THE • PI • KAPPA • PHI • FRATERNITY
Omegalite JULY 2013
PURDUE UNIVERSITY
Omega alumnus becomes Mr. Pi Kappa Phi
A longtime national volunteer and former local housing corporation member has become the first Omega alumnus to receive the fraternity’s highest honor, Mr. Pi Kappa Phi. Greg Linder (Omega 951) received the honor June 8 at a national alumni gathering in New Orleans. Linder’s two sons, both Pi Kapps – Nick (Psi chapter-Cornell) and Greg (Alpha PsiIndiana) – read a res- Greg Linder (center) holds his framed Mr. Pi Kappa Phi resolution presented on olution and presented June 8, in New Orleans. He is flanked by his two sons (Nick, far left and Greg), the award. Five previ- wife Madeleine as well as Joan and Mark DeFabis. ous Mr. Pi Kappa Phi Commission building up to the great organization is truly an Award winners attended the event, 2004 anniversary of the national honor to me.” too. fraternity’s founding. As DeFabis noted, Linder was Linder and the late Tim Ribar (Xi Childhood friend and fraternity modest about such an honor. chapter, Roanoke) were the 47th brother Mark DeFabis (Omega “Now that time has passed (since and 48th such winners. 947) traveled from Indianapolis to the presentation), I am humbled “The Mr. Pi Kappa Phi Award be at the award presentation. that I was selected and my reaction shall be recognized as the highest “It was a special moment for me is more so that I need to do even and most prestigious honor to be able to witness him receiving more for the fraternity to convince bestowed upon a member,” accordthe highest award that our fratermyself that I have really earned ing the Gold Book national laws. nity bestows on anyone,” DeFabis this distinction.” Linder’s national contributions said. “It was particularly rewarding According to DeFabis, Linder has include being a Pi Kappa Phi to see someone as low key and never lost sight of the students who Properties board member continuunassuming as Greg be recognized are the lifeblood of the fraternity. ously since 1990. Properties helps publicly … It was a thrill of a life“As he said in his acceptance acquire and manage chapter houstime.” speech, he has taken every chance es, primarily when the fraternity For Linder, he was proud to have he has had, whether traveling to a expands to a new campus. DeFabis alongside his family in chapter house or at a national Furthermore, Linder served the New Orleans. meeting, to talk directly with Omega of Pi Kappa Phi Inc., hous“My pledge brother, roommate undergraduates and help instill in ing corporation for 10 years, beginand best man at my wedding was them the passion he has for Pi ning in 1989. He managed the the most special,” Linder said. “The Kappa Phi. He stands as an examreconstruction of the Omega chapfact that my sons, who are fraterni- ple for every undergraduate for ter house following a June 1987 ty brothers actually presented me what brotherhood and fraternity fire. He also served as a member of the award was overwhelming. The embodies both as a student and an the national Centennial actuality that my sons joined this alumnus.”
OMEGALITE Omega of Pi Kappa Phi, Inc. Housing Corporation P.O. Box 2700 West Lafayette, IN 47996-2700 Chapter Web address: http://www. purduepikapps.com Corporation Officers JAY SEEGER PRESIDENT 3817 Old Farm Road Lafayette, IN 47905 765/742-4529, work 765/474-1986, home jay@shf-law.net
BRANDT HERSHMAN VICE PRESIDENT 6142 Maderia Lane Lafayette, IN 47905 574/581-2000, cell b.hershman@comcast.net
STEVE BOHNER TREASURER 194 Twin Springs Ct. Carmel, IN 46234 317/846-3008, home 317/844-2250, work 317/844-2296, fax steve@langdonand company.com PAT KUHNLE SECRETARY 720 Chelsea Road W. Lafayette, IN 47906 765/743-1111 ext. 205, work 765/743-6087, fax 765/743-1256, cell pkuhnle@gmail.com The Omegalite is published at least once a year by the Omega of Pi Kappa Phi Housing Corporation for its alumni. Address corrections should be mailed to us at the contact information listed at the top of this box.
