June 2012 Cross & Cresecent

Cross & Crescent

June 2012 . Issue 05

Brig. Gen. Jeff Lofgren, and sons Blake and Andrew, discuss Father’s Day and the shared bond of our brotherhood.

From The Editor The Office of Administration is making a final push to fill our delegate and attendee registration for the 54th General Assembly and Leadership Seminar from July 26-29, 2012, in Phoenix.

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YOUR ONLINE SOURCE FOR ALL LAMBDA CHI ALPHA NEWS May 2012 ISSUE 04

Features 11

The event is again being held at the Arizona Biltmore. Built as one of Phoenix’s first resorts in 1929, the Biltmore was constructed by brothers Albert, Charles and Warren McArthur.

Frank Lloyd Wright served as the consulting architect.

To encourage additional attendance from our undergraduate brothers, the Educational Foundation is offering five $400 scholarships. This money can be applied to the registration fee and airfare costs.

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

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The Lofgrens For Father’s Day, we chose a unique story about three members of Oregon State’s Alpha-Lambda chapter. The dad is Brig. Gen. Jeff Lofgren and the sons are young alumnus Blake Lofgren and current undergraduate Andrew Lofgren.

By Tad Lichtenauer (Denison)

To apply for the scholarships, you must:

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

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Be enrolled as a sophomore at your school in Fall 2012

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Write a 250-word essay about “What Lambda Chi Has Done For Me”

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Email your essay to the director of Chapter Services at headquarters@lambadchi.org.

The winners will be announced via Facebook and Twitter on June 30, 2012, and will be contacted via email after the announcement.

In ZAX and friendship,

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Fraternity News

Spreading the Love

Fraternity News A Big ‘Thank You’ for Departing Staff

29 History A Look into the Background

of the Fraternal Goat

Contributions

Tad Lichtenauer Managing Editor Cross & Crescent Magazine

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

Credits

Publisher: Bill Farkas anaging Editor: Tad Lichtenauer M Assistant Editor: Andrew Talevich Layout & Design: Thomas Roberts Cover Photo: Lindy Drew Photographer: Walt Moser Research: Jon Williamson

Historian: Mike Raymond Editors: Jono Hren Bob McLaughlin

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Walking the Talk Delaware’s Lambda-Beta chapter held its 2nd annual golf event benefiting the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society of Delaware. The event was started by chapter advisor Lyman Chen to support brother Ryan Miller’s battle with non-Hodgkin’s large B-cell lymphoma.

By Tad Lichtenauer (Denison)

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The Fighter After defeating non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, Bryant Pappas (Gettysburg 1995) turned his attention to a professional boxing career. He has turned his curse of cancer into a cause by using boxing as a way to raise money for cancer research.

By Andrew Talevich (Washington State)

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Agent of Change Pat Van Burkleo (North Texas 1982) was named the National Executive of the Year for the Boys & Girls Clubs. His experience as a Lambda Chi Alpha staff member shaped where he is today.

By Andrew Talevich (Washington State)

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Josh Switzer’s Legacy Lives On Justin Faiola, president of the Western Ontario University chapter of Lambda Chi Alpha, shares how the Fraternity is remembering Josh Switzer, a fellow brother who was killed in a hit-and-run accident last month.

By Justin Faiola (Western Ontario)

CHAPTER NEWS

CHAPTER NEWS

Chapter news, alumni news, and reports of death

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

Alberta (Epsilon-Rho)

ceremony, and a grand brotherhood experience of new and old chapter brothers. The annual undergrad-versus-alumni softball game also took place in the morning, The alumni won for the second year in a row.

The chapter was named runner-up for the Campus Engagement Award.

The chapter completed more than twice the number of philanthropy hours than any other Greek organization on campus.

Arizona State (Zeta-Psi)

The chapter had brothers elected to the Student Council, Greek Honorary society, and Order of Omega.

Chapter brothers participated in the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life and raised $3,000.

Kevin Smith received the Greek of the Year Award, while Kyle Brant received the Honorable Mention. This honor is for excellence in community service, academics, and campus leadership.

The chapter held a meeting to evaluate and discuss short- and long-term goals.

Arkansas (Gamma-Chi)

Angelo State (Beta-Alpha)

William R. Toller Sr. (1954) died December 19, 2011. After serving his country in the Korean War as a captain, he returned home and attended the University of Arkansas, earning his bachelor’s degree in economics. He served on the Dean’s Executive Advisory Board of the Walton School of Business and The Chancellor’s Advisory Board. He received the honor of Distinguished Alumnus in 1997 and is a recognized benefactor of the university. He began a long and successful career with Continental Oil Co. in Ponca City, Oklahoma, and retired as CEO - Chairman of the Board with Witco Chemical Co. in Greenwich, Connecticut.

Arkansas State (Iota-Theta) The chapter’s annual philanthropy, the Sandblast Volleyball Tournament, raised and donated $1,000 to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

Central Florida (Beta-Eta)

Bloomsburg (Beta-Xi) Chapter brothers participated in a fundraiser for the Bloomsburg Chapter of the American Red Cross. Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania, residents, as well of those in surrounding areas in Columbia and Montour counties, suffered devastating flooding last fall from Tropical Storm Lee. The chapter’s efforts helped raise more than $4,000.

Co-founder and CEO Brian Fischbein’s company, Crescent Solutions is celebrating its 10th anniversary in business. With offices nationwide, Crescent Solutions is an award-winning professional IT (information technology) recruiting and staffing solutions company. The other founders of the company are also Lambda Chis: Mitch Balzer, Eric Strength, Brian Albano, Jeff Sarubbi, and Keith McDonald.

Boston Area Alumni Association The Boston Area Alumni Association held an event on April 18, 2012, at the Meadhall in Cambridge.

Phil Dalhausser, a professional beach volleyball player, placed second at the National Volleyball League in Baltimore, Maryland, on May 20, 2012. Dalhausser and teammate Todd Rogers will enter the Olympics in London this summer.

Butler (Alpha-Alpha)

Central Michigan (Lambda-Omega) Allstate agency owner Michael Love (2004) was designated an Allstate Premier Service Agent for 2012. Bestowed upon less than one-third of Allstate’s agency force, the award was presented to Love for his commitment to putting the customer at the center of his agency’s work. Love is a former chapter president.

Keith A. Bush (1992) has been promoted to senior vice president of finance for US Airways.

William R. Chip Keller (1993) was elected president of the Redevelopment Commission of Martinsville, Indiana.

J. Douglas Boles (1988) was named vice president of communications for Hulman & Company and its subsidiary, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Colorado State-Pueblo (Delta-Omega)

Cal Poly San Luis Obispo (Phi-Sigma)

Henry Willauer was elected and inaugurated into the Associated Student Government as senator of the College of Engineering and Professional Studies.

At the latest Initiation Ritual Exemplification the chapter initiated its 1,000th brother.

Josh Walsh was elected president of the Greek Council.

Cal State-Fullerton (Phi-Epsilon)

Jason Cowan, Doug Bell, Jared Michini-Kerr, and Henry Willauer were hired by CSU-Pueblo Department of Residence Life and Housing as resident assistants for the 2012-2013 academic year.

A former educational leadership consultant, Joseph A. Hayes (1980), was named senior vice president–California for First Bank in Palm Desert, California. He has successfully pursued a career in real estate development, finance, and banking services.

On April 21, 2012, the Beta Alpha Alumni Association cosponsored the 2012 White Rose Formal for undergraduate and alumni brothers. The event consisted of dinner, an awards www.lambdachi.org/cross-crescent

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CHAPTER NEWS

Chapter news, alumni news, and reports of death

Edinboro (Beta-Delta)

Delaware (Lambda-Beta)

Frank Purrachio (1982) donated more than 300 cans of Ensure and Boost Nutritional drinks to the Edinboro Food Pantry for their Senior Citizens program. The donation was made in memory of brother John Ernst (1974) who died on September 2, 2010.

Elon (Delta-Pi)

CHAPTER NEWS

Chapter news, alumni news, and reports of death

Florida Tech (Beta-Nu)

recognizes outstanding student service to the Esther Thomas Atkinson Museum.

James E. Steinke (1977) died May 28, 2012. He was a retired lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Army with over 20 years of service.

While on active duty, Jim worked as a combat engineer officer in Germany, South Korea, the continental U.S. and other, classified locations around the world. Since his retirement from the Army he had been working for the Defense Intelligence Agency of the U.S. government as a senior project engineer. He was also affiliated with the Lambda-Pi chapter at Central Missouri for several years as an undergraduate.

Thomas H. Weisel (2012) was commissioned a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army on May 13, 2012, during commencement ceremonies marking the end of the 237th academic year at Hampden-Sydney College. Weisel was commissioned by Major Stephan Ruppel-Lee, assisted by Master Sergeant Jeff Suttle.

Pinning his gold bars were his father, Eric Weisel of Saluda, and his mother, Kathleen King of Virginia Beach.

Edward Franklin Thomas III (2012), was commissioned a second lieutenant in the U.S. Marine Corps on May 13, 2012, during commencement ceremonies marking the end of the 237th academic year at Hampden-Sydney College. Thomas was commissioned by Lieutenant General W. Gerald Boykin, assisted by Staff Sergeant Caleb Donnelly. Pinning his gold bars were his father, Ed Thomas, and his mother, Caroline Thomas of Birmingham.

Franklin (Kappa-Gamma)

The chapter placed fourth in the Greek Week competition that included events such as jousting, dodge ball, and air band.

Logan Worley (2012), wing back for the varsity football team, won the Grizzlies’ Team Player Award.

Denver (Alpha-Pi)

Michael Hover (1962) died December 11, 2011. He played basketball and tennis for Franklin College and was also involved with IFC.

