C&C June 2006- Issue 6

Cross & Crescent a Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity publication

INSIDE: A Fascinating Ride

Fortune 100 CEO Nick Chabraja

Driver Input + Szczypski = Speed Indianapolis 500 Data Engineer

Living Your Dream

Brendan Harris Plays Ball for the Nationals June 2006 . XCIII . Issue 6

Cross & Crescent a Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity publication Features

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Fraternity News 3 250,000 Members and Counting Chapter News 4 Chapter and Alumni News History 8 Jack Mason: Master Craftsman

A Fascinating Ride In 2005, under the leadership of CEO and Chairman Nicholas Chabraja, General Dynamics had more than $21 billion in revenue and was ranked No. 100 on the current Fortune 500 list. With more than 72,000 employees, the company is known worldwide as a leader in the aerospace and defense industries.

By Tad Lichtenauer

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Driver Input + Szczypski = Speed Lee Szczypski worked in the pits as the data acquisition engineer at the Indy 500 for Playa Del Racing, helping drivers Jaques Lazier and Roger Yasukawa maximize their car’s performance. With driver input and the data Szczypski provides, the pit crew can make car performance adjustments in seconds. By Chris Barrick

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Living Your Dream Though you will find Brendan Harris listed on the Washington Nationals’ 40-man roster, he spends most of his time as a starting player for the Nationals’ Triple-A team, the New Orleans Zephyrs.

A versatile athlete, Harris continues to dream Big.

By Tad Lichtenauer Credits

Contributions

Publisher: Bill Farkas Editor: Jason Pearce Assistant Editor: Chris Barrick Assistant Editor: Tad Lichtenauer Illustrator: Jeff Reisdorfer Podcast Voice: Fuzz Martin Photographer: Walt Moser Assignment Editor: Jon Williamson Historian: Mike Raymond Contributing Editors:

Jono Hren

Aaron Jones

George Spasyk

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 JUNE 2006

FRATERNITY NEWS

250,000 Members and Counting Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity achieves major milestone On April 28, Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity reached another significant milestone when it initiated its 250,000th member.

By Lynn Chipperfield (Druy 1973)

Lambda Chi Alpha is not the largest Greek organization in terms of the total number of initiates, but then we are not the oldest either.

Our 1909 founding reveals us to be a relative newcomer among those of our competition founded in the mid-nineteenth century.

In an evening ceremony conducted by the brothers of Alpha-Phi Zeta at University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, eight associates were initiated, including Taylor George (Alabama 2009) who was designated as the 250,000th member. George’s father, Gene George (Texas A&M-Commerce 1972), attended the ceremony along with a number of alumni.

Nevertheless, our records reflect that we have grown from zero members to 250,000 members faster than any of our tier-one competitors. That’s something Cole would find impressive, and it’s something we can all be proud of.

The General Fraternity’s Grand High Pi Lynn Chipperfield (Druy 1973) also attended the event to deliver the ritual’s exemplification narration, to recognize this important milestone, and to congratulate the new members.

Bobby Ray Hicks (Alabama 1959), former Grand High Alpha, attended the event as well. Significantly, Hicks had been in attendance for the initiation of the Fraternity’s 200,000th member while he was serving as Grand High Alpha in 1992.

A Father’s Perspective

By Gene George (Texas A&M-Commerce 1972 As a parent and alumnus, I was very proud to be present at my son’s initiation. I also was a little anxious, as I had not witnessed an initiation ritual in more than 30 years.

Hicks presented George with a gold lapel pin bearing the Fraternity’s coat of arms — a pin Hicks has cherished since his own initiation. Hicks promised those in attendance that he plans to attend the initiation of number 300,000 as well, which he is sure will be in the near future.

Originally, I was surprised when my strong-minded, intelligent, hardworking, ethical, thoughtful, and opinionated child expressed an interest in joining the same unique fraternity his father had joined.

But when I observed my son’s dedicated approach to the associate process, and watched him complete the same ritual initiation I went through, I found it very rewarding, thought-provoking, and even a bit overwhelming.

On November 2, 1909, Lambda Chi Alpha was little more than the dream of a single determined man named Warren A. Cole (Boston 1909). Through his own force of will, months and years of hard work, and a fertile imagination that brings reality to the expression “fake it til you make it,” Cole built the foundation for a brotherhood that would last far beyond his lifetime.

It was an honor to be able to witness the 250,000th member initiated, as well as the 1,400th for the chapter. I appreciated observing how well the members handled the ceremony and respected the associate members.

The reason my son selected this path and responsibility are centered in the foundations and creeds with which we are all familiar.

With inspirational help from early brothers like Jack Mason (Pennsylvania 1913) and administrative help from later brothers like Bruce H. McIntosh (DePauw 1916) and Duke Flad (Wittenberg 1940), Lambda Chi Alpha has grown and prospered through the years to become a true force in the Greek world.

It is very clear to me that the Fraternity’s basic principles and ideals are alive and well. I know now that these ideals will be furthered and enhanced by the hard-working actives I met at the Alpha-Phi chapter, including my son, Taylor George (Alabama 2009), the 250,000th initiate.

Photo: Jonah G.S.

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Cross & Crescent

JUNE 2006

CHAPTER NEWS

Chapter News Chapter news, alumni news, and reports of death Alabama-Birmingham (Sigma-Chi)

Delaware (Lambda-Beta)

Eric Champion (2007) was elected IFC president.

