The Duck Call
Alpha Omicron Chapter of
Pi Kappa Alpha
April 2016
Founder’s Day 2016
On Saturday morning March 5, 2016, four days after our historical Founders Day the Brothers of
Alpha Omicron, both active and alumni, came together to celebrate and reconnect. Such numbers of
retuning alumni and their continued involvement is not only unique to Greek life on Southwestern’s
campus, but also showcases the successes and lifelong relationships that Pi Kappa Alpha has cultivated
through the years. This model of sustained brotherhood provides countless examples for actives and
pledges to emulate for the coming generations. After a very insightful and productive EC meeting to
start the morning, it was clear that the Chapter is once again
In good standing with administration in terms of
academics and policy conduct. This leaves the
active chapter in a great position looking ahead,
while reassuring that the bonds and rewards that
keep our alumni coming back are here to last. The
past year of restructuring has provided some
introspective evaluation which has galvanized the
Chapter and strengthened our internal
organization.
These successes could not have been possible
without the help and guidance of our Alumni
Directors and all who worked with the University
and Chapter over the last year. As a result, the
Active Chapter dedicated a plaque in honor of
those who led us through the 2015 restructuring of
The Alpha Omicron Chapter. (Pictured at right
with Brothers Mitch Barnett, Jack Parker and
Paul Franz). The plaque will remain in the house
as a daily reminder ofthe strong network of
support from our alumni and the diligence
required to stay on top. We would like to thank all
alumni who came out and for those who could not
make it, we welcome you anytime.
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Creative Works and Capstone
For many seniors and a number of underclassmen, the spring semester is often highlighted by the
completion and presentation of their Capstone or Independent Study at the Creative Works Symposium which
Southwestern is holding on April 12 this year. The combination of intellect, determination and passion
culminate in a variety of forms and fields of studies for each Brother. In fields as diverse as Biology, Robotics,
Psychology, Business and many more, the Pike men have made significant contributions to the ever changing
needs of society and economies, helping increase the intellectual communities of sustainability, innovation,
communication, health care and others.
For example, Brother Chance Clark is using his Computer Science
Capstone to help the Austin based group, Girlstart, which
promotes quality STEM education to at-risk young women. Clark
is also addressing the feasibility of Austin offering city wide wi-fi
by investigating a number of variables using a geographic
information system (GIS). Brothers Amir Hessabi and Dakota
McDurham will also use a GIS application to introduce
drone technology to provide more reliable, clear and making real-time images easily accessible for GIS users.
Lucas Evans (AO ’15) will be displaying effects of urban sprawl land usage on native flora and fauna, focused
on Georgetown and the IH- 35 corridor. Brother Kyle Zarosky (AO ’14) led a Southwestern Green SAFE grant
initiative which used his major in physics to develop an energy efficient water recycling system to protect the
Foutainwood Observatory from condensation, a huge issue for the extremely expensive equipment. Brother
Mustafa Tajkhanji (AO ’14) will be presenting his academic internship at St. David’s Center for Cardiac
Rehabilitation. The schedule of Capstone presentations is featured in the Gentleman Column.
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PIKE Brother Receives Inaugural
Honors in Emerging
Technology
Brother Dakota McDurham (AO’14) received the
first ever Kendeda Excellence in Environmental
Geographic Information Systems Award at the
2016 Honors Convocation. This award recognizes
students producing outstanding applications of
geopatial technology in their work and scholastic
ventures. GIS or Geographic Information Systems
is an emerging and immensely useful program that
can be applied to many fields of work.
Dakota has been integral in creating an accurate
and clear aerial image of our campus, which has
been developed into an online virtual tour that
gives potential students who cannot visit the
opportunity to check out the entire campus as if
they were there in person. This technology has
countless possibilities
Senior Brother Amir Hessabi and Dakota currently plan to present one of their projects at the upcoming
Creative Works Symposium on April 12. By combining their knowledge of GIS with Amir’s robotics
background, they hope to better acquire data and provide clearer geographic images with use of a drone.
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PKA Domination at SCAC Swim Meet,
SCAC Golf Tournament and
Intramural Basketball
At this year’s SCAC Swimming
championships held in Lewisville, Texas, the
Southwestern swim team featured an unprecedented
performance by PIKE athletes. Four brothers,
Simmon Belianeh (AO ’14), Matthew Sluss (AO ’15),
Mickey Scharborough (AO ’15) and pledge Michael
Glover (pictured left),brought home a total of six gold
medals and set the school record for the 200 medley
relay.