JULY 2013
Linder resolutions From National Fraternity WHEREAS, the Supreme Chapter of the Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity has established the Mr. Pi Kappa Phi Award as its highest and most prestigious honor to be bestowed upon a member; and WHEREAS, Gregory Vincent Linder was initiated into the Omega Chapter at Purdue University on September 16, 1974; and WHEREAS, Brother Linder first began to serve Pi Kappa Phi during his student years, leading in various capacities including that of House Manager, which contributed to the establishment of Omega as a leading and resilient chapter of Pi Kappa Phi; and WHEREAS, following graduation Brother Linder joined the Omega House Corporation Board of Directors in 1979 where he served as a 10-year volunteer, including multiple terms as Vice President, working with fellow volunteers in the stewardship of one of Pi Kappa Phi’s flagship properties; and WHEREAS, in his capacity as a house corporation officer, Brother Linder provided critical support and leadership following Omega’s devastating house fire in 1987. Personally supervising the reconstruction of the house’s interior, Brother Linder donated his time, counsel, and expertise such that the nearly 700 initiates of Omega Chapter that have joined since have directly benefited from his labor; and WHEREAS, Brother Linder’s 23-year service as a member of the Pi Kappa Phi Properties Board of Directors, including terms as Vice President of Construction and Vice President of the Infrastructure
PURDUE UNIVERSITY Loan Fund, not only ranks him in the top echelon of longest serving officials in Fraternity history, but also sets a worthy example for others to follow; and WHEREAS, Brother Linder’s commitment to his fraternity extends well beyond housing related endeavors and includes charitable support of the Pi Kappa Phi Foundation as a member of its Nu Phi Society, Centennial Commission, and as a donor to its Leadership Fund, while also supporting Push America through various channels of giving; and WHEREAS, in light of such demonstrated commitment and a profound body of volunteer work, he was recognized with the Merit Citation for exceptionally meritorious service by the 45th Supreme Chapter in 1996; therefore, NOW BE IT RESOLVED, that Brother Linder be extended Pi Kappa Phi’s deepest appreciation for his proven love of and devotion to his fraternity; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the National Council of the Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity, acting with the authority entrusted to it by the Supreme Chapter, does hereby declare Brother Gregory Vincent Linder to be Mr. Pi Kappa Phi 2013. Gregory Vincent Linder Has been officially recognized Mr. Pi Kappa Phi 2013 In witness whereof, the Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity has caused to be prepared and presented to Brother Linder, this resolution which bears the shield of the fraternity as a testimony of its appreciation and esteem, and as a permanent memento of this honorable award.
WHEREAS, Omega Initiate Greg Linder has been bestowed the highest honor the national fraternity can convey upon one of its members, and WHEREAS, Linder has supported the Omega chapter continuously since his initiation on Sept. 16, 1974, and WHEREAS, Linder has served the Omega of Pi Kappa Phi, Inc., board from 1979 to 1989, and WHEREAS, Linder coordinated the Omega chapter house re-building project during 1987 to 1988, and WHEREAS, Linder has served the national fraternity as a member of the Pi Kappa Phi Properties Executive Committee and Centennial Commission during the last 23 years, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Omega of Pi Kappa Phi, Inc. Housing Corporation, alongside with the alumni and undergraduate members collectively and individually, hereby congratulate Linder on being the first Omega alumnus and 47th member in the history of the fraternity in being honored as Mr. Pi Kappa Phi.
Greg Linder poses with the other Mr. Pi Kappa Phi award recipients in attendance on June 8, incluiding Stephen DePalma, Nathan Hightower, Durward Owen, Linder, Frank Parrish and Allen Woody.
Foundation Chairman Nathan Hightower presents a resolution to Greg Linder on behalf of the Omega Housing Corporation and chapter.
OMEGALITE
JULY 2013
PURDUE UNIVERSITY
Chapter, alumni celebrate 90th anniversary Omega undergraduates and alumni gathered on Oct. 13, 2012, to celebrate 90 years of success on the Purdue campus. Pi Kappa Phi was founded at Purdue in 1922 when a local fraternity – Alpha Gamma Beta – decided to join ranks with a national organization. Since that time, Pi Kappa Phi has initiated 1,887 men at Purdue by the fall (1,912 after the spring). More than 100 initiated members and their guests attended the Oct. 13 homecoming weekend that was capped with a banquet in the Memorial Union Building. Other alumni events included a pre-game luncheon at the fraternity house. The chapter coordinated a 72-hour David Feltner Memorial Bike-a-Thon that ended during a pre-banquet reception in the hallway outside the West Faculty Lounge. The three-day event included many sororities competing for various titles along the way. Phi Mu won the kickoff’s 10-minute distance competition. Kappa Kappa Gamma won the wheelchair race. Delta Delta Delta, Chi Omega, Delta Zeta, Zeta Tau Alpha, Gamma Phi Beta and Alpha Gamma Delta also participated in the three-day event. The sorority women were among the 200 people who attended “Arctoberfest,” a cookout, carnival, costume party held on Oct. 12. The Arc of Tippecanoe, a local non-profit assisting local disabled sent 96 clients and volunteers to the event held at the fraternity house. The Feltner Bike-a-Thon raised $3,600 to assist disabled in a couple of ways. Half the proceeds went to our Push America campaign, the national outreach project of Pi Kappa Phi. The remaining money went to Midwest Assistance Dogs, a non-profit that provides special needs dogs for a variety of disabled. In this case, the fraternity was raising money for Shaq Ftizgerald, who attends an Indiana high school and is hearing impaired.
Alumni and undergraduates along with their guests watch the conclusion of the David R. Feltner 72-Hour Memorial Bike-a-Thon on Oct. 13, 2012, outside the 90th anniversary banquet hall. Feltner’s parents rode the bikes the last five minutes.
FROM THE ‘60S: David, Jim and Bob Griffiths join Mike Ohaver, John and JoAnne McDonald during Omega’s 90th anniversary banquet on Oct. 13, 2012 in the Purdue Memorial Union.
