2011: Chapters collect more than 1 million pounds
December 2011 . Issue 10
Cross & Crescent
FROM THE EDITOR With another million-plus pounds of food raised by our chapters this fall, Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity continues to make a significant difference through this annual fundraising campaign that began in 1993. According to 2010 data from Feeding America, the nation’s leading domestic hunger-relief charity, 48.8 million Americans (32.6 million adults and 16.2 million children) lived in food-insecure households. Food insecurity exists in every county in America. During this year’s food drive, three of our chapters collected more than 150,000 pounds of food:
Tad Lichtenauer Director of Communications/IT (317) 803-7322 tlichtenauer@lambdachi.org
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New Orleans (Lambda-Alpha) -- 211,810 pounds
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Worcester Polytechnic (Pi) -- 210,214 pounds
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Texas-El Paso (Zeta-Epsilon) -- 188,885 pounds
Congratulations to these chapters for achieving this significant milestone and for making such a positive impact within their communities. As Lambda Chi Alpha completes the fall 2011 semester, we encourage you to reflect and to give thanks for all the blessings you have. We also ask that you remember those who are less fortunate than you are and to continue to look for ways to provide assistance. As we share with our brothers how we grow and change, we learn how to positively change the world. ‘Service before self ’ signifies the proper ordering of priorities. We do not publish a January Cross & Crescent magazine. The next issue will be published on February 2, 2012. We hope you have an enjoyable, safe, and relaxing holiday season and a Happy New Year. In ZAX and friendship, Tad Lichtenauer Managing Editor Cross & Crescent Magazine
Header Features 14 Departments 1
Chapter News Chapter news, alumni news, and reports of death. Fraternity News
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2011 NAFD
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Alumni Recognition
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TRUE Brother
Western Kentucky’s Johnny Douglas
Living our Core Values
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FOUR GENERATIONS OF JAMESONS Gamma-Gamma’s Loren Jameson (Cincinnati 1932), Gamma-Tau’s Jack Jameson (Ohio State 1959), Gamma-Tau’s Mark Jameson (Ohio State 1987), and Epsilon-Mu’s Eric Jameson (Florida 2015). By Jon Williamson (Maryland)
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HANOVER’S THETA-ZETA CHAPTER Theta-Zeta chapter was founded in 1919 as Kappa Kappa Kappa, a local fraternity. In 1924 it was one of the founding chapters of Theta Kappa Nu, and was re-chartered in 1985. The chapter earned the Fraternity’s Grand High Alpha Award in 1990, 1993, and 1996, and has a goal of earning another one in the near future. By Jon Williamson (Maryland)
CREDITS Publisher: Managing Editor: Layout & Design: Photographer: Research: Editors:
A FUTURE LEADERS CAMPAIGN CHAMPION Educational Foundation Board Member Charles W. Jones III shared his poignant life story during last summer’s 2011 Stead Leadership Seminar. After a very challenging childhood he discovered Lambda Chi Alpha at Sam Houston State and he explains why he owes all his successes to our great Fraternity. By Tad Lichtenauer (Denison)
Bill Farkas Tad Lichtenauer Thomas Roberts Walt Moser Jon Williamson Jono Hren Bob McLaughlin
CONTRIBUTIONS Content for consideration should be submitted by the 25th of the month (except Aug/Jan) Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity 8741 Founders Rd Indianapolis, IN 46268-1338 (317) 872-8000 editor@lambdachi.org www.lambdachi.org/cross-crescent
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OKLAHOMA STATE’S ALPHA-ETA CHAPTER Alpha-Eta chapter has the distinction of being the first fraternity on the Oklahoma State University campus. Today, the chapter is nearly 80 brothers stong, were co-intramural champions with Zeta Tau Alpha, and are very involved with community service and other student organizations. By Jon Williamson (Maryland)
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CAPTAIN FEAR Alex Harkins (Central Florida 2004) is the mascot for the NFL’s Tampa Bay Buccaneers. By Jon Williamson (Maryland)
CHAPTER NEWS
Chapter News Chapter news, alumni news, and reports of death
Alabama (Alpha-Phi) James O’Dwyer was named a 2011 honoree of the TeenNick HALO Award, which recognizes teens who work hard to make the world a better place. The chapter held an Initiation Ritual Exemplification for 13 associate members.
The chapter is raising funds to adopt a family impacted by the tornado last spring that destroyed parts of Tuscaloosa.
Bloomsburg (Beta-Xi) Arkansas (Gamma-Chi)
The chapter raised more than $800 for the victims of last September’s flooding in Pennsylvania.
Fred Finch has written a novel, “Starry Nights, Stories of the Days with Jesus,” available via Amazon.com.
Bradley (Kappa-Upsilon) Arkansas State (Iota-Theta)
Chapter President Michael Lane was appointed IFC judicial chairman.
The chapter held the 33rd Annual Miss Greek Goddess Pageant, which raises funds to benefit local and national service organizations. Last year, over $3,000 and 10,500 pounds of food were collected for the Northeast Arkansas Food Bank.
The chapter completed 820 hours of community service for the fall 2011 semester.
Butler (Alpha-Alpha)
Auburn-Montgomery (Phi-Kappa)
Russell J. Dean (1958) died November 5, 2011.
The chapter held an Initiation Ritual Exemplification on November 17, 2011.
Cal Poly-San Luis Obispo (Phi-Sigma)
The chapter raised nearly 1,800 pounds of canned foods for the Montgomery Area Food Bank in conjunction with this year’s North American Food Drive.
On November 11, 2011, more than 40 chapter brothers helped the charity Feed My Starving Children create and prepare food packages to be sent to less fortunate children and their families. In total, the brothers helped package more than 25,000 meals that will feed about 70 people for a year. Feed My Starving Children is a non-profit organization committed to feeding hungry children in more than 70 countries around the world.
Ball State (Iota-Alpha) The chapter conducted Pumpkin Smash, a philanthropic event with six sororities competing. A part of the North American Food Drive, the event raised almost 200 pounds of food and more than $200 for the Second Harvest Food Bank. www.lambdachi.org/cross-crescent
In conjunction with the North American Food Drive the chapter exceeded its goal and raised more than 20,000 pounds of food, a new record for the chapter.
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Cross & Crescent December 2011
CHAPTER NEWS
Chapter news, alumni news, and reports of death In conjunction with the North American Food Drive, the chapter collected nearly 2,000 pounds of food donations during Halloween and donated them to the local battered women’s shelter. The collected food translated into more than 13,000 meals for local families during Thanksgiving.
Cal State-Northridge (Beta-Rho)
Cincinnati (Gamma-Gamma)
On November 8, 2011, author, screenwriter, director, military security consultant, and former Navy SEAL Chuck Pfarrer (1980) was interviewed on CNN in conjunction with the publication of his new book, “SEAL Target Geronimo.” In the book, he gives an insider’s look at the military operation in Pakistan that led to the death of terrorist leader Osama bin Laden.
Alumni chapter brothers attended a reunion in October in Cincinnati.
Clemson (Delta-Omicron)
Central Florida (Beta-Eta)
The chapter held an Initiation Ritual Exemplification for 25 associate members.
The chapter held its annual philanthropy, Watermelon Bust, raising more than 40,000 pounds of food in conjunction with the North American Food Drive.
Newly-elected chapter officers have been working to establish a new spring philanthropy and to adopt a family for Christmas.
The chapter held an Initiation Ritual Exemplification for 30 associate members.
To better communicate with potential recruits and alumni, the chapter has a new website.
Central Missouri (Lambda-Pi)
Cornell (Omicron)
The chapter sold trash bags at Lowe’s, raising funds for the chapter and for Freedom Service Dogs, an organization that trains dogs to assist disabled veterans.
www.lambdachi.org/cross-crescent
On October 18, chapter brothers teamed up with our neighboring fraternity, Chi Phi, and Cornell Plantations to lead a cleanup of the gorge that runs behind both chapter houses. The volunteers spent several
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Cross & Crescent December 2011
CHAPTER NEWS
Chapter news, alumni news, and reports of death
Eureka (Theta-Chi)
hours picking up trash and renovating the path by removing the shale that had fallen from the gorge walls. Omicron hopes to schedule a similar event each semester to preserve the beauty of the gorge for years to come.
Bruce Darnall (1966) and Mark Darnall (2011) wrote an article entitled [www.athletesinaction.org/news “Andy Studebaker: ‘Chief ’ Defender” on Kansas City Chief, Andy Studebaker] that was published by Athletes In Action, the sports ministry for Campus Crusade for Christ.
Denison (Gamma-Iota) The chapter held an Initiation Ritual Exemplification for eight associate members.
Evansville (Iota-Mu)
Denver (Alpha-Pi) The chapter held an Initiation Ritual Exemplification for 36 associate members.
Drexel (Epsilon-Kappa Colony)
In conjunction with the North American Food Drive, the chapter collected 4,100 pounds of food that was donated to the Ozmann Food Shelter in Evansville, Indiana.
The Fraternity Board approved the colony’s re-chartering, and the undergraduates and alumni brothers are making plans for a rechartering banquet in the spring.
The chapter held an Alumni Homecoming Breakfast with more than 50 alumni brothers in attendance. During the event, Bo Gebbie (2002) was honored with the Thomas A. Helmbock Alumni Achievement Award.
Ryan Pratt was elected IFC vice president of administrative affairs. Tom McGrew was commended by the Borough of Rocky Hill, New Jersey, for his work helping residents during Hurricane Irene.
Florida State (Zeta-Rho)
Drury (Theta-Sigma)
Ronald B. “Bart” Gardin (1995) died August 27, 2011. He was employed by DJO Inc. in Vista, California.
Chris Seaman wrote an article for the school newspaper depicting his military service in Iraq and his transition from combat back to college campus life.
Florida Tech (Beta-Nu) Eastern Illinois (Phi-Alpha)
The chapter held an Initiation Ritual Exemplificaiton for 14 associate members.
The first-ever Man among Men Scholarship, established by alumnus and former chapter president Alex Ruwe, was presented to Andrew Kahr after the Initiation Ritual Exemplification.
www.lambdachi.org/cross-crescent
Teamed with Alpha Phi sorority, the chapter won Homecoming 2011 and raised money for United Way.
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Cross & Crescent December 2011
CHAPTER NEWS
Chapter news, alumni news, and reports of death
Franklin & Marshall (Alpha-Theta)
The chapter re-organized its Parents Club, which provides a way for parents of current members to be more involved in helping with events throughout the year. As a part of the club, parents may volunteer to make and provide dinner at chapter meetings once a month. Parents Debbie Kremers and Beata Foreman helped reorganize the club and have made dinners for the last few months.
Andrew Ramsperger (1974) died August 24, 2011.
Georgetown (Kappa-Omega) In conjunction with the North American Food Drive, the chapter collected several thousand pounds of food.
Kansas State (Gamma-Xi) Idaho (Epsilon-Gamma)
The chapter brothers assisted in a neighborhood cleanup by raking leaves, cleaning gutters, and collecting more than 100 bags of leaves from the neighborhood.
The chapter held an Initiation Ritual Exemplification on Nov. 11 for 11 associate members. They also held elections and will begin transitions after the Thanksgiving Break.
Louisiana State (Upsilon) Indiana State (Iota-Epsilon)
Fraser E. Landreneau (1990) died November 7, 2011. After completing medical school he was selected for neurosurgical residency training at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, Texas, where he was chief resident from 1998-1999. During his neurosurgical residency he was selected for additional neurosurgical vascular training at the prestigious Barrow Neurological Institute of Phoenix, Arizona. In 1998 Landreneau also completed a Neurosurgical Fellowship at the Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital in Perth, Australia. After completing neurosurgical training in 1999 he joined the NeuroMedical Center of Baton Rouge, Louisiana. In 2004 he was a founding partner and member of the medical team led by Dr. Thomas Flynn, involved in building the present NeuroMedical Center Hospital at Perkins Rowe in Baton Rouge.