Southwestern Men’s Golf sent three PIKEs,
Tyler Gammill (AO ’15), Andrew DeHennis (AO ’14)
and Cody Hebert (AO ’13) to the Jekyll Island
Invitational in Georgia. DeHennis led the way for the
Pirates with scores of 74-70-76-220 to finish in T45.
Gammill finished with scores of 71-78-73-222 and
Cody Hebert rounded out scoring for SU with rounds
of 77-75-7
231. Pi Kappa Alpha once again
took home the 2016 Basketball Intramural Championship.
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Work Presentations
The Creative Works Symposium is Southwestern’s primary showcase of our Brother’s intellectual and
scholarly pursuits. Many of which are already being applied to solve real world issues. . Brother John
Semlitsch(AO ’13) is presenting his capstone project, “Creating an Egalitarian Privileged Space: Displaying
Works by Artists of Color in the Modern Art Museum” in Atlanta on April 13th at the Southern Sociological
Society Conference. John also currently has an exhibition that he helped organize on display until
April 24 at the Houston Museum of Fine Arts. Aaron Garcia (AO
’14) is presenting research at the Southwestern Psychological
Association Spring Conference in Dallas, TX with Dr. Traci
Giuliano. His presentation is titled "Do as I Do: Expressions and
Desires of the Five Love Languages", and may be eligible for
several Psi Chi awards. Chance Clark will make his formal
Computer Science Capstone presentation on April 25 in the Prothro
room, highlighting three topics including Austin Wi-FI, Girlstart
and a GIS application. Future dates of Capstone presentations and recitals will be made available as soon as
they are set, and are open to all. We encourage alumni to attend, as these presentations provide an excellent
opportunity to apply the principles of intellectual pursuit and social responsibility which Pi Kappa Alpha
emphasizes.
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Upcoming Events: Greek Reunion Weekend
The University has put a lot of work into this weekend to make it useful and fulfilling for everyone
involved. Our goal is to cement Southwestern Greek life as an essential institution within the University--not
only financially, but also through networking and providing guidance for Southwestern’s future vision.. Over
40 percent of Southwestern students belong to Greek organizations, and it is time that the University recognize
not just what PIKE has done, but Greek society as a whole, for students who have reaped its endless benefits
and opportunities as actives and alumni. Greek Reunion Weekend will be an opportunity for Greeks to come
together and rejoice as well as give back. Please contact me with any questions or special requests for the
weekend.
FRIDAY, APRIL 8, 2016
•
2:30 pm
•
9:00 pm -- Midnight Greek Hospitality House. (Howry Center)
SATURDAY, APRIL 9, 2016
•
9:30 am
•
11:00 am -- 12:15
•
12:30 pm
Individual Greek Chapter Times (PIKE House)
•
2:30 pm
Greek Block Party. (Fraternity Row, Open to all Greek)
•
6:00 pm
Greek Kickball Tournament. (Intramural fields)
Greek Professionals Panel. (FW Olin 110)
Meet and Greet Breakfast. (Cullen Building room 360)
Business Meeting with President Burger. (Mood Bridwell Hall)
This weekend will also coincide with the Annual Career Connections Barbecue.
