Phi Kappa Psi - The Ohio State University

The Buckeye Phi Psi 4 n Visit http://ohiodelta.com to stay current with the Chapter. From Here and There Alumni News Collected by Craig Stewart '61 Scott McComb '86 has been making a lot of news lately. Scott is president and CEO of Heartland BancCorp, which has 14 offices in central Ohio. The May 15 Columbus Dispatch business section featured Scott and Heartland, detailing their expansion plans. The bank began when Scott's father, Tiney McComb, bought the Croton Bank's two offices in 1988. I dealt with Tiney for many years and Scott is the same good, direct businessman his father was. Then, on July 29, it was announced that Heartland Bank would lease and renovate the old Columbus airport terminal and hangar, and move its corporate headquarters from Gahanna to the airport site. The classic Art Deco terminal opened in 1929, but has fallen into disrepair of late and was badly in need of a savior. Many folks in Columbus were very happy to see Scott take on this project. The terminal is a very important part of the history and growth of Columbus. Scott, your father would be very proud. Rob Oller '81 is a Columbus Dispatch sports writer who is a loyal alumnus and several time speaker at Founders' Day. So it was fun to open the June 15 Dispatch and read the Random Thoughts column titled "For Some, Journalism Runs in the Family" by Julia Oller, Rob's daughter. Julia is a summer intern at the Dispatch and a senior at Taylor University in Upland in Northeastern Indiana. She wrote about something she knows well—her father. Best wishes, Julia. Dave Spain '58 attended the Friday Phi Psi lunch on April 3, visiting from Seattle, Washington. Dave is a retired anthropology professor from the University of Washington. He is, of course, the son of Norm '33 and the brother of Bill '61. He was in Columbus to visit friends and to tour the town, including an impromptu tour of Norm's boyhood home on Oakland Park Avenue. We all had a good visit and discussion. Dave was G.P. when I pledged. I managed to sneak aboard a senior citizen's bus from Delaware County with Mike Leymaster '60 and Ken Spicer '63 to a Cincinnati Reds game (I needed to be heavily disguised). Mike is a retired teacher and administrator from Columbus State Community College and Ken recently retired as probate and juvenile judge of Delaware County. Mike was part of the reason for the fantastic growth of Columbus State (enrollment 25,000 plus), which now has a downtown campus and a Delaware County campus. Ken sits by assignment in Delaware Municipal, Probate and Juvenile Courts. Sadly, the now bottom dwelling Reds lost. The Indians, too, are having a lousy year. Tee it up, Buckeyes! I note that the Homecoming dinner was Friday, October 9, at Scioto Country Club. The scheduled speaker was Greg Wittstock '89, loyal alumnus and owner of the successful business, Aquascape. Buckeye Lake and Tracy Higgenbothem '87 are in the news but, unfortunately, mostly for the problems with the Buckeye Lake Dam, which must be replaced. Meanwhile, the state has lowered the water level from an already shallow six feet to three feet, making much of the lake impassable for boat traffic. This makes it very difficult to get to Tracy's Buckeye Lake Winery by boat. So, all you Phi Psis, get in your cars and go see Tracy. I am told there are no natural inland lakes in Ohio. Most of the bigger ones were built as part of the canal systems. Anyone know of any? Lake Erie is not inland, fellas. Gordon Gough '97, longtime president of the Ohio Delta Company, had a very well- reasoned commentary in the Dispatch on May 24. The opinion piece was in support of the Trade Promotion Authority, which was a subject of considerable debate in Congress. Gordon is the president and CEO of the Ohio Council of Retail Merchants representing more than 6,500 retailors. Gordon related that there are more than 1.5 million retail workers in Ohio, with approximately 261,000 retail workers in someway tied to international trade. I see the council has come out against the monopolistic legalization of marijuana. Gordon is one of the unsung heroes—he and the board make Ohio Delta the success it is. John Gray '60 got so much "pub" last issue that I couldn't fit it all in. He and his wife, MJ's, home was featured in last fall's issue of House Trends, a Dayton magazine. The home was featured on the cover and in 11 pages complete with extensive pictures. The article covered the Buckeye Battle Cry doorbell chimes to the many American Indian accents. John, of course, is a huge band supporter and hosts the band at their home annually. John owns and runs a specialty steel company in Dayton. NOW TO THE NEWS FROM THE ENTERPRISE (THEIR WORD): Coach Urban Meyer has signed a contract extension through the 2020 season (to help with recruiting) at an average of $6.5 million per year. His previous contract was for a paltry $4.9 million per year. OSU athletes are now getting extra money per NCAA rules beyond their current full ride to cover other college expenses. Other rule relaxations allow snacks and other meals for the athletes. OSU is spending $850,000 to build and supply the snack rooms, bringing the athletic food budget to $1.5 million. The OSU Chief Fiscal Officer has changed his mind about leaving for a private sector job. Geoff Chatas changed his mind so he could "focus on affordability and cost reductions." His The Alumni Association on the scoreboard at a recent Clippers baseball game.

• Cover