C&C May 2011

May 2011 . Issue 03

Cross & Crescent May 2011www.crossandcrescent.com

Cross & Crescent a Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity publication

CONTRIBUTIONS

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

Lambda Chi Alpha8741 Founders Rd.Indianapolis, IN 46268-1338(317) 872-8000editor@lambdachi.orgwww.lambdachi.orgwww.crossandcrescent.com

CREDITS

Publisher: Bill FarkasEditor-in-Chief: Tad LichtenauerAsst Editor,Graphic Design: Thomas Roberts Photographer: Walt MoserResearch: Jon WilliamsonHistorian: Mike RaymondEditors: Jono Hren Bob McLaughlin

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Chapter News, Alumni News, and Omegas

Fraternity NewsLambda Chi after Graduation

Fraternity NewsLambda Chi after Graduation

TRUE BrotherReflections from Indianapolis

HistoryHonoring our Spiritual Founder

14YOBO STANDS ABOVE An undergraduate brother at USC’s Zeta-Delta chapter, Peter Yobo is a member of the varsity track team, a walk-on to the football team, and co-founder of the global non-profit iStandAbove. By Tad Lichtenauer (Denison)

18DIRECTOR, PRODUCER AND WRITER An alumni brother from UCLA’s Epsilon-Sigma chapter, Duane Clark has directed episodes for a number of notable TV series, including Hawaii Five-O, Highlander: The Series, Dark Angel, The Practice, Boston Public, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, CSI: Miami, CSI: NY and XIII. By Thomas Roberts (Edinboro)

21WESTERN KENTUCKY’S 46TH ANNIVERSARY Installed as Lambda-Lambda on May 15, 1965, our chapter at Western Kentucky celebrates its 46th anniversary. ByJon Williamson (Maryland)

a lifetime of true brotherhood

Copyright © 2011 Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. All rights reserved.


Chapter NewsChapter news, alumni news, and reports of death

Chapter News

Akron (Gamma-Alpha)Musician Mark Petracca, who uses the stage name Dusty Wright, won Best Music Video at the Los Angeles Film and Script Festival with his new song, “Secret Window (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F6QFtbgWYD8).”

Alabama-Birmingham (Sigma-Chi)The chapter teamed with Delta Gamma, Alpha Kappa Alpha, and Omega Psi Phi sororities to win the university’s inaugural Greek Week.

Chapter President Tripp Ference, Ritual Chairman Matthew Helms, and Scholarship Chairman Rob Wians were initiated into Order of Omega honor society.

Ference received the university’s Emerging Leader Award through his service on campus and to the Fraternity.

Arizona (Zeta-Beta)Arizona (Zeta-Beta)John F. Vos III (http://www.meaningfulfunerals.net/fh/obituaries/obituary.cfm?o_id=647829&fh_id=12451&s_id=72250F6D6BAB54C5B344D26D696335AD) (1961) died June 16, 2010. He spent his life as a practicing attorney and was the past president of the Plymouth Rotary in Michigan.

Arkansas (Gamma-Chi)Arkansas (Gamma-Chi)The chapter held its annual White Rose Formal on April 16-17, 2011, at the Embassy Suites in Rogers, Arkansas. During the banquet the following awards were given: Jesse Wray, Best New Member; Adam Koehler, Living Out the Ritual; Dillion Barnes, Member of the Year; Connor Heiger, Sportsman of the Year; and Mason Miller, Best Academics.

Auburn (Omega)Auburn (Omega)The chapter hosted the Great South Conclave on March 5, 2011. Sixty undergraduate brothers from 10 chapters of the southeast were in attendance. Executive Vice President Bill Farkas (Butler 1988) was the keynote speaker at the final banquet.

Auburn-Montgomery (Phi-Kappa)The chapter conducted a teeter-totter marathon for charity.

Tony D. Pinckard (http://obits.al.com/obituaries/birmingham/obituary.aspx?n=tony-dean-pinckard&pid=150438187) (1987) died April 20, 2011. One of the chapter founders, he worked as an account executive with Network Data Solutions Inc.

Baldwin-Wallace (Kappa-Phi Colony)The colony held an Initiation Ritual Exemplification on April 30, 2011, at the Lindsay-Crossman Chapel on campus. Prior to the ceremony, brothers Trevor Behm, Curt Brown, and Jamie Flemming helped repair and replace the Ritual equipment.

Nearly all of the colony brothers participated in the recent Community Outreach Saturday of Service. The brothers were assigned to the Berea Historical Society where they helped the staff by raking leaves, trimming hedges, weeding, and doing other garden work.

Boston (Alpha)Boston (Alpha)Richard S. Guild (http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/bostonglobe/obituary.aspx?n=richard-s-guild&pid=148502130) (1949) died February 8, 2011. He was president of The


Chapter News

Guild Associates, Inc., the oldest association management company in New England. A World War II veteran, Guild joined his father Walter R. Guild in the association business in 1949. At the age of 29, he was the youngest person to be elected as president of Boston Trade Association Executives. In 1959, at the age of 34, he became the youngest to serve on the board of directors of ASAE and the Center for Leadership.

Bradley (Kappa-Upsilon)Boston (Alpha)The chapter held an Initiation Ritual on April 16, 2011, for six new brothers.

On April 8, 2011, 23 brothers participated in Relay 4 Life, raising nearly $4,000, which was more than any other team.

As a part of the North American Food Drive, the chapter raised $2,100, the equivalent of 19,000 pounds of food, for the Peoria Food Bank.

William Lopez will be commissioned as an officer of the U.S. Army at Commencement in May 2011.

Brown (Iota)Brown (Iota)On April 15, 2011, John Parry (http://www.csuvikings.com/genrel/040411aab.html) was named the athletic director at Cleveland State University. He had served as interim director since May 2010. Parry served as athletic director for Butler University in Indianapolis from 1990 to 2006, a period during which the university won the Horizon League All Sport trophy four times, and was instrumental in increasing sponsorship income and fundraising revenue. Prior to his work at Butler, Parry was director of athletics for Brown University where he oversaw 30 varsity teams and helped revitalize the school’s crew, track, and wrestling programs.

Robert E.Pollard (1946) died July 30,2010. He had retired from Monsanto Chemical Co.

Butler (Alpha-Alpha)Butler (Alpha-Alpha)The chapter conducted an Initiation Ritual Exemplification on April 9, 2011, adding 20 new brothers to our bond.

One of the newly-initiated brothers, Alec Thompson, was subsequently elected alumni chairman while another new brother, Graeme Hasse, was elected chairman of the annual Haunted House philanthropy.

Guy A. Porcaro (http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/chicagotribune/obituary.aspx?n=guy-porcaro&pid=142335082&fhid=2070) (1947) died April 28, 2010. A U.S. Marine Corps veteran, he served in both World War II and the Korean War.

California-Berkeley (Mu Colony)On April 1-2, 2011, colony brothers participated in a dance marathon for pediatric AIDS, raising hundreds of dollars for the charity event.

On April 16, 2011, colony brothers spent the day helping to clean the neighborhood by pulling weeds and clearing trash while building rapport.

The colony held an Initiation Ritual Exemplification on April 23, 2011, adding four new brothers. The picture shows newly-initiated brothers Andre Adao and Govind Shantharam with Fraternity Educator Arvind Vepa.

Case Western (Alpha-Nu)Harry O. Swan (http://www.vindy.com/news/tributes/2011/mar/02/harry-o-swa/guestbook/) (1938) died February 28, 2011. He taught vocational agriculture in Virginia. During his tenure there he co-founded the Prince William County Fair, which recently celebrated its 60th anniversary and has grown to be one of the largest fairs in the country. Swan was a U.S. Air Force veteran, a welder in the New Orleans Shipyards and at Lewis Welding and Engineering in Cleveland, and eventually retired from Delphi Packard Electric, where he had been a millwright for 20 years. In addition he operated three restaurants in the Chagrin Falls area.

Central Florida Area Alumni AssociationThe Central Florida Area Alumni Association will hold its first networking event from 8-10 a.m. on May 12, 2011, at the Alumni Center on the University of Central Florida campus. The event be hosted by Bill Peppler from Kavaliro Staffing Services who will discuss employer/employee expectations. Graduating brothers from Central Florida and Rollins College are encouraged to attend, as are any alumni brothers who are seeking employment.

The alumni association is hosting a family gathering at the final Central Florida baseball game at noon on May 21, 2011. Tickets are $5 and the association will receive recognition on the video screen, a public address announcement, and an autographed poster from the entire team. A group photo will


Chapter News

be taken on the field after the game. E-mail Chairman Bill Martin at [email protected] for ticket information.

Central Florida Area Alumni AssociationThe Central Indiana Area Alumni Association will host a golf event at 5:30 p.m. on May 19, 2011, at the Woodwind Golf Course in Carmel, Indiana. Brothers may spend the evening which will include a one-hour lesson and 9-holes of golf. The event costs $40. Please e-mail Dan Hartmann at [email protected] if you plan to attend.

Chicago Area Alumni AssociationThe Chicago Area Alumni Association will host a reception at 5:30 p.m. on May 4, 2011, at the University Club in downtown Chicago. The Executive Vice President Emeritus George Spasyk (Michigan 1949) and current Fraternity Board Member Gregg Behrens (Iowa State 1973) will provide brief remarks about the Fraternity’s history and the current status of the General Fraternity. Click here (https://www.omegafi.com/apps/securedonationsdesktop/lambdachi/alumnievent_display.php4?mode=app) to register for the event.

Clemson (Delta-Omicron)As a result of a job promotion, current Chapter Adviser Dr. William Bowerman (Northern Michigan) has resigned and Josh Howard (Clemson) will assume his role. Howard is the first Delta Omicron alumni brother to become the chapter adviser and the undergraduate brothers are looking forward to working with him.

Four new chapter officers were elected for recruitment, alumni relations, fraternity educator, and harm reduction.

Coe (Zeta-Alpha)Coe (Zeta-Alpha)The chapter was recognized as the Organization of the Year (http://www.public.coe.edu/organizations/LCA/news/10-11/convocation_2011.html) for the 2010-2011 academic school year at the Coe College Leadership Convocation held April 19, 2011, at the Clark Alumni House. The Organization of the Year award is presented by the National Residence Hall Honorarium on an annual basis to a student group committed to excellence on campus. The chapter has experienced steady growth over the past four years, growing from 26 members in the fall of 2007 with a GPA of 2.771 to the current chapter size of 34 members and a GPA of 3.0.