Ken Ruck (1991) was named by Viacom as head of wireless, MTV Networks, and Nickelodeon. In this new role, Ruck will oversee development, distribution, and operations for various Nickelodeon and MTVN Kids and Family brands, including SpongeBob, Dora the Explorer, Neopets, and Avatar.

Arkansas State (Iota-Theta)

James Bishop (2007) was named a Wilson Award winner for the Most Outstanding Male Graduate, the same award Jake Hampton (2005) won last year. Bishop also received the Distinguished Service Award. In addition, Taylor Goodwin (2006) was named Outstanding Student Organization President and Kevin Linker (2009) was awarded the Outstanding Student Organization New Member of the Year. The chapter ended the spring 2006 semester with a cumulative 2.98 GPA.

Denver (Alpha-Pi)

The chapter was recognized for achieving Chapter Excellence.

They were one of two chapters at the university awarded with this honor.

Eastern Michigan (Sigma-Kappa)

Ball State (Iota-Alpha)

Michael G. Clemons (1997) was named the 2006 Michigan Theatre Teacher of the Year by the Michigan Interscholastic Forensics Association and the Michigan Youth Arts Festival. In his nine-year career, Clemons has built an award-winning high school theater program that won the Class A 2005 State Championship.

David Langham (1991) was appointed deputy chief judge of compensation claims by Florida Governor Jeb Bush.

Charles F. Johnson (1961) April 30, 2006. After 35 years, Johnson retired in 1996 from being a middle school teacher for Decatur and Wayne Townships in Indiana. Since his retirement, Johnson had worked as a realtor for Century 21 ABBA and Associates in Mooresville, Indiana.

East Tennessee State (Iota-Omicron)

Kenny Chesney (1990) collected his second consecutive Entertainer of the Year award at the 41st Academy of Country Music Awards show on May 23 in Las Vegas.

California-San Diego (Pi-Beta)

The chapter announced its chartering on April 28, one year after its first associate member ceremony.

Elon (Delta-Pi)

Jim Schlossnagle (1992), men’s baseball coach at Texas Christian University, was recently named coach of the year in the Mountain West Conference.

Coe (Zeta-Alpha)

Peter J. Schueth (1978), president of TEAM Mortgage, LLC, a mortgage broker/banker with offices in Indianapolis and Greenwood, Indiana, became Indiana’s first real estate finance/mortgage professional to attain dual standing as a nationally recognized Certified Mortgage Banker and a Certified Mortgage Consultant.

Jamie Sclater (2002), U.S. Navy, returned safely from a month-long tour in Afghanistan. Sclater served as a field medic and treated numerous military and civilian casualties.

Evansville (Iota-Mu)

William T. Parsley (1949) December 22, 2005.

Cornell (Omicron)

Georgetown (Kappa-Omega)

Bruce E. Care (1949) April 22, 2006. Care was a retired executive vice president and certified public accountant for Prince Rubber & Plastic, Inc., Buffalo, New York.

James Riley (1993) was promoted to director of national promotions for Word Records.

Georgia Tech (Beta-Kappa)

Rick Yarbrough (1976) April 25, 2006.

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Cross & Crescent

JUNE 2006

CHAPTER NEWS

Hanover (Theta-Zeta)

Michigan (Sigma)

The chapter won several honors at the Greek awards ceremony on May 4. John Keeton received Faculty/Staff Person of the Year and Nick Walter (2006) received IFC Greek Man of the Year. Chapter awards included Campus Security, Excellence in Chapter Advising, Excellence in Community Service and Philanthropy, Excellence in Membership Education and Development, and Chapter Excellence.

Christopher Vandeusen (2007) was elected to a student panel for parents of incoming freshman.

Robert S. Shutes (1970) authored and published, “A Society of Pines,” which was awarded the National Arbor Day Foundation’s 2006 Media Award.

Michigan State (Gamma-Omicron)

After winning an academic achievement award from the International Fraternity at the 2005 leadership seminar, the chapter’s cumulative Fall 3.12 GPA tied for the highest on campus.

High Point (Iota-Phi)

Chapter Faculty Adviser James Dunham received the Meredith Clark Slane Distinguished Teaching-Service Award during commencement ceremonies on May 6.

Kansas State (Gamma-Xi)

In April, the chapter participated in Greek Week, partnering with Sigma Kappa sorority and Triangle fraternity. The team won the overall award and won four other events. In the American Cancer Society’s “Relay for Life” event, the team placed first and raised more than $26,000.

Taylor Calcara (2009) and Andrew Marquez (2009) were named College of Business Ambassadors for the 2006–2007 school year. During commencement activities, Drew Marlow (2006) was named Outstanding Senior in the College of Architecture.

Kutztown (Sigma-Gamma)

The chapter won Greek Chapter of the Year while Corey Crapella (2007) won Greek President of the Year. Crapella also was elected IFC president, Michale Villare (2008) was appointed head of new member education, and Steven Saukaitis (2008) was named vice president of scholarship. Also, Saukaitis was named president for the Association of Campus Events.

Mississippi State (Epsilon-Chi)

Gordon K. Bryan, PhD (1927) February 27, 2006.

