03/28/2026
Pi Chi Omega Engages Members and Elevates the Profession at Purdue and Georgia Pest Management Conferences
Pi Chi Omega continued its tradition of building industry connections with a strong presence at the Purdue Pest Management Conference (PPMC) and the Georgia Pest Control Association (GPCA) Winter Conference. Through board meetings, member outreach, interactive education, Raise The Bar events, and collaboration with industry leaders, Pi Chi Omega reinforced its mission to connect and enrich the urban pest management community.
Pi Chi Omega at the 90th Presentation of the Purdue Pest Management Conference
Pi Chi Omega held a Board Meeting on Sunday, January 11, attended by board members who were present at the PPMC, with additional board members joining virtually. Several guests also sat in at the meeting, reflecting Pi Chi Omega’s commitment to transparency and inclusion. All Pi Chi Omega Board meetings are open meetings, and the organization welcomes guest participation.
The following day, Pi Chi Omega hosted its annual Membership Meeting on Monday, January 12. This year marked a welcome change from the traditional dinner format, as the meeting was held as a luncheon on campus in Stewart Hall. The new format and convenient location made it easier for conference attendees to participate, resulting in an excellent turnout of both Pi Chi Omega members and guests. Pi Chi Omega President James Miller, ACE led the meeting, providing updates on committee work, financials, and new initiatives designed to strengthen the organization and expand its impact. One of the special moments of this meeting came when Kathleen Heinsohn, Ph.D. presented the Pi Chi Omega Achievement Award to her mentor and past academic advisor, Gary Bennett, Ph.D. This award had been presented to Dr. Bennet during PestWorld, but it felt right to recognize him again, on his own turf, during the 90th presentation of the PPMC that he was so instrumental in growing. Congratulations, Dr. Bennett – we are all so grateful to you for the many ways you have supported not only Pi Chi Omega, but the multitude of students and PMPs that you have positively impacted during your career.
Pi Chi Omega at the GPCA Winter Athens Conference
Pi Chi Omega attended the GPCA Conference for the first time in 2025 and loved the community there so much, that we returned for a repeat in 2026! Pi Chi Omega had a visible presence on the tradeshow floor. Past President Desiree Straubinger, BCE, CP-FS, President-Elect Nancy Troyano, Ph.D., BCE and Director Glen Ramsey, BCE, were on hand, helping represent the organization and emphasizing the importance of education and professional collaboration within the pest management industry. Pi Chi Omega enjoyed engaging with conference attendees through conversations about professional development grants, academic scholarships, and the value of forming connections with other members in Pi Chi Omega.
The impact Pi Chi Omega has on our industry is undeniable, from funding students who keep entomology knowledge and research at the forefront of the evolution of structural pest management, to professional development grants to industry professionals looking to grow their careers. We are all about making collaboration opportunities to share our love for entomology through our Jr. Entomologist and Entomologist on Call programs. But, it is truly our community that makes all these initiatives possible.
At both the Purdue Pest Management Conference and the Georgia Pest Management Conference, Pi Chi Omega actively exhibited on the tradeshow floor, engaging directly with conference attendees. Surrounded by vendors supporting and supplying urban pest management businesses, Pi Chi Omega’s booth stood out by emphasizing education, entomology, and professional initiatives rather than products or services. The exhibit served as a hub for conversation, learning, and connection, reinforcing Pi Chi Omega’s mission to support professional development and strengthen the pest management community.
Overwintering with Pi Chi Omega Booth Activities
True to its academic roots as a professional fraternity, Pi Chi Omega engaged attendees with a lively and educational game of Bug Pong, centered on overwintering pests. Participants tested their insect knowledge by tossing ping pong balls into cups labeled with life stages—pupae, larva, egg, and adult—and matching them to the correct insects: praying mantis, powder post beetle, fall webworm moth, and paper wasp. Four lucky contestants won digital microscopes, and everyone—winners included—had a great time learning, networking, and chasing ping pong balls. The winners of Bug Pong at Purdue were Pi Chi Omega members Mark Sheperdigian, aka Shep, John Steenstra, ACE, Isabelle Lucero, and Purdue student, Emily Harley. All four winners took home a digital microscope generously donated by Trece, Inc. The Purdue Boiler Maker even got in on the action, although his hands were a bit cumbersome to play Bug Pong.
Continuing to Raise the Bar
The organization also hosted “Raise the Bar” events at each meeting on Tuesday, January 13th, reinforcing Pi Chi Omega’s commitment to advancing professionalism and encouraging relationship building within the industry. At the GPCA meeting, conference attendees and Pi Chi Omega members met up at the Spring Hill Suites lobby bar where a good time was had by all.
At the Purdue Conference, Pi Chi Omega partnered with the Purdue Entomology Alumni organization to host a social at Harry’s Chocolate Shop, a long-time favorite pub just off campus. Signature cocktails honoring many of our shared past leaders included the Osmo Cosmo, the Corrigan Rat Pack, the Gary Bennett on the Beach, and the Gene White Russian. It was a fitting celebration of all our past leaders who made each organization what we are today. We each celebrated big milestones – the 90th presentation of the Purdue Pest Management Conference and the 75th anniversary of Pi Chi Omega. The event provided a relaxed and welcoming environment for meaningful discussion and connection among pest management professionals. Looking around the bar made it easy to envision this community engaging for years and years to come, continuing the legacy.
Both events also included a 50/50 Raffle, where tickets are sold, funds
are raised and typically half the pot goes to the holder of the drawn raffle ticket and the other half goes to support the mission and initiatives of Pi Chi Omega. In good spirit, the two cohorts of members in Georgia and Purdue challenged each other to see who could outraise the other. Attendees from both locations came out full throttle to support the cause of Pi Chi Omega, raising $2,941. In the end, the Georgia crew out raised Purdue by one dollar! At both events the raffle winners—Rich Williams, Jr. of R-Pro Partners & Solutions LLC and Clay W. Scherer, Ph.D., of Rollins Inc. — generously donated their winnings back to Pi Chi Omega. Their remarkable generosity will have a meaningful and lasting impact by supporting Pi Chi Omega initiatives, including academic scholarships, professional development industry grants, and entomology education resources such as the Jr. Entomologist program and the Entomologist on Call program. What a fantastic celebration of community, competition, and shared commitment!
From interactive education at Purdue, to industry engagement at GPCA, Pi Chi Omega demonstrated its ongoing dedication to leadership, transparency, and professional excellence. By meeting members where they are—at conferences, on the tradeshow floor, and through open meetings—Pi Chi Omega continues to strengthen connections, support the industry, and truly raise the bar for urban pest management.
Sponsors of these events included: