The Sigma Omicronicle Oklahoma State University of Phi Gamma Delta Fraternity - Spring 2015 Edition H IGHLIGHTS  Currently, the Capital Campaign has 225 contributors, who have pledged $2,387,450 toward our $2.5 million goal. Renew your commitment to Sigma Omicron today by making a contribution using the enclosed form and envelope. New Chapter House U PDATE FROM THE Greetings Brothers, For those who were unable to join in our annual celebration at Pig Dinner, we were able to view architect Mark Krittenbrink’s presentation of the new house design. Here is the most current updated information from the SOHA, progress of our capital campaign and status of the project financing. For the period ending March 31, 2015, the capital campaign numbers show we have increased both our pledged dollars and paid committed pledge dollars. The increase of some $60,000,in new pledges is the result of the “push campaign” (Oct 1-Dec 31). The brothers who worked on this volunteer team are to be commended for their time, tenacity, and dedication to our campaign. If you were called and have not responded, please consider our URGENT NEED for more capital and complete the attached pledge form. Current data shows:  Total committed = $2,364,633  Total Paid = $1,365,566 H OUSE C ORP P RESIDENT most favorable financial structure for our mortgage. At Pig We will be at the close of the Dinner, SOHA Treasurer Chris initial five year campaign soon. Neurohr ‘03 presented the We have a sixth year commitbest case scenario. We have ment from many brothers who actually exceeded those numgenerously added another year bers and are at the final stage of to their pledge for the challenge. filing the papers for both the If any of you are willing to ADD construction and permanent AN EXTRA YEAR, it would be loan. The lender, Arvest, acceptgreatly appreciated. Please coned a fixed interest rate (Prime), tact me at rwhittaker@pixia renewable term (five-year us.net or Ryan Bebee ‘95 at fixed renewable at Prime), ryanbebee@cox.net for more amortization (25 years) and information. discounted origination and closing costs. We will realize a savThe last point regarding the ings of $90-100K over the life of campaign is painful: PAST DUES. There are pledges made our mortgage as a result of our at the start of the campaign that FIJI “persistence.” Clicks to brothers Neurohr ‘03, Mishow $0.00 paid or some payments have been missed. Unless chael Martin ‘05 and Matt these pledges were directed as a Winzeler ‘09. “back loaded” payment in full at In the weeks following the Pig the end of the campaign, these Dinner, the process for starting brothers accounts are past due. construction has continued to Please honor your commitment move forward. Krittenbrink and catch up on installment Architects, Lambert Construcpayments, or remit the full tion, and the Construction Compledge amount at the final due mittee met March 31 to review date. The total past due number and finalize floor plans, gather is $218,123!!! data for permitting, do a walkOur most exciting news is the (continued on page 2)   A special thanks to all who braved the undesirable travel conditions and attended the 2015 Pig Dinner! 120 people attended in spite of the weather. Total contributors = 225 I NSIDE THIS ISSUE : Letter From the Chapter President 2 Thank you for your Support! 