Omega - Spring 2009

Pi Kappa Phi was named theR.B. Stewart Award winner, recog-nizing it as the top fraternity atPurdue University for 2007-08.

The award was given at theOct. 3, 2008, Greek Gala, whichrecognizes chapter-level accom-plishments. Individual awardswere given at a spring receptionwith the Omega chapter winningtwo awards. Steve Holtsclawwas named the 2007-08 GreekMan of the Year (he was laternamed the national Pi Kappa PhiStudent of the Year, too) and JoeSchaefer was named theOutstanding Greek Scholar.

Purdue Greeks use nine cate-gories to rate chapters. Pi KappaPhi won seven of the nine individ-ual categories that then were usedto determine the overall R.B.Stewart Award.

Pi Kappa Phi won awards in

the following categories:• Alumni Relations• Chapter Management• House Management• Leadership Development• New Member Development• Philanthropy/Community

Service• Scholastic Excellence

The only two categories inwhich the Omega chapter did notwin were in external relations andsocial development.

By raising $12,000 for ournational philanthropy, PushAmerica, in 2007-08, Pi KappaPhi topped all fraternity fund-raising for the eighth consecutiveyear.

Zeta Tau Alpha won the DeanElsbury Award as the top sorority.No sorority won more than one ofthe seven individual review cate-gories.

OmegaliteAPRIL 2009 PURDUE UNIVERSITY

THE • PI • KAPPA • PHI • FRATERNITY

IFC names Pi Kappa Phias top Purdue fraternity

The Omega chapter spawnedan amazing number of brotherswho became college professors –particularly in the years immedi-ately following World War II.

In the span of four years from1946 to 1950, there were nineOmega initiates who at one pointduring their professional careertaught at the college level. That’smore than 10 percent of the 86initiates in that same time span.By comparison, less than 1.5 per-cent of our 1,767 initiates havechosen that career path.

The first in that span of educa-tors was Eldon Knuth (OmegaNo. 399). He was a 1946 initiatewho has written at least six booksranging from fiction to textbooks.He also co-owns a patent in rocketengine design. He retired fromUCLA’s Department of Chemicaland Bimolecular Engineering.

Thomas Adamson (Omega412), a 1947 Pi Kappa Phi initiate,retired as an engineering profes-sor at the University of Michiganin 1992. Adamson and Knuth bothreceived advanced degrees andwere colleagues at the CaliforniaInstitute of Technology in the mid-1950s.

“We put in a lot of long hours ofwork together,” Adamson fondlyrecalled.

While at Michigan, Adamsontaught classes in propulsion, aero-dynamics, gas dynamics, thermo-dynamics and combustion. Heserved as department head in theMichigan Department ofAerospace Engineering for nine

Higher educationchoice professionfor many alumni

See “Higher Ed” on Page 3

The overall R.B. Stewart Award, signifying the top fraternity atPurdue, stands out in front of the seven (out of nine possible)other awards the Omega chapter was given in October 2008.

OMEGALITE APRIL 2009 PURDUE UNIVERSITY

Omega ofPi Kappa Phi, Inc.Housing CorporationP.O. Box 2700West Lafayette, IN47996-2700

Chapter Web address:http://www.purduepikapps.com

CorporationOfficers

JAY SEEGER

PRESIDENT

3817 Old Farm RoadLafayette, IN 47905765/742-4529, work765/474-1986, [email protected]

BRANDT HERSHMAN

VICE PRESIDENT

6142 Maderia LaneLafayette, IN 47905574/581-2000, [email protected]

STEVE BOHNER

TREASURER

194 Twin Springs Ct.Carmel, IN 46234317/846-3008, home317/844-2250, work317/844-2296, [email protected]

PAT KUHNLE

SECRETARY

720 Chelsea RoadW. Lafayette, IN 47906765/743-1111 ext.

205, work765/743-6087, fax765/743-1256, [email protected]

The Omegalite is pub-lished at least twice ayear by the Omega of PiKappa Phi HousingCorporation for its alum-ni. Address correctionsshould be mailed to usat the contact informa-tion listed at the top ofthis box.

