C&C February 2006- Issue 2

Cross & Crescent a Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity publication

INSIDE: Measuring Smoot A man by any other measure Racing for Beijing A triathlete races to compete in 2008 games Financial Picture Brightening February 2006 . XCIII . Issue 2

Cross & Crescent a Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity publication Features Chapter News 3 Chapter and Alumni News Fraternity News 8 Finacial Picture Brightening History 10 Creator of TKN’s Coat of Arms

12

Measuring Smoot Oliver Smoot’s experience as a unit of measurement led to a lifelong career of governing two measuring bodies. By Adam Schnepp Cover photo © Courtesy MIT Museum, All Rights Reserved.

14

Racing for beijing The doctors said don’t over do it. Diagnosed with muscular dystrophy, Ryan Levinson’s active lifestyle as a triathlete earns him medals. By Aaron Jones

Credits

Contributions

Publisher: Bill Farkas Editor: Jason Pearce Assistant Editor: Chris Barrick Illustrator: Jeff Reisdorfer Podcast Voice: Fuzz Martin Photographer: Walt Moser Assignment Editor: Jon Williamson Historian: Mike Raymond Contributing Editors:

Jono Hren

Aaron Jones

Ray Lutzky

Adam Schnepp

George Spasyk

Douglas Weeks

Content for consideration should be submitted by the fiftenth of the month.

Lambda Chi Alpha 8741 Founders Rd Indianapolis, IN 46268-1338 (317) 872-8000 editor@lambdachi.org www.lambdachi.org www.crossandcrescent.com

www.crossandcrescent.com

Cross & Crescent FEBRUARY 2006

CHAPTER NEWS

Chapter News Chapter news, alumni news, and reports of death Appalachian State (Sigma-Upsilon)

Bradley (Kappa-Upsilon)

Appalachian State University and the Collegiate Civic Club, which became SigmaUpsilon Zeta in 1975, have been closely intertwined for 47 years. Thanks to this long-term relationship, Chancellor Dr. Ken Peacock was initiated November 11, 2006, as an honorary member at the chapter’s 30th Anniversary.

Andy Amyx (1952) November 29, 2005.

California-Berkeley (Mu)

Richard Bylin (1940) September 2, 2005.

California StateFullerton (Phi-Epsilon)

Three brothers are serving in the U.S. Marines. Cpl. Michael Martin (2007) is a political science major, Lcpl.

Juan Silva (2007) is a history major, and Pvt. Gabriel Rangel is a criminal justice major.

The ritual was attended by more than 20 alumni. Also initiated were undergraduates Logan Cobb and Benjamin Chicawitz-Caine, as well as Stephen Vacendak Sr., father of Stephen Vacendak Jr. (1996) who died on October 8, 1999.

Cincinnati (Gamma-Gamma)

The weekend featured a winning football game and a dinner dance that joined undergraduates and 85 alumni.

A group of alumni from 1954–1962 began a casual gettogether in Chicago 10 years ago. The gathering has since grown into a mini reunion of about 35 who meet in the current home town of one of these brothers every two years.

Arkansas (Gamma-Chi)

David Deitz (2006) was selected as a district finalist for a Rhodes Scholarship. Deitz is an Honors College student who is majoring in biophysical chemistry, philosophy, and political science.

Most recently, in October 2005, the group met in Cincinnati for the second time — the occasion being the move into a new chapter house — affording an opportunity to say farewell to the old house, visit the new one, and tour the many changes that have taken place on campus in the last 50 years.

Auburn (Omega)

Members presented Camp Smilea-Mile in Children’s Harbor with a check for $5,038, given in memory of Michael Allphin (2002) who attended the first camp. Allphin spent many hours as a counselor providing emotional support for children in their battle against cancer.

Colorado-Boulder (Gamma-Mu)

Neil H. Campbell (1950) September 25, 2005.

An Army veteran of World War II, Campbell graduated from the University of Colorado in 1950. For the following year he served as a traveling secretary for the General Fraternity and visited more than 60 chapters.

Michael Allphin died in February 2005. He was represented by his parents Barry Allphin (1974) and Lane Snider; and his brother 1Lt Matthew Allphin (2003) and his wife Christin.

Matthew Allphin is stationed in Iraq with the US Army.

He returned to Colorado to earn his law degree and spent most of his career in Washington, D.C. as an FBI Agent and in the State Department.

On his retirement to Annapolis, Maryland with his wife, Helen, Campbell took up writing as a hobby, his work including prose, poetry and essays.

He was also a frequent contributor to the Cross & Crescent.

Birmingham Southern (Theta-Mu) Fred Samuel Dunlap (1934) June 2004.

www.crossandcrescent.com

Cross & Crescent

FEBRUARY 2006

CHAPTER NEWS

Culver-Stockton (Kappa-Mu)

Illinois (Chi)

Charles Creech (1943) December 13, 2005.

Mr. George R. Vana (1947) September 24, 2005.

Iowa State (Alpha-Tau)

Kevin Martin (1988) January 1, 2006.

John Bieno (1992), Chris Garnatz (1989), and Wayne Pinge (1992) recently united for a weekend of quail hunting. They hope to make it an annual event.

