November 2011 Omegaphone
Homecoming Weekend 2011 Was one of the most Successful Weekends in recent Omega History
I became a brother in the spring of 1986, and in all that time I have never been more proud to be a brother from Omega Chapter than I was this past Homecoming. The undergraduate chapter is having a year to remember. In the spring, they finished the semester with a 3.22 GPA, finished third overall in athletics and raised more than $30,000 for THON. Now, the fall is off to an incredible start as well, with the chapter winning Homecoming for the third time in five years. You can see videos of our actives building the float and the announcement during the Purdue football game, as well as other news, photos and videos, online at www.thetachiomega.com.
Homecoming weekend was one of, if not the most, successful and historic weekends in recent memory for Omega chapter. The week started with the alumni association buying the chapter house back from Norwich Housing Corporation (National) and culminated with the undergraduate chapter winning, sorry dominating, the Penn State homecoming competition. The brothers finished 1st place in the float (only 12 points from a perfect score and one of the highest scores of all time), 4th place in the mad-hatter, 1st place in the talent show, 3rd place carnival, 1st place t-shirt and 2nd place banner. Total domination on their part!
The Theta Chi's 2nd place mad-hatter.
Now that we once again own 523 South Allen and the chapter continues to build on their success, we are ready to take the next steps towards ushering Omega into its second century. For the past year we have been working behind the scenes on a capital campaign. Now we are finally ready to move forward with the campaign, and the alumni corporation’s leadership has personally pledged $50,000 towards our goal of a half a million dollars. The next several months (and year) you should be hearing from us about how you can help with the capital campaign. I hope you will financially support the campaign, as well as lend a helping hand with making it the success we know it can be.
House Now Re-Owned by Omega Chapter Thanks to the Help of Many, Many Brothers
In the dictionary, the word “owner” has multiple synonyms: proprietor, landlord, and possessor, to name just a few. However, for The Norwich Housing Corporation, the most appropriate description of its role with Theta Chi of Penn State, Inc. for the last five years was “holder.”
In September 2006, Norwich received a deed in lieu of foreclosure for 523 South Allen Street, due to a defaulted mortgage. At that time, this was the chapter’s only and best remaining course of action if Theta Chi was to survive at Penn State. Let me remind everyone that there were internal and external operational problems with the undergraduates and alumni. The house was in serious need of repair, and this prevented the chapter from making the necessary revenue to keep the house on the positive side of the balance sheet.
While some viewed Norwich as an owner, the Corporation was very firm in its conviction to ensure that it would be a temporary holder of the property. From day one, Norwich took the stance that it would hold onto the property, renovate, and assume operations of the chapter house. But during this period the Omega brothers were tasked with addressing some very simple questions: Who are we? Where are we going as a chapter? How can we live up to the legacies of George Chapman, Norman Horner, Howard Alter, William Lange, William Renton and the many other distinguished Omega brothers who laid the groundwork for this chapter for more than 90 years?
Since then, Brother Richard Maltz has eloquently detailed the improvements of the house in the Omegaphone. But, what really made the biggest positive impact for Omega were the many intangible improvements to the chapter’s operations and brotherhood by the undergraduates and alumni.
Many brothers are proud of Omega and the many steps it has taken over the last few years, but it could not have been done without the assistance of past and present Norwich board members Jim Thompson, Dale Taylor, Lindsay Olsen, Doug Schemenauer, Pat O’Connor, Mike Kistler, Jeff Anderson, Paul Norstrem, Jim McEachern and Wes Wicker. Without their willingness to assist the chapter over the last 10 years, the future of the property would be an unknown mystery.
Another individual that needs to be thanked is Dennis Foley ’91. Brother Foley and I were in the trenches together at the beginning trying to find ways to save the house. At the end, Dennis had to make the tough call with the foreclosure. This decision was not an easy one for him and many thought it was the wrong decision. Over time, this turned out to be the best course of action for Omega.
Thank you to current and former members of Theta Chi of Penn State, Inc. for their service. Without the dedication of this board, specifically the time devoted by Rich Maltz ’90, Chris Burke ’93 and Rich Bartnik ’08, Omega would not been in the position to purchase back the house.
Thank you also to Greg Butts and his property management crew for their service. They showed true class and have taken pride in their service to Theta Chi. Additional thanks go to the countless volunteers that contributed their time, talent and treasure to make Omega what it is today.
Lastly, let us praise the undergraduates for their success and for showing the spirit of Theta Chi that lives strong today at South Allen Street..