By Jim VasilSpring 2009 Archon

The Omega chapter con-tinues its strong presenceon the Purdue campus.

As indicated elsewherein this Omegalite, the chap-ter received the R.B.Stewart Award in Octobersignifying it as the topchapter at Purdue. We havestriven to build upon thisthroughout the 2007-08academic year.

Expanding our commit-ment to Push America isone of the themes of thestrategic plan we imple-mented two years ago. Newto our efforts this academicyear is a strong local volun-teer relationship withLafayette Jefferson HighSchool This partnershiphas 23 chapter membersrotating visitations withspecial needs students.During these visits, whichthe students eagerly antici-pate, brothers participatein a wide variety of activi-ties including playing boardgames and athletics to

tutoring or just being amentor.

The chapter becameaware of the need at thehigh school from alumnusSteve Beeler (Omega1169), who teaches the spe-cial needs students there.

We recently completedour second annual War ofRoses event that raisedmore than $1,100 towardour Push America fundraising. Nine sororities par-ticipated in various on-cam-pus activities includingempathy training wherewomen mimicked having adisability, such as runningan obstacle course blind-folded or assembling a puz-zle with their hands cov-ered with socks. Otheractivities included a talentshow as well as inpromptuquestions and answers.

On April 18, up to 30chapter members will haveparticipated in 11th annualPi Kapp 100, a 100-kilome-ter bike ride from theIndianapolis area to cam-pus. Riders and crew raisemoney through pledges tosupport our Push fund rais-ing.

Kevin Vargo (Omega1674) and DavidStinnette (Omega 1689)will become the 11th and

12th Omega members toparticipate in the Journeyof Hope, an all summer,cross-country bike ride rais-ing money and awarenessfor those with disabilities.

The chapter is alsoactive on the social scene.

We paired with DeltaGamma sorority for footballand with Zeta Tau Alphafor Grand Prix. For the Fall2009, the chapter will bedoing football with thewomen of Delta DeltaDelta.

Thus far this schoolyear, the chapter has wontwo sorority philanthropycompetitions – a 5K runand dodgeball.

Athletically, the chapterranks No. 4, having wonthe doubles racketball andthe darts competition. Italso had one of two basket-ball teams in the semifinalsas was Frisbee competition.

The University has notyet released grades for thefall semester, but the chap-ter is hovering at the 3.0mark by an informal poll,which would be the highestGPA in more than a decade.

Chapter membershipstood at an even 100 afterspring rush. The chapterrecruited 29 new membersduring fall and spring rush.

Push America one of chapter focuses

Pi Kappa Phi members pose with members of ZetaTau Alpha, winners of the 2009 “War of Roses” com-petition in April.

A Gamma Phi Beta triesher best to complete apuzzle with her handsbeing impared.

OMEGALITE APRIL 2009 PURDUE UNIVERSITY

years ending in 1991. After hisPurdue graduation in aeronauticalengineering in 1947, he earned aMasters and PhD from Cal Tech.

He won the 2006 OutstandingAerospace Engineer Award fromPurdue and now resides in AnnArbor, Mich.

The World War II veteran wasnot surprised to learn that so manyof his Omega contemporariesbecame professors.

“We’d all been in the war andthen worked our tails off as stu-dents (at Purdue),” he said.“Academics really influenced howwe approached things and we want-ed to continue to pursue them.”

While teaching at Michigan,Adamson mentored many studentswho became astronauts. Theyinclude: Jim McDivvitt, a Gemini 4

and Apollo 9 veteran who graduatedfirst in his class from Michigan in1959. He later became the Apollo12, 13, 14, 15 and 16 program man-ager. Jack Lousma was another stu-dent Adamson taught. Lousma isbest known as the capsule commu-nicator for Apollo 13 and was therecipient of the “Houston, we had amajor problem” message after anin-flight explosion. Apollo 15 com-mander Al Worden was anotherMichigan student under Adamson’stutelage.

Adamson knew a future Omegamember and fellow college professorbefore he attended Purdue. He wentto high school with Jack Powers’(Omega 449) sister.

Powers began his higher educa-tion experience at Ripon College(Wisconsin) teaching chemistry. Heeventually became the chemistrydepartment head.

He worked as vice president at

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute(New York), Davidson College(North Carolina) and St. Andrew’sPresbyterian College (NorthCarolina). He and his wife, Ruth,then started a consulting businessin fund-raising for colleges, arts andcollege Greek organizations. Hecoordinated the highly successfulCampaign for Omega, following thechapter’s 1987 fire.

Powers graduated from Purduein 1952 in chemistry. He alsoearned a Masters in 1956 and PhDin 1957 – all in chemistry.

He also worked as a grant officerat a private foundation, ResearchCorp. and as a consultant. Duringhis career his major area ofresearch was in chemistry, includ-ing the organic and chemical reac-tions of atmospheric gases.

He said the seriousness of post-World War II students helped formhis academic performance.

“Students of my era were seriousabout their studies and eager tocontribute to their careers in ameaningful way,” Powers said.

“As I look back on my education,I realize how the specific time I wasat Purdue had a major impact onme and others of my generation. Werespected the contributions our pro-fessors were making toward oureducation and this probably moldedour plans for a teaching career.”

Powers also cited his Pi KappaPhi brothers as keys to his academ-ic prowess – particularly those whoserved in World War II.

“They were a serious group, dedi-cated to their studies and brookingno distractions that would altertheir plans of action,” he said.

He lives with his wife in PisgahForest, NC.

Among the many Omegas of thatera who entered academia, was A.Dale Kaiser (Omega 470). Kaiser,a 1949 Pi Kappa Phi initiate, was aprofessor of biochemistry atStanford University.

For Ted Michaud (Omega 425),higher education came naturally.His late father, Howard (Omega

OMEGA ALUMNI WHO HAVE BEEN COLLEGE PROFESSORSINIT. # NAME, POSITION

130 Edwin “Pete” Sherwood, Milwaukee School of Engineering179 Robert Green, Ohio State University, engineering267 Richard Edwards, University of Arizona, chemical engineering315 Allan Reynolds, Gordon College (MA)399 Eldon Knuth, UCLA, chemical and biomolecular engineering412 Thomas Adamson, University of Michigan, aerospace engineering425 Ted Michaud, Carroll College, biology429 Ken Wark, Purdue, mechanical engineering449 Jack Powers, Rippon College. Chemistry467 Richard Edwards, University of Arizona, chemical engineering470 A. Dale Kaiser, Stanford, biochemistry, School of Medicine477 Carl Zobel, SUNY-Buffalo, biophysics485 Robert Whitford, Purdue, civil engineering537 Halbert Smith, University of Florida, finance and real estate583 Robert Fisher, Ball State, architecture656 Robert Nicewander, University of Oklahoma, psychology664 Michael Cornick, Winthrop, accounting673 Alan Hess, University of Washington, finance700 Jeffrey Kotzan, University of Georgia, pharmacy751 John Lovell, Purdue, management771 Clyde Smith, Purdue, engineering788 James Wright, University of Central Florida, sociology1168 Matt Stuve, Ball State, educational technology1234 Matt Watson, Peace Corps, math1278 Jake Rohleder, Purdue, veterinary scienceOTHER OMEGA ALUMNUS IN HIGHER EDUCATION

627 Robert Elzey, Indiana State University, dean of students, vicepresident student services

Higher EducationContinued from Page 1

Continued on next page

OMEGALITE APRIL 2009 PURDUE UNIVERSITY

507), was one of the first alumniinitiates in Omega history andtaught conservation history in thePurdue Forestry Department.

“I had my dad for freshman biol-ogy at North Side High School inFort Wayne, Ind.,” Ted Michaudsaid. “He was a role model through-out my career as a zoologist andeducator.”