Elon (Delta-Pi)

Jamie Sclater (2002) is serving in Afghanistan. His Marine unit recently lost a man. “A convoy got hit by an IED earlier this week, and I have been out triing to help with all the clean up issues and man hunt missions,” says Sclater. If it weren’t for the violence, he reports that Afghanistan is actually very beautiful, offering seenic rafting trips down the Kohnar river.

Kansas (Zeta-Iota)

Jason Swan (1991) relocated to London, England, in March 2005 to start work as an associate with Sandy Brown Associates, acoustics consultants.

Evansville (Iota-Mu)

Dennis Hill (1979) November 12, 2005.

Florida (Epsilon-Mu)

Robert J. Barnes (1948) January 18, 2003. Barnes spent the majority of his career as an English professor at Lamar University. He was named a Regents Professor and recieved the Phi Kappa Phi Teaching Effectiveness Award.

On December 9, 2005, together with the sisters of Kappa Delta, members brought Santa Claus to the underprivileged children of Gainesville.

Maine (Beta)

William Newdick (1946) May 8, 2003.

The house was decorated in the spirit of the season. Children were able to participate in various activities such as making ornaments, gingerbread houses, and designing Christmas cards for their parents.

Maryland Baltimore County (Phi-Delta) On December 4, several members visited the Ronald McDonald House in Baltimore.

Equipped with camera and costumes, three of the members dressed as Santa and two helper elves visited with the kids.

Each child also received a gift, provided by the city of Gainesville, and had a photo opportunity with Santa Claus, who was portrayed by one of the brothers.

Florida Southern (Epsilon-Xi)

Children staying there from as far away as England and Kuwait came down to pay Santa a visit, telling him what they wish for on Christmas. Photographer Jason Putsche (1999) captured these moments while another used a laptop and portable printer to give out prints of each little one’s visit.

William E. Smith (1946) December 12 2002.

Georgia Tech (Beta-Kappa)

Peter Wright (1950) August 27, 2005.

Frederick Earl Grim (1967) August 5, 2005.

Grim was a scoutmaster and outdoorsman.

www.crossandcrescent.com

Cross & Crescent

FEBRUARY 2006

CHAPTER NEWS

Massachusetts (Gamma)

Oklahoma City (Theta-Delta)

Gerald Shay (1955) October 22, 2005.

Philanthropic efforts, social events, and active campus involvement allowed the chapter to be the premier fraternity on campus during the semester.

Michigan (Sigma)

Van W. Tillotson (1966) January 20, 2005. Tillotson was one of six brothers who were on Michigan’s 1965 basketball team that ended the season ranked second in the nation after its defeat by UCLA in the NCAA finals.

Tillotson was a retired banker in Ludington, Michigan.

• The chapter held a campus fundraiser to benefit the victims of Hurricane Katrina that raised $600.

Jamie Quackenbush (1970) December 29, 2005. He served as chapter president in 1969 and took over as High Pi a year ago.

• September 19–23, members, along with the sisters of Gamma Phi Beta, held a Cancer Awareness Week in honor of Ryan Liggens (2008) and Brooke Haley, members of the two organizations. Liggens and Hayley passed away the previous year due to cancer complications.

New Orleans (Lambda-Alpha)

Carlos Reinoso (1986), who has a doctorate in psychology, recently wrote a children’s book entitled Little Ducky Jr. and the Whirlwind Storm. The book helps kids deal with the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.

• Lee Goforth (2006) received Greek Man of the Year

North Carolina-Chapel Hill (Gamma-Nu)

• Ideen Tabatabai (2008) was elected to the Student Senate Executive Committee. The chapter has five members on the Student Senate.

Dr. Albert Joseph Diab (1947)

Northwestern (Alpha-Iota)

• In November, the chapter placed first in four out of five homecoming competitions.

George Adams (1938)

Richard W. Crawford (1949)

• On December 9, 2005, Brandon Blacksten (2008) was elected IFC president.

Herbert Selander (1950)

Penn State (Zeta)

Ohio (Alpha-Omega)

G. William Rae (1951) May 23, 2005.

James King (1977) July 20, 2005.

Oklahoma (Gamma-Rho) Trevor Tullius (2005) is serving in the Peace Corps. He is stationed in Gambia and is working in villages that lack running water or electricity.

He says he is getting used to the differences in customs and is learning to speak Wolof.

www.crossandcrescent.com

Cross & Crescent

FEBRUARY 2006

CHAPTER NEWS

Pittsburg State (Lambda-Chi)

Shippensburg (Phi-Tau)

A new chapter house is under construction and should be finished by summer session. Two members of the Fraternity staff have been assisting the chapter with recruitment.

The chapter has several members serving the country in the armed forces.

CPT William Steinour (2002) left active duty upon consecutive year-long deployments to Korea and Iraq. He is now a member of the Pennsylvania National Guard and is currently waiting to take command of HSB/1-108 Field Artillery Regiment.

Chapter President Chris Byer (2006) is an Academic All American football player and maintains a 4.0 GPA. Two Brothers: Lonnie Nelson (1999) and Jeremiah Hull (2001) are serving with The US Army in Iraq.

1LT Richard Sandrock served a year-long tour in Korea with the 2nd Infantry Division and is currently executive officer of HHT 5-2 Cavalry Regiment, (Field Artillery) at Fort Lewis, Washington.

Polytechnic (Theta-Upsilon)

Richard Pensabene (1967) November 12, 2005.