Victor G. Dileo (1979) died May 19, 2012. He had a very successful career for over 30 years as a financial advisor, retiring from MorganStanleySmithBarney in 2011. He was a charter member and former president of Denver Active 20/30, board member of the American Red Cross, and a board member and Chairman of the Board of the Tennyson Center for Children.

On March 31, 2012, Jamie Sclater (2002) received the university’s Top 10 Under 10 Award. A former chapter officer, he now serves as lead petty officer, hospital corpsman, and sniper in the U.S. Navy, that has included four deployments since 2006. Under his leadership his battalion experienced a killed-in-action ratio of less than a half a percent, and more than 30 of his junior sailors earned nominations for awards ranging from the Bronze Star to the Navy and Marine Corps commendation medals.

DePauw (Xi) Dr. Gene C. Laker (1954) was inducted into the DePauw Athletic Hall of Fame. A three-year letterman in basketball, Laker was named to the all-Indiana Collegiate Conference team as a senior and, in the summer of 1954, he was honored by being selected to the Indiana College All Star team. In addition to serving two years with the U.S. Air Force, he worked as a physician with the Waynedale Family Physicians group. Today, Laker serves as a member of the Fort Wayne Quest Club and has previously served as a member of the Northwestern University National Alumni Board. In 1993, Laker was honored with the Outstanding Service Award from Northwestern University Medical School and was later selected as a representative of the Class of 1958 for Northwestern Feinberg School of Medicine.

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Indiana State (Iota-Epsilon Colony) Several brothers recently visited the International Headquarters in Indianapolis and enjoyed spending time with the Professional Staff.

George Washington (Delta-Xi) Three chapter brothers received their commissions in the U.S. Marine Corps. The chapter holds the highest fraternity percentage of brothers in ROTC.

Georgia Tech (Beta-Kappa) The Georgia Tech Alumni Magazine wrote a story about Mike “Taco” Lopez (1980) who died in a car wreck in 1984. The chapter room on campus is named in his honor.

Embry-Riddle (Sigma-Phi) Austin Donohoe won the Greek Man of the Year Award.

Bret Louderback was named Cadet Commanding Officer of the Naval ROTC corps for school year 2012-2013. The corps consists of more than 150 midshipmen.

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Hampden-Sydney (Kappa-Eta) At Final Convocation on April 26 2012, Austin M. Blackwell received the Cecil Richard Bowman ‘67 M.D. Award, presented

by Ms. Angela J. Way, Museum director/curator. This award is given in memory of Bowman through endowments to the museum given by his mother Mrs. Cecil C. Bowman. It

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CHAPTER NEWS

Chapter news, alumni news, and reports of death

Iowa State (Alpha-Tau)

Lake Forest (Pi-Pi)

CHAPTER NEWS

Chapter news, alumni news, and reports of death

Louisville (Zeta-Sigma)

Alabama in Tuscaloosa. Montgomery will serve as a deacon before realizing his goal of becoming an ordained priest.

Jeffrey L. Fulkerson (1990) died October 16, 2011. An Eagle Scout, he loved the outdoors, hiking, gardening, and helping others.

Nevada-Reno (Epsilon-Iota)

John B. Peck (1952) died April 11, 2012. An Eagle Scout, he served in the U.S. Army and was a veteran of the Korean War. During his career John worked for the Hart Furnace Co. and enjoyed a number of years working at the University of Louisville Alumni Office.

Massachusetts (Gamma)

The chapter won the Outstanding Program of the Year Award for the Mocktail Night event that was co-sponsored with Delta Gamma sorority.

On April 20-21, 2012, alumni and undergraduate brothers enjoyed the annual VEISHEA celebration on campus. Activities included an alumni and spouse gathering at a local restaurant and sharing brotherhood at the chapter house on Saturday. Another highlight was the presentation of the Gregg and Ann Behrens Endowed Scholarship, presented annually to an undergraduate with outstanding grades, financial needs, and who shows leadership and exemplifies our Core Values. This year’s winner was Joshua Adams.

The chapter had three of its rising seniors named to the Senior 25, a recognition given to those seniors who have been the greatest leaders and made the largest contributions to our campus.

Lehigh (Gamma-Psi) The chapter earned the fourth highest fraternity GPA on campus, which included 16 brothers on the Dean’s List.

Chapter Advisor Joe Gurreri was named Alumni Adviser of the Year.

Larry Wentz (1977), who recently underwent a liver transplant, was surprised when the Iowa State Tailgate Tour visited his house.

Basketball coaches Fred Hoiberg and Bill Fennelly were on hand along with football coach Paul Rhoades, volleyball coach Christy Johnson–Lynch, and wrestling head man Kevin Jackson. Director of Athletics Jamie Pollard presented Larry with a Cyclones flag bearing the signatures of all five.

The chapter partnered with the Micro Finance Club for the Micro Finance exposition.

The chapter had two members earn representation on the Dreyfus and Rights Portfolio. These portfolios manage more than $100,000 through various financial instruments.

Bob “Squeaky” Horn (1956) was inducted into the George “Trigger” Burke University of Massachusetts Athletic Hall of Fame.

He and five other legends were honored on February 17, 2012, at the Campus Center Auditorium. One of the all-time UMass greats in cross-country and track & field, Horn was a major part of the Redmen’s success in the early and mid 1950s.

The chapter held a charity event, Our Big Show, which is a mock beauty pageant/talent show among the sororities on campus.

The event raised more than $2,000 for The Note-Ables, a local organization that helps mentally challenged people of all ages to play music.

Miami-FL (Epsilon-Omega) Darren Dupriest’s company, Validity Screening Solutions, was named as one of the Top 10 Small Business companies in the Greater Kansas City area. Companies from across the Kansas City region submitted applications for the award and an independent panel of judges selected the top ten. All the nominees are judged on growth, sustainability, community service, and employee relations.

New Hampshire (Alpha-Xi) On May 21, 2012, the chapter brothers moved into their new fraternity house on campus. Some of the chapter brothers will spend the summer making repairs and getting it ready for fall occupancy.

MIT (Lambda)

New Mexico State (Zeta-Gamma)

A team of chapter brothers won the MIT Habitat for Humanity’s Beaver Dash 5K relay race.

Montevallo (Sigma-Epsilon) Former SAC member, Brandt Montgomery, was named to Sacred Order of Deacons in Christ’s One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostle Church on May 27, 2012. His aspirations began at St. Peters Episcopal Day School and led him to later study and work in New York City and Philadelphia. Starting July 1, 2012, he will serve as associate rector at Canterbury Episcopal Chapel at the University of

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On April 27-28, 2012, the chapter brothers participated in the American Cancer Society’s Relay For Life.

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CHAPTER NEWS

Chapter news, alumni news, and reports of death

North Alabama (Sigma-Delta)

Omega’s Diamond Days. In addition, the chapter has increased membership by 50 percent in 12 months. The chapter advisor received the Advisor of the Year Award and the chapter doubled its attendance at General Fraternity events the past three years.

William M. Orman (1960) died April 8, 2012. A veteran, he was a state vocational rehabilitation counselor for 36 years and received many honors throughout his career. In retirement he assisted his wife at Cold Water Antiques in Tuscumbia and continued helping others as a marriage and family counselor for Agape.

The chapter held its 2nd Annual Spring Celebration in Portland on April 14, 2012, with more than 100 alumni, undergraduate brothers, and their guests in attendance. The event raises funds for the chapter’s Educational Foundation as well as recognizing outstanding undergraduate brothers. Individual undergraduate awards and scholarships were given for the highest GPA, Brother of the Year, and Brother with Most Community Service Hours.

This past year the Foundation awarded more than $10,000 in scholarships. What makes this achievement even more remarkable is that the Education Foundation was established only two years ago, by Tim Clevenger, House Corp president and Rick Peterson, Education Foundation president. To learn more, please contact Rick Peterson at rick.peterson@wacom.com or Tim Clevenger at tim.r.clevenger@gmail.com.

Northwestern (Alpha-Iota)

Pittsburg State (Lambda-Chi)

The chapter hosted a Watermelon Bust which raised more than $1,000 for the local women’s shelter.

The chapter earned a 3.12 GPA, the highest of all fraternities on campus. Twenty-eight men earned a 3.0 GPA or higher, including three with a 4.0 GPA.

Oregon (Zeta-Omicron) Rollins (Theta-Gamma Colony) Kory Eylmann graduated with honors and was chosen as a Fulbright scholar to study in Germany.

Chapter news, alumni news, and reports of death

Shippensburg (Phi-Tau)

Rensselaer (Epsilon-Eta)

Jason Lenox and his business partners have published a full-length comic book, UGLI Studios: Presents.

Southeast Missouri State (Delta-Phi) On May 25, 2012, Benny Dorris began a nine-day road trip with two other undergraduate brothers to visit 16 graduate school campuses across the United States. They’ve networked with alumni brothers from around the Midwest and Northeast to find places to stay each night.

On Saturday, April 28, 2012, the annual Greek Awards Ceremony took place on the campus of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. The Epsilon-Eta chapter won the following awards: Stephen Provost, Greek Man of the Year; J.P, Trasatti, Executive Leader of the Year; Brian Orecchio, Order of Omega Man of the Year; and Geoff Seber, Greek Advisor of the Year. The chapter also received recognition with the Housing Award for the beautification work put into the house. Finally, the chapter earned Five Star Status, given to Greek organizations that continue to provide excellence to the Rensselaer community. The chapter has been recognized with Five Star status since the evaluation system was created.

South Dakota (Alpha-Gamma) The chapter earned a 3.09 GPA for the spring semester.

Southern Methodist (Gamma-Sigma) The chapter earned the second highest GPA of the 10 fraternities on campus.

