COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY IN THE CITY OF NEV^ YORK Oi^lEGA CHAPTER - FOUNDED 1866 NEV7SLETTER BY THE OMEGA BROTHERHOOD OF PHI GAI^IMA DELTA 538 WEST 114th STREET NEW YORK, ga Fijis used eve Oatmeal, to provide Photographed by Brot N.Y. 10025 \r\nFimTnfC5ncr3P®i?]PHr CJA?piA\I>Etm OMEGA CHAPTER 538 West 114TH Street New York, New York 10025 PHILIP E. ZEGARELLI PAUL M. WERNER Pre§ident Treasurer JOHN S. LENART Corresponding Secretary DONALD P. SCHENK Historian MARTIN W. KINDGREN Recording Secretary ROBERT F. VAN KEUREN Pnrpie Legionna're Jan. 12, 1969 Dear Alumni Brother: The cover story and events, while depressing, do not in any way reflect the true spirit of optimism among the brotherhood. One may say that it has caused all to think more of the physical house and its increased need of repair. But I have better things to report about. With the h^lp of brothers Willie Hopkins '70 C. as Pledge trainer and Joe Hogan '59 C. as Rush Chairman, OMEGA has 10 new brothers and brings our total to 40. I would say that with last year's solid foundation of 17 new brothers and this year's group so far, spirit and activity have certainly seen an upsurge. And we are not the only ones either ... as Secretary of the Interfraternity Council, I have found that fraternity bids and acceptances have increased by 33% over last year ... even after the disruptive times of last spring. With Five Home Football Games and a Cocktail Party following each one, we were all glad to see some new faces, hear some old stories and renew friendships ... many brothers from other chapters also added to the post-game refreshments. With the fin ancial backing of the OMEGA ASSOCIATION we are in the process of giving the front of "538" a face lifting, adding new furniture and carpets. These are greatly appreciated and noticed by all. All the "BUCK OF THE MONTH CLUB" funds have been placed in a special savings account to be used to repair the many internal facets of our house. It is most gratifying for me to personally thank each one of those who have joined. It adds a lot to the spirit of the brotherhood and revitalization of the chapter house. But unfortunately I will probably be forced to liquidate the fund for this year in order to help pay for our new boiler. Yet one of the most heartening pieces of information I could report to you involves the campus. All is quiet ... maybe not completely peaceful but let me say "back to normal". Even President Andrew Cordier paid us a surprize visit at one of our post-game Cocktail Parties and indeed I have noticed a genuine in terest in fraternities in general and Phi Gam in particular on the part of Columbia's new administration. continued next page \r\nPAG\E 3 LETTER CONTINUED - As is always tae case special credit goes to graduate brotners John Steeves, Robert Van Keuren, Bruce and Malcolm Sargent, Frank MacKain, Jim Nugent and section cnief George Sternad for their special help and backing throughout this year. They seem always available and have been instrumental in our efforts to keep Phi Gamma Delta, the best house on campus. In closing let me say that we still blow fuses ... we now have circuit breakers ... and Mrs. Murphy is a little older but still her old self.... In other words - Everytning is basically normal at "533" Glad To be a FIJI -^... PERGE 1 ^ Fraternally Yours, Philip E. Zegarelli President O.iTHEi-.L SAVJilS THE D:.Y The weel: of Dec. 29 to Jan 4 was no holiday for the few brothers staying in "533". The highly temperamental reconverted coal to oil burner that has served OMEG/i for decades gave its last "full measure of devotion" and 'died'. But this was not the first incidence of boiler failure for us this year. ..liat with an oil leak and minor fire, faulty pressure gage, ruptured pipe and oil strike, everyone was contemplating the next event... this time it was a faulty water cut off valve. If it had to come, it came actually at a good time ... when most of the brothers were safe and warm in their own homes. Upon finding out that the whole loiler system was craclced and beyond repair, the Alumni of the OMEGl. ASSOCI.nTION, notably Frank MacKain and Malcolm Sargent came through and immediately made provision for its replacement. In the mean time the temperature within the house fell rapidly ...brothers moved into the dorms. The v/ater was turned off and the pipes drained to avoid any freezing and cracking of pipes. Also special credit must go to brotlier Jim Nugent, director of residence, who used his good offices within the University in efforts to provide temporary heat and service. Startling to all of us was what was used as a 'stop gap' measure to seal tiie cracks... no