Omega - Spring 2009

THE • PI • KAPPA • PHI • FRATERNITY

Omegalite APRIL 2009

PURDUE UNIVERSITY

Higher education choice profession for many alumni

The overall R.B. Stewart Award, signifying the top fraternity at Purdue, stands out in front of the seven (out of nine possible) other awards the Omega chapter was given in October 2008.

IFC names Pi Kappa Phi as top Purdue fraternity Pi Kappa Phi was named the R.B. Stewart Award winner, recognizing it as the top fraternity at Purdue University for 2007-08.

The award was given at the Oct. 3, 2008, Greek Gala, which recognizes chapter-level accomplishments. Individual awards were given at a spring reception with the Omega chapter winning two awards. Steve Holtsclaw was named the 2007-08 Greek Man of the Year (he was later named the national Pi Kappa Phi Student of the Year, too) and Joe Schaefer was named the Outstanding Greek Scholar.

Purdue Greeks use nine categories to rate chapters. Pi Kappa Phi won seven of the nine individual categories that then were used to determine the overall R.B. Stewart Award.

Pi Kappa Phi won awards in

the following categories: • Alumni Relations • Chapter Management • House Management • Leadership Development • New Member Development • Philanthropy/Community Service • Scholastic Excellence The only two categories in which the Omega chapter did not win were in external relations and social development.

By raising $12,000 for our national philanthropy, Push America, in 2007-08, Pi Kappa Phi topped all fraternity fundraising for the eighth consecutive year.

Zeta Tau Alpha won the Dean Elsbury Award as the top sorority.

No sorority won more than one of the seven individual review categories.

The Omega chapter spawned an amazing number of brothers who became college professors – particularly in the years immediately following World War II. In the span of four years from 1946 to 1950, there were nine Omega initiates who at one point during their professional career taught at the college level. That’s more than 10 percent of the 86 initiates in that same time span.

By comparison, less than 1.5 percent of our 1,767 initiates have chosen that career path.

The first in that span of educators was Eldon Knuth (Omega No. 399). He was a 1946 initiate who has written at least six books ranging from fiction to textbooks.

He also co-owns a patent in rocket engine design. He retired from UCLA’s Department of Chemical and Bimolecular Engineering.

Thomas Adamson (Omega 412), a 1947 Pi Kappa Phi initiate, retired as an engineering professor at the University of Michigan in 1992. Adamson and Knuth both received advanced degrees and were colleagues at the California Institute of Technology in the mid1950s.

“We put in a lot of long hours of work together,” Adamson fondly recalled.

While at Michigan, Adamson taught classes in propulsion, aerodynamics, gas dynamics, thermodynamics and combustion. He served as department head in the Michigan Department of Aerospace Engineering for nine

See “Higher Ed” on Page 3

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@icomcast.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

APRIL 2009

Push America one of chapter focuses

By Jim Vasil Spring 2009 Archon The Omega chapter continues its strong presence on the Purdue campus.

As indicated elsewhere in this Omegalite, the chapter received the R.B. Stewart Award in October signifying it as the top chapter at Purdue. We have striven to build upon this throughout the 2007-08 academic year.

Expanding our commitment to Push America is one of the themes of the strategic plan we implemented two years ago. New to our efforts this academic year is a strong local volunteer relationship with Lafayette Jefferson High School This partnership has 23 chapter members rotating visitations with special needs students.

During these visits, which the students eagerly anticipate, brothers participate in a wide variety of activities including playing board games and athletics to

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@purdue exponent.org The Omegalite is published at least twice 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.

PURDUE UNIVERSITY

A Gamma Phi Beta tries her best to complete a puzzle with her hands being impared.

Pi Kappa Phi members pose with members of Zeta Tau Alpha, winners of the 2009 “War of Roses” competition in April. tutoring or just being a 12th Omega members to mentor. participate in the Journey The chapter became of Hope, an all summer, aware of the need at the cross-country bike ride raishigh school from alumnus ing money and awareness Steve Beeler (Omega for those with disabilities.

1169), who teaches the speThe chapter is also cial needs students there. active on the social scene.