St. Mary’s (Sigma-Beta)

Alumni brothers from the classes of 1966 to 1969 held a reunion in Las Vegas. Activities included hiking, golf, gambling, and, mostly, remembering great times.

Jesus Gurola (2012) traveled to Guatemala with Shared Beats to provide medical assistance. In addition he taught the local people of Guatemala simple health care. In the fall he will start graduate school at the University of Texas at San Antonio to study biochemistry and to assist with local research at the university.

Rose-Hulman (Theta-Kappa) During this year’s charity event, Run For Kids’ Sake, the chapter raised nearly $3,000. These funds benefit the Big Brother Big Sisters of Vigo County. Run For Kids’ Sake has been a charity event of the chapter for the past 41 years, and this year included a 3K/5K/ and walk/run events.

The chapter captured its first intramural title in nearly 10 years with University Championships in both football and basketball.

The chapter also reached the final rounds for softball and soccer.

Chapter brothers achieved their first 3.0 accumulative GPA while having brothers placed in several Honors Colleges as well as one Ford Scholar. Chapter brothers captured the last major sorority philanthropy of the Spring Quarter by winning Alpha Chi www.lambdachi.org/cross-crescent

CHAPTER NEWS

Tarleton State (Phi-Rho) For the second consecutive semester the chapter earned the highest GPA of all IFC fraternities. The chapter’s GPA surpassed the all-fraternity, all-sorority, all-men’s, and all-campus averages.

San Diego (Delta-Kappa) During the spring semester the chapter added 37 new brothers.

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CHAPTER NEWS

Chapter news, alumni news, and reports of death

Texas (Alpha-Mu)

Toronto (Epsilon-Epsilon)

CHAPTER NEWS

Chapter news, alumni news, and reports of death

Western Kentucky (Lambda-Lambda)

Wilmington (Pi-Delta) The chapter won the Most Outstanding Greek Organization of the Year Award. In addition the chapter won awards for highest fraternity GPA and most philanthropy hours. Chapter Vice President Matthew Bates received the Most Outstanding Greek Senior of the Year Award and Chapter Advisor Mike Allbright received the Most Outstanding Greek Advisor of the Year Award.

Steven Parker, Chris von Rosenbach, and Craig Gonsalves are organizing a dance to be held at the Pilot Tavern in Toronto at 8 p.m. on September 15, 2012. Parker’s band, the Rockin’ Dawgs, will be playing hits from the 60s and 70s. All alumni brothers and guests are encouraged to attend. Please contact Chris von Rosenbach at vrosenbach@dentalhealthgroup.ca for more information.

Worcester Polytechnic (Pi)

Union (Lambda-Zeta) The chapter hosted a corn hole tournament to benefit Relay for Life during Greek Week. More than 100 people participated in the event, which raised $450.

Chapter brothers helped plant trees at the Dell Children’s Medical Center.

Washington (Alpha-Psi)

The chapter’s application for the Adopt-A-Street program was approved. It grants the chapter the responsibility of maintaining a section of roadway near the University of Texas campus.

Approximately 85 brothers attended the Founders Day celebration on April 13, 2012. At this year’s annual event Steve Pelluer, former professional quarterback for the Washington Redskins, the Dallas Cowboys, and the Kansas City Chiefs was the keynote speaker. The highlight of the program was a celebration of the Order of Merit, awarded to Don Hart for his 66 years of continuous service to the chapter since his initiation in 1946.

Presentations included letters from Fraternity Board Chairman Drew Hunter and Fraternity Board Vice Chairman Greg Smith.

Endowed Scholarships were presented to Arnold Rosario, Nick Potter, and Chris Karns.

Texas State (Lambda-Phi) Powers Boothe (1970) was one of the featured actors in the just-concluded TV program, Hatfields and McCoys, that set a record for viewership during the three-day run of the series on the History Channel.

Texas Wesleyan (Sigma-Zeta)

Chapter Advisor Johnny Douglas is resigning after six years of service to the chapter. The chapter is searching for a replacement.

The chapter sends out a regular newsletter with updates and information for alumni brothers. If you would like to receive a copy, please send an email to WKU.LXA@gmail.com

William Jewell (Epsilon-Nu) Anthony Shop’s company, Social Driver, won the Small Business Champion of the Year Award presented by the Washington, D.C. Chamber of Commerce. A co-founder and managing director, Shop and his team of developers, designers, and marketers help companies launch mobile apps, websites, and social media campaigns.

Carsten Lien (1948) died April 7, 2012. A World War II veteran, he was a vice president at Washington Mutual and at REI. His lifelong love was the wild Olympics. He was an Eagle scout, an advocate and author, and also served as president of The Mountaineers in 1988. Lien spent 30 years researching “Olympic Battleground,” a landmark book on the forests of Olympic National Park and the fight to save them from logging.

Zachary Tucker (1976) died May 1, 2012. He worked with activities and organizations at the University of North TexasDenton and the University of Texas at Arlington. He spent the past years in the banking industry in Denton and was an active member of many local organizations.

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Robert Wolff (1958) retired from the Naval Reserves as a lieutenant commander. He previously served as the CEO of the New England Power Pool.

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FEATURE

FEATURE

The Lofgrens As we celebrate Father’s Day on June 17, 2012, we chose to share a unique story about a father and his two sons, who are also brothers of the Alpha-Lambda chapter at Oregon State University. The dad is Brig. Gen. Jeff Lofgren and the sons are young alumni brother Blake Lofgren and current undergraduate brother Andrew Lofgren

By Tad Lichtenauer (Denison)

chapter at Oregon State University. After graduation Blake was hired by Master Steward Dave Arland (Butler 1985) and now works in Indianapolis as an account executive for Arland Communications.

Jeff’s youngest son is Andrew Lofgren (Oregon State 2015), an undergraduate brother who currently serves as the chapter secretary.

Blake was kind enough to coordinate a recent phone interview for us with his dad and brother. This was no small feat as his dad is currently serving in the Middle East and had to call from a U.S. military base in Southwest Asia.

Andrew: After four years of hearing all these great stories and great opportunities that Blake had encountered, and now hearing that my dad had been honorary initiated, I was very excited to see what Lambda Chi had to offer. I came down with a little bit of an open mind just to see what was out there. but I noticed the great opportunities that I could have here and the strong brotherhood this house has, coupled with what Blake has related to me. When I got here I pretty much knew, from what I’d heard, what I wanted .

What chapter offices have you held?

Blake: I held the offices of social chair and alumni relations. Both positions prepared me for aftercollege experiences and responsibilities related to my job field. Knowing that on Monday during chapter the house would be excited to hear what was going on in my office was a great feeling.

Why did each of you choose to become a Lambda Chi? Blake: I was looking to be part of an organization with a

family-like atmosphere that also operated with values similar to those I hold. I met the guys during rush and instantly knew that these were the people I wanted to be around. I came to Oregon State not knowing a single person, coming as I do from a military family whereby we moved all over the place.

A

s we celebrate Father’s Day on June 17, 2012, we

chose to share a unique story about a father and his two sons who are all brothers of our great Fraternity.

The dad is Brig. Gen. Jeff Lofgren (Oregon State HON). He is Commander, 380th Air Expeditionary Wing, Southwest Asia. The 380th AEW is comprised of five groups and 24 squadrons. As such, he is responsible for the wing’s air www.lambdachi.org/cross-crescent

refueling, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance capabilities as well as its air battle management, theater security cooperation fighters, and its airlift mission in support of overseas contingency operations in Southwest Asia. Jeff was honorarily initiated at the 53rd General Assembly & Leadership Seminar in 2010 in Phoenix.

Jeff’s oldest son is Blake Lofgren (Oregon State 2011).

Blake was the first in the family to join our Alpha-Lambda

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Jeff: I was honored that Blake would even consider nominating me. I knew a little bit about the Fraternity from working with Blake on the housing renovation projects. I really felt that the organization was founded on strong values that I, too, use as a basis for living my life. When he asked me to actually go through the ceremony I felt like it would bring Blake and I closer from a father/son perspective in a special way. I was honored to go down to Phoenix in 2010.

The seminars we attended obviously reinforced to me that the organization was built on a brotherhood and taking care of each other. The ability to then go through the actual ceremony itself and see what it really means to be a member of Lambda Chi made me realize what a special organization I was joining.

Now Blake, Andrew and I all share a special bond -- quite an honor. www.lambdachi.org/cross-crescent

Andrew really impressed me when he got involved right away.

He was appointed freshmen liaison and, since many don’t live in, was in charge of the communication and involvement of the freshmen members. I could see that between his liason position, wanting to be High Gamma and wanting to be the Mom’s Weekend chair, he would gain valuable leadership experience from the house.

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FEATURE

FEATURE

Blake, how did you help your dad and brother become Lambda Chis?

grow up to be outstanding citizens and to see them grow from their leadership experiences is something quite special.

Blake: My dad became involved in the house when I took on

What are you most thankful for on this Father’s Day?

the alumni relations position in the house my sophomore year. He is very good at working with people and getting them to produce results and that was what we struggling with. Our housing committee needed to be convinced that there was enough support to begin house renovations and he volunteered to assist with the development and planning.

My brother looked to me for help with how to approach college life. How to balance fun, school, and other activities that were important to him. Being that we are very similar socially, I knew that he would be interested and could greatly benefit from joining a house and especially Lambda Chi Alpha because of the way you can become so involved right off the bat. Coming into college like me, he knew no one, so making friends and becoming involved can be hard. But with me being there to usher him in, it was the best set-up we could have asked for.

