Parkinson’s Disease (PD) is the second most common neurological disorder. Every year, approximately 60,000 new cases are added to the 6 million people already afflicted with PD. There is no known cure for this disease that has a devastating effect on the physical being of those affected.

One of those affected is Jerry Herman, Beta Pi ’72. Brother Herman has been an invaluable member of Beta Pi since the day he was initiated. During his undergraduate years, he held many positions of responsibility for his chapter. After graduation, he has been a loyal and active member of Pi Kappa Alpha at Beta Pi and as the Director of the Endowment Fund and Gift Acceptance Committee for Pi Kappa Alpha Inter/National. Brother Herman is also the sponsor of the Dave Herman Memorial Scholarship awarded each Founders Day.

Jerry’s wife, Linda, is a leader in raising money for research to find a cure, address therapeutic needs, and to ease the debilitating symptoms of those suffering from this insidious disease. Linda Herman’s team, the Hermanators, participates in the New England Parkinson’s Ride, a bicycle ride event that raises funds to be presented to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research (MJFF). The MJFF is at the forefront of funding research to combat PD.

On September 9, 2023, the annual bicycle ride took place. Linda Herman reports:

“What a wonderful weekend we had. 50 miles for some of us and 30 miles for others, and we all finished with a smile. The weather cooperated, with only a brief shower prior to the pre ride dinner and a sunny day for the day of the ride. Remnants of Hurricane Lee waited until the following weekend. Phew!

We did it! And thanks to all of you… ALL proceeds will go to support the Michael J. Fox Foundation’s research efforts to develop new and better treatment options and ultimately a cure for Parkinsons.”

With the help of many Beta Pi brothers, the Hermanators were able to raise over $30,000 to date, far exceeding their pre-race goal of $20,000. Beta Pi brothers who donated are:

Joel Catania ’71	Joseph Di Mauro ’75	Paul Reszutek ‘76
Paul Zaentz ’69	Harvey Mackler ’72	Rich Sussman ‘69
Louis Tarnoff ’72	Michael Benator ’74	Mark Lopatin ‘76
David Edman ’73	Jake Levine ’70	Gary Sachs ‘74
Morty Cohen ’65	Richard Silver ’74	Jerry Goldberg ‘74
Fred Rubin ‘80

If you donated but are not listed above, please excuse the omission. Linda adds, “The Hermanators thank you all for your generosity and support. Every dollar counts.”

Should you wish to donate, it is not too late. Donations can be made on Linda’s donation page at www.give.michaeljfox.org/fundraiser/4588486.

Beta Pi brothers have repeatedly answered the question of why it is important to give back to Pi Kappa Alpha and said it was because of how much the fraternity changed their lives. PiKA 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 as alumni, and with the next generation of students.

While the PiKA 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 Alpha brothers.

Your financial contribution to Pi Kappa Alpha at the University of Pennsylvania does more than honor these ideals. It perpetuates the lifelong impact that PiKA 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 Beta Pi membership have a positive influence on 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 and to keeping you informed about the impact of your support.     

The 2023 PIKE Now Chapter Challenge commenced on September 1, 2023. Originally founded in 2021 with the intention to deal with the negative effects of COVID-19, the event has been a tremendous success. The event was brought back in 2022 by Pi Kappa Alpha Inter/Nat’l (PiKA Memphis) to provide an enhanced emphasis on health and safety standards for its undergraduate brothers. Over $400,000 was raised in 2022. Donations received during the current PIKE Now Chapter Challenge will be used to safeguard the Pike experience for PiKA student leaders by enabling them to afford attendance at annual fraternity functions.

Last year, Beta Pi was the only Pi Kappa Alpha chapter permitted to use half of the Beta Pi donations to pay for travel and hotel expenses for their members in the 2023 year. The serious issue of how to afford hotel costs has been addressed by PiKA Memphis by expanding last year’s trial program to all chapters that raise $5,000+. These chapters will receive a 3-night hotel stay at the historic Peabody Hotel in Memphis for the Chapter Executives Conference. All Chapter Teams that raise $10,000+ will receive an additional 4-night hotel stay for the Oklahoma City Convention in 2024.  

You can view how the Beta Pi Chapter Team is doing and be able to donate by going to www.pikes.org/chapterteams. When donating, please cite Bruce Wolfson as Ambassador/Fundraiser.

Pi Kappa Alpha Inter/National has recently released its Annual Report for 2022. Besides commenting on the financial state of the fraternity, the report updates various departments, committees, events, and initiatives on the national level for the coming year.

Perhaps the most intriguing of the new initiatives is the creation of the Pi Kappa Alpha Historical Society (PiKA HS) whose logo includes the mission of this new endeavor, “Preserve & Protect”. Founders Day 2022 marked the date fund-raising began for the first three projects of the PiKA HS: creating digital archives, funding the salary of a professional archivist, and completing the digitization of PiKA’s Gold Star Heroes. In its first year of operation, the newly created Historical Society Board of Directors, with Bruce Wolfson, Beta Pi ’71, as one of the six directors, has raised $185,000.

The PIKE Now Chapter Challenge raised over $400,000 for the benefit of undergraduate members to attend PIKE University and other annual events. The Beta Pi team, having raised $20,366, ranked third among all PiKA chapters in total funds raised. Bruce Wolfson ’71 ranked third among all “Ambassadors” for his ability to spread the message and secure donations.

PIKE University, the premier fraternity-sponsored leadership program in America, sponsors events and regional summits at eight different locations across the United States. All PiKA undergraduates are encouraged to attend these events to learn how to successfully operate a chapter and for their own personal growth. The Annual Report notes that over $1.2 million was dispensed during 2022 toward educational facilities grants, academic scholarships, support for PIKE University, and international programming. 

In the Annual Report, PiKA’s leaders emphasize that PiKA “has made a long-term commitment to setting a new standard of ambition, accountability, and inclusion for ourselves and for all fraternities”. To accomplish this, PiKA has established five “strategic initiatives”:

Drive Impact on the Individual. PiKA seeks personal and professional growth for its members. It already has the best educational system of all fraternities and seeks to make it better by digitizing the “True Pike Experience (TPE) four-year development program”.

