JAN 3 ^335 lEjJStlcn Epsilon of Phi Gamma Delta PF!I G.r.iiiA c il HEA THE University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, N.C. December 1994 Presidential Report Purple Legionnaire's Letter to the Brotherhood Dear Brothers, I always enjoy writing these letters to you because I enjoy telling you how well the undergraduates are doing in each semester. This fall is no exception. We have nine sturdy new pledges, 11 freshly initiated brothers and a great group of undergraduate brothers. So far we have had a splendid 1994. On a different front,I will let you know a little about what is new at the university. For the first time that I know of, the university has a fiill-blown Office of Greek Afiairs, headed by Ron Binder. Binder has taken on the task of keeping the fi^ternity and sorority system out of harm's way — or to put it another way, he is in charge of full-time crisis management. The 6ct that this position had to be created speaks to the changes that have taken place on our campus in recent years. Our young men are feced with educational and social challenges that we never dreamed of. Binder sets the guidelines that all Greek organizations must follow in order to be recognized by the university, and thereby creates a "level playing field." The PGD House Corporation,our undergraduates and I all welcome this positive change in the school's policy. In 6ct,oiu" brothers have helped Mr. Binder in many ways, fi-om holding the office of president ofthe IPG to serving on several newly formed committees. For several years Epsilon has been ahead ofthe risk manage ment curve, and we can be proud of the undergraduate brotherhood for helping to implement these rather than resisting them. By Scott M.Skidmore'95, Chapter President Greetings from the Phi Gam House. This fall provided an enjoyable time for all ofus at Phi Gam,to say the least. For the first time in several semesters, the house is completely fiill, which has excited everybody. The school year started off with a bang after getting nine sturdy pledges from the eastern part of the state. We are all looking forward to their becoming familiar with the traditions and the rich heritage that Epsilon provides. This semester we have been able to have a substantial social budget, which has definitely provided some great times for all. One ofour biggest successes was the Parent's Cocktail. It gave all the parents a chance to meet their sons' brothers as well as to shake a little leg with the jazz band we hired for the occasion. All the home football games this year have brought back a great many graduate brothers who I hope were able to get one more taste ofB. T. Harrington's southern fiied chicken. Vance Hall is looking as good as ever after a fresh coat of paint on the interior. Presently, the imdergraduates are working with the House Corporation to get the house exterior painted as well as to have new gutters installed. One new addition to Phi Gam and the entire fiatemity system is the installation ofa Greek Adviser, Ron Binder. He has started to crack the whip on some ofthe old traditions, which has caused an uproar, but luckily we are working with him in a very positive mantier. Over the course of the fell semester, several graduate brothers have expressed their interest in joining the House Corporation. We are pleased with this interest because Phi Gam is not for college days alone. I want to thank all the graduates for their continued support. I hope most everyone can make it up to Chapel Hill for a ball game or two. If you are ever in the area, please stop by,say hello and see how Vance Hall and B. T. are doing. Mark Your Calendars Norris Pig Dinner Sincerely, J. Ed Peele '77 Saturday, March 18, 1995 Watch your mailfor details. Noms Dinnefc \r\nDecember 1994 Page 2 That Fabulous Fleming Family By Jim Scssoms'76, Epsilon ofPhi Gamma Delta Ck)-President If you were to look at a list ofall the occupations ofall Epsilon with the leg work, Carolina Pottery was soon up and running. The concept took off. Carolina Pottery was expanded and new stores were added in Charlotte and Atlanta. Then, with the business bursting at the seams from its