The Sigma Omicronicle Oklahoma State University of Phi Gamma Delta Fraternity – Spring 2013
Sigma Omicron Announces $215,000 Challenge Campaign Capital Campaign Enters Critical Stage
t is with a joyful heart and a sigh of relief that I am able to report The goal is to begin demolition of the current, wornout Chapter Ithat 1123 University is filled with a most outstanding group of House in May 2014. SOHA is forming a construction committee, FIJI men; thus ensuring that Sigma Omicron and SOHA are able developing a game plan to deal with city codes, federal construction to fulfill all financial obligations. The board continues to conserve regulations, residential housing, parking, and transit. Our Purple capital through best practices management required to keep Sigma Legionnaire and BCA are working with an outstanding cabinet and Omicron’s property safe and secure for future OSU FIJIs. group of very purple undergraduates on constant improvement in academics, recruitment, campus leadership, IHQ awards, and more. My report on the progress of the capital campaign and realizing our common dream to construct a new Sigma Omicron Chapter House is The missing link in our chain of success may be you, or one of most inspirational. From the public announcement of the campaign your pledge brothers, big or little brother, or cohort group. We need at the 50th Pig Dinner and the $1.25 million pledged during the every Sigma Omicron FIJI to be a part of this capital campaign. silent phase we have gained donor pledges and increased our total commitments to $1.8 million. No loyal If one has the ability to take advantage of Phi Gam will argue the magnitude of this Campaign the tax deductibility of a $10,000 or $15,000 increase, nor disagree that we can reach our pledge over five years, great! If a brother stretch goal of $2.5 million. At-a-Glance wants to be recognized as supporting the (As of April 8, 2013) fraternity that no doubt played a major I am extremely proud to announce that a group role in his personal development, it takes of graduates have come together to issue a a $2,500 pledge, which is only $41.66 per $215,000 matching gift challenge to their Campaign Goal: $2.5 Million month for five years. If these amounts are Phi Gam brothers to spark new and increased beyond one’s financial means, we will giving and to bring us closer to our Honoring Total Committed: $1,815,568 take what one can give. Just consider this: Our Past, Ensuring Our Future campaign one must give in order to receive. In this goal. These generous donors are stepping Contributors: 121 instance, we all have already received; it is forward and committing to this campaign, time to give back. Pay it forward for future some for the second time. They will match Sigma Omicron brothers. every new dollar donated to the campaign— up to $215,000—between now and October 20, the Monday after Fraternally, Homecoming. The campaign stands to gain $430,000 ($215,000 in Randall L. Whittaker ’70 new gifts matched by $215,000 from the challenge donors). SOHA President/ Campaign Chairman [email protected] In order to secure the full $215,000 match, that same amount of new donations MUST be pledged before the cutoff date. For those Perge! of you who have already contributed, please consider increasing or extending your five-year pledge by adding a sixth year to your commitment. If you have not given, NOW IS THE TIME.
Save the Date for Pig Dinner February 21-22, 2014 The Sigma Omicronicle p. 2
Honoring Our Past Ensuring Our Future Thank You, Loyal Graduate Brothers, for Your Contributions
e are deeply grateful to the following Sigma Omicron brothers All donors contributing a minimum of $2,500, over a five-year period, Wfor committing over $1.8 million to the Honoring Our Past, will be recognized on a plaque prominently displayed in the renovated Ensuring Our Future campaign. These brothers recognize the Chapter House. If an error has been made in recording your gift, or importance of continuing the legacy created at Sigma Omicron and your name has been mistakenly omitted or listed improperly, we have demonstrated a sense of gratitude for their personal experience. sincerely apologize. Please advise our campaign coordinator at (785) Signed donation pledge forms are still needed from the 831 graduate 843-1661 so that we may make a correction. Thank you to our loyal brothers who have not committed to our project. graduate brothers!
