Cross & Crescent a Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity publication
INSIDE:
Packers’ Offensive Expert Joe Philbin, Green Bay Packers offensive coordinator Baker Receives Top Honor Psychologist, educator, chapter adviser Centennial Celebration Preview 100 Years of Notable Alumni January 2008 . XCV . Issue 1
Cross & Crescent a Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity publication Features Chapter News 3 Chapter and Alumni News History 7 100 Years of Notable Alumni Fraternity News 10 Centennial Celebration Preview
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Packers’ Offensive Expert Joe Philbin coordinates the offensive for the playoff-bound NFL Green Bay Packers. After several successful stints as a college assistant coach, he is making the most of his first NFL opportunity. By Chris Barrick (Butler 2004)
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Baker Receives Top Honor In November 2007, psychologist Dr. Elgan Baker received the Hans H. Strupp Award, his profession’s highest honor. In addition, he also has served the Fraternity in numerous capacities as an alumnus over the last 35 years. Tad Lichtenauer (Butler 1987)
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 January 2008
CHAPTER NEWS
Chapter News Chapter news, alumni news, and reports of death Auburn (Omega)
Butler (Alpha-Alpha)
J.D. Henderson was sworn in as IFC president at a dinner and awards banquet held in November 2007.
Chapter members and their dates attended the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra on November 16, 2007. Marc Rueffer (1988) is a financial adviser doing business as Rueffer Financial Services in Carmel, Indiana.
Cal State-Northridge (Beta-Rho)
Auburn-Montgomery (Phi-Kappa)
Approximately 120 members and guests attended the chapter’s 35th chartering anniversary celebration, during which The House Corporation revealed plans for the chapter’s new $6 million housing compound. Executive Vice President Emeritus George Spasyk (Michigan 1949) presented the keynote address, and Order of Merit recipients Howard Brightman (California-Los Angeles 1968) and Tom Lawrence (Northwestern 1959) also attended the event.
Chapter members and the women of Alpha Gamma Delta hosted a Halloween party for the children of Brantwood, a home for children who have been neglected and abused. Chapter members also helped American Humanics, a student organization, with its Children’s Christmas Program that brings holiday cheer to needy children. The chapter collected 19,481 pounds of food for the North American Food Drive.
Boston (Alpha)
Joseph C. Muzyka Sr. (1957) died November 6, 2007. A World War II and Korean War veteran, he was employed for a number of years by the Virginia Health Department.
California-Davis (Delta-Gamma)
The chapter has nine members on the varsity football team, including James Amos (2007) — a three-time First Team defensive player in the Great West Football Conference.
Bradley (Kappa-Upsilon)
The colony held an Initiation Ritual for 30 associate members on December 8, 2007.
Cincinnati (Gamma-Gamma)
Leslie J. “Jim” Halfpenny (1952) died November 14, 2007. He was a longtime architect in the Buffalo, New York area.
Bucknell (Delta)
Arjun Raman (2009) was elected IFC recruitment chair, and Penton Mott (2010) alcohol awareness chair.
Drury (Theta-Sigma)
Jimmy Murphy (2009) is a member of the varsity baseball team.
Student Body President and chapter Vice President-External Weston Kissee (2008) was named the December Make a Difference Winner by the Student Organization. He was recognized for being a true leader and member of more than eight different campus organizations, and for helping with the leadership development of younger Fraternity brothers.
Chapter members raised $3,500 for charity in conjunction with the 20th annual Bucknell Pink 5K race held on October 28, 2007, organized in part by Nick Panaro (2008). Gerald N. Hall (1956) died September 19, 2007.
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CHAPTER NEWS
Duke (Gamma-Theta)
Kansas (Zeta-Iota)
Ronald E. Mintz (1948) died October 31, 2007.
Edward Downard Jr. (1949) died October 28, 2007. A World War II veteran, he established the public accounting firm of Downard & King in Wichita, Kansas, where he worked until his retirement in 1991.
Eastern Illinois (Phi-Alpha)
Kevin Piket (1997) has accepted a new position as the central region account executive for Solutionz Conferencing beginning in January 2008. He also was appointed to the Last Fling Executive Planning Committee for the Naperville Jaycees. The Last Fling is a festival during Labor Day weekend that generates more than $250,000 in profit for local charities.
Louisville (Zeta-Sigma)
Patrick Patterson (2006) accepted a position as Lambda Chi Alpha’s associate director of information technology in November 2007. Patterson previously served his chapter as vice president and secretary.
Florida State (Zeta-Rho)
Maine (Beta)
Jordan Bolton (2011) is a member of the varsity basketball team.
The chapter has approximately 25 undergraduate members.
Georgia (Nu)
Skip Edwards (2011) is a member of the varsity track team, competing in high jump and 400 meters.
George Washington (Delta-Xi)
The chapter collected 3,500 pounds of food for the North American Food Drive, and another 1,500 pounds of food in a separate, campus-wide program.
John T. Hutto Jr. (1978) died October 24, 2007.
Kevin Burkett (1999) died November 23, 2007. He was a former middle school teacher in Cape Coral, Florida.
Massachusetts (Gamma)
Georgetown (Kappa-Omega)
David A. Kretschmar (1962) died on May 27, 2007.
The chapter was named the 2006–2007 intramural champions.
