Start planning your next visit to State College now, because Penn State has announced the dates for the Blue-White Game and fall football schedule. With the Blue-White game falling on April 15th, there is plenty of time to reach out to your old college buddies and plan your next get-together.  

Check out the full schedule here. 

April 15 Blue-White Game (2 p.m.) 

Sept. 2 vs. West Virginia 

Sept. 9 vs. Delaware 

Sept. 16 at Illinois 

Sept. 23 vs. Iowa 

Sept. 30 at Northwestern 

Oct. 7 Idle 

Oct. 14 vs. UMass 

Oct. 21 at Ohio State 

Oct. 28 vs. Indiana 

Nov. 4 at Maryland 

Nov. 11 vs. Michigan 

Nov. 18 vs. Rutgers 

Nov. 25 at Michigan State 

Already have something planned? Share the word here, and we can include it in the next communication to your fellow alumni! 

It is with great sadness that we have been informed George Fasic ’57 has passed into Chapter Eternal. Our sympathies go out to all friends and family.

Obituary and photo courtesy of Donohue Funeral Home.

George Wilson Fasic, 90, of West Chester, PA, passed away September 29, 2021.

Born February 18, 1931 in Lewistown, PA, he was the son of the late George Gardner and Esther M. (Edwards) Fasic (Walley).

George was a 1949 graduate of Mt. Penn High School in Reading, PA. He graduated from Penn State University (B.S. Geography) in 1957 and received his Master’s Degree from Columbia University (Urban Planning) in 1962.

He served as a Military Police Officer in the United States Army during the Korean War (stateside), attaining the rank of Corporal.

George retired from the Chester County Planning Commission (PA) in 1995, having served as the Executive Director since 1976. Previously, he served in similar roles for the Bucknell University Institute for Regional Affairs, Berks County Planning Commission (PA), and Rockland County Planning Commission (NY). After retiring from Chester County, George taught at West Chester University, retiring from that role in 2015. In addition, he taught at various times for Bucknell University, Susquehanna University, Penn State University, Albright College, the Pennsylvania Department of Community Affairs, the Pennsylvania Boroughs Association, and the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Education Institute.

George maintained a private consulting practice as well and served on a number of boards, task forces, and commissions and volunteered his time with many organizations related to his role as a Professional Planner. Professional affiliations included the American Planning Association, the American Institute of Certified Planners, the Community Association Institute, the Urban Land Institute, and the Philadelphia Geographical Society. George authored and co-authored numerous County and Municipal Comprehensive Plans, Regional Transportation Plans, Subdivision and Zoning Ordinances, instructional materials, and research reports.

George was a member and Trustee of First Presbyterian Church in West Chester where he was active with the Building and Maintenance Committee, the “Dinosaurs” Group of retired planning directors, Chester County 2020, and Coniston Residential Association “Keep Coniston Beautiful.”

He was an active and enthusiastic outdoorsman who loved hiking, birding, and spending time in nature. He enjoyed playing and watching sports, including being an avid tennis player and member of the Chester County Planning Commission softball team. One of his greatest joys was driving his Farmall Cub tractor around the grounds of Fox Hollow, the cabin and property he and Nancy owned in Snyder County, PA.

George was the beloved husband, for 62 years, of Nancy Jane (Hinkle) Fasic; loving father of G. Kevin Fasic (Sherry) and Karen A. Schwarz (Perry); adoring grandfather of Emily Fasic, Matthew Fasic, Kyle Schwarz, Ethan Schwarz, Matthew Lawton (Anna), and Andrew Lawton (Shiva); and caring great-grandfather of Meiling and Tao Lawton. He was predeceased by his siblings: Robert Fasic, Doris Miller (Edward), and Ann Wiegand (John). Nieces and nephews included Linda Pinkasavage (John), Barbara Miller, Barry Miller (Amy) and their children Rachael and Andrew Miller.