Murray State (Lambda-Eta)

Maj. Dale Collie, Ret. (1965) was the commencement speaker at the Appalachian State University’s College of Fine and Applied Arts graduation cermony on May 7. His address, entitled “Will You Survive?”, was presented to more than 500 graduates. Collie is retired from the U.S. Army and is a well-known speaker, published author, and accomplished entrepreneur.

For more information, visit www.couragebuilders.com.

Lycoming (Iota-Beta)

Matthew Cantwell (2007) was elected IFC president.

Marietta (Kappa-Alpha)

Allan Fordham (2006) was elected IFC president.

Maryland (Epsilon-Pi)

The chapter was named Greek Most Improved Chapter of the Year and received the Frank’s Distinguished Service Award.

In addition, Steven Appelbaum (2006) received the Greek Leader of the Year Award.

North Carolina A&T (Pi-Iota) The chapter received the Best Greek Fellowship Award at the Council of Presidents March meeting. Last year the chapter received Best New Fraternity and Best President on Campus.

Nevada-Las Vegas (Delta-Lambda)

Jonathan MacGregor (2007) was elected IFC president.

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Cross & Crescent

JUNE 2006

CHAPTER NEWS

Oklahoma City (Theta-Delta)

Rensselaer (Epsilon-Eta)

Alexander H. McKinnon (1952) March 19, 2006.

In April, Chang Yu (2007) and Greg Tudryn (2007) were inducted into Order of Omega, the Greek Honorary Society in April. In March, Will Manning (2007) was inducted into Gamma Nu Eta, an Information Technology Honorary Society. In February, Chapter Alumni Adviser Roger Grice received a Trustees Recognition Award.

Oregon State (Alpha-Lambda) Dallas Banks (1949) June 27, 2003.

Pennsylvania (Epsilon)

Andrew Mangano (2008) was selected to the Cinema Studies Undergraduate Advisory Board and Sports Club Council.

Richard Hillen (2008) was elected executive vice president of the Wharton Management Club and was chosen to be an undergraduate liaison for the Provost’s Academic Planning and Budget Committee.

Michael Sanders (2008) was selected as a member of the University Scholars program and received funding to pursue a summer research project.

The chapter also participated in the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life and raised almost $11,000, nearly 10 percent of the campus total and the most raised by any fraternity. The year was completed in April by placing thrid in Greek Week competition.

Rhode Island (Eta)

The chapter co-sponsored “You Can Have a Wild Ride Without Alcohol.” This event highlighted the importance of not drinking and driving. Students rode a mechanical bull and signed a pledge sheet to not drink and drive. Donations were collected and given to Mother’s Against Drunk Driving.

The chapter presented the Albert Cross Award for outstanding chapter contributions to alumnus Scott Reikofski (Northern Colorado 1979), the director of the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Affairs.

Rose-Hulman (Theta-Kappa)

Ben Hoff (2006) received the Greek of the Year award.

Polytechnic (Theta-Upsilon))

Capt. Edward J. Stapanon, III, USAF (2001) completed his undergraduate pilot training on April 7 and will be transitioning to F-16’s at Luke Air Force Base, Arizona, starting August 6.

Peter S. Kelly (1961) February 15, 2006. Kelly retired from IBM and afterward worked for an internet marketing firm.

Samford (Theta-Alpha)

Purdue (Psi)

William D. Riddle (1953) January 27, 2005.

Nicholas Presecan (1964) July 5, 2005.

Roy D. Vann (1959) December 24, 2004. Vann was the owner of Norman Bridge Drug Company and active in fine arts organizations and pharmaceutical associations.

South Carolina (Epsilon-Psi)

William “Bill” Eldridge Cullum Jr. (1970) May 25, 2006.

Cullum ran Billy Cullum Shoes until 1986. He also was instrumental in the recent revitalization efforts in downtown Aiken, South Carolina, where he served as the executive director of the Downtown Development Association until 1994.

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Cross & Crescent

JUNE 2006

CHAPTER NEWS

St. Joseph’s (Phi-Lambda)

Union (Lambda-Zeta)

The chapter received the Greek Chapter of the Year Award. Greek Adviser Dave Conner announced to the entire Greek Community that “...everyone can agree that these guys truly are the best.” The chapter also received the Fraternity Recruitment award.

Justin Hutto (2007) was elected IFC president.

Villanova (Beta-Iota)

John Constantine (1973), general manager of the Americas for The ELITE Industrial Group of Hong Kong, was elected to the board of directors of The Hong Kong Association of Northern California.

Tennessee-Knoxville (Epsilon-Omicron) David A. Palmer (1968) April 16, 2006.

Vincennes (Sigma-Alpha)

Texas-El Paso (Zeta-Epsilon)

Steven Franz (1991) was appointed by the World Organization of Martial Arts Athletes as the Midwest region representative for TEAM AMERICA, an international martial arts competition team.

At the May 4 All Greek Formal, the chapter won awards for Community Service, Chapter Programing, Greek Organization of the Year, and Academics (cumulative 3.0 GPA).

Henry Vallejo Jr. (2007) was named Academic Man of the Year, Luis Herrera (2007) earned New Member of the Year, and Gerry Moreno (2006) was named President of the Year.

Both Vallejo and Moreno tied for Greek Man of the Year.

The chapter also won the Greek Week Championship.

Wittenberg (Nu-Zeta)

Ryan Charles (2008) was elected IFC president.

