Tfje Sooner Fiji Pablisfjed by Mu Omega Cijapter of tfje Fraternity of Pt)' Gamma Pelta at ttje University of O^lafjoma NORMAN,OKLAHOMA FALL 2001 A MESSAGE FROM OUR PRESIDENT Brethren, Exciting things are happening and have been happening for Nu Omega! Our chapter has been recognized by people around the community of Norman, members of boards within along with the Island Party), we are the most revered and respected frater nity by the members of the university. Surely most of you have not forgotten about your college days and fraternity experience. The intent ofthis the university including David Boren, letter is to inform you of the great as well as Phi Gamma Delta Interna things that are taking place at Nu Omega. If you haven't been by re cently to see the new additions, such as the courtyard and the three new bathrooms made possible by the gen erous donations of many brothers. tional Headquarters in Lexington, KY. With Nu Omega finishing number one in grades for the spring of 2000, and dropping a little to third place in the spring of2001, we as brothers have high expectations for Nu Omega when it comes to scholarship. Our task in making the weight room into a study area fully equipped with high-speed please come by and see them! People as important to the university as Presi dent David Boren have been noticing the improvements and goals reached by our fraternity. President Boren himself drafted a letter concerning Nu Omega and our goal of excellence. With morale at the chapter at its highest in years, it truly is a great time to be a Phi Gamma Delta! Fraternally, President Justin Hiersclte Perge! Internet access is almost complete. Socially, we are the most recog nized fraternity on the OU campus— without a doubt! With events such as the Island Party and Phi Gam Slam (the philanthropic event that goes 2002 Reunion % Planned Carl S. Tinch '50 sends this news, "We have a defioict Phi Gam graduate chapter in Richardson, which M'as active for about 20 years. We still get together every Phi Gams hanging out at the house. few years. In 2002. we plan to celebrate a kind of reunion of the Graduate Now a Web Entrepreneur 1962 chartering." Carl and his wife, "Vandy" (Denver AAA), are both retired. Robert G. Shoemaker '75 writes, "After 21 years ofpracticing law,Ihave lost my mind and decided to start a website!Although at this date it is not completely finished, you canfind it at www.NeighborhoodsPlus.com. Wish me luck! They have grown children. Carl is a member of Rotary Club and enjoys golf, gardening and making home improvements. He and his wife, Susan(UCO),a teacher, have two children, Michael, 19, and Kelly, 17. Bob enjoys tae kwon-do. He adds, "Many of my closestfriends are Fiji brothers—men I met in college and have stayed in touch with. These friendships are more important to me now than they were in college! Ihat Find out more about the reunion saying that Phi Gamma Delta is notfor college days alone is the truth!' Renew the bonds of Fiji by writing to Bob at 1 113 Olde Bridge Rd., Edmond, by writing to Carl at 813 Clearwater Dr., Richardson, TX 75080. OK 73034. \r\nPage 2 THE SOONER FIJI Fall 2001 Another Successful Rush at Fiji! Brothers of Phi Gamma Delta, As many of you already know, the 2001 fall rush went extremely well for Nu Omega Chapter. Our chapter signed 49 of the sharpest young men coming through the rush here at the University of Oklahoma. The rush team searched high and low for the caliber of men that we have come to expect to represent the chapter in the fashion set forth by the hundreds of graduates that we have been graced to call our own. Many of you helped out in ways you may not have even known, not only monetarily, but by showing up at various events. Even though you may not have directly spoken with a rushee, your presence was felt. Our rush team decided to branch out to previously un the Tulsa area. Over the past couple of years, we really have