The S igma O micronicle Oklahoma State University of Phi Gamma Delta Fraternity - Fall 2011 Edition WELCOME NEW PLEDGES On September 12, Sigma Omicron welcomed 32 new pledges into Phi Gamma Delta. Among these were nine legacies to carry on the tradition and 10 from out-of -state. Sigma Omicron is proud to have these pledges and looks forward to continuing the molding of great men who could one day be great brothers and leaders in the house and on campus. Highlights • Sigma Omicron just welcomed 32 new pledges, including nine legacies. • The SOHA Annual Fund launched August 1st. Add your name to the list of donors and support Sigma Omicron. • Chapter President James Riter (2013) was just named Archon Councilor for the International Fraternity. The Fall 2011 Psi Deuteron Pledge Class Meet the pledge class of fall 2011: • Creighton Apple - Plano, TX • Austin Amy - Plano, TX • Brad Beahan - Oklahoma City, OK • Register now for the 50th Anniversary Pig Dinner on February 25, 2012. This will be a huge celebration that you won’t want to miss. Formal invitations to come. • Logan Bice - Webster Groves, MO • Sam Baril - Waxahachie, TX • Grant Barrick - Shawnee, OK (Continued on page 2) JAMES RITER NAMED ARCHON COUNCILOR Chapter President James Riter (2013) has been appointed by the Archons to serve a two-year term as Archon Councilor for the International Fraternity. James is a Landscape Architecture major with minors in Horticulture and Entrepreneurship. He is in his second term as Chapter President and has attended one Ekklesia and two Fiji Academies. Beyond his leadership role in the Chapter, his resumé includes an impressive list of campus and volunteer activities. In his letter of recommendation, former Field Secretary Ryan Bebee (1995) wrote of James, “He has a servant’s heart, is willing to learn, and is not afraid to get his hands dirty.” Ival Greg- ory, Manager of Fraternity and Sorority Affairs at OSU, offered this recommendation: “James has the knowledge and skill set that will serve your Fraternity well in the role of Archon Councilor.” Inside this issue: Thank You Donors 2 Scholarship Winners 3 Undergraduate Achievements 5 Graduate Spotlight 6 James will occupy one of two undergraduate positions on (Continued on page 3) Join “Sigma Omicron Fijis” on Facebook! \r\nSigma Omicronicle Page 2 THANK YOU DONORS Sigma Omicron launched its annual fund campaign at the beginning of August. Since then, your donations have brought in almost $2,500. We are still far from our goal and your help is needed to continue our efforts to improve the chapter house and our communication with you. Consider giving to the SOHA Annual Fund at www.phigam.org/netcommunity/OKStateDonations or use the form on the back. Thank you to the following brothers who have already shown their support! Vaughn S. Bryan, Jr. 1965 Mark H. Boler 1972 Eric D. Knam* 1993 Darrel D. Fry 1967 James S. Sheehan, USAF 1972 Peter R. Megna* 1994 Frank R. Crabtree 1973 Ryan J. Bebee* 1995 James L. Keating 1974 Michael J. Morgan* 1995 Kim W. Cunningham 1975 Mark H. Mayer 1998 In Memory of James F. Tredway (1968) Robert B. Lindsly 1967 In Memory of Robert R. Lindsly (Oklahoma 1932) Michael C. Hill 1968 Terrell F. Potts* 1968 M. D. Tripp Fezler, III* 1969 William H. Teel 1969 Philip G. Bowersox 1970 William D. Fowler 1970 Randall L. Whittaker 1970 In memory of Robert L. Curtis (1968) In Memory of James F. Tredway (1968) Roland J. Heatly 1975 Dr. Gregory Z. Winters 1975 Kelly K. Kobs 1985 In Memory of Mark A. Rice (1983) Christopher K. Woosley* 1991 Stephen K. Boeckman 1992 John R. Delano* 1993 Jeremy J. Welter* 1999 John R. Cooper 2001 Stephen J. Snider* 2004 Michael R. Gilbert, Jr.* 2006 Matthew M. Drouhard* 2008 Christopher R. Edmonston 2008 * automatic monthly donor Welcome Pledges continued... (Continued from page 1) • Will Brooks - Humble, TX - Legacy Jerry Groniger (Illinois 1956), Grandfather • Sam Henschel - Edmond, OK - Legacy Will Winzler (2012), Cousin, John Winzeler (2009, Cousin, Matt Winzeler (2008), Cousin • Parker Higgins - Plano, TX • Andrew Cole - Edmond, OK • Nathan Hoggard - Broken Arrow, OK • Taylor Collins - Celina, TX • Davis Johnson - Claremore, OK • Cole Daniel - Edmond, OK • Matt Kepford - Tulsa, OK • Chris Easterly - Edmond, OK • Kory Kobs - Edmond, OK - Legacy Brandon Kobs (2013), Brother, Kelly Kobs (1985), Father • Patrick Elliott - Midwest City, OK Legacy - Chad Wolfe (2003), Cousin • Steven Fritze - Andover, KS - Legacy Mark Fritze (1980), Father • Tim Krenz - Bixby, OK • Marshall Frye - Cypress, TX - Legacy Keeton Frye (2013), Brother • Alex Nelle - Plano, TX • Gus Gagliardi - Edmond, OK - Legacy - Max Gagliardi (2009), Brother • Cole Mount - Edmond, OK • Austin Perkins - Plano, TX • Ryan Raupe - Okarche, OK • Bryce Sepulvado - Duncan, OK • Chris Stockton - Duncan, OK • Ryan Tatum - Edmond, OK - Legacy - Brett Tatum (2011), Brother • Conner Van Loan - Scottsdale, OK • Jared Wheeler - Oklahoma City, OK - Legacy - Justin Wheeler (2012), Brother • Ben Wright - Frisco, TX If you would like to keep up with the new pledges and the general activity of the chapter, visit our website at: www.okstatefiji.org. We welcome these pledges and look forward to the contributions they will make to Sigma Omicron and Phi Gamma Delta as a whole! \r\nPage 3 DO YOU REMEMBER WHEN? SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS ANNOUNCED By: Aaron Wilson (2008) In December, the SOHA saw an opportunity to make a contribution that would impact undergraduates for generations to come. Thanks to the well-known “Pickens Match Program,” SOHA donated $50,000 to the OSU Foundation and setup a scholarship fund in Sigma Omicron’s name. Upon the sad day of Mr. Pickens passing, the scholarship fund will grow by $100,000, equaling a 2:1 match. Thanks to the generosity of Mr. Pickens and initiative of SOHA, the inaugural SOHA Scholarship was formed. In February, several key graduate members, one special house mom, and I had the distinct privilege and difficult task to select the first five recipients of the SOHA Scholarship. Three of the awards were intended to go to an outstanding member or pledge from each class that applied and two were to be given to members, regardless of age, who have made the utmost sacrifices for Sigma Omicron while exhibiting Friendship, Knowledge, Service, Morality, & Excellence. Each scholarships is $500. It is our intent to recognize the winners annually at each Pig Dinner celebration. The winners of the awards for the 20112012 academic year are: - Shane Gibson (2012) Brentley Lindsey (2013) Ryan McDougal (2012) James Riter (2013) Brady Sheer (2012) On behalf of the Sigma Omicron Housing Association, please join me in congratulating our first SOHA Scholarship recipients! James Riter Named Archon Councilor continued... Sigma Omicron Housing Association, Inc. President - Randall Whittaker 1970 rwhittaker@pixius.net Treasurer - Chris Neurohr 2003 cneurohr@scissortailenergy.com Secretary - Michael Martin 2005 michaelpaulmartin@yahoo.com Directors & Members Kim Cunningham 1975 Tanner Cooper 2004 Jim Quigley 1979 Steve Pittman 1975 Mike Hill 1968 Eric Lee 1994 Chris Day 1980 Aaron Wilson 2008 Purple Legionnaire Eric Knam 1993 eric.d.knam@gmail.com (Continued from page 1) the Fraternity’s nine-man board of directors, succeeding Mike “Bear” Kennedy (Chapman 2011). His appointment is the culmination of a nominations process that began in the spring with solicitation of nominees among all undergraduate chapters and brothers. The Permanent Committee on Nominations, comprised of six undergraduate and six graduate brothers, initially received and reviewed information on 11 nominees. The committee narrowed this impressive field to three finalists, who were each interviewed in person by a subcommittee. Ultimately the Nominations Committee recommended James to the Archons for appointment. Former Archon President Bill Miller (Indiana 1962, Purdue GA 1996), Sigma Omicron Board of Chapter Advisors Treasurer Advisor Gentry Parker 1996 gparker24@cox.net Historian Advisor Race Clark 2010 race.clark@ou.edu chairman of the Nominations Committee, said of the process, “Our committee had the pleasure and challenge of evaluating 11 outstanding brothers in the initial group of nominees. Because of his broad experience both within and outside his chapter, and an impressive interview, James rose to the top in a very competitive process.” CS/RS Advisor Matt Morgan 2009 mmorgan@osugiving.com Risk Management Advisor Michael Bass LSU 1982 michael.bass@verizonbusiness.com Recruitment Advisor Jay List 1997 jayalanlist@gmail.com \r\nSigma Omicronicle Page 4 GRADUATE SPOTLIGHT - THOMAS HILL III (1986) Why did you choose Oklahoma State? When my father got out of the