November 2014 Cross & Crescent

November 2014 . ISSUE 08

FROM THE EDITOR In our November issue, we announce the inaugural High Alpha Summit taking place Jan. 8-10, 2015. This is an exciting new event to help provide our chapter presidents with additional training and resources so they can properly lead their chapters.

Also in this issue, and on the cover, we recognize South Dakota Gov. Dennis Daugaard (South Dakota) for receiving the Order of Achievement, Lambda Chi Alpha’s highest honor. The Order of Achievement is presented to those brothers of Lambda Chi Alpha who have distinguished themselves by outstanding accomplishment in their chosen field and serve as a role model through their success and have thereby brought honor and respect to our great Fraternity.

Historian Mike Raymond (Miami-OH) shares his investigative work and the history of the Gamma Plate from the Massachusetts Agricultural College 1914 Yearbook. The Gamma Plate was our earliest coat of arms and was derived from the first ritual created by our founder Warren Cole (Boston). It’s a fascinating read.

Tad Lichtenauer Director of Communications/IT (317) 803-7322

Finally, the article about the Indiana Lifeline Law concerns a topic that needs to continue a critical conversation about personal courage and doing the right thing in a moment of crisis. Lambda Chi Alpha stands behind this initiative and hopes more will be done by other states to encourage young men and women to take the appropriate action without the fear of consequences.

In ZAX & friendship,

tlichtenauer@lambdachi.org

Tad Lichtenauer Editor, Cross & Crescent Magazine

Cross & Crescent

Header

YOUR ONLINE SOURCE FOR ALL LAMBDA CHI ALPHA NEWS NOV. 2014 ISSUE 08

Features 13 Departments Chapter News

1

Chapter news, alumni news and reports of death.

24

Fraternity News

Lambda Chi Alpha announces it’s first High Alpha Summit.

30

Fraternity News

Lambda Chi Alpha stands behind Indiana Lifeline Law.

GOVERNOR RECEIVES ORDER OF ACHIEVEMENT AWARD Dennis Daugaard receives Fraternity’s highest honor after years of service to the State of South Dakota.

By Kyle Jones (Montevallo)

15 PENN STATE ALUM CONTINUES SPIRIT OF SERVICE After a chance meeting and a hometown connection, Josh Beamesderfer (Penn State) and Trent Golden continue their fight against pediatric cancer.

By Kyle Jones (Montevallo)

CREDITS

Publisher: Bill Farkas anaging Editor: Tad Lichtenauer M Assistant Editors: Andrew Talevich Kyle Jones Layout & Design: Ethan Gassner Photographer: Walt Moser Research: Jon Williamson Copy Editors: Jono Hren Bob McLaughlin

CONTRIBUTIONS

Content for consideration should be submitted by the 25th of the month (except Aug/Jan) Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity 11711 N. Pennsylvania St. Ste. 250 Carmel, IN 46032-6959 (317) 872-8000 editor@lambdachi.org www.lambdachi.org/cross-crescent

17 BROTHERS RALLY TO THE AID OF ONE OF THEIR OWN When a brother was diagnosed with a rare form ofcancer, SigmaLambda jumped to raise money for his cancer treatment.

By Kyle Jones (Montevallo)

19 FOR LIFE, NOT 4 YEARS When Nick Cutelli (Southeast Missouri State) started working on a new TV pilot, he turned to the the amazing network of 175,000 Lambda Chi alumni.

By Nick Cutelli (Southeast Missouri State)

CHAPTER NEWS

Chapter News Chapter news, alumni news and reports of death

Alabama (Alpha-Phi)

Trick or Treat carnival event for the community’s children and their parents.

Omega

Boston (Alpha)

Jerry Nix died Sept. 19, 2014. He was a traveling secretary and

The chapter recently competed in Gamma Phi Beta’s annual Kick For A Cure kickball tournament in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness

administrator for the Lambda Chi Alpha professional staff.

Arkansas State (Iota-Theta) At the homecoming competition the chapter won Howl for a Cause canned food sculpture competition, Run, Red Wolves, Run obstacle course and the Yell Like Hell chant competition.

Week.

Bowling Green State (Phi-Mu) The chapter held its first annual Pumpkin Bust on Oct. 25, 2014.

The event raised food and money for a local food bank.

Earl Morris was elected as one of the 10 members of the 2014 homecoming court.

Bucknell (Delta)

The chapter also hosted its first annual Watermelon Bust, which ended with the annual Greek Goddess competition. Greek organizations that participated in this philanthropy event raised a

The chapter raised more than $3,500 for Feeding America during its annual Watermelon Bust event on Oct. 4, 2014.

total of 24,123 cans of food.

The chapter won first place in Chi Omega’s philanthropy event Omega Games and second place in Kappa Kappa Gamma’s

Baldwin Wallace (Kappa-Phi)

philanthropy event Kappa Klassic.

The chapter added five associate members.

Butler (Alpha-Alpha) The chapter participated in the university’s GreekEnd that provides activities for all fraternities and sororities on campus.

On Nov. 26, 2014, the chapter cosponsored Baldwin Wallace Rotoract Club’s Safe

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The chapter hosted its annual Haunted House philanthropy event, raising money for Gleaners Food Bank and Feeding America.

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CHAPTER NEWS

Chapter News Chapter news, alumni news and reports of death

The chapter hosted a scholarship dinner, where professors on campus were invited to dinner at the chapter house by the undergraduate

part of a brotherhood event.

members.

Case Western Reserve (Alpha-Nu)

Omega

Omega

Franklin D. Smith (1971) died Sept. 28, 2014. After graduation, he moved to Decatur County, became a certified water utility consultant and created a utility construction company. He was the manager of the City of Greensburg’s upland water project to preserve water for the city’s future. He also served on the Decatur County Board of Health. He was the operator and part owner of Lake Santee Utilities until it was sold in 1991. He then became a real estate broker and an Indiana certified real estate appraiser. He loved nature and created a large tree farm. In 1984, he received the Louisville Courier Journal’s Tom Wallace Award for the most outstanding tree farm within their publishing area.

Cal State-Fresno (Cal State Colony) The colony added 18 associate members.

California-Los Angeles (Epsilon-Sigma)

Ralph E. Kirk (1950) died Aug. 25, 2014.

Central Florida (Beta-Eta) On Sept. 26, 2014, chapter members partnered with Alpha Delta Pi sorority to volunteer at the Cheney Elementary School. This was the second annual event hosted by the chapter. The event focused on Cheney’s extended day enrichment program, which provides entertainment and supervision for children after the conclusion of the normal school day. Activities included face-painting, cookie decorating, and arts and crafts.

Central Missouri (Lambda-Pi) The chapter collected 3,600 pounds of food items for the campus food pantry and $850 for Feeding America.

The chapter held an Initiation Ritual Exemplification for 17

The chapter has 20 associate members.

brothers, the largest initiation since the late 1990s.

The chapter hosted a parents’ weekend event on Nov. 1, 2014.

California-San Diego (Pi-Beta) The chapter has 22 new associate members.

The chapter went kayaking near La Jolla Shores Park as

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Coe (Zeta-Alpha) The chapter added eight associate members.

The chapter held a Watermelon Fest with proceeds going to Waypoint battered women services.

The chapter joined the Adopt-a-Highway program, partnering with the women of Alpha Sigma Alpha sorority.

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CHAPTER NEWS

Chapter News Chapter news, alumni news and reports of death

Delaware (Lambda-Beta) Chapter members participated in the It’s On Us to stop sexual assault campaign, which included hanging a banner in front of the chapter house.

The associate members gathered for a photo in front of the chapter house.

The chapter sponsored the LOVE Project, a program designed to examine issues such as sexual orientation, harassment, and assault.

It was facilitated by Lambda Chi Alpha board member Dr. Scott Reikofski.

