Cross & Crescent
a Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity publication
INSIDE: Academic All-Star
Northwestern’s Alexander Hertel-Fernandez
Major League Pitcher
Brian Bannister, Kansas City Royal
Importance of Scholastic Chairman Lambda Chi’s Rhodes Scholars April 2008 . XCIV . Issue 4
Cross & Crescent a Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity publication Features Chapter News 4 Chapter and Alumni News Fraternity News 8 Importance of Scholastic Chairman History 10 Lambda Chi’s Rhodes Scholars
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Academic All-Star Alexander Hertel-Fernandez was named one of the 20 members of USA TODAY’s 2008 All-USA College Academic First Team. A political science major at Northwestern University, he has studied infant mortality in Chile, earned a Rotary Foundation ambassadorial scholarship, and a Howard Hughes Medical Institute research fellowship. By Tad Lichtenauer
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Major League Pitcher A starting pitcher for the Kansas City Royals, Brian Bannister hopes to follow in his father’s footsteps and become an All-Star. As an undergraduate at Southern California, he not only excelled in baseball but devoted himself to academics — being named All PacTen Academics, Academic All-American, and graduating cum laude. By Chris Barrick
Credits
Contributions
Publisher: Bill Farkas Editor: Tad Lichtenauer Assistant Editor: Chris Barrick Illustrator: Jeff Reisdorfer Podcast Voice: Fuzz Martin Photographer: Walt Moser Assignment Editor: Jon Williamson Historian: Mike Raymond Contributing Editors: Jono Hren George Spasyk
Content for consideration should be submitted by the 20 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
April 2008
CHAPTER NEWS
Chapter News Chapter news, alumni news, and reports of death Akron (Gamma-Alpha)
Rees Sloan (2011) was elected sophomore class treasurer.
Chapter members participated in the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life charity event.
California-Berkeley (Mu)
Gerald O’Driscoll (1978) died May 2007.
Alfred (Kappa-Sigma)
California Santa-Barbara (Zeta-Eta)
Robert M. Barton (1983), executive vice president and chief operating officer for Franchise Services of North America, Inc., was elected president of the American Car Rental Association.
Order of Achievement recipient Michael Westmore (1961) was featured in the Los Angeles Times regarding his life’s work as a make-up designer, and his contributions to the new stage version of “Mask,” which opened in March at the Pasadena Playhouse in Pasadena, California.
Angelo State (Beta-Alpha)
Chapter members cleaned up trash along the Concho River in San Angelo, Texas.
California State-Northridge (Beta-Rho)
Justin Howell won third place in the annual Angelo State University pie-eating contest.
Brian Garfield (1977), a former member of the Fraternity’s Student Advisory Committee, has spent more than 25 years in sales and marketing, most recently as a commercial real estate broker. He is currently pursuing a master’s degree in social work from the University of Southern California and a master’s degree in Jewish Communal Service from Hebrew Union College. He plans to work in either non-profit management or government social services work.
Atlanta Area Alumni Association
Approximately 45 alumni members attended the Atlanta Area Alumni Association reception on February 19, 2008, at the Ansley Golf Club in Atlanta, Georgia. The event was hosted by Educational Foundation Board Member David L. Burch (Georgia 1973) and attendees included former Fraternity staff members Matt Getz (Mercer 1991), D. Mark Smith (North Carolina-Chapel Hill 1990), Phil Minnes (Western Ontario 1996), Todd Sapp (Florida Southern 1995), and Grand High Phi Fletcher McElreath (Mercer 1987). Order of Merit recipient Jerry Harmon (East Tennessee State 1964) also was in attendance, and Executive Vice President Emeritus George Spasyk (Michigan 1949) served as the event’s guest speaker.
Charlotte Area Alumni Association
More than 35 alumni and undergraduates attended a Charlotte Area Alumni Association reception held on February 21, 2008, at the South Park Marriott in Charlotte, North Carolina. Undergraduates from the University of South Carolina-Aiken, the University of North Carolina-Charlotte, High Point University, and the University of North Carolina-Greensboro were in attendance, along with North Carolina-Charlotte Chapter Adviser Mark Joyce (North Carolina-Charlotte 1981) and High Point Chapter Adviser Todd Shoemaker (High Point 1993). The event’s keynote speech was delivered by Executive Vice President Bill Farkas (Butler 1988).
Butler (Alpha-Alpha)
Stu Barnes-Israel (2009) was elected senior class president. Jess Zimmerman (2011) was elected sophomore class president.
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Cross & Crescent
April 2008
CHAPTER NEWS
Delaware (Lambda-Beta)
Florida (Epsilon-Mu)
Chapter members co-sponsored a blood drive on Valentine’s Day to benefit the Blood Bank of Delmarva.
Russell Mercer (2010) was one of the 500 University of Florida students and members of the Gainesville community who participated in the inaugural launch of Project Makeover: Rawlings Edition, which involved repainting the Rawlings Elementary School in Gainesville, Florida.
They earned a 3.01 GPA for the fall 2007 semester, better than all-men’s average. Under the Chapter Assessment Program, created by the Interfraternity Council and the Panhellenic Council, the chapter earned a gold-level score for the fall 2007 semester for their combined ranking on four standards: academics, chapter management, membership development, and community involvement.
Patrick Smith (1993) made his Carnegie Hall debut on March 18, 2008, in a performance with the Virginia Commonwealth University Wind Symphony. A participant in the New York Wind Band Festival, he conducted the wind ensemble’s performance of “A Fugal Overture,” by Gustav Holst, and performed Aaron Copland’s “Fanfare for the Common Man” with the VCU brass students. He is assistant professor of French horn and music history and the director of athletic bands at Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, Virginia.