Build a Lifelong Fraternal Experience. PiKA seeks to create “opportunities for mentoring, career networking, and relevance”. In addition, the formation of the PiKA HS will preserve PiKA’s history and showcase our founding values.

Recommit to Health and Safety. PiKA will promote educational programs to deal with serious issues involving fraternities and their members including mental health, substance abuse, hazing, and sexual assault.

Demonstrate & Promote Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. PiKA will direct recruitment of diverse new members and create an “environment where all members have a strong sense of belonging”.

Achieve Operational Success. PiKA seeks to ensure that its members have the infrastructure, tools, and support systems in place to improve their chapters in effectiveness, productivity, and operational success.

All five initiatives have already been started by the establishment of committees and groups within PiKA itself and/or partnership with outside entities that specialize in these areas.

The President’s Council has been PiKA’s most prestigious donor group. To become a member of President’s Council, a member must pledge a minimum donation of $1000 each year. With 12 members, Beta Pi has the third largest group of all chapters. Beta Pi members are:

Joel Catania ’71                            Dave Edman ’75                                          Mitch Goldsmith ‘72

Jeff Kaufman ’80                         Harvey Mackler ’72                                  Adam Michaels ‘97

Rich Myers ’69                              Bill Scott ’76                                                  Kaden Stenger ‘19

Rich Sussman ’69                        Bruce Wolfson ’71                                     Paul Zaentz ‘69

In terms of contributions to the Pi Kappa Alpha Foundation that are unrestricted for use by PiKA, 46 Beta Pi donors comprise the third largest number of donors of all chapters.

To conclude the 2022 Annual Report, Pi Kappa Alpha announced that the Foundation for Fraternity Excellence, a trade association for over 100 fraternities and sororities, awarded PiKA two of their nine annual awards. PiKA received the Best Communications Effort Award for its 2021 Annual Report and the Best New Development Idea Award for the creation of the Pi Kappa Alpha Historical Society and the Founders Day of Giving that was launched to raise funds for the Historical Society.

Photo by Silas Barker

Working for one of the leading institutes in the field of healthcare research and development is Dr. James Grant Keck, Beta Pi ’75. He is presently the Senior Director of Innovation and Product Development at JAX Mice Clinical and Research Services (JMCRS) for The Jackson Laboratory (JAX) in Sacramento, California.

After graduating from Penn, brother Keck earned a Master’s degree in Microbiology at North Carolina State University and his Ph.D. in Microbiology at the University of Southern California.

His career path started as a scientist at Tularik, South San Francisco, California, where he developed new methods for the identification of inhibitors in the treatment of HIV and created new methods to enhance strategies in the treatment of certain diseases including respiratory virus.

Following Tularik, he became a leader at Berlex in Richmond, California, where he helped form and then supervise a department of scientists, biochemists, and virologists, involved in the treatment of disease.

He then founded Strata Biosciences, located in Alameda, California, and assumed the position of chief scientist to develop the use of gene knockouts and expression in the field of gene research.

This led to a position of Senior Director Discovery at GeneTrace Systems, Alameda, California, furthering his personal knowledge and experience in gene research that would aid in the treatment of certain diseases.

He was then hired as and appointed Vice President Biology at Telik, Inc. in Palo Alto, California, where he supervised a group of more than 30 scientists specializing in biochemistry, cellular and molecular biology, and animal pharmacology. His leadership resulted in successful studies and research in the area of drug identification. 

After more than 12 years at Telik, he joined the Jackson Laboratory, initially as Senior Director, In Vivo Pharmacology, and then as Senior Director for JMCRS. Over the years, brother Keck and his associates have been granted two patents in his field. Other patent applications are pending. His brilliance and success have resulted in a special award. As described by Joyce Dall’Acqua Peterson, in a September 23, 2021, press release, “Jackson Laboratory President and CEO Edison Liu, M.D., has designated James Keck, Ph.D., as the first-ever President’s Innovation Fellow. JAX recently established the award to recognize highly impactful innovation and creation of intellectual property by non-faculty JAX employees. The award highlights the scientific impact and economic value created through research and product development conducted at JAX. Much of the output of this effort is then shared via JMCRS with the global biomedical research community. Keck works with immune-deficient mice developed at JAX, which may be supplemented with human stem cells or immune cells for the purpose of replicating the human immune system in a mouse for studies of cancer, immunology and infectious diseases such as HIV-AIDS or COVID-19. Keck is creating mouse-based experimental platforms that enable pharmaceutical researchers to simultaneously evaluate both the safety and efficacy of a given treatment against the genetic profile of a specific patient’s tumor or other tissues.”

The many years of work in the biotech industry prepared brother Keck for his position with JAX. He explains his past employment makes him “relatively unique at JAX, in that I actually worked in industry. I worked in start-up companies, biotechs and pharmaceutical companies doing drug discovery. I saw at JAX the opportunity to develop their mouse platforms as a tool for drug discovery. Our group tries to anticipate where these industries are going to be in three years. We don’t wait and then develop something when they need it. We anticipate it, build it, strengthen it, and then when it’s needed, they embrace it. We try to be on the crest of the wave.”

Peterson presents a brief history of JAX, “JAX was founded in 1929 in Bar Harbor, Maine, as one of the first cancer genetics research institutions. The research faculty has grown to more than 70 principal investigators, whose studies of cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, diabetes and many other diseases and conditions are funded by research grants from the National Institutes of Health.”

To receive such personal recognition, bestowed by a prestigious institution such as JAX, is an honor few attain. Congratulations to brother Keck on his accomplishments and his successful career.  

The Scott A. Mackler Memorial 5K Run/Walk (Mackler 5K) is now scheduled for Sunday, November 5, 2023, 12:30pm, at Temple Beth El, 301 Possum Park Road, Newark, Delaware. All proceeds and donations of the Mackler 5K are given to The ALS Association Greater Philadelphia Chapter (ALS Philadelphia). ALS Philadelphia administers these contributions in support of the Scott A. Mackler, MD, Ph.D., Assistive Technology Program.

