April 2014 Cross & Crescent

FROM THE EDITOR We hope our undergraduate brothers had a fun, safe, and relaxing spring break.

For this first full month of spring, we have a wide variety of articles to share in our April 2014 issue. Our cover story, reported by Andrew Talevich (Washington State), looks back at how our groundbreaking associate member program was created in the early 1970s. For the article, he interviewed both Executive Vice President Emeritus George Spasyk (Michigan) and current Fraternity CEO Bill Farkas. Since Spasyk’s creation of the associate member program, thousands of young men have chosen to join Lambda Chi Alpha solely because our Fraternity offered equality for new members from day one.

Tad Lichtenauer Director of Communications/IT (317) 803-7322 tlichtenauer@lambdachi.org

Unfortunately, we also have some sad news to report. Undergraduate brother Michael McEachern (Kutztown) died on March 4, 2014, a victim of sickle cell anemia. He was only 23 years old. The Sigma-Gamma chapter brothers at Kutztown University have started a fundraiser in his honor, and we’ve posted the website for donations at the end of the article. This issue also reports about Dennis Sontagg, an alumnus from Iota-Psi Zeta at Ferris State and father of four, who is suffering from lymphoma and acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

In addition, we have articles about our two new charterings at Indiana State University and Baldwin Wallace University. There are eight new scholarships available from the Educational Foundation and the 55th General Assembly and 2014 Stead Leadership Seminar awards deadline is April 30, 2014.

Lastly, our Phi-Sigma chapter at California Polytechnic State University held its 35th anniversary celebration, setting the bar for how a chapter milestone should be properly recognized.

In ZAX and friendship,

Tad Lichtenauer Editor, Cross & Crescent Magazine

Cross & Crescent

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YOUR ONLINE SOURCE FOR ALL LAMBDA CHI ALPHA NEWS APRIL 2014 ISSUE 03

Features 12 Departments Chapter News

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Chapter news, alumni news, and reports of death

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Fraternity News

Two chapters receive charters

Fraternity News

2014 award applications due April 30

Foundation News

Kemper Foundation Lambda Chi scholars

A POINT OF PRIDE For 42 years, associate membership and a new member education model have created unity and equality throughout Lambda Chi Alpha.

By Andrew Talevich (Washington State)

16 PHI-SIGMA CELEBRATES 35TH ANNIVERSARY WITH LARGEST ALUMNI ATTENDANCE IN CHAPTER’S HISTORY Former Fraternity Board Chairman Doc Dirghalli cites event as a model for all chapters to follow.

By Kenneth Rini (Cal Poly)

19 UNDERGRADUATE BROTHER DIES FROM SICKLE CELL ANEMIA

CREDITS

Publisher: Bill Farkas anaging Editor: Tad Lichtenauer M Assistant Editor: Andrew Talevich Layout & Design: Thomas Roberts Photographer: Walt Moser Research: Jon Williamson Editors: Jono Hren Bob McLaughlin

Michael McEachern (Kutztown), an undergraduate Sigma-Gamma brother from Kutztown University, died March 4, 2014.

By Tad Lichtenauer (Denison)

20 ALUMNI BROTHER DENNIS SONNTAG’S BATTLE WITH CANCER A brother, father, husband, son, friend is in the battle of his life.

CONTRIBUTIONS Content for consideration should be submitted by the 25th of the month (except Aug/Jan) Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity 8741 Founders Rd Indianapolis, IN 46268-1338 (317) 872-8000 editor@lambdachi.org www.lambdachi.org/cross-crescent

By Steven Alles (Ferris State)

CHAPTER NEWS

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

Akron (Gamma-Alpha)

Ball State University (Iota-Alpha)

The chapter won the New Member Development Award at the 2014 Greek Leadership Awards.

The chapter held its annual McKinley Mile fundraiser with proceeds benefiting the Second Harvest Food Bank, a local Feeding America affiliate. The event activities also included an annual alumni banquet to honor the chapter’s charter and to express our thanks to local alumni brothers.

Baldwin Wallace (Kappa-Phi)

Boston (Alpha) On March 28, 2014, the chapter held a Throwback Dance with a local music promotion group based at Boston University to benefit the chapter’s Relay 4 Life Team.

At the 2014 Northwest Conclave, the chapter won the Highest Chapter GPA Award for the fall 2013 semester and the Most Environmentally Friendly Award. Four chapter brothers attended the conclave: Dan Koski, Alejandro Eguren, Taylor Brooks and Theo Smigelski.

Butler (Alpha-Alpha) The colony received its charter on March 22, 2014. The chartering banquet was held at the 100th Bomb Group restaurant in Cleveland. Re-colonized in 2010, the chapter still has three of the 14 founders on campus: Zachary Frese (2014), Kenneth Kosovich (2014), and Steven Fasone (2014).

On March 26, 2014, chapter members participated in Phi Kappa Tau’s annual Carnival Fair, earning money for Feeding America by staffing a carnival booth.

Adam Piller, Bryan Mays, Ryan Mitchell, Bruce Stacey, and Robert Hood were accepted into Gamma Sigma Alpha, a Greek academic honor society.

The chapter won the campus-wide spring sports competition.

Events ranged from basketball to volleyball to chess. There are also numerous volunteering and donation opportunities that earn organizations points.

On March 20, 2014, the chapter hosted an alumni dinner in recognition of Founders’ Day.

California State-Northridge (Beta-Rho)

Ryan Mitchell and Bruce Stacey were accepted into Order of Omega, a Greek leadership honor society.

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The chapter won the intramural softball championship and placed second in Alpha Omicron Pi’s charity event entitled Strike Out Arthritis!

Cross & Crescent October 2013 April 2014

CHAPTER NEWS

Chapter news, alumni news, and reports of death

Cornell (Omicron)

Delaware (Lambda-Beta)

Chapter brothers participated in a Pi Beta Phi charity event, Spelling Bee, which featured the donation of books as the entry fee.

The chapter conducted its Feeding America food drive during the week of March 10th to help the needy in the local community.

On March 13, 2014, 55 alumni brothers and guests in the New York City area gathered at the Cornell Club for a centennial anniversary reception. This event was held for the alumni brothers who were unable to attend the 100th anniversary celebration weekend held last October at the university. At the event, the attendees were given an update about the Omicron Capital Campaign, which has generated more than $1.75 million in alumni pledges since the campaign began last October. Funds raised will be used to renovate Edgemoor, the 114-year-old chapter house. The funding goal for the project is now $1.9 million, with construction beginning at the end of this spring semester. The undergraduate brothers will live in the vacant Zeta Beta Tau house during the construction period in the 20142015 academic year. The renovated Edgemoor chapter house is scheduled to reopen in August of 2015.

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The chapter added 12 associate members during spring recruitment, bringing the chapter to 80 undergraduate brothers.

Denver (Alpha-Pi) Entrepreneurs and alumni brothers Johnny Sengelmann and Timmy Wozniak launched Fresh Jets on February 24, 2014, offering a platform to connect corporate leaders with discounted, available space on private jets. The Denver-based company serves as a connector rather than a broker, offering a technology platform at FreshJets.com on which charter companies can offer available seating on those empty flight legs to people who sign up for the site.

