Greg Allan '89 - Alumni Profile
Click Here to Fill Out Your Own Alumni Corner ProfileGreg Allan - 1989
Big Brother: John Stagliano
Little Brother: Mark Franz
Offices Held: House Manager, Vice President and a short stint as Cook
OX: Why did you join Theta Chi?
Greg Allan: I had rushed a few other houses, but I never really felt at home at any of them. My dad was a Theta Chi - Omega, so I decided to check it out (figured a legacy would have a good shot at getting in :)). From the first time I was there, I just felt like I was home. It was a great group of guys and a lot of diversity. I didn't like the cookie cutter houses where the guys were all the same.
Greg AllanOX: What is your favorite Theta Chi memory or story?
GA: 1987 Fiesta Bowl. Me and some friends from the 'Burgh decided to drive up to the house to watch the game. I guess there was about 14 of us, and about that many inches of snow on the ground. As soon as Pete Giftopolous intercepted Testerverde, the corks flew and the celebration began. The ensuing party downtown was unbelievable. Other than that, all of my memories of Theta Chi are good ones.
OX: What kind of influence has the fraternity had on your life since graduation?
GA: I think the Fraternity helped me learn how to work together as a group. We were all individuals with our own thoughts and ideas, but we always worked together to solve a problem or finish a project. It also helped me respect people no matter what their background is. Some of the people who I didn't think I cared for when I pledged turned out to be really good people who had a lot to offer.
OX: What is your nickname? How did you get it? Did anyone in particular give it to you?
GA: Had a few, but none that really stuck - Allips (ask Rob Scavello for explanation). I think Weasel was in there for a while - pledge bolt related.
OX: Did you live in the house? If so, who were your roommates? Tell us about a memorable time with them.
GA: I lived with Mark Lynch my first semester in the house ("hey Mark, tell Rodent there's a State College Cop on the phone asking for him"). I lived with Scott Mayhew (DooWop) the rest of the time. We got the back corner room on the second floor (with the beds back in the alcove). Scott was a great roommate and friend. He even had a built in alarm clock that "tooted" every morning at 8:00. Nothing like having that sound (and worse, the smell) waking you up after a Saturday party. Jessi, my girlfriend at the time and now my wife, remembers that well. Unfortunately, we were on the top bunk which is where the "alarm clock" ended up drifting to.
OX: Where did your pledge class go on their pledge bolt/trip? What brothers did you take? Any funny stories you can tell?
GA: We went to Ohio University. I think we had Joe Kidda and Mark Lynch (or was that on the return bolt). I actually can't remember who we had with us. We had some good stories, none that I would want to publicize (could kill any political aspirations I may have in the future). Now that I am trying to remember the bolt, I find I don't remember much of it, so I guess I had a great time!
OX: With whom do you stay in contact? And is there anyone with whom you’ve lost touch that you would like to find?
GA: I talk to John Stagliano occasionally. I got to see him and his beautiful wife and children a few months ago when they were staying at Disney. I've talked to Rob Scavello a few times. I really need to get back in touch with Scott Mayhew again. Some others I'd like to see or talk to again are Steve Dodge, Richard Maltz, and any of the Fall '86 pledge class (God's Gift to Theta Chi - or so we called ourselves).
OX: What other activities or organizations were you involved with during your college days?
GA: Not much outside of the House. I should have spent more time actually going to school (didn't quite make it to graduation).
OX: Tell us about your family. Have you married? Do you have children?
GA: I am married to my college sweetheart, Jessi. She spent some time in the house. No children, 2 dogs.
OX: What do you do for a living?
GA: I am a Data Networking Account Executive (that's a fancy name for salesman) with AT&T in the Corporate Business Division.
OX: What hobbies do you enjoy?
GA: I do a lot of home improvement projects (tile, wood floor, built a nice bar outside on my back pool deck). I enjoy golfing, although I don't do it enough. Other than that, I just enjoy being with friends, hanging out around the barbecue, swimming in the pool (and of course having a few beers...Yuengling of course!).
OX: What are your goals for the next few years?
GA: Get better at what I do - sounds pretty lame I know, but I just want to be the best I can be at whatever I do (sounds like an Army commercial).
OX: What organizations are you involved with in your community?
GA: I am the President of the Central Florida Penn State Alumni Association. I am a member of the Florida Citrus Sports Organization (lets me scout Big Ten football games which is a great experience).