The chapter currently has a new Educational Leadership Consultant and members on the Student Advisory

Committee as well as the Council of Presidents. The chapter is qualified to implement the TRUE Brother Initiative’s Inner Circle programming for undergraduate brothers.

Dayton (Sigma-Eta)Dayton (Sigma-Eta)Deputy Michael Licata (1978) of the Erie County, New York, Sheriff’s Office was honored with the 2010 Law Enforcement Officer of the Year Honorable Mention Award by the the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention and the Underage Drinking Enforcement Training Center. The award recognized Licata for his commitment to reducing underage drinking, which included measurable reductions in alcohol availability for youth; programs aimed at reducing underage drinking, training for law enforcement operations, community or merchants; and recognition by peers, local community and or the media for work in the prevention of underage drinking.

Denison (Gamma-Iota)Denison (Gamma-Iota)George R. Crockett (http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/uticaod/obituary.aspx?n=george-r-crockett&pid=148292807) died February 1, 2011. He served two tours in the U.S. Army and attained the rank of first lieutenant. The majority of his civilian career as an electrical engineer was spent with General Electric in Utica, New York. An Eagle Scout, he was a staunch supporter of the Boy Scouts of America and volunteered until well into his seventies. In recognition of his commitment to scouting, he received the William H. Spurgeon III Award and the Silver Beaver Award, both for distinguished service to youth. He also received the United Way Real Hero Award, the American Red Cross Outstanding Volunteer Youth Services Award, and the J.C. Penney Golden Rule Award for outstanding community service. He was a past president of the New Hartford Rotary and a Paul Harris Fellow.

Denver (Alpha-Pi)Denver (Alpha-Pi)The chapter, paired with the women of Delta Gamma sorority, won the annual Greek Week competition.

DePauw (Xi)DePauw (Xi)Richard A. Schultheis (1955) died May 24, 2010.

Des Moines Area Alumni AssociationThe Des Moines Area Alumni Association will host a brotherhood event at 5:30 p.m. on May 5, 2011, at the Raccoon River Brewing Company.


Chapter News

Drexel (Epsilon-Kappa Colony)The colony held an Initiation Ritual Exemplification for three new brothers: Christopher Siedl, Florid Burda, and Thomas Neff.

The colony added five associate members during spring recruitment.

Colony brothers participated in a variety of campus events, including a blood drive, chariot races, and various sporting events to support Greek Week.

The colony will be hosting its Annual Meeting at 2 p.m. on May 7, 2011, at the chapter house, followed by a barbecue. Alumni brothers are invited and encouraged to attend.

The undergraduate brothers would like to thank the alumni brothers who have attended recent meetings regarding house capacity and renovations as the colony makes and implements plans to eventually achieve its re-chartering.

Drury (Theta-Sigma)Drury (Theta-Sigma)Lucas Schubert (http://newsroom.drury.edu/dunews/index.php/2011/04/12/821) is Drury’s and Missouri’s 2011 Student Employee of the Year. His Drury nomination was submitted to the Midwest Association for Student Employment Administrators (MASEA) where he was selected, out of all the nominations submitted by universities in the state, as the 2011 Missouri Student Employee of the Year. Schubert, is a technology assistant in Career Planning and Development Office. In this position, he has played an integral role in creating a paperless document management system, which allows for more efficient compiling of annual reports. He also has cataloged more than 1,200 student files and serves as a leader and trainer for incoming student staff members.

The chapter held its annual Spring Quiz Bowl in early April, raising more than $300 for the Ozark Food Harvest.

Several chapter brothers have been volunteering at Convoy of Hope, a disaster relief program.

Eastern Iowa Area Alumni AssociationThe founding members of the newly-formed Eastern Iowa Area Alumni Association invite area brothers to register their contact information on the association’s website (http://www.lcaeasterniowaalumni.com/), and register to attend the next event, which will be a golf outing, auction, and lunch. Please contact the current association co-chairs: Bob Freeman ([email protected]) and Charlie Litow ([email protected]) for more information.

Eastern Illinois (Phi-Alpha)The Alumni Board awarded three undergraduate brothers with scholarships. Denis Beharovic received the Fraternity Founders Scholarship valued at $833.94; Keith Brosius received the John D. Schmitt Scholarship valued at $654.00; and Andrew Gonzalez received Jack R. Kelly Scholarship valued at $375.00.

The chapter recruited and initiated 33 new brothers during this academic year.

In November 2010, the chapter held its Watermelon Bust in support of the North American Food Drive. During the event, the chapter collected 1,500 pounds of food that was then donated to the Charleston, Illinois, local food pantry.

During the 2011 Greek Week events, the chapter placed as follows: first place, AirBand (fifth year in a row); fourth place, Big Men Tugs; first place, pyramids; and second place Greek Week overall. Rob Curtis was voted Greek Week King.

Chapter Vice President Denis Beharovic organized Powder Chops, a spring philanthropy event built around a flag football tournament. Nine sororities participated during this two-day event and raised $600 for The Ability Center, a non-profit organization for disabled athletes.

Elmhurst (Pi-Zeta)Elmhurst (Pi-Zeta)As a part of the North American Food Drive, the chapter collected more than 3,900 pounds of food.

Mark Weeden (president), Matt Rohde (vice president, development), and Jake Meding (spring break 2012 site leader) were selected for different leadership roles in Elmhurst College’s Habitat for Humanity.

Jake Meding, Mark Weeden, Brenden Barton, and Alex Defranco were elected to be on the Elmhurst College Student Government Association board.

The chapter held an Initiation Ritual Exemplification for three new brothers.

Eureka (Theta-Chi)Eureka (Theta-Chi)Bruce and Mark Darnall have written another article, “Justin Masterson Is Baseball’s Mr. Clean (http://www.beyondtheultimate.com/),” about Cleveland


Chapter News

Indians starting pitcher Justin Masterson. The article was published on-line by Athletes In Action, the sports ministry of Campus Crusade for Christ.

Florida Southern (Epsilon-Xi)During the 2011 Greek Awards, the chapter won the following: Outstanding Organization Award; Outstanding Philanthropy Commitment Award; Mitch Varnum, Student Volunteer of the Year Award; and Marcus Duffy, James C. Rogers Award.

Mitch Varnum, Jared Goodwin, and Alan Silva were elected to the SGA executive board.

The chapter held an Initiation Ritual Exemplification for five new brothers: Mike Warne, Derek Snyder, Ryan Arnold, Jared Goodwin, Shem Opolot, and Kade Ross.

The chapter won the All-Sports Award this year, excelling in football and golf. This marks the seventh time in the past eight years that the chapter has won this award.

Florida State (Zeta-Rho)Florida State (Zeta-Rho)Bruce Blackwell (1968) received the Florida Bar Foundation Medal of Honor for 2011. This is the highest honor a lawyer in Florida may receive and it is presented to only one lawyer annually. Blackwell, an Orlando attorney, is widely renowned for his pro bono work, professional leadership, and dedication to his profession. He is a partner in the law firm of King, Blackwell, Downs & Zehnder, is a past

foundation president, and currently serves as a trustee of The Florida Bar Foundation Endowment Trust. He is also a past president of the Orange County Bar Association, a past member of The Florida Bar Board of Governors, and is the current president of the Florida Supreme Court Historical Society.

Hamilton (Gamma-Eta)Hamilton (Gamma-Eta)Fran Musselman (http://students.hamilton.edu/spectator/3-31-11/features/trustee-corner-fran-musselman-50) (1950), a lifetime trustee of Hamilton College, is featured in The Spectator, Hamilton College’s primary news publication.

Houston Area Alumni AssociationThe Houston Area Alumni Association will host a baseball outing on May 10, 2011, to watch the Houston Astros play the Cincinnati Reds. As in the past, the alumni brothers will meet at Larry’s Big Bamboo prior to the game. Tickets are $21 a person and will include a voucher for a hot dog, chips, and a drink. Please e-mail David Swift [email protected] if you would like to attend. Click here (http://new.evite.com/?utm_source=other_email&utm_medium=email&utm_content=text&utm_campaign=invite#viewinvite:eid=0024AAQZXGL24EYK6EPAMIQMKTYCVQ&gid=0024AAPMTMDWJMG4OEPAMITQEIVPCY) to see the Evite.

Idaho (Epsilon-Gamma)Idaho (Epsilon-Gamma)The chapter won the Greek Week competition.

On April 22, 2011, an Initiation Ritual Exemplification was held for 12 new brothers. The chapter now has 47 undergraduate brothers.

Incarnate Word (Pi-Epsilon)

The chapter held its annual Watermelon Bash (http://www.charity-charities.org/news.php?artid=975571), raising more than $5,000 and collecting 20,000 pounds of food to be donated to the San Antonio Food Bank. This marks the most successful Watermelon Bash to date and puts the chapter closer to its goal of having donated a total of 150,000 pounds of food to the North American Food Drive.


Chapter News

Indiana State (Iota-Epsilon)Jack Fox (1992), the director of development for the Indiana State University Foundation, has created a large sculpture for Indiana State University’s Student Recreation Center. A dedication was held on April 15, 2011.

Wanda Knight died March 2011. She was the chapter’s former cook and housemother. She never forgot a name and was instrumental in many, many brothers joining the chapter just by her presence and attitude. Knight served the chapter through the 1970s and 1980s. During the past homecoming about a dozen Iota-Epsilon alumni brothers visited her in a Terre Haute, Indiana, rehabilitation center where she was recovering from surgery.

Kansas State (Gamma-Xi)The chapter hosted its annual spring philanthropy with Tri Delta sorority. The event, DodgeBrawl 2011, raised approximately $1,000 for the Flint Hills Breadbasket and St. Jude Children’s Hospital.

Darren Allison, Evan Woolsoncroft, and Curtis Bryant were elected Student Senators.

