Omega - Spring 2008

THE • PI • KAPPA • PHI • FRATERNITY

Omegalite MARCH 2008

PURDUE UNIVERSITY

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@insightbb. com STEVE BOHNER TREASURER 194 Twin Springs Ct. Carmel, IN 46234 317/846-3008, home 317/844-2250, work 317/844-2296, fax steve@langdonan 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@purdue exponent.org

Steve Holtsclaw holds the Wayne C. Colvin Award signifying his selection as the top undergraduate Greek leader in the nation.

Archon wins leadership award An Omega chapter member and former IFC president was named the top undergraduate Greek leader in the nation at a conference in February.

Steve Holtsclaw (Omega No. 1666) was named the recipient of the Wayne C. Colvin Award as someone “who exceeds the Greek standard of excellence” at the MidAmerican Greek Council Association convention.

Holtsclaw who is graduating in May with a degree in management, was nominated for the award by Kyle Pendleton, assistant dean of students at Purdue.

“It truly has been an honor to advise Steve over the past two years,”

Pendleton wrote in his nomination form. “I can honestly say I am a better fraternity and sorority professional and fraternity man because of my interactions with him. He is, without a doubt, the most remarkable student leader I have had the pleasure to work with” in 13 years of advising.

Pendleton wrote that one of Holtsclaw’s major accomplishments as the 2007 IFC president was bringing together the four Purdue Greek councils – Interfraternity, Panhellenic, National PanHellenic (traditionally black organizations) and Multicultural Greek – under one umbrella.

“Steve was adamant

that IFC and Panhellenic become inclusive in all their initiatives and programming areas,” Pendleton wrote.

“He not only made the fraternity and sorority community better during his tenure, he made everyone he worked with a better leader, student, administrator and community member.”

Holtsclaw’s nomination was accompanied by 18 reference letters of support. The letters were from a variety of student and non-student, campus and off-campus leaders. It included the Purdue Police chief, a former executive director of another national fraternity, former IFC Continued on Page 2

OMEGALITE

Almanac DIED: 486 Stanley L. Spaulding 4/7/07 BIRTHS: 11/8/07 Donald Luke Porth Parents: Michelle and Don Porth

Donald Porth senior and junior

Continued from Page 1

officers and various Purdue program coordinators.

His successor as IFC president, Sam Utley, credited Holtsclaw’s tenacity and ingenuity as qualifiers for the award.

“Steve partnered with the North American Interfraternity Conference and the U.S. Department of Education to prepare a strategic plan tackling the issue of alcohol and recruitment, becoming the first school to do so,” Utley wrote in his letter. “This improved the safety of all students on campus, not just the members of fraternities and sororities.”

Pablo Malavenda, associate dean of students at Purdue, was another letter writer who lauded Holtsclaw’s leadership.

“Steve’s personal commitment to lead the way toward positive change, his focus on the needs of others and his compassion for all people has become contagious,” Malavenda wrote.

MARCH 2008 (Omega 1180), Seattle, WA.

PURDUE UNIVERSITY

12/12/07 Benjamin Luke Perschon Parents: Rob (Omega 1463) and

Kate Pershcon.

On Nov. 6, 2007, Ben’s older brother, 2-year old Drew, was diagnosed with neuroblastoma, which is an aggressive, rare cancer. He is being treated at Chicago’s Children’s Hospital. Drew is being treated with chemotherapy and eventually will receive his own stem cell transplants. Those wishing to follow Drew’s progress can do so at: www.caringbridge.org/visit/drewperschon with a password of drewperschon.

Jane Petkovich

Drew and Benjamin Perschon

“In my 20 years working as a professional with fraternities and sororities, I cannot remember a more effective, mature and courageous leader than Steve.”

In his letter, the 2007-08 student body president Eric Van Houten, who is not Greek, praised Holtsclaw’s work on campus.

“To understand the definition of commitment and service to a larger cause, one only needs to talk with Steve Holtsclaw,” Van Houten wrote.

Of particular note are support letters from those outside Purdue.

“He was focused on the big picture and was instrumental in the birth of an idea to create a quantitative standards program for all of the Greek chapters of the Big Ten that combined elements from existing programs,” Nat Sheppard, IFC president at Ohio State wrote.