3 Building for the Next 50 Years 4 Graduate Spotlight - Rick Poplinger 5 2015 Pig Dinner Update 5 Chapter House Photo Sale 6 Join “Sigma Omicron Fijis” on Facebook! \r\nS IGMA O MICRONICLE P AGE 2 UPDATE FROM THE HOUSE CORPORATION PRESIDENT CONTINUED... thru of the kitchen with Mom Rena and the food service staff and discuss the construction budget. Utilizing the input from Committee Members Scott Aneshansley ‘95, Jim Quigley ‘79, Kim Cunningham ‘75, and the SOHA Executive Committee, the design of the house and the reality of the budget are coming together to bring Sigma Omicron the highest quality, functionality, and affordability for our new chapter house at 1123 University. We are waiting for the Guaranteed Maximum Price of construction from Lambert Construction. The plans they are working from are for the best design that has been developed. If the GMP comes in and is over our budget, we will need to alter the plans to fit the budget. We either lower materials cost, reduce the size of the house, or both. We will not build something we cannot afford. Our best option is to have our Grad Brothers who have not donated to do so and those who have to honor their pledge and remit ASAP. The future of Sigma Omicron’s new house will be determined by the generosity of our Graduate Brothers and their dedication to the ideals and principals of Phi Gamma Delta…most notably “self-sacrifice for my brothers.” Fraternally, Randall L. Whittaker ‘70 Perge! A L ETTER FROM THE C HAPTER P RESIDENT Dear Brothers, It is with great honor that I write this letter, because it is a marvelous time to be a Fiji at Oklahoma State. During the past year, we’ve made some great strides and maintained excellence within the Chapter. Our recruitment endeavor, led by Jordan Thomas ‘16, began in March 2014, on Greek Discovery Day, when 465 high school seniors passed through our house to learn about Greek Life. Many came back and expressed their interest in the Fraternity. Rush continued through the end of June 2014, and 39 men signed their bid cards with FIJI, joining the Gamma Triton pledge class. The new pledges are involved on campus and are decorated with a variety of accomplishments. They are: members of the OSU’s President’s Leadership Council, All-State Vocalists, All-State Athletes, a National Merit Scholar and a DECA State President. The recruitment chairmen, Jordan Thomas ‘16, Michael Christopher ‘16, Grant Newton ‘17 and Tanner Robison ‘16 all deserve a special thank you for their hard work throughout the spring semester and summer months to make recruitment the #1 strength of the Fall 2014 Homecoming Decoration also won the awards for Best Vocals and Most Dedicated Cast, and Howard won Best Male Director. Everyone involved deserves a huge round of applause. Also this past fall, the chapter initiated our Academic Adviser, Richard Buchanan ’14, on Saturday, Gamma Triton Pledge Class - Fall 2014 October 18. Buchanan is a professor in the accounting department at Oklachapter. homa State. He worked for many years in During the summer, many brothers the industry and now works extensively worked toward their career goals, served with the City of Stillwater, the University, the community and continued their eduand the Greek Community. Buchanan has cation. Brothers received great job opporbeen heavily involved in chapter proceedtunities and coveted internship positions ings since his initiation, including setting with an impressive list of companies, inup a new philanthropy opportunity for the cluding: Koch Industries, Exxon-Mobil, brothers. We are very excited to have Chesapeake Energy, Phillips 66, Conobrought Brother Buchanan into our fold. coPhillips, Verizon, Georgia-Pacific and Baker Hughes. Other brothers took the In light of our successes, we continue to summer as an opportunity to serve by move toward greater heights. We continvolunteering at free health