may 2013 cross & crescent

May

201

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ssue

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Cross & Crescent

FROM THE EDITOR

Tad Lichtenauer

Director of Communications/IT(317) 803-7322

[email protected]

As always, the month of May is a transitional month for our organization. Our undergraduate brothers are completing their spring semesters and looking forward to either their summer break or graduation celebrations.

Our ELCs are coming off the road and returning to the International Headquarters. Some of them will be leaving staff at the end of the month while others will be staying and doing a second year on the road. In addition, we have new ELCs who will be joining staff right after graduation.

Finally, we have a couple of additional staff changes being made that we believe will strengthen our operations and assistance to our undergraduates, university partners, and our alumni volunteers.

Below is a list of the staff changes occurring in the month of May. For those brothers leaving staff, we thank you for your service to our Fraternity and hope you will continue to give Lambda Chi Alpha your time, talent, and treasure.

We encourage our brothers to reach out to each of these men to offer your thanks and support as they begin a new chapter of their lives.

In ZAX & friendship,

Tad Lichtenauer

Editor, Cross & Crescent Magazine

• Christopher Buck (Ball State 2013) -- begins his first year as an ELC

• Joseph Chavez (St. Mary’s 2011) -- a former ELC, he rejoins staff as the education coordinator

• Justin Friend (Ball State 2013) -- begins his first year as an ELC

• Joshua Gamse (Maryland-Baltimore 2013) -- begins his first year as an ELC

• Keith Hamman (Iowa State 2013) -- begins his first year as an ELC

• Allen Horton (Arkansas State 2013) -- begins his first year as an ELC

• Anthony Linder (Tarleton State 2013) -- begins his first year as an ELC

• Sandy Meers (Butler 2013) -- begins his first year as the associate director of information systems

• Michael Rosenberg (Towson 2013) -- begins his first year as an ELC

• George Taylor (High Point 2001) -- a former ELC, he rejoins staff as the associate director of alumni involvement

Brothers joining/re-joining staff:

Brothers leaving staff: • Chris Cole (Gettysburg) -- served most recently as the associ-

ate director of harm reduction • Brandon Hebert (Simpson 2011) -- completed his two years

as an ELC • Chris Kirkeby (South Dakota 2011) -- completed his two

years as an ELC • Nick Ludwig (Coe 2011) -- completed his two years as an ELC • David Walthius (Indiana 2010) -- completed his two years as

an ELC

Brothers remaining on staff: • Joseph Citro (Florida Southern) -- assumes the role of special

advisor to the CEO • Michael DeCourcy (Wittenberg 2012) -- assumes the role of

expansion manager • Justin Fisher (North Carolina 2011) -- assumes the role of

associate director of harm reduction • Jon Moss (Ball State 2012) -- assumes the role of expansion

manager • Erik Silvola (Florida Southern 2012) -- assumes the role of

expansion manager • Brian Watts (Kansas State 2011) -- begins his second full

year as a senior ELC • Joel Weyrauch (Butler 2012) -- begins his second full year as

a senior ELC

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CONTRIBUTIONS

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Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity8741 Founders RdIndianapolis, IN 46268-1338(317) [email protected]/cross-crescent

14THE MOTHERS OF LAMBDA CHI ALPHATo coincide with Mother’s Day, we honor the housemothers of Lambda Chi Alpha.By Andrew Talevich (Washington State)

17THE REAL ANSON MOUNTHell on Wheels actor Anson Mount (Sewanee 1995) discusses his career and his steps to preserve his chapter, Iota-Nu Zeta, which recently celebrated its 50th anniversary.By Michele James

23CELEBRATING SIGMA’S CENTENNIALLast month alumni and undergraduates converged in Ann Arbor to celebrate our Michigan chapter’s 100th anniversary.By Andrew Talevich (Washington State)

29 GAMMA-OMICRON: A HISTORY OF PERMANENCE AND SACRIFICEThe Gamma-Omicron chapter at Michigan State University, one of the oldest Greek organizations on campus, continues to thrive through philanthropy, fundraising, and tradition.By AJ Marin (Michigan State)

1 Chapter News Chapter news, alumni news,

and reports of death.

32 Fraternity NewsNew Educational Leadership

Consultants

34 Fraternity NewsSummer Leadership Training

37 History The Memorial Service

Features

Departments

CREDITS

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

YOUR ONLINE SOURCE FOR ALL LAMBDA CHI ALPHA NEWSMay 2013 ISSUE 4

Cross & Crescent

Cross & Crescent May 20131www.lambdachi.org/cross-crescent

CHAPTER NEWS

Chapter NewsChapter news, alumni news, and reports of death


Akron (Gamma-Alpha)Along with other fraternities and sororities, the chapter completed a Week of Service, which included raising nearly $1,000 for the Akron Rotary Camp and collecting more than 1,200 cans for the North American Food Drive. The week was capped off with the 41st Annual Bathtub Pull, an event where the chapter pulls a cast iron bath tub on wheels nearly five miles with a police escort and asks for donations.

Jeff Schobert (1978) died April 2, 2013. Beginning in 1987, Schobert legally represented physicians, hospitals, and other health care providers throughout the state of Ohio, and argued a number of cases before the Ohio Supreme Court dealing with medical malpractice. Schobert was elected to the American Board of Trial Advocates as an associate member in January 2003. He was also named one of Ohio’s Super Lawyers from 2005 to 2011, and was named one of the Best Lawyers in America since 2006. He served as a former board member of the Akron Rotary Club, a camp for children with special needs, and continued to dedicate scholarships to children who could not afford to attend the camp.

Alabama-Birmingham (Sigma-Chi)At the 2012 Greek Award Ceremony, the chapter won the following awards: Excellence in Alumni Development, Chapter Development, Outstanding New Member Program, and the Dr. Aaron Lamar Jr. Chapter of Excellence Award, as well as

Greek Hall of Fame Initiates (Justin Owens and Tripp Ference). In addition, Jacob Switzer was recognized as the Outstanding New Member for the Greek community, and the chapter was recognized for its Commitment to Philanthropy, Commitment to Community Service, and Scholastic Achievement.

Arkansas (Gamma-Chi)Samuel C. Smith (1945) died March 4, 2013. He retired from Southwestern Electrical Power Co. in Shreveport, Louisiana, as vice president and chief engineer. Smith was a member of the Operating Committee of Central and Southwest Corp. in Dallas, the parent company of Southwestern Electrical Power Co. He attended the University of Michigan Business School and served two years in the U.S. Army as a second lieutenant.

Baldwin Wallace (Kappa-Phi Colony)On April 20-21, 2013, the chapter organized a charity event benefiting Child’s Play Charity, a nonprofit group dedicated to improving the lives of children with toys and games at more than 70 hospitals worldwide. The event included building cardboard homes on the North Quad in addition to other activities and games. Donations collected will go towards purchasing new consoles, games, and more for hospitals and therapy facilities. Donations allow children to enjoy age-appropriate entertainment and provide vital distraction during an otherwise unpleasant hospital stay.

Boise State Colony (Colony 297)

The colony held an Initiation Ritual Exemplification for three members, raising the colony’s membership to 11.

The colony participated in Greek Week.


CHAPTER NEWS

Chapter news, alumni news, and reports of death


Bradley (Kappa-Upsilon)Kyle Prader organized the Run4Boston5k, which was held on April 28, 2013, and benefited the victims and families of the recent Boston bombings. All proceeds will go to the Boston Athletic Association and supports the families in need.

Butler (Alpha-Alpha)

The chapter held an Initiation Ritual Exemplification for 27 brothers.

The chapter placed second in the Spring Sports Spectacular.

The chapter brothers held their annual Teeter-Totter marathon, raising more than $12,000 for Peyton Manning Children’s Hospital.

Gary E. Smith (1964) was inducted as an honorary member of the Lambda Lambda chapter of Kappa Kappa Psi, the honorary band fraternity at Indiana State University. Smith was director of athletic bands at Indiana State University from 1972 to 1976 after graduating from Butler University. He has since led a long and successful career including being named associate director of bands emeritus at the University of Illinois. Although Smith was an undergraduate member of Kappa Kappa Psi chapter at Butler, ISU’s chapter conferred honorary membership for his contributions to ISU’s band program and for his illustrious record, which includes being the 2001 recipient of the Kappa Kappa Psi’s Distinguished Service to Music Medal, the highest award presented nationally.

California-Santa Barbara (Zeta-Eta)Lawrence E. Phelps (1960) died March 9, 2013. He was a respected high school educator at Palm Springs High School, primarily teaching wood shop classes. He also was a leader in his field nationwide, actively participating in VICA, Vocational Industrial Clubs of America. The chapter brothers will remember Phelps as the member who created the large Lambda Chi Alpha Greek letters that he affixed to the second story front wall of the house and visible from the street. Today, more than 50 years later, the letters are still in excellent condition.

Cal Poly (Phi-Sigma)The chapter teamed with the Woods Humane Society to bring the first ever Puppy Parade to the San Luis Obispo community. On March 9, 2013, volunteers from the Woods Humane

Society brought many of their dogs to the front lawn of a house near Cal Poly’s campus. Those who attended the event could play with the dogs for $3 and provide food and water for an additional $2. The Puppy Parade raised more than $1,200 for the Woods Humane Society.



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Clemson (Delta-Omicron)Brockton Hall received the Outstanding Service Award for SEIFC.

Colorado State-Pueblo (Delta-Omega)

Mike Weiner was elected SGA vice president.

Henry Willauer was elected as one of two SGA senators representing the College of Education, Engineering, and Professional Studies.

Trevor McKinney and Michael Linsenman were elected SGA senators representing the College of Humanities and Social Sciences.

Antonio Reyes and Anthony Herrera were elected SGA senators representing the Hasan School of Business.

Daniel Ullrich was elceted SGA senator at large.

Denver (Alpha-Pi)Joe Saunders (1967), who recently retired as CEO of VISA, Inc., and his wife have made a $1.55 million donation to the Daniels College of Business at the University of Denver to establish an endowed fund for international and graduate scholarships. The endowment will be used to fund scholarships for undergraduate and graduate students to participate in global consulting projects.

Rick Schmitt (1987), one of the new owners of Stormcloud Brewing Company in Frankfort, Michigan, was featured in the local media. His company is opening the city’s first local brewery, which will create new jobs and hopefully attract more visitors to the area. The 3,500 square foot brewery will have a full production room as well as a pub area where customers will be able to select from 15 beers on tap.

Drexel (Epsilon-Kappa)The chapter hosted an ultimate Frisbee fundraiser, raising $120 for the North American Food Drive.

The chapter raised more than $4,000 for the American Cancer Society during Drexel’s Relay for Life. This was the most money raised out of the 62 teams who participated.

On April 19, 2013, the chapter held an Initiation Ritual Exemplification for eight brothers.

Mike Krulikowski (1982) died April 5, 2013.

East Tennessee State (Iota-Omicron)

On April 15, 2013, the chapter was named Fraternity of the Year at the annual Summit Awards Ceremony. In addition, former chapter President Jason Terry was named IFC’s Greek Man of the Year.

Dylan Adams was awarded the Unsung Hero plaque for his selflessness and hard work behind the scenes in other campus organizations.

On April 13, 2013, chapter brothers participated in Kappa Delta’s Shamrock Golf Tournament, placing first in the fraternity division and first overall.

Edinboro (Beta-Delta)From April 17-20, 2013, the chapter hosted a teeter-totter marathon to raise money and canned food benefiting both the Second Harvest Food Bank of Northwest Pennsylvania and the Edinboro Food Pantry.


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Iowa State (Alpha-Tau)

Paired with the women of Kappa Alpha Theta sorority and the men of Beta Sigma Psi and Alpha Kappa Lambda fraternities, the chapter won first place in the Iowa State Greek Week Olympics.

On April 19-21, 2013, alumni and undergraduate brothers enjoyed a number of activities together during the annual Iowa State University VEISHEA weekend. Highlights of the weekend included a tailgate at the spring scrimmage football game hosted by alumnus Tracy Sankot (1983) and his wife Annette. Chef Connie Maxwell prepared an excellent dinner on Saturday evening. Fraternity Board Treasurer Gregg Behrens attended and provided updates about the General Fraternity and the Future Leaders Campaign. The chapter’s weekly Sunday chapter meeting was moved up to 11 a.m. to allow visiting alumni brothers to attend.