Robert L. Smith (1958) died November 8, 2011. He was a retired elementary school teacher, having taught for 36 years in Plainfield Public Schools, Indianapolis Public Schools, and Vigo County Public Schools. He served as acting principal both at the former W.S. Rea School and Deming School.
Kansas (Zeta-Iota) In conjunction with the North American Food Drive, the chapter raised more than 400 pounds of canned food for local charities. The chapter held an Initiation Ritual Exemplification for nine associate members: Brooks Foreman, Zachary Brown, Alexander Biddlecombe, Patrick Collin, Max Mickunas, William Wozniak, Andrew VonEhrenkrook, Matthew Cullinan, and Hayden Andrews.
Louisiana-Lafayette (Iota-Omega) Alumni brother John Glass received the Alumni of the Semester Award during the chapter’s semi-formal on November 19, 2011.
Rock Wegner (1950), one of the founding chapter members, spoke at a chapter meeting. He described his life’s accomplishments, chapter history, and what life was like at the University of Kansas after World War II.
www.lambdachi.org/cross-crescent
Chapter brothers volunteered at the Sertoma Air Show, thanks to the help of Clayton Choate (1987). The air show is held annually to raise money for the Sertoma Club.
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Cross & Crescent December 2011
CHAPTER NEWS
Chapter news, alumni news, and reports of death The chapter held an Initiation Ritual Exemplification for 18 associate members.
Several chapter brothers were inducted into the Gamma Sigma Alpha and Order of Omega Greek Honor Societies. The chapter has more members in those organizations than any other fraternity on campus.
Lycoming (Iota-Beta) Maine (Beta)
Chapter brothers helped flood victims move furniture and other belongings out of flooded basements and homes. Earlier in the semester the Lycoming, Pennsylvania-area was devastated by heavy rainfall and flooding that filled homes with mud and water. The effort made for an emotional experience for many of the brothers who participated. In addition, the chapter brothers coordinated an event to raise money for flood relief agencies, teaming with Phi Mu Delta fraternity of Pennsylvania College to host an event called “Hip Hop Helps.� Several hip hop artists performed without fee, helping to raise $500 for the United Way towards flood relief.
In conjunction with the North American Food Drive, the chapter collected food and monetary donations for the Good Shepherd Food Bank in Bangor, Maine. On December 2, 2011, the chapter will conduct an Initiation Ritual Exemplification for eight associate members. The undergraduate and alumni brothers are working hard on renovations in the chapter house, including installation of new windows and a new heating system.
Maryland-Baltimore County (Phi-Delta) The chapter held an Initiation Ritual Exemplification for 15 associate members.
The chapter held an Initiation Ritual Exemplification for three associate members: Andrew McGreevy, Kyle Shakespeare, and Vincent Totaro. Chapter brothers participated in the Adopt-A-Highway Program, which included cleaning the section of highway the chapter sponsors.
Massachusetts Inst of Tech (Lambda) According to the American Heritage Dictionary, Smoot is now officially part of the English language. The word is one of 10,000 words to be added to the fifth edition. The Smoot is a nonstandard unit named after Oliver R. Smoot, who in October 1958 lay on the Harvard Bridge (between Boston and Cambridge, Massachusetts), and was used by his chapter brothers to measure the length of the bridge.
www.lambdachi.org/cross-crescent
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Cross & Crescent December 2011
CHAPTER NEWS
Chapter news, alumni news, and reports of death
Miami-OH (Zeta-Upsilon)
Michigan State (Gamma-Omicron)
The chapter held an Initiation Ritual Exemplification for three new brothers: Matthew Simkus, Matthew Suber, and Paul Schuler. Each brother also is a newly-elected chapter officer.
At the annual Greek Week Gala on November 18, 2011, the chapter won the following awards: Chapter of the Year; Chapter President of the Year (Andrew Paulsen); Membership Education Award; Academic Programming Award; and the Grant Davidson Award for Strong Facility Management.
Michigan (Sigma) Carlyle V Stewart Jr. (1950) died September 25, 2011. Nearing the end of his senior year in high school, he was drafted into the U.S Merchant Marines. He served aboard the U.S.S. Bardstown, transporting German prisoners of war to France and bringing American soldiers back home. After the war he graduated from the University of Michigan and then enlisted in the Army Air Corps where he was trained as a navigator for reconnaissance missions. While taking marketing classes at the Wharton School he found work in New York City as a salesman with a company that made construction materials for new homes. He later switched careers to work with the National Republican Party. Looking to change careers again, he became a partner in an Arlington, Virginia, business. In 1983 he founded Crystal Quarters Corporate Housing in the same location.
Millsaps (Theta-Eta) The chapter held an Initiation Ritual Exemplification for 12 associate members.
Benton E. Gates Jr. (1951) died September 14, 2011. He graduated from the University of Michigan Law School where he was a member of the Barristers Society. A long-time Michigan football fan, he played on the freshman team, worked for the athletic department and as a statistician with Chris Schenkel at ABC Sports. Gates then joined the family law practice in Columbia City where he also served as city court judge. He was involved in many civic activities and bar associations.
Minnesota State (Lambda-Delta) The chapter will be hosting the Great Plains Conclave in March 2012. Four brothers were elected to IFC: Nick Jirik, IFC vice president of council management; Cody Nickel, vice president of academic affairs and membership development; Jeremy Herkenhoff, vice president of community service and philanthropy; and Ethan Nelson, vice president of recruitment.
Peter S. Vlisides (1967) died November 15, 2011. After he completed his master’s degree at Michigan he started his own business in the tourism industry in Wisconsin and then had a 28year career teaching at the Madison Area Technical College until his retirement in 2009.
The chapter held an Initiation Ritual Exemplification for seven associate members. Erik Heller has been selected as the student speaker at Winter Graduation Commencement.
Frederick A. Otto (1949) died January 25, 2011. Charles W. Newman (1939) died.
Mississippi State (Epsilon-Chi)
John Padjen (1950) died.
Chapter brothers helped distribute 400 meals during Homecoming weekend.
www.lambdachi.org/cross-crescent
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Cross & Crescent December 2011
CHAPTER NEWS
Chapter news, alumni news, and reports of death
Missouri (Gamma-Kappa)
A “1960s Band of Brothers” event was held for alumni brothers and their spouses.
Chapter President Nick Smith was elected IFC vice president of finance and records.
Montevallo (Sigma-Epsilon) Undergraduate and alumni brothers helped raise money for John Paradise, who has colon cancer, by organizing a Boston Butt Cook that raised close to $3,000 for his therapy. The brothers met again three weeks later and raised money for general chapter funds by selling pork butts and raising $2,000 for the chapter’s use. John Paradise attended this event and offered many encouraging words.
Nevada-Las Vegas (Delta-Lambda)
North Carolina-Wilmington (DeltaSigma Colony)
The chapter held an Initiation Ritual Exemplification for 18 associate members.
The colony held an Initiation Ritual Exemplification for nine associate members.
On November 8, 2011, the chapter held its annual Watermelon Bash, raising food for the local food bank, Three Square, in conjunction with the North American Food Drive.
In conjunction with the North American Food Drive, the colony collected 444 pounds of food for local charities.
Two chapter brothers were chosen to compete for the title of MR. UNLV.
Colony brothers are participating in the Toys for Tots drive to collect toys for children from less fortunate families during the holidays.
Two chapter brothers were elected IFC officers. Derek Imig is fighting in his third professional mixed martial arts fight.
Northern Colorado (Sigma-Omega) On November 12, 2011, the chapter held an Initiation Ritual Exemplification for seven associate members.
North Carolina State (Gamma-Upsilon) The chapter initiated 23 brothers during the fall 2011 semester.
www.lambdachi.org/cross-crescent
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Cross & Crescent December 2011
CHAPTER NEWS
Chapter news, alumni news, and reports of death
Northwestern (Alpha-Iota)
Purdue (Psi)
On November 5, 2011, the chapter hosted its first ever Pillow Wars, a philanthropic event benefiting Northwestern University Dance Marathon and its benefactor, The Andrew McDonough B+ Foundation, an organization that fights child cancer by funding research and providing support to affected families. Sixteen teams from around campus competed in the competition, which featured pillow-related events, including pillow relay races and dodgepillow, and ended in a free-for-all pillow fight. The chapter raised a total of $550 to donate to DM and the B+ Foundation.
Eighteen chapter brothers participated in the university’s dance marathon, which is a national fundraiser for Riley Children’s Hospital.
Rhode Island (Eta) Chris Ferretti, a 2009 graduate of the Actors Studio MFA program, earns extra money by doing impressions of actor Christopher Walken, over the phone.
Roger R. Anderson (1959) died October 28, 2011.
Richmond (Alpha-Chi)
Oklahoma (Gamma-Rho) Dave Pauling (1961) died November 28, 2011. He started working for the city of Tulsa in 1978 as an assistant city attorney. He was the city’s lead trial counsel, specializing in police-related civil rights litigation, until 1992. He taught at the Tulsa Police Department’s academy on the subject of police civil liability for more than 10 years. Later, as the city attorney, Pauling supervised a staff of 35, including 22 attorneys. Since he retired, Pauling had taught federal government at Tulsa Community College. He previously was an adjunct instructor in Northeastern State University’s criminal justice graduate program. An Oklahoma Bar Association member, Pauling was a past president of the Oklahoma Association of Municipal Attorneys.
On November 13, 2011, the chapter held an Officer Installation Ceremony. The chapter won the intramural football championship.
Oklahoma City (Theta-Delta)
As of November 27, 2011, the chapter has two new associate members: J.P Shannon, a member of ROTC on campus, and Ryan Busch, a newly-elected member to the IFC judicial council.
University President Robert Henry congratulated the chapter brothers for earning the Homecoming Sweepstakes Trophy by excelling in several week-long events including window painting, banner, monument, and lip sync. A particular honor was Scott Jones’s election as 2011 Homecoming King.
www.lambdachi.org/cross-crescent
Chapter brothers helped the university to staff the local food drive UR Thankful.
Sam Houston State (Sigma-Mu) The chapter won Greek Week, its first win in several years.
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Cross & Crescent December 2011
CHAPTER NEWS
Chapter news, alumni news, and reports of death
Samford (Theta-Alpha)
was a forensic accountant, co-owner of the Brown Trout Mountain Grille, owner and Broker in Charge of Brown Trout Mountain Properties in Lake Toxaway, N.C., Broker in Charge of Promenade Real Estate Co., and CFO of Paddocks Realty and Development on Hilton Head Island, as well as CEO of Bernard Neil and Associates.
Chapter brothers participated in the Alpha Delta Pi charity golf tournament and the Phi-Mu 5K run.
St. Louis College of Pharmacy (PiLambda)
South Carolina-Aiken (Pi-Alpha)
On November 5, 2011, the chapter held an Initiation Ritual Exemplification for 19 associate members, the largest class in the chapter’s history. Of note, alumni brother Adam Sharpe welcomed his younger brother Brett Sharpe into the Fraternity. This is the third set of blood brothers initiated by the chapter.
On November 11, 2011, the chapter held an Initiation Ritual Exemplification for 10 associate members and two honorary initiates.
Southeast Missouri State (Delta-Phi) The chapter teamed with the Boy Scouts of America to collect donations for local charities in conjunction with the North American Food Drive.
The chapter brothers grew mustaches in November as part of Movember, a charity event to raise awareness for prostate and testicular cancer prevention. Proceeds generated from a campus barbecue, dodgeball tournament, mustache shaving event, as well as other events will be donated to The Empowerment Network, a local organization that supports St. Louis city residents who are battling or have survived prostate cancer.