Relatives and friends are invited to his Memorial Service 11:00 AM Friday, October 8, 2021 at First Presbyterian Church, 130 West Miner St, West Chester, PA. Please note that masks are required during the service. Parking will be limited at the Church, and visitors are encouraged to park at the High Street Parking Garage or the Justice Center Parking Garage.

It is with great sadness that we announce Bruce Foster ’83 into Chapter Eternal on November 17, 2022. We extend our deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Bruce. Read on for the full obituary.

Obituary courtesy of Courier Times.

Bruce Richard Foster, 61, returned home to God’s eternal glory on Thursday, November 17, 2022, after a tragic accident at his home in Morganton, Georgia. Bruce was a man of deep faith who loved God and his family well.

Bruce was born in Staten Island, New York on September 18, 1961, to Richard and Marilyn (Stride) Foster.

He grew up in Newtown, PA where he became an Eagle Scout and graduated from Council Rock High School in 1979. He joined Pi Kappa Phi fraternity at Penn State University where he received a BS in Business Logistics in 1983. That’s where he met the love of his life, BJ Paulk. They married on September 22, 1984 and moved to Colorado. He spent most of his career in commercial construction with PKF-Mark III and Whiting-Turner Construction companies. With his job, they lived in Arizona, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Florida where they raised their 3 wonderful children, Shane, Victoria, and Bobby. Bruce derived great joy and pride from raising his kids, being involved in their lives, and supporting their goals and dreams. He was truly an amazing father.

Coaching little league football, traveling, and serving others were his greatest passions. He loved football and the opportunity to impact the lives of so many young men while coaching for almost 20 years. Bruce loved to see the world with his wife and family. They were blessed to visit many countries in Europe and the Caribbean.

His faith led him to a life of serving others. He called Covenant United Methodist Church in Port Orange, Florida his church home where his wife, Reverend Bette-Jo (BJ) Foster, served as the pastor before they moved to Morganton, Georgia in April 2022. He served his church anyway he could, was a group leader for Bible Study Fellowship, and volunteered with Meals on Wheels, Habitat for Humanity, Red Bird Mission in Kentucky, International Christian Development Mission in Haiti, and Family Connection in north GA.

He lived his life serving God and others, sharing the love and grace of Christ to everyone he met. Bruce’s faith, kindness, work ethic, and compassion made him a role model, not only for his family, but for everyone around him. He was a good and honest man who will be greatly missed by all those who had the pleasure of being touched by his life.

Missing him are his wife Rev. Bette-Jo (Paulk) Foster, children, Shane (Katie Sallee), Victoria, and Robert. He leaves behind his mother, Marilyn (Stride) and a brother Erik (Kathleen), and two sisters Karin (Terry – deceased) Hillegas and Kristin (Roger) Glover. He is also survived by his mother-in-law Joanne (McKnight) Behr, sisters-in-law Mayme (Steve Carter) Paul and Angela (Dr. Jim) Randolf, and a brother-in-law the Honorable George (Kathy Cowart) Paulk II. Bruce was also very loved by his many nieces and nephews. His pups, Little One and Mila Blue, already miss him terribly as well. He was preceded in death by his father Richard L. Foster, fathers-in-law George Paulk and Sam Behr, and brother-in-law, Terry Hillegas.

There will be two services. On Friday, Dec. 9th at 3pm, a Celebration of Life and Resurrection will be held at Covenant United Methodist Church, 3701 S. Clyde-Morris Blvd., Port Orange, FL 32129. And on Sunday, January 15th at 3 pm, another Celebration of Life and Resurrection will be held at the Lutheran Church of God’s Love, 791 Newtown-Yardley Rd, Newtown, PA 18940. A catered reception will follow each service.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Bruce’s memory to International Christian Development Mission (ICDM) which is a ministry in Haiti Bruce and BJ were involved with for almost 20 years. https://icdm.us/get-involved/. OR, the Lutheran Church of God’s Love, Bruce’s childhood church home, at https://godslovenewtown.org. There is a Donate button at the bottom of the home page.