Marine Corps, he went to Oklahoma State on the GI Bill. I ended up going to preschool at OSU for a semester while my mom took some classes, and of course, was around my dad and his friends as they studied and did projects in the School of Engineering. I always wanted to go to OSU after that, and the fact that I wanted to be an engineer was also a factor. Why did you pledge Phi Gamma Delta? The father of my best friend in high school was a Fiji. I spent a lot of time with their family and really admired his stories of college days and how his association with Phi Gamma Delta had influenced him later in life. I wanted to be part of the Greek system and so FIJI was the obvious choice for me. I had attended Wheaton College in Chicago for my freshman year, so I missed the “normal” rush. When I got to OSU, I was placed in Bennett. I called the house and told them I was interested. They took me to lunch to meet and talk and the next day they extended the offer for me to pledge. I accepted and they helped me move out of Bennett and into the house that same day. What is your favorite memory as an undergraduate? After initiation I really felt like the house was my home. Between or after classes, there was always someone sitting around to talk with or play pool. I enjoyed formal dinner and loved chapter meetings. What is your favorite memory as a graduate so far? Taking my kids to the house when we were in Stillwater and showing them where I lived and where all the stories I tell actually took place. I also have had several times when I met another Fiji and we shook hands and were instantly friends. That is cool. What kind of influence has the Fra- ternity had on your life? I would say that while the Fraternity did not make the man I am, the things Phi Gamma Delta stands for are consistent with who I am and want to be. My association with the fraternity has always been one of the touchstones that guide my decisions and development. What activities were you involved in during college? After the first year at OSU (my sophomore year), I took a year off and then got married before returning, so I did not have a "typical" college experience. The year I spent living in the house, I was involved in Student Government and the social side of the house. With whom do you stay in contact? Unfortunately, my pledge class was very small and we don't really stay in touch. Shortly after I got married the house was re-organized which had the effect of distancing the new classes from the old. I have made some new connection to graduate brothers that I did not know while in school and that has been fun. Tell us about your family. I have been married to Rebecca for 25 years. We have six children (five boys and a girl) spanning the ages of 16 down to 6. Rebecca and I graduated from OSU at the same time (she took three years and I took seven) and moved back to OKC where we both grew up. We currently live in Quail Creek, attend Crossings Community Church and spend most of our time driving to or from our kids school functions. Our oldest son attends OCS and the other five go to Crossings Christian School. Did you live in the chapter house? If so, who were your roommates? As a pledge I roomed with Mark Runte (1985) who was my big brother. I can't remember who else was in there with us, but I had the top bunk and could not roll over without scraping my shoulder on the ceiling! After initiation I moved in with Mike Reyes (1987). Tell us about your career. I am currently the President of Kimray, Inc., my family’s company. We manufacture oil & gas production controls. What are your major interests now? My family, my company, running and triathlon, and community development/involvement. What are your goals for the next few years? Get my kids successfully through high school and college. Travel more (for pleasure, not work) and grow our company’s sales. What are you famous for outside of PGD? I am the co-founder and President of the Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon. We just had the 11th running of the marathon and had 25,000 registered participants in five different events. The Memorial Marathon honors those who died in the 1995 bombing of the Federal building in OKC. Last year we donated $750,000 to the Oklahoma City National Memorial Foundation, and since the start of the marathon, we have given $2.6 million. I have run