Auburn Delta Chi Fall 2019 Red and Buff

THE AUBURN DELTA CHI RED AND BUFF Happy 2020!

Outstanding Achievement

Bobby Keith, Wife Donna, 2 daughters, sons-in-law, and a few grand-kids

On Friday, Sept. 13, Seven outstanding alumni and ambassadors of the Samuel Ginn College of Engineering were honored in the newly constructed Brown-Kopel Engineering Student Achievement Center.

The Auburn Alumni Engineering Council recognized them for their distinguished professional careers. Brother Bobby Keith ‘63 was among those honored.

Bobby graduated in 1963 with a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering. He worked on thermodynamics of heat transfer in missile propulsion systems for Northrop Space Laboratories in Huntsville.

Later, he helped in the development of the guidance program for the Saturn V rocket system used in the Apollo missions

In 1970, Bobby started working for Hoar Construction in Birmingham as a field supervisor and made his way to the chief executive officer position. Hoar Construction consistently ranks among the country’s most active contractors. As Bobby advanced through the company, Hoar Construction grew to become one of the South’s largest contractors, with revenue growing from ~$20 million to more than $100 million before he retired in 1990. He continues to serve on the board of directors for the company as well as having served as president of the Alabama chapter of Associated Builders and Contractors. In 2000, he received the organization’s Cornerstone Award.

He has been active in construction-related mission work around the world in addition to civil service on the Hoover school board and the boards of several hospitals. He established the Keith Family Presidential Endowed Scholarship in the College of Engineering and also serves on the civil engineering advisory board.

- Austin Phillips The Newsroom

PG. 1

BUILDING YOURSELF

Gouge Performing Arts Center at Auburn University

Those that have been to Auburn recently have no doubt noticed all of the new buildings that have been shooting up on and around campus. It’s no secret that these endeavors take careful planning and execution in order to be successful. Brother Lee Edmonds has come to make a career on that simple yet crucial fact.

While at Auburn, Lee took to the outdoors. He enjoyed participating in fishing, water skiing, and intramural sports. Somewhat ironically, in the classroom, Lee took a liking to Building Science and graduated with a degree in the field in ‘92. According to Lee, his time with the fraternity helped develop him to be able to go off and stand on his own two feet. After graduation, he did just that.

Lee Edmonds is now the owner of Baseline Consultants. His company has been crucial to the timely planning, forecasting, progression, and completion of large projects across the state of Alabama. Baseline Consultants has been a part of projects such as the Grand View Medical Center, Alabama Adventure, minor league stadiums, as well as campus projects at UAB, Alabama, and of course Auburn. Auburn’s impressive new Gogue Center for the Performing Arts has Baseline Consultants to thank in part for its completion.The performing arts center has been designed to achieve several goals, including creating a performance space with optimal acoustics and making the building environmentally friendly.

When asked how it felt to give back to the Auburn community Lee says, “I’m just doing my job.” Further stating that his time at Auburn taught him to perform well. More specifically Lee claims the fraternity taught him how to be influential and function in corporate America. He says it’s an “eat what we kill” kind of world and all we can do is “work hard and be honest.” Some might recall finding similar words in the Auburn Creed. That being said, Lee Edmonds is a fantastic representation of what it means to be an Auburn Delta Chi man.

- James Buchholz “E”

SAVE THE DATE - Formal Recruitment - 530 Biggio - January 21-22, 2020 - Regional Leadership Conference - Fort Walton Beach - February 21-23 2020 - Casino Night - 530 Biggio - April 4, 2020 - A-Day - 530 Biggio - April 11, 2020 - International Convention - St. Louis, Missouri - July 29-August 2, 2020

* If you are hosting an alumni gathering this year, tell us about it and we will let other brothers know. Just email Timothy Helms at tjh0009@auburn.edu

PG. 2

MEET THE NEW MEMBERS Top: Left to Right Daniel O’Hanian from Hunstville AL, majoring in Computer Engineering Kyle Montgomery from Huntsville AL, majoring in Computer Engineering Jonah Allen from Birmingham AL, majoring in Aerospace Engineering Dylan Watts from BIrmingham AL, majoring in Mechanical Engineering Chandler Moon from Thorsby AL, majoring in Political Science Bottom: Left to Right Harrison Dromey from Kennesaw GA, majoring in Mechanical Engineering Tyler Hirn from BIrmingham AL, majoring in Software Engineering Ian Hall from Roanoke AL, majoring in Chemical Engineering Zach Craft from Huntsville AL, majoring in Supply Chain Management Late Additions (not pictured) Luke Darwiche from Kennesaw GA, majoring in Mechanical Engineering David Killian from Huntsville AL, majoring in Architecture

During the fall of 2019, the Delta Chi chapter of Auburn brought in a promising Associate Member class and helped us to grow together. It consisted of nine dedicated guys that were excited to build and grow the chapter back to its former strength. The Gamma Theta class came in and hit the ground running by organizing a Friday grill out, where the active members of Delta Chi came together to eat and get to know the new Associate Members.