Black Diamond Society Matthew Manfredi ’94 Royal Purple Society Eric M. Jamison ’70 ($100,000 and above) In memory of ($5,000 to $9,999) Ralph Heatly ’71 George H. Ramey ’66 Mario G. Manfredi III Michael G. Crocker ’63 V. David Ferraro ’71 E. Valjean “Val” Wheeler ’66 Matthew D. Barnes ’98 Vaughn S. Bryan ’65 A.L. Bennett Jr. ’72 Robert Roper ’67 Jeremy J. Welter ’99 Danny R. Deaver ’67 Stephen C. Bowersox ’72 Randall L. Whittaker ’70 Daniel H. Britton ’00 Harris J. Elder ’67 In memory of Frank R. Crabtree Jr. ’73 Jeremy D. Wier ’01 Robert B. Lindsly ’67 C.H. Bowersox Sigma Omicron Undergraduate Russell McNew ’67 Steve Dennehy ’72 Chapter 2011-14 1848 Society Michael C. Hill ’68 Greg R. Dennis ’73 ($10,000 to $24,999) Max A. Pischel III ’68 Paul Parsons ’73 Purple Clematis Society Thomas Family Gift In memory of Jim L. Keating ’74 ($50,000 to $99,999) James L. Thomas ’65 Max A. Pischel Jr., Roland J. Heatly ’75 Woosley Family Gift Shane Davolt, Zeta Phi ’93 Nu Omega ’35 Dr. Greg Z. Winters ’75 Lon G. Kile ’77 Jake Thomas, Pi Deuteron ’01 William D. Fowler ’70 Mark K. Schlegel ’76 Knam Family Gift J. Pat Gallagher Jr. ’66 Mike Chieppo ’71 Michael Bass, LSU ’82 Eric D. Knam ’93 In memory of Richard W. Hatter ’72 Ryan Bebee ’95 Michael J. Knam ’94 Ernest C. Young ’66 Brad Austin ’93 Chris R. Hobza ’95 Robert B. Persson ’66 Jason R. Marrujo ’94 Reid F. McHoul ’95 Snowy White Owl Society In memory of Joel B. Embry ’99 Brent M. Koch ’96 ($25,000 to $49,999) Marshall Persson ’67 Daniel R. Cahalan ’01 Zachary R. Overton ’96 Karen Hicks Darrel D. Fry ’67 Andrew J. Burnett ’02 Derryk L. Wilson ’96 In memory of Donald S. Boyd ’69 Justin E. Boatsman ’02 Jay A. List ’97 Craig H. Hicks ’72 James R. Blakemore ’71 Derrick P. Mesch III ’03 In memory of J.D. Boyer ’64 Mark A. Lobo ’71 Christopher R. Neurohr ’03 Lloyd C. Boatright III and Michael R. Wendel ’67 Mark H. Fritze, M.D. ’80 In honor of Wade W. Scruggs ’00 Terry Potts ’68 Ronald L. Taylor ’80 the Chi Pledge Class Robert Cuthbertson ’98 Bob C. Hamm, Ph.D. ’69 Stephen Boeckman ’92 Jeff Pinter ’03 Michael J. Jaskowiak ’00 Charles A. Powers ’69 John H. Ha ’94 Stephen J. Snider ’05 Steven B. Foster ’01 J. David Jensen ’70 Joshua Randolph ’94 Matt Drouhard ’08 Wesley B. Reed ’02 J. Robert Keating ’72 In honor of Justin B. Welter ’06 Philip D. Webb ’72 the Spring 1991 Theta Class Brotherhood Society Marcus B. Concienne ’08 J. Hershel Beard ’72 Josue Solano ’94 ($2,500 to $4,999) Joshua L. Harvey ’08 Steven W. Fooshee, D.D.S. ’74 Gentry A. Parker ’96 Rena Sterling Tate Johnson ’08 Kim Cunningham ’75 Bradley A. Thompson ’98 Joe G. Berry ’65 Jared M. Denny ’09 Steven B. Pittman ’75 John R. McLaughlin ’01 Bill Teel ’69 Brett Tatum ’10 Jules D. Roberts IV ’78 Chad M. Wolfe ’03 Robert P. Varner III ’69 Nicolas Wood ’10 In memory of W. Tanner Cooper ’04 Gary Markus ’70 Jules Darius Roberts, Michael P. Martin ’05 Prochaska Family Gift Sigma Deuteron 1915 Aaron V. Wilson ’08 Frank Prochaska, Phi Tau ’70 James P. Quigley ’79 Ryan Hunter ’09 Joseph Prochaska ’09 Justin M. Wheeler ’12 Fred C. Ringwald ’70 p. 3 The Sigma Omicronicle
Members Reconnect at Annual Pig Dinner he weather held for Pig Dinner, sandwiched to Brooks Walker ’16, Ryan Tatum ’15, Nick Tbetween two winter storms. Pig weekend Staples ’14, and Tanner Blosser ’14. began with more than 20 FIJIs gathering for a reception on Friday afternoon hosted by SOHA Pat Gallagher ’66 was Patron of the Pig and President Randall Whittaker ’70. A few more received his Gold Owl with Brothers Darrel Fry joined at The Hideaway for dinner, stories (some ’66 and Val Wheeler ’66. Silver Owl recipients likely embellished), and renewed interest in in attendance were Mark Lookabaugh ’88, Rob trying to get more to attend next year for the Bauter ’91, Shannon Wilkerson ’91, Todd entire weekend. Sullivan ’89, and Dan Ownby ’91.