Condolences may be sent to Rev. Bette-Jo Foster at bjfoster922@gmail.com

 

Stephen DiOrio ’78 (stephen.diorio.bus7@statefarm.com) graduated from Penn State University with a degree in political science and a dream of going to law school. At a time when THON was in its infancy, DiOrio and other Greek members were delivering a check to Hershey Medical Center when a tragic accident claimed the lives of some of those on the trip. It was during that time that he decided not to pursue law school, but to pursue the career path of his father in the insurance industry.  

In September 1978, DiOrio married the love of his life, Susan and two months later opened his own State Farm Agency in Wayne, Pennsylvania. In addition to his wife, he also has three children and six grandchildren. Two of his children, Stephen and Christina were involved in the Greek system as well.  Stephen is also an alumnus of Pi Kappa Phi and Christina enjoyed her time as a Pi Phi. 

DiOrio said that many of his accomplishments can be attributed to his time as an active Pi Kappa Phi member. “The leadership experience I gained is unlike what most college students are able to receive. We were self-governed and had to learn how to run a house, hold ourselves and each other accountable and make decisions that were in the best interest of the chapter,” he said. “We learned that you don’t always get your way, you have to listen to each other and come to a consensus.” 

The brothers who were in the house at that time made the decision to pledge Pi Kappa Phi easy. “The house was in its hay day, so it was easy to love. But the brothers were the most important,” DiOrio shared. “They wanted to get to know me and who I was, they were all very welcoming and engaging wanting me to be a part of the brotherhood. My best friends now were my brothers then.” 

“Being a member of Pi Kappa Phi taught me to give back to the community. My first position of leadership in the house was as Chairman of our Annual Turkey Drive. We went around the community gathering canned goods to donate to a food pantry,” he said. “That principle has stuck with me. Today I continue to give back. I have served on YMCA boards and local Chambers of Commerce. I was able to do these things well because of my involvement in the Greek System.”

Volunteering and giving back to Pi Kappa Phi remains an anchor for DiOrio even after all these years. “I enjoy working with the undergraduates. I have a responsibility to help, and I enjoyed it so much that I wanted to make sure I could continue to share my experience and value in the Greek system with the students,” he said. DiOrio has served on the Board of the Housing Corporation since 2003 and currently serves as President. 

In addition to serving on the board, DiOrio has been striving to help build a solid foundation not just for Pi Kappa Phi but for the entire Greek system. “We have been making great strides and we are laying a great foundation, internally, for the future where the chapter can grow and prosper, but for the Chapter to truly thrive, the entire system needs to be strengthened and branded differently” he said. “My biggest hope for current and future undergraduates is that they will have the same life-long relationships leadership experiences I have had, and I think we are giving them the tools to do that.” 

Without Pi Kappa Phi, I wouldn’t be the person I am today—I wouldn’t have the skillset that I have to run a business, be an entrepreneur, contribute in a valuable way, I wouldn’t be the father and husband I am. 

Are you ready to take on our 2022 Holiday challenge? Without all of us, the Alpha Mu chapter of Pi Kappa Phi simply does not exist. Your 2022 year-end gift can help to make this our best year yet. Are you in? 

Why should you give back? Alumni contributions are at the heart of everything we do. Your gifts help to support our undergrad chapter and keep the house in good shape to stay competitive during recruitment. Our contributions also support every alumni experience like reunions events and make it possible for us to stay connected through news and updates. 

Will you step up to lead the way by being the first from your grad year to add your name to the Honor Roll of Donors? Don’t miss the chance to give back to the organization that defined our Penn State experience. Even just $10 will let your brothers know you’re out there and you still care.  

Help us make this giving year the strongest one yet. To give to the 2022-23 annual fund today, use any of these methods:  

• Click here to donate online 
• Call our toll-free donation hotline at 1-800-975-6699 
• Mail a check to our donation processing center:

Pi Kappa Phi – Alpha Mu Chapter
Alumni Relations Processing Center
P.O. Box 7007
Albert Lea, MN 56007-8007

Click here to see who’s on the 2022-23 Honor Roll of Donors. Add your name now. 