DePauw (Xi)
Jeffrey McCall (1976), a communications professor at DePauw University, is interviewed for an article in The DePauw newspaper about what led to the Lambda Chi Alpha chapter being closed in 1995 and the possibility of bringing the chapter back to campus.
East Tennessee State (Iota-Omicron)
Gettysburg (Theta-Pi)
Kenny Chesney (1990) is the top nominee for the 43rd annual Academy of Country Music Awards to be held on May 18, 2008, at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Andrew Young (2007) was promoted to the position of director of research and external communications for Salmon Ventures Ltd. in Millville, New Jersey.
Illinois (Chi)
George Tomek Jr. (1960) co-anchors the statewide half-hour “Oklahoma News Report” for OETA (the PBS system for Oklahoma). He also does a legislative show for OETA, and will be doing all of the election coverage this year. In addition, Tomek also does industrial and training videos and out of state commercial work.
Eastern Kentucky (Phi-Beta)
During the 2008 Greek Week Awards, the chapter won the Greek Sing Award, the Greek Games Award, and Joe Hoffman (2008) won the Greek Man of the Year Award.
Evansville (Iota-Mu)
Frederick M. Bell (1955) died February 8, 2008. He had worked for Mills-Winfield Engineering Sales Co. and Ace Hardware.
Kutztown (Sigma-Gamma)
After serving as the chapter’s treasurer, secretary, and educational chairman, Alumni Association President Steve Canfield (1983) has served as an alumni officer for the past 25 years.
Mercer (Zeta-Omega)
Jeffrey M. Stivler (1984) died February 29, 2008. He was a former chapter president. Donations in his honor may be made to the American Cancer Society.
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April 2008
CHAPTER NEWS
Millersville (Delta-Tau)
Montevallo (Sigma-Epsilon)
A former student body and chapter president, Tom Baker (2002) has authored his first book, entitled Get Involved! Making the Most of Your 20s and 30s. In addition, he serves as the executive director of Healthy Teens Inc., and president of the Pittsburgh Urban Magnet Project.
For the eighth year in a row, chapter members helped the Purple team to victory during College Night, the annual homecoming tradition that includes various intramural sporting events and original musical productions. Zach Banks (2008) served as the co-leader for the team.
Naples Area Alumni Association
More than 20 alumni attended a Naples Area Alumni Association luncheon held on March 13, 2008, at the Grey Oaks Country Club in Naples, Florida. Eleven chapters were represented, and due to the event’s success, plans are in place to host another event in 2009.
Millsaps (Theta-Eta)
The chapter held an Initiation Ritual for 14 new brothers on January 31, 2008. The cumulative GPA for the new initiates was 3.33 for the fall 2007 semester, the highest of all fraternities. The entire chapter earned a cumulative 3.23 GPA for the fall 2007 semester, the highest of all fraternities, and above the all-men’s average.
New Orleans (Lambda-Alpha) The chapter placed second in the Homecoming Week competition, the highest of any fraternity. Chapter Vice President Brett Hornsby (2010) was named as a member of the Homecoming Court, placing second overall.
Chapter members were invited to join the following honor societies: Edgar Meyer (2010), Brian Mitchell (2009), Joshua Whitam (2011) — Alpha Epsilon Delta-Pre-Medical; Eric Miller (2008), Whitam — Beta Beta Beta-Biology; Meyer — Eta Sigma Phi-Classics; Justin Huckaby 2010) — Mu Phi Epsilon-Music; Kenith Crose (2009), Brian Hall (2008) — Omicron Delta Epsilon-Economics; Steven Eastlack (2011), Philip Ewbank (2011), Jorge Jimenez (2011), Ben McNair (2011), Alex Olinger (2011), Evan Parker (2011), Whitam — Phi Eta Sigma-Freshmen; Jimmy Cuevas (2010) — Pi Mu Epsilon-Math; Chris Awwad (2009), Andrew Olinger (2009) — Sigma Delta Pi-Spanish; David Smolkin (2008) — Sigma Gamma Epsilon-Geology; Luke Darby (2009) — Sigma Tau Delta-English; Meyer — Sigma Lambda-Millsaps Service; Ben Cain (2009) — Order of Omega-Greek Leadership; Cain, Jonathan Webb (2008) — Omicron Delta Kappa-Leadership.
North Carolina-Greensboro (Phi-Theta)
Chapter members participated in Guilford County’s 8th annual Polar Plunge, which raises money for the Special Olympics and its athletes. Lambda Chi Alpha has participated all eight years, winning best costume every year. This year the chapter dressed as Star Wars characters and raised nearly $1,100.
Northwest Pacific Conclave
More than 100 undergraduate and alumni members attended the Northwest Pacific Conclave held on February 8–10, 2008, in Vancouver, Washington. Chapters attending included the University of Oregon, Oregon State University, the University of Washington, and the University of Nevada-Las Vegas. The programming highlight was a speech by Master Steward Ray Lutzky (Rensselaer Polytechnic 2002) regarding the Warren A. Cole Recruitment Institute. At the awards luncheon, the following chapters were recognized: Washington — Scholarship; Oregon State and Washington State — Recruitment; Washington — Man Miles; and Washington, Oregon State — Host Chapters. After a full day of programming on Saturday, more than 30 alumni and guests gathered at a reception to hear about the True Brother Initiative from Executive Vice President Bill Farkas (Butler 1988), and Former Grand High Zeta Board Member Dr. Jeff Steele (Washington 1964).
In addition, three chapter members were named editors for the The Purple & White: Mitchell is the sports section editor, and McNair and Alex Pieschel (2010) are both layout editors.
