Convention Recognition

2009 Delta Chi Of the Year

ASHToN KUTCHER, Iowa ’00

Ashton studied biochemical engineering at the University of Iowa until, in 1997, Kutcher won the “Fresh Faces of Iowa” modeling contest. From there, Kutcher’s modeling and entertainment career took off. His acting résumé includes memorable roles in “Dude, Where’s My Car?”, “The Butterfly Effect,” and “What Happens in Vegas.” Most of us recognize Ashton from “That ’70s Show” and as the host of MTV’s “Punk’d.” Ashton has become one of the most recognizable faces in the world. Not only was Kutcher named to Time Magazine’s Top 100 Most Influential People, he continues to be a pioneer in the social media industry. Kutcher co-founded Katalyst, a studio for social media, which was named one of the “Top 10 Most Innovative Companies” by Fast Company magazine. In 2009, he challenged, and defeated, CNN in the race to one million Twitter followers and is currently the second most followed person on Twitter. Additionally, Kutcher, with top executives from eBay and Twitter, assisted Russia in its efforts to start its own Silicon Valley. Kutcher advocates for important causes worldwide, especially child protection. In February 2010, he traveled to Russia as part of President Obama’s first U.S.-Russia Innovation Delegation to address antitrafficking and child protection issues. He and his wife, actress Demi Moore, have created The Demi and Ashton Foundation to eliminate child trafficking worldwide.

2010 Delta Chi Of the Year

RoNALD JACK MIX, Southern California ’60

Ronald Jack Mix earned a scholarship to play football at the University of Southern California. As a Trojan, Mix garnered attention from AFL and NFL talent scouts and was also elected the National Jewish College Athlete of the Year. Mix began his professional career as an original member of the Los Angeles Chargers. He earned the nickname, “The Intellectual Assassin,” as a player for continuing his academic education, eventually earning a law degree. Mix believed in both mental and physical strength as necessary attributes for a successful player. He was an early proponent of weight lifting to improve athletic power and a true student of the game. Ron Mix enjoyed a successful 11-season career as a Los Angeles Charger and Oakland Raider Offensive Tackle. Mix was named as an AFL All-Star for nine straight seasons and received only two holding penalties during that time period. He was also a member of the 1963 AFL Champion Los Angeles Chargers. Mix retired from professional football after the 1971 season and, in 1979, was voted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Mix currently practices law in San Diego, CA and focuses on representing retired professional athletes.

JOhn J. Kuhn awarD

This award, named after the former International President of The Delta Chi Fraternity and former President of the National Interfraternity Conference, John J. Kuhn, is presented to individuals who have contributed significantly to the Greek movement. The award, which is the most prestigious that Delta Chi offers, recognizes the accomplishments and the contributions of people within the Fraternity and Sorority world regardless of their affiliation.

RICHARD MCKAIG - 2009

Richard McKaig retired in July 2009 after decades of service to Indiana University. In his last administrative role, he supervised student life services and programs in the Division of Student Affairs. In 1981, the IU Student Government Association created the McKaig Scholarship to recognize outstanding service to campus student government. In 2005, McKaig was presented the Scott Goodnight Award for Outstanding Performance as dean by the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators, the highest honor of its kind.

GEoRGE W. SPASYK - 2010

Lambda Chi Alpha

George W. Spasyk was associated with the administrative staff of Lambda Chi Alpha International Fraternity from 1950 to 1990. He retired after forty years of service and was designated Executive Vice President Emeritus. A native of Pittsfield, Massachusetts, he received his Bachelor of Business Administration degree from The University of Michigan in 1949 and nine months later earned his MBA while serving as a Teaching Assistant in the Business School. Early in World War II, he was engaged in scientific research with the Manhattan Project in work essential to the production of the atomic bomb and was associated with the project at Princeton University. Subsequently, he entered the U.S. Navy and served for two years. A staunch advocate of interfraternity cooperation, Spasyk has served as President of the Fraternity Executives Association, and he has served on many committees of the Association and of the North American Interfraternity Conference. He served on the NIC Commission on Values and Ethics for ten years and was Chairman of the FEA-sponsored Interfraternity Institute at Indiana University for four years. In 1993, Spasyk received the Gold Medal of the North American Interfraternity Conference, the highest honor in the fraternity movement. Ever since his involvement with Lambda Chi Alpha began in Ann Arbor in 1946, George has been an active leader and supporter of the Michigan Chapter, as well as a dedicated fan of the Wolverines. George attends nearly all home football games, making the trip from Indianapolis to Ann Arbor many times each year. He remains an active mentor and adviser to undergraduates throughout the Greek world and continues to be an invaluable resource as well as a dedicated fraternity man.