clinics and as ue to strive to recruit talented men, instill camp counselors at Kanakuk Kamps and valuable and practical life skills in our church camp. Also, many brothers went positive pledge program, give our time to Europe to study abroad, including sev- and efforts to worthy philanthropic causes en brothers who spent four weeks in and earn a distinguished grade point avFrance. erage. We also aim to compete at a high level in intramurals, musical productions, Our chapter excellence continued during homecoming and other competitions in the fall 2014 semester. America’s Greatest order to bear the name of FIJI in an esHomecoming Celebration was the weekteemed manner. end of October 24-25, 2014. We paired with the women of Chi Omega, for the Lastly, the undergraduates have pledged theme “Our Time Here,” and brought $140,000 toward the capital campaign to home 1st place in House Decoration and update the chapter house. We take a lot of 3rd place in the Sweepstakes Award. Our pride in our accomplishments, and by Homecoming Directors were Evan Paz- updating our house, we will continue to zo ‘14, Cole Mount ‘15, Sam Baril ‘15, maintain the highest standing in the Tye Berman ‘16, Kyle Alexander ‘17, Greek Community. We thank you for all Conner Van Loan ‘15, Will Brooks of your continued support. ‘15, and Luke Alaback ‘16. FIJI demonSincerely, strated our musical talents in the annual Freshman Follies Show, paired with the Brooks Walker ‘16 women of Pi Beta Phi. The freshmen Chapter President members, led by head director John Howard, won 1st place in the show. The group Perge! \r\nS IGMA O MICRONICLE P AGE 3 Thank you, Generous Graduates, for supporting the Honoring Our Past, Ensuring Our Future campaign! CAMPAIGN STATUS AT-A-GLANCE $2.5 Million Goal • $2,387,450 Total Commitments • 225 Total Contributors 1961 Cecil C. Barnett '61 1963 Michael G. Crocker '63 1964 James D. Boyer '64 Daniel L. McCarty '64 Ronald E. Woosley Sr. '64 1965 Joe G. Berry '65 Mark A. Birmingham '65 Vaughn S. Bryan Jr. '65 1966 J. Pat Gallagher Jr. '66 F. Russell Lawson '66 Russell E. McNew ‘66 George H. Ramey '66 William F. Ross Jr. '66 James L. Thomas Jr. '66 E. Valjean Wheeler '66 1967 Danny R. Deaver '67 Harris J. Elder '67 Darrel D. Fry '67 Duane W. Gagle Jr. '67 Richard C. Howell '67 Robert B. Lindsly '67 Robert W. Roper '67 Michael R. Wendel '67 1968 Michael C. Hill '68 Max A. Pischel III '68 Terrell F. Potts '68 1969 Donald S. Boyd '69 Richard H. Godfrey Jr. '69 Bob C. Hamm Ph.D. '69 Dan A. Lucas '69 Charles A. Powers, M.D. '69 William H. Teel '69 Robert P. Varner III '69 1970 Philip G. Bowersox '70 William D. Fowler '70 Eric M. Jamison '70 J. David Jensen '70 Herbert W. Maas III '70 Gary A. Markus '70 Fred C. Ringwald '70 Randall L. Whittaker '70 Victor E. Wickersham II '70 1971 James R. Blakemore '71 Michael E. Chieppo '71 V. David Ferraro '71 Ralph O. Heatly III '71 Charles J. Hill '71 Mark A. Lobo '71 1972 J. Herschel Beard '72 A. L. Bennett Jr. '72 Mark H. Boler '72 Stephen C. Bowersox '72 Steven H. Dennehy '72 Richard W. Hatter '72 J. Robert Keating '72 Robert M. Murphy Jr. '72 Philip D. Webb '72 1973 Frank R. Crabtree Jr. '73 Gregory R. Dennis '73 Paul Parsons '73 David G. Rademeyer '73 Jeffrey D. Ruiz '73 1974 Steven W. Fooshee DDS '74 David J. Giasson '74 James L. Keating '74 1975 Kim W. Cunningham '75 John S. Doty '75 Roland J. Heatly '75 Steven B. Pittman '75 Dr. Gregory Z. Winters '75 1976 David W. Nichols '76 Mark K. Schlegel '76 1977 Richard F. Biggs '77 D. Scott Fooshee '77 O. Dean Higganbotham '77 Lon C. Kile '77 1978 Jules D. Roberts IV '78 Richard A. Taylor '78 1979 