Missouri-Kansas City (Sigma-Rho)
A benefit concert was held on March 8, 2008, at Pierson Auditorium in Kansas City, Missouri, on behalf of Jesse Ross (2010) who disappeared in November 2006, in Chicago, Illinois, while attending a model United Nations conference. Funds raised will go towards a scholarship in his name.
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April 2008
CHAPTER NEWS
Oklahoma (Gamma-Rho)
Sam Houston State (Sigma-Mu)
Chapter Vice President Ben Bigby was named outstanding junior, and Secretary Tyler Coker was named outstanding sophomore.
Chapter members funded and organized the second annual Easter Egg Hunt for about 100 children and parents at Gibbs Elementary in Huntsville, Texas. More than 2,000 plastic eggs stuffed with candy and marked with Lambda Chi Alpha letters were scattered around the playground for the children to collect.
The chapter placed second for the University of Oklahoma President’s Trophy for best all-around fraternity on campus. They received awards for superior work in Academics, campus activities and involvement, multi-cultural programming, and community service.
Orlando Area Alumni Association
Samford (Theta-Alpha)
More than 25 alumni attended a reception on March 11, 2008, at the Downtown Orlando Marriott in Orlando, Florida. Ten chapters were represented and guests included Embry-Riddle Chapter Adviser Mark Hayward (Mercer 1982), Order of Merit recipient and University of Central Florida Chapter Adviser Mike Saunders (Central Florida 1975), and Order of Merit recipient and Grand High Gamma Dr. Greg Smith (Washington 1962). Executive Vice President Bill Farkas (Butler 1988) delivered the state of the Fraternity update.
Chapter members served as volunteers at the annual Mercedes Marathon held on February 11, 2008, in Birmingham, Alabama.
San Diego Area Alumni Association
More than 60 undergraduates and alumni attended a San Diego Area Alumni Association event on March 8, 2008, in Mission Valley, San Diego, to celebrate the annual Founders Day Dinner. Executive Vice President Emeritus George Spasyk (Michigan 1949) served as the keynote speaker and attendees found his remarks timely, poignant and inspirational. The undergraduates paid rapt attention to his words and the alumni came away with a renewed sense of the purpose of Lambda Chi Alpha. The alumni association hosted the banquet and helped to underwrite the cost of the dinner for five actives from each of the three local chapters.
Penn State (Zeta)
Chapter members and members of Alpha Sigma Alpha Sorority placed third in the Penn State Dance Marathon, raising nearly $187,000 for the Four Diamonds Fund, which benefits pediatric cancer research and care at the Penn State Children’s Hospital in Hershey, Pennsylvania. The event raised a record $6.6 million.
Southeast Missouri State (Delta-Phi)
Joe Craig (2011) and Matt Lakenburger (2011) were elected as Student Government senators. They join brothers Scott Crean (2008), Joe Gholson (2009), Billy Garrett (2009), Ben Hooe (2011), and Nolan Ryan (2011). Gholson is the current vice president of Student Government and Crean is the chair of the Student Issues Committee.
Purdue (Psi)
Michael Kraft (2009) was named 2008 Big Man on Campus at the Zeta Tau Alpha Sorority fundraiser held on March 1, 2008, at the Elliott Hall of Music. The event raised more than $88,000 for the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation.
Franklin Grey (2009) was selected as the man of the year for the Sigma Sigma Sigma Sorority.
Grover N. Jones Jr. (1967) died July 2006.
Nick Griggs (2009) was selected as the man of the year for the Gamma Phi Beta Sorority. Chapter members hosted a Bowl for the Cure event that benefits the American Breast Cancer Foundation; participated in Dance Marathon and won an Attendance Award for Greek students;
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April 2008
CHAPTER NEWS
Texas-San Antonio (Phi-Upsilon)
and participated in an event at the SEMO basketball game, winning a listing in the Yellow Pages for Big Brothers, Big Sisters.
Chapter alumni members participated in the 24th annual UTSA Alumni Diploma Dash held on March 1, 2008, at the Convocation Center. The event benefited the Alumni Scholarship Fund, UTSA track athletes, and alumni programs and services
Hooe and Craig were selected as co-chairs of the Student Alumni Association. They will be involved with the planning of the fall 2008 Homecoming.
Truman State (Phi-Psi)
Neal Boyd (1998) was appointed to his second state commission by Missouri Gov. Matt Blunt. In his new role, Boyd will represent Missouri’s business sector on behalf of the Missouri Workforce Development Board. He previously served on the Missouri Training and Employment Council dealing with the challenges Missouri faces with worker displacements, layoffs, and increasing new job skills for a competitive marketplace.
Chapter members volunteered as participants in the Kirksville Police Department tactical training.
Western Carolina (Beta-Zeta)
The colony was approved for chartering, and the chartering banquet will take place on May 3, 2008. The colony added 11 new associate members.
Syracuse (Alpha-Upsilon)
William D. Ewing (1951) died January 18, 2008. A U.S. Navy veteran, he was retired from the New York Telephone Co.
Colony members participated in Sorority Conundrum charity event in which participants “kidnapped” stuffed sorority mascots. The sororities then had to solve the Conundrum Puzzle and donate canned food to retrieve their mascots. All food donations went to local food banks.
Tennessee-Chattanooga (Zeta-Phi) Performing a variety show, entitled “You Tube Invades UTC,” chapter members won the Best Fraternity Award at the annual Greek Show Competition on February 22, 2008, benefiting T.C. Thompson’s Children’s Hospital.
Colony members participated in Alpha Xi Delta’s Shamrock Shuffle 5K run on March 15, 2008. Associate Member Joe Hampton (2012) placed third and won the Most Spirited Award.
Western Michigan (Lambda-Tau)
Nathaniel Lay (2009) was admitted to Physical Therapy School at the University of Tennessee-Chattanooga to participate in their DPT program.
