tf)e Sooner Fiji VQwvTory Publisfjed by Nu Onjega Chapter of tfje Frateroity of Plji GaipiDa "Pelta at tlje University of Of^Iatjoma NORMAN,OKLAHOMA FALL 1997 President's Report FALL RUSH BRINGS IN 45 NEW PLEDGES Once again, Nu Omega Chapter of Phi Gamma Delta is offto a great start this year. We began with another very productive work week, followed by a nity. It can also lead to a highly moti vated membership. A problem that is facing the frater successful rush, and we are now mov tem, is the intense scrutiny that we are currently under. Due to mishaps at other universities, the University of Oklahoma is keeping a close eye on ing through the school year with a ftill head of steam. The membership returned this se mester ready to make improvements on the house and prepared to get an other year underway. With the help of the Phi Gam Dames (the moms club), we were able to transform a room into a new study/computer room for the members. With help from donations and a lot of elbow grease, we got the house in top condition for rush. nity, as well as the entire Greek sys all fraternities. The International Headquarters is also watching all chapters closely. Now more than ever, our chapter is concerned with running everything by the book. We are doing our best to pay close attention to risk management and alcohol policies. My cabinet and I are very pleased with the chapter's effort to make this a safe and success ful year. I have thoroughly enjoyed leading this wonderful fraternity for the past year. I have the utmost confidence that my cabinet will be able to pass the reins on to a very capable and wellprepared group of members. Our chap ter is running smoothly; we are the best chapter at the University of Okla homa and are currently pulling away from the competition. Your advice and help are always encouraged. We enjoy seeing our graduates and your visits are always welcome. Remember, Phi Gamma Delta is not for college days alone. As usual, we had a fantastic fall rush. We signed 45 men for our 1997 pledge class. Each pledge has the po tential to be a great member. We feel that each pledge can be a huge asset to the fraternity. I was pleased with the effort during nish. I am also pleased with our pledge team, led by Carter Cole, and their effort to help make great members out of our pledges. My time as president of the frater nity is quickly coming to a close. I have enjoyed my tenure, and thanks to my cabinet and membership, it has not been a difficult task. My cabinet made the decision to try to get the rest ofthe membership more motivated and more involved in tasks. We implemented a policy to form 20 committees and re quire each member to be a part of at Nu Omega Brother Retired from Successful Announcing Career Henry F. Simms '44 retired as a television show and commercial an nouncer in Hawaii and Los Angeles. He writes, "My television experi ences included announcing the Acad emy Awardsfor about 28 years, doing all the Quinn Martin Production shows for some 10 years, including The FBI, Cannon, Barnaby Jones, The Streets of San Francisco and about eight or 10 others. (Oddly enough, due to Screen Actors Guild contracts, my voice is still at the be ginning of all of these shows when they are rerun, even though I haven 7 announced a wordfor them in over 15 years.) I also had a plethora of other show and commercial assignments over the years." Hank lists his hobbies as "golf, golf, golf, golf."He is a member of'Wichita Country Club, Oahu Country Club in Hawaii, Wilshire Country Club in Los Angeles, John's Island Country Club in Vero Beach, PL, and Belvedere Country Club in Hot Springs, AR. He and his wife, Elinor (KKF), have four grown children. Shannon, Stefanie, Kevin and Frank. (Continued on page 2) least two of those committees. This plan has worked wonderfully so far. It has led to great and well-run social functions, better communication with the chapter and a very successful Homecoming. Our policy is only in its first stages, but if it is followed well, it can lead to a very successful frater Don'tForgetlf Pig Dinner will be on February 7,1998. Nu Omega looksforward to having you back! Please contact Max Kayem with any questions at(405) 573-5107. \r\nPage 2 THE SOONER FIH A New Pledge's Perspective On August 28, 45 men signed bid cards in hopes of becoming members of Phi Gamma Delta. I know these 45 people as