October 1930 Omegaphone
Omega Welcomes You
Once every fall the great old get-together rolls around and the young meet the old and stories fly from both sides. However, this year promises to be one Alumni Day that will go down in the annals of Penn State history.
Not only are you coming back to one of the newest and finest houses on the Penn State campus, but you will will help celebrate the seventy-fifth anniversary of the founding of the Pennsylvania State College. On Friday, an all-college holiday, $3,250,000 of buildings will be dedicated by Governor John S. Fisher and turned over to college authorities.
It is so seldom that President Ralph D. Hetzel ever has occasion to have a letter printed in the Penn State Collegian that I take the liberty to print it below:
PRESIDENT HETZEL ASKS COMPLETE TURN-OUT FOR ANNIVERSARY PARADE
One of the rare occasions when Penn State calls upon its students for fall cooperation in an affair of major importance to the College is at hand. This week we shall be hosts responsible for the entertainment of many influential visitors. We shall be under critical investigation. If we fail in any respect, the College will suffer seriously; if we succeed in showing our visitors the scope, quality, and significance of our educational ministry to the Commonwealth, we shall gain greatly. It is of vital importance that every Penn State student shall take his full part; anything less would be seriously injurious to Old State. In this critical situation I confidently count upon the fine loyalty and true spirit of Penn State men and women to make the diamond jubilee an unqualified success.
President Heizel has been pointing to this event for years and from all reports his expectations will be fulfilled. We, of Omega, have reason to believe that our own local celebration will be the best ever, and may every one cooperate to make this a realization.
President’s Message
In this, our first edition of the Omegaphone, I have many brothers to thank for their excellent cooperation during the summer months. Omega Chapter came back with a clean slate and with a good foundation upon which to start the year.
Brother George Chapman receives unanimous vote of thanks from the actives and alumni for hi attendance as Omega’s alumni delegate. Not only did Brother Chapman devote this time, but he made the trip with no financial reimbursement from the chapter. It was a only gesture of fraternal spirit and we hope that he will be able to repay him for his kindness.
The other to receive a salute of thanks is Brother Maxwell Suerken, who managed our new home during the summer and turned it back to the actives in a first-class manner. Not only is this a financial gain to the house, but it is also a social attainment which carries with it the thanks of the college as well. We, the actives, thank you sincerely for taking such wonderful care of our house while we were away.
The goals which we have set this year are possible and yet will mean a showing of determination and cooperation to succeed, Our first hope is to gain the 1000-point cooperation rating with the executive office; and the second is the desire to rank first in scholarship. Lastly, we will strive to have the alumni delegate to Theta Chi seventy-fifth anniversary reimbursed by funds from the alumni and active chapter.
Devere B. Decker
Alumni Day Sidelights
The alumni Homecoming will be held over this week-end, and will terminate the Seventy-fifth Anniversary celebration of the College.
The reports from various sections indicate that we will have a larger return of alumni than ever before. This year a special program is being arranged for Saturday evening with appropriate exercises for the Housewarming and re-dedication of Old Main.
Most of the old brothers will return on Friday night and will be well occupied meeting their former classmates as well as the men in the active chapter. Nothing has been planned for this night because there will be a big bull session when the old times and handed over while we all gather ‘round the fire.
However, Saturday is going to be a big day! All morning the new buildings will be open for inspection; and, at 10:30 A.M. there will be an Alumni Council Meeting in Old Main. At 2:30 P/M/ Penn State will meet Colgate on the gridiron in a game that should certainly prove interesting. At 8:00 P.M. the Old Main Housewarming and Dedication exercises will take place.
Oh, Yes, I’ve nearly forgotten something! Don’t forget the annual combined alumni and active chapter meeting immediately after dinner Saturday night. This will be the first fall alumni gathering ever held in the new house, and the eleventh annual Alumni Homecoming of Theta Chi of Penn State.
Rushing Tidbits
The has been the very first year that Omega Chapter has had that opportunity to put on a rushing campaign in its new home. This provide to be a very valuable asset to the chapter and one that was keenly appreciated because of the strong competition which the fifty-six other fraternities here afford.
Rushing started the first day school opened on September 24th and lasted for a ten-day period closing Saturday, October 4th. When the last vestige of the rushing storm subsided, Omega Chapter found itself with ten stalwart pledges.
