February 1984 Omegaphone
Corporation Elections Now in Progress
Greetings, Omega brothers. Fate has decreed my serving one more term as your president, a fact of which I am very proud. Nominations for a new alumni president are now open, however, and ballots have been enclosed in this mailing.
Homecoming was again a grand success, and the number of returning alumni, their wives and girlfriends necessitated using the entire first floor as a dining area. The happy event also marked an evening of numerous honors for our distinguished brother and retiring executive director, Howard Alter '41. The active president requested that this be a roast, and, as the first speaker, I really roasted and toasted brother Alter, after which each of the following speakers gave accolades and verbal honors to our most distinguished brother. This is the last time I intend to imitate Dean Martin, for, as Howard knows, no one could respect him more highly than myself.
Howard did get a big kick out of it, but I thought I was going to be drummed out of the fraternity. Howard, you know we love you!
Founders' Day will be held on the Blue/White weekend so that we may enjoy the beginning of another football season. I officially predict Penn State to be in the top ten and again go to a major bowl game.
The Capital Campaign Fund continues to grow and f urge each of you to get your $100 into the Omega chapter as soon as possible.
Your alumni officers, as well as myself, wish you all a healthy and prosperous 1984. We look forward to seeing all of you and your families during the Blue/White weekend.
Louis Wm. Martini Sr.
Alumni Corporation President
Founders' Day to be Celebrated April 27-28
Founders' Day will be held on the weekend of April 27-28, 1984. A social gathering for both actives and alumni will be held on Friday night, Saturday will begin with a tailgate at Beaver Stadium followed by the Penn State Blue and White Game. An important corporation meeting with the election of new alumni officers will follow the game.
This year an alumni dinner will be held after the corporation meeting. A great meal is planned! A Jammy party on Saturday night will close out the weekend. All the actives WANT YOU THERE. Help us make Founders' Day SOAR IN 1984!
Chapter Looks to Brotherize 1,000th Omega
Greetings to all Omegamen from the actives at Penn State. I'd like to wish everyone a healthy and prosperous '84 and inform you of our accomplishments in the fall of '83 and our goals for '84.
During the fall semester, we continued to upgrade the physical condition of the house. With the addition of new boiler return lines, the house's heating system is in fine working order. Also, the wood floors in the living room and foyer were stripped of their old varnish and refinished, They certainly look great.
One of our main goals for '84 is to fill the house with brothers, and, hopefully, brotherize our 1,000th Omega. As of Thanksgiving, our roster stood at 983 brothers with a class of nine pledges for the winter pledge program. With a concerted effort from the brotherhood, this is a very reachable goal.
A thank you is definitely in order to all our alumni who attended Homecoming '83. We feel that it was a very successful weekend as well as a fantastic time.
In closing, I would like to invite all alumni members to stop by the chapter house whenever in the area. We would really love to see you.
Michael Garrity Past Chapter President
Brother and retiring National Executive Director Howard Alter '41 addresses the Homecoming crowd.
Howard Alter '41 Honored at Homecoming
Since 1963, the Omega Chapter of Theta Chi has had the honor of being represented in the National office by alumnus member Howard Alter '41.
In view of his retirement this summer, the active chapter decided to honor Howard for his unending work and contributions to both our chapter and Theta Chi chapters across the country.
The weekend began with a welcome back tap on Friday night. A large turnout kept the reunion party alive into the morning hours, winding down only after a crowd gathered to sing traditional songs as well as It Is To Thee Dear Old Theta Chi.
Saturday began with a tailgate at Beaver Stadium featuring Bloody Marys, beer and plenty of hamburgers and hot dogs for all. The tailgate festivities were followed by an awesome game by our own Penn State Nittany Lions, who clobbered West Virginia 41-28.
Following the game, it was back to the chapter house for the dinner/roast of Executive Director Howard Alter. Along with the 120 people who came to enjoy the filet and lobster tail dinner, Omega was honored by the presence of two National officers and three regional counselors.
The roast part of the evening, emceed by then active Chapter President Michael Garrity, featured speeches by various members of the active chapter and National members.
