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)

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.

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

Earl Lee Moseley Jr., AO ’81, Joins Chapter Eternal 25 April 2010

Earl Lee Moseley Jr, AO ’81, joined Chapter eternal on April 25, 2010.  Funeral service for Earl will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, March 5, at the First Baptist Church of San Marcos at 325 McCarty Lane. Public viewing will take place at 10 a.m., preceding the service.  A memorial service will be held on Southwestern University’s campus, Saturday 6 March, building location to be determined, tentatively scheduled for 10:00 a.m.  See following links for Articles in San Marcos Newspaper.

Earl Moseley, San Marcos City Councilman, Dead at 48

Commentary: Waiting for the Dawn

Founders’ Day 6 March 2010

Date: Saturday, March 6, 2010
Time: 12-5 p.m.
Location: San Gabriel House, located across University Ave. from the Cullen Building

Agenda:
12 p.m. – arrive
12:30 – BBQ lunch will be served
1:30 – AOAA Business Meeting including: Discussion of Centennial Celebration plans, discussion of the Alpha Omicron Centennial Scholarship Fund, update from active chapter
5 p.m. – San Gabriel House Closes

We are looking forward to seeing everyone this March for Founders Day. Travel safely and feel free to contact me with any questions.

Michael Ross
Alumni Chair
(940)391-0721