Randolph-Macon (Kappa-Tau) John N. Packard (1956) January 11, 2006.

1LT George Kahler (2004) is a member of the 10th Mountain Division at Fort Drum, New York. He currently serves as 2nd platoon leader of the 543rd Military Police Company.

Rensselaer (Epsilon-Eta)

Jay Waterman Hawthorne (1937) January 13, 2006.

Hawthorne died at the age of 90. He was a founding member and first initiate of the chapter. He served the chapter for more than 50 years as alumni treasurer, board of directors president, and as an adviser. Hawthorne attended and spoke at nearly every Founder’s Day Formal, and was a recipient of Lambda Chi Alpha’s highest honor, the Order of Merit, in 1954.

1LT Owen Adams (2002) is a member of A 1-109th IN, 2BCT to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom 4-6.

He is a platoon leader located at Al Asad Airbase. He as been deployed since March 2005 and is expected to redeploy back to the US in summer 2006. Upon returning to his home unit he will serve as executive officer of C Troop 2/104th CAV.

Professionally, Hawthorne lived one of Lambda Chi’s core values: Patriotism. He and his wife moved to Barre, Vermont, in 1973 where he was a municipal employee and public official, eventually serving in a number of offices including mayor.

2LT Tom Mohler (2004) is also assigned to the 10th Mountain Division, Fort Drum, New York. He serves as a platoon leader in D TRP 210 BSB. SGT Anthony Leer (2003) is serving with his Marine Corp Reserve unit out of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.

He also served on the school commission and as trustee and treasurer of the Aldrich Public Library. When he retired in 2003, Hawthorne had served continuously as an elected or appointed public official for 50 years.

www.crossandcrescent.com

Slippery Rock (Lambda-Xi)

John P. Phillips (1969) September 17, 2005.

Cross & Crescent

FEBRUARY 2006

CHAPTER NEWS

Texas A&M-Kingsville (Beta-Epsilon)

The chapter is excelling in areas of community service, campus involvement, and chapter operations. They are involved in at least two community service events a month within the campus and community. They are also involved on campus in areas of student activities board, student government, and national honor societies.

Calendar

Villanova (Beta-Iota)

February 2006 Feb 16: Alumni Reception (San Diego, CA) Feb 17–18: Foundation Board Meeting (San Diego, CA) Feb 25: Texas Christian 50th Anniversary (Ft. Worth, TX)

Gary Wehren (1972), John Constantine (1973), Joe Fitzgerald (1972), John Twombly (1972), and Marc Santucci (1972) met for dinner after the homecoming game.

They exchanged stories of their current lives and college days.

March 2006 Mar 11: California-Davis Chartering (Davis, CA) Mar 12: FEA Spring Board Meeting (Washington, DC) Mar 22: Alumni Reception (Indianapolis, IN) April 2006 Apr 22: Truman State 20th Anniversary Banquet (Kirksville, MO) Apr 23-24: NIC Annual Meeting (Washington, DC) Apr 27: Alumni Reception (Washington, DC)

Virginia Tech (Sigma-Lambda)

John Matthew Serumgard (2000) December 14, 2005.

May 2006 May 12-13: East Tennessee State 50th Reunion (Johnson City, TN)

William Jewell (Epsilon-Nu)

Highway H was renamed the Richard Harriman Highway on December 9, 2005, on the William Jewell College campus.

June 2006 Jun 10-11: Grand High Zeta Meeting July 2006 Jul 7-12: FEA Summer Meeting (Tucson, AZ) Jul 19-23: 51st General Assembly (Orlando, FL) Jul 21-22: Foundation Board Meeting (Orlando, FL)

Richard Harriman (1953) is the founder and artist director of the Harriman Arts Program of William Jewell, which brings performers of the fine arts to Kansas City. In addition to the performances, an Education Series offers free classes and lectures to allow area community members and students to view artists in an informal setting.

Corrections

William Geyer (San Diego 1981) is alive and well contrary to earlier reports.

Harriman has served as William Jewell’s High Pi for 42 years and received the Lambda Chi Alpha Order of Merit in 1984.

Western Carolina (Beta-Zeta)

Rev. John P Thomas (1988) December 14, 2005.

www.crossandcrescent.com

Cross & Crescent

FEBRUARY 2006

FRATERNITY NEWS

Financial Picture Brightening CFO Joe Klimek shares steps toward securing the Fraternity’s financial future.

In November 2005, Lambda Chi Alpha took a large leap from the printed world to the digital world when we moved this publication, the Cross & Crescent, to an online-only format.

Based on the performance of the Fraternity this past year, our new executive vice president and the Grand High Zeta ordered the staff to develop a plan for the current fiscal year that included cutting some programs. More importantly, we were tasked to operate with a gain so that we may begin rebuilding our reserves.

We made this move for a number of reasons, but the decision was clearly driven by the Fraternity’s financial picture. Be assured that even though we are restructuring a number of our key programs, Lambda Chi Alpha is well positioned for the future.

Positioning for the Future Today, our Fraternity is positioning itself for the future. That positioning includes reviewing many of our programs, making significant cut-backs, and making strategic investments.

Building Blocks Lambda Chi Alpha is driven by several key factors, including undergraduate member dues, conference fees, and alumni contributions.

Our undergraduate members will see that many of our programs are being integrated into a more comprehensive experience.