my pledge brothers and friends. We have already established friendships that will no doubt last a lifetime. We have spent time together at parties, participating in Homecom ing week activities and just hanging out. I believe, and know that my all of my pledge class would agree, that so far this has been an experience that has made us better men and will help us in the future to be more successful and productive members of society. The fraternity has helped academi cally by providing a study hall. Since most members of my pledge class are freshmen, it has been difficult for Let Us Hear from You! If you have any ideas or comments many ofus to adjust to college. One of the hardest things to do is manage our time so that we have enough time to study. Our study hall has been a simple solution to this problem. We meet two hours a night, three nights a week, in the library. Many of us have classes together and are able to help each other with homework and studying. We have also begun helping the campus and community. With the help of the women of Delta Delta Delta, we were active in Homecoming activities. We painted a window on campus comer, made ban ners to display at the student union and built a float. We placed second in the overall Homecoming competi tions. During Homecoming week, we also participated in a blood drive and helped reach a campus goal of over 400 donors. We have scheduled many Fall 1997 Send Us Your Personal News The Sooner Fiji is designed as a mode of correspondence between the active chapter and Nu Omega gradu ates. We hope to feature a more exten sive graduate news section in future issues. However, in order to realize our goal of putting you back in contact with your former classmates, we need information from you. Please return your graduate information card. If you want to begin corresponding with your brothers or continue where the lines of communication were bro ken,simply take the time to send your personal news to be included in the newsletter. Let us hear from you, so we can include your news in a future issue of The Sooner Fiji! other activities that will help the The Sooner Fiji is published regularly by the brothers ofthe Fra Norman campus and community. The ternity of Phi Gamma Delta at the membership has continually expressed University of Oklahoma for mem to us the importance of morality and regarding the newsletter, please con excellence. We have been taught what tact Chapter Historian Philip Houchin at(405)573-5109. is expected of us as potential members of Phi Gamma Delta. bers and friends. Graduate news items, photos, e-mail addresses and change of address notices should be sent to Nu Omega Welcomes Ida Nicks As the new semester rolled around and the members ofNu Omega Chap ter of Phi Gamma Delta made their way back to the house, another new tenant was doing the same. New housemother Ida Marie Nicks arrived that employment at Phi Gamma Delta during the school year will provide her the opportunity to pursue travel goals in Europe this summer. "While the semester is still young, the new membership has thus far been Nu Omega Chapter of Phi Gamma Delta, c/o Newsletter Program Headquarters, P.O. Box 410708, ^Kansas City, MO 64141-0708. ^ Nil A RETIRED ANNOUNCER (Continued from page 1) Brother Simms comments on his in early August, replacing Sudie extremely cooperative and respect Fiji experience at the University of Rowell. ful," said Ida. When asked, a number Oklahoma, "Residence in the Phi Gam house as afreshman was a marvelous maturing experience. We learned to live with some 60-oddfraternity broth ers and to socialize with the opposite United States, but in Japan for a pe of members were equally excited about the new housemother. They noted especially the drastic change re garding involvement in chapter projects in comparison to previous riod of three years as well. When housemothers. asked about her motivation in her In closing, the Nu Omega Chapter is very proud to have Ida Nicks repre Ida Hicks, a native of Wetumka, OK, was formerly employed by the Secret Service Agency for a tenure of 25 years, working not only in the change in occupation, Ida stated that she was interested in working with younger people and feels that her new job as a housemother is the ideal op portunity for her to do so. Aside from getting the chance to interact with young people, Ida also cited the fact senting