DEKE the
quarterly
RAISE YOUR GLASS: AN INTERVIEW WITH DALE CHIHULY Texas Reunion ZERO TO SIXTY: THE IOTA CHAPTER
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DEKE the
quarterly Volume 131, No. 2 Summer 2013
PUBLISHED BY
Quarterly staff
Delta Kappa Epsilon International PO Box 8360 Ann Arbor, MI 48107 (734) 302-4210 dke.org
Robert Alvis, Editor-in-Chief Ellen Swandiak, Art Director
dKe board of direCtors Stanford McMillan, Chairman Bob Bilbrough, Vice Chairman Michael Peters, Treasurer Albert Bienvenu, Southern Regional Director Grant Burnyeat, Western Regional Director Hardy Fowler, Member At Large Bob Green, Member At Large Sam Heffner, Member At Large John McNeil, Member At Large Mason Morjikian, Midwest Regional Director Terry Stewart, Member At Large Peter Tripp, Northeast Regional Director Ross Wigle, Member At Large Davis Vaughn, Undergraduate Representative Billy Treadway, Honorary President
dKe hQ staff Doug Lanpher, Executive Director Sarah Christensen, Administrative Director Thomas Hudson, Director of Chapter Services Shea Agnew, Chapter Consultant Drake Hoffman, Chapter Consultant Eric Holland, Chapter Consultant
Contributors Laksh Atha Lee Hancock Danny Rosa Doug Sarti Sam Thomson Brent Tynan Lucas Wetton The DEKE QUARTERLY is an educational journal published by the Delta Kappa Epsilon Fraternity, PO Box 8360, Ann Arbor, MI 48107, in Fall, Winter, Spring, and Summer. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: DEKE Quarterly, Ann Arbor, MI 48107. Correspondence: Send to DEKE Quarterly, PO Box 8360 Ann Arbor, MI 48107. Manuscripts, literature, and letters should be addressed to the Editor. Submissions will not be returned. Please mark CONFIDENTIAL if desired not to be published. For change of address please contact: DKE HQ and provide Full Name, Chapter, both old and new address Copyright Š2013 Delta Kappa Epsilon
deke
quarterly @dke.org
table of
CONTENTS
summer 2013
S P EC I A L N E W S
6
DKE Staff Update
7
The Auburn Chapter
8
St. Joseph’s Chapter
25 Terry Rishel
Omega Chi Re-Founding
18
D E P A RTME N TS cov e r sto ry
RAISE YOUR GLASS: AN INTERVIEW WITH DALE CHIHULY Above: Dale Chihuly with Blue Tower, Star, and Yellow Spears in Jerusalem 1999.
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Chairman’s Letter
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DKE International Report
9
Welcome to the Deke House
12
Dekes Giving Back
23
Alumni News
28
Chapter Roll
30
Mystic Circle
F E A TURES
14 SOUTHERN 26 GENT
ZERO TO SIXTY The Iota Chapter
Willliam Preston Johnson Phi 1852
O N T H E COVER : Cobalt Float and Fiori, Glasshouse, and Pacific Sun at the Chihuly Garden and Glass, Seattle, Washington, 2012. Photo by Terry Rishel.
chairman’s letter
Present and future
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few years ago, I walked into the Hard Rock Café in Times Square in New York City. Framed and just to the right of the hostess stand were the original lyrics to “L.A. Woman”, penned on stationary from the Londonderry Hotel, by Jim Morrison of The Doors. The song was written in 1970 and came out on the final Doors album (many of you may not remember those in this digital age) by the same name in 1971. Wow—that was over forty years ago! Our Fraternity is 169 years old. What an incredible history we have inherited. As such, I feel a responsibility not only to those who have come before (our Chairman Emeritus, Mike Michaels, for example), but also to those who have yet to come (my teenage son, Chandler, who was marked with a stencil plate). We are not the owners of Delta Kappa Epsilon—we are merely today’s consigliere, tasked with preparing the Fraternity for future Brothers. So, how do you honor DKE? You honor it by doing for others what Dekes before have done for you. This may be for men you will never know nor will ever meet, but you can be a real steward. Just remember what you have gotten out of your DKE experience and pay it forward! Our Board of Directors deserves a huge round of clicks for their service over the past five years. They have put in countless hours to remake DKE into something worthy of our heritage. The Board has never been stronger and its members are an incredibly talented bunch! Please note who they are on the opening page. Their counsel to our capable and dedicated staff, headed by Executive Director Doug Lanpher, has been invaluable. Doug has so many strengths and this Board has only added to those capabilities to form real synergy in moving us forward. So, please join me in thanking the DKE Board of Directors. We all owe them a huge debt of gratitude! This issue of The Deke Quarterly is full of success stories throughout North America. Our expansion is breaking new ground and bearing fruit. How inspiring! Our pledges and actives are getting to know what we have known about DKE for a long time. It is happening all around you due to the efforts of many who are having fun by being involved. Our Chapter Consultants (and we have never had four working at one time as we do now) are on the road constantly, visiting old and new chapters alike. Would you consider meeting one of them at a chapter close to where you are? They could use your advice and I’ll bet you would get something out of it, too. In the Bonds,
STANFORD MCMILLAN Gamma ‘89 Chairman Delta Kappa Epsilon
4 The Deke Quarterly | summer 2013
Delta Kappa Epsilon has been riding a wave of expansion over the past 18 months. Expansion benefits DKE in so many ways. First, it helps replace chapters that close for one reason or another. Second, an expanding “footprint” at new campuses, especially growing schools or schools in regions where we have historically not had much presence, helps keep the DKE name at the forefront of the Greek world. Third, expanding DKE to new areas and campuses means more Deke members, and a wider network for all Dekes to enjoy. Finally, it’s a financial boost for DKE when a new chapter comes on board. Ever-mindful of our preference to maintain the DKE tradition of awarding chapters only to high quality institutions, we continue to be selective about where we place new chapters. We believe we’ve done a good job in balancing the need to grow with the desire to avoid diluting our brand. Expansion typically happens in one of two ways. First, and more frequently, DKE HQ is contacted by a group of students who wish to start a new Deke chapter. Or second, a motivated group of the chapter’s alumni start organizing, and then in conjunction with DKE HQ, puts together a plan to bring back their chapter. Once we have a group of students who we think are qualified to be Dekes, we ask them to apply to the DKE Board’s Expansion Committee, to be named as a DKE “Colony.” A Colony is a like a chapter on training
wheels… it’s their time to begin to operate as a chapter, develop by laws and operating procedures, and conduct recruitment. During the colony period, DKE International works closely with the members, giving them instruction on standard operating procedures, and teaching them the best practices from other chapters. We also try to locate at least one Deke alumnus in the area who can advise them on a regular basis. And of course, they learn Deke history and traditions. Colonies work toward chapter status, usually over a 9-18 month time frame. Not all colonies work out, but that is normal in the fraternity world. Anything over a .500 batting average is considered very successful. So far we are well above that rate. When ready for chapter status, they apply to the Board of Directors for its final vote. If positive, the Colony is awarded a Charter as an official Deke chapter. DKE currently has seven in various stages of development, not counting the one that was recently granted their charter. Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK OSU is our newest chapter, having been granted their charter in the last few months. They have rented a fraternity house in a great location; they have a good core alumni group helping them along, and they have over 40 members already. OSU is at a school with a very prominent Greek system. They chose Omega Mu as their designation and we expect great things out of them in the future. The next issue of
d k e in t e r na t i o nal r e p o r t
Expansion Update by Doug Lanpher
the DEKE Quarterly will have a story with more details on the journey to their charter. North Carolina State University (NC State), Raleigh, NC We colonized NC State over a year ago, when a group of students approached us saying they did not believe that any of the current fraternities on campus represented the values of gentlemen, scholars, and jolly good fellows. They contacted us because of our reputation for producing leaders. Delta Rho Colony consists of about 20 men, and they are making a name for themselves on campus by recruiting men who are interested in a positive fraternity experience. Although un-housed for now, we like the progress they’ve made at a school with a strong Greek tradition. Manhattan College, Riverdale, NY This school is located in upper Manhattan, along the Hudson River about 12 miles from midtown. It’s a Catholic School, ranked #17 among North Regional Universities (by US News and World Report), with about 3,200 students. Last year, Ian Ferrara, a Deke student from Penn State (Phi Rho Chapter), transferred to Manhattan, and started wondering how he could start up a DKE chapter at his new school. The odds were long, because the College does not have a Greek system, and in fact would not recognize the DKE Colony at first. Persistence pays off, and early in 2013, Phi Mu Colony, was recognized by the Administration. This has made it easier for Ian and the other Founders of Phi Mu to recruit new members, and to make a name for themselves on campus. They are now making great progress, in hopes of being chartered by the end of this academic year.
University of North Carolina-Wilmington, Wilmington, NC This is another example of a group of students dissatisfied with the options presented to them through the existing Greek system. This school is an upand-coming branch of the UNC system, located in Wilmington, NC. Ranked #14 by US News for South Regional Universities, it’s a newer school, growing both in size (12,000 students) and reputation. We quickly determined the students who contacted us were all quality young men and awarded them colony status. The Chi Beta Colony has since become recognized by the administration (which is generally supportive of Greeks), have increased their membership numbers, and have rented a house on the edge of campus. We are very optimistic about this Colony. They recently won Greek Week at UNCW. Hampden-Sydney College, Hampden-Sydney, VA This is a very small, private men’s college in rural Virginia, only about 1,200 students. H-SC has an old, well-established Greek system, and Greek life is a major part of the social scene there. Over a year ago, Bo Stewart, son of a Beta-UNC Deke, Burton Stewart (Beta ’88), called our office and asked if we would be interested in opening a DKE chapter there. After a visit to campus to meet Bo and his friends who were part of his founding group, we quickly decided that DKE and HSC would be a good fit. We established a Colony shortly thereafter. In spite of some resistance by the Administration, the Colony members persevered, and were
finally granted recognition by the IFC in March. Zeta Gamma Colony is progressing very well and is on track toward being chartered as a DKE Chapter in the near future. University of Delaware, Newark, DE The interest group which contacted us was very interested in a Greek experience, but as with OSU, did not find what they were looking for among the existing fraternities. They were granted a Colony and organized against the wishes of the administration. It’s an uphill battle, but our guys are doing a great job of getting their name out. They have conducted a philanthropy event and rented a house right along the street where other fraternities are housed. We’re spending a lot of time with them, and hope to see further progress. Gannon University, Erie, PA Gannon is a Catholic school with about 4,000 students, situated very close to Lake Erie. It’s a well-regarded institution, with a Greek system that had been having troubles of late, mostly due to behavioral issues. When we were contacted by a group of students there, our research showed that the University would be very open to a new fraternity starting up. In fact, our guys were given a front page story in the school newspaper. They have an alumni adviser, Kevin Cuneo (Gamma ’77) who’s been instrumental in helping get them acquainted with DKE traditions and lore. We have a lot of confidence that this Colony will be well established at Gannon in the near future, and should be ready to become a full chartered Chapter sometime in the next academic year.