462 552 643 661 724 740 816 819 863 890 893 897 919 937 941 947 948 970 975 1020 1077 1119 1142 1196 1197 1200 1218 1431 1443 1457 1459 1506
2012 Homecoming Attendees John Gaydos Dave Griffiths Bob Griffiths Jim Griffiths Mike Ohaver John McDonald James Karagianis Jim Berlien Rickard Hill Doug Brown Steve Robertson Jay Seeger Dick Price Chuck Dulic Rick Bohner Mark DeFabis Doug Kunnemann David Sterenfeld Jeff Gates Jim Dinsmore Steve Bohner Rick Bonar Brian Newell Brandt Hershman Pat Kuhnle Tim Ochs Mike Mattox Andy Jordan Dustin Zufall Peter Todd Nate Damasius Phil Leslie
1583 1619 1650 1653 1664 1659 1666 1682 1684 1686 1694 1705 1717 1722 1732 1734 1735 1739 1741 1751 1744 1758 1748 1761
Matt Clark Tom Harzula Jeremy Schutz Hank Hefner Mike Thompson Brian Heiwig Steve Holtsclaw Joe Hensler Tyler Rieke Dustin Groff Eric Henderson Jon Velasco Ryan Nugent Eric Mercer Andy Scheil Ian Schneider TJ Tomasik Eric Reisinger Graham Bauer Jacob Crist Will Hockema Ryan Kilboy Steve Feltner Nick Prichodko
Rickard Hill (Omega 863, left) and housing corporation president Jay Seeger (Omega 897, above) speak at Omega’s 90th anniversary celebration.
OMEGALITE
JULY 2013
PURDUE UNIVERSITY
Chapter’s reputation excels in large Greek community
Pi Kappa Phi wins 6th straight top chapter award
On April 11, Pi Kappa Phi was honored as the best Purdue fraternity for 2012-13. In fact, the chapter was the winner of seven of the eight categories used to judge the overall RB Stewart Award recipient. The categories that the chapter was judged best include: Social development, scholastic development, leadership development, philanthropy and community service, alumni relations, brotherhood and chapter pride. The only category the chapter did not win was recruitment. Pi Kappa Phi won the RB Stewart Award for an unprecedented sixth straight year. This year, as in the recent past, applications were sent to campuses other than Purdue for judging. Quality members and chapter programming help set Pi Kappa Phi apart from the field. Pi Kappa Phi is one of 40 recognized fraternities on the Purdue campus.
BY CALEB SHOUP FALL 2012 & SPRING 2013 ARCHON Other people’s perception is not reality, but in the Purdue Greek community it’s accurate for Pi Kappa Phi. I attended a presidents’ retreat for sororities and fraternities during the s chool year. One of the breakout sessions asked other organizations leaders what they thought of each other. The most-often used descriptions included our campus involvement and commitment to philanthropic efforts. Omega’s accomplishments in 2012-13 very much were in those two areas. As noted in this newsletter, Pi Kappa Phi earned an unprecedented sixth straight RB Stewart Award as Purdue’s top fraternity. That recognition is a result of the chapter’s excellence in many areas, in addition to how others see it. Some of the noteworthy events during the school year incl u d e : • Football pairing with Kappa Alpha Theta. This involves tailgating for football and other social activities throughout the week. • Grand Prix pairing with Phi Mu. This involved various social activities leading up to, and including, the April go-kart race. • Various social activities incl u ding fall formal at Chicago’s Navy Pier, a Willy Wonka Chocolate Factorythemed event and an in-house Atlantis-themed spring formal. • The chapter catapulted to No. 2 in chapter size with 154 brothers in the spring. During the academic year, 48 bids were accepted, six of which were legacies. [There are 40 Purdue fraternities with 2,946 members, for an average membership of 74. The percentage of Greeks – men’s and women’s groups – is 19.5 percent.] • We were No. 1 in the Greek and Cooperative Life list of community service hours (2,007). That ranking is from 89 such organizations (40 fraternities, 21 sororities, 12 cooperatives, 10 multicultural Greeks and six national Pan-Hellenic groups). • We were No. 2 in fraternity philanthropic fund-raising with $10,464 raised for Push America (and No. 3 among the 89 fraternity, sorority and
cooperative groups). • Pi Kappa Phi was No. 12 in grades with a 2.86 GPA, ahead of the 2.79 all-fraternity average. • Our last pin number in the spring semester was 1,912. We are inching to the 2,000th initiate; we would become only the third such chapter nationally to reach that mark. • Six members are riding in the 2013 Journey of Hope, the Push America cross-county cycling effort. Omega has now had 29 members on the Journey. Another two have already signed up for the 2014 ride. • Since 2007, the chapter has volunteered in special needs classes at Lafayette Jefferson High School. Push America donates 25 percent of the chapter’s annual fund-raising to a local cause, in our case Lafayette Jeff. In November, the chapter presented $3,210 to help classroom instruction and field trips. Through 2012, the chapter has been able to donate $16,131 locally. • A total of 46 members participated in the 18-hour Purdue University Dance Marathon to raise money for Riley Hospital for Children in Indianapolis. Brothers held four of the 15 student leadership positions in the Marathon. The campus-wide event had nearly 1,200 dancers in
Continued on next page
A Lafayette Jefferson High School special needs student draws a chalk outline of Erik Moeller.
OMEGALITE Continued from previous page 2012 and raised more than $500,000. Chapter members raised more than $20,000 for the cause. Brian Vanneman, in charge of operations for the event, was named the David R. Feltner Exec Member of the Year. The 2012 Marathon T-shirts had the initials “DRF” emblazoned on them for the late fraternity member who died in 2011 from cancer. The Exec leadership award was given in his name,
Cyclists approach the house at the Pi Kapp 100/Moms Day event in April.
President visits chapter
Purdue President Mitch Daniels told Pi Kappa Phi members they were on the right track and their experiences might have already exceeded his collegiate experiences at Princeton. Daniels, who became president on Jan. 15, 2013, has been on a tour of campus organizations. He visited a capacity crowd at Pi Kappa Phi on Feb. 18. Prior to becoming president, he served two terms as Indiana governor and before that served as the budget director for President George W. Bush. While a student at Princeton in the late ‘60s and early ‘70s, he and his classmates didn’t focus too much on service. He said he was meeting soon with some of his undergraduate contemporaries and was eager to tell them how accomplished today’s students are. Daniels showed he did his homework, too. He lauded Pi Kappa Phi’s accomplishments particularly in the area of service and leader-
JULY 2013
PURDUE UNIVERSITY
too. • The Second Annual David R. Feltner 72-Hour Bike-a-Thon was homecoming week. The event had nearly 100 cyclists and included kickoff competitions at various sororities. • “Arctoberfest,” a cookout/carnival for the Arc of Tippecanoe that serves local special needs adults, k i cked off the final 24 hours of the Bike-a-Thon. More than 150 participated in the event at the fraternity alongside various sorority members. • Philanthropies. The chapter participated in 18 different Greek philanthropies during the school year. The events ranged from a 5K run, to cookouts, to talent shows. • War of Roses. Sixteen sororities participated in the chapter’s on-campus, two-week philanthropy benefitting Push. Competition included sheet signs, participation, tricycle obstacl e course racing, disability empathy training and a talent show. The main event, the talent show, drew 1,000 spectators and participants. • Dads and Moms Day/Pi Kapp
100. Dads Day in the fall is a relatively low-key event around watching Purdue football, a cookout and a golf tournament. The spring Moms Day/Pi Kapp 100 had 275+ folks participate from the 100-kilomter cycling race, multiple meals and a benefit auction. • Chapter Push America programming touched nearly 2,500 people during 2012-13. • Chapter members held leadership positions in many other student and non-student organizations as part of its 2,007 service hours. Examples include: Boiler Gold Rush (15 team leaders and three supervisors), Purdue Exponent, Old Masters, Gimlet, rugby team, Boys and Girls Club, the local dog shelter, Ross-Ade Brigade, Paint Crew, track team, Purdue cycling team, and many more. The brothers of the Omega Chapter are doing a great job representing the fraternity’s mission: “Leaders by Choice” in every aspect of Purdue life. I am proud to call each of these men my brothers and it was an incredible honor to serve as archon.
ship. “I’m impressed with your philanthropy and service record,” he told chapter members. He said he’s impressed with the quality of Purdue students overall and would like to see Purdue more unified as time moves on. “I’ve learned that Purdue is more of a confederation of individual schools, rather than ‘uni’ as in university,” he said in response to a question about he learned in his first month as president. Daniels was asked what he’d like his legacy to be in terms of industry, governmental or university experiences. He pondered the question a bit and said while he doesn’t think about his legacy much, but he thinks it’s a good practice to take a critical look at what is accomplished during your time there. “I’d like to be defined by accomplishments by the organizations I’ve been a part of,” he said. “I’d like to think the organizations are bet-
ter off when I left than when I started.” Daniels said he would like to be a proponent of the Greek system as president. “You’ve (Pi Kappa Phi and fellow Greeks) have a great record to defend and support. You’re an example of what fraternities should be.”
Purdue president Mitch Daniels shakes hands after speaking to the chapter on Feb. 18.
OMEGALITE
JULY 2013
PURDUE UNIVERSITY
Football coach, chaplain address fraternity members
Purdue football coach Darrell Hazell told a group of fraternity members that his team will feature discipline and lots of different looks. Hazell and the Rev. Marty Dittmar spoke to Pi Kappa Phi members at the fraternity on Feb. 26, 2013. Hazell said his team will chant “1-
Football coach Darrell Hazell listens as the team chaplain makes a point at Pi Kappa Phi.
