Thank you to Frank Brown ’77 for participating in this Q&A
Why did you join Alpha Zeta as an undergraduate?
My brother and uncles are AZ brothers so it was a family thing for me.
What is the funniest memory from your Alpha Zeta days?
Watching the pledges try to put a cow in the living room.
What is the single fondest memory you have shared/will share with your children and grandchildren?
We started the D.R.D.S. (Dining Room Drinking Society), singing old songs with Eric Bengston on the banjo. I have also shared the story of how I met my wife in the Alpha Zeta living room.
How do you stay connected with your brothers as an alumnus?
We gathered together annually for almost 30 years at Avalon, N.J. Recently we have been getting together every couple of years.
Have you visited Happy Valley since graduation? Why or why not?
I have season football tickets so we travel to most home games.
What do you think about the Bill O’Brien hire?
I don’t know much about him, but he has almost impossible shoes to fill.
What about your membership in Alpha Zeta makes you the most proud?
I met a great bunch of guys during my two years there that have become lifelong friends.
How would your life be different today if you had never joined Alpha Zeta?
My Penn State experience would not have been complete without AZ.
If you could go back and relive one moment from your Alpha Zeta years, what would it be and why?
I would have one more night with the D.R.D.S.
Who do you stay connected with in your alumni years? Are there any brothers you’ve lost touch with whom you’d like to reconnect?
I stay in touch with Bob Calhoun ‘77,Garry Pepple ‘77, Pat Wolf ‘77, Mark Guise ’76 and Riess Miller. I haven’t seen Gary Rimmey ‘77 or Fred Bortner ‘76 in years.
Why would you encourage other brothers to engage with Alpha Zeta in their alumni years?
We’re not too old to still have a little fun.
What is the best thing about your alumni experience?
Despite the recent months in Happy Valley, I am still proud to be Penn State.
Where has life taken you since graduation? What’s new in your life today?
I’ve lived in Fleetwood, PA for the last 32 years. My wife and I have 4 children. All 4 have or will have attended Penn State.
Connect with Frank at [email protected].