The Sigma Omicronical Spring 1999 The Sigma Omicronical The Sigma Omicron Chapter of The Fraternity of Phi Gamma Delta A True Brother As some may know, we were faced with the tragic loss of a brother this fall. Wade Wright Scruggs was killed in a car accident on October 29th. We were all shocked with the loss in the middle of our prepa ration for homecoming on the 30th. Spirits were low,but the support shown by the rest of the Greek community was endearing. As the news spread through the community, many people came to drew more Phi Gams from Sigma Omicron than any other event the house has seen. The number of Fiji's was evident, but also diminished by the masses of people present that knew and loved Wade. The church in Tulsa, including the facilities used for overflow, was filled to capacity. It was obvious Wade had touched the lives of many. Wade's parents, Joe and Margie Scruggs, spoke the house to offer their condolences and at the memorial in celebration of a shoulder to lean on. Shortly after peo ple started gathering, a candle was Wade's life, not in mourning of his pass ing. There was almost as much laugh placed on the diamond in the entry- ter as there were tears. Sigma Omicron hall and a cross was placed on the front had a memorial for its members on lawn. The candle burned until the end November 2nd. It was a great time to get together with the brothers that on the lawn today. Many other houses Wade Scruggs knewhim best and sharestories. It was took time away from their own deco another avenue for the chapter to deal rations to help finish ours and almost every house with the loss of one of the most respected and loved included a cross on their own homecoming decoration. brothers in the house. Plans have been made to plant In addition to the helping hands, we received many a tree and place a plaque where the cross stands. wonderful offerings of support through the vast num of the semester and the cross remains bers of cards, floral arrangements and food donations. The memorial service held by the family on November 1st provided a time to see Wade's family and see their amazing composure in the time of need. The service "/ knew Wade for onlyfour months and he taught me that there are better ways to stand up for your beliefs loithout imposing them on others. He taught me to do things, but only if it would be gloriying to God. I only knew himfor four months, and in that time, he became one of my heros". —Zach Anderson In this issue... Pig Dinner, Retiring the Debt Ekklesia 2 Scholarship, Homecoming and Philantropy ... .3 Introducing the Chi Pledge Class 4 Housing Corps and the Graduate Spotlight ... .5 Missing Brothers and Rush Information 6 Flashback 7 "Wade was one of the most genuine and sincere people I ever knew - ahoays putting others before himself. He epit omized the wordfriend." —Paul Smith "He was such an incredible person that it was an honor to get toknow him evenfor theshortamountoftime God gave him to us." —Brandon Eschelman "He was a true Christian." —Adam Housley \r\nVJ PP 2 The Sigma Omicronical The^J^rrisrPig Din Spring 1999 000 Saturday, February 19th Meditations 6:3(J p.m. Golf Tournament TBA Will You Help Us Retire The Debt On The House In Less Than 7 Years? In 1996-97, substantial improvements were made to the Sigma Omicron Chapter House. The much needed improvements have allowed the Fiji's to compete with From left: Ron Ivey COO), current president; Joel Embry ('99), former historian; Brian Grimes ('99),former president; and Ryan Bebee ('95), former president and field secretary. Ekklesia Gathering This years Ekklesia was a monumental gathering of brothers from all over Fiji. For brothers Brian Grimes, the top Fraternity physical structures on campus. We are very thankful for all of the graduate assistance we received throughout this project. Joel Embry and Ron Ivey, the 150th anniversary from August 12 to the 16 proved to open their eyes to the The Chapter took on additional debt in excess of $350,000, bringing the total debt on the house to nearly $400,000. Today the loan balance is just over $338,000. The Housing Corporation makes monthly payments of $3,700 per month. The loan is being re-financed to capture an interest rate of 7.625%, as opposed to the current rate of 9.55%. Current projections show that we will retire the debt in 12 years. held in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, not far from the his While recent Chapter House improvements have dras tically improved the living conditions in the Phi Gam House, additional improvements are still needed. That is why we need your help in reaching our goal of retir ing the debt in less than 7 years. If 200 brothers will donate just $10 per month, together, we can retire the debt in 6 years and 3 months. Will you help us? To pledge your $10 per month please call Housing Corporation officers, Chris Woosley at (918)583-1777 or Jason Turner at (918)499-6335. Thank you! International Brotherhood. The weekend events were toric spots of our founding place in Canonsburg and our Alpha Chapter at Washington and Jefferson in Washington, PA. The conference took place at the Weston Penn in downtown Pittsburgh. All three del egates took back great memories of making friendships with both undergraduates and graduates alike. 