February 1951 Omegaphone
Alumni News
Alumni News, as always, is a little slim this time of year. This past semester we had two Omega men emerge from Penn State to face the commonly referred to "the cold cruel outside world".
Marvin Shoultes left us with the word that he was going to Florida to show them how to run a hotel. We haven't heard from him yet, but we are sure he is well under way by now.
Robert Baylson didn't leave alone when he left Penn State. Bob and Evelyn Jordan were married on Feb. 3rd in "The Lady of Victory" church in State College. Robert Kennedy, also an alum served as Best Man. The reception was held at the House, immediately following the ceremony. The bride and groom then left for Upper Darby under a shower of rice. Congratulations and Best Wishes to you, Evelyn and Bob.
Arnold Leonard '48 who spent last semester with us doing graduate work has left for South America. His employer has requested the firm and purpose remain unknown, but we know Arnie is strictly a metallurgical man. "Kitchen" Pete Stetson is still with us doing graduate work. I keep telling him it takes twice as long to get anywhere in that Chemistry racket. Max Kifter, who most of you must have known, is now a First Sergeant in Korea. Max was called back in the Army last summer. Phil "Nails" Cairn is also over in Korea, a Second Louie, and I believe he was awarded the Bronze Star for meritorious action. Nice work Nails.
We have had some visits from a few of our last year's graduates. Ralph Moyle has been to see us twice the last time sporting a late model Chrysler convertible. I guess it takes a forester to make out like a bear. Harry Lang pops in on us once in a while, spends all his money, has a gay time and then leaves again. He is now going to night school at Pitt, and is also working as an assistant electrician.
Ray Campfield scoots over from Brockway in his big Plymouth quite frequently and spends a weekend with us. Of course George Cochran is still working this area as an automobile insurance adjuster. Whitman and Collins spent a weekend with us not long ago. We didn't have much trouble getting the furniture arranged again, and all the belongings returned to their original owners after they left.
Thomas Ward, Omega's Secretary
President's Report
Another semester has gone by the boards since our last report to you in the fall publication. All in all, the past semester was a successful one.
Now, however, Omega, like fraternities on every campus of the nation, faces a serious personnel problem. Because of the country's manpower needs, college male enrollment is expected to drop at least 50%. We have managed to fill the house to capacity again this semester, but the real shock of reduced enrollment will not be felt until next fall. The difficulties of less fortunate fraternities here at Penn State has given us an indication of what we may expect next year.
Advice on possible emergency steps has been sent out by officers of the Grand Chapter. Any such measures, of course, would depend on conditions peculiar to the individual chapters. At the present, time, Omega is not contemplating any emergency action.
We are once again requesting your aid to our rushing program. Any young men you would care to recommend will be given our utmost consideration. We are now rushing freshmen, who, while bound to dormitory contracts this semester will be eligible for pledging next fall. An expected loss of 60% of the present members through graduation and induction would be a conservative estimate, so you may realize the extent of our problem.
With your aid and interest, we are confident that Omega will be active on the Penn State campus through the present emergency.
Fraternally,
Bill Hanley
New House Officers
In January three positions were filled by capable men. These were House Manager, Larry Van Gorder; Caterer, Ralph Stuck; and Pledge Marshal, Owen McIntyre.
Larry Van Gorder has already proven himself worthy of the House Managership. He has the tool closet in good condition now with a place for everything. When you take tools out you have to sign for them so that everyone will know where they are. Some of the projects Larry is working on now are; the repair of second and third floor heads, replastering some bad spots throughout the house and cleaning the furniture. Seeing that this is only the beginning I think by the time the end of the semester rolls around, the house will be in tip top condition.
Although Ralph Stuck is no Hotel Administration major, he certainly can handle the Caterer's position. By the great variety of good food and the contented faces after each meal I would say we have chosen the right man for the job.
Our new Pledge Marshal, Owen McIntyre has a big job on his hands. He will either make these boys or break them. But if you know Owen, he will bring out all the hidden talents the pledges have.
In a more recent election we filled the jobs of Rushing Chairman and Scholarship Chairman. Joe Wirs, a new brother, is our new Rushing Chairman. Although it is too early to tell what kind of a job Joe will do I believe he will be alright because he is already tracking down some prospective Freshmen for next fall. If you know Larry Giancola you probably know how conscientious he is. His main job will be to help the pledges who didn't make their average last semester.
Fred Fieni
Regional Convention
Alpha Xi chapter will play host to the annual Region III Convention on March 10th. The Banquet and Ball will be held at the Hotel Dupont, Wilmington, Delaware. The Banquet is slated to begin at 6:00 P.M.; after which a dance will highlight the evening in the famous Gold Ballroom of the Hotel.
Omegamen have circled the date on their calendars and are looking forward to the event with interest and anxiety. All indications point to an excellent turnout by the chapter, and if the convention proves as fine as those in the past, all will feel well compensated for their long trip.
So while we are eying the trophies and looking forward to a grand time, we also want to invite and urge all our alumni to attend. Several have already expressed their desire to be present, and we hope to see many more of you there.