We recently completed We paired with Delta our second annual War of Gamma sorority for football Roses event that raised and with Zeta Tau Alpha more than $1,100 toward for Grand Prix. For the Fall our Push America fund 2009, the chapter will be raising. Nine sororities par- doing football with the ticipated in various on-cam- women of Delta Delta pus activities including Delta. empathy training where Thus far this school women mimicked having a year, the chapter has won disability, such as running two sorority philanthropy an obstacle course blindcompetitions – a 5K run folded or assembling a puzand dodgeball. zle with their hands covAthletically, the chapter ered with socks. Other ranks No. 4, having won activities included a talent the doubles racketball and show as well as inpromptu the darts competition. It questions and answers. also had one of two basketOn April 18, up to 30 ball teams in the semifinals chapter members will have as was Frisbee competition. participated in 11th annual The University has not Pi Kapp 100, a 100-kilomeyet released grades for the ter bike ride from the fall semester, but the chapIndianapolis area to camter is hovering at the 3.0 pus. Riders and crew raise mark by an informal poll, money through pledges to which would be the highest support our Push fund rais- GPA in more than a decade. ing.

Chapter membership Kevin Vargo (Omega stood at an even 100 after 1674) and David spring rush. The chapter Stinnette (Omega 1689) recruited 29 new members will become the 11th and during fall and spring rush.

OMEGALITE

APRIL 2009

Higher Education Continued from Page 1 years ending in 1991. After his Purdue graduation in aeronautical engineering in 1947, he earned a Masters and PhD from Cal Tech.

He won the 2006 Outstanding Aerospace Engineer Award from Purdue and now resides in Ann Arbor, Mich.

The World War II veteran was not surprised to learn that so many of his Omega contemporaries became professors.

“We’d all been in the war and then worked our tails off as students (at Purdue),” he said.

“Academics really influenced how we approached things and we wanted to continue to pursue them.”

While teaching at Michigan, Adamson mentored many students who became astronauts. They include: Jim McDivvitt, a Gemini 4

OMEGA INIT. # 130 179 267 315 399 412 425 429 449 467 470 477 485 537 583 656 664 673 700 751 771 788 1168 1234 1278 OTHER 627

and Apollo 9 veteran who graduated first in his class from Michigan in 1959. He later became the Apollo 12, 13, 14, 15 and 16 program manager. Jack Lousma was another student Adamson taught. Lousma is best known as the capsule communicator for Apollo 13 and was the recipient of the “Houston, we had a major problem” message after an in-flight explosion. Apollo 15 commander Al Worden was another Michigan student under Adamson’s tutelage.

Adamson knew a future Omega member and fellow college professor before he attended Purdue. He went to high school with Jack Powers’ (Omega 449) sister.

Powers began his higher education experience at Ripon College (Wisconsin) teaching chemistry. He eventually became the chemistry department head.

He worked as vice president at

ALUMNI WHO HAVE BEEN COLLEGE PROFESSORS

NAME, POSITION Edwin “Pete” Sherwood, Milwaukee School of Engineering Robert Green, Ohio State University, engineering Richard Edwards, University of Arizona, chemical engineering Allan Reynolds, Gordon College (MA) Eldon Knuth, UCLA, chemical and biomolecular engineering Thomas Adamson, University of Michigan, aerospace engineering Ted Michaud, Carroll College, biology Ken Wark, Purdue, mechanical engineering Jack Powers, Rippon College. Chemistry Richard Edwards, University of Arizona, chemical engineering A. Dale Kaiser, Stanford, biochemistry, School of Medicine Carl Zobel, SUNY-Buffalo, biophysics Robert Whitford, Purdue, civil engineering Halbert Smith, University of Florida, finance and real estate Robert Fisher, Ball State, architecture Robert Nicewander, University of Oklahoma, psychology Michael Cornick, Winthrop, accounting Alan Hess, University of Washington, finance Jeffrey Kotzan, University of Georgia, pharmacy John Lovell, Purdue, management Clyde Smith, Purdue, engineering James Wright, University of Central Florida, sociology Matt Stuve, Ball State, educational technology Matt Watson, Peace Corps, math Jake Rohleder, Purdue, veterinary science OMEGA ALUMNUS IN HIGHER EDUCATION Robert Elzey, Indiana State University, dean of students, vice president student services

PURDUE UNIVERSITY Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (New York), Davidson College (North Carolina) and St. Andrew’s Presbyterian College (North Carolina). He and his wife, Ruth, then started a consulting business in fund-raising for colleges, arts and college Greek organizations. He coordinated the highly successful Campaign for Omega, following the chapter’s 1987 fire.