Miami-FL (Epsilon-Omega)
During the 2007 homecoming, the chapter won the Best Overall Male Performance Award at Songfest.
The chapter has approximately 44 brothers. Aaron Kurincak (2008) and Francis Torralba (2009) are members of the varsity cheerleading team.
Chapter members raised 12,000 pounds of food for the North American Food Drive. The food will be donated to the AMEN House and the Salvation Army.
Mike Malozemoff (2007) was elected IFC chief justice. Chapter members unloaded pumpkins at a local church as part of their philanthropic work.
Georgia Tech (Beta-Kappa)
The chapter has approximately 100 undergraduate members, with 26 new associate members.
Hanover (Theta-Zeta)
Chapter members hosted actor and environmental activist Ed Begley Jr. for a tour of the chapter house. Begley praised the chapter’s communal living concept and efficient use of space, and chapter President Dustin Gardner (2009) said the chapter plans to become one of the top Greek environmental organizations on campus.
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January 2008
CHAPTER NEWS
Michigan (Sigma)
Murray State (Lambda-Eta)
More than 120 members and guests, including Executive Vice President Emeritus George Spasyk (1949), attended Michigan’s homecoming and alumni reunion activities on October 12, 2007. Organized by George Pomey (1965), 65 members and wives from the 1960s held additional reunion events, including a Friday dinner at the Ann Arbor Golf and Outing Club and a Saturday dinner at the Ann Arbor Women’s City Club. The Alumni Association presented its semiannual academic achievement recognitions and chapter President Sean Ruwart (2008) gave a progress report. Many alumni in attendance were from the chapter’s great singing teams of the 1950s and 1960s, and Bruce Galbraith (1962) led the group with a mix of Michigan and Lambda Chi Alpha songs.
Michael C. Taylor (1992) died December 4, 2007.
Nashville Area Alumni Association More than 20 alumni members attended the Nashville Area Alumni Association dinner on November 27, 2007, at Bound’ry Restaurant in Nashville, Tennessee. For more information on the alumni association, please contact Alex Davie at xandavie@ gmail.com.
Ohio (Alpha-Omega)
Michigan State (Gamma-Omicron)
The chapter currently has 68 undergraduate members.
The chapter has approximately 42 undergraduate members, with 19 associates.
Jeff Hummel (2007), Ryan Lionas (2008), and Paul Bonenberger (2008) are members of the Senior Class Council.
The chapter has ranked No. 1 in GPA for the past two quarters.
Bonenberger also serves the Fraternity as a member of SAC.
David Jones was elected IFC philanthropy chairman, and Tyler Hinkle IFC judicial board member.
Casey Finn (2008) is the external vice president of the IFC.
Oklahoma (Gamma-Rho)
The chapter has approximately 163 undergraduate members.
Chapter President Joe Manzella (2007) was selected as 2007 Greek Man of the Year.
Eddie Coates (2008) was named 2007 homecoming king.
Chapter members sponsored the Junior 500 Push Car Race in 1948, which raises money for St. John’s Food Cupboard.
Mike Detten (2008) was elected IFC recruitment chairman. The chapter hosted the Salvation Army Bell Ringers, and also is sponsoring an economically-challenged family for the holidays.
Mississippi State (Epsilon-Chi)
The chapter currently has approximately 41 undergraduate members.
The chapter is currently No. 1 in intramurals.
Philip Vanderleest (2010) is one of the Music Makers, the team responsible for bringing entertainment acts to campus.
Pennsylvania (Epsilon)
Joseph Alessi (1952) died June 10, 2007.
Missouri-Columbia (Gamma-Kappa)
San Diego (Delta-Kappa)
The chapter currently has 70 undergraduate members. Brian Van Gronigen (2009) was elected IFC president.
Eric Bakhtiari (2007) was selected as the defensive player of the year in the Pioneer Football League. He also is a finalist for the Hendricks Award, given to the best defensive end in college.
Steve Oslica (2009) is the editor-in-chief of the university newspaper.
Ryan T. King (2010) is a member of the varsity football team.
San Diego State (Zeta-Pi)
Chapter members raised $2,500 by hosting five poker tournaments for the Rainbow House in Columbia, Missouri.
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The chapter received the Chapter Enrichment Award and the
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January 2008
CHAPTER NEWS
Outstanding Chapter Management Award at the 2007 Greek Unity Awards Ceremony held on December 3, 2007.
Chapter members won Best Fraternity Award in the 2007 AllSing competition.
Southeast Missouri State (Delta-Phi)
Chapter members won the intramural football championship, led by quarterback Ryan Springer (2010).
Chapter members assisted the local Boy Scouts of America chapter with the Scouting for Food campaign. Neal E. Boyd (1998) is a district sales coordinator for American Family Life Assurance Company (AFLAC), and he was recently named Rookie of the Year for Missouri. In April 2007, the Missouri governor appointed Boyd to the Missouri Training and Employment Council.
Truman State (Phi-Psi)
Chapter members held Watermelon Fest, benefiting the North American Food Drive. In addition, members organized a canned food drive at a local elementary school with the winning class receiving a pizza party. For 2007, the brothers raised 261,646 pounds of food, the most of any chapter.
