April 1987 Omegaphone
Revisions and Repairs Range from Rush to Roof
By Stephen A. Dodge Chapter President
Over the past few years, Omega Chapter has been striving to improve with each new semester. This spring is no exception. After corning off a great fail semester, which included a third-place finish in homecoming, a re-landscaped front lawn and 13 new brothers, the actives once again began working to improve our fraternity.
The spring semester opened with an IFC mandated dry rush program. The brothers quickly adapted to the new program and have recently pledged 11 prospective Theta Chis, The new pledges, combined with the 49 actives, will ensure a strong brotherhood and a full house for several more semesters.
In addition to the changes in the rush program, other recent changes have occurred at Omega Chapter. The old laundry room, the room next to the study room, has been converted into a study room. Coupled with the extensive study hours incorporated into the pledge program, these changes should further raise our academic standings. House improvements have also been a chapter priority. In order to contribute to house improvements, we have increased our house bill by 5100 per semester. Purchases this semester have included new furniture for the first floor ($4,000) and many other necessary improvements and repairs.
This spring also marked the return of our philanthropy, K.I.C.K.S., at Theta Chi. This second annual event attracted over 50 young kids from the Centre County Big Brother/Big Sister program for a day of fun and games, Over a dozen downtown businesses sponsored the event by donating prizes, food and money. The highlight of the day was a raffle in which every kid won prizes ranging from footballs and basketballs to plastic models and T-shirts.
Another event to be held at Omega Chapter this spring is the 1987 Region III Assembly. This is the second time in four years that the regional convention will have been held at Omega Chapter - a tribute to our continued strong brotherhood. The event has attracted several members from national, including Omega Brother Howard Alter and possibly Brother George T. Kilovas.
The biggest improvement to Omega Chapter this year results not from the actives, but you, the alumni, Our new roof construction, along with other major house repairs, is set to begin this spring. The entire brotherhood extends its sincerest thanks to you for the new roof and house repairs. We encourage you to visit the house whenever possible so we may express our thanks and share our pride in Theta Chi - Omega.
Special Events Beckon Alumni Home
By John Wszalek Alumni Corporation President
Spring in Pennsylvania is an exciting time. The snow is melt-ing, the grass is turning green, the flowers are in bloom. I can not think of a better way to spend a weekend in April than to hop in the car and travel to the center of the state to visit your old fraternity.
Founders' Day Weekend at Theta Chi provided just such an opportunity. Held in conjunction with the defending national champion Nittany Lion football team's Blue-White Game on Saturday, April 25, end with Brother Scott Ambler's birthday and our ever-eventful corporation meeting, the weekend was indeed a treat.
With 13 new brothers from the fall, and 11 pledges, the active chapter continues to be a force on campus. Now, it's up to the alumni to back up that effort with their equally out-standing support. If you were unable to attend the Founders' Day festivities, please try especially hard to return for Homecoming '87 this fall. Last year's event was the best-attended gathering in recent history, and we would like to see that trend continue.
Remember, whether you left the house recently, or resided at the old 251 S. Allen address, this is your fraternity and you are always welcome.
Our Pride Is Showing! House Benefits from interior, Exterior Decoration
By Robert F. Kramer '88, Vice President and Leo D, Sugg '88, Treasurer
This spring the brothers are sporting an enormous amount of enthusiasm and pride over the physical appearance of Omega Chapter. Not only are we excited about some rapidly approaching major capital improvements, we are also attending to the more minor, but time-consuming tasks. This spring, for example, will see the completion of the landscaping project begun last fall. The project has been extremely successful and has improved the outside appearance of the house a hundred fold.
Inside, many small, long-awaited and necessary projects have begun. In January, new living room furniture was purchased from O.W. Houts & Son. The old furniture will be refurbished and used in the new study room. The study room replaces the old laundry room, or the housemother's room, depending upon your undergraduate tenure. This room will house several desks, easy chairs and an extensive shelving system for our growing array of awards and trophies.
The dining room at Omega is also in the midst of some major improvements, including new curtains and wooden blinds on the windows as well as new lighting. Also, two walls were replaced and a banister will be installed along the stair-way.
These projects, and some others, are low-cost, high-man-hour projects. But the effect these "small" projects have on the overall appearance of the house is indeed large, as we hope you will see for yourself on homecoming (October 10 against Rutgers) this fall.
We welcome any suggestions you care to make about other areas in the house which may need our attention. Although we may not be able to finance these projects or ideas on our own, we will certainly investigate and report to you their costs and requirements.