Lori Hart Ebert, director of alcohol education for the Pi Kappa Phi national fraternity, was also impressed with her interaction with

Holtsclaw.

“Steve is one of those rare leaders who understands what it means to lead with integrity while sticking to his values,” she wrote.

Dave Westol, former executive director of Theta Chi International and now a consultant, worked with Holtsclaw at various Greek conferences. Westol knows the person for whom the award is named.

“I know Wayne is a ‘stand-up guy,’ ” Westol wrote. “Steven Holtsclaw is also a stand-up guy.

He was, and is, willing to tackle tough, uncomfortable (risk management) issues through candid discussion and leadership.

“A quote attributed to Albus Dumbedore from the ‘Harry Potter’ series of books is: ‘It takes a great deal of courage to stand up to your enemies, but a great deal more to stand up to your friends.’ That is needed quality one finds in leaders, and that reflects what Steven Holtsclaw has accomplished at Purdue.”

11/6/07 Heidi Frances Ward Parents: Katie and Gene Ward (Omega 1412), Crown Point, IN 1/12/08 Jane Elizabeth Petkovich Parents: Katie and Matt Petkovich (Omega1489), Schaumburg, IL

OMEGALITE

MARCH 2008

PURDUE UNIVERSITY

Omega hails oldest, most recent Pi Kapp Scholars Although separated by nearly eight decades, two Omega brothers know the key to being named a Pi Kapp Scholar – a good academic work ethic.

The Pi Kapp Scholars program is the second oldest tradition within the national fraternity – second to the Ritual of Initiation. Alumnus Gus Riggs (Omega No. 89) was in the first year of award winners in 1927-28 and Josh Stolarz (Omega No. 1643) won in the 2007-08 group. The scholarship, now valued at $1,000 per student, recognizes academic achievement and leadership potential and is awarded by the Pi Kappa Phi Foundation.

“I was pleased to be selected, for sure,” said Riggs, who worked ofr 45 years for a General Motors divisions in engineering. “Purdue was a lot of hard work so I did a lot of studying and was active in various programs and offices on campus.

“So, though my work with the fraternity, this was another thing that I thought I had earned.”

Riggs, 98 years old, annually supports both the Pi Kappa Phi Foundation and the Omega chapter with donations.

“I’m a contributor to about 25 different organizations,” he said.

“There are so many places to put money. I try to give back to what has been given to me. Scholastic achievement is one worthy thing that everyone should consider. I would recommend that someone interested in giving money to consider that alternative.”

Since 1927, the Foundation has named 536 Pi Kapp Scholars – and the Omega chapter has had the most award winners all-time with 21. In fact, the Omega chapter had the first award winner, the late William Pritchard (Omega No. 77) in 1927.

Stolarz, who graduated in December 2007, also values the award.

“Winning the Pi Kapp Scholars Award is a tremendous award that for me epitomizes all the work that I have accomplished during my experience both as a student of Purdue University and a brother of Pi Kappa Phi. “Being a part of a line of proud Pi Kapp Scholars certainly adds to the significance of the award. And, above all, I am proud that I am able to carry on and add to the Omega tradition in representing our chapter for high scholastic honors and campus leadership.”

Stolarz graduated with a cumulative 3.98 GPA in management. He works for the Indianapolis office of KPMG, which is an international professional firm providing audit, tax and advisory services. He is also pursuing a CPA. While an undergraduate, Stolarz served as treasurer and Push chairman. He was also a finalist for the 2006 Homecoming Court.

Riggs, however, was nostalgic, recalling his award from 80 years ago.

“The fraternity was an education itself,” he said. “In your profession-

OMEGA PI KAPP SCHOLAR WINNERS CHAPTER MEMBER YEAR William Pritchard 1927 Herman Riggs 1928 George Fortune 1932 William Caterall 1939 Robert Munro 1939 John Oswalt 1941 Frank Branner 1941 Thomas Adamson 1948 William Sanders 1954 Duane Davis 1954 Charles Wise 1954 Edwin Henry 1956 David Martin 1960 Pikard Hill 1970 David Gorton 1974 Seth Wolins 1983 Ira Lieberman 1984 David Ebling 1988 Eric Scheld 1989 Adam Carroll 1994 Joshua Stolarz 2007 al careers, you are taught to be sensitive to others’ needs and how to get along with people. The fraternity helped me get started in that.

