Cross & Crescent
a Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity publication
INSIDE: Good Morning Americans Paul Harvey awarded Medal of Freedom All Done: Meeks Bids Farewell Thomas Meeks plays by his own rules North American Food Drive December 2005 . Volume XCII . Issue 12
CONTENTS
Cross & Crescent a Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity publication Features Chapter News 3 Chapter and Alumni News History 8 Our office 50 years ago Fraternity News 10 Brothers Feeding Others
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Good Morning Americans, Standby for News Each morning, millions of Americans start their day listening to Paul Harvey. On November 9, President Bush honored Harvey with the Medal of Freedom, stating he is one of America’s most respected radio personalities. By Jon Williamson
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All Done: Meeks Bids Farewel Tom Meeks is arguably the world’s greatest expert on the rules of golf. Having served the USGA as the senior director of rules and competitions, he closes the book, enters retirement, and begins playing by a new set of rules. By Ken Klavon, USGA
Credits
Contributions
Publisher: Bill Farkas Editor: Jason Pearce Assistant Editor: Chris Barrick Illustrator: Jeff Reisdorfer Photographer: Walt Moser Assignment Editor: Jon Williamson Contributing Editors: Jono Hren Mike Raymond Steve Sothman George Spasyk Douglas Weeks
Content for consideration should be submitted by the fiftenth of the month. Lambda Chi Alpha 8741 Founders Rd Indianapolis, IN 46268-1338 (317) 872-8000 editor@lambdachi.org www.lambdachi.org www.crossandcrescent.com
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Cross & Crescent DECEMBER
2005
CHAPTER NEWS
Chapter News Chapter news, alumni news, and reports of death Arkansas (Gamma-Chi)
Birmingham Southern (Theta-Mu)
Emil Meis (1973) spent five weeks in Banda Aceh, Sumatra, Indonesia, after taking time off from work to volunteer with Project Hope on a joint venture with the U.S. Navy aboard the USNS Mercy. The group provided humanitarian assistance to the survivors of the tsunami.
Dr. John Kent (1938) June 26, 2002.
Butler (Alpha-Alpha)
John B. Dunn (1977) was elected chair of the Board of Trustees at Butler Univeristy. Alex Paterra (2002) has been hired as an attorney for Ogletree Deakins based in Greenville, South Carolina. Paterra will primarily handle labor and employment related matters for the firm. He is licensed in North Carolina and will also sit for the South Carolina bar when it is next offered in February.
William T. Seawell (1940) May 20, 2005, received the Order of Achievement in 1972 at the General Assembly in Portland, Oregon. Seawell left the University of Arkansas before graduating, earned his undergraduate degree at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point in 1941, and a law degree from Harvard University in 1949.
James A. Currie (1950) November 1, 2004.
Central Missouri State (Lambda-Pi)
Dr. Kevin Martin (1989) was elected chief of staff at Pike Memorial Hospital in Louisiana, Missouri.
His 22-year military career started in World War II, where he was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Army and advanced to the rank of brigadier general.
Cornell (Omicron)
The chapter held its annual clothing sale to benefit the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill of the Finger Lakes on October 17–20, 2005.
In the European Theater, he led a bomber squadron and earned many U.S. and foreign decorations. After more postwar air commands, he was named military assistant to the secretary of the Air Force in 1958. His last posting, from 1961–63 was as commandant of cadets at the Air Force Academy.
The fundraising event sold name-brand clothing such as Abercrombie and Fitch, Banana Republic, and Ralph Lauren thanks to Chris Cannon from “Run of the Mill,” a bargain clothing company based in Newport Rhode Island. Cannon travels across the country holding fund-raising events for college organizations.
After two years with the Air Transport Association, in 1965 he served as senior vice president for operations at American Airlines, then as president of Rolls-Royce Aero Engines.
The chapter presented a check for $3,140 to NAMIFL at a ceremony held in downtown Ithaca.
Pan American World Airways recruited him in 1971 as president and chief operating officer. A year later he was named chairman of the board and chief executive officer of Pan Am, and served until his retirement in 1981.
Peter Cantline, Jr. (1937) June, 2005.
Dallas Baptist (Sigma-Pi)
Ball State (Iota-Alpha)
Dennis W. Julian (1975)
Joseph B. Etchison (1962) October 3, 2005. Etchison was a retired United States Air Force Captain having served during the Vietnam War.
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Cross & Crescent
DECEMBER 2005
CHAPTER NEWS
Denver (Alpha-Pi)
Drury (Theta-Sigma)
Dee Wampler (1962) was named Top Attorney in Springfield, Missouri by 417 Magazine, Springfield! Magazine, and Springfield News Leader. Wampler also earned the honors of being named one of the Top Ten Attorneys in the State of Missouri by Missouri Lawyers’ Weekly and Top One Hundred Super Lawyers for the states of Missouri and Kansas.
Jeff Berkes (1985), Tracy Forst (1983), David Puchi (1983), Andrew Bowman (1983), J. Michael Pakradooni (1974), and Michael Smith (1977) were inducted into the chapter’s Alfred C. “Pete” Nelson Hall of Fame.