A long-standing tradition for many chapters is the senior will. This is a special occasion for graduating seniors to leave physical things or intangible items to their brothers. It’s a way of combining best wishes for younger friends with nostalgia about one’s time at college.
For over five years, I have taken many ventures down I-70 and I-99 from Indianapolis to State College. As Norwich’s time as holder has come to an end, I present this senior will to all of the Theta Chi brothers at Penn State.
I charge my Theta Chi brothers from Omega Chapter to honor their long, glorious tradition. Theta Chi has made an impact on each of our lives and has shaped the way we are today, whether we know it or not. Being a brother is not just a four- year membership. You are part of a large family that believes in a higher cause above one’s self.
As a new honorary member of the Omega Chapter of Theta Chi Fraternity, I can say with all of you “We Are Penn State,” but I will always call each of you a friend and brother.
Fraternally,
Jereme W. Grinslade
Delta Kappa/Ball State 1999
Director of Alumni & Real Estate
Theta Chi Fraternity
Society for the Preservation of Greek Housing Approves Omega Application
Late last month, the Society for the Preservation of Greek Housing approved Omega Chapter’s application for membership. As part of the approval, $344,000 of the chapter’s $398,000 of proposed renovations was deemed acceptable for tax deductibility.
The Society was formed to aid in the preservation of historically and architecturally significant Greek houses, to work to have additional houses listed on the National Register of Historic Places, to fund historical research/writing projects, and to conduct educational open houses and seminars to educate the public about these Greek-affiliated structures.
To aid in preservation and rehabilitation of the chapter houses, the Society will provide grants for:
Health and safety code requirements that do not result in the loss of character
Major structural rehabilitation or restoration
Exterior rehabilitation or restoration
Interior rehabilitation or restoration
All donations made to the Society may be deducted as provided in Section 170 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.
Direct gifts of appreciated securities, beneficiary designations under wills and/or living trusts, and other similar gifts are welcome. Bequests, legacies, devises, transfers, or gifts to the Society are deductible for Federal estate and gift tax purposes if they meet the applicable provisions of sections 2055, 2106, and 2522 of the Code.
For the capital campaign, the alumni Board of Directors is working to determine the processes for assignment of tax deductibility, and the contribution pledge process.
In the Words of Our Brothers (and Little Sister)...
Timothy Boyd ’83 - “I had a great PSU weekend at the first football game of the season. Nice to meet some of the undergrads. Glad to see the chapter is in such good hands. Keep up the good work guys. Go State!”
John Loyle ’76 - “Nice, I remember the days when we would have to line up at the house public phone booth to make collect calls home for money... Enjoy.”
Julien Hohman - “The new internet is fully functional in the house! Thanks to the alumni for making this possible!"
Nancy Lowry Moitrier - “What crazy wonderful fun memories I have of our ‘Wizard of Oz’ float creation. I am sure all of these Theta Chis and WSE friends are creating the same wonderful moments. Oh how I wish I could do it all over again! All these wonderful tidbits of State College are making me hungry to see everyone together again in the house, innocently smiling, laughing and dancing and playing!”
David Carlson ’87 - “I had a great visit to the house in September. Brothers are really keeping the place in great shape. Hats off to Kevin Trippel, he made me feel right at home. On top of it all, great accommodations! (The game was pretty good too.) It’s fun to be in Happy Valley, even if only for a day.”
Alumni News
Thomas Morton ’53 - John Ayers ’52 and I, roommates in 1952, and our wives got together for a three-hour chat and lunch in Lyndonville, VT recently. It was the first time we saw each other in – get this – 60 years! Tom and Betts were vacationing for a week near Stowe, VT, about 50 miles from John and Betty’s home in Lyndonville.
Thomas Eyerly ’59 - My wife Anne and I just spent a wonderful day and night visiting with brother Bill Kress ’60 and his wife Bonnie (former Omega Theta Chi Sweetheart) in Raleigh, NC. Bill was “Most Worthy Ex Arch” in his senior year and we had great fun remembering the many good times at Omega and bringing each other up to date on our families and present day involvements.
Yan Tseytlin ’07 - I live in the San Francisco Bay area and work at Google supporting Technical Operations for Google+ and Google Analytics. My wife Kelly and I recently had the joy of welcoming two new additions to our family with the birth of our twin boys Liev and Elon Tseytlin, born August 27th, 2011 (somewhat recent picture here). I have kept in touch the best I could with Theta Chi brothers and alumni.
Most recently I utilized a newly announced feature of Google+ called Hangouts to multi-user video chat with brothers from all over the country. It was an absolute success with many more to follow in the coming months.
Thank you to all those brothers that shared their news.
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