Gregg Balko (1972), executive director for the Society for the Advancement of Material and Process Engineering, has been named to ASAE & The Center for Association Leadership’s 2008 class of Fellows. This recognizes individual accomplishments and contributions to ASAE & The Center, the association community, and is a call to service for the profession.
Ross Terry (2008) was admitted to Physical Therapy School at the University of Tennessee Medical Center located in Memphis, Tennessee. He will be joining his brother, Kyle Terry (2006).
Wittenberg (Nu-Zeta)
Tennessee-Knoxville (Epsilon-Omicron)
Andrew Scarponi (2007) received a Fulbright Scholarship and is studying asymmetrical information and bargaining in China’s antiques bazaars.
75th
Approximately 200 people attended the chapter’s anniversary Founders Day event. Executive Vice President Emeritus George Spasyk (Michigan 1949) was the guest of honor and keynote speaker.
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Cross & Crescent
April 2008
FEATURE
Importance of Scholastic Chairman Choosing quality leader can help a chapter’s academic performance, enrich cultural development. During the 2007–2008 scholastic year, as a cornerstone of Lambda Chi Alpha’s Operation: Shine the Badge, Chapter Services began working with Greek advisers and chapter officers to improve reporting of scholastic rankings and also to improve chapter GPAs.
By Tim Reuter (Simpson 2003)
The importance of the position cannot be overemphasized. The role includes the major responsibility of determining the scholastic atmosphere, the resultant level of academic achievement, and the cultural development of all chapter members. The response to the program is the composite of the respective attitudes of the individual chapter members.
Since the implementation of these efforts, the numbers seem to tell a remarkable story that we have always known: standards and expectations may intimidate and frustrate some, but for a man in Lambda Chi Alpha our shared standards and expectations are not only met but exceeded time and time again.
Exemplify Core Values Many of the functions with which the scholastic chairman is charged strike right at the core of the values of Lambda Chi Alpha.
One of the key ingredients to continuing to improve academic performance is the increased emphasis placed on chapters electing a strong leader to serve as scholastic chairman.
Examining our Seven Core Values from the True Brother Initiative, each and every value can be practically applied to the work that the scholastic chairman and his committee should be accomplishing:
Primary Duties Today, a successful scholastic chairman is much more than just academics. The role also goes far beyond just interacting with the officers, brothers and associate members of the chapter.
LOYALTY in the way that he works with each individual chapter member, the confidentiality with which he does his job, and the time he devotes to these important tasks.
A good scholastic chairman also interacts with many elements of the campus and the surrounding communities as well.
Taking on such an important position, the scholastic chairman has a DUTY to each and every member and the chapter to provide the best guidance, resources and support.
The scholastic chairman’s responsibility is to generate positive direction in several areas for the growth and development of our brothers and the chapter.
In this work, the scholastic chairman should emanate RESPECT for every member, his efforts, his issues and concerns, and the potential that each man brings to the brotherhood.
Specifically, the responsibilities involve three major areas:
A good scholastic chairman exemplifies SERVICE AND STEWARDSHIP with all of the information with which he must work, as well as the effect he can have on the brotherhood and the lives of each chapter member.
1. Scholastic development of members, 2. Cultural development of members, 3. Educating members to various campus resources and their support for our brothers during and beyond their undergraduate experience.
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The scholastic chairman has the responsibility to teach and encourage a sense of HONOR and INTEGRITY as he inspires academic
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April 2008
FEATURE success, such that chapter members should never consider dishonesty or cheating in their academic pursuits.
responsibilities of office does any position gain prestige and continued respect.
And finally, the scholastic chairman will undoubtedly find himself in situations where his own PERSONAL COURAGE will spur him on to make the tough decisions regarding discipline, academic probations or suspensions, and holding chapter members on his committee, and the entire chapter, accountable.
He begins immediately. He must begin to plan and execute his program immediately after taking office. If he procrastinates until the last minute, he will immediately lose the respect of his committee, the executive team, and the chapter. He understands and appreciates the full significance of scholarship, academic achievement, and cultural awareness. Most important, he must understand why good scholarship is essential, the importance of a complete education in the Fraternity, and the relationship of the Fraternity to the comprehensive educational environment.
The scholastic chairman can make a big difference in the life and the future of every chapter member. Ideal Credentials He is, first, a salesman. The scholastic chairman is virtually a highly specialized public relations device for building respect and motivation for scholastic achievement. He must sell himself, his committee, and the product of scholarship, its importance, and its significance to every individual brother and associate member of the chapter.
He is a teacher and a counselor. It will be imperative that he establish himself as a problem solver. He will find that to be effective, he must seek out problems; problems of chapter attitude and problems of individuals will not necessarily seek him out. He must analyze the problems and solve them or, at the least, enlist the appropriate resources and support to solve them.
“A well-kept and well He has the ability to used library will raise the tone of organize. Once the concept of the program your house, impress visitors, and help is sold, the scholastic chairman must devise a make a better Chapter.” step-by-step plan and He has a strong desire execute a highly organized for excellence and program that will lead to achievement. He must be —John E. Mason satisfied academic achievement and with nothing less than cultural development and maintain it.
the best from himself, from his brothers, and from Lambda Chi Alpha.
He is a leader. The scholastic chairman must have the ability to express himself well and to communicate easily with others. He must be able to earn the respect of the chapter in order to enlist their support and confidence in the program.
Appreciating Individual Differences Each chapter member has his own particular area of study and interests. Each also will have his own issues, skills, and baggage that he brings with him that can either positively or negatively affect his ability to be successful.