The senior Michaud, who servedas Omega’s chapter advisor in thelate ‘40s and early ‘50s, was at onepoint the head naturalist for theIndiana State Parks and lived inthe private section of the naturemuseum for seven years.

The son, Ted, majored in biologyand took courses in wildlife conser-vation and entomology. While atPurdue, he was an ROTC studentand was a military instructor for 14months in Alaska following gradua-tion. Michaud received a Masters inzoology from Michigan (1954) andthen a PhD in the same field fromTexas (1959).

During and after his studies, hebecame an Army Reservist, retiringas a colonel in 1984.

From 1959 to his 1994 academicretirement, he taught biology atCarroll College (now Carroll

University in Wisconsin).He said his Pi Kappa Phi broth-

ers pushed him to achieve academi-cally.

“There certainly was an empha-sis on excellence at Pi Kappa Phi,”he said. “Older, more mature stu-dents were coming back from WorldWar II. They demanded, and got,proficient instruction from theirprofessors.”

Another Pi Kappa Phi experiencecontributed to a lifelong hobby.

“Several of my contemporarieswere in the Glee Club (at Purdue),”he said. “I have continued my inter-est in music by singing occasionallyin ‘the Messiah,’ joining a barber-shop quartet of 60 men (averageage 76), and singing in a quartet offour biology professors.”

Michaud lives in a retirementhome in Waukesha, Wis., and con-tinues to sing there for the resi-dents every Wednesday afternoon.

Longtime alumnus volunteerKen Wark (Omega 429) was anoth-er college professor who came out ofthat era. Wark was an engineeringprofessor at Purdue for 41 years,retiring in 1996.

Wark, who taught numerouschapter members over the years,served as Omega chapter advisor

for 20 years (1960 to 1980) and onthe housing corporation for 34years.

Another longtime Omega volun-teer, Bob Whitford (Omega 485),was a college professor. He graduat-ed with a BSEE in 1952, followedby a Masters in 1953 and PhD in1955.

From 1955 to 1972, Whitfordworked for TRW Systems inCalifornia as a guidance and controlmanager. For the six years after-wards, he worked at theTransportation Systems Center(now the Volpe NationalTransportation Systems Center) forthe U.S. Department ofTransportation as deputy and act-ing director.

In 1982, he began a 20-yearcareer as a professor of civil engi-neering at Purdue. Post retirement,he worked part-time for the AlaskaDepartment of Transportation inJuneau.

He now lives in Bellevue, Wash.The last college professor of that

era was Carl Zobel (Omega 477).Zobel, who was initiated into thefraternity in 1950, taught bio-physics at the University of Buffalo.He lives in East Amherst, NY.

AlmanacDIED:616Carl D. Hipsher6/22/08

208Roland K. Kitchen5/24/08

359Robert D. Goodenough12/21/05

397Paul K. Lawall9/20/08

MARRIED:Jerry Ban (Omega 1647)and Meg Newett. 9/30/08,

Indianapolis

Brian Shea (Omega 1526)and Jamie, 6/28/08,Indianapolis

BIRTHS:Anna Grace Conley, Dec.4, 2008. Parents: Erin andTravis Conely (Omega1497). Uncles: Todd(Omega 1529) and Kent

Weatherwax (Omega1545).

Kyle Thomas DeCorte,Dec. 6, 2008. ParentsKathy and Mike DeCorte(Omega 1482).

Twins Caroline Marie andSophie Ann Engler, Jan.26, 2009. Parents Jen andJoe Engler (Omega 1533).

STATUS UPDATE

Because Corwin Lemon(Omega 1620) is not goingto be readily available foran extended period oftime, he’s asked to sharethe following information.Lemon started his U.S.Air Force training atMaxwell Air Force Base inMontgomery, Ala., onMarch 3, which will con-tinue to mid June. Heanticipates being assignedsomewhere in the south orsoutheast United Statespost training. He can bereached at:[email protected].