all 11 Memorial Marathons. I also founded the Redman Triathlon and have organized several other events including a 100-mile run (which I also completed). \r\nPage 5 2010-11 UNDERGRADUATE ACHIEVEMENTS Chapter Achievements 1st Place Overall in Homecoming Sweepstakes with Chi Omega 1st Place in House Decoration Competition 1st Place in Harvest Carnival 3rd Place in Football Frenzy 4th Place in Freshman Follies with Pi Beta Phi Best Male Follier: Jacob Stivers (2014) 1st Place Overall in Intramural Sports 3rd Place in Grades among all Fraternities 1st Place in Vocals Best Costumes Award Most Entertaining Award Viewers Choice Award Best Male Director: Matt Howard (2011) 2nd Place in Spring Sing 1st Place in Choreography Most Entertaining Award Best Costumes Award Best Male Director: Jared Gallagher (2011) 1st Place in Varsity Review with Chi Omega 1st Place in Choreography Individual Campus Involvement and Recognition Order of Omega - Officers: 1, Members: 5 Blue Key - Blue Key President, Members: 3 Student Government Association SGA Chairmen SGA Executives: 3 SGA Senators: 6 Freshman Representative Council: 6 Interfraternity Council President Treasurer Elect Judicial Board Member Public Relations Committee: 2 Junior Greek Life: 4 And many Officers and Members of Other Campus Organizations A NOTE FROM THE CHAPTER PRESIDENT By: James Riter (2013) - Chapter President Normally this is the section where the Chapter President might talk about the achievements of the chapter over the past year. If you attended Pig Dinner, are on our email list, or follow us on Facebook or Twitter, you probably heard about many of Sigma Omicron's achievements over the past year. For a change of pace, I'd like to share a few accomplishments that you may not hear announced at a football game or at the end of a Greek-wide competition. Recently, I have seen our chapter grow in many ways: Chapter attendance, brotherto-brother accountability, graduate involvement, overall morale and the sense of brotherly love have all improved greatly. It is a wonderful time to be a Phi Gam, especially here at 1123 W. University. Chapter organization and communication have also improved greatly. While 'organized' and 'fraternity' seem like an oxymoron when placed together, we have made some large strides and plan to continue to make our chapter operations more orderly and effective. In the past year and a half serving as Chapter President, I have seen the men in our chapter and Sigma Omicron as a whole grow in many ways and none of this would be possible without the faithful service of our graduate and undergraduate brothers alike. Thank you brothers! Sigma Omicron initiated the spring pledge class on September 16. Welcome new brothers! Kyle Kersten (2014) Reason Pumphrey (2014) Blake Scarborough (2015) Tanner Stockton (2014) Alex Williams (2014) \r\nSigma Omicronicle Page 6 GRADUATE SPOTLIGHT - JIM KEATING (1974) Why did you choose Oklahoma State? Growing up in Mangum, the OSU influence was pretty strong. My stepdad was an alumnus and my stepsister was attending as well as my older brother, Robert, who pledged Fiji. A couple of times a year, we would drive the four hours from Mangum to Stillwater for a football game and walk the campus. My first exposure to Greek life was early in high school. I was able to drive to Stillwater with friends for a high school day and see what Greek life was about. As far as the Fiji experience, there were several guys in the house from Mangum already, including Randall Whittaker (1970), Dan Deaver (1967) and Vic Wickersham (1970), then some of Robert’s friends, Ralph Heatly (1971), Bill Maas (1970), Steve Edwards (1973) and Greg Dennis (1973). I also knew that Robert had made some really good friends from other towns since he had been in the house. What is your favorite memory as an undergraduate? I worked up until time for the fall semester to begin, so I pulled into the Fiji driveway (don’t park in the driveway!!) to unload on Sunday night, classes starting the next morning. Small town boy, small fish in a big pond, and I was petrified. The house was full, so the house manager threw a mattress on the floor of 9 on 3 and I made the best of it for a couple of days. When the room assignments settled down, they moved me to 7 on 3 with Gene Kouba (1970) and Tim Wint (1971) for several weeks. Gene and I became great