Both the rugby team and fraternity are planning further events this spring.

“Even in his absence, we want him to know that he is always held closely in our thoughts,” Wylie said.