He is a responsible scholar. Experience has shown that just because a man is an “A” student, he is not always the best scholastic chairman. However, a successful scholastic chairman needs to enlist the respect and support of the chapter for good scholarship. He also must demonstrate a responsible attitude backed up with above average motivation, study habits, skills, and if possible, grades.
Therefore, the scholastic chairman must work with each individual to ensure that he is getting the most out of his education. Whether it is helping to develop effective study habits or securing summer employment, the scholastic chairman must consider the individual’s needs and approach each as a unique individual.
He feels a sense of responsibility for his job. Much time and effort is required to perform this job satisfactorily. The job is time-consuming and at times frustrating. Usually he will receive little recognition other than a sense of satisfaction for a job well done. Only the scholastic chairman who maintains his sense of responsibility in the face of occasional discouragement will be successful.
Furthermore, this must be reflected in the recruitment of new members. We must be able to sell an educational program that is designed for the individual member, not for everyone in general.
He is eager to face the challenge of his job. He must be constantly searching for new and better ways to execute the duties of the office. Only through a tradition of excellence in carrying on the www.crossandcrescent.com
Cross & Crescent
April 2008
History
Lambda Chi’s Rhodes Scholars Fourteen members have received prestigious academic honor. In the history of Lambda Chi Alpha and Theta Kappa Nu, 14 members have crossed the Atlantic and set foot on the campus of Oxford University in England as Rhodes Scholars. Though only a small group, these men have made impressive contributions to both the Fraternity and to society.
Arthur A. Brown Arthur A. Brown (Maine 1933) studied math at Oxford and later enrolled at Princeton University, earning his doctorate in math. Upon completion of his education, he worked in operations research at L. Bamberger & Co. from 1940–1942. Brown then accepted a position with the Civilian Naval Research Operations, where he was employed for more than 10 years. He then joined Arthur D. Little Co., and later worked in industrial research and management consulting, before becoming research manager of General Electric’s appliance services department. He died March 25, 1999.
The Rhodes Scholarships are the oldest international fellowships and have historically been the most prestigious of their kind. Initiated after the death of Cecil Rhodes in 1902, the program brings together the most outstanding students from around the world.
John Duby John Duby (Alberta 1952) studied natural science at Oxford and returned to the University of Alberta in 1956, where he joined the department of electrical engineering. He worked for the university as a professor of mechanics until 1962. Duby then became president of D.A.T.A. Ltd. in Calgary, Alberta, where he worked for nine years. In 1970, he became secretary, treasurer, and consultant for Blain Binnie and Associates, Engineering. In the late 1970s, Duby joined Cowzaniol Ltd. as secretary and treasurer, and in 1980, became president of United Causo and Gas Ltd. He died May 1, 1999.
The United States, with its annual authorization of 32 Rhodes Scholars, provides the largest national delegation, but it forms only a minority of the total international contingent. Typically, there are almost 230 Rhodes Scholars each term. Qualifications are based on both academic and personal excellence. Applicants offering the promise of effective service to the world in the future are sought after the most. The following provides a brief biography of Lambda Chi’s 14 members who have been honored with this distinction.
Axel B. Gravem Axel B. Gravem (California-Berkeley 1917) studied law at Oxford, but before studying abroad, he was a lieutenant in the U.S. Expeditionary Forces from 1917–1918. Upon returning from Oxford, Gravem practiced law in Chicago while teaching at Northwestern University. He then moved his practice to the East Coast where he owned law offices in Boston, New York City, and Washington, D.C. During World War II, Gravem was the executive vice president and director of a war plant that produced airplane parts and bullet dies. Following the war, he was president of Fairhaven Estates Corp. from 1946 –1949, and was president of Lexa Oil Corp. from until his retirement. He died March 1, 1985.
Frederick M. Anderson Frederick M. Anderson (Nevada 1928) studied physiology at Oxford and continued his medical career upon his return to the United States. He then studied medicine at Harvard University before serving in World War II as a lieutenant colonel for the U.S. Army Medical Corps, where he received a Certificate of Commendation. Following the war, Anderson established his own surgical medical practice in Arizona, and also taught classes at Nevada’s Medical School. He died January 28, 2003. R. Darryl Banks R. Darryl Banks (Coe 1972) graduated magna cum laude in chemistry from Coe College and read for a doctorate in biochemistry at Oxford. He served as the deputy commissioner from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, after which he was director of technology and the environment at the World Resources Institute. In 1976, the American Association for Advancement of Services named him a Congressional Science Fellow. Banks then served as the group vice president at CH2M Hill in the Energy, Environment, and Systems Group. He is currently an associate partner at Sustainable Value Partners in Washington, D.C.
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By Jon Williamson (Maryland-College Park 1965)
John T. Hays John T. Hays (Montana State 1935) was an engineering student at Oxford and returned to the California Institute of Technology to receive his doctorate in chemistry. He worked as a research associate and an organic chemist for Hercules. Hays also recruited potential candidates from colleges and universities for the company until he retired after working more than 40 years. He was involved with a government sponsored research program that invented synthetic rubber during World War II. Hays is the former president of the Delaware State Golf Association. He died February 1, 2000.
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History Denver as a professor of sociology. In 1962, Sikes retired from the university as a professor emeritus.
Thad N. Marsh After finishing his undergraduate work at Kansas, Thad N. Marsh (South HON) joined the ranks of the Army Service Forces as corporal from 1945– 1946. He then studied at Oxford where he received his degree in English and literature. Upon graduation from college, he was employed at Rice University as an assistant to the president. He then taught at Centenary College of Louisiana and Muhlenberg College, and also served as dean of the English department for both colleges. In 1973, Marsh accepted a teaching position at the University of the South. He then became vice president of Texas Medical Center in 1978.