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CHAPTER NEWS

Chapter news, alumni news, and reports of death

Elon (Delta-Pi)

Evansville (Iota-Mu) The chapter held an Initiation Ritual Exemplification for 19 brothers.

Several chapter brothers competed in the Mid-American Conference men’s swimming and diving championships. The team finished seventh with brothers Ashton Bishop, Troy Burger, Andrew Cotton, Will Glasscock and Ethan O’Rourke competing in the finals.

On March 21-22, 2014, Matt Childress, Will Glasscock, and Rhys Smith attended and participated in the Bluegrass Conclave hosted by the chapter at Southern Indiana University.

To help the community, chapter members helped clear land for the local Occaneechi tribe. The photo shows the chapter brothers and a few tribal council members.

Florida (Epsilon-Mu)

Edinboro (Beta-Delta)

On March 22, 2014, the chapter held an Initiation Ritual Exemplification for six brothers: Jesse Chiarolanzio, Joey Garcia, Mitchell Grathwohl, Evan Johnson, Matt Morrow, and Jonathan Neiwirth.

With a poem submission, chapter Vice President Michael McGaughey placed third in Edinboro University’s Martin Luther King Jr. remembrance contest.

Florida Tech (Beta-Nu) The chapter placed third during the 2014 Greek Week competition.

The chapter hosted the 2014 Peninsula Conclave.

George Washington (Delta-Xi) Paul A. Ainsworth was elected as a director at the law firm of Sterne, Kessler, Goldstein & Fox. He works in the Litigation Practice Group and represents clients in litigation in a diverse range of technologies and has extensive experience representing pharmaceutical industry clients in litigation originating under the Hatch-Waxman Act.

Chapter members won a charity Greek volleyball tournament.

Eureka (Theta-Chi) Bruce Darnall has written an article entitled Padres Catcher Talks About Key to 2013 Rebound Season about San Diego Padres catcher Nick Hundley. It was published on-line by Athletes in Action, the sports ministry for Campus Crusade for Christ. It tells about his life and his Christian faith.

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Georgetown (Kappa-Omega) Clayton L. Brown graduated as the Honor Recruit of his Division (#809) from U.S. Navy boot camp at Great Lakes, Illinois.

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CHAPTER NEWS

Chapter news, alumni news, and reports of death

Illinois (Chi)

Iowa State (Alpha-Tau)

To benefit the Eastern Illinois Food Bank, the chapter is hosting a month-long food drive that includes a penny war competition.

On January 14, 2014, Dave Drennan (1975) was awarded the prestigious Agribusiness Leader of the Year Award by the St. Louis AgriBusiness Club. Since 1981 the club has annually recognized a person who has made a substantial contribution to the well-being of agriculture in the St. Louis area, either on a local or national scale. Drennan also received a Lifetime Achievement Award - Membership Focus from the American Soybean Association at the annual ASA Banquet at Commodity Classic last week. This award honors individuals who have provided outstanding leadership and dedication to ASA and helped further the interests of soybean farmers.

The chapter hosted its first blood drive.

Indiana (Alpha-Omicron) On March 26, 2014, chapter members volunteered with members of the Alpha Xi Delta sorority at the Hoosier Hills Food Bank.

Indiana State (Iota-Epsilon)

Peter R. Saxton-Williams died February 26, 2014. An Eagle Scout, he was a first lieutenant in the U.S. Army Reserves.

Saxton-Williams later retired to Galena, Illinois, to pursue his love of the outdoors. His son, Evan Saxton-Willams (Iowa State), also is a brother in our bond.

Arthur W. Page died March 13, 2014. He taught in the Frankfort, Indiana, public schools for 32 years before moving to Tulsa, Oklahoma, where he taught for 17 years at Victory Christian School, retiring from there in 2012.

Iowa (Iota-Chi)

Kettering (Lambda-Epsilon A)

The chapter held a teeter-totter-athon benefiting the American Brain Tumor Association in honor of deceased brother Matthew J. Duff. Duff died from brain cancer shortly before the chapter Initiation Ritual Exemplification was held. In his honor, the Duff family awarded the Green Shoe scholarship for those chapter brothers who live his values. The scholarship is named after Duff ’s eccentric footwear, a portrait of which sits above the chapter’s fireplace.

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On March 8, 2014, chapter members provided valet parking to attendees of a charity ball, raising almost $900 in donations.

The chapter’s Senior Committee chose St. Baldrick’s Foundation as its charity event and raised more than $1,000 in donations.

St. Baldrick’s is a foundation dedicated to funding the most promising research to find cures for childhood cancers.

The chapter held its semi-formal.

The chapter conducted a charity bag drop in the community, benefiting Feeding America. The philanthropy event collected 25 bags of food.

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CHAPTER NEWS

Chapter news, alumni news, and reports of death

Maryland-Baltimore County (Phi-Delta)

Minnesota State (Lambda-Delta)

On March 22, 2014, the chapter conducted a fraternity education event at the Fort Snelling National Cemetery.

Partnered with the women of Phi Mu sorority, chapter members volunteered at the Catonsville Emergency Food Ministry.

On March 28, 2014, chapter members attended a 12-hour candlelight vigil in support of domestic violence awareness.

On March 29, 2014, the chapter held its annual White Rose Formal.

Missouri-Columbia (Gamma-Kappa) On April 19, 2014, the annual spring meetings of the Alumni Association and Housing Corporation will be held at the chapter house in conjunction with the Mizzou Football Black and Gold Game. There will be elections for board officers, and a tailgate party prior to the game. For more details, contact Steve Oslica at steve.oslica@gmail.com.

Methodist (Sigma-Theta) The chapter held a pool tournament as brotherhood event.

Chapter members volunteered at the university charity casino night event.

Brad Berlin (1989) has been hired as director of equipment operations for the University of Michigan Athletic Department, replacing Jon Falk, who held the position for 40 years before retiring at the conclusion of the 2013 football season. Berlin, who has been with the NFL’s Washington Redskins for the past 13 seasons, will oversee the equipment operations for all of Michigan’s athletic teams.

Millersville (Delta-Tau) The chapter conducted a fundraising event with Yankee Candle, raising more than $1,000 for charity.

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Chapter news, alumni news, and reports of death

New Orleans (Lambda-Alpha) The chapter held a fraternity education event at the National World War II Museum.

North Carolina-Wilmington (Delta-Sigma)

Teaming with Zeta Tau Alpha, Alpha Xi Delta, and Omega Psi Phi, the chapter won the 2014 Greek Week competition.

Events included Trivia Night, Karaoke Night, Chariot Races, and various Minute to Win it competitions. The chapter’s team also was recognized for having the most participation and won awards for highest fraternity GPA, outstanding philanthropy events, and outstanding chapter president.

North Carolina State (Gamma-Upsilon)

The chapter held a brotherhood retreat.

The chapter placed third in the talent show and fifth overall in the 2014 Greek Week competition, which ended March 21, 2014.

Chapter members volunteered at the 2014 Quintiles Wrightsville Beach Marathon.

Randy Bateman (1972), president and chief information officer of Huntington Asset Advisor, was present at a recent New York Stock Exchange bell ringing to commemorate the listing of his firm’s two new exchange traded funds (HECO and HUSE).