Southern Methodist (Gamma-Sigma) The chapter held an Initiation Ritual Exemplification for four associate members. Attendees included local alumni brothers and the Initiation Ritual team from Texas Christian’s Iota-Pi chapter. As a philanthropic project, chapter brothers collected trash at White Rock Lake. Chapter brothers distributed candy on Greek Row during a Halloween event for underprivileged children.
Sewanee (Iota-Nu)
Syracuse (Alpha-Upsilon)
Anson Mount (1995) is an actor on Hell On Wheels, a new TV series on AMC.
William R. Watson (1951) died October 3, 2011. He served in the intelligence branch of the U.S. Army before joining the family business, Watson Motors in Hackensack, New Jersey. A revolutionary in the travel industry, he spent over three decades as president of Raymond and Whitcomb Co., working in concert with prominent institutions and renowned nonprofit organizations. He pioneered the African Quest, first to
South Carolina (Epsilon-Psi) Thomas P. Herbkersman (1983) died November 14, 2011. He
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Cross & Crescent December 2011
CHAPTER NEWS
Chapter news, alumni news, and reports of death Stephenville, Texas, community and collected several hundred pounds for the local H.O.P.E., Inc. food bank.
circumnavigate the African coast, brought the first cruise ship into the Caribbean, was instrumental in the revival of the Orient Express, and launched myriad trips to previously inaccessible regions of the world.
During the last week in October, the chapter participated in Tarleton State’s Homecoming Week activities. Some of the highlights included winning the Yell Contest and the Blanchard Award for best float in the Homecoming Parade. The Blanchard Award is given to the float entry with the highest overall score in the “adherence to theme category.” This year’s Homecoming theme was Feel the Purple Rush.
Tarleton State (Phi-Rho) On October 1, 2011, the chapter held an Associate Member Ceremony for 20 new members. The event, which coincided with Tarleton State’s Family Weekend, was immediately followed by the Big Brother Ceremony.
On November 9, 2011, the chapter joined the local Chamber of Commerce, which will help with networking of businesses in the community. Following an official ribbon cutting ceremony, chapter President Anthony Linder gave a brief presentation about Lambda Chi Alpha.
Chapter brothers hosted a Hot Dog Eating Contest during Tarleton State’s Family Weekend. The contest was held during the pre-game tailgate activities with chapter brother Jared Mays taking first place.
On November 16, 2011, the chapter hosted Dream Date, which included auctioning 10 dates with brothers. Some of the dates included concerts, sporting events, and dining out. Proceeds from the auction went to the North American Food Drive. On November 19, 2011, the chapter held a brotherhood retreat at Tarleton State’s Challenge Course. Members participated in low and high elements and, at the end, had some fun riding down the zip-line. The Challenge Course fosters team-work, encouragement, and critical thinking.
On October 20, 2011, the chapter partnered with members of Alpha Gamma Delta sorority to trick-ortreat for canned goods in conjunction with the North American Food Drive. Members went door-to-door in the www.lambdachi.org/cross-crescent
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Cross & Crescent December 2011
CHAPTER NEWS
Chapter news, alumni news, and reports of death
Tennessee-Chattanooga
In conjunction with the North American Food Drive, the chapter raised 188,885 pounds of food, benefiting the El Paso Rescue Mission and Emmanuel Children’s Home, in Juarez, Mexico.
Calling themselves the Biscuit Brigade, more than 30 alumni brothers ranging in age from mid-60s to mid-80s meet every six weeks for breakfast at Country Place Restaurant in East Brainerd, Tennessee. The humorous name is a nod to their meeting site, their status as veterans, and the group’s purpose, which is to support military personnel serving overseas.
Chapter members helped pack lunches for the West Texas Food Bank. The chapter held a weeklong tabling event for the Movember movement. The chapter held its Thanksgiving dinner on November 23, 2011.
Texas Christian (Iota-Pi)
The chapter has a group of alumni brothers who would like to start an Alumni Organization. For more information, please contact Anuar Jauregui at ayjauregui2@miners.utep.edu.
Tulsa (Epsilon-Upsilon) The chapter held an Initiation Ritual Exemplification for 16 associate members. During the university’s homecoming the chapter earned second and third place in the chariot race competition.
On November 6, 2011, the chapter hosted a dinner in celebration of its recent contributions to the Tarrant Area Food Bank in conjunction with the North American Food Drive. After the dinner chapter Vice President Caten Hyde and chapter President Jeremy Burkett presented Francie Cooper of the TAFB with a donation check. The chapter raised more than $3,500 for the food bank this month in addition to canned food contributions.
Texas-El Paso (Zeta-Epsilon) The chapter won the Greek League Football Tournament. Chapter members participated in Alpha Sigma Alpha’s Strongman competition, Zeta Tau Alpha’s Crown Cup competition (earning first place), and Alpha Xi Delta’s Xi Man competition.
www.lambdachi.org/cross-crescent
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In conjunction with the North American Food Drive the chapter hosted Choptoberfest, with pumpkin-based field games. During the Monday night dinner the chapter raised more than $600, while the Friday member auction raised 790 cans of food, both of which were donated to the Eastern Food Bank of Oklahoma. In total the chapter packed 2,280 pounds of food for distribution to help Tulsa-area families.
Cross & Crescent December 2011
CHAPTER NEWS
Chapter news, alumni news, and reports of death
Valparaiso (Iota-Sigma)
Western Kentucky (Lambda-Lambda)
On November 12, 2011, the chapter held an Initiation Ritual Exemplification for five associate members: John Denfeld, Justin Phillips, Nathan Feldsien, Kyle Groves, and Ryan Von Borstel.
The chapter held an Initiation Ritual Exemplification for 15 associate members. In honor of Veteran’s Day, 18 chapter brothers participated in
The chapter held a hayride and bonfire with the members of Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority. The chapter brothers continue their weekly staffing of a local soup kitchen.
Wabash (Alpha-Kappa) Chapter brothers participated in a brotherhood bowling night. Chapter brothers cleaned a section of U.S. Highway 32 that they sponsor and maintain. the 5K Veterans Day Run and collected donations for 1st Lt. Eric Yates Scholarship Foundation. Yates was a WKU graduate who died in Afghanistan in 2010, giving his life to save others by covering an improvised explosive device (IED). During the 5K run, the chapter brothers ran with Yates’ unit, the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) at Fort Campbell, which includes chapter brothers Joel Padgett and Micah Adams, who are also members of WKU’s Reserve Officers’ Training Program (ROTC). The chapter brothers wore military-style T-shirts for the race that included the phrase, “We believe in Heroes and we honor our vets. Unable to repay the freedom given to us.”
Wake Forest (Theta-Tau) In conjunction with the North American Food Drive the chapter held its annual Pumpkin Bash philanthropy, which included competitions between sororities.
Washington State (Tau) The chapter celebrated Dad’s Weekend with dads and many other alumni brothers visiting the chapter house.
Western Ontario (Delta-Eta) In conjunction with the North American Food Drive the chapter broke its previous record by raising 15,002 pounds of food.
The chapter will hold an Initiation Ritual Exemplification on December 2, 2011. Alumni brothers are encouraged to attend. Chapter brothers volunteered at the R.E.A.C.H. Inc., which stands for Retired Equine and Care Habitat. Owner Randall Kent praised the chapter’s efforts in an email to the International Headquarters, which we’ve published in this month’s TRUE Brother article. www.lambdachi.org/cross-crescent
Canadian Premier Dalton McGuinty sent a letter of greetings to the chapter. Susan Truppe, a member of the Canadian House of Commons, visited the chapter.
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Cross & Crescent December 2011
CHAPTER NEWS
Chapter news, alumni news, and reports of death
William Jewell (Epsilon-Nu) Edward F. Leonard, III Ph.D., has been appointed to the Board of Directors of the North-American Interfraternity Conference (NIC), the trade association representing 75 national and international men’s fraternities. As a member of the nine-man board, Leonard’s responsibilities will include working with NIC member fraternities, other fraternal trade organizations, and the higher education community. He has served as the president of Bethany College in Lindsborg, Kansas, since August 2007. At Bethany, Leonard has been instrumental in developing the institution’s vision, strategic plan, and recommitment to its core values. As an experienced fundraiser Leonard has launched the institution’s largest comprehensive capital campaign of $25 million. Leonard joined Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity at William Jewell College. His fraternal involvement has been constant over the past three decades. This service includes five years as a professional staff member for Lambda Chi Alpha, nearly 20 years as a chapter advisor, and a decade of service on the Board of Directors including president/chairman of the Board. “We look forward to working with Ed,” said NIC President and CEO Peter D. Smithhisler. “His extensive record of fraternal leadership will make for a smooth transition to our Board. Ed’s vision and perspective will be welcomed.” Leonard and his wife, Shelia, reside in Lindsborg, Kansas, with their two sons Quade and Thomas. Founded in 1909, the NIC, through advocacy, collaboration, and education, works to ensure that fraternities can operate in an environment conducive to their success.
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Brian L. Warr (1968) died October 30, 2011. Initiated by Epsilon-Nu at William Jewell, he was an Eagle Scout and later served his country in the U.S. Air Force from 1968-1972. Stationed at Scott Air Force Base in Belleville, Illinois, he was a member of the Military Airlift Command Band. He also played the French horn in the Alton Civic Orchestra and the St. Louis Muny Opera. He was a longtime board member of the Independence Symphony and served on the Board of the Sunshine Center. Warr’s professional career began with the law firm of Paxton, James, and May. He later became a partner in the firm of Paden, Welch, Martin and Albano L.L.C. until his retirement.
Wisconsin-Whitewater (Lambda-Iota Colony) The colony submitted its re-chartering paperwork to the Fraternity Board for approval.
Wittenberg (Nu-Zeta)
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The chapter held a Turkey Fry fundraiser that was attended by nearly 300 people and generated nearly $2,000 in donations for the local Second Harvest Food Bank. Notable attendees included nearly a dozen university faculty and staff, including the president and his wife, a Wittenberg police officer, and the director of Greek Life. The donation equals nearly 7,500 meals for the elderly and the poor in the community.
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A Future Leaders Campaign Champion Educational Foundation Board Member Charles W. Jones III shared his poignant life story during last summer’s 2011 Stead Leadership Seminar. After a very challenging childhood he discovered Lambda Chi Alpha at Sam Houston State and he explains why he owes all his successes to our great Fraternity. By Tad Lichtenauer (Denison)
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ditor’s note: Last July, Educational Foundation Board
Member Charles W. Jones III (Sam Houston State (1981) spoke to the undergraduate and alumni attendees at the 2011 Stead Leadership Seminar held at Iowa State University. His remarks preceded the official announcement of Lambda Chi Alpha’s Future Leaders Campaign. With more than $12 million pledged to date, the campaign’s goal is to raise $20 million. The money raised will be divided into four priority areas; values-based leadership development and brotherhood, assistance to chapters for costs related to educational conferences, aid for membership growth/quality and access to educational programming, and for immediate educational programs and campaign costs. The following are excerpts from Jones’ remarks last summer.
Overcoming Adversity “I just want to talk to you. I just want to tell you my story and why I believe in Lambda Chi and why I give back. I grew up dirt poor in Houston, Texas, near the ship channel. I had one pillow, one blanket, no heat, no A/C, and my mom had no education. She was a single parent. At 13 years old I went to live with my father because I didn’t know him. He’d been in the military for 26 years. At 15, he gave me $20, a bus ticket on Trailways, and two suitcases. And after the end of my sophomore year in high school, he threw me out of the www.lambdachi.org/cross-crescent
house. Now, he didn’t do anything wrong because I deserved it. I had all kinds of issues with authority. I probably didn’t believe in myself. And I was a little hard headed. I think probably taking him out to the garage to kick his butt...and I lost the fight by the way because he was 6 feet 5 and a master sergeant in the Air Force. So be careful what you wish for because he took me up on my offer and I hit him the first time but it went downhill really fast because I weighed 135 pounds.”