ALS (Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) is better known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease. It is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that leads to paralysis due to the death of motor neurons in the spinal cord and brain. There is presently no cure.

Scott Mackler, Beta Pi ’77, a medical doctor and brilliant scientist, contracted ALS while doing research at the University of Pennsylvania’s School of Medicine to find a cure for cocaine addiction. He valiantly fought the effects of ALS for many years. During this time, he was able to continue his employment due to the existence of advanced technology that provided the tools and devices enabling him to continue his research. Prior to his unfortunate demise, Scott was featured on the 60 Minutes television program highlighting the technical advances that had been made to ease the pain, discomfort, and inability to communicate for people living with ALS, a highly debilitating disease.

Among the assistive technology devices presently available through ALS Philadelphia are remote door chimes to call for help, control units that provide hands-free access to electrical devices, electronic devices that enable ALS sufferers to read books, communication devices that convey messages, and computers with voice output and the ability to access the internet.

The Mackler 5K was created by Scott Mackler, Scott’s brother, Harvey Mackler, Beta Pi ’72, and the entire Mackler family. Harvey has personally planned, organized, and managed every running of this “Race against ALS” that is now in its’ 23rd year. Scott’s sons, Alexander and Noah, have enthusiastically and successfully assumed management of the event. Over these years, nearly $3,000,000 has been raised by the Mackler 5K. Harvey and Scott’s sons ensure that every dollar raised is given to ALS Philadelphia to provide the assistive devices needed by sufferers of ALS.

If you wish to honor the legacy of Scott A. Mackler and provide help that allows those stricken with ALS to endure the debilitating effects of this disease, please donate to this extremely worthy cause. You can reach the Pi Kappa Alpha team donations page at this website: 

http://scottmackler5k.com/

It is with deep regret to report the passing of the following Beta Pi fraternity brothers into Chapter Eternal:

As reported in the March/April 2023 issue of The Pennsylvania Gazette:
Robert S. Morrison ‘73

As reported in the July/August issue of The Pennsylvania Gazette:
Allan J. Ford ‘48
George J. Bender ‘56
Dr. Howard Myers ‘59                                                                                                                                   

We wish to extend our deepest sympathies to the families, friends, and loved ones of our dear departed brothers.

2023-2024 Newly Elected Officer Reporting

Elected Positions

1. President – Justin Wang 
2. External Vice President – Phillip Trieu
3. Internal Vice President – Nick Snyder
4. VP of New Member Education – Luke Baber
5. VP Membership Development – Luke Baber
6. Treasurer – Matt Bae
7. Secretary – Jose Garza 
8. Seargent at Arms – Jalen Patel 
9. House Manager – Ryan Patino
10. Health & Safety Officer – TBD
11. Brother at Large – Jaume Pujadas

Scott Mackler 5K

The annual Scott Mackler MD PhD 5K run/walk (Mackler 5K) will take place at Temple Beth El in Newark, Delaware, on Sunday, November 5, 2023. The event was created by Harvey Mackler, Beta Pi ’72, and the Mackler family, to honor the legacy of Scott Mackler, Beta Pi ’77. All donations received are for the benefit of the ALS Association of Greater Philadelphia (ALS Philadelphia). The Scott A. Mackler, MD, PhD, Assistive Technology Program provides people with ALS the ability to access assistive technology devices and services that are often not covered by insurance policies. Additionally, the program ensures that assistive technology services are an integral part of ALWS clinics and centers certified by The ALS Association. 

Please find it in your heart to donate your time and/or monetary donation to ensure the continued success of this event that is nearly 25 years-old. Donations can be sent to ALS Philadelphia at www.ScottMackler5k.com.

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It’s a Small World Department

Morty Cohen ’65 offers the following as proof it is a small world we live in:

“In December 2006, my son Jeffrey and his fiancée Ellen decided to have a destination wedding on St. Thomas Island in the U.S. Virgin Islands. To preside over the wedding ceremony, they needed a Rabbi. St. Thomas only had one Rabbi.

Before the wedding ceremony, the Rabbi had Jeffrey and Ellen sign a Ketubah, the Jewish contract of marriage. He then asked them some questions regarding their families to familiarize himself with the soon-to-be married couple to enable him to personalize the ceremony. One of the things he wanted to know was where their parents were from. Jeffrey remembered that I was from Lynbrook, a small village on Long Island, New York. When the Rabbi asked for the address, Jeffrey did not know. When I arrived later to meet the Rabbi, he asked me where I grew up in Lynbrook. I answered Canterbury Gate, a three-block-long street of one-family homes.

It seems the Rabbi, who was a little older than me, grew up on Canterbury Gate, only one block away from me, and we overlapped the time we lived there.

I thought to myself it’s a small world.”

If any reader enjoyed this story and has experienced his own “small world” occurrence, please email it to Morty Cohen at [email protected]. Put “Beta Pi” on the subject line.

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New President for Undergraduate Members is Installed at Beta Pi

Justin Wang, Beta Pi ’22, has been elected and installed as the new President of our undergraduate chapter. Prior to becoming President, Justin was the Alumni Relations Chairman.

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Beta Pi Seniors Have Their Photo Published

Beta Pi’s 2023 graduating Alpha Delta New Member class gathered on Locust Walk for a group photo on Commencement Day. Thanks to John Strong (Lehigh, Gamma Lambda ‘97), the photo was published in the Pi Kappa Alpha internet Message to all PIKE Volunteers.

Congratulations and best wishes to all our graduating seniors.

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Family Milestone

Congratulations to Beta Pi Alumni Association President Ross Weiner ’80 and his wife Lisa Goldstein on the recent University of Pennsylvania graduation of their son Josh. Best wishes to Josh in all his future endeavors.

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Warning

A warning to all undergraduate and alumni brothers who received Beta Pi 100-year Anniversary glass beer mugs. DO NOT PUT THE MUG IN A DISHWASHER OR SCRUB HARD TO CLEAN IT. It has been reported that the embossed design on the mug will come off. If you need to clean it, gently wash it by hand and pat dry.

