C ro s s & C r e s c e n t - E s t 1 9 3 2 - l a m b dac h i . o r g
October 2016 - lambdachi.org - Quarterly Issue #3
FEATURE - Article Title
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LCA Library By: Kyle Jones
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Mike Mussallem By: Tad Lichtenauer
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Truman’s Little White House By: Tad Lichtenauer
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Making a Film at 50 By: Kyle Jones
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Foundation Scholarships By: Neil Stanglein
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Chapter News & Omegas
MIKE MUSSALLEM October 2016 - lambdachi.cc - Quarterly Issue #3
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FROM THE EDITOR
October 2016 - lambdachi.org - Quarterly Issue #3
staff list
archives
Publisher: Bill Farkas
Summer 2016
Managing Editor: Tad Lichtenauer Contributing Editor: Kyle Jones
Spring 2016 October/November 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015
Digital Marketing
May 2015
Manager: Jimmy Long
April 2015
Email Marketing: Jessica Rohn Layout & Design: Fuel VM
March 2015 February 2015
FROM THE EDITOR Welcome to our third entry of our quarterly Cross & Crescent for 2016. I am temporarily taking over as editor of the Cross & Crescent as former editor Kyle Jones (Montevallo) has left our staff to begin the next chapter of his life and career in Birmingham, Ala. We are very grateful for the two years Kyle spent with us and know that the excellent work he did will have a lasting impact on our brotherhood. In this issue, we profile alumni member Mike Mussallem (Rose-Hulman), the CEO and chairman of Edward Lifesciences. We also highlight three alumni members who have authored books: Chris Wilson from Theta-Sigma at Drury University, Oscar Mendoza from Sigma-Beat at St. Mary’s Univeristy, and Trace Conger from Alpha-Omega at Ohio University. Alumni brother Bob Heske from our Alpha-Omicron chapter at Indiana University talks about making his first film at 50. Finally, the Educational Foundation reports on the impact donations had on attendees at our summer conference, Cody Kessler (Southern California 2016) becomes the starting quarterback for the Cleveland Browns, and Board Member David Huffine (North Carolina-Greensboro) presents a Lambda Chi pin to the Truman’s Little White House in Key West, Fla. Please remember to check lambdachi.cc for additional updates about what’s going on in Lambda Chi Alpha and with our chapters and members. In ZAX and friendship,
Tad Lichtenauer Managing Editor Cross & Crescent Magazine est. 1915
Cross & Crescent Magazine
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links
Website: lambdachi.cc Facebook: LambdaChi Twitter: @LambdaChiAlpha Instagram: lambdachialphaihq
Contact & Contibutions
Content for consideration should be submitted to: Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity 11711 N Pennsylvania St. Suite 250 Carmel, IN 46032 (317) 872-8000 editor@lambdachi.org www.lambdachi.cc
October 2016 - lambdachi.org - Quarterly Issue #3
56th GA More stories telling you about everything you need know about the 56th General Assembly.
Link to more stories here
FEATURE - Article Title
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October 2016 - lambdachi.org - Quarterly Issue #3
LCA LIBRARY Interview with three authors who have recently published new books. First, alumni brother from Theta-Sigma Zeta at Drury University, Chris Wilson, has published his first work with Goldminds Publishing, a young adult fantasy novel titled Wards of Iasos. Second, a brother of the Sigma-Beta Zeta at St. Mary’s University, Oscar Mendoza, and CreateSpace Publishing is pleased to announce the release of his latest book, titled The Book of the Dead: True Ghost Stories of Spirit Encounters. Third, and his second time being featured in the Cross & Crescent for his “Mr. Finn” series, Trace Conger of Alpha-Omega Zeta at Ohio University, offers up his third novel to our brotherhood, The Prison Guard’s Son.
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FEATURE - LCA LIBRARY
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S T O R Y
WARDS OF IASOS By J. Christopher Wilson
Click here to purchase “Wards of Iasos” Wards of Iasos An alumni brother from Theta-Sigma Zeta at Drury University, Chris Wilson, has published his first work with Goldminds Publishing, a young adult fantasy novel titled Wards of Iasos. Wards of Iasos is now available on Amazon and Barnes & Noble and is currently ranked #37 out of more than 200 titles in the Goodreads.com Tournament of Books 2017. By day Brother Wilson works as an elementary school teacher, and he is also currently working on book two of his series.
Can you provide detail on what the book is about, such as story, its content and your inspiration?
The Wards of Iasos (pronounced yah-suhs) is a fantasy novel about kids and teens who do not belong in the world around them. They are misfits, outcasts, weirdos. In the novel, I call them “Leftovers.” Just like leftover fried chicken, these kids are the leftovers of the world. So much so, that their parents do not want them. They are wards of the country of Iasos. Thus, the title of the novel, “Wards of Iasos.” While this is a fantasy novel, it is very applicable to modern society. In the country of Iasos, all children around the age of ten go to the Iasos Unified Preparatory Abbey in the capital city of D’wyee. (The name of that city should sound familiar to educators as John Dewey is a famous educational philosopher.) The recruits are trained in everything they need to know to survive in a
harsh environment: hunting, fishing, tanning, agriculture, medicine, self-defense, war, magick, (I purposely misspell “magick” and “wyzard” because I used those antiquated spellings in my book to give it a older feel) reading, writing, history, business, architecture, cooking, and the list continues. At fifteen, the abbey decides what a recruit is extraordinary at and specializes the recruit in that area. When they leave the abbey, the recruit is ready to be a contributing member of society. Those who are not successful are not allowed to live on the streets or be homeless. They are forced into slavery in a mine or other area. The government does this to address homelessness, poverty and crime.
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...CHRIS WILSON, HAS PUBLISHED HIS FIRST WORK WITH GOLDMINDS PUBLISHING, A YOUNG ADULT FANTASY NOVEL TITLED WARDS OF IASOS.