That is why I felt an obligation to the fraternity even 80 years later.

“When I joined Pi Kappa Phi, it helped me tremendously.”

Stolarz agreed.

“Pi Kappa Phi has had a profound impact in helping me develop keen interpersonal skills, such as communication, as well as knowing how to effectively work with an array of different personality styles.”

Pi Kappa Phi sings

Limited number of directories remain

Due to the generosity of James Jackson (Omega 506), we have several CD copies of “Pi Kappa Phi Sings.” Jackson copied songs from a 1957 vinyl record by the same name. Cost is $10 each.

Send payments to our PO Box and memo it “Pi Kappa Phi Sings.”

Copies of the 2007 alumni directory are available for mailout.

There are a limited number of copies of the 58-page directory that were handed out at the June anniversary and were updated for the October homcoming. Alumni who wish a copy may obtain one

by contacting chapter advisor Pat Kuhnle (his contact information is on the front page of the Omegalite).

The Omega of Pi Kappa Phi, Inc., housing corporation updates the alumni directory every five years.

OMEGALITE

MARCH 2008

PURDUE UNIVERSITY

Chapter continues strong campus presence The strength of the chapter may be at its all-time best in terms of membership, campus involvement, philanthropic efforts, leadership as well as athletic and academic achievement.

With the addition of the spring pledge class, our undergraduate membership stands at 105. That ranks Pi Kappa Phi No. eighth out of 39 Purdue fraternities.

Last fall, we had 65 members living in house, which represents the most in 20 years.

Chapter members were involved in 173 campus organizations in the fall. Members ranked 13th in grades with a 2.872 GPA. Seven members had a 4.0, a total of 25 members received semester honors and 45 were at a 3.0 or higher.

Individually, the chapter had the 2007 IFC president (Steve Holtsclaw), 2007 IFC Director of Academics (Joe Schaefer), 2008 IFC VP-Operations (Jim Miller), 2008 IFC Director of Publications (Ryan Nugent), 2007-08 Pi Kapp Scholar (Josh Stolarz), and the 2007 Junior Greek Scholar (Phil Sharon) among others. For six straight years, the Omega chapter has been on the IFC Executive Council.

The chapter’s commitment to service remains strong. In 2006-07, the chapter raised $7,500 for Push America. Because of that success, the chapter was able to partner with a local agency assisting those with disabilities, Wabash Center, and contribute $2,300 to assist its programming. Last fall marked the third consecutive semester the chapter coordinated a Push AccessABILITY project locally by building wheelchair ramps for members of the local community. In the fall, the chapter continued its Pi Kapp-Alpha Phi Greek Golf Open. In March, the chapter will conduct a week-long empathy week called War of the Roses.

For the second consecutive year,

the chapter finished second in Greek intramural athletics.

Chapter members won Ultimate Frisbee and badminton while finishing second in team flag football.

We had four No. 1-seeds in team playoffs, had six individual intramural champions in addition to six team and seven individual titles last spring.

In addition to the major leadership positions listed above, the chapter has the president of Order of Omega (Greek leadership society), members of the Old Masters Central Committee, Mortar Board (national senior honor society), Purdue Student Publishing Foundation (board that owns The Purdue Exponent), College Mentors for Kids, Gamma Sigma Alpha (Greek honor society) and Boiler Gold Rush (freshman orientation program).

The theme for the spring semester is “Plan for the Future.”

Although the chapter has seen a 25 percent increase in membership,

created new programming and member development initiatives in the last three years, we need to focus on where we want to be long term. A strategic planning retreat was held this spring to help focus our efforts in the next five years.

The chapter, working alongside the housing corporation, was able to do major improvements to the chapter house in 2007. The projects included adding air conditioning on the first floor, retile the basement floors, renovate bathrooms, install outside benches and a permanent grill. The chapter with money raised in recent Mom’s Days was able to install two 52-inch, high definition televisions in the Great Hall that have satellite hookup.