OrDer Of the white CarnatiOn

Delta Chi established the Order of the White Carnation in 1975 to honor those men who have displayed meritorious and inconspicuous service. Last summer candidates were presented for consideration and, by standing acclamation, the Convention inducted the following men:

PAUL BoHLMAN

ohio State ’70

After graduating from The Ohio State University in 1970, Paul Bohlman served three years as a Chapter Consultant for the International Fraternity and was the 1973 Convention Coordinator in New Orleans. He served on the Board of Regents for a total of 19 years. During that time he served as “AA”, “CC”, “DD”, and Regent for Region VI. Following his Board tenure he served as Executive Director of the Delta Chi Educational Foundation and as a member-at-large of the Foundation’s Executive Board. He has also served as the “BB” for the Ohio State Colony, ABT President for the Denison Chapter, Secretary/Treasurer of the Ohio State House Corporation and “A” of the Columbus Alumni Chapter. Paul also developed and coordinates the D-Dot Program that tracks and recognizes the collective community service and philanthropic efforts of our chapters and colonies. He also currently serves as a member of the Ohio State Alumni Board of Trustees.

DoNALD E. LA PLANTE

Southern California

Donald E. La Plante joined Delta Chi as a faculty initiate of the Southern California Chapter on January 30, 1981. Since then, he has been an involved member of Delta Chi on every level. He has served the Southern California Chapter as “BB” for several years, as House Corporation President for ten years, and as Alumni Board of Trustees President from 1991 to 1997 and from 1999 to present. Brother La Plante served as President of the Los Angeles Alumni Chapter in 1990 and as Treasurer from 1981 to 1989 and 1991 to present. He has also served Region II as Regent from 1991 to 1995 and for many years as a Vice-Regent. Brother La Plante has volunteered as Chairman of the Risk Management Commission and also served on the Delta Chi Law Committee from 1983 to 1991 and from 1995 to 2007, serving as Chairman for most of those years. He currently assists the Board of Regents and Convention through his service as Parliamentarian, a position he has held since 1985. Brother La Plante also serves on the Board of Directors and as the Secretary of the Delta Chi Educational Foundation.

CHUCK MANCUSo

Florida State ’84

Chuck graduated from Florida State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminology and a Certificate of Law Enforcement in 1984. In 1985, he enrolled in The University of Florida College of Law and graduated in two years with a Juris Doctorate degree. He is currently a member in good standing and licensed to practice with the Florida Bar, the Ohio, and the United States Supreme Courts. He has served with and for our Executive Director and Board of Regents as Legal Advisor for twelve years, beginning in 1992. Chuck has also served Delta Chi as “AA” and “DD.” He currently serves as the Financial Advisor for the Florida State Colony.

CoNGRESSMAN JoHN MICA

Florida ’67

Mr. Mica graduated from the University of Florida with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Education. As an undergraduate, Mica served as a four-term president and helped lead the construction of the current Florida Chapter House. Upon graduation, Mica served the Fraternity as the Assistant to the National Director and Editor of the Delta Chi Quarterly and created the format the Fraternity still uses for its quarterly newsletter. Before being elected as a member of the United States House of Representatives in 1992, Mica was a successful businessman in the fields of real estate development, communications, trade consulting and governmental affairs. Also, he served as a member of the Florida House of Representatives from 1976-1980 and as Chief of Staff to Senator Paula Dawkins. Currently serving his ninth term, Mica is the ranking Republican on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, a senior member on the Committee on Oversight and Governmental Reform and on the Board of Directors for the Coast Guard Academy and Kennedy Center Board.

COnventiOn hOnOree FRED HAMMERT, oklahoma ’60

Brother Hammert was initiated at his beloved Oklahoma Chapter on August 27, 1955. He attended the first of his 16 conventions at East Lansing in 1956. He was house manager, IFC representative, “C”, and “A” of his Chapter and served the Fraternity as a traveling Fieldman following his graduation. In 1982 he returned to international service by filling the unexpired term of “CC” and was elected on his own right to the position at the 1983 Convention. He was then elected as “AA” at the 1985 Convention and became the Retiring “AA” at the 1987 Convention. He was inducted into the Order of the White Carnation by unanimous acclamation of the 1998 St. Louis Convention and later became a New Founder in recognition of gifts to the Foundation totally over $100,000. In 1990, he was elected to the Foundation Board of Directors and became its Vice-President at its 1996 meeting and then its President at its 1997 meeting. He stepped down as President at the Las Vegas Convention but remained on the Foundation’s Board as a Director despite being critically ill.