October 2012 Cross & Crescent

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Cross & CrescentCross & Crescent

FROM THE EDITOR

Tad Lichtenauer

Director of Communications/IT

(317) 803-7322

[email protected]

In our October issue, there are two articles in particular that we hope you will read.

The first is the cover story, written by Jon Williamson (Maryland), about the rich history and achievements of Gamma-Rho Zeta at the University of Oklahoma. Congratulations to our Gamma-Rho brothers and we wish them great success with the launch of their new capital campaign.

The second article, written by Andrew Talevich (Washington State), profiles our top three academic chapters from last year:

• Arizona State (Zeta-Psi) - 3.53 GPA

• Vanderbilt (Gamma-Delta) - 3.52 GPA

• Pennsylvania (Epsilon) - 3.48 GPA

This article shares several insights about how each chapter accomplished these amazing results.

One thing we know is that chapters who focus on academics tend to almost always do well in most other areas of chapter operations. Academics should always be a part of a chapter’s focus whether it’s in regard to recruiting, associate membership, or initiation.

We hope you will learn from these chapters and try some of their best practices, like setting up an academic awards program, recruiting quality over quantity, incorporating education into brotherhood events, providing educational resources, establishing a mentor/mentee program, or seeking alumni involvement.

If our undergraduate chapters make academics a top priority, they will reap the benefits in many other areas of chapter operations.

We hope you enjoy the October issue.

In ZAX & friendship,

Tad Lichtenauer

Editor, Cross & Crescent Magazine

HeaderYOUR ONLINE SOURCE FOR ALL LAMBDA CHI ALPHA NEWSOctober 2012 ISSUE 08

Cross & Crescent

CONTRIBUTIONS

Content for consideration should be submitted by the 25th of the month (except Aug/Jan)

Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity8741 Founders RdIndianapolis, IN 46268-1338(317) [email protected]/cross-crescent

10“REPRESENT WHAT WE REPRESENT”Originally a local society of Sigma Phi, the Gamma-Rho chapter at the University of Oklahoma began on October 6, 1926, with 44 charter members. Today, the chapter is the most successful fraternity on campus, as evidenced by their winning of a fifth President’s Trophy last spring.By Jon Williamson (Maryland)

19MAKING THE GRADEThe top three recipients of the Academic Excellence Award at this year’s General Assembly and Stead Leadership Conference share their action plans on how their scholastic programs are improving their chapters.By Andrew Talevich (Washington State)

23THE ROCK OF LAFAYETTE, LOUISIANAThe start of the Iota-Omega chapter at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette is a tale of hard work, life-long friendship, and brotherhood that formed a solid foundation for future brothers.By Andrew Talevich (Washington State)

1 Chapter News Chapter news, alumni news, and reports of death.

27 Fraternity News2011-2012 Order of

Omega Recipients

30 Alumni NewsRegional Alumni Receptions

32 History The Early History of Rho Zeta

(Union College)

Features

Departments

CREDITS

Publisher: Bill Farkas Managing Editor: Tad Lichtenauer Assistant Editor: Andrew TalevichLayout & Design: Thomas Roberts Photographer: Walt Moser Research: Jon Williamson Editors: Jono Hren Bob McLaughlin

Cross & Crescent Octoberr 2012 1www.lambdachi.org/cross-crescent

CHAPTER NEWS

Chapter NewsChapter news, alumni news, and reports of death


Akron (Gamma-Alpha)The chapter added 10 associate members during formal recruitment.

Alberta (Epsilon-Rho)In conjunction with Kappa Alpha Theta sorority, the chapter is helping support ABC Head Start with its fall Scarecrow Festival. The event will be held October 12-14, 2012, at the Edmonton Expo Center. This is the festival’s 20th anniversary. ABC Head Start is a comprehensive preschool and family support program for families with low incomes. The goal is to prepare children for a successful educational experience in partnership with their family and community.

Angelo State (Beta-Alpha)The chapter added 13 associate members during formal recruitment.

Chapter brothers participated in helping the San Angelo community with the citywide Wells Fargo Garage Sale.

Arizona State (Zeta-Psi)The chapter added 23 associate members to join the 91 chapter brothers. The chapter performed the Associate Member Ceremony and had the first fraternity education session about the Core Value of Loyalty.

Arkansas State (Iota-Theta)The chapter added 37 associate members, the biggest new fraternity class on campus.

U.W. Mullins Jr. (1968) died August 23, 2012. Born in Blytheville, Arkansas, on May 30, 1945, he was senior vice president at First Security Bank in Searcy. Following college,

Mullins served in the U.S. Navy from 1968 to 1972 and was stationed at Pensacola, Florida, and Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. He received the National Defense Service Medal and was honorably discharged. An active Rotarian, he served as president for a number of Rotary Clubs during his lifetime and recently received the Paul Harris Fellow from the Searcy Rotary Club. He was Chamber of Commerce president for the Chambers in DeWitt, Fordyce, and Mountain Home, Arkansas.

Auburn-Montgomery (Phi-Kappa)The chapter held an Associate Member Ceremony for 19 new members.

The chapter completed its Big Brother/Little Brother weekend.

Boise State (Colony 297)The colony held its first Associate Member Ceremony for six founding fathers: Cody Mullikin, Christopher Larson, David Van Lydegraf, Dylan Cole, Ryan Thayer, and Tucker Feyder.

The colony members would like to thank ELCs David Walthius (Indiana),Michael DeCourcy (Wittenberg), and Director of Chapter Services Nick Zuniga, (Ball State) for their expansion efforts. Additionally, the chapter thanks alumni brothers James Lineberger (Central Florida) and Jeremiah Shinn (Arkansas Tech) for their continued efforts with the colonization.

Bowling Green State (Phi-Mu)


CHAPTER NEWS

Chapter news, alumni news, and reports of death


Stephen E. Appeldorn has joined Minute Men Staffing Services as a recruitment manager in the Streetsboro, Ohio, branch office.

Butler (Alpha-Alpha)The chapter held its 27th annual Watermelon Bust, raising more than $2,500 for the North American Food Drive. The sororities participated in a watermelon toss competition, watermelon

ring toss, an obstacle course, watermelon eating contest, queen competition, and lipsyncs. Brothers from chapters across the state attended this 27th annual event.

Chapter brothers spent three hours packaging more than 12,000 pounds of food for Gleaner’s Food Pantry to help the effort to feed those who are less fortunate.

Central Missouri (Lambda-Pi)

The chapter added 15 associate members. Attending the Associate Member Ceremony were the 16 chapter members and approximately 30 women from Alpha Omicron Pi sorority. The new associate members are: Trevor Korchak, Ian Harnson, Jeremiah Robinson, Joseph Huber, Matt Kern, Brad Sodano, Bryce Beaty, Leo Valdez, Will Collins, Michael Bamman, Hassaan Kidwai, Seth Bohman, Bryant Schollmeyer, Cole Twehous, and Ethan Smith.

Clemson (Delta-Omicron)The chapter added 23 associate members during fall recruitment.

The chapter has chosen Oconee County Animal Shelter as its new philanthropy partner for the fall semester.

Chapter brothers participated in Clemson Campus Clean-up, assigned to a specific area on campus that is the chapter’s responsibility to keep clean for the semester.

Connecticut (Zeta-Lambda)Alumni Brothers Matt Runko and Joe Micoletti opened a new barbeque restaurant, Rockhouse BBQ & Wings, in Manchester, Connecticut. The name pays homage to the nickname for the old chapter house with its stone exterior.

Delaware (Lambda-Beta)The chapter added 16 associate members during formal recruitment.

Paired together for homecoming, the chapter hosted the women of Alpha Delta Pi at the horse races.

DePauw (Xi)Jon Jenkins (1994) was named the new head of engineering for Pinterest. For the previous eight years he had worked as engineering lead at Amazon where his team was responsible for the Silk browser on the Kindle Fire.

Drexel (Epsilon-Kappa)The chapter is ranked second out of the 12 fraternities for cumulative GPA.

Fourteen brothers were invited to join the Order of Omega, an academic honorary society.


CHAPTER NEWS



The chapter held its summer Associate Member Ceremony and will be holding an Initiation Ritual Exemplification for two new brothers.

East Tennessee State (Iota-Omicron)The chapter added 40 associate members during formal recruitment, more than tripling the chapter’s size.

Elmhurst (Pi-Zeta)

The chapter held its annual Watermelon Bust, with 80 percent of the funds raised being donated to the local food pantry at York Presbyterian Church. The other 20 percent went to a philanthropy of the winning team’s choice. The extra watermelons were donated to the Pi-Pi chapter at Lake Forest College for their first annual Watermelon Bash.

The chapter held a joint social event with the chapter brothers of Pi-Pi at Lake Forest and the women of the Alpha Phi sorority from both schools. The men and women went to Lake Forest beach for socializing, a cookout, volleyball, football, and Frisbee.

The chapter added 12 associate members.

Elon (Delta-Pi)Jim Schlossnagle (1992), the head baseball coach at Texas Christian University, was named USA baseball 2013 collegiate national team manager. Previously, he served as pitching coach for the 2006 team. Schlossnagle joined the TCU coaching staff in 2003 and became just the program’s ninth coach since 1940. He has won more games (388) in nine years than any coach in TCU history after posting the top nine win totals each of the last nine years. He is 388-175 (.689) as the head coach at TCU and 465-222 (.677) in 11 years as a head coach.

Florida Gulf Coast (Colony 292)The chapter added 11 associate members during formal recruitment.

Florida Southern (Epsilon-Xi)Lawrence Caison (1951) died September 23, 2012. After serving in the U.S. Navy, he joined Caison Brothers Building Supply with his two brothers. Later, he became a partner in Hargrove’s Men Shop and Quick Way Stores and started Caison Family Mart. His entrepreneurial spirit always kept him active by acquiring, improving, and managing real estate. In 1977 he was elected to the Clinton City Council and served six consecutive terms through 2001. As a council member he was known for his sense of fairness and ability to build a consensus. He served the Lion’s Club as Treasurer and in 2003 was named Lion of the Year. In 2004 he received the Jack Stickley Fellow Award, the organization’s highest honor.

Florida State (Zeta-Rho)Col. Marcus T. Fountain Jr. (1954) died September 6, 2012. A former chapter president, he was a veteran of the Vietnam Era having served several tours as a U.S. Marine Corps pilot. He served more than 26 years before retiring as a colonel. He was very active in the U.S. Marine Corps League in Pensacola, Florida, and was a member of The Retired Officers Association.

Georgia Tech (Beta-Kappa)The chapter added 29 associate members during fall recruitment. The chapter’s success began during the end of the spring when six brothers were trained to become FASET (Familiarization and Adaptation to the Surroundings and Environs of Tech) leaders. All that these brothers accomplished over the summer became the keystone for success going into rush week. Not only were they FASET leaders, but they were FASET leaders with recruitment always on their mind.

