March 1930 Omegaphone
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President’s Message
The alumni will be pleased to learn that we now have in the hose that much-desired group called the “house builder”. They are the unassuming, thoughtful group who appreciate what is being done outside the house and likewise do their part by building it up internally. They seize every available occasion to smooth out the rough spots in our chapter and add features to the house which will balance those interests from the outside. The last accomplishment of this group is the reestablishment of our library. New shelves have been built in and new interests aroused to get out supply of books up to date. It is the first permanent library that Omega chapter has ever had and it is surprising the interest the “house builders” have aroused in our supposedly non-literary men. To insure continued interest and growth in the library, an amendment to out by-laws reads that an investment of twenty-five dollars will be made in books yearly. This is a much-needed amendment and shows the worthwhileness of the work of the brothers. I know I will be joined by the alumni in expressing my while=hearted praise to this group for the admirable features they have added to our chapter house, and may they continue the good work with that same enthusiasm.
Beverely D. Decker
Library Campaign
Omega’s long expected Library Campaign starts March twentieth and continues until April twentieth. During that time we intend to fill forty-eight feet of empty book shelves full of good books. The chapter has installed, along one side of the new card room, a four-section bookcase. It is twelve feet long, four shelves high, and it is finished in white enamel to match the rest of the room. Omega chapter realized the need for a library, but until the present time the budget has not provided, but the sixty odd volumes in the library do not begin to fill it, Now is the time for every alumnus to send in those books he can spare from his own book case.
Letter will be sent to those mothers who were here last Mother’s Day in an effort to obtain help from that source, We are sure that they will be of great assistance to us in this matter.
To fill these shelves full of worthwhile books will not be easy. It will require the cooperation of every on if the campaign is to go over the top. It isn’t asking the impossible to fill forty—eight feet of book space within a month. The number of books wanted is not limited; if the issue is over scribed we will have more shelves built. Before we have to cope with that problem, we would like to see the present one completed, Send Omega Your Book!
Harry D. Greiner, Librarian
Our Landscaping Problem
While waiting for the first robin and various other external signs of spring, we are confronted with the problem of improving the scenery immediately adjacent to our fraternal residence, We can do nothing, of course, with the nearby scenery, such as the mountains, fields and what not, except to long for gentry, but we can do something for that part of the general landscape which lies within one hundred feet of our doormat in all directions.
In the first place, as soon as the weather and condition of the mud permit, this fraternity will need many stout-hearted knaves with willing hands and strong shovels to successfully remove and replace said mud. We will need, also, several experienced removers and planters of trees. In short, we will need the whole-hearted cooperation of this fraternity, to help make our surroundings more presentable and more fitting to grade perfect house we now live in.
We might also ask that our worthy alumni visit us and give suggestions. We are indebted to Brother Wilson for his excellent ideas and plans for improving the landscaping - would that more of the departed brothers would realize our ignorance in such matters and give us a bit of free advice.
Let’s start a drive now for beautifying our house, and at least lay a strong foundation. Here’s How!
Walter L. Keene, House Manager
A Newly Initiated Speaks
We, the new brothers of Theta Chi are glad to take the responsibility of keeping our fraternity on top. We will do our best to act always as Theta Chi men should, and the whole organization will have our complete support. We recognized the true friendship and helping hand of the fraternity when we were rushed by the upperclassmen, and we were very anxious to have their approval stamped on us. As yet we have been able to do very little for our brothers expect run errands. But we hope, as the days go by, that each one of us will be come a much-needed cog in the machinery of the Omega Chapter. Even now we feel quite responsible and round that we are brothers of such a widely knows and respected fraternity, We hope some day to put Theta Chi a little more on the map by our deeds. I want to thank those who guided us through the time that we were pledged. That was a trying period, and we are grateful to all who helped us.
Activities
With our winter activities slowly setting behind the horizon, Omega;s hopes for success in the coming spring events are rapidly rising. The call for lacrosse candidates has sounded and four brainy youngsters have answered the summons; they are Harry Osgood, Arp Heutchy, Ben Small and Ernie Wilby, Walt Coates is working hard to make a berth on our freshman track team. Bev Decker, our president, is doing his utmost to hold down his position on the varsity lacrosse team. Bob Faries was elected manager of Penn State’s first gym team, while Walt Keene and Bill Hazard are first and second-assistant managers, respectively. Ben Conard appeared in “R.U,R.” by Kapek, produced by the Penn State Players of which he is a member. Roy Maize, our feather0weight wrestler, threw three men out of four bouts. Jack Carson, our up-and-coming young journalist, has recently been elected to Alpha Beta Sigma, honorary professional Journalism fraternity. Quentin Rodgers was one of three sophomores to be elected to Delta Sigma Pi, honorary Commerce and Finance fraternity. Vice-King Harry Girard who so apply guided the chapter during the absence of Brother Decker, helped to make the Military Ball the great success that everyone voted it to be, by acting on the committee.
Samuel Sinclair, Edward White, and Sherwood Booth were recently elected to Pi Delta Epsilon. Theta Chis compose one-tenth of the newly-initiated P.D.E.’s.
Alumni News
It is with great pleasure that I announce the marriage of Brother Fred R. Greiner to Margaret Ellen Scott. This happy couple embarked upon the holy sea of matrimony on Saturday, January 31st, 1931. A few days later the ceremony in Germantown, Fred and Margaret honored us with a visit to State College - rather Boalsburg. I understand they hired, bought, or stole a cabin in the vicinity and there secluded themselves as hermits. Ah me, what these Nittany mountains will do! Their home is in Merchantville, New Jersey, at the Greeleigh Court Apartments.