Eastern Illinois (Phi-Alpha) Dylan Greger was appointed over-all co-chair for Greek Week and Andrew Kahr was appointed chair of the Community Service Committee for 2015 Greek Week.

Edinboro (Beta-Delta) Greek Advisor Adam Cantley was photographed with his Fraternity Advisor of the Year Award that he received at the 55th General Assembly. He was unable to attend the event, so the chapter members presented it to him. Pictured from left to right are chapter Vice President Steve Savastano, Cantley, chapter President Dylan

Chapter brothers participated in Fulcrum for Food, their semiannual philanthropy event. Brothers took turns riding on a teetertotter for 48 hours while collecting monetary donations and canned goods. The chapter raised 41,500 pounds of food for the Second Harvest Food Bank and the Edinboro Food Bank.

Gallimore, chapter Vice President James Clarke.

Drexel (Epsilon-Kappa) The chapter held its annual Smash Bash philanthropy event and raised nearly $3,000 for Feeding America.

The chapter added 19 associate members.

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CHAPTER NEWS

Chapter News Chapter news, alumni news and reports of death

Ryan Kerr was named homecoming king.

On Oct. 17, 2014, the chapter conducted an Initiation Ritual Exemplification for 13 brothers.

On Oct. 29, 2014, chapter members went can treating, where they collected food from the community.

Eureka (Theta-Chi)

Bank. The chapter collected more than 2,200 pounds of food.

Chase Krones lost his mother, Jana Krones, to cancer on Oct.14, 2014. Chapter brothers attended the visitation and funeral in support of their brother.

Florida Tech (Beta-Nu)

The chapter hosted its annual Watermelon Bust to raise money for charity. The photo shows the second place winner of the watermelon carving

Ferris State (Iota-Psi)

contest.

Omega Thomas W. Dennis (1964) died Oct. 13, 2014. He was a founding father and chapter president. A successful businessman, he loved life, tennis, skiing, golf, and the Detroit sports teams.

Florida International (Pi-Phi) The chapter finished second overall in the homecoming competition.

They placed first in the talent show and the float competition.

The chapter finished runner-up in a 15-team softball tournament fundraiser for the Children’s Miracle Network hosted by Phi Mu sorority.

Florida Southern (Epsilon-Xi) The chapter held a three-day Watermelon Bust philanthropy event with guest speakers including the mayor of Lakeland, Howard Wiggs, university president Anne Kerr, Florida State Representative candidate Colleen Burton, and representatives from Agape Food

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Georgetown (Kappa-Omega) David Adkisson and Dr. Fred Hood were inducted into the KappaOmega Zeta Hall of Fame during homecoming weekend. More than 40 alumni brothers were in attendance for homecoming and they discussed plans for the alumni association.

Chapter members helped the elderly at Dover Manor Nursing Home play bingo.

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CHAPTER NEWS

Chapter News Chapter news, alumni news and reports of death

Kansas (Zeta-Iota) More than 70 alumni members attended a cookout prior to a recent football game.

The chapter hosted its Watermelon bust, benefiting local charities.

Omega Dr. Gary Milburn (1974) died Sept. 10, 2014. He received his doctorate in microbiology and immunology from the University of Kansas.

Iowa State (Alpha-Tau) Paired with with Adelante, Sigma Pi, and Alpha Chi Omega, the chapter finished third in the homecoming competition. Their theme was Rugrats.

Paul N. Borel (1974) died May 24, 2014.

Robert Davison (1948) died Oct.2014.

John Carroll (John Carroll Colony)

Kettering (Lambda-Epsilon B)

The colony added five associate members.

The chapter added two associate members.

The colony hosted its chartering banquet on Nov. 1, 2014.

The chapter installed a new chapter advisor, Matt Causley. He is a professor with the university, which allows him to spend more time on campus with the brothers and to better assist the chapter

Johnson & Wales (Johnson & Wales Colony)

in day-to-day operations.

Twenty-five chapter members volunteered at the Second Harvest Food Bank in Charlotte.

Louisiana-Lafayette (Iota-Omega) The chapter added 19 associate members.

At the 2014 homecoming, the chapter placed first in creativity in the float parade and third place overall. Their theme was George Washington crossing the Delaware, as they are the founding fathers of the colony.

The chapter raised more than 48,000 pounds of food for Feeding America.

Maryland-Baltimore Delta)

Partnered with Delta Phi Epsilon, the chapter held a pumpkin carving contest.

County

(Phi-

The chapter joined the It’s On Us campaign to stop sexual assault. www.lambdachi.org/cross-crescent

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CHAPTER NEWS

Chapter News Chapter news, alumni news and reports of death

Along with taking the pledge, the chapter made a promotional

Partnered with Alpha Sigma Alpha sorority, the chapter participated

video to demonstrate the importance of this issue.

in the Adopt-a-Highway program.

Maryland-College Park (Epsilon-Pi)

Miami (FL) (Epsilon-Omega)

Chapter members volunteered at the Capital Area Food Bank as part of their Feeding America and

The chapter added 12 associate members.

The chapter held a Watermelon Bust raising several thousand dollars for charity.

philanthropy efforts.

Millersville (Delta-Tau) Many alumni brothers and chapter founders returned for homecoming weekend on Oct.17-19, 2014.

Mercer (Zeta-Omega)

The chapter held a canned castle event to raise awareness and

The chapter held a Watermelon Bust and raised more than 5,000 pounds of food for Middle Georgia Food Bank.

collect canned goods for Feeding America.

The brothers participated in the peer educators water pong tournament to help promote alcohol awareness.

The chapter sponsored Stacy’s Got Greek to come to Millersville’s campus, with a portion of the proceeds going to Feeding America.

Montevallo (Sigma-Epsilon)

The chapter hosted the Corner Concerts to benefit the community.

Alumnus brother Lanny Johnson visited the new International Headquarters.

He was greeted by chapter brother and professional

Chapter members participated in the S.H.A.P.E. (Sexual Assault, Hazing, and Alcohol Prevention Education) carnival to raise awareness about these important issues.

Omega

staff member Kyle Jones.

Marcus E. Brewster III (1978) died Sept. 14, 2014.

Methodist (Sigma-Theta) Chapter members volunteered at the Salvation Army.

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CHAPTER NEWS

Chapter News Chapter news, alumni news, and reports of death

New Hampshire (Alpha-Xi) The chapter added 23 associate members.

On Oct. 11, 2014, the chapter held its sixth annual Watermelon Bust, which raised 700 canned goods.

On Oct. 31, 2014, chapter brothers held a blood drive through the Red Cross Foundation.

North Carolina State (Gamma-Upsilon)

Paired with Sigma Alpha sorority, the chapter performed an annual

At Greek Awards, Jerry Lassiter was named Greek Volunteer of the Year, Jake LaRoe was named Outstanding Fraternity Man of the Year, and the chapter was named Fraternity of the Year.

Chapter President Linwood White was initiated into the Order of Omega Greek Honor Society.

beach cleanup.

New Orleans (Lambda-Alpha) Nearly 140 brothers spanning five decades gathered on Oct. 10, 2014, at the Homer L. Hitt Alumni & Visitor Center to celebrate the chapter’s 50th anniversary. The university president, Dr. Peter Fos, opened the celebration with a few remarks, paying homage to Dr. Hitt and the successful existence of Lambda Chi Alpha on the campus of the University of New Orleans. The event was planned by committee co-chairs John Person and Marco Perez. Other important alumni members who volunteered were Kevin Walsh, Henry Hom, Chris Musco, Josh Faubert, and Lucas Funderburk. Current undergraduate members who helped were chapter President Kolby Heid, chapter Vice President Cameron Dupuy, and Alumni Chairman Tim Breaux.

North Carolina-Charlotte (Beta-Upsilon)

The chapter raised 22,000 pounds of food for Feeding America.

The chapter added 32 associate members.

