Phi Gamma Delta Fraternity—Oklahoma State University Sigma Omicronicle March 3, 2004 Iota Deuteron Pledge Class bring excitement and leadership to the brotherhood. This new pledge class has a wide array of personalities and attributes. From bassoon players, to all-state athletes, the I.D.’s are sure to contribute to all aspects of the house. • Find out information about the upcoming Pig Dinner. • Find out the goals of the new cabinet. • Meet the new pledge class. • Learn about the experience at Fiji Academy. Iota Deuteron Pledge Class • Get the financial update. Inside this issue: Purple Legionnaire Says Farewell 2 Pig Dinner Information 3 Theta Deuteron Pledge Class 4 Graduate Relations 5 House Manager Report 6 Photos 7 The Bonds of Brotherhood 8 The fall semester has ended, and a new pledge class is about to begin their journey to brotherhood. This year’s spring pledge class consists of 12 exciting and promising young men. The Iota Deuterons, as they are known throughout the house, are sure to The advantage of a spring pledge class is that the house is able to rush men of quality who have already proven themselves with at least one semester of college experience. (Continued on page 2) A New Cabinet, A New Outlook Hello Brothers! I would like to take this opportunity to introduce myself as well as the other new members of the cabinet for 2004. My name is Michael Martin and I am the new Chapter President. I am a junior from Ponca City, and majoring in marketing with plans to attend law school after I graduate. Our new Chapter Treasurer is Scott Blakemore. Scott is a junior from Bartlesville, and is majoring in finance. Our new Recording Secretary is Ty Fleming. Ty is from Bixby and is majoring in marketing with plans to attend law school after graduation. Brett Fry is our new Corresponding Secretary. Brett is from Blackwell and is also a junior majoring in finance. Our new Chapter Historian, Steven Snider, is from Duncan and is a senior majoring in finance. There are a lot of exciting things going on here at Sigma Omicron. One area that our cabinet plans to focus on is graduate relations. We realize you are a key part of our continued success. We invite you to stop by the house when you are in town and want you to know you are welcome here anytime! (Continued on page 6) \r\nPAGE 2 SIG M A OMIC RO NI CLE Purple Legionnaire Says Farewell tified. I have truly enjoyed my time in this most rewarding volunteer role. We continue to recruit, pledge and initiate quality young men. This success has reinforced our reputation as one of the best chapters on campus and throughout greater Phi Gamma Delta. They will continue to require our guidance in the form of graduate Ryan Bebee meeting with the Eta Deuteron Pledge Class mentors and financial support. The House Corporation is always interested Farewell for now, in new ideas and personnel to Brothers! I am completing my assist in management of the term as Purple Legionnaire by the physical plant. The operations of end of the spring semester. At this the undergraduate chapter can be point, no successor has been iden- strengthened through quality interaction from key graduates interested in specific areas. We all should be very proud of our chapter, its heritage and the young men who have solidified Sigma Omicron’s character and reputation. I will always cherish my time as Purple Legionnaire as one of the finest experiences of my life! I have made lasting relationships with younger Fijis and look forward to watching their lives as they continue to excel professionally and personally. Thank you for the opportunity to serve! I look forward to seeing you at Pig Dinner in April! Perge! -Ryan Bebee 1995 Iota Deuteron Pledge Class Continued... These men are already involved on campus and they have shown their intelligence through their already high GPA’s. Phi Gamma Delta has always looked for gentlemen of quality. The Iota Deuteron pledge class is sure to uphold the expectations that lay before them. With a solid pledge education program, and the continued involvement of the brotherhood, Sigma Omicron will continue to serve as the premiere fraternity at Oklahoma State University. - Justin Welter 2006 SPRING 2004 PLEDGES Ben Dillard- Edmond, OK Danny Murray- Oklahoma City, OK Roderick Hands- Bethany, OK Brant Purdum- Weatherford, OK Caleb Harvey- Bartesville, OK Patrick Quinn- Ponca City, OK Travis Jones- Oklahoma City, OK John Seikel- Harrah, OK Bryan Kayser- Bartlesville, OK Gene Wycoff- Oklahoma City, OK Eric Lavasque- Moore, OK \r\nSIG M A OMIC RO NI CLE PAGE 3 Fiji’s Say Goodbye to Fallen Brother This past semester we had a terrible tragedy occur in our fraternity as we experienced the loss of one of our great undergraduate brothers. Corey Kaiser was traveling back to Stillwater from Norman the weekend of the Bedlam football game when he passed away in a one car traffic accident. Corey was a junior from Oklahoma City who was very involved in the house and well