John H. Stowe (1964) died August 4, 2012. He was a former chapter president.

Charles Crawford Jr. (1954) died August 14, 2012. He was a


CHAPTER NEWS



Louisville (Zeta-Sigma)The chapter held a commitment retreat, facilitated by Compliance Manager Ryan Haboush and ELC Joe Citro from the International Headquarters staff.

The chapter added 15 associate members during fall recruitment.

The chapter hosted its second annal Watermelon Bust, collecting 2,500 pounds of food for local pantries!

Maine (Beta)The chapter added eight associate members.

The chapter is hosting a Bowl-o-Thon in October to benefit the North American Food Drive.

Miami-FL (Epsilon-Omega)The chapter hosted its annual Watermelon Bust, raising more than 1,000 pounds of food for the North American Food Drive.

Millsaps (Theta-Eta)The chapter added 13 associate members for the fall semester.

Mississippi State (Epsilon-Chi)

Samuel C. Taylor (1968) died June 17, 2012.

Missouri-Kansas City (Sigma-Rho)The chapter added 15 associate members during fall recruitment.

Several chapter brothers are participating in Delta Zeta’s Big Man on Campus event.

The chapter earned third place in the campus-wide futsal tournament, the highest placed fraternity on campus.

Missouri S&T (Alpha-Delta)The chapter added 15 associate member during formal recruitment.

key figure in military aviation throughout his distinguished career with the U.S. Air Force, the U.S. Army, and Georgia Tech Research Institute.

Indiana State (Iota-Epsilon Colony)Former Education Foundation Director Charlie DeMaio was promoted to vice president for external relations for the Indiana State University Foundation. Previously executive director of the ISU Alumni Association, DeMaio assumed his new duties September 1, 2012. DeMaio will lead the foundation’s corporate and foundation relations efforts, represent the foundation in governmental relations, and oversee the foundation’s Indianapolis office, located downtown in the Old National Bank building.

Kansas (Zeta-Iota)

The chapter helped the Lawrence, Kansas, community by breaking apart concrete in order to make way for a new sign the Heartland Community Health Center wanted to put up.

The chapter held an Initiation Ritual Exemplification for four new brothers: Sean Albery, Adam Ahlstrom, Joe Butcher, and Michael Doyle.

The chapter also thanks Zeta-Iota alumnus brother Brad Ryckert for taking the time to visit and assist the chapter with restoring the 1510 Sigma Nu lot this past weekend.

Kutztown (Sigma-Gamma)The chapter added 13 associate members during fall recruitment.

Louisiana-Lafayette (Iota-Omega)The chapter added 10 associate members during fall recruitment.


CHAPTER NEWS



North Carolina-Charlotte (Beta-Upsilon)The chapter added 39 associate members during fall recruitment.

Oklahoma City (Iota-Theta)The chapter will host its Homecoming Alumni Dinner at 7 p.m., on November 3, 2012, at the Rococo Restaurant in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Reservations are not required but appreciated. Please send them to alumnus brother Terry Zinn at [email protected].

Pittsburg State (Lambda-Chi)The chapter added 16 associate members during fall recruitment.

The chapter held its first Watermelon Bash, raising $10,000 for local charity.

Rensselaer (Epsilon-Eta)

The chapter added 13 associate members.

Chapter Treasurer Christopher Volk was one of only 20 students from across the United States to receive the NASA Aeronautic Scholarship. The scholarship includes a summer long internship between his junior and senior year at the NASA Research Center, as well as financial support for his education at Rensselaer. Volk is an officer of the RPI Engineers Without Borders, a

student group that works on sustainable engineering projects in developing countries in order to improve their quality of life. He also is a part of Engineers for a Sustainable World where he was a project leader responsible for designing a sample house.

Montevallo (Sigma-Epsilon)The chapter added 13 associate members during fall recruitment.

The chapter earned first place in grades for the past spring semester.

Several chapter brothers have been cast in two plays on campus; Rent, and The Heidi Chronicles.

New Hampshire (Alpha-Xi)

On September 14, 2012, chapter alumni from the classes of 1960 to 1964 held their 50th reunion. During their stay they stopped by the new chapter house to reconnect with the undergraduate brothers.

North Texas (Iota-Zeta)Dr. Chuck Kobdish (1992) won the Chairman’s Award from the Greater East Dallas Chamber of Commerce. This award is presented for outstanding community and Chamber support by a company and/or an individual associated with a company that has made an outstanding contribution to the community. Kobdish is the owner of BackMenders - Chiropractic with Care.


CHAPTER NEWS



Rhode Island (Eta)

Along with the university and Greek community, the chapter is currently raising money for Habitat for Humanity.

Richmond (Alpha-Chi)Based upon guidance and direction from their ELC, the chapter is planning its first Watermelon Bash. The chapter also is conducting a food drive on campus and in the surrounding community as part of the chapter’s expanded philanthropic activity.

Sewanee (Iota-Nu)The chapter added five new associate members: Richard Milby, David Human, Jack Meyer, DeAndre Espree, and Will Wolfe.

South Dakota (Alpha-Gamma)

American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) honored James Hieb (1989), vice president at the Marble Institute of America, with the 38th Professional Performance Award. The award recognizes invaluable contributions made by association executives who are at the top level within their organizations but are not CEOs. The award was presented at the 2012 ASAE Annual Meeting & Exposition, August 11-14, 2012, in Dallas. Pictured are (l-r) Fraternity Board member John Graham (ASAE CEO); Hieb; and Peter J. O’Neil (ASAE 2011-12 President).

Donald D. Engstrom (1954) died September 8, 2012. He joined the service after high school, spending two years in the U.S. Navy as a photographer’s mate third class during World War II. After graduating from the University of South Dakota, he attended the U.S. Naval Dental Technicians School and earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery from Northwestern University in 1957.

Thomas Geppert (1942) died December 31, 2011.

James Johnson (1949) died November 23, 2011.

Robert Stroh (1942) died May 24, 2010.

Thomas Hakes (1966) died October 18, 2011.

Denton Moir (1954) died October 23, 2011.

Gary Cwach (1975) died May 8 2011.

Southeast Missouri (Delta-Phi)The chapter added 24 associate members during formal fall recruitment.

The chapter celebrated a successful Watermelon Bust selling a variety of T-shirts to benefit the North American Food Drive.

The chapter hosted a Heroes Softball Tournament for undergraduate and alumni brothers and the servicemen of Cape Girardeau.

Chapter brothers participated in Alpha Delta Pi’s philanthropy and placed 4th in their seeding event of Big Man on Campus.


CHAPTER NEWS



Southern California (Zeta-Delta)

Ken Greenman (1965), a Fraternity Board member and chapter advisor, and the La Jolla Kiwanis Club donated $4,500 to Lambda Chi Alpha’s Future Leaders Campaign. Gifting to Lambda Chi Alpha was a natural fit as the initiatives and programs of the two organizations are directly aligned with Kiwanis’ focus, and both organizations emphasize human and spiritual values.

St. Joseph’s (Phi-Lambda)Ian Klinger (2013), who is on the Dean’s List, has been named as The Hawk, the school’s mascot.

Tarleton State (Phi-Rho)

The chapter raised more than $500 during a coin war at the beginning of the semester. Several organizations competed against each other to help raise the money. The funds will benefit the local H.O.P.E., Inc. organization that provides food and clothing to the less fortunate in the community.

The chapter added 16 associate members during formal fall recruitment. The chapter implemented a values-based recruiting process and one of the week’s events included playing kickball with boys from the Big Brother Big Sisters organization.

Last spring, the chapter topped the grades list among Tarleton State fraternities for the second consecutive semester.

Tennessee (Epsilon-Omicron)The chapter added 43 associate members during fall recruitment.

Joseph J. Bryant (1951) died August 18, 2012. He worked 20 years as a reporter, section editor, copy editor, columnist, and managing editor for United Press and for the Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, Daily News; the New Brunswick, New Jersey, Home News, and the Pulaski, Virginia, Southwest Times. He earned state and national press awards for reporting, column writing, news makeup, community service, and newspaper promotion. From 1977 until his retirement in 1998, he was professor and specialist in agricultural communications with the Texas Agricultural Extension Service of Texas A&M University, stationed at Lubbock, Texas. He was adjunct professor of agricultural communications at Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas.

Texas (Alpha-Mu)Over the summer, brother Nick Meriwether completed a 70-day, 4,600 mile charity bike ride from Austin, Texas, to Anchorage, Alaska, as a part of the Texas 4000 organization. This organization spreads awareness and raises funds for the prevention and treatment of cancer.

During fall recruitment, the chapter added 31 associate members, the largest associate class for the chapter since the 1980s.


CHAPTER NEWS



The chapter held its 2nd annual Academic Award Ceremony where chapter awards were given for GPA and chapter/campus involvement.

The chapter’s next alumni reunion will be October 20, 2012, the day of the Texas versus Baylor football game.

Larry D. Thompson’s (1962) new book, Dead Peasants, was published on October 2, 2012.

Texas-El Paso (Zeta-Epsilon)The chapter earned a 3.01 GPA for the spring semester, ranking as the No. 1 fraternity with the highest grade point average.

The chapter held an Initiation Ritual Exemplification for seven brothers during the summer.

On September 14, 2012, the chapter held an Associate Member Ceremony for 27 new members.

Texas Christian (Iota-Pi)Sorority women smashed watermelons for the chapter’s annual Watermelon Bash, benefiting the Tarrant Area Food Bank. The Watermelon Bash raised both

food and funds for the organization. There were philanthropy opportunities throughout the week, including a canned food drive, a benefit dinner at Potbelly’s, and a field day.

Texas-San Antonio (Phi-Upsilon)The chapter added 15 associate members.

Mike Flores was named president of Palo Alto College, one of five in the community college district in San Antonio. Flores has 19 years of higher education experience and spent the past 13 rising up the ranks at Palo Alto, most recently as interim vice president of academic affairs.

Texas Tech (Sigma-Nu Colony)The chapter became the adopting sponsor organization for the Red Raider Volleyball Team at Texas Tech University for the 2012 season.

Tulsa (Epsilon-Upsilon)The chapter won Greek Week, which was held September 4-8, 2012. Activities included a dinner on sorority row, an all-Greek talent show, and a community service day at the Methodist food bank on campus. Greek organizations were awarded points based on best attendance and the winners were announced during halftime of the Tulsa versus Tulane football game.

Chapter brothers extended their condolences to Devon Walker, the Tulane player seriously injured in a recent football game. The brothers wrote and signed a letter to be delivered to Walker, who is still recovering.

Washington (Alpha-Psi)William R. Cobb (1950) died September 8, 2012. He served as the chapter’s House Corporation president in the 1960s and as head of the capital campaign committee. At the 1972 General Assembly in Portland, Oregon, Cobb was inducted into the Order of Merit, Lambda Chi’s highest honor for alumni volunteers. During most of his adult life he was comptroller of the Seattle Post-Intelligencer.


