We Tlieta l^iji Published by Theta Chapter of the Fraternity of Phi Gamma Delta at the University of Alabama 'Avfcvrtof* TUSCALOOSA,ALABAMA WINTER 1995-96 FALL '95 WAS PRODUCTIVE,MEMORABLE Philanthropy The annual Great Alabama Duck Race raised more than $10,000 for the Boys and Girls Club of Tuscaloosa. Our pledges were almost exclusively in charge of the physical construction $5,000 for the restoration of our kitchen. Thanks to them we were able to obtain a new freezer, fryer and steam table, the kitchen was painted and plaster work was done. Theta Chapter appreciates the donations from alumni for the improvement of our kitchen. of the event and the subsequent cleanup. Theta Chapter held its first ever Fall Festival on September 29, 1995, which raised over $500 for the Children's Hospital of Tuscaloosa. This event was collaborated upon with the help of the Kappa Alphas and Sigma Nus. Fall Festival demonstrates interfrater- nity cooperation for the purpose of helping others and will be held again next year. Our annual Christmas party was held for underprivileged kids at Mar tin Luther King Junior High School. House Corporation Theta Chapter applauds the efforts ofPresident Pat Smith, Treasurer Neal McCracken, Secretary Brian Woodke and Purple Legionnaire David Platt for their efforts in working to make our house function smoothly. Thanks to money raised by our alumni, we were able to complete kitchen restoration this fall. ✓ \ Spotlight on Brother Lee Otts Lee M. Otts '43, former Theta Chapter president, served in the US Army for four years after gradua tion, where he was honored with the Bronze Star Medal for Heroism, the Purple Heart Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, Combat Infantryman Badge and an ETO Ribbon with three battle Awards Theta Chapter was recently hon ored with the James Templeton McCarty Award. New Housemom Mrs. Shirley Lemley is doing an excellent job as our new housemom and we hope she remains with Theta Chapter for many years to come. Kitchen Improvement Theta Chapter's alumni raised stars. He was released as a captain in the honorary reserve. Lee began practicing law in Brewton, AL,in 1949, where he con tinues to practice today. He served as judge of the Inferior Court of Escambia County from 1951-53, was Escambia County Solicitor from 1953-75 and attorney for Escambia County from 1958-93. Lee is active in numerous civic and community activities including the Presbyterian Church (clerk, Sun day school teacher, commissioner and various committees), Brewton Rotary Club (president), Chamber of Commerce, American Legion (past post adjutant). South Alabama Re gional Planning Commission, Hous ing Authority of City of Brewton (president), Brewton City Board of Education (president), Alabama As sociation ofSchool Boards(first vice president) and Brewton Country Club. Brother Otts is featured in Who's Who in Alabama, Community Lead ers of America, Who's Who in the South and Southwest, Personalities in the South, Alabama's Distin guished and Who's Who in American Law. Lee and his wife, Mary (East Carolina), have four grown children, Harriett, Martha, Elizabeth and Mary Lee. You can get in touch with him via P.O. Box 467, Brewton, AL 36427. \r\nPage 2 THE THETA FIJI The Theta Fiji is published regu larly by the men ofthe Fraternity of Phi Gamma Delta at the University of Alabama for members and friends. Graduate news items, photo graphs and change of address no tices should be sent to Theta Chap Greeks Work Together for Student Representation Dear alumni. and debate, the convention has created As you may already know,the Uni versity of Alabama has been without a a proposal for a strong, just and fair student government. ter of Phi Gamma Delta, c/o News Student Government Association for letter Program Headquarters, P.O. over two years. This has left the stu Box 7311, Macon,GA 31209-7311. dents with no outlet to voice their con Theta Chapter cerns about campus policies and is sues. At this point, there is no elected body of student representatives. All student leaders are either appointed by the administration or elected by a Rushes 22 We gained 22 pledges during rush this year. We want to thank those graduate brothers who helped in the development of this year's program. The following brothers are in charge of rush this year: John Fulmer '98, Jason Tabor '98, Robert Ireland '98 and Jody McCormack '98. You may contact any of them on the house phone,(205) 348-5560. Our 1995 pledge class includes: Matthew Boone Huntsville, AL Tyler Fann Huntsville, AL Chris Fairey Memphis, TN Trip Farrell Anniston, AL Alex Flowers Scott Hargrove Gordy Hirsch Jamison Howard Mobile, AL Athens, AL Birmingham, AL Winter 1995-96 Because of the convention's diver sity, it was able to create a constitu tion that satisfied all requirements set forth by the administration. However, all of the efforts of the constitutional convention have been met with strong opposition from the Office of Student lation concerning students is enacted without any student input and all stu Life. A referendum on the proposed constitution is currently being delayed by a series of repetitive and meaning less reviews by the faculty and the dent fees are allocated by a hand- Office of Student Life. picked group of nonelected students. selves. This is