Alpha Omicron Celebrates It’s Centennial Year at Southwestern University

The Alpha Omicron chapter celebrated it’s 100th year at Southwestern University, Georgetown, TX, during the University’s annual Homecoming and Reunion Weekend on November 5-7, 2010. Over 200 brothers, their families and friends, gathered for a weekend celebration that included the Centennial Banquet, the initiation of a pledge class and much camaraderie and celebration. In the process, AO completed a $100,000 fundraising campaign to endow the Alpha Omicron Centennial Scholarship Fund, which will distribute a need-based scholarship to an active AO brother annually. Distinguished guests included International President Kevin Virta (EP ’83), Regional President Blake Monroe, Southwestern University President Jake B. Schrum, and Congressman Pete Sessions (AO ‘76.25).

Centennial Banquet Table Setting

Centennial Banquet Table Setting

AO’s Centennial Celebration was a culmination of several years of planning led by Centennial Planning Chair, Dustin James (AO ’78), Alpha Omicron Alumni Association President, Daniel Webb (AO ’05), Centennial Scholarship Fund Chair, Mark Wood (AO ’77) and countless other alumni and active brothers. These men utilized a network of 20 other alumni brothers, each responsible for 2-3 pledge classes, to share news and updates about the Centennial Celebration throughout the year leading up to the big weekend.

Centennial Banquet Commemorates 100th Year

Congressman Pete Sessions and Pike International President Kevin Virta

Congressman Pete Sessions and Pike International President Kevin Virta

With the Crest as a backdrop, the marquee event of the weekend, the Centennial Banquet, kicked off the weekend on Nov. 5, in the largest ballroom on campus. Rev. John Raish (AO ’63) gave the invocation and Webb welcomed over 200 brothers and their guests to the Centennial. University President, Jake B. Schrum, thanked the men of Alpha Omicron for 100 years of service to Southwestern University as a vibrant contributor to the campus community and through the contributions of it’s many alumni volunteers and donors.

The chapter then welcomed International President Kevin Virta who noted that, “Alpha Omicron has been a flagship chapter in Texas since being the first chapter of Pi Kappa Alpha chartered in the state. In addition to its success at the chapter level, and as an outcome you would expect from that success, Alpha Omicron has produced outstanding alumni who have gone on the serve Pi Kappa Alpha, Southwestern University, their communities and our country.  Some who come to mind would be Wallace Lowry who served Pi Kappa Alpha as a Supreme Council Vice President from 1968 to 1970 and received the Fraternity’s Loyalty Award in 1977 for his years of dedicated service to Pike at the local, regional and national level. And of course, Congressman Pete Sessions, the recipient of the 2007 Distinguished Achievement Award.” Alpha Omicron is in rare company as a chapter to have have alumni recipients of both the Loyalty Award and the Distinguished Achievement Awards.

Virta specifically recognized Chapter Advisor Mike Rossman (AO ’69), who has served the fraternity for over 36 years and welcomed Congressman Pete Sessions as the keynote speaker. Sessions spoke of the importance Alpha Omicron has had in his life and concluded by reminded those in attendance that “when you go against a Pike, you go against the best!”

Centennial Banquet Speaker Congressman Pete Sessions

A great evening concluded with a report by Mark Wood (AO ’77) on the fraternity’s progress toward raising $100,000 for The Alpha Omicron Centennial Scholarship Fund.

After Wood’s presentation, Sessions rose from the crowd and exhorted those present to pledge additional funds to reach the goal. By the end of the weekend, the goal was met through gifts and pledges from over 65 alumni brothers.

AO Brothers at the Centennial Banquet

AO Brothers at the Centennial Banquet

On Saturday morning, Nov. 6, over 300 AO brothers, friends and area runners competed in the 10th running of the Jameson 5K in memory of AO brother Jaysn Jameson (AO ’87). AO was a “Gold Level” sponsor of the race. Proceeds from the event benefited an endowed University scholarship in Jaysn’s memory that to date has raised over $57,000.

Later that day, the Alpha Omicron Alumni Association recognized chapter adviser, Mike Rossman, with the creation of the “Mike Rossman Award” for outstanding service to AO. Avery Sheppard (AO ’07) was awarded the AOAA’s “Steve Raben (AO ’59) Award” for outstanding recent graduate leadership and later in the day, was elected President of the AOAA.

