Summer 1986 Omegaphone
New University Policies, Aging House, Prompt Action and Adjustment
By John Wszalek Alumni Corporation President
It is indeed a great honor for me to be writing this President's Message. I would like to thank everyone for voting me into this office and I am looking forward to working with all my brothers, both alumni and active, to keep Theta Chi growing and prospering.
I hate to begin with a bad joke; however . .. I have some good news and some bad news,
First, the bad news: The house is beginning to show its age. This spring's rain substantially damaged the roof and water has made its way clear down to the first floor. An engineering report determined that any further patching would be futile and a new roof was recommended. We have also received a four-page letter from the State College building inspector with a list of safety violations which must be corrected.
Now, the good news: While. the house is having its structural problems, fraternally, it is outstanding, We will have 54 active brothers returning in the fall, In this case, active is much more than just a classification. I had the opportunity to meet most of the brothers this past spring and I was over-whelmed by their pride and enthusiasm. Even through some adversity, the brotherhood showed the unity and spirit that indicate a bright future for Theta Chi.
At this time, I would like to remind you that it does not matter when you last visited State College; Theta Chi is still your house. Please make an effort to visit the chapter this fall with your family. The actives will he happy to see you and so will I.
P.S. Enclosed is your contribution notice for our 1986-87 annual alumni giving program. Your support is essential and we hope you will be as generous as you can. Also, many thanks to all listed on the Honor Roll for the past year. Thank you for your support!
Chapter Presidents Report
By David P. Ferro Chapter President, Spring '86
Brotherhood at Omega is growing stronger every day. With an active brotherhood of 46, a pledge class of nine and only three seniors lost to graduation in the spring, Omega is looking at a full house of 52 active brothers this fail.
With this many actives, Omega has been able to increase its community and university awareness in several aspects. First, the brotherhood sponsored a philanthropy this past spring, the first in several years. "KICKS at Theta Chi" (Kids in Cooperation with Karing Students at Theta Chi) was held on Sunday, April 13, in cooperation with the Centre County Youth Service Bureau. The less fortunate children of Centre County were invited to our home for a day filled with games and activities, Prizes were also awarded and lunch was served.
Also, the IFC has developed a Fraternity Crime Watch Program. As a result of increased pressure from local residents in fraternity neighborhoods, the IFC decided that something had to be done. Fraternity brothers now patrol area neighborhoods during party nights and report any suspicious incidents or vandalism to the police. Theta Chi has shown great interest in this program and we hope to lead the campus in total participation. Other IFC advances include the development of BADD (Brothers Against Drunk Driving) for which qualified fraternity brothers visit local schools to speak on the subjects. of alcohol awareness and drunk driving. Another program instituted was the mandatory alcohol awareness program for all new pledges at each fraternity. Theta Chi was represented 100 percent at the first seminar with its nine pledges and several brothers attending. Some newly initiated IFC party regulations include: 1) serving an alternative beverage other than water at all social events, 2) checking for college IDs at the door for all social events and 3) turning off the beer taps at 2:00 a.m.
As you can see, due to the increased concern over alcohol awareness, the fraternity system is undergoing much change. Theta Chi has responded well to these changes and is striving to make our brotherhood the best it possibly can be. However, with such a changing environment, it is vital that all of our alumni stay in touch with the actives. Not only will your participation help the actives deal better with these problems, but it will also make you more aware of our current situation and how we are responding to it. Brotherhood at Theta Chi is for life and I hope that I, one of the soon-to-he-alumni,will be able to do for Theta Chi what it has done for me, I now urge that you, our alumni, share with us, the actives, what Theta Chi is all about -- lifelong brotherhood!
Omegagate? Theta Chi Leaks “Secret’ Information to PSU Rushees
By Leo D. Sugg '88 Co-Rush Chairman, Fall '85
It has been said many times that Theta Chi at Penn State is the best-kept secret on campus. With this in mind, the rush chairmen for the 1985-86 school year set out to share this well-guarded secret with potential rushees.
The fall 1985 rush program attracted eight dedicated, new brothers. The program itself moved rather quickly and the rushees were pledged on schedule. We are also proud of our concerted effort toward producing a more "dry" rush program. Functions during the week were geared more toward brother-to-rushee interaction than toward sheer entertainment or socializing. It is probably safe to predict that within two or three years all Penn State fraternities will have to comply with a completely "dry" rush program, And you can bet that Theta Chi Omega will be leading the way.