Eastern Illinois (Phi-Alpha)
Berkes, Forst, Puchi, and Bowman were recognized for their contributions in creating the Alpha Pi Foundation. Pakradooni is the owner of Atlantic Refrigeration and is heavily involved in local philanthropy. Smith received recognition for his services as chapter adviser and legal counsel.
A two-day blood drive held October 11–12, 2005, netted 119 units; enough to potentially save the lives of 357 people. The Red Cross provided the professionals.
Elmhurst
More than $600 was raised at a joint car wash held by Lambda Chi Alpha and Alpha Sigma Phi fraternities at Elmhurst College in Elmhurst, Illinois, and will be donated to the American Red Cross to benefit the Hurricane Katrina relief efforts.
Richard M. Schmidt, Jr. (1946) October 17, 2004. Schmidt served on the Educational Foundation’s board of directors from 1981–1989. While an undergraduate, Schmidt served as chapter president and earned his undergraduate and law degrees from the University of Denver. From 1943–1949, he worked in radio broadcasting, was involved in private law practice from 1950– 1965, and served for one year as deputy district attorney for the city and county of Denver.
Elon (Delta-Pi)
For the eighth consecutive year, a dozen alumni gathered in Nags Head, North Carolina, for a reunion of golf, fishing, video games, pool, poker, and football. Most of these men were influential in chartering the chapter in 1992.
As a partner in the Washington, D.C. law firm of Cohn and Marks, Schmidt’s later career was in the area of communication law. In 1992 he received the National Press Foundation’s award for Distinguished Contributions to Journalism, and in 1981 he received the First Amendment Award from the Society of Professional Journalists for recognition of his ongoing efforts to strengthen and protect freedom of the press in America.
Ferris State (Iota-Psi)
The “Old Dudes” of Iota-Psi held their second reunion October 14–16 during homecoming weekend. More than 50 men that were active in the chapter from 1955–1965 came back to participate in the festivities.
Charles J. Humphrey (1949) February 26, 2005.
The chapter was originally founded in 1955 as the Delta Tau Epsilon local fraternity and was installed as a chapter of Lambda Chi Alpha in 1963. Four of the original DTE founders were in attendance. The weekend included golf, campus tours, tailgating, receptions, and a final banquet.
Depauw (Xi)
David Emerson Chapman (1948) July 7, 2005 Chapman served in World War II and the Korean War.
Florida State (Zeta-Rho)
Eston Barkoskie (1949) December 24, 2004.
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Cross & Crescent
DECEMBER 2005
CHAPTER NEWS
Florida Tech (Beta-Nu)
Raymond M. Morrison, Jr. (1954) November 7, 2002
Danny R. DeGarmo (1974) February 20, 2005.
Kansas (Zeta-Iota)
Jay Kenyon (1994) accepted a position with the Las Vegas law firm Henness & Haight. Kenyon’s practice will consist exclusively of personal injury claims and litigation, insurance bad faith, and workers’ compensation.
Michael D. Walker (1976) September 12, 2004.
George Washington (Delta-Xi)
More than 100 people gathered at the University Club in Washington D.C. to celebrate Delta-Xi’s tenth anniversary. The alumni association recognized five brothers for their distinguished service to the chapter over the years: Nick Nesta (1994), Harold Bollaci (1997), and Matthew Dybwad (1999), Ty Brooke (Franklin & Marshall 1953) and J. John Fluharty (Lock Haven 1991).
Kentucky (Epsilon-Phi)
Richard Bradley Riddell (1994) wrote his first feature film, American Pie Presents: Band Camp which premieres on December 27, 2005. Band Camp is the fourth installment of the American Pie series. Set at Tall Oaks Band Camp, the story involves a group of musically inclined high school students who have their lives ruined when Matt Stifler, Steve Stifler’s younger brother, is sentenced to Band Camp.
Georgia Tech (Beta-Kappa)
The chapter house underwent a $2.3 million renovation from January to August 2005. The house maintains the traditional layout of the dorm rooms in the rear while delivering a new floor plan for the three floors in the front. New finishes were made for all interior spaces as well as three sides of the exterior of the building. The face includes brick veneer walls, stone columns, and a raised shingled roof, giving the building improved stature among the newer houses.
Riddell was hired to write the movie when Universal read his USC thesis script, Band Geek, about a high school football star who joins the marching band.
The new house is handicap accessible and has a total capacity for 54 members. John Fay (2001), Chris Walzer (1997), and former High Pi Jerry Harmon (East Tennessee State) were influental in completing this project.
“Lambda Chi Alpha not only provided me with great source material to draw from in writing this movie, it also gave me a fantastic support system of dedicated brothers who stuck by me through the tough times and encouraged me to chase my dreams,” says Riddell. “It’s been 11 years since I graduated, and my fraternity brothers remain a constant source of inspiration.”
The chapter received the 2005 Membership Recruitment Award for its 26 fall 2004 and six spring 2005 initiated brothers, leading Georgia Tech’s fraternities with 31 accepted bids.
Louisiana State (Upsilon)
In sports, the chapter won the Fraternity Intramural Trophy along with school championships in Soccer, Indoor Soccer, CR Soccer, CR Indoor Soccer, CR Sand Volleyball, and CR Indoor Volleyball. In addition, the men won Tug-o-War — the main event of Greek Week 2005 — after months of training and dieting.
