March 2013 Omegaphone
The Theta Chi for Life Campaign has Reached 25% of our Goal
In 2012, we kicked off the DECADE CHALLENGE; asking each decade to raise at least $100,000. Since then, more than $125,000 has been pledged. We have already installed the new windows and we intend to renovate the porch this summer.
Here is where each decade stands to date:
Pledges can be paid over three years (or five if it will increase your pledge) and can be paid annually, bi‐annually, or quarterly. You can also set up monthly payments through your bank.
Your multi‐year contribution can make a significant impact—if you can give $50.00 a month for the next 36 months, you can make a $1,800 pledge. If you can give $50 a month for the next 60 months, that would be a $3,000 pledge!
Please consider what you can give and make a pledge. We need every alumnus to get involved, at whatever level is possible, to make this campaign a success.
For those of you who have been involved with fundraising efforts for Penn State, your church, local YMCA, or any other organization, you know that 80% of the money is raised from 20% of the group.
We have never settled for the “status quo” at Omega Chapter and we aren’t starting now.
We want and need the participation of all alumni to reach our campaign goals. We want you to give what you can to help make this renovation a reality and, in the true spirit of Theta Chi, we want to do this TOGETHER.
So, we are bucking the trend and are hoping to raise 80% of our money from 80% of the group OR MORE!
In 2013, we will be sending monthly updates on the progress of the Decade Challenge and the pyramid, so please add your name to the honor roll and make your pledge today.
We need the help of every brother and we hope you will come to the aid of the house NOW! Future generations of Omega brothers will thank you for it!
Alumni Work Weekend
When you think back to your time as a brother, one thing common theme, no matter what year you graduated is the house at 523 South Allen St. This ever‐present symbol of Theta Chi at Penn State is starting to show her age. Let’s face it—an 80‐year‐old house accumulates it’s fair share of dings and dents, especially one that has 40 college students living and playing in it.
Our past work weekends have been very successful and we’ve been able to keep up with needed improvements in the house. Building on that, we plan to restore the pool room (also known as the card room, depending on when you graduated). This is an opportunity to give back to Theta Chi, and the house, for all the
good times you had there as an undergraduate. Our work will also help keep the house in its best shape so brothers can have those same memories for years to come.
This year, the Alumni Work Weekend is scheduled for March 23. While this is a great time to improve the house and relive your college days with fellow alumni, it’s also an opportunity to work alongside and get to know active brothers.
We look forward to seeing you.
Theta Chi’s Dance for a Cure in THON 2013
Four Theta Chis joined the fight against pediatric cancer by dancing in this year’s THON. Zach Meharey, Ian Brodsky, Julien Hohman and David Stoltzfus remained standing and awake for 46 straight hours, all in the name of finding a cure for families like the Bobby’s, Theta Chi’s THON family.
This year, the chapter raised $30,788.83 despite having to cancel one canning trip. As a whole, THON 2013 raised over $12.3 million, shattering last year’s total ($10.6 million) and placing the total Four Diamonds Fund donation over $100 million.
Alumni Q&A
Tom Morton ’53 shares His Memories of Being a theta Chi and Ex‐GI
Why did you join Theta Chi over other fraternities?
You have to understand in those days there were ex‐GIs. They were different. I was one, too. I think it was the half of the brothers in Theta Chi who were vets who I saw as a stable group that I cared to join.
What is your most memorable moment about being an undergrad member of Theta Chi?
I cannot see one moment. I remember the whole experience as rewarding and enjoyable.
L to R: William Shomberg ’53, Tom Morton ’53, Richard Johnson and Richard Fronko ’54 visit- ing the Grand Canyon on their way to the National Convention in Los Angeles – 1952.
What’s the best advice you’ve ever re- ceived, and from whom?
Best advice was from my dad when things got tough and I was considering moving from engi‐ neering to something less “challenging.” He said “Don’t.” I didn’t. And he was right.
What’s your greatest personal challenge to date and how did you overcome it?