Ronald K. Clymer '79 James P. Quigley '79 1980 Christopher D. Day '80 Mark H. Fritze, M.D. '80 Ronald L. Taylor '80 1981 Benjamin C. Freeny '81 James M. Wuerflein '81 1982 Michael T. Bass '82 1990 Thomas R. Lacki '90 1991 Daniel G. Ownby '91 Donald L. VanCuren '91 Joshua B. Webb '91 1992 Steven F. Andregg '92 Stephen K. Boeckman '92 John D. Duffy '92 Clinton J. Johnson '92 Eric D. Knam '92 Shannon L. Wilkerson '92 1993 Bradley S. Austin '93 John R. Delano '93 F. Russell Knight Jr. '93 Kenneth G. Marchetti '93 Jason W. Turner '93 1994 Larry Faulkner '94 John H. Ha '94 Jeffrey A. Jones '94 Michael J. Knam '94 Matthew S. Manfredi '94 Jason R. Marrujo '94 Peter R. Megna '94 Joshua W. Randolph '94 Erik S. Scott '94 Josue Solano '94 Jeffery L. Turner '94 1995 W. Scott Aneshansley '95 Ryan J. Bebee '95 Jay Boatright '95 Matthew J. Garnett '95 Cason E. Grover '95 Christopher R. Hobza '95 Reid F. McHoul '95 Michael J. Shaver '95 1996 Matthew C. Briscoe '96 Jason R. Jones '96 Brent M. Koch '96 Zachary R. Overton '96 Gentry A. Parker '96 Gregory C. Sparks '96 Mark S. Strotheide '96 Derryk L. Wilson '96 Gary D. Wilson '96 1997 Matthew D. Barnes '97 D. Scott Henry '97 Jay A. List '97 Richard E. Rainey '97 Bradley A. Thompson '97 1998 Robert A. Cuthbertson '98 Timothy M. Geib '98 Brian J. Grimes '98 Eric J. Morris '98 Scott R. Musick '98 Christopher M. Streich '98 1999 Joel B. Embry '99 Mark H. Mayer '99 Michael P. Moore '99 Paul E. Smith '99 Jeremy J. Welter '99 2000 Brent Asavamonchai '00 Daniel H. Britton '00 Michael J. Jaskowiak '00 2001 Daniel R. Cahalan '01 Steven B. Foster '01 John R. McLaughlin '01 (Continued on page 4) \r\nP AGE 4 Thank you, Generous Graduates, for supporting the Honoring Our Past, Ensuring Our Future campaign! CAMPAIGN STATUS AT-A-GLANCE $2.5 Million Goal • $2,387,450 Total Commitments • 225 Total Contributors Jeremy D. Wier '01 Chad M. Wolfe '03 2002 Justin E. Boatsman '02 Andrew J. Burnett '02 Matthew J. Horner '02 Zachary R. Keller '02 Trenton R. McKnight '02 Craig M. Motichko '02 Christopher R. Neurohr '02 Ryan E. Petersen '02 Jeffrey R. Pinter '02 Matthew R. Pregler '02 Wesley B. Reed '02 Aaron R. C. Taylor '02 2004 William T. Ahrberg '04 W. Tanner Cooper '04 R. Zak Dyer '04 Adam P. Hammack '04 C. Ryan Neurohr '04 Johnny P. Nguyen '04 Paul D. Stark '04 Christopher C. Walters '04 2007 Matthew K. W. Givens '07 Randy S. Green '07 Jerry P. Nguyen '07 Seth C. Slifer '07 Philip K. Widner '07 2005 Jacob W. Biby '05 Scott A. Blakemore '05 Jeremy S. Burt '05 Ty S. Fleming '05 R. Chad Grinnell '05 Michael P. Martin '05 Randall T. Nerger '05 Stephen J. Snider '05 2008 Marcus B. Concienne '08 Clayton S. Constien '08 Matthew M. Drouhard '08 Christopher R. Edmonston '08 Joshua L. Harvey '08 Tate W. Johnson '08 Kenner G. Misner '08 Aaron V. Wilson '08 2006 2009 2003 Ryan D. Bennett '03 Travis R. Gaines '03 Christopher S. Gilliland '03 Derrick P. Mesch III '03 Clint A. Soderstrom '03 Michael R. Gilbert Jr. '06 Jacob E. Grinnell '06 Bryan D. Karns '06 Justin B. Welter '06 Jared M. Denny '09 Lucas B. Elwell '09 Daniel K. Hayes Jr. '09 Layne E. Horton '09 Ryan K. Hunter '09 Matthew J. Morgan '09 Joseph K. Prochaska '09 Matthew D. Winzeler '09 2010 M. Aaron Chang '10 Chad M. Duty '10 Nicolas T. Wood '10 2011 Jonathan A. Chang '11 John M. Cook '11 Tyler L. Davis '11 Brett D. Tatum '11 2012 Corey Gable '12 Justin M. Wheeler '12 BUILDING FOR THE NEXT 50 YEARS Brothers (both new and senior), I hope you’ve noticed the names on this list and enjoyed reading about your peers participating in the Building for the Next 50 Year campaign. This long-time dream is becoming a reality. We have had several give a lot and many who are giving some. However, we still need more money and more participation to help us reach our goal. The more we can raise and collect, the less we’ll have to borrow and can more easily cash-flow the project. There are several groups and classes not represented. To help represent your class, please step up and give back to your Chapter and Fraternity that has given so much to many of us! If your name is not on this list, we really would like to see you help financially. If you are a younger graduate, your participation is requested. $20/month will help us tremendously. If you are an undergraduate who would like to participate, please do so. Also, ask your big brother, little brother, pledge brother or roommate to do the same. We’ll accept donations from graduates, undergraduates, businesses, parents and grandparents towards our beautiful new chapter house. Please use the attached donor form and envelope and send in as soon as possible! You also may use the online donation page - www.phigam.org/SOHACapitalCampaign. You may give anonymously, in honor of or in memory of someone. Any questions can be directed to Ryan Bebee at 405-394-6707 or Randall Whittaker at 316-259-7906. Perge! \r\nP AGE 5 G RADUATE S POTLIGHT : R ICK P OPLINGER ’75 Why did you choose Oklahoma State? It was a much nicer looking school than OU and I had lots of friends from my hometown who were going to attend OSU. citizenship with Israel and was in the Israeli army in Lebanon in 1984 and 1985. I tend to like action activities. I have “run with the bulls”, been lowered underwater in a cage to see the Great White Sharks, bungee jumped, zip lined, flown, glided and even swam from Alcatraz Island to San Francisco Bay. What kind of influence has the Fraternity had on your life? Phi Gamma Delta was the first time I lived with such a diverse bunch of guys. It taught me that I could get along and enjoy others even if they were very different from me. Why did you pledge Phi Gamma Delta? It was the spirit of the members when I visited. They were neither stuffy nor stuck up like some of the other fraternities. I enjoyed the camaradeWhat activities were you involved rie that I saw while visiting. in during college? I was very active at college. I was on the skydiving team, the What is your favorite memory as an undergraduate? FIJI Island!! I was fencing team, the amazed the first time it was built. I could- judo team, etc. I volunteered at the n’t believe how extensive and how much college hot line and the backyard was changed for this party. worked with handiWhat is you favorite memory as a capped children. I graduate so far? After school, I moved eventually became to Israel. While there, I gathered street the Outstanding urchins and put together a boys club. Senior and the When I asked them what they would like Scholarship award to call their club, one of them asked what winner for Phi Gam. was written on my shirt… So our little club I was also on both was known as the FIJIs! the dean’s and the I have done a lot of things since college; I president’s honor have visited 40 different countries and roll. lived in Israel for seven years. I have dual Tell us about your family. I have two sons: Eitan, who is a computer programmer and Gil, who is doing graduate work in the Boston area. What is your nickname and how did you get it? Pops. Obviously it comes from my last name. Tell us about your career. I am a water treatment specialist for a multinational company. What are your major interests now? Reading, piano playing, running and skydiving: Next month I will take part in a world record attempt. I am part of a group called SOS: Skydivers Over Sixty. We will try to put together the largest formation in freefall. I already hold one world record with SOS. Rick skydiving 2015 P IG D INNER U PDATE By: Ryan Bebee ‘95 In spite of the weather, we had 120 people attend – 55 grads, 50 undergrads and 15 guests. 