The crowd at the Pike House for the Centennial Celebration

The crowd at the Pike House for the Centennial Celebration

Alumni, Actives, Little Sisters and Dream Girls

Alumni, Actives, Little Sisters and Dream Girls the Pike House for a Group Photo

Pikes Gather Around the Flag Pole to Sing Down in Old Virginia

Pikes Gather Around the Flag Pole to Sing Down in Old Virginia

At Southwestern University’s Alumni Association Awards Dinner on Saturday evening, Nov. 6, three of the six awards given were received by AO alumni brothers. Robery W. Dupuy (AO ’66) and Taylor Garrett (AO ’97) received Distinguished Alumni Awards and Congressman Pete Sessions was awarded a Medal of Honor, the highest award given.

The weekend culminated with the initiation of the chapters fall pledge class in front of over 100 alumni and active brothers. With assistance from alumni, the active chapter conducted the initiation under candlelight in a cave, not far from the chapter house, a tradition re-created from 1960’s that had not been seen in over thirty years. What an outstanding way to bring Alpha Omicron’s Centennial Celebration to a close and an unforgettable moment for AO’s active brothers.

Alpha Omicron hoped to host the largest gathering of AO alumni and active brothers in history in an effort to strengthen brotherhood and leave a lasting mark for the next 100 years. The chapter accomplished all of this and is confident this success will carry it for years to come.

Written by Dustin James (AO ’78) and Daniel Webb (AO ’05)

Centennial Weekend Schedule

Friday, November 5

Pirate Golf Classic, 11 am. Registration includes lunch, post-round snacks, a silent auction and raffle prizes with all proceeds benefiting the Athletics Department. Individual players are welcome. Tee time will begin at noon with a shotgun start. Visit www.southwestern.edu/athletics/athletics-pgc.php to register by Oct. 29. Teravista Golf Club, 4333 Teravista Club Dr., Round Rock 78664.

Pi Kappa Alpha Centennial Reception, 7:00 p.m. Charles and Elizabeth Prothro Bishops Memorial Lounge in the Red & Charline McCombs Campus Center.

Pi Kappa Alpha Centennial Banquet, 7:30 p.m. ($30/ticket – Click HERE to register for the banquet) in the ballroom at the Red & Charline McCombs Campus Center, McCombs Ballrooms.  Special guests include Pi Kappa Alpha International President Kevin Virta.  The keynote speaker will be Congressman Pete Sessions.  We will celebrate 100 years of Alpha Omicron at Southwestern University and look forward to 100s more years of Alpha Omicron at SU.  In addition, we will recognize those brothers who helped us in raising over $25,000 in gifts and pledges to the Alpha Omicron Centennial Fund.  Dress is coat and tie or slacks/nice shirt for men, whatever matches that for women (I put that in there because someone did ask).

After banquet reception, at the Pike House on campus.

Saturday, November 6

10th Annual Jayson Jameson 5k, 8 a.m.  AO is a Gold sponsor of this event, which has raise over $50,000 in scholarship funds. Start/Finish Line on Southwestern Blvd. next to Joe S. Mundy Hall.  For more information and to register for the run, go to www.jameson5K.org.


Homecoming Picnic,
11:30 a.m. Roy H. Cullen Academic Mall.  You need to buy a ticket when you register for Homecoming.  AO Pikes will have a table where we can gather.

AOAA Business Meeting, 1:30 p.m.  The state of the chapter and the alumni association will be reviewed.  AOAA officers will be elected.  At the Pike House.

Pike Alumni and Active Photo, 3 p.m.  Panoramic photo will be taken; photographer will take payment on the spot.  “Down in Old Virginia” will be sung! In front of the Pike House.

Pike Dreamgirls and Little Sisters Reception 3:15 p.m.  At the Pike House.  All AO Pike Little Sisters and Dream Girls as well as those who would have been Little Sisters if the organization still existed are invited.  A panoramic photo will be taken; photographer will take payment on the spot.

Open House, all afternoon, at the Pike House.

There are pledge class and/or pledge class era reunions planned in the early afternoon and evening.  Ask around.  Such as the following:

AO 69-71 Pledge Class Reunion, Saturday, November 6, 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. All pledge brothers from this era along with their Special Guests (Spouses, Dreamgirls, Little Sisters, Pledge Masters, etc.) are invited to join the reunion at the home of Chris (AO-69) and Beverly (Little Sister) on Berry Creek Golf Course in Georgetown. Admission is free to Centennial Scholarship donors and Special Guests.  Contact: Bill Smith.