As Bill Farkas (Butler 1988) mentioned in this column last month, over the course of the past 20 years, our undergraduate membership has declined by 40 percent. During the same time, our operating costs have continued to increase based on a combination of inflation and a broader service offering to our members.

The associate member introduction to our fraternity will get a face lift, leadership opportunities will become a part of every undergraduate’s experience, graduating brothers will enter the workforce with mentors to ease their transition and a commitment to give back to the Fraternity, and we will provide alumni volunteers better training in guiding our chapters to excellence.

The Fraternity consists of three companies:

We will deliver these core programs with a more efficient staff. Our headquarters staff has been reduced from 36 full-time staff members to 26 since summer 2005. Every department has faced reductions.

The remaining staff members are dedicated to the success of Lambda Chi Alpha and are working hard every day to fulfill its mission.

Fraternity: delivers services to our undergraduate members; Educational Foundation: solicits support from our alumni and provides much needed financial support to the Fraternity; Lambda Chi Alpha Properties: serves as our national house corporation.

In total, these three companies have assets of nearly $15 million and annual revenues of more than $7.2 million.

In fiscal year 2005 (ended June 30, 2005), the Fraternity had revenues of $3.68 million. Seventy-five percent of the revenue came from undergraduate fees, with the remainder coming from alumni contributions, investments, and royalties. During the same period, the Fraternity had expenses of $4.08 million.

The reduced staff also resulted in the elimination of some programs. Specifically, our spring regional conferences were consolidated into a single international event that was held last month in New Braunfels, Texas. We substantially reduced our expansion to new campuses this year. Finally, we eliminated the printed version of the Cross & Crescent. Each of these programs is being reviewed and prioritized as we prepare our budget for next year.

The result was a loss on the year of just less than $400,000, which included an adjustment related to the transfer of a chapter house from the Fraternity to Lambda Chi Alpha Properties. Excluding that adjustment, the Fraternity was nearly break-even for the year.

The Fraternity also requires a good amount of reserves to meet its financial obligations. Unfortunately, many of these reserves have been consumed in recent years to meet operating shortfalls. www.crossandcrescent.com

By Joe Klimek (Worcester 1994)

Cross & Crescent

FEBRUARY 2006

FRATERNITY NEWS

Lambda Chi Alpha is making an investment in the future.

During the summer of 2005 we upgraded and migrated our membership database for the first time in 10 years.

The new membership system is the backbone of a new website that will be rolled out in the coming year. The new system will make communicating and connecting with our brothers a long sought after reality. In addition, the new system is already making our record processing more efficient and is providing better data to our staff and volunteers that will help us better manage our operations.

2006 Winter Leadership Retreat

Meeting the Challenge As we continue to work through a period of transition, the future of Lambda Chi Alpha is a bright one. Lambda Chi Alpha continues to set the bar very high for our Greek peers.

Our undergraduate members continue to induct new members into the bond every week. Our alumni continue to support our organization with both volunteer time and financial contributions.

On January 19–21, 2006, 150 undergraduate members, Grand High Zeta members, and staff gathered in New Braunfels, Texas, for the “Celebration of Brotherhood” conference.

Focused on brotherhood and leadership through action, members had the opportunity to engage in interactive activities that explored the challenges of being a chapter leader.

Attendance Breakdown • 139 undergraduates • 74 chapters represented • 53 chapter presidents • 17 chapter vice presidents

We have all stepped up to meet the challenge of adjusting to our new realities and hope that you will continue to support us on our journey.

Council of Presidents The third annual Council of Presidents also meet to discuss issues that are pertinent to being an effective High Alpha. Undergraduates Derek Carson (Union) and Jason Harp (California-San Diego) were elected COP chair and vice-chair, and serve as ex-officio members on the Grand High Zeta.

Summary Financial Results for Fiscal Year 2005 Revenues Membership Dues and Fees

$1,628,070

44.2%

Liability Insurance Program Fees

$970,678

26.4%

Grants from LCAEF

$497,000

13.5%

Other Income

$425,684

11.6%

Event Registration Fees

$161,114

4.4%

Total Revenues

$3,682,546

Expenses Administration

$1,078,320

26.4%

Insurance

$789,809

19.4%

Chapter Services

$674,107

16.5%

Other Expenses

$649,527

15.9%

Conferences

$447,335

11.0%

Communications

$282,914

6.9%

Educational Programs

$158,445

3.9%

Total Expenses

$4,080,457

www.crossandcrescent.com

Cross & Crescent

FEBRUARY 2006

HISTORY

Butterfield’s Mark Emily H. Butterfield, creator of Theta Kappa Nu’s coat of arms

By Mike Raymond (Miami-OH 1967)

on articles she had written for him in the past.

Emily H. Butterfield was born in Algonac, Michigan, along the Canadian border near Detroit, in 1884.

This unique book is illustrated with many black and white drawings of sorority and fraternity coats of arms. In each case she describes the coat of arms in proper heraldic terms.

She began her training as an artist early in her life under the direction of her father. In 1903 she entered the architecture program at Syracuse University. In May 1904, she became one of the 11 founders of Alpha Gamma Delta Fraternity.

Her introductory chapter is a short course in American style heraldry that still works as a fine lesson in authentic design.

The book’s glossary is a tremendous aid in understanding the formal and complex terminology used in interpreting the real meaning of the symbolic language of a coat of arms.