Scott Giles (1994), treasurer for the Missouri Higher Education Loan Authority (MOHELA), was selected as Southeast Missouri State University’s Young Alumni Merit Award winner. He also is an officer on the Southeast Missouri State Alumni Association, and one of two Lambda Chis who are members of the University Foundation’s President’s Council.
Southern Methodist (Gamma-Sigma)
Texas-San Antonio (Phi-Upsilon)
F. Douglas Allday (1971) died December 2, 2007. He was a sales manager for STATS ChipPAC, president of Kyocera Solar, and vice president of operations and regional sales manager for Kyocera America.
Former Fraternity staff member Shane Foley (2002) facilitated a session of the Undergraduate Interfraternity Institute at Indiana University.
Wabash (Alpha-Kappa)
Tennessee-Chattanooga (Zeta-Phi)
The chapter has 11 members on the varsity football team, including John Anthrop (2011), Mark Ellis (2008), Matthew Kraft (2009), Scott Liska (2009), David Mann (2009), Tanner Martin (2009), Adrian Pynenberg (2008), Richard Roomes (2008), Paul Tyson (2011), Gerald Watson (2010), and Daniel Wood (2011).
Bill Staley (2008), Juan Moreno (2008), Bradley Jones (2010), and Andrew Ebersole (2010), Hector Azor (2011), and Jeff Bogue (2011) were selected to be summer 2008 orientation leaders, the most of any fraternity on campus for fifth straight year. Chapter President Jason Roberts (2007) was elected president of Criminal Justice Club.
Washington D.C. Area Alumni Association More than 15 alumni members attended the Washington, D.C. Area Alumni Association’s inaugural reception held on November 29, 2007, at Penn Quarter Sports Tavern in Washington, D.C. Attendees included James Bond (Central Missouri State 1978), the 1977 Duke Flad Award recipient.
Evan Clark (2008) was elected treasurer of the Criminal Justice Club.
Members of the Student Government Association include: Staley, president; Clint Daniel (2009), treasurer; Scott Stuart, parlimentarian; Chase Manning (2009), athletics committee chairman; Ross Terry (2008), senator; Francis Cuddihee (2010), senator; Moreno, senator; Roberts, senator. Members of the Freshman Senate include, Bogue, vice president, and Ryan Pack (2011), sergeant-at-arms. www.crossandcrescent.com
Cross & Crescent
January 2008
HISTORY
100 Years of Notable Alumni Highlights from the sports world
By Jon Williamson (Maryland-College Park 1965)
The Concept of brotherhood is a fairly simple one. A few people get together, become friends, and work as one toward the accomplishment of some common goals while undergraduates. They are bonded by their ritual and philosophy.
Services for “demonstrating a unique commitment to Bible reading and/or encouraging Bible reading in a special way.” Dr. Abe Mickal (Louisiana State 1935) was a first team All-American and was selected for Sports Illustrated’s silver anniversary team and is a member of the College Football Hall of Fame. Mickal chose to attend medical school and subsequently dedicated his life to his community. Ultimately, he became the long-term chairman of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the Louisiana State University Medical Center in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Although their interests extend outward as they pursue their majors, participate in other activities and make friendships beyond the Fraternity, they continue to support each other with acceptance and encouragement. Eventually they will leave college and the chapter, taking with them the relationships they have developed. And each year the more successful chapters will replenish the lifeblood of a brotherhood with new members of the highest quality.
Our most celebrated football player and athlete of our first half-century was Charley Trippi (Georgia 1944). Even today, he is rated as the 20th best college player ever by ESPN. As was true of the majority of athletes of the 1940s, he served in the armed forces during World War II and then returned to college. He was awarded the Maxwell Trophy (1946), emblematic of the best college football player and signed a contract for $100,000 (an unheard of amount in those days) with the Chicago Cardinals. In 1947, the Cardinals became world champions, and Trippi was later inducted into both the College Football Hall of Fame (1959) and the Professional Football Hall of Fame (1968).
So how did Lambda Chi Alpha do it in its earliest years? In the early 1900s Lambda Chi Alpha had no competitive advantage. We were the new kids on the block. We had no reputation, no tradition, and no alumni. Our competitors — the Betas, the Dekes, PsiU, the Alpha Delts, SAEs, and Sigma Chis — had chapter houses, popularity, large chapters, wealthy alumni, and established rituals. Why would anyone want to join a new and unknown organization, especially if you had been successful academically or athletically in high school? I’m not sure we can reach consensus on the answer.
Our best known football player of the modern era is Fred Biletnikoff (Florida State 1965). He played with one team, the Oakland Raiders, and was the Most Valuable Player in Super Bowl XI. He retired as a Raiders coach in 2007 after 18 years. He is also a member of both the College (1991) and Professional Football Halls of Fame (1994). The Fred Biletnikoff Award is awarded annually to the best wide receiver in college football.
What history teaches us is that Lambda Chi Alpha was successful. In celebration of our upcoming centennial anniversary, we will pay tribute to some of our most notable brothers from different industries and eras. This month we want to recognize some of our most distinguished alumni from the sports world. Football Dr. Leonard Charpier (Illinois 1918) was the first Lambda Chi to play professional football for the Chicago Cardinals in 1921. He later went on to attend medical school at the University of Chicago and became a surgeon.