FEATURE - LCA LIBRARY
October 2016 - lambdachi.org - Quarterly Issue #3
The Leftovers have not been successful and are in danger of being slaves. They’ve been sent to Erlend Andvari, a dwarf with a purple mohawk and beard. He is their last chance. It is his job to help them find themselves, become successful at the abbey, and avoid the mines. His approach is very unorthodox and nontraditional. He, like the Leftovers he mentors, is something of an eccentric person and is not liked by the High Abbess of the abbey. I am an intermediate teacher (fifth grade) and one of my skills is working with kids who are misfits, outcasts, weirdos. That’s because I was a weird kid growing up and I get them. I was a nerd who loved to play with his toys a little longer than the other kids. I loved play pretend and cartoons and I wasn’t interested in playing or watching sports. I am Scotch-Irish and I wear my kilt to school. I ride a motorcycle, play Dungeons & Dragons, still watch cartoons, have my toys displayed in my classroom, and I have come to embrace my geekness with pride. In fact, I use the words weirdo, nerd and geek proudly and talk about accepting our uniqueness with my students. I believe in taking those words back and taking the power out of them. I wanted to tell the story of kids who the world has rejected. Families, friends, everyone who is supposed to care about them and love them has given up on these leftovers. The stories of people like this rarely get told. These are troubled kids. They are hurt, damaged. But they still have worth and goodness even if that goodness is hidden by anger, fear, or outrageous behaviors. Fantasy is such an important part of my life and my development, so when given the opportunity to write a young adult novel for a publisher, I wanted fantasy, a place where I could build my own universe and express my passion for dwarves and dragons, wyzards and weapons.
Tell me a bit more about the Tournament of Books and what it means for your first novel to be ranked so high? The Wards of Iasos moved from #97 to #24 on the Goodreads Tournament of Book for this year. However,
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I AM SCOTCHIRISH AND I WEAR MY KILT TO SCHOOL. I RIDE A MOTORCYCLE, PLAY DUNGEONS & DRAGONS, STILL WATCH CARTOONS...
FEATURE - LCA LIBRARY
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just a week ago it was removed from the list because the publication date was outside this year’s contest parameters and Goodreads didn’t realize it for a while. It will be resubmitted for next year’s contest. I am really bummed, but am excited that it will get to participate next year.
What was your undergraduate experience like and what, if any, kind of influence did your time with the fraternity have on you professionally and now as an author? In my first writing class, the professor came in and wrote on the board, “Everything Matters.” That stayed on the board for the rest of the semester. For writers, everything matters. Every experience, every feeling, every observation, every person we come in contact with is an opportunity for a story or story element. Characters, scenarios, conflict, interpersonal relationships––all of these things affect the writer. So my time with the fraternity was integral to who I am today, how I write, and what I write about. Live with 40-60 other guys for three years and a writer is bound to have fodder for stories and characters. Oh, the characters. I loved my undergraduate experience at Drury College (now Drury University). As other brothers can attest, I have maintained several friendships with fraternity brothers. Right after graduation, I took a job as the managing editor of a newspaper. Soon thereafter, I hired a fraternity brother as a reporter. He is still with that newspaper. At my book launch, several brothers came and purchased a book and got it autographed. Those relationships are lifelong and are important. I have a fraternity brother that lives in California. Once a year, he comes back to Springfield, Mo. to visit family. He brings his teenagers to my house and us dads and our teens play Dungeons & Dragons for 8-10 hours. We eat, play, laugh and slay dragons. It’s something I look forward to every summer. Our kids, despite being in different states, stay in contact throughout the year.
With this being the first in a series, what are your plans for future entries? I am already writing book two and I have three books planned in the series, with the opportunity for ancillary books contracted as an option. I write in the evenings and weekends when I am not grading student work and working on lesson plans. That’s hard on the family, but my wife and I have a teen daughter who is highly involved in marching band, theater, and other leadership opportunities, so she’s gone a lot. I would love to release a children’s picture book detailing the mythologies of my universe. Those creation myths and other stories show up in the books. Of course, I’m always exploring television or movie opportunities.
THE BOOK OF THE DEAD: TRUE GHOST STORIES OF SPIRIT ENCOUNTERS. By Oscar Mendoza
A brother of the Sigma-Beta Zeta at St. Mary’s University, Oscar Mendoza, and CreateSpace Publishing is pleased to announce the release of his latest book, titled The Book of the Dead: True Ghost Stories of Spirit Encounters.
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IN MY FIRST WRITING CLASS, THE PROFESSOR CAME IN A WROTE ON THE BOARD “EVERYTHING MATTERS”
FEATURE - LCA LIBRARY
October 2016 - lambdachi.org - Quarterly Issue #3
Just in time for Halloween, The Book of the Dead takes a journey into the life of a haunted man. A collection of short true short ghost stories that follows the early life of Oscar Mendoza from the age of five thru his early teenage years. Mendoza’s first hand story telling style gives the reader a unique perspective in what he witnessed as a child.
Mendoza has also had a successful 20-year career in medical technology as as software developer and is also the owner of a real estate investment company and managing partner of eco urban construction.
Can you go into a bit more detail on what else we may find in the book, such as story, its content and your inspiration? Even in small towns, restless spirits and malevolent forces walk the streets. I knows this from personal experience. I am medium and empath, and have seen spirits all my life. I realized at a young age that ghosts were attracted to me due to his psychic connection to their world. I can see, smell, and sometimes even touch incorporeal beings. Due to this ability, I suffered from unsettling encounters since I was a child. I’ve seen everything from pig men to zombie clowns. I also have stories of encounters with babystealing brujas and nighttime ghouls. A walk down an alley led to a violent encounter, and a new childhood playmate was not what she appeared to be. I can’t remember a time when I couldn’t see the spirits all around me. I do remember, however, when I first became unsettled by the experience. The year was 1980, and I was only four years old. I had been warned by my parents to never go down a certain alley in our town, but I decided to ignore their warning. When I walked down the street, I saw a crooked man slithering out from under an abandoned house. I escaped from the haunting’s malevolent grasp but came away from the experience respecting the intense power of spirits. I inherited my remarkable abilities from my parents, and in this collection, I includes stories about their supernatural experiences as well as my own. My father tells a story of encountering a baby-stealing witch in his house one dark night. My mother describes a hate-filled intruder fascinated with her brother. The Book of the Dead is the first of a series of my supernatural experiences. Readers can look forward to the next volume about the spirits he encountered later in my life.
