November 2012 Omegaphone
Theta Chi Epitomizes What it means to lend a Helping Hand
On October 14, Theta Chi and Alpha Xi Delta held a philanthropy soccer tournament named K.I.C.K.S. to benefit Autism Speaks. We were able to witness first-hand the power that philanthropies can have in uniting Greek organizations behind a higher cause in our community.
Our organizations have been hosting this joint philanthropic event for over two decades. Teams of eight compete in a series of short matches in “Pool Play,” with the top teams entering an eight-team playoff. From there, teams are eliminated until only two remain to face off for the title.
The Greek community is no stranger to competition and it is often the thing that brings the community together for the greater good.
This year’s event was our most successful K.I.C.K.S. event to date, raising over $2,300 for Autism Speaks. We hope this inspires the Greek community to coordinate its efforts toward charitability and interconnectedness. With a little creativity, philanthropies can become something people look forward to instead of Mark Moseley was chosen as a finance captain and John Boston was chosen as a family relations captain. Additional THON committee members include Nick Lello, Sean McCrea, Peter Blasco, Chris Kanner, Zach Meharey, Ian Brodsky, and David Stoltzfus.
Last year, Theta Chi helped raise about $44,000 for THON, which benefits the Four Diamonds Fund. The brotherhood has already completed two successful canning weekends and hopes to exceed last year’s totals.
Once again, the brothers of Omega are proving to be a driving force in the community, particularly in the area of philanthropy. These contributions toward THON, coupled with the brotherhood’s successful K.I.C.K.S. initiative, truly epitomize what it means to lend a “Helping Hand.”
Capital Campaign
With the holidays just around the corner, it’s time to start planning the summer renovation projects for the capital effort and booking contractors so that we can keep our project moving forward. It’s an exciting time for Omega Chapter and we want to take this opportunity to update you on what’s been raised, what’s been done so far, what’s left to be done and how you can help.
What’s been completed...
Replaced windows on first floor and second floor
Replaced exterior shutters
What’s left to be done...
Replace doors in basement and 1st floor
Remove, replace, or repair the side porch
Update the electrical system in the basement, 1st floor and 2nd floor
Renovate the 2nd floor bedrooms
Repair/replace the entry roof from the parking lot to the kitchen
Renovate the 1st floor walls and floors
Install radiator thermostats
Bring to ADA compliance And so much more...
It’s a great start, but we need the support of each alumnus, at whatever level they can give, to reach our goal and secure the future of Omega Chapter by making the house both safe and ideal for today’s students. Today’s Penn State students have many options, not only with other newly-renovated fraternity houses (of which there are many), but also with new apartment and dormitories. To remain competitive, we must make these renovations.
Make your pledge today and help us reach our $500,000 goal!
We aren’t asking anyone to do this alone. We have 877 living alumni and there is STRENGTH in numbers. If everyone gives what they can, we will reach our goal!
We need to LEVERAGE our numbers to ensure success in this effort. A gift of any size is welcome and accepted, but we have set up the pledge option so that you can make a stretch gift and pay it over the full five years of the project timeline.
Gifts at the $5,000+ level (from $10,000) are also 100% tax deductible!
We have received 19 gifts at other levels, and as you can see, every dollar makes a difference and gets us closer to our goal. Please take a moment to think about your time at Omega Chapter, and consider at which level you can support the campaign effort. Thank you in advance for your support!
Aaron Speagle
Senior Spotlight - To Aaron Speagle ’12, the Fraternity experience is relevant and Worth Honoring After Graduation
This graduating senior will receive his degree in nuclear engineering this spring and hopes to obtain an entry-level nuclear engineering position. During his time at Omega, Aaron held the position of marshall.
Why did you join Theta Chi over other fraternities?
I was given a last minute bid from one of my good friends, and decided that if Theta Chi was going to take a risk by extending a bid to someone they didn’t really know, I should at least give it a shot. From there I have never looked back. This chapter has been the single best thing that has happened to me in my time here at Penn State. The chapter has a sense of brotherhood that is unmatched, while maintaining excellence in community service and staying extremely involved on campus.
In what ways do you think the fraternity experience is still a relevant one?
I have learned a great deal about personal interactions, meeting dynamics, leadership positions, and how to handle difficult situations properly. These experiences will help me excel in many aspects outside of the actual work that I will be doing upon graduation.
How do you think your time at Theta Chi has better prepared you for adulthood?
I have learned a great deal about personal interactions, meeting dynamics, leadership positions, and how to handle difficult situations properly. These experiences will help me excel in many aspects outside of the actual work that I will be doing upon graduation.
Why did you pick your particular field of study?
I actually didn’t pick it; nuclear engineering picked me. I started out as a mechanical engi- neering student, but missed the GPA cutoff by .02 when entrance to that major rolled around, so I was placed in nuclear engineer- ing. After a number of weeks of utter confusion about what I wanted to do, I decided to stick with the nuclear field. Now I’m very glad that I am a nuclear engineer- ing student because the field interests me much more than mechanical engineering, and because I believe that I can do the most good for the most people in my this field.