John D. Cranor III (1947) July 2004. Edward Dennis McKnight (1951) October 22, 2004.
Louisville (Zeta-Sigma)
Saeed Muhammad Faheem (2001) June 20, 2005.
Academically, 26 of the members were on the Dean’s List; two received Faculty Honors by earning a GPA of 4.0 for the semester.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (Lambda)
Col. Peter Wright (1949) August 23, 2005. Wright served with the 593rd Field Artillery Battalion, Camp Polk, Louisiana; the US Air Force at the Dover Air Force Base, Delaware; the Army Ballistic Missile Agency, Redstone Arsenal, Alabama; and NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center, Redstone Arsenal, Huntsville, Alabama.
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David C. McClurg (1988) April 27, 2005.
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DECEMBER 2005
CHAPTER NEWS
Miami (FL) (Epsilon-Omega)
North Dakota (Epsilon-Zeta)
Dr. William G. Heuson (1948) April 23, 2005. Heuson received the Order of Merit at the 1962 General Assembly in Pasadena.
Hugo Raugust (1932) September 17, 2004.
Northern Colorado (Sigma-Omega) The associate members earned the Highest IFC New Member GPA award.
Heuson graduated from St. Louis University in 1942 and immediately entered the U.S. Navy to serve as a lieutenant during World War II in the South Pacific. Following the war, he returned to St. Louis University and earned his Ph.D. in Economics.
Lt. Col. Roland A. Grieb, M.D. (1976) retired from the USAF August 1, 2005, and joined Health Care Excel as the Indiana Medicare Quality Improvement Organization’s medical director in Terre Haute, Indiana.
He began his teaching career at the University of Miami in 1948, became cChairman of the Finance Department in 1968, and was interim dean of the School of Business Administration in 1973. He retired in 1992.
Shannon Bibbee (1999) assumed command of the 967th Quartermaster Company (petroleum), an Army Reserve unit located in Cincinnati, Ohio, on September 30, 2005. He received a direct commission from sergeant to second lieutenant in November 2004. In the spring of 2005, Bibbee attended 14 weeks of Quartermaster officer training at Fort Lee, Virginia, graduating fifth in a class of 51. Another member of Bibbee’s class was a A.J. Poncin (South Florida 2004).
He also served the university as golf coach for 25 years and was inducted into the UM Sports Hall of Fame in 1990. Upon arriving in Miami in 1948, Heuson was asked to serve as faculty adviser for the chapter, which led to his initiation as an honorary member, and eventually High Pi — an office he held for more than two decades. This service, coupled with his serving on the Alumni Advisory Board and House Corporation for more than 20 years, led to his election to the Order of Merit in 1962.
James L. King (1977) July 20, 2005.
Oklahoma City (Theta-Delta)
Millsaps (Theta-Eta)
William F. Herman (1950)
The chapter won both Excellence in Academic Programming and Overall Fraternity of Excellence at the Order of Omega awards in May. In addition, Thomas Daniel Walker (2005) won the LOVE Award for outstanding moral leadership. For more information, visit www.thetaeta.org.
Penn State (Zeta)
Clifford Bloom (1935) Robert Tarpley (1952)
Montana State-Bozeman (Epsilon-Delta)
Frederick E. Siepert, Jr. (1955) November 1, 2005. Siepert was the director of executive staffing at Merck and Co.
John M. Axelson (1934) January 2005.
Purdue (Psi)
Paul Yenter (1978)
New Mexico State (Zeta-Gamma)
Homecoming 2005 featured two class reunions and more than 50 alumni. Keith Paris (1984) was instrumental in making all of the preperations. Visit www.greengoblet.com to learn more.
North Carolina-Charlotte (Beta-Upsilon)
Arthur E. Santow (1942) July 11, 2002.
Fred Anthony Apodaca III (1991) July 23, 2005.
Ron Richards (1980) as awarded North Carolina’s 2005 Father of the Year Award. Richards, a diabetic, is helping other diabetics with the new company, Diabetes on the Run. The company’s goal is to increase awareness of diabetes and offering products to support diabetics and their families.
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San Jose State (Zeta-Nu)
Michael Charles Read (1965) July 22, 2005.
Cross & Crescent
DECEMBER 2005
CHAPTER NEWS
South (Iota-Nu)
Texas-Austin (Alpha-Mu)
The chapter won The Dean’s Cup for Overall Excellence from the university and a Campus Participation Award from Lambda Chi Alpha. Their GPA beat All Greek Chapters and All Students, a first for a fraternity in a decade. Andrew Gregg (2005) was inducted into Phi Beta Kappa and John Hammond (2006) won the Gilchrest Music Award.
Warren C. Hale (1951) July 3, 2005. James R. Cox (1956) August 17, 2005. Cox served on the Educational Foundation board from 19781993. He was also elected to the Grand High Zeta at the 1982 General Assembly in Nashville and served for four years.
South Carolina (Epsilon-Psi)
Cox attended the University of Texas until 1950, served in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War until January 1954, then returned to Texas where he received a B.A. degree in 1956.
