OMICRONICLE Omicron Chapter of Pi Kappa Phi H University of Alabama H Spring 2018
Connect with Pi Kappa Phi Today! Inaugural OAO Meeting to Be Held after UA’s First Home Football Game
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he Omicron Alumni Organization (OAO) will hold its inaugural meeting in conjunction with the University of Alabama’s first home football game on Saturday, September 8. After the kickoff time is announced, the time of this meeting will be determined by our current leadership team. During this meeting, alumni will be presented their OAO pins and membership certificates for their involvement in our growing organization. Board members and officers will be elected, and alumni will receive reports regarding upcoming events. There will also be a planning session in which we will address the organization’s overall function and determine if any changes are needed to our organization’s general structure and operations. The following items will be discussed as well: n n n n n n n n
Officers for existing local organizations Establishing networking opportunities for members in areas other than Birmingham, Mobile, and Atlanta Home game day alumni activities Maintaining accurate contact information for alumni members (which may be accessed by any member) Creating a method to assist the Chapter during recruitment Establishing a mentoring program for graduating seniors entering the workforce in new geographic areas A formal OAO induction for graduating seniors Website and/or social media for OAO
Additional topics and materials are welcomed to be addressed during this meeting. If you are interested in volunteering with OAO, we invite you to contact any of the following Brothers for more information:
Steve Trimmier ’63 steve@trimmier.com Whit Callahan ’64 witcall@aol.com Phil Graf ’67 suephil1@bellsouth.net Bill Barton ’68 william.barton@wellsfargoadvisors.com Warren DeBardelaben ’82 debardw@bellsouth.net
Celebrating Brotherhood 56th Supreme Chapter Happening in Chicago This July
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alling all Chicago-area Omicron alumni! You are cordially invited to spend a weekend with Pi Kappa Phi during the 56th Supreme Chapter on the Magnificent Mile in downtown Chicago, July 26-29. Hosted at the Chicago Marriott Downtown, Supreme Chapter is your chance to reignite the fire of brotherhood during a weekend of events that begin with a Pi Kappa Phi dinner cruise on Lake Michigan.
David Adams ’89 rush1527@yahoo.com
Planned events include Ritual of Initiation, Supreme Banquet, alumni development sessions, an address by new National President Tracy Maddux, University of Texas at Austin ’88, and lots of fun activities for family and friends. If you have never attended Supreme Chapter, this is the one weekend, every two years, where our entire national fraternity is dissolved into one “Chapter.”
Participation in a leadership role or local activities is needed and appreciated. We hope you will join us as we work to strengthen our bonds as alumni and assist our undergraduate Brothers in their pursuit of excellence. Your knowledge and experience as an Omicron Brother will further our goals as an organization and as a brotherhood. We look forward to seeing you and hearing your ideas!
Omicron has a strong tradition of leading the strategic direction of the fraternity. If you live in the area or love downtown Chicago, please join us in celebrating our brotherhood. There will be an Omicron Chapter dinner on Friday night. RSVP to Warren DeBardelaben ’82 at debardw@bellsouth.net.
Steve Smith ’83 ssmith@noesis-capital.com Seth Chapman ’84 seth@weezabi.com John Greaves ’88 jgreavesatl@gmail.com
Fraternally, Steve Trimmier ’63 (205) 901-6062 steve@trimmier.com
OMICRONICLE
STAY INVOLVED WITH OMICRON
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CONTINUING EXCELLENCE Aaron Willis ’15 Shares Positive Pi Kappa Phi Experience, Future Plans for Life after College
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s a native of Cincinnati, Ohio, Aaron Willis ’15 made the crucial decision to attend the University of Alabama after graduating magna cum laude from Lebanon High School in 2015. “I was torn between UA and The Ohio State University,” Aaron said. After much consideration and deliberation, Aaron made the decision to become a member of the Crimson Tide. “I came to the conclusion that I liked everything that Alabama had to offer much better,” Aaron stated. During his first semester at the university, Aaron went through recruitment, where he quickly discovered the good character of the Brothers in Pi Kappa Phi. “Omicron’s members were a well-rounded group of Brothers who were humble and down to earth.” Aaron said. “I knew that that was special, and I wanted to be a part of that.” Throughout his time in the fraternity, Aaron has served as treasurer and on various committees, including scholarship, recruitment, and rituals. He said his involvement in these governing roles was an excellent way to develop his leadership skills and a sense of responsibility to others. “The wellbeing of the group is a key responsibility that one should not take lightly,” Aaron stated. In addition to his involvement in Pi Kappa Phi, Aaron served as the director of libraries and academic resources for the university’s Student Government Association during the 2017-18 year, but was previously involved in other capacities in the organization since his freshman year. He is also
a student justice on the Academic Honors Council and a teaching assistant for beginning-level economics courses. Aaron has also had the opportunity to conduct research with the Department of Economics, Finance, and Legal Studies. “A well-rounded college experience should involve more than just the fraternity,” Aaron said. “It is good to get involved in something bigger than yourself.” During his time at UA, Aaron has concentrated his studies on economics, which he believes is an extremely unique field of study. “In economics, you are not necessarily learning a skill or a set of facts,” Aaron said. “You learn a way of thinking about the world and how to interpret it.” He said he enjoys the diversity of the field and its application to everyday life. “The different areas of concentrations in economics from quantitative to developmental really sparked my initial interest,” Aaron stated. Aaron is on track to graduate from the university in May 2019 and plans on applying to doctorate programs in economics somewhere in the South. “I would like to stay in academia for the foreseeable future and possibly become a professor,” Aaron said. As a senior, Aaron said his favorite experience with the fraternity has been living in the Chapter House during his junior year. “I have gotten closer with Brothers,” Aaron said. “My experience with Pi Kappa Phi is definitely one for the books.” If you would like to connect with Aaron, you can reach him at ajwillis3@crimson.ua.edu.