2-3 team” at the end of every practice session to remind them that a team is far more important than any individual. “That constantly reminds them that nobody is above and beyond the team.” When asked about his first recruiting class that ranked near the bottom of the Big Ten, the former Kent State head coach said it’s more about how they improve during their careers than where they are ranked. “It’s all about developing players, consistent development,” he said. He cited Ted Ginn, a former Ohio State receiver who now plays for the Cleveland Browns. Hazell was Ginn’s position coach while with the Buckeyes. “His development was the best I’ve ever seen (as a college coach),” Hazell said. That’s the standard he hopes for Purdue player development. Dittmar echoed Hazell’s development thoughts for players as a person vs. being an athlete. “We have to develop them in a lot of areas,” he said. Dittmar said he gets close to play-
Fraternity named top Push chapter For the second consecutive year, Omega was named the best Push America fund-raising/programming chapter. On Jan. 12, 2013, at the Pi Kappa Phi Mid-Year Leadership Conference in St. Louis, the chapter won the Push America Core Values Award. The award recognizes the single best Pi Kapp chapter (out of 177 across the nation) by embodying the core values of Push America in abilities, teamwork, empathy and integrity. During 2011-12, the Purdue chapter raised $12,842 for Push through various activities. “With almost 2,500 hours of community service this past year (2011-12) this chapter has shown their ability to work together as a team to empower the abilities of all people,” said Chad Coltrane, CEO of Push America, at the award presentation in St. Louis. “Chapter members volunteer on a daily basis with people with disabilities to build lasting relationships in their community. Their annual 72-hour bike-a-thon speaks volumes of its commitment to living the values of Push America. Named for a fallen brother, Biking for David combines the chapter’s Push America efforts with honoring David’s memory.” The Core Values was one of three major awards the fraternity won in January 2013 for work from the previous school year. The others include: • 2011-12 Outstanding Alumni Relations Award.
ers through chapel. He estimates that two-thirds or three-quarters of the athletes he encounters participate voluntarily. “We’ve been able to turn out some wonderful people who never missed chapel or Bible study,” he said, “and it translated to the field.” He said one of his most famous “parishioners” while being team chaplain was NFL All-Pro Drew Brees. Hazell said he said he came to Purdue instead of going other places because of the quality and values of this institution. He said the challenge of moving Purdue from the middle of the pack to conference title contender was also very appealing. “I’m here to get this thing rolling,” he said. “It’s a great place for an education and I want it to be a powerhouse in football.” The 46-year-old coach played collegiately at Muskingum. He has coached at Eastern Illinois, Oberlin, Pennsylvania, Western Michigan, Army, West Virginia and Rutgers in addition to being an Ohio State assistant for seven seasons.
This award is given to the chapter that “best exemplifies the promotion of lifelong brotherhood and the sustained connection of alumni to their undergraduate chapter through implementation of an outstanding alumni relations program.” Alumni events in 2011-12 included four housing corporation meetings, homecoming and the Pi Kapp 100. Alumni also participated in recruitment functions as well Chi Omega displays one as the off-campus spring and of many sorority sheet fall pledge retreats. signs promoting the • 2011-12 Joe Sewell 2013 “War of Roses.” Aw a r d. This is given “to the chapter that best exemplifies the values of Pi Kappa Phi in competition on the intramural field.” The chapter finished second among Purdue’s 41 fraternities and won three team and six individual championships. It also had a high level of participation in all sports. • Omega won the 2011-12 Kroeg Award, signifying it as the best chapter in its league (17+fraternities on its campus) for the third of the last four years. The 2013 award will be announced in August.
OMEGALITE
JULY 2013
PURDUE UNIVERSITY
2012 Omega of Pi Kappa Phi Inc. Annual Report More than 100 alumni donations provided support of the Omega of Pi Kappa Phi Inc. housing corporation in 2012 – Omega’s 90th year at Purdue. The corporation set three areas for alumni support during the anniversary year. They included: 1. Kitchen Improvements. Instal a walk-in freezer and storage areas with a goal of $25,000. We raised $28,615 from 16 donors, a large portion came from an alumnus’ $25,000 single gift. The donor wishes to remain anonymous. 2. CIF Investment. This is a tax deductible option for educational purposes through the Pi Kappa Phi Foundation in Omega’s name. The fund-raising goal was $10,000. We raised $14,955 with 21 gifts but in large part from two alumni gifts – a gift of $7,000 (another alumnus who wishes to remain anonymous) and a $5,000 matching gift from John McDonald (Omega 740). McDonald said he would match all gifts to CIFOmega up to $5,000 and was true to his word. An additional $2,500 that was not counted in the 2012 total because it arrived in 2013, was designated to this account for the 90th anniversary from Chuck Smith (Omega 1241). 3. Building Fund. This long-term infrastructure fund was set up to address future needs with a fundraising goal of $10,000. Gifts in 2012 totaled $7,700. Alumni had the ability to
support other areas, too. Financial support for the Omegalite printing reached $640, on 14 gifts. A total of 35 alumni gave undesignated or an honorary gift. Allan Reynolds (Omega 315) gave $50 in memory of brother E. Miles Swarts (Omega 317), who died in 2008. E. Neil Jay (Omega 738) gave a gift in memory of John Anglin (Omega 736), who died on Nov. 4, 2012. Mike Holtsclaw (Omega 1698) gave a donation in honor of his son, Steve (Omega 1666) and Psi alumnus and former Omega housing corporation member Bill Newell gifted $50 in honor of Pat Kuhnle (Omega 1197). Six alumni donated $560 to the chapter’s annual Push America fund-raising through Omegalite solicitations (additional alumni gave to support the Pi Kapp 100, but that $750 was paid in 2013). In all, $56,900 was given in 2012 to help the housing corporation commemorate the chapter’s 90th anniversary. Thus far in 2013, we have received two sizable bequests from estates (one for $50,000 and another for $5,000) For those who want more information about how to designate gifts in your will, contact attorney Jay Seeger, h o u sing corporation president at jseeger@seegerforbes.com or by calling him at his office, 765.742.4529.
