PI CHI OMEGA: Fond Memories, Great Expectations

Pi Chi Omega has been, for many industry professionals, an important source of technological information, camaraderie and fun. Knowing this, it’s no wonder members who have been involved with the fraternity for any length of time look back on its early days with fond memories. And, considering all the fraternity has stood for and still does, they look toward its future with great expectations.

"Over the years there was a shift in Pi Chi Omega," observes Dr. Austin Frishman of AMF Management Services, Inc., Boca Raton, Fla., who has been a member since 1965. Originally, he notes, the fraternity was made up of only entomologists. Then it included pest control people primarily around Purdue University, then entomologists all over the country. Finally, it included professionals from all over the industry. "All of those things have made the association more powerful," Frishman said, "because it’s more diverse."

Bill Clark of Bill Clark Pest Control, Beaumont, Texas, also joined the fraternity in 1965. He remembers the fraternity’s early members as largely "good old boys" just working to make a living. "I’ve seen them go from that to people who are well-educated, well-informed, well-meaning and what I perceive to be true professionals representing the industry at a level that couldn’t have been imagined 30 years ago," Clark said.

But while many aspects of the fraternity have changed over the years, some things have remained the same. For one thing, Pi Chi Omega has always served as a valuable communications network of professionals.

"The membership roster of Pi Chi Omega reads like a ‘Who’s Who’ in pest control when it comes to education and training," says Gordon Morrison, national sales and marketing manager for Clorox, Dallas, Texas, and a member since 1992. "Pi Chi Omega increases my interactions with industry experts, allowing me to seek advice and provide information."

Dr. Ralph Killough of Killo Exterminating Company, Charlotte, N.C., agrees. "It’s an exchange of ideas among professionals for the betterment of the industry," observes Killough, who has been a member since 1960.

Doug Seemann, American Environmental Services, Tucson, Ariz., especially values Pi Chi Omega’s market niche in the industry. "It’s really the only place entomologists can get together and network with each other and talk to their peers," he says. "There is no other organization for entomologists in the industry." Seemann joined the fraternity in 1991.

Besides serving as an important communications network, Pi Chi Omega has also allowed many members to create and maintain lasting friendships. "When you’re in the fraternity, you get to know people on a personal basis," Frishman notes. "It makes your life more pleasant knowing the people you work with professionally are such good people."

And for many members, being part of Pi Chi Omega is just plain fun. "The fun meetings account for some great memories," says Clark. "I go to those meetings and I just have a good time."

Because membership in the fraternity has always been by invitation only, many members feel honored to be a part of Pi Chi Omega, even those who have been involved since some of its earliest days.

"It’s nice to be a part of a group like Pi Chi Omega," said Norm Ehmann, vice president emeritus of Van Waters & Rogers, San Jose, Calif., a member since 1957. "It’s an honor, really, to be a member of the fraternity and I don’t take it lightly."