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college girlfriend. Frater Frank Pollifrone of the Union Station in Indianapolis. He made

’78 still has the piece that I created today. a round frame out of white oak with a natural

In the 70’s there was a huge resurgence finish. We presented the gift to the President the Greg and Ben Georgin,
of the glass art craft and I fell right into it. next day, and he loved it so much he had it sent the biggest helper to
I left college during my mid-junior year to work to his ranch in California. The ranch was trimmed coordinate redoing some of
as a project manager for a construction company. in white oak with a natural finish too. On a side the windows at the house.

Within two years I began working in art glass for note…I was also able to get some of the windows I am currently training
myself full-time. I bought a huge air compressor repaired before the main event. for a race in November.
(so I thought) at the time and started etching and My sons have grown
carving glass. I was finally in control of what I Did you ever hear about the gift again? up and are active
did. Wow, talk about a contributing members
rush! I got to do what In 1997, we sent to society. David, 36, Frater Georgin assisting
I truly loved and made the photograph of and Ross, 31, are a with the repairs
money at it. the presentation to blast to have around. I
President Reagan for a just gave up teaching spin classes and being a
When did your signature. He sent a nice boot camp instructor in order to concentrate on
skills call you back note back, thanking us, running.
to the TKE house? and he remembered the
event. He truly was a

My wife and I had Greg with fellow Fraters President Reagan and John Bretz. man that was extremely How do you share your trade outside
just been discussing personable and bold at of the U.S.?
how creating a gift for the same time. He had
the President would an interview around I have been fortunate to do work on mission trips
be really cool… this time and, as I like to Kenya and the last time I was there I did stained
and the opportunity to tell the story, he glass for a church in Kericho. The friends made
presented itself within couldn’t remember during these trips will last a lifetime and beyond.
two days! I received a Nancy, but those Tekes,
phone call one Friday ah those Tekes made What advice can you give the Alumni
in 1984 from a TKE him a sculpture of the and young actives about pursuing
Frater asking if I could Presidential Seal and their passions?
hurry over and repair the he did remember that.
You only have one lifetime to enjoy your
windows in the house. The President of the United What type of projects do you work on today? passions. If you do, it won’t be work at all. As
States was coming for lunch that Tuesday. I said for the Alumni, please help make this house
“Sure. Not a problem, I love challenges.” The We are truly blessed to work on art glass projects beautiful again. I so enjoy the guys and to see how
luncheon had been arranged by Gary LaBranche all over the world. Right now we have specialty much they care about the house. Ben Georgin
’81 with National, active members John Bretz glass going into hospitals in Arizona and Florida; and Will Hinman have been so diligent in
’85 and Mark Wellman ’82, and the White at Marathon Oil in Finley, OH; and at the beloved supplying me with helpers, and Ben has learned
House advance team. I asked what type of gift TKE house at The Ohio State University. Prior a few things about stained glass along the way.
the chapter house was giving the President and Art Glass projects have been done at IU, Purdue, Please get involved and help everyone take care
they said “maybe a TKE T-Shirt and an apron.” Michigan University, and tons of others. of this fine architectural structure.

I offered to make a sculpture of the Presidential Outside of work, what do you do for fun? A recent glass stair tread and railing project of Greg’s.
Seal. After purchasing a piece of round glass the
work began. We brought the piece over first thing I love spending time with my wife Cindy
on Monday to show the advance team from the and working on things around the house
White House. They liked it so much that they and mini farm. We have seven chickens
said we would personally get to present the piece right that supply us with plenty of fresh
to the President. A frame was needed, and I had eggs. Other than that, I love running short
a friend in Columbus who had worked with me distance marathons. I prefer 13.1 as a race
doing incredible wood work for the restoration but have done the Marine Corps Marathon.

President know the house is still not restored to the us in thanking Greg Thompson ’78 – and
(Continued from Page 1) same conditions that you remember. The take action. Do your part to help keep TKE
leader in your family life or career. grind continues – we are making progress on top at Ohio State. And Go Bucks!

We had a very successful Alumni event on scheduling the installation of a new boiler Yours in the Bond,
this year, but we can do even better next during this upcoming winter break, but we
year. For our Alumni since 2000, we thought need your support to see this project through
the house looked as good as ever that night. and start to focus on the next one. Enjoy the
For our Alumni from the 80’s and 90’s, we newsletter – read more about homecoming, Nat Sheppard ’09
learn about our brother Austin Beggin, join Alumni Association President
Omicron Board of Control
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