Mark Niblo (1981) completed the 2013 Boston Marathon. He had completed the race and was safely back at his hotel when the terrorist act occurred near the finish line.

Florida (Epsilon-Mu)Paired with the women of Alpha Delta Pi sorority, the chapter participated in the university’s dance marathon on April 13-14, 2013. On their feet for 26.2 hours, the brothers helped raise money and awareness for the Children’s Miracle Network and Shands Hospital for Children. Overall the team placed first in Spirit and Fundraising for the green category. The chapter exceeded its fundraising goal of $10,000 and greatly helped the event’s record-breaking total of $1,169,722.

Florida Tech (Beta-Nu)Chapter President Simon Titualer and Scholarship Chairman Stephen Kies were named outstanding juniors in each of their majors by the university. Titualer is majoring in aerospace engineering and Stephen Kies is majoring in information systems.

Georgetown (Kappa-Omega)The chapter won the university’s President’s Cup as the best fraternity on campus.

Erin G. Ewing died April 8, 2013. She was a secretary and a member of First Baptist Church of Picayune and served as the chapter’s housemother from 1975 to 1981.

George Washington (Delta-Xi)At the 2013 Greek Awards Ceremony, Fraternity Educator Brian Campos won the IFC’s Pillar Award for Leadership.

For the first time in five years the chapter hosted a Watermelon Bash philanthropic event, which included four sororities competing in a variety of watermelon-related activities. In the end, Sigma Delta Tau won the competition and the chapter raised more than $300 for the Capital Area Food Drive and almost $2,000 for USO.

On April 28, 2013, chapter brothers attended a Washington Nationals baseball game as a brotherhood event.


CHAPTER NEWS



The chapter raised over $1,300 during Relay for Life for the American Cancer Society, the most of any Greek team. They also won the Most Spirited award.

The chapter also competed in a trivia night put on by Students for the Autism Society (SAS) and won first place. Team members included: Blake Banner, Michener A. Kruse, George Rees, Brandon English, Rex Jones, and Jacob Martin. Dustin Rowland was team captain.

They also participated in Ragin’ Fury, a fundraising event for The Muscular Dystrophy Association, raising a total of $800, enough to sponsor a youngster to go to camp, and enough for yet another 1st place finish.

Maine (Beta)E. Vernon Gray (1949) died March 11, 2013.

After serving in the U.S. Air Force during World War II he attended the University of Maine at Orono receiving a B.S. degree. He was House Manager for the chapter.

Following graduation he was employed by Maine Consolidated Power Company and Central Maine Power Company for 39 and a half years, working primarily in the Transmission, Distribution, and Substations Departments, and retiring in 1989 as Director of Transmission and Distributions Operations. He was a 32nd degree Mason and a member of KORA Temple and Maine Lodge #20.

Upon retirement from CMP, he and his wife, Dorothy, wintered in North Port, Florida. The Grays were long term members of the Old South Congregational Church of Farmington and Hallowell.

Marietta (Kappa-Alpha)The chapter held an Initiation Ritual Exemplification for one brother, Travis Robinson.

Roger J. Kotsaqis (1955) died September 27, 2012.

Kansas (Zeta-Iota)

The entire chapter assisted in The Big Event, a community service project that assists the people of Lawrence, Kansas, with yard work and house maintenance.

The chapter held Watermelon Fest, the chapter’s largest philanthropic event of the year. The event consisted of Lambda

Chis and the women of Kappa Delta sorority participating together in watermelon darts, tug of war, watermelon eating contest, volleyball, and many other events.

Alumnus Kevin Cowan (1973) served as guest speaker and talked about his experiences in Lambda Chi and his ownership of his own architecture firm, Kevin Cowan Architects, in Kansas City. He gave advice about growing the fraternity and provided post-graduation tips.

The 2nd annual Alumni Golf Tournament is being held at Alvamar golf course in Lawrence on Saturday, June 15, 2013. Hamburgers and hot dogs will be provided. The distinguished alumni awards and dinner will be held October 4, 2013, and the Homecoming tailgate will be October 5, 2013. If interested in any of the above events contact Bob Walrafen at [email protected]

Louisiana - Lafayette (Iota-Omega)The chapter initiated four new brothers.


CHAPTER NEWS



Roger was proud of his Albanian heritage, was fluent in the Albanian language, and had traveled to Albania several times to visit relatives. He followed his father into the restaurant-bar business, owning or co-owning several establishments in suburban Chicago.

Maryland (Epsilon-Pi)

The chapter held an Initiation Ritual Exemplification for 25 new brothers.

On April 22, 2013, Vince Bellitti won the Greek Leader of the Year Award at the UMD Order of Omega Re-Dedication Ceremony to end Greek Week 2013. Vince previously served as recruitment chairman, IFC vice

president of recruitment, and as IFC president.

On April 27, 2013, the chapter members held their first annual Watermelon Bust, benefiting the North American Food Drive. Seven sororities participated and raised $7,500.

Memphis (Zeta-Theta)On April 20, 2013, the chapter received the 2012-2013 Interfraternity Council Chapter of Excellence Award. This award

is presented to a chapter from each council for their ability to uphold the ideals and values espoused by the organization, the fraternity/sorority community, and the University of Memphis.

In addition, the chapter received three other awards: the Values Integration Pillar of Excellence Award, the Brotherhood/Sisterhood Pillar of Excellence Award, and the Leadership Development Pillar of Excellence Award.

At this year’s President’s Recognition Award Banquet, they received the President’s Laurel Wreath Award that is given to the overall exemplary Greek chapter at the University of Memphis.

The chapter partnered with Lifeblood Services of Memphis for the second time in March to host a two day campus-wide blood drive.

The chapter held its Spring Philanthropy - Lambdapalooza - at which local bands performed to raise awareness and funds for the Mid-South Food Bank.

Five brothers were inducted into the Omicron Delta Kappa (ODK) National Leadership Honor Society.

Miami-OH (Zeta-Upsilon)The chapter held an Initiation Ritual Exemplification for 16 brothers, and an Associate Member Ceremony for five new members.

The chapter donated the third-most food quantity of any Lambda Chi chapter in 2012.

The chapter participated in numerous Greek philanthropic events such as Delta Zeta’s Puttin’ on the Hits, Delta Gamma’s


CHAPTER NEWS



Anchor Splash, and hosted “Messy Twister” along with Alpha Gamma Delta.

The chapter thanks High Pi Steve Patt (1996), who is stepping down after this semester, for all the hard work he has put in over the years. He has helped to build the chapter into something great.

The chapter held its formal on April 26, 2013 in Cincinnati.

Michigan State (Gamma-Omicron)

Michael Michael “Mike” Oakes (1968) died March 18, 2013. He earned his master’s degree in education leadership from Western Michigan University.

Millsaps (Theta-Eta)

The chapter hosted a successful Founders Day for alumni and undergraduate brothers. The event included a fundraising component to help an alumnus brother whose wife had recently died.

Missouri (Gamma-Kappa)Richard L. “Dick” Sloop ((1934) died April 8, 2013. He was 101. He was proud that he and his fellow fraternity brothers were able to keep the house financially solvent during the Great Depression when others could not. He was very active in athletics particularly swimming, springboard diving and pole vaulting. After graduation Dick went to work for Fisher Body, a division of General Motors, at the Leeds Assembly plant in Kansas City and was extremely grateful to find work. He spent his entire career working for General Motors as an accountant from 1935 until his retirement in 1971, with the exception of an interruption for his service during World War II when he was drafted into the U.S. Army. He served from 1942 to 1945 and was assigned to the 9th Air Force in the European Theater with allied forces that liberated France and defeated Germany. He was with the 9th when it transferred to England in October 1943, participated in the Normandy invasion as well as the rest of the war on the European continent, until VE-Day. For his service during the invasion of Europe he and his unit were awarded the Presidential Meritorious Unit Commendation.

Montevallo (Sigma-Epsilon)William D. Trotter (1973) died April 1, 2013. After earning his master’s degree from Montevallo, he spent 28 years working as a teacher and principal in the Shelby County school system. At the time of his death he was employed as a science teacher at Thompson Sixth Grade Center.

New Hampshire (Alpha-Xi)

Chapter brothers helped the Browne Center to clean their facility.

On April 20, 2013, chapter brothers traveled to Seabrook Beach to clean a section of beach.

North Carolina-Greensboro (Phi-Theta)

Buddy McMichael died June 4, 2003.

Northeastern State (Delta-Beta)

The chapter was named 2013 Greek Week champion. In addition, the chapter placed first in Bowling, Sand Dart, Talent, Trivia, and Volleyball. Partnered with Delta Zeta Sorority, the chapter also placed first in Greek Sing, was voted crowd favorite, and helped raise $1,300 in donations. The chapter


CHAPTER NEWS



was named 2012-2013 intramural champions. At the Greek Awards ceremony the chapter won the following: Leadership Development Award, Greek Community Development Award, Community Service Award, and Scholarship Award. Individual brothers who were recognized include: Avree Yearton, Top New Member of the Year; Matt Ozturk, Top 5 Greek Male; Tim Hicks, Top 5 Greek Male; plus chapter President of the Year Ethan Hayman received Top 5 Greek Male and Top Greek Male.

Northwestern (Alpha-Iota)

The chapter held an Initiation Ritual Exemplification for 17 brothers.

Values-based recruitment is an ongoing process and the chapter added four new associate members during the spring semester.

Supporting the Greek community, eight brothers took part in the “Run for Boston”, organized by the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity. Combined, they ran over 30 miles.

Four brothers were invited to join the Gamma Sigma Alpha academic honor society and two members were selected for the Order of Omega.

With the help of the Alumni Association, the chapter installed a new washer and two dryers in the chapter house.

Pittsburg State (Lambda-Chi)Chapter brothers worked on the landscaping for the house in preparation for Founders Day.

The chapter held an Initiation Ritual Exemplification for five brothers. Three brothers from Wichita State Colony 269 were also initiated during the ceremony.

Brian Walker was named the Sigma Sigma Sigma Man of the Year.

The chapter won the 2013 Greek Week competition. In addition, they had the highest GPA for all fraternities, won Greek God for the second year in a row, and placed first in the Red Bull Chariot race.

David White (1972) was elected president of the Overland Park, Kansas City Council.

Polytechnic (Theta-Upsilon)Brothers are active in campus organizations such as Engineers Without Borders and the International Filipino Association, and bring the leadership principles that they learn in Lambda Chi Alpha to those organizations by taking on executive board positions.

Brothers are members of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), and the American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE) where they take leadership positions and compete in national competitions. Brothers lead the ASME chapter team for the school in the SAE Aero Competition, while brothers in our ASCE chapters compete in both the Steel Bridge Competitions and Concrete Canoe Competitions.

The chapter participated in Relay for Life to raise money for the American Cancer Society, surpassing their goal of $3,000 by $455. Andy Quinn has raised $1,820 on his own and is among the top 10 donors for the school.

Chapter brothers actively participate in the TRUE Brother Inner Circle. The chapter currently has 15 actives and 10 alumni


CHAPTER NEWS



faithful stewards, five active servant leaders, and three active leaders of character.

Rensselaer (Epsilon-Eta)

Former chapter Vice President William Schmitt has been recognized by Rensselaer’s Phalanx Honor Society for his strong leadership on campus, dedication to the organizations he is involved with, and his overall support to the university. He has not only shown great leadership as the chair of Grand Marshal’s Week Celebrations but also serves as a volunteer on the RPI Ambulance as a certified EMT and provides CPR certifications classes to the Rensselaer community. Schmitt also was elected as alumni treasurer for his graduating class. An Eagle Scout, he regularly returns to his hometown to participate in overnight adventures and educational sessions for young scouts.

Rollins (Theta-Gamma Colony)On April 6, 2013, the chapter hosted a Watermelon Bust event.

Armando Santin and Zohaib Jessani participated in the Navy League 5k Wounded Warrior Run

On April 19, 2013, Armando Santin and chapter Vice President Derrick Boisette participated in the Rollins College Boston Marathon.

At the university’s annual Greek Awards dinner, the colony was named Fraternity of the Year by the university.

Rose-Hulman (Theta-Kappa)The chapter held its 42nd annual Run for Kids Sake, raising approximately $1,300 for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Vigo County.

The chapter hosted Pig Week, a long-running tradition in which alumni brothers return to the chapter house for pig roasting and brotherhood.

Jerry L. Copenhefer died March 10, 2013.