Steve Tetlow (http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/cjonline/obituary.aspx?n=steven-tetlow&pid=150310034) (1982) died April 13, 2011. A former chapter officer, he purchased the 126-year-old weekly newspaper, The Kansas Chief, and became the youngest newspaper publisher-owner in Kansas. In 1995, he purchased the Green Acres agricultural publication in Lancaster, Kansas. He sold the Chief in 1999 and Green Acres in 2001. He then served as publisher at the Hiawatha Daily World before moving to Missouri where he purchased an embroidery business and a Fed Ex route in Springfield, Missouri. He then returned to Troy in 2004 and a year later purchased The St. Marys Star.

Louisiana-Lafayette (Iota-Omega)

The chapter held an Initiation Ritual Exemplification for three new brothers: William Gardiner, John Hyde VI, and Tyler Robichaux.

The chapter teamed up with IFC to help build a house for Habitat for Humanity.

Dominick Rancatore was re-elected to the Student Advisory Committee. He also was named Greek Man of the Year.

Kutztown (Sigma-Gamma)Dr. Jeffrey F. Zackon (http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/readingeagle/obituary.aspx?n=jeffrey-zackon&pid=150596907) died suddenly on April 20, 2011, in Schaffhausen, Switzerland, while chaperoning an Oley Valley High School German Club trip. He had been the superintendent of Schools for the Oley Valley School District since 1995. Zackon was awarded the Eagle Scout award in 1964 and the North Penn Teacher award in 1981. He was a past president of the Kutztown University Alumni Association. In 2006, Zackon was awarded the prestigious Silver Beaver Award, an honor of the Boy Scouts of America.

Marietta (Kappa-Alpha)On March 25, 2011, the chapter earned the Most Laps Walked Award at the college’s Relay for Life event. Each member averaged roughly 15 miles during the five hour event.

Marshall (Zeta-Zeta)Paul J. Carlsen (1954) died February 17, 2010.

Massachusetts Institute of Tech (Lambda)Edward O. Vetter (1942) died March 9, 2009.

Robert Lienhard died June 6, 2010.

Edward J. Kaminski died April 23, 2009.

David A. Bachman died September 16, 2008.

Memphis (Zeta-Theta)The chapter participated in the second annual “Greek Sing” with the women of Pi Beta Phi sorority and the men of Alpha Tau Omega fraternity.

The chapter participated Greek Week.

The chapter hosted its annual Purple, Green & Gold event for both undergraduate and alumni brothers.

F. E. Guthrie Jr. (http://www.clevelandbanner.com/view/full_story/12306810/article-F-E--%E2%80%98Sam%E2%80%99-Guthrie-Jr-) (1963) died March 10, 2011, having retired


Chapter News

from Gleason High School in 2006. He had devoted his life to teaching and coaching. His goal was to make a difference in the lives of not only his football players on the field but also his students in the classroom as well.

Miami-FL (Epsilon-Omega)The chapter held an Initiation Ritual Exemplification for 18 new brothers, the largest group added in nearly a decade.

The chapter participated in Relay for Life and was presented with the Rising Star Award for raising the most money of any new participating organization. The chapter was runner-up for the Spirit Award.

IFC presented the chapter with the Most Improved Academic Award.

On April 29, 2011, the chapter held its annual formal in Key West.

Miami-OH (Zeta-Upsilon)At the spring Greek awards, the chapter received the following commendations: 1) Scholarship and Learning 2) Community Service and Philanthropy 3) Leadership 4) Brotherhood and Sisterhood. Further, as noted by Mike Raymond, this puts the chapter in the top 20% of fraternities on campus, which in a community of over 30 fraternities, is a distinguished honor.

George Newman (1962) was chosen by the Community Council as Fairview Park Citizen of the Year for 2011. He will be honored at a dinner on May 4, 2011, at the Senior Center. The title is awarded by the previous five citizens of the year based on a nominee’s volunteer service to the people and community of Fairview Park. A lifelong Fairview Park resident, he serves as treasurer of no fewer than three volunteer organizations -- the Fairview Park Historical Society, the Fairview Park Community Council, and the Cleveland West Suburban Chapter of the Barbershop Harmony Society.

Michigan State (Gamma-Omicron)Harry R. Page (1941) died March 9, 2011.

Millersville (Delta-Tau)Millersville (Delta-Tau)The chapter achieved a 5 Star Rating on the Greek Chapter

Assessment Tool. Out of 18 Greek letter organizations it was the only fraternity and one of only two to achieve 5 stars. The chapter was graded on operations, education, scholastics, community service, philanthropy, and overall management.

Paired with the women of Alpha Xi Delta sorority, the chapter was crowned 2011 Greek Week champions.

Millsaps (Theta-Eta)Millsaps (Theta-Eta)The chapter won Greek Week and received several awards at the Student Life and Greek Awards ceremony.

Millsaps (Theta-Eta)The chapter won first place in the 2011 Greek Week competition (http://www.themaneater.com/stories/2011/4/26/greek-week-winners-announced/).

Missouri S&T (Alpha-Delta)David F. Markel (1962) died April 12, 2011.

Murray State (Lambda-Eta)On April 29-April 30, 2011, chapter brothers participated in the annual Relay for Life event sponsored by the American Cancer Society.

Nevada-Reno (Epsilon-Iota)Robert A. Winkel (http://www.rgj.com/article/20110424/NEWS/104240373/Accountant-Bob-Winkel-know-mentoring-skills?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|Local%20News|s) (1953) died April 14, 2011. After college, Winkel joined his brother Chet Winkel at Winkel Motors, which their father started. He retired from the car business in 1972. Winkel then became a certified public accountant with Dick Gilbert and Co. and then with Kafoury, Armstrong & Turner.

New Hampshire (Alpha-Xi)Along with the women of Alpha Phi sorority, the chapter brothers took turns sitting on a giant teeter-totter to raise money for the Brian Hanafin Memorial


Scholarship (http://www.tnhonline.com/third-annual-teeter-totter-a-thon-held-on-scott-hall-lawn-friday-1.2182646), which is awarded to incoming freshmen. On May 5, 2004, Lambda Chi Alpha brother Brian Hanafin passed away after a long battle with brain cancer.

New Mexico (Zeta-Mu)Rob Davidson (1993) of Davidson & Belluso was recognized as a Paul Harris Fellowship Rotary International Recognition Award recipient, the organization’s highest honor, at the Phoenix West Rotary Club’s meeting on April 7, 2011. He was selected “for service and humanitarian efforts,” according

to the Rotary Club. In addition to running Davidson & Belluso Advertising and Design, Rob volunteers in the Civil Air Patrol (the U.S. Air Force Auxiliary) as a public affairs officer and pilot.

New Mexico State (Zeta-Gamma)

The chapter won the 2011 Greek Week competition, which included winning Greek Sing for the fourth consecutive year.

The chapter held its White Rose formal on April 29-30, 2011.

New York Area Alumni AssociationThe New York Area Alumni Association will host a breakfast and brotherhood event at 7:00 a.m. on May 10 at the offices of Alston & Bird, LLP. The event is hosted by Fraternity Board Member Fletcher McElreath (Mercer 1987). Educational Foundation Treasurer Brian Heckler (Shippensburg 1984) will be in attendance and will provide an update from the General Fraternity. To register for this event please contact Alumni Director Dan Hartmann at [email protected].

North Carolina-Charlotte (Beta-Upsilon)Larry Williams (1976) died December 1, 2010.

John East (1979) died March 21, 2011.

North Carolina-Greensboro (Phi-Theta)Chapter brothers participated in Puppy Sit, the chapter’s annual philanthropy for the Guilford County Animal Shelter.

Paired with Chi Omega sorority, the chapter placed second in Greek Week.

On April 14, 2011, the chapter held an Initiation Ritual Exemplification for six new brothers: Taylor McAllister, David Craig, Juan Preciado, Chris Coston, and Ethan Lodics.

On April 18, 2011, the chapter won its fifth consecutive Fraternity of the Year Award.

Isaac Miller was elected SGA vice president.

Eric Hounchell was elected IFC president. Taylor McAlister was elected IFC chief justice.

Northeastern State (Delta-Beta)The chapter brothers held a banquet to celebrate the chapter’s 20th anniversary. A few founding fathers attended and shared their memories.

Ohio (Alpha-Omega)Richard D. Vore (http://www.tdn-net.com/main.asp?Search=1&ArticleID=113317&SectionID=12&SubSectionID=13&S=1) (1975) died February 17, 2011. He was employed as an executive platinum desk supervisor of American Airlines in Dallas. He was formerly employed as a history teacher at Newton School in Pleasant Hill from 1975 to 1981.

Oklahoma City (Theta-Delta)

The picture shows Oklahoma City University President and Mrs. Henry with the first class of the TRUE Brother Initiative’s Inner Circle chapter brothers. To celebrate the occasion, Henry and his wife brought homemade peach cobbler and ice cream. In addition, President Henry donated the cost for an undergraduate to attend the 2011 Stead Leadership Seminar.

Chapter News


Chapter News

Oklahoma State (Alpha-Eta)Chapter brothers built a mock golf course hole in the front yard of their chapter house to attract new members during Greek Discovery Day, attended by more than 1,500 prospective members and their parents.

Chapter brothers participated in the university’s Big Event, an annual spring philanthropy that helps the elderly and disabled. Paired with the women of Phi Mu sorority, the chapter completed 10 projects.

Old Dominion (Sigma-Iota)

The chapter held an Initiation Ritual Exemplification for eight new brothers.

Three chapter brothers are IFC members: Stephen Bowden, Chase Tinkham, and Pieter Van Wijngaarden.

Two chapter brothers serve SGA: Kent Garrett and Pieter Van Wijngaarden.

The chapter received an award for raising the most philanthropy money.

Chapter brothers provided volunteer assistance to the local Ronald McDonald House.

Seven chapter brothers earned a 3.5 GPA during the 2011 fall semester.

Oregon (Zeta-Omicron)House Corporation President Tim Clevenger (http://uonews.uoregon.edu/archive/news-release/2011/4/tim-clevenger-hired-lead-university-oregon-alumni-association) (1985) has been hired as associate vice president and executive director of the University of Oregon’s Alumni Association. Previously, he worked as vice president of marketing and brand management for the Papé Group of Eugene, Oregon.