Huntington Asset Advisors is the advisor for Huntington Strategy Shares and Huntington Funds and is a subsidiary of Huntington Notational Bancorp, a top 25 bank and responsible for $4 billion in mutual fund and ETF management.

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North Dakota (Epsilon-Zeta) Chapter members participated in an Alpha Phi sorority philanthropy event.

Alumnus brother Rich Mattern (1972), the mayor of West Fargo, North Dakota, was featured in an article in the Fargo Monthly magazine.

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Chapter news, alumni news, and reports of death

Oklahoma State (Alpha-Eta)

More than 20 alumni brothers attended the annual Alumni Hockey Weekend event that included the raising of more than $16,000 for chapter renovations and debt repayment.

Jason Henderson (1999) performed a private improv comedy show for hundreds of Wells Fargo employees as part of Improv Charlotte, whose proceeds go entirely to charity.

Paul “Tex” Hundley (1992) died March 10, 2014.

The chapter donated $200 to the Oklahoma State Foundation to support the Trey Kertz Scholarship Fund, which honors Trey Kertz, a member of the Oklahoma State University Greek Community who died in 2013.

North Texas (Iota-Zeta) David F. Hunt (1953) died March 16, 2014. He served as a special agent in the counter-intelligence corps in the U.S. Army from 1954 to 1956. From 1956 to 1958 he served Lambda Chi Alpha as a traveling secretary and served the University of North Texas and Southern Methodist University chapters as chapter advisor and house corporation president. A graduate of Vanderbilt University Law School in 1960, he clerked for a U.S. district judge in Texas before beginning the practice of law in Dallas. He was admitted to practice in various federal courts, the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, and the U.S. Supreme Court.

His primary area of practice was in commercial litigation. He served as chairman, District 6, Committee on Bar Admissions, State Board of Law Examiners from 1978-1987. He served as a past member of Vanderbilt’s Advisory Committee, Law School Development Committee, and Law School Alumni Board. He retired from active practice with Jenkins and Gilchrist, P.C. in Dallas in 1995.

On March 6, 2014, the chapter held its 37th annual White Rose Pageant, raising money for the National Breast Cancer Coalition.

This year’s pageant raised $2,000.

Pennsylvania State (Zeta) Paired with a sorority, the chapter has raised more than $295,000 to fight pediatric cancer as part of the university’s THON dance marathon. This placed the chapter second among Greek participants and third overall.

Chapter members participated in Delta Zeta’s tug of war philanthropy event.

Pittsburg State (Lambda-Chi) On March 29, 2014, the chapter held its 45th Founders’ Day celebration.

Oklahoma City (Theta-Delta) Stan Sewell (1968) has published a book entitled The General’s Oil.

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Polytechnic (Theta-Upsilon) 7

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Chapter news, alumni news, and reports of death Warren J. Rodgers (1970) died March 12, 2014. He was an electronics engineer who worked for Cablevision of Long Island for 10 years.

Sewanee (Iota-Nu)

Purdue (Psi) Chapter members are volunteering on Sundays at a local animal shelter.

Richmond (Alpha-Chi) Alex Duncan and Nathan Wong were two of 20 recipients of the Metcalf Prize, an award given by the Richmond College Dean’s Office to individuals who show great character, scholarship, and leadership. The awards were presented at the Founders’ Day dinner on March 5, 2014.

On February 28, 2014, the chapter held an Initiation Ritual Exemplification for 22 brothers. This brings the chapter’s undergraduate initiated total to 67.

Three chapter brothers are members of the rugby team that reached the Division III national championship tournament and lost in the first round.

Shippensburg (Shippensburg Colony)

Sam Houston State (Sigma-Mu)

The chapter joined the Adopt-a-Highway program to increase community involvement.

Colony members participated in the Poverty Simulation on campus, raising awareness of the struggles faced by thousands each day in the Shippensburg area.

The chapter added two associate members during spring recruitment.

Chapter members participated in Alpha Omicron Pi sorority’s charity dodgeball tournament in support of Strike Out Arthritis!

www.lambdachi.org/cross-crescent

The first Food Sculpture Contest between the local fraternities and sororities on campus raised more than 200 pounds of food for the local Feeding America Food Bank.

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Chapter news, alumni news, and reports of death

Southeast Missouri State (Delta-Phi)

Tennessee-Chattanooga (Zeta-Phi)

The chapter added nine associate members during spring recruitment.

Dr. Chuck McAllister, vice provost of Southeast Missouri State University, became an Honorary Inititiate and was appointed as the new chapter advisor.

Southern Indiana (Phi-Xi) The chapter celebrated its 30th anniversary and hosted the 2014 Bluegrass Conclave.

The chapter hosted its annual teeter-totter-a-thon benefiting the Special Olympics of Vanderburgh County.

Thanks to the generosity and hard work from alumni and undergraduate brothers, the chapter installed new hardwood flooring for the upstairs and the kitchen.

South Carolina (Epsilon-Psi)

Tennessee–Knoxville (Epsilon-Omicron) The chapter held an Initiation Ritual Exemplification for 31 brothers.

On April 12, 2014, the chapter will host its annual Founders’ Day, which will kick off the chapter’s Feeding America food drive.

Texas-Austin (Alpha-Mu) Ten chapter brothers traveled to Texas A&M University to assist the International Headquarters with a presentation to university officials about re-colonizing the Delta-Mu chapter.

On March 6, 2014, the chapter held a graduating seniors dinner for Matt Gentile and Tom Landzert. The event was hosted by Chapter Advisor Jim Tothill.

Chase Pendergrass was hired by Alpha-Mu alumni brothers Jake Hampton and Matt Young to work for VirtualMGA.

The chapter sent two eight-man teams to participate in Delta Zeta’s yearly philanthropy fundraiser event called Turtle Tug. All money raised by the event was donated to local hearing and speech impaired programs. Shown from left to right in the photo are chapter brothers Riley Farrell, Nick Bonhag, Austin Musfeldt, Andrew Dhionis, and Alex Carbone.

www.lambdachi.org/cross-crescent

Carter Baker is one of the 15 founding members of the Delta Kappa Alpha Professional Cinema fraternity at Texas last fall.

Robert D. Pryor (1980) was appointed president and CEO of Fujitsu North America. He brings more than 30 years of experience to his new role, where he will be responsible for accelerating the growth of Fujitsu in North America and focusing the business on the needs of clients in the U.S., Canada, and the Caribbean.

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Chapter news, alumni news, and reports of death On April 12, 2014, an alumni reunion will be held at Scholz Garten in Austin from 4-8 p.m. Alumni from all chapters are welcome.

Please email Chapter Adviser Kevin Farrell at kevinfarrell@utexas. edu if you are interested in attending.

Troy (Sigma-Tau) Fourteen chapter brothers were inducted into the Order of Omega, a Greek leadership honor society.

Matthew Raymond (2014) received an award for highest GPA for a graduating senior in the chapter. Zach Pierce (2017) received an award for highest freshman GPA in the chapter.

Drew Montgomery received an award for maintaining his GPA above 3.0 for three consecutive years.