Samford (Theta-Alpha)On April 5, 2013, the chapter added four associate members and held a Big Brother Ceremony.

Sewanee (Iota-Nu)On April 6, 2013, the chapter hosted a 50th anniversary celebration of its chartering. More than three dozen alumni brothers attended the event and were welcomed back by the undergraduate brothers.

On April 12, 2013, the chapter held an Initiation Ritual Exemplification for six brothers: John Canfield, Neil Clark, Chris Evans, Jordan Johnson, Tyler Shool, and Hunter Woolwine.

Board of Councilor Brad Peabody coached his National Moot Court Competition Team from the University of Baltimore Law School to a Top 5 ranking out of 196 teams in the United States.

Simpson (Theta-Lambda)The chapter won the Greek Week Penny War, collecting $1,700 to be donated to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.

The chapter collected 2,264 pounds of food and more than $1,900 for the North American Food Drive.


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South Carolina (Epsilon-Psi)

Chapter President Thomas Landzert and Chapter Advisor Jim Tothill presented Certificates of Appreciation to three members of the South Carolina Student Life Administration for their support of the chapter and the Greek community over the past year.

On April 6, 2013, the chapter hosted its White Rose formal for undergraduates and alumni brothers.

Three chapter brothers attended the Colonial Conclave at the University of Richmond.

At the 2013 Greek Awards event the chapter won Outstanding Faculty Advisor (Dr. John Grady), Outstanding New Member (Nick Hall), and Outstanding GPA.

South Carolina - Aiken (Pi-Alpha)The chapter held an Initiation Ritual Exemplification for three brothers: Elliot Browning, Brandon McKenna, and Carson Faulkner.

At the 2013 Student Life Awards Banquet, chapter President Jake Senn received the Male Greek Member of The Year Award; Andrew Ridout won the President’s Service Award for completing more than 100 hours of community service; Joseph Berry won the Best New Greek Member Award; and the chapter received the S.E.R.V.I.C.E. Award.

Southeast Missouri State (Delta-Phi)

Paired with Alpha Delta sorority, the chapter earned second place during the 2013 Greek Week competition. In addition, they won first place in Greek Sing, Tug of War, Football Toss, Chariot Races, and Dance. Luke Hartenstein won best male actor and the chapter won Most Memorable Scene. Through the President’s Award, the chapter is now recognized with distinction in: Academic Achievement, Chapter Operations and Management, Recruitment and Sustainability, Philanthropy and Service, Stakeholder Relations, and Risk Management. Patrick Vining won Greek Man of the Year. Benny Doris won Junior of the Year and President of the Year. Derek May won Individual Community Service Leader.

Benny Dorris was elected SGA president, Greg Felock was elected SGA vice president, and Nick Maddock was elected SGA treasurer.

Southern Indiana (Phi-Xi)At the 2013 Greek Life Banquet, the chapter won the following awards: New Member of the Year, Outstanding Greek President of the Year, Fraternal Values Award, Second Place in Greek Week, and the Gold Award for Chapter Excellence.


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On April 11, 2013, several brothers were honored to participate in Tarleton State University’s Silver Taps program. The event is held to honor members of the university family who have died during the last year. Brothers who are part of the ROTC program served on the color guard and the rifle team that delivered a 21-gun salute. Other members volunteered to hold candles in memory of the deceased.

Texas State-San Marcos (Lambda-Phi)Senior Counsel Kelly Frels (1966) is the inaugural recipient of the Kelly Frels Lifetime Achievement Award from the School Law Section of the State Bar of Texas. The award marks the first time that the School Law Section has given a lifetime achievement award, and all lifetime achievement awards given

Tarleton State (Phi-Rho)The chapter was chosen to participate in Stephenville Connect, a pilot program between the Student Government Association,

The City of Stephenville, and the Stephenville Chamber of Commerce. The chapter was one of only 16 campus organizations chosen to participate out of more than 120. Through the program, the chapter has been partnered with the local Meals on Wheels organization and will help with volunteer work and fundraising.

Anthony Linder (2013) was awarded Greek Man of the Year at the university’s annual Leadership and Service Awards. Linder has consistently maintained the highest grade point average within the chapter and has been involved in numerous co-curricular activities. This month, Linder will graduate with honors from the College of Business Administration and has already secured a job as an Educational Leadership Consultant for Lambda Chi Alpha.

On April 12, 2013, the chapter held Initiation Ritual Exemplification for three brothers. In addition, the chapter also initiated 10 brothers for Texas Tech’s Sigma-Nu colony.

Paired with the women of Delta Phi Epsilon and Zeta Phi Beta, the chapter placed second in Greek Week. During the week the groups participated in Greek trivia, service projects, and games.


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Wabash (Alpha-Kappa)Undergraduate brother and IFC President Sky King (2015) helped organize “A Celebration of Greek Life,” an event attended by more than 200 students, alumni advisors, faculty, staff, and administrators who gathered to celebrate Greek life on the campus at the College’s first Wabash Fraternity Day. The event was organized by the IFC and the Wabash Fraternity Advisors. The goal was to get fraternity men talking with one another in order to better seize opportunities and solve problems.

Washington (Alpha-Psi)On April 27, 2013, the chapter teamed up with the women of Alpha Phi sorority to participate in the University of Washington’s Relay for Life, raising more than $2,360.

Western Carolina (Beta-Zeta)

The chapter received Chapter of the Year honors in addition to being considered a Five Pillar Chapter of Excellence.

by the section going forward will carry Frels’ name. Frels and four others created the School Law Section in 1971, and the Section now has more than 600 members. Frels has worked as an attorney for public and private schools, community colleges, universities and other public bodies for more than 40 years. He served

as president of the State Bar of Texas from 2004 to 2005. He also was a chapter founder and former chapter president.

Texas Tech (Sigma-Nu Colony)Chapter Advisor Mark Tatkenhorst (1987) was named IFC’s 2013 Outstanding Alumnus.

Tulsa (Epsilon-Upsilon)Donald J. Iverson (1951) died April 14, 2013. An Eagle Scout, he served in the U.S. Air Force during World War II. He went to work for John Zink Co. in 1951, retiring as a senior sales consultant after 43 years.

Union (Lambda-Zeta)

For the third consecutive year, the chapter won the Small Group 1st Place Award at Union University’s annual Variety Show.


CHAPTER NEWS



Contribution to the Greek Community.

Kocienski shared The President of the Year award with Syndey Baker of the Alpha Xi Delta sorority. The award was presented by Andrew Beliveau (Worcester 2012) who received the award last year. During Kocienski’s 2012 tenure as president, the chapter remained one of the largest on campus, ranked first nationally in the annual food drive, and earned its sixth consecutive “excellent” rating from the General Fraternity’s ELC. Outside the chapter Kocienski is a championship runner on the varsity men’s track team. He is a mechanical engineering major from Schaghticoke, New York, and will begin work for GE Transportation in Erie, Pennsylvania, after graduation.

DiLullo, of East Lyme, Connecticut, received the male Order of Omega Excellence Award. He is a mechanical engineering major who has displayed academic excellence throughout his four years. Outside the classroom, DiLullo has helped his peers as a tutor. In his own words, “Academic excellence means spending the time to pass on the knowledge.”

Ventola was Lambda Chi Alpha’s recipient for the Living the Ritual Award. He served as the 2012 chapter ritualist. Moreover, the award is also in recognition of how Ventola demonstrates the values of Lambda Chi Alpha in his everyday life. He is a management major from Ipswich, Massachusetts, and will graduate this May.

Honorary initiate Plant was recognized for his Outstanding Service to the Greek Community. He retired from WPI last year but his commitment to the community remains unwavering. He continues to mentor students, deliver outstanding barbeques at fraternity events, and serves the public outside of WPI.

The House Corporation Excellence Award was based on demonstrated success in managing the chapter’s facility at 30 Dean Street. In the past year the House Corporation introduced electronic leases and continued maintenance initiatives started in the prior year. This summer the House Corporation will implement a series of upgrades to the facility.

The chapter, in cooperation with the alumni association, was recognized for Outstanding Alumni Programming. As part of our Centennial Celebration the chapter is in the middle of hosting 18 events over the course of the year.

Widener (Beta-Chi)George L. Richon (1979) died March 6, 2013. A U.S. Army lieutenant colonel, he retired in 2002 after serving his country with distinction for 23 years. He commanded the Army’s Harrisburg Recruiting Battalion and served in the Pentagon office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Personnel on 9/11. During his career he was awarded the Legion of Merit, five Meritorious Service Medals, and three Army Achievement Medals. Following his retirement he served as a program analyst in the Education Service of the Department of Veterans’ Affairs. At the time of his death he worked for the VA National Cemetery Administration. He was an Eagle Scout.

Wittenberg (Nu-Zeta)On May 2, 2013, the chapter hosted its semi-annual Reading Day Cookout to raise money for Second Harvest Food Bank.

Chapter President Alec Biehl (2014) was honored at Wittenberg’s Honors Convocation as the first-ranked student academically in his class.

On April 10, 2013, Chapter Advisor Bob White, who will be retiring at the end of the semester, won the Unsung Hero Award at the Wittenberg Leadership Awards. The chapter’s House Corporation will donate $500 to the Rocking Horse Center in Springfield in his name.

Worcester (Pi)The chapter was recognized for excellent operations by their peers in the WPI Greek community at the annual Greek Alumni Council Awards Ceremony. The chapter took home President of the Year (Steve Kocienski

2013), Male Order of Omega Excellence Award (Greg DiLullo 2013), Outstanding Risk Management, Outstanding Member Development, honor roll for the Public Relations Award, House Corporation Excellence Award, Outstanding Alumni Programming, Living the Ritual Award (James Ventola 2013), and Clarence Plant (Honorary) was recognized for Outstanding


FEATURE

O n May 12th, families across the world will be

celebrating Mother’s Day. While we typically think of our

own biological mothers on this special day, it’s important

to remember, and thank, the women who serve as mothers

to tens, hundreds, sometimes thousands of men in many

Lambda Chi Alpha chapters.

From etiquette training to personal counseling and dating advice, to sewing buttons on a worn pair of slacks, these housemothers employ a certain “woman’s touch” that is necessary in a young man’s life. They are also firsthand witnesses to the core values and experiences of Lambda Chi Alpha and how those can change a man’s life during his collegiate years.

The three housemothers who are profiled in this article are Sheila Patsiner at the Alpha-Alpha chapter at Butler University, Sara Jo Burks at the Sigma-Tau chapter at Troy University, and Jane Bryce at the Alpha-Pi chapter at the University of Denver. These women represent the hard work and dedication of Lambda Chi Alpha housemothers in chapters across North America.

Sheila Patsiner - Alpha-Alpha Zeta, Butler University

Patsiner has served as Alpha-Alpha Zeta’s housemother for seven and a half years. Prior to working for Lambda Chi Alpha she was the housemother at the Tri-Delta sorority at Purdue University.

Why did you decide to become a housemother?

I had been a house mom in the early 1990s and then went back into the business world. When the company I worked for decided to outsource jobs and some of us were laid off, I decided I would like to try to go back to being a house mom because I had enjoyed it very much.

What are some of your day-to-day responsibilities?

That is really hard to say because every day is different. In the winter it could be making sure we have heat and that the plumbing is working right, or that the staff is here and doing what they are supposed to do. It may also be sewing on a button before someone has an interview or ironing a shirt. It is being sure they eat well and are healthy; that they know they have someone to talk with if they need to. I think it is like being a mom anywhere but there are 57 young men.

What are some points of wisdom that you have bestowed on the gentlemen of the chapter?

I hope that they show respect, as I always have to them; to be polite and also be strong and stick to your beliefs even when others around you say to do something else; to think before you do “something dumb;” and to take care of the brotherhood you have joined.

What is your favorite part of your job?

The men. They are good guys, and when they know you are truly here for them they are wonderful to be with. I enjoy

To coincide with Mother’s Day, we honor the housemothers of Lambda Chi Alpha.By Andrew Talevich (Washington State)

The Mothers of Lambda Chi Alpha


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going to their intramural games and when they perform, and they seem to like it when I do. Again, it’s what you do if you enjoy the job.

Sara Jo Burks - Sigma-Tau Zeta, Troy University

Burks is the Assistant Director of Housing and Residence Life at Troy University. Although she is not a live-in housemother, she still plays a significant role in the young men’s lives. She has served as Sigma-Tau Zeta’s housemother since 1995.