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EVEN IN SMALL TOWNS, RESTLESS SPIRITS AND MALEVOLENT FORCES WALK THE STREETS.
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What was your undergraduate experience like and what, if any, kind of influence did your time with the fraternity have on you professionally and as an author? My undergraduate experience was amazing, both academically and socially. As a brother I became exposed to a wide range of brilliant minds with go-get-em’ attitudes. This energy deeply influences me. Lambda Chi isn’t just my fraternity but my family. Each of my brothers demanded excellence from each other, by not settling for being average but reaching new heights. They taught me not just to talk about doing something but to do it. I truly believe my time in Lambda Chi has influence my drive to succeed. I own two construction companies along with being a software developer. So now I am pursuing my passion to write books, and this is due to my constant drive to be the best at whatever I do.
What can interested readers expect when deciding whether to pick up the book? This is my first attempt in writing a book. The stories I tell are unique, and they are told in a distinctive authorial voice that is consistent throughout, which helps to ground the reader and makes for an enjoyable reading experience.
THE PRISON GUARD’S SON B y Tr a c e C o n g e r
Click here to see Trace Conger’s published novels His second time being featured in the Cross & Crescent for his “Mr. Finn” series, Trace Conger of Alpha-Omega Zeta at Ohio University, offers up his third novel to our brotherhood, The Prison Guard’s Son. The Prison Guard’s Son, finds underground private investigator Finn Harding tracking down two child
murderers after they are released from juvenile detention with new identities. The plot might sound similar to true crime buffs or anyone familiar with the James Bulger case. British toddler James Bulger was only two years old when he was abducted and murdered by two ten-year-old boys in 1993. The two boys were released after serving eight years in separate detention facilities. Because of the heinousness of their crimes and fear of retribution, the English government assigned the killers new identities and secretly relocated them to parts unknown. While the novel is inspired by the Bulger case, the similarities end with a child’s murder and the killers’ release. In the novel, the victim’s father hires underground investigator Finn Harding to uncover the killers’ new identities and locate them so he can levy the justice that was denied so long ago. Along the way, Finn clashes with a tenacious US Marshal determined to protect the killers’ new identities and crosses paths with an infamous triggerman hired to do what the courts didn’t. “As a father myself, I wondered how far the fictional father would go to find those who murdered his son,” said Conger. “And Finn is just the type of investigator who would take such a case, knowing what would happen to the killers if he found them. What begins as a typical job for Finn quickly spirals into a moral struggle between revenge and forgiveness as he learns about what the two killers have been doing since their release years earlier.” The Prison Guard’s Son is available in paperback and ebook formats through a variety of retailers. It’s the third book in the Mr. Finn series. Other books in the series include The Shadow Broker (2014) and Scar Tissue (2015).
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MAY ITS STORY GO ON FOREVER & EVER.
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MIKE MUSSALLEM Mike Mussallem (Rose-Hulman 1974), Chairman and CEO of Edwards Lifesciences, Credits Early Job Experiences, a Passion for Innovation, and Integrity as Three Cornerstones for His Success as a Leader. B y : Ta d L i c h t e n a u e r
FEATURE - MUSSALLEM
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FEATURE - MUSSALLEM
October 2016 - lambdachi.org - Quarterly Issue #3
Growing up in Gary, Ind., just outside of Chicago, as the middle son of immigrant parents from Lebanon, Mike Mussallem (Rose-Hulman 1974) learned early on the value of hard work – and also developed an early love of the Chicago Cubs, which continues today even as he now calls California home. As Mussallem reflects on experiences in his childhood or formative years that have shaped him into the leader he is today, he recalls two stories that taught him important lessons. Mussallem shared recently with students at Georgia Institute of Technology a story describing his job as a paperboy for 72 customers in his family’s neighborhood. This job included making sure the newspapers were delivered on time and in the way each customer wanted. As a part of that job, he also had to collect 35 cents from each customer every two weeks. “Talk about a learning experience and a sort of real-world business degree,” he said. “I learned a lot -- from how to avoid dogs, to people who would duck you and not really want to pay, and other people who were so generous, and others who just wanted to talk, and everything in between. All those things sort of accumulate and turn you into who you are.” The second story Mussallem told the students was from his time working in the steel mills during summers, weekends and school breaks, in order to fund his college education. At that time, the steel industry in the region was very active and prosperous, and jobs were readily available. “I learned a lot in the steel mill,” he said. “What’s funny is sometimes you learn good habits and sometimes you learn how to avoid the bad ones.” On his first day in this steel mill, he was assigned the job of painting hand rails. Full of enthusiasm to demonstrate how quickly he could finish the task, Mussallem painted a quarter mile of handrails in his first morning. During his lunch break, the union steward pulled him aside and said, “Son, you are only here for the summer. Most of us are here all the time. Why don’t you take a break this afternoon?” For Mussallem, this taught him the importance of viewing situations from diverse perspectives and understanding what motivates colleagues and employees – and the need to always align expectations.
