February 1986 Omegaphone
Alumni President Urges: Ask What YOU Can Do for Your Fraternity
In April 1986, my term as president of the alumni association will draw to a close, and a new slate of officers will assume leadership of Theta Chi of Penn State.
This new group of officers will be carrying on a tradition of service to the fraternity that is the very essence of our successful brotherhood. In agreeing to become officers, they are dedicating themselves to ensuring that Theta Chi and its rich traditions continue to prosper into the future.
It would be easy for any of us to come up with reasons not to serve: we all lead busy lives filled with numerous responsibilities--responsibilities to our families, to our jobs, to various civic activities. Volunteering time to serve Theta Chi means adding still another commitment to an already hectic schedule.
And yet, throughout our history, there has never been a shortage of Theta Chi alumni willing to give of their time and themselves for Theta Chi. This, I think, says a lot about our feelings for our fraternity. We recognize the positive impact it had on all our lives, and want to enable others to share in that experience.
I've been an officer of the fraternity since my graduation from Penn State some seven years ago. In that time, I've seen the fraternity experience many ups and downs. In times good and not so good, it has been unfailing commitment - of alumni and actives - that has sustained the fraternity. That same commitment provides the foundation for the bright future which I'm certain is in store for Theta Chi.
Commitment to our fraternity is multi-dimensional. It means helping in any way possible. For some of us, it means serving as officers. For others, it means supporting the fraternity with annual dues and/or a donation to the capital fund. And for others, it may mean helping a recent graduate find a job or providing goods or services to restore the chapter house. In short, it means helping the fraternity in any way possible.
As my term as president draws to a close, I thank all of you for having given me the honor of serving Theta Chi, and ask each and every one of us to rededicate ourselves to a personal commitment to our fraternity. Ask yourself this: "Am I doing all I can to help Theta Chi?" If the answer is yes, I salute you. If the answer is no, I ask that you reflect on what Theta Chi means to you, and join those brothers who have committed themselves to supporting the fraternity.
Commitment--nothing is more vital to the future of Theta Chi.
Thomas W. Butch 78, Alumni Corporation President
Alphabetical Order Aside: Omega Stands at the Front of PSU's 50 Fraternities
On behalf of the entire undergraduate chapter, I would like to thank all of our alumni who were able to return to the Omega house for Founders' Day last spring and Homecoming this fall. Again we proved that a fraternity is not merely a house for actives, but is also an alumni stronghold wherein the ideals and traditions of Theta Chi can be perpetuated.
Along with your support, Theta Chi has taken a strong, influential position among Penn State's 50 fraternities. Our strong and ever-expanding brotherhood, with 13 new pledges fall semester alone, is taking Omega to the top in academics, athletics and popularity. And these are not our only accomplishments. As returning alumni can attest, drastic improvements have been made to our house. The last two pledge classes have almost completely refinished the first and second floors, and I look forward to seeing what our fall '85 class has to offer. We all take pride in Omega house, and I have high hopes that we will soon be the No. 1 fraternity at Penn State.
Joseph Kopetsky Chapter President (Fall '85)
Fall '85 Chapter Officers
President - Joseph Kopetsky '86 (Speech Communications)
Vice President - Robert Mills '86 (Business Management)
Treasurer - David Ferro '86 (Accounting)
Secretary - Robert Dockstader Jr, '87 (Eng/Sci./Mech.)
Rush Chairmen - Robert Kramer '88 (Electrical Eng.) & Leo Sugg '88 (Accounting)
The fall 1985 officers would like to thank and acknowledge the spring '85 officers:
President - Edward Brown '86 (Pre-Med)
Vice President - Joseph Kopetsky '86 (Speech Corn.)
Treasurer - Ronald Haws '86 (Finance)
Secretary - Anthony Panichelli '85 (Telecommunications)
Rush Chairmen - Stephen Dodge '87 (Industrial Eng.) and Joseph Kidda '87 (Finance)
Welcome Additions
We would like to take this opportunity to introduce to our alumni our initiates from our fall '84 pledge class:
David Carlson (Art History) - Malvern, PA
Robert Dockstader Jr. (Eng./Sci./Mech.) - Abington, PA
David Ferro (Accounting) - Hermitage, PA
Paul Formichella (Telecom.) - Hermitage, PA
Rick Grande (Mechanical Engineering) - Farrell, PA
Joseph Kidda Jr. (Finance) - Beaver Falls, PA
Robert Miller (Ag. Science) - Sharon, PA
Robert Mills (Business Management) - Mercer, PA
Todd Moore (Hotel/Rest. Inst. Mgmt.) - Beaver Falls, PA
David Noll (Business Logistics) - Wyomissing, PA
Tim Paulson (Secondary Education) - Hermitage, PA
William Ross Jr. (Ceramic Sciences) - Monarch, PA
John Stagliano (Economics) - Solon, OH
Joseph Zazo (Admin. of Justice) - Pottstown, PA
And our initiates from the spring '85 pledge class:
James Alder (Economics) - Havertown, PA
Timothy Burke (D.U.S.) - Hellertown, PA .