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How Lambda Chi Changed His Life “So we talk about accountability. I learned real quickly at 15 what accountability is. I spent 17 hours on a Trailways bus from Lubbock, Texas, to Houston, Texas. I was a junior in high school. I worked as a foot messenger at a law firm at $5 an hour. I paid my own bills. I had to do everything myself. At 18, I got tired of being a foot messenger. I went to Sam Houston State. The brothers of Lambda Chi took me in. Based on what you’ve just heard I didn’t have much to offer. All I had was the clothes on my back, literally, and I had a 1970 Malibu that I bought next to a Dairy Queen. So I didn’t have a lot to offer the Fraternity. So to every brother who came before me, because I associated in 1977 with Lambda Chi... to everyone who helped me join Lambda Chi, you changed my life. You allowed me to do things that I’d never dreamed about. Everything I have I owe to you. That’s what being a TRUE Brother is because you took me in when I had nothing. I’ve had the opportunity to go all over the world. I’ve even done the closing ceremony at the New York Stock Exchange. Sam Houston put me in the Hall of Honor and thank god there wasn’t a GPA requirement because I’ve listened to some of y’all and I would never be picked today. You all are better than I am.”
Charles W. Jones III (Sam Houston State 1981)
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Serves as senior vice president, Diversified Auto Group, Wells Fargo Dealer Services Has more than 29 years of experience in the financial services industry. Graduated from Sam Houston State in 1981. Earned a bachelor’s degree in finance. Inducted into the Sam Houston State College of Business Hall of Honor; member, President’s Circle at Sam Houston State Serves on the Advisory Council for the Sam Houston State College of Business Administration and on the Executive Leadership Council for the Share the Vision capital campaign. Active member of the Lambda Chi Alpha Dallas/Ft. Worth Alumni Association. Served on the Feasibility Study Advisory Committee for the Lambda Chi Alpha Educational Foundation and currently serves on the Campaign Planning Committee. Sponsors two overseas children since 1993 as part of World Vision, and has also served as a Reading First volunteer. Lives in Frisco, Texas.
Why He Gives Back “To my undergraduate brothers, you’re the best generation of Lambda Chis that have ever come through the doors. My pledge to you personally as a member of this Foundation, and as a member of Lambda Chi, because Lambda Chi’s for life, look me up. I’ll help you any time, anywhere, no questions asked. Because Lambda Chi did that for me. Brothers who didn’t know me from other chapters have stayed in my life for 52 years. You all are the best class we’ve ever had. So that’s what this is about. That’s why I give to Lambda Chi. And that’s why I believe because I believe in you. You will do more and better things than any of us ever dreamed about. You always are, and always will be, my brothers. Whether I’ve met you today or I meet you in the future if you need me I’m there...and so is every other brother before you.” www.lambdachi.org/cross-crescent
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4 Generations of Jamesons Gamma-Gamma’s Loren Jameson (Cincinnati 1932), Gamma-Tau’s Jack Jameson (Ohio State 1959), Gamma-Tau’s Mark Jameson (Ohio State 1987), and Epsilon-Mu’s Eric Jameson (Florida 2015). By Jon Williamson (Maryland)
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1st & 2nd Generation ach fall some young men begin college by following
in the footsteps of an ancestor. The school song, sporting events, great memories and multiple traditions have been talked about over the dinner table and special occasions from one generation to another. There are the old yearbooks and
“My father was Loren and he joined Lambda Chi at the University of Cincinnati in 1929. He was born in Ohio and his occupation was pharmacist. He told some good stories about his undergraduate days in the Fraternity. I don’t remember all of the particulars but there was a story about putting a car on the roof of the pharmacy building.”
scrapbooks, countless pictures, and other memorabilia that have been handed down. In the fraternity world these men are known as legacies and Lambda Chi Alpha has many examples of families with unbroken chains of such men. This article features the Jameson family, beginning with Gamma-Gamma chapter’s Loren S. Jameson (Cincinnati 1934). I spoke with his son, Gamma-Tau chapter’s John “Jack” Jameson (Ohio State 1959).
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Why did you choose Lambda Chi Alpha? “My dad owned a drug store and I worked for him during the summers. Without my knowing it, my dad asked two of the Lambda Chis at Ohio State University to visit with me at the drug store. They were Barney Roscoe and John Sampselle. John had been initiated at Miami of Ohio. After their visit I was convinced that I wanted to be a Lambda Chi.”
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What are some of your memories of being a Lambda Chi?
3rd Generation
“The first one that comes to mind is being treasurer for two years. That was a lot of work. I remember the Initiation and my dad giving me his Fraternity pin. I also remember my big brother C. Dave Jennings presenting me with a paddle. The chapter had between 60 and 80 members back then so we were of a pretty good size. Several of us took road trips to visit various chapters. After one such trip we returned home with some nice looking trophies, which we later returned to the different chapters. The chapter also had a number of football skins as a result of the success of The Ohio State University football team. I also remember that Dr. Frank Gilbert (Massachusetts) was the chapter advisor. Two of his sons, Carter (curator emeritus at Florida) and William, were brothers in the chapter.”
Mark E. Jameson (Ohio State 1987) is Jack’s son and Loren’s grandson. “I chose to follow my dad and uncle and attend Ohio State University. My dad’s brother is Richard (Dick) and he is also a Lambda Chi, class of ’65. He is retired from being a pilot with United Airlines. I always wanted to be a Buckeye and I never considered attending any other colleges. I lived in a dormitory my first year while getting used to the campus scene. I went through formal rush in the spring of ’84 and I liked the brothers in the Lambda Chi chapter. I felt it was a good fit for me.”
Did you live in the same house as your father? Was the fraternity a good investment of your time? “Definitely! I received leadership training by being treasurer and also serving in two other offices including house manager. You learn how to work and get along with a lot of people, not to mention the friendships you make. One of the brothers who lived in the chapter house the summer I was house manager was Don Sutherin who went on to a Hall of Fame career in the Canadian Football League. He kicked the winning field goal in the 1958 Rose Bowl, enabling the Ohio State Buckeyes to defeat the University of Oregon 10–7. Following the game the Lambda Chis had Don’s shoe, which he wore when kicking the deciding field goal, bronzed and then displayed in the chapter house.”
Is your grandson joining Lambda Chi Alpha a big deal to you? “Yes. It means that he is carrying on the tradition and I am so pleased with the experience he is going to receive. I was surprised because he had never mentioned anything about fraternities.”
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“Yes, it was at 73 E. 15th Avenue which was a four story brick structure that was longer front to back. It was like a tall shoebox. It was the same house, but I never lived in the same room that he had occupied.”
What are your favorite memories? “It begins with the Initiation. My dad and uncle attended. My dad presented me with his Fraternity pin which had been given to him by my grandfather, Loren. My grandfather and father had attended my uncle’s Initiation. I will always remember getting ready for the football games and having a sorority visit the fraternity house for a pre-game brunch. I introduced my sister, Sandi, to a chapter brother and they later married. Also, there is the brotherhood, fraternalism, and making of good friends. I lived in the fraternity house for three years and during that time I learned to get along with a diverse group of men and live responsibly. Those were important lessons for me since I chose a career in law enforcement.”
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Were you surprised when your son Eric chose the University of Florida? “Eric wanted to enjoy warm weather and also to have his own adventure. He was very successful academically in high school with a perfect SAT score and he was a National Merit Scholar, so he could have been accepted to any school.”
Is Eric’s becoming a Lambda Chi something special? “Yes, and his grandfather and I will be there.”
4th Generation I reached Epsilon-Mu chapter’s Eric C. Jameson (Florida 2015).
You chose not to go to Ohio State University!
“There were a number of reasons for that decision. The university is an academically strong school with an excellent Honors Program. Of course the warm weather was a factor, as is the size of the school.”
What has been the best part of the experience so far?“Meeting the brothers, being part of my 22-man associate member class, and getting assigned to my big brother. I should also add that the chapter has block seating at the football games and we all stand together throughout the game.”
How did you decide on Lambda Chi? “I knew about the Lambda Chi family history and tradition, but that isn’t what pushed me into the Fraternity. During the summer I visited the campus and made friends with a ‘preview staffer’ or orientation leader who is also in the Honors Program. After I left we continued to keep in touch on Facebook, and in one of the postings Kevin identified himself as a Lambda Chi. I signed up to attend the meet-andgreet for all the campus fraternities and met more Lambda Chis there, as well as later when I was invited to the house. After I received my bid I talked to my dad and decided to accept.”
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What does the future hold? “I am majoring in general business and think I will double-major in international studies. I am striving for a 4.0 GPA this semester. I love being part of a 65-man brotherhood. It is a great time and it will only get better!”
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Header Hanover’s Theta-Zeta Chapter Theta-Zeta chapter was founded in 1919 as Kappa Kappa Kappa, a local fraternity. In 1924 it was one of the founding chapters of Theta Kappa Nu, and was re-chartered in 1985. The chapter earned the Fraternity’s Grand High Alpha Award in 1990, 1993, and 1996, and has a goal of earning another one in the near future. By Jon Williamson (Maryland)
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deally a fraternity house is a home. It is filled with men
who live and learn together, not only about their academics, but equally as important, about life. Frank Maez, a personal friend and the long-term chapter advisor of our Hanover College chapter, greeted us warmly and welcomed my wife and me to the chapter. We settled into the living room of the house which features a fireplace, the two framed charters, the current composite photograph, and a trophy case full of Lambda Chi awards. As brothers would head to class and return, each displayed the same welcoming attitude in what I would hear frequently during my visit...”Our home.” Theta-Zeta chapter was founded in 1919 as Kappa Kappa Kappa, a local fraternity. In 1924 it became one of the original chapters of Theta Kappa Nu. Its re-founding/ chartering took place in 1985. The Fraternity’s Grand High Alpha Award is given to chapters that have maintained superior operations and fraternal spirit for a minimum of three consecutive years and are thus recognized for sustained excellence.
Hanover has been so recognized three times; in 1990, 1993, and 1996. Our visit was one week after the election of their new chapter officers.
Previous Chapter President Levi Hamner is the previous chapter president. “Here at Hanover the chapter officers have their input, find their niche, and make it a fluid and successful operating chapter. The brothers make it a great chapter. It is a collective effort. My best memories are the friendships which I have made. They are strong and they have helped me grow and understand myself as a person. There hasn’t been one particular event for me that stood out; rather it has been just sitting down in a room and talking with brothers. Everyone here is a friend. Each is very accepting of the others. This place is my family and my home. I can’t think of a place I would rather be.”
Incoming Chapter President Terry Lee Reader, a junior, majoring in political philosophy and ethics, is the newly-elected chapter president.
What brought you to Hanover? “I am from Columbia City, Indiana. My best friend’s sister came here and recommended it.”
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What are your goals as chapter president? My goal is to elevate the current chapter excellence. My dream is for the chapter to receive the Grand High Alpha Award. We don’t seek an award to maintain our excellence, but it would be nice to be recognized.”
How does the chapter avoid the typical pitfalls of dysfunctional behavior such as hazing? “You might say our High Pi, Frank (Maez), is the chapter’s foundation. He has a huge influence within the chapter and has created a culture that won’t allow hazing or any other dysfunctional behavior. When you join Lambda Chi Alpha on our campus you immediately become a part of the house and we only do those things that foster a true brotherhood. We recruit only high quality men who can’t and won’t act irrationally or irresponsibly. We hold each other accountable.”