The original cookout has now turned into a Friday tradition where the brothers all get together in fellowship with one another. During the extended rush period, two new members were added to the ever-growing Associate Member class bringing us to eleven members. We participated in a massive charity event, Anchor Splash, that was put on by the Delta Gamma sorority. Anchor Splash consisted of three events: the synchronized swimming portion, relay race, and a biggest splash competition. All of us had a blast at the event and though we didn’t place, the brothers said we still represented Delta Chi very well. A few of us new Associate Members also participated in another sorority philanthropy event; a fun run put on by Alpha Omicron Pi which was to support people with arthritis. As the run passed the chapter house, a few other brothers and associate members greeted us and other runners with free water. It’s been great to see the support from everyone.

As new members in the Delta Chi Fraternity, the Gamma Theta Associate Members have already started to serve key roles in the Chapter. One has been selected for a position on the Executive Committee, and others of us are pursuing chair positions such as philanthropy, involvement, and social. All of us in Gamma Theta are excited to be joining the Delta Chi Chapter of Auburn University and hope to continue representing our new, ever expanding brotherhood to the best of our abilities.

-Luke Darwiche, David Killian, and Chandler Moon

Delta Chi Foundation’s Day of Giving Timothy Fitzsimmons Michael Carroll Craig Trapani Stephen Byrne Clay Smith Alan Drinkard Jeffrey Gilmer Robert Lackey William Bell ALUMNI TAILGATE - AUBURN VS MISSISSIPPI ST.

John Webster Wayne Thompson Roy Thames Harry Dinken Richard Childress James Powell Richard Chenoweth Russell Flowers Eric Kerstetter

2019 Annual Delta Chi Alumni Reunion – Orange Beach

I stand corrected; this was the 15th annual gathering for an Auburn away game and the first loss, LSU 23, Auburn 20. The early reunions were hosted at the Morgan’s home. As we enter our “Golden Year’s” our past becomes more precious than our future. The days we shared at 371 West Glenn, impacted all that we have become and done with our lives. The brotherhood and friendships that have lasted over 50 and 60 years are dear to us. This event is something 30+ brothers and their better halves look forward to every year, coming from near and far.

Our greatest hope is that the Bond of Delta Chi continues to offer opportunities that last a lifetime at Auburn and all chapters across North America. A lot has changed over the years, it is a different day and time; but contributing to a cause greater than one’s self and striving for common goals builds character and leadership and that hasn’t changed.

A simple email challenging these brothers to respond to Delta Chi’s Day of Giving, yielded $1,841 to the Delta Chi Foundation campaign to support Delta Chi. Auburn had the most donors of any chapter.

We know that fraternities are facing challenging times; they have before. We stand ready to support the chapter, but the chapter’s future is in the hands of the current undergraduates. They must make use of the educational opportunities on campus and with Delta Chi to meet today’s challenges. Alumni are willing to advise, council, and share experience in hopes they don’t repeat past mistakes.

Long live and prosper the Auburn Chapter !

ITB, Mike Carroll ‘71

Brothers and brides gather for the 15th Annual Delta Chi reunion at Orange Beach, it was the first time we gathered and lost at an away game!

FUN WITH PHILANTHROPY

2020 Ken Young $100 Club

With the help of James Buchholz, “E” and TJ Helms “BB,” this Red & Buff is being published and renewing an invitation for you to support the chapter through the $100 Club that Ken Young began some time ago. The funds go to the Alumni Control Board, Inc. (House Corporation). This project for this year’s effort is to help fund $8,000 in exterior lighting improvements for the house and parking lot.

While 371 West Glenn will always be dear to those of us who lived there, 530 Biggio is Delta Chi now. The location is enhanced by not only the intramural field, but the new recreation facilities on Lem Morrison. It is hard to believe that Gary Monk’s dream of a new house on the new Greek row is nearly 40 years old. We will always be indebted to Gary Monk, Alan Harris, Jim Storey, Dennis Stephens, Alan Stanfield, Bobbie Gillespie and other’s that made this house possible. It has served us well.

Please consider a donation with the enclosed envelope.

ITB, Mike Carroll ‘71

National WW I Museum and Memorial in Kansas City After a career as an active duty Army officer and 21 more years as an Army civilian employee, I retired after 41 years in 2005. But you don’t just sit and read after a career that took you around the world, so I became a volunteer at the WW I Museum in Kansas City. After two years I was eligible to volunteer to be a tour guide, which I did. Of 26 vols in the class, six of us passed the course. On Saturday there are three public tours, two hours each, free to ticket holders. I’ve done hundreds of them in the 10 years I’ve been a guide.