Towson (Phi-Omega)

The chapter participated in the National Multiple Sclerosis walk in the Inner Harbor of Baltimore. Despite inclement weather, 16 of the members walked through downtown Baltimore and the chapter raised $470 in donations.

Troy State (Sigma-Tau)

Tim Demerath (2007) was elected IFC president.

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Cross & Crescent

JUNE 2006

HISTORY

Jack Mason: Master Craftsman Spritual founder Jack Mason died 60 years ago this month Dr. John Edward “Jack” Mason, Lambda Chi Alpha’s spiritual founder, died of viral pneumonia 60 years ago on June 1, 1946. His unexpected death brought to an end the life of a man who converted the dream of our founder into a fully functioning fraternal organization.

By Mike Raymond (Miami-OH 1967)

coat-of-arms was presented to a group of men initiated by our Pennsylvania chapter. This explanation of the symbolic meaning of our coat-of-arms is nearly identical to our present teachings.

The article also claims that the first initiation under the Mason Ritual “was at the Hotel Breslin in New York in 1913, when a member of Sigma at the University of Michigan was initiated.”

Researching Rituals Mason (Pennsylvania 1913) was the principal author of our ritual, the primary designer of our badge and insignia, and the founder of our various publications.

His scholarship and devotion to research was easily recognized by his closest colleagues and friends during his lifetime.

Dr. Charles S. Peyser (South HON) and Ernest Vargo III (Akron 1978) wrote in The History of the Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity that “our initiation ritual was conceived within the tradition of the Episcopal Church; our associate membership ceremony (a condensed version of the initiation ritual of Theta Kappa Nu) arose within the tradition of American Protestantism.”

Tozier Brown (Denver 1936) further stated that “one of the greatest points of pride in Lambda Chi Alpha is the authenticity of our initiation ritual, for it was not created from imagination alone; rather, its major components have been brought down to us from specific, authenticated practices and teachings of ancient orders. Lambda Chi Alpha owes a debt incapable of repayment to Jack Mason, who was principally responsible for the assembly of our initiation ritual.”

One of his peers was Raymond H. Ferris (Pennsylvania 1912).

In a tribute to Mason, Ferris stated that Mason was a prolific and tireless worker, and that he was considered “a recognized authority in ritual and history in the fraternity world.”

Establishing Standards It must be noted that Mason was primarily responsible for transforming Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity from what was essentially a social club, with little philosophical or religious substance, to an organization with a decidedly Christian character.

“Deep research was made of old manuscripts, both in this country and in Europe, during his writing of our ritual,” wrote Ferris.

“Translations were made by him from documents written in Early Provencal and Old French, and an infinite number of sources were consulted, which enriched the esoteric side and symbolism of Lambda Chi Alpha.”

The November/December 1929 Purple, Green, and Gold article entitled “Fraternity’s Ritual of Ancient Origin” summed it up nicely by simply declaring Mason’s Ritual a thing of beauty.

Though belief in Christianity is no longer a prerequisite for membership, it is very clear that the Christian belief system permeates the fundamental teachings of the Mason Ritual.

New York Debut Our original ritual, created by Founder Warren A. Cole (Boston 1912), was an amalgamation of features found in the rituals of the Grange (Patrons of Husbandry) and Gamma Eta Gamma Professional Law Fraternity.

The impact of the Mason Ritual is profound. Brown once asked, “What makes a Lambda Chi different from other men?” His answer, which still rings true to us today, focused on the standards found in our ritual.

“The real bond of Lambda Chi Alpha, which every brother should feel throughout his life, is that he pledges to certain ideals,

According to the article’s author, the Cole Ritual was first used on October 3, 1910. In 1913, part of the current ritual concerning the

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Cross & Crescent

JUNE 2006

HISTOIRY

and that he has the strength and brotherly sympathy of a large body of men all over the country in back of him, to aid him in his struggle to live according to these ideals,” wrote Brown.

curriculum and publications specialist for the Philadelphia Board of Education. He died at the age of 54.

Funeral services were conducted by the Rev. Clarence E. Tobias Jr. Tobias was a member of Philadelphia Masonic Lodge #51 and National Vice President of the Acacia Fraternity.

The funeral was held on Wednesday, June 5, 1946, at the Bair Funeral Home in Philadelphia. Mason’s remains were cremated and then buried in the Woodlands Cemetery.

“The distinction between the man he meets every day, and his fraternity brothers, is not an arbitrary one of clique or social set,” says Brown. “It is simply a trust in the man pledged to a definite standard as against the man who has not that binding moral pledge as a bond of brotherhood.”

While men like Cole and Albert Cross (Pennsylvania 1913) worked to build a large roll of chapters, Mason concentrated his efforts on building our symbolic and practical structure.

Lambda Chis from across the nation attended Mason’s funeral. The National Interfraternity Conference, now known as the North American Interfraternity Conference, was represented by Maurice Jacob of Phi Epsilon Pi Fraternity.

A number of Mason’s hand-rendered drawings and sketches remain in the fraternity’s Indianapolis archives.

Few details were overlooked as he brought a high degree of order to the operations of our young organization.

In 1946, the 20th General Assembly authorized the establishment of the John E. Mason Memorial Foundation to commemorate his many contributions. In 1968 the Mason Memorial Foundation, the Duke Flad Memorial Fund, and the James T. Chirurgs Scholarship were merged into the Lambda Chi Alpha Educational Foundation.

