Pest Management Professional, March 2014

Sponsored by Pi Chi Omega The history and growth of Pi Chi Omega almost mirrors that of the pest management industry Founded in 1950 by six Purdue University entomology students and their major professor Pest Management Professional PMP Hall of Famer Dr John V Osmun Pi Chi Omega became the only fraternity dedicated to the enrichment of the pest management industry The goal of this small start up organization was simple Further the science of pest control and help increase the level of professionalism within the industry From humble beginnings at Dr Osmuns kitchen table the organization has continued to grow Today it has an international membership of almost 450 Building on the original mission of progressing the science of pest control the organization has expanded its purpose to t Encourage and promote formal education programs for potential members of the pest management industry t Develop a cooperative relationship with the National Pest Management Association NPMA and various state and local pest management associations in the promotion of educational opportunities t Obtain and distribute information of value to the pest management industry t Further promote a high level of professionalism within the pest management industry and t Allow for the open dissemination of information and ideas among members through Pi Chi Omega membership meetings One of the most significant ways the organization supports these goals is by awarding four 2000 annual scholarships and one 3000 scholarship in memory of Dr Osmun to deserving students pursuing pest management as an area of study Illustrious membership The Pi Chi Omega membership roster reads like a page out of Whos Who in Pest Management Beginning with the inaugural membership class of Dr Osmun George Gilmore Frank Harder Dr Harlan Shuyler Clifford Weiss and PMP Hall of Famers Bill Brehm and Clayton Wright the organization has continued to draw industry notables While that inaugural membership class consisted exclusively of entomologists the organization has grown much like the pest management industry to include professionals from a multitude of disciplines The current membership roster includes t Entomologists t Vertebrate pest specialists t Corporate technical directors t Equipment and pesticide product specialists t Company owners and managers t Sanitarians t Business and marketing specialists t Consultants t Researchers and t Journalists and publishers Membership opportunities As with most service fraternities Pi Chi Omega membership is by invitation only requiring nomination and endorsement by two current members Membership categories within the organization include t Active membership t Associate membership Category A t Associate membership Category B t Honorary membership and t Student membership If interested nomination forms are available from any Pi Chi Omega member as well as by visiting www pichiomega org Pi Chi Omega www pichiomega org t POUBDU 7FSO 5PCMBO BU verntoblan@ verizon net or 302 376 6714 www mypmp net Pest Management Professional March 2014 AU13