1998-99 OKLAHOMA STATE COWBOY BASKETBALL DATE OPPONENT LOCATION TIME FEB 1 NWCA ALL-STAR DUAL STILLWATER, OKLA 7 P.M. FEB. 7 OKLAHOMA STILLWATER, OKLA 3 P.M. FEB. 13 MISSOURI STILLWATER, OKLA 3 P.M. FEB. 21 IOWA STILLWATER, OKLA 3 P.M. Mar. 6 Big 12 Championships Ames, iowa Aii Day NCAA Championships University Park, Pa Ail Day Visit t h e H o u s e Mar. when attending 18-20 sporting events! Home matches in boid, ail caps. Aii times Central. \r\nThe SigH52 Omicronical 3 spring 1999 A Message From The President Greetings fellow Phi Gam's! So much has happened here at Sigma Omicron in the past year. As under I ''III WELCOME FIJI ALUMN^^ (|jt graduates we have experienced both the joy of suc cess and the pain of losing a great friend. As we edge closer to the end of the century continually we adapt and move forward towards our goals. Meanwhile, we work to keep the traditions and memories of the past M alive. We are all looking forward to seeing the graduate brothers here at the house and at Pig Dinner. We are in debt to you all. It will be our time to reward you for service and continuing support. Graduate support includes graduates staying up all night with us dur ing the tragic event. Housing Corps sacrificing their time to put up with a bunch of college kids, or those of you that continually contribute names for rush. Also important and sometimes overlooked is the financial support that is crucial to continue the pursuit of our mission. In all, we are in debt and hope to follow the same path you have taken and make Phi Gamma Delta "not for college days alone." Ron Ivey COO), Chapter President Fiji Honiecotning 1998 Fiji's Do Homecoming We entered the competitive arena of homecoming this year, teaming up with the women of Alpha Chi Omega. Many worried that our inexperience would limit us from competing. It was a struggle and the production ofthehomecoming decoration came tostandstill along with our lives the night before homecoming. As you probably already know. WadeScruggs tragicallydied thatnight. We were distraught andalmost to thepoint 1. Phi Gamma Delta 3.266 of stopping the construction. Before we could decide, members from every chapter on campus were at the Fiji house to help us finish the decoration. Without this 2. Farmhouse 3.242 outpouring of support we wouldn't have made it. But 3. Alpha Gamma Rho .... 4. Alpha Tau Omega 3.221 3.015 in the spirit of persistence we overcame the pain and completed the house decoration. The theme, "The Spirit ofRising Above... Cowboy Style!" became per tinent as we rose above our suffering and Wade rose to his homecoming. Fiji's Wins 1st In Grades During the break, the Cabinet took a trip to Lexington, Kentucky, to see headquarters and focus on the goals of the chapter. While we were there we called OSU's Greek Life Office and found out that we had won grades with a 3.266 grade point average for the year, beating out Farmhouse for first time in seventy years. Twenty-nine of the thirty pledges returned with an overall average of 3.39, winning the International Headquarters' Pledge Scholarship. The Scholarship Chairman gave the study room a needed and much appreciated face-lift. Check our our Fiji website at: www.okstate,edu/osu-orgs/pgd Giving Something Back This year has been a productive one for Phi Gam's and community service. We started off the year with a car wash in conjunction with the Pi Phi's to raise money for the United Way. We were able to raise over $300 for the worthy cause. We helped decorate the Fairgrounds for the Stillwater Children's Hospital annual charity ball. We also have an ongoing project with the Pawnee Headstart program. We first got involved with a pumpkin drive for Halloween Jack- O-Lanterns. Brothers then paired up and bought a Christmas present for each child in the program. We also decorated their facility for Christmas. This one on one experiencehas given back to the Brothers on a per sonal level. Of course we ran the game ball for Bedlam \r\n4 The Sigma Omicronical Spring 1999 this year in another successful Game Ball Run. We raised several thousand dollars for the Oklahoma City Bombing's children as the Pokes pummeled the Sooners on Lewis Field. There were several other proj ects completed during the Fall semester, and we look