Oregon State (Alpha-Lambda)As a result of their recent win in Kappa Delta’s Mock Rock, chapter brothers were asked to perform at the closing act for Beavers Got Talent. This philanthropic performance was sponsored by the OSU Athletic Department and featured all the athletic teams and clubs at OSU performing to raise money for the athletic scholarships and also a program to benefit sports programs for children with disabilities. The team consisted of Danny Rauda, Tito Garcia, chapter President Spencer Hutchinson, Jake Odegaard, Gebon Lewis, and Recruitment Chairman Berto Carmolinga. The chapter has won the Mock Rock Competition for the last two years and won the dance competition for the last six.

Alumni Brother Lloyd Herman (1958), the founding director of its Renwick Gallery, created a $2 million endowment to support a new curator of craft position. Herman’s $800,000 challenge gift was the catalyst for attracting $1.2 million in matching funds from private contributors around the country. The Renwick Gallery, established as a branch of the Smithsonian American Art Museum in 1972, features one of the finest collections of American craft in the United States. Its collections, exhibition program, and publications highlight the best craft objects and decorative arts from the 19th century to the present.

William M. Frainey (http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/dallasmorningnews/obituary.aspx?n=william-frainey&pid=149846320) (1987) died March 24, 2011. He worked for American Airlines, Sabre, and most recently Dallas/Ft. Worth Airport as assistant vice president in air service development.

Philadelphia Area Alumni AssociationThe Philadelphia Area Alumni Association will host a brotherhood event at 5:30 p.m. on May 10, 2011, at the Union League of Philadelphia. Fraternity Board Chairman Drew Hunter (Denver 1983) will be the special guest and he will provide an update from the General Fraternity. Click here (https://www.omegafi.com/apps/securedonationsdesktop/lambdachi/alumnievent_display.php4?mode=app) to register for this event.


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Pittsburg State (Lambda-Chi)

At the 2011 Greek Awards, the chapter won seven total awards including the Fraternity of the Year Award and several Chapter of Excellence Awards (Social Service, Membership Recruitment, Chapter Management, Membership Development, and Alumni Relations).

Rensselaer (Epsilon-Eta)The chapter held an Initiation Ritual Exemplification for four new brothers.

On the weekend of April 2, 2011, the chapter celebrated its 74th Alumni Founders Day Weekend attended by more than 200 brothers. Alumni, undergraduates, and family members participated in a barbecue, billiards, a hockey game, a formal dinner/dance, and a philanthropy event to help an alumni brother’s family member.

Samford (Theta-Alpha)The chapter won two awards during Greek Week: highest GPA and most improved GPA among the fraternities on campus.

On April 30, 2011, the chapter held its annual volleyball tournament in conjunction with the North American Food Drive charity.

Simpson (Theta-Lambda)

Chapter brothers completed 433 hours of community service during the spring 2011 semester. This includes service work for Habitat for Humanity, Catholic Worker House, an assisted living center, blood donation, park clean-up, and other campus organizations.

On April 6, 2011, chapter brothers participated in the college’s Campus Day, an annual event that includes yardwork, spreading mulch, and planting shrubs for a community park.

South Carolina (Epsilon-Psi)On April 30-May 1, 2011, the chapter hosted a Brotherhood Retreat.

For the spring 2011 semester, the chapter raised nearly $5,000 for charity with a total of 231 service hours.

South Dakota (Alpha-Gamma)Chapter brothers (http://www.volanteonline.com/news/alpha-phi-breaks-13-year-streak-1.2547599) won this year’s Strollers show, a vaudeville-esque performance featuring comedy skits performed by members of Strollers and song and dance routines from casts comprised of the Greek houses on campus and one group of independents.

South Florida (Lambda-Mu)Since 2003, Dr. Norm J. Castellano (1993) has been practicing general dentistry in Tampa, Florida.

Southern Indiana (Phi-Xi)The chapter won the Greek Week Dance Competition for the second straight year. The chapter also won the Greek Olympics as well as Greek Week Bowling while finishing second overall in Greek Week points. Nathan Wehr received the 2010 Outstanding Chapter President Award in addition to the 2011 Greek Man of the Year Award.

Jordan Whitledge was elected as SGA president. He was presented with the key to the university at the Student Leadership Awards.

Mark Furman was one of 21 university students recognized as a part of Who’s Who Among Students in American Colleges and Universities at the Student Leadership Awards.

Southern Methodist (Gamma-Sigma)


CHAPTER NEWS

On April 8, 2011, the chapter held a community service event at Minnie’s Food Pantry.

Chapter brothers participated in Relay for Life.

Southwest Missouri State (Beta-Psi)Paired with the women of Tri Delta sorority, the chapter held a car wash for charity, collecting nearly $300 for St.Jude Medical Research.

St. Louis Area Alumni Association

On April 13, 2011, more than 70 brothers enjoyed fellowship and networking at the MAC-West. Executive Vice President Emeritus George Spasyk (Michigan 1949) served as the keynote speaker for this event and spoke about Lambda Chi’s rich history, specifically recounting the establishment of our chapters in Missouri. Director of Alumni Relations Dan Hartmann (Truman 2007) also attended, and announced the reorganization of the area alumni association and asked interested brothers to contact him at [email protected].

On April 14. 2011, 12 alumni brothers with more than 40 years as Lambda Chis met at Gianfabio’s in Chesterfield for a luncheon. Spasyk also attended this event and spoke again about Lambda Chi’s history and the importance of the Educational Foundation.

Tarleton State (Phi-Rho)On March 31, 2011, the chapter participated in the university’s inaugural Fill the Field, a campus-wide event designed to fill the football field with donations. Teamed with Phi Mu sorority, the chapter collected 40 trash bags full of clothing and food.

On April 2, 2011, chapter brothers volunteered in the university’s Round Up, a campus-wide annual day of service that

enables students to assist elderly and disabled members of the local community. Chapter brothers assisted with activities including painting, raking leaves, and cleaning gutters.

Texas State-San Marcos (Lambda-Phi)On April 15, 2011, chapter brothers visited the Horizon Bay Retirement Home, playing games and making arts and crafts.

On April 20, 2011, chapter brothers and members of Delta Zeta sorority visited Pee Wee’s learning center to help with an Easter egg hunt.

On April 29, 2011, the chapter hosted its third annual Women’s Health Day.

Troy (Sigma-Tau)Troy (Sigma-Tau)The chapter won the Greek Week competition.

Utah (Zeta-Kappa)Utah (Zeta-Kappa)Dr. Leo D. Leonard was named as the Commodore Charles S. Greanoff National 2nd place winner as the Outstanding Flotilla Commander in the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary. He currently serves as an aide to U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Commodore Raiswell for Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and Montana. Leonard is the retired dean of the graduate school of education at George Washington University in Washington, D.C.

Vanderbilt (Gamma-Delta)Adam Meyer was elected SGA president, John Tucker was elected SGA deputy chief of staff, and Lucas Scholl was elected attorney general.

The chapter earned a cumulative 3.44 GPA, while the newly-initiated brothers earned an IFC-leading 3.7 GPA.

Wabash (Alpha-Kappa)On April 16, 2011, the chapter was named the top fundraiser for the Relay for Life, raising nearly $1,800.


CHAPTER NEWS

Washington (Alpha-Psi)On April 8-10, 2011, the chapter hosted the Pacific Northwest Conclave that was attended by eight chapters with a total of 104 undergraduate brothers, nine Master Stewards, Student Advisory Committee Member Christian Wells, and Fraternity Board Vice Chairman Dr. Gregory E. Smith. Activities included four tracks of TRUE Brother Initiative programming, including the first Inner Circle training at a Conclave. Awards were won by Washington for Scholarship and Initiation retention and by Oregon State for Man-Miles and Recruitment. The Conclave concluded with a final banquet and a competitive game of broom hockey.

Washington, D.C. Area Alumni AssociationThe Washington, D.C. Area Alumni Association will host a brotherhood event at 5:30 p.m. on May 11, 2011, at the J.W. Marriott Hotel. Fraternity Board Chairman Drew Hunter (Denver 1983) will provide an update from the General Fraternity. To register for this event please contact Alumni Director Dan Hartmann at [email protected].

Washington State (Tau)The chapter held an Initiation Ritual Exemplification for two new brothers: Tanner Nakasone and Alex McNeill.

The chapter was awarded the 2010-2011 Outstanding Student Organization Award by the Center for Civic Engagement of Washington State University for excellence in community service.

The chapter has a new blog (http://wsulambdachialpha.blogspot.com/) that provides updated news and event information.

West Texas A&M (Iota-Xi)Jon S. Leasure (1976) died December 5, 2008.

Western Carolina (Beta-Zeta)On April 16, 2011, the chapter held an Initiation Ritual Exemplification for eight new brothers.

The chapter received an award from the university for outstanding commitment to philanthropy.

Western Kentucky (Lambda-Lambda)Newton P. Robinson died February 16, 2011.

William & Mary (Epsilon-Alpha)Chapter Adviser Charles Ruesing was named Greek Adviser of the Year by the William & Mary Greek Life.

William Jewell (Epsilon-Nu)Larry Holley (1967), William Jewell College men’s basketball coach, received the National Association of Basketball Coaching “Guardians of the Game” Honor in recognition of his 800th career win and contributions to the game and student-athletes. The ceremony was held April 3, 2011, at the Cullen Theatre at Wortham Center in Houston, Texas. Holly currently occupies the No. 13 slot on the all-time career wins list (NCAA/NAIA). He just finished his 32nd year at William Jewell and has an overall coaching record of 822-455.

Maj. Paul H. Burress (1950) died October 23, 2010.


CHAPTER NEWS

Wilmington (Pi-Delta)Wilmington (Pi-Delta)The chapter held its inaugural Founders Day Reunion.

At the recent Greek Life Awards Program, the chapter won the following awards: New Membership Award, Excellence in Service Award (56 hours), Philanthropy Award, Academic Honor Award, Scholarship Award, Dean’s List (GPA 3.5 and above -- Austin Newman, Dylan Givens, Chauncy Pope, Chris Hughes, and Chancy Pope), 4.0 Recognition (Cody Arnett and Stephen Fout), Highest GPA Award (GPA 3.09), Community Service & Philanthropy Award (most hours served and dollars per member raised), and Outstanding Service and Leadership to a Greek Organization (Cody Arnett).