CHAPTER NEWS



Washington State (Tau)Philip H. Sorensen (1948) died July 22, 2012. An Eagle Scout, he served in the U.S. Navy during World War II and as an intelligence officer in the Naval Reserve until 1985, reaching the rank of commander. For 27 years he worked as a senior research psychologist and director of the education research department at the Stanford Research Institute.

Wichita State Colony

The new colony was featured in the Sunflower, the school newspaper for Wichita State University.

Widener (Beta-Chi)

Chapter alumni brothers held their second alumni reunion on September 22, 2012, in Tannersville, Pennsylvania. Forty-two brothers from the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s attended the event.

Worcester (Pi)The chapter’s Centennial Celebration is underway with a kickoff celebration on October 6, 2012, on the Quad on campus. Visit the Pi Zeta 100th Homecoming website for more details and registration information.


FEATURE

Gamma-Rho, which began its life in Lambda Chi Alpha with 44 charter members on October 6, 1926, had its origin in the local society of Sigma Phi. At that time Sigma Phi traced its history back 13 years. Today it is the most successful fraternity on campus, as evidenced by their winning of the President’s Trophy, “a prestigious award which encourages and recognizes exceptional student contributions to the university community.”

Fraternity housing at the University of Oklahoma began with houses constructed from 1910 to 1920. The newer fraternities purchased existing houses or rented them. There was a building boom from 1929 to 1930 during which seven of the new fraternities built three-story mansions in a variety of architectural styles.

Originally a local society of Sigma Phi, the Gamma-Rho chapter at the University of Oklahoma began on October 6, 1926, with 44 charter members. Today, the chapter is the most successful fraternity on campus, as evidenced by their winning of a fifth President’s Trophy last spring.

By Jon Williamson (Maryland)

“Represent What We Represent”


FEATURE

The Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity house was built when one of the founders, Loyd Harris, purchased some land on the southeast corner of Lindsey and College streets and donated a portion of the land to his fraternity for the construction of their new house.

The land was undeveloped prairie and the building would be the first constructed south of Lindsay Street on the approach to the university from the west. Aerial photos from 1930 show the striking profile of this new structure, jutting up from undeveloped agricultural land with the university seemingly far to the north. The only university buildings south of the north oval at that time were the new library and Oklahoma Memorial Stadium at the corner of Jenkins and Lindsey streets.

Of the more than 20 original fraternity houses on the campus from the 1920s, over 75 percent have been demolished. The original fraternity row along University Boulevard and north of the campus now consists of parking lots and apartments. One is used by the university to house academic offices, and one is a private residence. Only three remain in use for their original purpose, and one of these is scheduled for demolition.

Of the remaining two, the Beta Theta Pi house at 800 Chautauqua is listed on the National Register. The other is the Lambda Chi Alpha house at 904 College at the north end of the new Greek housing area, and still the first university-related structure as one approaches the campus from the west on Lindsay Street. Now more than 80 years old, the house has been the only residence for the chapter and has housed all its members. We are the only fraternity on campus that can make such a claim.

House Corporation PresidentBob Canfield is president of the House Corporation.

“I joined Lambda Chi on February 6, 1974, which was the second semester of my sophomore year. This was shortly after the Associate Membership program began. It marked a contentious time in the chapter. The AM program was very strict and many of the brothers didn’t support it. As a result, George Spasyk (Michigan 1949), then executive vice president, conducted a membership review, which reduced the chapter membership to 12 actives and five AMs. When I associated, the membership was about 30 with three in my AM class. By the time I graduated the size of the chapter had grown into the 60s and we were better able to compete in intramurals, but we were always in the top rank in GPAs.”

How did you become involved in the alumni program of the fraternity?

“There are two parts to my participation. After I graduated, I obtained a Master’s Degree in finance and took a position as a bank examiner, which involved a lot of travel through 1992, at which time I obtained a position at a bank in Oklahoma City. I attended an event with George Boar of the House Corporation at which they asked for volunteers and I raised my hand. I was a member from 1992 to 1997 and ran the scholarship program. I left the Board in 1997 and moved to Texas. I returned to Oklahoma in 2002 and went to a House Corporation meeting where Tim Rasnic invited me to rejoin the Board on which I have served since that time and as president since 2004.”


FEATURE

She explained all of the activities that she was involved in and encouraged me to seek a similar position with the Lambda Chis at OU. I was invited to sit for an interview with the House Corporation Board members and several chapter officers. They were such a nice group of people and they offered me the position. My son and daughter supported my decision and looking back it is the best thing I have ever done besides raising children of my own. Through the years I have been impressed with everyone, undergraduates and alumni alike.”

What are your challenging moments?

“The most challenging is the empty nest feeling when the men graduate and go out into the world. But just a couple of months later there is a new crop of freshmen to watch over. And of course, so many of the men and their wives return for football games and other activities. I receive many telephone calls during the year as they check in to see what is happening with me and the chapter. I am always touched when they tell me, ‘I am glad you are still there.’”

The house has been a part of the chapter almost from the beginning.

“Yes. All of the brothers feel a tie to the house. We are getting ready to begin renovations and expansion before the Christmas holidays. The men are very protective of the existing house and there is a tremendous respect for it. It is a great place to move when you are leaving home for the first time. With over 200 men in the chapter and 100 men eating meals the running of the kitchen is a tremendous task. For the past four years or so we have hired a company to cook, make menus and order the food. I remain very active in sharing etiquette tips with the members and being a presence at all of the philanthropy activities. In our chapter there is always a positive atmosphere among the brothers.”

Why do you stay involved?

“Joining Lambda Chi Alpha was one of the more significant positive experiences in my life and I found it could be good for all young men; so this is my opportunity to give back so that others can enjoy the same positive experiences.”

What was the culture of the chapter like when you joined?

“They were a very dedicated group of men who decided to stick around and work toward excellence. One member was the IFC president and we had two men very involved in student government. We had what you would call a tight brotherhood. We had three men serving as rush chairmen and we rushed top quality men and it began to build upon itself. In 1976 we signed absolutely top men and reached our quota for the first time.”

What are the biggest challenges the House Corporation faces

today?

“We must always improve our alumni relations through events and newsletters. Presently, we have a goal to raise $1.5M and we are at $1.1M. Our beautiful house was built in the ‘20s and sleeps 60 to 64 men. We feed 100 for lunches and dinner and must accommodate 200 for meetings. The members have a feeling of solidarity. Our other biggest challenge is ensuring that Rodger Lalli and ‘Mom’ Roberts remain. They are critical to our successes.”

House MotherCarol “Mom” Roberts is the Housemother for the Gamma-Rho chapter:

“About 20 years ago I was speaking with one of my girlfriends, who was a housemother for a fraternity chapter.


FEATURE

Chapter President“Mom Roberts is correct when she says the brothers always maintain a positive, can-do, attitude.”

Chris Housley is the current chapter president:

“This year is off to a great start. A couple of weeks ago 54 men became AMs, which included three sophomores and one junior. Presently, 70 of our members are in leadership positions in organizations outside of our fraternity. Four of our brothers are members in the Air Force active reserve; Raymond Wolper (also the High Theta) is the OU Cousin Student Director; Matt Shandy serves as the IFC Chief Justice; Drew Knox is the IFC Vice President of Programming; Ernest Ezuego is the OU Student Association Director of Finance; Ben Laptad is the Vice Chairman of the OU Big Event; Chris Ray is associated with the Christian Sports Camp and is the campus leader of ‘After Dark’ with over 1,700 people attending; Jack Hardwick is the Chairman of the College Activity Council (CAC) College Bowl of which Sam Kiehl is the secretary; and Kyle Ferguson is Chairman of the Class of 2015, working directly with the OU Administration.”

Recruiting top-quality men doesn’t happen by luck!

“No, it takes planning, dedication, and a lot of work. We look for excellent GPAs and well-rounded leaders. We have one brother who serves as the High Delta and he is assisted by five brothers on our rush team with one young alumnus assisting. Our chapter has a tradition of excellence and all of the brothers are excited about recruitment. Recruitment officially begins after the first week of summer, but no one can accept a bid until formal recruitment begins on campus. Recruitment events are held throughout the summer as we get to know prospective members and their parents. Potential new members must get to know many brothers and our events give them that opportunity. When you become a

Lambda Chi you become part of the best fraternity on the campus so a potential new member must maintain excellent grades, be active in sports and active in leadership positions outside the chapter.”

Does the chapter have a motto during rush?

“Yes, we have a sign at our front door that states, ‘Represent what we represent!’ It is short and simple, but it means represent the best fraternity on the campus. I didn’t know anyone when I arrived in Norman, coming from a small town. When I was invited over to the Lambda Chi house I saw the positive chemistry between the brothers and the longtime traditions and knew I wanted to be a part of the top house on the campus.”

This past year you were again the top chapter academically.

“Thirty-four of our students earned a 4.0 GPA and 76 of the brothers earned a 3.5 GPA or better.”

The chapter is not one-dimensional?

“Definitely not! We have won 10 of the last 11 intramural championships and we take great pride in working with organizations, raising money for charity. Our biggest event is the White Rose Pageant in which sororities are represented by one of their members who is judged on talent, evening-wear and an interview. Money raised is donated to Big Brothers and Big Sisters, which this year received a check for $6,600. We also sponsor a basketball tournament with Chi Omega with money raised ($5,000) going to the Make-A-Wish Foundation.”

You have over 200 members. How do you maintain a tight brotherhood with so many?