What are some points of wisdom that you have bestowed on the gentlemen of the chapter?

I have conducted manners and etiquette training and counseled young men on everything from what major they should choose to how to deal with parental difficulties or unplanned pregnancies. I’ve sewn buttons on, sewn

up ripped pants, consoled them when a brother has died, encouraged them when a brother was down, and have gone to chapter meetings when the chapter was in conflict, to remind them of their brotherhood and what they truly mean to each other. But the most important thing I feel that I do for the brothers of Lambda Chi Alpha is simply to be there for them without judging, offering them someone to be the mom they need when they can’t talk to their own, or they don’t have a mom. All young men, no matter how smart they are, sometimes need someone to talk to. I let them know that I am there when they need me.

What is your favorite part of your job?

Our brothers are so appreciative and loving. If I drive up they always ask if I need any help. They greet me with a hug and “Hey Mrs. Sara Jo.” Now who wouldn’t want to bake a surprise for such wonderful guys? They always show their appreciation in different ways such as flowers, gifts, restaurant gift certificates and say, “You and your husband take this and go out to eat, you’re always cooking for us, we want you to be served instead of serving.” I would do anything for these guys because they appreciate everything. They always hug me and tell me they love me. Nothing on earth could be better than sharing in their lives and seeing them come back at Homecoming with their families and seeing their sweet babies.

What are some of the challenges you face as a housemother?

I guess sometimes it is a challenge to watch them have to learn things for themselves; because I want to step in and spare them from difficulties- just like you do for your own kids.


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most importantly, just being there for them in whatever capacity I can and just having a presence.

What are some lessons you have taught the men in the chapter?

I have a full kitchen in my apartment at the chapter house, so once a quarter I cook a home-made meal and invite five of them to dinner and give them lessons in etiquette. I have often taught them how to do their laundry and how to iron. Hopefully, I also give them some good advice when they come to me to discuss their personal lives or ask for dating tips.

From your perspective, how have you seen the men in the chapter continually develop during their undergraduate lives?

I see the biggest difference when they come back from studying abroad their junior year. They seem to grow up so much during that time. They also grow so much physically over four years. They start their freshman year as boys and turn into men by the time they graduate (well, most of them anyway).

Jane Bryce - Alpha-Pi Zeta, University of Denver

Bryce has been the housemother at Alpha-Pi Zeta for the last four years. She previously worked as the housemother at the Delta-Gamma chapter for five years.

Why did you decide to become a house mom?

My daughter was in a sorority at her university, and when I went to visit during her sophomore year when she lived at the house I met her House Mom and I thought to myself, “that would be a fun job”. After my daughter graduated and moved away I decided it was time to check into it, and two weeks later I was offered a job at the Delta Gamma house at the University of Denver. A year and a half after I left that sorority house I became the House Mom at Lambda Chi when their new house was completed.

What are some of your responsibilities as housemother?

I think my primary responsibility is to keep the gentlemen safe. I monitor hallways and other areas of the house where it could be a detriment to their safety. I also make sure the house is relatively clean and the residents follow through with their chores. I work closely with the House Manager on this. I also submit all work orders for the house. But


FEATURE

The character Cullen Bohannon on AMC’s hit show, Hell on Wheels, is a straight-talking, ex-confederate soldier who carries a Remington pistol and sports a haggard beard and a tapered flattop crown hat over his long hair.

In real life, Bohannon is played by actor Anson Mount (Sewanee 1995) and, while he’s far from the renegade outlaw he portrays on the television screen, Mount sees his role on the hit television show as an actor who is playing an elaborate game of make-believe.

“You have to play make-believe really well and really consistently and you have to be professional,” he said.

Despite the fictitious character Mount plays day-in and day-out, he has had some very real experiences professionally, personally, and through Lambda Chi Alpha that have shaped the person he has become.

Defining MomentsAs a freshman at Sewanee: The University of the South, Mount remembers himself as being an awkward theatre major who dressed differently than anyone else on campus and wore Buddy Holly glasses. Regardless of his appearance, the men from the Iota-Nu chapter of Lambda Chi Alpha accepted Mount for who he was.

Hell on Wheels actor Anson Mount (Sewanee 1995) discusses his career and his steps to preserve his chapter, Iota-Nu Zeta, which recently celebrated its 50th anniversary.

The Real Anson Mount

By Michele James


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“It gave me a safe place to be myself. I was able to grow up a bit and also have a really good time. I was very thankful for my association with Lambda Chi,” Mount said.

David Dault (Sewanee 1994) was Mount’s big brother in the chapter. Dault became close to Mount because he served as the fraternity educator when Mount was an associate member. Through a series of fraternity education sessions the two became close.

Despite all the fond memories Mount possesses of his Lambda Chi Alpha experience, he also remembers enormous challenges and bitter feelings he developed for the General Fraternity. These challenges would serve as a defining point for Mount, his brothers, and the entire chapter of Iota-Nu. When Mount joined the chapter the membership total was well below 20 men. During Mount’s freshman year, he was elected as the chapter’s recruitment chairman. Bryan Eklund (Sewanee 1995), Mount’s close friend in the chapter and the High Alpha at the time, remembers how much of an asset Mount was for the chapter as a great recruiter.

“The same thing that makes him such a great actor; it’s a certain ‘je ne sais quoi.’ He can charm you in conversation and he talks to anyone at any level with ease,” Eklund said.

Even with Mount’s early success at recruitment, the chapter was put on suspended operations because of the low number of men present in the chapter. The men of Iota-Nu faced a turning point. Eklund recalls the long talks he and Mount would have at their summer job at a camp in North Carolina. They mulled over Lambda Chi Alpha and whether it was worth staying loyal to the organization that had

threatened to shut down their chapter.

“We thought Lambda Chi Alpha was important and it was important to be maintained on campus,” Eklund said.

During that time Mount decided to remain recruitment chairman and Eklund decided to lead the chapter as president. The men vowed to fight to renew their chapter.

“Our goal was to make the chapter as extroverted as we could and grow the chapter but not by sacrificing the quality of men that we brought into the chapter,” Mount said.

At the next summer conference the chapter was fully reinstated after the undergraduate brothers brought their case to the General Assembly floor. Upon returning to campus the next fall, the men of Iota-Nu had a renewed sense of pride in their chapter.

“We developed recruitment strategies as a group and came up with great ideas and really supported each other,” Dault said. “Anson was at the center of that, and really encouraged it to happen.”

Through the bittersweet ordeal, the men of the chapter have had plenty of time to reflect on what that particular series of events meant to them and what they had learned from the process. For Dault, even though he still questions the decision of the General Fraternity to put the chapter on suspended operations, the experience taught him the value of forgiveness.


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“It was at Iota-Nu that I learned what consequences feel like. But I also truly learned what it is to feel forgiveness and be forgiven,” Dault said.

Hell on Wheels

After graduating from Sewanee in 1995, Mount enrolled in Columbia University’s theatre program. He would go on to star in various shows including Conviction, Third Watch, and Line of Fire, but his major breakthrough came in 2011 when he earned the leading role for Hell on Wheels.

Hell on Wheels is about an emotionally battered man who winds up working on the construction of a railroad while he searches for the men who killed his wife. The setting of the show takes place at a westward expansion site of the Union Pacific Railroad that is rife with prostitution, Indian attacks, ruthless capitalism, manifest destiny, and racial tensions between formers slaves and Confederate soldiers.

Bohannon is an ambiguous character throughout the show. During his quest for brutal vengeance he eventually earns the trust of those around him and becomes a vehicle for law and morality in this hostile environment.

Hell on Wheels is filmed in Calgary, Alberta, in Canada. Mount is currently on set for the production of the third season of the show that begins on August 3, 2013.

Question & Answer

Recently, I reached out to Anson for a few ad-ditional comments and we shared the following exchange:

MJ: So are you really a tough guy?

AM: No. The men and women serving in our military are the tough guys. I just put on a costume and pretend to work for a living. In fact, my brothers from Iota-Nu routinely make fun of me for being seen as a tough guy. They still remember the geek.

MJ: How did you end up at Sewanee?

AM: My father went to Sewanee. In the sum-mers he and I would often visit Arthur Ben Chitty and his wife Elizabeth, both of whom served as the official historians of the University. There was never a time that I did not associ-ate the concept of college with the concept of Sewanee. Despite the fact that I’m a legacy, it was still my choice at the end of the day, and it’s one of the best decisions I ever made.

MJ: Why did you decide to join Lambda Chi?

AM: In order to explain this, I first have to ex-plain how Sewanee’s Greek system is different than most others. For around 1,100 students we had 11 national fraternities represented. Houses are designed to only hold one or two students at a time, the reason being a diverse and collec-tive student body mixed within the dormitories. By the same philosophy, all parties other than scheduled formals are required to be open to all students. You will quickly see the positive ef-fects of this inclusive social spirit when you visit Sewanee. By my senior year, I had just as many friends in other fraternities as I had in my own. As a freshman, I was fairly certain that I wanted

to join somewhere. The Lambda Chis were a very small group of fiercely individual people. I was still a bit awkward at that time, to put it mildly, and the Lambda Chis gave me a place where I could be proud to be myself. They were also somewhat insular at that time and I think my class saw an opportunity to join and help to create something bigger and more visible.

MJ: Tell me about your Fraternity experience?

AM: I would credit most of the benefits of my Greek experience to Iota-Nu specifically, and to Lambda Chi Alpha minimally. I will preface my next set of comments by reminding readers that I graduated in 1995 and have not been terribly involved in Lambda Chi’s developments since then. Therefore, I cannot speak with authority regarding the development of policy. I am speaking from my experience and my point-of-view, much of which was created by events of the early ‘90s. The second semester of my freshman year, the Iota-Nu chapter was shut down due to low membership numbers. This was the same year that we doubled member-ship from eight to about 15 or 16. Thus began a semester and summer-long battle to re-secure our charter and do whatever we could to keep Iota-Nu alive. Although we liked to think of our-selves as being different than most chapters, we identified ourselves as being Lambda Chis first, fostered on its ideals, and accustomed to the belief that we were providing something good and necessary to the Greek system at Sewanee. But mostly we were just pissed off and ready to prove something. What our chapter had going for us was a few good men on the national level who campaigned for us to be reinstated on a trial basis. But the orders were given and they were made clear: get your numbers up or else you’re done. So that’s what we did. We rushed ourselves dizzy and standards for recruit-


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For Mount, playing Bohannon in Hell on Wheels is a dream job that came about after a much-needed career change. Prior to moving to New York three years ago, Mount was based in Los Angeles and played numerous roles in television and films as a lawyer or a doctor or “the good-looking guy in the office,” Mount said.

Mount was bored with these generic roles and wanted a change. He decided to get back to his roots of acting in theatre productions, so he moved to New York and auditioned for various acting roles.

“That was a scary moment. I stopped grooming myself or trying to be the best looking guy,” he said.

The move paid off. Mount started booking about 60 percent of the auditions he tried out for and his schedule quickly filled up. Eventually his acting in New York would open the door for him to play Cullen Bohannon.

Mount’s role on Hell on Wheels meshed well with his background. Though Mount is quick to point out that he should not be confused with the character he is playing, both actor and character share deep southern roots and strong convictions about doing what they think is right, despite what others may say or feel.

“I just thank my lucky stars. I’m so happy about following my instincts and doing what I wanted to do,” Mount said.

Staying Active

Despite the time-consuming acting career that includes months on the set of Hell on Wheels, in addition to other projects Mount is currently involved with, he still maintains a life outside of his acting roles.

Mount currently volunteers with Team Rubicon, an organization dedicated to providing disaster relief. Last October, after Hurricane Sandy battered the East Coast, Mount participated in the clean-up efforts and also helped with a fundraising event for Team Rubicon.

Mount has also stayed involved with the Iota-Nu chapter and continues to strengthen the bonds of brotherhood that were first formed more than 20 years ago.

One of Mount’s current best friends is a fellow Iota-Nu brother who associated with the chapter four years after Mount graduated. Will Martin (Sewanee 2002) credits his friendship with Mount to the close connections that are upheld by different generations of alumni of the chapter.

“The remarkable thing is that the very same spirit -- this strange and wonderful zeitgeist that I myself experienced in my time as a student -- is still very much a part of the chapter,” Martin said.

Mount still has a solid relationship with both Dault and Eklund. The three sometimes share stories of their trials and triumphs during their undergraduate years at Sewanee.