Mark Hoist (Business) - Lansdale, PA
Philip Katchur (Health Planning/Admin.) - Saint Clair, PA
James Koppersmith (Aerospace Eng.) - Easton, PA
Robert Kramer (Electrical Eng.) - Mt. Carmel, PA
Rodney Miller (Polymer Science) - Mohrsville, PA
Michael Ruotolo (Economics) - West Chester, PA
Randall Siegman (Admin. of Justice) - Mechanicsburg, PA
Thomas Strauss (Accounting) - Hellertown, PA
Leo Sugg Jr. (Accounting) - Shamokin, PA
Chris Trentini (Biochemistry) - Utica, PA
Paul Vassil (Mol. Cell Biology) - Lancaster, PA
David Yohannan (Aerospace Eng.) - Coopersburg, PA
Spring '85 Rush Makes Great Strides Intense Program Brings 14 More Pledges to Theta Chi
The experience and motivation of the present brotherhood, along with the enthusiasm of the fall initiates, have resulted in an even stronger and prouder Theta Chi. Alumni can be assured that the current membership is continuing to build upon the high traditions and ideals of Omega Chapter.
One of these traditions is a productive rush. Implementing the same intensive and effective rush program as before, Theta Chi attracted another 14 pledges to the house last spring, raising our total for the '84-85 rush program to 28 new brothers.
Keeping in mind the number of brothers graduating, we have geared our program toward pledging younger brothers who will promote the name of Theta Chi for years to come. Thus, our spring '85 pledge class resulted in the initiation of nine freshmen, three sophomores and two juniors. We believe that the sky is the limit, and right now, Theta Chi is soaring high above the rest.
Steve Dodge Rush Chairman (Spring '85)
Senior Reflects Upon Omega's Recent Progress
Greetings, brothers! Things are very much on the move here at Omega. Along with our increased membership, which brought the house to capacity this past fail, we have also made some capital improvements.
These include a well-needed face lift to our TV room. The television itself, which had given us flawless service for the past 14 years, had to he replaced, as were the sofas and carpet. Some cosmetic improvements were also made. Most of the original blueprints, along with some nostalgic pictures of the chapter house, were framed and hung in the TV room.
Over the years, our stereo has been replaced many times, and it always seems as though we never really got what we paid for. In the process of buying our latest stereo system, we received a contract from Hi Fi House that entitles us to free consultations should we have any problems. This also ensures us of receiving consistent, professional service over the years to come, and will, in our opinion, help cut the cost of maintaining our stereo system.
Brothers David Noll, Robert Mills and Robert Miller show their Theta Chi spirit after completing one of the new bar benches
Spring '85 Initiation
Spring 1985 Little Sister Dinner
The two newest classes of initiated brothers made great contributions to the house during their respective pledge projects. The fall class repainted the dining room, the fire tower, the kitchen and the milk room. They also built three sturdy, new benches for the bar, which will mean more room for our new brothers and visiting alumni during sing-alongs, The spring class repainted the entire first floor and all of the trim on the outside windows. They also refinished the fireplace and all of the handrails in the house. All in all, it has been a very productive year for our newly initiated brothers.
Many cooks have passed through the kitchen of Omega over the years. In the past four years alone, I have seen three cooks come and go. I feel, however, that cur newest cook will be with us for a while. Her name is Jenny Crock. She cooked for Alpha Zeta for the past 30 years, until some internal fraternity problems caused her to quit and come to work for us. We feel quite lucky to have her at Omega, and hope that we can make her as much a part of the house as was our beloved Emanuel T. Gifford, Indeed, the hiring of Jenny may well be the greatest improvement Omega has experienced over the past year, and will hopefully give back to the house that extra dimension that has been missing since we lost "Giffy."