“We concentrate on brotherhood events. One of our traditions is the Lambda Chi Throw-Down where the house


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Gamma-Rho Notable Alumni• Steven Alexander, tight end, National Football

League• Scott Allen, singer and songwriter for Mylon and

Broken Heart; recipient of Grammy and Dove awards

• Judge John M. Amick, retired district court judge, Oklahoma

• Jack B. Austerman, former professor of dentistry, University of Oklahoma

• Dr. Byron J. Bailey, physician; Otolaryngology Department Chairman of the University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas

• Dr. Joe Baldwin, physician, Maryland Heights, Missouri

• Terry J. Barham, director of choral activities, Emporia State University

• Dr. Ralph Barhydt, senior vice president of opera-tion, iSyndicate Inc., San Francisco

• Dr. V. Michael Barkett, physician/surgeon, Salida, Colorado

• Dr. John R. Barnes, anesthesiologist, Tulsa, Oklahoma

• Weldon Beauchamp, vice president of explora-tion, LNG Energy Ltd., Dallas

• Austin H. Bell, president, American Management Group, Little Rock, Arkansas

• Dr. Jerry K. Benson, dentist, Oklahoma City• Dr. Malcolm Bridwell, physician, Hobart,

Oklahoma• Dr. Robert Bridwell, professor of history, Del Mar

College, Corpus Christi, Texas• Ryan M. Brown, author (Play Dead, Thawed Out

& Fed Up) and actor (Guiding Light)• Dr. Michael L. Bumpas, physician, Bartlesville,

Oklahoma• Dr. Anthony F. Buono, professor of management,

Bentley College, Waltham, Massachusetts• Dr. David A. Burr, former vice president for

University Affairs at the University of Oklahoma; recipient of the university’s Distinguished Service Citation; campus park named in his honor

• Dr. Gerald V. Butler, prosthodontist, San Antonio• Marty G. Cain, attorney, Sullivan Balkenbus &

Cain, Norman, Oklahoma• Kevin Calcote, controller, Cantex Inc.• Dennis C. Cameron, attorney, Gable, Gotwals,

Mock & Schwabe, Tulsa, Oklahoma• Dr. William H. Carson, dean of the College of

Engineering, University of Oklahoma; Carson Engineering Center named in is honor

• Casualty of World War II: Alfred C. Frampton

• Dr. Barry B. Chadsey, physician, Los Angeles• Dr. Craig S. Cochran, oral surgeon, University of

Texas, Galveston, Texas• Rennie R. Cook, chief pastor at Journey Church

in Norman, Oklahoma; former executive director of Student Affairs, University of Oklahoma

• Rick A. Dearborn, assistant secretary of energy for the Department of Energy, Chief of Staff for Sen. Jeff Sessions of Alabama

• Jimmy E. Dicus, president of Dicus Supermarkets Inc., Ada, Oklahoma, recipient of the University of Oklahoma Alumni Association Regents’ Alumni Award

• Dr. Russell W. Duren, professor Naval Post Graduate School, Monterey, California

• Dr. James Ryan Earley, anesthesiologist, Okla-homa City

• Dr. Ronald C. Elkins, heart surgeon, recipient of the Dean’s Award for Distinguished Medical Service by the University of Oklahoma Medical Alumni Association

• Judge Noah H. Ewing Jr., judge in McClain County, Oklahoma

• Daniel Fioroni, CEO of Forest Lumber Co., Oklahoma City

• Duke Flad Award recipients: Matthew W. Ham-ilton (1986), Daniel H. Leung (1999), David J. Magstadt (1997), and Trevor J. Tullius (2004)

• Judge Stephen P. Friot, federal judge, U.S. Dis-trict Court for the Western District of Oklahoma

• Dr. Steven E. Gaede, neurological surgeon in Tulsa, Oklahoma

• Dr. Stanley Ross Gahring, Cleveland• Dr. W. Clark Gilpin, professor at University of

Chicago Divinity School• Dr. Frederic Goldsmith, dentist, Oklahoma City,

Oklahoma• Dr. Richard Grundy, physician, Carson City,

Nevada• Dr. George N. Haddad, physician, Costa

Mesa, California• Dr. Ronal D. Hale, orthopedic surgeon, Okla-

homa City• Matthew W. Hamilton, associate vice president

of admissions and financial aid, University of Oklahoma

• Dr. Jackson Haraway, dentist, Ada, Oklahoma• Dr. Stuart Dean Haraway, physician, Fort Smith,

Arkansas• Dr. Michael R. Harkey, physician, Tulsa, Okla-

homa• Loyd E. Harris, retired dean emeritus, College of

Pharmacy, University of Oklahoma, Gamma-Rho 5,

• Dr. Edward Harroz, dentist, Midwest City, Oklahoma

• Joseph O. Haug, former captain, United Airlines• Dr. Jeffrey F. Hermen, dentist, Oklahoma City• Dr. Frank L. Higginbottom, dentist, Dallas• Dr. James H. Hogge, associate dean Peabody

College, Vanderbilt University• Dr. Kevin M. Hook, anesthesiologist, Tulsa,

Oklahoma• James K. Howard, retired vice president, and

currently member of the Board of Trustees, North-eastern State University Foundation

• Martin Howerton, partner, Howerton, Morris, Simpson & Smith, Tulsa, Oklahoma

• Dr. William D. Huff, physician, Phoenix, Arizona• Bishop William W. Hutchinson, United Method-

ist Church for the Louisiana area, Baton Rouge, Louisiana

• Dr. Kyle P. Johnson, director Doernbecher Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Consultation Liaison Service, Oregon Health & Science University

• James R. Jones, ambassador to Mexico; chief of staff to President Lyndon Johnson; U.S. Congress-man from the 1st District in Oklahoma; chairman of the American Stock Exchange

• Sidney F. Jones, president & CEO, Jones Re-sources, Tesuque, New Mexico

• Dr. Okie M. Joy, professor, School of Business, University of Kansas

• George Justice, assistant dean for admissions at Touro Law Center

• Dr. Harold R. Kerbo, Professor of Sociology at Cal Poly, Fulbright Scholar

• Dr. Stephen D. Kick, physician, University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, Denver, Colorado

• Russell Kinsaul, anchor for News4 TV in St. Louis, Missouri

• Dr. William B. “Brad” Kruse, pediatrician, Kan-sas City, Missouri

• Dr. F. Kent Kyger, physician, Nashville, Tennessee• E. Trice Laird, retired senior vice president/man-

aging director, Jefferies & Company, Inc., Atlanta• Rodger M. Lalli, vice president/COO, Steve

Owens Insurance Group, Norman, Oklahoma• Douglas A. Lee, Owner, Flameco Industries,

Tulsa, Oklahoma• Dr. Daniel Hao-Bin Leung, pediatric gastroenter-

ologist, Texas Children’s Health Center, Houston, Texas


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• Philip E. Lewis, executive vice president, Rock Well Petroleum, Sugarland, Texas

• Dr. Philip Lowenthal, retired physician, Salinas, California

• Dr. Jeffrey S. Lynch, dentist, Salem, Oregon• Zachary D. Maloy, singer/songwriter/guitarist

for the Nixons• Conrad J. Masterson Jr., CEO, Nanotechnology

Foundation of Texas, Inc., Dallas• Dr. Billy Joe Matter, retired physician, Oklahoma

City• Britt M. Mayfield, former director of the National

Hurricane Center; hurricane specialist at televi-sion station WPLG in Miami; received Gold medals for his work during Hurricane Andrew and Hurricane Isabel, received a silver medal for work done during Hurricane Gilbert, received the American Meteorological Society’s Francis W. Reichelderfer Award for his service in coordi-nating the National Hurricane Center’s hurricane preparedness training for emergency prepared-ness officials and the general public, received the Richard Hagemeyer Award for his contribu-tions to the United States’ hurricane warning program, in 2004, he received an Emmy Award for extraordinary contributions to television by someone not normally eligible for Emmy awards.

• Judge George H. McBee, retired district judge for the state of Oklahoma

• Col. Bryan McCoy, U.S. Marine Corps; Legion of Merit with ‘V’, Bronze Star with ‘V’; author (brother Mark is also a Gamma-Rho Lambda Chi)

• W. James McCarthy, executive vice president, SemGroup L.P., Tulsa, Oklahoma

• Judge M. McDanel, District Court Judge in Nor-man, Oklahoma

• Dr. Clayton S. McGuire, physician in Azle, Texas• Thomas C. McKee, Attorney, Welborn, Sullivan,

Meck & Tooley, P.C., Littleton, Colorado• Lawrence Midland, president, Hirsch Electronics

Co., Costa Mesa, California• Gary Willis Mitchell, CEO at Newman Memo-

rial Hospital, Shattuck, Oklahoma• Dr. William Morgan, retired plastic surgeon,

Raymore, Missouri• Dr. William H. Morris, attorney, professor at

Northeastern State University• Judge Alfred P. Murrah, former chief judge of

the United States Court of Appeals for the 10th Circuit, Oklahoma

• Dr. Robert M. Nerem, professor and director of the Institute for Bioengineering and Bioscience at

Georgia Tech; recipient of Founders Award from the National Academy of Engineering

• Order of Merit Recipients: Robert R. “Pepper” Haraway, George E. Orr, and Denver H. Smith

• George E. Orr, president, Career Testing Center for Oklahoma City, Inc., Order of Merit, Okla-homa City

• Dr. Thomas M. “Matt” Osborn, anesthesiologist, Miami, Oklahoma

• Maj. Gen. Joseph S. Owens, commanding gen-eral, White Sands Missile Range; Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star Medal (3 oak leaf clusters)

• Dr. William Papanen, professor, Missouri South-ern state College, Joplin, Missouri

• Dr. Michael D. Padgham, physician, Oklahoma, Oklahoma

• Dr. Loyd B. Perry, dentist, Ardmore, Oklahoma• C. Bryan Pettigrew, senior vice president of

National Thoroughbred Racing Association, Lexington, Kentucky

• Dr. Val S. Pipps, professor, University of Akron• Dr. Patrick Pitchford, dentist, Tulsa, Oklahoma• Dr. C. Richard “Dick” Quade, professor of phys-

ics at Texas Tech University, Fellow of the Ameri-can Physics Society, former chapter president

• Dr. David Raley, physician, Tulsa, Oklahoma• Blake Rambo, COO of Harold Hamm Diabetes

Center at the University of Oklahoma• Gregory W. Raynor, CFO, Coushatta Resort,

Lake Charles, Louisiana• John R. Reid, former vice president and controller

of Amoco Corp.• Bradley G. Richardson, author of JobSmarts for

Twenty Somethings• Dr. Lawrence Rodgers, professor of English at

Kansas State University• Dr. William R. Savage, professor emeritus of

history, University of New Orleans• Don N. Sherman, president, McClain Bank,

N.A., Order of Merit, Norman, Oklahoma• Dr. Adam B. Smith, professor of surgery, Univer-

sity of North Texas• Dr. Jack Snodgrass, physician• Dr. Michael J. Snow, chiropractor, Austin, Texas• Dr. Stephen Starling, professor at California State

University @ Hayward, San Diego• Dr. Carl G. Stephenson, former president of the

University of the Ozarks• Dr. Zachary N. Stowe, psychiatrist, Duke

University

• Dr. John E. Taylor, dentist, Oklahoma City• Dr. Jon R. Taylor, professor of political science at

the University of St. Thomas, Houston• Charles Tefertiller, Partner, Cross & Robinson

CPAs, Tulsa, Oklahoma• Andrew R. Turner, attorney, Conner & Winters,

Tulsa, Oklahoma• Judge Albert P. Van Meter, District Judge, Okla-

homa City• David A. West, commercial pilot• Dr. Dean K. White, head of oral pathology,

University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky• Dr. J. Randolph White, dentist, Norman, Okla-

homa• Steven Wilde, owner, Wilde Advertising Inc.,

Rockwall, Texas• John Williams, major with the Oklahoma City

Fire Department• Dr. Jay M. Williamson, OB/GYN, Tulsa,

Oklahoma• Dr. Michael D. Winters, physician, Oklahoma

City, Oklahoma• W. Scott Winton, vice president, Fidelity Invest-

ments, Dallas• Dr. John A. Wright, dentist, Bozeman, Montana


FEATURE

fraternity. I joined and later moved into the house for three years where I maintained my high grades while becoming involved in outside activities. I quickly found the brothers were dedicated to being outstanding in everything in which they were involved. The officers took the time to explain the Associate Membership program, which was the cornerstone of all chapter programming.”

