Tlie Fraternity _of hHO Phreamma ALPiiA. SUi-MER '77 m/CB Rho Alpha tr^ VPI& SU h JUNE 1, 1977 This page is being typed on a typewriter older than I am, BO please excuse the neaay print. This letter head was designed by Andy Stowaaser and will be used from now on. The purpose of this page is to show it off, so I hope you enjoy it. Thanks, Andy. ^ PIG DINNER THE 5TH annual NORRIS PIG DINNER THIS YEAR WAS A GOI'tPIETE SUCCESS. TO ALL THE GRADUATES WHO COULDN'T MATE IT, YOU REALLY J-IISSSD OUT ON THE BEST PIG DINNER IN RHO ALPHA HISTORY. UP THIS YEAR'S DINNER. MANY THANT.S TO WARD WHO SET WE APPRECIATE ALL THE GRADUATE SUPPORT WE HA\^E RECEIVED THIS YEAR. IT HELPED TO i«lAKE PIG DINNER AS.BLG A SUCCESS AS IT WAS. THE DINNER WAS EXCELLENT, AND EVERYONE WAS SATISFIED AS THIS YEAR WARD AND BILL lATANE WERE THE CULPRITS THAT FOUND A REAL PIG FOR THIS DINuEH. WE EVEN SET UP A BAR WITH HOUSE LIQUOR TO MLi\ ALL YOUR FAVORITES, INCLUDING THE HOUSE SPECxAL, WHICH DICKY LEE APPROVED OF. MA.NY THANKS TO JOE CARNEY FOR BEING GUEST SPEAKER. HIS ADDRESS WAS MEANINGFUL TO US ALL. THANPS TO JOrN BKACH FOR HESCUEIIiG WARD AFTER WARD'S CAR THREW A ROD ON THE WAY BACK FROM THE AIRPORT AFTER PIGLING UP JOE CARNEY. I'M GLAD JOHN HAD ENOUGH GAS. • IT WAS ANNOUNCED AT PIG DINNER THAT BILL JORDAN HAS PINNED DEBBIE MILLER. CONGRADUIATIONSi THIS YEAR ED WSEKS-AND HIS DATE WERE NOT TOASTED AS MUCH AS DAN ROBL AND HIS DATE V/ERE ROASTED. HERE'S TO DAii AND HIS DATE! THANKS 'TO JEFF WHIPPLE FOR COMING ALL THE WAY FROM INT)IANAPOLIS TO BE WITH US. RICH RAU IS ONE OF OUR BEST GRAD'S, MOST UrlElY DUE TO THE GERITOL HE PUTS'-AWAY. HE REALLY TRIED IN VOU BALL, BUT.... MANY TEAxVKS TO BROTHER GRAYBEAL FOR BExNC- OUR SYMPOSIARCH , HIS HUMOR WAS A WELCO.'IED RELIEF TO WARD'S INTRODUCTION. THIS YEiLR'S PIG DINNER WAS THE BEST. 1 HOPE TO ATIEND AIL IN THE FUTURE SINCE X FINALLY GRADUATED. A-sD WE NEED OUR GRADUATES.* ALL THE SUPPORT IS APPRECIATED, FRATERNALLY YOURS, perge: \r\nRHO ALPHA CHAPTER 202 Church Street Blacksburg, Virginia 24060 FRIDAY May 27, 1977 Dear Graduates, Yes folk, this is another issue of the RHO ALPHA RAG. As the editor, I am here once again at A'OS am on a dark Friday morning typing this letter. HOWEVER, this is a lot more fun than last time because brothers John Beach and Jim Showalter are working right along side me on this and there is no more schoollll In this issue we are able to include a feature we wanted. GRADUATE NEWS. While there isn't muchijp we put it in because it is our'favorite article, Most of it is excerpts from letters I've recieved since the last newsletter, because 1 enjoy reading the letters and they are a better souce of reference than my memory (or anyone else's memory) of Pig Dinner. I would like to thank John and Jim for all their help tonight, and to Don Kawecki and Harold 'Nasty' Jones for writing numerous articles between exauns. And a special tlianks to the brothers who write and visit, because this is your chapter, and especially your newsletter, and we need to hear from all of you. Fraternally, PERGEI ■ji*«■«■««**«■«•»}«««■•» graduate news***''''******'**graduate mews******************** Brad Ryffel was unable to attend Pig Dinner this year due to working on night and weekend shifts. However, he and Neva say hello to everyone and they are hoping to make it to Homecoming this fall. Rich and Deb Rau have bought a new home in Newark, Md., about fifteen minutes from the beach. The house is sixty-four years old and they are busy restoreing it. All brothers are welcome to visit this summer or any time. WARNINGt You must be prepared to drink plenty of beer and perhaps being handed a paint brush or hammer. Rich's new address is P.O.Box 98 Newark, Md. 218E1 Phone #632-3710 Howard Canada is running loose in Richmond, and may be changing jobs, but there will be more on that later. Howard reminds everyone the three things they teach at Techi Reading, Writing, And the Road to Richmond I Richard Vaden was in Florida for his brother's marriage, and wasn't able to make it to Pig Dinner. He says hello to everyone and will see the brothers at Homecoming if not before. Thank you for the comments on the last letter and the toast at Pig Dinner, As the letters are coming in to the chapter house in more abundance and feequency, so shall these newsletterfeebe written to spread the news. This newsletter has been a blast 1 Write sooni \r\nHCaSE CHAIRMANS REPORT" BROTHERS, Hopefully when you all come to homecoming next October you will notice some changes have been made around the house. First, Pi pledge class has had several hotdog sales and with the help of some of the older brothers, have raised enough money to build two couches for the living room. The construction is being supervised by Broth^ Stowasser who, being a fourth year student in architecture, isj^oing a fine job. Several of the little ^ sisters are pitching in and sewing the pillow cases that go with ; the couches. Soon to be built will be a matching T.V. stand and coffee table. We also plan to put carpetting in the living room."