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Rose-Hulman & Lambda Chi While enrolled at the Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology in Terre Haute, Indiana, Mussallem decided to major in chemical engineering since he loved chemistry and math and heard that jobs in chemical engineering were interesting and lucrative. He recalls that as a young student in college, this was what he focused on most – while later on his focus broadened to career challenges, ability to positively impact society and development opportunities. At Rose-Hulman, he also decided to join the ThetaKappa chapter of Lambda Chi Alpha to enhance his social opportunities and have a better chance to cultivate new relationships. “While I was raised in the Midwest, I wasn’t from the local community around Rose-Hulman, so connections like the fraternity were important for me as I made the transition into college,” Mussallem said. “Lambda Chi provided the right mix of what I was looking for both socially and in creating a community away from home. I remember my brothers as loyal, supportive and fun-loving friends whose relationships were really valuable during the stressful college years.” Mussallem’s sophomore year presented him with a few extra challenges and another Theta-Kappa chapter member stepped in to offer support and solutions. “One special guy to me was John White (Rose-Hulman 1974), who helped me a lot during my sophomore year, which was a challenging time for me, both academically and financially,” Mussallem said. “He lived in town, and his family took me in and provided me support until I redirected myself. It was life-changing for me and I will always remember them and the significant impact they had on my life.” Today, John White lives in Anchorage, Alaska, is retired from British Patroleum and works as a consultant for the Alaska LNG Project. He remembers meeting Mike his freshman year and being part of a group of friends who were recruited by the chapter. Their friendship continued to grow as they went through the process of associate membership and Ritual Initiation.
...LATER ON HIS FOCUS BROADENED TO CAREER CHALLENGES, ABILITY TO POSITIVELY IMPACT SOCIETY...
FEATURE - MUSSALLEM
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since the beginning and today the Irvine, California-based company is the global leader in patient-focused innovations for structural heart disease and critical care monitoring. To help guide the employees of Edwards Lifesciences in their daily decision-making and work – and celebrate what makes Edwards a special and unique company – Mussallem and his leadership team created the company’s “secret sauce.” The ingredients in Edwards’ secret sauce include focusing on patient first, promoting a learning culture, encouraging employees to dream big, welcoming surprises, seeking diverse perspectives, and not being afraid to make mistakes. When John White (left), two sisters & parents talking to the students at Georgia Tech about his company’s White remembers how glad his family was that they could culture, he said: make the offer to help. “You know what, please just raise your hand and say, ‘I “This got him over the hump and he was able to complete made a mistake, but I have plan B. We’re going to turn right school,” White said. “We were happy to have him and he has and probably be able to fix this thing.’ And we’re resourceful never forgotten. Certainly living with us was not as exciting as and we’re smart and we’re going to figure it out. Let’s please the dorm, but I remember we did a lot of homework together!” admit your mistakes, not blame others, take it on and go. Learn from it. A key element to promoting and sustaining innovation is to have this type of culture.” Innovation Mussallem went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from Rose-Hulman in 1974. After graduation, he went to work for Union Carbide making Prestone antifreeze. After that, he became interested in healthcare and medical technology, and was hired by Baxter in 1979. Over a period of 20 years with Baxter, Mussallem had a wide range of responsibilities, culminating with leadership of the company’s cardiovascular division, which was focused on development of heart valve and other heart-related technologies. “I liked that area because it provided more immediate and personal feedback from customers about the success or failure of the heart valves being built,” he told the Georgia Tech students. In the late 1990s as part of the company’s business analysis, Baxter’s management decided to spin off the cardiovascular unit and on April 3, 2000, Mussallem assumed leadership of the new company and rang the bell on the New York Stock Exchange, launching the beginning of Edward Lifesciences. He has served as chairman and CEO of Edwards Lifesciences
Integrity Core Values form the foundation of Lambda Chi Alpha’s approach to developing young men and future leaders. The Seven Core Values that the fraternity teaches — Loyalty, Duty, Respect, Service & Stewardship, Honor, Integrity, and Personal Courage — equip each undergraduate brother with a clear moral compass that orients them, no matter the environment or consequences, toward making ethical decisions. Mussallem said integrity is one value that resonates highly with him. “Integrity is a key value both for me personally, and also for the employees of Edwards Lifesciences,” he said. “In fact, it is one of our core competencies that we seek out and encourage for our employees. I believe that if you do what’s right, and conduct yourself in an honest and genuine way, you can live a very rewarding life. It is important to strive to model integrity to your family, friends and the communities you belong to at work and beyond.”
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WE WANT TO HELP EVERYBODY UNDERSTAND WE’RE HERE TO HELP ‘YOU’ SUCCEED.
PHOTO FEATURE
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Cal State-Chico
Valparaiso
Bowling Green
St. Louis College of Pharmacy
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PHOTO FEATURE
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South Carolina Toronto
Central Missouri
Mississippi State
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CODY KESSLER Rookie QB and USC brother takes the field for disparaged Cleveland Browns S T O R Y
Brother Cody Kessler of the Zeta-Delta Zeta at the University of Southern California joins the ranks of Lambda Chi Alpha brothers to hit the field for a major professional sports team. Kessler, who was a stand-out at the University of Southern California, ranked third in USC history for career touchdowns and completions and fourth in passing yards. After being drafted 93rd overall in the third round by the Cleveland Browns, Kessler found himself sitting as third string quarterback behind backup Josh McCown and starter Robert Griffin III. After RGIII suffered a broken bone in his left shoulder in Week 1, and McCown falling to injury in week two, Kessler started Week 3 against the Miami Dolphins, where he threw for 244 yards as the Browns lost in overtime 24-30. In his second outing for the Browns, Kessler once again threw for over 200 yards and found the endzone to secure the first touchdown of his NFL career. Unfortunately, the Browns would lose to Washington 20-31. Continuing a string of bad luck for the rookie quarterback, the Browns faced off against the New England Patriots in Week 5 against a returning Tom Brady. Kessler did find the endzone in this 33-13 loss but would only net 62 yards. As the Browns head into Week 6 0-5 against the Tennessee Titans, it is unclear at press time whether the young alum of Zeta-Delta will take the field due to a minor injury to the ribs. From all of us at Lambda Chi Alpha, we wish the best of luck to Brother Kessler and hope for a long and successful career.