friends, primarily through intramural basketball, volleyball, bean dinners and mutual friends. He also signed up to be my big brother in the house. He was three years older, so a sad day was when he finished grad school and moved on. Intramural sports were really fun. My freshman year was grueling because the pledges Why did you pledge Phi Gamma were required to get a date for each of the Delta? I was interested in the Greek Fiji flag football games. Because the freshsystem because I could see the instant men were not allowed to play on the “A “ sense of mission, a close-knit group of team, our biggest job for the week was to guys who could grow together, help each talk one of the sorority pledges into accomother and enjoy the college experience. panying us to the “big game.” Luckily, During the summer of 1970, I worked Jimbo Mott (1974) was the chick broker the front gate at Falls Creek church and he could always come up with someone camp, primarily to scope out the weekly we could take who could at least fog a mircrop of new female recruits to try to get ror and get us off the hook with the brotherfirst dibs for the week ahead. It was also hood. We did have some fun times playing a time to meet with fraternities. I had basketball and volleyball for the house over become acquainted with some of the years. And some our guys could really Robert’s friends, particularly, A.L. play tennis: Steve Dennehy (1972), Bob Bennett (1972), Larry Warren Murphy (1972), Rance Bennett (1974), (1972), Frank Crabtree (1973) & and Rollie Heatly (1975). It was fun Herschel Beard (1972) and of course watching those guys. We did have some I knew the Mangum brothers already. marathon ping pong games in the basement, Robert was rush chairman that summer, going til late in the night. Gary Rosebure so when he and Larry offered me a bid (1973) put in a foosball table downstairs, late in the summer, I knew that I thinking he could create some profit at 25 wanted to sign up and be a part of the cents a game. His strategy worked for Fiji experience, whatever that was. awhile until “someone” stuffed the end zones with socks to keep the balls in play. He was not a happy camper when he uncovered the scheme. After the merciful ending of pledgeship and survival of my first year of college, Jim Goertz (1974) and I claimed 3 on 2 to build our kingdom. Yes, we hosted incoming pledges like Wayne Bland (1975), Rick Poplinger (1975), and some other guys, but this became our hood. We drove to OKC to buy some fashionable green shag carpet, crafted a collage on one of our walls and this hideaway became our home for three more years. It was great, our own stereo, phone, and TV, a bird’s eye view of the talent walking to class on University, and close to the bathroom. Goertz never seemed to study but somehow consistently scored 4.0 at the end of each semester. I think that perky Nelda Richardson was his secret weapon. Another very rich experience was playing guitars on the back stairs with Steve Sheehan (1972). The plaster walls and open stairwells created a very forgiving echo chamber and we wailed all kinds of popular folkish songs, particularly fond of Crosby, Stills and Nash. Phil Smith (1973) would join us occasionally to play and sing. I’m not sure the pledges were that entertained when they crawled over us as they negotiated (Continued on page 7) \r\nPage 7 Graduate Spotlight continued... (Continued from page 6) the back stairs. Chicks love guitars so Steve and I had chances to entertain, particularly at Lake Carl Blackwell. During the era of the early 70’s, the place was really hopping. Let me say that it was a “full” college experience. For most of us who remember, we saw and did things that, looking back, make us wonder how we really did survive. Several words that are etched in memory: flaming Richard, style shows, who is Alan Schmitz, streaker night, sit in, Bob Kamm, curfew, piece of toast, VR, bend your knees, foosball, Carl Blackwell, Chris Colt, smells like strawberries, Jon Yee, dance hour, Womble, take my wallet!, the Wet Olive, the back stairs, house cleaning, trip to TCU, the Changing Times, spring break, Rolini and Colini. I can mention little snippets like these and either wince or laugh out loud. The bottom line is that so many memories were created in that four year slice of time and I made some life long friends. Some embarrassing