convention Recognition 2007 Delta Chi Of The Year Richard Peck, DePauw ’56
As a student at DePauw University, Richard Peck spent his junior year abroad at The University of Exeter in England before graduating with a bachelor’s degree in English in 1956. Mr. Peck completed his master’s degree at Southern Illinois University in 1959 and taught junior high and high school English. He left teaching in 1971 to write his first novel, Don’t Look and It Won’t Hurt. It was his first in a long line of acclaimed and best-selling young adult novels. He has written 37 novels, two of which were recipients of the Edgar Allan Poe award, and another two of which were winners of the John Newberry Medal, the highest prize in children’s literature. Two of his recent books have been National Book Award Finalists, and four of his novels have been adapted for the screen. In 1999 DePauw awarded Mr. Peck an honorary doctorate of letters. He has also endowed a chair in creative writing at his alma mater. In 2002 he was the first children’s writer to receive a National Humanities Medal in a White House ceremony. As Mrs. Laura Bush’s appointed delegate, he represented American writers at the Russian Book Festival in Moscow in 2005.
2008 Delta Chi Of The Year G.D. Spradlin, Oklahoma ’41
After graduating from the University of Oklahoma in 1941, Gervais Duan Spradlin began his unlikely career as an attorney working in Venezuela and then later became a successful independent oil producer, founding the Rogue Oil Company. Before he turned to acting, Mr. Spradlin was active in local politics and campaigned for John F. Kennedy in 1959. Then, in 1964, his daughter Wendy took him to a fatherdaughter acting competition. It was there that the acting bug bit G.D. Only one year after joining the Oklahoma Repertory Theatre, he went to Los Angeles where he was soon cast in the Jack Webb production Dragnet. Throughout the 1960’s, Mr. Spradlin appeared in numerous television programs and motion pictures. Then, Fred Roos, an accomplished producer, director, and casting director who had cast Mr. Spradlin in such television shows as I Spy and Gomer Pyle, recommended Spradlin for the part of the corrupt Nevada senator in The Godfather Part II. It was Mr. Spradlin’s breakthrough role, and it helped establish him as a confident, authoritarian figure, which led to his portrayal of many such figures in his future roles. Since then Mr. Spradlin has acted in over seventy films and alongside such notable actors as Marlon Brando, Al Pacino, Johnny Depp, and Arnold Schwarzenegger. Some of his most memorable roles and credits include Tora! Tora! Tora!, Tank, North Dallas Forty, Ed Wood, The Long Kiss Goodnight, and Apocalypse Now. In 1999, he retired from the world of acting with his last film Dick. Today, he is widely regarded as one of the greatest Hollywood character actors.
10 Delta Chi | Quarterly | Winter 2009
New Founder Recognition The following men were recognized at the 2008 Convention closing banquet and received the honor of being acknowledged as New Founders, an honor which is bestowed upon a member for his lifetime giving of over $100,000 to the Fraternity and Foundation. Delta Chi cannot thank these brothers enough for their generous support of Delta Chi, its members, and its programs. Thank You.
Robert D. Hendershot Purdue ’72
Roy R. Payne, Jr. Cornell ’52
Dr. E. Duane Meyer Hobart ’58
Patrick F. Weber Oklahoma ’87
George W. Obear DePauw ’30 (Posthumously)
Order of the White Carnation Delta Chi established the Order of the White Carnation in 1975 to honor those men who have displayed meritorious and inconspicuous service. Last summer candidates were presented for consideration and, by standing acclamation, the Convention inducted the following men: Russell Driscoll, Florida ’57, has served as the South Florida Chapter’s House Corporation President for the past seven years. He has also served on the Chapter’s ABT, was a Vice-Regent for Region VIII, was the Chairman of the Strategic Planning Governance Task Force, was instrumental in the renovations to the Florida Chapter house, and is always a dedicated volunteer to chapters in the State of Florida. He is the recipient of two Meritorious Service Awards and has attended several conventions and Regional Conferences. eith Shriver, the university of Florida ’79, was K a founding father of the Jacksonville Chapter and soon after transferred to the University of Florida and since has distinguished himself with almost 30 years of service to the Fraternity. He served two years on staff, has been a Vice-Regent for Region VIII, Regent for Region VIII, served the Georgia Tech Chapter as “BB” and as an ABT member, and currently serves as the “BB” for the Kennesaw Colony. He has twice been awarded the Meritorious Service Award and has attended numerous Regional Conferences, Leadership Colleges, and has attended 15 conventions. Steven R. Michels, Marquette ’87, served for over ten years as the House Corporation President for the Marquette Chapter. He is a former Secretary/Treasurer and former Vice-President for the Delta Chi Educational Foundation and current member of the Board of Directors for the Foundation. He has attended several conventions and was named a New Founder at the 2006 Convention.