Saturday evening, graduates gathered at the Randall Whittaker gave an update on the Wes Watkins Center for a reception and dinner; Honoring Our Past, Ensuring Our Future capital 275 plates were ordered for the graduates, campaign, detailing $1.8 million commitments undergraduates, and some of the colony members toward our $2.5 million goal. Brothers Phil Webb from Oklahoma City University. Evan Frejo and Michael Knam ’94 shared their individual ’13 welcomed everyone and moved the program reasons for contributing and encouraged others along proficiently. to sacrifice, to help future generations of FIJIs.
Traveling the farthest was Don Greenamyer Sires and Sons were presented to Michael ’72, coming in from Sydney, Australia. Don Knam and his son, Bradley Knam ’13; Ronald had such a great time he told me he would try Taylor ’80 and his son, Drew Taylor; and Jeff to make it back next year. Stateside travelers Thimesch, Texas Tech ’88, and his son, Justin were Jason Jones ’96 from San Francisco, Phil Thimesch. Webb ’72 from Vacaville, Calif., Martin Blazy ’78 from Burlington, N.J., Val Wheeler ’66 from Undergraduate awards presented: Friendship Corona Del Mar, Calif., and Bob Murphy ’72 Award to Chris Easterly, Mike Monroney from Spokane, Wash. Knowledge Award to Beau Bromley, Service Award to Nick Staples, Kenny Marchetti The Alpha Triton pledge class brought in a 161- Morality Award to Sam Hitchcock, Excellence pound porker while singing “Bringing in the Award to Ben Wolff, Best Out-of-House Brother Pig.” Zach Overton ’96 educated the crowd on to Logan Thomas, Downright Purple Award to the history and background while giving another Brad Knam, Bob Mathias Outstanding Athlete to outstanding memorized presentation of the Logan Thomas, Model Pledge Spring ’12 to Ethan Exile’s Toast. Nall, Model Pledge Fall ’12 to Brooks Walker, and the Geoff Grabow Model Brother Award to Aaron Wilson ’08 reviewed the history of the Ben Wolff. Mike Hill ’68 won the Professor Bob endowed SOHA scholarship and awarded $500 Hamm Outstanding Graduate Brother.
Sigma Omicron is performing well. Vibrant young men lead the Chapter and they want to improve. We have much to be thankful for. Join us at the next Pig Dinner to renew friendships, make new friends, and welcome new Gold and Silver Owls and new initiates on February 22, 2014.
Ryan Bebee ’95 [email protected]
Perge! The Sigma Omicronicle p. 4
Sigma Omicron Celebrates a Successful Semester Members Improve Philanthropy, Academics and Athletics
t is truly a great time to be a FIJI at OSU. In the fall 2012, Sigma Omicron improved our academic Iperformance; our membership placed second among fraternities and third overall. Our Chapter’s From left: James Riter ’13, Marshall Frye yearly philanthropy event, the FIJI Christmas Cup, was the most successful ever. The weeklong event ’15, Ryan Tatum ’15, Sam Hitchcock ’14, included a dodge ball tournament, which assembled more than 550 students, and the Jingle Jam talent Josh Suber ’14, Chris Stockton ’14, and show, which assembled 485 students. It generated approximately $4,500 in donations for the USO, Eric Knam ’93 at the 2013 FIJI Academy. more than quadrupling last year’s total.
Athletically, our membership saw success in the form of intramural championship victories for both innertube water polo and soccer.
Individual brothers also received great honors, including Chris Stockton ’15, who was named one of OSU’s top ten freshmen of the entire 2015 graduating class, and the Mayes brothers, Jordan ’13 and Taylor ’13, were named Seniors of Significance.
FIJI’s reputation among Oklahoma State’s sororities is also growing stronger, and our Chapter was selected to host dinner events during sorority recruitment next fall. This is a reflection of Sigma Omicron’s commitment to being true FIJI gentlemen.
The fall 2012 Alpha Triton pledge class on This spring, our Chapter is working diligently to improve on our academic performance to take first their pledge sneak to Grand Lake, Okla. place in grades, begin preparations for a more successful Homecoming venture in the fall, and gear up for a promising recruitment in the summer.
