ALPHA ETA GATOR A MAGAZINE FOR ALUMNI UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA ALPHA ETA GATOR WINTER 1998 *Published and paid for by the AH Alumni Club "IT'S BEEN A GOOD RUN, BUT THE COMPANY'S BEEN BETTER!" (THE GENETIC CODE IS BROKEN!) Again our actives have made us proud. With a ever know, planted a 3.103 GPA, Pi Kappa Alpha garnered second place on seedling from which the Greek academics list, only 1/100th of a point out of has grown the best 1st place! The Chapter plans on being 1st by the end of alumni club in the Spring Term (see list). nation. I recall in the You know, in 1989 when our Chapter was on its last mid-80's discussing leg to survive the reputation of being the campus tough with Zio Larry how guys and the bottom feeders academically, one could we could improve never have predicted our fate of the last two years of alumni relations; he continued to take grade superiority and intramural athletic prowess. Two pictures until he got the right one. You did it, prominent University officials suggested in 1990 that it Bro.! was time to "break the genetic code" of the Pikes. As The great silent steady one, Mike Metzler, made the hard as it was to accept that debasement and downright finances always come out right; after a few years, of threat, I now believe their perspective as administrators course. Mike's dedication to the Pike cause has been and educators was accurate. We all have benefitted. without parallel before my tenure. He has been a Thanks Art and Jim for your challenge. teacher, motivator and tides of good and bad news to Although it takes years longer to recapture a good many of our young ThCs and the Board. Thank you, reputation than create a bad one, our young Michael. representatives have achieved the right to proudly say a Jim Guy and Dave Houston take and took minutes new code opens the door at 1904. There have been of all the railing and riff-raff through the years, and many helpers along the way. I risk overlooking some actually preserved them in a legitimate form for the people, and for that I apologize now. But I will say my archives. I applaud their painstaking efforts to further mind because it must be said. the Alpha Eta legacy. Without Nancy Walrond (Mom) this The constant conscience of the Board, and to large reconstruction could not have taken place. Her extent the Chapter, comes as a package deal; a thirty willingness to work for little compensation initially and year deal: O.H. and A.Frank. Before my time, these two be the first house mother after 20 plus years of none, were shaking the Shield savoring the shining secret of and two years ahead of the University imposition, soldiers of the Blue Goose. I will never forget the Judge shined as our great advantage and trail-blazed us ahead explaining to a new member of the Board, who was the of all other fraternities at that time. sole opposing vote on an issue, that "he had better get I could tell some unbelievable stories of things that used to 8 to 1 votes." So succinct and to the point it visited Nancy. Someone with less character, talent, became a "Bench" mark for the group. And, yes, A. patience and forgiveness would have folded tent and Frank you have initiated almost half the members of kissed "phi phi" goodbye. I truly believe she bleeds Alpha Eta, of all time. Your next mission will be to have garnet and gold and orange and blue. performed a father and son initiation. Many people My next company faithful is Steve Beeland. His have searched for a type of friendship you two enjoy, knowledge of the system has been invaluable, and his unsuccessfully. wisdom a resource from which I constantly drew the Leo Rock, my mentor and predecessor, I respect the water to continue this run. Old evenhanded E. Stevens; respect you gave me to succeed you, and at times, have my true fraternity brother, friend, confidant and soul of respectfully wished your respect would have been the revolution, I can say its 40-love and you're serving. Larry Ramers, the "King," of what few people will (continued on page 2)