We want to wish all our current Alpha Mu Chapter undergraduates as well as all of our alumni members a Happy Thanksgiving. The holiday season is always a time of reflection, celebration, memories and most importantly, gratitude. 

Whether it be through donations or time spent volunteering, we are thankful for your support in more ways than one. As Pi Kappa Phi brothers, we share a passion for the brotherhood that contributed to our personal development, our relationships, and our lives as students and far beyond to our roles as husbands, fathers, professionals, volunteers, neighbors, and friends. 

We can’t overestimate the true meaning of adding your name to the ranks of our alumni donors. We want to share our continued gratitude to those brothers listed on the honor roll HERE who have graciously given back to Pi Kappa Phi this holiday season. 

It is with sadness that we announce the passing of John Schmucker ‘58 into Chapter Eternal. Read on to view his obituary. 

Source Courtesy of Snyder Funeral Home

John G. Schmucker III, 86 

October 29, 2022  

John G. Schmucker III, 86, died at Homestead Village on Saturday, October 29, 2022, leaving his faithful wife of 57 years, Susanne (“Sue”). 

He was born in Pittsburgh, PA, the second son of the late Rolland and Wilma (“Billie”) Schmucker of Pittsburgh. He attended Perry High School in Pittsburgh, Penn State (mathematics) and the University of Pennsylvania, Wharton School of Business. He proudly served his country as an aircraft commander and instructor pilot in the US Air Force and Pennsylvania Air National Guard. 

John pursued a business career as a bond trader and institutional portfolio manager for several Wall Street firms before retiring in 2003. 

He was a member of Calvary Church in Lancaster and was involved in a variety of activities in the Lancaster chapter of the Military Officers Assoc. of America (MOAA) and in his over-55 community. John was an encourager to neighbors and friends, readily bringing scripture references and words of comfort to those in need. 

John enjoyed the piano, reading, walking, Bible studies, and attending cultural events in the local area. 

Aside from his wife, Sue, John is survived by his brother, Ron, and a number of nephews, nieces, and their children and grandchildren. 

A memorial service will be held at Calvary Church, 1051 Landis Valley Rd., Lancaster, PA 17601 on Monday, November 14, 2022 at 11AM, with a receiving of friends prior to the services from 10:15AM to 11AM. Inurnment will take place at Allegheny County Memorial Cemetery outside of Pittsburgh. Donations in lieu of flowers are welcome at Calvary Church (Global Missions Fund) at the above address or to Hospice & Community Care, 685 Good Drive, Box 4125, Lancaster, PA 17604-4125. 

Year after year, thousands of students and alumni join together to celebrate Penn State’s homecoming. With homecoming 2022 having been on October 22nd, we are always up for a visit back to the old stomping grounds! Have you been back to State College lately? 

Pi Kappa Phi wants to hear from you! What is the best place to visit when you are back in town? Is it Champs? Do you have a fun homecoming throwback to share with everyone? Let us know in the comments below! Do you have photos from this year’s homecoming? Submit them here!

Haven’t been back to State College lately? No worries! Now is the perfect opportunity to plan your next get-together with some old Alpha Mu alumni. Use our directory to contact your old buddies or leave a note in the comments for us to include in the next newsletter! 

Hello Pi Kappa Phi Alumni!

Listed below are the new members of the Fall 2022 Pledge Class, also known as Eta 7. We are very excited to continue to bond with these young men and show them what Pi Kappa Phi is all about! If you would like to be connected to any of these gentlemen please reach out to Joseph Saglimbeni at jks6196@psu.edu.