Frank tells me that traditions play an important role within the chapter. “They do, but we look at them as part of the norm within the chapter. This applies to our philanthropy work such as the campus-wide Wiffle Ball Tournament each spring, our Circle of Brotherhood during our annual retreat each January, our Paddle Chat, our Brown Bag, and our Pre-Initiation
Week activities. During the Circle of Brotherhood, brothers tell wonderful stories of helping each other and they share the reasons why they joined Lambda Chi Alpha. These things set us apart from each of the other fraternities on the campus. The greatest thing we do with these activities is to uphold the brotherhood. This sense of family was the greatest factor in my joining the fraternity.”
fraternity on the campus. The Lambda Chis were, and still are, extremely active on the campus.”
How did you become involved in the student government? “One day a brother was unable to make a Student Senate meeting, asked me if I would like to substitute for him, and I said, ‘Yes.’ I then began playing rugby and became the rugby representative for the Senate. After that I was encouraged to run for president by the brother who had previously held that position.”
What will be your best memories of your fraternity experience? “I will miss the conversations that you never expect to take place, at 2 a.m. in the chapter house. This is when you just sit down with brothers and discuss the deepest subjects in the entire world, and find commonalities.”
SGA President Philip “Chip” Davis is a senior majoring in theology. He is the current president of the Student Senate. “Many fraternities have a certain flash to them but once you spend time with them you find there is no substance. In my sophomore year I spent time with many of the Lambda Chis and realized it was a better fit for me than any other
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Theta-Zeta Roundtable I spoke with Derek Zimmers, Seth Revolt, Cory Jones, Marcus El, Zach Shultz, Chris Lewis, and Tyler Bussberg to gather their collective thoughts on a number of subjects.
Why did you join Lambda Chi Alpha?
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FEATURE cook of 12 years, and her husband, Sam Long.” “Every January the entire chapter, including the new associate members (AMs), holds a retreat in Brown County, Indiana. The first night is the AM ceremony. The ‘Celebration of Life’ is the closing ceremony.” “Every Wednesday’s evening dinner is a time for brothers to invite prospective men to the house. We are the only fraternity on the campus to serve food and our food is the absolute best.”
“We were recruited by men who were active on the campus and we were recruited as being the best on the campus.” “The brothers were friendly to us when we were first-semester freshmen and before they knew us.” “I had decided on a different fraternity until a couple of the Lambda Chis took me to dinner and asked me why I wanted to join the other fraternity. When I couldn’t answer the question I realized I had made the wrong choice and instead joined Lambda Chi.” “I wanted to be a part of men with core values.” “I found excellence embedded in who they are, always wanting to be involved on the campus.”
The chapter has led the other fraternity chapters in academic success for a number of years. Why is that, considering the overwhelming majority of brothers are involved in outside activities?
“We push each other. We know that we will always have time for homework and paper and exam preparation. We will remember the time with the brothers in the house.” “Each brother is an academic resource. We pride ourselves on having more brothers as tutors at the learning center than any of the other fraternities.” “We are mentored by older brothers and my job is to do the same for those who come after me. My time in this fraternity is defined by how I help my brothers grow.”
What are some of the chapter traditions? “Spring at Hanover College is defined by the Lambda Chi Wiffle Ball Tournament. There are over 70 teams involved and the first pitch is thrown out by the president of the College. The proceeds, a minimum of $3,600, are given to Hungry Hearts which is an organization that serves as a food pantry in the community. The charity was begun by Mary Long, our chapter
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“One of the pre-Initiation activities is the Candle-Lit-Journey. The AMs are given a candle and go to different locations on campus where they are met by groups of brothers who tell them stories and provide them with words of encouragement. Carried with them are bags filled with food, clothes, shoes, and toys. The activity then moves to a chapel for a service. The final stop is to a family home where the items in the bags are distributed. In the window of the home is our lighted candle which is then returned to the AMs by the family.” “Our activities are not about obtaining awards or being the best house on the campus; rather we must leave a footprint and help others. We realize that we are privileged to go to a great school.” “We must share. We must step back and look at what it really means to be a brother.”
Is the Ritual a big deal to the brothers of Lambda Chi Alpha? “Yes, because that is where we learn
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about the fraternity. A lot of input goes into the fraternity education of our AMs to make sure they are solid Lambda Chis.” “During our silent dinner each AM receives a brown bag and in it are letters from family members, friends, and their big brothers congratulating them on being Lambda Chis. Each AM then writes a letter, sharing stories to his little brother, whom he will not meet until the following year.”
You are fortunate to have Frank as your High Pi! “Very simply put, Frank is outstanding.”
You then became the Executive Director of Sigma Theta Tau International, the honor society of nursing undergraduates, and you remained in that position for 15 years. What brought you back to your involvement with Lambda Chi?
“He is a great friend.” “He sets expectations.”
Chapter Advisor Frank J. Maez (New Mexico 1970), served as a chapter consultant for Lambda Chi Alpha from 1970 to 1975, at which time he became the Director of Chapter Services and served until 1985. Ever since 1935 the Fraternity has recognized unusual, lengthy, and dedicated service, particularly at the local chapter level, by awarding its Order of Merit. Frank was presented with this highest award in 1996. www.lambdachi.org/cross-crescent
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“My journey with Lambda Chi Alpha began at the University of New Mexico as a freshman. I joined the chapter when it had six members. That fall I met George Spasyk (Vice President Emeritus of Lambda Chi Alpha), who was visiting the chapter. He encouraged me to continue my fraternity involvement and made it possible for me to attend the Leadership Seminar the following summer. After graduation I became a Traveling Secretary. The position was later changed to Chapter Consultant. During those five years I visited every Lambda Chi chapter. During my time as Director of Chapter Services we introduced the Alcohol Awareness Program.”
“In the early 1980s the chapter here at Hanover had a number of challenges which finally brought about the closing of the chapter. Several of the chapter’s alumni worked diligently with the school to bring the chapter back, and were successful with the re-chartering in 1985, which was attended by George Spasyk and Jeff Steele. Following that period I was invited by the core group of alumni to become involved as the chapter High Pi. I realized the challenges, especially with time since
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FEATURE Notable Theta-Zeta Brothers
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Dr. Herbert M. Alton (1941), former dentist Robert J. Amick, retired field representative, Indiana State Medical Association, Georgetown, Indiana Lee Annis (1978), associate professor, Montgomery College, Rockville, Maryland Dr. Joseph A. Beardsley (1972), physician, Indianapolis, Indiana David E. Benter (1996), member of the Hanover College Athletic Hall of Fame Dr. Michael E. Berend (1988), orthopedic surgeon, St. Francis Hospital Dr. Todd S. Biggerstaff (1995), internal medicine, Methodist Hospital, Indianapolis, Indiana John Blankenship (1935), executive vice president, Morrell Meat Packing Co.; recipient, Hanover College Alumni Achievement Award Dr. Glen L. Bonsett (1946), former dean of men at Hanover College; former coach, Hanover College basketball; member, Hanover College Athletic Hall of Fame Dr. Jerrell C. Cassady (1994), professor of psychology at Ball State University Casualties of World War II: John A. Alvin, Luther C. Kern, James W. McMillan, and George J. Reuter Dr. Michael A. Childers (1984), endodontist, Louisville, Kentucky John R. Collier (1961), basketball coach for 21 years and athletic director at Hanover College; named NAIA Coach of Year in 1974; member, Hanover College Athletic Hall of Fame Peter A. Corrao (1976), president of the Neace Group, Madison, Indiana, member of the Hanover College Athletic Hall of Fame Dr. Carl C. Cowen (1967), professor and dean of actuarial science, IUPUI, Indianapolis; past president, Mathematical Association of America; recipient, numerous teaching awards Dr. William M. Crecelius (1989), pediatrician, Evansville, Indiana Robert Donewald (1964), former head basketball coach, Illinois State University from 1978 to 1989 and at Western Michigan University from 1989 to 2000; selected in 1992 as the Mid-American Conference Coach of the Year; TV color analyst John L. Dwenger (1955), retired business teacher at Southport High School; member, Hanover College Athletic Hall of Fame Stephen B. Ellis (1972), assistant professor, Center for Business Preparation, Hanover College Dr. William Falls (1970), associate dean for student service and professor of anatomy/radiology at Michigan State University Dr. Glen L. Flaningham (1991), physician with Hancock Memorial Hospital, Greenfield, Indiana; president, Hanover College Alumni Association Board of Directors Dr. Tyler C. Flaningham (1991), physician, Indianapolis Dr. Kurt A. Folke (1988), dentist, Valparaiso Eddie Foster (1960), vice president and national sales manager, Stokely USA Inc., Oconomowoc, Wisconsin Dr. Gary Fox (1952), professor emeritus, University of Missouri @ Columbia Garland D. Frazier (1937), graduate of Indiana University, head football coach at Hanover College in 1949 and 1950; head football coach, Wabash College from 1951 to 1960; member, Football Hall of Fame in Indiana James Gaunt (1967), former president of Fifth Third Bank of Kentucky Christopher Geesman (1961), head football coach, Pen-Harris-Madison School Corp., member of the Hanover College Athletic Hall of Fame Lawrence E. Gloyd (1954), former president, COB, and CEO of CLARCOR Peter J. Gordon (1968), Investment Manager, Peter J.D. Gordon, Inc., Annapolis, Maryland Carlton Gregg, Ohio’s biggest road contractor Dr. Robert G. Hallawell (1945), former dentist in Kentucky K. Michael Hart (1972), recipient, Lambda Chi Alpha’s Order of Merit
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Dr. Michael K. Heile (1990), physician, Kentucky Dr. Jim H. Hennegan (1953), veterinarian, Indianapolis Charles Henry (1940), basketball coach at Hanover College from 1951 to 1953 David Hine (1940), member, Hanover College Athletic Hall of Fame Dr. George Hopkins (1965), former professor of math, University of Cincinnati Dr. Charles G. Howard (1967), dean of admissions, Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology Dr. William Howard (1969), physician, Bloomington, Indiana Dr. Alvin E. “Abe” Howe (1962), former professor emeritus of Education, California State University, East Bay Cpt. David G. Imhof (1989), east precinct commander, Nashville Police Force, Nashville, Tennessee Judge Amos W. Jackson (1926), former chief justice, Indiana Supreme Court; recipient, Hanover College Alumni Achievement Award Frank “Blackie” Jean (1943), scored 70 points in a basketball game as Hanover beat Louisville Gerald R. Johnson Jr. (1969), current vice president, Center of Business Preparation, Hanover College; former COB/CEO, Mercantile Bank Corp., Wyoming, Michigan Gary K. Kemper, attorney, member of the Hanover College Athletic Hall of Fame Daniel Kile (1956), principal, Brookville High School; former chapter president; member, Hanover College Athletic Hall of Fame Dr. Lindsey J. Kintner (1994), optometrist, Mishawaka, Indiana Dr. Jeffrey Klein (1971), nuclear physicist, Indianapolis Dorance H. Kohlmeier (1942), former athletic director, Glendale United Schools, Glendale, California; member, Hanover College Athletic Hall of Fame Dennis Kovener (1976), former archivist and document reference librarian, Hanover College M. Steven Lacroix (1970), senior vice president and general counsel for Snelling & Snelling, Florida Dennis Laker (1974), professor, Widener University, Chester, Pennsylvania Larry Liddle (1957), member of the Hanover College Athletic Hall of Fame Dr. Kenneth V. Lottich (1928), former professor emeritus of Education, University of Montana Cline D. Mahoney, retired, Eli Lilly & Co., Indianapolis, Indiana Terry L. Mann (1970), president and CEO, Kentucky Alternative Programs, Inc.; former Kentucky State Representative; currently chairman of the Board of Regents, Northern Kentucky University; former chairman of the Board of Kentucky Employers Mutual Insurance Dr. Robert W. Mannan (1974), professor of wildlife & fisheries service, University of Arizona R. Earle Martin, professor of physics; recipient, Lambda Chi Alpha’s Order of Merit Dr. Dale R. Mayrose (1991), internal medicine physician, Indianapolis Jerry Lee McKenzie (1959), director of grant resources, University of Findlay; recipient, Hanover College Alumni Award Randy McPhee (1972), vice president, Medical Comfort Specialists, Atlanta; member, Hanover College Athletic Hall of Fame Charles R. Miller (1960), president, Miller Oil Co., Louisville, Kentucky Dr. Bruce V. Mitchell (1953), former professor at School of Dentistry, Indiana University Col. Walter E. Modesitt (1942), flew 114 combat missions during the Korean War; recipient, Silver Star Medal, Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Crosses (3), Air Medals (5) John J. Morris (1957), insurance agency manager; member, Hanover College Athletic Hall of Fame John M. Muessel (1974), vice president and trust officer, River Valley BanCorp;
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member, Hanover College Athletic Hall of Fame Gary Myers (1977), member, Hanover College Athletic Hall of Fame Judge David E. Northam (1971), Judge Rush Superior Court, Indiana Dr. Scott A. Null (1974), dentist, Newark, Ohio John W. Owensby (1957), self-employed; member, Hanover College Athletic Hall of Fame Aaron Parker (2005), former chapter president; former educational leadership consultant, associate director of Chapter Services, and director of harm reduction, Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity; risk management specialist, Texas State Office of Risk Management Paul Patterson (1964), head basketball coach, Taylor University; while at Taylor, Patterson has amassed a record of 678-337 (.668), won 15 conference championships and went to 14 NAIA National Tournaments; he has 12 Coach of the Year awards to his credit, including the 1990-91 NAIA National Coach of the Year honor and the 1994 NAIA Great Lakes Region Coach of the Year; in 1996 he was inducted into the NAIA Hall of Fame as well as the Hanover College Athletic Hall of Fame Dr. C. Daniel Pavelka (1996), physician, Highland, Indiana Dr. Lance Timothy Payton (1990), family physician, Vincennes, Indiana Dr. James Peck (1938), physician, Princeton, New Jersey Dr. Christopher K. Peters (1990), physician, University of Louisville School of Medicine Dr. William D. Preble (1990), vice president for University Enrollment and Strategic Communication, Ohio Wesleyan University Dr. Wesley Ratliff (1976), physician, Bloomington, Indiana Benjamin Rechter (1961), president of Rogers Group Investments and Trustee of Community Foundation in Nashville, Tennessee Kyle T. Rich (1992), manager with American Industrial Corp., Greenwood, Indiana; member, Hanover Alumni Association Board of Directors
I lived two hours away, but I saw the opportunity to work with the 25 freshmen who had just been associated. The opportunity was inspiring to me.”