less than 5 L.B. of QUij-CER OATMEAL,1^ L.E. of CRE/ul OF WHEAT and boiler sealer . And believe it or not, it still holds ... oh yes 1 we have heat and hot water but the aroma of hot OATMEAL also pervades throughout the house. By the end of this week, the new system should be installed and "538" hot again. You never know when OATMEAL will come in handy. \r\n-H DO YOU RECOGNIZE ANYONE IN THESE PICTUPIES ??? WE FOUND THESE TWO PHOTOS IN ONE OP OUR SCRAPBOOKS (circa 1933-34) WITHOUT ANY NAMES ... LET US KNOW IF YOU HAVE ANY INFORMATION ... \ , fIT Omeqa ALUMNI BROTHERS: Many of our brothers have joined in our efforts to modernize those parts of the chapter house desperately in need of repair. JOIN THEM by enlisting your name in the BUCK OF the MONTH CLUB and in so doing become a LOYAL OMEGA FIJI. REMEMBER...your §1.00 every month or §12.00 in one lump sum provides each member with a free ticket to the 1969 NORRIS PIG DINNER. YES : Enroll me in the BUCK OF THE MONTH CLUB. Here is my first dollar or to enroll my name as a LOYAL OMEGA FIJI, class name address SEND TO: B.O.M.C. 538 '/o PHI GAMMA DELTA WEST 114th street New York, N.Y. 10025 \r\nALUMNI NEWS ..rrro 'ihere ii^verj'where .brother liamptor I.ae '',)6. rov; retired, former iresidert of tne irnde Lithograph Company sent us a whole list of brothers for oir Aliimni lews. Thanks for all the information, i ie mentioned tii.-t .vObert i, Curtiss ''^7 is President of Horace o, Hly and cornnnry nealtors and his brother uorald '29 is in association with hrn, Albert L). Jenicer * of i-iaplewood, hew ia a partner in i^oyn, .^eir and ^eawell Inc,- The steamship Agents and operators, Saw brother Frederick Miller '13 up at the Gould iioathouse; at dedication day for Columbia Crew's eight new shells, crother Ailler was crew Coach in the highly successful years of 1928 and 29, He is also the retired ^iunerin tender t of Columbia - Tresbyterian hospital, Whitney i.orth sevmour '25. a member of the firm of Simpson, Thacher and Bartlett, was the recent Hx-President of the American bar Association, Hr, William L« Sherman '27 of i.ew York City also sends his regards, brother Philip ;3. Harper '16 H, who started the Harper Wyman Comapany some 41 years ago says he still attends its monthly board meetings, Brother Harper is retired and lives with his wife in sunny winter Park, Florida, brother Walden D. :?etzfand '48 of Grantwood, Hew Jersey is presently the Assistant Director, Psychological Services of Industrial Relations Counselors Inc, in lew York City, We understand that William J. Foster '51 is the Divisional Sales Fianager of Reynolds Metals Company, James L. Bast '58 of Wilton Conn, now assistant to the President of Pitney - Bowes, tells us that brother Joseph Servodidio '57 lives in lew York and is Professor of Spanish at Marymount College, J, H, Reed Jr, '61 of Houston Texas sends his thanks to the Broadway Fiji for finding Bud Walsh... Brother Reed is still in search of Brother Laudwehr, And finally we heard from Jim sweeny '66; he said he'll be rettirning to the Cornell Law School next September after being out for a year due to severe injuries received in an Auto accident, PLiiASE let us know what you're doing - and if you know what other brothers are doing, sehd us the :lnj$onnation. Thanks go to many of the above brothers who sent letters of support for the action taken by the Omega brothers of Phi Gamma Delta during the recent Campus disruptions. Brother Class_ Addres s Information SERD THIS BACK TO THE CHAPTER HOLSE \r\nPpcie b TEN NEW BROTHERS OBTAIN THEIR BLACK DIAMONDS This year's class of new brothers comprise some of the most active in recent years for OMEGA. Consisting of a Junior, a Sophomore and eight Freshmen,they were all initiated on December 20, 1968. They are; JACK PROBOLUS - a junior who played varsity football last year and is currently on the varsity heavyweight Crew team ... Hometown, Worcester, Mass. WILLIAM CANN - A sophomore who played lightweight varsity football from Yonkers, New York. ... also a member of the NROTC unit. DWAYNE DAHL - A Freshman from Darien, Conn. Dwayne is presently on the frosh Cross Country team and plans to compete in both indoor and outdoor track. He is also a photographer for the COLUMBIAN, our school yearbook. JOHN "MARTY" O'DONOHUE - A freshman from Pearl River, N.Y....played Frosh Football and also is an outstanding short stop who will see plenty of action on the frosh baseball team. BEN UPCHURCH - Ben is currently working with Columbia's own radio station...WKCR. a freshman, Ben hails from Pjrinceton, N.J. DOUGLAS HOLZHERR - from Lyndhurst, N.J^ Doug was the starting fullback for the frosh football team until a fractured hand