Blake: Our upbringing was very unique compared to most families who just live in the same house or city until they move to college. Knowing that it would be hard for us, I think my dad did just a really great job of making sure that his support was always there whether we knew it or not. He’s always treated us as adults and gave us that respect because of the amount of things we’ve had to go through. With Father’s Day approaching I just think about how much risk and effort he puts into his everyday job so that my brother and I can

Andrew: Obviously, I think for everything, my dad is my life.

His guidance I’ve always taken to heart. I go to him quite often for various things and his influences weigh heavily on me. He’s such a good role model. It’s something I strive to accomplish in my life. It’s not really anything in particular. It’s the whole picture of everything he stands for is something that me and my brothers strive to accomplish.

As a father, what are you most thankful for on this upcoming Father’s Day?

through a transition period during their college experience transitioning from a father/son relationship to the father/son/ friend relationship.

Jeff: All three boys are the center of my life and I am so proud of what they’ve been able accomplish and what outstanding young men they have grown up to be. As a father you always hope they’ll take a little bit of what you are but at the same time be their own individual and become somebody special in this world. And I think all three of my boys are that way.

I’m very thankful that they have grown up to be, outstanding citizens and leaders.

Andrew, what conversations did you have with your dad and brother after Initiation?

Andrew: After I got ahold of them after initiation I almost felt like a different person. In some of the experiences we were able to relate to, not even really talk to, but just know about and having that in the back of our heads as we have grown even grown closer now over these last couple months. It has really changed some things obviously for the better. It’s a unique experience that not everyone will ever get.

What other highlights do you have about your shared experiences?

Blake: Watching my dad get initiated was a really special moment because he got to experience and better understand what values and traditions the organization is built on and the time and effort that is spent on our Ritual. I lost one of my best friends, Cody Thompson (Oregon State), and because of the timing, I was home in Florida for the summer, I was a long way from Oregon and it was really hard to deal with on my own. But the support I got from my dad and family, as well as the unbelievable support from my brothers at Oregon State, I was able to get through that tragedy. I also feel like it has really given us a way to connect. I think a lot of fathers and sons go

What growth and development in your sons do you attribute to Lambda Chi?

Jeff: I think what stood out in my mind is we’ve always tried to make sure our boys understood that they can accomplish whatever they set their minds to. To see them both jump into the Fraternity and get involved in different types of activities to include leadership roles was quite satisfying to see them grow from those experiences. You always hope your sons will www.lambdachi.org/cross-crescent

have an opportunity to even join a fraternity, and go to college, and do those things a lot of people take for granted.

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FEATURE

FEATURE

Walking the Talk With help from the women of Alpha Sigma Alpha, Delaware’s Lambda-Beta chapter held its 2nd annual golf event benefiting the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society of Delaware. The event was started by chapter advisor Lyman Chen as a way to show support and brotherhood for brother Ryan Miller’s battle with non-Hodgkin’s large B-cell lymphoma.

By Tad Lichtenauer (Denison)

To support Miller’s battle against cancer, Chen decided to organize the Lambda-Beta Alumni Association’s first charity golf event in 2011.

“I think Ryan’s situation gives us all a lot of perspective in life,” Chen said. “Ryan has twice gone through a horrible ordeal and, throughout it, his spirits have been so good.”

“Ryan’s story was so inspiring because he never complained about his illness or situation,” Chen said.

Chen noted, too, that Miller thrives when he’s around people.

After the first golf outing proved to be a success, raising $5,500 for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society of Delaware, Chen was contemplating whether it should be an annual event.

However, after Chen learned that Miller’s disease had relapsed, he decided it was an imperative to do the event again.

“A lot of it was just to give Ryan the support he needed from his brothers,” he said.

The other fundamental benefit of hosting the annual event was the opportunity it provided to teach young men how to be a part of something bigger than themselves.

“It’s all well and good to discuss ideals and what makes us a good brother but to actually walk the talk, you put yourself in a situation where you are actually invested in doing something and making sacrifices because one of your brother needs you,” Chen said. “It’s a huge step for an 18 to 21 year old.”

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yan Miller (Delaware 2010) first met Lyman Chen

(Delaware 1993) in 2009 when he was living in the chapter house his senior year.

As for Chen, he hadn’t been in the chapter house in almost 20 years. While he was visiting he asked some of the undergraduates if he could meet his “triple century,” which turned out to be Miller. Chen is Lambda-Beta 566 and Miller is Lambda-Beta 866. “I distinctly remember the day I first met Lyman,” Miller said. “It was an immediate bond we had.

Lyman is just an incredible alumnus. He’s outstanding. Just an awesome person. He’s amazing.”

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Chen’s visit also was sparked by chapter advisor George Taylor’s (High Point 2001) plea for additional alumni involvement since the chapter was struggling.

With Chen’s notoriety as an actor, Taylor hoped Chen would be a good role model for the undergraduates and help them understand how to make better decisions.

Inaugural Event

After graduation Miller became a nurse at Christiana Hospital’s intensive care unit, but was diagnosed with nonHodgkin’s large B-cell lymphoma in August 2010. He received chemotherapy treatment and went into remission, but relapsed less than 12 months later.

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Second Annual

“He’s such a great guy,” Chen said. “He’s the kind of guy who deserves it. Help him get over the hump. Just have that kind of support. He’s an inspiration for the guys in the house.”

Miller believes one added benefit of the charity golf outing is that it has improved relations between the undergraduate and alumni brothers.

“It was amazing to see and hear their reactions to seeing the alumni come back,” Miller said. “It was such an emotional day for me because of what they did but it was also a really exciting day for our chapter to see all the alumni who came back to support the event.”

Paying It Back

Even though Chen was an average student at Delaware, he was very involved in Lambda Chi, serving as secretary and alumni chairman.

“When I was the High Rho 20 years ago I really turned our alumni relations around,” he said. “I became friends with an alumnus who graduated a few years ahead of me.”

On May 5, 2012, approximately 200 friends, family, and alumni brothers attended the second annual golf event, held at the Delcastle Golf Course in Pike Creek, Delaware.

A brother from the Delaware chapter was working at JP Morgan and found out Chen was interested in working on Wall Street.

With help again from the women of Alpha Sigma Alpha sorority, the chapter brothers raised $7,500 for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society of Delaware.

“I had a brother who gambled on me because he saw what wasn’t on my resume,” he said. “He saw my personality and what I had to offer. He vouched for me and changed my life.

What drives me is that I feel I have a debt to the Fraternity that I will never really pay back. When I got that call two years ago I said ‘you know what, it’s time to pay it back.’”

As fate would have it, the volunteer team from Alpha Sigma Alpha included Miller’s sister, Casey, now a sophomore at Delaware, and Chen’s wife, who also is an alumna.

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FEATURE

That’s what drives Chen to organize and host the golf outing.

He’s paying it back and he hopes he’s setting an example for the undergraduates to follow.

Chen chuckles when he thinks about some of the petty issues the undergraduates argue over, when compared to what Miller is going through.

“It just gives everyone some real life perspective,” he said. “You can talk about theories and core values and ideals and all this stuff...but the real test is when it really matters. The real test is when it’s on the line.”

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Third Annual

Even though the latest golf outing has just finished, Miller and Chen are pretty sure they’ll be geared up for organizing the third annual event.

“I think it’s almost become a cornerstone of our chapter because we’ve built such a good relationship with the The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society of Delaware,” Miller said.

“I think it’s something our chapter can identify with. That was evident in the difference between the first golf outing and the second. It is something that really means something to the chapter.”

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FEATURE

The Fighter Header After defeating non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, Bryant Pappas (Gettysburg 1995) turned his attention to a professional boxing career. He has turned his curse of cancer into a cause by using boxing as a way to raise money for cancer research.

By Andrew Talevich (Washington State 2011)

club. Pappas became captain of the boxing team and traveled to various schools to compete. During these matches he received considerable support from his Lambda Chi Alpha brothers who would travel with him to see his fights.

Pappas’ brothers in the Fraternity saw firsthand the degree of fearlessness he displays in the ring. This is a trait that he continues to show well into his career.

“The thing I’ve always noticed with Bryant is that I’m sure he’s sometimes scared but I’ve never seen him actually reflect that fear,” said Daniel Zimmerman, a fellow Theta-Pi alumnus.

After graduating from college, Pappas continued to box as an amateur while working at the police department in Yonkers. One morning in 2002 his boxing career was abruptly interrupted when he noticed something odd; the right side of his neck was slightly enlarged.

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eighing in at 160 lbs. with a professional record of

13-1-1, Bryant “The Spartan” Pappas is often feared by his opponents when the bell sounds and the boxers begin their bout.

Behind his 10-ounce gloves and fierce right hook stands a father, a police sergeant, a cancer-survivor, a fundraiser, and a Lambda Chi Alpha brother.

“I’m fighting for myself but I’m also fighting for people other than myself. I don’t know if it’s right or wrong but it makes me feel good,” Pappas said.

A native of Yonkers, New York, Pappas has been boxing since he was in high school. After enrolling at Gettysburg College, Pappas joined the Theta-Pi chapter and the boxing

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Doctors performed a biopsy and discovered he had nonHodgkin’s lymphoma, a cancer that appears in the lymph nodes and attacks the immune system. The doctors also found enlarged lymph nodes around his aorta and kidneys. These cancerous spots were not life-threatening but, three years later, Pappas underwent four months of chemotherapy and has been in a remission stage ever since.

Medical experts consider the indolent type of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma incurable through traditional means. However, there are several treatments, including the chemotherapy Pappas endured, to prolong remission rates.

“I’m not worried about it anymore. It’s been seven years since I last had it. They say ‘it always comes back, it always comes back.’ It may come back, but then I’ll just get treated again. It’s sort of a manageable disease,” Pappas said.