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Tony Bennett Recorded an Album for Fantasy Records

Prior to becoming a major player in the film industry as Fantasy Films, winner of three Academy Awards (Oscars) for best film of the year, Paul Zaentz ’69 and his family at Fantasy Records had the opportunity to produce and release a duet album featuring Tony Bennett and jazz pianist Bill Evans in 1975.            

At that time, Fantasy had Creedence Clearwater Revival under contract and was the major source for jazz music in the United States. During his approximate 70-year career in show business, Mr. Bennett made over 150 recordings. One was with Fantasy Records. When his relationship with Columbia Records soured, he decided to start his own label, Improv Records. Mr. Bennett teamed with Bill Evans, who was signed at Fantasy Records, to record as a duet on two recordings. One was released by Improv, the other was released by Fantasy.

Photo courtesy of Holland & Knight

The Best Lawyers in America has named Leon Fresco, Beta Pi ’97, as one of the best lawyers in the field of immigration law for the years 2020-2023.

Prior to receiving his latest honor, brother Fresco has received many other honors and awards during his years of law practice. These include, but are not limited to, being named South Florida’s Most Effective Pro Bono Lawyer by the Daily Business Review for the years 2006 to 2009, Immigration Trailblazer by the National Law Journal in 2018, and one of Washington, D.C.’s most prominent lawyers in Super Lawyers magazine in 2020.

At Penn, Leon was a member of the new member group that brought Pi Kappa Alpha back to the University and the chapter house at 3916 Spruce Street. He was very active with the chapter and served as President of Beta Pi. After graduating from Penn, he attended Yale Law School. After law school, brother Fresco was a law clerk to the Hon. Daniel T. K. Hurley of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida and was associated with the prominent national law firm of Holland & Knight LLC.

He then served as staff director for the U.S. Senate Judiciary Subcommittee. In this capacity, he was a major advisor to the Subcommittee’s chairman, New York Senator Chuck Schumer. He advised Senator Schumer on matters relating to immigration law, refugees, and border security. He was a direct contributor to drafting legislation, including the Border Security, Economic Opportunity and Immigration Modernization Act, the James Zagroda 9/11 Health and Compensation Reauthorization Act, and the Emergency Border Security Supplemental Appropriations Act.

Following his stint with Senator Schumer, brother Fresco was the Deputy Assistant Attorney General for the Office of Immigration Litigation. In this position, he was responsible for all Federal civil immigration litigation that included involvement of the Department of Justice, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the U.S. Department of Labor, and the U.S. Department of State. He was supervising more than 350 attorneys handling almost 10,000 cases per year.

After his departure from government service, brother Fresco rejoined Holland & Knight, as a partner, where he has represented businesses, universities, and individuals, in matters that his expertise and experience in immigration law prove useful. He is a frequent commentator on the Bloomberg Law Podcast regarding immigration matters and has been an adjunct professor at the George Washington University Law School and the American University, Washington College of Law.

Congratulations to brother Fresco in a most distinguished and accomplished career.     

The HERMANATORS ride against Parkinson’s Disease on September 09, 2023, to honor brother JERRY H. HERMAN, Beta Pi ’72. The HERMANATORS will gather once again to ride in the New England Parkinson Ride in Orchard Beach, Maine. Parkinson’s Disease (PD) is the second most common neurological disorder. Every year, approximately 60,000 new cases are added to the 6 million people already afflicted with PD. There is no known cure for this disease that has a devastating effect on the physical being of those affected. One of those affected is Jerry H. Herman. Brother Herman has been an invaluable member of Beta Pi since the day he was initiated. During his undergraduate years, he held many positions of responsibility for his chapter. After graduation, he has been a loyal and active member of Pi Kappa Alpha Beta Pi and as Director of Endowment Fund and Gift Acceptance Committee for Pi Kappa Alpha International. Brother Herman is also the sponsor of the Dave Herman Memorial Scholarship awarded each Founders Day. Jerry’s wife, Linda, is a leader in raising money for research to find a cure, address therapeutic needs, and to ease the debilitating symptoms of those suffering from this insidious disease.

Linda Herman’s team, the HERMANATORS, participates in the New England Parkinson’s Ride, a bicycle ride event that raises funds for the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research (MJFF). The MJFF is at the forefront of funding for PD research. Beta Pi can be proud of previous years donors for their generosity to this worthy cause. If you wish to join Beta Pi brothers, in the battle to eliminate PD and in honor of Jerry Herman, you can do so at Linda Herman’s donation page at: www.give.michaeljfox.org/fundraiser/4588486

The Hermanators Ride Against Parkinsons Disease 

On September 9, 2023, the Annual New England Parkinsons Ride will be held. In honor of Jerry Herman ‘72, lifelong friend to so many Beta Pi brothers and longtime supporter of his beloved fraternity, Pi Kappa Alpha, a group of bicyclists named The Hermanators will ride the course. The Hermanators team is a labor of love organized by Jerry’s wife, Linda, and all funds, raised by the cyclists and non-cyclist donors to The Hermanator team, will benefit the Michael J. Fox Foundation for research toward a cure. 

Further details to follow will advise how you can make your personal donation and join the fight against Parkinsons.    

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It’s a Small World Department 

Paul Zaentz ’69 offers the following as proof it is a small world we live in: 

“Last week I was in Prague celebrating the 40th anniversary of when we filmed Amadeus there. Back in 1983 every business in what was then Czechoslovakia was owned by the communist government which for restaurants meant its employees were paid the same whether they were full or had no customers and therefore there was no incentive to provide good service. There was one exception, the Opera Grill. By the manner in which he treated his patrons, I knew that the elderly man who was in charge of the restaurant must have owned it before it was taken over by the government. The Opera Grill also had a piano player and the first song he played every night was Don’t Fence Me In – I knew that was a political statement. In 2007 when we were in Prague for the premiere of Goyas Ghosts, Milos Forman (Director) took me to one of his favorite restaurants, the Blue Duckling. Last week I ate there 3 times. The duck was superb and the piano player was sublime. At the end of my third meal, I spoke to the pianist and started to tell him about my experiences at the Opera Grill. As soon as I mentioned its name he started to quiver. When I spoke of the piano player he started to cry – the piano player was his grandfather. I got goosebumps.” 