President Finally, as we constantly strive for success in the present and look forward to a bright future, it is Marshall Frye ’15 also important that we honor and remember our past. The undergraduates of Sigma Omicron greatly appreciate the contributions of our graduate brothers. Thank you for your involvement and support Cypress, Texas and for your understanding that membership is indeed not for college days alone. With that, we [email protected] welcome graduate brothers to return to the Chapter House whenever in Stillwater. Treasurer Marshall Frye, President Ryan Tatum ’15 [email protected] Edmond, Okla. [email protected] Perge! Recording Secretary Sam Hitchcock ’14 SOHA Appreciates Parents Club Efforts Edmond, Okla. [email protected] OHA wishes to express our profound our capital campaign moves to the construction Sgratitude to the Parents Club for the many phase. At this point, we will need GNA, Corresponding Secretary maintenance costs and furniture upgrades they university, and city support in order to obtain ter Off ic ers Ch ap ter Josh Suber ’14 pay for with their dues and fundraising auctions. any required city waivers, various fellow Greek Tulsa, Okla. Every current member needs to give his parents approvals, and temporary university residential [email protected] a personal “Thanks, Mom and Dad” for their housing during construction. generosity and dedication to Sigma Omicron. By Historian the Parents Club absorbing these costs, SOHA This year the Parents Club has provided: Chris Stockton ’15 can more easily fund capital costs for major • New furniture for the living room Duncan, Okla. repairs and replacements, as well as award the • Paid to have the carpets cleaned twice [email protected] Sigma Omicron-Pickens scholarship winners and • Offset costs for days day breakfast keep our Greek and campus FIJI reputation solid • Paid for all-night pomping breakfast Send Your Recruitment by participating in IFC and Greek Neighborhood • New furniture for the game room Recommendation Information to: Association (GNA) projects such as the Greek • Offset the cost of Moms Day Josh Suber Sundial, Cowboy orange street signs in the GNA • Paid to have the bathrooms professionally (918) 906-6506 area, and emergency alert stations throughout the cleaned twice [email protected] area. Greater participation in these community • Paid Mom Rena Sterling’s Christmas bonus service projects, and the overall positive image • Funding Greek Discovery Day and appearance of FIJI, will pay dividends when p. 5 The Sigma Omicronicle
Phi Gamma Delta—A Family Tradition
hi Gamma Delta became a family tradition when Eric Knam ’93 Pwas invited to dinner by fellow ROTC members Chad Neidig ’94, Shannon Wilkerson ’91, and Clint Johnson ’92. “I was extremely impressed with the brotherhood and really liked the idea of being a part of something bigger than myself. The next thing I knew, I was dragging my brother, Michael Knam ’94, and Greg Wipfli ’93 to the house to meet everyone. We all decided to pledge the next semester,” Eric said.
Michael stayed a part of the brotherhood because of the support he received. “My situation was unique and the brotherhood stepped up and did things for me that they had no obligation to do. Those guys at that time had a profound effect on me that exists today.”
Looking back on his time in the house, Michael remembers sharing a room with two active members as a pledge and a six-foot python named Calvin. Eric’s favorite memories are of: Greg tossing his flaming mattress out the window into the front yard; Chad Peace Omicron and Phi Gamma Delta together and extend that service ’93 dressing up as the church lady (from Saturday Night Live) for the through future generations.” Fright Night party; working as security at the Concert in the Country, watching George Jones perform and hanging out on the Budweiser “It is amazing to think that the outstanding Chapter we all had a hand bus; road tripping to Kansas City to get tattoos; and having his pledge in building is now being passed to a new generation and that it will brothers serenade his wife at Theta Pond when he proposed. help mold another member of my family,” Eric said. “I’m proud of my nephew for becoming a FIJI; he has proven that he is worthy Both Eric and Michael admit to losing touch with the Chapter of being a part of an exceptional group of young men.” after graduation but found their way back through pledge brothers reaching out and attending Pig Dinner. “A couple Michael is a senior account executive for a software of calls from my pledge brother Ryan Bebee ’95 and company called ServiceNow, working with accounts a return to Pig Dinner helped me realize that I was in Oklahoma and north Texas to sell software and missing out on an opportunity to relive some of the services that runback end IT operations. He lives most memorable times in my life. By reengaging in McKinney, Texas, with his wife, Genny, with the Chapter, I have not only strengthened whom he married on March 15, 2013. He has