Designing Heraldry Both Burr, Paterson, and Auld Company and George Banta Publishing Company maintained departments that provided design services for individuals, existing fraternities and sororities, and groups that wanted to start new fraternal organizations.

After graduation, Butterfield soon became Michigan’s first Courtesy Michigan Women’s Historical female architect and organized Center & Hall of Fame © 2005 the Detroit Business Women’s Club, the first professional women’s club in America.

Banta provided a one-stop, full service operation in support of aspiring fraternity and sorority founders. The company’s staff offered everything from regalia and equipment to ritual and coat of arms design — Butterfield’s specialty.

In 1917 she joined with her father to form the architectural firm of Butterfield and Butterfield. They gained a renowned reputation as innovative church designers.

Butterfield was a major contributor to the early history of Alpha Gamma Delta. In addition to being one of its founders, she served for seven years as the editor of the AGD Quarterly. She also designed the houses for their Syracuse and Michigan State chapters. In the spring of 1906, she completed the design of the Alpha Gamma Delta coat of arms.

Butterfield was a prolific designer who is credited with the design of numerous college sorority and fraternity coats of arms.

In Print Seventy-five years ago, the Collegiate Press issued a small, tan colored, soft back book by Butterfield entitled College Fraternity Heraldry. This rare book contains a wealth of information about the significance of college fraternity and sorority heraldry.

Butterfield also designed the coats of arms for Sigma Delta Rho, Sigma Tau Gamma, Theta Upsilon Omega, Tau Kappa Epsilon, and Theta Kappa Nu fraternities.

She is acknowledged as the coats of arms designer for Alpha Gamma Delta , Lambda Omega, Theta Phi Alpha , and Phi Beta sororities and co-designer of the Zeta Tau Alpha sorority coat of arms.

Butterfield designed the Theta Kappa Nu coat of arms in July 1925 thus making this impressive expression of heraldic design more than 80 years old. In College Fraternity Heraldry she describes the Theta Kappa Nu coat of arms in these words:

The book also serves as a guide to the design of coats of arms in accordance with the traditional rules of the craft.

It appears that Butterfield studied the art of heraldry with her father as a young girl. He inspired her to continue her interest in this field of study throughout her life.

“Chevrony of eleven, an inescutcheon gules.

Crest: A lion rampant gules holding palewise a white rose slipped, proper.

Butterfield worked as a freelance artist and designer for Burr, Patterson, and Auld Company and George Banta Publishing Company for many years. George Banta, a Phi Delta Theta, encouraged her to write her book based

www.crossandcrescent.com

Motto: Vir Quisque Vir Est. Designed in July, 1925, by Emily H. Butterfield.”

10

Cross & Crescent

FEBRUARY 2006

HISTORY

Shaping Lambda Chi Alpha Though virtually unknown today, Butterfield was a well respected, and much in demand, designer of fraternity and sorority heraldry for more than 30 years.

Her legacy as the designer of Theta Kappa Nu’s coat of arms lives on as a significant part of our historic merger with Theta Kappa Nu Fraternity.

A Special Valentine Present

Her legacy to Lambda Chi Alpha is found in the symbolism taken from the Theta Kappa Nu coat of arms and incorporated into our present Lambda Chi Alpha coat of arms.

While not as famous as its Sigma Chi counterpart , the song A Sweetheart of Lambda Chi has been a cherished part of our fraternity’s history.

Used as the traditional pinning song, Jack Mason (Pennsylvania 1913) wrote its original lyrics in the 1920s. The lyrics have since been updated

by David D. Leathers (California State-Fresno 1982) and Joe R. Hammer (Ball State 1975) and the music by Wilbur Perry (Michigan 1946).

It is most clearly expressed, as she described it, in the use of the “Crest. A lion rampant gules holding palewise a white rose slipped, proper.” The open motto of Theta Kappa Nu, slightly modified, “Vir Quisque Vir Est,” is also a part of our current coat of arms.

The song can still be heard at special fraternal events. Or if you like, on Valentine’s Day, ask your loved one to pull up a chair and join you in listening to this 1996 recording from the 46th General Assembly A Sweetheart of Lambda Chi (Pinning Song) No more the Lambda Chi badge is mine, That e’er to my heart was near, Emblem of vows that faithful hold, True brothers year on year.

Butterfield’s memory is kept alive by her fraternity. In the 2004 Alpha Gamma Delta Centennial Keynote Address its members were reminded of her significant contributions to its history with these words:

But tho’ its pearls, I did resign, I stll shall have no fear, They safe repose o’er heart of gold, Forever to me most dear.

“In the United States in 1900, three-quarters of the states forbade married women to own property in their name. In 1909, the members of Alpha Gamma Delta overlooked the statistic and planned ahead by starting a house fund in hopes of purchasing their own home.

In 1928, they challenged the societal constraints once again by not only purchasing but building the first house — and we all know the name of the architect — Emily Helen Butterfield.”

Hear Lambda’s song on this clear night, A crescent above shines high, Bathes in a dream of pure white light, A sweetheart of Lambda Chi. To pledge a heart that is so true, T’will stand the test of time, Safely to her, I give my heart, For she will be ever mine.

Butterfield was inducted into the Michigan Women’s Hall of Fame for her work in the field of architecture in 1990 long after her death in 1958.