S. K. Booth - Rushing Chairman
Freshmen Activities
The class of ’34 as represented in Omega Chapter of Theta Chi presents some very promising material. We, the actives, are entertaining great hopes for their futures of the Penn State Campus
This year Elk County has the corner on the market with four men. Bob Asplund lives in St. Mary’s, Pennsylvania. He is a graduate of St. Mary’s High School where he was active in the Glee Club and dramatics, appearing in his senior play. Bob’s athletic endeavor is represented in basketball and tennis. At present writing Bob is out for lacrosse and is planning on going out for basketball and tennis. From Johnsenberg come George H. Decker and Charles Calvin Saunders. Both George and Cal are interested in dramatics, and George is going our for basketball here at State. Incidentally, Cal is considered the shortest boy in college, being four foot and ten inches. John A Fay is the final representative of Elk County. He resides in Ridgeway, Pennsylvania. He is taking the Commerce and Finance course. While in High School the Glee Club and school paper occupied his attention.
As usual we have several boys from the Philadelphia district. Ernest Dill Wilby was graduated from the Roxborough High School with high honors. He claims Wissahicken, Philadelphia, as his address. While at Roxborough Ernie was president of this class all four years. His many other activities are: Vice President of School, Senior Year, Editor of High School Magazine, Athletic Editor of year book, Senior Play, President of Hi-Y, Assistant manager of Football, and cheerleader. Basketball and baseball were also Ernie;s varied extra-curricular activity schedule. From Roxborough High also comes William M. Dunlap of Roxborough, Pennsylvania. Hi-Y, student council, Glee Club, Year Book staff, tennis and baseball were Bill’s activities as an undergraduate at Roxborough. Walter A. Coates also hails from Philadelphia where he was graduated from the Northeast High School. Walt has shown great promise in track during his brief sojourn in State College.
George Henry Jr., lives in Berwyn, Pennsylvania. In Radnor High School George found ample display for his diverse talents in football, basketball, student council and dramatics. George is enrolled i the Mechanical Engineering curriculum.
Another class president is W. Randolph Skillen Jr. who acted in this capacity in the Avon-Grove High School. Hie home town is Avondale, Chester County, Pennsylvania. Besides being class president, Randy was president of the Hi-Y, of the student council, and of the Glee Club. Randy, also went in for tennis and soccer at Avondale. His high school musical experience has stood him in good steed as he is now playing in the college band, singing in the Glee Club.
From the Pittsburgh district comes Alvin J. Heutchy of Arnold, Pennsylvania. While in high school, Al acted in the capacity of Senior class treasurer. He was also in his high school orchestra. Basketball claimed his attention before coming to State.
Standing on the threshold of life, with the changing scene of the great journey spread out before them, these men are realizing the possibility of accomplishment in a new day. The bright vision of a broader, fuller life beckons them on.
Pledge Training
With the pledging of ten members of the class of 1934 on October 4, Omega Chapter began a program of pledge training that is intended to awaken the new men to full realization of their Alma Mater and Theta Chi.
here at Penn State, Omega chapter adopted a new plan of pledge training, similar to that recommended by the Grand Chapter last year. The education of prospective brothers has taken a big step forward and is viewed in a different light. With the passing got the horse-car the old methods of hazing and promiscuously paddling freshman has been laid to rest.
the old “horse-play” idea of pledge training was replaced last year by an outlined educational course in fraternity and college matters. This system embraces a plan to instruct the freshman in the history and organization of Penn State, fraternities in general and Theta Chi in particular. In this way we try to follow the advice so often repeated by Robert H. Hodge ’24 as traveling Secretary, “Make every member you turn out a walking encyclopedia with respect to this college and fraternity.”
Already the edges have manifested a desire to cooperate and a willingness to share the responsibility for improving our chapter by offering valuable suggestions intended to help us reach the ideal of perfect harmony and fraternalism. With such spirit and closer association this new group will early realize that they are an integral part of the organization and necessary cogs in a big wheel always moving forward.
Weekly meetings with the freshmen have started, and will continue until the time of their initiation into Theta Chi. The higher officers of the chapter will attend some of these meetings from time to time and talk to the pledges on such topics as scholarship, personal appearance, fraternity dining room and club room etiquette, campus activities, and such questions of vital importance to the new men in their relation to our fraternity.