North Dakota (Epsilon-Zeta) The chapter added 27 associate members.

Active chapter members worked hard during their annual food drive this week, collecting over 6,000 lbs of food in conjunction with local food pantries.

Alumnus Garrett Mills made a generous donation to the chapter house in order to have the stair treads redone.

Over a dozen alumni returned for the homecoming weekend, including Dave Hillesland, Bob Graveline, Jerry Venderwalle, and

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CHAPTER NEWS

Chapter News Chapter news, alumni news, and reports of death

The chapter held Watermelon Fest, collecting more than 6,000

Duane Littlejohn.

pounds of food.

Jeff Kjosen and Kevin Till among others attended a memorial service and military honors in California for Brother John Gezelius.

Brian Walker was elected homecoming king and Evan Greenwell was an escort.

Omega Marvin Swan (1952) died Aug. 30, 2014. He was one of the original directors of the chapter’s House Corporation.

Old Dominion (Sigma-Iota) The chapter’s scholarship plan was voted the best on campus by the IFC Academics Committee.

The chapter added 16 associate members.

Benjamin Burns (2000) was named a 2014 outstanding alumnus.

He currently serves as the vice president of internal audit and due diligence at Leggett and Platt, Inc., in Carthage, Missouri.

Sewanee (Iota-Nu) The chapter has the third highest GPA on campus with the majority

Oklahoma City (Theta-Delta)

of the members in honor societies.

Omega

Shepherd (Phi-Iota)

Michael O. Lowther (1970) died Oct. 9, 2014. He was one of the nation’s most respected and influential experts in the substance abuse prevention field. A visionary in the field who got his start in the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, he was a beloved teacher, mentor, colleague and friend to thousands across the country.

Oklahoma State (Alpha-Eta) On Oct. 25, 2014, the chapter won the homecoming competition.

The chapter was named the champions of Shepherd University’s annual Quiz Bowl competition during Homecoming Week.

Shippensburg (Shippensburg Colony) Colony members volunteered at Kings Kettle, a local food bank.

Pittsburg State (Lambda-Chi) Partnered with Tri Sigma sorority, the chapter won the Outstanding Homecoming Float for the second consecutive year.

Tadd Lucian was inducted into the Order Of Omega academic honor society. www.lambdachi.org/cross-crescent

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CHAPTER NEWS

Chapter News Chapter news, alumni news, and reports of death

South Carolina (Epsilon-Psi)

SGA senators and as members who serve on the president’s cabinet.

The chapter held a Watermelon Bash, raising more than 10,000 pounds of food for local food banks.

Tarleton State (Phi-Rho)

The chapter hosted parents during Parents’ Weekend.

Chapter Advisor Jim Tothill is pictured speaking at the event.

Jim Konduras (1954) pledged a $1.1 million donation to the University of South Carolina School of Law to be used for scholarships, fellowships, and the establishment of a

On Oct. 21, 2014, chapter members attended the university’s Last Lecture, featuring alumnus brother Dr. Christopher Guthrie (Tarleton State 1974), a professor of history and head of the Department of Social Sciences. “When In Rome, Do As The Romans Do” was the topic of his speech, given before a crowd of 700-plus attendees in the auditorium of the Clyde H. Wells Fine Arts Center. Guthrie is very ill and it was a very touching experience. During his more than 30 years at Tarleton, Guthrie has authored, or had scholarly articles appear, in more than 15 publications, as well as a book, “The Legacy of John Tarleton: The History of Tarleton State University, 1899-1999,” which coincided with the university’s centennial celebration.

leadership development program.

Southern Methodist (Gamma-Sigma) The chapter hosted its annual family weekend. The event included a meet and greet at the chapter house for parents, potential new members, and their families. The night concluded with a reception with the women of Delta Gamma sorority and their families.

Spring Hill (Delta-Delta) The chapter held its Watermelon event, raising more than 34,000 cans of food for Feeding America.

Chapter members helped the local food bank sort the food as a part of its fraternity education.

Te n n e s s e e - K n o x v i l l e ( E p s i l o n Omicron)

The chapter has four members who serve as

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CHAPTER NEWS

Chapter News Chapter news, alumni news, and reports of death

The chapter hosted its annual Watermelon Bust, raising more than 2,000 pounds of food and over $1,500 for charity.

Virginia Commonwealth (Pi-Tau)

Texas Christian (Iota-Pi) The chapter has 36 associate members.

Wes Hoblitt is the IFC recruitment chairman.

Luke Benuska is an offensive lineman on the football team.

Michael Steanburg is very active in ROTC. On Oct. 18, 2014, the colony officially became the Pi-Tau chapter.

Garrett Grim is a member of SGA.

Washington & Lee (Gamma-Phi)

Texas-San Antonio (Phi-Upsilon)

The chapter has five members on the varsity golf team.

The chapter has three IFC members.

Valparaiso (Iota-Sigma)

Parrish Preston placed second in his last equestrian competition.

Seven chapter brothers traveled to South Bend, Indiana, to assist with a benefit auction for Broadway Christian Parish.

Western (Delta-Eta)

Five chapter brothers participated in Relay for Life to raise money for

Western Kentucky (Lambda-Lambda)

cancer research.

Kevin Goldner was chosen to receive a scholarship package from the Indiana Department of Transportation. This includes an

Partnering with the women of Alpha Gamma Delta sorority, the chapter collected more than 16,000 pounds of food for the London Food Bank.

Robert Cabaniss, owner of Marine Corps Direct, is offering to donate a toy to Toys for Tots if you buy a T-shirt. The Toys for Tots challenge is something his company has been doing for the past 15 years.

internship as well as a scholarship to put towards college costs.

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CHAPTER NEWS

Chapter News Chapter news, alumni news, and reports of death

Western Michigan (Lambda-Tau)

Jesse Burham and Ethan Zimpser are starters on the varsity soccer team.

Chapter members participated in Alpha Chi Omega’s Crack the Bat philanthropy event that benefits a local women’s shelter.

Worcester Polytechnic (Pi) The chapter hosted its Watermelon Bash with 25 teams participating in the event. The chapter raised more than $700 for charity.

Alumnus brother Clarence Plant provided a barbecue for undergraduates, alumni, and parents during homecoming.

William Jewell (Epsilon-Nu)

Omega

The chapter collected $400 plus several hundred pounds of canned food for Harvesters.

Dr. Robert Quattrone (1962) died Sept. 23, 2014.

Ben Shinogle is the president of College Union activities.

The chapter has three members on the varsity football team: Dylan Doss, Andrew Daxley, and Darrick Strzelecki.

Michael Rawat is on the varsity tennis team.

Chapter President Benjamin Boggs, Jonathan Enders, and Joel Steyer are in the honors program that provides them with a semester of study at Oxford College, England. The university faculty also voted to send Nicholas Raimondi to Oxford.

Wilmington (Pi-Delta) The chapter added nine associate members.

The chapter collected 1,000 pounds of canned food and $100 in cash.

Chapter President Tim Wiederhold was elected homecoming king.

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FEATURE

Governor receives Order of Achievement award Dennis Daugaard receives Fraternity’s highest honor after years of service to the State of South Dakota.

By Kyle Jones (Montevallo)

I

n celebration of Dakota Days homecoming weekend at

the University of South Dakota, the Alpha-Gamma

Zeta of Lambda Chi Alpha honored their state

governor and chapter brother, Dennis Daugaard (South

Dakota 1971), with the Order of Achievement award.

The highest honor given to a brother for professional success, the Order of Achievement award is voted on by members of the Grand High Zeta after receiving nominations from undergraduates and alumni.

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FEATURE

Gov. Daugaard was nominated by Tyler Tordsen, an undergraduate brother of Alpha-Gamma, in April of 2014. Tordsen said that while serving on the Student Advisory Committee and the Council of Presidents,

“When the application for awards came around, I saw the description for the award and immediately thought of the governor.”