Basketball
In 1922, Henry P. Iba (Westminster 1927) became a member of the Westminster basketball team, and also a member of Theta Kappa Nu Fraternity. He would later enter the coaching profession and in 1934, after stints at two other colleges, he became the head coach at Oklahoma A&M University (Oklahoma State University). By the time he retired in 1970, his teams had won back-to-back NCAA titles in 1945 and 1946, and secured 655 victories in those 36
Maurice Witherspoon (Washington & Jefferson 1922) was selected for Walter Camp’s All-American team in 1915, and was chosen to be the captain of the Washington & Jefferson football team for the 1916 season. Instead of remaining for another year, he left college and joined the U.S. Navy to serve in World War I and World War II as a chaplain. The Witherspoon Award, established in 1981, is named after him, and is awarded annually to a chaplain in the Armed
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January 2008
HISTORY
seasons. In 1964 and 1968, Iba was the coach of the U.S. team in the Olympics that won the gold medal, as well as the 1972 team which refused to accept the silver medal as a result of controversial officiating at the end of the gold medal game. He is a member of six halls of fame, including the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame (2007). One of Iba’s players on the 1964 team was Larry Brown (California-Los Angeles HON). Brown would go on to achieve unparalleled heights as both a college and professional coach. A few years after being a member of the 1968–1969 ABA champion Oakland Oaks team, he began his professional coaching career as the head coach of the Carolina Cougars. In the 1980s, he spent five years as the University of Kansas’ head coach, leading them to the NCAA title in 1988. Returning to the pro ranks, he led the Detroit Pistons to the NBA title in the 2003-2004 season.
The Chicago Cubs were blessed with outstanding players from the mid-1960s to the mid-1970s, three of whom were Ferguson Jenkins (Illinois State HON), Ron Santo (Illinois State HON), and Billy Williams (Illinois State HON), and all of whom were initiated by our Illinois State University chapter. Jenkins played with four teams during his Hall of Fame (1991) career, winning the Cy Young Award in 1971. Williams played with the Cubs for 16 years and was selected by the Sporting News as the player of the year in 1972. After retiring as a player, he became a coach and hitting instructor and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1987. Santo played with the Cubs for 14 years and is now a broadcaster for the team.
Rick Pitino (Massachusetts 1974) began his coaching career in 1978 at Boston University. Since then he has led three different teams to the NCAA Final Four with the University of Kentucky winning in 1996. He is currently the head coach at the University of Louisville.
Two Lambda Chis, Cliff Chambers (Washington State 1942) and Larry Dierker (California-Santa Barbara 1967), each pitched a no-hitter during their careers. Chambers pitched his on May 6, 1951, against the Boston Braves and Dierker pitched his on July 9, 1976, against the Montreal Expos. Dierker also was a two-time all-star and served as the manager of the Houston Astros from 1997 through 2001, guiding them to four 1st place finishes.
Baseball Baseball is considered America’s game and Lambda Chi Alpha has been a part of it since Alvah Elliott (Wisconsin 1915) played with the Philadelphia Athletics in 1919.
Other Sports Axel Gravem (California-Berkeley 1917) was described as a breezy Californian with unfailing optimism. Prior to graduating in 1918, he was the captain of the tennis team and among the 20 best amateur tennis players in the United States. Gravem was Lambda Chi Alpha’s first Rhodes Scholar and became the captain (president) of Oxford University’s tennis team while studying in England. He served in World War I with the U.S. Expeditionary Forces and, after graduating from Oxford, practiced law until his retirement.
Six years later, Gordon Stanley “Mickey” Cochrane (Boston 1925), who had played five sports at Boston University, began the 1925 season as the starting catcher with the same team. By 1934, when he had been traded to the Detroit Tigers, Cochrane had played in three World Series, winning in 1929 and 1930. As the player-manager of the Tigers he played in two more World Series, winning in 1935. Although critically injured when hit by a pitched ball playing with the Tigers, he served in the U.S. Navy in World War II. He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1947 and is still considered one of the greatest catchers of all time.
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In 1935, Gardnar Mulloy (University of Miami-FL 1938) became the school’s first student to receive a tennis scholarship — and organized and coached the university’s first team. Later he helped build its first tennis stadium. During World War II, Mulloy was in the U.S. Navy, commanding an LST-32, a tank landing ship, and was awarded two battle stars. In a tennis career that lasted into his 90s,
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HISTORY
Mulloy played on the U.S. Davis Cup team and won four U.S. Open doubles titles, as well as a doubles championship at Wimbledon. Hydroplane racing is synonymous with the name Bill Muncey (Rollins College 1953). This type of event involves racing hydroplanes on lakes and rivers at speeds between 130 and 160 miles per hour. Muncey is regarded as the greatest racer in the history of this sport. During his racing career he won eight Gold Cups, seven U.S. National Championships and four World Championships. He has been inducted into three halls of fame, including the International Motorsports Hall of Fame in 2004.
Editor’s Note
Due to an editorial change for this month’s magazine, Jono Hren’s (Florida Tech 1975) History article -- The Paedagogus, Part 2 -- will be published in the February 2008 issue.