What are your best memories of the chapter?

“There are so many and certainly some are the forming of bonds with the men in the house; the in-house retreats during which everybody would give up Friday evening and we would rent a facility and play basketball and then return to the chapter house where we would have a gavel session; creating a team by cleaning the chapter house with your big brother and all of the members; and then of course the ultimate announcement by the chapter president when he announced the chapter had won the Grand High Alpha Award.”

The chapter has made a habit of winning awards!

“Yes. I especially remember the first time we won what we refer to as the triple crown at OU: first in GPA, first in intramurals, and we won the Sooner Scandals, (a campus production of song and dance for the past 69 years). On a personal note, I was serving the chapter as the High Beta the year the chapter began the White Rose Pageant and I keep the letter recognizing the 25th anniversary of the event; it is a great philanthropy. I will always remember the way the brothers worked together, caring and wanting to do good things for other people.”

In 1986 you received Lambda Chi Alpha’s highest undergraduate award.

“My first office in the fraternity was High Rho when I was an AM, and it was followed by High Gamma, High Beta, and High Delta, which included summer recruitment. I

has a basketball tournament between our members. It is an all-day event with music and basketball and the brotherhood is incredible. We just hang out together. Another of our brotherhood events occurs before the OU and Texas football game where the new AMs get their Big Brothers.”

This past year the chapter received a big honor.

“We were very honored by the university in winning the President’s Trophy for the fifth time. We have won it more that any organization on campus. It was a united team effort and we couldn’t have accomplished it without alumni support and dedication by the brothers. We are blessed to have two individuals in positions of influence over the brothers. “Mom” Roberts is the best housemother on the OU campus. She gets to know each brother and is the mother for the entire fraternity. She is irreplaceable! Rodger Lalli is our chapter advisor and he is totally involved. He is a positive influence and keeps our traditions upheld. He pushes us and molds us to be high caliber individuals.”

Duke Flad WinnerIn 1986, Matt Hamilton became the first Gamma-Rho chapter brother to be selected as the Duke Flad Award winner:

“I joined Lambda Chi Alpha in the spring of 1983. Initially, I didn’t have any interest in the Greek system because of their negative stereotypes. I was friends with four other men on the campus and we were part of an academic honor group. One night the other four were late to a meeting and they came in wearing Lambda Chi t-shirts. Shortly thereafter I inquired about Lambda Chi and what made them different from other fraternities. They invited me to the house and I found the brothers to be totally dedicated to academics while maintaining a successful intramural program and having multiple leaders involved in organizations outside the


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Chis. It was also during this time that the chapter attracted many outstanding athletes who were very competitive and were responsible for the beginning of our multiple intramural championships.”

After graduating you returned to a role as an active alumnus.

“Yes, my undergraduate experience was so positive that I felt the need to give back to a brotherhood that continues to be so meaningful to me. Throughout my undergraduate years our brotherhood had a spirit, a camaraderie in which we supported each other and that continues to this day. I worked for four years as the chapter advisor then left and returned in 1995 when I was invited to return as the chapter advisor. I stayed for an additional three years until the birth of our daughter. I was in the position when the chapter celebrated its 70th anniversary and when we established the Loyd Harris Alumni Golf Tournament. At that time I had the good fortune of meeting with Rodger Lalli and turned the reins over to him. He has been an outstanding High Pi.”

Fraternity Board MemberRodger Lalli is the current chapter advisor and also serves on the Grand High Zeta. How did you become involved in Lambda Chi Alpha?

“Tim Rasnic contacted me and said he had a proposal for me to consider. We met for lunch at the Boomerang in Norman and he planted a seed about becoming a fraternity advisor. Up until that moment I had an outsider’s view of fraternity. About one week later I met with Tim and 12 members in Tim’s office for about two hours over pizza, and lots of questions were asked by everyone. I entered the meeting thinking I would say no, but I was so impressed with those men and the opportunity they presented, that I said yes.”

was living in the chapter house during the summer when I received a call from Lambda Chi headquarters informing me of the award. It was a stunning and humbling highlight to my undergraduate career. I was very happy that my parents were able to attend the presentation. Since that time I have served the chapter as an alumnus, providing assistance in financial advice and serving on the housing board.”

Order of Merit RecipientThe chapter has been richly blessed with dedicated alumni who are dedicated to the brothers’ successes. Don Sherman is one:

“I joined the chapter as a pledge in my freshman year, one of 20 in the pledge class. The house held 40 men at the time and I moved into the house in 1954 which was the year that the new addition was built. I was fortunate in living in the new addition as a junior and senior. Afterwards I had the privilege of serving as the chapter advisor for eight years and during one of those the brothers received the Grand High Alpha Award. I became the chapter advisor because I loved Lambda Chi Alpha and have always found it to be rewarding to work with young people. Our chapter members have always evolved around values with quality attracting quality.”

Brother Sherman received Lambda Chi Alpha’s highest alumni award, the Order of Merit, in 1990.

Chapter AdvisorTim Rasnic joined Lambda Chi Alpha in the fall of 1983:

“Matt Hamilton and I were both from small towns in Oklahoma and were members of the President’s Leadership Class as entering freshmen. The men who joined the fraternity in 1982 set the tone for excellence because of the exceptional number of outstanding leaders. Thirteen of the 40 plus men in the Leadership Class at OU became Lambda


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What was the chapter like back then?

“I was initiated on January 22, 2000, and we had 150 members at that time. The chapter was a positive force on the campus with so many outstanding leaders, academically, athletically and certainly leadership-wise.”

What lessons have you learned along the way that you would share with new High Pis?

“There are several: Be patient; always understand there are multiple sides to all stories; know when to step back and let them govern themselves; don’t get caught up in everything, realize these are their life experiences to learn from and grow from.”

Do you have significant challenges at this time?

“Yes, and they are tied together. The chapter has been so successful that it is challenging to keep everyone focused on that success and how they accomplished it. As brothers get older they feel like they have done their time and we keep them involved through multiple brotherhood events such as our 3 on 3 basketball tournament which is just for Lambda Chis. Another big challenge is space; being able to hold meetings and ritual. Our currently planned expansion and renovation will address this. Having over 200 men means that we must be involved in four, and at times five, philanthropic events on a weekend since most community centers can’t accommodate all of our men at the same time. We will be closing the chapter house just prior to the Christmas holidays and won’t re-open it until fall 2013. During this time communication will be critical since we won’t have a place to call home and we must rely on electronic media to keep everyone informed. ‘Mom’ Roberts is critical to our successes and is a rallying point for the brothers. Her role will be vital to us during this year.”

Why have you volunteered to be a member of the Grand High Zeta?

“In 2001 I drove several of the brothers to Iowa State for our summer leadership meeting and served as a facilitator at the meeting. I met many other adults who volunteered beyond their own chapters and I began to see things beyond the scope of Gamma-Rho Zeta. I enjoyed being around the older alumni who have a heart for the fraternity and can bridge the gap between alumni and undergraduates. I love working with and for the undergraduates.”

What is behind the multiple successes of the chapter?

“Recruitment of men who learned values at home and display a positive attitude and spirit coupled with those values. Those are the men who make up our chapter and those are the men we continually seek.”


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A s several chapters across North America enter the

important work of their first terms, associate members and

brothers begin to demonstrate their knowledge on tests and

papers. Young men in Lambda Chi Alpha are acutely aware

of the benefits that a strong scholastic program holds within

each zeta.

This year at the 54th General Assembly, the Student Advisory Committee proposed an amendment to progressively increase the minimum GPA from 2.3 to 2.5 in the next two years. This amendment was passed on the General Assembly floor by a majority vote. The passage of this amendment demonstrates that undergraduates and alumni realize academics is not something that will just benefit chapters in the short term, but that a strong academic performance will benefit young men long after they graduate. Scholastic achievement is key when it comes to job placement or graduate school acceptance. Simply put, success in college can correlate to opportunities down the road.

Also at this year’s General Assembly, three chapters were recognized for their academic achievement over the course of last year. Epsilon Zeta of the University of Pennsylvania, Zeta-Psi Zeta of Arizona State University, and Gamma-Delta Zeta of Vanderbilt University achieved the top GPAs out of all Lambda Chi Alpha chapters and were leaders of excellence on their respective campuses.

The scholastic chairman and president from each chapter discussed how they are continuing to improve upon last year’s success by sharing specific actions they have implemented that keeps their membership focused on making the grade.

Epsilon Zeta

At the University of Pennsylvania, the Epsilon chapter has a highly organized scholastic program to keep their 15-man zeta concentrated on academics. Building on previous academic plans, Scholastic Chairman Suraj Mattai has developed a plan that encompasses several elements of the chapter.

Mattai works with the fraternity education chairman to integrate scholastics into new member education by involving academic programs during the week when the chapter learns about duty. He also incorporates the chapter’s scholastic program to include brotherhood events. For example, as a group Epsilon Zeta has visited historically significant locations in Philadelphia.

“This is something where our brothers can see how awesome the city of Philadelphia is and really examine the history and become a better-rounded person,” Mattai said.

The multipronged scholastic program enables Mattai to work with other officers in his chapter.

“You really can’t put a specific model on what each officer can do,” he said. “There is a lot of overlap and that’s what makes our chapter even more special and close-knit.”

Additionally, the Epsilon Zeta’s scholastic program includes a Sigma Corner, weekly brainteasers, and a log of all the classes

The top three recipients of the Academic Excellence Award at this year’s General Assembly and Stead Leadership Conference share their action plans on how their scholastic programs are improving their chapters.

Making the Grade

By Andrew Talevich (Washington State)


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each brother has taken. The Sigma Corner is the chapter’s personal resource center in their chapter room equipped with textbooks, study abroad pamphlets, tutoring information, and various manuals. Mattai said this was a positive way to collect several external resources into one location that gives brothers academic support.

Mattai emails a brainteaser question to the chapter membership each week. These are the same brainteasers that companies like Google have used in their job interviews. Mattai considers this a fun way for brothers to stay focused on academics and that may also benefit brothers as they seek jobs after graduation. Brothers who come up with the correct answers receive prizes.

Finally, the chapter relies on older members helping younger members with classes. Similar to the scholastic programs of Zeta-Psi Zeta and Gamma-Delta Zeta, the men of Epsilon Zeta rely on each other to hold themselves accountable and keep one another motivated. Upperclassmen are constantly mentoring younger brothers who are in the same majors.

Chapter president Bryan Zoll considers his chapter to be a dynamic group of young men who are self-motivated to learn. Zoll believes their scholastic program extends beyond the realm of the classroom and brings them closer as a brotherhood.

“Just sitting around in the chapter room and having an academic discussion with brothers, you learn so much and I think that’s one of the best things,” he said.