“We give each other some truth and keep it real,” he said.

ment were lowered significantly. During the first semester of my sophomore year we grew by 10 men. The next year by 15. By the time I was in my first year of graduate school, not only did we win the Dean’s Cup, we were on our way to being one of the largest fraternities on campus. This eventually happened... and so did something else. Factions cropped up within the fraternity. There were those who wanted to renovate the house and have regu-lar Kappa sessions; and then there were those who placed partying first. We received social probation for violating university policy... more than once. This resulted in an alumni board review and an overall probationary period for the fraternity which, yet again, resulted in lower numbers. It was a situation caused, in large part, by the actions of myself and several others who had already gradu-ated. But we did not dwindle to the numbers we had in the early ‘90s. As of this writing, membership at Iota Nu stands at 47 men with 35 active. I have had the opportunity to meet many of the current members of Iota Nu and they seem like fine and responsible men. In fact, if I can judge by only a couple of recent visits, I would say it’s the best overall group of Iota-Nu men we’ve seen in a long time.

MJ: I understand the 50th anniversary celebra-tion is coming up for Iota-Nu. Will you be in attendance?

AM: No, unfortunately I am unavailable.

MJ: Anson, I’m sure we could go on and on, but let me ask just one last thing: What lessons or experiences did you gain from your chapter that still resonate with you today?

AM: I suppose I learned that when you’re right, you know it in your gut and nothing can stop you.


FEATURE

Iota-Nu’s 50th Celebration

On April 6, 2013, Anson Mount’s chapter, Iota-Nu Zeta at the University of Sewanee, celebrated their 50th anniversary.

Lambda Chi Alpha CEO Bill Farkas (Butler 1988) spoke at the event. Noah Breazeale, Iota-Nu chapter president, also spoke during the anniversary. The following are the prepared remarks he delivered to the undergraduates and alumni:

“I was not told to go any direction with the speech other than what I saw fit for the brothers not only in the active chapter but the entirety of it. I sat at my desk last night trying to think of the most eloquent way to communicate the love that I, as well as so many, have for this chapter. I’ve found the most simple way is to tell why I am here today as the president of this fraternity. I lack the knowledge of this chapter’s great history and the many achievements of our brotherhood. Therefore, I will take a different approach. What makes this chapter great is not our academic successes, although there are many. Nor, is it the parties, hanging out, etc. What we have here is something really special. We have a brotherhood, a real brotherhood -- so strong, so diverse, so huge. I can honestly look at every face in this room and call each and every one of you a brother.”

“I stand before you today a 19-year-old English major, and like everyone else, I’m always stretched for time. Out of all the stress, mental and physical fatigue, late nights, bad days there is one thing that is always there: Lambda Chi. I can look at any one of my brothers for support, for respect, and for help. We don’t always get along by any means, but every one of them is my brother. My body bears no markings or piercings with one exception: under my right shoulder blade I have three words, “Vir Quisque Vir” - Every Man a Man. There is no type of man, there is no definition. Every man is a man and that is exactly why I joined. Those three words mean everything that we’re about. Lambda Chi is the place where everyone is accepted. It is the place that you can go and be yourself. It is the place that doesn’t judge. When I came to Lambda Chi as a freshman I found a place full of good people striving to build a community. A community built out of trust and forgiveness. Anyone who has gone through Initiation week can tell you that. I knew from the second I stepped through the front doors that I wanted to be a Lambda Chi. It was because of the people who reached out to me, accepted me with no conditions, gave me a chance to be part of something great that I speak to you today. They are the reason I wanted to become president. It is nothing but the utmost honor that I was given that position; to have the trust of so many excellent people; to be able to stand back and watch this family work and grow is something truly wonderful.”

“There is a running joke on calling the High Alphas “dads.” We’ve had cool dads, crazy dads. You name it and there has probably been an example. I don’t know what kind of dad I’ll be yet, but I sure as hell am looking forward to it.”

A Game of Make Believe

While Mount continues to strengthen his ties with Lambda Chi Alpha, he looks forward to his ongoing game of make-believe as he survives shootouts, rides horses, and keeps order on the railroad as Cullen Bohannon.

“The bottom line is that as actors we get to be the kids of the world, and the rest of the adults like to watch us play,” he said. “And if you ever lose that sense of play then you’re dead in the water.”

Martin is thrilled at seeing his Lambda Chi Alpha brother and best friend succeed in his role as Cullen Bohannon. But he knows that behind Bohannon’s bravado is the real Anson Mount.

“He’s just pretending to be someone else, in some other weird place and time,” Martin said. “But I suppose that’s about all the pretending that Anson’s really capable of. In my experience you can’t find a more genuine, honorable person. Just ‘acting’ that way isn’t really his strong suit.”

Follow Anson on Social MediaTwitter: https://twitter.com/ansonmountFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/ansonmount1


FEATURE

Over the weekend from Friday, March 15, to Sunday, March 17, Sigma Zeta at the University of Michigan celebrated its 100th anniversary as a chapter of Lambda Chi Alpha.

The centennial celebration began with a cocktail reception at the Ann Arbor City Club on Friday night, continued with chapter house and campus tours, and culminated with a formal banquet on Saturday night at the Barton Hills Country Club. The Centennial Banquet included remarks from Mary Beth Seiler, University of Michigan Director of Greek Life Affairs; Lambda Chi Alpha CEO Bill Farkas (Butler 1988); chapter President Rex Zhou (Michigan); former Grand High Alpha Murphy Osborne (High Point

1958); and former Lambda Chi Alpha Executive Vice President George Spasyk (Michigan 1949).

The celebration capped off a storied history for Sigma Zeta, a chapter that has produced many prominent alumni, earned numerous awards, and even served as the site that would forever change the history of Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity.

Sigma Zeta was founded as the eighth chapter of Lambda Chi Alpha on March 31, 1913. This group of men had just formed up as a local fraternity a year earlier. In 1914 the new chapter received a boost in membership when they absorbed another local fraternity, Mu Psi. Twenty-five

Last month alumni and undergraduates converged in Ann Arbor to celebrate our Michigan chapter’s 100th anniversary.

Celebrating Sigma’s Centennial

By Andrew Talevich (Washington State)


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years later, during the 1939 merger of Lambda Chi Alpha and Theta Kappa Nu, Sigma Zeta and Michigan Alpha, the Theta Kappa Nu chapter on the University of Michigan campus, united as one chapter. In 1963 the chapter hosted its 50th anniversary and, during the banquet, Grand High Alpha Lee Tuttle (Duke) delivered the keynote address.

The chapter also served as a major turning point for the General Fraternity shortly after it was established. In 1919 the General Fraternity hosted its General Assembly in Ann Arbor at the Michigan Union Building. During the meeting the decision was made that founder Warren A. Cole (Boston 1913) would step down as both Grand High Alpha and official jeweler. Ernst J.C Fisher (Cornell 1910) was appointed the Grand High Alpha and Bruce McIntosh (DePauw 1916) was made the Administrative Secretary. In addition the Balfour company was named as Lambda Chi Alpha’s official jeweler. This controversial turn of events is often denoted as the turning point for Lambda Chi Alpha that led the way for a reorganization that would make it the prominent fraternity it is known as today.

Of Sigma Zeta’s nearly 2,000 alumni, three have served on Lambda Chi Alpha’s Professional Staff, seven have served on the Student Advisory Committee, one is currently serving on the Lambda Chi Alpha Educational Foundation board, three have received the Order of Merit, and two have received the Order of Achievement (see side bar). The chapter received the Phoenix Award in 1974, along with earning the Grand High Alpha Award in 1976 and 1979.

The theme for the Centennial Banquet was “100 Years of Honest Friendship.” In attendance were Sigma Zeta brothers and their families from multiple generations of the chapter.

The Sigma Zeta Housing Corporation also sponsored the current undergraduate membership so they and their dates could also attend this significant event. The highlight of the banquet came during George Spasyk’s speech in which he shared his reflections of his experience as a Sigma Zeta brother at the University of Michigan.

Centennial Chairman

Ethan Rein (2007) served as the chairman for Sigma Zeta’s centennial celebrations:

What was your role in the planning/execution of the Sigma Centennial?

“The plans for the event started at Founders Day 2010 when I volunteered to serve as the event chairman. I consulted with George Spasyk and George Isaac, who had organized the chapter’s 90th Anniversary Banquet in 2003. We decided to have the events in March, around Founders Day. I also had some documentation from Sigma’s 50th Anniversary weekend, which served as inspiration for many of the elements, such as the campus bus tour. In the early planning, we decided how to structure the weekend and started looking for venues. George Pomey (1965) volunteered to organize the early arrival reception on Friday, March 15. Rocky Pozza (1971) helped get us a reservation at the Barton Hills Country Club. Tom Cecchini (1965) used his contacts in the Athletic Department to help set up the tour of Michigan Stadium. Once the rough plans were in place, we started promoting the event in our newsletter The Sigman, through additional mailings and emails. Nate


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Whetsell (2005) coordinated the promotion for the event, for which we had online mail-based registration. We also invited special guests including university and General Fraternity representatives. Nate Whetsell (2005), Chris VanDeusen (2008), and I worked on the banquet program. We decided to create a program that would celebrate Sigma’s proud history using the Paedagogus and chapter history records. I planned the program and scripted as many of the presentations and introductions as possible. The undergraduates helped with a lot of the smaller details for the event such as coordinating a lunch time reception at the chapter house and providing decorations for the banquet hall. They also provided a lot of help in setting up and welcoming alumni at the various events. Most importantly, they had great attitudes throughout the weekend and made positive impressions on their alumni brothers. I had attended a chapter meeting a few weeks before the event to make sure that all the undergraduates were aware of the plans and activities. Throughout the planning process I was able to bounce a lot of ideas around with George Spasyk, Steve Marin (2002), Nate Whetsell (2005), and Andy Knowlton (1974).”

What were your favorite moments during the event?

“I had a blast the whole weekend. Having the chance to serve as the Master of Ceremonies for the banquet program was a real treat. I was especially proud to be able to lead the group in recognizing all the honored guests, people who helped throughout the weekend, and recognize our most senior brothers. I also am glad we took a group photo with all the Sigma Brothers at the end of the banquet. We tried to get about 90 alumni and 30 undergraduates in the picture. When it was suggested the day before, I wasn’t sure we’d be able to make it happen. However, it was worth a try and I think it worked out well. We also got a round of ‘Hip Hip Hooray’ in during the photo shoot. The most-often

asked question I received during the planning process was whether or not George Spasyk would be there. His presence throughout the weekend really made the event special. It was a pleasure to interact with him and to see him spend time with undergraduates and alumni of all ages. My father, who is not a member of the fraternity, volunteered his services as a photographer for the banquet. His generosity benefited us greatly.”

What was the overall attitude of alumni and undergraduates after the event?

“In casual moments at the hotel where many of the alumni brothers stayed over the weekend or as we cleaned up from the banquet, I received a huge number of a well-wishes from alumni about the weekend. I especially enjoyed visiting with the undergraduates and their dates [who] stayed to help clean up after the banquet. It had been a long day and their spirits were very high. I had the impression they enjoyed the food, the program, and the company.”

How significant of an event was this for your chapter?

“One of the great opportunities this weekend provided was a chance for alumni to see the house and meet the undergraduates. They’ve been doing really well in recent years and this was a good chance for some fresh faces to see the fruits of the labor. I think we will measure the significance of this event by the alumni involvement we see in the near future. We were able to attract dozens of brothers to the banquet, that we hadn’t seen in the recent past. Hopefully, they enjoyed themselves at the 100th Anniversary events and will come back for Founders Day and Homecoming celebrations, golf outings, and work days in the coming years. That said, I hope that everyone went away from the weekend with the same fond feelings that I did. It was a special opportunity to be an undergraduate


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at Sigma and this was a chance to rekindle the excitement of my undergraduate experience. I was honored to be trusted as the event chairman, to be able to involve so many brothers in the planning and execution of the event, and to be a part of the event which was a success.”

George Spasyk’s Reflections

[Editor’s Note: Spasyk shared his reflections about the memorable experiences he had as an undergraduate in the Sigma Zeta chapter house more than 60 years ago. The following are the prepared remarks he delivered at the Centennial Banquet.]

What is Lambda Chi Alpha at Michigan?

It’s the virgin adventure that starts a young fellow off with mixed feelings of doubt and high spirits, apprehension, and anticipation…. Or it’s the rekindled desire of going back to books, to friends, to time-worn ways…. Or it’s an old-timer’s memories of the happiest hours of his life.