Because of an oversight on the part of our editorial staff, news of Brother Robert “Pooch” Herr has not been published for months. I received a very heated and indignant letter from “Pooch” a month ago and he told me plenty. It read something like this: “When I was in school I thought the alumnus was responsible for not “keeping in touch” with the active chapter. Now that I’m on the other side of the fence I see things differently. Three times I’ve told the chapter I’m not working with Westingtinghouse, twice your received word of my marriage, and a couples number of times I’ve told you my new address.” After that I had to get busy. There’s the “dope” on “Pooch” in just a few words: He and Margaret Condon were married in Philadelphia on Saturday, November 8th, 1930. He is now employed with the Atlantic Refining Company as a combustion engineer. His new address in in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Perhaps we did slip up on Bob Herr, but that’s no reason for the rest of you brothers keeping your accomplishments and attainments a secret. Write and give us the low-down so that we can put your names in the Omegaphone.
Up and Down the Halls During Study Hours
Fries has moved out - presumably in search of broader fields to conquer. Girard rubs his spurs to a silvery glow for Mill Ball - and then doesn’t wear them. After proudly announcing that he knows the captain of golf, though, not the manager, Fay gets up in the dining room and pronounces the coach’s cognomen. Doc Rietnour has started an OX club ward up at his sawmill. The ill brothers have had almost everything from appendicitis to barber’s tech - with dirty rumors about malnutrition. Decker indulges in the customer press agentry about his Mil Ball date. Anderson has been peeping through keyholes again - this time he got a shiner in the right eye. Young, in a fit of brotherly love, sends his sister a birthday card in the middle of February - her birthday is some time in December. Schwenker searching for the “girl of his dreams” at the Charge of the Light Brigade. DOGS TRAINED: Will stay at home, house broken and WILL NOT tear Junior’s overcoat - Theta Chi Kennels, C.H. Anderson, Trainer (Advit.) The Great Hammond and the Even Greater Schwenk, in a fit of ennui, while away the midnight hours by ripping off one another’s p.j.’s. ROOK OF THE MONTH CLUB - Decker, the Younger, goes down town for some slide rule oil.
Our Bone Crusher
Roy Maize, varsity 115-pound wrestler the last two years, Doc Ritnour’s bone crusher, represented Penn State in the Intercollegiates held at Yale University, March 14, 15.
He defeated his first opens by the time advantage of 29 seconds after going two extra rounds. Roy suffered a severe handicap when he sprained his elbow in the first few minutes of the bout and had to have it taped in order that he might continue.
Five men from Penn State advanced into the semi-finals. Roy lost his second match by a fall after having a time advantage of six minutes. Roy practically had to wrestle with one arm. This is his second try for an intercollegiate title. He has one more year to bring it back to Penn State and Omega has great hopes for him. its of luck next year, Roy!
Interfraternity Sports
Interfraternity sports play a great part in undergraduate life at Penn State. Nearly every sport is attempted by the fraternities and each has a manager selected by the president of Interfraternity Council.
This year our attempts have not been very successful. In football we lost to Sigma Phi Epsilon in the first game. However, out opens advanced to the semi-finals so that our loss was not as bad as it might have been.
In basketball our hopes ran quite high. Last year we placed third out of forty-six fraternities and as none of our men graduated we expected a successful season. The first game was won 34 to 12, but the Unknowns defeated us 22 to 20 in the second game, after playing five extra minutes. Again or opens were in the semi-finals and placed second. By the way, what does that make us?
The interfraternity baseball tournament always has fifty or so teams entered. Omega pledged several high school diamond experts at the beginning of school so that with the combined efforts of the plebes and the other three classes Omega has an even chance of placing the cup on the top shelf on our new built-in bookcase.
Interfraternity golf draws a big following and at present we have several kinsmen who have been breaking eighty, If they don’t break into varsity golf our chances for the trophy look bright.
The tennis tourney will be entered by Omega and upheld by two plebes who have convinced us of their prowess on the clay court by the medals earned in high school. Yes, even big city high schools!
New Brothers
Omega initiated eleven plebes and one junior on Sunday, February 15. The initiation banquet was held seven o’clock that night and Brothers Nesbitt and Doan, together with house president Decker and brother Skillen, one of the newly initiated, were speakers.
the new members are: Paul Fugate ’32, Robert Asplund ’34, Walter Coates ’34, George Decker ’34, William Dunlap ’34, John Fey ’34, Arpad Heutchy ’34, Harry Osgood ’34, Calvin Saunders ’34, Randall Skillen ’34, Benjamin Small ’34, and Ernest Wilby ’34.
“Jackie” Nesbitt
Jack, eight year old son of Faculty Advisor Professor R. B. Nesbitt, has been confined to the Altoona Hospital for the last week. He has undergone an operation for double mastoids, and was apparently on the way to recovery when he suffered a relapse. His condition is still quite serious.
The brothers of Omega Chapter express their sympathy. Brother Nesbitt may be reached at his home in State College, Pennsylvania.
Entertain Phi Sigs
Theta Chis entertained their next door neighbors, the Phi Sigma Kappa’s, Tuesday night, March 17, at dinner.
It has been our policy to have a freshmen entertain the nearby houses’ plebes, but this year it was thought a better plan for all the classes to become more acquainted.
About thirty-five Phi Sigs made the long journey between the houses, and from all reports they had a pleasant time. They are entertaining us at dinner on March 24.
Within a month we intend to invite the Chi Phi’s, our across-the-street neighbors, over to dinner and increase this friendship also.
hank you to all those brothers that shared their news.
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