The Omicronicle | Fall 2014 by Pi Kappa Phi

OMICRONICLE Omicron Chapter of Pi Kappa Phi H University of Alabama H Fall 2014

OUR EXTRAORDINARY FRATERNITY HOUSE STILL REQUIRES YOUR FINANCIAL SUPPORT

$350,000 Needed to Reach $2 Million Goal

he dramatic impression created upon entering our new fraternity house cannot be overstated. The bronze great seal, marble staircase, and towering marble mantle with fraternity crest would be appropriate for a five-star hotel. Fifty years ago we chose to cut back on construction and furnishings in order to complete the house. We had a lot of work to do over the next several years. We learned from that mistake because it was more expensive to do it later. This time, we did it right the first time! We still need $350,000 to meet our $2 million goal. Increasing our percentage of alumni participants should ensure success. Typical Alabama campaigns have a participation rate of 25%, with the highest being about 50%. Our current alumni participation is 16%. We hope the class competition fills the gap. We are surprised to be lagging behind in alumni participation. Any pledge is 100% tax deductible and can be spread over five years, enabling everybody to participate at some level (e.g., $50 for five years equals $250).

At this point in the campaign we need every brother to do two simple things: 1. Pledge an amount, no matter how small. 2. Contact your pledge brothers to urge their participation—at any level. David Adams ’89 is spearheading our initiation class competition for naming rights and he will be glad to provide details, advise where your class stands, and get you involved. We still need everybody’s help. Please be part of the legacy we are leaving to Omicron! Fraternally, Emmett Dendy ’46 Honorary Campaign Chairman Steve Trimmier ’63 Campaign Committee Chairman

Donate Online uapikappaphi .com

Our Band Room Could Be Named after Your Initiation Class!

Join the Challenge

he band room is one of the most important rooms in our Chapter House and always has been. Each of us has unique memories of the parties, the good times, and the not so good times within those walls. We sang/shouted our motto, danced to Johnny B. Goode, and even slid through the foam (ask a younger brother).

The brothers christened our new band room with a Thomas Rhett concert, quickly establishing our house as the place on campus. Not only is it the largest on campus (3,100 square feet), but it has restrooms, lockers, a stage and a state-of-the-art sound and light system. It is attached to the house but opens to the enclosed courtyard. (Continued on page 3)

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Thank You, Loyal Brothers, for Committing $1,649,529

e are deeply grateful to the following Pi Kappa Phi Brothers for committing $1,649,529 to the Building for the Next 100 Years campaign. These Brothers recognize the importance of ensuring the future of the Omicron Chapter and have demonstrated a sense of gratitude for their personal experience by making an investment in the future of Pi Kappa Phi at the University of Alabama. Commitments are still needed from the rest of our alumni to achieve our goal and complete this major project. All donors contributing a minimum of $2,500, over a five-year period, will be recognized on a plaque prominently displayed in the Chapter House. All donors will be recognized in our publications. If an error has been made in recording your gift, or your name has been mistakenly omitted or listed improperly, we sincerely apologize. Please advise our campaign coordinator by calling (785) 843-1661 so that we may make a correction. Founder’s Circle ($200,000 and above) In honor of Emmett O. Dendy ’46 C. Steve Trimmier Jr. ’63 William J. Barton Jr. ’68 Centennial Circle ($100,000 to $149,999) Anonymous Crossed Swords Circle ($50,000 to $99,999) Omicron Chapter of Kappa Phi Roman Shaul ’92 Steve Miller ’93 JD’s Grocery & Package Store Cicatiello Family Gift Black Diamond Society ($25,000 to $49,999) Emmert O. Dendy ’46 Joe C. Cassady ’47 Gene Cartledge ’48 Warren D. DeBardelaben Jr. ’56 Paul Wesch ’75 Gregory Richard ’81 Warren D. DeBardelaben III ’82 Randy Cimorelli ’83 Smith Family Gift John A. Smith ’85 Ron A. Smith ’85 John A. Greaves Jr. ’88 In honor of Kendrick Reaves ’87 Coby Orr ’89 In honor of his father, Coleman Orr Richard M. Faust ’91 Red Rose Society ($15,000 to $24,999) Bridgeport South Realty Advisors, Inc. A.J. “Lonnie” Strickland III ’70 Robert A. Argo III ’72 William T. Bishop Jr. ’74 Nathan Hightower ’75

Cengiz “Jim” Kilic, M.D. ’77 In memory of Jeffrey Michael Kilic and David Tansan Kilic Skip Steed III ’77 Felix D. Fudge ’81 David DeBardelaben ’84 David J. Sharpe ’84 Jeffrey D. Wiggins ’85 Bradley N. Ray ’90