——. Let's hear some clicks for Brother Katacia who did a fine job of putting the carpet on the stairs. It looks great! Next are the bathrooms. The floors are going to be replaced v;ith vinyl flooring and the upstairs may need a new subfloor because water comes down through the ceiling in the kitchen. The downstairs bathroom walls need to be repaired the same way that Brother Latan? and Brother Echelberger repaired the upstairs bathroom walls last year. The kitchen will be next. The entire kitchen will be painted and fumegated. We plan to put a vinyl floor down and also want to put formica on the kitchen counter. Next is the pitr—the FIJI landmark. But you all know all about that!(would you believe a barbacue pit?) Well, that just about concludes the house chairmans report. However, I would like to end on a special note. I am a gradui-'^ ating senior and will soon j^pin the ranks of the graduate brothers. For this reason I feel I can' rightly say that this chapter needs your donations. We have budgeted our funds and can swing some of the repairs but not all. And we need all!! A nice looking house (inside and out) is essential to rush and if we don't impress the rushes we may not get any pledges. Frankly, I want to come back 3'^ear after year for a long time to come. If the above"-reason is not sufficient for your donations, try this one. It!s your house too!!! Fraternally, \r\n****** U1JDERGRADUATE"****3UI^MER******ADDRSSSSS******************** HAROLD JOKES 4220 Soth Ave. Baltimore,Md.21236 1C713 Braddock Rd. Fairfax,Va.22050 WARD FOIISTTB EASTER ?-:OSES 3209 Greenland Ave. Roanoke,Va.24012 DAN ROBL 6202 Everglades Dr.. Alexandria,Va.22312 202 Church St." Blacksburg,Va.24060 301-256-6030 703-273-2320 703-552-4251 703-366-3846 703-256-4539 703-552-4251 110 East 39th St. Norfolk,Va.23504 202 Gurch St. Blac2-cshurg,Va. 2406o 804-622-9177 703-552-4251 2051 Maiden Ln. SVl Roanoke,Va.24015 703-344-2531 804-224-5943 705-951-4635 202 Church 3t. Blacks'burg,Va.24060 JOHN BEACH DO!J EAWSCKI PAUL YENGST STEVE ROBBINS JIM SHOWALTER MIKE GUILPOYLE BILL LATANE DEE-TAYLOR BILL JORDAN TIM check; TOM JIATACIA ROBBIE PHELPS RANDY MOORE GREG ^^JRPHY AILDY ST0WAS3ER CLIFP ROBER MIZE OBRIEN RICS GASS STEVE DEBEVOISE STEVE HUBER KARL SOLTERER Fiji House or Oak Grove,Va.22443 32C McDonald St. Apts. E'burg,Va.24060 32.2.6 -DRiHtsLL flO. FAu-i ZHU/lcHyUA. 202 Church St. Blacksburg,Va.24060 E-2 Sturbridge Sq. B*burg,Va.24060 5033 Finn Rd. Virginia Beach,Va.23455 Route 2 Meadowview,Va.24361 4832 Peachcreek Ln. Va. Bch.,Va.23455 1606 Kieth Valley Rd. C'ville,Va. 7 Birch Hill Rd. Belinont,Mass.02178 233 Kountwell Ave. Haddonfield,NJ08033 463 Riverview Dr. Totowa,NJ IO4O8 Buckboard PI. Potomac,Md.20854 371 Bent Twig Rd. Warren",Pa. 16365 703-552-4251 703-552-8042 804-464-9285 804-497-7713 617-484- ■0615 609-795- •0316 201-256- •3711 304-469- •7998 814-723- •6928 703-536- 3572 5513 N. 33rd St. Arlington,Va.22207 are the tenative svpmer addresses for most of us. Bill Jordan will he working in Suffolk but isn't sure where he will be stavine ct R?ii ^sn't sure of anything. Randy will be wor^iig L A?laSt; 1198 Ri!hw?nrni 4 permanant address cause he doesh't hive an apt! somewhere. Tim Check's home address is • In raeso >10 •Jqw» + ^illiamsburg,Va.23185 804-229-3158 ROBBIE What I Will Be Doing This #®%&ing Summer 1 will be living in Northern Va. (Fairfax) this summer with my parents, I've got a job with the county doing odds and ends. It's not much of a job, but it's better than nothing. I hope to find a job in one of the parks back home, but-1 think the chances are pretty slim. I hope to take a two week trip to Auburn University to visit a friend down south. That should be gangs of fun. For all you that knew I was going to court four days after