Governor Daugaard has served the state of South Dakota since 1997, when he began his career as state senator. In 2003 he was elected lieutenant governor to Governor Mike Rounds where he served two consecutive terms until he ran for and won the top spot in 2010.

Lambda Chi Alpha CEO Bill Farkas was on hand in Vermillion, S.D. over the weekend to personally present the governor with his award.

“It was a true honor and privilege to present Gov. Daugaard with the Order of Achievement Award,” said Farkas. “The governor, undergraduates and alumni were thrilled to have such a great honor given to an excellent example of Lambda Chi Alpha, their chapter and the state of South Dakota.”

Recent recipients of the Order of Achievement include U.S. Congressman Kevin Yoder, ABC News anchor/correspondent John Quinones and chancellor of the University of Richmond, Dr. E. Bruce Heilman.

“Since my time here he’s been a loyal alum. Every homecoming he pops by the house. He doesn’t hide the fact that he’s a Lambda Chi. Not only is he an incredible steward to the chapter and university but also to the state. Gov. Daugaard is truly a public servant, so it only made sense to honor him with this award.”

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FEATURE

Penn State alum continues spirit of service After a chance meeting and a hometown connection, Josh Beamesderfer (Penn State) and Trent Golden continue their fight against pediatric cancer.

By Kyle Jones (Montevallo)

F

our years ago while at Penn State University, Josh Beamesderfer

met a young man named Trent Golden.

Beamesderfer, then a new member of Lambda Chi Alpha’s Zeta chapter, was volunteering as part of the chapter’s effort to assist families of pediatric cancer patients through a university fundraiser called THON. Trent was battling lymphoblastic leukemia and was undergoing chemotherapy treatment. Now four years later, Trent is cancer free.

The two remained in contact and have kept a close relationship throughout the years as they both hail from York, Penn., in south central Pennsylvania.

“We actually live about a two minute drive away from each other,” said Beamesderfer. “However, I had not known the Golden family until joining Lambda Chi Alpha my freshman year in 2010 and getting involved in THON.” The Penn State IFC/Panhellenic Dance Marathon, also known as THON, is the largest student-run philanthropy in the world. A yearlong effort to raise funds and awareness for the fight against pediatric cancer, THON has raised more than $114 million for the

Four Diamonds Fund at Penn State Hershey Children’s Hospital since 1977.

It was through his involvement with THON and a push from his friend and “little brother” Trent, that Beamesderfer continued his service to his community and those in need by organizing “Rock for the Cure.”

“I wanted to spread awareness to those who may not know about THON and the miracles that come from the fundraising efforts,” said Beamesderfer. “Hence, I thought a concert would be the perfect venue in order to reach those who might not have come just for a THON event.”

Beamesderfer, with the help of local sponsors, friends and support from the York Revolution, an independent baseball team, managed to host hundreds of visitors throughout the day as four different musical acts performed.

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FEATURE

In total, those involved were able to raise over $2,000, which will go to supporting the Four Diamonds Fund at the Hershey Medical Center.

“Mark Golden, Trent’s father, once told me, ‘I wouldn’t have my son today if it weren’t for you guys and what you do.’” said Beamesderfer. “That was a very powerful statement and it hit me pretty hard. I would never have met the Goldens under such circumstances if I hadn’t joined Lambda Chi Alpha and honestly, I probably wouldn’t have been as involved in THON either.”

Admittedly, Beamesderfer added that he’d never tried setting up any type of event like this before, and through a lot of help it just seemed to fall together, but a conviction for what he was doing may be the driving factor to this event’s success.

“No parent should have to bury their child, for any reason,” he added. “With this a cause I felt I could make a direct impact in preventing such a thing from happening.”

www.lambdachi.org/cross-crescent

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FEATURE

Brothers rally to the aid of one of their own When a brother was diagnosed with a rare form ofcancer, Sigma-Lambda jumped to raise money for his cancer treatment.

By Kyle Jones (Montevallo)

O

nly a semester shy of attaining his degree, brother

Aaron O’Connell of the Sigma-Lambda

Zeta at Virginia Tech was diagnosed with

embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma.

This rare form of cancer has unfortunately forced O’Connell to return home to undergo chemotherapy treatment, but it’s also motivated those he calls brothers to stand beside him when they are needed most.

Chapter brother and roommate Connor McGinty explained that,

“Aaron comes from a very humble background and works year-round outside of school to pay for tuition on his own. He is everything that a member of our fraternity should be and embodies our core values to the fullest extent.”

Because of this, the men of Sigma-Lambda Zeta have taken it upon themselves to help their brother-in-need by raising money to cover the high costs of medical treatment.

After hearing the news, the active chapter immediately took to action and went to work on finding a way to alleviate their brother’s newfound hardship.

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FEATURE

“What we’ve done here is set up a fundraising event at a very popular venue downtown,” said McGinty.

“We’ve set up a band to play and contacted every Greek organization here as well as the community to try to help raise money for our brother.”

The chapter has also set up a crowdsourcing campaign so that brothers across North America can contribute to making a difference in the life of a member within our bond.

“The number one reason we’re doing this is because it’s the true spirit of brotherhood,” said McGinty. “It also shows our community and our peers exactly what it means to be a brother of this fraternity.”

For more information and to find out how you can donate to a brother in need, click here

a lifetime of true brotherhood www.lambdachi.org/cross-crescent

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FEATURE

For life, not 4 years When Nick Cutelli (Southeast Missouri State) started working on a new TV pilot, he turned to the the amazing network of 175,000 Lambda Chi alumni.

By Nick Cutelli (Southeast Missouri State)

A

s you graduate from college you may believe this is

where your fraternity experience ends.

You and your brothers graduate and everyone starts his own personal journey in life. Staying in contact with your chapter becomes difficult and at times [it] can even fade away. We don’t think about the brotherhood that lies outside of our own chapter and the resources that are there.

When I started working on a pilot for a new television show entitled “Interest Only” I knew it was going to be difficult to get off the ground. The script had been in the works for almost two years and the editing wasn’t very clean. I knew that if I even tried to take it to an agent or production company that it wouldn’t be taken seriously. The creative aspect of the script was there, but the professional editing and analysis was far from completed. www.lambdachi.org/cross-crescent

I went back to the drawing board and tried to figure out who I could get in contact with who was an editor or even came close to being one. My background was in acting and directing, so many of my connections in the industry were in the same field.

LinkedIn Group I had hit a dead end and started to do some research on Linkedin to see if I had any third party connections, then on the screen I saw LinkedIn suggested some groups I could join which were Lambda Chi Alpha alumni groups from different regions of the country.

That’s when it hit me, I assumed there had to be another Lambda Chi brother out there that studied writing and

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FEATURE

editing in the television film industry, so I started my search and that’s when I got in contact with Jeff Glauser a Lambda Chi from the Jacksonville University chapter who has been a writer and multimedia professional for nearly 15 years.

He also received his Master’s of Fine Arts degree in motion pictures from the University of Miami and has served in roles in the area of journalist, screenwriter, ghostwriter, professor and editor just to name a few. He also has his own website “What’s left to Write.”

I reached out to Jeff and he responded right away. I used his company to help me rework the script and also do the edit and grammar revisions. He also had some great ideas on things that I could update to make it more marketable to a wider audience. He also provided me with the tools and information on how to market the pilot to agents or production companies. Jeff suggested that the next step would be to film part of the script and have something to show when trying to market it. The first thought that ran through my head was I wonder how many of my brothers work in the film-television industry.

That evening I went right to work and started reaching out to Lambda Chi’s all over the country and that’s when I met Patrick Wimp who was a member of the Phi Alpha chapter at Eastern Illinois University and graduated in 2005. After graduating he went on to complete an Master’s of Fine Arts in digital cinema from DePaul University. Pat had been working as a filmmaker and digital content producer for the past eight years.