Wittenberg (Nu-Zeta)Rev. William C. Zimmann (http://www.legacy.com/Springfield/Obituaries.asp?Page=LifeStory&PersonId=149057710) (1955) died February 27, 2011. He served as pastor at Lutheran churches in New Springfield, Lorain, and Zanesville, Ohio, and most recently Hope Lutheran Church, Springfield. He retired in 1999, having served 42 years in the ministry. He continued his ministry throughout his retirement, serving as interim pastor at Trinity Lutheran, Brookville; Christ The King Lutheran, Centerville; and most recently at Zion Lutheran, Tipp City; Shiloh Lutheran, Lewisburg, and St. Peters Lutheran, New Lebanon.

Wyoming (Delta-Rho)The chapter participated in the MS Walk fundraiser for research and treatment of multiple sclerosis. Out of the Greek organizations in attendance the chapter raised more than $400, more than any other fraternity.

The chapter celebrated the 10th anniversary of its chartering.

FEATURE


An undergraduate brother from Zeta-Delta at the University of Southern California, Peter Yobo is a member of the varsity track team, a walk-on to the football team, and co-founder of the global non-profit iStandAbove.

Yobo Stands Above

By Tad Lichtenauer (Denison)

Peter Yobo (Southern California 2012) was born in New Jersey, grew up in Ghana, and, after high school, moved to California to attend college.

He initially enrolled at San Jose State University before transferring to the University of Southern California.

Before he transferred, and during a summer internship at PricewaterhouseCoopers, he met Zeta-Delta brother Dave Farsai.

The two men struck up a friendship and Yobo asked Farsai for advice about attending USC.

“He overwhelmed me,” says Yobo. I was surprised by his response. He sent me so much information that I didn’t even have to follow up or ask more questions. He answered everything. For him to go beyond what he could have to answer my questions and to make sure I was actually satisfied...I was like, cool.”

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Lambda ChiWhen Yobo arrived at the USC campus, he made sure Farsai was one of the first people he contacted. Yobo decided to go through formal recruitment and went to the different fraternities on campus. Most told him about the parties they held, but Yobo wanted more.

“I was more interested in keeping my grades up,” which is how he was accepted into USC. And he knew he had to keep working to pay for school, too.

“I got to Lambda Chi, and Farsi was outside to meet other guys,” he says. “Every person I spoke to in the house...of course they mentioned ‘yes, we have parties’...but that was more or less how they ended.

They started off saying we’re a sports fraternity and we’re also academically-minded here...everything they spoke about was basically what I was looking for in a fraternity.”

The Zeta-Delta chapter has a long history and tradition of student athletes, from volleyball to water polo to track to football. This tradition means the chapter brothers understand the demands of being a student-athlete.

“They just mentioned how the house has an understanding of them and the time commitments, so we make sure we support them however we can,” Yobo says. “Just letting them know since you can’t take place in everything we still want you to know we still think about you, we’re still here for you.”

For Yobo, Zeta-Delta’s recruitment style was all he needed to know.

“For me it was just...boom, that’s it,” he says. He’s been an active member ever since.

Obviously, Yobo didn’t know about Lambda Chi Alpha’s Seven Core Values before he joined, but he quickly became an advocate.

“Everything the guys said in the house made sense to me because that’s what I had to live for,” He says. “Those were my core values, too. I fell into the right place, especially about the leadership aspect.”

He commented that people in Africa don’t have many leadership opportunities.

Even with demands of being a student athlete and having a job, Yobo makes time for Fraternity. He and some of the older brothers conduct pep talks with the new associate member classes. They talk about how even though being in Lambda Chi is fun there’s a lot more to it.

“You are not coming into a fraternity to replicate what you see or what you feel a fraternity should be. But you’re coming in to add who you are as a person to make the fraternity better and more diverse,” he tells them.

The talks are about how the new associate members need to add value to the chapter and to Lambda Chi Alpha.

“To do exactly what I’m doing,” he tells them, “you can’t keep same process, stay in the past. You have to grow.”

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iStandAboveIn 2007, Yobo and his friend Pichon P. Duplan started

iStandAbove with the purpose of finding ways to propel underprivileged young individuals, worldwide, toward their short- and long-term goals by providing them with the resources necessary to ensure their continued

upward movement on the ladder of success.

“When society follows the norm and you look for ways to excel, you take yourself to that next level,” he says. “I believe there are two kinds of people, those who see an issue and only see the problem, versus those who see an issue and seek the solution. One part of achieving that next level is beginning to view the potential solution, as opposed to the problem. When you surround yourself with the right people and resources, you can always excel in every aspect of life.”

The creation of iStandAbove is the result of the experiences Yobo and Duplan had growing up in Ghana. They firmly believed that one’s determination and ability to convert what seems to be an insurmountable obstacle into a stepping stone is the first step to standing above.

The spark that ignited this idea occurred when, after growing up in the city of Accra, Ghana, the two friends moved to the United States to further their education.

While Yobo is attending USC, Duplan is enrolled at Babson College in Massachusetts. At school they were faced with the clash of two cultures; the Ghanaian culture they knew so well and the American culture they were immersed in.

Upon arrival in the United States, it became apparent to these men that being well spoken was a skill required to climb up the rungs of the ladder of success in both their personal and professional lives.

In order to achieve this, they decided together to merge the valuable aspects of both cultures -- respect, patience, and humility from the Ghanaian culture, and creativity, teamwork, and individualism from the American culture -- to form a distinct union of cultures that enabled them to stand above the adversity of cultural conflict in reach of prosperity.

With a passion to give back to their community both in Ghana and the USA, both gentlemen concluded that sharing their outlook with the global youth would be the most rewarding endeavor for both themselves and their communities at large.

FootballYobo had never played football before he arrived at USC.

A year ago, a football coach saw him playing basketball and asked him if he’d ever thought about football.

“I came in with track,” he says. “I played basketball a lot. I grew up playing basketball but used to do every sport when I was in high school in Ghana. When I got to USC...I was just a physical basketball player...never really a talented, finesse player...more of this brutal force player.”

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At that time Pete Carroll was still USC’s head football coach and the coaching staff liked Yobo’s size -- 6 feet 5 inches and 235 pounds.

“The desire to play football just grew and grew and grew,” he says. “So I went and walked on. All they had us do during walk-on was to sprint -- sprints where you had no rest and you just had to sprint 110 yards as fast as you could.”

Even at his size, Yobo was able to out-sprint even the wide receivers and running backs.

He made the team, but never saw any playing time last season as he had to learn how to play football and learn the playbook. They slotted him at defensive end but, next season, they wanted him to play offensive tackle, which meant learning the offense and adding more weight.

“Right now I’m learning the plays...strength-wise and speed I’m there,” he says.

Regardless of what happens, Yobo says he just has to believe in himself as he teaches young people through iStandAbove.After Graduation

Yobo’s future is bright.Even though most of his family lives in Ghana, he has two homes: with the brothers of Zeta-Delta and with his aunt and uncle.

“I am a lucky kid who was born here in the States,” he says. “I can come and go as I please. I live with my uncle and my aunt. They are like my family when I am in the States.”

He plans to graduate in May 2012 and is leaving his options open about what he will do after graduation.

“I want to do everything to the best of my ability,” he says. “So when I’m coming out of college I cannot limit myself. I’m pretty much open to anything as long as I can do the job.”

FEATURE


Director, Producer and Writer An alumni brother from the Epsilon-Sigma chapter at UCLA, Duane Clark has direct-ed episodes for a number of notable TV series, including Hawaii Five-O, Highlander: The Series, Dark Angel, The Practice, Boston Public, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, CSI: Miami, CSI: NY and XIII.

By Thomas Roberts (Edinboro)

Editor’s Note: Lambda Chi Alpha originally published an article about Duane Clark in the Winter 1996 issue of Cross & Crescent Magazine. This article features more information about his earlier career in the entertainment business. If you are interested in reading the 1996 article, please send an email to [email protected].

Raised in a home where entertainment was the family business, brother Duane Clark (California-Los Angeles 1984) joined Lambda Chi Alpha in the early 1980s and became a member of a diverse house that would help prepare him professionally in the entertainment business.

Currently residing in the United Kingdom, Clark has been active in the entertainment business, from producing and directing independent films to his most recent project directing for Hawaii Five-0. Duane continues to pursue his passion and career as a storyteller in the film industry.

FEATURE


Interest in Film

At young age Clark showed a clear interest in film as a career, taking advanced classes throughout his education to prepare himself for success.

When asked why he decided on film as a career he responded: “My father, Dick Clark, is a television pro-ducer and personality, and entertainment was the family business, as it were. But I was always interested in film and television initially… the storytelling aspect of it was very appealing to me.”

Clark said that when he was in high school, UCLA, USC, and NYU were recognized as the top three film schools. As a senior, Clark took advantage of a program

offered by his high school where he attended UCLA half-time.

The experience would later become one of the decid-ing factors in attending UCLA’s film school. His early experiences as a high school senior would again set him ahead of the curve as he began to enroll in classes at UCLA.

His collegiate experience was anything but normal. Clark spent only two and a half years at UCLA. At the time, the film school’s strongest point was its writing department, “that was invaluable to me to have a terrific mentor named Lou Hunter. It was invaluable to kicking off my career because I, in fact, started as a writer”.

Clark’s continued push to go above and beyond present-ed a few challenges. Clark said: “every project I kind of had to go out and independently produce by actually renting and hustling equipment from professional rent-ing houses because I couldn’t get it from the university.”Joining the Fraternity

Clark’s father and grandfather were members of Delta Kappa Epsilon (DKE) at Syracuse University. Once en-rolled at UCLA Clark was naturally curious and rushed a variety of houses. When asked why he ultimately chose our fraternity, Duane said “Lambda Chi struck me as the most diverse house; well-rounded. It wasn’t sort of the jock house or this house or that house, and that appealed to me”.

The idea of the fraternity system provided Brother Clark an opportunity to better advance his social and network-ing skills. “I was a bit young to be in college and a bit of a social maladroit, having gone to a boy’s school and everything, so having that kind of a social base was helpful… the Fraternity had more to do with my matur-ing socially than anything else.”

While the fraternity’s values and lessons taught by our

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Ritual often provide a majority of education for our members, Clark says, “in the entertainment business there’s nothing more important sometimes than your ability to function in a room, and that was really what Lambda Chi helped me do - to find that social footing and be able to interact well with all sorts of different people.”