It’s coming into the old train depot of the Wolverine Special and the mountains of trunks gradually making their way up to the campus… It’s the feel of football in the air…. It’s the trees that line Washtenaw Avenue.... It’s the hallowed ivy-choked walls of University Hall that stand now in blessed memory like sentinels guarding the gate to the past… It’s the ancient red bricked East Hall which surely must have been the first such structure in the New World. It’s the inter-mingling of high-pitched voices near the big block “M” in front of the library steps….. It’s the torrential flood of students from class at the stroke of the hour… It’s the congested diag from State Street to East U, that leads to the

Parrot, George’s, Witham’s- take your pick.

It’s the Engine Arch at the entrance to the campus, an awesome reminder of a hundred unsuccessful attempts to seal it up…. It’s work duties at the house Saturday morning… It’s pledge formal, and Mother’s Day…. It’s Founders Day with Ross MacNaughton, Doc Lockwood, Duke Zimmerli and Curt Bottum retelling the legend of the Sorosis Dog and the Chi O housemother.

It’s a Saturday morning in downtown Ann Arbor when the farmers come in to hold up corner buildings and hash over the weather and the crops with their local friends… It’s City Hall and the square, that are just as much a tradition with the Ann Arborites as the campus ivy is with the students… It’s the Bird Club at the Parrot Restaurant on State Street most any morning of the week where the stag males collect and look for someone they know or someone they would like to know… It’s the Sugar Bowl Restaurant on Main Street in downtown with owners Paul, Charlie, and Tony Preketes hovering lovingly around the Lambda Chi Alpha Memorial Booth.

It’s the musical click of the pool cues at the Union when there is half an hour to squander before the next class…. It’s the Bohemian atmosphere of the P-Bell and Rice’s with their mutilated tables, where potato chips and glasses brimming with cold beer serve to whet the appetite before, after, or instead of the sloppy Friday night dinner.

It’s the miraculous transformation of the IM Building for J-Hop, with a satin canopy leading you to the enchanted corridor of make-believe… It’s breakfast at the house, and a last lingering kiss at 4:00 am… It’s the frenzied fervor of Homecoming with outdoor decorations, all-night work sessions, a bonfire, Fitz Crisler rolling his pant legs to his knees, and a dance with both Jimmy Dorsey and Tommy


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Dorsey bands playing… It’s the stirring spectacle of a football game, with flushed faces and cracked voices… It’s the blare of the band as the long, maize and blue columns go high-stepping out of the pages of LIFE Magazine and on down the field, hailing the Champions of the West… It’s Bob Ufer extolling the virtues of his beloved Meechigan… It’s pennants whipped by November winds… and “The Yellow and Blue” raising a lump in your throat.

It’s Major, our succession of St. Bernard dogs chasing the mailman up Hill Street and catching up with him on the FIJI lawn…. It’s the busy, unread weekends filled with dances, parties, picnics and games…. Trips to Detroit, dating and letters home…. It’s the screaming, shrieking noise when the team has rallied from defeat or has clinched victory, and it’s the hushed pall and bleeding silence when the team has failed in the fleeting seconds---- the Western

Conference Championship and the Rose Bowl trip down the tubes---- and then you look up and you notice miraculously that THE UNIVERSITY STILL STANDS!

It’s State Street with a green, cheerier face during the Yuletide season, decked out in streamers of bright, seasonal lights, rollicking bells and miniature Santa Clauses perched atop the street lights that line the main stem… It’s the mad dash for the Wolverine and the Mercury Specials, which they called the trains, heading East and West for Christmas at home… It’s munching popcorn at the State or the Michigan Theaters on Sunday night… It’s vaudeville at Varsity Night and Gulantics Review.

It’s the dazzling, almost poetic sunsets in the spring when the campus and the town are streaked with alternate patches of sunlight and shadow… It’s the perpetual race for the showers and running out of hot water on Saturday night, and time fretted away in a sorority living room under the watchful eye of the housemother on a rainy Sunday afternoon when the time could have been spent more profitably in the Arb… It’s the jangle of automobile horns in the salmon-colored dusk and the flashing image of a blond head in the blur of an open-top convertible racing up Washtenaw past the house and on over to Ypsi.

It’s the cold harsh floor of the cold dorm beneath bare feet in the gray, drowsy dawn…. It’s the thick taste after Saturday night and the released mental whirlpools in the serenity of a church pew Sunday morning… It’s the September work week with painting, mopping, painting, scrubbing, painting, mowing, painting… painting… painting… wondering if the house would collapse if all the paint were removed… It’s Frank Pipp’s Folly in the parking lot in back of the house, standing there like the Great Wall of China… It’s the lurid covers of books when thumbing through the imposing array at Follett’s, Ulrich’s, Wahr’s and Slater’s… It’s the steady mumble of voices and occasional puncture of laughter from the corridor when immersed in the Kinsey Report in the library reading room… It’s Dean of Women Alice Lloyd walking home on Washtenaw one summer afternoon and reporting to the campus cops that “there’s something going on at Lambda Chi house”… And it’s spending the next semester on social probation… It’s chasing bats with tennis racquets just about any summer evening, in the hallways, in the dorms, and in the rooms.

Distinguished Sigma Zeta Alumni

Order of MeritRoss E. MacNaughton (Michigan 1927)John B. Van Why (Michigan 1932)J. George Friess (Michigan 1957)

Order of AchievementGeorge W. Spasyk (Michigan 1949)C. Robert Kidder (Michigan 1967)

Lambda Chi Alpha Educational Foundation Board MemberCharles W. Cole (Michigan 1973)

Alumni Advisory CommitteeJ. William Schepers (Michigan 1960)

Professional StaffGeorge W. Spasyk (Michigan 1949)J. William Schepers (Michigan 1960)Gregory L. Jones (Michigan 1978)

Student Advisory CommitteeRoger T. Whitaker (Michigan 1973)Bruce L. Koepfgen (Michigan 1974)Louis J. Leonardi (Michigan 1976)Steven M. Scheidt (Michigan 1979)Ethan A. Rein (Michigan 2007)Christopher K. VanDeusen (Michigan 2008)Brian M. Verkinderen (Michigan 2014)


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It’s the Union Opera at the Michigan Theater complete with long, flashing (and hairy) legs, short songs and shorter jokes… It’s the light-hearted atmosphere of Michigras in Yost Fieldhouse, riding on an indoor Ferris Wheel and ringing a sad-eyed duck for a doll.

It’s the nostalgic smell of spring when the muddy waters of the Huron laughingly beckon… Renting a canoe on a Sunday afternoon at the boat-dock… It’s the mouthwatering aroma of the hotdogs over charcoal fires in the picnic setting of the Island… It’s the satisfying smoke that curls skyward from a cigar clenched tightly in the teeth of a football fan and the potent whiff of bonded bourbon in a masculine stomach, class of ’03… It’s the band playing the National Anthem four times to stop the fight at the 50-yard line between the freshmen and the sophomores after Cane Rush, and the freshmen tossing their beanies in the stands when they end up with the most canes… It’s the clean, washed look of nature after a ponderous rain… It’s

the fragrant odor of a gardenia pinned to the strap of an evening gown.

It’s the honky-tonk atmosphere of Schwaben’s Tavern as it was of Joe’s and the Orient of yesteryear… It’s Sunday night supper at the Old G and Metzgers, when minds were mellow in the deafening din of chatter over a pitcher of dark beer… It’s the unspoken, joyful thanks when the end of the year is a step away and books are closed for the summer or for good… And it’s the twinge of sadness when leaving friends and brothers, familiar and comfortable places, and the pulsating tempo of college and fraternity… Carrying away only the fertile memories and the starched diploma....

For me, this was Lambda Chi Alpha at Michigan.

I wish for all of you an experience that, as you can see, will last a lifetime.

SIGMA ZETAOF LAMBDA CHI ALPHA

CENTENNIAL BAN�UETMarch ,

Barton Hills Country ClubAnn Arbor, Michigan

100 Years of Honest Friendship at Michigan


Header

FEATURE

I n 1922 a small, but historic, campus organization

at Michigan State University was formally installed as

Lambda Chi Alpha’s Gamma-Omicron chapter. Previously

known as The Forensic Literary Society, it boasted more

than 200 members prior to becoming Gamma-Omicron

and, in doing so, became the first new national fraternity

at Michigan State University in more than 25 years. Just

as had The Forensic Literary Society, Lambda Chi Alpha

offered young men the opportunity to find purpose and

identity while away at school.

The Gamma-Omicron chapter at Michigan State University, one of the oldest Greek organizations on campus, continues to thrive through philanthropy, fundraising, and tradition.

Gamma-Omicron: A History of Permanence

By AJ Marin (Michigan State 2008)

In joining a larger national fraternity, active members of the Forensic Literary Society understood that the true benefactors of their decision would be the generations of members to come. Gamma-Omicron founder Claud Erickson (1922), who was largely responsible for the transition, believed that Lambda Chi Alpha provided the best opportunity for future young men looking to find a sense of purpose and community while enrolled at Michigan State University.

“I think Erickson knew that the best chance of long-term success was to enlist the support of a national organization,” said John Burgdorfer (1967). “It wasn’t about the current brothers, but the future members. Our founding fathers put their own needs aside and did what was best for the collective brotherhood.”

Erickson’s and the other members’ decision to join Lambda Chi Alpha would prove fruitful as Gamma-Omicron continued to grow. Five years after installation as Gamma-Omicron, the chapter moved into a new house at 128 Haslett Street, which would later be renamed Collingwood Drive. The house would serve Gamma-Omicron for the next 80 years.

Rise of Fraternities and the Jr. 500

In 1948 Gamma-Omicron started what would become one of the premiere college charity events in the nation. Dubbed the Jr. 500, it was one of the first of its kind on a college campus. The main event featured a pushcart race around a road that circles Michigan State University, and it incorporated five-person teams from other campus fraternities and student organizations.

At its peak during the 1960s and ‘70s the Jr. 500 drew crowds nearly 10,000 strong. In fact, in 1972 Detroit Red Wings star

Gamma-Omicron: A History of Permanence

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Gordie “Mr. Hockey” Howe was the official starter for the race. The Jr. 500 would become the largest independently run student event in the nation.

In the 1990s, however, administrative changes and the growth of other campus events impacted the university’s charity landscape and, after the 1991 Jr. 500, Gamma-Omicron hung up their pushcarts. The chapter’s success would remain visible in other fraternity and sorority events, most notably annual Greek Week festivities.

Then, in 2006 the active chapter brothers dedicated themselves to reviving the historic event and were able to

convince school officials of its relevance to the school’s heritage. A route was drawn inside of the original West Circle Drive track, and 17 teams participated in a race that raised more than $1,100 for the St. John’s Student Parish Food Cupboard.

Though Gamma-Omicron no longer hosts the Jr. 500, the chapter participates in a variety of other charities and recently raised $1,500 for the USO during their U.S. Olympics event this spring.

A New Home

In the late 2000s Gamma-Omicron said goodbye to its house on Collingwood Drive, affectionately known as “The Hut.” Once it became clear that the chapter would be unable to acquire the house from its management company, actives began searching for a new residence.

“We all recognized the real possibility of not only losing our house, but not having a chapter at Michigan State University,” said Aaron Letzeiser (2011), Gamma-Omicron alumnus and current house director. “It’s not often that chapters or fraternities are put into that situation, and it became more than having fun and building a brotherhood. We had to fight to survive.”

Letzeiser, along with other actives and officers, led the charge to find a new residence and eventually leased the recently vacated Sigma Alpha Epsilon house in 2009. In the midst of the transition, Gamma-Omicron not only maintained active numbers, but successfully grew its membership. The chapter has added nearly 100 zeta numbers since the fall of 2009.

“I think it ended up being a blessing in disguise, because it gave us the drive to move forward, and the chapter matured because of it,” Letzeiser said. “There’s always some instability when you’re moving houses, both related to chapter operations and in establishing yourself in a neighborhood; but we were cognizant of the challenges. It fueled us to improve our brand on campus and to bring in quality associate classes.”

Recognizing the active membership’s incredible leadership

Cross & Crescent November 201329www.lambdachi.org/cross-crescent


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during such a challenging period, the Gamma-Omicron Alumni Association embarked on a $1 million fundraising effort to acquire a new, permanent home for actives. In addition to developing new alumni association policies and bylaws, Gamma-Omicron recruited volunteers from its alumni base and assembled a team of experts to help facilitate the chapter in acquiring a new residence.

