The Board of Directors of Gamma-Omicron, Inc. met as scheduled on April 19 in Lawrence to receive reports and conduct routine mid-year business of the corporation. Board membership has been reduced by the recent departure of David Edgar ’92, who has become a partner in a newly established family law firm that will consume his attention for the immediate future. We thank Dave for his years of service and wish him the best in his professional endeavors.

The active chapter and particularly the fall pledge class marked a sharp upswing in academic standings. This was a welcome turnaround from disappointing results last spring. Gamma-O is back in the middle of the academic pack and poised to break into the top quarter. Though the house occupancy rate fell, putting strains on the chapter’s financial operation and social activities, the chapter is not threatened financially The importance of exercising close control of expenses and conducting constant recruiting has been made clear to the young men leading the chapter.

In all other endeavors, the active chapter is clearly in excellent condition. Please see the undergraduate report on page 3 to learn about the chapter’s incredible successes and accomplishments!

We were pleased to have Matt Christensen, the recently appointed DGM for District XXXV, in attendance. Matt is a former U.S. Marine and an alumnus of Tulsa University, where he was initiated. He will be entering Law School at KU this fall after working in Kansas City. Matt is anticipating substantial association with Gamma-Omicron and was impressed with both our physical plant and the high quality of our chapter’s undergraduate leadership. The Board welcomes Matt’s enthusiasm and strong commitment to Kappa Sigma.

The Board was also very pleased to learn that our current House Director (Mom) Helen Lierz and our, cook, Cindy Post have accepted renewed contracts for the 2003-2004 academic year. Their years of experience and loyalty through both good and bad times are very much appreciated. The Board gratefully accepted an offer from an electrical contractor (the father of an active member) to donate and install a commercial grade in-ground spotlight to illuminate the flags on the recently erected flagpole.

Among other routine business, we authorized the change of property insurance carriers and the reduction of coverage limits. Research indicates that we can obtain fully adequate and comparable Guaranteed Replacement Cost Coverage for less than 50% of current policy costs. This projected saving, expected to exceed $12,000 annually, will provide some budget flexibility to deal with the increasing level of maintenance needed as the renovated property experiences the inevitable wear and tear of full use.

KU junior Jason Plagman ’01 was named Chapter Man of the Year for 2002-2003. He will be formally recognized at Homecoming ’03 for his outstanding achievements, which includes a 4.0 GPA. Suffice it to say that Gamma-Omicron is extremely proud of Jason and happy to note that both honorable mentions Clint Jones ’01 and Billy Brandtonies ’02 will be back as strong competitors for the coming year. The Board reauthorized the individual Academic Achievement Awards program and approved the offer of a Chapter Academic Incentive in the amount of $1,000 should the Chapter exceed the all-men’s GPA for the fall semester.

The Board approved a slate of nominees for induction into Gamma-Omicron’s Hall of Fame this fall. Our agent, Fraternity Management Group, will conduct interviews to ascertain the acceptance and availability of the candidates prior to a final vote of the Board and announcement of the ’03 inductions.

Lloyd Hanahan ’56, the corporation’s Treasurer and Chairman of Campaign, was directed by the Board to establish a committee to plan for the transition of the capital campaign into a permanent program to support Gamma Omicron’s Educational Foundation. With our mortgage now at an acceptable debt service level, it is time to turn alumni attention to funding a meaningful scholarship and financial assistance program for the Chapter. Other KU fraternities have found such programs to be not only a valuable recruiting incentive but also a way of producing quality membership, retaining active members in residence and reinforcing financial strength of the active chapter.

In summary, the state of the Corporation and the Chapter is strong! Let’s keep it that way!

- Fred K. Green ’61