Powers graduated from Purdue in 1952 in chemistry. He also earned a Masters in 1956 and PhD in 1957 – all in chemistry.

He also worked as a grant officer at a private foundation, Research Corp. and as a consultant. During his career his major area of research was in chemistry, including the organic and chemical reactions of atmospheric gases.

He said the seriousness of postWorld War II students helped form his academic performance.

“Students of my era were serious about their studies and eager to contribute to their careers in a meaningful way,” Powers said.

“As I look back on my education, I realize how the specific time I was at Purdue had a major impact on me and others of my generation. We respected the contributions our professors were making toward our education and this probably molded our plans for a teaching career.”

Powers also cited his Pi Kappa Phi brothers as keys to his academic prowess – particularly those who served in World War II. “They were a serious group, dedicated to their studies and brooking no distractions that would alter their plans of action,” he said.

He lives with his wife in Pisgah Forest, NC. Among the many Omegas of that era who entered academia, was A. Dale Kaiser (Omega 470). Kaiser, a 1949 Pi Kappa Phi initiate, was a professor of biochemistry at Stanford University.

For Ted Michaud (Omega 425), higher education came naturally.

His late father, Howard (Omega Continued on next page

OMEGALITE

Almanac DIED: 616 Carl D. Hipsher 6/22/08

APRIL 2009 Indianapolis Brian Shea (Omega 1526) and Jamie, 6/28/08, Indianapolis

208 Roland K. Kitchen 5/24/08 359 Robert D. Goodenough 12/21/05 397 Paul K. Lawall 9/20/08 MARRIED: Jerry Ban (Omega 1647) and Meg Newett. 9/30/08,

PURDUE UNIVERSITY

Weatherwax (Omega 1545).

Kyle Thomas DeCorte, Dec. 6, 2008. Parents Kathy and Mike DeCorte (Omega 1482).

Twins Caroline Marie and Sophie Ann Engler, Jan. 26, 2009. Parents Jen and Joe Engler (Omega 1533).

Anna Grace Conley

BIRTHS: Anna Grace Conley, Dec. 4, 2008. Parents: Erin and Travis Conely (Omega 1497). Uncles: Todd (Omega 1529) and Kent

Continued from previous page 507), was one of the first alumni initiates in Omega history and taught conservation history in the Purdue Forestry Department.

“I had my dad for freshman biology at North Side High School in Fort Wayne, Ind.,” Ted Michaud said. “He was a role model throughout my career as a zoologist and educator.”

The senior Michaud, who served as Omega’s chapter advisor in the late ‘40s and early ‘50s, was at one point the head naturalist for the Indiana State Parks and lived in the private section of the nature museum for seven years.

The son, Ted, majored in biology and took courses in wildlife conservation and entomology. While at Purdue, he was an ROTC student and was a military instructor for 14 months in Alaska following graduation. Michaud received a Masters in zoology from Michigan (1954) and then a PhD in the same field from Texas (1959).

During and after his studies, he became an Army Reservist, retiring as a colonel in 1984.

From 1959 to his 1994 academic retirement, he taught biology at Carroll College (now Carroll

Caroline & Sophie Engler

University in Wisconsin).

He said his Pi Kappa Phi brothers pushed him to achieve academically.

“There certainly was an emphasis on excellence at Pi Kappa Phi,” he said. “Older, more mature students were coming back from World War II. They demanded, and got, proficient instruction from their professors.”

Another Pi Kappa Phi experience contributed to a lifelong hobby.

“Several of my contemporaries were in the Glee Club (at Purdue),” he said. “I have continued my interest in music by singing occasionally in ‘the Messiah,’ joining a barbershop quartet of 60 men (average age 76), and singing in a quartet of four biology professors.”

Michaud lives in a retirement home in Waukesha, Wis., and continues to sing there for the residents every Wednesday afternoon.

Longtime alumnus volunteer Ken Wark (Omega 429) was another college professor who came out of that era. Wark was an engineering professor at Purdue for 41 years, retiring in 1996.

Wark, who taught numerous chapter members over the years, served as Omega chapter advisor

STATUS UPDATE Because Corwin Lemon (Omega 1620) is not going to be readily available for an extended period of time, he’s asked to share the following information.