Pi-g Dinner, I was aquitted ! I ! I'm no longer a criminal suspect (at teast not in that case). I ahope to make it to few of you. the chapter house this shammer, and maybe I'll see Take care, you armadillos. Fraternally, PERGE! \r\nREFLECTIONS OF A YEAR GONE BY. The academic year 1976-77 was a highly profitable one for Rho Alpha. Originally placed by many on the "Endangered Species" List," our chapter cam^ roaring back with the 'ole Fiji spirit that has marked our past. We initiatied eight new brothers, an increase of, two over the previous year. Our Rush Program, under the tender (?) care ofvChairman Harold "Nasty" Jones finally took form. Committee's once again existed in the chapter, for the good of all. President Dan Robl and his cabinet provided leadership in some of our darker moments to turn over the reigns' of control in much better shape to the new administration under Paul Yengst. And, although much work still needs to be done, the firanci^ picture (thanks largely to the generosity of graduates) cleared up considerably. Here are just a few of the events that made 1976-77 a memorable year for all of us: 0 FAIL: We're in damn bad shape...the house is a mess, bills everywhere, etc. But Robl sees a light somewhere in West Virginia and leads us on...Fall Rush yields two pledges, Greg Murphy and Randy Moore. Fiji beats the hell out of the basketball league, taking the trophy for T's...Rho Alpha shows Section Chief Bill Mattox what Purple Passion Punch is (a few of us took a refresher course, too?)...Jones tells us that the stage is set for Winter Rush...Here goes ....!!!! WINTER: We rush the HELL out of things...Beach and Phelps threaten people if they don't pledge...Rush begins to reap benefits...Karl, Spike, ^nd Don keep us truckin' on the flickerball courts...Rejoicing in the snow...Spike and Don win some "distinguished" awards at the Christmas Party...Seven white stars shine in the sky of Rho Alpha: Mike O'Brien, Rick Gass, Andy Stowasser, Jeff Whipple, Steve Debevoise, Cliff Rober, and Steve . Huber...Archon Vice-President Bud Mangels gets a taste of the Rho Alpha life. SPRING: V/elcorae back brothers, only one quarter to go now... We positively stink at fraternity softball, but as usual do better with the women and make co-rec playoffs...Bill Jordan and his crew make soccer playoffs...Nasty and Carrie have a mud fight at Fiji Island...Our chapter is honored by a second Archon , visit as Archon Secretary Joe Carney speaks at the Norris Pig Dinner...Brother Dan Robl and Graduate Brother Howard Canada are honored for their outstanding contributions to the chapter... P All in all, 1976-77 was a very good year indeedf^ We extend our thanks to the graduates, brothers, and little sisters that made it possible.... PERGE! ■ >. Fraternally yours, Rec. Sec. \r\nIn a vain attempt to get material for this newsletter, I asked for something on anything by anybody. Never again will I promise to print almost anything. ROBBIE WHAT I AlVl DOING THIS SUMMER SOMETHING IN THE WIND by Don Kawecki A fantastic idea was brought to our attention by brother Rick Fine and we'd love to hear your opinions on it. If we get enough support we'll do it... As little as possible. PERGE anyways.... SKOL DAZE One weekend all the graduates and undergraduates will get together next year for wine. XXXXXy fer you married PARTY men so your wives don't know), and song. Another set of exams is over, and all the tension they bring on is subsiding. Exams this year started on a Thursday and ended the following Wed.. The day before exams started some looney bird decided we should have a party on Friday to ease tensions. Well, a theme was contrived and posted on the front door for all to see, A Skol Daze party ( school days ) No dates-including wives-allowed. The doors will be locked at midnight on Fri day aind unlocked on noon Sunday. In the meanwhile - the rip-roaringest, roudiest, drunkenest, Fiji party the world has ever seen is going to take place. We'll have kegs on tap but bring a i gallon anyway ( fer warming up in the morning - gges^ ^ good on rice crispies, snap'-crackle-JjtUrpT Well, how does it sound? If you like it write the old chapter house and let us know. was the theme. To get into the front door one had to bring a pint of Skol Vodka and a quart of PERGE Arj mixer. It sounded great in the making, but little did we know the consequences of our actions. The party started as innocently as could be.