Deferred Spring Rush Possibly On The Horizon The Wofford administration is pushing strongly to move rush to the spring. Deferred Rush would be an attempt to improve student integration, retention, and academic success. According to Wofford Dean of Students Roberta Bigger, the average Greek first semester men’s GPA has been perennially lower than their non-Greek counterparts. IFC at Wofford is opposed to transitioning to deferred rush, citing concerns about finances, dirty rushing, and the overall weakening of brotherhood that would come with a semester hiatus of rush. President Samhat would not conclusively say whether or not the rush format would change for the 2014-2015 school year, however he did say that the time table is set for a decision to be made by the fall of 2014, implying that the rush format this coming fall would likely not change. The current chapter and executive council at zeta chapter is comfortable with any rush format in the coming year, holding full confidence in Vice Archon and Rush Chair Jordan Crosby. There are differing opinions among the current chapter and alumni about the possibility of a Spring Rush. Though in years past zeta chapter has utilized spring rush as a secondary recruitment tactic, spring rush as a primary recruitment tactic is a foreign concept to all. Recent Pi Kapp Alumnus David Trant favors the idea of Spring Rush. “Moving to a Spring Rush will give our new freshman men a chance to find their place at Wofford as well as time to learn about the organizations to which they’ll pledge their lives,” Says David, Wofford Class of 2011. Other alumni, such as Andrew Strasburger disagree. “My brothers taught me responsibility, good study habits, and how to interact well with my professors… Spring rush denies freshmen the opportunities that I had from the start” Says Andrew, class of 2013. With the uncertainty of the coming year, the executive council is planning diligently for whatever happens. Times are changing at Wofford, for better or worse, and Pi Kapp will endure with good leadership, chapter unity, and the quintessential character that’s expected of all men of Pi Kappa Phi.

Chapter Address

The 2014 Zeta Chapter Executive Council at Midyear Leadership Conference

From Left to Right: Warden Cye Heatherly, Secretary Tyler Woolley, Vice

Archon Jordan Crosby, Archon Stephen Bendziewicz, Treasurer Jamie Inabinent,

Historian Joe James, Chaplain Taylor Mosteller, and Risk Manager Ian Telford

Spring 2014Written by Historian Joe James

Email: jamesjr2@email.wofford.edu

pikappaphizetachapter@gmail.com Published by the

Zeta Chapter of Pi Kappa Phi

Every effort has been made toensure the accuracy of the

information contained herein. The Zeta Chapter of Pi Kappa Phi, nor Pi

Kappa Phi Fraternity is liable for errors or omissions.

© 2013

Featured in this Issue-Deferred Rush Update-April Founders’ Day Celebration-PUSH America Fundraising Update-New Social Media Connections-Rediscovering Zeta Chapter’s Origins and a Record Keeping Revamp-Alumni Updates-A Request to Alumni, Particularly Veterans and Servicemen

The Zeta Astonisher

50th Anniversary How did the Astonisher Begin?Account given by Jesse Crimm ‘68

“For reasons perhaps fueled by Pabst Blue Ribbon or Virginia Gentlemen, Pete Talmadge and Jesse Crimm decided in 1964 to Astonish the National Office of Pi Kappa Phi and produce a Zeta Chapter newsletter.That letter was part of a concerted effort to win Master Chapter status. The effort was further aided by the chapter's submitting Green Reports on time; an Astonishing event in and of itself.All this effort was driven by the infusion of a massive pledge class of some 25 persons into the chapter in 1963. Much of the energy of the 25 was directed towards winning the first of several consecutive intramural sports trophies.The residual energy found expression by Astonishing Converse with our singing skills as directed by Tom Bratton and Jay Bost, having adequate GPA's, less Jack Kaplan but including Paul Pittman, to be initiated and to purchase a massive 26 inch cathode ray color television thanks to the financial acuity of

Larry Stallcup.”

New Social Media ConnectionsWith the dawning of the age of social media, the Executive Council has made the decision to expand the chapter’s presence on the internet. This is for the purpose of reaching out to alumni, notifying Wofford’s campus of social and philanthropy events that the fraternity is sponsoring, and maintaining a recognizable presence that the Wofford community—both students and nonstudents—can refer to consistently. Here are some of the new social media pages; all alumni are strongly encouraged to follow or interact with the chapter:Linkedin: Pi Kappa Phi Zeta ChapterFacebook: Pi Kappa Phi-Zeta Chapter (For privacy purposes this group is a closed group, however you will be added upon request, just contact the historian-Joe James or any brother already in the group)Twitter: @PiKappWocoGmail: pikappaphizetachapter@gmail.com

Founders’ Day Celebration For April 2014 In The WorksA celebration of Zeta Chapter’s founding is being planned currently, with more information forthcoming, with concrete plans to be announced in the coming weeks. Zeta Chapter’s founding day is April 29th, however due to exam week and spring weekend, the date may be moved to an earlier or later date. Email the chapter at pikappaphizetachapter@gmail.com or the historian at jamesjr2@email.wofford.edu for more information.