The Association of Southwestern University Alumni Awards Presentation and Dinner. 5:30-7:30 p.m. The Association presents its annual awards. Red & Charline McCombs Campus Center, McCombs Ballrooms. At least one Pike is receiving an award.  Cost is $25, pay when you register for Homecoming.

Special Pikes Only Event TBA, 9:30 p.m.

For questions about the Centennial Weekend schedule, please contact Dustin James at dustin@rice.edu.

For information about the Centennial Scholarship Fund, visit http://southwestern.edu/pkacentennial or contact Mark Wood AO ’77 at mwood2020@aol.com.

Joe Bert Sissom, AO ’50, Joins Chapter Eternal

After an unexpected illness, Joe Sissom, 78, died May 21, 2010. A Texas native and Irving resident, Joe was a 1953 graduate of Southwestern University. In 1956, after three years in the Navy, he married Jeanine Williams Sissom, his wife of 53 years. In recent months, he wrote columns for the Dallas Morning News‘ Community Voices. His wife, Jeanine, and their children and spouses, Marc and wife Debbie, Brynne, and Bert and wife Judi, and three granddaughters, Courtney, Lauren and Helen, survive him. Memorial services: Thurs., May 27, at 10:30 Plymouth Park United Methodist Church, Irving; interment Fri., May 28, at 10:30 at DFW Nat’l Cemetery.

Stories at:

http://irvingblog.dallasnews.com/archives/2010/06/longtime-irving-resident-joe-b.html

http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/dallasmorningnews/obituary.aspx?n=joe-sissom&pid=143129809

Joe Wayne Johnson, AO ‘57.5, Joins Chapter Eternal

JOE WAYNE JOHNSON, 71, passed away Friday, June 11, 2010 at his home. He was born on September 25, 1938 in Dallas, Texas to Hiram E. and Mary Sue Johnson. He is preceded in death by both his parents. Joe graduated from Southwestern University with a bachelor’s degree and then completed his law degree from Southern Methodist University. He worked for the City of Houston as the Assistant Director of Public Works for 20 years before retiring. Joe is survived by his wife of 48 years, Ann Johnson, children- Mishann Johnson Childers and husband, Wayne Childers of Cypress, Forrest Johnson and fiancé, Jessica Stutes, of Vidor, brother and sister-in-law- Hiram and Myrna Johnson of Bedford, grandchildren- Rachel, Joseph, Megan and Brennan Childers of Cypress, and James, Mason, and Ethan Johnson of Houston, as well as numerous other family, loved ones and friends.A Memorial Service for Joe was held on Thursday, June 17, 2010 at 2 pm at Cornerstone United Methodist Church, 15919 Ridge Park, Houston, Texas 77095.In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of Joe Johnson to either the Boy Scouts of America or the Cornerstone United Methodist Church Building Fund at www.cornerstoneumc.org.

AOAA Lunches on 14 May, 18 June and 16 July at Noon at Ouisie’s Table

Shield & Diamond

A page from the March 2010 Issue of Shield & Diamond with a note about our AOAA lunches at Ouisie's Table in Houston

The Houston-Area alumni of Alpha Omicron will be gathering for lunch at Ouisie’s Table 3939 San Felipe, Houston, TX, 77027, 713-528-2264, on the following Fridays: 14 May, 18 June and 16 July at Noon, in the Cooper’s Bin Vineyard room.  Hope to see you there.  The image above is a copy of a page from the March Issue of Shield & Diamond with a photo of our group from December, minus Mark Danheim, who actually had some work to do and left early.

in the bonds,
Dustin James AO 78.5

Earl Moseley, Jr. Endowed Scholarship Announced

Dear Alpha Omicron Brothers, Little Sisters, and Friends,

As the remaining members of the AO ’81 PKA pledge class, it is indeed our honor to be writing to you on behalf of the legacy of Earl Lee Moseley, Jr. Many of you have already heard that our dear fraternity brother, Earl, passed away on February 25th in San Antonio, after a 10-year battle with pancreatic cancer.