Construction on the $1.5 million chapter house at the University of South Carolina has begun. Completion is scheduled for the fall of 2006. Visit www.lxasc.com for more information. Anderson Regional Airport in Anderson County, South Carolina, was recently renamed Tolly Field in honor of Fred Tolly (1948). Tolly served on the Anderson County Council for seven terms and was instrumental in the expansion of the World War II era airfield.
He began his career in the oil business with Stanolind Oil & Gas as a landman until 1962 when he joined Republic National Bank in Dallas to manage oil and gas properties in the trust department. In 1968, he returned to Midland and for the remainder of his career was associated with his brother, John L. Cox, in the family oil business.
Keith Jackson Buckles (1958) March 13, 2005.
A true patron of the arts, Cox served on the boards of many art galleries and museums, including the Corcoran Gallery in Washington, D.C. He traveled extensively to art galleries throughout the world.
South Florida (Lambda-Mu)
Jason Ferguson (2003) aaccepted the position of assistant director of operations at Clear Channel Entertainment’s headquarters in New York City. Ferguson was previously the manager of the Broadway show “Movin’ Out” based on the songs of Billy Joel.
Toronto (Epsilon-Epsilon)
Philip W. Benson (1936) August 13, 2005.
Tarleton State (Phi-Rho)
Billy Lossing (1951) January 7, 2005.
Homecoming 2005 was held with the women of Delta Zeta in October. A large number of alumni attended this year.
Wabash (Alpha-Kappa)
Mark W. Rutherford (1982) was re-elected to chair the Libertarian Party of Indianapolis, Indiana.
The chapter recently held their very successful annual Dream Date on November 2. Members presented their ultimate date ideas and were auctioned off to lucky audience members. The event raised nearly $3,000 for the chapter. Part of the proceeds benefited the North American Canned Food Drive.
Washington & Jefferson (Gamma-Zeta) Daniel E. Caulk (1958) December 20, 2004.
Western Carolina (Beta-Zeta)
Stephen Watson (2001) is serving in Iraq as a sergeant in the Army, 3rd Infantry Division, 4-64 Armor. Watson’s platoon spearheaded the invasion of Iraq. He is currently training the Iraqi Army Brigade Intelligence Staff.
Roger Dale Speers (1983) October 29, 2005.
Wittenberg (Nu-Zeta)
Frans E. Strandberg (1939) March 16, 2004.
“We are the first to do this type of training,” said Watson. “I have trained over 1,000 Iraqi soldiers, and at the Brigade level, we are responsible for around 3,000.”
Patrick R.Schwarzbek (1960) August 2005. Dale E. Boone (1964)
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Cross & Crescent
DECEMBER 2005
HISTORY
Eighth Headquarters Fifty years ago, staff moved into its eighth office
Mike Raymond (Miami-OH 1967)
In the fall of 1955, our fraternity moved into its eighth administrative center at 3434 Washington Boulevard in Indianapolis, Indiana. The former home of Eugene Burford Rhodes is still an attractive structure that sits on a beautifully landscapped lot in the northern suburbs of the city. The old central offices at 2029 North Meridian Street were simply too small to meet the needs of our rapidly expanding organization. In the May 1956 issue of the Cross & Crescent, the editor remarked that Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity was the first to buy a headquarters building in Indianapolis. Since then, 29 fraternities and sororities have located their central offices in Indianapolis and its suburbs. At the time of converting the Rhodes Mansion into our administrative office, Cyril F. “Duke” Flad (Wittenberg 1940) was executive director and Linn C. Lightner (Franklin & Marshall 1918) was editor of the Cross & Crescent. Both men made significant contributions to the development of Lambda Chi Alpha as a major fraternal organization. Flad was a well respected leader in the Fraternity Executives Association and Lightner eventually set a still standing record of 50 years at the editorial helm of a fraternal magazine, according to the College Fraternity Editors Association An Attic in Massachusetts A brief listing of our headquarters sites begins with the administrative activities of our founder Warren A. Cole (Boston 1909). Cole conducted much of the business of the fraternity from his home in Swansea, Massachusetts.
Lambda Chi Alpha Headquarter’s building at Rhodes Mansion, located on Washington St. in Indianapolis, IN.
Ernst J. C. Fischer (Cornell 1910) also used his home, specifically his attic, at 261 Pierce Street in Kingston, Pennsylvania as our second headquarters site. The third Lambda Chi headquarters, and first to be housed in an actual office building, was located at 160 South Main Street in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. The Office of Administration was moved to Indianapolis in 1920 where it was housed in two rented rooms in the When? building on 30-40 North Pennsylvania Street. Additional office moves were made to room 419 of the People’s Bank Building on 132-136 East Market Street in 1923 and to suite 701 in the Circle Tower Office Building on 55 Monument Circle in 1930.
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Cross & Crescent
TKN Merger The merger of Theta Kappa Nu with our Fraternity led to the formation of a special commission, composed of Clare B. Book (Pittsburgh), J. A. Harris (Purdue), and Donald F. Lybarger (Gettysburg) to determine the best location for a new administrative office site. The group reported that Indianapolis was the best area because it “...is near the geographical center of the Fraternity and excellent services are available for transportation, communication, machine service, and office supplies, etc. Also, Indiana corporation law deals kindly with non-profit corporations, particularly in the area of taxes.” These reasons still hold true today.