If any reader enjoyed this story and has experienced his own “small world” occurrence, please email it to Morty Cohen at [email protected]. Put “Beta Pi” on the subject line.   

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Andy Slavitt Quoted in New York Times 

The writers of a front-page article in the New York Times issue of May 6, 2023, concerning the pending resignation of the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Dr. Rochelle Walensky, sought the opinion of Andy Slavitt, Beta Pi ’85, a trusted advisor on healthcare to three Presidents. He was also the former Acting Administrator (Director) of the Federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). 

Brother Slavitt was the subject of the leading article in the Beta Pi April 2023 eletter. Now, less than a month later, he was asked to comment on the demands of the job faced by Dr. Walensky at the CDC. The New York Times article read: 

“Andy Slavitt, a key advisor on the White House Covid-19 team in 2021, praised Dr. Walensky’s efforts to do a job ‘that’s easy to criticize and tough to do. 

You show up in an emergency status with a specific job to do,’ he added. ‘It’s almost like a mission, with a beginning and end. Even though she was running an agency, during wartime is different than running an agency during peacetime.’ “ 

The New York Times could not have chosen a better source for information regarding healthcare in the United States. 

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Joe Klein Guests on MSNBC Live 

On May 15, 2023, Joe Klein, Beta Pi ’65, appeared as a guest political commentator on MSNBC Live’s “morning joe” show.  

A best-selling author of the novel Primary Colors and a former columnist for both Time and Newsweek magazines, Joe has often appeared on Sunday morning news panel shows for CNN and MSNBC. This particular morning, he was asked to explain why ex-President Trump continues to have favorable ratings despite his well-publicized troubles. 

Joe offers his opinion that the media, by avoiding Trump as a news item and being dismissive of him, is to blame for his continued popularity. He also criticizes the media for failing to confront Trump with “hard” questions during interviews. Also, when they do question Trump, the media should use language the American public understands. For example, do not describe migrants at our borders as “undocumented”, they are “illegal”, and “gender affirming treatment” should be called a “sex change”. The media should relate to the public on their level by using their language.  

Any time you have the opportunity to view Joe Klein on these shows, keep your hands off the remote. His opinions will always be informative and entertaining.   

Photo by Anna Vazhaeparambil, courtesy of The Daily Pennsylvanian.

In the May 11, 2023, issue of The Daily Pennsylvanian (DP), Jonah Charlton, Beta Pi ’20, relates his involvement with the DP. He explains how the DP and his associates at the DP have meant so much to him in terms of personal growth and achievement. 

Jonah describes his first writing assignment. He was embraced by the staff associates who worked closely with him to prepare his article prior to its appearance in the DP. During this time, he was able to observe how an article must pass through a series of protocols before being accepted for placement in the DP. When he saw the final product on the front page, he was both shocked and thrilled. He felt that he was now a part of the Penn community and understood how a written article must follow a series of protocols before it can be in print. 

Jonah takes pride in “becoming editor-in-chief, helping to lead coverage of the COVID-19 pandemic for two years, and overhauling our daily newsletter to create a more personal feel”. Most of all, the relationships he has with his associates at the DP will be remembered for life and forms the foundation for what he has become: “the teammate, the editor, the friend”.  

He has carried over his ability to make lifelong friends with his fraternity brothers. The friendship and respect he found at the fraternity is exemplified by his selection at Founders Day as the “Gentleman” in the SLAG Awards and as their choice to be the recipient of the Scott Mackler True Grit Award.     

Our congratulations to Jonah for an exemplary four years at Penn.  

To read the article, please click on this link.

Parker Weil ‘85 provides a photo depicting a small Beta Pi alumni gathering in front of the PiKA sign in Vail, Colorado 2016. The smiling avid skiers in attendance were, from left to right in the photo: Scott Tolchin ’86, Jeff Serota ’85, Rob Katz ’85, Mark Stein ’87, Parker Weil ’85, Brad Silver ’86, and Steven Wayne ’85.        

If you have photo(s) that you would like to appear in a Beta Pi eletter, please send them to Morty Cohen at [email protected]. Put “Beta Pi” on the subject line.   

  

Pictured above: Class of 1973

The University City Sheraton Hotel was the perfect facility for Founders Day. On April 1, 2023, alumni brothers came from far away locations, such as Tennessee, Florida, Massachusetts, Canada, Ohio, District of Columbia, and California, to attend. 

A lively cocktail hour began the evening in a large event room replete with chairs, tables, and an open bar. All agreed it was a more comfortable setting than the hallway the Inn at Penn formerly provided us for our Founders Day cocktail hours. After the cocktail hour, approximately 60 undergraduates and alumni found their way to a different ballroom to continue the evening activities. 

The agenda started with Ross Weiner ’80, Beta Pi Alumni Association (Beta Pi AA) President, providing opening remarks and a brief update on the status of Beta Pi AA. Thanks to the generosity of many alumni donors, the Beta Pi AA has been able to enhance alumni connections through ten eLetters and two printed newsletters, Slices of Beta Pi, each year. 

Jack Kollmar ’20, current President of the undergraduate members, brought everyone up to date on the status of the fraternity on campus. Due to COVID-19 and restrictions placed on all fraternities at Penn, the active brothers face challenges that Beta Pi has previously never had to face. Though the active brotherhood lost focus, with the help of Pi Kappa Alpha Inter/National (PiKA Memphis) and the Beta Pi Alumni Advisory Board, there is a strong commitment to making sure Beta Pi will successfully remain on campus despite the obstacles placed on all fraternities at Penn. 

A buffet dinner followed. The Sheraton supplied brisket, chicken, fish, and an array of salads, vegetables, and desserts, to satisfy even the hungriest of PiKA brothers.

After dinner, Bruce Wolfson ’71 provided an update on PiKA Memphis. Bruce mentioned that the hazing death of a Pi Kappa Alpha new member at Bowling Green State University in Ohio has been appropriately addressed by PiKA Memphis leaders. PiKA, that has an absolute zero tolerance for hazing, has sued the perpetrators at Bowling Green. Bruce reminded everyone, that for several years, PiKA Memphis employs Kim Novak, the foremost hazing expert in the country who oversees PiKA’s educational programs against hazing.  