McGill University, Montreal, QC Of all seven Colonies, McGill is the only one that is a reactivation. Our Tau Alpha Chapter was founded at McGill in 1900 and survived until the mid-80’s, with a short reactivation in the early 2000’s. This colony was founded when a student there, Sean Kim, who was considering joining one of the existing fraternities at McGill, called up his friend from childhood, Freddy Rawji, who is a Deke from Beta Tau-U. Victoria. Freddy convinced Sean that rather than join one of the “lesser” fraternities, he should consider starting up a new Deke chapter. Sean and his friends immediately seized on that idea and have not looked back since. Tau Alpha alum Bob Gales has been a major help in the colonization process. We have a great future at Tau AlphaMcGill, and expect to re-charter them during this academic year. The wave of expansions is very exciting for DKE; we dedicate a lot of resources to nurturing them, but it’s worth every minute of it. The young men in our colonies are high quality and very enthusiastic, and each and every one of these colonies will be great additions to the DKE Chapter Roll in the future. ? dke
Doug Lanpher, Executive Director
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Special
NEWS
DKE staff update Eric Holland, Kappa, Eric Holland, Miami ‘13 Eric has recently left, with fellow accepted the Chapter Kappa Deke Joop Consultant position for the Roberts at the Deke Convention 2013-14 academic year. He last summer. comes to us from KappaMiami, where he held several top positions, including Philanthropy Chair last year, and VP in 2012. He was a key player in Kappa’s amazing turnaround over the past few years. He graduated from Miami in May with a degree in Political Science. Eric says, “I can’t wait to bring what I’ve learned from my experience as a Deke at Miami to other chapters, and see to it that undergrads get the most out of their years in Delta Kappa Epsilon. I wouldn’t trade anything for my experience I’ve had as a Deke and the friends that I have made through it. I’m truly sad to see my undergrad career at Miami come to a close, but I’m excited for what Deke has in store for me next, and I look forward to meeting as many of you as I can.” Eric is from the Cincinnati area, and is a die-hard Indiana University basketball fan.
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6 The Deke Quarterly | summer 2013
As Chapter Consultants, Shea, Drake, and Eric join Tom Hudson (Delta Chi ’11) on Staff; Tom returns for his third year, in a new role, as Director of Chapter Services.
Shea Agnew, Iota, Centre, ‘12 Shea was one of the founders of the Iota chapter when it reactivated in 2009-10, and was Brother Beta during its rise to prominence on the Centre campus. He just finished his first year on staff, and has made a significant contribution to many of our chapters, particularly some of the younger chapters and Colonies, as his experience at Iota is directly relevant to what they are going through. Shea’s comment about his first year: “I’ve loved my time with DKE HQ. It’s been a great opportunity to enjoy life outside of a library or cubicle for a couple of years, and I can’t complain about having the opportunity to travel to great schools and make new friends, all while helping DKE out along the way. We’ve truly experienced a period of rapid growth and strengthening over the past year, and I’m honored to be a part of this exciting period in our Fraternity’s history.” Drake Hoffman, Theta Upsilon, Arizona State University ‘12 Drake joined the DKE Staff as Chapter Consultant in January, 2013, after graduating from ASU (with a 4.0 average) in 3.5 semesters. Drake was one of the founders of the reactivated Theta Upsilon chapter, and was Brother Beta during the chapter’s dramatic run of success in 2011-12. He’s from the Phoenix area. In just a few short months, Drake has already had a positive impact on several Deke chapters. Drake says, “After all that DKE has done for me both personally and professionally, I am honored to have the opportunity to give back as Chapter Consultant. As expected, the whole experience so far has been incredible. My principal goal is to provide the DKE standard of knowledge and guidance, as brought to my own chapter by consultants past and present, that led to our eventual success.” Shea Agnew, left, with Drake Hoffman in front of DKE Headquarters in Ann Arbor
Delta Alpha founding class in front of Samford Hall on Auburn’s campus.
road to charter
The Auburn Chapter As a founding father and first brother Beta of the Delta Alpha chapter at Auburn, so much of my time and effort has been spent trying to strengthen the bonds of brotherhood here. The Delta Kappa Epsilon colony at Auburn University officially started in late December of 2012, but there were many factors that led to that point. We first became interested in September of 2012, while Tim White (my roommate and long time friend) and I were in a very in-depth discussion about the state of Greek life at Auburn University. After both going through fall rush, we had not seen a truly unified brotherhood out of all the well-established fraternities on campus. Longing for something stronger than anything we had previously witnessed, we began racking our brains for possible options. Then, seemingly out of the blue, Tim looked at me and said,
“I wish we had a DKE chapter on campus.” for the fraternity to grow in the South. He Knowing all of the notable alumni, and called me a few days later to tell me that the tendency to thrive at primarily Greek schools, Executive Director, Doug Lanpher, would be I assumed that there had once been a chapter coming to our area to visit chapters soon, and at Auburn and somehow it had been disband- he wanted to meet with us. The rest quickly ed. This caused me to began to research the fell into place. After constant communication DKE chapters, present and with Ron Li, Doug Lanpher past. I could find no sign and the heads of Auburn “Friends from the of Auburn having even an Greek life, our interest group heart, forever,” are interest group. After reading turned into a colony of 22 men. words that truly about what DKE stood for, With an “internationally ran the friendships it forms and pledge ship,” we had the great describe what Delta the brotherhood that it creKappa Epsilon means experience of learning about ates, I told him that we have the fraternity from men of to start a chapter at Auburn. to me. different chapters across North I looked up the international America. This shaped the men consultants’ numbers on the main DKE webthat today I am very happy to call my pledge site and gave a call to the Southern Consulbrothers. tant. He was extremely receptive to the idea, When we began at Auburn University, and told me that this would be a great chance we were entering an already well-established
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Special
NEWS
Greek system with many competing fraternities. Our first challenge was completing the requirements for charter, so that we would be an official chapter on campus. This proved to be challenging but well worth it when we received the letters of Delta Alpha, being the fourth DKE chapter in Alabama. Another important stepping stone was finding a house close to campus, which happened during the spring of 2012. After a lot of hard work done by multiple brothers through that summer, we now have a place to have chapter, hold events and come together as a brotherhood. Another challenge was making a solid name for Delta Kappa Epsilon on campus. Through all of the adversity we faced, we were still able to gain respect around campus by having brothers involved in many different organizations, performing successful philanthropy parties and successfully having many social events. Having men involved in the honors college, campus political organizations, major-specific clubs, the campus Baja racing team, and more clubs have really helped our reputation among our peers and faculty. Our first major philanthropy event in Spring of 2012 was a “Dunk-A-Deke” dunking booth on campus, benefiting the Auburn High School Aquarium—which has no outside funding. After only a few hours, we had made over $600 for the cause, for which they were extremely grateful. We have also been highly involved socially since our start on campus. From a Spring semi-formal at Robert Trent Jones golf course, smaller house parties, date socials and our Spring Formal coming up in Biloxi, Mississippi, we have made sure that our brothers have a strong social life. These events have further helped our reputation by showing that we not only represent gentlemen and scholars, but jolly-good fellows as well. Although we have come so far as a brotherhood, we still have a lot of work left to do. With the men we have, drive we possess and leadership we have in place, I believe our future is very bright. The only thing we are lacking is having a lot of alumni support. We as a chapter are always open for any kind of support or advice from brothers who have been through similar trials that we are experiencing. The bonds of brotherhood reach all over the world, and we wish for the success of our fair fraternity at your school, as well as ours. —Jonathan Anderson Hester, ‘14
8 The Deke Quarterly | summer 2013
Creating history for Sigma Xi on stage.
road to charter
St. Joseph’s Chapter The road to becoming a chapter of Delta Kappa Epsilon is one that could be described as both difficult and rewarding. It is something that, to summate into words, is a test of a collective groups drive, friendship, and determination. All of which I was personally blessed with during my time as the President of the then colony of Delta Kappa Epsilon at St. Joseph’s College, and the now Sigma Xi Chapter. Our roots as a chapter stem into the same fraternal bonds our charter requirements demanded we form. Prior to December 7th, 2011, when I would receive a call confirming that the Executive Board of Delta Kappa Epsilon international would approve our interest group as a colony, we existed as a local fraternity called Sigma Xi Epsilon. The fraternity hosted seventy-four brothers, and had a short, yet well lived, seven-year history. The fraternity, which was formed in October of 2004 by thirteen gentlemen, was deeply vested in the concepts of honesty, integrity, and dedication. Seventyfour brothers may seem low to chapters at large universities, but including their graduate program, St. Joseph’s College has approximately 4,000 students. Of those students, approximately 1 out of every 4 is a man. Sigma Xi Epsilon was one of two fraternities on campus, and had always been the “classy” fraternity of the two. It was this affiliation with gentlemanly dignity that truly drew me to Delta Kappa Epsilon. Alongside my own feelings on converting to Delta Kappa Epsilon, thirty-one brothers that decided to make the conversion to Delta Kappa Epsilon on February 4th, 2012 accompanied me. Upon being initiated, we were presented with the chartering requirements. These essentially required us to form an infrastructure, become more scholarly and
philanthropic, and continue to work on the bonds of brotherhood. It is my personal belief that the infrastructure was perhaps the most important component in gaining our charter. In maintaining much of the executive board of our past fraternity, and expanding to consider some of the various positions and constitutionality of other chapters of Delta Kappa Epsilon, we were able to divide the work among many individuals and committees. In having these committees and positions, brothers began working so closely together that the bonds we formed continued to grow and grow. In July of 2012, my brother, John Ortiz, attended the international convention of Delta Kappa Epsilon at Psi, Alabama. John pledged last year, at the age of forty years old. “John may be upset his age is being published. However, it is because of the value he placed on the fraternity, even after living a life longer than most who pledge, that was inspiring. He had pledged into our colony, the one and only class to do so outside of the founding class, and had truly gained the message of “the gentleman, the scholar, the jolly-good fellow.” I could not think of a better person to receive our charter on behalf of the chapter that was presented at that convention. The road to receiving our charter demanded exceptional work on behalf of the brotherhood and myself. At times, I felt it was going to tear our brotherhood apart based upon it’s rigorous requirements. However, in retrospect, it simply set us up for a successful year, and hopefully, the longevity of the Sigma Xi Chapter. Without a doubt, the work I put in to help gain our charter brought me closer to the brotherhood, the international, and helped me find a sense of pride, inner strength, and determination that I had never known before. — Alexander Fier, ‘13
welcome to the deke house
Phi Alpha
University of British Columbia (UBC) by Brent Tynan
W
elcome to the Deke House. It’s an expression which evokes strong feelings in all of us. Rush. Pledging. Initiation. Brotherhood. Parties. Homecoming. Experiences to last a lifetime. For an undergraduate The Deke House is a home away from home, an anchor in unfamiliar surroundings and a place where friendships are forged and endless fun prevails. (Alumni share similar, but more distant and often conveniently embellished memories). But the notion of “The Deke House”—as familiar and comforting as it may be to all of us, is completely different depending on which Chapter you joined. For some, the Deke House is a grand and venerable structure, owned outright by the Chapter and rich with history on a campus where palatial Fraternity Houses are the norm. For others it is a modest rented residence off campus. Some Chapters occupy college-owned dormitories, because that is the only permitted form of housing for Fraternities. The more recently chartered Chapters often make do without a Deke House as such, but their commitment to DKE is no less strong. History, geography, economics, college politics and a host of other factors conspire to make that one unifying concept—The Deke House—very different as you travel from Chapter to Chapter. This is the first in a series of articles in The Deke Quarterly which will describe The Deke House in all its permutations. It’s not a forum for bragging or pretention—“Look how big OUR party room is!” Instead it’s going to be a journey on which we as Dekes can learn about the places and spaces our Brothers from other Chapters call home. How did they get there, how do they maintain and preserve what they have and manage it for future generations of Dekes, and how might their experiences be instructive to others. I’ve been privileged to visit more than 15 Deke Houses. Each was unique. But whether grand or humble in design and scale, the common thread of Deke spirit made them seem as if each of them was truly “The Deke House”.