Periodic questionnaires will be offered on the work studied during the year, with an exhaustive examination of the College and the fraternity shortly before initiation. They will soon begin a study of the national history of Theta Chi and the local history of Omega Chapter.
Our ten pledges are the hop of Omega Chapter of Theta Chi. They are the clay which must be moulded into brothers. It is our hope by constant cooperation and supervision we may instill into them the meaning of “brotherhood” and tru fraternalism as well as admiration and respect for the ideals of Theta Chi and Penn State
Edward W. White - Marshall
Dad’s Day
Over forty dads, mothers, sisters and brothers visited the chapter house during the annual Father;s Day, October 12.
Everybody seemed to have a good time, although no formal entertainment was planned. Old acquaintances were renewed, and new ones made.
Plans for the promotion of Mother’s Day Club were discussed, with a review of the work already done.
The Marshall game, although more in the nature of a track meet, was the feature event on Saturday afternoon, with the Players’ show in the evening.
Some of the parents, however, were conspicuous by their absence. We hope to see them not later than Mother’s Day.
Fall Houseparty
The peak of Omega’s social season will be reached November 7, 8. 9 with the advent of that traditional custom at Penn State, namely, Fall House-party.
Tentative arrangements have been made to secure The Saint Marys’ “Footwarmers” for the struggle and from the reports it looks as if the house saves money for heating purposes over the week-end. Those who were here for House Opening know how they enjoyed themselves. Well, this has all the earmarks of a second opening with some major events to make it even better.
Friday night these will be a formal dinner in Ye Grill Room, followed by dancing from 8 till late. Incidentally Norman Horner and better half will play the roles of chaperones, at least pans point in that direction at present. Saturday afternoon the Nittany Lion will endeavor to crush the Syracuse Orange. All hope points to a tight squeeze, In the evening dancing will continue until the usual Saturday night time and then the story is yours to finish.
Recent Activities of Omega Chapter
There has been numerous activities in the house since the last issue of the Omegaphone, Bud Anderson, out All-American soccer player was taped for Skull and Bones, junior and senior honorary society. Bev. Decker is paying with the varsity Lacrosse team, Harry Gerard was selected was major in the R.O.T.C. which gives him a place on the Military Ball Committee. Sher Booth is first assistant lacrosse manager, assistant business manager of the Old Main Bell, and Pi Lambda Sigma honorary pre-legal fraternity. Sam Sinclair was named business manager of the freshman handbook for 1930-31, and is out for the LaVie staff. Larry Hann was elected social chairman of the two-year agricultural class, and he is expected to make out in the wrestling squad. Roy Maize, varsity wrestler, is out to defend Penn State in one-hundred and fifteen pound class, and we expect to have an intercollegiate champion by the end of the season. Bob Young is a second assistant in wrestling, and Al Frey is second assistant in lacrosse. Charley Hammond has been improving steadily on the varsity golf squad and is expected to make a varsity berth. He recently won the cup in the S. Mary’s gold club championship, and has eliminated all opponents so far in the club-college tournament.
Sports Dope
Inspired by an undefeated Alma Mater Omega Chapter is going in for football seriously. We are entered in the interfraternity, non-fraternity tournament, and expect to get out on the gridiron with the next two weeks. The Phi Psi’s, Chi Phi’s, and Phi Kappa Sig’s are our formidable foes, and we hope to duplicate the scores of the Nittany Lions.
Penn State has played four games to date, winning three and tying one. The first was against Niagara, the final score being 41-14. Lebanon Valley was defeated the following week 27-0; Marshall College was overwhelmed 65-0; and this past Saturday Lafayette held the Lions to a 0-) tie. We expect to witness a hard fought contest this Saturday when the Blue and White line-up against Colgate, one of the leading teams of the east. Colgate defeated Lafayette by 41-0 score two weeks ago.
State intercollegiate champion soccer team payed Haverford, past years runner up, and after two extra periods, the game ended in a 1-1 deadlock. One of our seniors, Bud Anderson, All-American, played a wonderful game, and showed great form in an important game that was greatly hampered by a strong, cold wind.
Thank you to all those brothers that shared their news.
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