He is also the co-owner of a Chicago-based production company “Digital Hydra” which is an Emmy-award winning company. The best part was that we both lived in Chicago so we got to sit down and talk about the pilot. He had some great ideas for the material and how to shoot the teaser for the marketing aspect. He also gave me some more insight on the industry and what one of the most important pieces is which is marketing. I worked with Patrick and his production company to film the trailer material for the pilot website and Kickstarter project.

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Before I could get the Kickstarter project together I needed to find someone who was in the marketing industry and I thought to myself let’s keep it in the brotherhood. That’s when I got in contact with Aaron Upin who was a Lambda Chi and founding father from one of our newest chapters at America University in Washington, D.C. I sent Aaron the script and we met and he was on board for the project.

His degree is a bachelor of business administration with a focus in marketing specialization. Aaron had tons of ideas on how to build a website, social media advertising and how to design a Kickstarter to raise funds, which we are in the process of completing to kick it off in mid-October.

Network of Brotherhood This experience has really opened my eyes to the world of Lambda Chi that exists after college and the knowledgeresources that come with it. I encourage other brothers out there who have graduated or are going to graduate in the near future to start building these alumni relationships.

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I believe that sometimes we tend to focus on our chapter when in reality we must focus on the brotherhood itself.

The television pilot “Interest Only” is still going strong and we will be looking for investors this fall and winter. We have agreed to use Patrick Wimps Production Company to shoot the pilot in the spring and then start marketing that summer. If you’re interested in getting to know more about the project or just want to reach out to connect please feel free to contact me anytime.

production company Digital Hydra. The Emmy-award winning company has crafted a variety of films, music videos, and advertisements for some of the biggest brands in the world including Facebook, McDonalds, and the Chicago Cubs, Bulls, and White Sox. Most recently, Pat completed principal photography as the Cinematographer on two independent feature films and serves as an Adjunct Instructor in DePaul University’s College of Computing and Digital Media.

Brothers Involved with Interest Only Nick Cutelli (Southeast Missouri State 2006) Nick is a graduate from Southeast Missouri State University and was a member of the Lambda Chi Alpha Delta Phi Chapter. Nick earned his Bachelors of Fine Arts in Acting and Directing. After college Nick performed in the MidWest and East-Coast in straight and musical theatre. He decided he wanted to pursue improvisational and sketch comedy, so he moved to Chicago and started taking classed at Second City. He has lived in Chicago for over six years now and is a graduate of The Second City Improvisation Conservatory and the Musical Improv conservatory. He has acted in, directed, and produced various sketch shows in the city. Also he was a member of Second City House team “Infinite Sundaes” and a founder of “PlanetTown” film productions. Nick has been accepted into the Chicago sketch comedy festival twice in his career and also was accepted in the Upright Citizens Brigade improv festival.

Currently you can see him doing online sketch material, improve, and standup comedy around the city of Chicago.

Please feel free to visit his Website www.cutellicomedy.com

Patrick Wimp (Eastern Illinois 2005) A member of the Phi Alpha Zeta at Eastern Illinois University, Patrick Wimp graduated from EIU in 2005 and went on to complete an MFA in Digital Cinema from DePaul University. Pat has been working as a filmmaker and digital content producer for the past 8 years. Throughout that time Pat has been a part of numerous digital cinema productions in the United States, Europe, and the Middle East. Patrick is the co-owner of Chicago-based

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Aaron Upin (American University 2014) A founding father of our Pi Omicron Zeta at American University, Aaron graduated from American University in 2014 where he obtained his Bachelors of Business Administration in Marketing Specialization. Aaron was recently hired in Chicago by Press Ganey as a Product Marketing Specialist.

Jeff Glauser (Jacksonville 1999) Jeff has been a writing and multimedia professional for nearly 15 years. He received his BA from Jacksonville University, where he was the editor-in-chief of its awardwinning student newspaper, and received an MFA in Motion Pictures from the University of Miami. Since then, he has served in the following roles: journalist, columnist, screenwriter, ghostwriter, editor, professor, and media consultant.

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FEATURE

Oregon State chapter ranks among top local contributors The Alpha-Lambda Zeta creates a culture of service within their chapter and it starts with education.

By Kyle Jones (Montevallo)

T

he Alpha-Lambda Zeta of Lambda Chi Alpha has

received attention locally and nationally for their stellar achievements in community service and volunteering, after raising almost 25,000 pounds of food through nonperishable and monetary donations last year.

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The brothers of Alpha-Lambda Zeta spend most of their free time down the road with Community Outreach, Inc. Community Outreach, Inc. is a local homeless shelter located in Corvallis, Ore., only a few miles from Oregon State University. Nicholas Meyer, who serves as the chapter’s High Kappa, explained that just a few years ago brothers from the Alpha-Lambda chapter took it upon themselves, backed with the “Brothers Feeding Others” mindset, and decided on a home for their local service projects.

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“Community Outreach was the perfect outlet. They really fit our vision so we took it upon ourselves to become more involved and help as much as we could,” said Meyer.

The chapter, which is a top 25 contributor to Community Outreach, not only helps fill the shelves of the food bank throughout the year but also participates in other needs of the charity organization such as substance abuse counseling, tutoring and child care.

landscaping work around the building,” said Meyer.

Meyer also stated that their success and recognition can be attributed to placing a focus on their service through fraternity education.

Meyer also offered a bit of advice to other chapters that may be struggling with their outreach efforts.

“Motivation comes first, why and who are we doing this for? That really works well for us,” he said. “We really go all-out for other philanthropies on campus as well, getting a lot of guys out and putting in “During our initiation week we bring all our effort and money. All the sororities take associates to the shelter,” said Meyer. “We notice and really want to reciprocate in the give them a tour and expose them to it. same manner.”

We want to make sure every brother knows where it is, gets familiar with the place and It comes down to a couple of brothers be helping any time they can.” that can get everything well planned and lead well,” Meyer added.

“They need a lot of help and there are a lot of different things that need to be done, so brothers always manage to find something to contribute whether it’s tutoring the young adults and teens or taking care of the really little kids, to www.lambdachi.org/cross-crescent

“From there it grows and grows year after year, just being persistent is really key.”

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FRATERNITY NEWS

Inaugural High Alpha Summit Registration is now open for the summit that will be held from Jan. 8-10, 2015, in Washington D.C.

By Marcus Kelley (Angelo State)

The Lambda Chi Alpha High Alpha Summit is a threeday gathering of chapter and colony presidents within Lambda Chi Alpha.

The summit will occur from Jan. 8-10, 2015, at the Washington Marriott Wardman Park hotel in Washington, D.C. Participants will learn the fundamentals of being the chief executive officer of their respective chapters or colonies, with emphasis on leadership, ethics, operations management, external relations and risk management.

All elected chapter or colony presidents (or presidentelects) as of Jan. 1, 2015 are invited to the summit.

Presidents must be able to attend the summit in its entirety and be willing to learn and grow as a leader.

No other chapter delegates or substitutions are permitted.

Registration Is Now Open Registration opened on Nov. 1, 2014 and will close on Dec. 10, 2014.

The registration fee is $150 and will be applied to your chapter or colony’s billing statement with the General Fraternity, so a payment is not required when you register.

Registration information was sent out via email and is also available on our website at www.lambdachi.org/ highalphasummit.

Rooming accommodations from Thursday night to www.lambdachi.org/cross-crescent

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FRATERNITY NEWS

Sunday morning are included with registration. All participants will share a double-bed room with another participant during the summit.

If your chapter will be electing a new High Alpha who will assume the office in January or February, the General Fraternity encourages you to complete the election before the Dec. 10 registration deadline. He will not have to take office immediately, but will be able to sign up for the summit and to take advantage of this opportunity.