Tim Russell ’68 In honor of Kevin Russell ’95 and Kenton Russell ’95 R. Waid Thompson ’69 Edwin V. Caldwell II ’74 In honor of Harry ’72, Bob ’72, and Bill Caldwell ’76 Michael D. Snow ’74 Jack E. Brunson ’75 Omicron Society James A. Robertson ’75 ($10,000 to $14,999) Champ Bowling ’76 Anonymous In memory of Darryl Robinson, Frank Fleming ’76 and Alpha Eta ’87 Al Ware ’76 George E. Aiken Jr. ’47 Thomas J. House ’75 James P. Phillips ’52 James G. Madison III ’76 Dr. John E. Bennett ’63 William L. Brunson Jr. ’77 Clarence “Whit” Callahan ’64 Sid Trant ’80 William M. Schroeder ’64 Ladson F. Montgomery ’81 James M. Brown Jr. ’68 Stewart Powell ’81 Harrington Family Gift William Hampton Michael Harrington ’75 Singleton ’82 Christopher Harrington ’07 Daniel E. Beggs ’84 David L. Hinton ’75 Seth Chapman ’84 C. Brightman Skinner Jr. ’76 R. Stan Woodson ’84 Dr. J. Noble Anderson Jr. ’81 Mark A. McBride ’87 Malcolm Clynt Parrish ’82 Scott Hannon ’89 Patrick W. Cogburn ’83 Mark Gelman ’90 George V. Weston III ’83 Stan Snipes ’90 DuffyThaxton ’85 Chris Helgoth ’91 Gerald Jowers II ’90 Brian Hydrick ’91 Brian Hubbard ’92 White & Gold Club Bryan D. Edwards ’93 ($5,000 to $9,999) Thomas M. Hidell Jr. ’93 S.W. Jackson Jr. ’45 R. Ray Nettles, M.D. ’93 James W. Jackson ’48 Cory Blake Edwards ’94 James I. Owens ’52 In memory of William C. Taylor ’55 Alex H. Crotwell ’95 In memory of Daniel J. Weber ’95 Robert Jeffares ’54 W. Jason Whatley ’97 Robert M. Wilson Jr. ’57 In memory of John A. Elsevier ’63 Clayton White Wayne P. Turner ’63 Nick O. Wilmott ’97 Larry J. Contri ’64 Jerry R. Truitt ’64 1917 Club William M. Westbrook Jr. ’64 ($2,500 to $4,999) H.C. Bounds Jr. ’65 Robert L. Bowers Sr. ’47 Richard S. Taylor ’65 Robert L. Shepherd ’53 Thomas E. Norton Jr. ’67 In memory of Laurence D. Vinson Jr. ’67 Curtis Wright Barry N. McCrary ’58 Tom B. Vaughan Jr. ’60

Campaign Status At-a-Glance As of October 24, 2014 Goal: $2 Million

Total Committed: $1,649,529

Number of Contributors: 241 16% Participation

Robert Frederick Inman ’62 In honor of Emmett Dendy ’46 Hon. Thomas P. Stowe Jr. ’62 In memory of Jack Pate ’60 Justice Terry Lucas Butts ’63 In honor of Kells C. Carroll III ’91 Clinton E. Clark Jr. ’64 Ruben R. Montiel III ’64 Harvey Pesnell ’65 R. Glenn Eubanks ’68 Barry J. Brock ’72 Ray H. McLaughlin, DMD ’73 T. Brooks Henderson ’75 Leon B. Newman ’76 Mark F. Jacobs ’79 In honor of Landry Jacobs ’12 Lester Nelson III ’80 Dr. Harvey A. Sikes ’80 In memory of Mr. L. Don Norton John C. Boggan Jr. ’81 Keith D. Obert ’83 Mark D. Stenmark ’84 Mark T. Cotton ’85 James “Blue” Morrow ’85 John “J.B.” Blevins ’86 Steve Eaves ’86 J. Noel King ’86 Brian C. Neill ’86 Bryan Prewitt ’86 Thomas S. Sawyer ’86 Kendrick W. Reaves ’87 Jeffrey M. Cull ’88 Benjamin W. Dooley ’88 Chuck Eaton ’88 Drew Outzen ’88 In honor of Andrew H. Outzen Jr.