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FEATURE

Advocate for a Cure

In addition to Pappas’ positive outlook, healthy diet, and frequent workouts, he also credits Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center for keeping him cancer-free. Pappas gets checked twice a year to see if the cancer has returned. He feels very fortunate to be looked after by the hospital’s medical staff.

“I’m very confident in the doctors there. Everyone is great.

They treat you like a king and they all want their patients to get better,” Pappas said.

In addition to the health care that Memorial Sloan-Kettering provides, Pappas said their medical team is at the forefront of cancer research. The cancer center includes the SloanKettering Institute where scientists conduct research on cancer biology in order to find cures for many of today’s ailments.

Memorial Sloan-Kettering is also a leader in clinical research to test cutting-edge drugs.

FEATURE

“I had the attitude that I couldn’t be stopped. If cancer couldn’t stop me, there’s surely not an opponent in the ring that will stop me,” Pappas said.

Bryant has shown everyone that he cannot be defeated, whether it’s knocking his opponents out in the boxing ring or surviving the dark cloud of cancer.

In front of a large crowd at the Mid-American All Indian Center in Wichita, Kansas, Pappas showed his grit and strength. During the second round Pappas delivered a powerful right hand to his opponent’s body followed by a right upper cut which knocked him down. Ten seconds later his opponent was still on the ground and Pappas won by knockout.

To prepare for a fight Pappas stays active and balances his job as a police sergeant with a rigorous three to four hour training schedule. He typically trains for two hours before work, practicing boxing and running for three to four miles. After work Pappas goes back to the gym to work with resistance weights.

The next month, Pappas fought his second match at the Pope County Fairgrounds in Arkansas. Pappas knocked his opponent out in the first round.

“After that I was hooked. I wondered why I hadn’t started boxing professionally years earlier,” he said.

Because of Pappas’ confidence in Memorial Sloan-Kettering, he donates a portion of his ticket sales and the winnings from each fight to his oncologist, Dr. Andrew Zelenetz, who is also a cancer researcher. Pappas believes he has raised close to $10,000 for Zelenetz and his research.

One of Pappas’ keys to winning matches is the style in which he fights. He is known for delivering hard punches to the body. Instead of going for the win-it-all upper cut, Pappas will typically wear his opponent down throughout the match by hitting him in the ribs and kidneys.

“He is a super guy. He is a Harvard grad and super smart.

He’s not a Lambda Chi, but he definitely could be one. They should make him an honorary initiate. He has helped out so many people,” Pappas said.

“It’s a lost art. I’m pretty good at it so far. A lot of my knockouts come in the way of body punches, to set up other punches or tire a guy out. It’s indispensable,” he said.

Stronger Than Ever

Pappas made the transition from amateur boxing to professional boxing six months after he ended chemotherapy in 2005. Professional boxing matches are on a much larger stage, entail a different point scoring system, and include more rounds. The professionals also have less regulation than the amateurs, they do not wear headgear, and the gloves are smaller in order to pack a stronger punch.

In part because of his rigorous preparation and in part because of his experience with cancer, Pappas felt very confident upon his debut into professional boxing.

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Pappas said that by dishing out these body punches, his opponent will slowly feel more pain as the match progresses.

This will cause him to doubt himself. The opponent will also struggle to draw air into his lungs because his ribs get sore.

Finally, lactic acid will build up in his muscles and his defenses will go down.

This is when Pappas starts to increase his tempo and eventually offers the final knockout blow.

“It’s almost like running a 5K or a 10K. You’re racing against the other fellow. You start out at your pace and he starts at a 100 yard sprint. The guy is dead later on and you just get stronger,” Pappas said.

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“When I’m not working out I get antsy. I feel like I’m missing out on something,” he said.

Undefeated Brother

Pappas still maintains close connections with his Lambda Chi Alpha brothers from the Theta-Pi chapter. He sees many of them every year when he visits the chapter house for alumni weekend. A handful of close brothers also attend his fights when he boxes in the New York area.

As a new officer in the Yonkers Police Department, Pappas’ training officer was impressed with the way Pappas quietly adapted to the force. When asked where Pappas had learned to be so diligent, Pappas mentioned Lambda Chi Alpha and the Associate Member Program.

“It’s a very respectful way to learn not only about yourself but to be part of a team and it’s going to help you,” Pappas said.

Outside of Pappas’ commitments as a police officer and professional boxer, he also is a dedicated family man with a wife, Patricia, who serves as a police officer for the New York Police Department, and an 8-year-old son, Bryant Jr. He hopes one day Bryant Jr. will enjoy the same Lambda Chi Alpha experience as he has.

“Lambda Chi Alpha is a good experience, it will help you no matter what you do, and a young man who doesn’t have a fraternity experience is doing himself a disservice,” Pappas said

“It makes him proud that he has people from the house supporting him. He gets even more pumped for the fights,” Zimmerman said.

While an undergraduate at Gettysburg College and living in the Theta-Pi chapter house, Pappas served as the fraternity educator and risk manager. One of Pappas’ favorite aspects about holding a leadership position within the Fraternity was the delegation of power between officers. Pappas said every member in the house had a specific responsibility so the house functioned as a collective whole.

“It’s really a shared experience,” he said.

“Lambda Chi is a little different from the other fraternities.

Lambda Chi Alpha breeds leaders.”

Another aspect of Lambda Chi Alpha that struck a chord with Pappas was the Associate Member Program. Pappas was inspired by the way new members could become incorporated with the Fraternity in a respectful way.

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FEATURE

FEATURE

Agent of Change It was this personal connection to Lawson from their time on staff that would eventually lead Van Burkleo to meet his future wife, Andrea. The two met at Lawson’s wedding in Louisiana.

Andrea was a bridesmaid of Lawson’s wife, Megan.

Pat Van Burkleo (North Texas 1982) was named the National Executive of the Year for the Boys & Girls Clubs. His experience as a Lambda Chi Alpha staff member shaped where he is today.

By Andrew Talevich (Washington State)

Pat and Andrea Van Burkleo have now been married for 22 years and have a daughter, Amy, in high school and a son, Patrick, who will attend Baylor University next fall. Today the Van Burkleo and Lawson families are still very close. Lawson said he occasionally visits the Van Burkleo family in Louisiana.

Before joining the Boys & Girls Clubs, Van Burkleo served as the deputy press secretary for Texas Gov. Bill Clements’ election campaign in 1986.

“When I was younger, I really saw myself as a ‘change agent,’” he said. “I thought that by working in government affairs I could really make a difference. We won the election and then became state employees. I quickly realized that change in government was tedious and slow.”

organizations -- a trait that would suit him well with the Boys & Girls Club.

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ormer Lambda Chi Alpha staff member Pat Van

Burkleo was named recently as the National Executive of the Year by the Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s Professional Association.

Van Burkleo’s passion to bring about positive change has carried with him throughout his life experiences. His service extends from his time as an undergraduate brother of Lambda Chi Alpha at the University of North Texas, to his two years spent on the road for the Fraternity as an Educational Leadership Consultant (ELC), to the 22 years he served as the chief professional officer of the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Baton Rouge.

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“Lambda Chi played an important role in where I am now,” he said.

While attending North Texas, Van Burkleo served as president of the Iota-Zeta chapter for one semester.

“I was blessed with a great chapter at North Texas. We really embraced the whole fraternity education process and provided a positive associate and active membership experience,” he said.

After graduation Van Burkleo served as an ELC for Lambda Chi Alpha at International Headquarters in Indianapolis.

He pinpoints his experience on staff as a turning point in his career. Through his time spent mentoring various chapters, Van Burkleo would learn to collaborate with volunteers and manage

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“I was very lucky to work with a great group of men on the international staff. As a chapter consultant, I learned to look at challenges through different lenses,” he said.

While on staff, Van Burkleo befriended Tom Lawson (Appalachian State 1982), another ELC. The two worked closely over the summer at International Headquarters before visiting chapters during the following school year. Lawson recalls road trips to Key West and to an uninhabited island in Lake Michigan with Van Burkleo and other staff workers. He also remembers the excellent training the consultants received, which would prepare them for their future career paths.

The lessons Van Burkleo gained from his positions with Lambda Chi Alpha, and experiences on the campaign trail, enabled him to serve as the president and chief professional officer for the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Baton Rouge.

During his tenure with the Boys & Girls Clubs, the organization in the Greater Baton Rouge area has expanded from one location to 11 club sites. Under his leadership 10,000 school-age youth receive effective programs annually.

“I am driven to work with children who don’t have the same opportunities as my children have,” he said.

The recent honor of being named the National Executive of the Year for the Boys & Girls Clubs comes as no surprise to Van Burkleo’s former colleagues at Lambda Chi Alpha.

“He is a very loyal, generous person. Working with the Boys & Girls Club is the kind of thing you would expect Pat to do. He is very bright and very hardworking,” Lawson said.

“I had so much fun living and working with the consultants.

You dealt with so many personalities. I’m not sure that there is any training around as good as the Consultant Development Program,” Lawson said. www.lambdachi.org/cross-crescent

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FEATURE

FEATURE

Josh Switzer’s Legacy Lives On Justin Faiola, president of the Western Ontario University chapter of Lambda Chi Alpha, shares how the Fraternity is remembering Josh Switzer, a fellow brother who was killed in a hit-and-run accident last month.

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By Justin Faiola (Western Ontario)

osh Switzer was the type of person who could light

up any room he walked into. He was the funniest brother in our chapter, and his humor just had a way of drawing people towards him. Every Sunday when we held our chapter meetings we would look to Josh for a ‘quote of the day’ to give us inspiration or comic relief if we were dealing with a tough issue within the chapter. At that moment when Josh stood up, if there was tension in the room it ceased to exist.

