The Beta Omicron Chapter marked the 105th anniversary of Pi Kappa Phi’s founding with their annual banquet. Alumni, active and associate members gathered on Saturday, December 12, 2009 in historic Russell Hall on the NSU campus to share a meal in honor of the friendship of the seven Pi Kappa Phi founders.

Their decision to be “leaders by choice” has allowed fellowship and brotherhood at more than 150 chapters across the country, including one at Northwestern State University.

Chaplain Garrett Webb gave the opening remarks, calling to mind the importance of every member honoring their lifelong commitment to brotherhood. Chaplain-elect Marcos Silverio gave the invocation. Alumni director of communications Lane Luckie assisted Webb in conducting the Founders’ Day Memorial Service.  Academic advisor Mike Land, PhD and archon-elect Jon Lee highlighted recent chapter successes, as well as recognized guests of honor including: Beta Omicron founder Billy Paul Plunkett and rechartering member Cory Wilson. Warden Brandon Messick recalled his experiences in member education during his term and presented the new initiates.  After the dinner, members serenaded former rose queen Peggy Plunkett and current queen Madison Wakefield.

Earlier in the day, Alex Ferry and Josh Manotas were initiated into the brotherhood of Pi Kappa Phi. Ferry was a member of Phi Kappa Nu, a local fraternity that became Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity when it chartered at NSU in 1956.  Having transferred to the NSU-Shreveport nursing campus before the transition to Pi Kappa Phi, Ferry never initiated with the founding group. Manotas is close friends with several members of Pi Kappa Phi, but never sought membership in a Fraternity.

Dr. Alex Ferry holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Northwestern State University, a Masters of Science in Nursing from the University of Pennsylvania, a Masters of Arts from the University of San Francisco, a Masters of Science from Xavier University, New Orleans, and a Doctorate of Education from Nova Southeastern University.  He is a graduate of the United States Army Nurse Corps School of Nurse Anesthesia, Ft. Sam Houston, Texas. Dr. Ferry served twelve years on the Louisiana Board of Nursing as a gubernatorial appointee by three different Louisiana Governors. Dr. Ferry is an active member in professional and service organizations. He was an appointed gubernatorial member of the Nursing Supply and Demand Commission and was appointed to represent the Louisiana State Board of Nursing. He was elected and served as President of the Louisiana State Nurses Association (LSNA), the Louisiana Association of Nurse Anesthetists, and has served on multiple committees in the American Nurses Association and the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists.  He is an appointed member of the Board of Trustees of Rapides Regional Medical Center, Alexandria, Louisiana. Dr. Ferry is a retired Colonel in the US Army Nurse Corps and has served in administration, education, and practice positions. Prior to his current retirement he was the CEO/Administrator of the Dubuis Hospital in Alexandria. In 2003 he assumed the position of Chair of the Division of Nursing at the Louisiana College in Pineville, Louisiana and retired in 2008. He and his wife currently live in Pensacola, Florida.

Joshua Manotas has served admirably for 10 years in the United States Army. He currently serves as a UH-60 Blackhawk Helicopter Flight Instructor. Manotas trains, then evaluates the crew chiefs that fly in the rear of the helicopter. During his service, he has been deployed twice and has been stationed 3 times overseas. He will soon transition to civilian life and plans to pursue employment with a Gulf Coast helicopter company to work with offshore helicopters. Josh is married to Jessica Akin Manotas, who is the chapter advisor for Alpha Omicron Pi sorority at NSU.

To view pictures from this event, visit https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.432617390415.373206.91568675415&type=1.