Jonah Charlton ’20 then introduced the four latest initiates into Beta Pi: Ernesto Baci from Albania, Kai Mai from Philadelphia, Vishakh Arora from California, and Daniel Hwang from Maryland. 

Jonathan Kim ’21 and Jose Garza ’22 presented the SLAG Awards to: 

Scholar: David Todaro ‘20 

Leader: Protik Nandy ‘20 

Athlete: James Champion ‘20 

Gentleman: Jonah Charlton ‘20 

Justin Wang ’22 presented the Alumni Appreciation Award to Bruce Wolfson ’71. This award was particularly deserving as Bruce was able to convince the PiKA Memphis leaders to allow, as a pilot program, a substantial amount of the donations made, through PiKA Memphis by Beta Pi brothers, to be set aside for travel and housing expenses of our undergraduate members to attend PIKE University and other annual educational programs sponsored by PiKA Memphis. For years, Beta Pi has lobbied for these changes. Hopefully, this program will be extended beyond this year. Kudos to Bruce as Beta Pi is the only chapter in all of Pi Kappa Alpha permitted to help their undergraduates in this manner.  

Everyone was pleased to spend time with Jerry Herman ’72, a lifelong friend of so many brothers and long-time leader at Beta Pi and PiKA Memphis, who made the difficult journey from his home to attend. Jerry asked Bruce Wolfson to present the Dave Herman Award, given in honor of Jerry’s father who was the oldest initiate into Beta Pi. The winner of the $500 award was Alex Sun ’20. 

Harvey Mackler ’72 then presented the Scott Mackler True Grit Award, named for his brother and our fraternity brother who fought a valiant battle against ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. Scott’s achievements received national attention when he was featured on the 60 Minutes television show. The winner of this $750 award was Jonah Charlton ’20.  

On behalf of the Beta Pi AA, Morty Cohen ’65 made a special presentation to Jack Kollmar ’20 of a plaque honoring Julia Wellons. Julia was the first chef in the new chapter house at 3916 Spruce Street. She prepared meals for generations of PiKAs from 1969 to 1989. Over that time, she formed a special bond with the brothers of PiKA, whom she fondly referred to as “her boys”. The plaque will be placed outside the entrance to the kitchen and reads, “In memory of Julia Wellons who served her boys the finest meals on campus 1969 to 1989”.   

Alumni Loyalty Awards were handed out by Joel Catania’71 to Dave Edman, Paul Newman, and Tom Neesen, all ‘73 initiates for 50 years of devotion to Beta Pi. Recipients of 55-year certificates went to Mark Perna and Peter Vogt, both ’68 initiates. Peter and Mark were first year residents of the new chapter house at 3916 Spruce Street. The former chapter house at 3900 Locust Street had already been demolished. Mark and Peter gave impromptu speeches detailing how the new house was not yet ready and for three months they had to live in a condemned building at 30th and Walnut Street that was owned by Penn. This building had boarded-up windows and all the doors inside the building had been removed. They affectionately named the temporary dwelling as “the slum”. 

Following the singing of traditional Pi Kappa Alpha songs, Jack Kollmar ’20 thanked everyone for coming and asked that all return next year for another Founders Day to renew old friendships and to honor our fraternity.   

It is with great honor that we announce the newest fraternity alums! We reached out to our newest grads and asked them what they gained from Pi Kappa Alpha, why they joined, and where they are headed after graduation. Join us in welcoming them to the alumni brotherhood! 

Jacob Yacuboski

Adam Salahdine

Alex Sun – Norwood, PA: “Joining PIKE my Freshmen year was the most uncertain, yet rewarding experience at my time in college. I have met the most diverse group of brothers that I, without a doubt, can call some of my long-term friends. Pike has taught me how care and compassion go a long way in succeeding both academically and interpersonally. The support and guidance from many brothers and alumni have paved a clearer path in what I value and aim to do in the future. I hope to carry these friendships with me to New York after graduation and stay in touch and mentor new generations of Pikes. “

Arjun Shukla

David Todaro – Haddon Heights, NJ: “I joined Pike for the brotherhood and the sense of community it seemed to showcase during my freshman year. From my time in Pike, I have gained the ability to network, improved my leadership skills, and created lasting friendships that I will cherish for the rest of my life. After I graduate, I will be attending veterinary school.”

Elias Mimouni: “I joined PIKE because I wanted to meet a group of guys committed to excellence and willing to create a community that is welcoming and proponents for future care. My brothers here have been the most supportive. Especially feeling as I have came from a very specific background I have received but support throughout my time here. I feel like I have developed a number of strong relationships that will last lifelong and I have also gained a more professional mindset having shared so much with others that are very driven and motivated for success. I hope to pursue medicine in my future.”

 

Humberto Caballero – Brownsville, TX (above): “I joined PIKE in order to connect with and make life-long friendships with men of honor, integrity, and valor, and that is exactly what I found. Even more, I grew more in my time here that I could have imagined, and was pushed and challenged to become the best version of myself. For that, and much more, I know that my time here has prepared me not just for my future career as a lawyer, but for life itself.”

Jacob Keller – Port Washington, NY

 

James Champion – Edinburg, TX (above): “I joined PIKE to make real, genuine connections with some of the best and brightest at my university. It is impossible to list everything I gained from such an enriching membership, but it is safe to say that I learned lengths about friendship, my personal and professional aspirations, and the type of leader I want to become. As I near the end of my college career and begin to explore adult life, I can only hope to find a community that cultivates the growth and happiness that being a member of PIKE Beta Pi provided.”