Al Martin
Graduating Seniors
When graduation time comes around here at Penn State this June, we of the Omega Chapter are going to lose some very good men. A list of these men and their curricula follows:
William K. Hanley - Civil Engineering
Edward W. Noyes - Commerce & Finance
Thomas Ward - Industrial Engineering
Paul G. Brecht - Arts & Letters
Angelo Spinazzola - Commerce & Finance
Larry Giancola - Commerce & Finance
William Clark - Labor Management
Owen McIntyre - Commerce & Finance
Bruce Gerwig - Arch. Engineering
Naturally we want to see these men get ahead because we know they are good men. If any alumni know of an oppor-tunity, or are in a position to help any of these men, they may write to the chapter house here at State College.
Wayne C. Shoeman
New Omegamen
Fifteen staunch men join the ranks of the Theta Chits at Penn State. Having braved the perils of pledge training and struggled through Hell Week, these men were deemed worthy to be called Brothers. The formal initiation came on Sunday, February the eleventh.
Pete Fairchok - Pete is a junior who is well known for his activities. An all around guy who gives his best in many fields. He recently won a scholarship because of his outstanding academic work. Pete hails from Scranton, Pa.
Sven Schiff - Sven is also a junior and a navy contract student. Sven, who is from Philadelphia, is also an active man.
John Ayers - Jack is the clown of the group. His jokes and antics never fail to rouse laughter from all quarters. He is a junior from Taylor, Pa.
Chuck Douds - Chuck who comes from Englewood, N.J., is a sophomore who is serious about his work. He never fails to uphold his end of an argument.
Eugene Whitehouse - Gene, as he is better known, is a sophomore from State College. His odd combination of dry wit, a high I.Q., and a brush hair cut continues to amaze all who know him.
Dave Miller - Dave is another sophomore from State College. He is famous for his big grin and scotch plaid hat.
Tom Lewis - Tom, a sophomore from Connellsville, Pa., is the little man with the big voice. Known for his singing, Tom never fails to be the great showman.
Lloyd Dietrich - Lloyd, who is a junior and a navy contract student, hails from Fleetwood, Pa. You can depend on him to get things done.
Ed Keller - Ed, another sophomore and State College man, is known for his quick laugh and heaped-up model A Ford. He also manages to keep his girl's address a secret.
Al Martin - Al is the light hearted guy from Tenafly, N.J. He is a junior and a navy scholarship student.
Craig Rupp - Craig, an ex-navy man, is a sophomore who comes from Ashland, Pa. He's a big likeable guy who knows his way around.
Joe Wirs - Joe is another sophomore who takes an interest in activities. He hails from North Hillis, Pa.
Tom Morton - Tom is the fair haired boy from Philadelphia. He is another sophomore. His spontaneous laugh is infectious.
Jim Nelson - Jim is another fair haired sophomore. An ex-coast guard man, he comes from Oil City, Pa.
Bill Shomberg - Bill is another State College man. He is a sophomore who is known for his manner of speech and his red haired girl friend.
Joe Wirs
New House Improvements
The semester just passed saw many improvements made on the house. The large pledge-class was able to get a lot of renovating done during their "Hell-Week".
We have long been justly proud of our spacious first floor, and now we can be equally proud of our second and third floors, The second and third floor hallways have been completely repainted; the walls were painted with a white semi-gloss and the ceiling and trim were painted dull gray-green.
The stairs to the dining room were completely sanded and refinished, as were the steel grates that cover the basement window casements.
The fire tower boasts a new coat of white paint, which is a definite improvement over the dull red of the bricks. The result is a much brighter and cleaner looking fire tower.
The hood over the stove in "Giffy's" domain sparkles with a coat of fire-engine red enamel on the inside and white enamel on the outside.
All the rooms seem to be taking on new color. Nearly every room has been papered or painted, and in some cases both. For example, we now have two rooms with pine-paneled walls, two rooms with scotch-plaid walls, and one room with pine bows and cones on the wall paper.
We are truly proud of these and other improvements. We look forward to pledging men who will take the same interest in our house as we think that we have taken, We hope our alumni, as well as Theta Chi's from other chapters, will visit and enjoy our house with us.
Sven Schiff
Editor's Note
This is my first attempt at editing an Omegaphone and I hope a successful one. I wish to thank all the brothers who contributed to this issue and also the pledge class who helped with the distribution. Any alumni who wishes to have a spot in the alumni news in the next issue, please drop me a line. Yours for a better Omegaphone.
Edward Noyes
Rushing News
The new semester is now under way; its beginning meant the initiation of the men pledged last semester and the pledging of new men to replace those lost by graduation. Rushing for the spring semester has always presented problems, and this semester was not an exception. Together with the same fall problem of the college's refusal to release men from room contracts in the new men's dorms was that of finding good men. Yet, in spite of these handicaps, we were able to ferret out eight men to pledge this semester. A quick look at these men shows you:
Bob Gohn, a Liberal Arts student from Stoystown. Bob plays trumpet in the Blue Band.