740
Anonymous John McDonald
492
$2,500 to $4,999 David L. Johnson
462
$1,000 to $2,499 John Gaydos
448 494 722 772 897 1031 1077 1366 1468 1620
$500 to $999 W. Kelley Carr Robert Rust Jack Berlien Robert Geyer Jay Seeger Mark Higgins Steve Bohner Jeff Tang Brent Wunderlich Corwin Lemon
509 835 919 1090 1197 1243 1370 1598
$250 to $499 Duane M. Davis David Lane Richard Price Jeff Egilsrud Pat Kuhnle Kirk Felbinger Kurt Schulenburg Phil Jones
386 418 436 449 461 520 528 552 572 580 621 629 683 687 688 819 842 852 1030 1139 1205 1178 1180 1481 1414 1444 1457 1461 1481 1498 1506 1666 1698
GIVING LEVELS $25,000 or more Anonymous $5,000 to $24,999
315 417
$100 to $249 Ed Vana John Wolfenden Richard Lowe Jack Powers John Putt Al Kirchner Lawrence Hines David Griffiths Bill Hokanson Larry Reed Hugh Flanagan Edwin Gruwell Phil Newhouse Nyle Fox Mike Eberhart Jim Berlien Richard Widman Kim Tubergen Lars Kneller Marc Zubeck David Maier Jake Olesen Don Porth Jeff Hanson Mark McKay Steve Templeton Peter Todd Kevin E. Johnson Jeff Hanson Tom Barclay Phillip Leslie Steve Holtsclaw Mike Holtsclaw (in honor of Steve Holtsclaw) $50 to $99 Allan Reynolds (Miles Swartz memorial) William Thompson
433 596 634 636 707 727 736 738
Waldemar Goffeney Jerry Davee David F. Davis Fred Lyijyne James Cridge David R. Davis John Anglin E. Neil Jay (John Anglin memorial) 862 R Michael Little 863 Rikard Hill 951 Greg Linder 956 Larry Metzler 970 David Sterenfeld 1142 Brian Newell 1277 Pat Lyons Psi Bill Newell (in honor of Pat Kuhnle) 603 613 873 882 1056 1480
$25 to $49 Walter Golden Donald Katter Tim Bower Sonny O'Drobinak James Conti Brian Huseman
$10 to $24 1374 Lars McCain
A walk-in freezer was installed in the old cook’s office as a result of an alumnus gift.
Exterior windows are being replaced this summer from donations and chapter rent.
OMEGALITE
Homecoming schedule Tickets are now available for the Sept. 28 Homecoming game vs. Northern Illinois. The game will start at noon. The housing corporation takes ticket orders until Sept. 15 for people who want to sit in the Pi Kappa Phi alumni group. Tickets are $43 each (Purdue charges $40 per ticket plus a $3 handling fee). Tickets will be available for pickup at the house prior to the game. We do not mail the tickets to you. Alumni can purchase tickets on their own, but by doing so you will not be sitting next to your alumni brothers. Please note that Homecoming is a bit earlier this year and does not include a Big Ten opponent. The only home game during October – the traditional month for homecoming – is Oct. 12 vs. Nebraska. However, that is considered a prime game, which carries with it a higher ticket price. The Sept. 28 homecoming schedule includes: • 9 a.m. to noon, open house and ticket distribution, 330 N. Grant St. • 10:30 to 11:15 a.m. , pregame lunch in house basement. • N o o n, Purdue vs. Northern Illinois game in Ross-Ade Stadium. • 4 to 6 p.m. , open house at fraternity. • 5 p.m., completion of Second Annual David R. Feltner Memorial Bike-a-Thon to benefit Push America and Midwest Assistance Dogs at chapter house.