Jonah Charlton – Skokie, IL 

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Matthew Sheeler – Halifax, PA (above): “Coming to Penn, I really had no clue about what Greek Life was all about, and did not really have any intentions to find out. I quickly was connected with some PIKE brothers upon arriving on campus through mutual friends, and really found them to be down to Earth and approachable, something that I welcomed while in a new place. I decided to eventually join PIKE because of how close I saw all of the upperclassmen were, and new that it couldn’t hurt to see if it was for me. Fast forward four years, and I have found some of the best friends I could have ever asked for. I obviously had a lot of fun along the way, but getting to meet people from diverse backgrounds different from my small town upbringing has been incredibly rewarding. After graduating, I will be heading to New York City to start my career in environmental economics as a utilities and renewable energy consultant for Guidehouse. And I’m lucky enough to say that I’m taking these friendships with me and will be living with some of my PIKE brothers while doing so.”

 

Nicholas Imam – New York, NY (above): “From NYC studying Finance. Working in consulting after graduation and interested in startups. I joined PIKE for the community and the people and gained deep friendships along the way.”

Protik Nandy

Prior to the Founders Day celebration dinner on April 1, 2023, the annual meeting of Beta Pi and the Alpha Phi Delta Housing Corp. took place at the Sheraton Hotel University City.  

In attendance at the meeting were: 

Joel Catania ’71	Morty Cohen ’65	Bill Kenney ‘69
Bruce Wolfson ’71	Mark Perna ’68	Rich Sussman ‘69
Lucas Loschiavo ’21	Jonathan Kim ’21	Jack Kollmar ’20
Harvey Mackler ’72	Ross Weiner ’80	Richard Myers ‘69
Cameron Harrington ’21	Paul Zaentz ’69	Dave Edman ‘73
Nicholas Snyder ’22

 

Also in attendance was the chairman of the Beta Pi Advisory Board, John Strong from Gamma Lambda chapter. 

Beta Pi Alumni Association President Ross Weiner chaired the meeting. The meeting focused on the current state of the chapter on Penn’s campus.  

A presentation was made by John Strong on the ability of the undergraduates to satisfy the residency requirements of the University of Pennsylvania at the chapter house. Maintaining a full house has been difficult since the University’s mandate that no sophomores at Penn may reside in fraternity houses.   

The current undergraduate President, Jack Kollmar, advised the alumni that current undergraduate members of the fraternity have not been efficient in managing the house and there are problems. A representative of Pi Kappa Alpha Inter/National spent a week with them to assess conditions at the Chapter House. The undergraduate brothers of the fraternity are now working hard to follow his recommendations and implement needed policies and leadership to have the chapter running smoothly again. 

Following these presentations, there was a lively exchange of ideas amongst all present. There were many suggestions and encouragement offered at the meeting.  

After the Alpha Phi Delta/Beta Pi meeting, everyone was eager to join other alumni and undergraduates brothers at the Founders Day dinner also held at the Sheraton. 

Philadelphia Magazine Top Dentist 

Appearing in the March 2023 edition of Philadelphia magazine on its annual list of Top Dentists in the Philadelphia region is Dr. Louis P. Tarnoff, Beta Pi ’66. Brother Tarnoff is an Assistant Professor at the Temple University Kornberg School of Dentistry. Philadelphia magazine states that selections are made for this list on the basis of “thousands of detailed evaluations of dentists and professionals by their peers”.  

Congratulations to brother Tarnoff for this very notable achievement. 

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Paul Zaentz Documentary Debuts in San Francisco 

The Paul Zaentz, Beta Pi ’69, produced film, Coup 53, examining the events surrounding the overthrow of the Shah of Iran in 1953 and the consequences of these events toward foreign relations between the United States and Iran to this present day, has finally been commercially released to movie theaters for in-person viewing. Due to COVID-19 protocols, previous viewings were limited to the internet. 

Paul’s film, that received rave reviews from just about every professional film critic, as well as a 100% fresh rating from Rotten Tomatoes, recently debuted at the Roxie Theater in San Francisco. Public demand was so great that a second showing was scheduled. 

After learning of the strong public response , Laemmle Theaters in Los Angeles scheduled screenings at the Royal Theater in West L.A. and the Twin Center 5 in Encino, California. 

Hopefully more screenings will follow at other theaters.  

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Beta Pi Active Chapter Has New President 

Having received an offer of immediate employment he could not refuse, Lucas (Losch) Loschiavo, Beta Pi ’21, left Philadelphia to begin his career in New York City. Unfortunately, Losch, a dedicated member of Pi Kappa Alpha and a devoted brother to his fellow members, had to vacate his position as President of the undergraduate chapter. 

Taking his place as President is Jack Kollmar, Beta Pi ’21. Jack is also a dedicated and devoted brother to the present 45-member chapter. Prior to becoming President, Jack was a Vice President of the chapter.  

The Beta Pi Alumni Association congratulates Losch on his good fortune and wishes him only the best as he moves forward. Jack is congratulated on his appointment as President and the alumni association looks forward to working with him to ensure the continued success of Beta Pi. 

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Andy Miscio is Retired in Colorado 

Andy Miscio, Beta Pi ’62, reports he is enjoying his retirement in Colorado. Every day, he is able to look out his front window for a magnificent view of the snow-covered Rocky Mountains.  

Originally from Long Island, New York, he moved to Colorado and was able to successfully begin a career in real estate investment. He has two children and his wife, Veronica, is a great cook and makes sure he eats healthy.  

Andy declares that the time he was in Pi Kappa Alpha was the “best time of my life”. At Beta Pi, he served as Vice President when Conrad Bosley ’61 was President. He has been in touch with many of his PiKA contemporaries and has fond memories of Hugh Glukenhous ’62, Jeff Sacco ’62, and especially the checkers games he played with Rich Kopelman ’62. 

If you wish to connect with Andy, he would love to hear from you. His email address is [email protected], his telephone number is 970 482-6066, and his street address is P.O. Box 92, Fort Collins, Colorado 80522. 

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Beta Pi Alumni Meet for Dinner 

On Friday, March 31, 2023, a group of Beta Pi alumni met, for what has become an annual event, at the White Dog Café on Penn’s campus. 

Enjoying the fine cuisine at the White Dog were Bruce Wolfson ’71, Joel Catania ’71, Mark Perna ’68, Rich Sussman ’69, Paul Vogt ’68, Rich Myers ’69, Ken Widelitz ’69, Paul Zaentz ’69, Morty Cohen ’65, and Bill Kenney ’69. The highlight of the evening occurred when Morty Cohen got the attention of the entire table and announced, “George Santos is from my congressional district and I voted for him!” The table erupted. You can only imagine everyone’s reactions.  