Congratulations, Graduates! Austin Barrington ’14 Finance Planning to work for Amazon in New York
Owen Grant ’14 Marketing Planning to find a position in marketing
Kyle Beasley ’15 Chemical Engineering Planning to find a position in chemical engineering
Dillon Grooss ’14 Finance and Accounting Planning to find a position in finance or accounting
Jack Benenson ’14 English Planning to work for Fidelity Investments in Boston
Jackson Lamar ’14 Exercise Science Planning to receive a doctorate degree in physical therapy
Ryan Dolmanet ’14 Finance and Management Working at a law firm in Tuscaloosa
Justin Lukas ’14 Computer Science Planning to intern in Washington, D.C.
Connor Maggio ’14 Operations/Supply Chain Management Planning to work for MercedesBenz U.S. International in Birmingham Owen Maher ’15 Public Relations Planning to find a position in public relations
Thomas Mills ’14 Management Information Systems Planning to find a position in management information systems Wesley Patterson ’14 Mechanical Engineering Interning in Nashville and planning to complete his MBA Skyler Shields ’15 Finance Planning to attend law school
Keep Up with Omicron Online WEBSITE uapikappaphi.com
TWITTER @UA_PiKappaPhi
FACEBOOK Pi Kappa Phi-Omicron
UPDATE ON ACTIVE CHAPTER
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Undergraduate Brothers with Housemother Linda Crawford during Omicron’s Christmas party in December.
PI KAPPA PHI
Members of Omicron with the Arts ’n Autism Boy Scout Troop at the Chapter House in March.
Maintaining the Pi Kappa Phi Way Chapter Focuses on Academics and Philanthropy
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Dean of Students Dr. Tim Hebson speaks to undergraduate Brothers and their families during Parents’ Weekend in March.
s members of Pi Kappa Phi, our traditions teach us to always strive for excellence, no matter the circumstance. It has been no different during the spring semester, as we have collectively pushed even further toward the highest level of achievement possible at the University of Alabama.
Chapter Officers Archon Fran Pecci ’15 Davie, Fla. (631) 741-9545 fapeccisaavedra@ crimson.ua.edu Vice Archon Andrew Wade ’16 Jackson, Ala. (251) 744-2088 Treasurer Aaron Willis ’15 Cincinnati, Ohio
Warden Adam Pflaum ’15 Birmingham, Ala. Secretary Ray Johnston ’16 Westwood, N.J. Chaplain Scott Urban ’15 Huntsville, Ala. Historian Charlie Schott ’16 St. Louis, Mo.
Successful Parents’ Weekend
This semester, we greatly improved our scholarship plan by implementing more stringent requirements and standards for all members to be able to enjoy the privileges earned as Omicron members. Scholarship Chairman Tanner Sheffield ’16 implemented a required study hall period last fall for Brothers who needed to improve their grades. This program has not be taken lightly, and it has reflected in our grades as we achieved a 3.17 GPA during the fall semester.
We hosted our annual Parents’ Weekend March 23-25, for which we rented the Bear Trap, a local Tuscaloosa bar, where we enjoyed live music and the company of our families. We also hosted a casino night at the Chapter House where more than $300 was donated to the Miracle League of Tuscaloosa. We ended the weekend with a brunch at the Chapter House, catered by Southern Ale House. Dean of Students Dr. Tim Hebson was in attendance as our guest speaker. We had an excellent turnout and enjoyed a great weekend with our families.
Giving Back
High Hopes for Recruitment
Improvements to Scholarship Plan
Chapter officers along with Omicron standards, risk management, and philanthropy chairmen at Pi Kappa Phi’s Mid-Year Leadership Conference in January.