Mike Garrity (L) and Howard Alter Jr. - Br. Alter was honored at 1983 Homecoming celebration with the unoffical renaming of the alley behind the chapter house to Alter Alley - October 22, 1983
The highlight of the evening came when Garrity christened the alley behind the chapter house with a handmade "Alter Alley" street sign to be erected at the corner of Prospect Avenue and the alley.
Brother Alter spoke last. His speech, which stressed the importance of Omega Chapter to National over the years, was greeted by a huge round of applause and a standing ovation.
The active chapter would like to thank all who attended. The large turnout was extremely gratifying. We at Omega are thankful for the privilege to honor such a great man in Theta Chi Fraternity.
Bob Dunston, Chapter Vice President
A Note to Our Senior Alumni
The actives of Omega are aware that many older alumni hesitate to return to the chapter house for special occasions like Homecoming or Founders' Day, or for "pop-in" visits, because they feel out of place due to the age difference. This message is especially directed toward these older brothers.
We are very proud of our brotherhood and chapter house and we wish to share our recent accomplishments with you.
We therefore extend an open invitation to all alumni to please stop by and see the chapter house in which you once lived and ran to make Omega the strong chapter it is today.
A special thanks goes to brother Ernie Letcher '64. Homecoming '83 was his first visit to the house since his graduation 20 years ago. We would also like to thank Ernie for his "words of wisdom" which we will all take to heart.
Examples of more frequent returning alumni are Bill Gilmore Jr. '41, Bill Gilmore II '65, Owen McIntyre '50, Bill Clark '51 and Howard Alter '41. These brothers make it a point to return to the chapter house each year.
Again, please stop by and visit. We want our alumni to become more familiar with the active chapter. We need your support, and visits to the chapter house are a perfect way to enhance your interaction with Omega.
Anthony Panichelli, Chapter Secretary
So Proudly We Nail . . . . House Improvements
Much progress was made during fall semester in the area of house improvements. Our kitchen and the woodwork and doors on the first floor were painted and the curtains were dry cleaned. Our chief project during fall was the refinishing of the first-floor wood floors. Come visit the house; they look really nice! Non-skid pads were placed on the dining room steps and a new ice machine was purchased. A new fireplace damper was installed to help keep out the freezing temperatures. A sump pump was installed in the boiler room to prevent flooding.
The biggest repair in '83 was the replacement of the long-awaited boiler return lines. The old lines, which were built under the house, had decayed and were causing rust and sediment to deposit inside the boiler. A few minor repairs to be made on the boiler remain. After they are completed this spring the boiler will be in "near perfect" working condition.
Due to our eight-man pledge class, we plan to revamp the dining room and several other areas of the house. Our main goal for spring is to replace the shutters on the front of the house. We feel this operation is feasible as they are not too expensive. Hope to see everyone at Founders' Day!
Mike Garrity, House Manager
Alumni News
Following his retirement from the US Army as colonel, AARON GUTHRIE '22 taught at Slippery Rock College where he was "somewhat instrumental" in the establishment of a Theta Chi chapter. Aaron has been able to "keep his eye on them" through the years.
An attorney with Archer & Greiner, FREDERICK P. GREINER '28 can now be contacted at his office in Haddonfield, NJ.
RICHARD A. GEUDER '29 is both a board member of the Booth Salvation Army Hospital and a member of the board of the Cleveland Senior Council, which acts as advisor to various groups and business organizations.
"Getting the Omegaphone is great!" writes DONALD S. PEARSON '29. Don has authored three books in his retirement, is a voluntary professor at Arizona State University, and is a founder of the Tau Beta Alumnus Chapter there.
CHARLES A. KOHR '30 is retired and living in Lancaster, PA.
After eight years on the Olympic peninsula in Washington state, A. NORMAN DIETRICK '34 and his vvife, Dot, moved to Conway, SC to be closer to their daughter. They invite any brothers, especially those from the '30s, to stop by.
A professor emeritus from Rutgers University, AUSTIN N. LENTZ '35 now devotes about six months of the year to travel. He's also a former Beta Kappa, and would very much like to know the whereabouts of other Beta Kaps.
Although he retired as an active partner from the CPA firm Arthur Young & Company in 1977, WILLIAM C. INGS '36 is presently on special assignment for that company as coordinator of professional services rendered by the public accounting firms associated with Arthur Young in the region of Central America and Panama. Bill and his wife, Edna, have lived in Latin America for over 18 years and have three sons in the USA.