For Further Assistance Please contact Marcus Kelley, associate director of education, at mkelley@lambdachi.org or your educational leadership consultant for assistance.

Attendees should plan to arrive at the summit by 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 8, and to leave no earlier than Sunday morning, Jan. 11.

All flights should arrive at the Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport.

Shuttles will be available from noon to 6 p.m. on Thursday and 5 to 11 a.m. on Sunday, Jan. 11.

Travel reimbursements will not be provided. However, the General Fraternity is in the process of seeking out additional funding to assist with travel cost. More information will be provided when it is available.

Professional attire (suit or slacks with collared shirt) for the general sessions and group meetings, and casual attire (khakis or jeans with polostyle shirt) during evening activities will be acceptable. A jacket and tie is requested for the closing banquet.

Attendees should bring a T-shirt or sweatshirt with their school name or mascot for a group photo.

Summit Schedule

9:30 p.m. Regional Conclave Roundtables

Thursday, January 8

6 p.m. Dinner 7:30 p.m. General Session #1: Why Are We Here?

• • • •

Welcome Summit Overview Rules & Expectations Charge from the General Fraternity

8 p.m. Small Group Meeting #1: Who Am I?

10 p.m. Brotherhood Activity

Friday, January 9

7:30 a.m. Breakfast

9 a.m. General Session #2: What Is My Role?

• Ethics in Leadership • Finding Your Purpose • Motivating Others

10:30 a.m. Small Group Meeting #2: Leadership in Theory

• Introductions • Icebreakers/Team Builders • Set Expectations/Goals

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• Leadership with Values • Leadership Styles • Effective Communicati

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Noon Lunch 1:30 p.m. Small Group Meeting #3:

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FRATERNITY NEWS • Noon - Lunch

1:30 p.m. 1:1 Consultation on Personal Chapter Vision 3:30 p.m. & Breaks 5:45 p.m.

6 p.m. Small Group Meeting #8: `` Going Forwar • Wrap Up • Last Words of Wisdom/

Leadership in Action • Case Study • Role Play

Fraternity

8 p.m. Small Group Meeting #5: 2:45 p.m. General Session #3: What Accountability Do I Need to Know?

• Using the Ritual • Remember our Oaths

• Panel Discussion

3:45 p.m. Break

Advice • The Work Is Never Done!

• Support Each Other

• “Being Deposed” • Personal Liability • Impact on the General

7:30 p.m. Closing Dinner Banquet: Leave a Legacy!

10 p.m. Brotherhood Activity

Sunday, January 11

9:30 p.m. Brotherhood Activity

4 p.m. Small Group Meeting #4: Operation Responsibilities Saturday, January 10 • Chapter Management

• • • • • • •

(bylaws, committees, chapter meetings, etc.)

Operations Standards Event Planning Crisis Management Membership Reporting & Finances Executive Committee Public Relations (Intent vs. Impact) Building Positive Relationship (alumni, campus professional and IHQ)

5:30 p.m. Dinner

part for Home

7:30 a.m. Breakfast

9 a.m. General Session #5: How Do I Make a Difference?

• Courage to Act & Con-

front Issues • “Blow up the Box”

10:30 a.m. Small Group Meeting #6: Creating a Vision • Begin Working on Per-

sonal Chapter Vision

7 p.m. General Session #4: What Happens If I Don’t Act?

• Be a Change Agent • Path of Success

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• 11 a.m. - Checkout/De-

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FRATERNITY NEWS

Officer Academy Update

Since the initial launch, there has been one complete chapter and 181 other chapter officers who have successfully completed their certification.

By Chris Buck (Ball State)

This August, Lambda Chi Alpha launched Officer Academy, our new officer training and transitioning program. This program provides officers with modules that educate them about their roles and responsibilities, as well as about Lambda Chi Alpha policies and procedures.

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Since the initial launch there has been one complete chapter, as well as officers from 181 other chapters, who have successfully completed their certification.

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FRATERNITY NEWS We would like to recognize the following brothers for their hard work and dedication to being the best officers for their chapters or colonies.

• Abdou Seck • Adam Jonet • Alex Krush • Alex Nicholas Petersen • Alex Weck • Alexander Peck • Alexander Rottkamp • Andre Ray • Andrew Jensen • Andrew Tebbe • Andrew Bills • Andrew Han • Andrew Knock • Andrew Koenigs • Andrew Pendleton • Andrew Servais • Armando Santin • Austin David • Austin Harris • Austin Meyer • Austin Pajda • Benjamin Taylor • Benjamin Voytas • Berin Terzic • Brandon Euen • Brandon Kwiatek • Brett Wreggelsworth • Brian Brennan • Bruce Stacey • Burke Herr • Cameron Baucom • Casey Grebe • Charles Booth • Charles Ferguson • Charles May • Chenyang Lei • Chris Harris • Christian Wang • Christopher A. Bateman • Cody Reed • Cody Wiebell • Cole Morgan

• Colin Glenny • Connor Kirtley • Connor Rubin • Connor Tobin • Dan Masterson • Daniel Moulton • Darius Anderson • David Gagliardotto • David Enteman • David Good • David Kennedy • David Lovelace • David Reiner • David Shulman • Dominque Norris • Dustin Ferguson • Dylan McParland • Eli Mendelson • Eric Mordorski • Ethan Thomas • Evan Anders • Evan Meiman • Evan Meiman • Francisco Muniz • Gabriel Brandao • Garret Taggart • Garrett Nebeker • Garrett Wyman • Geoffrey Johnston • George Krstev • George Raysik • Greg Stephens • Hari Nath • Harrison Folk • Isaac Taylor • Jacob Butler • Jacob Scheib • Jake Stidham • Jake Weimar • James Fradette • Jared Poland • Jaron Stiers • Jason Almerini • JB Stockslager • Jesse Solis • Jesus Villarreal • Joe Spindler

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• Joey Arteaga • John Alexander • Jordan Conaway • Jordan Miller • Jose Ortiz IV • Joseph Bononno • Joseph Hajjar • Josh Herr • Joshua Allen • Joshua Criss • Joshua Gaal • Justin Loper • Justin Malave • Justin Winkler • Justyn De Leon • Justyn De Leon • Kaleb Kramer • Kevin Leihy • Kyle Brugger • Lee May • Luis Gomez • Luke Sheetz • Marcus Tucci • Martin Shaughnessy • Marvin Sinh • Matthew Westbrook • Matthew Brown • Matthew Clark • Matthew Dorsey • Matthew Mock • Matthew Spagnuolo • Max Scheiber • Michael Berke • Michael Boyd • Michael Difalco • Michael James Blow • Michael Ray • Miguel Garcia • Miguel Vera • Mike Janca • Nate Swick • Nathan Weinbren • Nelson Torres • Nicholas Goulding • Nicholas Kelly • Nicholas Mascia • Nicholas Meyer

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FRATERNITY NEWS • Nicholas Ramos • Nicholas Tsonis • Nick Firling • Nicolas Forte • Nikhil Nag • Nolan Brewer • Perry Klusman • Peter Turner • Reed Swisher • Richard Goldfeld • Robert Blakney • Robert Schwartzberg • Robi Hullner • Ryan Bergstrom • Ryan Cunningham • Ryan Mahon • Ryan Maloney • Ryan Marks • Scott Ransom • Sean Carpenter • Spencer Stuhldreher • Stephen Savastano • Steven Frommer • Sudesh Singh • Tameem Sallah • Thomas Hunter • Thomas Loftis • Timothy Hartman • Tom LeClere • Tommy Migaki • Tony James • Travis Kelso • Trey Deschamp • Trey Gerrell • Tyler Owensby • Tyler Candee • Tyler Plunkert • Tyler Warren • Tyler Williams • Viet Nguyen • Wilburt Geng • Will Tucker • Woody Crutchfield • Zach Exler • Zachary Buhr

recognition to Epsilon Zeta at the University of Pennsylvania for all of their officers getting successfully certified.