Throughout the dinner, rather than discuss matters that were to be covered at the next day’s annual Beta Pi meeting and Founders Day dinner, the brothers eagerly shared their personal activities, triumphs, and accomplishments, as life-long friends at the fraternity that brought them all together.  

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The Hermanators Ride Against Parkinsons Disease 

On September 9, 2023, the Annual New England Parkinsons Ride will be held. In honor of Jerry Herman ‘72, lifelong friend to so many Beta Pi brothers and longtime supporter of his beloved fraternity, Pi Kappa Alpha, a group of bicyclists named The Hermanators will ride the course. The Hermanators team is a labor of love organized by Jerry’s wife, Linda, and all funds, raised by the cyclists and non-cyclist donors to The Hermanator team, will benefit the Michael J. Fox Foundation for research toward a cure. 

Further details to follow will advise how you can make your personal donation and join the fight against Parkinsons.    

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At the 2023 annual meeting of the Society for Technology and Anesthesia, Dr. Richard H. Epstein, Beta Pi ’72, was presented the J.S. Gravenstein Award for lifetime achievement in the field of anesthesia. This award is the latest acknowledgement of his dedication and knowledge in the field. In previous years, he had received the Award for Faculty Mentoring from Sidney Kimmel Medical College (Kimmel Medical School) at Thomas Jefferson University, the Ellison C. Pierce Research Award from the American Society of Anesthesiologists, and the Dr. Roy G. Williams Research Award from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine.  

Brother Epstein is presently a professor of clinical anesthesiology at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine (Miller School) in Florida. In recent years, he has written articles and been published in both American and British Medical Journals. 

After graduating from Penn with a B.A. degree in biochemistry, he received his MD at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine. Prior to joining the faculty at the Miller School, Richard was on the faculty of the Kimmel Medical School. 

During the years he lived in Philadelphia, he was actively involved as an alumnus in the Beta Pi Alumni Association. Using the knowledge and expertise he gathered as an investor in real estate in the Philadelphia area, he spearheaded an exhaustive repair/renovation of the Chapter House at 3916 Spruce Street. For many years, the Penn administration allowed the Chapter House to deteriorate even though Penn was holding a significant amount of money intended for repairs to the Chapter House. Thanks to brother Epstein, who designed and acted as general contractor for the project, significant improvements were made to the Chapter house over the course of two summers. Upon conclusion, the undergraduate brothers were thrilled.  

Our congratulations are extended to brother Epstein on his latest award and the success of his career.    

The March 2023 issue of Philadelphia magazine featured an eight-page article on Jeff Marrazzo, Beta Pi ’97, and his exploits in creating the first gene therapy company, Spark Therapeutics (Spark), owned by the hospital where the research and development began.  

After graduating from Penn, brother Marrazzo worked, as a special assistant to Governor Ed Rendell, to implement Medicaid regulations and long-term health care policy. He subsequently earned a master’s degree in business and health care management at Wharton.  

As a consultant for the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP), he was tasked by CHOP CEO Steve Altschuler to find new areas of revenue that would help CHOP at a time when existing revenue streams were drying up or cut completely. Altschuler’s idea was to have CHOP research, create, manufacture, and sell its own products, that were developed in their own laboratories, rather than license or sell their patents as was de rigueur at the time. 

After an exhaustive review of operations at CHOP, brother Marrazzo identified gene therapy as most likely to produce the desired result. Philadelphia magazine explains, “Gene therapy is the process by which doctors replace harmful or defective human genes with healthy or supercharged ones in order to treat a disease”. 

Katherine High (High) was the leading scientist at CHOP in the field of gene therapy. Following a meeting with High, Spark Therapeutics was established in 2013 with High, brother Marrazzo, and Altschuler as co-founders. CHOP provided $10 million to begin the enterprise with brother Marrazzo assuming the position of CEO. Spark had an initial public offering (IPO) in 2015, and developed the first FDA-approved gene therapy product, Luxturna, in 2017. 

When Luxturna, a cure for some forms of blindness, was first available at a price of $425,000 per eye, health insurers were loath to approve the drug. Brother Marrazzo negotiated with health insurers and reached an agreement that health insurers would receive a sizable rebate if the treatment was unsuccessful. Fortunately, Luxturna achieves positive results in 93% of its cases.    

Jeff spearheaded the sale of the company to international drug giant Roche for $4.8 billion in 2019. This was quite a financial windfall for CHOP. Roche continued to operate Spark as a separate entity. Brother Marrazzo stayed on as CEO of Spark until 2022. As CEO, he was successful in keeping Spark in Philadelphia. Spark is now located at 30th and Market Streets but is in the process of building the Gene Therapy Innovation Center, a 500,000 square foot facility at 30th and Chestnut Streets. 

When he stepped down as CEO, Jeff said, “I am incredibly proud of what we’ve built at Spark: from my first meetings in 2011, when the company was merely an idea, to now as the gene therapy center of excellence at one of the largest healthcare companies in the world. I’ve had the remarkable privilege to be part of an incredible team and work on cutting-edge science that has the potential to change people’s lives”. 

Since he left Spark, Jeff has dedicated his life to the arts. He has endeavored to educate others and make accessible the arts in Philadelphia. Toward this aim, he and his wife have formed the Marrazzo Family Foundation that tries to enhance the appreciation of art in schools. 

 In addition, he has accepted a position as Board Member for Chroma Medicine that does genetic research. He also maintains a position on the Board of Managers of Life Science Cares Philadelphia that fights poverty in Philadelphia and is on the Board of Directors of the Rendell Center for Civics and Civic Engagement. 

At Penn, Jeff was an active brother at Beta Pi and helped to reestablish Pi Kappa Alpha on Penn’s campus. Congratulations to brother Marrazzo for his extraordinary accomplishments in the field of health care and wish him the best in his efforts to bring art appreciation to his fellow Philadelphians.