CODY KESSLER
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HISTORICAL ARTICAL
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HARRY TRUMAN Board Member David Huffine Presented the Truman Little White House Staff with His Lambda Chi Pin b y Ta d L i c h t e n a u e r
S T O R Y
After the 56th General Assembly & Stead Leadership Seminar concluded in early August in Miami, Board Member David Huffine extended his stay to present the staff of the the Truman Little White House in Key West, Florida with his Lambda Chi Alpha pin. The Little White House was the winter White House for Harry S. Truman (Missouri-Columbia HON), the 33rd president of the United States, for 175 days during 11 visits. The Little White House provided warmth and rest for Truman. He often would invite cabinet members and foreign officials for fishing trips and poker games. Nicknamed Truman’s “man cave,” Margaret Truman wrote about her mother saying: “Mother saw it as an all-male setup and thought Dad would have a better time horsing around with Charlie Ross (his press secretary) and Admiral Leahy (his Navy aide), playing poker and drinking a little bourbon beyond the range of her critical eye.” In his research, Huffine had discovered that Lambda Chi Alpha is listed in Truman’s fraternal associations display at the Little White House but there wasn’t any official jewelry. With his donation that oversight is now rectified.
HOW TRUMAN BECAME A LAMBDA CHI In August 2006, Lambda Chi historian. Dr. Michael Raymond (Miami-OH) wrote an article for the Cross & Crescent piecing together the story about how Truman accepted his honorary membership into Lambda Chi
Alpha and the infamous interview with Victor Swyden that provides the most confirmation about Truman’s initiation. Raymond wrote in his article: “Deep in the archives of the Truman Presidential Museum and Library is a transcript of an interview with Victor F. Swyden (Missouri-Columbia 1936) concerning his recollection of how Truman became an honorary member of Lambda Chi Alpha. Swyden was a member of the Kansas City Council in 1963. The interview, conducted by Neil M. Johnson, took place on April 10, 1984, and reveals the following: Swyden: ...while he was a senator and just before I went into the service, my fraternity offered him honorary membership. It didn’t materialize until after I was in the service. He became president, and then he became an honorary member of our fraternity, the Lambda
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DEEP IN THE ARCHIVES OF THE TRUMAN PRESIDENTIAL MUSEUM AND LIBRARY IS A TRANSCRIPT OF AN INTERVIEW WITH VICTOR F. SWYDEN
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Chi Alpha, in Columbia, Missouri. There are only two who have ever received that honor; they were President Truman and Senator (John) Danforth. Johnson: Is that a social fraternity? Swyden: Yes. It’s on the campus of the University of Missouri. Johnson: So he accepted honorary membership? Swyden: Yes. I’ll never forget. We had read in a news bulletin, that I got when I was overseas, that there was a matter of hours in which Mr. Truman disappeared; nobody knew where he was. He was up at the Power and Light Building being initiated into the Fraternity. They told me — I don’t know — they used my diamond pin so he could be initiated. Johnson: Your diamond pin. Swyden: Yes, so he wore my pin once. Johnson: When would that have been? Swyden: I’d like to give you the exact date, but it would have to be 1944 because I remember I was in the Pacific at that time, and I got a letter from home telling me about it.”
Thank You Brothers Thank you to David Huffine for extending the legacy of Truman’s membership in Lambda Chi Alpha and making sure the Little White House has the proper representation that our fraternity should receive for this elite member of our organization. Thank you Mike Raymond for capturing the history of Truman’s legacy.
HISTORICAL ARTICAL
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MAKING A FILM AT 50 “Your mother recognized you today.” It started with a phone call and those five words my father said to me about six years ago. I was shocked because my mom was in a nursing home, battling the last stages of Alzheimer’s. She never recognized me anymore. b y Ky l e J o n e s
S T O R Y
But that day, something triggered a memory… My father was referring to a broken plastic photo clock with my smirking mug – my “present” to my mom on Mother’s Day a quarter of a century ago. She saw it, smiled and said “Robert.” That simple gesture not only made my day, but gave me the creative inspiration to finish a script I’d been stuck on. Massachusetts native Bob Heske is a filmmaker, and it was a film that drew a young man to Bloomington, Ind. and to ultimately go Greek and join Lambda Chi Alpha. After seeing the 1979 comedy Breaking Away and visiting the campus of Indiana University, Heske was sold. Over those next few years he would delve into everything the fraternity and the campus had to offer. Though, twenty years later, it was another film that would bring Heske back to his Alpha-Omicron brothers, his own. “I’d been a writer for quite sometime,” said Heske. “I had some close calls but things feel through. I thought, if I didn’t do this now, then I would never would and wind up regretting it.”
MAKING A FILMA AT 50
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With that and some funding from brothers, family, friends and strangers, Heske went to work on his first feature-length film. “Basically, I started by writing the script,” he said. From there the first time filmmaker hired a reviewer to provide some input and give some observations. Finding that his material it was too dark, edits were made to make it more marketable. Heske then hired a director, cast most of the cast himself, scouted locations and even gave up his own home to film part of the movie, but admits he mostly sat in the background once the cameras started rolling. “I trusted my director and crew to be able to do the work,” Heske said. From that trust, dedication and passion, Heske’s film “BLESSID” was finished. “Sarah Duncliffe battles suicidal thoughts and disturbing hallucinations of her deceased sister (a victim of a tragic childhood accident), an abusive ex-boyfriend who continues to stalk her, and the banal existence of an empty marriage. Weeks away from delivering a child that she feels undeserving to parent, Sarah finds her life taking a surprising turn when she accidentally meets her new neighbor Jedediah Cross, who harbors an amazing life secret and shares a personal connection that will change her forever. Blessid is a dark preternatural tale about two strangers who come together to find the beauty and purpose of life, and that forgiveness begins within oneself.”