Projects & AwardsClark’s roots are in Independent films, but as he pro-gressed within the industry he was provided oppor-tunities to segue into television. His initial television ventures included shows such as the Highlander and Stargate. He later broke onto A-list network TV with David Kelly on a show called The Practice. Brother Clark has since directed episodes of Boston Public, Medium, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, CSI: Miami, CSI: NY and most recently Hawaii Five-0.

Clark received several awards for his 1997 film Soul-mates. IMDB lists Clark as receiving the following awards:

• BreckenridgeFestivalofFilm’sBestoftheFestfor: Soulmates (1997), the Drama Category (shared with Cindy Clark, Producer)

• HeartlandFilmFestival’sCrystalHeartAward

for: Soulmates (1997), (shared with Cindy Clark, Producer)

• PalmSpringsInternationalFilmFestival’sAudi-enceAward for: Soulmates (1997)

• SedonaInternationalFilmFestival’sAudienceAward for: Soulmates (1997)

• WorldFestHouston’sGoldAward for: Soulmates (1997), Theatrical Feature Films - Independent Film

• SantaClaritaInternationalFilmFestival’sDirec-torsGoldAwardfor: Family Tree (1999)

• WorldFestHouston’sSpecialJuryAwardfor: Family Tree (1999), Independent Theatrical Feature Films - Family/Children

• SeoulInternationalDramaAwards2009BestDirectorAwardfor: TV series “CSI”

Clark is a shining example of the lesson taught by our most well-known symbol. The phrase that we all have spoken within our creed of “The crescent is our symbol — pure, high, ever growing;” speaks directly to the way our brother continues to achieve within the entertain-ment industry.

His retelling of his time in the chapter reminds us that each day as an undergraduate we are growing our own skills and attributes in preparation for our careers and personal lives.


Installed as Lambda-Lambda on May 15, 1965, our chapter at Western Kentucky celebrates its 46th anniversary.

FEATURE

by Jon Williamson (Maryland)

Western Kentucky’s 46th Anniversary

Our chapter at Western Kentucky University was founded as a local, Pi Lambda Alpha, in 1958 and installed as Lambda-Lambda on May 15, 1965. As the chapter celebrates its 46th birthday this month, we spoke with Americo Capodagli, the current chapter president.

“Presently we have 53 undergraduate brothers and associate members, and we recently hosted the Bluegrass Conclave with over 100 brothers attending.”

Are the brothers active on the campus?“Very. My friends call me Rico and I am the immediate past vice president of the IFC. David Spalding is current chairman of public relations for the IFC, Ky Bright is in charge of all philanthropic activities associated with Greek Week, and I am the co-chairman of all of the events. We are very active in student government. Wade Pierce was formerly speaker of the house, Josh Newman is a senator, and Devan Hildebrand is running for vice president. Three brothers are very active in ROTC, with Micah Adams returning from airborne school and enlisting in the National Guard, Joel Padgett has gone to the Army Dive School, and Travis Polk is also in the Corp. The president of

the lacrosse team is Alex Via. Alex also serves as an ambassador for the College of Business and serves as the human resource officer for Students Involved For Free Enterprise. The founder and president of the paint ball club is Blake Scheonbauchler.”

How is the chapter doing academically?“For the first time, the chapter finished with over a 3.0 GPA last semester. Andreu Edge and Barrett Dennison are in the Honors College and Kevin Bundin has a cumulative 3.98 in the College of Nursing.”

You have the chairman of philanthropy for the IFC so I assume the chapter is very involved?

“Yes, we definitely are. The chapter holds its watermelon bust each fall, combining it with our canned food drive over a period of three days. We raised almost 10,000 pounds last year. In the spring we sponsor a volleyball tournament. We pair up with Alpha Omicron Pi and we donate to a local woman’s shelter and Hope Harbor, of which Johnny Douglas, our High Pi, is a board member. Our last donation was approximately $8,000. This is an

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opportunity to say that Johnny “D” is a great brother. He is an honorary initiate and is such an asset to the chapter. He always attends meetings and gives us sage

advice when asked. He is a great guy.”

What are the chapter’s future plans?“Our chapter house is currently at 1504 Chestnut Street in Bowling Green, Kentucky, and sleeps 18 men. We own two and a half lots and we are actively attempting to raise money to rebuild our 100 year-old house. Cliff Nam and Doug Martin are leading these efforts. Also assisting is Wade Clark, an honorary initiate, who recently helped rebuild a floor that a brother had fallen through. In addition, he has provided funds for recruitment.”

Does the chapter have a sweetheart?“Yes, she is Whitnee Throp, a member of Alpha Delta Pi.”

Notable Lambda-Lambda Brothers

• Paul R. Adam (1970), special agent, Federal Bureau of Investigation• Olen “Rocky” Ball (1972), senior vice president of investments, Merrill Lynch, Atlanta• David Billingsley (1978), former principal, Henderson County High School; executive director, career and

technical education, Department for Workforce Investment for state of Kentucky• Dr. Ricky A. Canty (1971), dentist, Clinton, Kentucky• Joseph Carroll (1972), detective, criminal investigation, Louisville Police Department• R. Glen Casada (1979), state representative from the 63rd District, Tennessee• Russell D. Chapman (1964), vice president, Asian/Pacific operations, American Standard Bath & Kitchen• Stephen P. Church (1990), president of Winston & Co. Benefits Inc., Louisville, Kentucky• Thomas L. Clinton (1982), director of development and support, Mitsubishi Caterpillar Forklift, Hous-

ton, Texas• Dr. Stephen E. Clymer (1973), dentist, Paducah, Kentucky• Dr. Hal I. Coe (1989), dentist, Orlando, Florida• Jeffrey Consolo (1975), attorney with McDonald Hopkins Burke & Haber in Cleveland, Ohio, and a

member of their Board of Directors• David L. Darnell (1965), former director of veteran affairs, Western Kentucky University• William F. Dost (1975), president WFD Oil Corp., Claremore, Oklahoma• Johnny W. Douglas, current High Pi of chapter; president and owner, Broadway Florist of Bowling Green,

Kentucky• John D. Dunham (1989), photojournalist with the Messenger-Inquirer in Owensboro, Kentucky• Dr. David S. Dunn (1978), dentist, Aurora, Colorado• Dr. Robert S. Fischer (1985), dentist, Hendersonville, Tennessee• Michael D. Fisher (1969), vice president, Kentucky Farm Bureau, Louisville, Kentucky• Phillip D. Hatchett (1985), professional golfer; current head coach, Western Kentucky University golf

team; won 9 international tournament championships• Dr. David E. Hazelrigg (1995), dentist, Evansville, Indiana• Jere D. Hopson (1987), trooper, Kentucky State Police, Bowling Green, Kentucky• Thomas J. Joyce (1972), vice president of customer and industry affairs, Hershey Foods; member, Conve-

nience Store News Hall of Fame; member, National Confectionary Sales Association’s Candy Hall of Fame• Andrew J. Kincaid (1999), legislative assistant, U.S. Congress• Dr. Bruce King (1980), dentist, Eldon, Missouri• Stephen Loyal (1971), vice president, human resources, Western Kentucky Gas, Owensboro, Kentucky• Dr. Bernard L. Madison (1962), professor, Department of Mathematical Sciences, University of Arkansas• James Mathews (1978), meteorologist with the National Weather Service• Paul S. McBroom (1972), regional vice president, Transamerica Retirement Services, Clearwater, Florida• Russell McElroy (1983), probation and parole officer, Kentucky Department of Corrections; his father was

killed-in-action in Vietnam• Joseph McGehee (1968), former vice president of operations, Kentucky Farm Bureau Insurance• Dr. Patrick Meacham (1971), general surgeon, Hendersonville, Tennessee• Dr. David Moody (1978), dentist, Murfreesboro, Tennessee• Ballard Moore (1966), author, coach & teacher of tennis, recipient of the USTA’s Brad Parks Award in

2008, inducted into the Alabama Tennis Hall of Fame in 1995• Clifford C. Nahm (1979), president and owner of Thoroughbred Business Systems in Bowling Green,

Kentucky• Dr. Peter E. Pfannerstill (1984), owner of Ultrasports Massage Therapy, Inc. in St. Petersburg, Florida• Dr. David Robinson (1973), physician of chiropractics, Haddon Heights, New Jersey• Dr. Sory W. Shannon Jr. (1981), pediatric dentist, Birmingham, Alabama• Byron L. Schiesz (1992), admissions counselor, Western Kentucky University• Dr. David Tucker (1977), optometrist, Paducah, Kentucky• Richard Van Slyke (1976), vice president of Busch Properties of Florida, Orlando, Florida• George P. Walsh (1970), supervisory U.S. Marshall, Louisville, Kentucky• Terrence Wilcutt (1973), astronaut, colonel – U.S. Marine Corps, awarded Distinguished Flying Cross

in 1998, veteran of four space flights with more than 1,000 hours in space, inducted into the Western Kentucky University Hall of Distinguished Alumni

• Brian E. Wilson (1991), Department of Biochemistry, Indiana University• Dr. Jack Winchester (1974), dentist, Morehead City, North Carolina• Dr. Anthony L. Yates (1966), veterinarian, Elizabethtown, Kentucky


FRATERNITY NEWS

Many brothers have recently graduated or are preparing to do so in the near future. Often it is mistakenly believed that the Lambda Chi Alpha experience ends after graduation. But Lambda Chi is a lifetime brotherhood and brothers from across the globe are set to assist with the postgraduate transition.

To ensure you receive alumni newsletters and event information keep Lambda Chi’s Office of Administration updated with your latest contact information through ZAX Networking or send an email to [email protected].

NetworkingIf you are looking to network or just looking to find brothers in a new city, Lambda Chi Alpha’s area alumni associations are the first place to start. The Fraternity supports an ever-growing number of regional alumni associations in major cities across the United States.

For locations, click here. These groups offer a wide range of activities, including sporting events, networking lunches, receptions, tastings, and boat cruises. Please send an email to [email protected] for more information.

Lambda Chi also hosts the ZAX Networking site where resumes can be posted and mentors met. Even more popular is the Lambda Chi Alpha LinkedIn group where brothers are available for career advice, networking, and job postings.

