Pi Kappa Alpha - Oklahoma State University

Page 3 Gamma Chi Chapter Pi Kappa Alpha Tom Goekeler '81 Gives to Ensure the Future of Pike T hough it's been more than 30 years since Tom Goekeler '81 and his Pike brothers lived in the same house, the friendships and unique bonds have remained strong. "It's a weird phenomenon to be friends with guys for so long who live across the country, but I talk with many of my fraternity brothers regularly and the connection never leaves you." The friendships were developed around intramural games, building Shipwreck each year, and the day-in, day-out adventures of living with a group of guys. "Pike exposed me to so many different types of people and situations. It taught me social skills and how to interact with guys from different backgrounds. You don't like everyone, but you certainly learn how to work with them and interact with them. It's real life stuff where you can't avoid the things that are hard to deal with." These lessons were the impetus for Tom to give back to Pike when it came time for Gamma Chi's new chapter house. "The best college decision I ever made was to join the Pike house. I wanted to give back to ensure there was a place where future Toms could have the same opportunity to grow through the fraternity just like I did. In today's climate, especially at OSU, in order to be a player in the Greek market, you have to have a nice house." Tom maintains his sense of pride in belonging to Pike even now as an alumnus. Just as members worked together toward a common goal as undergraduates, today alumni have reconnected to construct a new home for generations of Pikes. Tom is a CPA and served as managing partner with Sartain Fischbein, one of Tulsa's largest local, independent certified public accounting firms, before he joined with Eide Bailly. Tom is partner in charge of the Tulsa Eide Bailly office. He and his wife, Stephanie, who he met through a fraternity brother, make their home in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma. They have two children, Carlie (the 2015 OSU Homecoming Queen) and Cole. Tom can be reached at tgoekeler@eidebailly.com. WENDELL HICKS '77—PISTOL PETE FOR LIFE A s a serious rodeo competitor in high school, Wendell Hicks '77 was not on the road to attend Oklahoma State. He had a rodeo scholarship at another university, but after visiting OSU, he knew it was the right fit and changed his course. OSU was lucky to get him. As a freshman, Wendell was selected as the youngest Pistol Pete in the University's mascot history. With up to 600 appearances a year, Wendell took seriously the opportunity to represent the University and met an incredible range of people. "You really stay Pistol Pete for the rest of your life. When people find out I was in that position, I get treated like a dignitary. In the state of Oklahoma, it's like being a noted politician. It was really an incredible experience." Wendell has remained involved in the Pistol Pete selection process, serving on the selection committee for many of the last 30 years. Each year, the committee goes through the arduous process of selecting two students to fill the mascot position, weighing the candidates' passion, academics, personality, and maturity. The selections have been talented individuals. Each year, a mascot camp is held for school mascots across the country, and in the last 10-15 years, OSU has seen 10 all-Americans selected. The other element that keeps Wendell connected to OSU is his membership in Pike. The lifelong camaraderie developed between brothers has remained a special part of his college experience, and more recently, he had the opportunity to pin his nephew, Matthan Beard '06, as he came through Pi Kappa Alpha. "I was really fortunate to be a part of the OSU chapter. There's a good cross section of men who have come through our chapter. I've traveled to other chapters and, each time, I'm more impressed with ours. Being Greek gives you an additional connection when you come back to the University and I really lucked out in being a part of Pike." Wendell continued rodeo at the professional level for 12 years and remains involved in the sport as a professional rodeo announcer. He works in construction management and has been in roofing- related businesses since 1988. At home in Skiatook, Oklahoma, Wendell and his wife, Treva, enjoy travel and their horses, cattle, dogs, and cats. Though he doesn't rodeo any longer, Wendell still takes time for rides. He can be reached at wbranch@atlasok.com.

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