Watch BLESSID here. Blessid on Amazon Prime: http://bit.ly/blessidmovie Blessid on Vimeo on Demand: https://vimeo.com/ondemand/blessid Blessid Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/BlessidTheMovie
MAKING A FILMA AT 50
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FROM THAT TRUST, DEDICATION AND PASSION, HESKE’S FILM “BLESSID” WAS FINISHED.
October 2016 - lambdachi.org - Quarterly Issue #3
MAKING A FILMA AT 50
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After completing his first film, Heske shows no signs of slowing down. On the wake of promoting “BLESSID”, Brother Heske has begun working on an experimental documentary entitled, “Afraid of Nothing.” “I have a daughter that’s autistic,” said Heske, “and there were some paranormal type things going on. Something interesting there. So I decided to do a documentary. Which got me thinking you know, half the people in the world think there is nothing and half think there is nothing to fear. We’re surrounded by people who look at the world differently, and thats what we’ve gone out to explore.” Meeting with people who have glimpsed things beyond this material world – shamans, psychics, past life regressionists, Akashic records readers, and near death experiencer, etc. The film looks to gain a different insight than what’s been seen before. “Really, the best thing I have to leave behind are stories.” You can help Brother Heske continue his passion of storying telling by visiting the fundraising page for his latest project, “Afraid of Nothing” here. Heske is also a graphic novelist whose anthologies include “The Night Projectionist,” “Bone Chiller,” “2012: Final Prayer” and the “Cold Blooded Chillers” indie horror comics series. He lives in Shrewsbury, Massachusetts with his wife Angela and daughters Carly and Emily, and a golden doodle named Tedy.
Top: Shaman at Lizzie Borden House ; Bottom: Left Actor Cuyle Cavin, Middle Sussan & Right Public Tomb
October 2016 - lambdachi.org - Quarterly Issue #3
SCHOLARSHIPS 74 undergraduate scholarship recipients learned valuable lessons at the 56th General Assembly & Stead Leadership Seminar
56TH GA & STEAD LEADERSHIP SCHOLARSHIPS
Carter and Alex are just two examples of donors’ dollars at work for Lambda Chi Alpha. Donors’ generous support allow our undergraduates to continue to exemplify Lambda Chi Alpha’s Seven Core Values: Loyalty, Duty, Respect, Service & Stewardship, Honor, Integrity and Personal Courage. To learn more about the Lambda Chi Alpha Educational Foundation and to offer your support, please visit lambdachi.org/ foundation.
S T O R Y by Neil Stanglein
Generous donor support provided 74 scholarships for undergraduates at the 56th General Assembly held August 4 – 7 in Miami, Florida. “Words cannot explain how thankful and grateful I am to be able to attend this seminar with all my brothers from across the country, said Carter Brouillette (Iowa State – 2019). “Attending this seminar has helped me to grow as a Lambda Chi Alpha and as a man.” The Educational Foundation awarded a total of $94,330 in scholarship and leadership awards for undergraduate brothers to attend General Assembly. Participants spent time in large group sessions learning from acclaimed speakers like Dr. Lori Hart, Josh Orendi and Suzette Walden Cole and were led in small groups by higher education professionals and alumni to learn about values-based recruitment, harm-reduction and how to have difficult conversations. Alex Turner (Ohio State – 2016) enjoyed learning about additional resources from International Headquarters that he did not know existed previously. He is also excited about instilling passion in all members of his chapter after attending General Assembly. “The most amazing thing to me was seeing how passionate everybody, both undergraduate and alumni, were during General Assembly. People cared so much about the directions we take and changes we make… that was truly inspiring to me,” Turner said. Alpha-Lambda chapter members from Oregon State
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56TH GA SCHOLARSHIPS
October 2016 - lambdachi.org - Quarterly Issue #3
CHARTERINGS Zeta-Tau at Stetson University and Pi-Chi at Huntingdon College Become Newest Lambda Chi Chapters S T O R Y
On Sept. 24, several dozen Lambda Chi Alpha members and guests attended Zeta-Tau’s chartering banquet held at the Victoria Gardens Clubhouse in Deland, Fla. Grand High Delta Lenny Bendo presented the charter as the representative from the Fraternity’s Board of Directors. Congratulations to the men of Zeta-Tau. On Oct. 8, several dozen Lambda Chi Alpha members and guests attended Pi-Chi’s chartering banquet held at the Embassy Suites in Montgomery, Ala. Former Grand High Alpha Bobby Ray Hicks (Alabama) presented the charter as the representative from the Fraternity’s Board of Directors. Congratulations to the men of Pi-Chi.
Huntingdon and Stetson chapters
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CHAPTER NEWS
October 2016 - lambdachi.org - Quarterly Issue #3
CHAPTER NEWS Submissions from our chapters through the end of September. U P D A T E S
Alberta (Epsilon-Rho)
In early September, the chapter held a food drive that raised $450 and 80 pounds of food for the local campus food bank.
Akron (Gamma-Alpha)
Recent chapter house renovations included adding a back porch and remodeling the restrooms.
Baldwin Wallace (Kappa-Phi)
On Sept. 11, chapter brothers helped cleanup after the BAYArts Moondance. On Sept. 13, the chapter held its sixth annual Chi Cowabunga Cookout. Prior to the cookout, the chapter hosted a Hang Ten w/LCA Competition in which Alpha Phi, Zeta Tau Alpha, and Alpha Sigma Phi participated. The event raised funds for the Surfrider Foundation.
Photo of the month Location: Butler University, Indianapolis Photo Caption: Alpha-Alpha brothers participating in the 2016 Watermelon Bust benefiting Gleaners Food Bank
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CHAPTER NEWS
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Boston (Alpha)
The chapter has an average GPA of 3.43, the highest of any Greek organization on campus. All the chapter brothers attended the university’s training at the Sexual Assault and Rape Prevention Center.
HQ 20Q: JOSH LODOLO
Bowling Green State (Phi-Mu)
The chapter added 16 associate members, nearly doubling their chapter size.