JobBoundLambda Chi Alpha’s Joseph T. Charles Mentor Leadership Program has a long standing partnership with JobBound, a nationally recognized expert in career recruitment. This partnership provides Lambda Chi brothers with two resources for new graduates as they plan their career path.

The Job Guide is an informative, light-hearted manual that helps collegians work through that not-so-delicate transition from college life to the real world -- from finding a job to doing well on the job.

Part One covers topics like putting together a resume, networking, interviewing, and writing cover letters or thank-you notes. Part Two is all about how to thrive in the real world once you get a job. The Job Guide may be the best single resource to help undergraduates land their dream job and excel in the workplace.

Tools and resources to help brothers network and find jobs.

Lambda Chi after Graduation

By Tad Lichtenauer (Denison)


FEATURE

The second resource offered is the video series by nationally recognized job search expert Brad Karsh, which provides tangible advice on students’ greatest job search concerns. Each three-minute video is packed with specific tips delivered in an easy-to-digest and engaging way. By simply clicking on the video, you receive valuable job search advice through entertaining media. The videos highlight 10 topics:

Preparing for a Career Fair So many companies, so little time to make a lasting impression. In three minutes, students learn how to successfully navigate a career fair and make the most out of their company interactions.

Five Student Resume No-No’s We’ve all seen it! Students make the same mistakes time and time again. This interactive video warns students against the five resume red flags, and it guides them towards creating a resume that gets results.

Inside the Mind of the Interviewer The terror-inducing, fright-provoking job interview! Students often consider an interview as a “battle of wits” with the recruiting director. Fortunately, this video debunks the myth of the evil recruiting director and shows students how to enter an interview relaxed, prepared, and confident.Networking Your Way to a Job Students are advised time and time again to network, yet they simply don’t do it. The main reasons are that they are intimidated and they are not entirely sure what to do. In this power-packed video, students learn a step-by-step plan to network that strips out all the fear and uncertainty.

Answering the Salary Question We all know that our students are priceless, but how much does a company think they are worth? One of the most difficult questions to answer is: “What are your salary expectations?” Through real interview scenarios, this video shows exactly how a

student should approach the sticky salary question.

How Facebook Can Crash Your Career What you do and say online is searchable, and it’s available to anyone worldwide. Through real-life examples, students learn how to avoid the potential pitfalls that are sinking careers across the country.

The Cover Letter: A Teaser Ad for Your Resume A cover letter should be a teaser advertisement for the resume, so why do 95% of them say the same things? In this fast-paced lesson, students learn what’s wrong with the “typical” cover letter and how to write a short, catchy letter that works.

Answering “What Are Your Weaknesses?” Most students dread that infamous interview question: “What are your weaknesses?” In this fun, enlightening video, students see how to avoid the “canned” answers and how to deliver an intelligent and thoughtful answer.

Making the Most Out of Your Internship A student’s performance in an internship can greatly affect their chances of landing a full-time job. In three minutes, students get the scoop on internship success - everything from attitude and initiative to professional correspondence and appropriate attire.

Dress for Success Perception is reality. Although students may try to fight it, the truth is that dress and appearance can go a long way towards building workplace respect. Thankfully, through this video, students discover the essentials of proper interview attire that will ensure a positive first impression.


Board member Dr. Michael Raymond delivers inspiring remarks at 2011 Great Lakes Conclave.

FRATERNITY NEWS

by Mike Raymond (Miami-OH)

The Golden Age of Lambda Chi Alpha

This article is based on some remarks that I made before the Great Lakes Conclave at Wittenberg University in Springfield, Ohio, on April 2, 2011. Our host chapter, Nu-Zeta, chapter president Michael Decourcy, and chapter adviser Mike Terrano-va planned and executed a fine Conclave for our brothers who came from as far away as Canada and as close as Ohio State. I look forward to attending more Conclaves in the future.

In late March, I turned 66 years of age. That is two-thirds of a century! I have been a Lambda Chi for 47 years. That is more

than two thirds of my life. I have had many honors bestowed on me by my chapter and by our international organization. I have had even more wonderful experiences as a member of our Fraternity. I have mostly positive memories about my experi-ences both as an undergraduate member of Zeta-Upsilon and as a Lambda Chi alumnus.

Lately, I have been reflecting on my experiences as a member of our Fraternity. Looking back, I have held about every position possible in our house corporation and alumni association, I have helped write three editions of our chapter history book, wrote countless letters and emails to our alumni, helped lead a capital campaign and building project, helped re-colonize Zeta-Upsilon, and been the chapter adviser and a mentor to many chapter presidents. I have also written for this magazine and the Paedagogus, and I am in the process of finishing our Lambda Chi Alpha history book.

I realize that many other brothers have done far more than I for Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity. Our history is full of great leaders and innovators whose names are very familiar to us all.

Looking BackWhy did I join, and why have I stayed involved for such a long time? My wife does not understand my commitment but she supports me. My daughters don’t understand -- even though they all belong to a sorority. Of course, my non-fraternity friends don’t get it at all. They don’t have a clue!

Looking back at our 100 years of fraternal history, I think that I know the answer to the question of why I stay involved as an active alumnus.

First of all, Warren A. Cole had me in mind when he started our Fraternity. He had a vision of a new kind of fraternity that was open to first time college students. Most other fraternities and


FRATERNITY NEWS

sororities in his day were elitist and restricted their membership on the basis of class and wealth. Men of modest means simply could not afford the lifestyle required for membership in the older and well-established Greek societies.

In my case, I came from a working class background with a big family and little money. When it came to college, I was going to make it on my own or not at all. Or so I thought. I went to Miami University without the polished manners, fashionable clothes, and proper grammar of my classmates.

I certainly was not a candidate for membership in the Miami Triad. But the brothers of Lambda Chi Alpha, especially my eventual Big Brother Bob Daniels, saw something in me. They ignored my lack of money and my primitive social graces. They found ways, including a job at the chapter house on the “kitch-en crew,” to make it possible for me to join. My brothers helped to transform me into a better person -- I learned to dress better, speak better, socialize better, and become a leader in our chapter and on campus.

So, one reason that I have stayed connected to Lambda Chi is because I believe that I have an obligation to pay my brothers back for all they did for me when I was a young man.

Secondly, I have learned that young men need and appreci-ate contact with older men -- men who may have a different perspective on life or life experiences that they can share. I have been welcomed as the chapter adviser, a mentor, and friend to the brothers of Zeta-Upsilon for decades. This has been one of the most rewarding things about my involvement with our brotherhood. It is really true that when you give of yourself to others you receive so much more in return from them.

Thirdly, it has been fun and rewarding! I have so many wonder-ful adventures, experiences, and stories to share about Lambda

Chi, Zeta-Upsilon, and the brotherhood in general. I have made many life-long friends and I have been involved in so many worthwhile projects and causes over the years. My life has been blessed and enriched by the people and opportunities that membership in Lambda Chi has brought to me. No other college experience has been as rewarding for me as the one we share.

No rose-colored glassesOf course, not every experience was a good experience. I remember firsthand the disturbing and destructive hazing, I remember the overt racism of my Fraternity, the homophobia, the excessive drinking, and the out of control behavior. I hate to admit it, but sometimes I participated in these activities; other times I stood by and watched it all happen. But sometimes I did stand up for what I believed to be right and consistent with our Ritual. I was young, fearful of losing friends, and lacked confi-dence to do what I knew in my heart was the right thing to do. But I did have a conscience, and I was capable of changing.

Eventually, like our Fraternity, Zeta-Upsilon has evolved to the point where these behaviors don’t exist anymore or have become the exception to the rule. We are a better Fraternity today then we were 47 years ago.

I don’t believe that fraternities and sororities lead change in society. I believe that, for the most part, they follow the trends of society. Sometimes we do lead the way as in the case of our historic opposition to hazing.

George Spasyk is a man of vision who committed himself and our organization to eliminating hazing. Our leadership has always been outspoken in its opposition to hazing, but it took Spasyk to systematically break the hold of hazing on our Frater-nity. Nearly 40 years after he set the course, we have a high level of compliance with our no hazing policy.


FRATERNITY NEWS

Over the years, other barriers have fallen. Our members are no longer required to be of a certain race or attend a certain church. We now accept any man who freely embraces our bond. The Lambda Chi Alpha experience is now available to any young man of good character.

The Golden Age of Lambda Chi Alpha FraternityAs I reflected on our past, I began to realize that our Golden Age lies in our future. I realized that each of us can help usher in this golden age of fraternity.

Right now, the Fraternity’s Board of Directors and our Interna-tional Headquarters staff are in the midst of a strategic plan-ning process that I believe will transform our Fraternity. Like everything Lambda Chi does today, the process is grounded in our core values. The plan addresses five priority issues: the True Brother Initiative, Alumni Identification and Training, Healthy Chapter Environment, Fraternal Growth, and Co-Curricular Focus.

Each of these objectives comes with a series of implementation strategies and a tactical plan that contains a timeline for comple-tion; and, most importantly, identifies which staff member will be responsible for the successful implementation of the plan.

I believe that we have moved with remarkable speed in devel-oping the strategic and tactical plans. I also believe that they are useful documents that will not sit on a shelf somewhere to gather dust!

I believe that our Strategic Plan makes a strong statement as to what stand for as an organization. We are a Fraternity of values. We see ourselves as more than a social fraternity. We see our-

selves as co-curricular partners with our host institutions.

The True Brother InitiativeThis golden age that I am talking about is something that all of us can help create and nurture. In my opinion, the Golden Age of Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity will be brought about through the successful adoption of the True Brother Initiative by all of our chapters.

No doubt other groups will copy this program, but we were the innovators; we were the first to put together a program that is based on the best research data available, that is evidence based, and that works -- participation improves the health, safety, and well being of our members.

The True Brother Initiative is based on the Seven Core Values of Lambda Chi Alpha and uses a proven educational and human developmental model based on coaching, mentoring, personal reflection, and commitment to personal improvement.

The evidence concerning the effectiveness of this program is in. Chapters that have adopted the program outperform the chap-ters that have not embraced it -- in every measure. I believe that it is our duty as brothers to promote and encourage the swift adoption of the program by our chapters. It is good for our members and it is good for Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity.