I became a member of the President’s Council in 2007, one of 100 people selected for life or until resignation.

Of more than 300 volunteers only one other is a fellow member. When I began the museum had just undergone a several year, $80 million renovation, making it the premier WW I museum in the U.S. It has since been designated the National WW I Museum, and a few years later became the National WW I Museum and Memorial. An email said it was only the fifth entity to have two Congressional designations, but no one has ever uncovered what the other four are. I’d love to know.

I’ve also done special tours when asked, and am proud of the fact that I’ve taken the three Vietnam War Medal of Honor recipients in Missouri (1) and Kansas (2) on a tour, one three times. most recently I took the founder and the current CEO of Wreaths Across America on a tour when they visited Kansas City. I offer a tour to a lot of people, but since the museum is a 52-mile round trip from Leavenworth, my home since 1978, only real history buffs have accepted.

The museum is under its third CEO since I began. The first two had it operating in the red, but the current one,. there four years now, has had it in the black for three years. It has been voted the number #1 tourist attraction in Kansas City for three years, and the only museum in the Midwest rated in the top 25 museums in America. It’s certainly worth a visit by anyone coming to the Kansas City area. In the main gallery are more than 2,300 individual artifacts, a lot, but only 8 percent of the museum’s total collection. Three are “one of a kind,” and two are “one of two” in a museum. It has one of 18 French M-17 tanks in U.S. museums, the type our tankers used, and the museum’s tank is one of only five with battle damage.

We wear a museum uniform, and I love it when visitors say “You must work here and I have a question.” With the straightest of faces I can muster, I say “I not only do not work here, I pay to come here.” Dumbfounded, they say “You have to pay to get in?”, to which I reply “No, the uniform gets me in, but I have a 52-mile commute, and we receive no gas allowance, so I pay to come here.” By then the visitor is so flustered he or she has forgotten the question.

We get lots of questions from a public that knows very little about WW I. Even many volunteers are not very knowledgeable about The Great War. Several years ago two young vols went in different directions looking for something and finally asked me where the Maginot Line display was. I said “Take I-35 south, change highways several times in the two-day drive to New Orleans, and find the National WW II Museum downtown. Then ask a volunteer where the Maginot Line display is, since it was build in the 1920s after WW I ended.” I don’t recall them thanking me.

A middle-aged woman asked where the Charge of the Light Brigade display was, and I said “Go to KCI (airport), fly to London, take a cab to the Imperial War Museum, and ask someone there.” My favorite question came from a silver haired woman during a Hands on History session, an hour-long event on Saturday mornings where visitors can touch and pick up about 15 artifacts used in WW I. One is a French 75-mm empty artillery shell, and when anyone picks it up I ask a question: Name one U.S. Army officer who commanded a battery that fired that type shell. Maybe one in 200 knows the name. As a hint, I say “He’s buried in Truman’s grave.”

Almost everyone laughs and says Harry Truman, but this woman looked nervous, and said “I’m not real good at military history. Can you give another hint?” I said no, it was time for her to go inside the museum.

If you are coming to KC and this has whetted your appetite to visit the #1 tourist attraction, check the museum’s web site theworldwar.org for more information, location, telephone number, and entry prices. And when you come, be sure to wear a War Eagle t-shirt or ball cap.

PG. 5 John Reichley, AU 1962

Parents’ Weekend

September 14th was my first Parents’ Weekend at Auburn and with Delta Chi. Oh what a day!

I loved the fact we were greeted as we pulled into the parking lot at the house. And of course, we were packing a slew of things for my son and the first thing we get (other than a hug) is help, not only from him but his brothers as well, bringing it all into the house. We met so many fraternity men with fantastic manners, their families, and alumni. We were excited to get the tour and see the display cabinet full of alumni history (we have a special connection to Hank Hartsfield).

The entire day was well thought out. We had an introduction by the fraternity officers explaining what they do and where they want to take Delta Chi in the future. A delicious meal was served, the TVs were on the biggest games, and a rousing cornhole tournament took place! What an intense competition with nothing but cheers for each team’s attempt to best their appointed foe. Even the winners donated the spoils of victory back to the house. There was something for everyone! It was a free and easy atmosphere to get to know my son’s brothers and their families.

No question went unanswered all day. The brothers are well versed in what’s going on within Delta Chi and why. They are supportive of each other as brothers in academics and personal lives. It was very evident in the relationships we saw that everyone is respected and appreciated at Delta Chi. I saw great care of the alumni by the active members and reciprocal care of the active by the alumni; a true brotherhood spanning the generations.

- Libby Bennett