As of late-April 2013, the fundraising campaign has received more than $780,000 in pledged donations and the alumni leadership is confident they’ll be able to meet the $1 million goal. Actives and alumni alike hope that the campaign will allow the chapter to acquire a house a little bit more suited to the current college student.

“The success of this campaign is attributed to the wonderful involvement and drive of active brothers and a financially-sound and feasible business plan,” said Marcus Belanger (2007), campaign coordinator and Housing Committee president. “We knew that raising $1 million would bring a lot of questions from alumni and I’m proud to say that we’ve answered every question we’ve been asked.”

With a successful campaign, the chapter could own its own home for the first time in decades, with little to no debt. The Housing Board expects to be able to pay for taxes, insurance, and property management from the competitively priced rent rates. Additionally, the chapter will develop operational guides that will ensure the facility can be easily cared for by future generations.

“In addition to covering our operating expenses, we’ll also be able to save for future capital improvements and any unforeseen repairs,” said Belanger. “The Housing Board’s goal has been to focus on detailed planning, thoughtful

action, and absolute transparency, and I feel like we’re accomplishing that.”

Current Success

Today, Gamma-Omicron is thriving as one of oldest remaining active Greek organizations at Michigan State. In December 2012 the chapter initiated 23 outstanding new men and then added another 13 in the spring, building the active roster to 90 members. Gamma-Omicron has now initiated more than 2,200 brothers since its founding.

The chapter is currently the fourth-largest house on Michigan State’s campus, and the new class of officers has no interest in slowing down that momentum.

“We’ve grown considerably, but we haven’t forgotten the history of Gamma-Omicron,” said John Durkacz (2015), Gamma-Omicron chapter president. “I think the values that make our chapter great continue to exist, regardless of the house location. We’re staying true to the values of our chapter and we’re going to keep growing and getting better.”

The chapter’s list of accomplishments is impressive. In addition to the size and quality of membership, active members boast the second-highest average GPA on campus at 3.14. A number of active members are engaged with various campus fraternal organizations, including the 2012 IFC President, Devin Cudnohuhsky, and 2012 Greek Academic Man of the Year, Andrew Soave.

“The leadership shown by the actives has been extraordinary and, because of them, the chapter is alive and well,” said John Santeiu (1961), national campaign chairman. “They’re the ones who took action in finding a new house and they’re the ones continuing the legacy we all built by recruiting and building a house on brotherhood. They’ve done their part, so now it’s our turn to ensure that they’ll never have to worry about finding a home again.”

For more information about the Gamma-Omicron campaign, please contact coordinator Marcus Belanger at [email protected].

Cross & Crescent May 201331www.lambdachi.org/cross-crescent Cross & Crescent May 201331www.lambdachi.org/cross-crescent

FRATERNITY NEWS

By Tad Lichtenauer (Denison)

On June 3, 2013, seven new brothers will join the Professional Staff in Indianapolis.New Educational Leadership Consultants

On June 3, 2013, the General Fraternity will welcome seven new educational leadership consultants. Though they come from a variety of backgrounds, each man has served in leadership roles in his home chapter and several have previously served the General Fraternity, either as members of the Student Advisory Committee or the Council of Presidents.

Christopher Buck (Ball State)Originally from Rhodes, Iowa, Buck is a political science major and will be graduating from Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana. As a student campus leader he has served as SGA vice president, Judicial Board member,

Credential Board member, Student Service chairman, and on-campus whip. In addition, he served the University Senate as an undergraduate representative and ex-officio non-voting member of the Student Rights and Community Standards subcommittee. As an undergraduate brother he served the Iota-Alpha chapter as president and recruitment chairman. He also regularly volunteered at the Cornerstone Center for the Arts and played on the chapter’s intramural team.

Justin Friend (Ball State)Originally from Peru, Indiana, Friend is a public relations major and will be graduating in May from Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana. As a student campus leader he has served as IFC Judicial Board member, Black


FRATERNITY NEWS

Student Association member, Public Relations Society of America member, University Board of Trustees Student Selection Committee member, and University Review Board judge. As an undergraduate brother he served the Iota-Alpha chapter as social chairman. He also has been a three-year member of the chapter’s intramural volleyball team.

Joshua Gamse (Maryland-Baltimore)Originally from Baltimore, Maryland, Gamse is a history major and will be graduating in May from the University of Maryland, Baltimore. As a student leader he has served as IFC chapter representative, IFC secretary, Relationship Violence

Prevention advocate, UMBC Green Dot Advisory Board member, Rebuilding Manhood member, and member of the West Hill/Terrace Community Action Board. As an undergraduate brother he served the Phi-Delta chapter as president, alumni chairman, secretary, executive member at-large, and ritualist.

Keith Hamman (Iowa State)Originally from Sioux City, Iowa, Hamman is a psychology major and will be graduating in May from Iowa State University. As an undergraduate brother he served the Alpha-Tau chapter as vice president and social chairman. He also assisted the chapter

brothers by serving as the kitchen assistant to the chapter’s chef.

Allen Horton (Arkansas State)Originally from Marshall, Arkansas, Horton is a broadcast journalism major and will be graduating in May from Arkansas State University. As a student leader he served as IFC president, IFC vice president of

recruitment, new student orientation leader, and global student leader. As an undergraduate brother he served the Iota-Theta chapter as president, recruitment chairman and Executive Committee member. In addition, he has served the General Fraternity as the chairman of the Council of Presidents and as a member of the Fraternity’s Board of Directors.

Anthony Linder (Tarleton State)Originally from Keller, Texas, Linder is a business management major and will be graduating in May from Tarleton State University. As a student campus leader he has served as the SGA vice president of external affairs and public relations, junior class

senator, Student Programming Executive member, and IFC vice president of recruitment. As an undergraduate brother he served the Phi-Rho chapter as president, vice president, fraternity educator, and recruitment chairman. In addition, he has served the General Fraternity as the vice chairman of the Student Advisory Committee and as a member of the Fraternity’s Board of Directors.

Michael Rosenberg (Towson)Originally from Rhodes, Iowa, Rosenberg is a sports management major and will be graduating in May from Towson University. As an undergraduate brother he served the Phi-Omega chapter as president, vice president-internal, vice president-

external, and social chairman.

Two Returning Senior ELCsIn addition, Brian Watts (Kansas State 2012) and Joel Weyrauch (Butler 2012) will be returning for a second year as senior ELCs.



FRATERNITY NEWS

By Tad Lichtenauer (Denison)

This summer’s Stead Leadership Seminar in Memphis -- July 25-28, 2013 -- offers a wide variety of new curriculum for undergraduate attendees.

Summer Leadership Training

From July 25 to July 28, 2013, Lambda Chi Alpha brothers from across North America will convene at the University on Memphis for the 2013 Stead Leadership Seminar.

This three-day event will teach you chapter programming and leadership skills to take back and share with your chapter. It will also provide you the chance to meet brothers from your Conclave, from all across North America, and will offer you a once-in-a-lifetime experience that you’ll never forget.

The Professional Staff and alumni volunteers have a wide variety of agenda items currently planned for you. These include:

Category: RecruitmentProgram: Branding & MarketingObjective: To learn about the benefits of utilizing a consistent brand and the downfalls for not, as well as to discuss best recruitment marketing practices, particularly social media

Program: Who Are We Bidding?Objective: To learn how to develop criteria for membership using the Seven Core Values and to provide best practices on how to conduct an effective bid discussion

Program: Recruitment Skills TrainingObjective: To learn about a variety of recruitment skills and techniques, and how to build a recruitment training program to prepare the whole chapter for recruitment


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Program: Year-Round RecruitmentObjective: To learn how to be effective during formal recruitment, as well as informal recruitment, and to learn how to create, understand, and follow a plan of action for recruitment

Category: TRUE BrotherProgram: Incorporating the Learning ModelObjective: To encourage integration of the Learning Model into the Initiation Ritual, fraternity education, and everyday experiences; as well as how to debrief our Initiation Ritual

Program: TRUE Leader IObjective: To become more aware of one’s strengths and weaknesses as a leader and to become more aware of one’s natural leadership style

Program: TRUE Leader IIObjective: To focus on the development and understanding of interpersonal group dynamics and development of skills in engaging others

Program: True Leader IIIObjective: To gain more mature leadership skills and to demonstrate the ability to practice flexibility of leadership styles

Program: Inner CircleObjective: To share best practices for implementation of the Inner Circle Journey, and to provide an opportunity for troubleshooting. Evolutions will be conducted during this session as well

Category: SpecializedProgram: Dynamic of ChangeObjective: To gain an understanding about the nature of change, and to learn techniques to encourage and motivate change within the chapter

Program: Alumni EngagementObjective: To learn about opportunities for good alumni brothers to engage the chapter, and to discuss best practices to solicit and engage alumni

Program: Maximizing Your Harm Reduction Program SpecializedObjective: To emphasize the Harm Reduction Report, and to educate chapters on how to enhance their Harm Reduction/Risk Management program

Program: Executive Committee TrainingObjective: To educate about the basic roles and responsibilities for the Executive Committee, to improve efficiency by sharing best practices



FRATERNITY NEWS

Program: Debriefing Our Open Ceremonies & Pre-IObjective: To gain a deeper understanding of Lambda Chi Alpha’s open ceremonies and pre-initiation activities by learning techniques for conducting a proper debrief

Program: Big Brothers ProgramObjective: To emphasize and educate chapters about the role of a Big Brother in the Associate Member Education Program

Program: Budget & Money ManagementObjective: To educate chapters about effective techniques for budgeting and money management.

Program: High Zeta Retreat/Officer TransitionObjective: To learn and understand how to plan and conduct a High Zeta retreat and to have proper officer transition by sharing best practices

Program: Constitution & Statutory Code 101Objective: To educate chapters on the Constitution and Statutory Code, and to troubleshoot common misinterpretations of the laws

Program: Scholastic ProgramObjective: To share best practices to enhance the chapter’s scholastic program, and to better equip chapters to enforce standards

Program: Hosting a ConclaveObjective: To inform chapters about the petitioning process to host a conclave, and the role and responsibilities of the Host Chapter

Program: Alumni ProgrammingObjective: To educate alumni about Lambda Chi Alpha today, and to discuss volunteering opportunities within the organization, as well as providing time to share best practices with alumni volunteers

Register TodayIf you have questions or would like more information about any of these sessions, please contact Associate Director of Education Marcus Kelley at [email protected].

For more information and the link to conference registration, please visit the conference page on our website: https://www.lambdachi.org/events/stead-leadership-conference


HISTORY

A Unique but Seldom Performed Ritual of Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity

By Mike Raymond (Miami- OH)

The Memorial Service

A few weeks ago I celebrated my 68th birthday. In my experience birthdays are good; a time for fun, cake and ice cream, and great memories. I really enjoy a good birthday party. However this year my birthday came with the full realization that I am not immortal. Like most people I am caught in a limbo, of sorts, between the belief that I will live forever and the growing understanding that I will die. When I was younger death seemed a long way off, but now that I am older it seems to be growing ever closer.

The question now is how do I deal with this realization that I am not going to live forever? My answer is to deal with

it by putting my house in order. So, I have gathered my basic documents like my will, power of attorney, credit card numbers, and so forth. I think that you will be amazed at the quantity of documents that are part of your life. I have decided that I will make it as easy as possible for my family when the time comes for me to exit this world of ours.

I have also decided to gift my body to the School of Medicine at Wright State University in Dayton, Ohio. My mother and my wife’s parents made the decision to do this, too. I like the thought of my body being used to further the education of future physicians, nurses, and other medical professionals. I will be cremated and, after a period of time, my urn will be placed in a family columbarium at a nearby cemetery.

These basic decisions mean that a traditional funeral service is out of the picture for me.

The Lambda Chi Alpha Memorial ServiceEven though I have determined that a traditional funeral will not work for me, there will be a need for closure to my life. I want a service that will celebrate my life and provide an opportunity for my family and friends to move on with their lives.

Where to begin? I began looking for a model that I could use as the basis for a service. This is where Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity comes into the picture.