The chapter members thank alumni and volunteers for their financial and advisory support and look forward to continued assistance in the future.

– Steve Holtsclaw, Spring 2008, and Phil Sharon, Fall 2007, archons

The southwest corner of the chapter property is now graced by a limestone and metal grill as well as two permanent benches. The grill and benches material and construction were dontated by Mike Vasil, father of an undergraduate chapter member.

OMEGALITE

MARCH 2008

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PURDUE UNIVERSITY

Anniversary giving continues through early ’08 Alumni donations on behalf of the chapter’s 85th anniversary will continue through June 2008.

Gifts during 2007, which are reported on this page, were nearly $17,000, with the majority of those gifts being non-designated.

As indicated in the enclosed flier, we are seeking donations for some defined needs – Past, Present and Future.

We also are accepting non-designated gifts that can be assigned to our ongoing needs, including the Omegalite publication (printing and mailing costs for the newsletter and directories), costs related to homecoming, and chapter improvements. [Printing costs related to the Omegalite, the 85th anniversary directory and mailing costs were $5,099.28 in 2007.]

• The Past helps reduce the mortgage on the property that stands at $215,003 as of Dec. 31 (the three-year adjustable rate is 7.875 percent and the mortgage is set to expire on 2016). A total of $3,470 was donated and applied to the principal.

• The Present helps support chapter improvement projects, such as the $15,000 fund-raising effort to air condition the first floor; $3,100 was donated last year to this cause.

• The Future represents donations to the Omega Chapter Investment Fund (CIF), an account for educational purposes, held by the national organization’s Pi Kappa Phi Foundation; $3,527 has thus far been earmarked for this effort.

There has been $9,575 in unrestricted gifts as part of the campaign.

Please consider giving, or adding to your previous gift, to one of the above funds. Donations for The Past or The Present should be payable to “Omega of Pi Kappa Phi.” Payments to The Future should be payable to “Pi Kappa Phi

85 ⌸⌲⌽

1922

2007

Foundation.” All financial support should be sent to: Omega of Pi Kappa Phi; PO Box 2700; West Lafayette, IN 47996.

Please refer any questions you have to chapter advisor Pat Kuhnle. His contact information is on the front page of this Omegalite.

The following people have financially supported the 85th Anniversary Campaign or through other non-designated gifts.

2007 alumni giving

263 282 425 435 448 490 509 520 540 566 589 632 672 720 736 759 852 858 1251 1258 1272 1278 1283 1312 1367 1415 1517

“THE PAST” $3,470 mortgage reduction Rolund De Hoog Edward Masline Ted Michaud Tom Hahn W. Kelley Carr David Peggs Duane Davis Al Kirchner William Hounsnell Robert Hall Gordon Shaw Mike O’Reilly Ron Lema Warren Cline John Anglin Bob Harvey Tim Tubergen Bernard Platt Dan Coppersmith Tim Smith Todd Spaulding Jacob Rohleder Jeff Rollo Brent Peacock Matt Bouma Rob Curtis Brad Eckerle

1457 Peter Todd 1480 Brian Huseman 1488 Brent Wunderlich 1517 Brad Eckerle 1542 Matt Maczka 1591 Brandon Delia 1625 Robbie Pels Psi 436 Bill Newell “The Present” $3,100 chapter improvements/AC 418 JT Wolfenden 436 Richard Lowe 464 Robert Rust 509 Duane Davis 530 Christos Ziogas 634 David Davis 672 Ron Lema 736 John Anglin 835 David Lane 852 Tim Tubergen 956 Larry Metzler 970 David Sterenfeld 1176 Doug Davis 1180 Don Porth 1251 Dan Coppersmith 1272 Todd Spaulding 1281 John Bowling 1367 Matt Bouma 1384 Ryan Davis 1408 Jeff Babich 1437 Jayson Munoz 1457 Peter Todd 1488 Brent Wunderlich 1591 Brandon Delia 1599 Tim Kamerud 1659 Brian Heiwig “THE FUTURE” $3,527 Omega CIF account 385 R. William Macbeth 418 JT Wolfenden 436 Richard Lowe 547 Joseph Crowe 552 David Griffiths 612 Michael Kerr 621 Hugh Flanagan 951 Jay Seeger 1197 Pat Kuhnle 1461 Kevin Johnson 1506 Phil Leslie Psi 436 Bill Newell