liked by everyone. Corey was the quarterback of our A-team football squad, as well as social chair and rush chairman from this past loss was very shocking and devastating to not only the Sigma Omicron Chapter, but also to the whole OSU community as well. We ask that everyone please keep Corey’s family in your prayers as they try to deal with the grief that has been placed upon them. The loss of Corey as a brother and a friend has been very tough to try to adjust to, but on the positive end, it has made Brother Corey Kaiser (left) with Brother Brett Fry . each of us realize how important it is to cherish these times with our friends as well as helped summer. Corey also served as the strengthen our brotherhood. President of the Delta Deuteron pledge class two years ago. This - Jake Wilkins 2005 42nd Annual Pig Dinner Dear Brothers, We hope this letter finds you all in good health and spirits, having received your invitation to Sigma Omicron’s 42nd Annual Frank Norris Pig Dinner. This event-filled weekend promises to be one of the best in many years. In other words, if you have been intending to come back for a Pig Dinner for quite some time now is unquestionably the time to do it. Events are planned on both the evening of Friday, April 23, and Saturday, April 24, in Stillwater. On Friday, come by “The House” to check out what the undergrads have been up to and finish the night off with a couple of rounds and old stories at Eskimo Joe’s. PIG DINNER IS April 24, 2004 Saturday begins with a golf scramble at Lakeside Golf Course, followed by an informal lunch at 1123 W. University. There will be a cocktail reception beginning at 4:00 p.m. at the Stillwater Community Center which will then proceed to this year’s Pig Dinner, complete with the Exile’s Toast, awards, an address from the undergrads, and much more. Bring a special lady and enjoy a wonderful evening of tradition, tall-tales, and dancing. The preregistration cost for the dinner is $50, $65 with a date. The cost at the door will be $75. All preregistration payments must be postmarked by March 27 and mailed with reply card to: 1699 or by e-mail at jakesnake81@hotmail.com. Expect a follow-up letter in the near future including more details. Please encourage brothers with whom you keep in close contact to attend this incredible event. We’ll see you there! -Jake Gant 2004 Phi Gamma Delta Attn: Pig Dinner Chair 1123 W. University Stillwater, OK 74074 If you have any questions, contact Jake Gant at (405) 372- Frank Norris \r\nPAGE 4 SIG M A OMIC RO NI CLE Theta Deuteron Pledge Class The Theta Deuteron pledge class came back after the Christmas break with a great attitude and a willingness to work hard to become initiated brothers. Their numbers were down due to some of their pledge brothers not making the required grade point for the first semester. They also had a pledge brother, Will Campbell, transfer to an art school in Georgia. Twentyone of them were left to start the spring semester with a bang. In the first few weeks back to school the Theta Deuterons went on another sneak that was not required. They had a great time and demonstrated amazing skills of brotherhood and accountability. The Theta Deuterons, over the course of their pledgeship, proved to be very social and outgoing group of men. They never ceased to impress me and the brotherhood with everything they would do. The Theta Deuterons also hosted a “Battle of the Bands” philanthropy at the beginning of the spring semester. There were many bands that competed in the event but only one winner, Blake Fischer. The event rose upwards of $2,500 which was donated to the March of Dimes. The men did a wonderful job putting the event together and even made the front page of the campus newspaper two different times. We were proud to initiate these men into our brotherhood on February 6, 2004, and we look forward to the amazing things that they will do during their stay at Phi Gamma Delta. They have already got off to a great start with their involvement in committees and positions in the house. These men are great examples of what brotherhood looks like and will grow even more towards brotherhood from the wonderful example continually set forth by the older member of the house. It has been an amazing journey of friendship, knowledge, service, morality, and excellence with these great men. I was very privileged to have been put in the position as their pledge educator by the house. In being a leader to these men, I have learned more about Phi Gamma Delta and being a servant then I could ever have dreamed. - Jeremy Burt 2005 The Theta Deuteron Pledge Class The Theta Deuterons were initiated on February 6, 2004 Kyle Bagley OKC, OK Trevor Schultz Stillwater, OK Justin Reed Flower Mound, TX Mathew Givens OKC, OK Landon Baird Wichita Falls, TX Taylor Shinn OKC, OK Chris Rhoads Tulsa, OK Randy Green OKC, OK Scott Bryant Duncan, OK Seth Slifer Olathe, KS Max Rhoades Edmond, OK Ian Kelley Broken Arrow, OK