Lambda Chi has been a significant part of my life for nearly 50 years. Next January will mark my 50th anniversary as a member of our fraternity. I have been blessed with many life-long Lambda Chi friendships. I have enjoyed much involvement with our General Fraternity and I have had many wonderful experiences with the members of my chapter. My membership in Lambda Chi Alpha, along with


HISTORY

my family relationships and career, is at the heart of who and what I am as a man. So it was natural for me to look to our fraternity as a source for my memorial.

My QuestI began my quest by doing various Internet searches and going through my collection of fraternity documents. My goal was to find a service that reflected my love of life, family, and fraternity. I found nothing of real interest to me on the Internet.

Neither did I find much help about a fraternity-based memorial from my Lambda Chi documents; at least not at first. I did find a brief reference, from Peyser’s history book, concerning the Fourth Assembly at Omicron Zeta authorizing “...the standing Ritual Committee (composed of Warren Cole, Ernst Fischer, and Samuel Dyer) to establish a form for mourning.” I could find no record of such a “form for mourning” being created, let alone being used by our fraternity; not a very promising start. It appears that none of our great early leaders, such as Cole and Mason, had a Lambda Chi Alpha memorial service. This was the state of affairs until about 1984.

A few years ago I discovered a small booklet entitled The Open Rituals of Lambda Chi Alpha. I put it away and forgot about it until I started this research. The authors of this booklet are not recorded, however the preamble to the section concerning an Outline of a Fraternity Memorial Service states that “during the period of 1982 to 1984, the Committee on Emblems and Ritual was charged with the task of reviewing all of Lambda Chi Alpha’s ritualistic practices.” This task included a review of the Associate Members Ceremony, the ritual for conducting business meetings, the installation of officers and the High Pi, table graces, and the memorial to a member. The “table graces” are a small collection of prayers that were lifted from the 1920 edition of the Ritual Book.

The Creator of the Memorial ServiceThe creator of the Lambda Chi Alpha Memorial Service Outline is the Rev. Dr. George W. McDaniel (Iowa). Brother McDaniel is a respected Catholic priest and professor emeritus of history at St. Ambrose University in Davenport, Iowa. He is also an accomplished writer with

many articles and books bearing his name, including St. Ambrose’s official history, “A Great and Lasting Beginning: The First 125 Years of St. Ambrose University.”

Now retired from teaching and ministry, he continues to serve as the Chancellor of the Diocese of Davenport and, in recent years, he has attended a number of General Assemblies and Stead Leadership Seminars.

McDaniel was a natural choice to prepare our fraternity’s memorial service since his considerable experience as a priest and a historian certainly qualify him to be its author.

McDaniel has produced a short, flexible, but focused Outline and he is careful to point out that there is no “prescribed memorial service” for our fraternity. Moreover, the task of composing one has been made more complicated as, over the years, Lambda Chi has moved from being a strictly Christian organization to one that welcomes men of all faiths. The outline of services, while predominantly Christian in nature, draws from Jewish, interfaith, and secular traditions.

My Lambda Chi Memorial ServiceAll of this means that our members are free to create their own. I intend to use the three-page outline and 13 pages of suggested ideas from the Open Rituals booklet to fashion my memorial service. I think that it is a positive and healthy way for me to prepare for my demise. If nothing else it will save my family a lot of time and trouble in organizing one in my absence.

I also think that this exercise will provide me with an opportunity to create a unique experience for my friends and family. To my knowledge, there have been no recorded cases where the Outline has been used by a chapter to prepare a service. There is some speculation that it has been used a few times in the past but there is no documentation to support this notion.

I suggest to readers that a copy of the Open Rituals booklets be downloaded so that a comparison can be made between the original Outline and my proposed adaptation of it.



HISTORY

Outline of My Memorial ServiceThe memorial will be held a few weeks after the return of my ashes from the crematorium and will take place at the Sesquicentennial Chapel at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. This neo-colonial chapel was built in 1959 to celebrate the 150th anniversary of Miami’s founding by the Ohio General Assembly. It is the perfect site since many members of Zeta-Upsilon have been initiated in this building.

Prior to the service a table should be prepared to display items that are significant to my life. I suggest a recent picture of my family, a small scrapbook of my family activities, a photo of myself, the Lambda Chi flag, my Lambda Chi Membership Certificate, Coat of Arms, Badge, Order of Merit medal, a sample of the articles and books that I have written, the drawing of Upham Hall by Jack Hendry, my Scottish Rite Membership Certificate, and, above all, my wedding ring.

[At about 10 minutes before the start of the service the instrumental versions of “I Heard it Through the Grapevine” and “Layla” should be played.]

The closed Bible will be placed on the triangular alter that will also contain a single white candle, a bowl of sand, and a single white rose.

The presiding officers, drawn from volunteer alumni and active brothers of Zeta-Upsilon Zeta, will stand in a crescent behind the alter.

H. Alpha: Brother High Phi, you will prepare the alter of Lambda Chi Alpha for our memorial service.

[High Phi opens the Bible to 1 Corinthians 13 and lights the candle.]

H. Alpha: Our Brother, Michael J. Raymond, has departed from the bond of Lambda Chi

Alpha. Although life has deserted his physical body, we know his spirit lives and will dwell in the hearts of those who love him. H. Alpha: Universal Spirit, we come to you in our weakness and humbly ask your help. We lay our burden of sorrow at your feet and seek your comfort.

Brother Raymond has been removed from among us. Through his death may we be reminded of the uncertainty of human life and the frailty of all things earthly.

Grant that we may be solemnly impressed with the necessity of preparing ourselves for the great change which awaits us all.

Amen.

[The instrumental version of “For the Beauty of the Earth” should be played at this time.]

H. Alpha: Brother High Kappa, you will read the lesson.

The High Kappa reads the following passage by poet Edwin Markham (Rollins):

There is a destiny that makes us brothers,

None goes his way alone.

All that we send into the lives of others

comes back into our own.

H. Kappa: This is the time for anyone to remark upon the life and times of Mike Raymond.

[An opportunity is now given for members of the audience to share their stories.]

The High Kappa reads the following quotation from noted science fiction writer Kurt Vonnegut:

Being a Unitarian Universalist means trying to behave decently without expectation of reward or punishment after you are dead.

[The instrumental version of “Joyful! Joyful! We Adore


HISTORY

Thee” should be played at this time.]

H. Alpha: A time of grief is a time of Faith, a time of Hope, and a time of Love. Our faith supports us as we suffer the loss of a loved one. Our hope is strengthened by trust in the assurances given to us by our Exemplar. Love for each other reaches a new high as we come together to mourn, to bring someone we love to final rest, and to acknowledge our thankfulness for having Brother Mike in our lives.

We are surrounded by signs which can offer to all of us the consolation that Nature provides at this time. The delicate, silvery crescent, rising higher in the sky day after day, symbolizes for us birth; the birth of a soul. And as the crescent grows into the full moon reflecting the light of the sun, so does it represent the growth of a spiritual realization within us reflecting the glory of our Creator.

Brothers, also remember our open motto, Per Crucem Crescens, the crescent in the cross, growth through proper striving.

[The song, “Turn, Turn, Turn” by the Byrds should be played at this time.]

H. Beta: Let us meditate on the following Irish poem:

Feel no guilt in laughter, he’d know how much you care. Feel no sorrow in a smile that he is not here to share.

You cannot grieve forever; he would not want you to. He’d hope that you could carry on the way you always do.

So, talk about the good times and the way you showed you cared, The days you spent together, all the happiness you shared.

Let memories surround you, a word someone may say will suddenly recapture a time, an hour, a day.

That brings him back as clearly as though he were still here.

And fills you with the feeling that he is always near.

Another Lambda Chi Memorial ServiceFather McDaniel is also responsible for the creation of another service used by our fraternity. In his own words, McDaniel writes, “Oddly, for a number of years I was asked to do a memorial service at General Assem-blies and Leadership Seminars but it was made clear to me that I was not to use...” the Outline.

The following is the Memorial Service he created about twenty years ago for use at General Assemblies. He recollects that it has not been conduct-ed in at least ten years.

Since we last gathered in General Assembly two years ago, many of our brothers have died. It is fitting that we take a few moments to remember them and to confront the fact of death in our own lives. The fourth century bishop, Ambrose of Milan, wrote about the death of his brother Satyrus:

“Nothing among things of earth...was more precious to me, nothing more worthy of love, nothing more dear than such a brother.

...[I must be grateful to God and] rejoice that I had such a brother [rather] than grieve that I had lost a brother, for the former is a gift, the latter a debt to be paid.”

Having such a brother is a gift!

We therefore rejoice in the gift that our brothers were in this life.

We remember especially:

PAST MEMBERS OF THE GRAND HIGH ZETA

PAST MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF THE EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION

MEMBERS OF THE ORDER OF ACIEVEMENT

MEMBERS OF THE ORDER OF MERIT

FORMER STAFF

SPECIAL FRIENDS

Many of these brothers, and dozens of others they represent tonight, lived well past the biblical three score and ten years. Their lives were a gift to their families, communities, and our brotherhood.

And we also remember:

[NAMES; usually undergraduates]

and others who died with their lives ahead of them. Their deaths remind us to “Remember our Creator in the days of our youth.” Their lives remind us of what a great gift life is, and that we should savor every moment, for we know not the day or the hour.

Our deceased brothers graced us by the gift of their lives. The debt we pay for having known and loved them, is to redouble our commitment to the ideals of the fraternity they loved and served. Let us hold them in our hearts and remember them in a moment of silent prayer.

We give back to you, O God, those whom you gave to us. You did not lose them when you gave them to us, and we do not lose them by their return to you. Our faith teaches us that life is eternal and that love cannot die. So death is only a horizon, and a horizon is only the limit of our sight. Open our eyes to see more clearly, and draw us closer to you, that we may know that we are nearer to our brothers who are with you. Prepare us also for that happy place, that where you are, we may also always be, Lord of life and death.


HISTORY

For if you keep those moments, you will never be apart and he will live forever locked safely within your heart.

H. Alpha: And now brothers and friends, as a sign of the peace and brotherhood that exists among us, let us greet one another in a sign of peace.

[Brothers greet one another and the guests with a warm handshake or embrace]

H. Alpha: Brother High Phi, we have concluded our memorial service. You will prepare the alter for dismissal.

[High Phi raises the candle and then extinguishes it in the bowl of sand. He then closes the Bible.]

[The instrumental version of the song “Layla” should be played as the High Alpha leads the congregation from the chapel.]

A Word of ExplanationI think an explanation of some of my choices is warranted. The music I choose to use is a selection of traditional and contemporary instrumental pieces. I like the sound of “Layla” but not the lyrics. Eric Clapton is a master guitarist. I place this song toward the beginning of the service and also as the exit song. I like the sound of the last few riffs of Layla which I interpret as the soul leaving the body.

The only song that I selected that is actually sung is “Turn, Turn, Turn,” by the Byrds. The music is powerful but the words even more so.

Songs like “The Beauty of the Earth” are songs that I grew to love as a member of my Unitarian Universalist Church in Eldorado, Ohio.

The memorial table is a way for me to show some of who I am. I could have picked a lot more. For example, I am a collector of books, games, fountain pens, knives, and fraternity and sorority things. I could have put some representative samples of my collections on the table. I didn’t.

I put things on the table that represented my family, my

fraternal involvement, my writings, Miami University, and my membership in Freemasonry.

The drawing of Upham Hall is very important to me for three reasons:

It is named after Dr. Alfred H. Upham, President of Miami University, who was instrumental in organizing the Adanerion Club in 1940. This event led to the establishment of Lambda Chi Alpha’s Zeta-Upsilon Zeta in 1950.The drawing was done by John (Jack) O. Hendry (DePauw) the Founding Father of Zeta-Upsilon and close personal friend.The legend of Upham Arch, which states that “If you kiss your true love under the Upham Arch, you will marry and the bond will never be broken.” My wife of nearly 46 years and I had that kiss and the legend has held true.As can be guessed, the wedding ring is the symbol of my love for the most important person in my life.

The memorial table allows people to reflect on my life and their lives.

ConclusionI hope that this article has brought some attention to a little known and seldom exemplified Lambda Chi Ritual. I believe that Father McDaniel deserves our thanks for crafting the Memorial Service Outline. I hope that I have demonstrated that it can be used to create a solid memorial service.

I also hope that my older Brothers are thinking about their remaining time on earth. I recommended giving some attention to your final wishes through your will, power of attorney, and written memorial or funeral arrangements. Doing so is an act of kindness that will be appreciated by your family.

may 2013 cross & crescent

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