Alumnus re-elected to State Senate Omega alumnus Brandt Hershman (Omega 1196) won a third term as an Indiana State senator on Nov. 6, 2012. Hershman, who represents District 7 that spans six Indiana counties, was elected to this third four-year term. Hershman, a
JULY 2013 Republican, defeated his opponent 64 to 36 percent. He had contested races in his first run in 2004 and then again this year. Democrats did not slate an opponent in 2008. Senate Majority Leader Hershman represents part of Tippecanoe County, but not the area where the fraternity house is located. Other counties in his district include Jasper, White, Carroll, Clinton and Boone. The Wheatfield, IN, native was initiated into Pi Kappa Phi in 1986. He serves the chapter as vice president of the Omega of Pi Kappa Phi, Inc., housing corporation.
State Sen. Brandt Hershman, along with his wife, Lisa, watch election returns in November.
Dedicated alumnus John Anglin dies A decades-long Omega alumnus and volunteer, John Anglin (Omega 736), died unexpectedly on Nov. 4, 2012. For more than 25 years after earning his 1965 forestry degree at Purdue, Anglin acted as editor of the Omegalite. In 1967, he joined his father and uncles in managing a grain elevator in Clunette, IN, near his home of Warsaw. He married Lorraine Albert in 1975. He is survived by his wife, father, a brother, two sisters, a daughter and two grandchildren. A son preceded him in death. An Indiana professional group named a scholarship in John’s honor. An annual scholarship, in Anglin’s name, will be given to a student wishing to pursue an agriculture education. Donations can be
PURDUE UNIVERSITY mailed to: Agribusiness Council of Indiana 101 W. Ohio St., Ste. 2000 Indianapolis, IN 46204 He can also be honored with donations to the Omega CIF account, assisting the scholarship needs of the Omega chapter (donation information included elsewhere in this Omegalite).
Construction starts on Bailey Hall The fraternity is getting a new neighbor as Purdue is constructing a $6.5 million music building in the old Phi Kappa Psi lot. Bailey Hall, a 15,300 square foot building, is being constructed in the vacant lot at the corner of Northwestern Avenue and Grant Street. Purdue is also widening the alley from Northwestern Avenue to the Pi Kappa Phi property so that busses can maneuver the narrow alley and exit on Grant Street. Phi Kappa Psi moved to Tower Acres, across the street from Theta Chi, after the conclusion of the 2009-10 academic year. Purdue bought the land for $1.5 million, which is not reflected in the construction price. Funding for the project came from private donors, including Ralph and Bettye Bailey, who committed $4.5 million. Ralph Bailey is a 1949 mechanical engineering graduate who has been a long-time supporter of PMO. The new building will house the Purdue Musical Organizations with offices and rehearsal spaces. Since 1940, PMO students have been housed in the Elliott Hall of Music.
Bailey Hall construction at site of old Phi Kappa Psi Fraternity.
OMEGALITE
JULY 2013
PURDUE UNIVERSITY
Undergrads participate in Dance Marathon Pi Kappa Phi members were prominent in making a November campus dance marathon the most successful ever. The chapter had 46 of its members among 1,200 dancers participate in the Nov. 17-18, 2012, Purdue University Dance Marathon (PUDM) held at the Recreational Sports Center. “During PUDM, I could look in any direction, at any time and see Pi Kappa Phi making a difference,” chapter member Kyle Marpe said. “It is an incredible feeling to hear these Riley children’s stories and to know that I, along with other fraternity members, are truly making miracl e s happen.” Marpe was a morale committee member for PUDM, which meant he helped teach new dance moves and continually tried to motivate other participants. The 18-hour event required dancers to raise at least $100 each and did not allow them to sit down. Dancers participated in four two-hour sessions, where they learned dances and performed the dances in a large hall. In times when they were not dancing in one of five pre-assigned groups, participants heard from children who have been treated for various illnesses at Riley Hospital. The marathon also had competition from various groups who perform on stage for all to see. Pi Kappa Phi partnered with Delta Zeta for its dance routine. Pi Kappa Phi raised $20,053 through dancers and sponsorships in 2012. PUDM overall raised $528,655, nearly doubling its 2011 total. The
Brian Vanneman introduces one of the “Riley Kids” who spoke at the PUDM event.
Many of the 46 members who participated in the 2012 Purdue Univeristy Dance Marathon celebrate at the front of the stage awaiting “Mirror Men” to perform. event, which partners with the national Children’s Miracle Network, started at Purdue in 2005 when $1,500 was raised when only a handful of dancers participated. A PUDM planning executive committee consists of 15 student positions. Four of them were Pi Kappa Phi members – Brian Vanneman, operations; Austen Burkholder, public relations; Chris Elliott, c o r p orate relations; and Ricky Rivelli, morale. Another 20 chapter members held leadership positions in committees, too. Those assignments included Greek relations, athletic outreach and entertainment. Each of the 1,200 dancers had the initials DRF on their T-shirts, memorializing Pi Kappa Phi’s David R. Feltner (Omega 1738), who died of a childhood cancer in 2011. Feltner was treated at Riley Hospital, the chief benefactor of the fund-raising efforts. As a build-up for the dance marathon, chapter members held a 72-minute bike-a-thon at IU Health North Hospital, a Riley partner and a location where Feltner received chemotherapy, on Nov. 3. The ride included hospital staff along with fraternity members riding to raise funds. Pi Kappa Phi set up eight bikes that were used at the event.