DECEMBER 2005
HISTORY
The seventh site selected by the special commission chaired by Book was located at 2029 North Meridian Street. The North Meridian property was purchased in 1940 to meet the needs of our growing organization. These administrative offices were well appointed and functional. Over the course of the next 15 years the office space began to “bulge at the seams” as the staff expanded in size. In addition to more staff members, the demand for more room to produce the many publications of our fraternity further reduced the efficency of the building’s space.
This generous gift, along with two hand carved arm chairs and a love seat, can be seen today in our International Headquarters Building at 8741 Founders Road. The Rhodes Mansion, well remembered for its fine architectural features and beautiful landscaping, served Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity as its eighth administrative center very well from 1955 to the opening of our present headquarters building in 1974. Lambda Chi Alpha International Fraternity has maintained its administrative headquarters in Indianapolis for 85 years.
Headquarters and their locations 1909: Swansea, MA
1920: 261 Pierce St Kingston, PA 18704 1920: 160 S Main St Wilkes-Barre, PA 18701 1920: 30-40 N Pennsylvania St Indianapolis, IN 46205 1923: 36 E Market St Indianapolis, IN 46204 1930: 55 Monument Cir Indianapolis, IN 46204 1940: 2029 N Meridian St Indianapolis, IN 46202 1954: 3434 N Washington Blvd Indianapolis, IN 46205
Consideration was given to expanding the Meridian Street building but the plan to do so was dropped because of the estimated cost of the renovations.
1974: 8741 Founders Rd Indianapolis, IN 46268
Rhodes Mansion The Rhodes Mansion at 3434 Washington Boulevard became available for purchase in 1954. Lightner wrote in the Cross & Crescent that the availability of the Rhodes property was “... almost like the answer to a prayer....” The house featured Honduran mahogany woodwork, antique shutters, copper roofing and other ornamental details, oak floors, and French hand-blocked wallpaper. A major feature of the building was the “John E. Mason Memorial Library.” This library contained one of the largest and most important collections of fraternal artifacts, books, and documents in the country. Rhodes even donated many valuable antique pieces of furniture to our fraternity. According to Lightner, “...the most prized of these is an original Chippendale library table, which was imported from England by the Armour family of Chicago....”
Executive director Cyril “Duke” Flad in front of the Lambda Chi Headqurters at Rhodes Mansion
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Cross & Crescent
DECEMBER 2005
FRATERNITY NEWS
Brothers Feeding Others North American Food Drive collects three million pounds of food
Frank Council (North Carolina-Greensboro 1995)
The Holiday season is fun for many. Sadly, there are those who are not fortunate enough to have the necessary food, clothing, and shelter to sustain them.
Pound for Pound Total Pounds of Food Collected
It’s also a time of increased demand for local charities, which normally have more people come in during the holidays. Thankfully, hope abounds when members are willing to give of themselves to support those with needs in their local communities. This year, Lambda Chi Alpha collected more than three million pounds of food for the 2005 North American Food Drive. This is the most food we’ve collected in a giving year since the food drive’s inception in 1992. Food collected by our chapters directly supports the hungry and needy within their local community. Participating chapters typically gather money or canned food from local merchants and neighboors, only to donate all proceeds to a local food bank, shelter, or charity. For some shelters, Lambda Chi Alpha’s NAFD is their single-largest source of charity they receive, rather, rely on each year. More than 100 chapters and colonies took part in our food drive this year. Each can of food they collect not only feeds someone in need, but raises the awareness that helping those in need is something Lambda Chi Alpha is committed to doing.
exemplified than in the reactions and stories of our members who took part in this year’s North American Food Drive. 24 Million Pounds of Food Collected Since its inception 13 years ago, 220 chapters and colonies have taken part in the North American Food Drive; collecting more than 24-million pounds of food.
Each year, our chapters manage to collect food for the needy. To view how well your chapter participated, visit www.lambdachi.org. Average Pounds of Food Collected Per Chapter
That’s enough food to fill 600 semi-trailers, feed a full-grown blue whale for 33 years, or feed 55,000 people in a single year. If all 24-million pounds of food came in cans, we’d be able to place 36 million cans endto-end from New York City to Los Angeles. Each year, our office receives many letters of appreciation from the charities and food banks that have grown to rely on the generosity of our members.
This year, the average amount of pounds collected per chapter experienced a 77 percent increase. Though the number of participating chapters dropped, the total amount collected soared.
“Brothers Feeding Others” is more than a slogan; it is the embodiment of the true principles upon which we were founded.
No more clearly are our principles
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FRATERNITY NEWS
chapter Mail Vihn Tu (Texas-San Antonio 2000) The gentlemen at the University of Texas at San Antonio (Phi-Upsilon) and University of the Incarnate Word (PiEpsilon) raised more than 370,000 pounds of food for the North American Food Drive on Saturday, November 5, 2005. More than 75 members from both chapters, along with sorority members from Sigma Kappa and Alpha Sigma Alpha, participated in the event raising more than $40,000 to benefit the San Antonio Food Bank. Joe Cleary (Western Carolina 1992) Joe Cleary in Sarasota, Florida continues to support his chapter by collecting and donating food on behalf of the chapter. This year, Cleary and his family collected more than 500 pounds of food. During the past seven years, he has collected more than 2,500 pounds of food to support local charities. James Plummer (Marietta 2007) We nearly doubled our totals from the year prior. We all are excited to have collected well beyond anything we had ever expected. David Hayward (LouisianaLafayette 2007) We had a blast with Food Drive this year and we’re looking forward to next year! Anthony Ferrara (KutztownPennsylvania 2006) We started a “skip-a-meal program” through our university’s food services that helped us collect more than $800. Our continued involvement with the local rotary club also contributed to our highest collection total to date.