Non Players
Playing a sport isn’t a prerequisite to having a major impact on the industry. Bill Rasmussen (DePauw 1954) turned being fired as an employee for the World Hockey Association’s New England Whalers into a creative opportunity. He and his son Scott —who had been fired at the same time — created a 24 hour, seven days a week, worldwide sports network known as the Entertainment and Sports Programming Network, better known as ESPN. Today, ESPN is part of our sports lexicon, reaching 100 million homes in the United States and 150 countries.
We apologize for the delay. In ZAX, Editorial Staff, Cross & Crescent
For the 1956 Olympics, he was part of the four-man bobsled team that captured the bronze medal.
The name Dr. James Beckett (Southern Methodist 1970) is not familiar to most Americans, but mention Beckett Publications and you will begin to get nods of recognition. Beckett Publications is the publisher of 15 magazines, and the privately-held corporation is considered the go-to source of information for sports collectibles enthusiasts.
One of Butler’s sled mates was Arthur W. Tyler (Michigan 1937) who continually upgraded the quality of his sleds through scientific testing. He and Butler achieved their greatest success at the International level winning the gold medal in the four-man sled in 1959, the bronze medal in the two-man sled also in 1959, the silver medal in the two-man sled in 1957, and the bronze medal in the four-man sled in 1957.
In 2005, Brett Yormark (Indiana 1988) was hired away from his position as vice president of corporate marketing for NASCAR to become the president and CEO of the New Jersey Sports Network, parent company of the New Jersey Nets. While at NASCAR, he completed a $750 million, 10-year contract that changed the name from the Winston Cup Series to the Nextel Cup Series.
John D. McKinlay (Boston 1956) won the silver medal in fours without coxswain in rowing at the 1956 Olympics.
Olympics In 1956, three members of Lambda Chi Alpha won Olympic medals. Charles T. Butler (Brown University) formed the first intercollegiate bobsled club while at Brown and also played on the football team.
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Cross & Crescent
January 2008
FRATERNITY NEWS
Centennial Celebration Preview Scheduled events provide many opportunities for alumni and undergraduate participation. At this summer’s genera; assembly in Phoenix, Arizona, Lambda Chi Alpha will launch its official Centennial Celebration — commemorating 100 years since our founding in 1909.
By Mike Raymond (Miami-OH 1967)
Indianapolis Celebration
Warren A. Cole (Boston 1912), Lambda Chi Alpha’s founder, had a unique vision nearly a century ago. That vision has blossomed into one of the world’s most successful fraternal organizations, hosted by nearly 200 campuses, representing 10,000 active undergraduates, and more than 250,000 initiated brothers. Exciting plans are in place for our Centennial Celebration. The celebration will encompass 15 months of receptions, banquets, speakers’ series, a ritual exemplification at the Indianapolis Scottish Rite Cathedral, a tour of the Fraternity’s historical landmarks in Boston, Massachusetts, and a black tie gala that will have every other fraternity wishing they wore purple, green, and gold.
The third piece of the Centennial Celebration will take place from July 30–August 1, 2009, in Indianapolis, Indiana. Undergraduate programming will be offered during this event in addition to the majority of our celebratory activities. An opening dinner for alumni to interact with undergraduate programming participants will be held on Thursday, July 30, 2009. Then, on Friday, July 31, the real fun begins.
The 15-month celebration provides alumni and undergraduates several opportunities for participation, some even with very little travel required, as part of the festivities will be brought to you.
The Fraternity Headquarters will be open for tours and an opportunity to meet international leaders. Undergraduate and alumni educational programming will be provided in the afternoon.
Regional Celebrations From September 2008 through June 2009, the Fraternity will host approximately 25 mini-celebrations in major cities across North America. These receptions will present an opportunity for alumni to meet key volunteers and staff members, celebrate 100 years of rich history, and learn about plans for the second century. The regional receptions will be co-sponsored by several area alumni associations, which now exist in 15 cities.
That evening, chapter alumni organizations will have the opportunity to host private receptions at our host hotel (Sheraton North at Keystone at the Crossing). Following these receptions, everyone will convene at the Scottish Rite Cathedral downtown for dinner and the official centennial ritual exemplification. The Scottish Rite Cathedral’s theater will be a memorable venue for the performance of the Fraternity’s ritual.
During the excitement of our centennial year, the Fraternity will continue the practice of exposing undergraduate brothers to interchapter bonding and the international Fraternity through the use of conclaves. Chapters will petition the General Fraternity for the opportunity to host a conclave on their campus.
On Saturday, August 1, 2009, brothers will attend the ceremonial General Assembly that will be conducted at Butler University, directly across the street from the Lambda Chi chapter house. This ceremony will include official roll call, special recognition and awards for alumni and undergraduates, and the State of the Fraternity address by Grand High Alpha Dr. Ed Leonard III (William Jewell 1979).
Each conclave event will hold training on values-based recruiting with the Cole Recruitment Institute, provide officer training, as well as offer True Brother Initiative and Lambda Chi Alpha leadership training. The intent also will be to hold the Neville Advisers College for chapter advisers, plus house corporation training, education, and development.
Following the ceremonial General Assembly session, educational programs will be offered for alumni to learn about the Fraternity’s current operations and plans. That evening is the black tie gala, where all alumni, undergraduates and guests will come together to celebrate like only Lambda Chis
For more information about centennial conclaves, please contact Director of Chapter Services John Holloway (High Point 1993).