- We mixed up a good batch of punch>and started the party. It was a smaller party (about 30 people) but HOLY ARMADILLO did it get wild. I've never seen so many things happen unless you are crazy. Amid all the noise, cards, booze, and broads# four times people decided it was time to square off. Even though no one was hurt it didn't mean no one tried. Three of these face-offs were between brothers. Friendship prevailed however, with the two opponents going arm in arm back to the punch. Luckily only one chair was hurt as it hit the wall at 75 mph. The morning after (no one thought they would live to see it) it was decreed by unanamous vote that there would be a one year moritorium on Skol. We also decided to flog anybody caught in the house with more than one ounce of Skol. A committee was also formed to find out what is in that besides alcohol,. stuff Well, it's all over now (thank God) but the memories linger (#>bj* it). My only advice is that if you ever go to a party and there are large quantities of Skol there, go back out the way, you-came in and find something else. WHY I LOVE EXAlviS by Don Kawecki I don't, PERGE GRADUATING SENIORS Jim Showalter Dan Robl Harold Jones Bill Latane CONGRADULATIONSn J \r\nATHLKTIGS Well, Spring Quarter *77 is over and so is Athletics. it wasn't our best year, we had a. lot of fun. Although We almostvmade water basketball playoffs, but I'm afraid lack of experience and strong "swimmers" was what hurt us. However we did go into the finals undefeated in soccer (coached by Brother Jordan) but unfortunately Were beaten by ATO 2-1, and they eventually won the championship. So we did right well" for ourselves considering it was our first year fry at soccer. A number of brothers played individual sports and although none went to the finals, several groups won matches, , so we did get some points. In track we placed sixth among fraternities. Brother Jones and Little Sister Carrie Burkhatt were IFC long jump champions, and Carrie was also first in the long jump and -first in the shot put. Co-rec Softball was our best sport and thus we went undefeated to the finals. Our first game in the playoffs was against Phi Delta Theia and we won, 6-2. Our next game was against Bika's. Unfortunately, we beat ourselves in this game due to errors, "uncontrolable hands" and "wandering eyes". The final score was4-3. So, including individual points and team points, we placed about fifth in sports in the IPG. Not bad if you consider how many brothers we have to choose from (but we are growings!). Take care gentlemen, and I hope to see you all in the future. Fraternally, ■ A FOND FAREWELL VOLLEYBALL On Saturday, Kay 14, the undergraduate brothers challenged the graduate brothers to a volley ball game. In order to make it fair, it was decided that one game would be played and then the losers would be spotted the difference. Weil, the undergrade won 11-0, so the grads got 15 points in a game to 21 points. The normal outcome was noted as the undergrads took charge:, 23-21. Oh well, you grads, you can't win them all Perge! P. 3. Later that night, at the Norris Pig Dinner, a new award was established to honor those grad brothers who gave blood during the (hopefully) grad-undergrad volleyball game (to be held on Pig Dinner afternoon). The award was the first annual "Rich Rau Memorial Geritol Awardi" But cheer up you grade! For next year Nasty, Jim Showalter, and Bill latane will join your ranks. on Well, onee again graduation time is rolling aiound and the undergrads have to temporarily say good-bye to our graduating brothers. This year, with Divine aid, a lot of luck, and $500 in bribes, Rho Alpha is graduating four brothers form their idyllic life of leisure to the rat race of the real world. They are; Bill Latane (prayerfully) Jim Showalter(doubtfully) Dan Eobl(hopefully) Harold Jones(a Divine gift to us) A fond farewell and a good ridd ance goes out to these brothers whose hard work and mature insights'have helped make this chapter what it is today—a bunch of derelicts. Really though, we would all like to thank these new graduates and all the OLD graduates (like Rich) for their support to the chapter and wish to remind them that anytime is the right time to come visit. You'll be greeted with a firm handshake, a vmrm smile, a hot meal, and an ice cold beer or (for Rich) a Geritol on the rocks. Come and yisit Perge!