Furthermore, two awards were named in Feltner’s honor at the oncampus event – the PUDM Exec of the Year and the Top Committee Member. David’s mother, Candy, made the presentations during the closing ceremonies. Vanneman won the inaugural Exec Member of the Year Award. “We think it is amazing all the guys do,” Candy Feltner said. “What a great group.” Pi Kappa Phi finished second among the numerous fraternity groups at PUDM, which is based on total fund-raising, number of committee members and number of dance participants. “Mirror Men,” a band made up of five Pi Kappa Phi members, returned to its third PUDM and performed from 4:10 to 4:40 a.m. on Nov. 18 to a rousing audience approval. The hiphop, pop band disbanded last spring when two of the members graduated – Rob Lampert and Tyler Julian. But those two joined Alex Prichodko, Chris Ruff and Vanneman one more time. The group’s final song was a tribute to their fallen brother, Feltner. Photos from the event can be found at: https://purduepikapps.celect.org/sit e/albums/35674
OMEGALITE
AGD wins crown An Alpha Gamma Delta sister took the top honor in the 2013 Pi Kappa Phi War of Roses competition on April 4, 2013. The annual event, which spans two weeks, concluded with a talent show in Purdue’s Loeb Playhouse attended by more than 1,000 people. Sixteen sororities competed against each other with sheet signs, penny wars, talent show ticket sales and participation at various events. Other War of Roses events included an empathy dinner, d i sability race and volunteer at special needs classes at a local high school. The empathy dinner on March 26 had participants mimic various challenges the disabled encounter each day. Contestants might be limited to speaking in single-syllable words, only in words that begin with a certain letter, with their hands bound or by having their eyes blindfolded. The dinner helps participants to have a clearer understanding of common challenges for the disabled. The War of Roses supports the fraternity’s philanthropic efforts with Push America. A quarter of the chapter’s annual fund-raising goes directly to Lafayette Jefferson High School special needs cl a s sroom support. Winners were announced for the various events and the overall winning sorority had a representative be the Rose Queen. Her photo will be included in the fraternity com-
Alpha Gamma Delta’s Emily Trittschuh celebrates being named Rose Queen for 2013.
JULY 2013 posite for 2013-14. The Sixth Annual War of Roses raised more than $3,000 for Push America. Football player Ricardo Allen, basketball players Ronnie and Terone Johnson as well as the 2013 Miss Indiana Merriebeth Cox served as judges for the talent competition. Photos of the event can be found at: https://purduepikapps.celect.org/ site/albums/36835
Chapter member Luke Millen watches the auction at the Moms Day/Pi Kapp 100 in April.
Moms Day success A record crowd graced the fraternity on April 13, 2013 as it celebrated the annual Moms Day/Pi Kapp 100 weekend. More than 275 brothers and their families attended much of the all-day event. The day began early for the 30 riders and crew in Zionsville for the 13th annual 100kilomer cycling experience. The team had to battle inclement weather throughout the day, i n cl u ding some drizzle and temperatures in the 30s and 40s. After the riders’ arrival the record audience heard from president Caleb Shoup, academic advisor Rita Baker and chapter advisor Pat Kuhnle. Shoup announced that two days earlier that the fraternity was named the RB Stewart Award winner, signifying it as Purdue’s best fraternity. Baker told parents how impressed she has been with the members and explained how she
PURDUE UNIVERSITY assists the members’ academic endeavors. Kuhnle led a roundtable discussion with pre-selected chapter members, including Erik Moeller, Kyle Marpe and Branden Sowers, who spoke about the chapter’s involvement in various Push efforts throughout the year. Parents were impressed with the breadth of experiences as well as the quantity of brothers involved in multiple programming events. Chapter members hosted a 4 p.m. moms reception at which they could peruse dozens of items being offered in a silent auction. Then the m a i n s t ay of the day – an auction to fund a chapter improvement project, Grand Prix and Push America that raised nearly $7,000 – started at 5 p.m. More than 200 watched, laughed and bid on various items from concert tickets to cookies for a year from one of the mothers. The day continued late into the night for mothers brave enough to hang out with their sons. Terry Foster, mother of chapter member Jake, wrote the chapter afterwards to express her thoughts on the day. “This group of men my son has chosen to spend his college years with are some of the most thoughtful, well-mannered gentlemen I have ever met,” she wrote. “I am proud of their national philanthropic effort, “Push America,” and know my son will continue to support it (after graduation) … I will miss these wonderful weekends and all of Jake’s new friends.” Historian Matt McKe e, who was the chief organizer for the day, was pleased with its outcome. "Every year our Moms Day takes an amazing amount of planning,” he said. “I think everyone would agree it's one of the most fun times of the year and I couldn't be happier with the way things turned out." Photos from the 2013 Moms Day/Pi Kapp 100 can be found at: https://purduepikapps.celect.org/ site/albums/36884