My professional life has been full of small chal‐ lenges. I don’t see any of them as overwhelming to the point I need mention them here. The likely reasons is that my good wife of 59 1/2 years has supported and helped me over any bumps in the road.
What role does leadership play in a man’s life?
I really never looked for leadership. When in a position of any authority, I simply used it to the best of my ability.
If you were walking onto the Penn State campus as a young freshman, what ad-vice would you give to the younger you?
Beware the “liberal thinkers.” They will destroy you and your country. Our universities (yes, Penn State) are full of them and young inexperienced students are vulnerable. Learn science or profession, but beware the hidden or obvious politics they will likely project.
Alumni Updates
Bob Kennedy ’50 - Best wishes to all brothers, with special kudos to those graduating in the late ’40s to early ’50s after serving in any branch of the U.S. military during World War II.
Gary Riser ’64 - I lost my wife Marcia nearly four years ago to breast cancer and got remarried on August 11, 2012. We had a pretty big shindig after the weddin’ ceremony...moonshine cherries, peach cobbler, a blue grass band, and a regular one. Sorry none of you could make it. You all come down and see us, you hear. I still have some moonshine cherries hidden away, I’ll be glad to share.
Ed Messmer ’70 - After working too long, I retired this year from Mohawk Industries where I was SVP, Sales Operations. While we’re presently living in Atlanta, Linda and I will soon move into the retirement home we built in St. James Plantation, NC. We’ll spend the cold months in North Carolina and the warm time of the year at our log cabin in Saugatuck, MI. We’ve enjoyed the last three years in Atlanta. One of the extra benefits was getting together with
Mike Velmer ’71 and playing golf on the weekends, despite his attempts to shave strokes. I have great memories from the days in the house with great guys, lots of laughs, football weekends, wales tails, limerick songs, etc.
A few times were strange...Kevin holding Phi Sig accountable at gun point, the infamous Omega Soul Brothers riot incident, and the night the Phily boys kicked our butts. Among the best memories: with only 14 actives left in the house, we recruited a pledge class of 25 great guys in 1969 (no other fra‐ ternity was even close), allowing us to keep the house going so that we could hand down what we valued to future generations!
Jay Hoffman ’75 Reflects on His time in the Omega Basement
I am principal/owner of JH Enterprises, a healthcare transition management company, celebrating nearly 10 years of service to the healthcare indus‐ try. I can’t believe it’s been more than 35 years since the Omega days! Best wishes to all my brothers!
What song best defines your college experience?
“Stormy Monday,” as performed by the Allman Brothers.
Why did you join Theta Chi over other fraternities?
Comradery and similar social values.
How did Omega help make you into the man you are today?
Did a lot of growing up during my 3+ years in the house—some of my fondest memories are still from the Omega days!
What is your most memorable moment about being an undergrad member
of Omega?
Hanging at the bar in the basement!
Tell us about a brother who was a mentor or went beyond the call of duty to help you.
Brother Bubba! R.I.P.
Spring 2013 Rush leads to the Addition of Seven New Brothers
Spring 2013 - Left to right: Jason Marshall, Brandon Nicklas, Max Salon, Tim, Brian Patchett, Andrew Sie, Matthew Liu
Penn State’s spring 2013 rush, which came to a close in late January, was another successful recruitment opportunity for Omega Chapter. We welcomed seven new pledges, including an international student from Indonesia.
Among our current members, we are proud to have two outstanding legacies: Ian Maxwell, our current president, and Nick Stadtlander. Ian and Nick’s fathers were both members of the Eta Pi Chapter at East Stroudsburg University.
Awards
Kevin Trippel
Kevin Trippel won the Living Ritual Award at the Penn State Greek Column Awards. The Living the Ritual Awards were created by the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life to recognize members of fraternities and sororities who, by their actions and involvement in the community, represent the values embodied by their ritual on a daily basis.
Thank you to all those brothers that shared their news.
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