SHELTER MAIL Yorkfield Presbyterian Church (Elmhurst, Illinois) “I want to thank the Pi-Zeta chapter of Lambda Chi Alpha at Elmhurst College for once again organizing a Food Drive to benefit the Yorkfield Presbyterian Church Food Pantry. Their donations have helped supply many local families with nutritious food. We are able to fulfill our mission because of the continued generosity of individuals and organizations like yours in our community.”
Making an Impact in Our Community The time and energy put into the North American Food Drive is returned exponentially in the happiness and joy that our efforts bring to the community.
Second Harvest Food Bank (Winston-Salem, North Carolina) “Our sincerest thanks to you and everyone, who supported the UNCG Katrina Relief Drive, for all your good work to lend aid to those struggling to recover from the devastation wrought by Hurricane Katrina. Our sincere appreciation to you for your leadership in this effort to comfort and sustain those who are now working so hard to rebuild their lives.”
“Brothers Feeding Others” is more than a slogan, it’s the largest single-day collegiate philanthropy in the world. This is the first year our chapters’ combined total exceeded three million pounds of food.
Union Mission Ministries (Norfolk, Virginia) “We’d like to acknowledge the generosity of the Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity on the campus of Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia. It is friends like these young people who help us touch the lives of the least and the lost of our community.” Big Changes Start Small (Aiken, South Carolina) “The USC-Aiken chapter of Lambda Chi Alpha collaborated with us in the food drive and helped us collect a record setting 322,785 pounds of food. Our success is due in no small part to their involvement, dedication, and responsibility. They lived up to the motto “Brothers Feeding Others.” Norfolk, VA. It is friends like these young people who help us touch the lives of the least and the lost of our community.”
Lambda Chi Alpha is able to give to those less fortunate through a simple act that provides people immediate strength to approach the day, hope that tomorrow is going to be better than today, and faith in the idea that people do care about others and are willing and able to lend a hand.
Joe Cleary (Western Carolina 1992) and Family, 2005 NAFD. Calendar Dec 8–9:
Jan 19–22: Winter Leadership Retreat & GHZ Meeting (New Braunfels, TX)
Feb. 16:
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Alumni Reception (San Diego, CA)
Feb 17–18: Foundation Board Meeting (Rancho Valencia, San Diego) Feb 25:
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University of California-Berkeley Recruitment Meeting
Texas Christian 50th Anniversary (Ft. Worth)
DECEMBER 2005
FEATURE
Good Morning Americans, Standby for News Paul Harvey, an American radio personality, receives the Presidential Medal of Freedom “And Now, Paul Harvey News.” For many Americans, Paul Harvey (CulverStockton 1939) is one of the most respected radio personalities, one who has set a standard of excellence for broadcasters.
His smooth baritone voice and mastery of dramatic pause earned him quick advancement for bigger radio gigs across Kansas and Missouri. Harvey moved to Hawaii in 1940 to cover the U.S. Navy as it began to concentrate its fleet in the Pacific. He was returning to the United States from that assignment when the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor. A patriot, Harvey enlisted into the Army Air Corps, where he served until 1944.
Each morning, millions wake to listen to his lively and insightful commentary on the day’s news. But on one particular day, Harvey didn’t deliver the news, he was the news. On November 9, 2005, President George W. Bush chose to recognize Harvey by awarding him the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Presidential Remarks The award was bestowed on him in a ceremony at the White House. President Bush had the following words to say about Harvey: Paul has insisted, “I’m not a hero. I’m simply a man who made a decision to hold on to my family, my life, and my beliefs until the end.” But the world came to know the story, and people everywhere can recognize heroism. And we’re so honored that Paul is with us here today. This morning, across the United States, millions of Americans started their day listening to Paul Harvey. People everywhere feel like they know the man, and his wife, Angel, too. And for so many Americans, no morning, Monday through Saturday, is quite complete without Paul Harvey News and Comment.
By Jon Williamson (Maryland 1965)
This tireless broadcaster is up every day before the sun, writing his own scripts and ad copy for an audience tuning in to more than 1,200 radio stations and the American Forces Network. He first went on the air in 1933, and he’s been heard nationwide for 54 years. Americans like the sound of his voice. His friend, Danny Thomas, once said to him, “You’d better be right, because you sound like God.” And over the decades we have come to recognize in that voice some of the finest qualities of our country: the patriotism, the good humor, the kindness and common sense of Americans. It’s always a pleasure to listen to Paul Harvey, and it’s a real joy this afternoon to honor him, as well. Folksy News Born in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Harvey first became a radio announcer in 1933 while attending high school.