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January 2008
FRATERNITY NEWS know how to do. Tuxedo rentals will be available. This dinner function will be preceded by special affinity group receptions as well as a general reception. Nothing will be spared for this black tie event, red carpet and all. Alumni are strongly encouraged to bring guests to this celebration. A guest program will be organized, including a dessert reception (while brothers are in the ritual exemplification), shopping excursions at the Keystone Fashion Mall (adjacent to the host hotel), and plenty of other activities to enjoy while in town. Scheduled Alumni Receptions
Chapter Alumni Receptions
These are the current dates and locations in which the Fraternity staff is hosting an alumni reception between January-May 2008. More information about the centennial celebration will be available at these receptions. • January 18, 2008 Austin Alumni Dinner, Austin Club • January 22 2008 Houston Alumni Reception, Houston Club • January 23, 2008 San Antonio Alumni Reception, Hotel Valencia • February 2, 2008 Arkansas Grand High Alpha Banquet, Peabody Hotel, Little Rock • February 5, 2008 San Diego Alumni Reception, Marriott La Jolla • February 6, 2008 Los Angeles Alumni Reception, Universal Hilton • February 7, 2008 Newport Beach Alumni Reception, Pacific Club
The Fraternity has an opportunity for 10 chapter alumni groups to host private receptions prior to the dinner and ritual exemplification on Friday, July 31, 2009. If your chapter hosts an annual get together this might serve as the perfect opportunity to congregate.
• February 19, 2008 Charlotte Alumni Reception, South Park Marriott • February 21, 2008 Atlanta Alumni Reception, Ansley Golf Club • March 4, 2008 St. Louis Alumni Reception, Saint Louis Club • March 6, 2008 Dallas Alumni Reception, Brookhaven Country Club
Rather than hosting something on campus, why not combine a private chapter reception with the Centennial Celebration? If you are interested in learning more about hosting a private alumni reception, please contact Director of Alumni Relations Josh Lodolo (Cal StateNorthridge 2004).
• March 11, 2008 Orlando Alumni Reception, Marriott Downtown • March 13, 2008 Naples Alumni Luncheon, Grey Oaks Country Club • March 25–26, 2008 San Francisco Bay Area Alumni Reception, TBD • March 27, 2008 Sacramento Alumni Reception, Downtown Sheraton • March 29, 2008 North Carolina-Greensboro 25th Anniversary Reception, Grandover Resort
Boston Celebration The final event celebrating Lambda Chi Alpha’s centennial will take place in November 2009 where the Fraternity was founded: Boston, Massachusetts. This two-day event will consist of a tour of historic landmarks, including places where the name “Lambda Chi Alpha” was first uttered, the first chapter house, and plenty of other interesting historical landmarks.
• April 8, 2008 Chicago Alumni Reception, University Club • April 10, 2008 Nashville Alumni Reception, Belle Meade Country Club • April 24, 2008 Phoenix Alumni Reception, Arizona Biltmore • May 6, 2008 New York City Alumni Reception, Alston & Bird • May 8, 2008 Washington D.C. Alumni Reception, JW Marriott
This celebration also will include a reception with area alumni, and a formal dinner to close Lambda Chi Alpha’s first 100 years.
Make Plans Today An opportunity like this happens only once a century. Consider joining the thousands of alumni and undergraduate members of Lambda Chi Alpha who will be touched by one of these many celebratory opportunities.
Logo Contest If you just can’t wait until next summer for the celebration kickoff, you have an opportunity to get involved today. The Fraternity has organized a contest for alumni and undergraduate members to design the official centennial logo. This logo will appear on all celebratory materials, including letterhead and official Fraternity merchandise. All logo designs must be submitted in vector format to Josh Lodolo by March 31, 2008. www.crossandcrescent.com
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Cross & Crescent
January 2008
FEATURE
Packers’ Offensive Expert Joe Philbin coordinates the offensive for the playoff-bound NFL Green Bay Packers. Before attending college, Joe Philbin (Washington & Jefferson 1984) went to a fifth year of high school at a prep school in New England where his football coaches had a profound influence on him as an 18-year-old youngster.
By Chris Barrick (Butler 2004)
moved up in.” In 1999, Philbin became the offensive line coach for the University of Iowa Hawkeyes and in 2001 his line helped the Hawkeyes lead the Big Ten in scoring, third down conversion percentage, and red zone offense. In 2002, the line was even better; three of his linemen were named All-Big Ten and one made All-American.
When he graduated from college, a coach from the prep school, Mike Sherman, gave Philbin a shot as a graduate assistant coach at Tulane University.
Pros Come Calling Following the successful 2002 campaign at Iowa, Philbin’s old friend Mike Sherman came calling. Sherman was the head coach for the Green Bay Packers and had an offensive line coach position open. “I didn’t have a burning desire to coach in the NFL and I didn’t leave the college game for some big financial advantage,” Philbin says. “I really moved to Green Bay for Mike Sherman.”
College Philbin and a few other guys from prep school decided they all wanted to go to college together, and they chose Washington & Jefferson College in Washington, Pennsylvania.
Philbin has now moved into the position of offensive coordinator for the playoff-bound Packers. He credits favorable circumstances for his rapid rise in the franchise. “I never had a master plan for moving up the organizational chart,” says Philbin. “I like to think that people recognize quality work and you do your job, and if something pops up in the organization, you have the chance of getting promoted. It just worked out.”
