Spring 1974 Omegaphone
Alumni President's Message
At Homecoming 1973 there was a consensus that our goals for the upcoming years should be improved alumni communications and a more energetic rush program. This newsletter is but one part of the alumni communications effort. Another phase of that is scheduling Founder's Day for May 11, 1974 -- the day of the Blue-White football game. That was tried last year and proved most successful.
A new alumni directory is a subject that many people seem to be interested in. Right now several board members and interested alumni are collecting cost and production information. With the success of the one several years ago, I am certain we will start working on a new one shortly.
Rushing and pledging have been filled with problems, but the actives are beginning to solve most of them. The active chapter is one of the best and most cohesive groups I have seen in years. Currently there are about 20-25 members living in the house. I had the opportunity to meet with them in December about rush and pledging. They told me that fraternities are on the upswing, but there are still objections that fraternities stereotype the individual,etc. The feeling I got was that they will keep on attract-ing top-notch pledges as long as they can keep themselves psyched up and working at it.
Jeff Sleigh, the active president, told me in February they are shooting for 30 in the house next Fall. This means they have to get at least 15 pledges by May. It's going to be tough, but they're working hard at it. In the long range they are shooting for a full house (35-45 brothers) in 3 to 5 years.
We are fortunate to have another in a long line of very able and very dedicated financial advisors. Ed Keller, '53 is currently handling that responsibility. Ed is Vice President -- Software & Analysis for HRB-Singer, Inc. He is doing an outstanding job in bringing better business management techniques to the operation of the fraternity. His financial expertise, plus his enthusiasm and able leadership have done much to keep the active chapter moving in the right direction.
The few months I have been in office have been active, interesting ones. I am proud of the fact that we have a strong,healthy chapter on both the undergraduate and alumni levels. More than ever before it is clear to me that the high ideals and comrad-ship that brought us together in the first place are still active in each of our lives. I look forward to seeing you at Founder's Day, May 11th, and Homecoming, October 12th.
Fraternally,
David A. Heitzenroder, '64
Report from the Actives
The Chapter academic record improved markedly to rank fifteenth out of the forty-eight fraternities in the fall term. On campus, Bob Miller is playing trombone for the Blue Band, and John Thomas has been elected Secretary-Treasurer of the Science Student Council. Our best achievement in recent intramural athletics was posted by Brother Bob Mausser, who was runner-up in singles golf.
Lately the brothers and pledges have done quite a bit in terms of fixing up the house. We replaced all the missing balusters from the dining room up to the third floor; plastered and painted all cracks on the first, second, and third floors; and painted the woodwork on all three floors. Recent pledge classes have put in paneling and a lowered ceiling in the old "president's room", completely painted the kitchen, painted the barroom ceiling and painted the bathrooms. Future plans for pledge projects include fixing up the chapter room, fixing the porch and repairing the ceiling of the chapter entryway.
Structurally the house is really in pretty good shape. We had some problems with leakage last year, but since the repairs to the roof we have had no more trouble. Right now a major problem area is the living room ceiling, which has several large cracks. We also had some problems with the electrical circuits on the first floor, but had an electrician repair the faulty circuits and check all the others for shorts. The diswasher was broken for some time, but our house manager repaired it, at least temporarily. Our only other problem is with the garbage disposal, but we don't have enough money right now to fix it.
Bill Jenkins, Chapter Editor
Report of Chapter Financial Advisor
The Fall term started off on a somewhat rocky financial note with the membership about four below the break-even point, four brothers graduating at the end of the term, and leftover bills from the previous year. Fall rush netted only two pledges. The problem was basically lack of experience, not desire. Since Winter term things have been improving. A much improved rush program, willingness of the actives to pitch in and fix up the house, and generally good spirit indicate that these problems will be solved shortly. The house bill has been raised, and with the expected membership we should break even in the Fall of '74.
I have enjoyed working with the brothers and pledges this last year and look forward to continued improvement and growth in the chapter operations. I welcome help and comments from the alumni.
Ed Keller, '53, Financial Advisor
Editor's Note
Surprised to see the OMEGAPHONE come back to life? Thanks to the urging of President Dave and the help of several contributors, including Asst. Editor Bob Patterson, it finally happened! We hope you'll find that being better informed stimulates your interest in Omega Chapter. What we need for the next issue is more news about you.
Win Orben, '55
Alumni Notes
Walt Bilger '63, has joined Jennings & Thompson Advertising of Phoenix, Ariz. as an account executive. He is working on the Arizona Public Service account and several others.
Charlie Schug '62, and his wife, Diane, are proud parents of a daughter, "Katie". He has his own CPA practice in Malvern, Pa.
Jim Stalder '62, is spending a year in the New York office of Price Waterhouse & Co. as their Tax Research Manager. He and Judy are living in Summit, N. J.
Joe Wells '63, of N.Y.C. is a candidate for election to the Penn State Alumni Council at the May 11th. meeting. He is assistant to the chancellor, City University of New York.
George Eyrich '54, is doctor of veterinary medicine with his own practice in Red Bank, N. J.
Maj. Chuck Leech '55, and his wife, Posey, are living in Huntington Beach, Cal., but expect an Air Force transfer by this summer, possibly to Ohio. Chuck, Jr. is a freshman at Penn State and they're looking forward to returning for Homecoming '74 if they're closer to home by then.
Dick Lewis '54, and Sibyl who live in East Brunswick, N. J. also have a son, Rick, who is a freshman at University Park.
Tom Maxwell '55, moved "home" to Oil City a couple of years ago where he is with Quaker State Oil. He and Carole also have a son who is a college freshman this year. But, Clark is enrolled at Pitt!
Thank you to all those brothers that shared their news.
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