them as their housemother. We are all looking forward to a long and productive relationship with Ida, and hope everybody will continue to be as receptive and warm with her as she has proven to be with us. gender, thanks to the infamous mixing of the freshmen classes with most of the sororities on campus, and being obliged to initiate Coke dates, dinner dates and evening dates after these required introductory maneuvers." Nu Omega Chapter brothers can correspond with Hank via P.O. Box 656, Flot Springs National Park, AR 71902. \r\nPage 3 THE SOONER FIH Fall 1997 Nu Omega Chapter Graduate News Randal W. Clark Jr. '47 retired as president of Clark Seals Ltd. in 1993. He is involved with the White House Conference on Small Business and Funds)." He is the president of the UMKC Chapter of Phi Delta Kappa and the retirement board ofKansas City School was appointed to two terms by Senator District. He was elected to their board Don Nickles to the Small Business of tnistees for 20 years. Fishing, hunt ing, hiking, camping, travel and read ing are favorite hobbies. Administration National Advisory Board. He is a member of the Tulsa Chamber of the Tulsa Small Business Committee and likes to play tennis in his leisure time. Randy and his wife, Marianne (OSU KKT), a legal secre tary, have a grown son, Paul. He writes, "Marianne and I en joyed the reunion of my pledge class at the Oklahoma City Country Club in thefall of199b. ICudos to the hosts. "From my Fiji experience, I be came much more aware ofthe need to developfi iendships and social activi ties with members." Brothers can write to Randy at 4011 E. 62nd St., Tulsa, OK 74136. Thomas F.Myers'61 retired as a high school assistant principal in the Kansas City School District. He writes, "lam currently workingfor American Cen tury Investments in the 401(K) Divi sion (formerly 20th Centurv Mutual He comments on his Fiji experi ence, "It taught me to be able to get along with many different people." Tom and his wife, Nancy (Elmira), a retired teacher, have two grown chil dren, Kelly and Kyle. Drop him a line at 21 E. 55th St., Kansas City, MO area can feelfree to call or stop by. I would love to have them over. It is great to read ofall the successful bro thers and their accomplishments." You can keep in touch with Randy at 2401 S.E. Burton, Topeka, KS 66605. R.Scott Farley'89 is a chiropractor in private practice. He volunteers for Big Brothers/Big Sisters and is president of OU Alumni of Tulsa, team leader for the Sooner Club and involved with the American Lung Association. Scott and his wife, Kelley, can be found at their new address, 5414 E. 110th PI., Tulsa, OK 74137. 64113. Randy D.Harris'88 is a district man ager at Shelter Insurance. He is a mem ber of Rotary and enjoys golf, fishing, remote control planes and hunting. Randy and his wife, Suzanne (ZTA), have three children, Jake, 6, Lily, 2, William J.Crowe Jr.'46 is the United States ambassador to the United King dom. He and his wife, Shirley (AAA), have three grown children,Blake,Brent and Bambi. Bill was president of his freshmen and Laura, 1. He writes, "Friendships andfamily class at the University of Oklahoma are lasting gifts. The fraternity then and president of his Nu Omega pledge and now has brought many cherished class. relationships which I will hold dear far into thefuture. "I am in Topeka—anyone in the Let him hear from brothers at the American Embassy,London,PSC 801, Box 03, FPO, AE 09498. Graduate Assistance Ensures Best Rush Results While much can be said about the recent advancements made in nearly n andthere campus hfe for XT Nu Omega Chapter, is a particular facet about which enough can never be said. The chapter's m!h chairmen have been doing an excel lentjob locating and pledgfeg the be J young men at the University^of o£ Fiji Rushee Recommendation .Age; Name; Home Address; School Address; Phone; Home; School; homa, but there is alwavs iimprovement. The best imnrn°'" Classification; Major; any of the brothers can com Comments; i, more interaction by grad„ate?in"the msh process-namely, recommenda are or will be attending tions. If you know of vni.mo Your Name and Address; whom you would be mv brothers—please take a m the information to us. put, we will be ensured of results for years to come '"j ^ Mail to Phi Gamma Delta, 1200 S. College, Norman,OK 73072. Please do not send to Newsletter Program