many old friendships, I have created many two children, Brittani and Bradley, and two new ones,” Eric said. stepchildren, Nealie and Nick. He says in his free time he plays a random horrible “Over the past six years, I have round of golf, loves to vacation at the reengaged and served on the BCA, as beach, and spends time with his family. well as SOHA, and I have not missed a Pig E-mail: michael.j.knam@gmailcom Dinner in six years. ‘Not for College Days Alone’ is not just a cute saying, but rather a way Eric is a district business manager for Pfizer to live,” Michael said. Pharmaceuticals, in the primary care division, and is responsible for meeting sales goals and coaching Michael’s son, Bradley Knam ’16, carried on the Phi and developing 11 sales representatives. He lives Bixby, Gamma Delta tradition when he was initiated this year. Oklahoma, with his wife, Christi, his son, Ryan, and twin “With my son initiated, it is more special than you can daughters, Elizabeth and Hannah. E-mail: eric.d.knam@ imagine, and we hope that we can continue to serve Sigma gmail.com
Save the Date for Pig Dinner February 21-22, 2014 Graduate News The Gary A. Markus ’70 and his wife, Linda, are retired and live at Lake of the Ozarks in Sigma Omicronicle Missouri. Gary still sells real estate and they enjoy traveling and going on cruises. Gary and Linda belong to a great Corvette club and take Oklahoma State University of Phi Gamma Delta Fraternity trips about every month somewhere. They have been married 43 years, after their first date at a FIJI party. E‑mail: [email protected] Phi Gamma Delta Fraternity 1201 Red Mile Road Roland J. Heatly ’75 sends a very special Lexington, KY 40504 thanks to Eric Knam ’93 for organizing the very successful FIJI lunches held the first Wednesday of each month. “If you get a Address Service Requested chance, come join the group at the Full Moon on 15th Street. There is a great mix of OSU, OU, LSU, and Texas Tech brothers.” E‑mail: [email protected]
Ryan J. Bebee ’95 is the technology sales representative for SITECH. He lives in Oklahoma City, Okla., with his wife, Susannah, and their two children, Shawn and Clara. He reports that he is blessed with good health and a happy, healthy family. E‑mail: [email protected]
Paul D. Stark ’04 moved back to Oklahoma City from Houston, with his wife, Sabrina. The couple welcomed their first child, Will, in 2010, and twins in March 2013. E‑mail: [email protected]
Spotlight on George Ramey ’66 FIJIs Thankful for the Dedication and Support of Our Housemother
ny brothers who have lived in or passed through the FIJI eorge Ramey ’66 knew when he attended house in the last eight years notice the hard work and Oklahoma State University that he wanted A G dedication of our housemother, Rena Sterling. to join a fraternity. As a legacy of Phi Gamma Delta, he learned early on that the bonds of Rena always performs her duties in a professional, dedicated, and fraternity are not for college days alone. caring manner. She comes in under budget for kitchen expenses each semester and is always involved with Chapter activities, He graduated from OSU with a bachelor’s making cookies and milk during finals week, hot tea and cocoa degree in political science. Coming from a during Homecoming pomping and decoration, mending buttons, family of doctors and lawyers he decided to and hosting small groups of members at her home. Previously she follow in his family’s footsteps and obtain a law served as the president of the Panhellenic House Manager board. degree. A self-employed lawyer, he practices Rena regularly attends SOHA board meetings and gives reports on the function of the kitchen, house systems, undergraduate general law as a partner at Ramey & Tharp. activities, IFC/Panhellenic updates, and Parents Club events.
George says his parents raised him to do the Over the years, Rena has earned the admiration and love of all right thing and be a good citizen, and he has FIJIs, as well as several generations of SOHA directors. She been fortunate in his career to be able to give back to organizations and support has said how important Sigma Omicron is to her and has the FIJI capital campaign. demonstrated as much by pledging to the Honoring Our Past, Ensuring Our Future campaign. We thank Rena for her He has stayed in touch with his pledge brothers and was able to attend the commitment to this campaign and are proud to list her among our big reunion last year, as well as several Pig Dinners. He has also made FIJI wall of loyal donors. connections with brothers from other chapters. Along with her role at Phi Gamma Delta, Rena is an event coordinator for Oklahoma State University, organizing events for George lives in Yukon, Oklahoma, with his wife, Cheryl, and the couple as many as 2,000 attendees. Rena has been a resident of Stillwater has three daughters. In his free time he enjoys hunting fishing, running, and for 14 years and is a proud and beloved mother and grandmother collecting books. to her non-FIJI family.