Zoll and Mattai are looking to increase their membership total this spring with highly motivated associate members.

Zeta-Psi ZetaThe Zeta-Psi chapter at Arizona State University is still a relatively young organization. Colonized four years ago, the founding fathers made academic excellence a central theme during the zeta’s initial recruitment program. Zeta-Psi Zeta has continued to keep this trend alive by recruiting men that have leadership potential and are geared toward academic achievement.

“We really try to recruit guys that are going to try to improve that bottom line number rather than hurt it,” said AJ Sheiner, the scholastic chairman.

Another element of Zeta-Psi’s academic plan hinges on accountability. The men of the chapter realize the importance of keeping a high chapter GPA that will differentiate the chapter from other fraternities on campus.

“It’s just our edge. I think everybody knows that, so when we it comes down to it everybody wants everyone else to do well,” Sheiner said.

The chapter works collectively toward academic excellence. Sheiner said that several members in the chapter are students in the honor’s college. Those brothers are often tutoring other brothers who need assistance with their classes.

“I don’t have to sit there and tell brothers to get tutored. Everyone is genuinely focused on their GPAs. There’s a lot of internal helping going on naturally,” Sheiner said.

In order to keep up their grades throughout the following years, the brothers of the Arizona State chapter put a big emphasis on recruitment. The chapter asks potential new


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Gamma-Delta Zeta

The Gamma-Delta chapter at Vanderbilt University is composed of around 70 brothers, with the majority of the membership taking pre-med or economics classes. These brothers rely on mutual trust and teamwork to achieve superior grades.

The centerpiece of their scholastics is the use of mentors. Upperclassmen are paired with underclassmen in the same major. This mentor program enables underclassmen to have a knowledgeable guide that will help them through the obstacles of their major.

“It’s really an advantage to have the assurance that you’re going to have brothers that will help you when you need it,” said Chapter President Will Marshall.

Scholastic Chairman Lewis Sharp also gives out the Sigma Stud Award each week to the brother who puts forth the best academic performance. Sharp plans to offer a minor scholarship at the end of the semester based on a brother’s rigor of schedule and cumulative GPA.

members about their study habits and asks for their previous GPA so they can get a sense of what kind of students they are. The minimum GPA for recruitment is a 3.0.

By keeping a high academic standard for incoming members, the Zeta-Psi chapter is able to broadcast and market to quality men that their chapter has the highest GPA on campus.

“After we established what we wanted as an organization, we recruited members who could contribute to this culture,” said Chapter President Jake Mitchell. “When recruiting we are very clear on what we are looking for. I think this ‘niche’ has helped us immensely.”

Sheiner is looking to build on Zeta-Psi’s academic plan by requiring study hours for associate members and creating a mentor program called “major buddies”.

Practical Ideas to Help Ensure Academic Excellence

Award Outstanding Brothers -Gamma-Delta offers the Sigma Stud Award each week to the brother with the top academic performance.

Recruit Quality, Not Quantity -Zeta-Psi sets a minimum 3.0 GPA requirement for incoming students and asks about study habits during rush interviews.

Make a Brotherhood Out of It -Epsilon goes on outings around Philadelphia such as museums as an educational and brotherhood event.

Provide Resources -Epsilon has their own personal resource center in chapter room called the Sigma Corner.

Set up a Mentor Program -Zeta-Psi, Gamma-Delta and Epsilon all have a mentor system where upperclassmen are paired with underclassmen who are in the same major.

Seek Alumni Support -Gamma-Delta alumni offer job recruitment workshops and advice on resumes to undergraduate brothers.

Educate New Members -Epsilon includes a scholastic program during the Associate Member Education week of duty.


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The men of Gamma-Delta can see that the underlying reason for their academic success is an overall culture in the fraternity that is committed to academics. Within this culture there is a competitive spirit among the chapters at Vanderbilt to achieve the highest GPA.

“When you see other people having that attitude toward academics it really just lights that fire inside you to want to do your best as well,” Marshall said. “That’s something very special that really transcends the undergraduate experience.”

The final component of Vanderbilt’s academic program is equipping brothers not only with the knowledge to do well in class but also preparing them for life after college. Sharp said the chapter uses several external resources to accomplish this, including Vanderbilt’s career resource center, alumni that refer the chapter to job recruiting workshops and interview opportunities, and a lecture series where professors talk with the chapter for about an hour.

“The significance is that having a high GPA is great, but that doesn’t always translate down the road,” Sharp said. “Part of my job as the Sigma is to connect the two, to make sure that a high GPA correlates into success down the road.”


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To build a strong structure, one must have a solid foundation. Such is the story of the Iota-Omega chapter at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. Predicated on hard work, self-reliance, and the common bond of brotherhood, Iota-Omega started as a local chapter led by undergraduate Don Bealer (Louisiana-Lafayette 1962), nicknamed “The Rock” by his peers, and alumni advisor Dr. John C. McCampbell (North Carolina-Chapel Hill 1933).

The fabricating of the Iota-Omega chapter was an act that stuck with the founding fathers long after the roots of the chapter had been formed and friendships created that would prove Lambda Chi Alpha is a lifetime of true brotherhood.

The start of the Iota-Omega chapter at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette is a tale of hard work, life-long friendship, and brotherhood that formed a solid foundation for future brothers.

The Rock of Lafayette, Louisiana

By Andrew Talevich (Washington State)

The Start of Something BigThe inception of Iota-Omega began in the early 1960s with McCampbell, a Geology professor at ULL, then known as the University of Southwestern Louisiana. McCampbell was an alumnus from the Gamma-Nu chapter at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. On a campus that exceeded 3,500 men but only included six fraternities with 150 active men, McCampbell saw the potential for enormous growth and success for a Lambda Chi Alpha chapter at Southwestern Louisiana. He had tried multiple times to set up a Lambda Chi Alpha colony at Southwestern Louisiana, but each time was unsuccessful. McCampbell enlisted the help of Bealer, one of his bright geology students to assist in drafting letters to the

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General Fraternity.

“He was getting ready to retire and he said, ‘I want to try one more time to get a chapter here,’” Bealer said. “He wanted to have a chapter there, and I wanted to do it for him.”

In the spring of 1961, McCampbell and Bealer finally made progress toward their goal. Service Secretary George Spasyk visited McCampbell and campus officials to investigate the probability of bringing Lambda Chi Alpha to Southwestern Louisiana. Shortly after the meeting, Bealer held interest meetings and gathered a group of his peers. The interest group was originally 12 men, the majority of whom were upperclassmen that excelled in school.

“I knew all the guys real well because we all lived in the dorms together. I knew them personally. I knew what their grade averages were. I knew what organizations they were in because I was in a lot of the organizations they were in so I knew they were good guys,” Bealer said.

Due to a slow response from International Headquarters, Bealer, McCampbell and the interest group decided to set up their own local fraternity, Alpha Chi. By that time the interest group had grown to around 20 men, and each individual was eager to become a part of a recognized group. Alpha Chi was approved by the university and granted IFC status on May 22, 1961.

Hal Doiron (Louisiana-Lafayette 1963) joined Alpha Chi his sophomore year because he enjoyed being with the men who took part in the original interest group and wanted to be associated with those outstanding members.

“My motivation was not because of the benefits I might derive from being a member of a national fraternity, but because I wanted the close association and camaraderie of so many campus leaders and academic achievers, many of whom I already knew quite well from my classroom experiences with them,” he said.

Over the summer of 1961, the men of Alpha Chi moved into a house and set up a financial policy. Their first house was located at 1314 Johnson Road across from campus. Bealer and fellow brothers EJ Hebert (Louisiana State 1962) and Kent Broussard (Louisiana-Lafayette 1964) had dedicated most of the summer to finding such a house. Between August 29 and 31, when the men were returning to campus at the end of summer break, they dedicated many hours to furnishing their new house.

Doiron was one of the first residents of the chapter house:

“I can still hear Etta James singing her original recording of ‘At Last’ that played numerous times a day on Barry Soprano’s (Louisiana-Lafayette 1962) stereo. I would nominate this record as the official song of the Iota-Omega chapter. It was there in full-force, filling every room of our fraternity house at the founding of the chapter.”

The young men would cherish their new house as a place where they could practice self-reliance, celebrate their brotherhood, and take pride in their Cajun culture. Every weekend Wayne Brehm (Louisiana-Lafayette 1962) would hunt ducks, rabbits, deer, or other animals. He would bring his catch back to the house and his brothers would barbecue the game and boil crab or crawfish. The left-overs would last several days.

“Some may think this was foolish, but everyone on campus and especially the other fraternities were full of envy,” Bealer said. “The most amazing thing was how we had the fraternity, our house, and one of the greatest groups of brothers together and bonded in every way. All of us had various talents and we just volunteered and put everything together.”



FEATURE

From Alpha Chi to Lambda Chi

Bealer continued to stay in contact with Spasyk about the opportunity of leading Alpha Chi to become a chapter of Lambda Chi Alpha. The men of Alpha Chi had achieved the top GPA among all men’s groups on campus. Due to the successes of their local chapter, Bealer and McCampbell were granted their wish when the Grand High Zeta voted in favor of setting up a chapter at Southwestern Louisiana. Alpha Chi would finally

become Lambda Chi Alpha. From his visits to Southwestern Louisiana Spasyk realized that the men of Alpha Chi would fit the mold of brothers that Lambda Chi Alpha was seeking and Bealer was the brother who would lead them.

“They came from moderate income-level families, usually first generation college students, meaning they worked for everything they got. You could just see that they would be hardworking, dedicated, and loyal. Don was the leader they looked up to,” Spasyk said.

As a Lambda Chi Alpha colony the men at Southwestern Louisiana continued to display excellence. In the fall of 1961 they achieved the highest scholastic average of all six fraternities on campus. They also helped plan and execute the university’s homecoming festivities and won the Jimmy Moe Sweepstakes Trophy, which was given to the organization that displayed the most school spirit during homecoming. They quickly met all their benchmarks to make the transition from a colony to a chapter. On May 5, 1962, a chapter installation banquet was held and Iota-Omega was officially made a chapter. This was a crowning moment for Bealer, McCampbell, and the founding fathers of the chapter. Their hard work had finally paid off.

“Everybody was dedicated with going with Lambda Chi,” Bealer said, “We were just determined that that’s what we were going to do. And we just did it.”

Keeping the BondAfter graduation Bealer worked as a geologist in the oil industry, recording seismic data to find areas where wells could be drilled. His work took him to Houston, Texas, up and down the East Coast, around the Gulf of Mexico, and up to Prudhoe Bay along the Arctic Ocean in Alaska. He would later work for Superior Oil Company where he operated once again in Houston, then Lafayette, and then went abroad to Australia for 16 years, throughout Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and Europe, before settling back in the United States.