Josh Dodson Stillwater, OK Jase Stender Claremore, OK Tyler Schooley Edmond, OK Clay Nelson OKC, OK Drew Dugan Deer Creek, OK Jason Wright Broken Arrow, OK \r\nSIG M A OMIC RO NI CLE PAGE 5 Graduate Relations Greetings graduate brothers! As the spring semester begins, I am proud to announce that I, Evan Worley, am the new co-chair of graduate relations along with Ryan Neurohr. We are excited about the opportunity and are hopeful about becoming closer with our graduate brothers. Some of the things we have planned for the semester are to make a personal connection with our graduate brothers, to update the website with graduate information, and make Pig Dinner an incredible experience for all. We plan on getting in con- tact with many of you, so expect a call from us in the very near future. With that phone call, we may be asking you a few questions in order to update our database and website. Also, if you would like to contact us to update your information, you can e-mail : eworley@okstate.edu or send it by mail to: Phi Gamma Delta Attn: Evan Worley 1123 W. University Stillwater, OK 74074 Soon the website will have updated information on graduate brothers and their current state of employment, marriage, location, and children. Most important of all, graduate matters is Pig Dinner which will be held on April 24th at the Stillwater Community Center. Your attendance will be greatly appreciated and will add to the experience. We are working hard on the organization of the event and hoping for a huge success. Yet, without you, the graduate brothers, the event cannot be a success. See you at the Pig! -Evan Worley 2006 29th Fiji Academy 29th Annual Fiji Academy at the Union Station Hyatt in St. Louis! We arrived Friday evening and immediately shared a spectacular dinner with brothers from various chapters across the nation. Later that night, we participated in a mock initiation, which was set up to help all Fiji chapters understand the proper ritual procedure. (from left) Brothers Evan Fitz, Mike Hays, and Tyler Evans The weekend went by in at Fiji Academy. a flash, with multiple leadership activities Over the Christmas break, filling our schedules to the brim. Brothers Evan Fitz ‘06, Tyler Evans We attained a tremendous amount ‘06, and Mike Hays ‘06 attended the of ideas to help improve rush, Pig Dinner, and graduate relations as well. Overall, Fiji Academy was an amazing time, with the perfect combination of improving brotherhood and instilling leadership in all the brothers present. We hope to implement many of the ideas that were shared at Academy, and we’re counting the days until next year’s Academy (which is planned to be in St Louis again)! All Brothers are welcome to attend, so we hope to see you there next year! -Evan Fitz 2006 Volunteers Needed Brothers, we are looking for leaders from each pledge class. These leaders would be in charge of calling each member of their pledge class to remind and encourage their pledge brothers to attend and be enthusiastic about upcoming Fiji events. If you are interested in being a leader from your pledge class, please email me at eworley@okstate.edu. We appreciate your enthusiasm and hope to hear from you soon. - Evan Worley 2006 \r\nPAGE 6 SIG M A OMIC RO NI CLE House Manager Report plus men living here. For nearly a week straight, brothers and pledges were waking up able to see their own breath, as we were trying to solve the heater problem. It was a very easy fix, but it took time to find a repairman willing The Fiji House illuminated at night. to work on something that was not only out of code and a fire hazard, Another semester has but also what one electrician begun here at OSU and what an called “a mess.” The Phi Gam eventful one already. So far, the house is very old so things like heater, oven, hot water heater this are not new, but the recent and several other plumbing probdiscovery of termites is. We are lems have all needed attention by currently trying to fix this serious professionals in order for the problem. house to be suitable for the 60- The Parents Club has recently allowed the brothers to request needed improvements throughout the house. Their monetary generosity and concern in making the house a better place to live for us is well appreciated. Thank you! I believe in order for this house to stay strong and to recruit the best prospects in upcoming years, an overhaul for the complete structure of the current house is apparent. The fraternities of Sigma Nu, Beta Theta Pi, and Sigma Alpha Epsilon have either recently redone their houses or are in the works currently. The Phi Gamma Delta house needs to follow these fraternities’ actions and not simply “patch up” the problems as done in the past. - Tyler Tate 2004 Grade Report Congratulations again to the members of Sigma Omicron! In the fall of 2003, our membership placed third in grades, which as you may recall, is one position better than that of spring 2003. Overall, with pledges