March 2014 Omegaphone
Click to Download March 2014 Omegaphone
THON Update - Theta Chi brings in $20,282 for the Kids
It is a scene like none other. For those of you who have been part of THONs past, you know.
Where else can you go to experience the energy of a truly altruistic group of college students — complete with water pistols, balloons, games, plungers, hula hoops, crazy socks, line dances, pep rallies, inspirational speeches from some of Penn State’s most notable personalities, incredibly choreographed performances and 46 hours of no sleep?
Ian Maxwell (L) and Niral Pokal
And it is all ... FOR THE KIDS ... to continue Penn State’s 37-year tradition of saving children from the grip of pediatric cancer.
Thanks to our chapter’s yearlong canning and fundraising efforts, we contributed $20,282 toward Penn State’s $13,343.517.33 total that will be given to the Four Diamonds Fund at Penn State Hershey Children’s Hospital.
On Saturday afternoon, Jay Paterno — former assistant football coach and son of Joe Paterno — paid a visit to the THON dancers. He summarized the impact of pediatric cancer in a very powerful way. “A couple of weeks ago, I was in Hershey and toured the children’s hospital. The woman who runs the Four Diamonds Fund was asked what the survival rate was. She said, ‘We save four out of every five children here.’ I couldn’t bear to be without one of my five kids. Think about that. That is why you are here ... because we are going to make it five out of every five ... Every year you do this, we are knocking at the door a little more and a little more. In the very near future, the hearts of our Greek community at Penn State. It is the power of hope ... hope for one more day, week, month or year ... that our chapter is helping to give to families across the state. We are fortunate to be part of such a life- giving effort at Penn State that does, in fact, redefine the possibilities.
Evan Venice (L) and Jason Jonas
Also speaking to the dancers was Penn State’s newly appointed football coach, James Franklin. “Everybody thinks that what makes us special is the football stadium or the basketball arena. That has nothing to do with what makes us special. What makes us special is the people ... the people that understand we are part of something greater than just ourselves. We can make a difference in people’s lives.”
So, thank you to our dancers, brothers who stood by the dancers, captains, parents who attended, alumni who stopped by and the entire THON organization for its incredible support. This is why ... WE ARE PENN STATE.
New Windows & Side Porch Highlight Our Latest Renovations
The capital campaign has been in full swing for the better part of three years with the mission to renovate the chapter house and allow the Omega Chapter of Theta Chi to remain a viable and leading force in the Penn State Greek community.
In those three years, we have raised $202,814 in pledges and
have already collected over half of that amount. I would like to again acknowledge and thank all those brothers who have made pledges and donated to the capital campaign. Their names can be found on the fol- lowing page. Through your support, we have already been able to com- plete two large projects.
Window & Shutter Project
This renovation took place in late Spring 2012. The 30 original single pane windows — remaining from when the house was built in 1930 — were replaced with modern, energy-efficient double-pane windows.
The window frames were capped with aluminum sheathing. All the shutters on the front of the house, most of which were broken and cracked, were replaced.
Side Porch Project
This past fall, the side porch, which was in such bad shape that the bor- ough threatened to condemn it, was repaired and given a major facelift. The concrete slab that was crumbling was repoured and sealed, the broken glass block in the barroom was replaced, the brick was repointed, the roof and railings were replaced and the French doors were replaced with ADA-compliant doors. Many thanks go to Dave Schrader ’91 for drawing up the plans and to Jeff Damcott ’93 and Rich Bartnik ’08 for working closely with the contractor on the job.
Look for more updates about how the campaign is benefiting our home at 523 South Allen Street. We hope you can find time to visit the house and see for yourself the progress that has been made. It’s also not too late to make a pledge to the campaign. More info can be found here.
Campaign Project List
Replace windows on first floor and second floor (completed in 2012)
Replace exterior shutters (completed in 2012)
Renovate the side porch (completed in 2013)
Update the electrical system in the basement, first floor and second floor
Renovate the second-floor bedrooms
Paint, repoint and clean the exterior of the house
Repair/replace the entry roof from parking lot to kitchen
Renovate the first floor walls and floors
Replace the water damaged concrete floor in the kitchen
Renovate the basement bathroom (beginning during 7th Annual Alumni Work Weekend)
Rebuild the bathroom on the first floor
Renovate the stairs from first floor to second and third floors • Install radiator thermostats
ADA compliance (ADA work being done with each project)
Omega Pledges 15 New Members During Spring Rush
Following a productive spring rush season and Zone Day, we are please to accept 15 new pledges into the Omega Chapter. We take this opportunity to introduce you to these newest members.
(L-R) John Lin, Rory McGowan, Sean Curry, CJ Winand,Chapter President Mark Moseley, Nick Vassilakos, Joey Saylor, Ben Yaroslavsky, Patrick Hilling, Thomas Strnad, Mike Sibilia, Johnny Kwon, Derek Miller and Ryan Camp- bell. Not pictured: Mike Tabsoba and Connor Dekranis
Alumni Updates
Eugene A. Whitehouse ’53 - Enjoying a quiet retirement and generally slowing down with age.
Evan Rosenberg ’80 - I am just older, fatter and balder. Still working at Chubb. Two of my kids graduated from PSU, and one is a junior. My son was a PiKA, and my youngest has been on the THON committee for three years. I am still a season ticketholder and try to attend the annual golf outing. And I try to keep in touch with a few brothers.
Thank you to all those brothers that shared their news.
Checkout past issues of the Omegaphone by clicking here.