Lemon started his U.S. Air Force training at Maxwell Air Force Base in Montgomery, Ala., on March 3, which will continue to mid June. He anticipates being assigned somewhere in the south or southeast United States post training. He can be reached at: corwin.g.lemon@hotmail.c om.

for 20 years (1960 to 1980) and on the housing corporation for 34 years.

Another longtime Omega volunteer, Bob Whitford (Omega 485), was a college professor. He graduated with a BSEE in 1952, followed by a Masters in 1953 and PhD in 1955.

From 1955 to 1972, Whitford worked for TRW Systems in California as a guidance and control manager. For the six years afterwards, he worked at the Transportation Systems Center (now the Volpe National Transportation Systems Center) for the U.S. Department of Transportation as deputy and acting director.

In 1982, he began a 20-year career as a professor of civil engineering at Purdue. Post retirement, he worked part-time for the Alaska Department of Transportation in Juneau.

He now lives in Bellevue, Wash.

The last college professor of that era was Carl Zobel (Omega 477).

Zobel, who was initiated into the fraternity in 1950, taught biophysics at the University of Buffalo.

He lives in East Amherst, NY.

OMEGALITE

APRIL 2009

PURDUE UNIVERSITY

Alumni join forces to overcome rare childhood cancer An Omega alumnus’ son is faring well in his fight against an aggressive form of childhood cancer, but Rob Perschon (Omega 1463) is still urging people to help finding a cure for the disease.

Drew, the oldest son of Rob and Kate Perschon, has been in remission for on year. Drew was diagnosed with neuroblastoma in November 2007. Since that time, the 3-year-old has endured eight rounds of high dose chemotherapy, three surgeries, three stem cell transplants and 20 rounds of radiation.

He is nearing the end of his eighth round of an acid-based chemotherapy commonly known as Accutane, an acne medication found to be effective against the cancer.

One-side effect of the treatments, particularly his early chemotherapy, has been hearing impairment.

It was through an edition of the Omegalite that a fellow alumnus, Scott Jewson (Omega 1318), learned of the Perschons’ plight.

Drew Pershcon shown with his chemotherapy port.

Oct. 3 homecoming tickets available Purdue will welcome Danny Hope as its new football coach in 2009 and alumni can return to see his team on Oct. 3 for homecoming.

Jewson started his fight against the cancer when a childhood friend’s daughter was diagnosed with the disease in 2004; she died two years later. Afterwards, Jewson and his wife, Kristin, started a nonprofit to raise money for research.

The non-profit agency, Allie and Friends, has seen tremendous growth and national attention.

Drew, Kate, Indianapolis Colts tackle Ryan Diem lent his name and support to the organization that has raised more than a half million dollars for research in the last four years. The primary fundraiser is a golf outing. This year’s event is scheduled for May 4 at the Boulder Ridge County Club in Lake in the Hills, Ill. Both the Jewson and Perschon families lend their efforts to the success of the golf outing and fund raising efforts. Perschon has written a letter to hundreds encouraging their sponsorship of the event.

“New and better treatment options are on the horizon,” Rob Perschon wrote in a fund-raising letter. “It could very well be your dollar that will find a cure and save our children, including my own.”

Those wishing to learn more about the giving opportunities or participation as a corporate or individual sponsor can find sponsorship and registration forms on the organization’s Web page, www.allieandfriends.org.

In the meantime, Perschon is

The Boilermakers will face Illinois for the game at Ross-Ade Stadium. Game time has not yet been set.

Alumni who wish to order tickets though the housing corporation may do so. Tickets are $46 each and will

Rob and Ben Perschon. cautiously optimistic about his son’s future.

“We feel extremely fortunate to be in the position we are today,” he said. “Many kids with neuroblastoma never reach the point where Drew has gotten.

“We know he still has a tough and questionable future, but the way his body has responded to treatment thus far, we couldn’t be happier.”

A Web page has been established to follow Drew’s progress, http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/dr ewperschon. The site has been visited more than 60,000 times.

In an April 2 Web update, the Perschon family wrote about celebrating one year of Drew being cancer free.

“There is no greater gift that has come from this tragedy than that of knowing how much we really mean to each other – savoring each day and always hopeful for the next,” the entry read. “We are better people because we know about life’s most important moments.”

be held for alumni at the house for pickup. Send checks payable to “Omega of Pi Kappa Phi” and mail them in the return envelope provided in this mailing. The mailing address is also included on Page 2 of this newsletter.