and members together, our house placed fourth. We have come up with new ideas that we are considering for our house to increase the scholarship expectation. We are beginning to plan competitions between families: Frohrip, Wilkerson, Reinking, and Flannagan and then at a lower level, between big brothers and little brothers. We have the test file close to completion, and will soon be scanning our files onto the server for access to every computer in the house. It is a very exciting time for the guys here. We are motivated and excited about moving forward in our quest towards knowledge. - Chris Carrington 2006 A New Cabinet, A New Outlook Continued... You will definitely want to plan on attending this year’s Pig Dinner as it will be much different from others in the past. Jake Gant is the Pig Dinner Chairman and is doing an incredible job, along with the other members of his committee. Let me assure you that you will not want to miss this Pig Dinner! I am excited about my opportunity to serve and excited about the future of a house we should all be very proud of. I hope to see all of you at Pig Dinner! - Michael Martin 2005 Chapter President \r\nPAGE 7 SIG M A OMIC RO NI CLE Trent McKnight (middle) receiving the Wilkinson Award. 2003 Homecoming house decoration "A Universal Spirit... Wonder Upon Wonder". Greek community showers Fiji house with flowers in memory of Brother Corey Kaiser. Homecoming house decoration. We won second place in sweepstakes despite winning or placing in every event. (from left) Brothers Luke Phillips, Aaron Switzer, B.C., and Jake Gant working on Homecoming. Cross in front of Fiji house in memory of Brother Corey Kaiser. \r\nSIG M A OMIC RO NI CLE PAGE 8 The Bonds of Brotherhood My Brothers, I recently had one of life's more enjoyable experiences. I participated in the Spring Initiation at the Sigma Omicron Chapter......lots of time has passed since my own initiation some forty years ago. I know, it really hasn't been that long. It just couldn't have been forty years! We Silver Owls are just a little more silver than we used to be, that's all. The house was done up for a night only special enough for the trek that takes our young (and some not so young...my Dad, for example) pledges through the neophyte period into the bonds of brotherhood, brotherhood that only can be appreciated by time and experience. I had the true pleasure of being there to share the dawning reality with them ....reality that we now understand to be the same in many ways as in 1848, when the Immortal Six started this whole thing. The new brothers had lots of questions. I hope I had some answers. Speaking of brothers, remember the really sharp face men, jocks and brains of forty years ago? They're BAAACK!!! Just forty years younger! You should have seen their time-calculating eyes Landon Baird makes Phillip E. Lyon proud. when I told them of my night with Brothers Gallagher Oh, by the way, I just and Fry in 1964. received a note from Brother I think they would all like Norris...says he can't make it this to hear all of our stories...and our year...something about being traditions.....and our lives and exiled in New Jersey or some such times. The Pig Dinner is in Stillplace, I'll read it to you at the water on Saturday, April 24. It dinner..... will be a good time for us to see Fraternally, each other and to share our hearts (purple) with our young Brothers. Tom Lucas 1966 Come see them and me. Financial Update The Sigma Omicron Chapter of Phi Gamma Delta is one of the top fraternities on the campus of Oklahoma State University. We have quality guys who rank in the top of our fraternal society, and tops in the University in grades, sports, philanthropy, campus activities and many other areas. They are a great representation of the type of men that Phi Gamma Delta is all about. There is one area that Sigma Omicron is lacking and that is in our physical structure. Other fraternities are making great strides by upgrading their houses. The Sigma Omicron Chapter House remains at capacity but is in need of some upgrades. As the Housing Corporation Treasurer, I wanted to give an update on the financial status of the Housing Corporation. We currently have outstanding debt on the chapter house of just under $260,000. We have been trying to retire this debt early through donations made by graduate brothers, along with our monthly payments. Our donations have continued to dwindle over the past few years. I want to thank those brothers who have been faithful to donate, and I would like to encourage others to do so. We have several options that would allow you to donate including, but not limited to, monthly credit card payments or ACH debits from your financial institution. These options are easy because you don’t have to do anything after they are setup. Let’s help keep the Sigma Omicron Chapter of Phi Gamma Delta the top fraternity at Oklahoma State University in ALL areas. Fraternally, Gentry Parker 1996 Perge’