James H. Sledd James H. Sledd (Emory 1936) studied English and literature at Oxford and returned to the United States to receive his doctorate from the University of Texas in 1947. Upon graduation, he held teaching assignments at Texas, the University of Chicago, Duke University, and the University of California-Berkeley. He then served as an English professor at Northwestern University from 1960–1964. In 1953, he became a member of the executive council on the Linguistic Society of America Guggenheim Fellowship. Sledd was an instructor in navigation at the U.S. Naval Flight Preparatory School at the University of Texas from 1943–1945. A. Truman Schwartz A. Truman Schwartz (South Dakota 1956) studied chemistry at Oxford and returned home to receive his doctorate in physical chemistry at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1963. In 1966, Schwartz became the DeWitt Wallace Professor of Chemistry at Macalester College in St. Paul, Minnesota. He also has served the college as chairman of the department of chemistry and dean of the faculty. Schwartz’s laboratory research includes the separation of plasma proteins and the measurement of physical properties of biological macromolecules.
Albert L. McMillan After graduating from the University of South Dakota, Albert L. McMillan (South Dakota 1922) earned his law degree from the University of Chicago in 1923. He then practiced law and later became a city judge in Rapid City, South Dakota. He died November 14, 1943. James R. Midwinter After graduating from Oxford, James R. Midwinter (British Columbia 1951) dedicated much of his professional time to the Canadian Foreign Service. In 1954, he became a foreign service officer with the Department of Trade and Commerce. In 1965, he became chief of the Financing and Aid Division in Ottawa. He later served as a director and president of the Trade Investment Fund Ltd., the Forest Industry Branch, and the Resource Industry and Construction Branch. Midwinter later became assistant secretary to the Canadian Cabinet and was the inspector general of foreign operations.
Elmus R. Wicker Elmus R. Wicker (Louisiana State 1945) studied economics at Oxford and continued his education at Duke University, where in 1956, he received his doctorate in economics. In 1955, he began a career in higher education with Indiana University. Wicker is a former chairman of the economics department and has been a professor emeritus since 1992. He has been involved in the executive development program and the graduate school of savings and loans. Wicker was the recipient of the Social Service Research Council Training Fellowship in 1954, and the Ford Foundation Faculty Research Fellowship in 1963.
Carter C. Revard After receiving his undergraduate degree from the University of Tulsa and a master’s degree from Oxford, Carter C. Revard (Tulsa 1952) earned a doctorate in English from Yale University. Upon graduation, he taught at Amherst College, and later became a professor of medieval English literature at the University of Washington in St. Louis, Missouri. Named one of the Outstanding Young Men in America in 1966, Revard was also awarded the Oklahoma Book Award for his book of poems, An Eagle Nation, a Neil Ker Fellowship from the British Academy, and a residency from the Millay College for the Arts in 1977. Walter E. Sikes Walter E. Sikes (Denver 1918) studied theology at Oxford and returned to New York City’s Union Theology Seminary where he studied for several years. After his ordination in 1924, he was a Methodist missionary in India from 1923–1929. Upon returning to the United States, Sikes accepted a position at the University of www.crossandcrescent.com
Source: Summer and Winter 1999 editions, Cross & Crescent.
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FEATURE
Academic All-Star Alexander Hertel-Fernandez was named one of the 20 members of USA TODAY’s 2008 All-USA College Academic First Team. By Tad Lichtenauer (Denison 1987) On February 13, 2008, USA TODAY published its 2008 All-USA College Academic First Team, and featured among them on the 20-member first team was Alexander Hertel-Fernandez (Northwestern 2008).
Yet the accounts Fernandez heard from doctors, nurses, and grieving mothers in the poorer communities of Santiago told a much different story than the national statistics celebrated by politicians and international representatives.
A political science major at Northwestern University, he has studied infant mortality in Chile, his mother’s native country. He’s also earned a Rotary Foundation ambassadorial scholarship and Howard Hughes Medical Institute research fellowship.
“Driven by these experiences, I decided to delve into the epidemiological data of infant mortality, looking beyond the national rates that might mask the plight of vulnerable groups, such as the poor and the uneducated,” he says. Such a study had not been conducted before, principally due to the difficulties associated with collecting and compiling historical life and death records for the entire country.
The USA TODAY program recognizes outstanding undergraduates for their vision, combined with a results-oriented idealism, and an entrepreneurial spirit.
To gather the data, Fernandez had to canvass six government agencies over four months, compiling records as he went. When the collection, compilation, and analysis were finally completed, he had uncovered several alarming trends that confirmed his original suspicions.
The 20 first-team members, selected by a panel of judges from among nearly 500 juniors and seniors, each received $2,500 cash awards as representatives of all outstanding undergraduates. Second- and thirdteam members also were selected, along with honorable mentions (see sidebar).
“Poor families were nearly eight times more likely to have a child die before their first birthday than wealthier families, a trend that has only worsened over the past 15 years,” he says in his essay. “I also discovered that the much-lauded infant mortality decline was actually driven by the decreases in child deaths amongst the wealthiest families, while child deaths amongst the poor had actually increased.”
Research Work in Chile “When I began college, I was passionate about biological research,” Fernandez says in the essay application he submitted to USA TODAY. “This remains an area of great interest, but I came to realize that my true passion involved analyzing the social and political implications of biology and health care.”
His research findings about overall declines in infant mortality rates in Chile were published in the Bulletin of World Health Organization, where his work caught the attention of Chile’s former health minister.
As a part of his junior-year study abroad in Chile, he arranged for an opportunity to conduct a research project at the World Health Organization offices in Santiago, Chile.
The two of them are now co-authoring an article for the popular press to call on the current administration in Chile to implement a new child health initiative.