Rush excellence continued into spring as our first rush semester of 1986 yielded nine fine pledges. Theta Chi owes much to both the present and past rush chairmen who have consistently upheld the high standards of our fraternity. This is evidenced by our recent surge of enthusiasm and pride and highlighted by our general rededication to those principles of brotherhood we all hold so dear.
As mentioned earlier, Theta Chi may be the best-kept secret at Penn State, but that may not hold true for long. The way things are going, we will no longer be the best-kept secret at Penn State, but will be by far the best-kept fraternity at Penn State.
Quality Plus Quantity: Pledge Program Remains Inspirational and Educational Despite Increased Class Size
By John E. Stagliano '86
Pledge Marshal Large pledge classes have become a habit at Omega Chapter - a good habit, Even though we have increased our quantity, we have not sacrificed the quality of our pledges or the pledge program itself.
Indeed, the pledge program at Omega has been steadily improving. We are continuing to provide both inspirational and educational experiences for the pledges. For example, the brothers are looking forward to the 130th anniversary of Theta Chi's founding and our ceremonial observance with the pledges to commemorate the occasion. We are also looking forward to scaling Mount Nittany with the pledges for the second time in as many semesters. The scavenger hunt added by Pledge Marshal David Whalen was brilliant and the pledges really loved it.
The brothers of Omega also appreciated the visit by National Representative Thomas "Bo" Tinnin who left us with many new ideas and information from the National Headquarters concerning pledging. The brothers of Omega are looking forward to continued success in future pledge classes for many years to come.
The Inside Story: Brothers Work Hard to Make Home Run
By Stephen Dodge '88 Vice President
Over the past several semesters, many improvements have been made to our aging house; this past spring semester was no exception, Due to a generous gift from you, the alumni, the carpets in the second- and third-floor hallways were replaced. Our fall pledge class added the final touch to the hallways by painting all of the bedroom doors.
Due to some brilliant bookkeeping by past Treasurer David Ferro and current Treasurer Edward Brown, the actives were able to put some of their own money back into the house. A new AT&T Merlin telephone system was installed throughout the house. Other improvements included a new red formica bar, a resurfaced pool table and six new dining room tables. With the coming of spring, the brothers moved their efforts outdoors and worked on the lawn and landscape.
With the house thus in fine shape, many brothers then moved their attention to their own bedrooms. Practically every room has received some type of improvement, be it new carpets, panelling, ceiling, ceiling fans and/or refinished hardwood floors. These efforts have resulted in some very classy looking rooms.
We are very thankful for your support which makes many of these projects possible. We hope that we can continue to improve our house both structurally and spiritually. We look forward to seeing you at Homecoming on October 18.
Omegathletes Finish Fall '85 in 15th Place
By David J. Noll, Athletic-Chairman, Spring ’86
Fall '85 saw the brothers of Omega once again participate in every intramural athletic activity. Finishing the semester in 15th place out of 51 fraternities was an inspirational accomplishment.
Last fall semester, Omega scored big in several sports. As usual, we made it to the semifinals of football, missing the championship by only a hair. The team was led by quarterback Bill Ross and wide receivers David Noll, James Derrah and Jamie Alder. The "Clean Head" defense held its opponents to a total of 11 points for the entire season. In other sports, Jamie Alder finished second in the cross-country event while Al Guber made a respectable showing in badminton. The basketball team finished the season with a 3-3 record. Two of our losses were by less than five points, with our final game being lost at the buzzer. These events, along with wins in softball, handball, golf and racquetball brought Theta Chi closer than ever to the winner's circle.
The last few years have been demanding for our Theta Chi athletes. Our quest for the top has been conducted in true Theta Chi fashion--strong will and desire, sportsmanship, outstanding fan support and, most of all, our pride in Theta Chi. Fight on, Omega!
Alumni News
A.R. BECHTEL '16, aka "Track," writes that he hopes to attend his 70th reunion this year. A resident of Philadelphia, PA, Track regretfully reports his wife passed away on October 9, 1985.
The home address for FREDERICK T. VANSANT '20 is in Summit, NJ. He adds that the new address for his son, Lt. Col. KEITH F. VANSANT '58, is in Stone Mountain, GA.
The summer (May through October) address for HARRY A. OFFUTT '25 is in Easton, MD. In the winter, he heads south to Fort Meyers, FL, Harry keeps active as a golf instructor.
CHARLES A. CANTLEY '37 reports he has enjoyed the past 10 years of retirement, as it has given him a chance to travel. Drop him a line in Springfield, PA.