Chapter Raises Over $500 For PUSH During January The Chapter began 2014’s philanthropy fundraising strong with an event planned by the Fall 2013 pledge class; “Play For Push” as it was called, was an event that allowed Wofford students to play their favorite classic videogames such as Mario Kart and Super Smash Brothers, with the participants being entered into a raffle. The event was a success, raising over $300, and costing the chapter a minuscule $25. On top of that, the chapter is also using online fundraising efforts, found on the PUSH America website, raising an excess of $200 already. The chapter aims to fundraise $1000 by the end of the semester. Current philanthropy efforts being planned are Joy Prom on March 6th, which is a prom for special needs teenagers, and PUSH week soon after. Joy Prom is not a fundraising event, and may cost the chapter up to $800. Last year, when the chapter sponsored Joy prom, we were given campus union funding, but this year that is not the case; any donations to the chapter’s efforts is welcome. If anyone wishes to donate to PUSH America through the chapter and find our more information, contact the fraternity email address at pikappaphizetachapter@gmail.com or visit the chapter’s PUSH America http://support.pushamerica.org/site/TR/Events/General?pg=team&fr_id=1440&team_id=2096 and click “Support Zeta.”

The Astonisher | Page 2

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Alumni Updates

Stephen Christopher Moore ‘97My wife, Katherine ('98 Converse graduate), and I live in Fletcher, NC with our two children, Jay (9) and Sydney (5). I am working as a bankruptcy and real estate attorney in Asheville at the firm of Leonard & Moore, PLLC. We have lived here since 2001, after returning from law school in Vermont for the previous three years.

Ed Congleton ‘72I transferred from Wofford in 1972 when I enrolled in NC State. I graduated from NC State in 1974 with a BA in Sociology. Upon graduation, I started work with my father in Stokes & Congleton, Inc. in Stokes, NC. I am the fourth generation in a family business. I have one daughter, now married, Courtney Bailey. I married my current wife, Rebecca Robin Burgess, in June of 1994. We live in Stokes, NC. I am Past President of the North Carolina Propane Association, Twice Past Master of Crown Point Masonic Lodge, Past State Representative of North Carolina to the National Propane Gas Association.

Paul Atkinson ‘02 I got married to my wife Blair about a year and a half ago. I'm a Major in the Air Force and we're stationed in Germany. I'm currently here flying F-16s and we have another 2 years or so in Europe. After that who knows. I hope all is well back at Wofford, last time I was back it was a totally different campus. I'm jealous of you guys, Wofford is continuing to get better and better.

James Engelhardt ‘90I am the acquisitions editor at the University of Alaska Press in Fairbanks, AK. My wife, Dana Kinzy, works at the University of Alaska-Fairbanks, and my daughter, Wendy, turned five in December.

We Need YOUR help!

In the historian committee’s attempts to resurrect chapter history, it was revealed that record keeping has not been up to par for the whole of Fraternity history. In the coming months, the chapter wishes to erect a display case with plaques and other memorabilia commemorating brothers who have served in the military (both servicemen and officers), participated in Journey of Hope (Pi Alphas), and who have shown a life-long dedication to the chapter. The chapter has a record of all the Pi alphas, but the record of military servicemen is not fully up to date. If you or a brother you know served in the military, or of an alumni who has displayed a quintessential commitment to the chapter, please contact the chapter, the historian, or Charlie Gray, director of the alumni association for Wofford College. It’s important to the chapter that this record be as correct as possible, so please contact us if you can!

Chapter History, Record-Keeping Revamped.

The record-keeping of Zeta chapter over the years progressively depreciated. This year, thanks to the efforts of the executive council and Brother Phillip Stone, Archivist at Wofford College, a great deal of the chapter history was recovered and pieced together. Notably, the founding fathers of Zeta Chapter were deduced with the use of old fraternity newsletters and college annuals from 1911 to 1913. Zeta Chapter was founded sub-rosa, as fraternities were banned at Wofford at the time of its founding, so much of this information was lost even to the national office. This information will be retained by the archon and executive council, while archived by Phillip Stone in the college archives in case the executive council misplaces the information. None of the information is esoteric, and Dr. Stone already maintains the records for the Kappa Alpha Order and Sigma Alpha Epsilon, so no fraternity secrets are at risk. In the future, Zeta Chapter history will be implemented with associate member education to compliment national fraternity history. If any brother wishes to access this information, or add to it, or correct it, email the historian, the chapter, or Dr. Phillip Stone.