OMEGALITE

89 197 224 263 295 308 325 436 449 464 506 528 534 571 584 604 621 630 634 636 722 724 727 740 769 785 827 819 835 852 853 857 911 1030 1031 1077

Undesignated Gifts $9,575 Herman Gus Riggs Ed Thomson Charles Hoffman Rolund De Hoog William Swager Guy Overman Grafton Houston Richard Lowe Jack Powers Robert Rust James Jackson Larry Hines Phillip McCarthy John Weaver Robert Roth Anthony Terlep Hugh Flanagan Ronald Eyer David Davis Fred Lyijnen Jack Berlien Mike Ohaver David R. Davis John McDonald Jay Hackleman Jim Seeds Phil Newhouse Jim Berlien David Lane Kim Tubergen Mike Tyrrell Mark Wilson William Peace Lars Kneller Mark Higgins Steve Bohner

MARCH 2008 1168 1179 1191 1197 1243 1258 1277 1279 1286 1292 1298 1436 1437 1459 1519 1597

Matt Stuve Carl Gerlach Steve Noth Pat Kuhnle Kirk Felbinger Tim Smith Pat Lyons Jae Sparks Mike Porter Scot Swenberg Scott Kryder Tom Bentley Jayson Munoz Nate Damasius Pat Schweigel Sean Cowley OTHER (INCLUDING OMEGALITE SUPPORT) 89 Gus Riggs 224 Charles Hoffman 385 R. William Macbeth 509 Duane Davis 520 Al Kirchner 572 Bill Hokanson 588 Hilton Henry 613 Donald Katter 672 Ron Lema 722 Jack Berlien 727 David R. Davis 852 Kim Tubergen 956 Larry Metzler 1251 Dan Coppersmith 1272 Todd Spaulding 1415 Rob Curtis 1457 Peter Todd 1488 Brent Wunderlich

2007 Homecoming attendees 552 722 740 871 925 947 951 956 835 857 1077 1197 1125 1185 1208

David Griffiths Jack Berlien John McDonald Jim Metzler Chuck Keever Mark DeFabis Greg Linder Larry Metzler David Lane Mark Wilson Steve Bohner Pat Kuhnle Mike Chereskin Jeff Benesh Manish Gandhi

1265 1356 1368 1404 1417 1550 1554 1563 1571 1589 1598 1595 1600 1603 1605

Bryan Williams Jon Kimpel Chad Carmichael Jim Thompson Craig Bohbrink Westin Rink Justin Hubbert Kevin Jant Ian Koehler Jason Bowen Philip Jones Shaun Gilday Chester Potvin Eric Dodds Chad Morton

PURDUE UNIVERSITY

Alumni re-elect officers A total of 39 ballots were received in the annual election of officers for the Omega of Pi Kappa Phi, Inc., housing corporation.

The slate of Jay Seeger (Omega No. 897) for president, Brandt Hershman (1196) for vice president, Steve Bohner (1077) for treasurer and Pat Kuhnle (1197) for secretary, were unanimously approved.

The housing corporation meets twice each semester with the undergraduate officers at the chapter house. It acts as the landlord for the chapter house, the alumni relations liasion and as an advisory board to the chapter leadership. Any alumnus in good standing may attend the meetings and are eligible for officer election.

Contact Kuhnle if you want to be part of this group or receive meeting notices and minutes (his contact information is on the front page of the Omegaliate).

Beyond the officers, alumni who regularly attend meetings include: Jerry Budd (1509), Mike Ohaver (724) and Dustin Zufall (1443).

1609 Eric Hartsock 1621 Jason Schutz 1622 David Ring 1641 Mike Wilkins 1659 Brian Heiwig 1698 Mike Holtsclaw Beta Theta Kevin Erikson

2008 Homecoming The 2008 Homecoming game has been set for Oct. 25, Purdue vs. Minnesota. Gametime and ticket prices will not be set until later this spring. Please note the date of the event.