Brothers would either begin to laugh or lose seriousness and a huge smile would come across everyone’s face. When I heard of his passing, the most difficult thing was knowing that I would never again see the face that brought me so much joy and laughter.

It was early in the morning when I received a phone call from a fellow brother in my chapter. I had just celebrated my birthday the night before and was pretty tired after a late night out so I decided not to answer and to give him a call back later on and go back to sleep. A few minutes later after dozing off I received a text message from David again saying that it was urgent and that I needed to call him back immediately. I will never forget that phone call that morning.

I do not think any person can ever prepare themselves to deal with the overwhelming grief and sadness that comes over a person when they find out about the death of a close friend, especially one that you shared such a close bond with through the brotherhood of Lambda Chi Alpha. Josh was not only a brother, but a dear friend of every brother in our chapter. He was the type of person that left a longlasting impact on the lives of every person he met. Josh truly embodied the core values and teachings that make a person www.lambdachi.org/cross-crescent

a true Lambda Chi Alpha brother and gentleman. Josh always made a point of working hard and contributing positively to the chapter in any way he could, even though he did not hold an office. Josh always believed that one of the most important areas of the fraternity was the associate member process. Josh sought out to contribute positively to associate members’ experiences in any way that he could because he wanted to ensure that our chapter was giving these potential brothers the best experience possible while shaping and preparing these individuals to become true brothers of Lambda Chi Alpha who would become successful and continue to help our chapter prosper and grow. He was a truly positive member of our brotherhood.

chapter is relatively small compared to some of those across North America, consisting of only 45 members and a total membership of only just under 400 in our history. However, being a smaller, more closely-knit brotherhood helped to ease the terrible pain inflicted by the loss of our brother Josh.

Although deeply saddened, the brothers of our chapter have grown and become so much closer as we come together to grieve and support one another over the loss of Josh.

After finding out that Josh’s life had been so abruptly taken when he fell victim to a hit and run collision less then a few blocks away from his home, I became overwhelmed with a rush of different emotions. I just wanted to be alone, but I knew I had a responsibility to fulfill; to make sure that Josh was remembered for the amazing person that he was.

Immediately after his passing, the brothers of our chapter realized that we needed to be there for Josh’s family, the people who would be affected most by his passing. The brothers of our chapter wanted Josh’s family to know that we were there to support them and help in any way that could make this difficult time easier. The chapter offered to contribute donations to a charity that the family closely associated with, but Ben, Josh’s brother and best friend, decided instead of donations being sent to their local parish, that the fraternity work together with Josh’s family to set up a scholarship in Josh’s name. Both his family and the fraternity thought that this would be a great idea and began to reach out to the brotherhood, family, friends, and members of the community to help get this scholarship off the ground. The results were profound.

Word quickly spread of the Joshua Switzer Memorial Scholarship and donations began to flood in. Josh’s story touched the lives of so many people within the community.

Everyone knew the type of person Josh was and wanted to make sure that he would be remembered forever. By the time of the visitation shortly after Josh’s passing, Josh’s family in cooperation with our chapter had received over $15,000 in donations for the scholarship. Since then we have continued to receive more and more support, and are currently still tallying up the total amount we have received. Our chapter has been working closely with Foundation Western, an organization within the University of Western Ontario, that helps establish scholarships. If the total amount of donations exceeds $25,000, Foundation Western will contribute $1,000 annually to the Joshua Switzer Memorial Scholarship. The criteria for awarding the scholarship have yet to be determined, but the family will participate actively in the selection process. Josh’s family is extremely grateful for everything the fraternity has done and the support which has been extended to them. Josh’s family acknowledged how much Lambda Chi Alpha was a part of Josh’s life and is so appreciative for the support we have given them during this difficult time.

Although Josh has left us, our brotherhood will never forget him. The fraternity will be organizing a memorial in September to remember and celebrate Josh’s life. We are also dedicating a room in the chapter house to Josh, and the legacy that he has left on our brotherhood will be incorporated into our associate member process and pre-initiation week activities. We will never be able to truly fill the void created by Josh’s passing, but we will make sure to remember his life at every opportunity we get. He had nothing but brotherly love for each and every member of our chapter. He has reminded us to enjoy every moment of our lives and cherish it at every opportunity we have. He will be deeply missed.

When word of Josh’s passing spread, the overall morale of the chapter and alumni took a significant blow. Our

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FRATERNITY NEWS

Spreading the Love Lambda Chi Alpha staff members and dedicated alumni volunteers are working to expand the Fraternity to Fresno State, Boise State, South Dakota School of Mines and Technology, Texas Tech, and Wichita State.

By Nick Ludwig (Coe)

Lambda Chi Alpha is excited to announce plans for the establishment of colonies at five universities for the fall semester of 2012. Institutions include: Boise State University, California State University, Fresno (re-colonization), South Dakota School of Mines and Technology, Texas Tech University (re-colonization), and Wichita State University.

Boise State University, located in Boise, Idaho, consists of approximately 20,000 students and is best known for their famous blue turf football field. Over the past decade the university has made efforts to transition from a school with mostly commuter students to a traditional campus.

The Greek system has experienced recent rapid growth as four fraternities and one sorority have been added in the past two years. Lambda Chi Alpha will be the ninth fraternity at Boise State University.

California State University, Fresno, (commonly known as Fresno State) is located in Fresno, California, and consists of approximately 22,000 students. Lambda Chi Alpha was originally chartered as Iota-Gamma Zeta at Fresno State in 1952 and has since initiated over 1,200 members.

The chapter was shut down in 2003. The re-colonization of Lambda Chi Alpha will establish it as the thirteenth fraternity at Fresno State.

Assisting with the upcoming expansion efforts at Fresno State will be Master Steward Dave Leathers. Leathers was initiated into the Iota-Gamma chapter in 1979. He has worked on expansion as a Lambda Chi Alpha staff member and as an alumni volunteer.

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FRATERNITY NEWS “Fresno State’s expansion will very likely be successful. Fresno has quite a few alumni in the immediate area. I think there is enough of a history here so that the expansion will come out with a lot of positives,” he said.

The third expansion will occur at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology (SDSM&T), located in Rapid City, South Dakota. SDSM&T consists of approximately 2,500 students and offers degrees in the engineering and science fields. The colony at SDSM&T will be the third Lambda Chi Alpha group established in South Dakota. Our chapter at South Dakota State University has closed. Our chapter at the University of South Dakota was founded in 1914 and is still going strong.

“We all swore an oath to give back to the Fraternity - even in our alumni years,” Leathers said. “The benefit of alumni giving back is the continuation of a great experience not just for a few people but for thousands. There are lots of other young men who stand to benefit from the kind of experience we had.”

Current Active Colonies In addition to the expansion plans, the following 12 colonies are in full operation. If you have the time and interest in helping advise any of these chapters, please send an email to expansion@lambdachi.org.

• • • •

Lambda Chi Alpha also plans to recolonize at Texas Tech University, located in Lubbock, Texas. Texas Tech consists of approximately 32,000 students. Lambda Chi Alpha at Texas Tech was originally chartered as Sigma-Nu Zeta in 1976 but was suspended in 2005. The Greek system at Texas Tech is relatively large. Re-colonization of Lambda Chi Alpha will make it the twenty-fourth fraternity.

The last university on the list where expansions will take place is Wichita State University, located in Wichita, Kansas, and that has approximately 15,000 students. The colony at Wichita State will become the fifth Lambda Chi Alpha group established in Kansas. Our chapter at Baker University closed in the 1970s.

Current active chapters are at Kansas State University, the University of Kansas, and Pittsburg State University. Lambda Chi Alpha will mark the seventh fraternity at Wichita State and the first fraternity expansion at the University in the last 15 years.

A team of alumni advisors, designated the Alumni Advisory Board (AAB), will be coordinated and trained by the staff members conducting each expansion. Each alumni group will be crucial to the long-term successful recruitment and education of the members of each colony.

Leathers hopes that alumni in the areas where expansions are scheduled to take place will come forward to assist in the expansion efforts. He sees the alumni as playing a crucial role in the success of the operation.

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• • • • • • • •

Methodist University (Sigma-Theta) Colonized Spring 2010 -- 29 members Baldwin-Wallace College (Kappa-Phi) Colonized Fall 2010 -- 26 members North Carolina-Wilmington (Delta-Sigma) Colonized Fall 2010 -- 30 members University of Wisconsin-Whitewater (Lambda-Iota) Colonized Fall 2010 -- 20 members Rollins College (Theta-Gamma) Colonized Spring 2011 -- 18 members North Carolina State (Gamma-Upsilon) Colonized Fall 2011 -- 33 members University of New Mexico (Zeta-Mu) Colonized Fall 2011 -- 11 members Florida Gulf Coast University (Colony 292) Colonized Fall 2011 -- 46 members John Carroll University (Colony 293) Colonized Fall 2011 -- 12 members Indiana State University (Iota-Epsilon) Colonized Spring 2012 -- 17 members Virginia Commonwealth University (Colony 294) Colonized Spring 2012 -- 20 members American University (Colony 295) Colonized Spring 2012 -- 30 members

Members of the AAB will be responsible to serve as mentors to chapter officers and to attend chapter meetings and educational events. AAB positions are open to all Lambda Chi Alpha alumni. Leathers encourages alumni to support these expansions, even if they are taking place at chapters other than where the alumni first affiliated with Lambda Chi. “If you are an alumnus, and you’re in the area, we can still benefit from your experiences and your leadership. There is nothing in our Ritual that says we can only give back to our original chapter. Think of it as a way to keep yourself in tune with students and what’s going on in general.”

Alumni interested in serving in a volunteer capacity should contact the expansion team on staff by emailing expansion@ lambdachi.org.