All of the extensive improvements that have been and are being made to the chapter house are financed by you, the alumni, We feel that you should share in these improvements as we do. Theta Chi is, and always will be, your home at Penn State. Our doors are always open to you, so come home to visit. Theta Chi is for life.
Louis Win. Martini Jr.
Athletically Speaking .. . . Theta Chis Are on the Ball!
After a full year of competition against 49 other Penn State fraternities, Theta Chi placed a not-too-shabby 14th in the 1984.85 intramural sports rankings. Highlighting the fall '84 competition was a superb third-place finish in the highly contested football category. Our high hopes for last spring were also realized. Captured were a third-place finish in volleyball, after destroying our neighbors, Phi Sigma Kappa (Crappers) in the semifinals, and a second-place finish in howling.
Brother Spikers Joey Kopetsky (L) and Tim Paulson (R) reject their opponent on their way to third-place finish
Brother Tim Paulson and Little Sister Cindy Weiss were one of the five Theta Chi couples who danced for the kids at the 1985 Dance Marathon.
Strong performances were also displayed in basketball, racquetball (defeating the powerhouse, Acacia), wrestling, track and soccer, the last in which we were defeated in the divisional playoffs after beating the likes of Beta Sigma Beta and Theta Delta Chi.
We also captured three philanthropy trophies. A strong third-place finish in the Delta Chi Marathon brought home the first of our honors. This was quickly followed by another third-place finish, this time in the Alpha Gamma Delta Bowling Tournament. Highlighting our season was a second-place finish in the Second Mile Mini Golf 1985 Championship in four-man competition. Strong support came from brother Ron Haws who putted an amazing 37 on a par 42 course.
After completing a strong '84-85 year, and our already strong start this past fall semester, we are hopeful of bringing an overall first-place title in IFC intramural competition back to the Omega house_
Bernard Kachinco Athletic Chairman (Spring '85)
Alumni News
An attorney with the Haddonfield, N.J., law firm of Archer & Greiner, FREDERICK P. GREINER '28 can be contacted in Cherry Hill, NJ.
DONALD S. PEARSON '29, an emeritus professor of electrical engineering at Penn State, recently became a married man! Congratulations may be sent to Don in Winter Park, FL.
FRANKLIN H. PRITCHARD '37 retired eight years ago from General Electric Co. A resident of Roanoke, VA, Frank is now "busy" sailing the Chesapeake with his wife, Jean. Frank also notes he might he talked into coming back for his 49th or 50th reunion - providing we can persuade a few others of his era to do the same. How about it, guys?
Acting as both chairman of the board of Gallatin National Bank and general manager of the Eberly Natural Gas Co., ROBERT E. EBERLY '39 makes his home in Uniontown, PA.
THOMAS IEZZI '45 is enjoying retirement at his home in Bristol, PA.
Also retired is EVERETT A. CATLIN '48. The home address for Ey is in Barberton, OH.
ROBERT B. BOSSLER JR. '49, an executive of the Western Gear Corp., reports he recently finished a big fob for HAL SHOWALTER '49 of Kaman Aerospace Corp. "Bos" lists his home address in Hacienda Heights, CA; Hal can be found in Simsbury, CT.
"Nothing new here," reports GEORGE W. CHAPMAN JR. '49 of Fair Lawn, NJ. George, an executive of Colgate-Palmolive Co„ tells us formerly "lost" brother WILLIAM F. STALEY '48 can be contacted in Hudson, OH.
And WILLIAM R. KRESS III '60, of the IBM Corp., sends his address in Releigh, NC - as well as that of "lost" brother WILLIAM K. KIMMEL '61 in Indianapolis, IN.
BOB SORISIO '60 is self-employed and living in Brookfield Center, CT.
The executive vice president of Acadia Manufacturing Corp. in White Marsh, Md., KEITH L. STRALEY '62 resides in Baldwin, MD. Our thanks to Keith, who, like several other brothers, has helped us in our search for "lost" brothers. We're told JOHN P. BARIE '64 can be found in New York, NY; and JAMES G. WOOD '63 lives in Harrisburg, PA.
Formerly with Union Carbide, GARY RISER '64 is now assistant treasurer of Martin Marietta Energy Systems Inc. Gary makes his home in Oak Ridge, TN.
Our congratulations are extended to O. KEITH EVANS '65, who, this past December, was named captain of a U.S. Navy frigate homeported in Norfolk, Va. This past March, however, Keith departed Norfolk with the aircraft carrier Nimitz battle group for a seven-month deployment in the Caribbean and Mediterranean, Keith's family—wife Laurie and son Seth--remain in Virginia in Virginia Beach, VA.