 

Name: Tommy Gallucci

Year: Sophomore

Major: Accounting

Hometown: Point Lookout, NY

 

 

 

Name: Kevin Roney

Year: Sophomore

Major: Accounting

Hometown: Springfield, PA

 

 

 

Name: Andrew Brown

Year: Sophomore

Major: Actuarial Science

Hometown: Erie, PA

 

 

 

Name: Jamys Solosky

Year: Junior

Major: Social Data Analytics

Hometown: Winchester, VA

 

 

 

Name: Elvis Hartman

Year: Sophomore

Major: Finance

Hometown: Seattle, WA

 

 

 

Name: Nick Brown

Year: Junior

Major: Finance

Hometown: Mountain Top, PA

 

 

 

Name: Davis Jensen

Year: Sophomore

Major: Civil Engineering

Hometown: Houston, TX

 

 

 

Name: Braden Kravitz

Year: Sophomore

Major: Business – Undecided

Hometown: Cinnaminson, NJ

 

 

 

Name: Nate Kryzan

Year: Sophomore

Major: Finance

Hometown: Scranton, PA

 

 

 

Name: Brady Lemen

Year: Sophomore

Major: Biobehavioral Health

Hometown: York, PA

 

 

 

Name: Drew Blodgett

Year: Sophomore

Major: Marketing

Hometown: Pittsburgh

 

 

 

Name: Zach Holthaus

Year: Junior

Major: Actuarial Science

Hometown: Dallas, PA

As summer has come to a close, we would love to hear about your favorite summer adventures! Did you travel abroad with your family or make a trip back to campus to visit some old college buddies? Whether it was this summer or a summer 50 years ago — let us know your answer, and we will share it with your fellow alumni in our next communication! 

 

Do you have a favorite adventure photo or story to share? Tell us all about it! 

 

 

Our fraternity has had a long and noteworthy past. Although many of us finished our new member education many years ago, we thought it was time to share a few more fun facts about the history of Pi Kappa Phi.  

• “Pi Kappa Phi was originally founded as Nu Phi, which stood for non-fraternity.”
• There have been over 120,000 brothers initiated nationwide.
• Pi Kappa Phi is in the top 75 oldest social fraternities and sororities.
• You can find an archive of all chapters, active and inactive, here.

Interested in reading more? Check out the national fraternity’s history page here.

This year, brother after brother answered the of question of why it is important to give back to Pi Kappa Phi and said it was because of how much Pi Kapp changed their life. Pi Kapp gave them leadership skills and friendships that have weathered life’s ups and downs. Together, our gifts can make sure that the important benefits of fraternity membership live on — both through us as alumni, and with the next generation of students.   

While the Pi Kapp experience of today and tomorrow might be different from your personal experience, the core values remain. Leadership, integrity and service to others still form the foundation of our brotherhood. Lifelong friendships, like the ones you continue to enjoy today, take root in new Pi Kappa Phi brothers.   

Your financial contribution to Pi Kappa Phi at Penn State does more than honor these ideals. It perpetuates the lifelong impact that Pi Kapp has on our alumni brotherhood and the next generation of brothers who will gain leadership experience, camaraderie, and friendships that will last long into their life after graduation.   

Did the Alpha Mu Chapter change your life? If so, join the brotherhood with a donation to the Annual Fund.  

We look forward to adding your name to the Honor Roll of Donors in our next publication and to keeping you informed about the impact of your support.   

DONATE HERE

With the beginning of a new school year comes a new class of Pi Kappa Phi brothers. Needless to say, our brotherhood is constantly growing!   

Thanks to donations of both time and money by our brothers and alumni, we are able to keep the brotherhood strong throughout the years. We have put together a list of benefits that brothers, current and future, are able to enjoy when we choose to give back.  

1) Networking: Fraternities have the ability to form connections like no other group. With members of all ages and stages of life, there is always a brother with the knowledge needed to help in any situation. A good chapter always keeps in touch with their alumni. 

2) Lifelong Friends: Not only are they able to help, but brothers are able to form a special bond through shared traditions. After countless professional and social events spent together, connections like these are often strong enough to last a lifetime.  

3) Professional Skills: Not only does the fraternity help us form bonds, but it teaches us vital skills that will be crucial to future career success. Many alumni site these skills as their top reason for giving back to the fraternity!  