Despite his worldly travels, the Iota-Omega chapter was never far from Bealer’s mind. While he lived in Australia, Bealer would visit the United States for a month in the winter. One of the first things he would do was drive to the chapter and talk to the brothers about everything that was going on. Bealer also stayed in contact with Spasyk.

A Lifelong FriendshipBealer and Spasyk had first become friends when Spasyk visited Louisiana while working to set up the Iota-Omega chapter. Bealer introduced Spasyk to a whole new culture. Spasyk recalls fond memories of Bealer taking him out to the bayous of Lafayette. Bealer showed Spasyk how to catch crayfish (or crawfish), a local delicacy. The men from Iota-Omega would go to a crayfish farm, which is a vast rice field engulfed in water and separated by levees that split the field into smaller squares ripe with crayfish. Bealer would cast his net into the pond and within ten minutes the net would be full of crayfish. The men would build a great fire and empty their wealth into a metal drum over a great fire then cook their catch in beer and fill their stomachs. Over the Cajun meal the men would share their thoughts on life and Lambda Chi Alpha with Spasyk.



FEATURE

“He got to meet my whole family at that time. And it was just everything I wanted in my life. To show them who he was and how he made my life - the way he mentored me and everything he did. He is a great guy,” Bealer said.

Staying StrongBealer received the Order of Merit award at this year’s General Assembly for his service toward Lambda Chi Alpha. He continues to help the undergraduate brothers of the Iota-Omega chapter. Last month he hosted an officer’s retreat at his condo on Lake Pontchartrain. This gave the officers a place where they could discuss their goals and learn about the history of their chapter from Bealer.

The undergraduates at Iota-Omega look to the example that the founding fathers of their chapter set more than 50 years ago. During fraternity education sessions, associate members learn about the founding of the chapter.

“The founding fathers wanted to develop the future brothers as men. We knew that we owed it to them to carry on like that,” said Dominick Rancatore (Louisiana-Lafayette 2012).

Currently the chapter is on an upswing after winning the Phoenix Award at the 2011 Stead Leadership Seminar. When Bealer visits the chapter he reminds them of the values the men should represent and how those can carry them into a solid future.

“His nickname is The Rock,” said chapter president Mike Riveria (Louisiana-Lafayette 2013). “We always thought it was a gag that some of the older members made up. But the reason he is named that is because he’s a solid foundation for the chapter. He still knows what Lambda Chi is, and he wants us to know what Lambda Chi should be, and why he started it.”

“I took him to the crayfish fields and he was just amazed. So we just hit it off. We talked a lot. He wanted to know all about my background, where I came from and where I was going. He really told me a lot about Lambda Chi. We were on the same page and had the same direction,” Bealer said. The two men have a common passion for Lambda Chi Alpha and mutual respect for each other.

“Don is really the catalyst of the Iota-Omega chapter. He is an amazing person who has shown support for the chapter all his life,” Spasyk said.

Supportive Alumni

In the early 1980s, Bealer worked with university officials at his alma-mater to secure a lot for the new Iota-Omega house on the campus’s fraternity row. Bealer paid for the initial loan to build the house, and Manny Fernandez (Louisiana-Lafayette 1964) financed the loan. The house opened to brothers in 1983 and has remained as the centerpiece of the chapter since. Bealer has also assisted the chapter with mortgage payments when the chapter struggled with low membership, and has funded various improvements to the house. Additionally, Bealer has served in various positions on the Alumni Advisory Board, House Corporation, and Alumni Association for Iota-Omega.

A year and half ago several men from the original Alpha Chi chapter, and a long line of Iota-Omega alumni, came together to celebrate their 50th anniversary. The celebration included campus tours, a ritual for alumni, a barbeque lunch at the chapter house, and a formal banquet. During the 50 year anniversary a capital campaign was launched to pay off the mortgage. Bealer was a key player in initiating this campaign and over $25,000 was raised during the celebration.

But for Bealer the most significant part of the celebration was that Spasyk was able to attend.

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FRATERNITY NEWS

By Tad Lichtenauer (Denison)

For 2011-2012, more than 120 brothers from over 100 chapters were initiated into this top honor society.

2011-2012 Order of Omega Recipients

For 2011-2012, more than 120 brothers from over 100 chapters of Lambda Chi Alpha were initiated into Order of Omega, an honor society recognizing exemplary men and women in the undergraduate Greek system.

Established at the University of Miami in 1959, Order of Omega differentiates itself from other honor societies by emphasizing community service and inter-Greek communication over academic and nominal honors. Today, there are more than 300 chapters in the United States. Members are selected from the top 3 percent of Greeks at each institution. Order of Omega now has more than 445 chapters in the United States and Canada, and more than 200,000 members.

The following brothers have been inducted into this prestigious society:

Alabama (Alpha-Phi)Elliott, M. TaftHill, PatrickJohnson, KyleKennedy, AndrewKoonce, AndyRoden, Matthew

Arizona State (Zeta-Psi)Crawford, SpencerHester, DerrikZlaket, Daniel


FRATERNITY NEWS

Arkansas (Gamma-Chi)Boomer, SamBraden, ShaneGiles, RichmondJohanssen, GarrettMulroy, NathanWray, Jacob

Auburn (Omega)Smola, CarlUpton, Hunter

Ball State (Iota-Alpha)Watkins,Lance

Bradley (Kappa-Upsilon)Williams, Brett

Butler (Alpha-Alpha)Cinninger, LeanderPhelps, JoshuaPresley, MattSullivan, Sean

Cal State-Northridge (Beta-Rho)Avendano, ErwinFstkchyan, Yesai

Cincinnati (Gamma-Gamma)Tunningley, John

Clemson (Delta-Omicron)Chamlee, WilliamFerraioli, KyleGorosh, SamuelColorado State-Pueblo (Delta-Omega)Evans WilliamMerryman, Jarrod

Cornell (Omicron)Mahan GabrielWorkman, Alan

Denison (Gamma-Iota)Lewis, Luke

Denver (Alpha-Pi)Larson, Ross

Drexel (Epsilon-Kappa)Iacono, AnthonyPratt, Ryan

Eastern Illinois (Phi-Alpha)Curtis, Robert

Elmhurst (Pi-Zeta)Rohde, Matt

Ferris State (Iota-Psi)Reynolds, Sean (Ferris State)

Florida (Epsilon-Mu)Jones, Joseph RyanMarcello, JustinMejia Jr, MiguelRaleigh, Christopher

Florida Gulf Coast (Colony 292)Macak, Parker

Florida Tech (Beta-Nu)Flanagan, MatthewKepto, MatthewWing, William

Franklin (Kappa-Gamma)Lewis, Michael

Georgetown (Kappa-Omega)Propp, Dennis

Georgia (Nu)Law, Fisher

Kansas (Zeta-Iota)Hess, HunterLong, Dylan

Kansas State (Gamma-Xi)Taylor, Alexander (Kansas State)

Kettering (Lambda-Epsilon)Rener, Jacob

Louisiana-Lafayette (Iota-Omega)Rivera, Michael

Louisville (Zeta-Sigma)Smith, Zachary

Lycoming (Iota-Beta)Biggs, MylerSellers, Ethan

Miami-OH (Zeta-Upsilon)Ballard, Christopher (Miami)

Michigan Tech(Phi-Phi)Reich, Adam

Millersville (Delta-Tau)Flail, Brett

Millsaps (Theta-Eta)Marion, AndrewWilkerson, Garrett


FRATERNITY NEWS

Pittsburg State (Lambda-Chi)Aubin, BradleyWellington, John

Rensselaer (Epsilon-Eta)Hoffstein, CraigSchmitt, William

Rhode Island (Eta)Martino, Nicholas

Rollins (Theta-Gamma Colony)Eylmann, KoryMulick, AndrewValdivia, Lito

Samford (Theta-Alpha)Avery, John

St. Mary’s (Sigma-Beta)Canedo, NicholasTovar Jr., Raul

Southeast Missouri State (Delta-Phi)Culbreath, CoreyMaddock, Nick

Southern Indiana (Phi-Xi)Stone, Tyler

Spring Hill (Delta-Delta)Chaney, Christian

Texas (Alpha-Mu)Atwell, Stephen

Mississippi State (Epsilon-Chi)Farrington, JerrodHandler, EvanJones, CharlesWawryszcsu, Andre

Missouri S&T (Alpha-Delta)Naglich, Matthew

Montevallo (Sigma-Epsilon)Hasenbein, WilliamNicholson, Mike

Murray State (Lambda-Eta)Adams, AlexPeebles, Adam

Nebraska-Omaha (Iota-Delta)Griffiths, BlakeLewin, Derick

North Carolina (Gamma-Nu)Gage, Charles

Oklahoma City (Theta-Delta)Randolph, KyleWright, Darius

Oklahoma State (Alpha-Eta)Stump, Bryan

Oregon (Zeta-Omicron)Engel, Alexander

Campos, AlonzoHamilton, LoganLucha, EricStephenson, Alex

Texas Christian (Iota-Pi)Burgdoerfer, Michael

Wake Forest (Theta-Tau)Taylor, Blake (Wake Forest)

Western Michigan (Lambda-Tau)Hochstedler, JesseYoung, Nicholas

William Jewell (Epsilon-Nu)Baragary, AustinStathopoulos, Chris

Wilmington (Pi-Delta)Candella, Brandon

Wittenberg (Nu-Zta)DiGiacinto, BrianMeszaros, JohnRickels, AlexWilliams, Matthew J.

Worcester (Pi)DiLullo, GregoryKocienski, StephanKreuger, WilliamShooshan, Ryan

Wyoming (Delta-Rho)Gallegos, PaulJohnson, Kenneth

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During the 2011-2012 alumni reception schedule, the Educational Foundation hosted more than 700 alumni and undergraduate brothers in 14 cities across the country.

Regional alumni receptions serve as a networking and fellowship opportunity for brothers in the area to engage with one another and meet members of the Professional Staff, Fraternity Board, and Educational Foundation Board.

This past academic year, the Foundation had the opportunity to showcase brothers who have excelled in their careers. These brothers provided insight about how Lambda Chi Alpha helped them develop both personally and professionally.

We were very thankful to have the following brothers share their stories:

• Lynn Chipperfield (Drury 1978), retired senior vice president, Furniture Brands International; former Fraternity Board member

• John Graham (Franklin & Marshall 1971), president & CEO of The American Society of Association Executives; current Fraternity Board member

• Brian Kemp (Georgia 1985), secretary of state, Georgia• Karl Krapek (Kettering 1972), retired president & COO, United

Technologies

HISTORY

Regional Alumni Receptions

By Travis Smith (Indiana)

The Lambda Chi Alpha Educational Foundation

wil l offer alumni receptions to brothers across North America

to promote core values.

ALUMNI NEWS


ALUMNI RECOGNITION

• M. Fletcher McElreath (Mercer 1987), partner with Alston & Bird, LLP; current Fraternity Board member

• Matt Rose (Missouri 1981), CEO/chairman, Burlington Northern Santa Fe Corp.

