Theta Chi - Worcester Polytechnic Institute

alumni.oxepsilon.org T om Newman '64 passed away in October 2020 at the age of 77. Like most undergraduates, Tom joined Theta Chi to enjoy the social interaction and bonds of friendship with his fraternity Brothers. In 2014, WPI published an article on Tom, in which he explained his ties to Theta Chi: As a new student, Newman's strong connections with his Theta Chi fraternity brothers and his classmates opened the tender spot WPI continues to hold in his heart. "If you pick up the phone and call someone from the Class of 1964, it takes about 20 seconds for that relationship to be rekindled no matter how well you knew them," says Newman. "The bonds of WPI people are pretty tight." Those bonds give WPI a prominent place in Newman's life. "The fraternity system was a nurturing system for me," he says. As house president for Theta Chi, he presided over 120 brothers whose close proximity and camaraderie, especially in pre-Campus Center days, forged friendships quickly. "I had no real authority, and it was like herding cats," he says of his presidency, "but it was a great leadership experience." For Tom, the Principles of Theta Chi were not slogans from national headquarters; they were a way of life. Through the years, Tom kept close contact with many of his classmates, and he and his wife, Bonnie, established an "open house" environment for fellow Theta Chis, hosting get-togethers each year at their home. Similarly, Tom always had time to help WPI. He served as chairman of his 50th reunion, invested a five-year term as WPI Alumni Association treasurer, joined the Strategy Council on Innovation and Entrepreneurship, and was co-chair of the Alden Society with his wife, Bonnie. His most significant commitment to WPI occurred in 2014 when he and Bonnie established the Newman Endowed Scholarship for Entrepreneurship. Tom best expressed his commitment to WPI by saying, "It's not just the affinity for the school, but a drive to do something about that affinity." In recognition, WPI awarded Tom the Herbert F. Taylor Award, which honors alumni who have demonstrated an extraordinary personal commitment and exceptional service to WPI and/or the WPI Alumni Association, and through his or her leadership efforts will have affected positive change on behalf of the university. Tom Newman will be remembered as an excellent model of the resolute men of Theta Chi. Fraternally, Wayne Ponik '65 TOM NEWMAN '64—LIVING THE PRINCIPLES OF THETA CHI PRINCIPLES OF THETA CHI • True Friendship: we extend an "Assisting Hand" to one another. • The primacy of Alma Mater: we are loyal students and alumni for life. • The promotion of knowledge and the advancement of culture. • The virtues of Truth, Temperance, and Tolerance. • The usefulness of our Fraternity; we seek the mutual benefit and improvement of all our members and strive to serve our country and our fellow man. Remembering Dave Denniston '58 B rother Dave Denniston '58, known to his Theta Chi Brothers and his many other WPI friends as "Max," will be remembered as one of the most colorful Theta Chi Brothers from the 1950s. Dave had an abundance of fraternity spirit, serving in several leadership positions in the Chapter, including social chairman and pledge chairman, and even implementing a "pirate" radio station that broadcast within the Chapter House. He was also the Chapter prankster, once reverse-wiring a loudspeaker in the pledges' meeting room, totally mystifying the pledges when the Brothers seemed to know about their secret discussions. Due to his diminutive stature, he was recipient of the infamous Rover Award along with his nickname Max, adapted from a popular cartoon character of the day. He was also active on campus, including performing in the WPI marching band and the Masque and participating in sailing meets with the WPI Nautical Club. After fulfilling his six-month ROTC obligation at Fort Monmouth, Dave began a long career with the Digital Equipment Corporation in progressive assignments in sales and later marketing management. His DEC career brought him to New Jersey, Australia, and back to Massachusetts. Following his retirement from DEC, he moved to Santa Barbara, California, where he resided until his passing in December 2019. His move to California was motivated by wanting to provide a suitable support system for a daughter with a developmental disability. This led to his forming a nonprofit agency, San Felipe Supported Living, one of the first supported-living agencies in the state of California. Under Dave's leadership, that effort grew into a broader program involving many families faced with providing supported-living services for their own special-needs children, and the Dave Denniston Memorial Fund will continue Dave's work into the future. What better example can there be of THE HELPING HAND? Dave greatly enjoyed his 30-plus years in California, driving around in his beloved Ford convertible, sailing and sharing happy hour with friends, volunteering at the Santa Barbara Marine Museum, listening to jazz, and traveling with his long-time companion, Rhea. Despite the distance from New England, he faithfully attended his WPI reunions and Chappaqua, N.Y., High School reunions, and almost annually visited Cape Cod, where Epsilon Brothers of the late 1950s, along with other WPI grads, gathered for a traditional September beach party and clambake. As with everything he undertook, Brother Denniston participated with enthusiasm, an impish sense of humor, and a good heart. His memory will forever be cherished by all who knew him. Fraternally, Allen Levesque '59 Norm Taupeka '58 and Jim Alfieri '59 also contributed to this article.

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