“We wanted to go to a small school and get a quality education,” says Philbin. He played tight end for the school’s football team but admits he was a very marginal player at best. In fact, by the end of his time at W&J, he was helping the coaching staff.
Philbin says coaching in Green Bay is special. “I consider myself very fortunate to be a part of this organization because it is first class. The
Following graduation, he moved on as a graduate assistant at Tulane where he served as the tight ends coach. After a year, he began working with the offensive line. Philbin says most graduate assistants work with line coaches because there are more players there than any other position. In 1986, Philbin took his first full-time coaching job as the offensive line coach at Worcester Tech. He spent the next 12 years working at small colleges as an offensive line coach, with stints as offensive coordinator. “It wasn’t something I had designed and said ‘I am going to be an offensive line coach’ period,” says Philbin. “Offensive line is where I started at Tulane, so when I was looking for a full-time job, that’s where I had experience, so I gravitated there and that’s the area I
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FEATURE it. He stresses that the whole process is a combined effort of the coaches who work hard to see the team be successful. The work has paid off this season as the Green Bay Packers have had much success, winning the NFC North and earning a first round bye in the playoffs. “We’ve been fortunate, our guys have hung in there and competed,” says Philbin. “We don’t have a lot of superstars but a lot of guys contributing and playing well.” Fraternity When Philbin got to W&J, he was 600 miles away from his home and family. But he and friends from prep school quickly felt welcomed at Lambda Chi Alpha. community here is unbelievably supportive and we have some great men here.”
“Lambda Chi Alpha felt like home to us,” he says. He still looks back appreciatively at the opportunity to experience the Initiation Ritual.
Coaching Philbin has coached small colleges in Division III, some Division IAA (Harvard and Northeastern), then Iowa and now in the professional ranks. He says he has seen a little bit of everything in coaching football.
“I think the whole process of the ritual provides very vivid memories,” he says. “The process is a valuable thing for young people to go through.”
“To be frank, coaching (with the Packers) isn’t much different than coaching at the other stops I’ve made. You have 3 & 1 just like you did at Allegheny College and you have a goal-line offense just like you had at Washington & Jefferson,” says Philbin. “It’s all very similar and good football players and quality individuals are the same whether they’re professionals or amateurs. It’s not as different as many people think.”
Philbin served as Fraternity educator while in college but says his greatest memory of his Fraternity days was the chapter camaraderie. He felt the chapter had guys who truly cared about each other and had great chemistry. “I think that the camaraderie and being a part of something bigger than yourself -- being a spoke on a wheel, so to speak -- can be applied to business, football teams, families, etc.,” says Philbin. “I think in football and in coaching you want to build the same kind of relationships with the guys you coach, and the guys you coach with. If you do that you are going to have success.”
He also disagrees with the assumption that college coaches don’t want to work in the pros because of the egos and arrogance of professional players. In fact, Philbin hasn’t found players to act that way at all. Philbin arrives to work at 6 a.m., Monday through Thursday, and often works until 11 p.m. He explains that Friday is the one day when the staff gets to leave early in pro football.
Philbin has kept in touch with some of his Fraternity brothers, including Jeff King (Washington & Jefferson 1984), Rick Roth (Washington & Jefferson 1984), and Justin Herideen (Washington & Jefferson 1984), who all recently traveled together to attend a Redskins-Packers game.
“You try to get a little bit of sleep so you can have some enthusiasm when you are coaching,” says Philbin. “It’s rough during the season but in the NFL you have a pretty good off-season.”
“We hadn’t seen each other in a while, upwards of 10 to 12 years,” says Philbin. “We had a great time hanging around and catching up.”
Philbin says coaching is a cooperative effort. All the offensive coaches come together at the beginning of the week to work on a plan to defeat the opponent that week. “Every person has input and every guy has their specialty,” he says. “I’m in charge of the whole thing and present it to the head coach, making sure it’s what he’s looking for.” Philbin then presents broad information regarding the game plan to the players, and the position coaches give them details and fine-tune
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FEATURE
Baker Receives Top Honor In November 2007, psychologist Dr. Elgan Baker received the Hans H. Strupp Award, his profession’s highest honor. gROWING UP IN lEXINGTON, kENTUCKY, Dr. Elgan L. Baker Jr. (DePauw 1971) liked DePauw University in Greencastle, Indiana, from the moment he first visited the campus.
By Tad Lichtenauer (Butler 1987)
The Fraternity also helped shape his future career in psychology. “I think that clarification of the central importance of relationships not only became a kind of organizing theme in my life but also colored my choice of my profession, which very much is based on working with people and to form a helping relationship that will be facilitated to their growth and functioning in the world,” he says.
“It was far enough away from home that I thought my parents wouldn’t bother me, but close enough so that I could get home if I needed to,” he says.
Teaching and Private Practice After DePauw, Baker was accepted into the doctoral psychology program at the University of Tennessee, and completed his degree in 1976.
Baker also liked the school’s strong academic reputation and Greek system.
He then taught and finished his training in Houston, Texas, before moving to Indianapolis, Indiana, to teach at the Indiana University Medical School.
He began his studies as a premed major but along the way he became “very interested in psychology,” and eventually graduated with a triple major: pre-med, psychology, and French.