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Active Members
Name
Omeed
Azmoudeh
Aaron
Carvajal
Chancellor Clark
Ryan
Fees
Cody
Hebert
Amir
Hessabi
Kenneth
Mann
Dillon
O'Dell
John
Semlitsch
Mustafa
Tajkhanji
Connor
Koper
Nnamdi
Akabogu
Oscar
Barbour
Simmon
Belaineh
Andrew
DeHennis
Michael
Gallegos
Aaron
Garcia
Sebastian
Gualy
Mason
Jeansonne
Evan
Jones
Dakota
McDurham
Chris
Molina
Connor
Murphy
Kyle
Zarosky
Kyle
Anderson
Tyler
Bludau
Michael
Kitner
Coleman
Counihan
Curtis
Cuccia
Lucas
Evans
Tyler
Gammill
Shelby
Hall
Jonathan
Hernandez
Daniel
Kellum
Taylor
Lewis
Christopher Luca
Harvey
Mulvihill
Karrey
Sanders
Mickey
Scharbrough
Matthew
Sluss
Russell
Stith
Email
Hometown
[email protected] Dallas
[email protected]
Katy [email protected]
Wimberley
[email protected]
Fort Worth
[email protected]
Katy [email protected]
Houston
[email protected]
Spring Branch
[email protected]
Austin
[email protected]
Columbia
[email protected]
Garden Ridge
[email protected]
Scottsdale
[email protected]
San Antonio
[email protected]
Darien
[email protected]
Arlington
[email protected]
Austin
[email protected]
San Antonio
[email protected]
San Antonio
[email protected]
Katy [email protected]
Houston
[email protected]
San Antonio
[email protected]
Waco [email protected]
Boerne
[email protected]
Searcy
[email protected]
Cypress
[email protected]
Monument
[email protected]
Angleton
[email protected]
Plano [email protected]
Austin
[email protected]
San Marino
[email protected]
Hutto [email protected]
Austin
[email protected]
Hoover
[email protected]
Georgetown
[email protected]
San Antonio
[email protected]
Napa [email protected]
Austin
[email protected]
Richardson
[email protected]
DeSoto
[email protected]
Lake Havasu
[email protected]
Harker Heights
[email protected]
San Antonio
TX
TX
TX
TX
TX
TX
TX
TX
MO
TX
AZ
TX
CT
TX
TX
TX
TX
TX
TX
TX
TX
TX
AR
TX
CO
TX
TX
TX
TX
TX
TX
AL
TX
TX
CA
TX
TX
TX
AZ
TX
TX
Pledge Class
AO'13
AO'13
AO'13
AO'13
AO'13
AO'13
AO'13
AO'13
AO'13
AO'13
AO'13.5
AO'14
AO'14
AO'14
AO'14
AO'14
AO'14
AO'14
AO’14
AO'14
AO'14
AO'14
AO'14
AO'14
AO'14.5
AO'14.5
AO'14.5
AO'15
AO'15
AO'15
AO'15
AO'15
AO'15
AO'15
AO'15
AO'15
AO'15
AO'15
AO'15
AO'15
AO'15
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Spring 2016 Pledge Class
Name
Tommy
Tyler
Brayden
Dimitri
Winston
Samuel
Michael
Kevin
Jordan
Kai
Alexander
Peter
Nicholas
Elijah
Jared
Adam
Angeloni
Bault
Bishop
Christie
Cooke
Cox
Glover
Guzman
Kessler
Knight-Turcan
Newell
Robinson
Swope
Velasquez
Welsh
Wood
Email
Hometown Pledge Class
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
Dallas,
TX
San Antonio TX
Plano
TX
Houston
TX
Montgomery TX
Corpus Christi TX
Amarillo
TX
Austin
TX
Austin
TX
Ft. Nelson
B.C.
Albuquerque NM
Misión Viejo CA
Dallas
TX
Port Lavaca TX
Palm City
FL
Albuquerque NM
AO '16
AO '16
AO '16
AO '16
AO '16
AO '16
AO '16
AO '16
AO '16
AO '16
AO '16
AO '16
AO '16
AO '16
AO '16
AO '16
Spring 2016 Chapter Officers
SMC
IMC
THC
SC
Pledge Educator
Sgt. At Arms
Social Chair
Risk Chair
Scholarship Chair
Nnamdi Akabogu
Aaron Garcia
Harvey Mulvihill
Tyler Gammil
John Semlitsch
Kyle Zarosky
Chris Luca
Taylor Lewis
Chris Molina
Alumni Chair
IFC Representative
House RA/ House Manager
Public Relations Chair
Philanthropy Chair
Civil Service Chair
Continuing Education & Brotherhood Chair
Intramural Captain
Campus Involvement
Lucas Evans
Curtis Cuccia
Sebastian Gualy
Mickey Scharbrough
Coleman Counihan
Kyle Anderson
Dillon O’Dell
Karrey Saunders
Oscar Barbour
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Acknowledgements
Thanks to Megan Frisque, Associate Vice President of Alumni and Parents Relations. Her assistance is
highly valued and appreciated. I hope this newsletter finds you and your families well, and wish you fellowship
and prosperity in this spring season.
Phi Phi,
Brother Lucas Evans AO ’15
Alumni Relations Chairman
(512)968-7904
[email protected]
www.facebook.com/aopikes
@aopikes
Alphaomicron.pikes.org
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