Cal State (Phi-Chi)
The chapter added 18 associate members. Chapter members helped clean-up the local Chico historical park and painted murals with children for local elementary schools.
CEO & PRESIDENT, EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION 1.
What is the name of your zeta and your number? Beta-Rho Zeta 459
2.
Where are you originally from? Los Angeles – San Fernando Valley
3.
When did you start at IHQ and in what position? Sept. 14 – Educational Foundation President and CEO
4.
What is your favorite LCA memory as an undergrad? Chartering banquet – Ed Leonard presented our charter.
Bucknell (Delta)
Chapter members Marko Djordjevic and Danny Farmer are members of Bucknell’s water polo team, which is one of the highest ranked in the country. On Oct. 1, the chapter hosted its annual Watermelon Bust. CJ Zackery and Connor O’Brien participated in the Bucknell Men’s Golf Invitational.
Butler (Alpha-Alpha)
The chapter held its annual Watermelon Bust philanthropy, raising more than $6,500 for Gleaners Food Bank and Feeding America. The chapter hosted a variety of watermelon-based competitions followed by a sorority lip sync competition. The chapter also hosted an etiquette dinner for members.
Central Missouri (Lambda-Pi)
The chapter added 21 associate members. The chapter conducted an Initiation Ritual Exemplification for eight members: Cole Atkinson, Christian VanLue, Brennon Brown, Joe Kasselman, High Kappa, Jake Siddens, Chris Marnell, Gabe Miller, Tanner Post and Glynn Leininger.
CHAPTER NEWS
October 2016 - lambdachi.org - Quarterly Issue #3
Coastal Carolina (Coastal Carolina Colony)
Joel Turner was initiated into the Order of Omega, a Greek honor society.
Cornell (Omicron)
Elon (Delta-Pi)
The chapter added five associate members. Over the summer, brothers Scott Deffley and Jake Teitler enjoying playing golf at the National Doral Resort while they attended the 56th General Assembly & Stead Leadership in Miami.
Alumni member Jim Sollecito (1976), a New York State nurseryman, helped the undergraduate members with landscaping for the chapter house. Pictured in the photo are Sollecito and new associate member Jake Friedenberg (2019) replacing some bushes in the front yard. Led by recruitment chairman Nikitva Dubnov (1017), the chapter added six associate members during formal recruitment.
5.
Your favorite memory as a staff member? Attending the chartering ceremony of UCSD – a colony I had the honor of starting.
6.
Favorite piece of the Coat of Arms? Open motto: Naught Without Labor
7.
Most played song as of recent? Whatever is streaming on Pandora’s “workout playlist”
8.
Last thing you googled? Pandora’s workout playlist
9.
What movie can you not resist watching if it’s on? The Sandlot.
Georgia Tech (Beta-Kappa)
A group of chapter members attended Georgia Tech’s season-opening football game in Dublin, Ireland.
Hanover (Theta-Zeta) Eastern Illinois (Phi-Alpha)
The chapter hosted a watermelon bust competition with 11 teams.
On Sept. 25, the chapter hosted its second annual Watermelon Bust, raising nearly $300 for Feeding America. The event included approximately 75 participants on 10 teams with 100 additional spectators.
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10. 10. Favorite sports
teams? Los Angeles Dodgers
11. Meet anyone alive or
dead, who do you pick? Abraham Lincoln
12. What super power
Kansas (Zeta-Iota)
Alumni brother Peter Webber (1964) visited with chapter brother. He lives in Germany and hadn’t visited the campus for more than 50 years. He enjoyed a campus tour, college football game and a tailgate with chapter members.
would you pick? Power to heal illnesses.
13. Dogs or cats? Dogs!
Mine is named Dodger.
14. Biggest fear? Heights. 15. If you could live
Maryland - College Park (Epsilon-Pi)
The chapter added 16 associate members.
anywhere where would it be? n/a
16. Favorite book? The Da
Vinci Code
CHAPTER NEWS
October 2016 - lambdachi.org - Quarterly Issue #3
Miami (OH) (Zeta-Upsilon)
Chapter brothers participated in Campus Cup run organized by Pi Beta Phi and Alpha Delta Pi sororities. They also competed in a a soccer tournament and the Kappa Klassic a golf tournament hosted by Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority. Chapter brothers participated in a university blood drive, and a softball tournament benefitting Alzheimer’s Association.
Missouri Science & Technology (Alpha-Delta) The chapter added 17 associate members.
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17. Last meal—What are you
having? Pasta, meatballs, garlic bread.
18. What would you name
your autobiography? n/a
19. Most rewarding part of
your job? Helping others make an impact on our mission.
20. What do you hope for
Montevallo (Sigma-Epsilon) Mississippi State (Epsilon-Chi)
The chapter added 34 associate members. The chapter finished last spring with above a 3.0 GPA, ranking them third. Zachary Stavropoulos (2017) is the IFC president of IFC.
The chapter added 11 associate members.
Murray State (Lambda-Eta)
On Oct. 1, 2016, chapter members volunteered at a carwash with proceeds benefiting the Arthritis Foundation.
New Hampshire (Alpha-Xi)
Brothers started the school year off with a cleanup of our newly ‘adopted’ road.
the future of LCA? The world needs more Lambda Chis, so it is my hope we can provide a positive experience for all of those deserving young men.
CHAPTER NEWS
October 2016 - lambdachi.org - Quarterly Issue #3
New Orleans (Lambda-Alpha)
Alumni brother Drew Boudreaux wrote a book, Suprahysica, a a mash-up of his Christian faith and background in geoscience. Sixty percent of all after-tax author royalties will be donated to charitable causes.
Rollins (Theta-Gamma)
The chapter held an Officer Installation Ceremony that was conducted by Lambda Chi Board Member Lenny Bendo. Chapter members volunteered in a philanthropy walk benefiting St. Jude Children’s Hospital.