Continued from previous page

Anna Grace Conley

Caroline & Sophie Engler

OMEGALITE APRIL 2009 PURDUE UNIVERSITY

An Omega alumnus’ son is faringwell in his fight against an aggres-sive form of childhood cancer, butRob Perschon (Omega 1463) isstill urging people to help finding acure for the disease.

Drew, the oldest son of Rob andKate Perschon, has been in remis-sion for on year. Drew was diag-nosed with neuroblastoma inNovember 2007. Since that time, the3-year-old has endured eight roundsof high dose chemotherapy, threesurgeries, three stem cell trans-plants and 20 rounds of radiation.

He is nearing the end of hiseighth round of an acid-basedchemotherapy commonly known asAccutane, an acne medication foundto be effective against the cancer.One-side effect of the treatments,particularly his early chemotherapy,has been hearing impairment.

It was through an edition of theOmegalite that a fellow alumnus,Scott Jewson (Omega 1318),learned of the Perschons’ plight.

Jewson started his fightagainst the cancer whena childhood friend’sdaughter was diagnosedwith the disease in2004; she died two yearslater. Afterwards,Jewson and his wife,Kristin, started a non-profit to raise money forresearch.

The non-profitagency, Allie andFriends, has seentremendous growth andnational attention.

Indianapolis Coltstackle Ryan Diem lent his nameand support to the organizationthat has raised more than a halfmillion dollars for research in thelast four years. The primaryfundraiser is a golf outing. Thisyear’s event is scheduled for May 4at the Boulder Ridge County Clubin Lake in the Hills, Ill.

Both the Jewson and Perschonfamilies lend their efforts to thesuccess of the golf outing and fundraising efforts. Perschon has writ-ten a letter to hundreds encourag-ing their sponsorship of the event.

“New and better treatmentoptions are on the horizon,” RobPerschon wrote in a fund-raisingletter. “It could very well be yourdollar that will find a cure and saveour children, including my own.”

Those wishing to learn moreabout the giving opportunities orparticipation as a corporate or indi-vidual sponsor can find sponsorshipand registration forms on the orga-nization’s Web page, www.allieand-friends.org.

In the meantime, Perschon is

cautiously optimistic about his son’sfuture.

“We feel extremely fortunate tobe in the position we are today,” hesaid. “Many kids with neuroblas-toma never reach the point whereDrew has gotten.

“We know he still has a toughand questionable future, but theway his body has responded totreatment thus far, we couldn’t behappier.”

A Web page has been establishedto follow Drew’s progress,http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/drewperschon. The site has been visit-ed more than 60,000 times.

In an April 2 Web update, thePerschon family wrote about cele-brating one year of Drew being can-cer free.

“There is no greater gift that hascome from this tragedy than that ofknowing how much we really meanto each other – savoring each dayand always hopeful for the next,”the entry read. “We are better peo-ple because we know about life’smost important moments.”

Alumni join forces to overcome rare childhood cancer

Oct. 3 homecomingtickets availablePurdue will welcome Danny Hopeas its new football coach in 2009and alumni can return to see histeam on Oct. 3 for homecoming.

The Boilermakers will faceIllinois for the game at Ross-AdeStadium. Game time has not yetbeen set.

Alumni who wish to order ticketsthough the housing corporation maydo so. Tickets are $46 each and will

be held for alumni at the house forpickup. Send checks payable to“Omega of Pi Kappa Phi” and mailthem in the return envelope provid-ed in this mailing. The mailingaddress is also included on Page 2of this newsletter.

Drew Pershcon shown with hischemotherapy port.

Drew, Kate, Rob and Ben Perschon.

OMEGALITE APRIL 2009 PURDUE UNIVERSITY

Replacing aging kitchen equip-ment will be the housing corpora-tion’s priority for summer projectsin 2009.

Most of the kitchen equipment –including two ovens, a freezer,refrigerator and a dishwasher –survived the 1987 fire. In extin-guishing the blaze, firefightersfilled the basement and much of the

first floor with water. The kitchenequipment was submerged for days.