The chapter has great traditions. “Yes, and I’m sure the brothers have already shared many of them with you. The bat in our trophy case is one that was used in our annual Wiffle Ball Tournament, which is THE event at the school during the spring. It has been featured in Indianapolis Monthly. Each spring we honor our graduating seniors with a banquet in which they give their last will and testament, each receives a gift from the chapter, and the chapter hosts a luncheon for all of the brothers and the family members of the seniors. In addition, each senior is
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Dr. Gerald Ritter (1967), professor, Alcorn State University, Lorman, Mississippi Dr. Brett W. Robbins (1989), internal medicine, University of Rochester Medical Center Judge Richard Sallee (1955), judge, Marion County Municipal Court Harry Shock (1968), assistant dean of Students at SUNY @ Oswego, New York Robert D. Schults (1964), former CEO of Shaklee Norman Shires (1959), member of the Hanover College Athletic Hall of Fame Virgil R. Smith, financial planning consultant, Woodstock, Illinois Dr. Riley J. Snook (1995), physician, Indianapolis William Springer (1957), member, Hanover College Athletic Hall of Fame Dr. James Stark (1986), professor of theatre, Hanover College Robert St. Pierre (1970), member, Hanover College Athletic Hall of Fame Dr. John L. Swarner (1969), physician Dennis D. Sylvester (1959), athletic director, East High School; member, Hanover College Athletic Hall of Fame James Taflinger, retired teacher, Indianapolis Public Schools, Indianapolis, Indiana Dr. Mark Isham Thompson (1974), dentist, Indianapolis Dr. Robert L. Thornberry (1974), surgeon, Tallahassee, Florida Gary Vandergriff (1958), member, Hanover College Athletic Hall of Fame Dr. J. David Wagner, professor emeritus, Music Hanover College Dr. William Warn (1935), physician Lawrence Willen (1957), member, Hanover College Athletic Hall of Fame Patrick Williams (1975), former basketball coach, Earlham College; member, Hanover College Athletic Hall of Fame Judge William F. Wray (1956), former Clarkstown Town Judge Wilbur Young (1928), former Indiana State Superintendent of Schools Dr. William Young (1950), former physician in Kansas
presented with a ‘stole’ to wear during the graduation ceremony. In the house, our kitchen and pantry are a source of great pride to me and the chapter. It is kept open 24/7 with the belief that you wouldn’t lock the kitchen in your home. The brothers treat this like their home. We also utilize kitchen crews who set up the meals, serve as wait-staff during the meals, and then clean up afterwards. Our chapter elections, just concluded, take a full day. Each candidate runs on an announced platform.”
You keep the brothers invested in the International Fraternity. “Yes, because it is important to realize that you are a part of something bigger than yourself. This summer we will be taking 14 brothers to the General
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Assembly in Arizona. Each one will have an opportunity to interact with other brothers from all over the country and Canada, and they will exchange ideas and grow with this knowledge. This investment is built into the chapter budget in the same manner as the January retreat.”
How does the chapter maintain its level of excellence? “The brothers recruit men whom they know must take their place. New members are attracted to the warmth and friendship in the house. Likeminded men with a solid core of values attract others with the same ideals.”
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Oklahoma State’s Alpha-Eta Chapter Alpha-Eta chapter has the distinction of being the first fraternity on the Oklahoma State University campus. Today, the chapter is nearly 80 brothers stong, were co-intramural champions with Zeta Tau Alpha, and are very involved with community service and other student By Jon Williamson (Maryland) organizations.
Alpha-Eta chapter has the distinction of being the first fraternity on the Oklahoma State University campus. Charles H. Stone, a charter member of the Chi chapter at the University of Illinois (1916), served as the college librarian and worked with Charles Spangler to form a new society called Chi Alpha that was organized for the express purpose of petitioning for a charter from Lambda Chi Alpha. Within a year it was installed, on September 15, 1917.
Chapter President Bryan Stump is the current chapter president and a junior majoring in business law. “I joined in the fall of ’09. It felt right to me. My older brother, Kevin ’11, is a Lambda Chi here at Oklahoma State. I told myself that I wouldn’t join a fraternity where my brother was a member, but after a long summer of comparing all the other fraternities I chose Lambda Chi. It is the best.”
Why did you run for chapter president? “I have served the chapter as High Kappa and have also been a member-at-large on the Executive Committee. My goal was to leave things better than the way I found them. I wanted to put my mark on the chapter.”
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This has been a successful year for the chapter!
Notable Alpha-Eta Brothers
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“Definitely! Right now we have 78 members of whom 27 are associate members. We won co-intramurals with Zeta Tau Alpha and finished third out of 24 fraternities in men’s intramurals. Our men are active on the campus with Pat Russell in ROTC; our High Beta, Nate Nahmias, and I are founding members of Project Heal, which deals with funding and support of people with eating disorders; our current High Kappa, Parker Bergeron, maintains a 4.0 GPA; and I am a member of the Order of Omega. I am also a member of Phi Alpha Delta, the pre-law fraternity. We are very active in philanthropic and community service. In addition to our support of all fraternity and sorority philanthropic events, we support a pumpkin painting at an elementary school close to campus and we sponsor the Watermelon Bust each fall, with proceeds going to a local church food bank. Each spring we host the Miss Sorority Pledge Pageant, which raises several thousand dollars that is donated to our local Breast Cancer Awareness society.”
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As the oldest fraternity on the campus do you have any special traditions?
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“Ever since our founding in 1917 we have hosted a Hobo Date Party, which is a week-long event. We begin by going to all of the sororities and serenading them while presenting each girl who dates a Lambda Chi with a rose. During the week we may escort a date to a dinner at which many of the brothers are dressed as hobos, and later have a bonfire. At
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Adam O. Abernathy (1995) production manager/producer for MTV News, New York City William E. Apperson (1957), retired chairman of the board, Car Wash Systems of Texas, Inc. Philip E. Arnold (1955), former assistant vice president for administration, University of Central Oklahoma B. Earl Austin, owner, (1953) Earl Austin Construction Co., Oklahoma City, Oklahoma Jonathan A. Aven (1990), science teacher and baseball coach at Mannford High School, Mannford, Oklahoma; former camp director of baseball camps, Oklahoma State University William J. Baker, attorney, Hert & Baker, PC, Stillwater, Oklahoma Bill R. Beierschmitt (1967), provost and chief operating officer for Rogers State University Douglas Benbrook (1943), owner, Benbrook Loans, Woodward, Oklahoma Mike Bilbow (1991), executive director of new media, Georgia ISP Sports Network, Athens, Georgia Jason Boland, musician, lead vocalist of Jason Boland and the Stragglers Joseph Bowles (1965), president of Wind Lee Restaurant, Rocky Mount, North Carolina John Bradley (1954), retired optometrist, Tulsa, Oklahoma Dr. Michael Brann (1968), dentist, St. Louis, Missouri Buddy D. Bristow (1959), retired director of game & fish for Arizona and Virginia Dr. Dale R. Brown (1971), dentist, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma Dr. Kenneth Brown (1938), retired dentist, Beaverton, Oregon Lt. Col. Brian “Bru” Brurud (1983), founder/president of Check-6 Inc.; retired fighter pilot in the U.S. Navy; awarded the Silver Star Medal in 1999 Jimmie Bullard (1963), PGA of America and Las Vegas golf teaching professional, inducted into the Las Vegas Golf Hall of Fame Larry W. Burchart (1968), former major league baseball pitcher, son Travis S. Burchart is a Lambda Chi and an attorney in Tulsa Dr. Scott W. Burk (1987), internal medicine, Alva, Oklahoma Hon. Patrick Caffey (1967), municipal judge, Manhattan, Kansas Dr. Timothy C. Carter (1994), periodontist, Vinita, Oklahoma Casualties of War: Wayne W. Fish (WWI), Earnest Doyle Holley (WWII), J.O. Murdaugh, Jr. (Vietnam), and Albert Joseph Smith (Vietnam). Dr. Richard E. Chiles (1961), dentist, Waurika, Oklahoma Bryan Close (1966), president of CloseBend Inc., Tulsa, Oklahoma; member, Board of Governors and Board of Trustees, Oklahoma State University Curtis Davidson (1974), president/CEO, First National Bank & Trust Co., Ardmore, Oklahoma Dr. Darrell R. Dedrick (1964), dentist, Enid, Oklahoma Leslie D. Dunavant (1967), member, Oklahoma State University Foundation Board of Governors, former president/chief operating officer, Claire’s Accessories in Tulsa Dr. Bruce L. Dunn (2000), assistant professor and director of horticulture research greenhouses, Oklahoma State University Hon. Dawson R. Engle (1995), special judge, Pottawatamie County, Oklahoma Dale Epperson (1977), executive director, Oklahoma Business Council, Oklahoma, City, OK Stuart Estes (1977), president, Oil & Gas Investments, Oklahoma City Mark A. Farrow (1981), president, JPS Surgical, Tulsa, Oklahoma Dr. Gary W. Fincher (1971), dentist in Tulsa
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the conclusion of the week there is the actual date party at a location known beforehand only to the High Epsilon. On the campus a long-standing tradition is the decorating of each house during Homecoming. This year we finished sixth in house decorations and second in the sign competition.”
