The spring semester started extremely well with recruitment. Our rush
chair, Steven Niditch ‘02, brought twenty-six new members into our
fold. This is the largest and most diverse pledge class Beta Theta has
seen in recent years. We are exceptionally proud of their achievements
this semester. Ben Anderson ‘03 has done an excellent job preparing the
twenty-six gentlemen for their roles as brothers. The new pledge class
represents a strong backbone of Beta Theta for the next three years.
Richard Goldman ‘03 and I finished our terms on the Interfraternity
executive board. More important, Josh Little ‘03 was elected as a
vice-president of the Interfraternity Council in charge of judicial affairs
for 2002. Having active brothers on the IFC board has been essential to
amplifying our voice on campus.
We have continued
renovations to the bar room in the basement. Specifically, the supply
closet adjacent to the staircase was removed and the tables next to the bar
were repaired. We look forward to building new tables for the dining room
and supplying versatile benches to replace the older chairs.
Currently, the house is in fourth for fraternity all-sports competition. We
made it to the semifinals in basketball and ice hockey. The softball team
is still in the playoffs with a great chance to win the tournament. The
tremendous athletic ability in the pledge class will greatly aid the house
in winning the illustrious all-sports trophy next year.
On April 5th, the pledge class held the annual theme party. This year, they
decorated and promoted for "Wild on PIKE". The party was a tremendous
success with more than 1,100 people attending. Beta Theta is gearing up
for our annual away formal in Canada. Traditionally beginning the day
after slope day, David Pechet ‘02 has arranged the luxurious Stage West
hotel outside of Toronto for our event this year.
Beta Theta is applying for the Smythe, rush and scholastic awards from Pi
Kappa Alpha international. Our chapter boasts a cumulative grade point
average of 3.6 and ranks 6th of all fraternities at Cornell – including
honors fraternities. Our pledge class of twenty-six was the largest at
Cornell this year, with 100% retention; on May 8th, those twenty-six pledges were initiated by Beta Theta. We are extremely pleased with our
accomplishments and growth this semester. I would like to thank all the
brothers and alumni for their support over the past year. And as we
celebrate our 85th anniversary as Pikes, we look forward to continuing and
improving our traditions next fall.
In February this past semester, I had the good fortune to attend the North Atlantic Regional Conference in Philadelphia. There were approximately two hundred participants from two dozen chapters in the region. The brothers and advisors who attended fully demonstrated Pike's Scholars, Leaders, Athletes, Gentlemen (SLAG) tradition.
Representatives from the Pi Kappa Alpha International Headquarters chaired several exciting information sessions including "Winning Rush", " Pi Kappa Alpha: Why We're the Best", "Winning in the 21st Century", "Alumni Relations", "Risk Awareness", and " Chapter Operations from A to Z." There were many important lessons I learned from these sessions and I was able to share them during house meetings. The current Regional President Mark A. Robertson, a lawyer by trade, chaired the motivational and informational Risk Awareness session as well as served as Master of Ceremony for the banquet. The status reports from the different chapters demonstrated that Beta Theta is as active as any of the other chapters in the region, and perform similar leadership, philanthropic, and academic activities. The most impressive thing I learned during the conference was the dynamic and active advisors and alumni participation in the other chapters in the region. Just like in the Beta Theta Chapter, their involvement was visibly instrumental in each of the chapters' functioning and success.
If you are interested in hearing success stories and in making a difference in the Beta Theta Chapter, I highly recommend attending future Regional and National Conferences!
The brothers of Pi Kappa Alpha invite all returning alumni and their guests to a Wine and Cheese Party reception at the Pike House, 17 South Avenue, on Saturday, June 8th, from 3:00 to 6:00 PM. Your
hosts will be David Miles '66 and Ken Hull '64 .
The Reunion Weekend at Cornell is June 6th through the 9th. There will be Pike activities taking place on Friday and Saturday at the house on 17 South Avenue.
Homecoming 2002
Dear Brothers,
On behalf of all the active brothers at Pi Kappa Alpha, we would like to cordially invite you to join us at Cornell for our own celebration of Homecoming Weekend 2002! The big event will be taking place from September 27th through September 29th, when Pikes past and present will join together to celebrate the tradition and spirit of our Fraternity. In particular, this year the brotherhood is excited to boast new renovations on the basement and bar room. The extended bar area adds much room to socialize, and the shining wood surfaces are sure to impress any visitors. All in all, the house is looking as good as ever! More importantly, 2002 marks the 85th anniversary of the founding of the Beta Theta chapter here at Cornell. We would love to show you how the traditions of the past continue to flourish today.