WALTER A. WHITE '48 is sure on the fast track! He's president of the 500-member Manasota Track Club, which sanctions and directs over 45 local races each year, and is on the board of directors of the Gasparilla Distance Classic in Tampa, which attracts about 10,000 runners each February. Always on the run, he ran "The Great Race" in Pittsburgh on September 25 and the Marine Corps Marathon in Washington, D.C., on November 6. Catch him (if you can) in Bradenton, FL.
THOMAS J. PETERS '52, Meadville, PA, "Jim" is an educational programs administrator for the Crawford County ECIA Consortium.
CRAIG W. RUPP '53 has retired from his position as regional director, Rocky Mountain region, USDA Forest Service, after 31 years of service. He makes his home in Littleton, CO.
PAUL H. McCONNAUGHEY '60 was the master of ceremonies at the Penn State Club of Allegheny County's dinner last January honoring the national championship Nittany Lions. The event at the Pittsburgh Hilton drew over 1,000 people, including Joe Paterno, the Lion, Jim Tarman, Fran Fisher, and other PSU sports notables. Paul is a resident of Bradford Woods, PA.
The superintendent of the Marion Center Area School District, JOHN MALLINO '60 resides in Marion Center, PA.
MATTHEW G. SOCCIO '62 is an accountant. He lives in Lewistown, PA.
Now the eastern district manager of the Amdahl Corporation, AL MIGLIACCIO '66. l would very much like to hear from his friends when they're in town.
CPA BOB HOLLAND '70 is proud to report the birth of his two daughters--the first on May 20, 1982 and the latest on April 28, 1983!
GEORGE H. BAER '73 is employed by the Cities Service Oil & Gas Corporation. His home is in Littleton, CO.
RANDAL R. BETZ '73 reports he "finally" has a permanent position! As an instructor of orthopedic surgery at Temple University Hospital and an associate surgeon and director of the spinal cord injury center at Shriners Hospital in Philadelphia, Randy can be found in Langhorne, PA.
The regional advertising director with Talon in Dallas, WILLIAM R. JENKINS 75 resides in Carrollton, TX. He keeps in touch with classmate and fellow Texan BOB MAUSSER, who is a senior accounting specialist with Exxon. Bob and his wife, Kim, recently celebrated their first anniversary and make their home in Cypress, TX.
WILLIAM ROONEY 75 lives in Reading, PA. He regrets the passing of honorary brother HARRY "BABE" GRIFFIN '75, who had been so dedicated to the brothers of Theta Chi.
"April 1984 will mark the end of a six-year tour of duty with the US Navy. I plan to reside in Holland, outside of Philadelphia, and work for RCA in Moorestown or Trenton, NJ," writes CHARLES P. CLARK 76, who plans to be married in May or June!
Wedding bells have rung for nursery KISTLER '76! He and Bonnie Winstead November 26, 1983 and have taken up in Pleasant Gap, PA.
The new home address for JIM NUGENT '77 iws in East Windsor, NJ.
A recent promotion has raised international underwriter PAUL V. BENDER '79 to international manager for Chubb & Son, Pittsburgh.
Geologist WILLIAM A. McGILL III 79 is a man on the move! He's got a new job with Kemgas and has relocated to Ravenswood, WV.
While taking some courses at the University of Akron, environmental scientist DAN POWELL '81 is also serving as house manager and vice president of the Beta Lambda chapter of Theta Chi. "Booger," who lives in Akron, OH, also reports that GARY HICKS '82 paid him a nice visit there.
"Thanks to the help of PAUL BENDER '79, I was able to get a position with Chubb & Son after working for Savin Corporation these past three years," writes a grateful EVAN J. ROSENBERG '80. Evan's job switch to Chubb's operations supervisor also necessitated a change of residence in Valhalla, NY.
RANDY PUTTERMAN '83 also reports a change of address; a sales representative for Goodyear's Industrial Products Division, he was recently transferred to the St. Louis area. His new home is in Creve Coeur, MO.
We regret to inform you of the death of:
ANTHONY V. PICKARD '21
GEORGE E. WAY '27
ROBERT J. HAMMEL '56
Thank you to all those brothers that shared their news.
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