We have the dubious distinction of having some of the most expensive residential real estate in the world, recently ranking second only to Hong Kong on an “unaffordability” index. My own Chapter of Phi Alpha at the University of British Columbia was chartered 63 years ago. Not long by the reckoning of many Chapters, but long enough to have experienced an evolution of various housing alternatives. Some background is needed to set the stage for our story, because as I said above, each Chapter and its House is the product of a unique environment. UBC is just over 100 years old and is a campus of nearly 50,000 students situated at the end of a peninsula—with spectacular ocean and mountain views—but separated from the city of Vancouver (population around 2.5 million) by a 2,000 acre park. So in a way UBC is cut off from urban influences, but is still close to a major city. We also have the dubious distinction of having some of the most expensive residential real estate in the world, recently ranking second only to Hong Kong on an “unaffordability” index. The average price of a detached home in Vancouver is now well above $1 million. Clearly not conducive to affordable housing for undergraduate Dekes! Fortunately it hasn’t always been this way. In its early years the Chapter met in pubs, corporate boardrooms, and the homes of local Alumni. It was a time of limited
resources and insufficient members to think in grander terms. As the Chapter grew, local Alumni resolved to help the Chapter put down some roots. Houses were rented, and later purchased. But these were still homes in residential areas, chosen on the basis of how many bedrooms could be crammed into the available space. And they were on the “city side” of that inconvenient 2,000 acre park. Not easy to drop by the House between classes! In 1967 attention turned to housing on campus, where other Fraternity houses were
ABOVE: Phi Alpha typical residential apartment common area. BELOW: Phi Alpha house on Westbrook Mall.
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welcome to the deke house
Phi Alpha
university of british columbia (UBC)
Phi Alpha game room and memorabila collection. OPPOSITE: Phi Alpha common room.
If our leases were allowed to expire on their own, we would have been kicked out of our houses and onto the street. Urgent market forces prevailed and a private developer partnered with UBC agreeing to simultaneously buy us and six other Fraternities out of our leases for $700,000 per House. owned by their Chapters, or built on land leased from our Provincial government. One of our Alumni, Grant Burnyeat, ‘65—who is currently a member of the Board of Directors of DKE International—took on the task of building a new Deke House. It was built on land leased for 40 years, and at 10,000 square feet initially housed 36 tenants in 18 double rooms with 6 bathrooms, a common kitchen and social areas. Financing will always be the principal issue faced when building a House, and we were no exception. Alumni contributions and a mortgage provided by a bank were needed. The crucial element was a Federal govern-
10 The Deke Quarterly | summer 2013
ment program of the day which provided mortgage insurance for long term loans to build affordable student housing. This allowed us to secure a 40 year mortgage at 5.75%. Not a bargain interest rate today, but at the time it was. Crucially, it did not change even during those scary days of the early 1980’s when mortgage rates were over 20%. It allowed us to plan for the long term. Ours was a special situation, but the message is this—be vigilant for any program which may be available from federal, state, provincial or other governments which is designed to increase the supply of affordable housing. Students are often included in the definition
of needy tenants based on income. Some well-intentioned legislature may have created a scheme which you can take advantage of. It can mean avoiding large down payments, personal guarantees and other onerous lending criteria. Do your research—you never know what you might discover. In the mid 1990’s, escalating Vancouver housing prices put pressure on UBC to look at the leased lands occupied by the Fraternities. They wanted to develop and sell expensive condos on our land! If our leases were allowed to expire on their own, we would have been kicked out of our houses and onto the street. Luckily, the leases had a wide range of expiry dates, so they couldn’t wait for each of us to expire. Urgent market forces prevailed and a private developer partnered with UBC agreeing to simultaneously buy us and six other Fraternities out of our leases for $700,000 per House. UBC also realized that we offered affordable housing to students in an increasingly expensive city. Years of negotiations ensued involving all of the Fraternities, the developer and UBC, resulting in a deal which created a
vancouver
“Fraternity Village” near the central campus and convenient to transportation, shopping, academic buildings and recreation. UBC donated the land for 99 years at a prepaid lease of $1. That brought our land cost to zero, which was the only thing that made this proposal viable, and the University knew it. The trade-off was a Conduct Agreement which bound all the Fraternities to standards of behavior. The lease buyout payment from the developers was augmented with bank financing and Alumni donations, and in 2004 we moved from our old Deke House of 35 years into a new 15,000 square foot structure of three stories plus basement and an underground parking garage shared with the other six similarly sized Houses in the Village. The House has 29 single bedrooms because we perceived this was the direction student demand was heading in preference to shared accommodation. The rooms are divided into 5 self-contained apartments or “quads”. Each quad has five or six bedrooms with built-in furniture, 2 bathrooms, a full kitchen, dining room and living room. We consciously re-
jected the old House format which included a common kitchen, cook and a meal plan. Most of the main floor and all of the basement is given over to social areas and party rooms. Since opening, the house has achieved nearly 100% occupancy, including summer months. It operates profitably, services its debt, utilities and other overhead expenses and generates a surplus which is returned as upgrades to residential and social areas. All seven Houses form a condominium corporation, with a governing Board of Alumni from each Fraternity and monthly fees which cover landscaping, exterior upkeep and common property insurance. This ensures a uniform standard of maintenance, and creates economies of scale dealing with suppliers. The House itself is owned by each Fraternity, and each is responsible for interior maintenance and decoration. Our DKE Housing Corporation is run by a Board of two Alumni officers and the Alumni President. An undergraduate is employed to act as House Manager to collect rents and ensure that rules are followed. All accounting is delegated to a professional accountant. ? dke
So what have we learned in 63 years? • Run the House as a business. It serves the Chapter but it must be self sustaining. • create stability Groom Alumni Housing officers for their positions and have them agree to serve a minimum term. Regardless of how capable they may seem, the undergraduates should not be expected to manage the House alone. • Educate Show Pledges and Actives how the House was built, how it is financed and how it operates. Engender a culture of future support to keep the House functioning. • get continued support Each Deke must accept that the House which gave them so much as a student deserves and requires their committed support as an Alumnus.
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d e k e s gi v ing ba c k
Delta Delta 5K By Danny Rosa, DD ‘12
A
lways at the forefront of community service, the Delta Delta Chapter at the University of Chicago decided to challenge its philanthropic goals for the year and organize the Chapter’s, and also University’s, first ever 5K. Two months of intense planning and numerous meetings finally paid off when the Brothers successfully hosted the Ian Woo Cumings Memorial 5K Run/Walk on May 6, 2012 at Washington Park, immediately west of the University’s Hyde Park neighborhood. A total of 80 University students, faculty, staff, community members, and Delta Delta alumni joined the active Brotherhood at the inaugural event. Brother Nicolas Duque, fourth-year and main coordinator for the event, said, “the event was great since it not only tested the Brothers’ organizational abilities but also raised a substantial amount of money for a good cause.” The event, part of the Chapter’s DKE Week line-up, raised funds for the Ian Woo Cumings Memorial Scholarship Fund, which stands in memory of Brother Ian Woo Cumings who passed away as an active Brother in June 2010. In lieu of flowers, his parents asked that any contributions be made toward the fund. Brother Cumings, a rising fourthyear at the time, was a lifelong member of the
12 The Deke Quarterly | summer 2013
University of Chicago community, attending the University of Chicago Laboratory Schools and then going on to attend the University. A Chicago native, Cumings was an avid lover of baseball and a fan of Chicago’s White Sox team. His death dealt a great blow to the Chapter but out of the traumatic experience arose a desire to forever remember Brother Cumings. Since his passing, the Brothers decided that all funds raised during the Chapter’s annual DKE Week would go toward endowing the fund. Through registrations and donations, the Brothers were able to raise an outstanding $8,235 toward the Fund at the 1st annual 5K Run/Walk. “It was tough,” said Duque, “since registration was slow at first and we were scared the event would flop but luckily through a massive marketing campaign, we started to gain momentum and had a great turnout.” The Chapter took advantage of their social networking websites to increase awareness of the event and also sent out emails to University student groups. In order to fund the event, they received money from the Student Government Finance Committee and the University’s Dean’s Fund. The event went off without a hitch. Even though the forecast called for rain, the Brothers were blessed with great weather during the race and only after the event and celebratory BBQ had finished did it start raining. “It
Bruce Cumings, father of late brother Ian Cumings, preparing to speak at event. Below: Delta Delta 5K race starting line
was a great thing to see the Brothers organize,” said second-year Bianca Tamez-Buccino and race participant. She continued, “it was refreshing to see a new type of event on campus and you could tell the Brothers were deeply committed to making it a success.” The race itself spotlighted the Chapter’s athletic abilities. Brother Alexis Onfroy, a pledge at the time, came out on top, with Brother Alec Ontiveros, also a pledge at the time, coming in second place. Brothers Danny Rosa and Alex Kolchinski were neck-andneck throughout the entire race and came in fourth and fifth place respectively. As the inaugural event was a complete success, plans are already underway for next year’s event. The Chapter decided to make the event a permanent fixture of their DKE Week line-up, which already includes events that showcase to the University community the three pillars of the Delta Kappa Epsilon Fraternity and also the Chapter’s second main event, the DKE Battle of the Bands. For the 2nd Annual Ian Woo Cumings Memorial 5K Run/Walk, they have set a goal to raise $10,000 for the fund and to increase participation by 50%. As these are very high goals, the Brothers intend to reach out to Hyde Park and Chicago area businesses as early as possible for sponsorship opportunities. With support from DKE International, the University, and the surrounding communities, the
Ian Woo Cumings Memorial Scholarship Fund The fund will be endowed when it reaches $100,000 and will allow students from modest backgrounds to attend the University. To date, the Chapter has raised nearly $20,000 toward the fund, with much of
Brothers should have no problem in reaching their goals. “I’m excited for next year’s event,” stated Brother Christopher Pope, who will be organizing the 5K for DKE Week 2013. “The bar’s been set high but I’m sure that we’ll be able to surpass it so long as we maintain this momentum.” The 2nd Annual Ian Woo Cumings Memorial 5K Run/Walk is tentatively scheduled for the first weekend of May and will again take place in Washington Park. ? dke
polar plunge The Delta Psi chapter at Indiana University recently hosted the Indiana University Polar Plunge affiliated with the Special Olympics in Bloomington, Ind. The chapter partnered with the Indiana University Police Department to help draw in over 180 participants who pledged their support for the cause. The event raised $19,406 that will go toward helping the Special Olympics be able to continue its program of providing an athletic environment for people of all ages with intellectual disabilities. The event took place outside of Assembly Hall, home to the Men’s Hoosier basketball team, and featured many plungers who dressed up for the occasion in decorative costume. The participants pledged a cash donation and jumped into a pool of ice-cold water. Delta Psi Philanthropy Chair Austin Kaye played an active role in bringing this event to Indiana University as well as utilizing Delta Kappa Epsilon’s role in hosting the event. “I’m really happy we were able to get so many people to come out to a first time event such as this,” Kaye said. “I hope we can use this as a springboard towards getting IU and our chapter involved with the Special Olympics in the future.” The Polar Plunge is a national fundraising that takes place all throughout the United States. Within the last year, there have been over 3,000 events hosted and over $1 million raised. The Delta Psi chapter is planning on bringing this event back next year in hopes to make it an annual fundraising event for more plungers to participate in. — Laksh Atha, DC ‘15
$19,406
Special 5K race T-shirt
From left to right: Michael Hoijer ‘13, Chris Cox ‘14, Laksh Atha ‘15, Michael Herrick ‘13, Jamie Bennett ‘13, and Justin Wyss ‘14.
raised by the event
it coming from the new DKE Week addition. The fund in its entirety now stands at roughly $65,000.