Headquarters. Thanksl \r\nPage 4 THE SOONER FIH Fall 1997 More Nu Omega Graduates Write In Richard E."Scotty" Douglass '56 is associate vice presidentofinvestments at A.G.Edwards& Sons.He is a former president ofDurango Rotary and likes to play golf in his hours after work. Scotty and his wife,Doris Gail(KKE), have three grown sons. Catch up with this former pledge class president via his new mailing address, P.O. Box 2444,Durango, CO 81302. George W.James II'50 is a capitalist Rodney K. Lowery '51 is a retired dentist who writes, "I am retired and children, Molly, 7, and Andrew, 3. He writes, "I have just moved back to living quietly at home with my invalid wife. We don'tgetout much anymore." He and his wife, Daisy, a retired dieti cian, have a grown daughter, Gayle. Of his Fiji years, Rodney com Oklahoma City after having been gone from Oklahomafor the last 21 years. 1 have had fun getting together with some of my pledge brothers and look forward to seeing many more. ments, "I was able to associate with "The fraternity experience taught some veryfine young men during my years at OU. Unfortunately,Ihave not me to help others and to give back to the community." kept up with these associations." Get Brothers in the area can find Jim at back in touch with this brother at 920 1525 N.W. 143rd St., Edmond, OK N. Hersey, Beloit, KS 67420. 73013. who writes, "Our children had our 50th anniversary party on December 27, 1996. Many Fijis and their wives attended. Lots offun and oldfriends— it wasgreat.It's amazing the number of times you run into Phi Gams around the country." "Jessie" and his wife, Lyda (Lake Forest), currently make their home at 6345 Harden Dr., Oklahoma City, OK James L. Banta '75 is general man ager at S.P. Richards Company. He has been involved in fundraising for The Arnold Palmer Hospital for Chil dren and Women in Orlando,FL,and helped raise over $25,000 in four years through the organization of 70 C. Dennis Cresap '56 is president of Premium Beers, Inc. He and his wifo> Gail (William Woods), an alpaca breeder, have one son, John. Say hello to Denny at 1801 S.WAdams, Box 1236, Bartlesville, OK 74005. members. Golf and tennis are among his favorite leisure activities. 73118. Jim and his wife, Gina, have two Graduate Reunions Rekindle Lost Enthusiasm Address A phenomenon that has become all-too-familiar to many Greek organizations is the widespread loss of enthusiasm among their graduate ranks. This loss can Updates create a serious challenge to the livelihood and strength ofsororities and fraterni ties. Fortunately, many Greek organizations have found that when their gradu ates get together with former classmates at reunions and other events, lost enthusiasm often returns. For Phi Gamma Delta, the problem itself has never been evident, and it Robert D. Looney '41 528 N.W. 12th Oklahoma City, OK 73103 certainly (and most happily) is not the case with the many graduates of our own Nu Omega Chapter. Most of our graduate brothers stay involved with the Fiji brotherhood long after their collegiate days have come to an end. They seem eager to build on the friendships formed at the University of Oklahoma. For many, in fact, those very same friendships are found to be stronger than ever decades after graduation. Several graduates of Nu Omega Chapter have become active in graduate chapters and clubs, while others have chosen to work with the collegiate chapter in advisory capacities. Alan D. Terrill '66 3300 Brush Creek Rd. Oklahoma City, OK 73120 Michael A. Rogers '93 121 S. Dunton Arlington Heights, IL 60005 This is encouraging for the current collegians at Nu Omega—the strength of our brotherhood, as demonstrated by our graduates, is proof that we made the right decision when it came time to select a bid. Still, Fiji graduates from chapters throughout the country find that their enthusiasm for our brotherhood is strengthened by attending a reunion, partici pating in Homecoming or a Founders Day event, or simply by arranging a small get-together with members of their pledge class. This is also true for the graduates of Nu Omega Chapter, and we salute our graduates who take time out of their busy schedules to keep in touch with their brothers and stay involved with Phi Gamma Delta. Thomas M.Hiner '89 3001 Oak Tree Ave. #A-3 Norman, OK 73071 David H. Brazil '49 600 Deer Valley Rd., Garden G San Rafael, CA 94903