explosive growth,the graduates, you'd be struck by otu diversity. We have our share ofdoctors, lawyers, CPAs and insurance agents, with a smattering of politicians, military officers and other public servants — pretty much a microcosm ofour society. Flemings put together a large oudet mall venture in Smithfield, with Carolina Pottery as the anchor. Joined by newly graduated brother Mike '86, Dixon picked up his father's dream and carried it forward. Their contacts in the outlet mall business brought the Flemings together with VF But America is called the land ofopportunity for a good reason, and we have a number of brothers who have taken advantage ofthat opportunity in its purest form: building their own businesses. Entrepreneurs can be foimd at all levels of American business — fiom giant corporations to "mom and pop" stores on Main Street. To see the entrepreneurial transformation from small femily-run business to big corporation,look no further than Smithfield, N.C.,and Epsilon's O'^n Fleming family. You might say Dick Fleming '49 hit the jackpot when he "hit the road" — Interstate Highway 95,that is. When Dick built a Howard Johnson's motel there in 1962, his hard work enabled him to enjoy the fruits ofAmerica's passion for travel, particularly along our shiny new interstate system. His Smithfield motel prospered, as did his later addition down the road in Walterboro,S.C. When his eldest son,Dixon '76,joined him right out ofChapel Hill, Dick's dream grew."I thought it would be good for business if all those travelers had somewhere to shop right along the highway here," said the Greenville native. "The pottery business seemed to be doing well,so we looked into doing that along 1-95." With son Dixon helping Corporation, one of the nation's largest apparel makers. The Flemings bought VF's mall real estate holdings, and crowned their success by launching the initial public offering of their new real estate investment trust — christened Factory Stores of America — on the New York Stock Exchange in mid-1993. They now oversee a business empire with a market capitalization of over $250 million. Not bad for three of the nicest guys you'd ever want to meet who started with a single motel in eastern North Carolina. Now retired, Dick enjoys hunting and traveling. His daughters are also involved in the family business in other cities, and he tries to visit them often. Speaking at Epsilon's Norris Pig Dinner in March, Dick, Dixon and Mike shared their wonderful and inspirational success story vtith their Phi Gam brothers. "It took a lot of hard work, and we had our share ofluck," said Dixon."But my family is living proof that you can accomplish anything you really want to do." Honor Roll Update Thank you to the brothers listed, who,although they made contributions to our 1993-94 giving program, were not listed on our July 1994 Honor Roll. We can help . . . O. Wallace Lane '47 Before the reunion by supplying you with: •A list ofgraduate brothers from your class or era. • A set of mailing labels for the above list. • Publicity in our newsletter, if you let us know far James B. Sessoms '76 enough in advance. After the reunion by publishing: • Your write-up ofthe event. •Some ofthe many photos you took ofthe event (Please identify people in the photos from left to right) The Epsilon Owl is published for the members and friends of Epsilon Chapter ofPhi Gamma Delta Fraternity at the University of North Carolina. Address changes, Just mail your reunion information and photos to the Graduate Records Office, Phi Gamma Delta Fraternity, P.O. Box 3367, Chapel HUl, NC 27515-3367. Attention: Special Features Editor. V J news items and photographs may be sent in the enclosed envelope or mailed to Graduate Records Office, Phi Gamma Delta Fraternity, P.O. Box 3367, Chapel Hill, NC 27515-3367. \r\nPage 3 The Epsilon Owl Dubious Publicity for House BPSILON By Bryan Ward '96, Corresponding Secretary CHAPTER OFFICERS The November 15,1994 edition ofthe Ralei^fh News and Observer ran an article on an incident at the Phi Gam House in President Scott M.Skidmore'95 Winston-Salem, N.C. Business Administration Treasurer Jonathan