All members of Lambda Chi Alpha owe a debt of gratitude to Emily H. Butterfield for her creative work that led to the design of the official Theta Kappa Nu coat of arms in 1925.

www.crossandcrescent.com

11

Cross & Crescent

FEBRUARY 2006

FEATURE

Measuring Smoot Oliver Smoot’s experience as a unit of measurement led to a life-long career of governing two measuring bodies. pranks have always been a part of daily life at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, better known as MIT.

Clearly, Lambda Chi Alpha made an impact on Smoot. When asked about his experience he says, “Lambda Chi Alpha was the only reason I succeeded in graduating from MIT. If I had been on my own, living in the dorm, I don’t think I would have made it.”

In 1982, students at a Harvard-Yale football game handed out placards to 1,134 Harvard fans, who were told they would form the message “Beat Yale” when displayed en masse. The spectators discovered, though too late, that they had instead spelled out “M-I-T.”

When Smoot arrived at MIT, he discovered his high school education was not as advanced as the education his peers received from east coast American prep schools.

A more modern prank played out on April Fool’s Day in 1998 when MIT’s homepage was rebuilt to announce that the Walt Disney Company had purchased the institute for $6.9 billion.

“I was trying to learn calculus and to relearn chemistry,” says Smoot. “But when I got to MIT and told them what I had learned from the Taiwanese chemistry books, they said everything I had learned was totally archaic and that I’d have to start all over.”

But only one prank has left an indelible mark on the MIT campus, Lambda Chi Alpha, and the city of Boston. In 1958, freshman Oliver Reed Smoot, Jr. (Massachusetts Institute of Technology 1962) was used to measure the length of the Harvard Bridge. Total distance: 364.4 smoots plus one ear.

Every week, Smoot had to report his grades to his big brother.

And though his grades were often average or below average, brothers in the house gave him support, mentored him, and pushed him to perform better academically. “Basically,” says Smoot, “having the guys mentor me is what really did it.”

Finding MIT While his father was serving in the military, Smoot lived with his family in Taipei, Taiwan. Interested in math and science, he decided to apply to attend college at Caltech, Auburn, and MIT. He was denied Courtesy of Eleon Gonzales © 2005 admission by Caltech, accepted by Auburn, but never heard anything from MIT — at least, not yet.

Plus one ear In 1958, chapter pledge master Tom O’Connor (Massachusetts Institute of Technology 1958) decided he needed a way to measure how far it was to campus when walking across Harvard Bridge.

The Harvard Bridge spans the Charles River, connecting Boston and Cambridge. The fraternity houses resided on the Boston side of the bridge while the MIT campus was on the other.

O’Connor, who is also Smoot’s big brother, walked the bridge every day. On this particular day, he found himself late to class for the third time that week.

In August, when it came time to leave Taiwan for Auburn, Smoot finally received a letter from MIT accepting him into the class of 1962. The letter was dated May 1 and asked for a reply within one week.

A typical MIT engineer, O’Connor recognized a problem that required a simple solution: the Harvard Bridge needed uniform markings to help travelers determine the distance traveled.

MIT had apparently not realized that the letter had to travel halfway around the world. After explaining the situation, Smoot was granted acceptance and began his two-week journey to Boston.

But instead of using feet, yards, or miles; O’Connor told his group of pledges to measure the bridge using Oliver Smoot.

Why Smoot? To make the task more difficult, of course.

At five feet seven inches, Smoot was the shortest pledge.

O’Connor says he picked Smoot because his name had a scientific ring to it, like “watt” or “meter.”

After freshmen orientation, Smoot decided to go through rush and accepted a bid from Lambda Chi Alpha.

“When you accept a bid at MIT, you immediately move out of your dorm room and move into the fraternity house,” says Smoot. “I lived in the house all four years as an undergraduate.

www.crossandcrescent.com

By Adam Schnepp (Mercer 2006)

12

Cross & Crescent

FEBRUARY 2006

FEATURE

With that famous MIT ingenuity, pledges Pete Miller (1962), Gordon Mann (1962), Bill Edmindson (1962), and Nate Hopton (did not initiate) figured out a way around the task of actually measuring the bridge using Smoot.

They decided they would use a string of the same length as Smoot is tall and began their task that evening.

There are also a few new marks on the bridge. Lines are now painted on both sides of the bridge, because the chapter house eventually moved to the MIT side of the river. And at the halfway mark —182.2 smoots — walkers are reminded they are “Halfway to Hell” with an arrow pointing toward MIT. If you think the smoot is just another obscure measurement, think again. Google’s calculator feature allows users to convert other units of measurement into smoots. For example, the distance between the chapter at MIT and Headquarters in Indianapolis is 806 miles — or 762,211 smoots.

To Smoot’s misfortune, a member of the chapter unexpectedly passed by on his bike and decided to stay to make sure the pledges completed their task the hard way. Thus, the pledges were forced to actually measure the bridge using Smoot himself.

Dispelling rumors that the pledges were drunk, Smoot says, “MIT was a pretty sober place. We first did our studying and then went out and did this thing.”

Going to great lengths The greatest irony behind Smoot’s story as a unit of measure begins long after graduating from MIT.

The pledges used chalk to mark each smoot. Every 10 smoots, they painted a line. Smoot got so tired of getting up and down so often that the other pledges eventually had to carry him to complete the task.