forward to Spring semester for more opportunities to fulfill the third value of Phi Gamma Delta. The Chi Pledge Class a and is the now Executive Director. Rick Rademeyer, the current pledge educator of the Chi pledge class, is the Treasurer of the Student Government Association. We have the president of Omicron Delta Kappa Leadership Honorary Society, Kory Patrick who was also the executive director of Freshman Follies '97. Michael Jaskowiak is serving as President of Rotaract service organization. Many other brothers are also serving in executive positions in Business Student Council, Education Student Council and Arts and Sciences Student Council. At the all night RELAY FOR LIFE — a charity run — we helped raise over $40,000 for cancer research. Introducing the Chi's Twenty-nine young men are seeking what we all have sought —brotherhood in the Fraternity of Phi Gamma Delta. The Chi Pledge class is striving to win the Junior Iron Man award, which recognizes the best pledge class on campus. Going into the summer, winning sec ond in grades and sports, second in Varsity Review and Spring Sing provided for an excellent foundation for rush. Last summer, Fiji experienced great rush suc The pledge class is extremely active on campus. Astonishingly, there are seven pledges on the Presidents Leadership Council (PLC), and six are mem bers of the Freshman Representative Council (FRC). Chris Gilliland from Edmond was elected the Junior IFCPresident. Chris Neurohr from Poteau is their phi lanthropy chairman, and iskeeping eachofthemhard at work. Their accomplishments range from cleaning up Lights On Stillwater to helping with Into The Streets, a mjor service project for the community of Stillwater and OSU's campus. cess, signing thirty stellar rushees for the Chi pledge class. From a rush chairman's perspective, the success was due to strategic support from graduate brothers like Steve Powell in Lawton and many others. Strong values and strong friendships were key influences in the quality of the men that we signed. On the campus we have some great leadersserving in high places for Oklahoma State.Jeremy Welter, an eco nomics senior, is making strides as the President of Student Government Association and is also one of three men in the distinguished Mortar Board Honor Society. Ryan Yates was Associate Director for the entertaining Orange Peel '98 student led production Pictured are two members of the Chi pledge class, Justin Boatman and Travis Moore and their dates at "Girls on the Green" Fiji Golf Tournament. \r\nSpring 1999 The Sigma Omicronical 5 HOUSING CORPS Graduate Spotlight — Over the break the housing core helped Sigma Omicron make needed repairs throughout the house. Besides the contracted work they aslo allocated funds to the Winter Break House Improvement project to paint the second and third floor walls and ceilings. Brothers, The First and The Last pledges, the Berry's, and Housing Corps members, Ryan Bebee and Kim Cunningham, worked together to complete the project. The next major project on the agenda is to replace the first and second floor windows and to paint the outside trim. Also, we are trying to furnish the basement to accompany the new enter tainment center and surrouncl sound equipment donated by the fall pledge class. Jim Swaggerty ('66) Phi Gamma Delta was an important part of my col lege experience. Being a charter member of Sigma Omicron and then serving the Chapter over four years as social ^g ^ % F chairman, pledge trainer and treasurer, provided me theopportunity to develop lifelong friendships and gain valuable experience. I lived in the "ginger bread" house all four years at OSUand have many fond memories of the struggles (and parties) of those early years. It was during my sophomore year that I met my wonderful wife of 33 years at a Fijisocial function. In our Senior year, Teresa was selected Fiji sweetheart and we still remember those wonderful times. Like many of you, I left OSU after graduation and became very involved in my career. As I pursued my career, I changed jobs several times and moved to six different cities over the next thirty years. For the past ten years I have been in Southern California and it seemed that OSU and Sigma Omicron would just remain a fond memory. Then through a seriesof events I was provided the opportunity to restructure a com pany and relocate the headquarters in Oklahoma. My son, Stephen, was graduating from high schooland to my surprise he indicated a desire to go out of state and wanted to attend OSU. Teresa and I drove from California last August and arrived on campus a few days before classes started to help Stephen move in the dorm. Since I thought it was too late to pledge, I hoped Stephen would con sider pledging Phi Gamma Delta during the