Stephen G. Smith ’88 David R. Adams ’89 Daniel E. DiGuglielmo ’89 Christian Duhaime ’89 John Humphreys ’89 Thomas L. Joy ’89 Russell G. Hanley Jr. ’90 Daniel DeChellis ’91 Matthew P. Daley ’92 D. Brian O’Dell ’92 Charles D. Stinson ’93 Brandon S. Minor ’94 Tom Borton IV ’95 In memory of Alex Crotwell ’95 R. Clint Brown ’95 Brian D. Jennette ’95 C. Matt McNeese ’95 In memory of Alex H. Crotwell ’95 John W. Pfaudler Jr. ’95 In memory of Alex H. Crotwell ’95 David H. Richardson ’97 D. Todd Spivey ’97 Thomas Grimsley Jr. ’98 Andrew J. Milazzo ’02 David M. Wise ’02 Joseph B. McComick ’03 Tyler M. Chapman ’05 Matt Wisda ’05 In memory of Preston Parish ’05 Robert Hollingsworth ’07 Michael R. Foxhall ’08 In honor of Jake Peterson ’08 David A. Fowler Jr. ’10 Dash Zahringer ’11

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Brotherhood Club ($1,000 to $2,499) Mack Matthews ’49 Albert E. Ritchey ’51 Jack M. Blasius ’52 In honor of W. H. Pate James “Wayne” Parker ’54 Paul C. Morrow ’56 Ronald W. Case, M.D. ’57 J. Michael Clark ’57 Paul T. Smith ’68 Linda & Travis Julian ’70 Cary J. Payne ’70 James L. May III ’71 Robert L. Kurtts ’72 Anonymous In memory of S. Frank Fleming ’76 Charlie W. Fleming Jr. ’73 Joe R. Hobby ’73 Mark E. Spear ’73 James “Ernie” Blair ’75 Robert L. Bowers Jr. ’75 Lee M. Davis ’76 David W. McGill ’77 E. Franklin Woodson Jr. ’77 Richard R. Bowling ’78 Steve K. Smith ’83 Mark Chapman ’88 Matthew J. Singleton ’88 Jefferson Fuel Sournce, LLC Jim Fortner ’60 Joey Fortner ’89 Michael K. Innes ’89 In honor of David Adams ’89 Bryan McCullick ’89 Andrew D. Burke ’90 Ward Smallwood ’91 Ryan D. German ’92 Jonathan H. Day ’95 Charles F. Felgner Jr. ’96 Christopher A. Kirby ’96 Matthew W. McGee ’97 Thomas Matthew Jones ’98 Wesley A. Prater ’98 Chase Allen ’99 In honor of Linda Crawford, “Mrs. C” Benjamin K. Hinton, M.D. ’03 Dennis B. Hinton ’03 W. Ross Hoyle ’04 Daniel L. Hinton ’06 G. Blake Temple ’08 Others (Up to $999) Anonymous Dr. Lena Tate Hall Kreisler Family Gift Holly Kreisler Preston Kreisler ’12 Timothy McKechnie In honor of Mason McKechnie

Dr. Philip Neely Serena Neely Rick Payne Irene C. Perkins In memory of Robert H. Perkins Sr. ’53 Nancy Golson Smith, Tri‑Delta ’57 In memory of Joe Smith ’51 Mike Trull Wade Walker Jane Chalker Wells In memory of Buren E. Wells ’45 Jules L. Davis ’44 In honor of David Dorsey Family Maclin S. Kennemer Jr. ’46 Grady B. Williams ’46 J. Benton White ’50 Dr. William J. DuBose ’51 Peggy Bartlett In memory of B.J. Bartlett ’54 Col. B. Kim McDonald Jr. ’57 Robert B. Phillips ’57 Charles L. Groover ’60 Richard A. Kilgore, Sr. ’61 Robert L. Grimes ’64 Ed Kerr ’64 James C. Baldone Jr. ’65 Lamar C. Kelly Jr. ’65 John D. Rees ’65 William J. Kittrell ’66 William W. Bright ’68 Marvin D. Hall ’68 Wynn L. Ryan ’71 Daniel C. Lemley ’73 William O. Adams ’74 James H. White Jr. ’74 William C. Caldwell ’76 In honor of Harry ’72, Ed ’74, and Bob Caldwell ’76 Levi M. Crumpton III ’76 Jack L. Gaines II ’82 David W. May ’86 William O. Hilburn IV ’88 Dale D. Whitehead ’90 Tom Wilson ’96 In memory of Alex Crotwell ’95 Darren D. Lovich ’98 Nicholas Hensler ’12 Ryan DeBardelaben ’13

Our Band Room Could Be Named after Your Initiation Class! (Continued from page 1)

The Omicron Club wants to jumpstart the class competition by offering naming rights to this unique facility. The initiation class pledging the largest amount will be honored for its efforts. A large bronze plaque with each donor’s name and nickname will be permanently displayed in our new band room. This is a truly unique opportunity. Future brothers will see your name, wonder exactly how you got that nickname, and know that you helped make their Pi Kappa Phi experience possible. Competition Requirements 1. Pledges previously used for naming rights cannot be used for the initiation class challenge. 2. Pledges are calculated by initiation year. For example the fall 1978 pledge class (initiated in January 1979) is combined with the 1979 spring pledge class. 3. The winning initiation class pledge amount must exceed $120,000. The class currently in the lead is 1985 with $55,000 raised. Get your contemporaries focused on this challenge! Our fundraising consultant has the best current contact information for brothers. If you want to access that information, e-mail Allison Mazzei at amazzei@penningtonco.com. Can you imagine a bigger, more rewarding project?