Stafford M. “Sonny” Page (1954) died January 19, 2014. He began his career at Page Tire Co. He then decided to go into real estate and opened SM Page Co. Realtors, which developed into S.M. Page Commercial Real Estate.

Texas Christian (Iota-Pi) Chris Curtis’ company, GoVision, has acquired the assets of InnoVision Media Group, another prominent player in the LED rental space. GoVision is one of the nation’s premier suppliers of customized modular LED walls and turnkey mobile LED units.

Union (Lambda-Zeta) Charles R. Barnette (1967) died February 22, 2014. He had a stellar career in public relations for Holiday Inn, Memphis, Blount International, Montgomery, and through his private practice. He also chaired the Public Relations Council in Alabama. Barnette was an outstanding leader of Lambda-Zeta during its early days. About four years ago, he donated his diamond and emerald badge to the chapter. The badge is being used as the official chapter president’s badge and is passed down annually during officer transitions.

Texas Tech (Texas Tech Colony) Benefiting a local food bank, the colony is holding its second annual Watermelon Bash on April 5, 2014.

Towson (Phi-Omega)

Virginia Commonwealth (Virginia Commonwealth Colony) The chapter added three associate members during spring recruitment.

The colony submitted its chartering packet to the International Headquarters.

The chapter added seven associate members during spring recruitment.

Chapter brothers volunteered the Baltimore SPCA. Activities included cleaning cages, pulling up an old wooden walkway, and playing with some cats and dogs.

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Chapter news, alumni news, and reports of death

Wake Forest (Theta-Tau)

Benjamin Plank and Matthew Luton (2015) participated in the 2014 GLVC Swimming Championships. Plank placed among the top 16 in two events and Luton broke six school records while placing in the top eight in all his events, and making national cuts in four events.

On February 22, 2014, the chapter hosted a Habitat for Humanity build in the local Winston-Salem community.

On March 19, 2014, the alumni brothers held a volleyball tournament benefiting the Brian Piccolo Cancer Research Fund.

Washington (Alpha-Psi) The chapter will hold its Founders’ Day Banquet on April 26, 2014, at the Sand Point Country Club in Seattle. The social hour begins at 5 p.m. with dinner at 7 p.m. The cost is $45 payable at the door. Please send an email to Alumni Chairman Reed Lederman at ledermanreed@gmail.com if you are interested in attending.

Worcester Polytechnic Institute (Pi) On March 1, 2014, the chapter held an Initiation Ritual Exemplification for 24 brothers. The Initiation also served to unite brothers from other chapters. Brothers from the University of New Hampshire came to witness the event and greet the new brothers. In addition, Alan Hieger (Cornell 1978) attended the event to greet his nephew Zachary Belohoubek as his new Lambda Chi brother.

William Jewell (Epsilon-Nu) The chapter added 13 associate members during spring recruitment.

Austin Baragary (2014) accepted a position with the HarrimanJewell Series. The performing arts organization was founded

by Dr. Richard Harriman, 1984 Order of Merit recipient and Epsilon-Nu chapter advisor from 1964-2008.

Bryan Thomas (2014) broke the William Jewell all-time career record for doubles wins in tennis with 44.

Chris Stathopoulos (2014) was named one of five finalists for the Faculty Award. The award is the highest honor that the college bestows upon a graduating senior.

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FEATURE

A PO INT O F P R I D E For 42 years, associate membership and a new member education model has created unity and equality throughout Lambda Chi Alpha.

By Andrew Talevich (Washington State) ByTad Lichtenauer (Denison)

An 18-year-old joins a fraternity and goes through their pledge program for a semester. His experience is not enjoyable. He lives through hazing, servitude, and an overall lack of respect. He drops the fraternity before he’s initiated.

“I would say that associate membership is probably the only reason that I am sitting here today,” CEO Bill Farkas (Butler 1988) said from his desk at Lambda Chi Alpha International Headquarters in Indianapolis, Indiana.

“When I de-pledged I had no intention of having anything to do with a Greek system again,” he said.

Associate membership, or the new member education program that is required for all chapters and colonies, has been the cornerstone of Lambda Chi Alpha for 42 years.

Thousands of new members have called themselves associate members when they first joined the Fraternity.

So how did this young man become the CEO of Lambda Chi Alpha, one of the largest fraternities, 20 years later?

After dropping the fraternity he originally envisioned joining, a group of men urged him to sign with Lambda Chi Alpha and become an associate member. He decided to try it and his life changed.

www.lambdachi.org/cross-crescent

Along with an education model that introduces new members to the Fraternity and incorporates core values, associate membership also gives new members a vote in chapter matters and the ability to run for most officer positions. Fraternity leaders credit the program for reducing

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FEATURE

rates of hazing and giving Lambda Chi Alpha a unique identity in the fraternity, sorority community.

Even before associate membership was ratified into law during the 1972 General Assembly in Portland, Oregon, the idea had long been possessed by George Spasyk (Michigan 1948) who served as Executive Director of Lambda Chi Alpha from 1968 to 1989.

One Man’s Idea

the chapter as a whole was busy cleaning and repairing their chapter house, which had been occupied by other organizations throughout the war.

During the day, chapter brothers would be putting up window shutters, painting the house, replacing bricks in the walkway, trimming the hedges and completing other renovation projects for the house. When the day was over, the brothers had to work at getting the internal operations of the chapter straightened out. “They did an unusual thing at that time. They didn’t have time to deal with pledges, hazing, or special instructions for the pledges. What they did was include the pledges in the chapter meetings and they let us have a vote,” Spasyk said.

Even as a pledge, the brothers in the chapter looked up to Spasyk. Before he was initiated, Spasyk was elected vice president of the chapter. Prior to graduating from the University of Michigan and working at Lambda Chi Alpha International Headquarters, Spasyk thought every fraternity operated the same way as his chapter. However, the majority of fraternities had a strict pledge program that involved pledges operating under a different set of rules than initiated members.

“When I graduated and joined staff, I thought, ‘why can’t it be like that in Lambda Chi Alpha,’” Spasyk said.

From firsthand experience and research into Lambda Chi’s pledge program, first as a traveling secretary and director of chapter services, then as the executive director, Spasyk’s resolve to change the program grew even stronger.

Spasyk thought up the idea of a non-pledge system after joining the Sigma chapter at the University of Michigan.

The first attempts at changing Lambda Chi Alpha’s pledge program to an associate member program were made in 1969. During that time Spasyk and his staff spoke with college administrators, alumni, and undergraduates about this possible change.

Spasyk, like many college men at the time, had a unique background that involved service to his country during World War II. Before rushing Lambda Chi Alpha, Spasyk had spent two years in the Navy. When the war ended,

They also conducted research into the matter. What they found was that almost a third of pledges were disassociating Lambda Chi Alpha before they were initiated. Furthermore, 65 percent of the men who de-pledged Lambda Chi Alpha

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The Rights of an Associate Member I. I have the right to attend all meetings of my chapter, unless that meeting deals solely with the Initiation Ritual of Lambda Chi Alpha. I may be asked to leave a part of a meeting if that part deals solely with the Initiation Ritual.