We eagerly look forward to the completion of the new roof so we can get the damaged pool room in order; but, for the time being, please excuse the appearance of the pool room.
Once again, the undergraduate brothers of Omega Chapter thank you for your help and continued concern. We hope that the capital improvements which the house so desperately needs will materialize and will bring the house up to the level it should be.
Chapter Officers
President - Stephen Dodge
Vice President - Robert Kramer
Treasurer - Leo Sugg
Accounting Secretary - Mark Hoist
Rush Chairmen - Robert Scavello and Douglas Burry
Dry Rush Runs Well: Eleven Fine Men Join Spring Class
By Robert J. Scavello and Douglas E. Burry Rush Co-Chairmen
The new year brought with it a new addition to Penn State's fraternity rush program. Because of the increasing national concern over alcohol abuse, the IFC passed a bylaw mandating a completely dry rush program. No alcohol can be served at any event whose purpose is to recruit new members. As a result, there was an extremely low turnout of rushees at the spring '87 rush mixer. Additionally, many fraternities have had problems with both the size and quality of their pledge classes.
Theta Chi's spring rush program, however, was unaffected. Although only slightly over 100 rushees signed our rush list (compared to over 500 last semester), our open house was a great success. Also, despite the lack of beer and the frequent presence of bad weather, all subsequent rush events enjoyed strong participation on the part of both rushees and brothers. Consequently, we had little difficulty attracting quality men, worthy of being given the chance to become Omegas. After much deliberation, we selected 11 men whom we felt represent Penn State's finest.
What all this demonstrates is that Theta Chi - Omega is something special. This is, of course, no surprise to you, but it is a fact that is becoming increasingly known on Penn State's campus. Upon completion of their pledge program, these 11 new pledges will undoubtedly help our brotherhood continue the high level of excellence we have come to expect.
Senior John Stagliano Recalls the Way We Were
By John E. Stagliano '87
Theta Chi and Penn State have changed a lot since the fall of 1984 when I arrived at University Park. At that time, the house was only at half-capacity and the previous pledge class had consisted of one. My fall pledge class, however, numbered 14. Unlike most rushees at Penn State, we were not looking for the biggest name, or the biggest house, but the best brotherhood.
In the fall of '84 we were allowed to tailgate and football games were the highlight of all home weekends. Now, just a few seasons and a national championship later, the games have lost a little of their excitement because of the new university alcohol policy regarding tailgates.
Being a student at Penn State has been a great, but sometimes challenging, experience. Penn State fraternities are also faced with challenges, Our most recent challenge was adapting to the university's new, mandatory dry rush policy. I'm proud to say that Theta Chi has done extraordinarily well in that area; we have revised our rush program accordingly and have even adopted our own alcohol policy consistent with the university's.
Change manifests itself in many ways. Since the fall of '84, we have seen the house triple in size and the strength of both the brotherhood and the alumni grow as well. Omega now hosts its own annual philanthropy and actively participates in most other campus activities. Our most recent success was our participation in the 1986 homecoming competition where we placed third overall. The brotherhood itself is stronger than ever. Our 1984 fall rush program attracted about 100 rushees; about 400 rushees came to Omega's rush last fall. We are committed to continuing this success.
Looking back, my decision to join Theta Chi was the single most important decision I have ever made at Penn State. I can't imagine going through college life any other way, and I have everyone associated with Theta Chi to thank, past and present. I will be sad to leave behind so many people to whom I have grown so close, but I am consoled by the fact that I leave behind a place that I can come home to, a place that is continually changing and progressing.
Omega has had a proud past and we are looking forward to a long, prosperous future. We invite you to return to Omega to share with us your past as we share with you our future.
Omegathletes Reach for Top-intramural Spot
By Tom Scary, Athletic Chairman
Theta Chi is now in a position where the sky's the limit. Through a combination of added support from brothers, pledges and little sisters, and continuing high participation, we have a shot at the intramural top.
At the halfway mark, Theta Chi ranks seventh among Penn State's 52 fraternities. With a strong athletic spring anything is possible. So far this spring we have participated in several activities, including our most promising event, bowling. Doug Craig and the crew are continuing their winning ways from last semester. Also, with the help of Joe Kidda, Chris Trentini, Rod Miller and Chris Thomson, Theta Chi made good showings in both squash and racquetball. In basketball, however, frustration was the word. The "Not So Tall" boys stayed close in too many a game only to be frustrated at the end. The Theta Chi team fell out of the playoff picture and will have to regroup for next season.