Charles Smedley, who is in his sixth semester of Pre. Med, hails from Barnesdale. Chuck tries his hand at bridge and chess during his spare time - in fact he's on the Penn State chess team.
John Jelinek is in Mineral Economics. Farrel, Pa. lays claim to John, a good natured former Navy man, who is fast becoming a mainstay on the house bowling team.
Bill Wendel, a fourth semester Electrical Engineer whose home is Selinsgrove. Bill is currently working for a berth on the varsity wrestling team.
Stan Thomas, a Liberal Arts student from Salisbury, Pa. In his spare time he is showing his talent as a catcher to Joe Bedenk, the baseball coach. Last fall Stan played junior varsity football.
John Leister, a State College boy who is finishing his second year as a music major. John, too, plays trumpet and is a member of the Penn State Blue Band.
Alexander Gregal, the only Forester of the group, comes from Houtzdale, Pa. Al played halfback on the jay-vee football team and is now working for a berth on the wrestling team.
John Budesky, an Oil City resident taking Industrial Engineering. John tosses a mean baseball and hopes to put it to use on the College diamond this spring. These are the men who make up the pledge class. Do you know any of them?
Pete Fairchok
Sportscope
Our last issue of the Omegaphone brought you up to the beginning of the intramural football season. In our Letters to the Editors department, I found a letter addressed to me pointing out my failure to mention one of the outstanding stars of the 1949 football season, who was among the missing via graduation. That was "Twinkle Toes Frazier", my apologies Hal. While on the subject of football, we won our first three games but bad luck set in on our fourth outing and we came out on the short end of a 12-0 game. As the tournament is a "sudden death" arrangement we were eliminated from further competition.
The next stop on the intramural schedule was the boxing tournament in which we had three men entered. Fred Fieni, 121 lb., Bill Hanley 145 lb., and Harrison Griffin in the 155 lb. class. Griffin lost a close decision in his opening fight while Hanley and Fieni battled their way into the semi finals before being eliminated by way of close decisions.
Herby Kurtz, although a senior has fought his way into the starting heavy-weight berth on the varsity team. Although Herb lacked experience he has made up for it by fortitude in this tough bracket. His record stands at two draws, one loss by a close decision and a loss by TKO route at the hands of Marty Crandell, former National Champ.
Our basketball team was going great guns winning four and losing none. But we hit a snag last week and lost to Alpha Chi Rho by the score of 19-15 (I guarantee you fellows, no-fix). We are still in the league race but have to win the rest of our games from here on in.
Intramural wrestling starts around Easter and possibilities look bright for some individual titles as well as a possible team title. Pledge Bill Wendel, Charlie Spiedel's number three man on the varsity wrestling squad, leads the pack as a possible title wanner.
Although there is still some snow on the ground, baseball is very much in the air, at least around Theta Chi. Four men have answered Joe Bedenk's call for varsity practice: George Bops, John Budesky, Stan Thames and old man Clark. It is a little early to determine the outcome but as yet none of these men have been cut.
Also in the line of spring sports, track has come into its prominence. Jackson Horner has been competing in varsity competition, running the one and two mile events. Jack will probably be in the four mile relay at the Penn Relays.
Our bowling team last semester did very well, finishing second in the fraternity bowling league. Ralph Stuck won the cup for highest individual honors.
Bill Clark
Social Gleanings
The time has come again to think about the house functions we are going to have this year and to pause a moment to remember some of the former ones.
On November 11, the perennial theme of Bowery Ball swung into the spotlight again. The formal dance was enjoyed by all at Rec Hall with Johnny Long providing the musical note. Saturday evening we all gathered at the house for a dinner prepared by our wonderful chef "Giffy". The party combined both the Christmas and Pledge formal in collaboration with Theta Phi Alpha sorority.
Weekends here at Theta Chi have been marked with colorful costume parties. Last week we had a "Shipwreck Party" on some South Sea island, complete with palm trees, wrecked ships' hulls, singers and dancers. Dick Kerwin and his quartet from the dorms provided very enjoyable entertainment during the festivities.
Parties for off weekends have been highlighted with a number of pinnings engagements, and marriages among your fraternity brothers. Some of the recent pinnings include:
Tom Ward to Genevieve Trozzo
Herbert Kurtz to Fat Hale
Ted Sappie to Barbara Fisher
Bill Clark to Jackie Ardary
April 14, marks the wedding of your social chairman, Angelo Spinazzola to Jayne Harris of Altoona. The plans at present are to have the reception here at Theta Chi with all Alumni welcomed.
The most important function which lies before us will occur on April 6. Naturally I am speaking of IFC Pan-Hell. Ball which is one of the more important weekends taking place in the month of April. On that day you, the alumni, will return to your fraternity for a social gathering with old and new faces in what promises to be gayous. and entertaining weekend.
Angelo Spinazzola , Social Chairman
Thank you to all those brothers that shared their news.
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