Many of his original concepts are still used. He devised such things as the titles of our chapter officers, our membership card, the High Pi appointment process, a written description of our officer’s duties, chapter manuals, and the process for revoking a chapter’s charter.

The most fitting monument, however, to Mason’s great talent remains the Ritual of Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity.

Mason’s Legacy Born in Philadelphia on January 21, 1892, Mason was the son of Matilda Thoburn Sterling and J. Edward Mason.

Mason graduated from the Philadelphia Public School System in 1910. He completed an A.B. degree in 1913 (after just 2.5 years of study), an A.M. degree in 1914, and a Ph.D. in 1930. Along the way, he gathered a Lambda Chi Alpha badge and a Phi Beta Kappa key.

Jack Mason’s Service • Mar. 1913 – Apr. 1913: Grand High Zeta Member-at-Large • Mar. 1914 – Apr. 1914: Managing Editor of Publications • Apr. 1914 – Dec. 1915: Editor

He served in World War I and was a member of the Houston Post of the American Legion. Mason was an active member of the Masonic Fraternity, serving as the Worshipful Master of Continental Lodge #738, F.& A.M. of Pennsylvania in 1934. Later in his life he became a member of Philadelphia Lodge #51.

• Dec. 1915 – Sep. 1917: Grand High Epsilon (Editor) • Jan. 1920 – Jan. 1930: Grand High Epsilon (Chair of Publications) • Jan. 1930 – Dec. 1933: Grand High Alpha • Jan. 1934 – Dec. 1937: Past Grand High Alpha

Never married, Mason devoted much of his life as an English Language Arts teacher, drama coach, and

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• Jan. 1937 – Jun. 1946: Historian for Life

Cross & Crescent

JUNE 2006

FEATURE

A Fascinating Ride General Dynamics CEO and Chairman Nicholas Chabraja’s leadership skills helped rebuild the company.

By Tad Lichtenauer (Butler 1987)

In 1996, General Dynamics finished with $3.6 billion in revenue, three operating businesses, and about 23,000 employees. Ten years later, the company exceeds $21 billion in revenue, has four business groups with 16 operating businesses, and consists of more than 72,000 employees.

in both Indiana and Illinois. Shortly thereafter, he accepted a position with Jenner & Block, a prestigious Chicago law firm that also had offices in Washington, D.C.

During this time of enormous growth and acquisition, one thing remained constant: Nicholas Chabraja (Northwestern 1964) was serving as chief executive officer and chairman of the board.

From Defense to Offense By the end of the 1980s, times were tough for defense contractors and General Dynamics was losing revenue.

Then chairman and CEO Bill Anders, a former astronaut, had to make some tough decisions to sell several of the company’s divisions, including those making F-16 jets (to Lockheed) © Courtesy Robin Oldfield. and Tomahawk missiles.

At Jenner & Block, Chabraja eventually became a senior partner, where he helped manage General Dynamics’ legal affairs for more than 20 years. Originally living in Lake Forest, Illinois, a Chicago suburb, Chabraja’s duties required him to spend more and more time in Washington, D.C.

Ranked 100th on the 2006 Fortune 500 listing, General Dynamics is a clear market leader in business aviation and aircraft services, land and amphibious combat systems, mission-critical information systems and technologies, and shipbuilding and marine systems.

By 1993, General Dynamics had only two divisions left: Electric Boat, which made nuclear submarines, and Land Systems, which made M1 tanks.

During the past decade of the company’s success, Chabraja, 63, and his management team have applied their collective “wisdom of experience and insight to recognize and act on change to build their position in the defense and technology business sectors,” he says.

Anders was succeeded by John H. Mellor in early 1994, and Chabraja soon became General Dynamics’ executive vice president. In that role, he began pushing for a new approach: one of expansion instead of selling off the company’s last divisions.

His new role also required him to move near Washington, D.C., and he settled in a suburb in northern Virginia.

Career Foreshadowing In 1960, Chabraja began his collegiate career at Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois, studying political science, a choice that in many ways foreshadowed where his career would ultimately take him.

Chabraja became vice chairman in 1996, and when Mellor retired he became chairman of the board and chief executive officer.

“For a Midwestern guy who didn’t want to go to the East or West Coast, Northwestern was the Midwestern university with the strongest reputation that also participated in bigtime athletics,” Chabraja said. “And it was reasonably close to home,” as he was born and raised in Gary, Indiana.

Room to Grow Chabraja’s mission became finding available companies at bargain prices that could benefit from improved management, as well as companies that would diversify General Dynamics’ activities and help smooth business-cycle fluctuations.

Upon graduating in 1964, Chabraja was accepted and attended Northwestern University’s Law School where he earned his law degree in 1967.

One of the most significant Chabraja-led acquisitions was the 1999 purchase of business-jet manufacturer Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation, for $4.8 billion. After the purchase, Chabraja reduced

After law school, Chabraja was immediately considered by many to be an exceptional legal talent, quickly passing the bar

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FEATURE

the size of the company’s management and initiated a program of cutting expenses and expanding its product line. By 2002, Gulfstream accounted for 40 percent of General Dynamics’ profits.

Early Leadership Training Chabraja was first introduced to Lambda Chi Alpha during his freshmen year at Northwestern when he went through fall rush in 1960. The primary factor that influenced him to join Lambda Chi Alpha was the quality of men he met there. © Courtesy Brian Van Reet

“I just met a bunch of guys I really liked and decided to pledge,” he recalls. “I made a number of fine friends that have lasted a lifetime.”