moments for sure, but they were outweighed by the sweet influence of friendship, and the reality that Phi Gamma Delta is not for college days alone. Tell us about your career and family. Flexibility is good. After college I worked in Tulsa for Cities Service Oil Company and Big Heart Pipeline for a few years, then moved to Oklahoma City to work in the family business. During the 1990’s my wife, Libby, who was a Gamma Phi I met during Spring Sing, started showing signs of Huntington’s Disease. It’s a complicated brain disease that affected her for almost 20 years. The disease took a tremendous toll on us and our three children. Libby moved to an assisted living center at age 48 and passed away at age 53 in 2007. My “new” wife, Rosemary, and I have been married for over six years. We have seven grandchildren, all from her side (her 3 girls). They all live in the Oklahoma City area, so “It was a lifetime of building relationships, personal growth and discipline mixed with craziness, condensed into four short years.” they are a big part of our lives. Katie, Drew Keating (2002) and Zac (my kids) all graduated from OSU and are scattered. Katie works in the natural gas business in Austin, Zac is a recent grad and is entering the surveying business and Drew (Fiji!) and his wife are missionaries in China. In April 2004, I founded the Parkinson Foundation of Oklahoma. Up until that time, an organization that provided programs, services and referrals for Parkinson families did not exist in Oklahoma. Over 15,000 Oklahomans are afflicted with Parkinson ’s disease, so the opportunity for a non-profit to improve the quality of life for these wonderful people was a mission I was led to undertake. This job has been a pure blessing to my life as we work with families, REGISTER NOW - 50th ANNIVERSARY PIG DINNER February 25, 2012 www.phigam.org/netcommunity/OKState healthcare providers, researchers, corporate sponsors and communities throughout Oklahoma to create awareness for the disease and advocate for the Parkinson people. I never would have imagined that my life would take that turn. We have several upcoming projects, the most exciting being speech therapy for Parkinson patients that will help improve their communication ability, speech volume, swallowing abilities and confidence. I have found that God does have a plan for me and I discover more each day. It does help to be available and flexible. I have also been richly blessed by a Men’s Faith Group that I helped create a couple of years ago at my church, St. Luke’s Methodist. The opportunity for this avenue of spiritual growth is a weekly spiritual shot in the arm for so many men. Rosemary is the Director of Senior Ministries at our church, so she and I get to coordinate some mutual activities. Those four years in the Fiji house prepared me for practically anything. I think I saw everything. It was a lifetime of building relationships, personal growth, discipline mixed with craziness, condensed into four short years. I enjoy seeing everyone at Pig Dinners, or when I run into them in town, or at church. The shared experiences, the brotherhood, the broader mission of the fraternity were all worthwhile. Mighty proud to be a Fiji! \r\nNonprofit Org US Postage Paid Phi Gamma Delta Fraternity 1201 Red Mile Road Lexington, KY 40504 Lexington, KY Permit # 540 REMEMBER WHEN? March 1975 FIJI Costume Party Seated (l - r): Brendan Hayes (1979) and Richard Taylor (1978). Standing (l - r): Bob McMillin (1977), Rick Biggs (1977), Jim Wilson (1976), Kim Cunningham (1975) and Mark Schlegel (1976). Do you have old Fiji photos lying around? We would love to include them in an upcoming edition of The Sigma Omicronicle. Scan and email to phigam@phigam.org or fax to 859.977.6333. CONTRIBUTE TO THE SOHA FUND I am pleased to make a contribution to Sigma Omicron of : $1,000 $500 $250 $100 $50 $25 Other $_______________ I would like my donation to be used in the following area: _______________________________________________. Donations can be made on-line at www.phigam.org/netcommunity/OkStateDonations, by phone at (859)255-1848 ext 136 or send checks payable to Phi Gamma Delta - Sigma Omicron to: Sigma Omicron/Oklahoma State Donations, PO Box 4599, Lexington, KY 40544 and include this form. Design, printing and mailing services provided by the International Fraternity of Phi Gamma Delta.