Omicron Attends 54th Supreme Chapter

From left, Sean Neely ’11, warden; Warren DeBardelaben III ’82, Omicron Club president; David Richardson ’97, Omicron Club treasurer; and Andrew Fowler ’10, archon.

The Omicron Chapter attended the 54th Supreme Chapter in Atlanta, Georgia, and brought home new hardware for the trophy case. Omicron was awarded Housing Corporation of the Year, Continued Growth Chapter Award, and the Retention Excellence Award.

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CLASS COMPETITION

he Omicron campaign plans for broader alumni participation by focusing on the initiation class competition. David Adams ’89 is leading the effort, which will award naming rights for three rooms based on: 1. Class with the highest percentage of donors 2. Class with highest dollar amount donated after April 2013 (excluding funds used for other naming rights) 3. Class demonstrating best results in both participation and dollars raised (as determined by the campaign committee) Prior individual pledges that qualified for naming rights are not counted in this competition. Pledges of $2,500 are counted, although such brothers are recognized on the major donor plaque.

Current leaders are: Highest Participation 1964 (45%); 1963 (44%); 1962 (33%) Most Contributed Since Campaign Announcement, after April 2013 1974 ($25,325); 1977 ($23,000); 1981 ($20,000); 1982 ($18,500) Please make an effort and reach out to your contemporaries. Contact information is available from our campaign consultant, Allison Mazzei (amazzei@penningtonco.com). You can also contact David Adams (rush1527@yahoo.com) for e-mail and telephone numbers of brothers you would like to reach out to. Even if you do not succeed in raising a lot of money, you will have a great time and a rewarding experience renewing old friendships.

David Adams ’89 Dedicated to Keeping Omicron Strong

avid Adams ’89 attributes many of his life skills to virtues he learned in Pi Kappa Phi. After joining in order to connect with an entire new way of life, David says Omicron immediately began shaping many aspects of his life: “There are so many, but to list a couple: values, commitment, determination, involvement, and a group of friends I can still count on.” Serving as archon, David gained valuable skills that prepared him for life after college. “Pi Kappa Phi helped me understand and work through many of the things that impact someone’s career: leadership, involvement, challenges with people, acceptance, discipline, and commitment.” After college David joined the national staff at Pi Kappa Phi, which was an excellent opportunity to see how Omicron has helped shape the overall national fraternity. Today, David is the executive director of Accessible Vans of America, an organization that helps people who require wheelchair accessible transportation by renting them vans for the day, month, or even long term. One alumnus in particular had a positive impact on David’s experience at Omicron. “Harry Caldwell ’72, president of the Omicron Club, really showed me there was more to being an Omicron member. There are a lot of opportunities to get involved and connect with alumni if you are willing to work hard to find them.” David hopes that today’s collegians take advantage of all aspects of brotherhood, enjoy the parties, study hard, and always look to a better situation. As soon as David heard about the Building for the Next 100 Years campaign, he knew he had to get involved with a donation. “My involvement in the Chapter has given me things that I would not have known about in life. I think each person, when thinking about their college days, will realize most memories revolve around Pi Kappa Phi. Thank you to all the people who have already supported the campaign.”

Although the new Chapter House is very impressive and looks great, David knows the need for more donations is strong. “I enjoyed my time at Alabama and I am certain Pi Kappa Phi helped me in many ways. I strongly encourage our brothers to think about their days there as well. Whether young or old, only you know how important Omicron was to you. This is a chance to not only participate at any level, but help the Chapter become one of the strongest on campus for years to come.” David lives in O’Fallon, Missouri, with his wife, Lynne, and a daughter and a son. He can be reached at rush1527@yahoo.com.