Northern Colorado (Sigma-Omega)
Chapter brothers held a 40-hour teeter-totter marathon benefitting the Weld County Food Bank. The event raised more than $1,000, which equals approximately 6,600 pounds of food.
South Carolina (Epsilon-Psi)
The chapter added 23 associate members. On Sept. 27, the chapter preformed the Associate Member Ceremony to formally welcome the new members. On Sept 10, the chapter hosted a Watermelon Bash, benefitting Feeding America, where nine sororities competed against each other.
Pennsylvania (Epsilon)
The chapter added two associate members: Ankur Makani and Brian Yan.
Rensselaer Polytechnic (Epsilon-Eta)
On Oct. 6, chapter alumni advisor Roger Grice received the Rensselaer Alumni Association’s Albert Fox Demers Medal. Established in 1942, this award is the second highest award the association bestows and recognizes substantial contributions to the welfare of the Institute. Grice was awarded based on his contributions to Greek life.
South Dakota Mines (Pi-Mu)
The chapter held a brotherhood retreat at Outlaw Ranch in Custer, South Dakota, during which the brothers made goals for the year, designated committee members, and grew in fellowship. Two alumni brothers, Patrick Jenkins and Ben Wolf, attended and offered each brother advice on the future, as well as guide workshops in getting more out of
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THE CHAPTER HOSTED A WATERMELON BASH, BENEFITTING FEEDING AMERICA, WHERE NINE SORORITIES COMPETED AGAINST EACH OTHER.
CHAPTER NEWS
October 2016 - lambdachi.org - Quarterly Issue #3
the fraternal experience. The chapter hosted a recruitment event, Brothers Feeding Others, where they grilled burgers and hot dogs for other students while getting to know them and educating them about Lambda Chi Alpha. The chapter also hosted and won a Trivia Night social event with the Alpha Chi Sigma fraternity chapter.
Villanova (Beta-Iota)
On Oct. 24, chapter brothers participated in Villanova University’s annual Day of Service by volunteered at the Caring People Alliance, a free preschool during the day and an after school program in the evening. Brothers cleaned the kitchen and cleaned and painted the food pantry.
St. Louis College of Pharmacy (Pi-Lambda)
The chapter added 19 associate members, exceeding their goal.
Valparaiso (Iota-Sigma)
On Sept. 18, the chapter added a new associate member, Shayne Barron. On Sept. 23-24, the chapter hosted 19 alumni brothers during homecoming weekend. Alumni officer Jacob Landgraf organized a barbecue for the guests. The chapter hosted a Wiffle With Lambdas tournament. The chapter won the best fraternity award for having the highest percentage participation in the pledge to prevent hazing competition during anti-hazing week.
Virginia Commonwealth (Pi-Tau)
The chapter added 14 associate members during formal recruitment.
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CHAPTER BROTHERS PARTICIPATED IN VILLANOVA UNIVERSITY’S ANNUAL DAY OF SERVICE BY VOLUNTEERED AT THE CARING PEOPLE ALLIANCE...
October 2016 - lambdachi.org - Quarterly Issue #3
Wabash (Alpha-Kappa)
The chapter added five new associate members: Myles Johnson, Tanner Skeel, Sean Roginski, Dalton Vachon, and Christian Stiverson. Chapter members participated in the Montgomery County Fund For You Drive, and event that raises money for families in need and social programs for the surrounding area.
West Virginia University (Iota-Lambda Colony)
On Sept. 16, 2016, colony members volunteered at Pantry Plus More, a local food pantry that helps children with food, clothes and other necessary supplies. The brothers helped with publicity by putting up food drive flyers around campus. On the day of the food drive, brothers helped collect and organize donated food.
CHAPTER NEWS
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OMEGAS
October 2016 - lambdachi.org - Quarterly Issue #3
OMEGAS The following members of Lambda Chi Alpha have been reported as deceased since Aug. 1, 2016. Our condolences to their friends and families.
California State
Mercer
Case Western Reserve
Miami-FL
Ronald Chespak 1900; September 2016
August W.. Steinhilber 1955; October 2016
Delaware
U P D A T E S
James T Ramsay 1974; February 2016
Angelo State
Evansville
David B. Milburn (1968) Died: August 2016
Arkansas
Stanford Finney (1968) Died: September 2016
Arkansas State
Kody K. Riggan (1989) Died: August 2016
Auburn
Patrick Byrne (1955) Died: August 2016 Ralph A. Smith, Jr. (1945) Died: September 2016
Butler
Louis E. Taylor (1970) Died: September 2016
Charles Freymuth Died: September 2016
Georgetown
John A. Mancin III (1952) Died: September 2016
Oklahoma City
Miami-OH
Penn State
Michigan State
Ralph E. Peters (1947) Died: October 2016
David Bertsch (1962) Died: Oct. 14, 2015
Dr. Victor H. Gregory Died: August 2016
Missouri
Hanover
James Golf (1949) Died: September 2016
Indiana State
Jerry Meadors Died: September 2016
Massachusetts
Philip Dean (1949) Died: September 2016
Memphis
Elwood L. Qualls (1950) Died: September 2016
Don N. Sherman (1954) Order of Merit Died: September 2016
Michael Lenny (1959) Died: October 2016
Tony G. Whitfield Sr. Order of Merit Died: September 2016
Virgil R. Smith (2002) Died: October 2016
Oklahoma
Jonathan K. Dinter (2003) Died: September 2016
Kenneth Guetschow (1947) Died: September 2016
North Carolina
Millard Smith (1948) Died; September 2016
North Dakota
Mario D. Savian (1995) Died: October 2016
Michael L. Wilson (1988) Died: September 2016
Robert A. Griggs Died: September 2016
Pittsburg State
Larry K. Kilmer (1970 September 2016
Texas - El Paso
Thomas M. Breitling (1994) Died: September 2016
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OUR CONDOLENCES TO THEIR FRIENDS AND FAMILIES.
October 2016 - lambdachi.org - Quarterly Issue #3
FEATURE - Article Title
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