EDWARD W. GEORGE '45 owns a publishing sales company, He resides in Bay Village, OH.
RICHARD CROWERS '45 operates Crowers & Co. Inc. He makes it to State College once in a while to visit his son-in-law and daughter, Mr. and Mrs. Dave Baker. (Dave is Penn State's Sports Information director.) Dick makes his home in Atlanta, GA, and reports that DALE RAUCH '43 now lives in Germansville, PA.
The new home address for WILLIAM G. SUTER '45 is in Altamonte Springs, FL.
GUY L. WALTERS '46 sold his funeral home in Tarenturn, Pa., in 1984 and is now semi-retired. A resident of Tarenturn, PA, Guy keeps in touch with ROBERT F. WALTENBAUGH '49, who is in Natrona Heights, PA.
It took WALTER A. WHITE '46 six months to recover from knee surgery, but he says he is now running "better than ever," He won the 60-and-over division at the Stroh's Run For Liberty last October, and was planning to run the Peachtree 10K race in Atlanta this past July 4. Results of the Peachtree can be obtained by contacting Walter in Bradenton, FL.
WILLIAM A. GRUN '47 tells us he broke his left leg in three places last year in a bicycle accident, but he's now back on a bike and able to walk. Retired, he resides in Warrington, PA. William adds that his brother, FRED GRUN '47, was married on February 16, 1986. Fred can be congratulated in Annville, PA.
The new address for WILLIAM W. ORBEN '55 is in Morristown, NJ. "Win" is a real estate and insurance broker.
RICHARD R. JONES '60 is an insurance agent who lives in Manchester, CT.
PAUL H, McCONNAUGHEY '60 has been appointed manager of aerospace markets for the flat rolled products division of the Aluminum Company of America. Congratulations may be sent to him in Bradford Woods, PA.
The chief of staff - Pacacific Air Forces, MICHAEL P. LAZORCHAK '61 lists his home address in Hickham AFB, HI.
JOHN PETER BARIE '64 has been named a partner for architectural design at Swankey Hayden Connell Architects.
TOBY M. FROELICH '72 is a realtor. He makes his home in Erie, PA.
G.L. SCHLEGEL '73 is MRP II project director for Sanduik Inc. He lives at in Clarks Summit, PA, along with his wife, Mariann. ("No dogs, cats or kids--yet?") Laird says he talks with LAWRENCE T. BELL 73, who is a real estate broker in Walnut Creek, Calif.
EDWARD M. BEIDEL JR. 76 is a registered landscape architect. Ed is applying to the American Society of Golf Course Architects, which has only some 75 members across the country.
The home address for MICHAEL R. PERKINS '76 is in Drexel Hill, PA. He is with the American Motors Sales Corp.
Congratulations are due THOMAS W. BUTCH '78: he recently was appointed an assistant vice president in the Investor Relations Division of Mellon Bank's Finance Department. Tom also serves as vice president of the International Association of Business Communicators and is a contributing editor to Mt. Lebanon Magazine, Tom makes his home in Pittsburgh, PA.
A traffic control assistant, DONALD A. SMITH '81, aka "Smirl," lives in Columbia, MD. He and his wife, Nancy, had a "Smirlette," Kristin Ashley Smith, in January, Smirl adds that JOHN GRACE '80, along with wife Kathy and son Kevin, visited the Smiths this past February.
"The most important news is the birth of our son, William Noble Davy, in February," writes BRADLEY DAVY '82, a lieutenant in the U.S. Navy serving on board the USS John C. Calhoun, Brad notes he is looking forward to leaving the Navy next year, and would appreciate hearing from any alumni who know of job openings in the biotechnology industry.
An environmental protection officer with the Delaware Seashore State Park, PAUL FAIRCLOTH '82 resides in Millsboro, DE 19966. Paul writes, "Aside from getting married (to Keri), starting a new job in another state and buying a house, not much is going on. If anyone is planning on coming to the Rehoboth Beach/Ocean City, Md., area, please give us a call.”
ANTHONY PANICHELLI '85 is an inside claims adjuster.
ADAM E, RUSKIN '85 is a veterinary student at Kansas State University. At last writing, Eric was residing in Manhattan, KS 66502, but he told us this summer he would be heading for Albuquerque, N.M., where he will be doing lung disease research
Chapter Eternal
We regret to inform you of the death of:
P. J. SERRALLES '22
ALFRED J. HEITNER '42
Thank you to all those brothers that shared their news.
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