$8,235 raised by Delta Delta
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ZERO to by Lucas Wetton, I ‘14
60 The Iota Chapter
f e at u r e
[ ] “When I heard about what
they wanted to do, and the kind of person that it took
to be a DKE, and I was in:
On the evening of October 24, it was right 2009, an email appeared in the inbox of Centre College first-year student Lucas Kelley ’13. Kelley, who had only been on campus for a few weeks, had already made contact with DKE International Treasurer and Iota Chapter alumnus, Matt Blevins ’99. “There are eleven guys, and, with a little energy behind the effort you could start DKE again and have a great leadership experience,” Blevins wrote in the email. “Great leadership experience” doesn’t begin to describe the journey the men at the Iota Chapter have taken over the past three years. chapter history The Iota Chapter of Delta Kappa Epsilon has a history that is almost as long as the list of achievements and notable alumni it has produced. Founded on February 23, 1854 at the Kentucky Military institute, the Iota Chapter faced obstacles, even at its inception as an organization: very quickly the chapter—along with the rest of the nation—was divided by the Civil War. As a chapter at a military institute, the brothers of the Iota Chapter were rushed off quickly to the front lines, effectively bringing to a close the chapter. It didn’t take long, though, for the spark of brotherhood to reignite. As legend has it, a secret meeting was held only days before the end of the war in a barn loft just north of the Ohio river with five Iota brothers, three dressed in grey and two in blue where plans were made to reestablish the chapter. Throughout the early 20th century, the Iota Chapter thrived. The brotherhood ultimately landed at Centre College, as a result of several school consolidations. As would be expected, Iota led the student body in academics, sports, extra-curricular activities, and captured the hearts of the local community. Success was becoming an integral part of the identity of the men at Iota. In war, as in times of peace, the brothers of the Iota Chapter led the way: during both world wars, the chapter was virtually nonexistent, but always managed to rebuild and regain membership following the close of war. By the time the chapter celebrated its 100th anniversary, it was clear that the Iota Chapter was a very large,
1979
important feather in Centre’s cap. Much like the American people, the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s marked a time of evolution and development for the Iota Chapter. During this time the chapter became closely associated with the football team, integrated itself closely in student government, which proved incredibly foresighted by establishing philanthropy and service programs far before such was the norm. It was events like “Leap-froga-thon”, where members literally “leap-frogged” to the state capitol, along with the memorable St. Paddy’s day celebration, that helped sustain the continued success of the chapter that led to Iota winning the Lion Trophy in 1975. With such a history of success, it is no wonder that the chapter has produced the alumni it has: Isaac Tigrett ‘69, founder of Hard Rock Café and House of Blues, Dana X. Bible ‘12, American football pioneer and coach, David Grissom ‘60, Director of YUM! Brands, and S. Kern Alexander ‘61, a prominent education specialist. Sadly, all of this success came to a halt in 2003 when the Iota chapter was suspended from the campus of Centre College following allegations of policy violations during the new member education process. Despite the appeals and efforts of many committed Iota alumni, college officials decided to remove the historic chapter from the Greek community for at least four years. As the last brothers graduated, the chapter was eventually left with no active members, no house, and, fairly or unfairly, a tarnished reputation.
up my alley.”
the revival Fast forward to 2009, a year before Lucas Kelley received that first email. The school-enforced suspension had ended, and along with it came the possibility of re-colonization of Iota. Matt Blevins, who later oversaw and coordinated much of the re-colonization, recalls gathering with other Deke alumni at Homecoming that year. “What people didn’t know at that 2009 homecoming celebration was that an opportunity was emerging. Despite a stringent list of qualifications and a small window of a few months, the College administration would allow the Iota chapter to attempt to re-colonize.”
2013 TOP: One of the famous St. Paddy’s Day parties, this one in 1979. bottom: 2012-13 pledge class on rush day in february
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Last chapter meeting in basement of the girls dorm, Blevins, while excited for the opporIota alumnus. Soon others were beginning about 46 people in the room. tunity, was also very realistic about the to join the team. Besides Lucas and Richard, challenges that lay ahead. “The effort was two other men became an integral part of going to be a tall order – we were going to have to recruit at least the movement, Alex Chick ’13 and Shea Agnew ’12. The group would twenty-five men to begin the re-colonization process, when the averrecruit anywhere they could, sometimes bursting into the rooms of age pledge class of established chapters at Centre is usually fifteen to friends and neighbors, sharing brochures and other information. twenty men. Even more, we had to do this without the benefit of any “I just wanted everyone to be as excited as I was: I knew what we active members on campus, without any funding, and in a very limited could do if I got people riled up and energized,” said Rumble. Perhaps time-frame.” most amazing was the level of commitment from men who were alIt was, then, that a few dedicated alumni began efforts to organize ready at the end of their college career: Brenton Deal ’10, was ready to and begin meeting with prospective Dekes in dorm room halls, cafetegraduate and looking towards graduate school, but nonetheless took rias, and a few trips to nearby Louisville. It was around this time that the extraordinary risk of going DKE, and, subsequently played an inBlevins began emailing prospective members in the Centre’s newest tegral role as the first president of the chapter. After several months freshman class. of self-recruitment, there was a substantial group of men willing to Kelley, who had no intention of joining a fraternity when he arembark upon the wild ride of re-colonizing the Iota chapter. It was, rived at Centre, recalls how it was exactly this sentiment that comthen, in the spring of 2010 that a group that had been nonexistent for pelled him towards DKE. years emerged from the ashes, excelling beyond everyone’s expecta“As a freshman, I came to Centre with absolutely no intention of tions, including those of the school. joining a fraternity. I saw the four existing fraternities as organizations Tumultuous as that first year back on campus was, it was a time that I wanted no part in: I even went to several rush events, but they of incredible growth for the men who had taken the initiative to bring seemed very forced.” the Iota chapter back. As they turned to their second year on campus, Nonetheless, things quickly began to change. Kelley soon began a the reality began to sink in that there was no guarantee of success. The friendship with another first-year student and tennis player, Richard now twenty-one active members had to not only replace those that had Rumble ‘13. While Kelley was uncertain about his future as a part of a graduated but needed to continue to compete with the four existing fraternity, Richard was already deeply invested in the idea of re-estabfraternities on campus, all while still having limited financial means lishing the Iota Chapter. and being confined to a small room in the basement of a first-year Like many other students on Centre’s campus, Rumble had first women’s dorm. In February at the conclusion of rush week, the chapter heard about DKE through rumor and in passing conversation. “I readded to their ranks seven more members. member the first time I heard about the re-colonization effort; I was The small, but tight-knit pledge class initially concerned many Iota walking past my RA and overheard him telling stories about an old alumni, as they worried perhaps the stringent requirements the school fraternity that was kicked off campus years ago and was looking at had imposed may, after all, not be possible. Thankfully, those worries returning to campus, ” Rumble told. were ill founded. In fact, alumni involvement only became more pro“When I heard about what they wanted to do, and the kind of pernounced: it was during these trying times that the chapter received son that it took to be a DKE, and I was in: it was right up my alley.” For incredible support from a number of figures, most notably Billy Fowler him and many others, becoming a Deke was an opportunity to build ‘97 and Bennett Clark ‘06. However, as an unforeseeable but fortunate something new: a challenge to be taken up and conquered. And, like consequence of the small pledge class, Iota chapter was able to conLucas, Richard found the other fraternities to be bereft of substance. tinue their pattern of slow, intentional growth. “They either lacked vision, didn’t know how to have fun, or didn’t have Alex Hurley ‘14, who was a member of the 2011 pledge class recalls the courage to question the status quo.” his own experience: “The fact that my pledge class was composed of It was a wild semester and winter term. Richard met with a group only seven people did not really have an impact upon me until far after of Deke alumni who represented DKE International, which included initiation.” Matt Blevins, as well as Doug Lanpher and John Rhorer ’78, another Hurley shares that he quickly realized that the members of other
16 The Deke Quarterly | summer 2013
[
]
“By the end of the whole thing we were downright fraternities lacked the strong ing the 2012-2013 year alone sense of brotherhood that he the chapter has managed to seamless as a group. Communication was frank found in DKE. collect over $8,000 towards “By the end of the whole philanthropy, no simple task but understanding, teamwork was dynamic, thing we were downright at a school of 1,300 students brotherhood was strong, and we were prepared to seamless as a group. Comin a small Kentucky town munication was frank but with a population of 17,000 accomplish any task laid before us.” understanding, teamwork people. Additionally, the was dynamic, brotherhood brothers have amassed over was strong, and we were pre1,500 service hours during the pared to accomplish any task laid before us.” He adds, with emphasis, year, participating in everything from Adopt-a-Highway programs to “I think we were the best, and that was exactly what the fraternity tutoring and after-school mentoring programs. The Iota Chapter has needed at that critical moment in the re-colonization process.” become an integral part of the Danville community once again, even Despite the fact that the total membership of the chapter had a net making history as the first fraternity chapter to ever join a local Chamgrowth of three members, the 2010-2011 school year allowed the Iota ber of Commerce. chapter to slowly piece together the foundation of a truly successful As the brothers of the Iota Chapter will tell you, this success came organization. at a significant cost, and through the support and guidance of many With two years under their belts, the brothers of the Iota Chapter groups and individuals. turned again to face another year; potentially their last as a colony on “We really learned a lot about who we are, both as individuals and Centre’s campus. If, as they hoped, the chapter met the qualifications as a group,” commented Morgan Terry ’13, one of the initial brothers outlined by the college administration, the chapter would be fully reof the Iota Chapter. “It was clear that we were going to have to commit instated at the end of the 2011-2012 school year. Still operating from to hard work and take some serious risks, but that was okay. That’s the dorm basement, the brothers began planning and strategizing so that sort of thing Dekes do,” he shared. nothing would prevent them from finally achieving full-chapter recIt is no doubt that the chapter would have never returned to camognition. pus if it had not been for the ongoing help from the alumni. When the The hard work paid off. In February the chapter took in their third Iota Chapter was officially reinstated, they were also given the opporpledge class, bringing in nineteen more men. Almost doubling the tunity to have a house on campus once again. At Centre the fraternity size of the chapter, Iota was gearing up for success. In short time, the houses are owned and largely managed by the school, but the fraterchapter was competing with almost every other fraternity on campus, nities are left responsible for furnishing, decorating, and renovating sweeping the annual “Greek Week” awards and taking first-place for the spaces. With financial assistance and oversight from many differthe second year in a row. ent parties, the Iota Chapter now boasts At long last, on April 2, 2012, everya beautiful chapter house: by far the best thing came to a head: Melissa Clarke, the on Centre’s campus. Director of Greek Life at Centre College, “Even though we look at the house called the audience at the campus-wide and thank alumni, we know that the Grand Chapter awards ceremony to atthanks they deserve goes far beyond the tention after the last plaques had been financial gifts they’ve made,” explained presented. As she began the first words of Morgan. “They were a part of this same her presentation officially recognizing the project and helped forge the legacy that Iota Chapter, Matt Blevins walked onto we carry on today. That’s huge.” the stage carrying the new, official charter He and others stressed the fact that it for the Chapter on behalf of internationwas unfair to try to list all of the alumni als. He then presented the charter to the who played a role in the re-colonization president at the time, Shea Agnew, amidst effort. Indeed, there were many different the cheers and applause of brothers, Iota groups and individuals involved, some of alumni, and the student body of Centre which assisted financially, others by simCollege. ply giving time. After four years, now, the Iota Chapserving the community ter stands resolute in its view towards What is perhaps most significant the future. Success is no longer a goal, about the Iota Chapter of DKE, though, is but a commitment for the chapter. As the not the fact that they have reestablished chapter prepares to send off the last remthemselves on Centre’s campus, but that nants of the daring group of students who they continue working and striving. The challenged the norm by banding together 2012-2013 school year marked yet anothto restart DKE at Centre, a combination er successful year in recruitment, as the of nostalgia and excitement sets in. The chapter brought an additional seventeen achievements of the past four years will men into the fraternity. never be forgotten and will provide fuBeyond simple numbers, the chapter ture generations of Iota Dekes for years to has excelled in many other places. Durcome. ? dke
2010
2011
2012
2013
Four years of Iota Chapter of DKE.
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raise your glass
an interview with Dale Chihuly
By Doug Sarti
18 The Deke Quarterly | summer 2013
Photo by Stewart Charles Cohen, opposite page: Photo by Teresa Nouri Rishel
COVER STORY
Dale Chihuly at The Boathouse hotshop, Seattle, Washington, 1998 . OPPOSITE: Persian Ceiling at the de Young Museum, San Francisco, California, 2008.
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If
you can remember the Sixties, goes the old joke, you probably weren’t there. So when The Deke Quarterly catches up with renowned glass artist Dale Chihuly—a Deke from Kappa Epsilon chapter at the University of Washington—it’s not a huge surprise that the first thing he does is laugh and say, “I have to warn you, my memory’s not too good about my fraternity days!” But it’s certainly understandable, considering the vast wealth of education, travel, and creative opportunities that Chihuly attained over that tumultuous decade; experiences and knowledge which would eventually lead him to the top of his field both artistically and commercially. The son of a union organizer, Chihuly was born in Tacoma, Washington in 1941, and learned to appreciate art at an early age. After attending the College of Puget Sound, Chihuly transferred to the University of Washington in 1960, where he majored in interior design. Joining Delta Kappa Epsilon, he quickly became a fixture around the brotherhood, living in the house and serving as rush chairman. “We had a great time,” the 72-year-old Chihuly recalls, “and I met some great friends.” Along with the good times and comradeship, Chihuly’s time at the Deke House also served as a major turning point in his life: it was there that he would begin experimenting with the medium which would become his life’s work. “My first year in the Deke House was my first use of glass,” Chihuly recalls. “I was putting little bits of it into tapestries that I was doing, and I remember being up in the library, at the Deke House, working on some early projects that I had fusing glass.” Born with a wanderlust to equal his artistic drive, Chihuly took a leave of absence in 1962 to travel to Italy and the Middle East, eventually working for a while at a kibbutz in Israel. He would return to UW and graduate in 1965, but not before developing a greater interest in the use of glass in his textile designs. Around this time, Chihuly accomplished a very difficult feat while experimenting on his own: melting glass, and blowing a simple glass bubble using a section of iron pipe from a local hardware store. It was another watershed moment for the young artist, and one which would lead to grad school at the University of Wisconsin, as part of the nation’s first glassblowing program. After graduating from Wisconsin with an M.S. in Sculpture, Chihuly then set off for Providence, where he would earn an M.F.A. in Ceramics from the prestigious Rhode Island School of Design. His time at RISD would result in much more than just another degree, however—it would provide Chihuly with new contacts, new inspiration, and lead him to not only a Louis Comfort Tiffany Foundation grant and a Fulbright Fellowship, but an invitation to practice his craft at the Venini factory on the Venetian island of Murano, in Italy—the first American to ever do so. The 1970s would also prove to be a fertile time for Chihuly, as he would go on to teach at RISD throughout the decade, and help found The Pilchuk Glass School in Washington State. It was also during this time that he would begin to garner serious national notice, with his early series of glass designs based on Navajo blankets and Pacific
Dale Chihuly, 1962
20 The Deke Quarterly | summer 2013
Northwest Native American baskets. While both series of works—as well as many of his later series, such as Seaforms, Venetians, and Persians—have obvious themes, it’s evident what serves as Chihuly’s real muse: “It’s the glass itself that inspires me,” he says, “as it’s only glass that uses light to such a dramatic effect.” “You’re really looking at light when you’re looking at glass,” Chihuly elaborates, noting that light only passes through four materials other than gems—glass, plastic, ice, and water. “If you walked into Chartres Cathedral and looked up at the rose window, three hundred feet away, and there’s a little piece of ruby red glass an inch square, you’d be able to see it, it’d be beautiful,” he says with obvious reverence. “No other material has that ability.” Having worked with glass for five decades now, it’s plain to see that Chihuly has learned to make it do things that no one else ever has. Not just in regard to form, or pattern, but also in actual size. “We’re making some of the biggest pieces ever made,” he says matterof-factly, and then reveals that he’s been debating whether to build an even larger furnace with the aim of producing work on an even more massive scale. Large or small, the medium itself can still present its own set of obstacles. While molten glass is fluid in much more than just the obvious sense, Chihuly’s quick to point out that it doesn’t always do what one might expect, that it “has a mind of its own.” But that, it seems, is not necessarily a bad thing: “You have the ability to have some great happy accidents, and if I see something that’s new or unusual, I’ll work with that for a while.” After all, it’s evident that experimentation, along with a keen sense of what works and what doesn’t, are integral parts of the Chihuly formula. “One of the more important things for an artist to do,” he explains, “is to recognize when something is good.” “I can work on something for a couple of months,” Chihuly continues, “and then I have to decide, ‘am I going to keep working on it, is this important?’ A good artist has that ability to figure out which way to go.” While Chihuly has the ultimate say on all his creations, he’s certainly not alone in his work. Following two serious accidents—a 1976 car crash which left him blind in his left eye and required more than 200 stitches to his face, and a 1979 body surfing incident in which he dislocated his shoulder—Chihuly would wind up handing the actual glassblowing over to others. “It’s hard on your body,” he says with an knowing sigh. Seeing his current role somewhat along the lines of a choreographer, Chihuly now directs a team of glassblowers in his Lake Union studio in Seattle. Some are longtime collaborators, some are former students, and others are specialists brought in for specific talents, like glass-shaping ability or use of color. An extremely effective and successful entrepreneur, Chihuly is also a master of self-promotion. Even so, his delivery never comes across as indelicate, or pushy—and a happy enthusiasm shows through when he praises the people he works with. “I like to think that my team has the ability,” Chihuly says with obvious pride, “to make shapes as big or unusual as anyone ever has in the history of making glass.” In contrast to the strictly-regimented style of Venetian factory glasswork, where Chihuly trained in the late 1960s, his team often trades off jobs, and has much more freedom to explore their own creativity. Not to mention that the studio’s atmosphere is much more casual, with Chihuly providing various kinds of music, from classical to rock’n’roll—depending on the nature of the project at hand—to inspire those who bring his visions to life. Along the way, it’s frequently a difficult, painstaking, and uncomfortable process (heat, provided by a multitude of furnaces and ovens, is the catalyst that transforms glass, after all)—but that doesn’t mean it can’t be, and isn’t, fun for the team. “It’s hard work,” Chihuly says with a laugh, “but they have a great time.” While it’s easy to think of Chihuly and his team in terms of simply being glass artisans, the truth is that there’s a lot more involved with
Photo by Russell Johnson
Campiello Remer Chandelier, Venice, Italy, 1996.
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Above: Lime Green Icicle Tower, 2,342 pieces weighing 10,000lbs on display at Boston’s Museum of Fine Art. Below: Glass sculptures from the Dallas Arboretum.
much of the work coming out of his studio. Many of Chihuly’s pieces are huge—truly massive, even—and require elaborate and well-designed steel frameworks for their installation. Take, for example, Fiori di Como, the chandelier-ceiling Chihuly created for the Bellagio Hotel in Las Vegas in 1998. Located in the main lobby, the piece is breathtaking from the first look—a dazzling explosion of color, form, and emotion. But once the initial impact settles, one slowly starts to comprehend the truly spectacular scope of the piece, and the mind-boggling difficulty that must have been involved in its two-year construction. First of all, there’s the sheer size—incredibly, the piece covers 2,100 square feet, and extends almost 25 yards across the lobby’s ceiling. But there’s also the detail (2,000 individual hand-blown glass flowers weighing 40,000 pounds) and above all that, a steel framework (another 10,000 pounds of weight) keeping everything in place, as well as an elaborate lighting system. It’s art, to be sure—but it’s also an amazingly intricate marvel of engineering, a true partnership of 22 The Deke Quarterly | summer 2013
left-brain and right-brain ingenuity. Still, even with the demands of such incredibly complex projects, there’s a large part of Chihuly that remains a free spirit, with a good old-fashioned fly-by the-seat-of-his pants sensibility. “I rely on a lot of input from the team,” he explains. “When we’re making a big chandelier, we’ll make the parts in one studio and we’ll take them over to another and actually build the chandelier. And once it’s built, it might have a thousand parts, and people ask me, ‘Do you number the pieces so they can be put back together right?’” Chihuly lets loose with a booming laugh. “‘Do I look like the type of guy who would number the pieces? Nothing ever goes back together the same way twice!” It’s an organic process for organic designs, and fortuitously, there’s something about Chihuly’s cavalier methodology that harmonizes with the works themselves. When installed, the glass becomes part of—and compliments—its environment, whether it’s in a gallery (Chihuly’s works have graced museums world-wide, including the Louvre, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, The Victoria and Albert Museum, and the Smithsonian), in private homes, or even as outdoor public art. In fact, the outdoor pieces are quite often the most striking when seen in place, commonly juxtaposing natural light and color with modern building materials such as steel and concrete. Chihuly’s Bridge of Glass (2002) in Tacoma, for example, quite literally bridges the gap between nature’s beauty and that omnipresent example of brutalist architecture, the highway overpass. But while Chihuly’s urban artworks often speak to the pull between the natural and the man-made, it’s apparent that he’s equally comfortable, likely even more so, with nature itself. With many of his works taking on organic shapes—flowers, sea life, plants, and water forms—it’s not surprising to often find Chihuly’s work displayed in botanical gardens, conservatories, ponds, and pools around the world. And since his designs most often mimic shapes found in nature, it is in natural surroundings that the pieces appear to be most at home. With the opening of the Chihuly Garden and Glass museum in Seattle last summer, the artist’s work can now permanently enjoy the best of both worlds. In the city Chihuly—along with his wife and fifteen-year-old son—calls home, the museum stands out as an oasis of color and emotion in the massive Seattle Center complex (home to the 600-footr tall Space Needle, cavernous convention halls and museums, even a sports arena). With nine separate galleries and a 16,000-square foot garden, the museum challenges the starkly urban environment while providing a relaxing and inspiring green space of its own. “You know, it’s the largest installation I’ve ever done, and probably the most important project I’ve ever done,” Chihuly reflects. “It’s been received very well, and we’ve had more people come than anticipated.” While Chihuly Garden and Glass will likely stand as the ultimate testament to—and celebration of—Dale Chihuly’s work, it’s thankfully not the last full measure. When asked if the museum is a summation of his life’s work, Chihuly pauses momentarily, then laughs. “Well, I’m not retiring, if that’s what you mean!” And it‘s a good thing. With so much darkness in the world, we could all use a bit of the joyous color that pours out of Chihuly’s glass. Brother Chihuly addressed the annual meeting and dinner of The Delta Kappa Epsilon Club of New York on Wednesday, April 17, 2013. ? dke
al u m ni N e w s
TEXAS Reunion By Lee Hancock
I
n 2005, a small group of Omega Chi Dekes who reside in and around the Texas Hill Country area west of the University of Texas at Austin felt something was missing. They missed seeing their Deke brothers from the college years and decided to form a reunion planning committee. The glue that held the planning effort together was a group of UT Zeta Tau Alpha coeds the brothers had somehow managed to marry. The Zeta/Deke match parties of the 1960’s era were simply the best. The rest is history. Pat Haragan (Omega Chi ’59), wife Mary, Dr. Andrew (Drew) Smith (Omega Chi ’60), wife Mary and Dr. Richard Becker (Omega Chi ‘60), wife Bunny nurtured the planning effort. The committee recognized the need to assemble the brothers and bring back the rock and roll music of the sixties integral to our Deke culture. From Abilene, Texas, who else but Lynn Anderson (Omega Chi ’60), a pioneer of early rock and roll and wife Barbara, a UT Delta Delta Delta bundle of energy, soon joined the Planning Committee. With each reunion, more contact information for Omega Chi alumni was gathered. The reunions in 2008 and 2010 were hugely successful. The theme of the 2010 reunion reflected on the dominance of the Dekes in intramural competition at the University of Texas. Dick Beeler (Omega Chi ’56), Tom Hurst (Omega Chi ’58), Jim Berly (Omega Chi ’59), Jack Kamrath (Omega Chi ’59) all exceptional athletes, were recognized along with many other brothers who have moved on to join the Mystic Circle, most recently a Deke
Susan Hancock, Dr. Ronald Schuchard
icon, J Robert Taylor (Omega Chi ’58). Dick Beeler and Tom Hurst would later underwrite a granite paver outside Gregory Gymnasium on the UT Campus commemorating the Deke Intramural accomplishments. Marion McDaniel (Omega Chi ’57) brought out his legal pad and told a series of humorous anecdotes. Robin Morse (Omega Chi ’68) provided a sobering analysis on the status of the chapter that would become the focus of the 2012 reunion.
GOLF AND WINE IN 2012 On March 23rd and 24th, 2012 University of Texas Omega Chi Dekes gathered once again in Fredericksburg and Stonewall on a magnificent Texas Hill Country weekend. Activities began around noon on Friday with golf at Boot Ranch, a superb hill country development north of Fredericksburg. Friday evening, the Dekes found Becker Vineyards awash with blooming lavender fields amid a verdant landscape. The veranda off the main wine tasting pavilion was the setting for a Mexican food buffet. Spirits were high with camaraderie as brothers went back to a special time in their lives. Memories and wine filled the senses. The brothers paused and paid special respects to Mickey Guckian (Omega Chi ’58) and Joe Stoeltje (Omega Chi ’57) who completed their journey to the Mystic Circle since the 2010 Reunion. Dick Beeler and Tommie Hurst were applauded for donating a granite paver outside Gregory Gymnasium to recognize Deke Intramural accomplishments. Dabney (Omega Chi ’59) and Betty Park from Florida, Bruce Barnes (Omega Chi ’63) from California and Dr. Ronald Schuchard (Omega Chi ’57) from Atlanta were brothers who traveled far. Upon his return to Emory University, Dr. Schuchard would learn that he had been named to join as a Fellow of the American College of Arts and Sciences a list of highly prestigious scholars. Saturday morning saw many in the reunion visiting the Fredericksburg galleries and museums. The National Museum of the Pacific is a located in Fredericksburg, the home town of Admiral Chester Nimitz. At noon, the Hoffman Haus, a popular bed and breakfast in Fredericksburg that many Dekes had chosen was the venue for a presentation by Robin Morse on the history of the Omega Chi Chapter over the past 25
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TEXAS WINE COUNTRY
The Beckers, while looking for a place to get away from the bustle of life in San Antonio, fortuitously stumbled upon a wonderful property near the small town of Stonewall, Texas. Their special combination of energy, vision and passion for the culinary and cultural arts would lead the Beckers to create the eponymous Becker Vineyards, now a landmark in the Texas Hill Country and home to the most acclaimed winery in the state.
Over the last six years the Beckers have provided the venue of their spectacular winery and hosted four Omega Chi Deke reunions. The first reunion took place in the spring of 2006. Fueled by the enthusiastic response of our special band of brothers, it was decided to continue the reunion every other spring and enjoy fellowship with Deke brothers in a setting like no other – the Texas Hill Country in bloom.
ABOVE: Dr. Ken Tyson, Bunny Becker, Dr. Richard Becker
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al u m ni N e w s
TEXAS Reunion
years. Robin traveled through the various influences that have affected the social fraternities including the Viet Nam war period, the drug culture and most recently the effect of the dot com generation. Robin reported that the chapter is essentially inactive and that decisions need to be made about the future. For forty-five minutes, the Dekes listened quietly and intently. After Robin’s discourse, the atmosphere in the assembly hall was lightened when Charles Kinney (Omega Chi ’44) told stories of the post-World War II period at the Deke House. Photographs were available from the period that tugged at the brothers ‘passion for their Omega Chi Deke legacy. Charles told stories of many of his contemporaries including Tom Landry, Bobby Layne, Ben Love and Jack Blanton. Bert Hooper (Omega Chi ’46), a close friend of Charles was in attendance smiling as the stories unfolded. After Charles, the Dekes reverted to an
open discussion on the future of the chapter. Robin Morse fielded questions and provided additional detail and possibilities. There was strong resolve expressed to return the chapter to prominence in a world today quite unlike the cultures the Dekes in attendance had experienced. After the discussion, Becker wine was paired with appetizers served by the Hoffman Haus in an environment open to a beautiful and cool Texas Hill Country day. The evening found the reunion returning to Becker vineyards. The Beckers took the group on a tour of the winery and explained the complexities of the art. After the tour, a gourmet buffet was served on the Lavender Haus patio under a pristine Texas sky. After dinner, Dekes danced until after midnight to Graham Pearson and his Spare Parts band. The Omega Chi Deke Reunion of 2012 was special. The legacy must continue. ? dke
Lee Hancock, Susan Hancock, Carl King, Mary King
Vick Brown, Garney Griggs, Janita Griggs
2010 Deke Reunion seen in front of the Lavender Haus at Becker Vineyards
24 The Deke Quarterly | summer 2013
Special chapter restart
Omega Chi Re-Founding
NEWS
DKE International is tapping the Deke network more thoroughly and in smarter ways than ever before.
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adly, in 2011—one year before its centennial—Omega Chi alumni and DKE headquarters closed the active chapter after a period of severely low membership and poor recruitment prospects. Prospects change very quickly in the fraternal world, however. One year onward and with great excitement, DKE is proactively restarting Omega Chi at UT-Austin as the flagship of a new expansion program which has the potential to excite and strengthen the Deke community beyond even its exDKE’s Omega Chi chapter was pansion chapters. founded in 1912 and has fostered By harnessing DKE’s membership database, Customer Relations Management many great men in its lifetime. (CRM) tools and by mastering new social media marketing techniques, it is easier to identify first-degree connections to student leaders at our target institutions—a true Some of Omega Chi’s men wealth in recruitment terms. After all, DKE’s healthiest chapters are built on strong are heroes, like Super Bowlbonds between high-quality gentlemen and these are most easily forged from personwinning coach Tom Landry ’49 al connections and close friendships. In fall of 2013, Omega Chi will quickly make its and astronaut Alan Bean ’55. selection of top-quality student leaders and re-grow a strong, vibrant chapter in AusOthers, like John W. Calhoun tin. DKE HQ will then apply the same methods to bolster the recruitment efforts of (11th President of the University the fraternity’s existing chapters, a service that should prove invaluable to our future. Here are the program basics. Once a target institution is selected, we employ of Texas) and Richard J.V. a network method which intelligently identifies the Dekes who are most likely to Johnson (longtime Chairman of provide referrals for students (freshmen/sophomore student leaders). The object is the Houston Chronicle) to discover specific student leaders who are conare of lesser repute but had nected to Dekes in our network. The program no less profound an impact on can reach-out directly to friends of Dekes to their communities. Countless gain opinions, recommendations, and recruitmore Omega Chi Dekes have ment assistance. In Omega Chi’s case, HQ staff first contactachieved resounding success ed Texas’ regional alumni in June through an in professional and personal email campaign seeking referrals. This summer, pursuits. DKE chapter consultants and interns have been calling undergraduate Dekes who are residents of Texas or who attend Texas A&M, Oklahoma State, Louisiana State, or Arizona State universities, starting with the most recent initiates. In addition, social media marketing and search techniques are being employed, allowing staff members to identify UT-Austin students—filtered by age, interests, or activity—who are directly connected to undergraduate Dekes. Within one week, more than 20 prospects were indentified for Omega Chi’s re-founding, with a goal of identifying 100 prospects who are personally connected to someone in the Deke network. This group of 20 men was approved by the DKE Board of Directors on September 12, 2013 as the Omega Chi colony. The pinning ceremony will be held on the 26th. Members of the DKE staff and local alumni will be administering the New Member Education program. For any established chapter, but particularly ones which need to grow, HQ will be able to bolster recruitment names-lists and even be partly-responsible for introducing some men to the rolls of DKE. ? dke
notables
DKE Omega Chi Alan Bean
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25
William P. Johston Hall at Louisiana State University was built as a men’s residence hall in 1949.
Southern gent Grave of William Preston Johnston at the Cave Hill Cemetery, Louisville, Kentucky
William Preston Johnston had a full and varied career as a scholar, attorney, soldier, teacher, writer and twice a college president. By Sam Thomson
26 The Deke Quarterly | summer 2013
d k e hi s t o r y
Jan 5, 1831 born in Louisville, Kentucky
W
illiam Preston Johnston was the eldest son of famed Confederate General Albert Sidney Johnston and Henrietta Preston, born January 5, 1831, at Louisville, Kentucky. His mother died on August 12, 1835, and shortly after his father moved to Texas. William was reared by his mother’s family, mainly her sister, Josephine Rogers in Louisville. His early education was in Kentucky before enrolling in Yale where he was a member of Phi Chapter of Delta Kappa Epsilon and Skull and Bones. Johnston proved to be quite a literary scholar, winning numerous awards for his compositions. William was followed at Yale by his cousins Randall Lee Gibson, Phi 1853, and Nathaniel Hart Gibson, Phi 1855. Following his graduation, William studied law and received his degree from the Law School at the University of Louisville in March, 1853. He first married Rosa Elizabeth Duncan of New Orleans, Louisiana on July 6, 1853, in New Haven, Connecticut. Rosa’s grandfather, Abner L. Duncan was a close friend of President Andrew Jackson and served as his Aide de Camp at the Battle of New Orleans. The newlywed Johnston family settled in Louisville, where William practiced law until the beginning of the Civil War. He was appointed a Major in the Second Kentucky Regiment and later transferred to the First Kentucky Regiment and promoted to Lieutenant Colonel. In 1862, he was made Aide de Camp to President Jefferson Davis and promoted to Colonel. In the same year, General Albert Sidney Johnston was killed at the Battle of Shiloh. William remained on President Davis’ staff until the end of the war, when he was captured along with Davis in
Former home on Prytania Street, New Orleans, LA
attended Yale, member of Phi Chapter of Delta island. Returning after the war, Georgia. He was held prisoner in Kappa Epsilon and Skull the Avery family was able to use Fort Delaware for several months and Bones before being released. Johnston the sugar crop production and the spent a year in exile in Canada mining of salt at Avery Island to 1853 degree from the before returning to the practice of Law School at the support their life style. Edmund law in Louisville. University of Louisville McIlhenny however lost his banks William Preston Johnston beand was forced to live at Avery gan his career in academia in 1867, 1862 First Kentucky Island in his father-in-law’s house when former Confederate General Regiment, promoted to with his wife and children while Lieutenant Colonel Robert E. Lee, then President of he looked for work. Edmund loved Washington College in Lexington, to add spice to his food and had 1867 Chair of History Virginia, invited him to be the Chair and English Literature invented a sauce which he used to of History and English Literature at Washington College season his meals. Encouraged by at the school and in 1877 the school in Lexington, Virginia his friends and family he began conferred the degree of L.L.D. to produce the sauce and sell it in 1880 3rd president of upon him. “Professor” Johnston New Orleans as he would travel LState remained at the school until 1887, there seeking work. The sauce where he completed his definitive Edmund invented is still made at 1884 1st president of biography of his father, The Life of Tulane University Avery Island by his descendants Albert Sidney Johnston, published and is known around the world in 1878. Colonel Johnston continued by the name he gave it...TABASCO. to write throughout his life and The company has remained in had a number of works published. family hands for all of these years. For a number of years, Colonel Deke connections continue in this Johnston was one of the Regents of family through the four Simmons the Smithsonian Institute. In 1880, brothers, all members of Zeta Zeta upon the resignation of Colonel chapter: Edward Fisher Simmons, David F. Boyd, Governor Wiltz appointed Anthony Avery Simmons, Cameron Byrne William Preston Johnston the third President Simmons and Christopher Fisher Simmons. of Louisiana State University. Johnston reAlso in the Zeta Zeta chapter roll is Simmons mained in this position until his resignation brother-in-law John Joseph D’Aquin, Jr. and in 1883. In 1884, the University of Louisiana nephew Fisher Maddox. Other McIlhenny rewas merged into Tulane University and at lations on DKE’s rolls are Edmond McIlhenthe urging of his cousin, Senator Randall Lee ny, Beta chapter, 1967 and Herndon “Chuck” Gibson; Johnston became its first President. Thomason, Tau Lambda chapter, 1979. In 1885 Johnston’s first wife Rosa Duncan William Preston Johnston had a full and died and in the same year, his only son Albert varied career as a scholar, attorney, soldier, Sidney died at the age of twenty four. In April teacher, writer and twice a college president. of 1888, Johnston married Margaret Henshaw Both of these schools have recognized the Avery, daughter of Judge Daniel Dudley contributions of Col. Johnston to their respecAvery, at Avery Island, Louisiana. Margaret’s tive institutions. At Tulane University the mother was Sarah Craig Marsh, the daughter William Preston Johnston Society was formed of John C. Marsh, the owner of the island, as a society to recognize planned giving dothen known as Petite Anse Island. Marsh nors to the university and now numbers over sold the island to two of his sons-in-law, 1,000 members. At Louisiana State University, Daniel Dudley Avery and Ashbel Burnham William P. Johnston Hall was built as a men’s Henshaw. In 1854, Judge Avery bought out residence hall in 1949 and was renovated in his brother-in-law Henshaw and became 1991 to house the administrative offices of the the sole owner of the island which came to Office of Student Services. be known as the present day Avery Island. William Preston Johnston’s fifteen years Margaret’s sister Mary Eliza Avery married as president of Tulane University ended Edmund McIlhenny, a New Orleans banker. with his death on July 16, 1899 in Louisville, The island is a large salt dome and the famKentucky at the home of his son-in-law U. ily furnished salt to the Confederacy at the S. Congressman Henry St. George Tucker. beginning of the war until fleeing to Texas for Johnston is buried at Cave Hill Cemetery in the duration after Federal occupation of the Louisville, Kentucky. ? dke
William Preston Johnston, Phi 1852
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c hap t e r r o ll
2012-2013 Delta Kappa Epsilon
school
Phi Yale University
Address 73 Lake Place, New Haven, CT 06511
Bowdoin College inactive Zeta Princeton University Uses university facilities, Princeton, NJ Xi Colby College inactive Sigma Amherst College no facility Gamma Vanderbilt University 101 24th Avenue South, Nashville, TN 37235 Psi University of Alabama 946 University Blvd, Tuscaloosa, AL 35401 Chi University of Mississippi inactive Upsilon Brown University inactive Beta University of North Carolina 132 S. Columbia Street, Chapel Hill, NC 27514 Alpha Harvard University inactive Kappa Miami University 325 E Sycamore, Oxford, OH 45056 Delta South Carolina College inactive Lambda Kenyon College Old Kenyon dormitory, Gambier, OH Omega Oakland College inactive Eta University of Virginia 173 Culbreath Road, Charlottesville, VA 22903 Pi Dartmouth inactive Iota Centre College Uses college facilities, Danville, KY Alpha Alpha Middlebury College inactive Omicron University of Michigan 1004 Olivia Ave, Ann Arbor, MI 48104 Epsilon Williams College inactive Rho Lafayette College 719 Sullivan Trail, Easton, PA 18042 Tau Hamilton College Uses college facilities, Clinton, NY Mu Colgate University inactive Nu City College of New York inactive Beta Phi University of Rochester 597 Fraternity Road, Rochester, NY 14627 Theta Chi Union College N. wing Fox dormitory, Schenectady, NY Kappa Psi Cumberland University inactive Zeta Zeta Louisiana State University 13 Dalrymple Drive, Baton Rouge, LA 70808 Alpha Delta Jefferson College inactive Tau Delta Union University inactive Phi Chi Rutgers University Uses private facilities, New Brunswick, NJ Kappa Phi Troy University inactive Psi Phi DePauw University inactive Gamma Phi Wesleyan University 276 High Street, Middletown, CT 06459 Eta Alpha Washington & Lee University inactive Psi Omega Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute inactive Beta Chi Case Western Reserve inactive Delta Chi Cornell University 13 South Ave, Ithaca, NY 14850 Delta Delta University of Chicago Uses private facilities, Chicago, IL Phi Gamma Syracuse University 703 Walnut Ave, Syracuse, NY 13210 Gamma Beta Columbia University inactive Theta Zeta University of Calif., Berkeley 2302 Piedmont Ave, Berkeley, CA 94704 Alpha Chi Trinity College inactive Phi Epsilon University of Minnesota 1711 University Ave. SE, Minneapolis, MN 55414 Sigma Tau Mass. Institute of Technology 403 Memorial Drive, Cambridge, MA 02139 Tau Lambda Tulane University inactive Alpha Phi University of Toronto 157 St. George St, Toronto, ON, Can M5R2M2 Delta Kappa University of Pennsylvania 307 S. 39th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104 Tau Alpha McGill University inactive Sigma Rho Stanford University Uses university facilities Stanford, CA Delta Pi University of Illinois inactive Rho Delta University of Wisconsin inactive Kappa Epsilon University of Washington inactive Omega Chi University of Texas, Austin inactive
Actives 30
Pledges
9
*-FO
*-FO
Theta
28 The Deke Quarterly | summer 2013
no member info available
55 117
* -S *-FO
61
*-FO
63
* -S
31
SO
65
SO
44
SO
66
*-F
41 12
*-FO SO
17 23
*-FO * -S
37
*-FO
35
*-F
64
*-F
46 21 61
SO *-F * -S
36
* -S
7 41
*-F *-FO
27 24
*-FO SO
11
SO
school
Address
Alpha Tau University of Manitoba Uses private facilities, Winnipeg, MB, Canada Theta Rho University of California, LA Delta Phi University of Alberta
Active 27
Pledges
27
*-FO
57
*-FO
21 50 21
* -S *-FO * -S
12 22 15 10
*-F * -S * -S * -S
73
* -S
19 41 13 35
* -S * -S * -S * -S
33
* -S
12
* -S
23 12
* -S *-F
13
*-F
20 30 23 16 33
*-F *-FO *-F SO *-F
*-FO
inactive
11003 87th Ave., Edmonton, AB, Can T6G0X5 Northwestern University inactive Lambda Delta Southern Methodist University inactive Phi Alpha Univ of British Columbia #8-2880 Westbrook Mall, Vancouver, BC, Can V6T253 Kappa Delta University of Maryland inactive Rho Lambda University of Oklahoma inactive Tau Delta University of the South 735 University Ave, Sewanee, TN 37383 Psi Delta Wake Forest University 1101 Polo Road, Winston Salem, NC 27106 Sigma Alpha Virginia Tech University 302 E. Roanoke Road, Blacksburg, VA 24060 Phi Delta University of Western Ontario inactive Sigma Phi Villanova University inactive Pi Beta Troy University 414 Fraternity Circle, Troy, AL 36081 Alpha Mu Rowan University 68 N. Main, Glassboro, NJ 08028 Epsilon Rho Duke University Craven AA dormitory, Durham, NC Nu Zeta Pace University Uses private facilities, Pleasantville, NY Alpha Omega Louisiana Tech University inactive Theta Upsilon Arizona State University Uses private facilities, Tempe, AZ Iota Mu Fordham University inactive Alpha Rho Temple University inactive Zeta Upsilon University of Calif., Davis inactive Phi Sigma Bryant College Uses private facilities, Smithfield, RI Phi Rho Pennsylvania State University 328 E. Foster Ave., State College, PA 16801 Chi Rho Bloomsburg University Uses private facilities, Bloomsburg, PA Zeta Chi Bentley College Uses private facilities, Waltham, MA Omega Omega University of Arizona inactive Sigma Beta U of Calif., Santa Barbara inactive Beta Gamma New York University Uses university facilities, NY, NY Beta Delta University of Georgia inactive Alpha Beta DePaul University inactive Sigma Kappa Michigan State University 505 Albert Ave., East Lansing, MI 48823 Delta Tau Ohio State University inactive Alpha Delta Northwestern University inactive Delta Psi Indiana University 518 E. 1st Street, Bloomington, IN 47401 Mu Chi Maryville College Uses private facilities, Maryville, TN Upsilon Omega University of South Alabama inactive Kappa Omega Lake Forest College inactive Rho Beta University of Richmond Uses private facilities, Richmond, VA Alpha Gamma U.S. Military Academy inactive Phi Beta Stephen F. Austin University inactive Tau Chi Texas A & M University 3200 Callie Circle, College Station, TX 77845 Beta Tau University of Victoria Uses private facilities, Victoria, BC, Canada Delta Alpha Auburn University 110 Thomas Street, Auburn, AL 36832 SIGMA XI St. Joseph’s College Uses College facilities, Patchogue, NY 11772 OMEGA MU Oklahoma State University 1225 W. Third Ave., Stillwater, OK 74074 Delta Epsilon
DKE has seven colonies moving toward chapter status: • Manhattan College, Bronx, NY • North Carolina State University (NC State), Raleigh, NC • Gannon University, Erie, PA • University of Delware, Newark, DE • McGill University, Montreal, QC, CA • Hampden-Sydney College, Hampden-Sydney, VA • University of North Carolina-Wilmington, Wilmington, NC
Note: Numbers shown for Actives and Pledges should be added to reflect total chapter size, this figure assumes all pledges are initiated and does not reflect any upcoming graduation
* not yet reported FO Fall only recruitment SO Spring only recruitment F Fall & Spring recruitment, Fall is primary S Fall & Spring recruitment, Spring is primary w w w.d ke.o rg
29
o bi t u a r i e s
Mystic Circle George W. “Bunky” Healy, III Tau Lambda ’50 1930-2012
of The Society for Encouragement and
the University of Michigan. He was
Purple Heart Medal for wounds suffered
Preservation of José Cuervo Drinking.
an attorney, arbitrator and lecturer,
in combat. He was honorably discharged
At the time of his death, he served
practicing law at Butzel, Long, Gust,
from the Corps and retired with the rank
George W. Healy, III, age 82, died on
as chairman of the latter society. He
Klein and Van Zile in downtown Detroit
of Captain.
November 20, 2012 at home. Healy, a
was a member of Delta Kappa Epsilon,
for more than 40 years.
prominent Admiralty attorney was Of
Veterans of Foreign Wars (Post 14000),
His family said Mr. Zinn will be
He served as Vice-President of Flag-Redfern from 1972 to 1978 when
Counsel at Phelps Dunbar LLP, where
American Legion (Post 307), Royal Order
remembered for living life to its fullest,
he left the company to found Grover Oil
he spent his entire professional career
of St. George, and the Propeller Club.
playing football in the Big Ten, racing
and later Grover-McKinney Oil Company
stock cars pre-NASCAR, being a Golden
with Gary McKinney. He remained on the
Gloves boxer, commanding a Sherman
Board of Directors of Flag-Redfern until
tank in the U.S. Army during the Korean
the company was sold to Kerr-McGee
War, being a jazz drummer, as well
Corporation in 1988. After retiring from
as being in the brotherhood of Delta
Grover-McKinney, he formed Grover
Kappa Epsilon. Mr. Zinn was a member
Family, L.P. in which he was active until
of Christ Church Grosse Pointe, Grosse
shortly before his death. In 2004, he and
Pointe Historical Society, Country Club
his wife and children formed Bedford
of Detroit, Churchill Society, Sons of the
Investments, L.P., which participates in
American Revolution, The Woodworkers
the drilling of oil and gas wells. Among
Club, National Cathedral Association,
other boards, Mr. Grover has served on
Witen-agemote and the University
the Board of Directors of Flag-Redfern
Liggett School Alumni Association. He
Oil Company, Leamco Services, Mexco
was the former president of the Grosse
Energy, Midland Southwest Corporation,
Pointe Hockey Association, board
Texas Commerce Bank of Midland, and
member of the Grosse Pointe Farms
United Bank of Midland. He also served
Little League and ULS Alumni Board of
on the Board of Directors of Glencoe
Governors. An outdoorsman, he enjoyed
Resources, Ltd. and Pennant-Puma
jazz music, history and sports.
Oils Ltd., both of Calgary, Alberta,
as an associate and partner, after graduation from Tulane Law School and undergraduate school. During the Korean conflict, he served as a Naval Officer on the West Coast and in Korea. He was discharged in 1953 upon completion of hostilities. Healy was active in many professional societies including the American Bar Association, in which he served in the House of Delegates, New Orleans Bar Association, of which he was president in 1992, the Maritime Law Association of the United States, over which he presided in 1992 and 1993, the Louisiana Bar Association, the Louisiana Association of Defense Counsel, the New Orleans Board of Trade, and the New Orleans Association of Defense Counsel. His biography was listed in Who’s Who in America, Who’s Who in the World, and Who’s Who in American Law. He was listed in Best Lawyers in America until his retirement from active practice. In 1996, he received the President’s Commendation from the Louisiana Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers for his years of handling on behalf of Phelps Dunbar, the Court appointed representation of Curtis Kyles. Kyles had been convicted of first degree murder in 1984 and was confined on Death Row in Angola, awaiting execution. The United States Supreme Court, in 1995, granted a Writ of Certiorari for which Healy had petitioned. The Supreme Court reversed Kyles’ conviction and ordered a new trial. Healy was awarded the Stephen
Richard P. Kost Omicron ’62 1940-2012 Richard P. Kost, 71, of Siesta Key, formerly of Grosse Pointe Farms, Michigan, loving husband of Stephanie Sumner Kost passed away at home on March 25, 2012, with his family at his side, after a long and courageous battle with cancer. Born in Detroit, Michigan, he moved to Grosse Pointe Farms at an early age and attended school there, then going on to the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor where he received his BBA and MBA degree with a concentration in Investment Management. Upon graduation, he joined NBD Bank in the Investment Division and worked there for 35 years directing investment instrumental in creating and managing
Arden Grover, Lambda ’50 1926-2012
the bank’s international equity fund.
Arden Roy Grover passed away
He retired in 1999 from the bank which
peacefully on October 18, 2012 at his
is now J.P. Morgan Chase. Dick was a
home in Midland, Texas at the age of
Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) and a
86. He was born on March 28, 1926 to
past president of the Investment Analyst
Florence and Irving Grover in Duluth,
Society of Detroit.
Minnesota and graduated from Duluth
strategy and economic research. He was
Dick was an avid golfer and was very happy in his retirement pursing
ranked junior hockey player and played
investment management and a quest
for a short time with the Northwest
for life-long learning. Dick was active in
Oilers, a semi-pro team. He attended
The Longview Society, Prismatic Club
Kenyon College in Gambier, Ohio, where
of Detroit, and Delta Kappa Epsilon
he was a member of Delta Kappa Epsilon
Fraternity and a member of The Field
fraternity and received his Bachelor of
Club.
Science in Law from the St. Paul College
Bar Association in 1997 for an article
George H. Zinn, Jr., Omicron ’55 1933-2012
he wrote for the Louisiana Bar Journal
George H. Zinn Jr., a longtime resident of
about the Kyles’ representation.
Grosse Pointe Farms, died Saturday, Oct.
Victory award from the Louisiana State
Healy was a member of several Carnival organizations and social clubs. Being a good Deke, he was a member
Central High, where he was a highly
6, 2012, at St. John Hospital and Medical Center in Detroit. He earned Bachelor of Business Administration, Master of Business Administration and J.D. degrees from
of Law in St. Paul, Minnesota, where he was a member of Delta Theta Phi law
Canada, and as an advisory director of Caithness Resources, Inc., a geothermal energy company in New York. He has served on the Board of Directors of the Independent Petroleum Association of America, the Texas Independent Producers and Royalty Owners Association, and the Permian Basin Petroleum Association, where he served as President and Chairman. He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Midland, where he served as a deacon, and was an associate member of the Church at Horseshoe Bay in Horseshoe Bay, Texas.
Henry Blume Sigma Tau ’55 1931-2013 Brother Blume passed away on May
fraternity. In 1951, he was called to active
2, 2013 at the age of 82. Originally
duty by the United States Marine Corps
from Wisconsin, he joined DKE while at
and served in the 3rd battalion 5th
graduate school at MIT, served in the US
Marines in Korea. He received a Korean
Navy on active duty and remained in the
Service Medal with 3 stars, a Letter of
Naval Reserves until 1991.
Commendation with Combat V and a
Brother Blume worked for many years in the semiconductor industry in CA, designing microchips for companies such as Intel Corp. He led the team developing the 8748 and 8048
30 The Deke Quarterly | summer 2013
microcontrollers, which were among Intel's "hottest products" in the late 1970s. Always an athlete, whether skiing, playing football, tennis or rugby, Mr. Blume went on to become a tennis official with the U.S. Tennis Association, refereeing matches on both coasts, the family said. In addition, in high school, he won the state chess championship
“A brother dead and brothers mourning, Fill the heart with grief today. And the earnest grasp fraternal; Speaks,“a dear one passed away.” Yes, no longer we shall greet thee in the halls of DKE, Yet thy name in sweet remembrance. Graven on our hearts will be. We have parted. Brother, parted, As we trust, to meet again in a full unbroken circle. Free from sorrow, grief and pain”
and, as an adult, became a life master in bridge.
Robert Allan Bob Dinnie Delta Chi ’68 1946-2013 The below message directed by Mayor Linda M. Balzotti, Brockton, Mass., confirms the death of Delta Kappa Epsilon Brother Robert Allan Bob Dinnie, Cornell Class of 1968. Vietnam War Veteran, U.S. Army, Enlisted Ranks, Air Traffic Control Operator.
Arne (Doc) Sveen Phi Alpha ’73 1949-2012
Past president of the New Orleans
New York Times, his evening Campari &
member of the Delta Kappa Epsilon
Country Club, life member of the Recess
Soda and one of his many Saluki dogs by
fraternity. He graduated from St. John's
Club, and member of several carnival
his side. He was incredibly charismatic
College in New Mexico and L.S.U. Medical
organizations.
with a great sense of humor, and almost
School in Shreveport. A member of the
all who knew him have many "George"
New Orleans Lawn Tennis Club and the
stories to tell. He will be terribly missed
P.J.'s (Magazine) Roundtable, Arthur was
and fondly remembered.
much loved by countless friends, the
Bill Halcrow Phi Alpha '50 1924-2013 Brother Bill Halcrow, Phi Alpha '50, passed away last week at the age of 89. Bill was a frequent attender of Deke Alumni events, and many Phi Alpha and
Jared Clagg Delta Psi '08 1986-2013 Jared Clagg, 26, passed away on
Country Day community, the staff at M.D. Anderson and Touro Infirmary, and his own patients.
William McDevitt Theta Rho ’45 1923-2011
Vancouver alumni remember him fondly.
January 15th. Jared loved hunting,
At the chapter's 50th Anniversary
fishing, and being outdoors. He earned
Banquet in 1999, Bill read a poem which
the rank of Eagle Scout in 2004. He also
is very sorry to report that Arne (Doc)
he had written to commemorate the
served in the Indiana National Guard.
absent from our lives, but ever-present
Sveen, Phi Alpha '73 passed away in
occasion. Bill taught High School in
Jared will be greatly missed by all.
in our hearts, William McDevitt quietly
February 2012 in Norway.
Maple Ridge BC for many years, and he
The Phi Alpha Alumni Association
Kevin Bourgeois forwarded this sad news which was reported in a blog kept by one of Arne's friends in Norway. The Doctor was one of a kind, and exemplified the ''Jolly Good Fellow." He will be missed by all who had the pleasure to know him.
Pierre Michel Viguerie Tau Lambda '63 1942-2013 Brother Viguerie passed away on
will be missed by his Deke Brothers.
George Farnsworth, Jr., Tau Lambda '50 1939-2013 George Shepherd Farnsworth, Jr.
Roland W. Horn Phi Chi '54 1931-2012 Roland W. Horn, Phi Chi '54, passed away November 10, 2012 at age 81. Brother Horn attended Rutgers on a
passed away with his family by his
basketball and baseball scholarship.
side on Sunday, March 10, 2013 at the
Upon graduation Roland joined the Navy,
age of 74. George graduated from
and was stationed in Florida. He had a
Tulane University with a mechanical
long and successful career in the radio
engineering degree in 1961 and was a
business before retiring in 1989.
member of the Tau Lambda chapter.
April 9, 2013. Age 71 years. Beloved
He had a long career as a New Orleans
husband of Maria Pratt Viguerie.
real estate broker, and founded the
Devoted father of Michael Viguerie,
commercial brokerage The George
David Viguerie, and Anne Viguerie
S. Farnsworth Company, which later
Villere (Sandy). Grandfather of Peter
merged with a leading residential
Viguerie, Marianne Villere, Saint Villere
firm to become Farnsworth Samuel
and Collier Villere. His grandchildren
Limited. George was a true Bon Vivant,
were the loves of his life. Brother of
passionate about great food, wine,
Winx McCarthy (Jim), and the late Shaun
antiques, art, traveling, and most
Viguerie (Yvonne), and Kevin Viguerie,
importantly sharing these pleasures with
Zeta Zeta 68. Brother-in-law of Anne
his family and countless friends; Always
Pratt. Graduate of Tulane University.
open to trying things new, he also stuck
Arthur T. Fort, IV Tau Lambda ’82 1962-2012 Brother Fort died at home on
William Howard McDevitt Now
and gently slipped out of the party on Sunday, August 28th, 2011. Known for his quick wry wit, unlimited generosity, and boundless joie de vivre, Bill was an accomplished horseman, inclusive host, engaging raconteur, true gentleman and great friend. Born in Baltimore, Maryland on July 6, 1923, wild Billy spent his youth in Cincinnati, Ohio. Following service in the Pacific Islands, Australia, Philippines and Japan during World War II, Bill discovered the beauty of California. He settled in Marin County 60 years ago, enjoyed a second home in Pebble Beach, and spent the last 35 years in his beloved Sausalito. A born entrepreneur,
Thursday, December 20, 2012 at the
successful at all endeavors; his
age of 52 after a 25-year battle with
businesses encompassed contracting,
leukemia. He was the author of "State of
restaurants, property development, art
the Art in Anti-Aging Trends," a chapter
galleries, and his proudest creation -
in the textbook Clinics in Geriatric
the beautiful waterfront hotel, The Inn
Medicine. He graduated from St. Paul's
Above Tide.
School in Covington, LA and attended Tulane University, where he was a
with those large and small things in daily life that he loved such as his morning
w w w.d ke.o rg
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D e lt a Kappa Ep s il o n F r a t e r ni t y P O Box 836 0 A nn A r b o r , M I 4 8 1 0 7 A dd r e s s C o r r e c t i o n R e q u e s t e d
new program
Strength in Numbers DKE has introduced a new giving level for alumni who wish to increase their support of the fraternity. Called foreverDEKE, it consists of a monthly donation of $18.44 or more. (1844 is the year of DKE’s founding.) Donors at this level will receive a special newsletter from DKE HQ in addition to the DEKE QUARTERLY. This program helps strengthen not only the international organization, but individual chapters as well. 50% of the monthly pledge will go directly to the donor’s particular chapter. Funds go to helping DKE expand to new campuses, strengthen existing chapters, and assure the perpetuity of distinguished Deke traditions and heritage.
GO ONLINE TO: causes.anedot.com/ foreverdeke-cc9664a7230
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