A trip to Ithaca will surely allow you to witness the growing strength of our chapter. Not only will this year's Homecoming serve as a great way to revive old friendships, but it will also give us a chance to make new ones. The doors of 17 South Avenue are always open to Pike alumni, and your presence will ensure this year's event will have the enthusiasm that has made past Homecomings so great. The life and brotherhood of our house is based upon the overwhelming involvement of both active brothers and our alumni. A great turnout this year will only reinforce this as we celebrate Phi Phi Kappa Alpha!
We hope to see all of you in September!
Sincerely,
Jordan Karlik '04
Homecoming Chair 2002
Ari Heckman '05
Assistant Homecoming Chair 2002
Friday, September 27th
9pm
Wine & Cheese
Pike House
Saturday, September 28th
8:30am
Bagels, coffee & juice
Pike House
9am
Alpha Theta / Pike Meetings
Pike House
11am
Alumni BBQ
Pike House
1pm
Cornell vs. Yale
Schoellkopf Field
8pm
Homecoming Formal
Pike House
Sunday, September 29th
11am
Farewell Brunch
Pike House
If you have questions or would like to place your reservations in advance, please use the linked form to RSVP , or e-mail Jordan
.
Andy Traum '85 writes that he got engaged right around the time he received his fall newsletter, and the wedding is Memorial Day weekend. After moving into his new place, he just found the mail while unpacking.
"I'm on the board of the Cornell Alumni Federation, and plan on attending the board meeting in Ithaca during Homecoming weekend. Hope to see you then!"
Warren Kurtzman '87 reports that a mini Beta Theta reunion is coming up in mid-April.
"My family will be joining Dave Fagan '87, Jeff Schwartz '87, Greg Weidner '87, Brett Nussbaum '87, Jon Kaiden '88, Howie Ross '88 and Adam Sussman '88 and their families aboard a Disney Cruise. That's eight Pikes and 16 kids between us!"
Paul Kraemer '98 is finishing Med School in May 02, then starting Orthopaedic Surgery residency at Wisconsin - Madison in July. All is going very well.
DuPont Vice President - Safety, Health and Environment Paul Tebo recently delivered the keynote address at the "Sustainability Conference: Smart Business, Smart Growth" in Biloxi, Mississippi.
During his speech entitled "Sustainable Growth in the 21st Century," Paul described the DuPont integrated economic, environmental and societal strategies and how the company continues to engage its shareholders while working to reduce its environmental footprint.
The two-day conference was sponsored by the Mississippi Gulf Coast Chamber of Commerce, the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality
and the Harrison County Development Commission, in association with the DuPont DeLisle site and several local organizations. DeLisle Plant Manager Aldo Morell '77 served as chairman of the conference committee.
About 200 people attended the sessions, which included workshops on successful sustainable development efforts; the benefits of sustainable development for businesses; and how businesses can achieve their environmental goals. Mississippi Governor Ronnie Musgrove and Secretary of State Eric Clark also spoke at the conference.
During his talk, Paul said that shareholder and societal values must be
in alignment in order for companies to achieve their sustainability
goals.
Joe Strickland '45 writes that he corresponds regularly with Chuck Winchester from Landenberg PA. "I was his best man in his marriage, 1947, to Lynn. Lynn introduced me to my wife of 44 years. We go back!"
"Sorry to hear of Ralph Peters' death; he was my best man (3/13/48)."
Donald Collins '52 sees Frank O'Brien every so often at the Lauderdale Yacht Club. He plans on being back in June for the 50th Reunion of the Cornell Class of '52.
Rick Lipsey '85 and Carne Cohen (Arts '89) will have their first baby in early January. A future Pike? Hmmmmmm.
In March 2002, Rick's first book, "In Every Kid There Lurks a Tiger" is due out. Written by him, with Rudy Duran, Tiger's childhood coach, it's a golf instructional published by Hyperion. Buy lots of copies!!
Chapter Eternal
The brothers of Beta Theta Chapter of Pi Kappa Alpha extend their sympathy to the families and friends of the following brothers:
archives
24 May 02
Updated Alumni Notes
17 South Avenue
Cornell Daily Sun 