Since 1997, when Chabraja took over leadership of General Dynamics, the company has acquired and successfully integrated 40 businesses, including three in 2005.

“I spend a lot of time on capital allocation and deployment questions,” Chabraja says when asked about a typical day.

“That means there’s nothing average about one of my days.

If I’m in the middle of a transaction, it can be consuming; but when it’s over, I surface again to do other things.”

“The chapter consisted of about 70 active members.

It was a wonderful place, a happy place,” he recalls fondly.

Chabraja keeps up with the Northwestern chapter’s current activities through its alumni newsletter. He also is involved with the chapter’s alumni board that “is in gestation stages with respect to a fundraising campaign to revitalize the chapter house physically,” he says.

Chabraja spends a fair amount of time with customers, making sure relationships are on solid footing. These include frequent visits to The Pentagon, U.S. Department of Defense, and U.S. Congress. “It’s a multi-faceted customer,” he explains.

During his college days, Chabraja served as the chapter’s membership recruitment chairman and also was an associate leader during initiation week. He attributes these early leadership opportunities as having a big influence on his future endeavors as a leader, as well as the humbling experience of learning from his mistakes.

In 2005, 64 percent of the company’s net sales were to the U.S. government; 17 percent were to U.S. commercial customers; 14 percent were directly to international defense customers; and, the remaining 5 percent were to international commercial customers.

Chabraja credits his management team and employees for much of the company’s success. “We have very good people, wonderful leaders. The best staff I’m aware of in America,” he says.

These early opportunities helped shape Chabraja’s leadership style and later influenced how he handled the challenging and changing times at General Dynamics.

Another highlight Chabraja’s proud of are the results the company has generated for its shareholders. Over the last decade the company has repurchased $1.2 billion of company shares and returned $1.8 billion in quarterly dividends to shareholders.

“General Dynamics has been a story of managing change,” he says. “It’s been a story of enormous growth, of acquisitions, and all about the allocation and deployment of capital. It’s been a fascinating ride.”

“The tremendous growth in the market capitalization of this company — from $4 billion to about $27-28 billion — is one of our primary achievements,” he says. “I’m also very proud of the institution, being a Fortune 100 company, and being broadly diversified.”

Today, General Dynamics is readily known worldwide as a leading aerospace and defense company with major operations in Austria, Canada, Germany, Spain, Switzerland, United Kingdom, and the United States. Headquartered in Falls Church, Virginia, its four major business segments are: Aerospace, Combat Systems, Information Systems and Technology, and Marine Systems.

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FEATURE

Driver Input + Szczypski = Speed Lee Szczypski worked in the pits as the data acquisition engineer at the Indy 500 for Playa Del Racing.

Lee szczypski has been attending the Indianapolis 500 race for years. He started while growing up in Indianapolis.

He later would host his fraternity brothers in town for the event.

By Chris Barrick (Butler 2004)

Now he arrives at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway at 5 a.m. on race day to make last minute adjustments to two of the 33 cars running later that day.

Building a Reputation In his first couple of years, Szczypski would wait by the phone hoping a call would come in for work. He says, “Until you get a reputation, it is very tough to get in. And you have to start at the bottom no matter what, because people seriously have their lives on the line.”

“Other races can get mundane and you just go through the motions, but the Indy 500 never gets old,” Szczypski (Embry-Riddle 2000) says. “Not for anyone in racing, no matter how long you’ve been in it.”

In 2003, he finally got a break. A friend he had kept in touch with from his internship needed some help. “He called me up and I went to go help AFS racing. I ended up working with them until the end of the 2003 season.”

“I get chills up my spine when I hear Jim Nabors sing ‘Back Home Again in Indiana,’ the fly by, and when they announce to start your engines,” he says. “It truly is amazing.”

Szczypski says, “There is no training program in racing. Pretty much how it works is someone says, ‘we need you to do this,’ and you try to learn it and not mess up.” Yet the learning curve was easier for him because, “having been at Embry-Riddle and learned its engineering background helped me understand the mechanics of the car.”

Breaking In Szczypski has always been intrigued by Indy Car racing.

While in school at EmbryRiddle Aeronautical University, he and his fraternity brothers would venture to the IRL race in Orlando, Florida.

The following season he went back to work full time for AFS racing, which races exclusively in the Indy Pro Series, the feeder circuit for Indy Car. When the 2005 season rolled around, Szczypski received an offer to work on the crew for Indy Car with Playa Del Racing.

He says, “It was a huge risk for me to leave my full-time job at AFS since Playa Del Racing had the intention of entering a car in only one race, but that race was the Indy 500.”

One year at the race, he obtained a pit pass and began asking around to see if a race team needed a volunteer for an internship. An engineer from one of the teams was interested in Szczypski’s aerospace engineering studies and gave him the opportunity to work for the team from April until June as an intern for Indianapolis 500 preparations.

He took the opportunity and worked on the pit crew for driver Jaques Lazier’s car. He was able to stay with Playa Del Racing, but also spent the rest of the season working side jobs for six different Indy Pro Series teams.

This season, Playa Del Racing is racing full time in the Indy Pro Series. The team also entered two cars in the 2006 Indianapolis 500; Lazier drove one car, finishing 17th, and Roger Yasukawa drove the second car, finishing 16th.