OMEGALITE

Kitchen equipment set up replacement Replacing aging kitchen equipment will be the housing corporation’s priority for summer projects in 2009.

Most of the kitchen equipment – including two ovens, a freezer, refrigerator and a dishwasher – survived the 1987 fire. In extinguishing the blaze, firefighters filled the basement and much of the

2008 Alumni Giving Report $500 250 722 817 1031

OR MORE

Mary Lyles, widow of Laurence Jack Berlien Jerry Lukach Mark Higgins

$250 TO $499 464 Robert Rust 1457 Peter Todd 1488 Brent Wunderlich $100 TO $249 89 Gus Riggs 197 R.E. Thomson 295 William Swager 325 Grafton Houston 420 Clarke Thornton 423 Leonard Ficken 436 Richard Lowe 457 Drexel Scott 490 David Peggs 497 Don Steinkamp 506 James Jackson 509 Duane M. Davis 517 Robert Wingard 518 Dale Dremann 520 Al Kirchner 540 William Hounshell 552 David Griffiths 585 Bob Bartels 621 Hugh Flanagan 632 Mike O’Reilly 634 Bob Griffiths 657 Ken Kraus 672 Ron Lema 734 David R. Davis 740 John McDonald 819 Jim Berlien 842 Richard Widman 858 Bernard Platt 852 Kim Tubergen 853 Mike Tyrrell 863 Rikard Hill

APRIL 2009

PURDUE UNIVERSITY

first floor with water. The kitchen equipment was submerged for days.

Most of it dates back to the mid 1960s. Due to its age and water damage from 20 years ago, ongoing maintenance issues and equipment inefficiencies are the impetus for change.

Last year’s alumni donations for chapter house improvements, as well as money collected through this newsletter, will supplement other funds for the project. The old-

est refrigerator was replaced in 2009 from chapter coffers.

Initial estimates, depending on the equipment configuration and sizes, call for replacement cost between $18,500 and $25,500, plus installation and electrical requirements.

Alumni can support the cause by designating part of their 2009 financial support toward the kitchen project by using the enclosed donation sheet.

931 931 956 1197 1265 1272 1354 1366 1542 Psi

1606

Jim Shunk Greg Linder Larry Metzler Pat Kuhnle Brent Buroker Todd Spaulding Scott Patton Jeff Tang Matt Maczka William Newell

$50 TO $99 263 Rolund DeHoog 282 Edward Masline 406 Charles Atwell 528 Larry Hines 584 Robert Roth 596 Jerry Davee 604 Anthony Terlep 634 David Davis 642 David F. Davis 727 David R. Davis 769 Jay Hackleman 822 Nick Anjanos 838 Mark Laurent 862 R. Michael Little 1003 Neil Hentschell 1010 Steve Timmons 1176 Doug Davis 1277 Pat Lyons 1412 Gene Ward 1429 Jason Morin 1459 Nate Damasius 1461 Kevin Johnson 1480 Brian Huseman 1517 Brad Ecklere 1592 Vyto Damasius UP TO 286 345 636 720 1412

$49 Donald Adams Spencer Gullicksen Fred Lyijynen Warren Cline Tom Bentley

Kevin Vogelsinger

* Alumni donated $10,659 in 2008.

Gifts included $3,145 in mortgage reductions, $2,170 for chapter improvements, $2,325 for CIF account, $720 toward Omegalite publication, $90 toward air conditioning improvements and $2,284 undesignated.

Note: The house mortgage stood at $190,117.91. Current rate 6.0 percent, (3-year adjustable next adjusted June 2010) note matures in 2016.

Five alumni purchased the CD reproduction of the album, “Pi Kappa Phi Sings.” Four CD copies remain for $10 each.

ALUMNI PUSH AMERICA DONATIONS 448 Kelley Carr 1031 Mark Higgins 1119 Rick Bonar 1154 Kurt Takara 1180 Don Porth 1197 Pat Kuhnle 1208 Manish Gandhi 1213 James Briggs 1222 Joe Williams 1405 Jim Taller 1419 Craig Bobrink 1461 Kevin Johnson 1506 Phil Leslie 1509 Jerry Budd 1624 Adam Poor 1659 Brian Hewig * Alumni donated $2,254 toward the chapter’s Push fund raising totals.

A total of 92 alumni made gifts during 2008 to the housing corporation, the CIF account or to the chapter’s Push America giving. Total dollars donated were $12,663.