second semester. But this was all a new experienceforStephen and he did not really know if a fraternity was right for him. 1convinced him to visit the house the day before school started and found out rush was still open. After an intense four-hour msh, Stephen decided to pledge. He moved out of a two-man air conditioned dorm Brother Ross Bebee ('97) and his friend Samuel Liben in Addis Abba, Ethiopia. Ross is doing a nine nonth missionfor Young Life Ministries. room and into the penthouse (a four-man, poorly ven tilated room on the third floor of the Fiji house). What a deal. But what he gave up in amenities was more than made up for in fellowship and lifelong friend ship. Thus, started a new cycle. \r\n6 The Sigma Omicronical We were delighted with Stephen's decision to pledge Phi Gamma Delta. We knew Sigma Omicron was the best on campus valuing scholarship, service, and Christian values. I knew pledging would be a differ ent and difficult experience but the testing would result in learning great lessons that would be invalu able in his life. Spring 1999 Missing Brothers We need you help locating the following brothers: Richard Adams Ted Allison Staurnton Baker Steven Ball Robert Bennett Kyle Bethel Sean Blake I was usually able to visit the house very two or three weeks over the past school year. I was deeply impressed with the quality and character of the under graduate brothers and how the Sigma Omicron Chapter has grown in numbers and substance over the past thirty years.On one memorableSaturday, Stephen took me to the pledge room where articles and pic tures of the original charter members were on the wall. Boy, did that bring back memories. I also participated in Stephen's initiation and was deeply moved by hearing, once again, the timeless precepts and principles that guide our great fraternity. At last years Pig Dinner, I had the opportunity to talk to the keynote speaker. Bill Zerman, who remembered meeting with a group of Charter Members in 1962 and approving our original application to become the Sigma Omicron Chapter of Phi Camma Delta. 1 feel very fortunate to have the opportunity to become involved in the Chapter in such a meaningful way and share a once in a lifetime experience with my son. 1 can only hope that other brothers can also have this David Bonner Kerry Bowden James Bowden Don Boyd Tim Brown John Cain Larry Cain William Chadeayna IVIichael Chieppo Mike Chieppo Michael Colley Dennis Collins Lon Cyrill Brian Danker Christopher D. Day R. Mark Dettle Victor Dodge Jr. James Dyer Jr. Charles Eubank RIckle C. Feddersen John D. Fleeger John Flood Ben Freeny William Fry Martin Glasser Walter H. Greenwood, II Steven C. Groene Schott Guysl Ronald Harp Doug Herrick James Hicks Charles J. Hill Aaron Hillhouse Tim Hudspath 1982 1977 1970 1972 1974 1964 1988 1964 1995 1995 1969 1989 1987 1980 1977 1969 1969 1970 1976 1977 1988 1980 1985 1972 1973 1977 1969 1989 1970 1981 1971 1964 1969 1981 1975 1972 1969 1988 1971 1981 1977 Kelly Johnson David Jones James Kopacka, Jr. John Lovejoy Dan Lucas Marcus Maker Gary Markus James Mayden, III Bryant McDowell Michael Mears George Melton, Jr. Michael Metz Keith Nanis Allen Nehmeyer Ron Perkins Marshall Persson Steven PPontesso Richard Poplinger David Powers Rayford Reld Michael Reyes Mark Rice Ralph Rogers William Ross, Jr. Royce Sample, Jr. Brien Smith Mont Smith Brian Spunler PHD Wilbur Stanton Chris Stolts Adam Button Tony Sweeny Shawn Thompson Cpt. Alva Pace USA Peter West Chris Whitfield Ron Wilson Don Wyatt Marc Wynn Alan Wynn David Zofnese 1979 1970 1981 1978 1969 1982 1970 1967 1993 1990 1968 1984 1984 1965 1971 1967 1970 1975 1973 1970 1967 1983 1970 1966 1969 1996 1970 1985 1971 1970 1986 1975 1994 1981 1982 1994 1988 1970 1984 1988 1976 opportunity. RUSHEE INFORMATION CARD A special thanks to these Graduate Brothers: Purple Legionnaire Geoff Graboiv If you know of any quality, young men coming to Oklahoma State University within the next couple of years, please take the time to provide us with his infor mation so that we may take the opportunity to intro duce him to Phi Camma Delta. Housing Corporation Chris Woosley - President Name Jason Turner - Treasurer Ryan Bebee - Secretary Kim Cunningham - Chair Greg Dennis - Chair Board of Chapter Advisors Jay List - President Address_ City State -Zip_ Telephone Number_ High School Hobbies Your Name_ Your Telephone No.^ Grad.Yr. \r\nSpring 1999 The Sigma Omicronical 7 ET FIJI FLASHBACK i (PARTY a i oa you identify these Brothers? \r\nmiMMl t:r:--% • iiiiHittttini iiruwiinii The Fraternity of Phi Gamma Delta Sigma Omicron Chapter Oklahoma State University 1123 West University Stillwater, OK 74074 Mu-i/tO'' vawu Non Profit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Stillwater, OK Permit No. 191