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Upon return, Harvey began a daily newscast in Chicago. By 1951, his syndicated commentaries aired nationally when he began his coast-to-coast “News and Comment” on the ABC Radio Networks. It wasn’t until 1976 that Harvey began another series of programs entitled “The Rest of the Story”, which delve into the forgotten or little known facts behind stories of famous people and events. Today, Harvey’s “News and Comment” and “The Rest of the Story” can be heard every Monday through Saturday. His show is the largest one-man network in the world, consisting of more than 1,200 radio stations, 400 Armed Forces Network stations, and 300 newspapers. Medal’s History The Presidential Medal of Freedom was established in 1945 by a Lambda Chi — President Harry S. Truman (MissouriColumbia 1945) — who created the award to honor service during World War II. This explains the military look of the medal, which features a gold star with white enamel and a central blue disc with 13 stars, all within a gold ring of American eagles with spread wings separating the
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points of the star. This magnificent medal is hung on a blue ribbon. President John F. Kennedy later revived the medal in 1963 and expanded its purpose to recognize individuals who have made “an especially meritorious contribution to the security or national
His commitment to the truth, his unfailing sense of fairness, his long experience as both witness and participant in the great events of our time earned him the respect of his colleagues and the trust and admiration of the American people. We honor his memory for his aggressive but fair-minded reporting and devotion to profession, to family, and to country. Doolittle, a Theta Kappa Nu initiate, received his on July 6, 1989. President George Bush had these remarks:
interests of the United States, or to world peace, or to cultural or other significant public or private endeavors.” Today, the medal has become one of the two highest civilian awards in the United States, considered the equivalent of the Congressional Gold Medal of Honor. Unlike many other US awards, the Presidential Medal of Freedom can be awarded to non-US citizens. It can be also awarded to an individual more than once, or even posthumously. Other’s Honored Two other Lambda Chi’s have been awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Frank Reynolds (Wabash 1946) and General Jimmy Doolittle (California-Berkeley 1918) have also received this honor. President Ronald Reagan honored Reynolds with the award on May 23, 1985, and had these words to say: Reporter and anchorman, family man and a patriot, Frank Reynolds’ life exemplified the highest standards of his profession.
General Jimmy Doolittle is an American war hero, a record-breaking pilot, and an innovator in modern aviation.
Four Brothers, One Medal 1945: Harry S. Truman (Missouri-Columbia 1945) creates the award. Truman received LCA’s Order of Achievement in 1966. 1985: Frank Reynolds (Wabash 1946) receives the award. Reynolds appeared on the Spring 1983 Cross & Crescent cover. 1989: Jimmy Doolittle (California-Berkeley 1918) receives the award. Doolittle received LCA’s Order of Achievement in 1962 and appeared on the December 1975 Cross & Crescent cover 2005: Paul Harvey (Culver-Stockton 1939) receives the award. Harvey appears on the December 2005 Cross & Crescent cover.
After serving his country as a flying cadet in World War I, he made the first cross-country flight with only one refueling stop. He set land and seaplane speed records. He was the first to fly blind, by instruments only. Indeed, Jimmy Doolittle was the master of the calculated risk. And when the United States entered World War II, General Doolittle was assigned a top-secret mission that was perhaps the most daring combined operation of the whole war. He led the first offensive aerial strike on the Japanese mainland after Pearl Harbor. This courageous, one-way mission electrified the world and gave America’s war — the hopes that we had — a terrific lift. During the war, General Doolittle also directed U.S. air power in the invasion of Africa and participated in 25 missions, including the first attack on Rome.
Spring 1983 Cross & Crescent
Both Reynolds and Doolittle have appeared on the cover of the Cross & Crescent. Reynolds when he was the premier news anchor on ABC News and Doolittle for his courageous and daring raid on Tokyo, Japan during World War II. Truman, Reynolds, Doolittle, and now Harvey. Four great Americans, known to millions worldwide, sharing a common thread beyond membership in Lambda Chi Alpha. And now you know the rest of the story.
General Doolittle is truly the father of modern aviation. For his dedication above and beyond the call of duty, for his bravery and valor, and for his innovation and daring, the Nation thanks him.
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December 1975 Cross & Crescent
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All Done: Meeks Bids Farewell Former USGA senior director of rules and competitions, Tom Meeks retires to play by a new set of rules Ardmore, Pa. – As Craig Smith, USGA director of media relations, drove through a pelting rain toward Merion Golf Club Sunday morning, he had an intuitive grasp of the moment. “It’s raining because the sky is sad for Tom,” said Smith, making the transposable statement that very well could reflect many feelings in the golf world. The Tom would be precursor for the surname Meeks. As in Tom Meeks (Butler 1963). Sunday’s U.S. Amateur championship match represented Meeks’ last official course setup for the USGA’s senior director of rules and competitions. It’s something he’s had a hand in for the past 30 years, learning his trade from the respected P.J. Boatwright, Jr. Meeks didn’t trace all 18 holes of famous Merion himself. He handled the back nine. Mike Davis, Meeks’ successor as USGA senior director of rules and competitions, handled the front nine. It’s been that way since the Association adopted the twotee format at Bethpage State Park for the U.S. Open in 2002, said Meeks.