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FRATERNITY NEWS

FRATERNITY NEWS

A Big ‘Thank You’ for Departing Staff As new staff members join Lambda Chi Alpha and old ones leave, we would like to thank those leaving staff and welcome those joining staff.

By Sandy Meers (Butler 2013)

No matter where you work it is hard to find an environment such as there is at Lambda Chi Alpha’s International Headquarters. One of the best things is feeling as though you’re part of a family. It’s almost like working in a more professional version of a fraternity chapter house. You know everyone. You can talk to anyone about anything. You can become as close to people as though you were still living in the house.

Just as when the seniors graduate every year, you notice there are people who leave the staff who have been a big part of what happened across all of the chapters and who had a large impact on all of us.

Chase Simpson (Memphis 2010) A former Educational Leadership Consultant, Chase was then promoted and served the Fraternity for the past two years as the Associate Director of Chapter Services. His last day was May 18th.

He was recently hired by St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Atlanta and began work there on May 29th.

We know that he will do very well for the hospital and wish him well in all his future endeavors.

Aaron Gomeztrejo (California-San Diego 2010) Aaron, or AGT as he likes to be called, has worked as an ELC since his graduation. He is moving back to San Diego where he will begin a new job with Legacy Financial. Once he has settled back in California he plans to continue his Lambda Chi work as a Master Steward. His last day as an ELC was May 23rd.

After driving over 35,000 miles as an ELC and making over 100 chapter visits, he had the following words of advice for everyone. “I loved the Northwest. It’s beautiful. If you need a good meal, go to Louisiana.”

He also said that it was hard adjusting to different climates after living in a place that was always 75 degrees and sunny. AGT wanted to remind everyone to check the weather, no matter where they go.

Nolan Ryan (Southeast Missouri 2011) After graduation, Nolan became an ELC and has loved every minute of the past year. He is leaving headquarters to attend graduate school at Indiana University where he will be studying higher education and student affairs.

He had some great things to say about the past year: “Enjoy traveling and being an undergrad while you can because it goes by really quickly.”

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“Traveling has made me appreciate familiar faces and familiar places, so don’t take them for granted.”

New ELCs Michael DeCourcey – Wittenburg University

He will continue to serve the Fraternity by joining the Advisory Board of Indiana’s Alpha-Omicron chapter. We know he will be a great asset to that chapter and will excel in his education.

Joseph Chavez (St. Mary’s 2011) When asked about his time here, Joseph said, “Never underestimate the impact you can have on an individual. Always remember to pass along the knowledge that has been given to you.”

Jon Moss – Ball State University

Joseph is heading back to San Antonio to continue his education while studying to become a nurse practitioner. His last day was May 21st and we wish him good luck with his schooling.

Erik Silvola — Florida Southern College

Aaron Fieseler (Culver-Stockton 2010) Aaron has been an ELC for the past two years and a senior ELC for the past year.

He recently received a job offer within the financial sector in St. Louis and is in the process of relocation. His last day was May 24th.

Joel Weyrauch - Butler

When asked about his time at Lambda Chi, Aaron said, “One of the most important ways to manifest integrity is to be loyal to those who are not present.

In doing so we build the trust of those who are present.” Aaron has been a valuable asset here at Headquarters and will continue to live our Core Values in the years to come.

As in families, everyone has to move on in order to grow as a person. We hope that these fine individuals have grown as much as they can here and will continue to grow in the future.

Again, we wish them all the best and know that they will all excel as they follow their future paths.

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HISTORY

HISTORY

A Look into the Background of the Fraternal Goat Mike Raymond explores the origins of how the goat became a central symbol for many early fraternities.

from a secret society. Other alarming elements of this drawing include a skull with a knife thrust through its left eye socket and a flaming bowl of skulls. It is interesting to note that the skull and knife design is similar to a secret society badge in my collection.

goat sniffing a human skull, a steaming cauldron, and three robed and masked men. The shirtless goat rider’s hands are tied behind his back. It is notable that one of the masked men is being restrained by one of his companions.

By Mike Raymond (Miami-OH)

I started collecting fraternity drawings and engravings about 13 years ago. I began my collection, now numbering about 400 illustrations and many vintage college yearbooks, with the goal of acquiring as many original coats of arms and crests as possible. I did not realize how many original prints of fraternity and sorority artwork were still available for the collector. I have found collecting these works of art to be a fascinating hobby.

The popularity of engraved fraternity coats of arms or crests peaked in the late 1890s. At that point began a gradual decline in the production of these illustrations until just after World War I. Most of the engravings and drawings in my collection were taken from old college or university yearbooks. As in the case of Lambda Chi Alpha’s earliest coat of arms, The Gamma Plate, every fraternity had to have its coat of arms printed in their respective yearbook. Most of these engravings and drawings were produced by skilled artisans.

However, some were made by student artists on the yearbook staff.

The Fraternal Goat

Why are goats associated with fraternal organizations? How did the goat become so closely identified with secret societies and fraternities? While I have never seen a goat, real or mechanical, in a Lambda Chi Chapter House or a Freemason’s Lodge, clearly something is going on here. I first noticed the goats as I collected woodcuts, engravings, and illustrations from vintage college yearbooks. I have at least two dozen goat images in my collection. I have selected seven drawings to illustrate the way the goat was depicted by secret societies or fraternities in the past.

One of my earliest finds, a woodcut from the 1870s, depicts nine men riding goats while wearing bowlers and carrying shields (Fig. 1). The shields are in the shape of the badges of the fraternities found at Washington and Lee College. The well-dressed young man, apparently a newly arrived freshman, is being “rushed” by the mounted fraternity men. Nothing really sinister here, but it is a very strange image to me.

The second piece is from an early Cornell yearbook, probably from the mid-1890s. It shows a young man with a startled expression sitting in a coffin carried by six hooded men. This procession is led by another hooded man with a goat leashed to his arm (Fig. 2). This drawing appears to be an attempt to foreshadow the initiation experience that the uninitiated might expect

Many of the yearbooks had specially commissioned illustrations, I call it a “frontispiece,” to introduce the fraternity or secret society section of the book. These drawings clearly express an image of the secret societies and fraternities that these groups wanted to project to the general student body.

One thing about these drawings is their general portrayal of horrific scenes from hell, the Devil, torture chambers, and sinister figures dressed in robes and lurking in the shadows.

Among the prominent images portrayed in the drawings was that of goats. Yes, goats! www.lambdachi.org/cross-crescent

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The third drawing in this set (Fig. 3) is an illustration of a man who is blindfolded with his hands and arms tightly bound, being led by a hooded figure. The man is wearing a heavy chain around his neck. This chain is held by the hooded figure. Leading this procession is another hooded figure reading from a book, perhaps the Bible. This man is followed closely by a rambunctious goat being restrained by two other hooded figures. The goat is energized! To the rear of the procession is a group of dark figures, their faces hidden by masks and their arms crossed.

The last major element of this drawing is a skeleton blocking an arched entry over which is written, “All Hope Abandon Ye Who Enter Here.” This is probably the symbolic entry to the initiation chamber. The focal point of this composition is the powerful, almost uncontrollable goat.

The fourth illustration (Fig. 4), from the 1896 edition of Dartmouth College’s Aegis yearbook, takes on an even more ominous aspect. The composition of this print is made up of four elements: a man sitting on a goat backwards, the

The artist, initials A.C.G., displays a mastery of the pen and ink “stipple” style of drawing.

The next piece (Fig. 5) is without doubt sinister in its appearance. While the craftsmanship is rather amateurish it nonetheless conveys a malevolent message to the initiate. Over all, this drawing is very dark with skulls, bones, bats, a Devil figure using a sword to hold a man in a hot cauldron, and, of course, a goat.

The Greek letters of the pioneer fraternities at Union College (NY) are written on the skulls above this horrific scene. Curiously, one skull has no name above it.

By the way, the KKK fraternity listed in this drawing has nothing to do with

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the Klu Klux Klan. The name of this group was Kappa Kappa Kappa, one of a number of local fraternities that adopted the same name over the years.

Lambda Chi’s Hanover College Chapter started as the KKK local fraternity until it merged with Theta Kappa Nu and then morphed into Lambda Chi Alpha in 1939. There is also an adult sorority, with chapters exclusive to Indiana, with the name KKK. They are referred to as Tri-Kaps.

The sixth drawing (Fig. 6), drawn by Robert K. Kearfott, was published in the 1913 edition of the University of Virginia’s Corks and Curls yearbook.

It illustrates a very frightened youth holding a candle.

The image of a shadowy goat appears to be growing out of his body. Perhaps Kearfott knew of the tradition on some campuses and in some fraternities, for example Pi Kappa Alpha, of calling pledges “goats”. The paddle at the feet of the man reinforces the pledge motif.

The final illustration (Fig. 7) was drawn in 1913 for the DePauw Mirage yearbook. This one depicts a blindfolded pledge tied to a chair. The man has

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HISTORY a small cowbell tied to his right leg.

He also has something in his mouth, perhaps a piece of wood to protect his teeth. There is a robed figure holding a lighted candle to the rope restraining the goat. The highly agitated goat seems to be anticipating a resounding charge to the seat of the pants of his victim.

It appears that if the impact is great enough the chair will tip the pledge’s head into a bucket of water, thus adding insult to injury.

The Symbolic Goat

There has been a lot of interest generated in fraternal goats over the past decade or so. Many books have been written about the symbolism of goats, the companies that manufactured mechanical goats, and articles about the relationship of fraternal goats to adult secret societies like the Odd Fellows (IOOF).