not had a presence in the greater Tulsa vicinity. I think that the only way that can change is communication by our graduates to our rush team about potential rushees coming out ofthat area. We received various phone calls about some Muskogee and other schools around Tulsa, and every young man we took out, we signed. But that is next year, and we have plenty of time to prepare for 2002 rush. Overall, we dictated the rush here at OU, and our rush team has continued the legacy put in motion here by the rush teams of yesterday! Matt Griffin Head Rush Chairman charted territory(mainly Dallas)to reach the highest quality men because quite frankly, there are not enough of them in the metro area we would be proud to call our own. We pledged every Texan (Go Sooners!) whom we felt would represent our chapter with respect, whom we wanted, and without losing a single man to one of those other houses down the street. Some of the areas included: Dallas, Piano, Allen, Lake Highlands High School and Highland Park High School. We continued to dominate rush in the metro area. The only area ofimprovement that may be needed in the future is 2001 new members in the Fiji courtyard Introducing the OU Fiji Class of2001 Jason Shaun Wettzin Abilene Cooper H.S Jeremiah "Jerry" Conte Jordan Marsh Mitten Allen Allen Allen H.S Allen H.S Freshman Daniel Harrison Smith Austin Walker Conway William Clarence Dowdy IV Richard A."Adam" Ferguson Brian Keith Caddell Carrollton Dallas Dallas Dallas Abilene Newman Smith H.S Episcopal School of Dallas Highland Park H.S Lake Highlands H.S Cooper H.S Landon C. Colby Hill Ada Ada H.S Freshman Michael Alexander Orendain Allen Allen H.S Sophomore Dustin O'Leath Hayes Ardmore Ardmore H.S Freshman Holden Chase Heil Brannon Jackson Albritton Matthew Thomas Hanna Matthew GlynneMildren Thomas Benton "Ben" Williams Dallas Dallas Dallas Dallas Dallas Bishop Lynch H.S Highland Park H.S Highland Park H.S Lake Highlands H.S Lake Highlands H.S Freshman Freshman Freshman Freshman Freshman Freshman Sophomore Sophomore Freshman Freshman Freshman Freshman Freshman Carson K."Kyle" Coldiron Edmond Edmond Memorial H.S Robert Osbourn Rice Edmond Edmond Memorial H.S Freshman Darren Dowjack White Monty Montanez John Michael Lugafit Edmond Killeen Noble Edmond North H.S KilleenH.S Noble H.S Freshman Junior Freshman Patrick Scott Waddell Norman Norman North H.S Freshman Ryan Michael O'Kelly Christopher Charles Haggard Norman Oklahoma City Norman North H.S Casady H.S Freshman Freshman Ryan Harris Dale Dallas W.T. White H.S Freshman Christopher Luther John Knott-Craig Edmond Edmond Memorial H.S Freshman (Continued on page 3) \r\nPage 3 THE SOONER FIJI Fall 2001 Nu Omega Chapter Graduate News T. Dwight Mitchell Jr. '42 has retired as manager of the Oklahoina Allergy Clinic. He and his wife.'Trio" (Oxford), an educator, have three ehildren, Brian, Mark and Diana. Dwight is a member of his church. Rotary Club, The Economic Club and Executive Association. He enjoys walking and reading. Dwight writes. "Retirement is very pleasant, with sity in England and to my current 51year marriage to my wife, who was also a student at Oxford. My year long travel as the 19th field secretary for the fi-aternity gcn'e me nationwide fi-iendships, which influenced eventual careers in oil, banking and medicine." Get back in touch with Dwight at 1704 Dorchester Dr., Oklahoma City, the Edmond Chamber of Commerce and enjoys sports, especially golf. Chuck and his wife, Shelley(UCO ZK), have a daughter, Ellie, 1. The Rahills reside at 1724 Craig Blvd., Edmond, OK 73303. Brett B. Husserl '73 is a regional manager at HCR (Health Care Retire ment). He and his wife, Eileen, an OU OK 73120. alumna and physical therapist, have frequent long vacations in the UK." He adds of Fiji, "I made lifelong Arthur C. "Chuck" Rahill Jr. '90 friendships. My experience as chapter is a partner at Wedel Rahill & president led to two years