If you have questions about this program please contact programming@lambdachi.org.

We would like to give special www.lambdachi.org/cross-crescent

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FRATERNITY NEWS

Lambda Chi stands behind Lifeline Law

Lambda Chi Alpha is proud to announce its partnership and support of the Indiana Lifeline Law and its “Make Good Decisions” campaign.

By Kyle Jones (Montevallo)

To kick off National Collegiate Alcohol Awareness Week, the Indiana Youth Services Association and the author of Indiana’s Lifeline Law, State Sen. Jim Merritt (R-Indianapolis), held a press conference at Butler University on Oct. 20 to announce the social media and marketing campaign for the “Make Good Decisions” initiative, which has reached over 12 universities and their satellite campuses throughout Indiana since it launched in late August. www.lambdachi.org/cross-crescent

The campaign which is in support of Indiana’s Lifeline Law, a law that provides legal protections to minors under the influence who report a medical emergency or crime, aims to educate and inform students and young adults about the resources that are available to them during emergency situations.

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FRATERNITY NEWS

“We are very appreciative of Senator Merritt’s efforts to get this law passed. Our members in Indiana are heavily supportive of this law and we are doing our part to get the word out,” said Lambda Chi Alpha CEO Bill Farkas. “Our men should know that doing the right thing and calling 9-1-1 is always the first act that should take place.”

Lambda Chi Alpha has taken a stance to insure that all of 12 of its Indiana chapters, consisting of nearly 800 men, are educated and have the information they need to be safe. “Our main goal is that our members are safe and wellinformed,” added Farkas.

To date, 18 states have enacted a 911 Lifeline law, including Washington, Oregon, California, Utah, Colorado, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Texas, Indiana, Michigan, Kentucky, Georgia, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Delaware, New Jersey, New York, and Vermont. The fraternity plans to take steps to insure that chapters located in these states will also receive the proper information and education as to what immunity laws are available to them.

Legislation is also pending in Wisconsin, Minnesota, Illinois, New Hampshire, and Hawaii.

Pete Smithhisler, president and CEO of the North-American Interfraternity Conference and Lambda Chi Alpha board member, who spoke during the conference, stressed the importance of fraternity leaders, especially brothers of Lambda Chi, to understand that they are responsible for the health and safety of one another.

“We need to be paying attention, making good decisions, taking responsibility to call 911, and understanding that fast action can mean the difference between life and death,” said Smithhisler.

“All of these initiatives across the country, that help to promote students success and safety, need to be understood and acted upon by our brothers,” he added.

and I’m just glad the [North-American Interfraternity Conference] is behind us, and that Lambda Chi is here with us, it makes a large difference,” said Merritt.

“We’ve forgotten in this society that people make mistakes. Sometimes the law ought to be grey and that’s what this is all about, people make mistakes and we’re here to save lives.”

For more information visit www.makegooddecisions.info To find out more about your state’s own Lifeline legislation visit awareawakealive.org/ educate/911-lifeline-legislation.

Senator Merritt (R-Indianapolis) explained that,

“Every 44 hours a college-age person dies from alcohol and every year there will be a 17-or 18-year-old student who doesn’t know the Lifeline Law and could pay the ultimate price.”

“A great deal of your time on campus is spent in the classroom and studying but I believe we need to acknowledge that people are social and that alcohol is consumed on those occasions and sometimes binge drinking is a part of that

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HISTORY

The Gamma Plate, the Massachusetts Agricultural College 1914 Yearbook, and Lambda Chi Alpha The M.A.C. Index is a fine example of an early 20th century college yearbook and provides additional facts about the founders of Gamma Zeta.

By Mike Raymond (Miami-OH)

Since 1999 I have searched online, at garage sales throughout Massachusetts and at an auction or two to find a yearbook closely associated with our Fraternity’s earliest history. The book that was the object of my search was the 1914 Massachusetts Agricultural College (M.A.C.) yearbook entitled, “The Index.” Earlier this year I finally found the book on an online auction site. I had to wait about a week before the auction was over and the yearbook was mine. The fifteen year quest for this “holy grail” of mine was finally over. I had found the M.A.C. Index Yearbook with the infamous Gamma Plate!

A Brief Analysis of the M.A.C. Index Yearbook

A yearbook, sometimes called an annual, is a staple of most college campuses. It serves as a memory book containing the highlights of the student activities and events for a given year. The popularity of yearbooks among modern day students is declining. The most likely reason for the decline in the popularity of the yearbook is the ascension of other media outlets such as the internet and cell phones. The rise of social media such as Facebook is likewise a leading cause for the decline of student interest in yearbooks. With individual students and student groups having the ability to instantly document their every activity, why purchase an expensive book?

However, there was a time when college yearbooks served as the major record of student life on campuses across America.

For many years, the only competition for the yearbook was the student newspaper or the local literary magazine, but the yearbook ruled supreme as the annual record of all things associated with campus life. www.lambdachi.org/cross-crescent

The first thing to be noted about this edition of the Index is that it was a junior class production. The yearbook was subtitled, “A Junior Annual.” A review of the Board of Editors of the Index revealed that all of them were members of the Class of 1914. While this is no longer the case, it was very common for yearbooks to be published by college juniors. (Illustration of the title page of the Index goes here.

It is the one containing the words “A Junior Annual.”)

The practical result of this arrangement was that the junior class was given special treatment throughout the Index yearbook. The Board of Editors picked the man honored in the book dedication. Senior class members were individually acknowledged with a listing of their hometown, their local address and their various college activities. But, the junior class members were also recognized with a photograph and a one paragraph commentary concerning their ability and personality. The junior class controlled the Index and took full advantage of their control of the process.

The second thing to be noted is that the publication dates of the Index are very confusing. The yearbook was published by the M.A.C Junior Class of 1914 in the year 1913.

However, the actual publication date was given as December

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HISTORY 1912! What exactly was going on with all of these different dates? (Illustration of the page containing the words “December, 1912” goes here.)

Each class section of the yearbook included a large photograph of the entire class. One thing that I quickly noticed was the small number of students enrolled in the college. Less than one hundred students were pictured in each class. The most notable fact about each class picture is the near-absence of women. There was exactly one woman present in the junior class photograph and none in the other class photographs. Her name was Sarah Josephine Strange who was majoring in landscape gardening.

Her nickname, in keeping with the nearly all male enrollment of the M.A.C., was Joe. How she got into this college is unknown. But, under any circumstance, she was a pioneer in higher education for women.

The M.A.C. was a bastion of maleness with an all-male board and officers and just one woman on the faculty.

While there were twelve fraternities or literary societies on campus, there were no sororities. There was a lengthy section of the yearbook concerned with student activities and clubs. A play, “What Happened to Jones,” was featured in the yearbook. All of the parts in the play, including the six female roles, were portrayed by members of the all-male Roister Doisters Drama Club!

Typical of college yearbooks of even today was the lengthy section covering athletics. M.A.C. success on the playing fields in 1912 was very limited.

Only two teams, the 9-6 baseball team and the 6-1-1 ice hockey team, posted

winning seasons. All of the team games and records were listed as occurring in 1912.

The Theta Nu Epsilon Society was viewed as little more than a drinking club.

A variety of clubs and student activities such as the YMCA, the Rifle Club, the Stock Judging Team, the Stockbridge Club (Lambda Chi was represented by four members), the Glee Club and the ever popular Mandolin Club rounded out most of the activities available to M.A.C. students.

Chapter size ranged from Theta Chi with twenty-seven members to Lambda Chi with just ten members. However, the total membership of these groups represented about half of the M.A.C. student body enrollment. As was the custom at the time, graduate members living in the community and faculty members were also listed for each group.