Edward L. King, in an article in the book Liber Capricornus - The Symbol of the Goat, traces the goat symbol back to the ancient Chaldeans. He contends that the Chaldeans used the goat as part of the Zodiac sign for Capricorn (December 22 to January 22).

King goes on to explain that the symbolism of the goat is complex. The goat has stood as the symbol of plenty, prosperity, fertility, nature, and light, but also for lechery, evil, and the Devil himself. Baphomet, the monstrous goatheaded deity that the Knights Templar were accused of worshiping, comes readily to mind.

Goat Lore

The source of much of the modern lore surrounding the fraternal goat is a book written in 1902 called, The Lodge Goat: Goat Rides, Butts, and Goat Hairs, by

HISTORY

James Pettibone. Believe it or not, the book is written from the goat’s point of view. In this delightful book we learn the origin of the expression “riding the goat.”

According to Pettibone, the source of goat riding can be traced back to the Middle Ages when Christianity converted the old Greco-Roman god Pan into a symbol of Satan. Pan was described as a hairy creature with long horns, hooves, and a shaggy hide. Satan inherited Pan’s best known features of horns, beard, and cloven hooves.

Renaissance artists sometimes pictured Satan as arriving in the midst of a pagan, blasphemous ceremony astride a goat.

Pettibone further points out that in England it was widely held that the custom of goat riding was assumed by the Freemasons. Most likely this assumption was based on their reputation at that time for their rowdy and drunken behavior.

The Side-Degrees

In his introduction to the book Burlesque Paraphenalia, Gary Groth mentions that in the 1890s the general public had a “... cartoon conception of what a secret society initiation might be like; a far cry from reality of such an event.” It is very unlikely that serious degree work involved real or mechanical goats. Think of the ritual work of our Fraternity. Just where would a goat fit in?

William D. Moore in his essay, Goats, Snakes, Mechanical Goats, and Spitting Skeletons, points out that:

incorporated into the fraternal body and simultaneously introduced to the organization’s tenets and ideologies through the performance of secret rituals. These rites drew upon Biblical and Classical narratives to inculcate members with a supposedly timeless system of morality and ethics.”

Once the initiation was complete, and after a number of boring bussiness meetings, interest in many Lodges declined. Faced with the problem of attracting and keeping members, not unlike the problem facing many college fraternities today, the lodge leadership turned to what was referred to as “sidedegrees.”

According to Julia Suits, writing in the book The Extraordinary Catalog of Peculiar Inventions, the side-degrees were fun, initiation degrees or pranks that were conducted “on the side.” She goes on to explain that these side-degrees “...were not part of the official, serious initiation degree required by the order for membership, the ‘side-degree’ [was] just for fun only.”

The Mechanical Goat

A major supplier of of side-degree equipment is the DeMoulin Brothers whose “goat” factory is still located in Greenville, Illinois. While not the inventors of the mechanical goat (that honor goes to Joseph Van Nest of Tiffin, Ohio), they became a major player in the design and construction of all kinds of downright weird side-bar equipment.

(Fig. 8)

“the initiation of new members comprised the primary activity of many fraternal groups. Men were

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Charles Schneider, writing in the Introduction to Burlesque Paraphernalia, describes the workings of a mechanical goat as follows: “They were originally wool-bodied, replica goats with actual horns attached to three or more, asymmetrical wheels.

The initiate would be blind-folded ...[or] ‘hoodwinked,’ and placed on the faux animal. He would be given a ‘goat ride,’ the wobbly wheels and erratic motions ensuring that he would eventually get bucked off, on to the floor. Examples of the many types and styles of mechanical goats can be found in the DeMoulin Museum that was opened a few years ago in Greenville, Illinois.”

The Demise of the Fraternal Goat

References to fraternal goats are few and far between in the years since the founding of Lambda Chi Alpha in 1911. There are a number of intriguing references to the Alpha Delta Phi “Goat House” at Cornell. This unique building was designed by George R. Dean, an associate of noted Phi Delta Theta architect Frank Lloyd Wright.

the building. The newspaper was silent on the existence of actual goats in the “Goat House.”

Another goat room was mentioned in an issue of The Purple and Gold magazine of the Chi Psi fraternity. The article, written circa 1930, relates the following information about the newly constructed chapter house at Bowdoin College: “Considerable thought has been given to the 22 1/2 x 31 foot goat room and its complete equipment, ante room and secret entrance. The goat room will be provided with an emergency exit directly to the out-of-doors, and with mechanical exhaust ventilation above the roof.”

In 1921, there was a reference to a “goat room” in a Rush (recruitment) page in Delta Tau Delta (Beta Alpha) chapter scrapbook. In the 1920s, the Epsilon Chapter (Albion) of Delta Tau Delta owned a symbolic goat by the name of Stanley (Fig. 10).

Then we come to the postcard of a man and his two goats. The handwriting on the back of the postcard identifies the subjects of the photo with the words, “Phi Kappa Psi and goats”. The postcard probably dates from the mid-to late 1920s (Fig. 11). It appears that one of the goats is decked out with a collar, tie, and scarf, while the other goat sports a scarf and corset. I really don’t want to speculate on the meaning of all of this.

This house still exists today. Shortly after Bowdoin College closed its fraternity system, the Chi Psi House was renamed the Thomas Brackett Reed House. It is used as an interest group dormitory. I wonder what its new occupants make of the goat room today!

The Modern Fraternal Goat

What about goats in today’s college fraternity world? Not much is written about fraternal goats today and what is written is not good.

The building serves as the ritual center of the Alpha Delta Phi chapter.

The Cornell Daily Sun newspaper reported that there is a secret tunnel that connects the chapter house to the Goat House.

The newspaper also reported that the term “Goat House” refers to the chapter meeting room (Fig. 9). For the past three or four years the chapter and its alumni have been engaged in the restoration of

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Take for example a fraternity at Texas A&M that was closed for a week because a fraternity brother shot a pet goat to death with a 12 gauge shotgun. A famous goat at that - the goat had his own Facebook page. No charges were filed in this case because it isn’t a crime in Texas to kill a goat if you own it and don’t kill it in a cruel manner.

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HISTORY Posted online was another goat story concerning the Alpha Gamma Rho fraternity house at Bowling Green, Kentucky, where police found a live goat in a small room without food or water.

The sanitary condition of the room was deplorable. When quizzed about the goat, the chapter president said it was just a prank. Not for the goat.

Then there were the members of Delta Kappa Epsilon at Louisiana State University who were given a suspension for “...an incident...involving a goat in the Fraternity House.” An agreement was signed by the representatives of the University and chapter officers that stated that the “...initiation and other rituals of the chapter will exclude the use of, contact with, or perceived contact with animals.”

Some fraternity members claimed that the goat was the chapter mascot. The investigation found that goat mascots were not a national tradition of Delta Kappa Epsilon.

What about fraternal goats and Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity? No doubt our Fraternity has had its share of fraternal goats and goat rooms. However, there is little record of our involvement with the goat tradition. My chapter over the years has had many pet animals -- mostly dogs. But no goats.

In an article in the Summer 2003 issue of Bostonia magazine, a Boston University Lambda Chi Alpha alumnus related that back in the late 1930s the dormitory of their chapter house was known as the “ram pasture.”

I stand to be corrected, but it appears that our chapters did not embrace the goat tradition.

HISTORY When Father Rode the Goat

Conclusion

I think that the best explanation of the fraternal goat phenomenon is linked to the Biblical story found in the Book of Leviticus 16:1-34. The scapegoat is described as a symbolic bearer of sins.

When the Azazel, a traditional Hebrew term for scapegoat, is prayed over, released into the wilderness, he bears away with him the sins of Israel.

My theory is supported by the fact that most college-age men during the high point of the goat imagery (roughly 1870 to 1910) were well acquainted with the Bible. I am certain that Leviticus was familiar to them. A very large percentage of men attending college at that time were preparing for the ministry. So, I don’t think it is too much of a stretch to associate the concept of a scapegoat with that of the pledge.

My experience as a pledge was one of constantly trying to outwit the brothers as they attempted to justify every conceivable punishment for every minor infraction of the rules. Our sins, individual and collective, always resulted in some form of hazing. The sins of one pledge were foisted on all pledges. One pledge’s punishment was everyone’s punishment. Thus the pledge equates with the scapegoat.

The idea that the goat could symbolize the entire chapter or a chapter meeting room doesn’t hold up in my mind. The many goat illustrations, the mechanical goat, and the goat rooms all point to the lowly pledge. The pledge became the subject of ridicule, harassment, punishment, and downright hazing until he was initiated. Upon initiation, his sins were forgiven and he became a fullfledged member of his fraternity.

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The house is full of arnica, And Mystery profound; We do not dare to run about Or make the slightest sound; We leave the big piano shut And do not strike a note; The doctor’s been here seven times Since father rode the goat.

He joined the Lodge a week ago-Got in at four A.M., And sixten brethern brought him home, Though he says he brought them.

His wrist was sprained and one big rip Had rent his Sunday coat-There must have been a lively time When father rode the goat.

He’s resting on the couch to-day And practicing his signs-The hailing sign, working grip, And other monkey shines, He mutters passwords ‘neath his breath, And other things he’ll quote-They surely had an evening’s work When father rode the goat.

He had a gorgeous uniform, All gold and red and blue, A hat with plumes and yellow braid, And golden badges, too.

A sword of finest tempered steel; Hilt set with precious stones.

He says this par’phernalia All came from Pettibone’s.

This goat he leads what “Teddy” calls, A very strenuous life.

Makes trouble for such candidates As tackle him in strife.

But somehow, when we mention it Pa wears a look so grim, We wonder if he rode the goat Or if the goat rode him.

From: The Lodge Goat: Goat Rides, Butts and Goat Hairs By James Pettibone, 1902

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