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Community Service a Primary Focus for Omicron

i Kappa Phi is dedicated to developing its members as servant leaders, evidenced by Push America and a national focus on community service. Service to others continues to grow at Omicron as Brothers grasp the opportunity to lead by example. Our Chapter is a community service leader on campus and nationally. The University of Alabama fraternity system promotes community service and publishes data demonstrating fraternity commitment to community service. Our Chapter has 4,470 community service hours recorded during this academic year. That is the most of any chapter on campus, and nearly twice as many as Omicron’s nearest competitor. Omicron Chapter remains a leader in community service at the University of Alabama. The Chapter leads and contributes to major community service projects. We joined other fraternities and sororities on the Arkansas game day to sponsor a hog roast to benefit Greek missions. We hosted multiple events for Best Buddies, including a Halloween event. Many members enjoy involvement with Al’s Pals, providing one-on-one mentoring for at-risk youth in the community. Omicron remains committed to serving our community. Fraternally, Connor Wohleber ’11 ctwohleber@crimson.ua.edu

Alumni Recommendations Vital to Omicron’s Success

btaining quality pledges is essential to the long-term viability of any fraternity chapter. Omicron pledged one of the largest classes on campus in a very successful recruitment this fall. The unparalleled success was not just due to the new house and the undergraduates’ efforts, but a dedicated recruitment committee led by Vice Archon Parker Troutman ’12 and Recruitment Chairman Hamilton Hurd ’12. As in recent years, Omicron effectively recruited by utilizing alumni connections. Of the 39 individuals expected to be initiated this fall, 13 are the direct result of alumni involvement, three are alumni recommendations without family connections, three are legacies from other chapters, and seven are Omicron legacies.

LEGACIES

Garret Wood ’14 Huntsville, Ala. Grandson of Charles Wood ’62 Daylan Kilic ’14 Mountain Brook, Ala. Son of Cengiz Kilic ’77 Charlie Phillip Hayes V ’14 Elba, Ala. Son of Charles P. Hayes IV ’84 Wes Patterson ’14 Birmingham, Ala. Son of Scott Patterson ’84 Griffin Wiggins ’14 Birmingham, Ala. Son of Jeff Wiggins ’85 Walker Lamberth ’14 Memphis, Tenn. Brother of Taylor Lamberth ’06 Thomas Mills ’14 Luverne, Ala. Brother of James W. Mills IV ’10 The undergraduate Chapter honors and appreciates recommendations for prospective members, particularly legacies. An alumnus performs a great service for a young man and to his Chapter by recommending quality individuals.

This past summer the Journey of Hope southern route cycling team stopped in Tuscaloosa as part of their Push America cross-country ride. The Omicron Chapter of Pi Kappa Phi hosted the team for a barbecue lunch and gave the members a tour of our new house, which many of the cyclists have now nick named the Pi Kapp Mansion.

Jeff Wiggins ’83 stated that his son Griffin Wiggins grew up hearing stories about the fraternity from his dad, uncle, and dad’s pledge brothers. Griffin accepted a bid to pledge in the 2014 pledge class, moments after receiving a pin. Since then he has forged a unique bond with his pledge brothers, especially his other legacy pledge brothers. Brother Wiggins identified the new member education program as having been particularly rewarding experience for his son.

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.

Chapter Eternal Owen L. Postle ’52 entered Chapter Eternal March 19, 2014, at age 80. Survivors include his wife, Patricia; daughters, Sabrina (David) and Wendy (K. Everett); son, Preston; and seven grandchildren. He began his career with Uniroyal in Atlanta, Ga., where he met Pat. They moved to Cullman, Ala., in 1964, and Owen began his 17-year career as general manager of McGriff Tire, where he created the wholesale division of the business. In 1981 the family moved to Tuscaloosa, Ala., and founded Postle’s Tire & Automotive. Owen was passionate about the tire industry and loved building the family business. He had a strong connection with his customers and enjoyed his association with other local business owners. He was a member of the West AL BNI Club and Woodland Forrest Country Club. Owen was a spiritual man who enjoyed a full life, traveled to many places in the world, and will always be remembered for his generosity, positive outlook, and undying devotion to family and friends.

Recruitment

Recommendations

he chapter has elected two new recruitment chairmen, Addison Culpepper ’13 and Cooper Page ’13, for the upcoming 2015 season. They are starting recruitment early this year, so if you know of any young men that will be attending the University of Alabama next year and feel he would be a significant addition to our chapter, please contact Cooper or Addison. They can be reached by phone or e-mail. Cooper can be reached at (601) 259-0499 or crpage1@crimson.ua.edu. Contact Addison at (713) 882-8779 or ajculpepper@crimson.ua.edu.

WEBSITES

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For the latest on Omicron Chapter or to make a gift, visit http://uapikappaphi.com. Twitter: https://twitter.com/UA_PiKappaPhi National Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity: www.pikapp.org University of Alabama: ww.ua.edu