The adoption and implementation of the True Brother Initiative by our chapters will result in a bright future for Lambda Chi Alpha -- a real Golden Age of Fraternity.


TRUE BROTHER

As his internship nears completion, Butler’s Kevin Scoleri shares his experience.

Reflections from Indianapolis By Kevin Scoleri (Butler 2012)

When I think of a way to describe my experience in Lambda Chi Alpha, the word “privileged” often comes to mind. I am privileged to be a member of this Fraternity. I am privileged to have witnessed our Ritual.

This past year, I was privileged to experience something only a fraction of our brothers get to experience. Since September, I have had the opportunity to serve as an intern in the Communications Department at Lambda Chi Alpha International Headquarters, and it was certainly something that has made my Fraternity experience all the better.

Joining Lambda ChiWhen I first walked onto Butler University’s campus, I had no inclination whatsoever of becoming a member of the Greek community. Based upon my impression of fraternities, why would I want to even consider it?

I was a short, geeky freshman who had no inherent talents. I wasn’t looking to go to the kinds of parties that I thought happened in college. The very idea of rushing was not appealing to me.

I slowly saw that the Butler Greek community was different, though, and in the beginning of the spring semester I returned to campus for formal recruitment. I went to many different fraternities that week, but only one stood out as the right place for me: Lambda Chi Alpha.My associate member time was still a time of concern. I had my own reservations and I suspect many others in my class did as well. The

entire time leading up to the Ritual, I was shown love and support from the active brothers and I soon grew to trust them.

This caused new concerns for me. I knew that these brothers were genuinely men of values and I came to worry that I would not be able to live up to their standards. When I finally went through the Ritual, I knew that they believed I could live up to our standards of brotherhood and my life was never the same again.

Since my first trepidations of Greek life had disappeared, I have become quite involved in the Fraternity. I have served as alumni chairman, currently serve as the fraternity educator, and also was recently elected to fill the position of an executive member at-large.

InternshipDuring this past year of school, as I mentioned earlier, I was able to serve as an intern at the International Headquarters. This has been one of the many reasons that my junior year of college has been my favorite. In this time, I had the opportunity to work with some of the most passionate brothers I have ever had the chance to meet.

During my time at IHQ, I did many things, including the typical “intern” stuff. Occasionally I sent mail and I only had to order lunch once; however, everything else that I did were real contributions to this Fraternity.


TRUE BROTHER

Some of my work gave me experience in web design and other internet technologies (of which I had little knowledge) and I even had some experience in administrative duties.

Aside from these, most of my other work involved various amounts of research on alumni and our active chapters. I then would take this information and put it into usable data sources so it may be used later on for the Cross and Crescent or other purposes.

At Alpha-Alpha, I am known as a history, ritual, and constitutional junkie, so this kind of work was right up my alley. Working alongside Brother Jon Williamson, I learned tons more about the other chapters than I ever anticipated, and looking back I can honestly say that I feel like I made a difference.

AffirmationEven today, I am often asked why, after all my reservations about Greek life and all the stereotypes involved, did I join a Fraternity? Why did I become a member of Lambda Chi? The answer I always give, Brothers, is true to this very day and is often true of many brothers. I joined because from the moment I walked in through the door, I felt as if I was home.

I get a similar feeling when I walk into IHQ. This place is much less like an office and much more like a fraternity house. Everyone cares for and supports one another. They are always thinking about you, our brothers across the globe. Sure, they deal with issues that arise from time to time

but the benefits of working here certainly outweigh the costs.

Located in Indianapolis, Lambda Chi Alpha’s International Headquarters is a place that only a small part of our brotherhood will ever set foot inside. An even smaller part of that will have the opportunity to work there.

I truly consider myself to be privileged to have had this opportunity to be one of those few brothers. My perspective of the Fraternity has now been broadened beyond the local chapter level.

I would urge any brother interested in enriching his Fraternity experience to work at IHQ. Your perceptions will change, your work will matter, and you will become a lifelong supporter of the Fraternity on not only a local level but also from an international perspective.

I can say with the utmost certainty that, because of my experience here, Lambda Chi Alpha and its brothers will always have my assistance and support whenever needed.


HISTORY

By Linn Lightner (Franklin & Marshall)

June 1, 2011 will mark 65 years since Jack Mason’s death in 1946.

Honoring our Spiritual Founder

Editor’s Note: This article, written by then Editor Linn Lightner (Franklin & Marshall 1918) was first published in the May/June 1946 edition of the Cross & Crescent. We pay tribute to the 65th anniversary of Dr. John E. Mason’s passing by re-publishing it.

Dr. John E. Mason (Pennsylvania 1913), master craftsman who gave Lambda Chi Alpha many of its finest characteristics, is dead.

Our past Grand High Alpha and “founder,” revered as few men are, died Saturday evening, June 1, in Temple University Hospital, Philadelphia, of viral pneumonia. He had been admitted less than 60 hours earlier with what had at first been believed only a severe cold.

Wearers of the Fraternity’s crescent everywhere have been stunned by the crushing news of Jack’s sudden death that came out of that June night. The heart of all Lambda Chis beats in an aching void as we sadly realize that the curtain has fallen in the theater of life upon whose stage he played such varied roles with exceedingly great success.

Educator

Cast as a teacher of English, a coach of dramatics, and finally an assistant editor and consultant in the Curriculum Office of the Philadelphia Board of Education, modest and unassuming Jack, doctor of philosophy and member of Phi Beta Kappa, excelled to such a degree that the head of his department termed him “one of the most thoroughly educated persons I have ever known.”

In his role of fraternalist, as thousands of Lambda Chis knew him best, Jack was generally recognized as the true founder of our Fraternity, for whose prestige in the Greek-letter and college world he was more responsible than any other member. This is all the more remarkable since he was not a member of the founding chapter, but a charter member of the third chapter.

In the leading part as friend, he was one of nature’s true noblemen, loyal, helpful, a brilliant conversationalist, though self-effacing. We have never had the unhappy experience of hearing a single person speak ill of him. It is difficult to grasp the bitter realization that never again shall we enjoy his friendship nor benefit from his further advice.

The important office of Grand High Alpha was but scant recognition of his great contributions in every phase of fraternity work, which began almost on the day of his Initiation. Previous to that date there were only 17 members of Lambda Chi Alpha. The second chapter, installed at Massachusetts State nine days earlier, had eight members, and the first, at Boston University, had nine.

Diversified Talents


Jack Mason was mainly responsible for our beautiful Ritual, our attractive insignia, and whatever success our publications have attained. He contributed steadily, wisely, and extensively to countless other features which have lifted Lambda Chi Alpha far from the class of mediocre. His opinions were sought and carefully considered on every major subject brought before the Fraternity after the great post-war reorganization assembly at Ann Arbor in December 1919, as well as on most others which arose in the preceding seven years, except from the time he entered the military service to the Ann Arbor Assembly.

The days were never long enough for this man of diversified talents and interests. His unassuming, valuable, and truly great efforts for his vocation and avocations undoubtedly sapped the vitality with which he was endowed, and left him an easy prey to the illness which caused his death.

On the morning of May 29, while still at work in his office, Jack developed an annoying cough. Ernst J.C. Fisher (Cornell 1910), our senior past Grand High Alpha, who collaborated with him for more than a quarter-century, cared for Jack in his home that evening. He became alarmed at Jack’s condition and drove him to the Temple hospital on the following day. There Jack was immediately put in the charge of a personal friend, a nose and throat specialist for whose medical fraternity Jack had designed the important insignia and given valuable assistance in heraldic matters. Two other physicians were called into consultation, but our past Grand High Alpha’s condition was not thought to be critical.

Sulfa drugs were administered, and later penicillin was prescribed when it was recognized that he was suffering from viral pneumonia. On Friday Jack was placed in an oxygen tent to make breathing easier, but he was still able to talk with his brother, Lennon S. Mason, “Fisch,” and a few close friends who were permitted to see him. At 4 o’clock Saturday morning a sinking spell unexpectedly developed, and his brother, “Fisch,” and one or two friends were called. He quickly rallied, and the crisis seemed to have been passed successfully. However, about 4:45 that afternoon he lapsed into a coma; a blood transfusion was ordered, but the weary body of the greatest Lambda Chi of them all couldn’t combat the deadly virus. At 5:30 o’clock that evening came the saddest words Lambda Chi Alpha will ever hear: “Jack Mason is dead.”

Eternal Flame

Funeral services were held on Wednesday, June 5, at the Oliver H. Bair funeral parlors in Philadelphia. Cremation and private burial were in Woodland Cemetery. Masonic services were conducted by Lodge 51, of which he was a past master, the preceding evening with his close friend and associate, past Grand High Alpha Fischer, in his station of senior warden. Hundreds of Lambda Chis, general officers as well as recent initiates, friends, and co-workers passed before the bier banked high with flowers that came from sorrowing chapters and members in every part of the Lambda Chi Alpha sphere and from others high in the college fraternity world.

The services were those of the Episcopal faith in which Jack was reared and in which he had deep interest. They were conducted by the Rev. Clarence E. Tobias Jr., a fellow member of Lodge 51 and vice president of the Acacia Fraternity. The pallbearers were from Lambda Chi Alpha, his Masonic lodge, and the Curriculum Office of the Board of Education of Philadelphia.

Lambda Chi Alpha must now carry on without Jack Mason. He has set the pattern, and we feel that his spirit will give aid and courage to those who are in positions of guidance and authority. We believe Lambda Chi Alpha will grow to greater heights as an impressive memorial to one of the greatest master craftsmen in all fraternity history. His memory will never die.

Our Fraternity itself will be the memorial to Jack, of whom thousands of us will carry happy memories to our graves, memories of a man unfortunately too little known in the General Fraternity and college world only because he worked, of his own choice, quietly and with deliberation, completing his diversified tasks with a rare tact and thoroughness.

Knowing Jack as we did, we realized that, if he were aware of what we are writing, he would not subscribe to many of the statements, for he was always modest to a fault. He never sought recognition; satisfaction in accomplishment was enough for him. He was one of the rarest gentlemen any person has ever had the good fortune to number among his friends.

And so we sincerely repeat:

Lambda Chi Alpha is a great fraternity because Jack Mason lived and was initiated on that May day 34 (Ed. now 99) years ago.

HISTORY

Documents

C&C May 2011