November 2001 Omegaphone
Alumni Report - Thank You for Your Continued Support
Things have been relatively quiet in State College since our last newsletter in January, and thankfully so! However, our alumni have been busy, as you can see in the following pages of alumni news.
Several matters of business were discussed at our Founders' Day corporation meeting held after the Blue-White Game on April 21, 2001.
The chapter house survived the last code inspection, only needing a few minor repairs. Estimates are being gathered to replace the glass-block wall in the former bar area with brick, due to safety concerns. Furniture is also being priced for the foyer, living room and pool room areas. The chapter house was closed over the summer, with the exception of Arts Festival weekend.
The dollar amount of alumni donations is up, as is the number of alumni donating. Thank you! Your continued financial support is sincerely appreciated and necessary to keep our chapter house together, A proposal to accept alumni donations by VISA and MasterCard was approved at our meeting, and this option should appear on our next dues solicitation. The service fee deducted from each credit card donation is six percent. It is hoped that the ease of making donations via credit card will increase our financial base and help fund chapter improvements.
Due to rising operating costs, the undergraduate chapter rent was increased for the first rime since 1995. The additional $2,000 per year was necessitated by increases in insurance, taxes, gas and general maintenance.
Theta Chi's national bylaws require that all chapter houses be alcohol-free by July 1. 2003. The undergraduates are working toward this goal with assistance from the international headquarters. Times have changed. Please be sure to support the undergraduates in their efforts. I anticipate that this alcohol-free policy will augment fraternity membership, help preserve the chapter house and assure Theta Chi's continued existence at Penn Stare.
I look forward to seeing you the weekend of November 2-3, 2001, for homecoming. Your visits to the chapter house send the message that our graduates continue to care about the existence and future of Omega chapter. A schedule of homecoming events is included herein.
We will also be electing five members to our Board of Directors for two-year terms. A ballot will be sent an a later date. In addition, we are seeking volunteers to serve the remaining one-year terms of our current Secretary and Treasurer. If you are interested in serving on the Board for two years or as Secretary or Treasurer for one year, please contact me. We will gladly discuss the rewards, responsibilities and time commitments of the positions with you.
Again, thank you for your continued support and interest in the Omega chapter of Theta Chi fraternity. Keep in touch.
By Edward Brown '87, Alumni Association President
Chapter President Report
The 16 weeks of spring semester flew by like no others. January was obviously a very cold and quiet month-not much went on, however, we are happy to report that our grades were top five again in IFC with a 3.09 from last fall. Congratulations to all the undergraduates who worked so hard on their academics.
L to R: Jeffrey Mezancello, Ellie Litcofsky and MIke Campanella -Thon 2001
February, as always, passed quickly, with all the canning trips and Thon; it is traditionally quite an exciting month. It is with great pride that I can report that we, along with Alpha Xi Delta, raised our highest Thon total ever-$65,000 and change. A very special thanks goes out to our Thon chairs, brother Jeff Mezzancello (Harrison, N.Y.), and brother Michael Campanella (Nutley, N.J.). We would also like to thank all of our alumni who supported us once again for this great cause. We appreciate your generosity and thoughtfulness.
March is a very unpredictable month by nature, We participated in the Kappa Delta Shamrock Project, which is basically a singled-out tournament benefitting the Ronald McDonald House, and we take great pride in this. Brother Terry Joseph Mayes (Manassas, Va.), who won the event, got to go on a date with the Blue Sapphire to the Allen Street Grill. Thank you brother Mayes, for once again proving that Theta Chis are not only superior in academia but also in rugged good looks.
In March we also received our confirmation from the Make A Wish Foundation as to our amount raised-it totaled around $4200 and change. I would now like to thank alumnus brother Matt Sheret (Middletown, N.Y.) and brother Kevin McQuail (Moscow, Pa.), as well as all of the undergraduates who made the event happen, in addition to all of our alumni who participated and donated in order to make the philanthropy such a success.
April usually brings much time for joy and frolic. As the semester wound down, Omega chapter churned and burned for the finish line. Of course, Founders' Day was the 10th, which is reason enough for celebration. Blue/White Weekend was a lot of fun and very enjoyable as always. I would like to thank all the alumni who participated in the event at the chapter house and those in attendance at the alumni corporation meeting. Your support is recognized by the undergraduates, and we appreciate all that you do.
Something to look forward to this fall is homecoming. We will be participating with the sisters of Alpha Delta Pi the weekend of the Southern Mississippi game. KICKS is also always something to look forward to. The sisters of Alpha Omicron Pi will be helping us this year; the tentative date is October 20. Our grade report should be quite impressive-with any luck we should move into the top three.
I would just like to say to all of our alumni who dedicate some of their time to our chapter, you definitely exemplify the saying, "Theta Chi for life." We at the chapter house recognize your love for Omega. A very special thanks goes out to brother Joost Keesing: The amount of time and love you put into our chapter is unfathomable, and I thank you for doing a very thankless job.
With all that, I hope everyone is having a very safe and enjoyable summer. We look forward to seeing all of you at the chapter house in the fall at homecoming and other various events, so don't be strangers. If you have any questions about events or the operations of the house, feel free to drop me an e-mail. We hope to see you in State College soon.
By Paul Tagliareni '02, Undergraduate President
Alumni News
"Thanks for the communications," writes Harry G. Heil '30. He reports that 94-year-old Peter Marvel '29 took part in the 60th anniversary celebration of Shore Memorial Hospital. Peter was the first resident physician to practice at the non-profit community facility.
Sherwood K. Booth '32, who turned 90 in December 2000, still wears his Penn State cap. He's retired as an attorney and Navy captain. Sherwood's granddaughter is married to a Theta Chi.