Following his undergraduate studies at MIT, Smoot went to Georgetown Law School, where he earned his Juris Doctor degree.

In 1969, he accepted a job at the Information Technology Industry Courtesy of American National StanCouncil, a lobbying agency that dards Institute © 2005 advocates IT innovation and supports free-market policies, where he remained until 2002.

At about the 300 smoot mark, a police officer came by and they scattered. Once the coast was clear, the pledges returned to the bridge to finish their work.

The last line was painted at 364.4 smoots. To account for error, they added “± 1 ear,” which was later changed to “+ 1 ear,” making the bridge officially “364.4 + 1 ear” long.

It wasn’t until 2001 that Smoot transitioned from being a unit of measurement to governing units of measurement.

Make it Official In 1987, the Massachusetts Department of Public Works decided the bridge needed to be refurbished. At the time, they had no plans to preserve the markings.

From 2001–2002, Smoot served as chairman of the American National Standards Institute. ANSI sets standard units for industries and oversees the development of national guidelines for everything from safety equipment to war materials.

The Cambridge police department, however, requested otherwise, saying their officers regularly reference the smoot marks when recording accident information.

Further solidifying his affinity for precise standards, Smoot also served as president of the International Organization for Standardization from 2003–2004.

The Massachusetts Metropolitan District Commission, the government body in charge of the bridge, agreed, saying “We recognize the smoots’ role in local history. That’s not to mean that the agency encourages graffiti painting. But smoots aren’t just any kind of graffiti. They’re smoots!”

The IOS is an international standard-setting body composed of representatives from national standards bodies around the world. Smoot is one of only three Americans to serve as president in the organization’s nearly 60-year history.

So construction began. That’s when the Continental Construction Company of Cambridge decided to set the smoot measurement in stone by scoring the new concrete sidewalk slabs in five-footseven-inch increments instead of the usual six-foot length.

In December 2005, Smoot retired from the ANSI board.

When Smoot started his career of standards and measures, he started it lying down. Now retired, he can proudly stand knowing he will likely be the only person to become a unit of measure, work for, and lead an organization that is responsible for standardizing measurements.

Today, the smoot marks are still there, repainted twice per year by the Lambda Chi Alpha chapter. The lines are multicolored from being painted over and over again for the past 48 years.

www.crossandcrescent.com

13

Cross & Crescent

FEBRUARY 2006

FEATURE

Racing for Beijing Triathlete Ryan Levinson races to compete as a paralympic in the 2008 Olympic Games.

Ryan Levinson is an emergency medical technician and an accomplished athlete with designs of competing in the 2008 Olympics in Beijing. For more than a decade he has lived with the knowledge that he has a medical condition that nearly everyone thought would sentence him to a sedentary lifestyle.

In 1994, Ryan Levinson (San Diego State 1995), a tanned and muscular student at San Diego State University, went to see a neurologist for an explanation as to why a muscle group around his right pectoral area had disappeared.

At the time it was believed Levinson had sustained some minor nerve damage from an extreme sports injury. For two years his problems with muscle atrophy continued, leading him to see another doctor.

After an examination, the doctor began dictating his notes. Without any explanation, Levinson overheard his probable diagnosis for the first time as it was read into a dictaphone: “patient likely has muscular dystrophy.”

In the days before widespread DNA testing, Levinson had to undergo a muscle biopsy and a long wait before receiving an

By Aaron Jones (Drury 1995)

official diagnosis of fascioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy. FSHMD causes muscle degeneration in facial, pectoral, and shoulder-girdle muscles.

The doctor told Levinson that in order to prevent the degeneration from accelerating, he should give up the physical and active lifestyle to which he was accustomed — an idea he immediately rejected.

The conventional wisdom that people with MD should limit their physical activity was almost universally accepted, even though it had never been tested.

Armed with his own research on the disease, Levinson determined he would test that theory by living his life to the fullest. It would not be easy.

A chapter in distress This is not the first time Levinson challegenged something he believed to be wrong.

As a San Diego State University freshman, Levinson joined the Zeta-Pi chapter. He found himself going through a new-member experience that did not reflect the nonhazing ideals set forth in the international

www.crossandcrescent.com

14

Cross & Crescent

fraternity’s associate member program.

He confronted his High Kappa about the inconsistencies — as described in the Paedegogus — and in the operation of the chapter’s fraternity education program.

Levinson considered quitting, but was told by an older member he could have a greater impact if he stayed involved in the fraternity and worked to bring about changes.

Levinson was eventually elected High Phi of a chapter that was divided about its future.

Although Levinson and others worked hard to bring about positive changes, the chapter continued to deal with internal struggles, and eventually lost its charter.

When Levinson was first diagnosed with muscular dystrophy, he did not have the support from his brothers. Since that time, the chapter has been re-colonized.

With a new group of guys, Levinson has had the opportunity to speak to the members and challenge them to live up to the high standards of Lambda Chi Alpha. Even Levinson’s fraternal contemporaries have reunited and have formed a strong alumni association to support the new chapter.

FEBRUARY 2006

FEATURE

Define Overdo Before his diagnosis, Levinson was a competitive cyclist; competing against the likes of Lance Armstrong. He admits that like many young athletes, he relied too much on strength. During the early stages of his MD, he noticed he no longer had the power to compete at a world class level and left the sport.

team, but he finished third at the world championships in October 2005.