175 had registered. The undergraduates’ attendance was impacted by the Varsity Revue final competition (they ended up finishing in 2nd place with the women of Chi Omega). Also, 20 showed Friday evening at The Hideaway. The program length was 95 minutes, and the highlight was the presentation of the proposed chapter house. The meal, provided by the Rancher’s Club, garnered rave reviews. We had another impressive presentation of the Exile’s Toast was provided by Zach Overton ’96. Special recognition to graduates, included: Patron of the Pig: Bill Gagle ’67 New Gold Owl: Rob Lindsly ’67 New Silver Owl: Monte Moore ’94, Russ Tull ’93 and Jimmy Tharel ’93. Professor Bob Hamm Outstanding Graduate Brother: Richard Buchanan ’14. Sires and Sons were presented to: Ron Clymer ’79 and son John ’18 Eric Knam ’93 and son Ryan ’18 The following undergraduate brothers received awards and were recognized: Friendship Award: Sam Arnold ‘17 Mike Monroney Knowledge Award: Cullen Duke ‘16 Service Award: Chris Stockton ’15 Kenny Marchetti Morality Award: Brett Miles ’17 Excellence Award: Brooks Walker ’16 L to R: Jerry Nguyen ’07, Aaron Wilson ‘08, Josh Harvey ’08, Clay Constien ’08, Tate Johnson ‘08, Matt Drouhard ‘08 Best Out-of-House brother: Cole Mount ‘15 Downright Purple Award: Ryan Knam ‘18 Bob Mathias Outstanding Athlete Award: Blake Barnes ‘17 Model Pledge (Fall 2014): Connor Drake ‘18 Geoff Grabow Model Brother Award: Brooks Walker ‘16 Winners of the SOHA Scholarship, receiving $500: Sam Arnold ’17, Tommy Cox ’17, Cullen Duke ’16, James Foxworth ’17, and Ryan Knam ’18. Thank you to those who made the trip and braved less than ideal traveling conditions - we had some familiar faces traveling in from Del Ray Beach and Orlando, FL, Spokane, WA, Vacaville, CA and Chicago. The plan for the 2016 Pig Dinner is to have it in the Student Union Ballroom and hopefully, the Atherton Hotel will be completed. Save the date - February 27, 2016. \r\nNonprofit Org US Postage Paid Lexington, KY Permit # 540 Phi Gamma Delta Fraternity 1201 Red Mile Road Lexington, KY 40504 Oklahoma State Chapter House Photos are on Sale Now! To order a print please visit: www.phigam.org/SigmaOmicronHousePhotoSale • 8X10 Print = $38 • 11X14 Print = $48 • 8X10 Framed Print = $76 • 11X14 Framed Print = $91 Prices include shipping and handling Sigma Omicron Housing Association, Inc. President: Randall Whittaker ‘70 rwhittaker@pixius.net  Treasurer: Chris Neurohr ‘03 chris_neurohr@kindermorgan.com  Secretary: Michael Martin ‘05 michaelpaulmartin@yahoo.com  Directors & Members: Terry Potts ‘68, Kim Cunningham ‘75, Steve Pittman ‘75, Jim Quigley ‘79, Chris Day ‘80, Michael Knam ‘94, Aaron Wilson ‘08, and Taylor Venus ‘11  Board of Chapter Advisors BCA Chairman: Eric Knam ‘93 - eric.d.knam@gmail.com Treasurer Advisor: Gentry Parker ‘96 - gparker24@cox.net  Historian Advisor: Race Clark ‘10 - race.clark@ou.edu  CS/RS Advisor: Matt Morgan ‘09 - mmogan@osugiving.com  Risk Management Advisor: Michael Bass (LSU ‘82) michael.bass@verizonbusiness.com  Recruitment Advisor: Jay List ‘97 - jayalanlist@gmail.com  Purple Legionnaire: James Riter ‘12 james.r.riter@gmail.com   Design, printing and mailing services provided by the International Fraternity of Phi Gamma Delta.