B. Blanco '95 Winston-Salem, N.C. Economics Recording Secretary George C. Venters'96 Raleigh, N.C. Economics Corresponding Secretary Historian Bryan M. Ward'96 New Bern, N.C. English/Political Science Bjtbert W.Lane '96 Edenton, N.C. History the Orange Metro section under the title: Fratemity Prank Nets Police Call. Although the impetus ofthe article was the activity ofpledges trying to take brothers on a retreat to the beach, the article hinted that it might be a form ofhazing. The article began:"Two women watched Friday as several UNC-CH fiatemity members grabbed another ftatemity brother and threw him into a truck as he screamed for help." From this rather alarming opening, the article continues, indicating that the UNC police report labeled the incident a prank and that the "victim" had been "smiling and laughing." Dean ofStudents Fred Schroeder was quoted as saying: "Typically,sometimes such incidents are intended as a prank or joke. The problem is that other people can take it quite seriously, as is evidenced by this case." That seemed to be exactly the problem when,in such an anti-Greek climate, goodnatured fun could be used as fodder to fortify the popular image offraternities as hazing instimtions. GHAIDUA "I'm still practicing law at age 76," writes attorney W. Lunsford Crew '38(Box 160, Roanoke Rapids, NC 27870), there twice a week. Phi Gams Bill Elmore'43, Julius Smith '44, William Anderson '47 and Ernest McLean '48 are also "and still voting the straight Democratic ticket. I also attend members."I look forward to reading each issue of the Epsilon Owl, particularly the Graduate News." Republican funerals." Retired tobacco warehouseman Fordycc H.Sugg'41 lives at 418 S. Longmeadow Rd., Greenville, NC 27858. Clarence L. Ruffin '42(216 Tree Top Ln., Johnson City, TN 37601)informs us that he's just gotten his first computer. "I'rn having a ball trying to learn how to use it. I'm a little old to be pushing my brain that much, but they say Tf you don't use it, Last May we heard from Walter A. Holt'49(P.O. Box 617, Ivy, VA 22945), now retired: "Recently John Stedman '46, Harry Walker'47,Jack Cobb '48 and I enjoyed The Society ofthe Cincinnati, North Carolina Chapter at Beaufort, N.C. — a very fine organization for some Phi Gamma Deltas to consider." you'll lose it'." Clarence recently stopped in Marion,S.C., to visit Ram Hardin Jr.'42."He has changed little in 50 years." Attomey J. Dickson McLean Jr.'49 lives at 212 W.20th, Lumberton, NC 28358. Now retired as president and CEO ofBurroughs Wellcome,a Claude R. Wilson '52(102 Ash St., Box 314, Robersonville, NC 27871) planned to retire on June 30, 1994. He served for 37 years with Wachovia Bank of North Carolina, most recently as senior vice president. Claude looks forward to "pursuing hobbies, and to some long-anticipated travel with Janice, my wife of42 years." pharmaceutical company,Theodore E. Haigler Jr.'46(3304 Lando Rd., Raleigh, NC 27609) writes: "1 visited recently with Hugh Perry'47 ofSanford, N.C. He is still in the tire business and doing fine. I play golf weekly with Sanford Thompson '49, a neighbor in Raleigh, and was with Harry Walker'47, also of Raleigh, on a recent boat trip: a flotilla ofeight vessels that traveled from Morehead City to New Bern." O. Wallace Lane'47(208 W. Newlyn St., Greensboro, NC 27408) has retired as regional sales manager for Shelby Insurance Company. He writes: "I continue being active in the Host Lions Club and the First Baptist Church; I've been a member of Greensboro Country Club for many years, and golf In 1993 William M.Green '55(201 Pinetree Dr., Robersonville, NC 27871)sold his snack-food company to Anheuser-Busch — it is now Eagle Snacks — and started a mail-order business, W.M. Green Company. "I'll be moving to Greenville, N.C.,in the second half of 1994. Maybe I'll retire after 30 more years!" Continued ^ \r\nPage 4 December 1994 778 MORE GRADUATE NEWS Theodore K- Lynch Jr.'56(1713 Country Club Rd., Wilmington, NC 28403)is happily retired, and refers to himself as "vice president ofleisure at Do Nothing Inc.," where he spends his time fishing, sleeping and anything else he wants. The new