II. I have the right to vote on all matters concerning Lambda Chi Alpha. The only exceptions are voting for termination of associate membership, on Initiation, or at a formal disciplinary hearing of a member. I may, however, be present and participate in discussion during meetings regarding termination of associate membership, Initiation, or a formal disciplinary hearing.

III. I have the right to refuse to do anything that all initiated brothers will not do with me. Separate activities and expectations for associate members and initiated brothers are contradictory to the teachings of Lambda Chi Alpha.

IV. I have the right to participate in all chapter activities and programs. The only exception is educational programming about the Initiation Ritual and practices for the Initiation Ritual.

V. I have the right to know what day I will be initiated at least one month prior to the date of Initiation.

VI. I have the right to wear the letters of Lambda Chi Alpha (both Greek and English) and our coat of arms in an appropriate manner. No member may restrict the reasonable size or color of the letters that I choose to wear.

did so, on their own accord, proving they were not receiving any value from the pledge experience.

Spasyk knew that in order to make associate membership a reality, he needed to get the undergraduates on board. He set up the Student Advisory Committee with their first issue being the implementation of the new program. Associate Membership was introduced to all new colonies and beta tested on a handful of chapters.

In February 1970, Spasyk wrote about the associate member program and fraternity education model in his Reflections column that appeared in the Cross & Crescent magazine.

His article was titled “Pledges – Who Needs Them” and it clearly defined the direction that Lambda Chi Alpha planned to take regarding new members.

Spasyk wrote: “Lambda Chi Alpha can take the lead in adopting wholeheartedly an innovative, imaginative, and exciting program in which each new member is given the freedom to explore his fraternal experience, to discover his talents and abilities, and to develop his individuality.”

A Historic Change

VII. I have the right to run for any office in the chapter and to be a committee chairman. In most chapter situations, however, I am not qualified to hold the office of High Phi. VIII. I have the right to have a qualified big brother who will assist me in learning about the operations, history, ideals, and standards of Lambda Chi Alpha, and will provide me with the information and enthusiasm necessary to be a productive lifetime brother of Lambda Chi Alpha.

IX. I have the right to participate in all worthy outside activities on campus and in the community as a complement to my educational and fraternal experience.

X. I have the right to confront any initiated brother or associate member when I feel he is not living up to his obligations of membership, or has violated our ideals and principles.

The 1972 General Assembly in Portland, Oregon, was a decisive turning point for Lambda Chi Alpha. There were 48 pieces of legislation introduced on the General Assembly floor. Of those 48 pieces of legislation, two-thirds originated with the Student Advisory Committees from previous years.

The most significant piece of legislation, however, was the adoption of the fraternity education – associate member program.

The day before the legislation was introduced on the General Assembly floor, the delegation was split into groups

by Conclave region so they could discuss the fraternity education - associate member program separately.

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FEATURE “The timing was critical in terms of how we eased it into the Assembly,” Spasyk said.

When the delegation convened as one group, concerns had already been addressed and discussion was minimal.

The legislation passed. After the delegation filed out of the legislation room to receive their lunch, Spasyk remained at the legislation desk to finish his notes. Sitting alone by the podium, he cried. His vision had become a reality and young men for years would experience associate membership.

concept of the associate member program is powerful, it’s important that each chapter run their associate member program appropriately.

“Terminology doesn’t matter. We can still call them pledges.

I think the terminology was to differentiate ourselves. The real difference was the elimination of the caste system,” Farkas said.

Spasyk’s next Reflections piece was titled “Reflections on Change”. He recapped the legislation that was passed and wrote: “the changes effected at this Assembly are among the most forward-looking in the fraternity world.”

Spasyk ended his article with a quote from Robben W. Fleming, the past president at the University of Michigan, coincidentally the same location where the concept of associate membership first took root. The quote stated, “Change, in and of itself, is neither good nor bad and therefore neither to be feared nor looked upon as an end in itself.”

More Than Just a Word Associate membership and fraternity education sustained the test of time in Lambda Chi Alpha. Today, the associate member program is strongly engrained in most chapters.

In addition to giving associate members rights within the chapter, the program is also very marketable when it comes to recruiting new members. Potential new members are attracted to the idea of a system that encourages chapters to operate as one group of men rather than distinct classes.

There is also a strict no hazing policy within associate membership.

“It’s not just an 18-year-old brother saying, ‘we don’t haze here.’ It’s the international organization that says, ‘this is what we stand for and this is how we accomplish that,’” Farkas said.

Beyond its appeal to new members, the associate member program lives up to the standards it promises. While the www.lambdachi.org/cross-crescent

In 2007, Lambda Chi Alpha adopted a set of seven core values- Loyalty, Duty, Respect, Service and Stewardship, Honor, Integrity, and Personal Courage to complement the TRUE Brother Initiative, the Fraternity’s comprehensive educational program.

The majority of chapters have used these seven core values as a framework to educate associate members about Lambda Chi Alpha. Typically, each chapter will demonstrate a core value for each week of the associate member program.

For example, during the service and stewardship week, the associate members, along with the chapter’s initiated membership, will volunteer at a community service event and learn about that value.

“The seven core values give a nice entry to lead up to the preparation of pre-initiation week and getting initiated,” Farkas said.

It’s unclear how Lambda Chi Alpha would be different without the associate member program. What is clear is that the program has positively shaped the lives of brothers for several generations. In the future the associate member program and fraternity education models will continue to evolve.

“Certainly it can change, but I think the core of it: you won’t be hazed, you can attend chapter meetings, and you have a vote in chapter will remain constant as we move forward,” Farkas said.

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FEATURE

PHI-SIGMA CELEBRATES 35TH ANNIVERSARY WITH LARGEST ALUMNI ATTENDANCE IN CHAPTER’S HISTORY Former Fraternity Board Chairman Doc Dirghalli cites event as a model for all chapters to follow.

By Kenneth Rini (Cal Poly)

More than 350 alumni and undergraduate brothers reunited in San Luis Obispo, California, to celebrate the 35th anniversary of the founding of the colony and chapter at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo.

Featuring events and speeches centered on the themes of responsibility, achievement, values, and creating legacies, the gathering represented a significant milestone in both the history of Phi-Sigma Zeta and, according to comments by Lambda Chi Alpha CEO Bill Farkas and former Fraternity Board Chairman Rev. S. George “Doc” Dirghalli, set an example for similar events for all Lambda Chi chapters.

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An incredible weekend of brotherhood, fun and reminiscence was enhanced by Dirghalli’s participation as he had personally granted the chapter’s charter in 1979 and presented the chapter with the first of five Grand High Alpha Awards in 1981. Dirghalli also had attended the Pacific West Conclave hosted by Phi-Sigma almost 32 years ago to the day.

Over six months of planning and hard work by Alumni Chairman Chad Horn and his Alumni Affairs Committee paid off in a full weekend of events and gatherings highlighted by a formal awards banquet that featured a number of distinguished fraternity and campus officials.

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Speakers included Dirghalli, Farkas, Cal Poly President Jeffrey Armstrong, and Jonathan York, professor and chair of the Entrepreneurship Department in the Cal Poly College of Business and director of the Cal Poly Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CIE).