4) Social Events: No matter how old you are, revisiting the old ‘stomping grounds’ to meet up with your old college buddies is always a good time! With the Alpha Mu Chapter, there will always be a group back at PSU to visit. Whether it be homecoming, a football game, or an alumni reunion, Alpha Mu Chapter alumni and brothers are present.  

It is time we thank the fraternity for all it has done for us. We give so that future generations can experience the same great benefits of brotherhood!  

 

With the professional guidance and financial support of brother Jason Borelli, ’94, whose son Drew is now a member and resident, the Board embarked on the following projects over the summer. We already had in hand a long list of deferred maintenance items and a project wish list.  The board began to elect some of the most pressing items that would immediately secure the building envelope and improve the environmental conditions inside the house.  But first, a local architect was hired to assess the property and create “as-built” drawings and documentation.

Thus far, we have replaced the troublesome thirty-six-year-old 70% efficient cast iron boiler, with two paralleled 95% efficient Weil-McLain condensing boilers.  This new system not only will save thousands of dollars in fuel costs over the years, but it also ensures the Chapter will always some heat rather than no heat in the unlikely event of one boiler having a maintenance issue.

The next large project was the replacement of the exhaust fans for the second and third floor bathrooms.  These fans and most of their respective duct work reside in the attic.  The existing fans were mid 1980’s vintage and one had failed.  It was a steamy year on the second floor.  We chose the same manufacturer as the old ones, Acme Engineering from Muskogee, Oklahoma.  They are 16” diameter low rpm in-line duct fans that will hopefully last another 30+ years.

In addition, a low-profile, stainless-steel mop sink has been added to the utility room, a much-needed addition for mop cleaning.

Wrapping up this week was the complete deep refinishing of the hardwood floors on the first floor.  The sanding took eight workdays and the four, color and composite polyurethane coatings took another two days to complete.

Also, we are replacing all rain gutters and downspouts and having the existing wood fascia wrapped with aluminum.  Six-inch commercial gutters and oversized downspouts are being installed.

On Monday, the masonry contractor will start the chimney repair project.  This will include extensive brick repointing, flashing, crown, and cap repair along with removable hard caps on all but one flue.  Beyond that we hope this same contractor can begin the long and involved brick repointing, and lintel and sill repairs this fall.  The completion of that monumental task will then allow us to address the water damaged interior plaster walls.

The architect has started the Borough submission procedure for the much-needed replacement and expansion of the parking lot.  This would add about seven or eight parking spaces.  The second part of the submission would include possible expansion of the “beach” concrete patio on the Garner Street side of the house.

Landscaping bids have been secured for tree and shrub removal, slope and swale regrading and a hard pipe storm water capture and dispersion system.

Party room ceiling and light fixture replacement could happen mid academic year.

Longer term, we need still to replace all the windows and doors in the house.

Again, a big thank you to brother Jason Borelli, ’94 for his financial support and project guidance!

 

TR

John & Anne Kieser, standing, 1933 Spring House Party

“My father was an Alpha Mu Pi Kapp in the early 30’s, per the above flicks. He and his future wife, my mother, attended a number of house parties. He always talked to me about Pi Kappa Phi and Penn State. I always thought I might want to go to college there and see what Pi Kappa Phi was like. After I did my preadmission visit to Penn State my father and mother took me out to the Chapter House. It was a Wednesday afternoon. T Burns greeted us at the door and took us around. I was really impressed with the house, the brothers I met and T Burns. We visited the Rod Room. After T’s tour and my visit to Penn State there was only one university and one fraternity where I wanted to go. I immediately knew that I was going to Penn State and that I was going to pledge Pi Kappa Phi. It was a decision I never regretted and one of the best decisions I have ever made. I have made so many life time friends from Pi Kappa Phi. What an incredible experience. The morning I was made a brother, there was my father, in front of me, congratulating me for being a brother.”

– John Kieser, 1970