The Fraternities Section The section of the 1914 Index of greatest interest to me was the “Fraternities” section. This part of the yearbook contained some general information about the twelve fraternities and literary societies that existed at M.A.C. in 1912. In general, each group was allocated three pages in the Index, including an engraving of each group’s coat of arms or other illustrations. Since each group had an illustration of some sort, I think it is safe to assume that it was an expectation and that this is the reason that led to the creation of the welldocumented Gamma Plate.

The illustrations were all done by professional engravers or other artists.

The groups represented by these illustrations ranged from mainstream national fraternities like Phi Sigma Kappa, Kappa Sigma, Theta Chi, Sigma Phi Epsilon and Lambda Chi Alpha to local fraternities like Kappa Gamma Phi, Beta Kappa Phi and Tau Delta Rho. Included in the twelve groups were Q.T.V. (a Latin or Roman based fraternity), the C.S.C Literary Society and the somewhat notorious Sophomore Society, Theta Nu Epsilon.

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Lambda Chi Alpha’s Section of the 1914 Index Yearbook The Zeta Roster Lambda Chi Alpha’s part of the fraternity section consists of three pages. The first page was a simple listing of the zetas that existed in 1912:

1911-1912 Roll of Chapters • Alpha Zeta Boston University • Beta Zeta Massachusetts Institute

of Technology • Delta Zeta University of Pennsyl-

vania • Gamma Zeta Massachusetts Agri-

cultural College Apparently, there was confusion, even at this early date, about the proper designation of our zetas. M.I.T. should have been Lambda Zeta and the U. of Pennsylvania should have been Epsilon.

One Zeta was missed, where was Iota Zeta at Brown University? Of course, the Zeta lineup is very problematic because it is doubtful that any of the zetas listed were truly operational as

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HISTORY chapters in 1912.

The Gamma Plate The second page of Lambda Chi’s part of the fraternity section is the famous Gamma Plate. The various coats of arms in this section were made from a mix of steel and photoengraved plates. This is a perfect example of the transition from an older technology to a newer technology. By the end of World War I, the steel engraving process would disappear from mass market publications in favor of the photoengraving process. The Gamma Plate was made using the steel engraving process. It is the only Lambda Chi illustration made in this manner. Because the engraving appeared just once in this edition of What exactly is pomology?

This major was shared by three Gamma Zeta men. It was a term that was unfamiliar to me.

Pomology is defined as the study of fruit. Not just any fruit, but fruit grown on stone-fruit trees, like peaches. A pomologist studies fruit trees with the goal of improving fruit quality and production. In 1912 a growing American market for fruit greatly increased the need for pomologists.

the Index, it is an extremely rare find.

(Illustration of the Gamma Plate goes here.)

Louis Webster is recognized as the designer of the Gamma Plate, which was based on elements from our Fraternity’s first Ritual. These design elements, consisting of the Bible, clasped hands, grapes, lamp, scales, swords, triangle and the violet, were

provided to him by Warren A. Cole.

Some additional components were added that included our badge (with Delta Phi) and a banner upon which was written Lambda Chi Alpha in Greek.

This design has been criticized in some quarters because it did not follow the laws of heraldry. This is true. However, I think that Webster was working with what he knew about coats of arms. I suspect that his knowledge came from looking at past editions of the Index. When I looked at some of the other fraternity engravings in the Index I concluded that the Gamma Plate fits in very nicely with the rest.

As a matter of fact, most of the other engravings were not coats of arms at all. They were more like allegorical story boards. (The illustrations of Kappa Gamma Phi and Beta Kappa Phi go here.)

The only engraving in the Index that I think rose to the level of an engraved coat of arms was that of Sigma Phi Epsilon. So, I conclude that Webster did a fine job of creating a coat of arms that was in tune with those of most of the fraternities at M.A.C. Was it up to Jack Mason’s exacting standards? Of course not but, in comparison to the other illustrations in the Index, it was quite good. (The illustration of the Sigma Phi Epsilon coat of arms goes here.)

The life span of the Gamma Plate was very short. Webster received the steel plate from Charles H. Elliott, a Philadelphia engraver, on Oct. 15, 1912. It was published in the M.A.C. Index in December 1912. With the remote and unverified possibility that it was also published in the 1913

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edition of Brown University’s Liber Brunensis yearbook, the life span of the Gamma Plate was about ten weeks.

The original steel engraving plate was thought to be lost until it was discovered by Ed Miller (Cincinnati 1987) on an online auction site. Miller bought the plate for $100. It appears that the original steel engraving plate was retained by Cole and eventually it was placed in an estate auction by Cole’s daughter Erma Cole Pollard in 2002.

The Members of Gamma Zeta in 1912 The third page of Lambda Chi’s entry was a listing of its current members. Once again there is a bit of understandable confusion with Lambda Chi terminology. The membership roster of Gamma is listed as “Gamma Zeta Chapter.”

This is followed by a listing of the ten members in relationship to their class standing. There were three seniors, six juniors and one sophomore listed on the roster. Here is the list with some additional information that I found about each member: John Lincoln Selden - Band (2,3); Orchestra (2,3,4) 21 Fearing Street From North Hampton Lewis Floyd Drury - Stockbridge Club; Class Track (1,2,3); Band (1,2,3,4);Fraternity Conference (4); Orchestra (1) 120 Pleasant Street From Rutland Ralph Hicks Gaskill - Stockbridge Club; Rifle Club, Treasurer; Class Hockey (1); Stock Judging Team 15

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HISTORY were roommates.

Second, I think that there is a lesson to be taken from the common interests of these men. I think that this represents a great example of how recruitment of new members should be done even today. It is a simple lesson, make your friends your brothers. I think friendship is a more powerful incentive to join our Fraternity than a big house or large numbers.

Hallock Street From Amherst Louis Armstrong Webster, “Web” Pomology; Stockbridge Club; Cercle Francais 82 Pleasant Street From Blackstone Lewis Phillips Howard, “Kid” Chemistry; Orchestra (1,2,3) Class Secretary and Treasurer (1); Class basketball (1) 19 Hallock Street From North Easton Murray Danforth Lincoln, “Linc” Animal Husbandry; Stockbridge Club; Rope Pull (2); Senate (3); 1914 Index Board; Fraternity Conference (3); Junior Prom Committee; Band (1,2,3); Class Sgt. at Arms (1) 19 Hallock Street From Raynham Raymond Edson Nute, “Nute” Pomology 9 Fearing Street From Fall River

Peverill Oscar Peterson, “Pete” Pomology; Band (1,2,3) 9 Fearing Street From Concord Rollin Eugene Johnson, “Spike” Poultry 120 Pleasant Street From Templeton Seth Warren Banister - Class Football (1) 14 Nutting Avenue From Westford What can we glean from the Index yearbook about the members of Gamma Zeta? First of all, it appears that most of them were friends before they became Lambda Chis. Four of them were members of the Stockbridge Club which was a small club of students interested in agriculture or horticulture. Six of them shared an interest in music, with four in the college band and two in the orchestra.

Judging from the local addresses listed above, six of the Gamma Zeta men

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Three members of Gamma Zeta stand out from the rest of group. Lewis F. Drury, Louis A. Webster, and Murray D. Lincoln. In 1963, these three men, and Peverill Peterson, returned to Gamma Zeta for the burning of the chapter’s 51-year-old mortgage. At that time Webster also presented the chapter with a copy of the original Gamma Coat of Arms. In addition to their notable college careers, these men went on to have successful careers in various business and humanitarian endeavors.

Conclusion The M.A.C. Index is a fine example of an early 20th century college yearbook.

The Index provided a glimpse into the culture of a nearly all-male institution of higher education. More importantly to us, it provided additional facts about the founders of Gamma Zeta.

Each member of Gamma Zeta was brought to life with some personal information not readily available through other sources. The Gamma Plate was also documented and put into the context of fraternity life at the M.A.C.

Cross & Crescent November 2014