When he considered his research, he was struck by the inequities in Chilean health that he witnessed as a volunteer at a public polyclinic for the indigent, particularly the injustices of infant and child malnutrition and mortality.
“It is the potential to speak for those without a voice — the disadvantaged, the poor, and above all, for children — that motivates me to continue this work, and also why I consider this research to be my most significant achievement,” Fernandez says in his essay.
According to many published reports, Chile has long been lauded in the public health community for its “infant mortality decline miracle;” national child death rates have plummeted by nearly 93% since 1955 — an unprecedented fall.
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FEATURE Lambda Chi When Fernandez arrived at Northwestern he realized, not surprisingly, that Lambda Chi Alpha was the best choice of fraternity.
Two More All-Stars
“What initially attracted me was how involved all of the guys were in the house on campus and other activities,” he says. “That really impressed me. So when it came time to rush, it was really a nobrainer for me.”
A computer engineering major, he is credited with discovering how to do matrix multiplication using quantum computing techniques.
Josh Wood (Valparaiso 2008) was named to the third team of USA TODAY’s 2008 All-USA College Academic team.
After graduation, Wood plans to pursue a graduate degree in electrical and computer engineering, specializing in nanotechnology, as well as a master of business administration degree. Currently, he is considering Stanford University, University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign, and Georgia Institute of Technology.
In addition to being president and founder of the university’s Latin Student Organization, Fernandez also serves as a volunteer for the ESL-Mentoring Program at Stockton Elementary School in Chicago, Illinois.
One day he hopes to design the next series of computing technology, something that would ultimately replace current transistor-based processing.
“When I’m looking for volunteers one of the first places I go is the house because I know there are people there who are always looking for opportunities,” he says.
“Being selected on the All-USA College Academic team was a great honor that reassured me that my research has great potential and that I am heading in the right path,” Wood says. “It also helped to recognize those who have helped me along my way -- whether they be faculty members, Lambda Chi Alpha brothers, friends, or Valparaiso University itself.”
In general, the unique balance of academics and volunteering are very important to Fernandez, so he appreciates having some sense of giving back to the community where he lives.
Having served as the chapter’s scholastic chairman and secretary, he strives to embody the Fraternity’s Christian ideals, Ritual teachings, and Seven Core Values every day.
“Those are both two very important pillars of the Fraternity,” he says. “So I’ve internalized that in turn. First and foremost I am here in college to be a student...to do the best I can in classes. But I feel that community service also is an amazing opportunity to keep you grounded so you don’t get caught up in your own world, in your own bubble.”
“I continue to enjoy the bond I share with my brothers, and always will; I know that they are there if I need help, and they are always a source of entertainment and encouragement,” he says. “The Christian ideals of the fraternity have helped me spiritually, and I know that that growth will be crucial through the rest of my spiritual life. Jordan DeHerrera (Denver 2007) was named as an honorable mention on the USA TODAY’s 2008 All-USA College Academic team.
Next Adventure In the short term, Fernandez has joined Midwest Service Employees International Union and plans to spend some time after graduation educating home healthcare workers and daycare providers, many of whom are unlicensed, about their rights and union options.
He will graduate in June 2009 with a combined bachelor’s degree in economics, a master of business administration degree, and master of accountancy degree. DeHerrera plans to pursue a doctoral degree in economics or law and he would ultimately like to work in a public policy think tank as a research fellow.
“After that I’d love to go back to Latin America,” he says. “I’ve applied for some fellowships that would hopefully send me back to do some research and work with NGOs (non-governmental organizations) in Argentina and Peru. Then after that I think maybe graduate school... and end up doing something in global health and health policy.”
His essay submission for the USA Today All-USA College Academic team dealt with the individual responsibility and accountability that we all face as members of a community. “It’s a principle that’s been greatly reinforced for me through Lambda Chi Alpha and its teachings of strength protecting innocence,” he says. “I wrote about how the greatest thinkers and catalysts for change have always advocated a strong sense of community responsibility.” As a part of his experiences, DeHerrera organized an initial service learning trip to Juarez, Mexico. Four out of the seven participants were Lambda Chis and on the board of the nonprofit he founded, three of the four executive officers are Lambda Chi. He also credits Drew Hunter (Denver 1980) and Mike Smith (Denver 1976) as serving as important mentors, and helping him launch his nonprofit. “The nonprofit development was a big reason why I was selected for the USA Today honor and so I am very grateful for both Mike and Drew’s help,” DeHerrera says. “I truly believe that my accomplishments are the result of a collaborative, group effort, even those that appear to be individually driven. It is only because of the support of great friends, family, and mentors that I’ve been able to achieve what I have.”
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FEATURE
Major League Pitcher A starting pitcher for the Kansas City Royals, Brian Bannister hopes to follow in his father’s footsteps and become an All-Star. Brian Bannister is a second generation professional baseball player. Growing up he spent time around some of the baseball greats.
By Chris Barrick (Butler 2004)
Not only did Bannister work hard in athletics but he devoted himself to academics. He was named All Pac-10 Academics, Academic AllAmerican, and graduated cum laude. “I was very proud of that, graduating with above a 3.5 as an athlete, because a lot of athletes don’t view their academics as important. I really put in my time to make sure mine weren’t lacking.”
“Guys that are now in the Major League Hall of Fame were friends and role models to me,” says Bannister (Southern California 2003). “I got to see how they practiced and played in the games and how they were behind the scenes.”
The Minors Bannister remembers sitting in his room at USC and logging into the computer and watching as name after name was announced in the 2003 MLB draft. At pick No. 199, the New York Mets selected Bannister. “I just sat there, not knowing if my name was going to be called...it’s a nerve-racking experience,” recalls Bannister. “I was excited I was going to be a Met.”