Memorial Concert & Scholarship The weekend began Friday night with a reception and memorial concert for former chapter member Spencer Wood, an outstanding and inspirational brother who passed away in 2006. During the concert, undergraduate brother Jeremy Powers was announced as the recipient of the Spencer Wood Lambda Chi Alpha Scholarship. This award is given each year to a member of the Fraternity who personifies the Fraternity’s values and lives his life by the gentleman’s code of conduct of humbleness, honesty, kindness and selflessness. Spencer’s family, close friends and selected members of the Fraternity serve on the selection board that determines each year’s winner.

Achievement was the theme as Saturday morning began with a gathering of alumni and undergraduates to hold an informal career panel where brothers successful in fields such as computer science, IT, engineering, agriculture, architecture and business shared valuable career advice with the interested undergrads.

The attendees then took advantage of the brilliant, warm skies and local amenities to participate in their choice of several organized events, including a wine tasting tour, golf tournament, and mountain bike ride. These activities afforded all an extended opportunity to reconnect, network and form new friendships. Many attendees also brought spouses and children and spent the afternoon touring the campus.

The legacy of many Phi-Sigma alumni was celebrated Saturday afternoon at a reception and open house at the Cal Poly Hot House, sponsored by the Cal Poly Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship. The CIE is a pioneering concept featuring a wide variety of programs designed to help students collaborate with graduates and faculty to create, incubate, develop and launch new businesses.

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Approximately 80 percent of the initial funding for the CIE came from generous donations from Phi-Zeta alumni, and several alums are very active advisers and benefactors in the ongoing operation of the Center. For more information on this ground-breaking and state-of-the-art resource, visit http://cie.calpoly.edu/.

Dirghalli and Farkas Headline Celebration Banquet Saturday evening was the featured event, a semi-formal banquet and presentations.

More than 400 alumni, actives, spouses and guests filled the Madonna Hotel Expo Center for a fun and memorable night of story-filled reunions, photo opportunities and inspirational speeches by the evening’s honored guests. It was by far the largest gathering of alumni and undergraduates in the history of the chapter!

After leading the Invocation, Dirghalli, as he did several times during the weekend, spoke from his heart and held the audience in awed silence as he reflected on the achievements of the chapter, the success in holding up the values and ideals of Lambda Chi and the high regard in which the chapter was held both locally and internationally.

He challenged the brotherhood to continue with their responsibility to spread the ideals and spirit of Lambda Chi Alpha.

Farkas then gave an amazing presentation using numbers that put into perspective the successes and achievements of the Phi Zeta chapter given its relatively young existence in the national history of our organization. He noted that in its brief 35-year history the chapter has already initiated more than 1,000 brothers, received seven Campus Involvement Awards, five Grand High Alpha Awards and 12 Macintosh Awards -- third most of all chapters. It has also produced two Duke Flad winners, three Grand High Zeta officers, an Educational Foundation Board member and three International Headquarters staff members. The chapter has also had multiple chapter advisors serve on several campuses.

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Relating the story of Warren Cole’s original establishment of Lambda Chi Alpha, Farkas praised the founding members of Phi-Sigma for having a similar vision of starting a fraternity, overcoming the obstacles and recruiting high quality members that created such an outstanding legacy.

He concluded by challenging the active membership to continue the mission:

presentation can be viewed at http://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=KyOOTlB24pk. As the event ended, all brothers in attendance signed a huge vinyl banner that will be hung in the chapter house. A collection of photos of the Alumni Banquet can be found at http://www.dropbox.com/l/ Wn2ZWFLVOKISnhdD57nUjd

“You have created an atmosphere where brotherhood is the bedrock of this chapter. The founding members should be commended for building this foundation, the alumni should be praised for maintaining this tradition, and the current members face the challenge of extending that legacy to perpetuate this environment so that future generations will enjoy all the gifts that you have received through Lambda Chi Alpha.”

Final Event

Dr. Jonathan York of the Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship then gave a brief overview of the Center’s mission and acknowledged several of the alumni present who were instrumental in the creation, development and funding of the Center.

The evening’s final speaker was Cal Poly President Jeffrey Armstrong. Armstrong is a dynamic and highly engaged leader, and his warm, sincere presence at the event was reflective of his relationship with the chapter. He spoke at length about the current challenges faced by the Greek system both at Cal Poly and nationally, and provided his vision of the future. He concluded by speaking about the funding of higher education, which will likely be more oriented towards partnerships with the businesses and industries that eventually employ the school’s graduates.

After breakfast on Sunday morning, the remaining alumni gathered in a hotel ballroom to hold an informal discussion about various issues related to the chapter house and the active membership. Sparked by a question from one of the brothers, a still fiery Doc Dirghalli stood and delivered both a response and challenge to the same men he had started on their fraternity path 35 years ago leaving them in turn silently spellbound, laughing and in reverence as he urged them to continue to promote their faith, maintain their values, be proud of their achievements and set an example to the younger members to “aspire to lead a life well lived”.

In a final thought about legacy, Dirghalli noted the significant number of alumni present who had sons currently active in Lambda Chi Alpha and had them acknowledge their names and schools.

The event was highlighted by a special multimedia presentation compiled by the house historian. Shouts and laughs filled the room as images of brothers and events from the last four decades filled the screens accompanied by classic music from those eras. The

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FEATURE

UNDERGRADUATE BROTHER DIES FROM SICKLE CELL ANEMIAANEMIA Michael McEachern (Kutztown), an undergraduate Sigma-Gamma brother from Kutztown University, died March 4, 2014.

By Tad Lichtenauer (Denison)

According to his obituary, McEachern was a caring, energetic and humorous young man with an unforgettable smile and infectious laugh. He lifted the spirit of everyone who had the privilege of knowing him. He will never be forgotten. His memory will live on with all of us eternally.

Also surviving are two sisters: Sierra Goods, Newark, New Jersey, and Kaiya Thornton, Charlotte, North Carolina; a brother, Darhon McEachern, Scranton, Pennsylvania; maternal grandmother, Norma Huffington, Newark, New Jersey; paternal grandmother, Winifred Reed, Newark, New Jersey; two uncles, Arthur Kee and William Huffington Jr.; an aunt, Tammie Brown; and a nephew, Jordyn Searles.

M

ichael “Money” McEachern Jr. (Kutztown) died

March 4, 2014, at Geisinger Community Medical Center,

He was preceded in death by his maternal grandfather, William Huffington Sr., and his paternal grandfather, Edward McEachern.

Scranton, Pennsylvania. He was 23 years old.

Born May 16, 1990, in Elizabeth, New Jersey, he was the son of Michael Dwayne McEachern Sr. and Dana Elaine Huffington Thornton (Eugene). He was a graduate of Scranton High School. He attended Kutztown University, where he was a brother in the Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity.

He was employed as a customer marketing representative for Bank of America.

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Fundraiser in McEachern’s honor In honor of McEachern’s passing, the Sigma-Gamma chapter created a fundraiser to help other victims of sickle cell anemia.

Any friends or brothers wishing to donate may visit their donation page.

Andrew Schroeder, Sigma-Gamma’s chapter president, expressed his feelings about McEachern’s passing in an email: “The chapter was close to Michael, he was a great character and our current brothers that were unable to ever meet him certainly could talk about him as if they were great friends. Michael was the kind of man whose influence was certainly going to affect the chapter longer than his tenure with us. While it is of course unfortunate he passed, his impact on our chapter will certainly have lasting effects.” Please contact me at any time.