Soon after, Szczypski left school and returned home to Indiana to pursue a career in racing. He realized that it would be virtually impossible to get into racing without knowing someone, and it would ultimately be his connections that would give him the possibility to succeed.

“Knowing how hard it was for me, I can really tell people just keep your eyes on your goals and go after them,” he says.

“Faced with the opportunity of having a desk job or to travel the country and work in racing,” Szczypski says. “I could never have passed up this opportunity while I had the chance.”

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“A good racing team operates a lot like a fraternity,” he explains, “If you have a situation where people are backstabbing, or if the bond of brotherhood isn’t there, it hurts the whole — whether in a fraternity or in a racing team.”

Playa Del Racing and Data Acquisition Since Playa Del Racing does not typically race Indy Car, the team recently built the cars for the Indianapolis 500.

Lambda Chi The Embry-Riddle chapter began its recruitment process before school started, during orientation. Szczypski’s remembers meeting the men of Lambda Chi Alpha and being instantly impressed by the strength of their brotherhood. “They took us in before we were in college and treated us with respect from the beginning. They were really interested in who we were.”

For both leagues, Szczypski works as the data acquisition engineer. His role entails monitoring the hundreds of sensors that are on the car and crunching the numbers to see what is going on with the car.

Beginning in early April, Szczypski began reviewing the data from the 2005 Indy Car to see how it could be improved. He studies the variables in the car such as toe, caster, camber, and shock height to best improve performance and make the driver feel comfortable.

Embry-Riddle is rather unique because it is strictly an aviation school. The school is a melting pot, for many students work prior to enrolling, many have served in the military, and few are from the school’s home state of Florida.

“There are two sources of information,” he says, “the driver and the car’s raw data. And both sources need to be satisfied in order for the car to perform well.”

The melting pot idea was also evident in the chapter. “There wasn’t one type of person in the fraternity,” says Szczypski. Yet he believes there was “great cohesive group because of their common bond.”

During races, Szczypski works in the pits with multiple computers crunching the data. With driver input and the information he provides, the pit crew has the ability to make adjustments to the car during the few the seconds the car is in the pits.

“There are a million stories,” he recalls of his college days. “But my best memory is my first semester, because having people who really cared and who you could trust was something new to me.”

Szczypski was active within the chapter. He attended the 2000 General Assembly and served on the International Ritual Team. He also held the offices of recruitment chair, fraternity education chair, and briefly served as the chapter’s president before leaving school.

The Racing Fraternity Szczypski has taken his college fraternity days and compared it to a very different group, the racing fraternity.

“There are a number of people that you wouldn’t normally be drawn to if it weren’t for the fraternity.

It is the same thing with the race team, you have to be able to adapt to a number of people and make a good working environment.”

“Taking a leadership role in the fraternity is incredibly beneficial in life,” Szczypski says. “Dealing with people and handling the pressures and planning involved, you have to learn to rely on your teammates and peers.”

With the rigors of the racing schedule, Szczypski often looks for support from his fraternity brothers. Whenever he is in a new town, he checks out his chapter’s website to see if there are any brothers he knows who live nearby.

Playa Del Racing has about 20 employees, all of whom are collectively a tight-knit group. Similar to life in a chapter house, the team is always together. There is no such thing as going home after work.

Whenever possible, he will make plans to meet or bring them out to the track, but admits, “It is often difficult to find the time because I am not on a vacation, and there is a lot of work involved in preparing for each race.”

“With all the traveling, you often stay at other people’s houses or at a hotel. You share the TV and they are in the room when you call your girlfriend,” Szczypski explains.

“You really have to work with people you like.”

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Szczypski is living his dream. And though his dream job goes by really fast, he believes “joining a fraternity — specifically Lambda Chi Alpha — is the best thing I have done.”

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Living Your Dream Currently on the Washington Nationals’ 40-man roster, Brendan Harris eagerly awaits his next shot at the Majors. when brendan harris was a young boy, you could catch him staring at the Atlanta Braves baseball poster hanging on his bedroom wall. Perhaps he thought that if he stared long enough, the images of his favorite players Greg Maddox, Tom Glavine, and John Schmoltz would be imprinted in his memory forever.

By Tad Lichtenauer (Butler 1987)

Harris’ stock had risen significantly since the off season, when he played well in the Arizona Fall League. After he was called up on April 13 to the Nationals, Harris became a valuable player.

In 2006, Harris has played in nine games for the Nationals and more than 30 games for the Zephyrs. He’s batting over .300 for the Zephyrs, including four home runs and 19 RBIs. He prefers playing shortstop or second base, but says he will play any infield position needed in order to establish himself.

Maybe they were, for a few years later Harris would walk into the Chicago Cubs’ clubhouse for his first major league game, which happened to feature starting Cubs pitcher Maddox.

“I hope to stay here awhile,” Harris says of the Nationals organization.

“I was very surprised when I got traded from the Cubs. I’d love to stay in Washington. I think I have a pretty good in-road here.”

“It was a little bit overwhelming at first. Greg Maddox was pitching against the White Sox,” Harris says. “The deer in the headlights kind of feeling I had, however, has worn off a little bit since when I first got there.”

Nationals New Owners On May 18, the Nationals were sold by Major League Baseball to a group headed by Ted Lerner and his son Mark. This ended Major League Baseball’s four-year role in owning and operating the franchise, which relocated from Montreal prior to the 2005 season.

