Pi Kappa Alpha - Purdue University

Pi Kappa Alpha Page 3 Beta Phi Welcomes Josh Bellman '08 as the New Chapter Advisor I am quickly closing in on my final duties as the Chapter Advisor. I won't be going far as I have just moved from the Home Association to the Foundation Board. We completed another great summer golf outing in June. We held an executive board retreat for the third consecutive semester to get the Chapter officers moved in and organized before the rest of the members arrived. That is even more important now that the house is completely full. We are quickly approaching our seventh annual Pike Old Master's program, which will be held on December 7-8. "I want to thank Joe for his leadership, dedication and, maybe most importantly, patience that he has demonstrated over the last decade and beyond," Josh said. "It has been a pleasure to learn from Joe and other board members over the last year. After graduating in 2008, I have held several sales roles at Cook Medical and, most recently, Medtronic. I moved from Indianapolis to Columbus, Ohio. I am looking forward to this new role with Beta Phi as our unique setup and alumni involvement are unparalleled." I am officially passing the Chapter Advisor's position over to Josh Bellman '08. Josh has been shadowing me for over a year now and I am thrilled to have him coming on board for a number of reasons. First, he is absolutely the right person for the job. Josh sees and understands our vision and mission to become a Smythe Chapter. Second, it continues our emphasis in getting younger guys involved. Rich Russell '58 and I began talking about that over 10 years ago, and we have made great progress in all three alumni teams: the Alumni Advisory Committee, Home Association, and Beta Phi Foundation have all added members that will give us the continuity needed to remain strong for years to come. Finally, I have developed a great relationship with Josh over the last year. We communicate frequently. This just continues to allow us to have complete open lines of communications across all levels of Beta Phi. As we approach the renovation to the house, which is a high priority right now, I also want to keep in light other activities that are going on around campus with the brothers. I am proud to say that, for the first time ever, the president of the University attended dinner with the Chapter in September. Former Governor Mitch Daniels stopped by for dinner and had his picture taken with the Chapter. President Daniels is aware of the good things happening at the Pike house and looks for us to continue to be leaders on campus. In the bonds, Joe Conti '85 There is a lot to be proud of today for the brothers of Beta Phi. Our footprint grows on campus and in the business world. Our GPA increases with each incoming pledge class. Our leadership positions in outside organizations are growing. Our philanthropic activities have given back to the Boys and Girls Club of Lafayette. To top it off, we will be renovating the house next year and grow even stronger from there. We all, as brothers, should be proud of where Pi Kappa Alpha is today, and where it will be tomorrow. In the bonds, Josh Bellman '08 Alumni Update CHAPTER ETERNAL Ernest C. Bernhardt '43 entered Chapter Eternal on March 2, 2013. Richard P. Knight '54 entered Chapter Eternal March 4, 2013. He was a resident of Barnstable, Mass. Dick met his wife of 57 years, Alma, on a blind date, and they never looked back. His career included working for the Air Force, Boeing, 22 years at Bethlehem Steel, and 10 years at Dynamic Isolation Systems. Dick's passions included singing with the Chatham Chorale and trains. He also chronicled his life in the annual Christmas "Knight Letter" that he authored over the last 50 years. ALUMNI NEWS Jim M. Thompson '57 wrote his first novel, Adventures of Rogon the Bremen, which was released in May under his pen name, M.L. Hollinger. It is available through Barnes and Noble. He lives in Carmel, Ind. E‑mail: jthompson16@indy.rr.com Rollin C. Dix '57 is making progress developing Pedalong, a pedaling attachment to provide therapeutic exercise for wheelchair users. He is working with a professor at the University of Alabama Medical School and is trying to find a manufacturing partner. He lives in Chicago, Ill., with his wife, Elaine. E‑mail: rcd9778@sbcglobal.net Stephen T. Peppler '71 completed two weeks of cycling in Puglia and Basilicata in southern Italy with Brother Charlie Sodini '74. He lives in Temecula, Calif. E‑mail: speppler@earthlink.net Harold H. "Bud" Whitmore '53 gets together with Don Jenter '53, Jim Biek '55, and Clarke Willis '57 for a monthly lunch. He and his wife, Conna, live in Shaker Heights, Ohio. E‑mail: budwhitmore2016@aol.com T he annual Beta Phi Golf Outing was held Saturday, June 22, and was attended by 47 members. The event was set up in teams of father and son, or member and guest, so there were dads, sons, significant others, and a few friends. Included were even a couple of potential recruits for the fall. As has been the case now for 10 years, Greg Louis '85 and I coordinated the event. Also assisting this year were Josh Bellman '08 and Ben Phillips '10. Whenever we get younger guys involved it is a great thing for the Chapter. The only flaw in the day was a 60-minute rain and lighting delay. That actually allowed us to congregate in the clubhouse and spend even more time with each other. The big winners for this year were Chris Inglot '82, Doug Krynicki '83, and Joe Schraffenberger '13. This year also marked the first time that every single person that attended came away with a door David L. Peeler '73 lives in Waxhaw, N.C., with his wife, Patty. They have twins Polly and David Jr. David is a Pike at High Point University. E‑mail: dpeeler5@carolina.rr.com prize. This was made possible by donations by alumni who usually attend the event but couldn't this year. They wanted to remain anonymous, so I just say thank you, brothers! Additional brothers joined us for a cookout held on the front porch of the Chapter House. Mark your calendars for Saturday, June 21, 2014, for the event next year. Since contractors will be renovating the house, we will golf and have dinner at the golf course. We are looking for our best turnout ever. In the bonds, Joe Conti '85 jconti@landstar.com

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