Congratulations of another sort are due Bonnie and GERALD J. KISTLER '76: daughter Carranda Jean Marie was born on February 1985! An insurance agent with Northwestern Mutual Life, Gerald can be contacted in Boalsburg, PA.
And JOHN GRACE '80 announces the January 1985, birth of son Kevin Michael, Now employed with Thompson Cadillac-Oldsmobile in Raleigh, N.C., "Snake" resides in Raleigh, NC. We're also told CHUCK BROSKOSKI '79 has a new address in Houston, TX.
"I recently (January '85) moved to Erie to accept a job with the Millcreek Township Police Department," writes R. SCOT HERMAN '80, The resident Erie, PA, Scot would appreciate receiving letters from his classmates.
After completing two years as field representative for Theta Chi's executive office, GARY L. HICKS '82 moved to Maryland to work with DON "HERR SMIRL" SMITH '81 at NASA's Goddard Specs Flight Center, Gary invites anyone visiting the D.C./Baltimore area to stop by his place in Columbia, MD for some "hell-raising and general good times."
When we last heard from Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. sales representative RANDY PUTTERMAN '82, he reported he and Pam, whom he met while in the "Rubber City" (Akron, Ohio), were to be wed on August 1985, in New York! Details on the nuptials may be obtained from "Putts" at Brentwood, MO. He also notes his natural brother, STEVE PUTTERMAN 78, his wife, Linda, and their daughter are living in Bloomfield, CT. "For all of you who knew Steve, you can unfortunately rest assured that he hasn't changed a bit!"
A lieutenant in the U.S. Marine Corps, TIMOTHY A. BOYD '83 has been transferred to the 2nd Battalion, 11th Marines, 1st Mar Div, Camp Pendleton, Calif., where he serves as an artillery battalion motor transport officer. Tim, who lists his home address in Middlesex, NJ, reports PAT O'CONNOR '83 is also a USMC lieutenant, serving the 5th Battalion, 10th Marines, 2nd Mar Div, Camp. Lejuene, N.C., and PHIL BENDER '82 is a lieutenant in the U.S. Army, presently stationed in Hawaii.
Theta Chi's own alumni corporation secretary, HUGH D, CADZOW '83, has moved to Lancaster, Pa., where he works as a landscape architect with Huth Engineers Inc. His wife, Tracy, is employed in the banking business as a customer service representative.
CHRISTOPHER ALLOCCO '84, an internal auditor with Citibank, reports that even though he did not get on enough ballots to be nominated to Penn State's board of trustees, he would like it to be made known he is running again next year and would appreciate any votes he can get. "So, when those ballots arrive next January, please don't throw them away!"
JOHN F. CUNNINGHAM '83 sends us this update: In December 1984, he married Sally Denny (PSU '85); in April 1985, he received his Naval flight officer wings; and as of July 20, 1985, he has been stationed in Jacksonville, Fla.
Dave Matthews 76 reports the Third Annual Theta Chi Open was held in 1984 at the Concord Country Club. Participating brothers included Torn Raymond, Mike Dalesio, Randy Betz, Ed Kivitz, Matt Mankas, Vic Howe, Dave, Ed Roche, Mike Perkins, Paul Stratas (winner of the "Red Jacket"), Paul Cunningham and Jim Nugent. Joining in at the 19th hole were Greg Schlegel and Hugh McClure. Dave is operations coordinator for Chessie Motor Express.
Chapter Eternal
We regret to inform you of the death of:
AARON 5, GUTHRIE '22
RICHARD A. GUEDER '29
FLOYD W, FOSTER '31
BENJAMIN L. SMALL '34
RICHARD F. MAIZE '37
Congratulate the Graduates
Although we are experiencing a great fall '65 semester, with 37 out of 41 brothers living in the house, we do miss those who joined the ranks of our distinguished alumni on May 19, 1985. At this time, we, the brothers of Omega, would like to congratulate our newest graduates:
Christopher Casciato - Industrial Engineering
Owen Fishman - Telecommunications
Scott Mahan - Marketing
Michael Marcelli - Chemistry
Anthony Panichelli - Telecommunications
Michael Portugal - Telecommunications
Eric-Adam Ruskin - Animal Biological Science
Alan Vladimir - Telecommunications
Thank you to all those brothers that shared their news.
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