Most of it dates back to the mid1960s. Due to its age and waterdamage from 20 years ago, ongoingmaintenance issues and equipmentinefficiencies are the impetus forchange.

Last year’s alumni donations forchapter house improvements, aswell as money collected throughthis newsletter, will supplementother funds for the project. The old-

est refrigerator was replaced in2009 from chapter coffers.

Initial estimates, depending onthe equipment configuration andsizes, call for replacement costbetween $18,500 and $25,500, plusinstallation and electrical require-ments.

Alumni can support the cause bydesignating part of their 2009financial support toward thekitchen project by using theenclosed donation sheet.

2008 Alumni Giving Report$500 OR MORE

250 Mary Lyles, widow of Laurence722 Jack Berlien817 Jerry Lukach1031 Mark Higgins

$250 TO $499464 Robert Rust1457 Peter Todd1488 Brent Wunderlich

$100 TO $24989 Gus Riggs197 R.E. Thomson295 William Swager325 Grafton Houston420 Clarke Thornton423 Leonard Ficken436 Richard Lowe457 Drexel Scott490 David Peggs497 Don Steinkamp506 James Jackson509 Duane M. Davis517 Robert Wingard518 Dale Dremann520 Al Kirchner540 William Hounshell552 David Griffiths585 Bob Bartels621 Hugh Flanagan632 Mike O’Reilly634 Bob Griffiths657 Ken Kraus672 Ron Lema734 David R. Davis740 John McDonald819 Jim Berlien842 Richard Widman858 Bernard Platt852 Kim Tubergen853 Mike Tyrrell863 Rikard Hill

931 Jim Shunk931 Greg Linder956 Larry Metzler1197 Pat Kuhnle1265 Brent Buroker1272 Todd Spaulding1354 Scott Patton1366 Jeff Tang1542 Matt MaczkaPsi William Newell

$50 TO $99263 Rolund DeHoog282 Edward Masline406 Charles Atwell528 Larry Hines584 Robert Roth596 Jerry Davee604 Anthony Terlep634 David Davis642 David F. Davis727 David R. Davis769 Jay Hackleman822 Nick Anjanos838 Mark Laurent862 R. Michael Little1003 Neil Hentschell1010 Steve Timmons1176 Doug Davis1277 Pat Lyons1412 Gene Ward1429 Jason Morin1459 Nate Damasius1461 Kevin Johnson1480 Brian Huseman1517 Brad Ecklere1592 Vyto Damasius

UP TO $49286 Donald Adams345 Spencer Gullicksen636 Fred Lyijynen720 Warren Cline1412 Tom Bentley

1606 Kevin Vogelsinger

* Alumni donated $10,659 in 2008.Gifts included $3,145 in mortgage

reductions, $2,170 for chapterimprovements, $2,325 for CIFaccount, $720 toward Omegalite publi-cation, $90 toward air conditioningimprovements and $2,284 undesignat-ed.

Note: The house mortgage stood at$190,117.91. Current rate 6.0 percent,(3-year adjustable next adjusted June2010) note matures in 2016.

Five alumni purchased the CDreproduction of the album, “Pi KappaPhi Sings.” Four CD copies remain for$10 each.

ALUMNI PUSH AMERICA DONATIONS

448 Kelley Carr1031 Mark Higgins1119 Rick Bonar1154 Kurt Takara1180 Don Porth1197 Pat Kuhnle1208 Manish Gandhi1213 James Briggs1222 Joe Williams1405 Jim Taller1419 Craig Bobrink1461 Kevin Johnson1506 Phil Leslie1509 Jerry Budd1624 Adam Poor1659 Brian Hewig

* Alumni donated $2,254 toward thechapter’s Push fund raising totals.

A total of 92 alumni made gifts dur-ing 2008 to the housing corporation,the CIF account or to the chapter’sPush America giving. Total dollarsdonated were $12,663.

Kitchen equipmentset up replacement