For those of you who were able to attend Earl’s funeral in San Marcos on March 5th, and/or the memorial service at Southwestern the next day, it was so good to get together with you and to share in our memories, our tears, and our laughter. For those of you who could not attend, your presence was felt, and you were in our hearts, our minds, and our conversations.

The purpose of this post is to announce to you the establishment of the Earl Lee Moseley, Jr. Endowed Scholarship Fund at Southwestern, and we are asking for your support in helping make this memorial a reality. You may read about Earl, and about the founding of this scholarship, on Southwestern’s website, at http://www.southwestern.edu/giving/story.php?id=2311 .

But we do not really need to explain to you the greatness of Earl as a brother and as a friend. He was an inspiration to us all, and we miss him terribly.

Earl never married, and had no children, and yet he influenced so many – directly, one-on-one, and through the many organizations which were important to him and to which he devoted his infinite love, spirited energy, and careful guidance. What better way to help perpetuate Earl’s legacy than by establishing a scholarship in his name, at one of the institutions that Earl loved, Southwestern University, and to thereby carry on the work of helping other young people – as Earl himself helped so many – to develop and nurture the kinds of talents that Earl possessed and so freely shared.

Please help us do this. The university requires a sum of $25,000 in order to activate this scholarship. Once activated, the scholarship will be awarded each year to one or more junior or senior Southwestern students who demonstrate campus leadership, civic engagement, and financial need. Among such students – as identified jointly by the Offices of Civic Engagement, Student Affairs, and Financial Aid – further consideration will be given to those students who are from under-represented groups at Southwestern.

Earl knew a few things about raising money. He knew the importance of large gifts in helping to make a dream become a reality. But he also knew about the ‘power of the people’ – how the combined efforts of many, however small individually, compounded together to create something that was, in the end, greater than the sum of its parts. So, in whatever way you are able to help us commemorate Earl, we ask you to do this – to help us establish this scholarship in Earl’s name, at his alma mater.

Gifts may be made online at http://www.southwestern.edu/giving/moseley/ or by calling Southwestern at 512-863-1482 or 1-800-960-6363.

Many people asked us, at Earl’s funeral, what they could do, to commemorate and honor Earl, our good friend. Here is a great opportunity, to help carry on through others what Earl did as a way of life.

Please consider making your gift today, so that we may reach our goal sooner rather than later. Thank you.

Lastly, please forward this information to others that may share an interest in giving to this scholarship fund.

Fraternally,

The Alpha Omicron Pike Pledge Class of 1981

Audie Alcorn

Andy Hamblen

Mark Lewis

Stattler Mood

Ray Page

Ken Pool

Paul Ross

Les Sanders

Clay Traylor

Russell Wickman

Official Exclusive World-Wide Hotel Headquarters for Alpha Omicron Centennial–Austin Marriott North!

We have made special arrangements with the Austin Marriott North, 2600 La Frontera Blvd, Round Rock, Texas 78681, for a block of 50 hotel rooms on Friday and Saturday Night, November 5 and 6, 2010.  This hotel is the Official Exclusive World-Wide headquarters for the Alpha Omicron Centennial Celebration! The cost each night is $115 and includes breakfast in a separate dining room just for us.  Use the following link or phone number to make your reservation.  Normal weekend cost is $129/night w/o breakfast.  The reservation link is:

http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/ausno?groupCode=aocaoca&app=resvlink&fromDate=11/5/10&toDate=11/7/10

or you can call 1-800-865-0546 and reference “Alpha Omicron Centennial.”

Please spread the word to all your pledge brothers.  We can get more rooms-they have a bunch of them!

Founder’s Day Re-Cap

Brothers,

Almost 100 Pike alumni, family and friends gathered in Georgetown last Saturday to celebrate Founder’s Day. It was great to see so many there. Below is a re-cap of what transpired.