Why would you encourage alumni to stay involved in the active chapter?
Alumni involvement helps to enhance the overall experience of the brotherhood. I always enjoy hearing stories from our alumni, and certainly appreciate the professional connections that they sometimes help us to make. To function more holistically, it is also important for the alumni to understand the day-to-day lives of the undergraduates.
A Special Note from the Bobby Family (Omega's THON Family)
Dear Brothers of Theta Chi,
Zach Meharey, Nick Lello and Peter Blasco in Shrewsbury, PA
Canning with the Bobby's - Oct. 20, 2012 - AJ Bobby (C)
THON has a huge spot in my heart for many reasons! Two years ago, my family had never heard of THON, but on October 5, 2010 my 7-year old boy was diagnosed with leukemia. To this day, I am still in a state of shock and disbelief. But choosing treatment at Penn State Hershey Medical Center has to be one of the best decisions we’ve ever made in our lives! The staff and doctors were more like family and they wanted to do everything in their power to make AJ comfortable and at ease.
I will never forget the day the hospital asked us if we were going to THON. We had never heard of it, but AJ was excited and wanted to see what it was like. When filling out the paperwork, they asked us if we wanted to be paired up with a group that would take us under their wing. We were paired with the most wonderful guys ever!!!
Theta Chi has been a huge part of our lives ever since. AJ always wanted brothers and now he has tons of them...new, old, and always growing. Theta Chi will always be a part of our lives. If it weren’t for them, my son probably wouldn’t be as positive and happy as he is now. He loves every single one of you and everyone has given him a smile on his face and memories to last a lifetime.
Whether it is an email, a phone call, coming to the chemo clinic to be by his side, or coming down for his birthday...it’s always a special treat for him. His favorite thing to do with his Theta Chi brothers is canning. He also loves doing things for others, especially since it is a cause that means a lot to him.
Penn State and the Four Diamonds Fund has been a blessing to us. Knowing that even when times get tough, they are behind us all the way! We cannot wait for the day the doc- tors tell us we are done with treatments and that AJ is cured. But even when that time comes, we will always consider ourselves true Theta Chi Penn Staters, and we will always have you all in our lives!
Thank you Theta Chi for being a part of our lives and making each and every day easier!
- Amanda, Andy, Alexis, Annabelle and AJ Bobby
Memories - The Wild, Wonderful cars of Omega
The fall of 1966 brought with it a “Bumper Crop” of cool cars to the Chapter House parking lot. The cars arrived long before the snow began to swirl and the first delivery of pledge-killing coal. I have always been a “gear head” and have fond memories of the stable of rides that marked Omega as a special place.
Fred Wuest was one of the best in his white Austin-Healy with triple SU carburetors, driving around with reckless abandon. Billy Huddles had a gorgeous navy blue 389 Pontiac GTO convertible with a white top/interior. Alan Campbell had a great looking canary yellow Triumph TR 3. You could touch the ground with your fingers as he slid around corners!
Kim Leonard had a great light green/gray Morris Minor. Bill Gilmore drove an eye-catching 1962/63 Chevrolet Impala with a 348 in hot red/white. My Pontiac Tempest Le Mans Sprint Six OHC was no match for some the big V-8s in the parking lot.
I have probably forgotten which some of the other milestone rides which we had to enjoy the great fall colors, mixers, football, and the return to Happy Valley that September. If you have memories you would like to share, I’d love to hear from you. In the meantime, I found a way to make up for the anemic Pontiac. Thank you, Carroll Shelby.
- Alfred T. Romanoski ‘67
Chapter Report
Clockwise from top left: Nick Lello, Niral Pokal, David Stoltzfus and Peter Blasco at Homecoming 2012
The fall season is in full swing, and the Chapter House is busier than ever. Omega has 42 brothers, 28 of whom live in the House. We’ve also added have seven new pledges.
From winning the President’s Cup to being named IFC’s Fraternity of the Year, Omega has been on a winning streak—something we hope to continue.
So far this year, Theta Chi placed 4th in the Homecoming competition with a very creative Jungle Book theme. Ultimately, we’d like to repeat our IFC Chapter of Excellence standing, as well as receive the Alter Award, a Theta Chi National award for comprehensive excellence within a chapter.
I believe that, given the quality of men who are in the chapter, we can achieve these goals. Almost every brother is a leader and is involved on campus. Our members include the executive director of Fresh Start Day of Service, and directors, captains, and committee members for MLK Day of Service, Homecoming and THON.
We also have a lot of technical majors and engineers in the House. It’s challenging to bal- ance academics with volunteerism, philanthro- py, and other on-campus activities. However, our members are staying focused and manag- ing the work-life balance admirably, given the steep goals we’ve set for ourselves.
If you’d like to meet the active members, consider coming to our Alumni Work Weekend this spring. Details are forthcoming, and we hope to see you there.
Thank you to all those brothers that shared their news.
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