Making the Team The Cubs first called on Harris (William & Mary 2004) in 2001 after he completed a very successful season as shortstop during his junior year at William & Mary.

He spent the first few years in the minor leagues before playing his first major league game with the Chicago Cubs in 2004.

The team will remain in Major League Baseball’s hands until the anticipated $450 million sale closes sometime between June 15 and the All-Star break (July 10–12). Major League Baseball originally purchased the struggling franchise, then the Expos, in 2002 from Jeffrey Loria and his partners for $120 million.

Harris says he is very optimistic about the new ownership, as they have said they are going to do whatever it takes to make the Nationals a top contender.

Later that year, he was traded from the Cubs to the Montreal Expos, and today Harris is a member of the Nationals’ 40-man, protected roster as a utility infielder.

Adapting to Change In 2004, Harris advanced beyond Double-A for the first time and excelled, hitting .302 with 27 doubles, 17 home runs, and 59 RBIs in 102 Pacific Coast League games for Iowa and Edmonton.

As a utility player, Harris has learned to adapt. In mid-April 2006, the club optioned him back down to the Triple-A New Orleans Zephyrs in order to add more depth to the National’s pitching roster.

Nationals Manager Frank Robinson said telling Harris about the demotion was one of the toughest things he had to do. “This young man is kind of special,” Robinson told mlb.com. “He is good on the ball club. He brings something to the ball club to help it win.”

That same year, Harris got his first shot at the big leagues with the Cubs when they played a game at Milwaukee against the Milwaukee Brewers. The game was sold out and lots of Cub fans were in attendance.

Harris took the news well, saying he understood why the Nationals needed to make the move. “They need pitching, that’s the main thing. I think they were happy with what I was doing and how I was working. They were positive,” said Harris.

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“I hit a double at my second at bat, which was my first major league hit,” Harris recalls. “My dad, cousins, and uncle were there. It was a pretty fun moment.”

In July 2004, Harris was traded unexpectedly to the Expos/ Nationals from the Cubs in a trade that sent Orlando Cabrera to the Boston Red Sox and Nomar Garciaparra to the Cubs.

Harris made his Expos debut on September 8, ironically, at Wrigley Field. He hit his first big league homer in the nightcap of a doubleheader on September 15 against the Florida Marlins.

The Last of the No-Hitters

Harris says the situation in Montreal had gotten pretty bad before the team moved to Washington, D.C. “On any given night, only 3,000 people would attend the games in a stadium that could hold up to 47,000,” he says. The games were not televised and the city was further distracted by the National Hockey League strike.

July 9 will mark the 30-year anniversary of when Larry Dierker (SantaBarbara 1968) pitched a no-hitter for the Houston Astros against the Montreal Expos (now Washington Nationals) .

With this achievement, Dierker became the second Lambda Chi to pitch a no-hitter in Major League Baseball. The other was Cliff Chambers (Washington State 1943), who pitched a no-hitter for the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1951.

Fraternal Dugout Harris grew up in upstate New York and graduated from Queensbury High School, where he played both basketball and baseball.

Dierker still ranks among the Astros’ all-time leaders in virtually every pitching category: starts (320), complete games (106), innings pitched (2,294.1), and shutouts (25). His 137 victories for the Astros ranks second all-time to Joe Niekro (144).

Following his playing career, Dierker joined the Astros’ broadcasting team, serving as the club’s principal color analyst from 1979–1996.

Even though Harris was drafted after his junior year at William & Mary to play baseball, he did go back and earn his bachelor’s degree in political science with a minor in business.

In October 1996, Dierker moved from the broadcast booth to the dugout and became the Astros’ 11th manager. He managed the club for five seasons, guiding the team to four National League Central Division titles and a 448–362 record. His 448 career wins trails only Bill Virdon (544–522) on Houston’s all-time managerial wins list.

In 2004, Dierker returned to the broadcast booth as a color TV analyst for select games played at Minute Maid Park.

When he first went to William & Mary and was on the baseball team, he got to know a few other guys who were already members of Lambda Chi Alpha.

experiences really helped shape who you are,” he says.

“They helped you mature at a very fast rate.”

After hanging around the fraternity house and getting to know the guys, “one guy pulled the trigger and then we all joined,” Harris says. “We loved our time there. It was a great experience.”

During his junior year, Harris was the chapter’s social chairman. He says he will always cherish the friendships he developed as a member of Lambda Chi Alpha.

Combining the tough academic standards of William & Mary, along with the grueling demands of college baseball, gave Harris a lot of challenges.

“Just the friendships you made there,” he said. “I’ve been in multiple weddings of guys who were there. We still talk and hang out. The relationships I built there are the greatest things I took away.”

“It was tough,” he recalls. “There was a lot expected of you at William & Mary. Being in the fraternity really helped.

We could get a little network of guys who had taken the classes before and could give you a little help.”

Harris says his experiences with Lambda Chi Alpha have really helped shape who he is today and how he handles his changing environments.

“I think the structure of being a part of something bigger than yourself, especially moving around and being a part of different teams,” he says, “is much like joining a fraternity.”

Time management and the pressure of getting everything done became two of Harris’ biggest obstacles. “The

Harris Photos: © Courtesy Joe Maitrejean/New Orleans Zephyrs, All Rights Reserved.

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