  • Earl Moseley AO ’81 Memorial – Over 100 members of the Southwestern community gathered at the theater on campus to remember and celebrate Earl’s life. Earl was loved and respected by many.
  • Centennial Celebration – November 5-6, 2010: Mark your calendars for our chapter’s Centennial, to be celebrated during Homecoming Weekend 2010. Dustin James AO ‘78.5, the Centennial Planning Chair, is organizing activities for the weekend. He is finalizing plans for a dinner party on campus, Friday, Nov. 6, and additional activities throughout the day on Nov. 6. More will come on this in months to come.
  • Earl Lee Moseley Memorial Scholarship Fund: Through the hard work of alumni brothers Ray Page AO ’81 and Audie Alcorn AO ’81, a scholarship fund is in the process of being created through Southwestern to honor the life of Earl Moseley that will provide a scholarship on an annual basis to a student who demonstrates financial need, leadership and involvement with civic engagement.
  • Alpha Omicron – Pi Kappa Alpha Centennial Scholarship Fund: Those in attendance at at Founder’s Day voted to commemorate our centennial year by creating an endowed scholarship fund through Southwestern that will annually benefit a Pike undergraduate who demonstrates financial aid. Mark Wood AO ’77 has been charged with organizing this initiative and has set a goal of raising $100,000. More information will be provided shortly about how to contribute to this scholarship. With your help, we will reach this goal.
  • Active Chapter – Addison English, Chapter SMC, provided those in attendance with an update on the chapter. AO is healthy and thriving. Thirteen pledges were introduced and we learned of the successes our chapter is having as campus leaders.

Below are photos from the day. Should you have any questions about the chapter or the AO Alumni Association, please feel free to contact me. I encourage you to start talking to your pledge brothers about attending Homecoming Weekend for our Centennial Celebration. I look forward to seeing you there.

In the bonds,

Daniel Webb AO ’05
President, AOAA

Daniel Webb ’08
Assistant Director of Alumni Relations
Southwestern University
800-960-6363
http://sualumni.net

Alpha Omicron Brothers Remembering Earl Moseley

Alpha Omicron Brothers Remembering Earl Moseley, AO '81 at the Memorial Service on Southwestern's Campus 6 March 2010.

AO Founders' Day

About 100 members of Alpha Omicron gathered in Georgetown, Texas for Founder's Day on 6 March 2010

"Down in Old Virginia"

The members of Alpha Omicron circle up to sing "Down in Old Virginia"

Alpha Omicron Centennial Scholarship Fund Established

At the business meeting on Saturday, March 6, 2010, the Alpha Omicron Alumni Association approved the following recommendation of the Centennial Scholarship committee:

“The Committee recommends the establishment of an Alpha Omicron Centennial Scholarship with the following elements:

1. We set up an endowed scholarship through Southwestern University. Annual withdrawals would be calculated using the regular distribution percentage used by the school.
2. Distributions would be made to provide scholarship funds to active Alpha Omicron Pikes on the basis of need.
3. We would hold back the first $2500 from the endowment effort to fund the first year’s scholarship award.
4. Single or combined gifts totaling at least $2500 would be eligible for naming honors in tribute or memorial.
5. If there is no active chapter at S.U. the proceeds of the endowment would go to the benefit of S.U. students who are descendants of Alpha Omicron Pike alumni.”

Immediately after this recommendation was approved, brother Mark Woods, Chair of the Centennial Scholarship Committee, announced that $12,000 had already been pledged to the fund.  Brother Steve Raben then announced that the first named scholarship would be the “Sessions Scholarship” in honor of U.S. Representative Pete Sessions (AO ‘76.25), his brother Mark Sessions (AO ‘76,5) , Pete’s son Bill Sessions (AO ’09) and the Honorable Judge William Sessions (Pete and Mark’s father, Bill’s grandfather).

The goal of the Centennial fund is to raise at least $100,000 in pledges by the Centennial Anniversary in November.

Founder’s Day Business Meeting Agenda

1:30 p.m. – March 6, 2010

  1. Call to order – DW
  2. Introduction – DW
    1. Recognize AOAA officers in attendance
    2. Summarize how the AOAA has assisted the chapter in recent months
  3. Discussion of scholarship funds
    1. Intro and background context – DW
    2. Discuss Earl Moseley Fund – Ray Page
    3. Discuss Alpha Omicron Centennial Scholarship Fund –Mark Wood
      1. What is the goal
      2. How can we get there (different funding tracks)
      3. Merits of each
      4. Questions (Kent can field appropriate questions)
      5. Vote – DW will administer the vote
  4. Discussion of Centennial Plans
    1. What is being planned – Dustin James
    2. Discuss Class Agent Program – DW
    3. Receive feedback / answer questions
  5. Update from Active Chapter
    1. SMC – Addison English
  6. Conclude