Edna and William C. Ings '36 celebrate 62 years of marriage this year and will both mark their 86th birthdays. They lead a quiet life, enjoy each day and were looking forward to some travel this summer.
In January of this year, David B. Doan '48 retired as a geologist and moved to a retirement community “I figured 51 years of working all over the world was enough at age 75. Cheers to all."
Walter A. White '48 is working two days a week as a rehabilitation specialist at Manasota Lighthouse for the Blind. Still running competitively, he participated in The Great Race in Pittsburgh last September, completed the Hops Marathon By the Bay in Tampa in December and was planning to compete in the Gasparilla 15K Distance Classic in Tampa this past February.
Earl W. Johnson '50 retired 15 years ago after a long career with Pennsylvania Electric Co. He spends the summers working at his vineyard in the Keystone State. During the winters, Earl lives in Florida where he enjoys golf and singing with a choral group.
Since retiring from ARCO Chemical Co. in 1985, Robert C. Kennedy '50 has been active with the ARCO Suburban Philadelphia Retirees Club. He's served on the board of directors and as president. Bob enjoyed the news from his contemporaries in the January issue of Omegaphone and is hoping to gather the e-mail addresses of his classmates.
David W. Miller '53 is in regular contact with classmate Jack Leister and has enjoyed some travel with him.
George L. Walz Jr. '55 is retired as a division manager at Columbia Gas.
"Enjoying retirement," notes Keith F. Vansant '58 “I recommend it to all my brothers!"
Attorney Alexis Barron '60 serves as managing partner of Synnestvedt & Lechner, a 20-plus-attorney law firm specializing in intellectual property law. He is also chairman of the board of directors of Art Growth 2000, a board member of the Bach Festival of Philadelphia. president of the board of trustees of Oak Lane Presbyterian Church and a Republican committeeman for Montgomery County.
Edgar S. Walker '60, is a teacher
Although Mark M. Burroughs '63 is still working on his mountain cabin near Gore Pass, Colo., progress on the project has slowed some-what due to his concurrent efforts to rehabilitate a "very tired" 1986 Corvette.
John D. Swift ’64 is CFO and vice president of finance at Mohawk Industries, Inc., a company that manufactures and distributes flooring.
For those who have lost touch, Charles B. Darrah '68 is now living in Denver, CO.
Toby M. Froehlich '72 a real estate broker and developer, is president of Caldwell Banker Select Realtors.
Orthopedic surgeon Randal R. Betz '73 has been promoted to chief of staff at Shriners Hospital in Philadelphia.
Thomas J. Raymond '73 is associated with Wilmington Trust Co.
Michael R. Perkins '76, merchandising manager at Hyundai Motor America.
In a new job, Patrick J. O'Connor '83 is a program manager for TRW. He reports that both he and his former Theta Chi roommate, Tim Boyd '83, have been promoted to lieutenant colonel in the Marine Corps Reserve.
In October 2000, James R. Koppersmith '88 and Vivienne Azarcon wed at Sky Meadows State Park near the Shenandoah Mountains. The couple spent their honeymoon in Italy. Vivienne is the sister of Rob Azarcon '01.
Leo D. Sugg Jr. '88 - He is associated with AIG in New York City.
With his wife, Laurene. and their two young children, Richard K. James Jr. '89 has relocated from Texas to the Buffalo area of New York_ "R.J.- is now a plant manager for Upstate Farms Cooperative, Inc. "We rook this opportunity to get closer to Pennsylvania after being out West for five years. You'll probably see us at a couple of games this year."
In the fall of 2000, Amy and Scott R. Taylor '89 moved to a new house in Bortah, CT 06334. That November, their daughter, Celia, was born.
Michael D. Stein '90 is now running the Charlotte regional office for P.R. Newswire and has relocated with his family. While on vacation in April 2000, Michael and his wife met with Rich Maltz '90 and Chris Bartnik '91 in Paris. The three brothers were planning to meet at the PSU/University of Virginia game this September.
Last Fall, Shane Balcik '91 became a salts operation manager at M&M/Mars. He's now working with Cameron McKenzie '90. Shane has two sons. He writes: "I made a visit to the house after the Michigan Stare game in November and was very impressed with the warmth and hospitality shown to my friends and myself. The house Looked good and, more importantly, everyone was having a good rime."
Christopher J. Bartnik '91 has accepted the position of director of vendor services for Ahold USA.
Gregory T. Hancock '91 joined Reckitt Benckiser in November 2000 as corporate transportation manager. The company makes Lysol products and French's foods. Greg is married to Lisa.
James L. Wilkins II '91 now lives in Maysville, KY.
In January 2001, Shawn M. Elliott '93 welcomed the arrival of his first child, Mason.
Civil engineer James M. Venture '93 is president of Partridge Venture Engineering, He starred the firm in January 2000_ He has a 1-year-old son, Jonathan.
In a new position, Aaron B. Early '97 is an engineer with U.S. Airways Inc,
Toryn Z. Howe '99 is a professional services consultant in the National Accounts Division of NCR.
Peter J. Timer '99 is working for Trex Co, as a logistics supervisor.
As a research specialist at the University of Pennsylvania, Matthew S. Keller '00 is working in colon cancer research. When he wrote in January, he'd been accepted to MCP Hahnemann Medical School and was waiting to hear from a few others. At the National Digestive Diseases Conference in Atlanta, Matthew was planning to present a poster on his research efforts.
Matthew J. Sheret '00, an assistant buyer for American Eagle Outfields, has moved to Pittsburgh, PA.
Chapter Eternal
We regret to inform you of the death of Richard H. Knowles '39 (11/10/00). Theta Chi mourns his passing and extends condolences to his family and friends.
Thank you to all those brothers that shared their news.
Checkout past issues of the Omegaphone by clicking here.