The brothers of Theta Chi take great pride in our athletic ability and are looking forward to the rest of this semester's events. With the bowling team on fire and powerhouse soccer and volleyball teams waiting in the wings, we could very well reach the No. 1 spot.
Alumni News
CONWAY B. PADEN '27 was elected in 1985 to the New York Academy of Sciences as a result of his work at Penn State and the University of Maryland from 1923 to 1940.
DONALD S. PEARSON '29 is an emeritus professor who resides in Winter Park, FL.
SHERWOOD K. BOOTH '32 checks in Falls Church, VA
DAVID R. FRANKENFIELD '49 retired from Amtrak in September '86 after having open-heart surgery. He and his wife, Anne, recently became grandparents for the first time. Dave notes that he would like to contact his former roommate, FRANK CRISSY '49.
EDWARD W. NOYES JR. '51 resides in Williamsport, PA. He has a winter home in Florida, where he enjoys the warm weather and plays duplicate bridge twice a week. He keeps in touch with RALPH ETTINGER '49.
AT&T accountant DOMINIC ALISIO '54 can be found in Bethlehem, PA.
The new home address for WARREN L. HOMMAS JR. '54 is in Great Falls, MT. Warren retired as a base civil engineer with the Montana Air National Guard. He is now an apartment manager, part-time cargo pilot and also operates a ladies’ dress shop with his wife.
KEITH F. VANSANT '58 is a management analyst for the U.S. Army, He reports his dad, F. T. VANSANT '20, is doing great. Keith lives in Mountain, GA.
PAUL H, McCONNAUGHEY '60 has moved from Pittsburgh to Davenport, IA. He has a new job as marketing manager in ALCOA's aerospace, defense and transportation division.
GARY RISER '64, of Oakridge, TN, is assistant treasurer for Martin Marietta Energy Systems. He and his wife, Marcia, have a 16-year-old son and a 13-year-old daughter. Gary has been a member of the National Ski Patrol for 15 years.
KEN SLABY 73, if you read this, drop me a line and let me know where you are," writes BOB LOSINGER '72 of Plymouth, MN. We'll help you out, Last summer, Bob and his wife, Becky, visited with Kathy and TOBY FROEHLICH '72.
HUGH McCLURE '72, of Weeks-Worthington & Co. inc., lists his home address is in Abington, PA.
G, L. SCHLEGEL '73 reports he was promoted to director of management information systems for Sandvik Inc. "Laird," who lives in Clarks Summit, PA 18411, also teaches operations management at the University of Scranton, "molding tomorrow's youths via the Theta Chi helping hand.' "
DAVID G. DOUGLAS 76, The 1975 president of Theta Chi, Dave is a film maker/producer/director with NFL Films. He received an Emmy award for NFL Films' "Road to the Super Bowl 1985," He and his wife, Betty, have two children.
The new home address for DAVID J. STRAKA '77 is in Seattle, WA.
ROBERT MOONEY '78 has moved to Ocean Side, CA.
STEVE PUTTERMAN '78, aka "Sky Dog," is an assistant actuary for Connecticut National Life. He live in Bloomfield, CT. He and his wife had a son, David Adam, last September. Steve notes that his brother, RANDY PUTTERMAN '82, "kept up" with him by having a son in October.
U.S. Navy supply officer ROBERT B. BODENSCHATZ '81 was awarded a Joint Services Commendation Medal for Outstanding Performance at the Defense Contract Administration Services Management Area, Syracuse, N.Y. Bob makes his home in Norfolk, VA, and notes his first child, Anastasia Elizabeth, was born on January 1987.
ANTHONY P. AGENTOWICZ '85 has a new address in Joy, PA.
CHRIS CASCIATO '85 recently started a new position in engineering sales with Deanco. Still glowing from having watched the Fiesta Bowl - on location - Chris lives in Rosemont, PA.
"I'm real busy with life, but having a good time," reports ANTHONY PANICHELLI '85 of Upper Darby, PA. He is with the Curley Adjustment Bureau. Brothers may remember him as "Ant Man."
DAVID FERRO '86 now lives in Bethesda, MD 20817. He is a staff accountant with Deloitte, Haskins & Sells.
Chapter Eternal
We regret to inform you of the death of:
ELLWOOD B. CASSEL '19
JOSEPH S. ALEXANDER '35
SAMUEL N. BAXTER JR. '35
SAMUEL S. COBB '39
JAMES A. ROBERTS '45
KEITH WAYNE JACKSON '72
Thank you to all those brothers that shared their news.
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