at univer Associates, CPAs. He is a member of two children, Jamie and Michael. Contact Brett at 1805 Abbotsford, Norman, OK 73072. Class of2001 Already Contributing to Chapter Nil Omega Chapter of Phi Gamma Delta handpicked 49 outstanding men to pledge for the 2001 year. Our active membership is very excited about their potential and are ready to challenge these young men throughout their first semester of pledgeship. The class of2001 has already raised more than $1,000 parking cars and attending to graduate brothers at OU home football games. The money record of 25 AAA scholarships raised over the course of the semester achieved by the class of 1999. Also on will go toward the pilgrims' biggest brotherhood event of the year. the horizon are Delta Gamma Anchor Walkout. The 2001 pledge class performs no less than six study hours per week, Splash, Tri Delta Pancake Breakfast, Pi Beta Phi OU/Texas Rally and the second annual Fiji Date Auction. We have many goals for this year with up to nine hours when OU has an and look forward to making our Nu away game. This is the primary focus Omega graduate brothers proud. of the pledge trainers for this year. Our goal is to break the Nu Omega Fraternally, Head Pledge Trainer Sam Talley INTRODUCING THE OU FIJI CLASS OF 2001 (Continuedfrom page 2) Sophomore Lonnie Clifton "Clif Price Brooks Denton Ford Bordy Gaines Owens Ben James Forney Nathan Daly Stickney Carl Bayard Anderson IV Matthew Ryan Golladay James Cedric "JC" Leonard Kevin Nathaniel Callies Jay Wesley "Wes" Roberts Elk City Muskogee Norman Norman Norman Oklahoma City Oklahoma City Oklahoma City Oklahoma City Oklahoma City Elk City H.S Muskogee H.S Norman North H.S Norman North H.S Norman North H.S Heritage H.S Putnam City North H.S Putnam City North H.S Westmoore H.S Westmoore H.S Kendall Martin Smith Piano Piano East H.S Casey Travis Wittenberg Gregory Scott Thompson Grant Lawton Potter Piano Piano PoncaCity Piano Senior H.S Piano West H.S Ponca City H.S Chase Patrick Edward Robinson Tulsa Jenks H.S Blair David Humphreys Nick Wynn Whisenhunt Oklahoma City Oklahoma City Putnam City North H.S Putnam City North H.S Chris Wallis Foshee Oklahoma City Westmoore H.S Freshman Ryan Michael Vannoy Oklahoma City Westmoore H.S Freshman David Thompson Helffrich Brandon James Upchurch Piano Piano Piano Senior H.S Piano West H.S Freshman Freshman Bradley Wilson Stites Sallisaw Sallisaw H.S Freshman Robert P."Phillip" Sutton Tulsa Jenks H.S Freshman . Freshman . Freshman . Freshman . Freshman . Freshman Freshman Freshman Sophomore Sophomore Freshman Freshman Freshman Sophomore Freshman Freshman Sophomore \r\nPage 4 THE SOONER FIJI Fall 2001 More Nu Omega Graduate News Eddie W.Rhea '80 tells brothers, "I formed a company about a year ago, Foundation Energy Investments, Inc., to focus on the capital markets for Bob L. Kuykendall '54 has retired as president of a Pontiac auto dealer ship. He and his wife, Ann (AAA), have two children, Gary and Dessa. direct investments in international Bob is a member of Shriners. He and domestic energy projects. I also bought a house across the streetfrom my good friend and brother Fiji, Randy Shockey '77." Eddie is a registered professional engineer and member ofthe American and Ann break, train, show and trail Guy Otis Danielson '38 is a retired drilling engineer. He has three chil dren, Guy(Nu Omega Fiji '64), Cathy (OU KA0'67) and Rob(OU '74). Guy writes, "Phi Gamma Delta— the older you get, the better it feels! ride Tennessee walking horses on their farm. He also enjoys hunting, fishing and snow skiing. Bob writes of Fiji, "I guess the biggest influence it had on me was my marriage. Homer Paul '54 (when he was afreshman) had a blind date with the most beautiful Tri Belt I had ever I always enjoy a word from my OU contemporaries at 119 W. Boyd—and fishing. He and his wife, Nanette (Louisi ana AOn), have three sons. Jack, 12, seen. I took them back to