Wearing a white button-downed USGAcrested Oxford, which quickly became transparent from the moisture, Meeks went about his business in the same repetitive nature as he’s done so many times before. He bundled the tools of his craft near his chest like a newborn baby: spray paint can, golf balls and putter with radio at the ready so he could communicate with Davis. On this dank day, local amateur legend Buddy Marucci, a Merion member and the 1996 U.S. Amateur runner-up, joined him as did three Merion course crew workers who were responsible for cutting the new holes. In many respects, the work had already been finished. That’s because all hole locations are normally determined a day ahead. Meeks’ vocation was to really serve in a custodial fashion, making sure green speeds didn’t get too fast. On the par-3 13th, prior to the hole being cut, he placed the paint can on the spot where finalists Dillon Dougherty and Edoardo Molinari would aim maybe twice in the scheduled 36-hole match. Meeks tossed the balls on the ground. He gripped the putter and let loose with aplomb. “You don’t want the ball to pick up speed as it approaches a hole,” says Meeks. “If it does, we still have time for a change if we need to. The beauty about today is that we only have two players playing.” Had a change been needed earlier in the week, with a larger field, Meeks would have taken different measures. Davis and Meeks would have gone into warp speed to correct ambiguities. In this case, that doesn’t happen. After a few perfunctory swings from various locations
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By Ken Klavon, USGA
Lambda Chi Rules Tom Meeks recalls his undergraduate fraternal days with fondness. Never one for being traditional, Meeks was recruited prior to ever stepping foot on the Butler campus. Two active brothers, relying on yearround recruitment, made the trip down to Lawrenceville, Illinois for a recruitment visit. Fritz Leucht (1959) and Al Harvey (1961) not only made an impression on young Meeks, but were also able to sell his parents on the idea of joining a fraternity. “Lambda Chi Alpha was able to take someone who was about half completed, to round him out, and to complete the picture,” says Meeks, recalling how he felt when he arrived on campus. It was at Butler where Meeks’ interest into sporting rules and officiating began. Under the watchful eye of Butler’s legendary coach Tony Hinkle, Meeks began officiating basketball scrimmages, which was followed by a long career of high school and collegiate whistle blowing, eventually leading to his career with the USGA.
Meeks grabs everything, giving the seal of approval, and walks off the green. At that moment, he is greeted by superintendent Matt Shaffer and a couple of other guests. “Last day,” booms Shaffer. “Thirty years. Awesome stuff!” “I’d rather be setting holes my last day than being told it’s my last day,” replies Meeks, as everyone around breaks into laughter. It’s been this way for him since the U.S. Open at
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Pinehurst as he’s made his final farewell tour that has included the U.S. Women’s Open at Cherry Hills Country Club, the U.S. Senior Open at NCR Country Club and the Walker Cup Match at Chicago Golf Club. He’s gotten many gifts, including a watch from a television network and a yet-to-be delivered wooden chair from the USGA. Well-wishers always converge. Meeks in his own inimitable way making them smile, plunging the sullen feelings a little further into his soul, except only he knows what it all means, breaking into contradictory mode when asked if he’s at all somber.
When Meeks arrives at No. 14, he has to wait as a crew member double-rolls the green. It gives him time to study the hole location sheet that is distributed daily before each round or match. To no one in particular he glances at the 14th-hole marking on the paper and recites, “Eighteen front, eight to the right.” Meaning paces, from the edges of the green. Then suddenly he lifts his head as though he has an epiphany. “How do you like this hole location sheet today?” he rhetorically asks. “Pink? Pink!!” For the record, Meeks has never been in charge of the color selection process. He laughs heartily. He starts talking about his mother, Frances, who this day is celebrating her 88th birthday. He tells a quick anecdote about her penchant for white zinfandel; his buds prefer red because white tastes like a kid’s drink.
When your office has pretty much been a golf cart for the duration of your career, it’s a well-made point. Think of all the golf luminaries he’s known, from Arnold Palmer to Jack Nicklaus to Tiger Woods. And that doesn’t even begin to scratch the surface. The rain drove down harder. Meeks, mentioning something about changing his drenched shirt again, hops in his cart and drives off, turning ant-like small as he heads toward the horizon of the 15th green. The job was just about done. Along with a career. Article by Ken Klavon/USGA. Photos of Meeks by John Mummert/USGA. Permission to reprint granted by USGA. Copyright USGA. Other photo by Kent Mercurio and Ted Laszuk.
When everything is clear, Meeks heads to the green and plops down the balls again. The rain turns into a downpour. He replicates the process again, looking for an abnormality in the speed. He’s found it on 14 with his first offering, then retracts that when he putts from below and side of the hole. Finally he’s satisfied. He chuckles that he probably ought to change his shirt. Not a bad idea because, well, he could go shirtless and no one would recognize the difference from how it’s sticking like an adhesive to his body. Shirt and body look one and the same. “No, no, nope,” he says, a hint of his southern Indiana twang in his delivery. “Like I said last time we spoke, on Wednesday or Thursday, I made the decision three years ago, so I knew it was coming. Yeah, somber I guess to think that it’s all going to end after 30 years.”
Again, he’s asked to reflect about his time at the USGA before he heads to 15. “It’s a lot like being Santa Claus,” he says. “Everyday has been like Christmas to me.”
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