The chapter is in a good position and growing. How has that been accomplished? “We began by recruiting a solid core of quality men, never settling for quantity. That has built the foundation for today’s chapter. We keep hazing out of the chapter because the brothers see how hazing violations can destroy chapters. The alumni ranks have been growing as rapidly as the chapter’s. Three or four years ago the Housing Corporation became organized and today it is led by Darton Zink, who hosts a dinner for the High Zeta at his ranch each year. David Patterson is our High Pi and he has been excellent in that role.”
as a junior because it was an opportunity to meet people on a broader spectrum and become more involved on campus. I also perceived it would assist me academically and be an opportunity to make friends. I stayed in the house for three years and my favorite memories revolve around my being High Epsilon. By living in the house I got to know the brothers and to do things with them on a day-to-day basis. As the social chairman I loved reaching out to the fraternities and sororities on the campus. This was especially true as the director of the Miss Sorority Pledge Scholarship Pageant and the annual Hobo Party.”
After graduating, how did you get re-involved with Lambda Chi? “After graduating I took a teaching job in Tulsa and I now work in high schools. Several former students went to Oklahoma State University and joined Lambda Chi, as did some who went to other schools. I have recommended many young men as potential members. I was invited to be the chapter advisor at the same time one of my chapter brothers, Darton Zink, was becoming housing corporation president.”
The importance of a House Corporation has changed over the past few years.
Chapter Advisor David Patterson became the official chapter advisor in 2008. “I attended a junior college for my first two years before transferring to Oklahoma State. I joined Lambda Chi Alpha
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“Yes! Greek life has changed as we compete with university housing. It is a challenge to keep up with the amenities that students demand. The school housing apartments represent
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Dr. Jeffrey Finkenstaedt (1989), doctor of pediatric medicine, Tulsa, Oklahoma Maj. Gen. Bradley Gambill (1963), deputy commanding general (West), Fifth Army (retired); former director of utilities, City of Norman, Oklahoma; awarded: Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal (3), Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal (2) James L. Garrett, (1970), president, T.A.O., Inc.; general contractor, Tulsa, Oklahoma James P. George (1965), professor of law, Texas Wesleyan University School of Law Chester Gould (1923), creator of comic strip Dick Tracy; recipient of National Cartoonists’ Reuben Award in 1959 and again in 1977; recipient of Mystery Writers of America Edgar Award in 1980; honored as one of 20 comic strips by U.S. Postal Service Dr. Michael Graham (1966), professor of political science, San Francisco State University, California Dr. Marvin Gunn (1950), retired physician, Salina, Kansas Allen M. Haight (1961), former senior vice president, Prudential Insurance Company Dr. J. Hardin (1938), retired orthodontist Dr. Gary C. Hassmann (1964), former academic All-American in basketball; medical doctor/surgeon Jerry W. Heffel, president emeritus, The Southwestern Co.; chairman of African Leadership’s Board of Trustees; partner, Oasis Wellness, Brentwood, Tennessee Dr. Ronnie Hesser, dentist, Poteau, Oklahoma Robert C. Hudgins (1965), president/CEO, BankSouth, Tulsa, Oklahoma Henry P. “Hank” Iba (Westminster College 1926), head basketball coach from 1934 to 1970; NCAA basketball champions in 1945 and 1946; head coach of the baseball team for seven years; and also served as athletic director; inducted into: Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame, Oklahoma Hall of Fame, Missouri Hall of Fame, Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, Helms Foundation All-Time Hall of Fame, FIBA Hall of Fame and the National College Hall of Fame, won Gold Medal at the Olympic Games in 1964 and 1968 Dr. John H. Jameson (1970), dentist, Davis, Oklahoma Robert O. Kerns, (1955), president, Kerns Co., Stillwater, Oklahoma Robert E. Larrabee, (1961), retired, Department of Navy, Argyle, Texas Donald E. Lippert (1951), former CEO, Lippert Brothers, Inc., Oklahoma City Dr. Michael E. Maddox (1998), family physician, Tulsa, Oklahoma Hon. Darell R. Matlock Jr. (1966), Cherokee Nation Supreme Court justice and chief justice Roger Maxwell (1963), professional golfer (PGA), president of In Celebration of Golf Dr. Gale McArthur (1951), dentist, Ponca City, Oklahoma, All-American in basketball Leroy McGuirk (1931), 1931 NCAA wrestling champion; past world wrestling champion; inducted into the Oklahoma Athletic Hall of Fame Dr. Lester W. Metheny (1949), former dean of students, Oklahoma City University Dr. C. Richard Mochow (1948), retired senior biologist, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Col. Mark Monroe (1979), aviator, U.S. Marine Corps Dr. Roger D. Parker, veterinarian, Miami, Oklahoma Johnny Patterson (1975), executive director, Farmer State Bank, Allen, Oklahoma
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Dr. W. Leon Pearce (1957), retired professor, Drake University, Des Moines, Iowa Patrick Quinn (1950) retired sports information director, Wichita State University and Oklahoma State University Byron K. Radcliff (1959), wwner, Radcliff Ranch, Dexter, Kansas Dr. Thomas K. Reid (1986), ophthalmologist, Bishop, California Larry Rentfro (1963), president, Grant Regional Health Center, Lancaster, Wisconsin James B. Rice (1995), drummer, Jason Boland & The Stragglers Band Dr. Steven J. Rice (1969), Professor, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington Warren J. Rundles (1944), former farmer/cattle breeder (Angus), El Paso, Illinois Dr. George R. Safley (1962), dentist, Moore, Oklahoma Val Schott (1966), director, Oklahoma State University Center for Rural Health Dr. James G. Sewall (1956), veterinarian, Guthrie, Oklahoma Dr. James Shaddy (1961), professor, Northeast Missouri State University, Kirksville, Missouri Dr. Billy G. Skillman (1941), professor emeritus of psychology, Faulkner University Dr. William Spiller (1972), executive director, Grant Thornton LLP, Houston, Texas Dr. C. Dayton Steelman (1961), professor, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, Arkansas David S. Stratton (1962), attorney, Oklahoma State University Bloomer D. Sullivan (1963), former vice president, Cameron University William T. Terrell, emeritus professor of economics, Wichita State University; expert economic witness consultant, Wichita, Kansas Dr. Steven M. Tipton (1978), professor, University of Tulsa Dr. Jerry D. Wall, professor of architecture, University of Arkansas George Warren (1969), president, Warren Ranch, Perry, Oklahoma Dr. W. Roger Webb (1963), president, University of Central Oklahoma; former president, Northeastern State University; president and chairman of the Board, American Association of State Colleges and Universities Dr. David L. Weeks (1949), former professor of mathematical statistics, Oklahoma State University Cory T. Williams (2000), attorney and Oklahoma State representative from District 34 Dibrell Williams (1931), infielder, Philadelphia Athletics and Boston Red Sox from 1930 to 1935; played in the 1931 World Series Darton J. Zink (1993), president and CEO, Zeeco, Inc.; president, Lambda Chi Alpha House Corporation; former chapter president John S. Zink (1951), professional engineer, inventor, industrialist, and philanthropist; received 35 patents on combustion-related equipment; sponsored cars in the Indianapolis 500 from 1952 to 1967 and his cars won the race in 1955 and 1956; inducted into the Auto Racing Hall of Fame in 2004; received the Boy Scouts of America Silver Beaver and Buffalo Awards; received the Henry G. Bennett Distinguished Service Award from Oklahoma State University in 1985; inducted into the Oklahoma Hall of Fame in 1989
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top-of-the-line apartment living. We now have excellent alumni support which has contributed significant funds to renovate the house; installing new windows, a new front porch, a new roof, new carpeting, painting the rooms, and most important, we installed a sprinkler system to keep the brothers safe. So we have successfully combined aesthetics with safety.”
What do you feel is the most important thing about college in 2011? “It is all about academics, and toward that goal the alumni have established several scholarships. They are awarded in amounts ranging from $300 up to $600 for a GPA of 3.75 and above. We communicate the importance of scholarship to the parents.”
You and alumni involvement have been major reasons for the recent successes enjoyed by the brothers.
especially how to be a better citizen, and it broadened my perspectives on life. During those years I learned leadership and how to get along with people.”
Why did you become re-involved with the fraternity? “I owe Lambda Chi a debt. A few years ago I learned that the chapter property was about to be sold so I helped in sending a letter to alums requesting their financial assistance. I also called several brothers and got the monies together in order to re-mortgage the property. Now we have 12 brothers on the House Corporation and an email is sent on a regular basis to all of the alumni keeping them updated on the status of the chapter. Over the past three years we have raised $150,000 which we have used to renovate the house. The undergraduates are doing their jobs in building a strong chapter and the alumni are being responsible stewards.”
“It is pretty simple. Recruitment is a continuing process and winners attract winners. We look for men who subscribe to the core values of our great fraternity.”
House Corporation President I had the opportunity to speak with Darton Zink, currently the president of the House Corporation and a former chapter president. “The time I spent as an undergraduate member of Lambda Chi Alpha was among my happiest of times. I learned a lot,
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Captain Fear The Beta-Eta chapter at the University of Central Florida was installed on November 28, 1971, and currently has 110 men, including 28 associate members. Only eligible every three years, the chapter has earned the Grand High Alpha Award in 1974, 1983, 1987, 1990, By Jon Williamson (Maryland)
You see two pictures; one man, and two personas. It is obvious which of the two pictures is Captain Fear. The “Captain” is Alex Harkins, a brother from the Beta-Eta chapter at the University of Central Florida. The other picture is Alex when he is not in uniform, next to his fiancée, Andrea Freeman. They are to be married on May 12, 2012.
How did you become Captain Fear? “I graduated from UCF in 2004 with a degree in business. I became a restaurant manager in south Florida and took a job at T. Rowe Price. I then moved to Tampa Bay where I now work for United Concordia. I have always been an active person so I took an outside job with the Tampa Bay Lightning of the NHL as one of the people who shoots T-shirts into the stands. About the same time, I went to work for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as a flag runner, running with a flag in the end zone after they scored either a touchdown or a field goal.”
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While at UCF were you a cheerleader? “No, I played ice hockey all four years. One day a friend mentioned that there were auditions for Captain Fear, the mascot of the Tampa Bay Bucs, and he encouraged me to try out. I did but I wasn’t selected, a least not right away. Then I received a call letting me know that I had finished second and I was asked if I would like to split the responsibilities with the person who had been chosen. I jumped at the opportunity and today we share the duties.”
What are the duties? “We are not only at the games but I also average one to four appearances a week at outside charitable events and then make public appearances to promote the football team. It is fun and we get to help worthy causes while making kids happy. It is a great experience.”
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2011 North American Food Drive With New Orleans’ 200,000 plus pounds, chapters raise more than one million pounds for local charities.
By Tad Lichtenauer (Denison)
For some shelters, Lambda Chi Alpha’s food drive is the single-largest source of charity they receive, and they rely on our chapters every year. Each collected can of food not only feeds someone in need but also raises the awareness that helping those in need is a cornerstone of what Lambda Chi Alpha is committed to doing. “Brothers Feeding Others” is more than a slogan. It is the embodiment of the TRUE Brother Core Values upon which our Fraternity is founded.
Since 1993, Lambda Chi Alpha has conducted an international philanthropic project that has raised more than 35 million pounds of food for the needy across North America. Although individual chapters had been doing their own local food drives for many years, 1993 was the first year that International Headquarters announced a cohesive North American program. Called the Lambda Chi Alpha North American Food Drive, this annual event is arguably the largest single-day philanthropic project sponsored by a collegiate organization.