sidelined him for the remainder of the season... he also plans to compete on the frosh outdoor track team. PETER SUCCOSO - Hailing from Merrick, Long Island...Pete played frosh Football and is currently on the frosh Wrestling squad where he is rated the number one man in his 160 L.B. class. DONALD GENS - Don played frosh football and is one of the many outstanding outfield candidates for the frosh baseball team. His hometown is LaSalle, 111. PAUL MASSON - A freshman from Los Angeles, California, he is currently in the Karate Club and is attempting to earn his Brown Belt. CHRIS HENNEY - ^ Freshman from Columbus,Ohio ...Chris is being hailed as the most outstanding frosh swimmer in over a decade. He has already beaten Varsity Captian Don Schenk (our Historian) in every race to date. \r\nPf^E7 FIRST PLACE AT FALL RE-UNION At the Fall Re-union carnival, OMEGA again carried off the First Place award for "Decoration of Booth". Adorned in typical FIJI ISLAND motif, Phi Gam easily over came its arch rival Nu Sigma Chi to regain the Alumni Federation's Award. Special credit goes to brothers Dan Crowley jr., Phil Bunnell, Roger Crossland, and Paul Werner for decorations and John Hughes , Philip Zegarelli and Mary Ann for braving the "elements" to man the booth. COLUMBIA NAMES BROOKER TO LEAD LIGHTWEIGHT ELEVEN Richard Brooker, a sophomore from Westfield, N.Y., has been elected captain of the 1969 Columbia varsity lightweight football team. Brooker, 19 years old, was an honorable mention allEastern intercollegiate league choice at linebacker this fall. He also played offensive center for the Lion lightweights. While at Westfield Academy, Dick earned varsity letters in football, track, golf and wrestling. His father played football for Syracuse from 1942 - 46. Brooker, a member of the NROTC unit, is a student in the undergraduate school of Engineering and Applied Science at Columbia. He plans to go into industrial engineering. VARSITY LIGHTWEIGHT FOOTBALL LOOKS AHEAD This fall was another disappointing year as far as lightweight football was concerned. A lack of players, injxiries and cases of questionable ineligibility helped to create a dismal record. But spirit runs high as all are looking forward to a better showing next season. As it is the team will loose only five seniors and the returning players will make up a strong core for next fall. Five brothers were the "keystone" in holding this year's team spirit. They are; Larry Schenk 71 C. Starting defensive tackle Alan Kuntze 71 C. Starting offensive tackle Willy Cann 71 E. Starting tight end Dick Brooker 71 E. Starting middle linebacker Willie Hopkins 70 C. Offensive guard \r\nFROSH ELEVEN RATED BEST SINCE 1917 This year's freshman football team is being hailed as one of the best, if not 'the' best in Columbia's long and glorious football tradition. Six of this year's new brothers played on the team, of which there were three starters. The team finished 3-3, but was a much better squad than the .500 record shows. The team lost to Penn, Harvard and Princeton while beating Rutgers, Yale and Brown. They were never out of any game, except the Penn game, and should have beaten both Harvard and Princeton. There is, however, a reason why we were but 3-3 when we should have been 5-1. The frosh were required to work against the varsity five days a week and thus never quite got a chance to run together and become a smooth working football machine. Columbia's football future is beginning to look bright indeed, which you will see next year 11 1969 NORRIS PIG DINNER PLANS NEAR COMPLETION Dan Crowley jr. '71 C. Norris Pig Dinner chairman has announced the tentative plans for this year's Pig Dinner. Thus far this may well again prove to be one of the high lights of this year. The march 3rd date will see OMEGA FIJI'S again take over Columbia's finest dining facility. The King's Table. Helping Dan from the inside of the Columbia administration is brother Jim Nugent '48 C., director of University Residence. A special nesletter will be sent to all alumni in the very near future when our plans and dinner speaker are complete. "BUCK OF THE MONTH CLUB" members will receive their free ticket to the dinner at this time. ***** keep MARCH 3rd OPEN 111 OMEGA FIJI VISITS FIJI ISLANDS Jim Gordon ' 65 C. left this last September for a world cruise aboard one of Columbia's oceanography ships. From his last letter, Jim told us of his stop over at the FIJI Islands ... also within his letter was a label from the local beer FIJI BRAND , of course,and a check for the social budget from the Bank . of FIJI. We are awaiting another letter from him soon and expect to see him around "538" in time for the fall Football game.