the reason fraternities We need your help to bring student representation back to the University of Alabama. Please contact University of Alabama President Roger Sayers at (205) 348-5100 or Vice President Harry Knopke at(205)348-6670. You and sororities on campus initiated a can also write to them at The Univer small group of club presidents. Legis As the largest and most prestigious university in Alabama, it is an embar rassment that students at the univer sity are not trusted to govern them plan to remedy this situation. Two years ago,the Greek leaders at Alabama began a convention whose purpose was to draft a new SGA con stitution. This constitutional conven tion was open to everyone and inde pendent involvement was encouraged. sity of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL 35487. Let us all join together to bring stu dent government back to Alabama. Thank you for your time and attention to this urgent matter. Sincerely, President Josh Noblitt After more than a year of deliberation 1996-97 Theta Chapter Officers Huntsville, AL Andy Johnson Vernon, AL President Treasurer Tyler Benitone, Memphis, TN Garrison, Tuscaloosa, AL Yank Lovelace Brewton, AL Historian Jeff Rabren, Andalusia, AL Richard Matthews Huntsville, AL Chad Medders Anniston, AL Justin Miller Memphis, TN Scott Patterson Charlotte, NC John Santospago Charlotte, NC Corresponding Secretary Recording Secretary Garner Jeffrey, Mobile, AL Philip Mullin, Birmingham, AL You ^re Invited to Pig Dinner! Pig Dinner will be held on March 16, 1996, with keynote speaker Lee Moss. Please complete and return this invitation. There will be a golfscramble Billy Shaw Tuscaloosa, AL Alex Sokol Birmingham, AL at the North River Yacht Club on Saturday—tee time will be announced later. There is a $65 fee for the golf tournament. Please contact Pat Smith at (205) Robert Sproul Birmingham, AL 345-2131 if you're interested in the tournament. Kelly Stackpole New Orleans, LA Matthew Terrell Brewton, AL Wes Winslett Jason Wood Pensacola, FL Gulf Shores, FL □ Yes, I will attend Pig Dinner and the golf tournament. □ Yes, I will attend Pig Dinner, but not the golf tournament. Your Name: Mail to: Phi Gamma Delta, P.O. Drawer AN, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL 35486. \r\nWinter 1995-96 Page 3 THE THETA FIJI News & Viewsfrom Theta Chapter Graduates mingham School John W.Sims'68 earned his MBA in Delta. I retired as a full colonel in 1978. Fiji has helped in my civilian association and in local community activities."Ed is past president of Ki- of Law and has wanis Club and past moderator of Congregational Church. Write to him at 485 Hill Rd., Southern Pines, NC D. Michael Sawyer '76 earned his juris doctorate in Louisiana Ste. 2500, Houston, TX 77002. 1987 from the Bir f Carbon Hill for 1972 and is currently director of leas ing with Laing Properties Inc., a eightyears. Still a commercial real bachelor, Mike estate organiza been practicing in 28387. can be reached via tion. John's wife, P.O.Box 1014,Carbon Hill, AL 35549. the former Alice man and CEO of Grume(AAA),is a Mac Papers, Inc. and Mac Paper Converters, Inc. He was recently Glen B. Handley Jr.'75 brings us upto-date; "I'm living in Cairo, Egypt, Thomas R.McGehee'46 is the chair school teacher. They have two daughters, working in ajoint venture company of British Gas. My position is deputy ex Catherine, 19, and Alice, 15. You can honored ploration manager in charge ofdevel oping an offshore field in the Gulf of get in touch with them at 3277 Pine the Governor's Award as Out Meadow Rd.N.W.,Atlanta,GA 30327. with standing Industri Suez." Glen and his wife, the former Carey Nelson, were married in July 1992. Glen has two children. Ford, 8, and Caytlin, 2. He comments on the fraternity in fluence, "Fiji has given me the oppor tunity to know a lot ofpeople and to keep their friendship long after col lege through contacts and even chap ter functions." Send your news to Brother Handley c/o BG Egypt, 1100 Edward E.Matney'59earned an MBA alist for the State in labor management and is currently a stockbroker and senior vice president with Wheat First Butcher & Singer. He and his wife, Herma, have two grown of Florida, the Sales & Marketing Ex ecutives of Jacksonville Top Manage ment Award and the Distinguished sons, Mark and David. versity. In addition,he is involved with numerous civic organizations. Ed tells us a little about his life since graduation, "I was an Army cap tain at graduation, then served as comptroller in Germany, then in Viet nam as province senior advisor in the Alumni Award of Jacksonville Uni Tom and his wife, Delia, have two children, Dede and Thomas Jr. Write to the McGehees at 505 Lancaster St. #6B, Jacksonville, FL 32204. Graduate Assistance Ensures BestRush Results While much can be said about the recent advancements made in nearly every facet of fraternity and campus life for Theta Chapter, there is a par ticular facet about which enough can Fiji Rushee Recommendation .Age: Name: Home Address: _ never be said. The chapter's rush chairmen have been doing an excellent job locating and pledging the best young men at the University of Alabama, but there is always room for improvement. The School Address: Phone: Home: School: Classification: Major: Comments: best improvement any of the brothers