Bannister has taken much from the lessons he learned as a kid and has now made his own name. Much like his father Floyd Bannister, he is a Kansas City Royals pitcher. He hopes that he will also follow in his father’s footsteps and become an All-Star pitcher.
He played his first season as a Brooklyn Cyclone, the AA farm club of the New York Mets. He lived in a dorm room with four other guys at a local community college and took a packed van every day to the field in Coney Island. Bannister says going from being at an elite program at USC to the bottom of the totem pole was overwhelming.
USC While about 45 percent of men drafted in the Major League Baseball draft never attend a four year college, Bannister understood the importance of getting his degree. With an initial interest in going to film school, Bannister decided on attending the University of Southern California.
“There are so many guys trying to make it that you just try to stand out by playing a little better, having a better personality, or being a better teammate,” says Bannister. “Each year I kept getting better and moving up.”
Bannister quickly realized it was not possible to both attend film school and play baseball. He began working towards an art degree and fell in love photography.
Bannister recalls a lot of long days and long bus rides while in the minors but after only two and a half years in the minor league system, he made the Mets’ roster out of the 2006 spring training.
“I realized that photography was a lot like film, the principles and concepts are exactly the same except I am working with still instead of moving images,” says Bannister. “I thought of photography as an alternative route to the film career.”
The League “On Opening Day they were doing introductions of the new team and we all ran out. Shea Stadium was sold out and I remember they called out the names of the guys before me and then they announced: ‘Brian Bannister No. 40, welcome to the major leagues!’ The cheering was so loud you could feel the noise. I was standing next to Pedro Martinez, it was an unforgettable moment.”
Bannister began his college baseball career living a life of privilege. His first two years, USC played in the College World Series. He was part of a pitching rotation that included the San Diego Padres’ Mark Prior and St. Louis Cardinals’ Anthony Reyes.
Two days later Bannister made his professional debut against the Washington Nationals. After five strong starts (2-0, 2.89 ERA), he injured his hamstring while running the bases after one of his at bats. He spent the next 60 days on the disabled list, and then was sent to the minors for rehab. That winter, he was traded to the Kansas City Royals.
“That was the first time I pitched in front of a large crowd of over 20,000 people or televised on ESPN,” he says. “I remember that was an important part of my career. I knew if I could pitch in front of the crowd and on TV, I could play professionally.” www.crossandcrescent.com
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FEATURE “I spent a couple years of my childhood there so I was familiar with the city, familiar with the organization and the stadium.” says Bannister. “It was a really good opportunity and I really enjoyed playing for the Royals last season.” Bannister managed a 12-9 season with a 3.87 ERA and finished third in the American League Rookie of the Year voting. “The first thing you want to do when you are in the major leagues is just show everyone that you can handle the pressure and be a consistent performer. Last year I showed I could do that,” says Bannister. “Going into this season they have higher expectations of me and I have higher expectations of me. Above all I want to go out and be consistent and improve on what I did last year.”
Harris Begins Season with Twins
On November 28, 2007, the Tampa Bay Devil Rays traded Brendan Harris (William & Mary 2004) to the Minnesota Twins in a multi-player deal. He is scheduled to be the Twins starting second baseman this season. Harris was traded to Tampa Bay in January 2007, where he had been the starting shortstop for the majority of 2007 season.
Photography Bannister got to experience the Los Angeles photography scene while at USC and when he went home to Phoenix following college, he noticed a lack of resources for professional photographers. In 2004, Bannister opened a photography studio called Loft 19 Studios.
In 2005 and 2006, he saw limited playing time with the Washington Nationals, with whom he served in the capacity of utility infielder. In July 2006, he was sent by Washington in another multi-player trade to the Cincinnati Reds. In 2004, Harris made his major-league debut with the Cubs, but was sent at the July 31 trade deadline to the Montréal Expos as part of a multiplayer, multi-team trade.
“At the time, I didn’t know where my baseball career was going so I was really pursuing photography in almost a parallel career,” he says
After graduating from The College of William and Mary, he was selected in the fifth round of the 2001 amateur draft by the Chicago Cubs. As a senior at W&M, Harris set single season records for home runs (18), RBIs (69), and slugging percentage (.757) leading the school to a conference title and its first NCAA bid since 1983.
Loft 19 Studios has hosted photographers from all around the world to photograph athletes, celebrities, personalities and business icons. “They come to the studio and conduct really fun photo shoots,” he says.
Harris was featured in the June 2006 Cross & Crescent.
Bannister’s photography has been featured in the New York Times, the New York Daily News, Studio Photography, American Photo, and in the March 2008 issue of Sports Illustrated for Kids.
“I felt like it was going to benefit me in the long run to have longterm friends, have a home base to go to every night, have guys I can rely on if I needed anything,” he explains. “After a while, (coach) realized that it was having a positive impact on me.”
The Fraternity Bannister wanted to wait a semester to join a fraternity to see where other guys he knew were joining. He says that all the guys he thought to be quality guys joined Lambda Chi.
Banister served as the scholastics chair for a semester, not being able to serve the full term due to athletics. “Some of the guys in the house were struggling (with academics) at the time and I thought that was one way I could contribute.”
“They seemed to be enjoying their experience and creating quality relationships,” says Bannister. “I honestly joined the fraternity to have those relationships with those guys because I thought they were quality guys.”
Bannister says he has always valued the Fraternity’s Christian teachings that matched his own. He also believes that the significance of the Ritual was instrumental in his Fraternity experience.
Bannister says it was taboo for members of the baseball team to join fraternities. The team’s coach didn’t look favorably on fraternities because of the stereotypes of some other organizations.
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“I am just proud to be a part of Lambda Chi and all that it means and all that we stand for,” he says.
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