After he learned of his ailment, Levinson chose to shy away from the doctor’s recommendation of not over doing it. In 2003 he got back on his bike after a 12 year hiatus.

Despite his incredible accomplishments, Levinson is focused on his next goal: competing as a paralympic athlete in the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China.

Initially, he had no championship dreams — he merely wanted to determine his potential. He soon discovered that by changing his riding style, and using more strategy than strength, he could still compete against able bodies.

Levinson decided to shoot for the 2004 Paralympics , an international competition that mirrors the Olympics and takes place in the same cities as the Olympic Games.

After qualifying for the team, Levinson was told he would not be able to compete because cycling doesn’t have a category for Muscular Dystrophy — a rule he continues to fight.

Finding his potential Levinson finally found an event that did recognize athletes diagnosed with MD: the triathlon.

In 2004, Levinson had 25 top-five cycling finishes and won three medals in the 2004 National Championships. He also qualified for the 2005 USA Cycling track Elite National Championships and the triathlon’s Team USA.

Inspiring Courage As little or no scientific research had been completed to confirm or disprove the hypothesis that increased physical activity will accelerate the degeneration from muscular dystrophy, Levinson volunteered himself to serve as a guinea pig for further research.

Although the tests have not conclusively disproved the theory, they have not shown any catastrophic muscle loss.

Perhaps more important than any current scientific evidence, word of the tests has spread worldwide. Levinson frequently receives calls and emails from people who have been diagnosed with the muscular dystrophy who are inspired by his courage.

Mere months before the 2005 ITU Triathlon World Championships, Levinson set out to qualify for the US team, though he had little experience in competitive swimming or running.

Helping Others ESPN and a variety of other local and national media outlets have run stories on Levinson’s accomplishments. The city of San Diego even declared November 18, 2001, as Ryan Levinson Day.

During his warm-up and qualifying events, Levinson was competing primarily against athletes without impairment, yet he still managed to finish near the top of the heap. Not only did he make the

In 2004 he was named Volunteer of the Year by the San Diego chapter of the Muscular Dystrophy Association.

And in 2005 he was inducted into the Jewish Sports Hall of Fame.

www.crossandcrescent.com

15

Cross & Crescent

Little 500 The 1979 movie Breaking Away brought attention to America’s premier collegiate bike racing event, the Little 500 .

For 55 years, the Little 500 has been a spectacle on the Indiana University campus. In 2005, Lambda Chi Alpha’s team participated.

Led by Coach Matt Robinson, Karl Kuglin was the most experienced bike rider with two previous Little 500 races. The rest of the team was composed of Tom Iannarelli, Matt Sperling, Jon Chan, and Steven Bahra.

Lambda Chi Alpha started in the 25th position out of a field of 33 teams.

On the first lap, in the first turn, Kuglin was involved in a spectacular accident that put him out for the rest of the event. Seventeen teams were involved when the favored Alpha Tau Omega team lost control — causing the chain reaction.

Despite the loss of our most experienced racer, our team held steady at around the 20th position until another dangerous accident forced Chan out of the competition.

Sperling and Iannarelli were left to finish the race. With only two riders left, our team finished 30th.

These are just a handful of the many accolades Levinson has earned in the last few years, and those following his adventures can learn more by logging on to www.ryanlevinson.com.

In addition to his athletic and philanthropic work, Levinson is also employed as an Emergency Medical Technician.

Being an EMT provides a number of physical, high-adrenaline challenges, but he receives the greatest reward from helping people in any setting.

Levinson is guided by the ideals of Lambda Chi Alpha and is mindful of its meaning. He has reconnected with a number of his contemporaries and is always eager to share his inspirational message with fellow brothers in the bond.

FEBRUARY 2006

OCTOBER 21–NOVEMBER 1, 2006

Second Annual Interfraternal

Mediterranean Cruise Featuring Greece, Turkey, Libya, Italy, Monaco, Spain & Portugal

ΛΧΑ rates from just $1,419*

per person!

Plan your vacation early for 2006 and join us aboard the luxurious MS Rotterdam this fall on the second inaugural “all Greek” Mediterranean voyage. Visiting places largely bypassed by the typical tourist, this cruise combines rich history with scenic beauty along some of the world’s most spectacular coastlines.

Along the way, marvel at the majestic marbled ruins of Passengers aboard the Inaugural Interfraternity Cruise in 2005 Athens; witness the last remaining pillar from the Temple of Artemis-an Ancient Wonder of the World-in Ephesus; discover Monte Carlo, the beautiful Ottoman- and Spanish-influenced architecture of MONACO Tripoli; and walk in the footsteps of the Caesars as you • ITALY Barcelona explore the myriad attractions of Rome. Visit Monte Carlo's Ephesus • SPAIN • Rome famed Grand Casino and stand in awe of Gaudí's PORTUGAL Athens TURKEY • Lisbon Barcelona. Sample the sherries of Jerez during a visit to GREECE • Cádiz ➤ • • Cadiz. Experience the city that launched the “Age of Discovery” as you stroll the streets of Lisbon. ➤

➤

* Pricing is based on double occupancy, is subject to availability, and excludes port charges, taxes and airfare.

Tripoli • LIBYA

For Reservations or More Information, call Tammy Buck at (800) 814-9393 or visit our website www.intrav.com/greek