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.

AO Alumni, Actives and Adult Guests Are Invited To A DFW Area IIKA Summer Party

THE ALPHA OMICRON ALUMNI ASSOCIATION OF THE PI KAPPA ALPHA FRATERNITY

The Shield of the Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity

You Are Invited To A DFW Area IIKA Summer Party

The Home of Brother Kyle Babick in Richardson, Texas

Saturday, July 31st

7:00p.m. – 12:00a.m.

Significant others welcome and encouraged to attend

Beer, Wine, Soft Drinks and Snacks (donations to offset the cost of the party are welcome)

Good time with AO Pikes

E-mail dustintexan@gmail.com for directions and phone number.

AOAA Party at Steve Lufburrow’s House in Houston, Saturday July 17th at 6:30 p.m., Please RSVP

Brothers

The Shield of the Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity
AO alumni, actives and their adult guests are invited to an AOAA Summer Centennial Party at Steve and Joan Lufburrow’s home on Saturday, July 17th, at 6:30 p.m.  Adult beverages, light snacks and a backyard swimming pool (bring your suit and towel). E-mail me dustintexan@gmail.com for their address and phone number. Hope to see you there.

Dustin James, AO ‘78.5