Fall 1974 Omegaphone
Alumni President's Message
I was pleasantly Tiurprised at the Founder's Day meeting when the actives reported that they were looking forward to having 37 men living in the house in the Fall term. While I expected them to work their tails off rushing I did not expect results quite that good.
As we all know, the bigger problem still lies ahead for Omega: successfully getting the 15 or 20 pledges eventually brotherized. The actives have shown that they can handle the challenge of rushing; 1 am sure they will just as successfully handle pledging and continued rushing!
Throughout the past year Theta Chi at Penn State has been extremely fortunate in having Ed Keller '53 as financial advisor and Howard Alter '41 as Executive Director of the Grand Chapter (national office).
Ed Keller is Vice President - Software and Analysis for HRB - Singer in State College. He brings a hard nosed business approach to the fraternity along with top notch leadership ability. He has spent a great deal of his time working with the undergraduates to solve the financial and rushing problems of the house.
At the same time Howard Alter has been keeping informed of the situation at Omega and has dispatched field secretaries as needed to help and guide the actives. Both Ed and Howard deserve a great deal of thanks from all of us especially me.
Three other people who deserve a lot of thanks and congratulations are William W. "Win" Orben '55, Bob Patterson '30 and Mrs. William W. (Mary-Beth) Orben. They are the ones responsible for the revival of the Omegaphone. Judging from the number of appreciative comments I have heard, that looks like something many people have wanted for a long time.
Another popular idea seems to be that of publishing another alumni directory. At Homecoming several alumni who have been studying the subject expect to present detailed plans to publish a directory in 1976.
Dan Carn '65 and Toby Froehlich '70 are organizing quite an affair for Homecoming, October 12th. If you haven't done so - - make plans now to join us. And if you can't be there for Homecoming try one of the other games. also be at Penn State for the Stanford game on September 14th. That's the weekend of the 1963 and 1964 Penn State reunion. I hope to see you at one or both of those week-ends.
Fraternally,
David A. Heitzenroder, '64
P.S. Please don't forget to send in your dues of $10 or more. I think we can continue to put it to good use. Finally, Omega's continued progress depends on a steady influx of qualified new members. You can help this effort by recommending men you know of at Penn State. Just send a note to the house, cio Dave Matthews, Rushing Chairman. Do it now; freshman rush is in progress, but transfers and upper-classmen make good prospects, too.
Report of Chapter Financial Advisor
The fall term starts off on a high note with 36 men in the house, including 24 brothers, 9 pledges, 2 graduate student brothers, and one move-in. The enthusiasm is running high, and we look forward to a good rush program this year. The climate at Penn State for fraternities is much improved, and 1 anticipate this upswing to continue. The increased membership requires that we replace the dining room chairs that have been breaking over the years. The chapter has ordered new chairs and hopes to have them by Alumni Homecoming, October 12. As a result of the improved financial position we anticipate being able to pay for the chairs out of current income for the year. Come back and look the house over on Homecoming.
Ed Keller '53
Editor's Note:
Mark Burrough's letter opened with a comment we'd like to pass on: "I was very impressed to read about the positive changes that the actives are making. It looks like we're turning the corner."
We also call your attention to the lead article in the June '74 Rattle, "Fraternities Are Coming Back". Reports from Penn State and Br. Alter at National H. Q. seem to confirm the statement.
Also, in the same issue, be sure to note the fine showing of Omega graduates in support of the 1973 National dues appeal. We were first in number of contributors (76), third in amount ($866), and fifth by percentage (10.6%). Congratulations! Your continued support of this program helps insure Theta Chi's participation the upswing of fraternity growth.
Your editor hopes we are nearing the time when the actives will be taking over the principal duties of publishing the Omegaphone! Meanwhile, please send your news, comments and suggestions along with your dues and ballot.
Alumni Notes
Jim Stalder '62, was made a partner in the CPA firm of Price Waterhouse and Company in June and reassigned to the Pittsburgh office. He had spent a year in the New York City office.
James T. (Tim) Nelligan '61, was back for Founders Day combining business and pleasure in the East. Earlier this year he moved to the Los Angeles area as West Coast Regional Marketing Manager for Owens Corning Fiberglas.
John E. Branigan '47, has been named Administrator of Centre County Community Hospital.
Norm Steen '61, finished up his PhD in math (with a nuclear physics minor) at Pitt two years ago and has been assigned by Bettis Atomic Power Lab of Westinghouse Electric Corporation to head a "think tank" of 20 scientists working on advanced nuclear reactor design methods. He has recently been appointed to the prestigous National Advisory Committee on Reactor Physics of the Atomic Energy Commission.
Joe Zimmerman '56, reports that he has moved to Wilmington, Delaware where he is a maintenance consultant for DuPont. He is married to the former Randy Cobb (P.S.U. '55) and they have four children. They plan to return for Homecoming on October 12th.
Major Michael Lazorchak '61, is assigned to Air Force Headquarters at the Pentagon as chief of Airman Force Programs in the Directorate of Personnel Programs. He lives in Fairfax, Virginia.
Neal R. Hoads '62, is living in Hershey and writes that their first born, Katie Lynn arrived May 17, 1973.
James A. Learner '29, is retired and lives in Florida in the winter and returns to his home in Windber for the summer months.
Ralph Stuck '52, now lives in Chagrin Falls, Ohio. A member of our Board of Directors, Ralph also expects to be back for Homecoming.
Murrell D. McKinstry '20, writes from his home in Carrabelle, Florida that he hopes to return for Homecoming too.
Bob Patterson '30, our immediate past president retired from New Jersey Bell last year and divides his time between his home in Nutley, New Jersey and his vacation retreat in northern Columbia County, Pa. Bob continues to serve Omega as secretary of the corporation. A football season ticket holder, Bob will surely be seen at the house at least six times this fall!
F. J. "Abe" Doan '19, another member of the board and loyal supporter of Omega was looking forward to his 55th Penn State Class reunion when he wrote last May. A retired Penn State professor (Dairy Science) Abe lives in State College and finds that bowling, gardening, Optimist Club activities and family affairs take up all his time! However, he also manages to serve as co-chairman of the Class of '19, 50th year Memorial Fund. They have raised over $41,000 and donate the income each year to the Penn State Alumni Fund.
C. Edgar "Ed" Newcomer '32, retired last January after 29 years as a practicing architect in Pittsburgh. He and his "bride" of 36 years, Gladys Moriarity from Harrisburg, have four sons and are living in Bethel Park, Pa.
George W. Chapman, Jr. '49, notes that 1974 marks the 25th anniversary of three major occasions in his life: Penn State graduation, marriage to the same Penn State girl, and employment with Colgate-Palmolive! He is now plant manager of the Helena Rubinstein subsidiery in Roslyn, Long Island. They live in Fairlawn, N. J. and have two daughters in college with one transferring to State this month.
Robert W. Annand '68, of Alexandria, Va. is now associated with the Washington Law firm of Shaw, Pittman, Potts and Trowbridge.
William H. Renton '46, is currently serving Theta Chi as National Secretary of the Grand Chapter. Bill, who resides in Cleveland, says he definitely plans to be at Omega for Homecoming on Oct. 12.
Mark M. Burroughs '64, writes from the Air Force Academy where he was assigned over a year ago and is teaching engineering math. Previously he was at Hanscom Field, Mass. as program manager for a communications satellite development which culminated in a very successful test launch at Vandenberg AFB, California. He and Ann now have two boys and girl who was born last year. They have quarters on the Academy where they expect to be thru '77 and would like to hear from anyone who is in the "neighborhood".
Thank you to all those brothers that shared their news.
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