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ALUMNI NEWS AND NOTES
CORNELL
Lars Lundeen, ’69, #772 – Have recently moved from VT to Beverly Hills, FL to escape the winter weather.
EASTERN ILLINOIS
Melvin “Rick” Jones ’72, #5 – Have 6 grandsons!
OHIO
David Straw, ’61, #61 – PhD in physics and managed first successful Strategic Defense Initiative demonstration in space in July 1989. Career in technical advice to defense and intelligence government agencies. Retired from the nonprofit “think tank” the Aerospace Corporation in 2017. Have many awards plus a patent. My son, Dr. Andrew Straw, is a department chair at the University of Freiburg, Germany. Wife Ina, and daughter, Luna, age 10. And my daughter, Melissa Straw, is the Director of Preservation/Conservation at the Goucher College library. Husband Matt Schmill; Two children Elliott 7 and Leah 5. Wendy has a daughter, Jenna, who started medical school at George Washington University.
OKLAHOMA
Bradley Schuldt, ’69, #1010 – Retired 2013 After 42 years in Education. 18 years Superintendent of Culver Community. Currently Education Consultant for Performance Services, Indianapolis, IN
Ronald Morris, ’65, #782 – Worked in Aerospace 2 years, graduate school in Mechanical/Biomedical then 43 years in Oil & Gas and 1 year in Biotech before retirement.
PENN STATE
Kelly Richers, ’72, #851 – Daughter Katherine received Masters in Library Science.
Ron Gebhardstbauer, ’73, #888 – Retired from teaching at Penn State and moved to Copper Mountain, CO to ski in the winter and hike/bike in the summer. We are thoroughly loving it!
PURDUE
George Todd, ’11, #1955 – I am in my fifth year at Coastal Pines Technical College and was elected in October of 2019 to the Steering Committee of the Association of College and University Biology Educators. I married the love of my life, Laura Cribb, in November of 2019 in Jekyll Island, GA!
SHIPPENSBURG
Joel Romaine, ’69, #99 – After 36 years in credit unions Joel Romaine retired as Chief Operating Officer of Community Powered Federal Credit Union Bear, Delaware.
SYRACUSE
Michael Krebs, ’66, #467 – I have enjoyed a fulfilling career in sales and marketing in the High Technology industry. My concentration was in electronics, test and measurement, and photonics. I had the pleasure of working with industry leaders in the design of enabling technologies and university researchers in the quest for the basic nature of our physical universe.
I first retired to a beautiful lake in New Hampshire and recently relocated to a scenic valley in the Issaquah Alps of Washington state to continue my avocation as a soccer referee, extend my hiking exploits and to spend time with my granddaughters.
WASHINGTON
Charles Peery ’52, #441 - Trial and Appellate Practice, based in Seattle, WA, 1962-2018. Represented clients in all Local, State and Federal Courts, at all levels, including the United States Supreme Court. Fellow, American Trial Lawyers Association.
WASHINGTON STATE
Steven Smith, ’71, #396 – I recently had the 50th anniversary of my initiation to the Washington State University Chapter. I was initiated on February 15, 1971. My roll number is 396. I was pleased to hear the WSU Chapter is flourishing and is moving into a new house. Congratulations!
Alex Merlich ’75, #459 – In the last 18 months, I have gained 2 future Coug grandkids. Oliver and Lily. After losing my wife to cancer 3 years ago, I have met a wonderful woman and I’m getting married. Life begins at 64.
WISCONSIN
Andrea Ristori, ’02, #983 – Currently coming up on 4 years as an Experience Designer in sunny Barcelona, Spain where I have lived since 2008. Celebrated 10 years of marriage last September, and recently closed the purchase of an apartment downtown. I’ve been fortunate enough to receive a few brothers from the good ole days out while they were visiting Europe. Looking forward for the lockdowns to go away and to be able to travel to the States again!
INSIGHTS ON THE ACACIA MEMBERSHIP EXPERIENCE
BY THOM POWELL, IOWA ’75
– Preamble to the Laws of Acacia
Over 200 members have participated in a new survey, sharing insights for understanding and enhancing our experience. The first question asks about the greatest benefits of membership, and another asks about the benefits emphasized to potential new members. This article and “word cloud” highlight responses to those questions, which align with two key purposes stated in our Preamble.
Almost everyone mentioned something about friends/friendship, brothers/ brotherhood, or similar terms such as belonging, community, and fellowship – and over a third pointed out the lifelong or lasting nature of those relationships. Clearly those ties are valued in and of themselves, and nearly a third used terms like connections and networking which imply instrumental value of support in and after college.
Other adjectives (beyond lasting, lifelong, and longterm) used were best, close, and
What Does Acacia Mean to You?
Over 200 Members have participated in a new survey about what they think are the greatest benefits of membership. great, and many people described the high quality of their friendships and the admirable character and characteristics of their brothers. Some described additional benefits of mentoring, modeling, and networking that come from associating with such good and successful men.
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Acacia brotherhood is the gift that keeps on giving!
The second most frequently discussed benefit of membership has to do with the development which prepares us to succeed in college, career, and life. Sixty percent mentioned skills and/or experience, and only ten percent referred to the enjoyable social experiences and lasting memories of those activities. Most discussed the valuable personal and professional learning and growth enabled through Acacia.
Acacia’s vision is “Preparing Tomorrow’s Leaders” and a third of respondents specified leadership skills and experience, and related competencies like planning, problem solving, project or time management. Others emphasized social skills such as communication and teamwork, and many mentioned the lasting impact of this development on their academic, workplace, and life satisfaction and accomplishments. Many other insights are being shared which will help better our fraternity’s record, and they will be shared in future publications. If you haven’t yet added your voice to this conversation, would you please take a few minutes to complete the survey? https:// acaciahq.typeform.com/to/ MHB6AtaL
Thank you!
Save the Date! And join us for the 62nd Biennial Acacia Conclave
Conclave 2022 - Atlanta, Georgia August 3 - 7, 2022
Join us as Acacians from across North America strengthen the ties of friendship and conduct the official business of the fraternity. All Acacians are welcome to attend this event, from the youngest pledge to the most well-traveled alumnus -- significant others are welcome too!