can come up with is more interaction by graduates in the rush process— namely, recommendations. If you know of young men who are Your Name and Address: or will be attending Alabama—and whom you would be proud to call brother—please take a moment to get the information to us. With your in put, we will be ensured of top rush results for years to come. Mail to Phi Gamma Delta, P.O. Drawer AN,Tuscaloosa, AL 35486. Please do not send to Newsletter Program Headquarters. Thankst \r\nPage 4 THE THETA FIJI Winter 1995-96 Theta Chapter Graduate Updates Arthur "Bud" Eastman '41 owned Indiana Advertising for 23 years and was senior vice president of the National Bank & Trust of South Bend for 16 years before retiring in 1983. He and his wife, Elinor (Indiana HBO), a former indepen dent school teacher, have two grown children, David and Cynthia. Bud writes, "Fraternity affiliation has drawn me into many rewarding Fijifriendships, socially, in business, in the US Marine Corps during WWII and even now in retirement, over 1,000 miles from where I spent most ofmy life in Indiana. "The 'damn Yankee' has certainly converted. There is no bigger booster for southern living than I since retir ing to Naples, FL, 12 years ago!" Bud is enjoying golf, swimming, reading, walking, spectator sports, photography and the arts in his retire ment years. He is also active in many civic and community organizations, including Rotary International, SW Florida Graduate Chapter of Phi Gamma Delta, Trinity-by-the-Cove Episcopal Church, Friends ofthe Arts and Stonebridge Country Club. This former freshman vice presi dent can be reached at 3450 N. Gulf Shore Blvd. #203, Naples, FL 33940. William "Wong" Wertz Jr. '39 has had his share ofexcitement since gradu ation. He led Company B of Patton's Third Army across the Rhine River pontoon bridge toward Berlin. Hiscom mand tank was shot under before Wong was sent to field hospital for light wounds incurred in action. He went on to serve the US Army's Military Gov ernment of Bavaria as a public safety and de-Nazification officer. In 1952, the US Department of De fense published Wong's brochure. Spring Board to Vietnam Invasion, while Wong served under Mark Clark, a potential challenger to Eisenhower's presidential bid against Harry Truman. In 1953, Wong participated in the PsyWar debriefing Korean POWs. Wong writes, "This led to my convic tion that captured Americans, subject to unimaginable torture, should only be tried by American military person nel who have been subjected to the same treatment while in captivity— notsome dolly-mama Republican rep resentativefrom California who never heard a shotfired in anger, wagging a warning forefinger with iinshot-at loins draped in the nationalfag." In 1988, Wong's only previously published nonfederal fiction. Children of New Blood, was published. He writes, "At this painful age ofsenility, I don 7 care ifschool keeps tomorrow or not. The fewer classrooms, the fewer drive-by shootings ofpubescent Wong's wife, Tandy (Duke KKF), is an oral historian. They have one son, Ray. Contact them at 3252 Heri tage Cir., Hendersonville, NC 28739. Joseph R. Skinner '89 writes, "Fiji helped me strive for higher achieve ment through hard work. A new high was achieved. " Joseph is a real estate appraiser with T. Julian Skinner HI. He shares news of another brother with us, "Josh Hammond is engaged to a Memphis lady named Lavea Giillas. God be with and good luck to her. " Catch up with Joseph at his new mailing address, P.O. Box 531092, Birmingham, AL 35253. Graduate Newsbriefs unwed white mothers and others? As These notes have been compiled President Franklin Roosevelt, my from information we obtained from Delano cousin, remarked, 'Let us not the graduate questionnaire sent out last educate the lower classes to the point ofanother rebellion '!" February. Thanks to all who replied! Spring 1996 Basketball Schedule January 3 Vanderbilt 7:30 p.m. 6 at LSU(SS) 7 p.m. 10 Auburn 7:30 p.m. 13 at Mississippi State (CBS).... 3 p.m. 17 Tennessee 7:30 p.m. 20 at South Carolina 6:30 p.m. 23 Arkansas(ESPN) 8:30 p.m. 27 at Ole Miss(JP) 12 p.m. 31 Florida 7:30 p.m. February 4 at Syracuse(CBS) 6 at Southem Miss 10 at Georgia (IP) 14 at Auburn 17LSU(JP) 20 at Kentucky(ESPN) 24 Mississippi State(JP) 28 at Arkansas(JP) 12 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 1 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 2 p.m. 8:30 p.m. 2 p.m. 7 p.m. March 2 Ole Miss ■"SS—Sports South * JP—Jefferson Pilot 2 p.m. Bill Carpenter '74 completed seaman ship school in 1993. He moved to Key West and is currently a dock master at Lands End Marina. His message for The Theta Fiji: "Just do it!" Earnest Deal '49 has been made re gional chairman of the US Olympic Committee in the southeast region, which covers six states. Wilson Howard Foote '59 was elected general counsel and secretary of Coty Inc. and Quintessence Inc. Mark Hopper '88 is the assistant man ager of Westwood Maquis Hotel, a four-star property in Los Angeles, CA. His message for readers of The Theta Fiji: "Any man that dies with more than $1.05 is a jerk. " Bill Lanford '54 was selected 1994 Tuscaloosa County Citizen ofthe Year. James L. Hightower '59 writes, "Leo, you still owe me for that case of 'Black Label' it took to get Ensley to the beach. "