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Convention Recognition
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.
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.
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
DR. E. DUANE MEYER HOBART ’58
GEORGE W. OBEAR DEPAUW ’30
(POSTHUMOUSLY)
ROY R. PAYNE, JR. CORNELL ’52
PATRICK F. WEBER OKLAHOMA ’87
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.
KEITH SHRIVER, THE UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA ’79, was 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.
JoHn J. KuHn AWArD
This award, named after the former International President of The Delta Chi Fraternity and former President of the National Interfraternity Conference, John J. Kuhn, is presented to individuals who have contributed significantly to the Greek movement. The award, which is the most prestigious that Delta Chi offers, recognizes the accomplishments and the contributions of people within the Fraternity and Sorority world regardless of their affiliation.
WILLIAM D. JENKINS, PHI KAPPA TAU -
2007 A member of the Phi Kappa Tau Fraternity, William D. Jenkins began work for his Fraternity immediately after graduation. There he worked as a member of the Phi Kappa Tau staff from 1960 to 1978. In 1992, Mr. Jenkins joined the North-American Interfraternity Council Board of Directors and would ultimately go on to serve as NIC President from 2000 to 2002. In addition to his service on the NIC, Mr. Jenkins also served on the Board of Directors for the Association of Fraternity Advisors Foundation from 1991 to 2006 and also as the Executive Vice President for the Phi Kappa Tau Foundation from 1991 to 2006.
Among his many awards and recognitions are the Phi Kappa Tau Palm Award, the Borradaile Award, the Association of Fraternity Advisors Jack L. Anson Award, the NIC Foundations Seminar Lifetime Achievement Award, and the NIC Gold Medal.
KEVIN O’NEILL, LAMBDA CHI ALPHA - 2008
During his time as a student at Syracuse University, Kevin O’Neill was an active and involved leader on campus. A member of the Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity, Mr. O’Neill served two years as chapter president and oversaw the chapter’s growth from 19 to 80 members. He also spent two years in college as the Syracuse Orangeman mascot. After graduating, Mr. O’Neill went to work for Lambda Chi Alpha and during his five years there helped start more than a dozen new chapters nationwide and directed the fraternity’s leadership programming.
After receiving his law degree and graduating in the top 10% from the College of William and Mary, Mr. O’Neill began work as an attorney and is today a partner for the Washington D.C.-based firm Patton Boggs. In addition to his successes professionally, Mr. O’Neill has remained active in the fraternal world. Since 2001 he has served as the North American Interfraternity Conference’s legislative counsel and as the Chairman of their Government Relations Committee.
In 2005, Kevin co-founded and served as president of the nation’s largest bipartisan federal political action committee dedicated exclusively to the policy interests of college students and higher education.
offiCer emeritus reCognition
The highest recognition that can be bestowed on an elected officer of Delta Chi is Emeritus standing. It requires a unanimous standing vote of a Convention, and this year the following men were granted such recognition:
“AA” Emeritus
GREG F. HAUSER, MICHIGAN STATE ’75, served one term as “AA”, 1990-1992; two terms as “DD”, 1985-1990; served the NIC as its Chairman (Delta Chi’s fifth) in 1999; is a recipient of the John J. Kuhn Award for interfraternal service; was inducted into the Order of the White Carnation; has served the Fraternity as a staff member and Vice-Regent; has served on several chapters’ House Corporations and ABTs; has served as a Director of the Educational Foundation; is a recipient of the Meritorious Service Award; and regularly attends almost all events of the Fraternity, including 17 conventions. It is easy to say that Brother Hauser is by far the most decorated Delta Chi in its history.
LARRY K. NOTHNAGEL, TRUMAN STATE (NEMO) ’79, served one term as “AA”, 1994-1996; two terms as “CC”, 19901992 and 2000; one term as “DD”, 1992-1994; served the Northern Illinois Chapter as ABT President; served the Fraternity as a staff member and currently serves as the Chairman of the Delta Chi Law Committee; and has attended 11 conventions.
“BB” Emeritus
FRANK C. HINDS, ILLINOIS FACULTY, was the “BB” for the Illinois Chapter for over five years. He also served the Wyoming Chapter as “BB” for three years, on its ABT for three years, and as Faculty Advisor for two years.
FATHER ARTHUR F. HUMPHREY, MONTCLAIR ALUMNUS, was the first “BB” for the Montclair Chapter and served in that role for over nine years. He served the Chapter as House Corporation President and Faculty Advisor, and was awarded a Meritorious Service Award for his dedication to the Montclair Chapter.
STEPHEN B. SPENCER, PENN STATE ’54, served the Penn State Chapter for over 20 years as “BB”. He has also served the Chapter as ABT President and House Corporation President. He has attended several conventions and is a recipient of the Meritorious Service Award. Just recently he was elected again as the “BB” for the Penn State Chapter.
JAMES P. STURM, FREDONIA ALUMNUS, served many years as the “BB” for the Fredonia Chapter, winning six straight Outstanding “BB” Awards. He served as “BB” for the Behrend Chapter, was Vice-Regent for both Regions VII and IX, and was Regent for Region IX. He is a recipient of the Meritorious Service Award.
faculty Advisor emeritus
RICHARD R. KRUGER, TRI-STATE FACULTY, is the first member to be named Faculty Advisor Emeritus. He served the Tri-State Chapter as Faculty Advisor for almost a decade and received the Outstanding Faculty Advisor Award in its first year. He has also served the Chapter on its ABT and served as the “FF” for the 2006 Convention. He is a two-time recipient of the Meritorious Service Award and has attended several conventions.