Alpha Gamma’s chaplain to start a Greek-wide bible study. Our Chapter band, Sunday Night Special, has continued to play in bars around Tuscaloosa, and in December, we had a Christmas party with Housemother Linda Crawford.
Our continuation of philanthropic initiatives and community service has been emphasized this spring, and we have worked diligently to ensure participation from all Brothers. This February, we teamed up with Phi Delta Theta, Alpha Chi Omega, and Kappa Delta for the Dog Days philanthropic event, which befitted the Tuscaloosa Metro Animal Shelter. In March, we hosted the Arts ’n Autism Boy Scout Troop, where the scouts held an awards ceremony, played games, and shared lunch with our members. Philanthropy Chairman Nico Prendes ’16 is working on a Battle of the Bands event in order to raise money for the Ability Experience, which enhances the quality of life for people with disabilities. Several fraternity bands have expressed interest, and we plan on hosting this event in the fall.
Outside Initiatives
Several Brothers participated in our Student Government Association presidential election, and Chaplain Scott Urban ’15 has partnered with
Recruitment during the fall and spring semesters has been successful for Omicron. We held a number of great events at the Chapter House that pledges continue to enjoy. We already have a good number of young men in the fall 2018 pledge class and have an extensive list of potential pledges on our radar. We thank those who volunteered their time during recruitment, and if you have any questions or recommendations, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Always Grateful
We thank all Omicron alumni who continue to contribute to our beloved fraternity. Without your continued support, our Chapter would not be as successful. We thank you for passing down Omicron’s tradition and invite you to stop by the Chapter House to meet the young men following in your footsteps. Fraternally, Fran Pecci ’15, Archon (631) 741-9545 fapeccisaavedra@crimson.ua.edu
Alumni Update Chapter Eternal Douglas Hester ’45 passed away on March 29 following a lengthy battle with vascular dementia. Following his honorable discharge from the U.S. Army and return to the university, Douglas went on to receive his bachelor of science degree in 1950 and his bachelor of law in 1952. He was a member of the Alabama Bar Association, the District of Columbia Bar Association, and the Supreme Court Bar. Douglas is survived by his wife of 58 years, Melissa; daughter, Carlotta; son, Benjamin; niece, Angela Montgomery; nephew, Kirby Montgomery; and several cousins. He was a brilliant man and will be missed. William “Bill” C. Taylor ’55 passed away on December 13, 2017. He graduated from the UA in 1958 with a bachelor of science degree in commerce and business administration and served in the Alabama National Guard. In 1968, he returned to Birmingham and formed Tasaco, Inc., from which he retired in 1998. Bill is survived by wife of 59 years, Lois; son, Michael; grandsons, William and Jacob; niece, Susan; nephews, Joseph and John; and eight great-nieces and great-nephews. Stephen “Steve” L. Smith Sr. ’74 passed away on January 10. He began his career in his grandfather’s heating and air conditioning business in high school, which eventually led him to a career in electrical supply sales. He was active in the Jaycees and involved with Pi Kappa Phi, where he served as regional governor. Steve is survived by his wife of 42 years, Carole; son, Stephen; daughter, Leigh; granddaughter, Ansley; brothers, Haynes and Randall; and nephew, Rob. Alumni News Charles K. Wood ’62 lives in Huntsville, Ala., with his wife, Sylvia. He plans to retire in 2019 as owner of Physitron, which provides engineering services to the Huntsville community and beyond. He is proud of his grandson, Garrett Wood ’14, for continuing the Pi Kappa Phi legacy at UA. E-mail: wood@physitron.com Erwin Heblon ’70 completed his studies in data science at the University of South Florida in 2017. He serves as an information technology architect for Jabil Inc. in St. Petersburg on the enterprise data management team. Erwin lives in Tampa, Fla., with his wife, Stephanie. Dawson A. McQuaig Jr. ’81 teaches world and American history at a high school in Jacksonville, Fla., where he is also the interim pastor at Riverside Baptist. He has three grandchildren who live in New Orleans, and he enjoys traveling back when he can to watch Alabama football. E-mail: mcquaig11@gmail.com
OMICRONICLE PI KAPPA PHI P.O. Box 1880 Tuscaloosa, AL 35403 Address Service Requested
ATTENTION: This newsletter is intended for alumni and parents. If your son is still attending the University of Alabama, he will receive a copy at the Chapter House. If he has graduated, please mail us his new address to help update our records. Thank you.
Alumni and their significant others met throughout the fall semester to watch UA’s Crimson Tide and celebrate the Omicron brotherhood.
Paul T. Osborne Jr. ’12 is working as a content specialist/public adjuster at WorldClaim Global Claims Management. He said Nick Brubaker ’07 helped him get his job, and since August 2017, Nick has been his boss. Paul lives in Woodstock, Ga.