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FEATURE

ALUMNI BROTHER DENNIS SONNTAG’S BATTLE WITH CANCER A brother, father, husband, son, friend is in the battle of his life.

By Steven Alles (Ferris State)

When life’s challenges appear at your doorstep, it is all ‘hands on deck’ to keep the battle going until victory is won. That is how our conversation went in December of last year. Dennis Sonntag, brother, father, husband, son, and friend is in the battle of his life; and his opponent is cancer.

I met Dennis when he came to Ferris State University in Big Rapids, Michigan, to pursue his degree in criminal justice. He decided to check out Greek life, and came to our Iota-Psi chapter for a Fall 2004 recruitment event. He was looking to make the most of his college experience, but little did he know he would also make brothers-for-life.

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Dennis rushed in the fall of 2004, and he and the members of the house hit it off right away. I remember arguing with my friend Derek about who was going to be his big brother.

We knew Dennis was going to be a great addition to our chapter. With his appetite for learning, eagerness to help out on any project, and love of life, we knew he was going to stick with the fraternity and continue its legacy. We became great friends even though I was not able to be his Big. We eventually roomed together my last year in the house.

Dennis jumped right in and immediately started to help out by becoming the house manager, and continued to hold

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Diagnosed with Cancer

positions in the fraternity, including chapter president his junior year, where he displayed his leadership abilities. He was well respected, excelled in his classes, and never missed a brotherhood event. As risk manager he helped bring back White Rose Formal after its not having been held for over a decade, even driving in a Michigan blizzard to check out locations. We never lost touch with one another, even after leaving school for our careers, getting married, and starting our families. We have continued to be part of each other’s lives, especially in 2012 when we both had sons born.

Dennis and his wife, Diana, met during his last semester at Ferris State. They were engaged in 2010, married in August of 2011, and he became the stepfather to Diana’s three young boys. Just when they thought life couldn’t get better, Dennis and Diana were blessed with twins in November 2012. Life is never boring in the Sonntag house with five very active boys. Whether it is flag football games, camping, or simply chasing his two toddlers, there is rarely a dull moment. The family resides outside of Detroit, Michigan, where Dennis has worked for Children’s Protective Services (CPS) for the past three years. His ultimate goal has always been to become a full time police officer so that he may continue to use his degree in criminal justice.

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On December 26, 2013, Dennis was experiencing difficulty breathing and went to the hospital believing he was having an asthma attack. The test results came back with a diagnosis of lymphoma and acute lymphoblastic leukemia. The pressure he felt in his chest was due to a large amount of fluid that had collected on his lung, collapsing it, and requiring that his chest be repeatedly drained. He underwent countless surgeries, including emergency heart surgery for congestive heart failure, and neurosurgery to implant necessary devices for treatments. Dennis’ particular form of cancer is very rare. Aggressive chemotherapy requires a week-long hospital stay every 21-28 days for a period of eight months. After this initial treatment, Dennis will continue to be monitored and receive additional treatments as necessary.

Due to his aggressive treatment, and at his doctor’s recommendation, Dennis can no longer work during this period of time. Even with his tenure, Dennis was forced to exhaust all of his sick and vacation leave. Dennis’ coworkers have also supported him by donating their vacation hours to help extend his pay. As of March 13, Dennis no longer receives a paycheck, which is the family’s only source of income. This requires his family to independently cover all the bills out-of-pocket, including health insurance premiums, mortgage, food, and all other expenses for a family of seven. Brothers, this is where I ask for your help to make Dennis’ life less stressful and to help him beat cancer: Reach out with words of encouragement. I have listed his email address below.

If you are able, please consider making a donation. FMLA has run out and Dennis’ income has stopped until he is able to return to work. Any amount helps.

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Those who are in the greater Detroit area are invited to visit.

Dennis Sonntag at Sonntagd@yahoo.com

Website of Support A website has been set up in his name at http://www. gofundme.com/72vimo?pc=fb_f_m where donations can be made. You may also go to www.gofundme.com and search by his name “Dennis Sonntag.� Please consider making a donation if you are able to do so. All amounts, large or small, will help the Sonntag family get through the next few months and possibly years of treatments/therapies. The family keeps his physical treatment status updated on the Go Fund Me website.

It is at times like this where our brotherhood is tested to show the power of Lambda Chi Alpha. Now is the time to reach out and help our fellow brother get through an extremely difficult time in his life. The battle is on; Dennis is fighting the good fight and we are confident he will beat this disease, just like we beat the Sig Eps in intramural football through our tenure at Ferris. It is going to be hard fought; he may get knocked down, scars will appear, but he will get back up and charge forward!

God bless you and your family, Dennis. Continue to Fight the Fight!

In ZAX, Steven Alles (Iota-Psi 1126) Ferris State University Big Rapids, Michigan

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FRATERNITY NEWS

Two Chapters Receive Charters

Two chapters, Iota-Epsilon Zeta at Indiana State University and Kappa-Phi Zeta at Baldwin Wallace University, were presented with their charters on Saturday, March 22.

By Andrew Talevich (Washington State)

On Saturday, March 22, Iota-Epsilon Zeta at Indiana State University, and Kappa-Phi Zeta at Baldwin Wallace University, were each presented with their charters at separate banquets, officially making them chapters in Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity.

Both chapters were products of re-colonization, meaning Lambda Chi chapters had previously existed on the campus, but at one point were closed.

Reestablishing Their Zetas Kappa-Phi Zeta of Baldwin Wallace was founded as a Theta Kappa Nu chapter on February 19, 1926. The chapter was dormant between the periods 1976-1979 and 2004-2009. Iota-Epsilon Zeta of Indiana State was originally established as a Lambda Chi chapter on May 31, 1952. The chapter was dormant between 2002 and 2012.

A colony must meet specific benchmarks in order to be granted approval by the Grand High Zeta to become a chapter. These benchmarks include having a scholastic grade point average greater than the campus men’s average, having a membership greater than 40 or equal to the campus average, and having an alumni support system in place.

Because Iota-Epsilon Zeta and Kappa-Phi Zeta met the chartering standards, they celebrated their establishment as chapters of Lambda Chi Alpha during their chartering banquets.

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Indiana State’s Chartering Banquet

More than 200 guests convened at the Holiday Inn in Terre Haute, Indiana, to witness the men of Iota-Epsilon Zeta receiving their charter. Much of the audience included dedicated alumni who were eager to see their chapter rechartered.

Dr. Elgan Baker, the current Grand High Kappa, spoke at the event on behalf of the Grand High Zeta. Dr. Bo Mantooth, Director of Fraternity and Sorority Life at Indiana State, also spoke to the members in attendance.

Schafer credits strong alumni support with helping bring the chapter back to this point.

“They were very helpful, especially Steve Dirker and David Clingan, and really the alumni association as a whole did a lot. They stuck with us,” Schafer said.

Baldwin Wallace’s Chartering Banquet

George Spasyk, Lambda Chi Alpha Executive Vice President Emeritus, delivered the keynote address. He remembered being in attendance at the first chartering banquet of Iota-Epsilon Zeta in 1952. His speech was entitled, “Reflections… from 1952 to Today.”