the Tri Belt free-lance television announcer. He house and then dated herfrom Octo and his wife, Elinor (a.k.a. "Moe"). ber to December. Then I went into the have four children. Shannon, Stefanie, Logan, 10, and Lucas, 4. Eddie adds of Fiji, "My fraternity experience taught me many things: leadership, loyalty to a group, Air Force in January and tnarried her the following Jutte. On June 9, 2001, we celebrated our 50th anniversary." Share college memories with Bob teamwork, persistence, and most by writing to 6351 W. Shawnee St., importantly, the value offriendships formed in a fi-aternal environment. To this day, one ofmy closestfriends is my big brother, Leonard W. Joiner '79." Muskogee, OK 74401. Association of Petroleum Geologists and Society of Petroleum Engineers. He enjoys golf, running, coaching and Catch up with Eddie at 1501 Ramsgate Cir., Piano, TX 75093. J. Michael Phillips '67 owns Member Investment Services. He and his wife. Sue, an OU alumna, have three children, Kelly, Tracy and Scott. Mike enjoys golf. James A. Hyde '68 is president of the Bone & Joint Hospital and a member of various non-profits boards including the United Way, Oklahoma City Arts Council and Arthritis Foundation. He enjoys golf, traveling, cooking and wine collecting. Jim tells us, "Fiji is notfor college all others!" Guy and his wife, Edie (UCO), reside at 4216 N. Harvey Pkwy., Oklahoma City, OK 731 18. Henry F."Hank" Simms is a retired Kevin and Frank. Hank enjoys golf and fashioning "VCR tapes of musicals and motion pictures for friends. Hank wrote to Phi Gams last fall, "7fractured a shoulder, ribs and a knee in a failed jackknife off a step ladder onto a tiledfloor. Golfhas been out ofthe picturefor three months as a consequence." He adds of Fiji, "It was an indelible experience in meeting and living with some 60 men of the high quality Phi Gam pledges, and in establishing lifelong bonds with these men." Renew your friendship with Hank by writing to 575 Belvedere Dr., Hot broker and financial planner in San Diego for 31 years. My office is days alone! When I was in college, I made a lot of close friends at the Fiji house. Today, as we stand on the first tee at the golf course, over half of the some 50 guys we play located at 888 Prospect St., La with are Phi Gams. They're still is a member of Kiwanis. He and his wife, Connie, an OU alumna, have Jolla, CA. There are many Okies close friends today!" four children, Todd, Linda, Steve and living here. My wife and I saw the OU vs. Texas game at a sports bar and were surprised at about 30 He has a daughter, Laurie, and two stepchildren, Margo and Jimmy. Jim and his wife, Laurie (Mt. Vernon), make their home at 1111 N. Dewey Mike. Ralph's address is 4139 Hockaday Dr., Dallas, TX 75229. Ave., Oklahoma City, OK 73103. writes, "My son and partner, John, and 1 bought the Anheuser Busch He writes, "I have been a stock people wearing OU colors!" Contact Mike at 10318 Wateridge Cir. #277, San Diego, CA 92121. The Sooner Fiji is published by th^ Springs, AR 71901. Ralph T. Asbury '40, now retired, Charles D. "Denny" Cresap '56 wholesale distributorship in Oklahoma Edwin B. Crowder '53, now retired, sends this note, "My lifelong friend brothers of the Fraternity of Phi Gamma Delta at the University of Oklahoma for City and Norman last year. Our com pany, Premium Beers of Oklahoma, ships would not exist without the Phi members and friends. Graduate news items, LLC, is the largest beer distributorship Gam experience!" photographs and change of address notices should be sent to Nu Omega ofPhi Gamma Delta, c/o Newsletter Program Headquar ters, P.O. Box 410708. Kansas City, MO in Oklahoma with warehouses in Okla Eddie and his wife, Kate (Colorado KA0), enjoys traveling. They reside at 2959 Grapewood Ln., Boulder, CO 80304. 64141-0708. homa City, Tecumseh, Norman, Lawton andArdmore." Denny and his wife, Gail, reside at 100 Copper Cove, Afton, OK 74331.