• Dean Sellers (Florida State 1966), retired partner, Deloitte & Touche; former chairman, Educational Foundation Board

• Kevin Vasquez (Western Carolina 1978), chairman, president & CEO, Butler Schein Animal Health Supply; secretary, Educational Foundation Board

What Are Regional Alumni Associations?A regional alumni association is specifically designated to providing networking and fellowship for all alumni, whereas a house corporation maintains the physical assets and insurance needs of a chapter house, and an alumni advisory board advises the undergraduate chapter operations.

These regional groups are led by the Educational Foundation and are managed at the local level by key alumni volunteers. The purpose of the International Headquarters presence is to continue to provide a level of engagement and communication from the office to area alumni.

What Do They Do?The primary intent of a regional alumni association is to increase the participation and interest level among regional alumni by building communication links and hosting gatherings to foster the spirit of brotherhood across North America.

Each regional alumni association is responsible for promoting Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity in the local community. The reasons for participating in a regional alumni association are

often similar to the reason for joining Lambda Chi Alpha as an undergraduate.Some of these include social and professional networking opportunities, community service functions, and general fellowship. These are specifically broken into four major areas: loyalty, duty, service, and stewardship.

Four Priority Areas for Regional Alumni Associations

1. Loyalty: Any event that shows the core value of Loyalty within Lambda Chi Alpha. (i.e. Hosting a dinner for local undergraduates and their parents, hosting an event for alumni new to the area)

2. Duty: Hosting events that will show pride and duty to Lambda Chi Alpha. (for example, attending a General Fraternity sponsored event or reception, participating in local chapter events, hosting an event that directly benefits the national organization, participating in the Joe Charles Mentoring Program)

3. Service: Participate and plan community service related events. (for example, adopt-a-highway, mentor/mentee, food banks)

4. Stewardship: Social component of our associations. Stewarding the concept of fellowship and brotherhood. (for example, receptions, dinner/lunch events, professional networking, sporting events, family picnics)

Each of these values is represented in the types of events and gatherings that are held in the name of Lambda Chi Alpha. It is vital to remember that alumni have varying interests, sometimes based on demographics, and association’s programs differ accordingly. A Regional Alumni Association promotes “a Lifetime of True Brotherhood” no matter what chapter you are affiliated with!

ALUMNI NEWS


For more information on how you can get involved and to see a listing of current Regional Alumni Associations, please visit: www.lambdachi.org/alumniassociations.

Upcoming Alumni Reception ScheduleThank you to all who attended and hosted our events last season. Below you will find a listing of the 2012-2013 reception cities and dates:

• October 18 – Denver Alumni Reception• October 25 – Philadelphia Alumni Reception• November 15 – San Francisco Alumni Reception• November 28 – Indianapolis Alumni Reception• March 22 – Dallas/Ft. Worth Alumni Reception• April 25 – Nashville Area Alumni Reception• May 8 – New York Area Alumni Breakfast• May 9 – Washington D.C. Area Alumni Reception• Please stay tuned for more information and reception

dates by visiting: www.lambdachi.org/alumnireceptions.

ALUMNI NEWS


HISTORY

An early issue of the Purple, Green, and Gold provides a glimpse into Rho Zeta’s history.By Mike Raymond (Miami-OH)

The Early History of Rho Zeta (Union College)

I am impressed with the publications that Lambda Chi Alpha produced in the early years of our Fraternity. Our early history is well documented in the pages of the Purple, Green and Gold, the Cross & Crescent, and the Expositor. One of my favorite sources of information about Lambda Chi Alpha is the November-December 1929 issue of Purple, Green, and Gold magazine.

This particular issue is often referred to as the “history number.” This issue covers the first 20 years of our Fraternity’s history. While some of the “facts” found in magazine are questionable, it remains one of the best available sources of Lambda Chi Alpha’s history.

One of the most valuable and amazing aspects of the history number is the magazine’s last section. This part of the magazine presents a thumbnail history of all of the Zetas in existence in 1929. Many of these local histories were illustrated with photographs of the chapter houses. Rare drawings of the local groups’ original badges and pledge pins are also included in the articles. It must have been a tremendous effort on the part of our mostly volunteer staff to pull together an article from each Zeta.

Without question the history number represents a treasure trove of information about our local chapters up to 1929.

The Early Years of Rho Zeta (Union College)Harold Edgar Martin (1925), Rho 50, contributed this article to the history number of the Purple, Green, and Gold in 1929.

“Back in 1907 life at Union College was much different from that of today. Fraternities were limited in number and scope of activity. The new fraternity movement was just beginning to be felt; it was not surprising that the men at Union should have felt the stirring of awakened interest in general fraternities among the first.

A small group of undergraduates dubbed themselves the B.I.W. Club, probably during the winter 1907-08. The original members were officers of the Pyramid Club, a commons club which did not compete with existing fraternities. The B.I.W. Club, begun secretly by mutual friends, was destined to become Rho of Lambda Chi Alpha. The original members were John F. Nash, ‘08, Francis W. Burleigh, ‘09, and Frank Huntington, ‘09.


HISTORY

After acquiring rooms in a dormitory, thoughts of the men turned toward petitioning a national fraternity. In 1911, first overtures were made to Theta Lambda Phi, a law fraternity founded at Dickinson College of Law which apparently did not insist too strongly on the legal requirement. The petition was approved November 4, and on February 4, 1912, the group was installed as Parker Senate of Theta Lambda Phi.

The law fraternity of Delta Theta Phi grew, in the fall of 1913, from the previously existing societies of Delta Phi Delta, Alpha Kappa Phi, and Theta Lambda Phi. Under the consolidation the legal qualification was more urgently imposed. This was unfortunate for the Union Chapter, for the law school of the university is twenty miles away. Accordingly, during the winter of 1914-15, the Union chapter arranged an amicable withdrawal.

The group in the meantime asked the help and advice of George Banta, Sr., then as now well informed concerning and friendly to all college fraternities. Without hesitation he suggested that the group petition Lambda Chi Alpha. A petition was submitted on May 13, 1915, and accepted on May 27, 1915. Kenneth Creble reported that Warren A. Cole would install the group as Rho of Lambda Chi Alpha on June 5, 1915, but the installation did not actually take place until June 25.”

(A list of the Charter members of Rho Zeta is found here in the original article.)

“The thought of a new national relationship inspired the group to greater heights. It became dissatisfied with a dormitory section, but it had no surplus funds. However, while the petition had been pending, Charles M. Hendry proposed a motion, adopted after sharp debate and a close vote, ‘that we shall not renew the lease of the dormitory section.’

On May 24, 1915, the chapter voted to lease a house at 224 Union Street for $1,000. This was but three days before news was received that the group had been granted a charter by Lambda Chi Alpha. The assumption of financial responsibility outside the college walls was immediately important. Rho had

to hustle or starve. Members did not starve because, by some good fortune, Mrs. Quackenbush began to manage the dining room at that time. In her nine years of service to the chapter, she did probably more than any other one person to make the chapter a success. She had the confidence of the boys; she bought and served food under the most difficult conditions; she was a source of courage when the chapter was struggling for its very life.

Successively the chapter lived at 242 Union Street, 208 Union Street, and 404 Union Street, when, with a large and active chapter, it began to feel the effects of the World War. Funds were near exhaustion. With influenza raging, city authorities asked the chapter to turn its house over for civic purposes, which was gladly done. Rooms were rented and the furniture stored for the duration of hostilities.

As the members gradually returned from war service and the chapter resumed operation, a house was rented at 22 Gillespie Street at $60 a month. Alumni from other chapters assisted greatly by rooming in the house while the chapter was being recruited to normal strength. The chapter was fortunate that new leaders rose to the changed conditions and that their leadership was of the highest order. The early years had been spent in perfecting internal organization, assuming national responsibilities, building tradition and a reputation. With the influx of war veterans in 1918-20, Rho began to have a more active influence on the campus. Pledging became easier, recognition became certain, social and political prestige were gradually built up.

The house at 22 Gillespie Street, although very near the campus, was not sufficiently large, and after a year of occupancy was almost falling apart. In 1919-20 the undergraduate chapter began an intensive campaign for funds with which to purchase a house. In an incredibly short time they had floated a bond issue of $3500. With the cash in hand, Rho, with the aid of several alumni, bought a house at 860 Union Street, the present home. They assumed first and second mortgages that aggregated $5,000. About $1,000 was spent fitting the house for the chapter’s use. The property is now worth far more then when


HISTORY

it was purchased, owing to the rapid appreciation in values in the neighborhood. It, however, has never been ideal, and Rho is still dreaming of and planning for a specially built house on the campus.

In the past 10 years high class and college officers and major and minor sports letters, managerial positions, and club presidencies were as numerous in Rho as in any chapter at the institution. The internal organization has never been neglected. The Fraternity’s universal accounting system was adopted in 1923. Complete ritualistic equipment was purchased in 1924. The ritual was completely memorized and dramatized, members believe, for the first in the Fraternity by the Rho team in 1924-25. Other improvements were planned and carried through.

Rho has been served by many efficient members in the past. The chapter is entirely grateful to them.”

(The article concludes with a list of past High Alphas.)

CommentaryI believe that the “new fraternity movement” mentioned in the article had to do with the desire of many first time college men of middle class background to join a fraternity. Most mainstream fraternities at the time restricted membership to legacies and men from the social and economic elites. Many new fraternities, including Lambda Chi Alpha, were formed on pre-World War campuses for just that purpose. The notion appeared to be: if you can’t join them, start your own.

George Banta was a very important and influential man in the Greek World of his day. He was a member of Phi Delta Theta, a lawyer, and a publisher of many fraternity magazines. He also published the monthly Banta’s Greek Exchange and various editions of Baird’s Manual of American College Fraternities. It is not surprising that he is mentioned in this article for his expansion activities.

A good example of his expansion work was with Delta Gamma sorority to areas outside of the southern states. He helped them found a chapter at Franklin College. In recognition of his work,

Delta Gamma named the new chapter Phi to recognize his affiliation with Phi Delta Theta and made him an honorary member of the sorority. George Banta remains the only man ever to be made a member of Delta Gamma sorority.

I think that it is also interesting that a chapter house played such a prominent part of the group’s early history. This is probably due to the perception that fraternity life was nearly identical to its room and board operation. The table banter, joking, and serious discussions were seen as a major part of the fraternity experience. The fancier, newer, and bigger fraternity houses were equated with the best fraternities.

An inducement to joining a fraternity was the amount and quality of the food served in its dining hall. Mrs. Quakenbush was recognized in the article for the successful management of the dining room operation for nine years. Her success resulted in the chapter’s success in recruiting and maintaining membership.

Rho Zeta was a casualty of World War II. After 25 years of operation and 213 initiated members it closed its doors for the last time in 1940.

October 2012 Cross & Crescent

Documents

Transcript of October 2012 Cross & Crescent