Spasyk discussed the history of the General Fraternity along with the history of the Iota-Epsilon chapter.

He warned the chapter not to lose the charter again because, he said, he may not be around to present it to the chapter for a third time.

“I learned from George’s speech that Lambda Chi is going to be with you for your entire life and it’s really what you choose to do with it, what you put into it, that determines what you will get out of it,” said David Schafer, president of the Iota-Epsilon chapter.

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The Baldwin Wallace chapter hosted their chartering banquet at the 100th Bomber Club in Cleveland, Ohio. In attendance for this memorable occasion were 120 chapter members, alumni, special guests, and parents.

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FRATERNITY NEWS

Marc West, Director of Greek Life at Baldwin Wallace University; Jim Schrader, Lambda Chi Alpha Grand High Epsilon; and Robert Helmer, the president of Baldwin Wallace University all spoke at the event.

In his speech, Schrader encouraged the young chapter to keep thinking big.

He emphasized that this chartering banquet was not the end point but rather the beginning of a journey. He told the chapter to focus on “b-hag”, or big, hairy, audacious goals.

The chartering members of Kappa-Phi Zeta gained a lot of inspiration from the chartering banquet. Robert Hood, previous president of the chapter and chartering banquet chairman, was encouraged by the speeches of Helmer and Schrader.

“There’s been a lot of talk about goal setting for the future. We’ve been talking about the Inner Circle and doubling the size of our chapter,” Hood said.

Schrader shared with the guests his personal experience as an undergraduate at the Ball State chapter, Iota-Alpha Zeta.

During that time the men in the chapter challenged each other to double their membership, and to then reach 100 members. They weren’t afraid to pursue audacious goals.

He reminded the chapter that the successful recruitment of quality men is the key to building a great fraternity.

Helmer made the unique point that the Kappa-Phi chapter was the first chapter on the Baldwin-Wallace campus, then known as the Schiller Literary Society, and now it is the newest chapter on campus.

Helmer spoke at the banquet about the role that a new chapter can play on the Baldwin Wallace campus. He encouraged the men to take what they learned in the classroom and in their chapter to make the world a better place. www.lambdachi.org/cross-crescent

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FRATERNITY NEWS

2014 Award Applications Due April 30

The individual and chapter awards will be announced and presented at this summer’s 55th General Assembly and Stead Leadership Seminar.

By Nick Zuniga (Ball State)

Every summer, Lambda Chi Alpha brothers and chapters that excel in specific operations are rewarded for their efforts by the General Fraternity at our annual conference. This summer we are looking for all capable chapters to apply for these awards and showcase the great work being done by our brothers across North America.

In the spring of 2011 we introduced new standards that must be met before chapters are eligible to receive an award. www.lambdachi.org/cross-crescent

We also introduced new award applications in the spring of 2012. The new applications were designed to incorporate our True Brother program and the Tactical Operation Guides.

All award applications for the 55th General Assembly and Stead Leadership Seminar are due April 30, 2014. All applications are located in the Officer Portal Document Library.

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HISTORY

Each chapter must meet the following minimum standards before your award applications will be accepted: 1. Be in good standing with the General Fraternity and host institution.

Non-Application Awards These awards are determined through data collected by the chapter visit report.

• • • • • • • • • • • •

2. Have an officially appointed High Pi (chapter advisor).

3. Be at a zero balance with the General Fraternity as of April 30, 2014.

4. Not have been subjected to any disciplinary action by the General Fraternity or host institution within the past nine months.

5. Have had at least one (1) representative at the last General Assembly or Stead Leadership Seminar.

6. Below is a list of awards that will be recognized at the 55th General Assembly and Stead Leadership Seminar:

Grand High Alpha Phoenix Feeding America Academic Achievement Joseph T. Charles Mentor Leadership Program Campus Involvement Membership Recruitment Individual Awards Cyril F. “Duke” Flad Outstanding Undergraduate Order of Achievement Fraternity Advisor of the Year George W. Spasyk Order of Interfraternity Service

If you have any questions about the award applications please contact Operations Coordinator Tina Barnett at tbarnett@lambdachi.org.

Chapter Awards • • • • • • • • •

Alumni Affairs Bruce H. McIntosh Standards for Chapter Excellence Rev. S. George “Doc” Dirghalli Scholastic Programming Lewis A. Plourd Fraternity Education Tozier Brown Public Affairs Programs & Project Warren Cole Recruitment Award Website Development Alumni Publication North American Food Drive

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FOUNDATION HISTORY NEWS

Kemper Foundation Lambda Chi Scholars The Educational Foundation will be awarding $2,500 scholarships to eight juniors in the 2014-1015 academic year as a part of its new mentoring program.

By Joe Hammer (Ball State)

The Lambda Chi Alpha Educational Foundation will be awarding $2,500 scholarships to eight juniors in the 2014-1015 academic year as a part of its new mentoring program.

These scholarships were made possible by a generous grant recently presented by the James S. Kemper Foundation.

Based in Chicago, the Kemper Foundation’s fundamental philosophy is that a college-level education in the liberal arts, complemented by workplace experiential education, represents the ideal preparation for life and work, especially for careers in administration and business.

With the help of the Kemper Foundation, the Educational Foundation will identify eight collegiate members prior to the beginning of their junior year and pair them with eight outstanding alumni in each undergraduate’s field of interest.

A criteria for these eight collegians will be a demonstrated understanding and appreciation of the values-based education they have received from their Lambda Chi Alpha experience. The chosen recipients will be referred to as Kemper Foundation Lambda Chi Scholars.

After the pairings are made, scholars and their mentors will be required to submit quarterly reports on their discussions, and monthly updates on their progress during the internship.

The year-long program will begin at one of the Lambda Chi

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Alpha Days, where the scholar and alumnus will mutually participate in the program. Throughout the remainder of the academic year they will periodically meet, both in person and via email or other electronic media, to discuss issues and demands the student is facing as he prepares for life after college.

Internship Included In addition to regular one-on-one meetings, the scholar will be required to keep a journal that is shared with the mentor as a basis for their discussions. For the scholar, the year will culminate with an eight-week summer internship with his mentor.

This internship program is different from most others due to the intentional design to extend the learning process

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beyond simply “learning the business.” The goal is for the scholar to take the Lambda Chi Alpha Seven Core Values and apply them in an actual business or professional setting.

The internship will emphasize the importance of managing the scholar’s life and career in a manner complimentary to Lambda Chi’s fraternity education program.

James S. Kemper understood that becoming an educated person depends upon one’s access to the shared repository of learning. Lambda Chi Alpha and the Educational Foundation want this educated person to have the values that will enable him to be an ethical leader in his profession, his community and his personal life.

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Timeline & How to Apply Scholar and Mentor identification and paring - Winter/ Spring 2014 Lambda Chi Alpha Mentor Academy attendance - Fall 2014 Scholar/Mentor Relationship and Internship - Fall 2014 through Summer 2015 For more information about how apply, please contact Joe Hammer, vice president, alumni relations & annual support, Lambda Chi Alpha Educational Foundation at jhammer@ lambdachi.org.

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