Having always wanted to be involved in academia, Baker soon realized that he loved to teach. “It is for me really gratifying to interact with students, to engage their intellectual curiosity, to watch them grow,” he says. “Because I have been involved a lot in professional education with medical students, graduate students, interns, residents, fellows, there’s a sense that as I help them to learn our field I am shaping the way in which they practice, which allows me to kind of indirectly touch the lives of a lot of the patients they will eventually treat.”
Joining Lambda Chi Baker joined Lambda Chi Alpha “for the same reason that most people do — I liked the guys who I met.” He was impressed by the caliber of the members and their collective sense of ambition.
In addition to teaching and his medical writings, Baker spends the rest of his time in his private practice, Meridian Psychological Associates, which he formed with a multi-disciplinary group of clinicians.
“I also felt from the beginning that there was a kind of closeness and emphasis on brotherhood that I didn’t feel so much at the other houses,” he says. During his undergraduate years, Baker served the chapter as alumni secretary, rush chairman, and president.
Hans H. Strupp Award At the 2007 Leadership Seminar last summer in Memphis, Tennessee, Baker received a call telling him that he had won the Hans H. Strupp Award, the highest honor given in the field of psychoanalysis.
“I know that my leadership skills were very much enhanced by those experiences,” he says. “Even though we had a very strong chapter where there were lots of talented people, there were nevertheless challenges to face and conflicts to solve, and difficulties in planning and budget and so forth to try and figure out.”
“It was particularly exciting to hear about it then because I was able to share it first with all my brothers who were present at that meeting who
Those early experiences gave him the opportunity to practice becoming a more effective communicator and leader who could generate cooperation and the affirmation of authority. “It was a very powerful experience for me,” he says. www.crossandcrescent.com
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very generously expressed their excitement about me having won the award,” he says.
FEATURE
The award was established to honor Hans Strupp, an influential psychologist and psychoanalyst who practiced for most of his career at Vanderbilt University. The award commemorates his career and contributions but also honors other people who are felt to have made significant contributions to the field. Baker received the award at a formal ceremony in November 2007, at Vanderbilt in Nashville, Tennessee, with many of his professors, former students, interns, and classmates present. “There were just a whole bunch of people who were important to me in my development and friends through the years who were there to share the event with me,” he says. “I think it’s hard to put into perspective what you have done. I certainly have known about the influence of my work to some degree but I never, ever would have thought I would be honored with an award like this.”
Chapter Adviser Currently, Baker is the chapter adviser at Butler University, which he often correlates to teaching. “I think the same kind of excitement and pleasure I get from teaching students in a classroom comes from working with our undergraduate brothers as they learn from their involvement in the Fraternity about how to be leaders, how to be more effective communicators, how to integrate values into the way they live, and how to chart the course they are going to follow for the rest of their lives after they graduate,” he says.
Ironically, the award has been given periodically over the years to some of Baker’s professional and intellectual heroes so he never imagined he would receive it. “I guess if it has done anything in terms of ‘changing me,’ it is that it has made me feel especially appreciative that people have respected my work as much as they have, and that my colleagues think as highly as they do,” he says.
Outgoing Butler chapter President Michael W. Landes (Butler 2008) says Baker has been instrumental in helping guide the chapter through some challenging times.
True Brother Initiative Baker has served the Fraternity in some capacity as an alumnus over the last 35 years, including serving as a chapter adviser for six different chapters. During the last year, one of the biggest highlights involved his participation with the True Brother Initiative.
“Dr. Baker has had a profound effect on [our chapter] here at Butler University,” Landes says. “He helped guide our chapter from the proverbial pit of the past to the heights that we are at now. In essence, he helped us realize the potential in ourselves and showed us how to apply it so we could excel.”
Baker strongly believes that the program will positively influence the lives of undergraduate brothers as they move into their alumni years and become citizens of a broader world.
Baker also helps inject optimism and provides encouragement and motivation for the chapter members to stand up for what is right, not necessarily do what is easy.
“The sense of passion and mission about that has been really energizing for me,” he says. “I’ve also had the chance to work with the committee of other brothers and it feels kind of like doing Fraternity (work) again as an undergraduate.”
“I like how he stays constantly involved,” Landes says. “I know there are a lot of chapters, not only in Lambda Chi Alpha but other Greek organizations as well, that rarely see their adviser. Dr. Baker is at every meeting we have to show his support and provide insight into our dealings.”
Research shows that there are developmental variables in the undergraduates that the program and Fraternity can successfully influence.
Great Rewards The rewards of being involved with the Fraternity as an alumnus are great and Baker recommends that all alumni seek out an opportunity with a local chapter.
“Not only will True Brother make stronger chapters -- with brothers who have better relationships with each other and are more effective leaders in their [chapters] and on their campuses -- but maybe even more importantly that they are going to live healthier lives, with greater resilience to stress, with greater expectations to longevity, that they will be able to form and maintain healthier relationships with stronger marriages and better parenting skills,” he says. www.crossandcrescent.com
“Because not only is it gratifying, but it is really fun,” he says. “It keeps you alive in many ways. The vitality and energy which these young men bring into your life is more than enough reward for any frustration you occasionally feel for trying to help them find the right way.” 15
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