address for John B. Woods'56 is 4648 Old Hwy., NC86N,Yanceyville, NC 27379. John is sales supervisor for Danville Tobacco Association in Danville, Va. D. Ottis Pate'57 now lives at 17 Surrey Lane, Durham, NC 27707. Retired as vice president at Prudential Securities, Ott now travels between his home in Durham and his beach place at Pine Knoll Shores. John D. Cherry'76 has a new address: 1004 Kings Mill Rd., Chapel Hill, NC 27514. CPA William S. Creekmuir'77, chieffinancial officer at Ladd Furniture Inc., now lives at 11 Heathrow Ct., Greensboro, NC 27410. Bill married Frances Otterbourg in September 1993. He has three children and one stepchild. Now senior vice president at Donaldson, Lufkin 8c Jenrette, an investment banking firm in New York City, B. Robert Williamson Jr.'79(8 E.96th St. #8A, New York, NY 10128) writes: "I've been with DLJ for eleven years and have been a member ofthe Chairmen's Club (the company's top sales people)for five of the last six years. My wife, Caroline, and I Attomey Jimmic C. Proctor'59 has a new address: 517 Middle St., New Bem,NC 28560. Jim practices general law in Trenton, N.C. have a daughter, Caroline, and a son, B.R 'Rob' Williamson III. Congratulations on the nice academic record, guys — a James B. Sloan '62, whose new address is 2222 Acacia Dr., Wilmington, NC 28403, wrote in May to inform us that his ophthalmology practice. Eye Associates of Wilmington, continues to grow. "Blair and I have three children, all living in Charlotte. Marlin fishing is still a priority." H.Brooks Barwick III'83(P.O. Box 1765, Clinton, NC 28328), president of Atlantic Coil Processing, a steel company, new twist! Where is my big brother Tommy Woodard '76?" married Diane Lear Barwick in October 1990. They have a daughter, Olivia Rachel, and a son, Hugh Brooks Barwick IV. "Going to George Mason University part time for Ph.D. degree H. Edward Boyles'84(2120 Princeton Ave., Charlotte, NC 28207)announces the birth of his son, Harlan Edward Boyles in business," vmtes Hugh E. Eaglcton '66(7702 Radnor Rd., III, on May 4, 1994. Bethesda, MD 20817). Hugh, who is still active in the naval reserves, sees Frank Cloyes'67, Harry Gvirkin '69 and David Bickel'67,"who recently turned 50 in style." Banker Robert L. Smith '85(P.O. Box 120, Robersonville, NC 27871)is now assistant vice president and branch manager at United Carolina Bank in Greenville. He and his wife, Janet, You can write to John B. Beall'70 at P.O. Box 2400,Lenoir, had their first child, Emmaline Jenkins Smith, on February 19, NC 28645. 1994. John T.Stanley'71 (3811 Brown Bark Dr., Greensboro, NC 27410)is vice president ofinsurance sales at W.E. Stanley 8c Company,an actuarial firm. Robert L. Edwards Jr.'89(1105 Massachusetts Ave. Apt. lA,Cambridge, MA 02138) married Leigh Bamhill of Tarboro, N.C.,in i^ril 1993. Both attend graduate school in Cambridge. An area manager ofchemical sales for National Chemsearch Corp.,R. Stevens Gravely'74(7409 El Encanto Ct. #201, Tampa,FL 33617) writes:"Now my fellow Fijis have a place to stay to escape the cold of winter — sunny Tampa. All welcome any time. Having been here almost three years I feel like a native. I'm sure we can find something to do and someplace to sip some cold brews and rekindle Fiji memories." The home address for C. Paisley Gordon Jr.'89 is 204 Cottage PI., Charlotte, NC 28207. Since publication ofour last issue, we have learned of the death of the following brothers: F. Ray Moore Jr.'74(P.O. Box 367,Washington, NC 27889), president of his own oil company, has been particularly busy the last few years, according to a letter he wrote last May: "Entered the propane business in 1992; purchased a local Texaco distributorship in 1993; went to Honduras on a William M. Bliss'32(5/10/94), Troy A. Apple '38 , Ben J. Lamb '39(1/19/94), Charles C. Bean '43(1/4/94)and church/medical mission, and expect to go again in June 1994." "Apollo" also serves as chairman ofthe international Rotarian Charles Dudley Jr.'51. grant committee for his district, and in 1994 was named Small Phi Gamma Delta mourns their passing and extends Businessman ofthe Year. condolences to their families and friends.