The following are just a few of the chapters who were recognized by the media for their contributions related to this year’s North American Food Drive:
Arkansas State (Iota-Theta) The Arkansas State chapter hosted its 33rd Annual Miss Greek Goddess Pageant. The pageant, started in 1978, raises funds to benefit local and national service organizations. Last year, over $3,000 and 10,500 pounds of food were collected for the Northeast Arkansas Food Bank.
With just under half of the participating chapters reporting, Lambda Chi Alpha has collected 1,027,062 pounds of food this year. It is expected that, when all chapters have reported, Lambda Chi Alpha will again have raised more than 1.5 million pounds of food. Food collected by chapters directly supports the hungry and needy within their local communities. Participating chapters typically gather money or canned food and donate all proceeds to a local food bank, shelter, or charity.
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Central Florida (Beta-Eta)
Top Reporting Chapters
The Central Florida chapter hosted its annual “Watermelon Bust” philanthropy this past weekend. The contest was held this past Saturday at Memory Mall and has so far raised 40,000 pounds of food for the North American Food Drive.
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Michigan (Sigma) The Sigma chapter brothers conducted a successful recruitment event in which they went out into nearby neighborhoods and collected non-perishable food goods
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to donate to Food Gatherers, a local food bank. The chapter brothers collected several hundred pounds of food in one afternoon, including a donation from the university President Mary Sue Coleman.
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Texas Christian (Iota-Pi) The Iota-Pi chapter hosted a food drive benefiting the Tarrant Area Food Bank. The First Annual Lambda Chi Alpha PB & J Face-off was a friendly competition between two teams of campus Greek organizations, where one team collected peanut butter and the other team collected jelly. The food drive was a huge success. 423 jars of peanut butter and 645 jars of jelly were donated, totaling 1,068 jars. The donations weighed over 1,000 pounds. Campus sororities Chi Omega, Delta Delta Delta, and Sigma Kappa collected the most items. As a result, Lambda Chi will make monetary donations to their philanthropies Make a Wish Foundation, Cook Children’s Hospital, and the Alzheimer’s Association respectively.
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New Orleans (Lambda-Alpha) -211,810 pounds Worcester Polytechnic (Pi) -- 210,214 pounds Texas-El Paso (Zeta-Epsilon) -- 188,885 pounds Drury (Theta-Sigma) -- 83,000 pounds Missouri-Columbia (Gamma-Kappa) – 50,454 pounds Bradley (Kappa-Upsilon) -- 49,387 pounds Texas-San Antonio (Phi-Upsilon) -41,390 pounds Louisiana-Lafayette (Iota-Omega) – 40,631 pounds Coe (Zeta-Alpha) -- 33,000 pounds Denison (Gamma-Iota) -- 28,651 pounds Hanover (Theta-Zeta) -- 27,214 pounds Millsaps (Theta-Eta) -- 25,325 pounds Union (Lambda-Zeta) -- 22,721 pounds California-Polytechnic (Phi-Sigma) – 20,919 pounds Texas-Christian (Iota-Pi) – 18,899 pounds Truman State (Phi-Psi) -- 18,390 pounds Oklahoma State (Alpha-Eta) -- 16,304 pounds Oklahoma (Gamma-Rho) – 15,293 pounds Western Ontario (Delta-Eta) -- 15,002 pounds Southeast Missouri (Delta-Phi) – 14,395 pounds Colorado State-Pueblo (Delta-Omega) -- 14,060 pounds Miama-FL (Epsilon-Omega) – 13,598 pounds Butler (Alpha-Alpha) -- 12,147 pounds Georgetown (Kappa-Omega) -- 11,586 pounds
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Northeastern State (Delta-Beta) -10,789 pounds New Mexico State (Zeta-Gamma) -10,000 pounds
Butler/Elmurst Win Inaugural Foundation Challenge Leading into the holiday season, it is always important to remember how we as Lambda Chis can give back. November is a time when undergraduate brothers across North America come together and exhibit the Core Value of Service & Stewardship by participating in the North American Food Drive. To make things more exciting this year, the Lambda Chi Alpha Educational Foundation hosted a North American Food Drive Debrief Challenge, communicated via social media, and funded through donations given to the undergraduate giving program, The Mason’s Circle. To participate in the challenge, each chapter had the opportunity to submit a response, in 500 words or less, that outlined the activities the chapter did to promote the food drive on their campus and how their brothers benefited from the experience. For the inaugural challenge, two chapters were awarded funds to go towards their food drive efforts. The Alpha-Alpha chapter at Butler University was awarded $500 for Gleaners Food Bank for its annual Haunted House and the chapter’s work with the food bank to help brothers feed those in need in the Indianapolis area. Pi-Zeta at Elmhurst College was awarded $250 for Elmhurst Yorkfield Presbyterian Church for its creativity in their “Trick-or-Treat for Canned Goods” activity. Congratulations to our brothers from theses two chapters for their collective efforts! Be sure to Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter to find out what the next challenge will be.
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ALUMNI RECOGNITION
Western Kentucky’s Johnny Douglas With more than 20 years as an alumnus volunteer, he exemplifies the meaning of a lifetime brother. By Tad Lichtenauer (Denison)
Name: Johnny Douglas/////////////
When were you initiated?
Chapter: Lambda-Lambda/ ////////// School: University of Western Kentucky/// Years of Volunteer Service: 20+/ ///////// Volunteer Roles: Chapter Advisor, Fraternal Steward, and House Corporation Officer (president, treasurer, secretary./////// Professional Career: 28 years, public school teacher (retired in 2000); owner, Broadway Florist of Bowling Green, Inc. (Bowling Green, Kentucky)/ ////////
“December 1987. I was the first honorary initiate at Lambda-Lambda. Before that I was a member of an organization downtown that did benefits to raise money. They had a big benefit every year where they put up this tent. I was in charge of manpower and we had 80 tables, 800 chairs, plus a 64x64 foot dance floor that was in 4x8 foot pieces. I said, ‘Well who am I going to get to help?’ and they said, ‘Well, call Lambda Chi, they always help.’ So I called Lambda Chi and that was the beginning of it. I just kept calling them year after year and doing other things with them. Then they started inviting me to the house, invited me to Parent’s Day one year, and then to homecoming...and then bam it happened.”
How did you become the chapter advisor (High Pi)? “It didn’t happen immediately. After Initiation I immediately joined the House Corporation and served until 2004. I started out as secretary, then I was president, then I was treasurer and that’s when I opened the floral business. At that point I stepped back for two years. I was still involved with them, and knew what was going on but I didn’t have time. Since starting a new business I had to concentrate all my
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energy and time on that. Then I heard that the previous High Pi had stepped down. I just called Jordan Shaw, who was the High Alpha at the time, and I said, ‘Can we have dinner?’ That was in October of 2005. Then they Johnny Douglas with the chapter sweetheart invited me to silent supper in April of the following year. Everyone gets up and says something at that supper. Jordan Shaw stood and said ‘I’m very glad Johnny D. is here and I’d like to formally announce that he’s our new High Pi.’ I hit the ground running with that and haven’t stopped since.”
Why do you volunteer for Lambda Chi Alpha? “To exemplify Lambda Chi Alpha and make it the best it can be. The new guys motivate me. Everyone motivates me, but every time I see a new associate class I think OK this is our future. We keep building on
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our past, but we have to look to our future, and the associate class is our future. That’s just me. I want to give. I enjoy working with them. I rarely miss a meeting. That’s just my passion.”
What advice would you give to other volunteers? “You will never regret it. It’s rewarding. Sometimes it gets a little tedious when things aren’t going right. Anybody who volunteers is going to one day have to face those types of situations.”
Why are alumni volunteers so important?
“First, moral support, second, monetary support as well as to act as a role model. That’s something I’ve come to realize in the last several years. As a role model, I have to set an example for everybody. Sometimes you have to take a step back and look at things and say, ‘OK what am I doing? What do I need to do to improve?’ That’s a continual evaluation for me. I’ve learned to not get mad at meetings. I’ve learned that it’s not what you say but how you say it. Even as a retired teacher, when you’re talking to a parent or even to a student, that’s what you do. I use that same approach with the chapter. Sometimes the buttons are pushed, but very rarely have I gotten upset.”
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Cross & Crescent December 2011
TRUE BROTHER
Living our Core Values Equine rescue owner in Idaho praises efforts by Washington State chapter brothers. By Randall Kent
Editor’s note: The following email was sent to the International Headquarters office on November 15, 2011. My name is Randall Kent. My wife and I own and operate a licensed equine rescue facility here in Deary, Idaho. Our company name is R.E.A.C.H. Inc. which stands for Retired Equine and Care Habitat. We operate on a non-profit status and always look for assistance in helping abused and neglected horses. Our main goal is to help local law enforcement agencies in their jobs by providing them a place to safely stable a horse if it is found as a stray or taken in seizure under the abuse laws in this state. The other side of our organization is to help these horses regain trust www.lambdachi.org/cross-crescent
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in humans through training and hands-on care, whether that be walking, brushing, trimming of hooves, picking up the muck in their stalls, or riding them again, if possible. We have 4-H programs, Boy Scout programs, a Christian Outreach program and are thinking about initiating a juvenile probation service through the Latah county Juvenile Probation Department. We’ve had children as young as two years old, adults as old as 66, and everyone in between. We like to think that we’ve been doing a good job for the community by providing not only the care for the horses but also by teaching others about proper care and responsibility, trust, and bonding with the horses and other human beings. Moving on to why I wrote this
Cross & Crescent December 2011
TRUE BROTHER
LOYALTY | DUTY | RESPECT | SERVICE & STEWARDSHIP | HONOR | INTEGRITY | PERSONAL COURAGE
letter, on November 5th of this year, a group of Lambda Chi Alpha students volunteered to return to our facility and help with repairs and construction of various projects that have been needing completion. They are Alex Clark, Trevor Leider, Kennan Adams, Jason Robert Avery, and William Christopher. I am disabled and sometimes I just can’t keep up with our schedule so, when the help arrives, it makes our day so much smoother. These gentlemen returned again this year and volunteered to side one of our smaller barns and re-roof the goat shed. They arrived at about 9:00 AM and, after telling them what I needed done, jumped on the project and got it done in no time. Not only did they do it timely but they did it with pride but making sure the panels fit properly and if something needed correction, they took the initiative to make the changes and resolve the problem. I am truly impressed by these gentlemen. After we fed them lunch, they returned outside and jumped on the roof
problem. As a team, they removed the old rotting cedar shingles, swept and nailed down or removed any protruding nails. Then they helped me place new tar paper down and re-roofed the shed with metal that will last for years and years. They plan on returning next spring to remove the metal and pull up the roof and replace the rafters with new wood then reconstruct the roof and replace the metal again. In time and money, I cannot tell you how much they saved me. Additionally, because I’m disabled, they saved me a significant amount of pain if I was to do it. These few men were not shy about telling me about LCA and what it means to them to be members. They truly went beyond the call of duty and should be rewarded in some way. Unfortunately, I cannot pay them money as we don’t have any, and this letter only serves as a small thank you to these fine men. I ask you to please pass on my sincere thanks and good wishes to these young men. I know they might only think that they did minor repairs but they didn’t. Their
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work saved the goats from being crushed under heavy snow as now it will slide off. The Barn project saved horses from being buried in snow and gave them protection from wind, rain, and snow. They now have a safer and warmer place to stay during inclement weather. I’ve always remembered what my father taught me years ago. He’d say, “Son, it’s the small things that you do in this world that count the most”. Yes, these fine gentlemen worked their asses off but these two small things they did count the most in our lives and the lives of the ones we’ve sworn to help and protect. Please pass on our thanks to the WSU Lambda Chi Alpha for their professionalism and dedication to service. We look forward to seeing them again. Sincerely, Randall and Rhonda Kent REACH Inc Equine Rescue Deary, Idaho www.reachequinerescue.com
Cross & Crescent December 2011