Brothers Who Have Passed To The Chapter Eternal:Account since January 2012

Major General Forrest A. Abbot, Class of 1943D. Boyce Woolbright Jr., Class of 1943Thorton W. Crouch, Class of 1943Dr. Elwyn Marion Rozier, Class of 1944Robert G Scruggs Sr. Class of 1958J. Kenneth Ball, Class of 1959Thomas N. Key, Class of 1967Reverend Jerry M. James, Class of 1970

Ben Dunlap ‘10I am graduating the Medical University of South Carolina in May 2014

Walter Hardin ‘77I married Jane Clutter (Converse class or 79) in 1978. Daughter Betsy who is 30 and married to Kurt Woodlief. They have a daughter Olivia who is 2 (and nearly perfect).Both Jane and Betsy are breast cancer survivors and doing great. Jane is retired from K-12 school teaching in many capacities. Betsy graduated Appalachian State and currently works for the City of Rock Hill Planning Department.I ran the family business upon graduation from Wofford for ten years. I have worked for Winthrop University since closing he business for 27 years and am in charge of Facilities Management.Winthrop has a very active and very strong chapter of Pi Kappa Phi and is the largest and strongest fraternity on campus.Since 2008, Jane and I have travelled to many countries around the world. Hobbies are wood working, boating and making and fixing stuff…. (just like in the Frat).

Boyd Way ‘88During my time at Wofford I served as Archon and Chaplain.After graduating Wofford, I moved to Japan and lived there until 2008. My family and I have relocated and currently reside in Irvine, CA.I work for the DAINICHI Corporation, a Japanese company that is heavily involved in the Japanese aquaculture industry.I have worked for this company for over 20 years and am currently responsible for importing fresh farmed seafood into the US.I am married to my wife, Kiyoko, whom I met in Japan. We have two daughters: Emi (17) & Sara (15).

Alex Cone ‘98I moved back to my hometown of Allendale, SC, about three years ago. I currently serve as the Marketing and Operations Manager for Salkehatchie Arts, a non-profit five-county arts and economic development organization.

Katon Bethay ‘06My family and myself are currently living in Lafayette, LA. My fiance is Sara. We have a 2 year old daughter named Kendellyn and a newborn, Kinsley Reigh Bethay. I am currently a Senior Executive Team Leader at Target, but that title may change soon as I am going through promotional interviews.

Email: pikappaphizetachapter@gmail.com

Facebook: Pi Kappa Phi-Zeta Chapter

Twitter: @PiKappWoco

Linkedin: Pi Kappa Phi Zeta Chapter

The Astonisher | Page 4

Jesse Crimm ‘68 Me and Linda (Converse 67) remain in Jacksonville, FL and remind their friends that there is a spare bedroom and bath.Jesse is twice retired from both a hospital administrator and military career ending in the National Guard.He continues to work part time for the U.S. Navy in security and land based weapons.He has published a compendium of best Sunday School teaching methods and lessons under the title "Stay Alert and Take Notes" available through WestBow Press.

Andrew Strasburger '13 I just graduated in May and now I am adjusting to the working world. Currently, I am working as a software engineer at Unitrends in Columbia, SC and I am loving my job. Also, I am pleased to announce that my brother Lee Strasburger just got engaged to Mathavi Jothimurugesan. Lee just graduated Emory Law and is clerking for a judge in Dalton, GA and Mathavi just graduated Havard with a Masters in Higher Education and is currently working at Duke University. Congratulations Mathavie and Lee!

Scott Richter ‘92I am a VP of Credit and Portfolio Management with GE Capital Bank (a subsidiary and Industrial Loan Corp. of General Electric). I have been with GE Capital for ten years, starting with a role as a Credit Manager in Equipment Finance as a GE business in Macon, GA, and advancing through promotions and opportunities into my current position. I currently reside in the metro Phoenix, AZ area with my wife and three children (Galen - boy, 16; Brendan – boy, 11; Martha – girl, 8 in December). Karen and I have been married for over 20 years, and in fact met at a PKP party in 1989. We love living in Arizona, but miss not being closer to friends and family back East. I wish my brothers in PKP a great holiday time and best wishes for a prosperous New Year!

Please Contact Us!Questions about Deferred Rush? Want to make a Donation to PUSH? Need to update your Brothers on your whereabouts? Any Comments in general? Here’s all of Zeta Chapter’s Contact information: